A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden.

A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden.

Table of contents

Title page

TO THE Religious and Honourable LADY, LETITIA POPHAM; Wife to Colonel ALEXANDER POPHAM.

The Epistle to the READER.

AN EXPOSITION WITH NOTES On the EPISTLE of JUDE.

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An Alphabetical Table.

The names of such places of Scripture, as are occasionally explained and opened in this Treatise.

ERRATA.

FINIS.

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A Practical Commentary, OR AN EXPOSITION WITH NOTES On the Epistle of JUDE.

Delivered (for the most part) In sundry weekly Lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex.

By THOMAS MANTON, B. D. and Minister of Covent. Garden.

LONDON, Printed by J. M. for Luke Fawn, and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Parrot in Pauls Church-yard. 1658.

TO THE Religious and Honourable LADY, LETITIA POPHAM; Wife to Colonel ALEXANDER POPHAM.

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MADAM,

`TIS a lovely Conjunction when Goodness and Greatness meet together: Persons of Estate and Respect in the world, have more temptations and hinderances than [Page] others, but greater obligations to own God; the great Landlord of the world expecteth a Rent from every Country-Cottage, but a large Revenue from great Houses: Now usually it falleth out so, that Qui majores terras possident, minores census solv [...]nt, Parisiensis. they that hold the greatest Farms pay the least Rent; never is the Lord more neglected and dishonoured then in great mens Houses, in the very face of all his bounty; if Religion chance to get in there, it is soon worn out again; though vices live long in a family, and run in a blood from father to son, yet 'tis a rare case to see strictness of Religion carryed on for three or four descents; 'twas the honour of Abrahams house, that from Father to Son for a long while, they were Heirs of the same Promise, Heb. 11. 9, but where is there such a succession to be found in the houses of our Gentry? [Page] The Father perchance professeth godliness (for [...], saith the Apostle,b 1 Cor. 1. 26. not many noble, &c. there are a few, he doth not say there are none) and a carnal son cometh and turneth all out of doors, as if he were ashamed of his Fathers God: The Causes of this mischief may be supposed to be these. 1. Plenty ill-governed disposeth to vice and sin, as a rank soil is apt to breed weeds. 2. Brave Spirits (as the world counteth them) think Coguntur esse mali ne viles habeantur. Salvian. strictness inglorious, and the power of Religion a base thing, that taketh off from their Grandure and Esteem: a loose owning of Christianity is honourable, since the Kings of the earth have counted it one of the fairest flowers of their Crowns to be stiled the Catholick King, the most Christian King, the Defender of the Faith, &c. But a true submission [Page] to the power of it is made a scorn, as being contrary to that liberty of fashions, vanity of complement, and some Gentile customes, which in a fond compliance with the humour of the age they are loth to part with; 'twere a rude zeal to deny them honest civilities, but certain Customes and Modes there are inconsistent with the severity of Religion, which rather then men will part with, they will even break with God himself. 3. The Marriage of children into carnal families, wherein they consult rather with the greatness of their House then the continuing of Christs interest in their line and Posterity; how careful are they that they should match in their own rank for blood & Estate! should they not be as careful for Religion also? but even good people give a suspicion [Page] sometimes that they do not beleeve what they do profess; That this is the ready way to undo all that hath been set on foot for God, is evident by See Gen. 6. 1, 2, 3. Psal. 106. 38. Neh. 13. 25. 26. Scripture and Experience▪ in Scripture we read of Jehoram, who is said to walk in the way of the Kings of Israel, for the Daughter of Ahab was his wife, 2 King 8. 18. and in Ecclesiastical History of Valens the Emperour, who by marrying with an Arian Lady, was himself ensnared in that wicked opinion.

All this is spoken (Madam) to quicken you to the greater care in your Relations, that you may settle a standing interest for Jesus Christ so hopefully already begun in your House and Family; it will not be pleasing to you that I should publish upon the house top what God hath done for you, or enabled you [Page] to do for him; Go on still and be faithful, there are few (that I know in the world) who have more cause to honour God then you have.

That I have inscribed this Commentary to your name will not seem strange to those that know my great obligations to your Self and your worthy Husband, and your interest in that Stoke Newington. beloved place and people, among whom I have had so many sweet opportunities of enjoying, and (I hope) of glorifying God, and from whom I should never have removed, but upon those weighty causes and considerations which did even rend me from them: and though I am now transplanted and owe very much service and respect elsewhere, yet that The Right Honorable William Earl of Bed [...]ord. Noble Lord that gave me the Call will allow me full time and leave to pay my old [Page] debts that afterward I may be the more in a capacity publickly to express my gratitude to himself.

If any should be so foolish as to object the unsuiteableness of Dedicating a Comment on the Scripture to one of your Sex (as it seemeth some did to Hieron. Epist. 140. Jerom) I shall not plead, that two of the Books of Scripture are named from Women, Ruth and Esther, that an Epistle which maketh up a part of the Canon in inscribed to an Elect Lady, that if this be a fault Hieron, to Celantia Asella, &c. others have faulted in like kinde before me, but onely that this is a practicall Commentary, and surely in matters of practise (which is every Christians Common interest) your Sex hath a full share: though your course of life be more private and confined, yet you have your service; the Scriptures speak of the womans [Page] gaining upon the husband, 1 Pet. 3. 1. seasoning the children, Pro. 31. 1. 2 Tim. 1. 5. incourraging the servants in a way of Godliness, especially of their own Sex, 'tis said Esther 4. 16. I also and my maidens will fast likewise: these maidens were either Jews, and then it sheweth what servants should be taken into a nearer attendance, such as savour of Religion, see, Psal. 101. 6. or else which is more probable, such as she had instructed in the true Religion, for these maidens were appointed her by the Eunuch, and were before instructed in Court-fashions, Esther 2. 9. but that did not satisfie, she taketh time to instruct them in the knowledge of the true God, and it seemeth in her apartment had many oppertunities of religious commerce with [Page] them in the Worship of God. Madam, how far you practise these duties, it is not necessary that I should tell the world, persevere with cheerfulness, and in due time you shall reap if you faint not: the good Lord shed abroad the Comforts and Graces of his Spirit more abundantly into your heart, which is the unfeigned desire of him, who is

Madam,

Your most Obliged, and respectively Observant Tho: Manton.

The Epistle to the READER.

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Good Reader,

THe people of God have ever been exercised with two sorts of Enemies, Persecutors and Sectaries: 'tis hard to say which is worst; when the Christian Church began first to look forth in the world, there were adverse powers without ready to crush it, and Libertines who (like worms bred within the body) sought to devour the entrails and eat out the very bowels of it: the first Ring-leader was Simon Magus, and there followed Menander Saturninus, Basilides, Carpocrates, Cerinthus, Ebion, Cerdo, Marcion, Tatianus, Valentinus, and many others, who being once turned aside from the truth and the fellowship of the faithfull, lost all awe of God, and were given up to a sottish judgment to believe all kinde of fables and fancies. The monsters of Africa came from the unnatural commixtures of the beasts running wild in the desarts; so when men had once broken through the hedg, mingling their own fancies with the Word of God by an unnatural production, they brought forth such monstrous and absurd Opinions.

In succeeding ages the devil hath often plaid over the old game; sometimes oppressing the Church by the tyranny of pseudo-christians, as many Martyrs being made by Antichristian, as Pagan, persecutions, Revel. 14. 13. at other times corrupting the trueth by error, [Page] or rendring it suspitious by the divisions about it: heresies revolve as fashions, and in the course of a few years, antiquated errors revive again, and that by their means who did not so much as know them by name.

When God first called his people out of Babylon by Luthers reformation, and the Christian religion began to be restored to its pristine purity, there was not only a Roman party to persecute, but a fanatical party to perplex the estate of reformation, and retard the course of the Gospel, as histories do abundantly declare, especially Sleidan in his Commentaries.

What hath been our late experience, we all know, and have cause to bewail, assoon as wee were freed from our hard task-masters, and a door of hope began to be opened to us, [...] swarm of libertines have arisen among us, and do every day increase in number, power and malice, and under various forms oppugn the unquestionable interests of Iesus Christ, to the great scandal of reformation and the sadning of the hearts of the godly. We seem to be ripe for a judgment, but from what corner the storm shall blow we cannot tell; some fear a return of Popery, and that a second deluge of Antichristianisme shall overwhelm the Western Churches; the Papists (I confess▪ are dangerous, but the great and next fear I think to be from libertines and a yokeless generation of men who are most reproachful to religion and most troublesom.

The spirit and drift of this Epistle is carried out mainly against this fanatical and libertine party; and therefore I suppose it to be a mistake in Dr Willet, Mr Perkins and others, when they would turn the edg of it against the Papists, I confess they had a temptation that [Page] way, these being the only Heretical party with whom the Church of God was then in suit, and symbolizing in many things with those of the other extream, as usually darknesse and darknesse doth better agree than light and darknesse: but certainly the party described here are not a domineering faction, that carry things by power and greatnesse and height of natural abilities, as the Papists do; but a creeping party, such as by sordid and clancular waies seek to undermine the truth, a kinde of mean and loose sort of people, that vented monstrous and grosse conceits, chiefly out of envy against those that excelled in gifts and place; and if our modern Ranters, Familists, Quakers be not here described in their lively colours (as if the Apostle had lived to heare their blasphemous expressions and that contempt which they cast upon the Officers of the Church) I confesse then I understand nothing of the whole Epistle. If the Judicious Reader let alone the larger discussion of the observations, and go but over the explications of each verse, hee will soon finde my observation true.

What I have done, through grace, to the clearer understanding of the Apostles scope, and the larger explanation of the common places here offered, I shall not mention, but leave to the Readers judgment: some will blame mee for being too large, and others in many places for being too short; I shall only let the first sort know, that in the larger explications of points of doctrine, I have rather satisfied the desires of others, than followed my own judgment; who, when these things were first delivered (which was long since) in the way of short notes, were willing to hear the points [Page] more largely debated, and so I went over them again in a Sermon-fashion: if any blame mee for being too short, let them know, that therein I have more satisfied my self, as keeping to the Laws of an expository exercise. I confess I am so conscious to the many imperfections of this work, that the Reader had never been troubled with it, had it not been extorted from mee by such importunity as I could not withstand: especially did I judg the publication needless, the Elaborate commentary of my Reverend Brother Mr William Jenkyns being already printed; but when I saw that wee went different waies in prosecuting the same truth, that objection ceased: seasonable things must be often urged, and the variety of method maketh the repetition gratefull. I observe Gods providence in it, when divers men fall upon the same work, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every truth might be established. Beza (I remember) perswadeth Olevian to print his Meditations on the Galatians, though many excellent Writers had but lately and diligently explained that Epistle: Dr King, Dr Abbot and Dr Benefield all wrote upon Jonah and with approbation near about the same time. As much as my occasions would permit me, I consulted with my Reverend Brothers Book, and when I found any point at large discussed by him, I either omitted it, or mentioned it very briefly; so that his Labors will be necessary to supply the weaknesses of mine. This work hath been long in the Press; and no wonder, the Authour lying under such an oppression of Business, it being carried on by snatches and spare hours; many faults have been occasioned, whether by the obscurity of the Copy, or the negligence of the [Page] Printer, I will not now determine: surely I have had to do with those that learned how to make a pitcher in a tubb, or else they would never have so pitifully mangled the Greek and Latine sentences, that in some places they are scarce intelligible. I have added the Errata in the end, which must be consulted with, or else the Reader will hardly finde sense, and in some places not true doctrine: the Tables I have collected with some diligence; the one of Scriptures, which are either vindicated or largely illustrated in this Commentary; the other of the principal matters, especially the common places here discussed: if by all thou findest any help in the way of thy heavenly Calling, bless God, and forget not to put up one prayer for

The meanest of the Lords Servants, THO. MANTON.

AN EXPOSITION WITH NOTES On the EPISTLE of JUDE.

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VERSE 1.‘Jude the Servant of Jesus Christ, and Brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.’

THis Epistle, as others, beginneth with usual Christian salutations; these are continued through the two first Verses, in which you have,

1. The person saluting, Jude, the Author of the Epistle.

2. The persons saluted, the Beleevers of that age.

3. The form of sal [...]tion, Vers. 2. Mercy, and peace, and love be multiplyed.

This first Verse presenteth us with the two first Circumstances, [Page] the Saluter, and the saluted. 1. The Saluter is described by his name, Judas; his office and condition of life, the servant of Jesus Christ; by his kindred and relation, and Brother of James. 2. The Saluted they are described, 1. By their condition, [...] called, that is to be read first, as Beza. 2. By the effects and manifestations of it, which are two: 1. Sanctified by God the Father. 2. Preserved in Jesus Christ. These are the parts, I shall explain them branch by branch in the order propounded, with practical hints from each, which I shall handle in no fuller latitude then the present Text will allow.

1. The Saluter, and there his name Judas, called also Thaddeus, Mat. 10. 3. and Lebbaeus; these several names implying the same thing, and were given him either by the people or the Disciples, partly to distinguish him from Judas the Apostate, partly to note his constancy in confessing and praising God; for so it signifieth, as you may see Gen. 29. 35. Now Leah said, I will praise the Lord▪ therefore she called his name Judah. Divers note hence, 1. That Christian names should be significant, such as may remember us of duty. Again,Observations. 2. That it is lawsul to divulge or conceal our names in our writings, according as it may make for the glory of God, to do either the one or the other. Jude mentioneth his name, but Paul doth not, or whosoever was the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. 3. That godly men and wicked may both be called by the same name: So Judas the Apostle, and▪ Judas the Apostate: There was Enoch Cains son, Gen. 4. 17. and Enoch Seths son of the Church line, that walked with God, Gen▪ 5. 22. But to mention these things is more then enough; the next circumstance will afford us more.

2. His office and condition, the Servant of Jesus Christ. It is a thing usual with the Apostles to prefix this among other their honorary titles; as Rom. 1. 1. Paul a Servant of Jesus Christ: so Phil. 1. 1. The greatest honour that he would put upon himself and Timothy, was this, Paul and Timotheus the Servants of Jesus Christ. This term, a servant of God or Christ, in the use of Scripture, is several ways applyed▪ 1. It may be understood of any kind of subserviency to [Page] Gods Will and secret Counsels, or instrumentality in the execution of his Decrees: so wicked men may be said to be Gods servants, so far forth as he serveth his designs of their endeavors: as Cyrus was Gods servant, because he should perform all his pleasure: so Nebuchadnezzar, Jer. 27. 6. These things have I given into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar my servant. 2. It noteth a pious care to perform Gods revealed Will; they that out of a sense of his love resign up themselves to do his Will, are called his servants▪ so he that is called in the Lord, whether he be bond or free, is said to be Christs servant, 1 Cor. 7. 22. So godly Masters are said to have the Lord for their Master, Ephes. 6. 9. Knowing that your Master is also in Heaven: In the former place he saith, a servant is Gods freeman; and here, that a Master is Gods servant. 3. It noteth designation to any publique office for Gods glory; those that do more eminently or more nearly serve God in some peculiar office, are called his servants; as Magistrates. Rom. 12. 4. He is the Minister of God for thy God: And vers. 6. Gods Ministers attending continually for this thing. But yet more especially they are called Ministers and servants, who sustain the publique Offices of the Church; as 2 Tim. 2. 14. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all m [...]n, apt to teach; patient; meaning one employed in the publique Ministry. So the Priests of the Old Testament were called the Lords servants, as Psal. 134. 1. Behold, bless ye the Lord all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord; He speaketh to the Priests that were to watch in the Temple: and in this sence it is said, Amos 3. 7. I have sent my servants the Prophets. But now among these Ministers and Officers of the Church, the Prophets and Apostles are stiled so by way of eminency: Yea yet further▪ Christ, because of his Office of Mediator, which is the highest Office, and proper to the Head of the Church, is called Gods Servant; as Isai. 49. 3. Thou art my Servant: and Isai. 53. 11. By his knowledg shall my righteous Servant justifie many. To apply all now to the case in hand; Jude is called a servant of Jesus Christ, not only as one that had given up himself to do his Will as a Christian, but as an Apostle See my Exposition on Ja [...] ▪ 1. 1. [Page] Let us now observe something hence.

Observe first, That Jude placeth his service among his Titles: Observat. 1. He might have urged other things to render himself honorable to the world, but he doth not stand upon those things, it is enough for him to say, Jude a servant: As Jude the Lords Cousin calleth himself his servant; so doth Mary the Lords Mother stile her self his handmaid, Luk. 1. 38. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: And the Apostles generally urge it as one of the fairest flowers in their garland, the honour of being Christs servants; yea Christ himself counteth it no dishonour to be stiled Gods servant: The meanest offices about Princes are accounted honorable; to be a Groom there, is better then to be a Lord elsewhere: Servire Deo regnare est, it is royal and kingly to be Gods servant; indeed every servant there is a 1 Pet. 2. 9. Rev. 1. 6. King; as Zeba and Zalmunna said of Gideons Brethren, They each one resembled the children of a King: so all these are spiritual Kings, that live the noblest and freest life in the world. And as we have a glorious Master, so consider your fellow-servants; the glorified Saints and we make but one family, Ephes. 3. 15. And the Angels themselves are called his Ministers, Psal. 103. 21. Ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure; they are a part of Gods attendance, and wait upon their Masters person: When we have such fellow-servants, we should not count our work a slavery and baseness; it can be no disparagement to us to be in the same rank and order with the Angels and Saints departed. Well then, Learn to value the honour that you have by Christs service; as that Emperor counted it a greater priviledg to be a Member of the Church, then Head of the Empire: Look upon duty as an honour, and service as a priviledg; Honorabilia legis, Hos. 8. 12. so the Vulgar: And if ever you be put to your choyce, either to enjoy the greatest outward honours, or to serve Christ with disgrace, choose the latter. Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter when he came to age, Heb. 11. 24, 25. Galeacius Carraciolus left the honour of his Marquisate for an obscure life and the Gospel at Geneva: Indignities and dishonours done you in the way of duty, are honours; reproaches for Christs sake are [Page] treasure, Heb. 11. 26. One of Pauls honorary titles is, Paul a Prisoner of Jesus Christ, Philem. 1. and elsewhere he holdeth up his chain in a kind of triumph, For the hope of Israel am I bound with this chain, Acts 28. 20. What ever befalleth us in and for our service to Christ, be it never so disgraceful, it is rather a mark of honour, then a brand of shame.

Observe again, His relation to Christ is expressed by service; Observat. 2. as he describeth himself to be James's Brother, so Christs Servant; by that means he was entitled to Christ: if we would be Christs, we must do his Will; our John 12. 26. relation ariseth from service: Therefore I shall here take occasion to shew you what it is to be Christs servants. 1. Who ever is Christs servant must resign and give up himself wholly to the Will of Christ; for he that is Christs servant, he is so by Covenant and Consecration: We are indeed Christs by all kind of rights and titles; he made us, and not we our selves; no creature is of its self, and therefore it is not its own, but anothers: It is Gods Prerogative alone to love himself, and seek himself, because he alone is without obligation and dependance; but we owe our selves to him, and therefore cannot without robbery call our selves our own. Your Psal. 12. 4. tongues are not your own to speak what you please, nor your hearts your own to think what you please, nor your hands your own to do what you please; by virtue of your Creation you are anothers, and are bound to live and act for another, according to his Will, for his Glory. But this is not all; By Redemption you are Christs; Ye are bought with a price, 1 Cor. 6. 20. as the redeemed are bound to serve him that ransomed them: If a man had bought another out of captivity, or he had sold himself, all his strength or service belonged to the Buyer: Christ hath bought us from the worst slavery, and with the greatest Price; no thraldom so bad as bondage to Sin and Satan, no Prison so black as Hell, and certainly Christs Blood is better then a little money: So that to live as if we were at our own dispose, is to defraud Christ of his purchase. Thus we are Christs by Creation and Redemption; but now if we would be his servants, we must be his by voluntary contract, and spiritual resignation: Yield [Page] up your selves, &c. Rom. 6. 13. Christ loveth to have his right and title established by our own consent. We take Christ for Lord and Master, and give up our selves to him, that we may be no longer at our own dispose, and therefore it is not only robbery, but treachery and breach of Covenant to seek our selves in any thing. This resignation must be made out of a sense of Christs love to us in his death and sufferings: 2 Cor. 5. 15. Christ dyed, that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves, but unto him that dyed for them: We enter upon other services out of hopes, but we enter upon Christs service out of thankefulness. Again, This resignation must be universal, without reservation of any part: You must have no other Master but God; Mat. 6. 24. Ye cannot serve two Masters, ye cannot serve God and Mammon. Usually men divide themselves between God and the world; they would give their Consciences to Christ, and their hearts to Mammon: The Devil pleadeth for a part, for by that means he knoweth that the whole will fall to his share; therefore all, the whole man, in vow, purpose and resolution, must be given up to God. 2. Having given up your selves to Gods service, you must walk as his servants, that is, not as you list, but as the Master pleaseth: The Angels are Gods Ministers, doing his pleasure, Psal. 103. 21. A servant hath no will of his own, but hath given up his liberty to the directions and commands of another; therefore if you be Gods servants, you must earnestly desire the knowledg of his Will, and readily comply with it; you must not do things as they please self and flesh, but as they please God: David beggeth for knowledg as Gods servant, Psal. 119. 125. I am thy servant, grant me understanding, that I may know thy Testimonies. A faithful servant would not willingly offend his Master, and therefore would fain know what is his will: They plead with God, and search themselves, Rom. 12. 2. and all to know his pleasure; and not only to know it, but to do it, otherwise they are worthy of many stripes by Christs own sentence: The Masters will should be motive enough, 1 Thes. 4. 3. & 5. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 15. If God will have it so, if Jesus Christ will have it so, it is enough to a faithful servant: The very signification [Page] of Gods Will carryeth with it reason enough to enforce the practise of it. Yea you must equally comply with every Will of God, not only with the easie and pleasant ways of obedience, but such as cross lusts and interests. When two men go together, a man cannot tell whom the servant followeth till they part: When God and our lusts or our interests command contrary things, then you are put to the tryal whether you are Gods servants.

Again, Observe from the proper acception of the phrase,Observat. 3. as it is applyed to those that stand before the Lord in some special Office and Ministration; as to the Apostles, and by consequence to the Ministers of the Gospel. The Note is, That Ministers are servants of Jesus Christ; Paul a servant, and Jude a servant. We are to deal between God and the Soul, Factors for Heaven; there is many a good inference may be collected from this Notion, I shall refer all to two heads, the Ministers Duty and the Peoples. 1. It hinteth Duty to Ministers, it teacheth us diligence in our Lords work, for we are Servants, and must give an account, Heb. 13. 17. what good we have done in our places, how we have employed our parts, improved our Interests, for his glory. Math. 25. 19. After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them. We are entrusted with the talent of gifts, with the talent of office and authority in the Church; now God will see what we have done for his Glory, whether we have beaten our fellow servants, or helped them in the way of Salvation; whether our pound hath been hidden in a napkin, or layd out for the gain of Souls. Again, it hinteth faithfulness: We are not to trade for our selves, and to drive on our own designs of credit and advantage; we are servants, employed for the Masters uses: Gal. 1. 10. Do I yet please men? If I pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. A man that sets up for himself, is to trade for himself; but all that a servant doth, should be for his Masters honour and profit. 2. It hinteth duty to the people; Regard Ministers as servants of Christ, that you may give their persons all due honour; consider, God hath retained them as for a nearer service to himself: 1 Cor. 4. 1. [Page] Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ, and Stewards of the Mysteries of the Gospel. The world counteth the Calling probrosum artificium, a sordid artifice and way of living, whereby men set their tongues and parts to sale, and think that of all Callings this can best be spared; therefore it is high time to assert the dignity of the Office: Men should not think so basely of those who are Christs servants, not only to do his business, but to wait upon his person, his special Attendants; nay 2 Cor. 5 20. Embassadors, that impersonate and represent their Master. Again, Bear our doctrine with meekness and patience; we are but servants: if the message which we bring be displeasing, remember it is the will of our Master; it is not in our power to comply with your lusts and humors, if the Scripture doth not: As God said to Jeremy, Jer. 15. 19. Let them return unto thee, but return not thou to them: so you should comply with the Word; we cannot comply with you; The false Prophets returned to the people complyed with their humors: We must deliver our Message, pardon to whom pardon, terror to whom terror is due; servants must be faithful: Thus must you look upon them as servants; yet but as servants, that you may not fondly idolize their persons: What is Paul and Apollos, but Ministers by whom ye beleeve? 1 Cor. 3. 5. It is the old way of flesh and blood to sacrifice to the next hand: And that you may know to whom to go for the fruit of the Ordinance, when we have done our work, there is Ma [...]. 3. 11. one that cometh after us who is mightier then we, 1 Cor. 3. 6. who giveth the increase to what we have planted and watered.

3. The Author of the Epistle is described by his kindred and relation, [and Brother of James.] There were two in the Colledg of the Apostles of that name, James of Zebodee, and James the son of Alpheus, who was also called the Brother of the Lord, that is, his Cousin German, who is the person intended; for Jude was his Brother, as Mat. 13. 55. Is not his Mother called Mary? and his Brethren James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Now this clause is added, partly to distinguish him from the other Judas called Iscariot, who bebetrayed our Lord. It is good to prevent all visible scandals Observat. [Page] and exceptions against our persons. I observe this, because the Scripture doth elsewhere, Joh. 14. 22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, How is it that thou wilt manifest thy self to us, and not unto the world? The Scripture would not have you mistake him that said so: Men drink less freely of a suspected fountain. Partly because this would make the Epistle the more welcome: James was of great credit and repute, reckoned by Paul among the Pillars, Gal. 2. 9. From whence observe, 1. That it is lawful to use the credit of others for the Observat. advantage of the Truth. In the 15 of the Acts the Apostles might have determined the case by their own infallible spirit; but for the greater credit sake they take in the consent of others, vers. 23. The Apostles, and Elders, and Brethren, &c. Paul dealing with Heathens, quoteth the sayings of their own Writers in divers places; which may justifie the unaffected use of sentences and passages out of the ancient Writers of the Church: It is good to bait the naked hook of Truth sometimes with the advantage of carnal credit. Again observe, That we should walk so, that we may be an Observat. honour to our relations. This is one of Judes titles, the Brother of James; He took it for an honour to be related to so eminent an Apostle: Worthy men reflect a credit upon their families: To be brother, father, son, to such as have deserved well of the Church, is no mean honour and engagement to virtue. Well then, live so that you may not disgrace your lineage; and you that come of worthy Ancestors, walk answerably to the dignity of your extraction: The images of your Progenitors are not more fullied with dust, and smoak, and age, then they are with your vices: The Spirit of God brands a degenerate Issue for walking unworthy their birth, and the priviledges of their blood, 1 Chron. 4. 22, 23. Vide Junium & alios in locum. So much for the Saluter.

Let us now come to the Saluted, they are described by their Condition, [called,] by the effects and manifestations of it, which are two, Sanctification and Preservation.

1. Their Condition, [called,] for that both in the construction of the words, and the order of nature, is to be read first. There is an outward calling, and in that sence Christ [Page] speaketh, Mat. 20. 16. Many are called, but few are chosen; that is, outwardly called in the invitations of the Word; so all wicked men that live within the hearing of the Gospel; but it seemeth they are only called obiter, by the by, as they live among the Elect; those are called [...], according to purpose, Rom. 8. 28. But there is an inward and effectual calling, by the perswasion of the Spirit, or the voyce of the Son of God, which causeth life, Joh. 5. 25. The Apostle speaketh here of the called according to Purpose, and that by an inward and effectual calling: Whence note, That it is the condition of the people of God to be a called people; this isObservat. first in their description: see Rom. 1. 6. Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: So the Corinthians are said to be Saints by calling, 1 Cor. 1. 2. and Heb. 3. 1. Holy Brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling. Now the Saints are a called people, first, Because all they have and enjoy is from Gods1 Reason. calling; a Christian is nothing and hath nothing but what God is pleased to work in him by his creating Word: Calling the things that are not as though they were, Rom. 4. 18. Now God is pleased to work this way, partly to give us a Warrant, that we may possess our priviledges in Christ without intrusion and usurpation: Heb. 5. No man taketh this honour upon him till he be called of God; This is that we have to shew to Conscience, that we do not presume and usurp; we have a calling so to do: Why dost thou vile wretch go to God in the Name of Christ? How durst thou that art a sinner look him in the face? lay hold of Christ? hope for glory? Still the Call is our Warrant and Title. If it should be asked of the guests that came in a wedding garment, Friends, how durst ye come hither, and approach the presence chamber of the Kings son? they might answer, We were bidden to the wedding, Mat. 22. So in Mat. 20. Why do not you go into the Vineyard? their answer was, No man hath hired us; they had no calling. Partly to give us encouragement; We need not only leave to come to God by Christ, but also quickening and encouragement, for we are backward▪ In other preferments there needeth nothing but leave, for there men are forward enough; but here guilt maketh us shy of God, and [Page] God is forced to call and hollow after us. By nature we are not only exiles, but fugitives: Before God banished Adam, he first ran away from him, he ran to the bushes, and then God called him, Adam, where art thou? Gen. 3. 9. How often doth God hollow after us in the Word before we return, and come out of the bushes? He maketh proclamation, Isa. 55. 1. Ho every one that thirsteth, &c. We are under spiritual bondage, as the Israelites were in Egypt under corporal bondage, and God sendeth again and again, and out of very anguish of heart we will not beleeve him; therefore he calleth and cryeth, Sinners, where are you? why will you not return unto me? Gods outward Call is managed by men, and therefore it is very hard to perswade them to discern the voyce of God; as Samuel would not be perswaded but that it was Eli called him when it was the Lord: We think it to be the charity of the Minister, and will not easily acknowledg a call from God, and therefore do not only need leave, but encouragement. Partly because God will work in a way suitable to his own nature and ours; fortiter & suaviter, strongly like himself, and sweetly with respect to us; and therefore he doth not only draw, but call; not only put forth the power of his Spirit, but exhort and invite by the Word; the efficacy of divine grace is conveyed this way more suitably to the nature of man; There is grace offered in the Gospel, and the Spirit compelleth to come in. In all the Works of God, there is some word by which his Power is educed and exercised: In the Creation, Let there be light, &c. At the Resurrection there is a Trump, and the voyce of an Archangel, Arise ye dead, and come to Judgment. In all Christs miraculous cures there are some words used, Be thou clean, and Be thou whole, and Be thou opened; and to Lazarus in the grave Christ useth words of ministerial excitation, Lazarus, come forth: So in converting a sinner, there is not only a secret power, but a sweet call and invitation; some word by which this power is conveyed and represented in a way suitable to our capacity. For all these Reasons doth God work grace by calling.

Again, Gods people are well stiled a called people, because2 Reason. [Page] they are so many ways called: from self to Christ, from sin to holiness, from misery to happiness and glory. They are called from self to Christ, Mat. 11. 28. Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden: The main end of a call is to bring Christ and the Soul together; every dispensation of God hath a voyce; and God speaketh to us by Conscience, by his Works, by benefits, by crosses, but chiefly by his Word, the application of which by the Spirit is as it were an awakening call: but the chief call of God is by the voyce of the Gospel, wherein the offers of grace are discovered to us; C [...]me poor wearied Soul, come to Christ, and thou shalt find ease and comfort. Again, they are called from sin to holiness, 1 Thes. 4. 7. God hath not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness: though the immediate end of divine calling be faith, yet the intermediate end is holiness, as the ultimate end is glory. Thus we are called out of Babylon into Sion, from the Tents of Kedar into the Tents of Shem, from nature to grace, and the power of Satan into the Kingdom of God: in short, this call is a separation from uncleanness, and all common and vile uses. Again, they are called from misery to happiness and glory, from aliens to be friends, from darkness to light, 1 Pet. 2. 9. from being enemies to be reconciled, from bastards to become sons, from vessels of wrath to be heirs of Glory. With respect to all these sorts of calling, it is termed sometimes an high calling, Phil. 3. 14. sometimes an holy calling, 2 Tim. 1. 9. and sometimes an heavenly calling, Heb. 3. 1. It is an high calling, because of the honour and dignity of it; John 1. 12. Rom. 8. 17. Rev. 1. 6. it is no small matter to be children of God, coheirs with Christ, Kings and Priests to God: Many are lifted up, because they have born Offices, and are called to high places in the world; a Christian hath a calling more excellent, he is called to be a Saint, a spiritual King, an holy Priest to God. It is an holy calling, because of the effect and purpose of it: Mans calling may put dignity and honour upon us, but it cannot infuse grace; it may change our condition, but not our hearts. It is an heavenly calling, because of the Author of it, God by his Spirit; and because of the aym of it, the grace whereby we are called came from Heaven, and its aym and tendency is to [Page] bring us thither: see 1 Thes. 2. 14. 2 Pet. 1. 3. Called us to glory and virtue, &c. We are first called to grace, and then to Heaven: first the sweet voyce saith, Come unto me, and then the great voyce, Come up hither: from self, sin and the world we are called off, that we may enjoy God in Christ for evermore. You see the Reasons, let us apply it now.

First, It serveth to press us to harken to the Lords call;Ʋse 1. Many are kept off by vanity and pleasures, others by their own fears: To the first sort I shall only represent the danger of neglecting Gods invitation, and slighting a call, Prov. 1. 25, 26. Ye have set at nought my counsel, therefore I will laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh. Gods wrath is never more terrible, then when it is stirred up to avenge the quarrel of abused Mercy. Men cannot endure that two things should be despised, their anger or their kindness: Nebuchadnezzar, when he thought his anger despised, he biddeth them heat the furnace seven times hotter; and David, when he thought his kindness despised, threatened to cut off from Nabal every one that pissed against the wall. Certainly the Lord taketh it ill when the renewed messages of his love are not regarded; and that is the reason why where mercy is most free, God is most quick and severe upon the refusal of it: The Lambs wrath is most terrible, Psal. 2. 10. No fire so hot as that which is inkindled by the breath of the despised Gospel. What a terrible threatening is there in the place alledged? I will laugh at their calamity: It is the greatest happiness when the Lord rejoyceth to do us good, and the greatest misery when he rejoyceth to do us evil; Gods laughing will certainly be the creatures mourning. Consider then what an affront you put upon grace, when every vile thing is preferred before it. When the Lord offered Canaan to the Israelites, and they preferred Egypt before it, he swore, Psal. 95. 10. They should not enter into his Rest: And those that preferred a yoke of Oxen, a farm, or marriage, before the Kings feast, the King protesteth against them, Luk. 14. 24. None of those that were bidden shall taste of my Supper: Who ever have glory and grace by Christ, they shall have none.

[Page]For the other sort, that are kept off by their own fears, they are wont to alledg; It is true, there is mercy in Christ for sinners, but Christ doth not call them: My Brethren, what do you look for? an audible voyce to speak to you, Thou John, thou Thomas, &c. In the tenders of the Gospel you are included as well as others, and why will you exclude your selves? If God say, Sinners, you should subsume and reply, I am chief. I remember it is said, Joh. 10. 3. Christ calleth his sheep by name, and leadeth them forth: How doth Christ call them by name? By speaking expresly to their case, as if he did strike them upon the shoulders, and say, Here is comfort for thee. As at a feast, when there is a dish that we affect set upon the table, though all the company be free to make use of it, yet we say, Here is a dish for me: So should you apply and take to your selves your own portion; though it be propounded generally, yet when God directeth the tongue of his Messengers to speak so expresly to your case, that is all the calling by name which you can look for, since Oracles are ceased, and therefore you should say, This was a dish provided for my hungry Conscience, intended to me, &c. But they will reply, Sure there is no mercy for me, I am so unworthy: I answer, The invitation taketh no notice of worth, but of thirst, Rev. 22. 17. Let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely: Thou art not worthy, but thou art thirsty, or else whence come these groans? And by the way take notice of the pride that is in legal dejection: men are loth to be beholding to Christ, they would be worthy before they will come to him; and therefore the Apostle useth that expression, [...] ▪ Rom. 10. 3. They have not SUBMITTED to the righteousness of God: A proud creature would fain establish a righteousness in himself, and is loth to submit to take all from another: As an outward proud man preferreth a russet coat of his own before a silken garment that is barrowed or given him by another. But they are such sinners, &c. Ans. The more need to come to Christ; he came to call sinners, Mat. 9. 13. It is no matter what thou hast been, but what thou wouldst be; Christ doth not call us because we are holy, but [Page] that we may be holy. Is it a rational plea in outward cases, I am too poor to take alms? I am too filthy to go to the water to be washed? But they have stood out against so many calls already, and scorned Gods counsel. Ans. Wisdom calleth scorners, Prov. 1. 22. Turn ye scorners, how long will ye delight in scorning? It is a mercy that thou hast one call more, do not increase the guilt that thou complainest of. But I know not how to come to Christ. Ans. The blind and the lame are invited to the wedding, Mat. 22. and Wisdom calleth fools, Prov. 9. 5. Whoso is simple, &c. The stray Lamb is brought home upon the Shepherds shoulders, Luke 15. Oh that these words might be spirit and life to you!

Again, It presseth us to make our calling and election sure, 2 Ʋse. 2 Pet. 1. 10. that is, to evidence our election by our calling; for calling it is but election put in act: Election is nothing but Gods love and intention to bestow saving grace upon such and such persons; and calling is nothing but the actual manifestation of Gods love, or the application of saving grace: Rom. 8. 30. Whom he hath predestinated, them he called: Calling is the first and immediate fruit of Election, by which it springeth forth, and is exercised on the vessels of mercy: So 2 Thes. 2. 13, 14. God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation, through the sanctification of the Spirit, and the belief of the Truth, to the obtaining of the glory of God, whereunto he hath called you by my Gospel. Here is the whole method of Salvation; the first rise and spring of mercy was at Election, which breaketh out by effectual calling, and so floweth down in the channels of faith and holiness, till it lose it self in the Ocean of everlasting Glory: So that by calling God executeth in time what he decreed before all time; and he that is called▪ may look backward upon eternal purposes of grace, and forward upon an eternal possession of glory. Well then, if we would get any assurance of Gods favour, or of our interest in everlasting glory, the great business we should labour in, is to clear up our calling; it is the freest and surest discovery of Gods love, and so fittest to bottom a confidence or assurance: In elective love we have the best view of mercy, and a call is the first discovery and copy of it; for it is an act of [Page] God, which ariseth meerly from his choyce, preventing and anteceding not only the merit, but the acts and industry of the creature: see 2 Tim. 1. 9. Other acts of Gods bounty follow the acts of the creature, but this is the first motion God maketh to the Soul; he accepts us when we come, but he called us when we did not think of coming: In short, Calling, it is the key of the Gospel, the plank that is cast out to save a sinking sinner, a sure pledg of glory, which is therefore called the high price of our calling, Phil. 3. 14. Once more, here we have the clearest and most sensible experience of the work of grace: After conversion the work may be carryed on tacitly, and with more silence; but in calling and conversion (as in all changes) the operations of grace are more sensible; we may grow insensible, as a plant doth: The step from sin to grace, is a work of greater difficulty and power, then to go on from grace to grace; as the Apostle maketh it a matter of more ease to save a Saint, then to gain a sinner, Rom. 5. 8, 9, 10. and therefore degrees cannot be alike sensible as change of state. The Apostle speaking of the first conversion of the Thessalonians, he saith, 1 Thes. 1. 9. Ye know what manner of entring we had unto you. The first approaches of Gods Power and Word to the Soul, as they meet with more opposition, so they cannot but be more sensible, and leave a greater feeling upon us: It were strange if an Almighty Power should work in us, and we no way privy or conscious to it, and all done as in our sleep; to think so, were to give security a soft pillow whereon to rest, and to suffer men to go away with golden dreams, though they feel no change in themselves, pleasing themselves with the supposition of imaginary grace wrought without their privity and knowledg. I would not press too hard upon any tender Conscience; I do foresee the Objection that may be made, namely, That if Calling giveth such a sensible experience of the work of grace, how cometh it then to pass that so few of Gods children have assurance or any sense of their conversion? I answer, 1. It is possible Gods Power may work in us, and we not be sensible of it; there is a difference between our outward and inward senses: we may lose our spiritual feeling; [Page] and inward sense doth not so clearly discern its object, because of the way in which God conveyeth his power; it is strong, but sweet; like the influences of the Heavens, of a great efficacy, but scarce discerned: as there was a great power wrought in the Ephesians, but they did not discern it so sufficiently, Ephes. 1. 18, 19. 2. It is the fault of Gods children not to be sensible of the power that worketh in them; sometimes it is their carelessness, sometimes their peevishness: Their carelessness, in not observing the approaches of God, and how he worketh and breaketh in upon their hearts in the Word; so that the time of loves is not marked when it is present, nor remembered when it is past. As God said of Ephraim, Hos. 11. 3. When Ephraim was a child, I taught him to go, taking them by the arms, but they knew it not, that is, did not observe it: So God communicateth grace to his people, giveth in help and supports, but they observe it not. Sometimes it is peevishness and perverseness of judgment; sense of sin, and many weaknesses, like a thick cloud, hinder their clear discerning; God hath called them, but they will not own and acknowledg it, and so underrate their spiritual condition. 3. God doth not call every one in a like violent and sensible manner: some mens conversion is more gentle and silent; whereas to others Christ cometh like a strong man armed, and snatcheth them out of the fire: some are drawn they know not how, and love by a gentle blast sweetly and softly bloweth open the door; Ere ever I was aware, &c. Cant. 6. 12. upon others the Spirit cometh like a mighty rushing wind, and they are carryed to Christ as it were by the gates of Hell. As in the natural birth, some children are brought forth with more ease, others with greater pains and throws: so the new birth in some is without trouble and delay; God opened the heart of Lydia, we read of no more, Acts 16. but others are brought in with more horror of Conscience, extream sorrow and desperation; God biddeth men put a difference, Jude 22, 23. so doth God himself. 4. This different dispensation God useth according to his own pleasure; no certain Rules can be given: Sometimes they that have had good education have least terrors, as being restrained from gross sins; sometimes [Page] most terrors, because they have withstood most means:Violent Mu [...]t [...]ons, srom extream to extream▪ are always m [...]re sudden and notable. sometimes they that are called to the greatest services have most terrors, that they may speak the more evil of sin, because they have felt the bitterness of it; sometimes it is quite otherwise, those that are not called to such eminent service drink most deeply of this cup, and taste the very dregs of sin, and serve only as monuments of the power of Gods anger; whereas others are spared, and publique work serveth in stead of sorrow and trouble of Conscience. Again, sometimes men and women of the most excellent and acute understandings are most troubled, as having the clearest apprehensions of the hainousness of sin, and terribleness of wrath: Again, at other times it cometh from ignorance; as fears arise in the dark, and weak spirits are apt to be terrified: sometimes these terrors fall on a strong body as best able to bear it, sometimes on a weak, the Devil taking advantage of the weakness of the body to raise disturbances in the mind: Many times in hot and fiery natures their changes are sudden, and carryed on in an extream way; whereas soft natures, whose motions are slower, are gently and by degrees surprized, they take impressions of grace insensibly. Thus you see no certain Rules can be given; only in the general we may observe, That this different dispensation maketh the work of God in calling more or less sensible: those that are brought in by the violent way and roughly, must needs be sensible of that omnipotent pull by which their hearts are divorced from their corruptions, and can discourse of the time, the means, and the manner, and all the circumstances of their calling with exactness; as Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 2. I knew a man in Christ fourteen years ago, &c. Now every one cannot deliver a formal story, nor tell you the exact method and successive operations of grace in conversion. 5. Though there be a different dispensation used in calling, yet there is enough to distinguish the uncalled from the called; Partly because though Gods call be not discerned in the acts of it, yet it may be discerned in the effects of it: Conversion is evident, if not in feeling, yet in fruit: Many works of Nature are for the convoy of them insensible, but the effects appear: Eccles. 11. 5. We know not the [Page] way of the spirit, nor how the bones grow in the womb; We know not the manner, point of time, but yet the birth followeth: They are not Christs that neither know how they are called, nor can give any proof that they are called. The blind man, Ioh. 9. when they asked him, How did he come to open thine eyes? answered, How he did it I cannot tell; but this one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, I n [...]w see: Early or late the Soul will give this testimony, How I got him I cannot tell, but I am glad I find he is here. Partly because where conversion and calling is carryed on more tacitly or silently, there will be something felt and found in them; there is at least an anxiousness about their everlasting estate: Every Soul doth not walk in the region of the shadow of death; but every Soul first or last is brought to What shall I do? which is usually upon some secret or open sin into which God suffereth them to fall against Conscience: there will be care, though not horror; and solicitousness, though not utter despair: No Soul ever came to Christ without a load upon his back, though every one be not ready with the Jaylor to kill himself for anguish: You will be at a loss sometimes; it is easie security that goeth on from the cradle to the grave in the same tenor of hope without variation. There will be a time when you will smite upon the thigh, and cry, What shall I do? And as there will be some trouble found in them, so some change; all are not converted from prophaneness to Religion, some from civility to Religion, from profession to sincerity, from servility to ingenuity: Time was when they were careless of communion with God, prayed now and then out of custom, had no delight in the Almighty, but now it is otherwise. Partly because there is a constant calling, so that first or last we shall be sensible of the motions of the Spirit, and the hearts answer: to some God speaketh in thunder, to others in a still voyce, but to all he speaketh; therefore did you ever discern Gods calling and your answering? Psal. 27. 8. The Lord said, Seek ye my face; my heart said, Thy face Lord will I seek: There is no gracious heart but they are often sensible of such a dialogue between God and the Soul; this discourse is constant: he speaketh to us by the injection [Page] of holy motions and the actual excitations of his grace, and we speak to him by serious promises and resolutions of obedience: God calleth us into his presence often, and the heart ecchoeth, Lo I come.

Well now, upon all these Considerations labour to get your calling evidenced, that will clear up your title to the great priviledges of grace; by it you may rebuke your doubts and fears: When Conscience asketh, What have you to do with these comforts? to look upon your selves as objects of Gods Election? as heirs of Glory? you may answer, I did not take this honour upon me, I was called of God. But you will say, What are the infallible Notes and Marks of effectual calling? I answer, These; I shall contract larger discourses: You may know your effectual calling, PartlyThe first Evidence of Calling. by the preparations made for it; though the work it self be done in an instant, and many times when we least think of it, yet usually God maketh way for his mighty Work. As the husbandman harroweth and breaketh the clods before he throweth in the seed; so by some preparative conviction God breaketh the heart, and maketh it meet to receive grace: Redemption needed no preparation, but Conversion doth. Look as Moses brought them to the Borders, but Joshua led them into the Land of Canaan; so usually there is some foregoing Law work, though we are called properly by the Gospel; 1 Thes. 2. 14. Called by my Gospel: The Law driveth us out of our selves, but the Gospel pulleth in the heart to Christ. Look as in outward generation the matter is gradually prepared and disposed, so is the Soul for the new birth: A man is awakened by the sight of his own wretchedness, convinced of sin, and the evil consequences of it; and then the Hos. 2. 14. Gal. 3. 1. work is done by the milde voyce of the Gospel; as Manna came down in sweet dews. It is Gods way to speak terror before he speak comfort: Christ sheweth the method, Joh. 16. 8. The Spirit shall convince of sin: The [...]. word is notable; to convince, is [...] Arist. to shew a thing to be impossible to be otherwise then we represent it: so the Spirit convinceth, and maketh the person yield, and say, Certainly I am a sinner, an unbeleever, a very wretch, that [Page] hath no interest in Christ: This is Gods method; We come to some certain issue about our being in the state of nature, before we come to some certain issue about our being in the state of grace; The Soul saith, Surely I am stark naught, in a deplored lost condition. Well then, if you had always good thoughts of your selves, or only a slight and general knowledg, We are all sinners, &c. You are not prepared: The blind man, Joh. 9. could say, I was blind: Were you ever brought to say, I was a wretch, a miserable forlorn creature out of Christ? This feedeth presumption and security, because we never bring the debate to an issue concerning our being in either of the states, but content our selves with blind guesses, and loose acknowledgments, that we are all sinners, and Christ must save us, &c. This is not enough, there must be a particular and humbling sense of sin: Unworthiness and wretchedness felt, is the first occasion to bring us to Christ: Never a poor Soul that taketh sanctuary at the throne of grace, but he standeth Rom. 3, 19. Heb. 6. 18. guilty there, and in danger of damnation.

2. Again, The next Note or occasion of discovery may be taken from the instrument or means by which God hath called us, namely the Word; 2 Thes. 2. 14. By my Gospel. Oracles and audible voyces are not his usual course; someI suppose Austins Tolle & Lege was of this nature. Christians talk of such things, but (to say the least of the mistake) they are but the suppositions of an over-troubled fancy; delusions which God, who bringeth light out of darkness, may at length order for good, and in the wisdom of his Providence make use of them to bring off his people from their discouragements. But usually Gods way of calling is by the Word, and most usually by the Word preached, seldom otherwise; for God▪ loveth to own and honour the means of his own appointing with a blessing. I suppose scarce an instance can be given of any converted by reading or meditation, that neglected prophecying where it was to be had. I confess the Word may not work always in time of hearing: There is a notable instance,—My Soul failed when Cant. 5. 6. he spake; or rather it may be rendered, because of his speech: Now compare it with the time of Christs visit, vers. 2, 3. Open [Page] my Sister, my Dove, &c. while Christ was speaking she is careless and sluggish, I have put off my co [...], how shall I put it on? you see her heart was far from failing then; but when she remembered it afterward, then her bowels were troubled: as Peter also was wrought upon by the remembrance of Christs words a great while after they were spoken, Mat. 26. last verse. Thus many times God reviveth old truths, and maketh them effectual long after the time of delivery: The Word worketh then either in the hearing, or in the remembrance, or deep meditation upon it. Well now, Can you remember such an experience, when God called you by his Word, and spake comfortably to your hearts? Did he ever move you to go aside into the Closer, that you might be solitary and serious, and consider of your condition? Usually at our first call we are moved to go aside, that God and we may confer in private; as Hosea 2. 14. God calleth into the wilderness, that he may speak to the heart: and Ezekiel was called into the field▪ that God might more freely talk with him, Ezek. 3. 22. Arise, go forth into the plain, that there I may talk with thee: So Cant. 7. 11. Come my Beloved, let us go forth into the fields, &c. Usually his first motions are to go aside and consider; Christ is bashful before acquaintance, and doth not speak to us in company, but in private: Did he ever thus invite you into secret places? did he ever call thee by name, speak so expresly to thy case, as if he had said, Here is mercy for thee, comfort for thee, here is thy portion? First or last Gods children have such experiences: There is a Ezek. 16. 6, 7 time of loves which they cannot forget; at least a time wherein the Master of the Assemblies fastened a nail in their hearts. Gods people are wont to talk how seasonably, and yet how strangely Providence cast them upon such opportunities; as David, Psal. 119. 93. I shall never forget thy Precepts, for by them thou hast quickened me: Oh I shall never forget such an Ordinance, such a Sermon, wherein the Lord was pleased to take notice of me, and to speak to my heart: Weak impressions are soon razed out, but powerful effects of the Word leave a durable mark and character that cannot be defaced.

[Page]3. The next Mark may be taken from the formal answer, or correspondent act of the creature to the call of God, for that is it which sealeth our Election; for otherwise many be called, but they are not chosen, unless the heart be prevailed with to obey the call: Yea the notion of Vocation in its full latitude, implyeth not only Gods act, but ours, our answer to his call. Christs sheep hear his voyce: John 20. 16. When Christ saith, Mary, she answereth, Rabboni, my Lord. Gods call is the offer of grace, our answer is the accepting of grace offered; there must be receiving, as well as offering: Vocation is not effectual unless it end in Ʋnion; it is receiving that giveth us interest, Joh. 1. 12. The Scriptures do every where imply and signifie this answerable act of the creature to the call of God: God saith, Seek ye my face and the Soul like a quick eccho, Thy face Lord will I seek, Psal. 27. 8. So Ier. 3. 22. Return ye back-sliding children, and I will heal you; and then, Behold we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. The Soul is enabled to do that which it is exhorted to do: God saith, Come to Christ, and the Soul saith, Lord I come. Well then, is the call obeyed? do you receive Christ for your Lord and Saviour? The proper answer of the call is the consent and full purpose of the heart to take Christ; for offering is the call, and receiving is the answer: Have you subscribed and consented to take Christ upon his own terms? as the Prophet, when he was to take a wife, maketh an offer, Hosea 3. I will be for thee, and thou shalt be for me; Are you content? Christ will be for you in all his graces, merits, benefits, if you will be for him in all your motions, tendencies, aims: alas, your hearts know that you are for your selves, lusts, interests, &c.

4. Again, You may know your calling by the concomitant dispositions of the Soul that go along with such a return and answer: Where ever Christ is received, he is received with worthy and suitable affections; these are most notable. 1. Godly sorrow, Ier. 31. 9. They shall come with weeping and supplication, and I will lead them: It is spoken of the Jews conversion; when God cometh to lead them, they shall bewail their hardness of heart and unbelief: Such kind of [Page] workings there are in the heart of every returning sinner; as, that God should look upon such a worthloss creature as I am, that have all this while gainsayed, and stood out many an invitation! that ever God should care for such a vile and stubborn wretch! seek to reclaim such a wayward heart! Usually there are such mournful and self-humbling reflections, that get the start of faith and comfort, and do more sensibly bewray themselves: Never did any child of God get home to him, but smiting on the thigh, Ier. 31. 18. and complaining of themselves before they could take comfort in God. 2. Holy wonder, which ariseth from comparing their own wretchedness with Gods rich mercy in Christ; and therefore the Apostle saith, 1 Pet. 2. 9. Who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light; implying that Gods grace is most wonderful at first conversion, as light is to a man that cometh out of a dungeon; woful darkness maketh it marvelous light: In this change there is nothing but what is wonderful▪ both the sweetness and the power of that grace by which it is wrought: The sweetness of grace▪ When God came to offer Abraham the grace of the Covenant, he fell upon his face, Gen. 17. 3. in an humble adoration and reverence▪ The power of grace; If Peter wondered at his deliverance by the Angel out of that strong Prison, we have much more cause to wonder that the yoke is broken, and that we are set free by Christ: the sweet effects of this grace cause wonder; The peace of God which passeth all understanding, &c. 3. A free resolution and confidence; come what ever cometh, they will obey God. As Abraham being called obeyed God, not knowing whither he went, Heb. 11. 8. So when they have a warrant, they will make adventures of faith, though they know not the success; as Peter would cast out the net at Christs command, though there were little likelyhood of taking fish; Howbeit at thy command, &c. Luke 5. 5. So it is unlikely God will receive me to grace, yet I will adventure, I know not what will come of it: Where Faith is sensible of a Command, it doth not dispute a duty, but accomplish it: The Spirit speaketh to the Soul, as the Disciples did to the blind man, Mark 10. 49. Be of good comfort, rise, because the [Page] Master calleth thee. I instance in these dispositions, because they are most sensible.

5. It may be evidenced by the fruits and effects of a call; the call inferreth a change of the former estate, both in heart and life.

1. There will be a change in the whole heart: In the mind and judgment, there the activity of the new nature is first discovered; Ephes. 4. 23. Renewed in the spirit of the mind; in that which is most intimate and excellent there: In our discourse and reason, all the discourses, debates, purposes and cares of the Soul will be to please God: The mind is made a forge for holy uses, wherein to debate and contrive how to carry on the work of grace, how to glorifie God in our relations, concernments; certainly this will be found in all those that are called and converted. So in the will and affections there will be a constant inclination towards God, as the chiefest good: Psal. 19. 57. Thou art my portion O Lord, I have said that I w'll keep thy Words: The Soul is resolved; there is a decree issued forth in that behalf, to dedicate it self to God and his Will: This is the great difference between men and men, in fixing their chiefest good and utmost end; The Soul finding comfort in God, setteth the whole bent of her endeavors towards him. So for the other affections, which attend upon the other act of the will, aversation and loathing: a Soul that is called and converted hateth sin, its own beloved sin, as the greatest evil: Hosea 14. 8. What have I any more to do with Idols? Isai. 30. 22. Thou shalt say to it as to an abominable rag, Get thee hence. A keen displicency and hearty indignation is kindled in the Soul against sin: when God changeth a Soul, he putteth a disposition into it somewhat like his own nature; God cannot abide sin, and a sanctified heart cannot abide it, Get thou hence, &c. the new life hath an antipathy to that which is contrary to it.

2. In the life there will be a change; men will walk worthy their calling, not disgracing it by scandals, or unseemly practises: Eph. 4. 1. I beseech you Brethren walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called; that is, suitable to the purity, [Page] suitable to the dignity of it. When David was a Shepherd, he thought of nothing else▪ but keeping his fathers sheep; but when God called him to be a Shepherd of the people, then he had other projects, and was of other manner of behavior: A new calling requireth a new conversation. So 1 Thes. 2. 12. Walk worthy of God, who hath called you to his Kingdom and his Glory: The divine calling puts an honour upon you: it is not for Princes to embrace the dung, nor for Eagles to catch flies; to be vain, voluptuous, carnal and worldly, as others are: you are called to the fellowship of Saints and Angels, will it become one of your hopes to drive on such a low design as a worldly interest? If you saw a man laboring in filthy ditches, and soyling himself, as poor men do, would you beleeve▪ that he were heir apparant to a Crown, called to inherit a Kingdom? Who will beleeve your calling, when you stick in the mud of pleasures, and and are carryed on with such a zealous respect after secular interests? The Apostle reproveth the Corinthians for walking as men, 1 Cor. 3. 3. Some walk as beasts, others are of a more civil strain; but this is but as men; you should walk more sublimely, above the ordinary rate of flesh and blood. When Antigo [...] was going into the house of [...] harlot, one told him▪ Thou art a Kings son▪ Oh remember your dignity, and walk worthy of your high calling; walk as having the world under your feet, with an holy scorn and contempt of sublunary enjoyments: And as you should walk worthy of the dignity of your calling, so of the purity of it; He that hath called you is holy, 1 Pet. 1. 15. and your condition is a [...] holy calling, 2 Tim. 1. 2. and the end of your calling is holiness, 2 Thes. 4. 7. God hath called us unto holiness: all which are so many engagements to urge us to the more care. A filthy loose conversation will never suit with this calling▪ you are a shame and a stain to him that calleth you, if you walk thus: as some in the Prophet are said to Ezek. 36. pollute God, namely, as their pollutions were retorted upon God.

Let us now come to the Manifestations and Effects of this Calling, and the first effect mentioned is Sanctification, [Page] [Sanctified in God the Father▪] Where you may note two things. 1. The State, [Sanctified.] 2. The Author of it, [By God the Father.]

First, The State, [...], to them which are sanctified; in stead of which some Copies have, [...], beloved by God the Father: but let us keep to our own reading, the other being a mistake, and in few Greek Copies. The NoteObservat. is, That Gods people, whom he hath called out of the world to himself, are a sanctified people. I shall shew you, 1. What it is to be sanctified: and then, 2. Why Gods called people must be sanctified.

First, What it is to be sanctified; there are many acceptions of the term, the most famous are two; to sanctifie is either to set apart, or to cleanse; these two notions will be enough for our purpose, if in each of them we suppose both something privative, and something positive: as when it signifieth to set apart, you must conceive not only a setting apart from common use, but a dedication to holy uses, or a setting apart for God, which is the most proper acception of the word: So when it signifieth to cleanse, you must not only conceive a purgation from filthiness, but a plantation of seeds of grace; not only an abolition of natural corruption, but a renovation of Gods Image. In this method let us a little consider the thing in hand.

1. To sanctifie, is to set apart, and dedicate: Now Gods people are set apart Psal. 1. 4. 2 Tim. 2. 21. Vessels of honor for the Masters use. by God, and they dedicate themselves to his use and service. They are set apart by God both in time and before time: Before all time they are set apart by Gods Decree to be an holy seed to himself in and by Christ, separated from the perishing world to be vessels of honour; as the Reprobate are called vessels of wrath and dishonour: thus we are said to be chosen to be holy, Ephes. 1. 4. But then in time they are regenerated, and actually set apart: Sanctification is an actual Election (as before) by which we are set apart from the perishing world to act for God, and to seek the things that make for his glory: Thus we are called Gods first fruits, which were the Lords portion, James 1. 18. and is there made a fruit of Regeneration: And thus we are [Page] said to be an holy Priesthood, 1 Pet. 2. 9. the Priests being men set apart to minister in Gods presence: Now this Consecration inferreth an holy preciseness and singularity in the godly, that they may keep themselves unspotted from the world, Iames 1. 28. It was a proph [...]na [...]on in B [...]sh [...]zzar to drink in the Cups▪ of the Temple. as holy things were to be kept from a common use; and it implyeth that every sin is a kind of sacriledg, it stealeth an holy thing from God. But over and above all this, they dedicate themselves, or set apart themselves by the consent of their own vows; Rom. 12. 1. Present your selves, &c. as every man was to bring his own sacrifice; and for this dedication the Lord calleth, when he saith, My son, give me thy heart; because God loveth to put the honour upon us of a gift, when it is but a debt; and because our voluntary consent to this surrender is a necessary fruit of grace, and the immediate effect of his own choyce.

2. To sanctifie, is to cleanse, together with its positive act, to renew and adorn with grace.

Let us first speak of the privative or cleansing work; this notion is necessary to be added to the former: They that are sanctified must not only be separated to an holy use, but must also be cleansed: as to sanctifie signifieth to separate, so there is a difference between them and others; and as it signifieth to cleanse, so there is a difference between them and themselves. They differ from others, because they are a people set apart to act and live for God; they trade for God, eat for God, drink for God, more or less, all is for 1. Cor. 10. 31 Gods glory, and so are a distinct company from the men of the world, who are meerly swayed by their own interests, a company that meerly act for themselves in all that they do. And then there is a difference between them and themselves, for Sanctification is the cleansing of a thing that was once filthy: 1 Cor. 6. 11. Such were some of you, but now ye are washed, but now ye are sanctified in the Name of the Lord Iesus, and by the Spirit of our God: they are not the same men they were before. We all come into the world polluted with the stain of sin, which is purged and done away by degrees, and at death wholly, and never before: When Christ cometh to bring us to God as the fruits of his Purchase, [Page] then we are without spot and blemish, Ephes. 5. 26. The Papists cavil, [...] trifle, when they argue from that place, that either we must grant a perfection in this life, or a purgation after death, or how else cometh the Soul to be without spot and blemish▪ I answer, That place asserts the thing to the comfort of the Elect, that once they shall get rid of the filthy spots of sin▪ but for the time, most probably in the moment of expiring: As the Soul in the very moment wherein it is joyned to the body becometh sinful; so in the moment wherein it leaveth the body 'tis sanctified, and presented by Christ to God; as many pious Souls breathe out their last with the profession of this hope: Then we shall be cleansed indeed; now the work is in fieri, 'tis a doing: The work of grace for the present consists in rubbing away the old filth, and So obstinate is mans heart, that that is all that can be don [...]; the weakening of sin, but not the dest [...]u [...]tion of it. weakening original corruption more and more; as also in washing off the new defilement which we contract every day by conversing in the world: See Iohn 13. 10. where our Saviour alludeth to a man that hath been bathing himself, but after his return by treading on the ground again staineth his feet, and needeth another washing of his feet at least: So by conversing in the world, there are stains and spots contracted, which must always be washed off by dayly repentance, besides our Tit. 3. 5. general bathing at first conversion or regeneration. I have no more to say to this cleansing work, but only this, That it is not meerly like the washing off of spots, but like the purging of sick matter or ill humors out of the body; it is a work done with much reluctation of corrupt nature, and therefore it is expressed by subduing our iniquities, Micab 7. 19. In outward filthiness there is no actual resistance, as there is in sin.

But to speak now of the positive work, or the decking and adorning the Soul with grace. As the Priests under the Law, when they came to minister before the Lord, were not only washed in the great Lavor, but adorned with gorgeous apparel: So to be sanctified, is more then to be purified; for besides the expulsion of sin, there is an infusion of grace, a disposition wrought clean contrary to what we had before, therefore called a new heart and a new spirit, see Ezek. 36. [Page] 25, 26, 27. from whence also there sloweth newness of life and conversation; there is a new heart or conformity to Gods Nature, and a new life or conformity to Gods Will? The pattern of that Sanctification which is wrought in the heart, is Gods Nature or Image, 2 Pet. 1. 4. Ephes. 4. 24. and the pattern of that Sanctification which is wrought in the life, is Gods Law or revealed Will, 1 Thef. 4. 3. the one is our ha [...]i [...]al holiness, and the other our actual.

1. For habitual Sanctification, or that which is wrought in the heart, I observe, that it is As a child is true man, though not perfect man, as soon as he is born; he hath all the parts, though not the growth, and strength, and statute. through, but not full; there must be all grace, and every faculty must be adorned with grace▪ [...] Thes. 5. 23. The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly▪ I pray God your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless until the coming of Iesus Christ. All of man is made up of spirit, soul, and body, that is the Theological distinction of the faculties: the spirit that is the more rational and Angelical part of the soul, understanding, conscience, will [...]d then there is soul, the lower part, the more brutish and sensual affections and desires▪ and then body, the outward man, the instrument of soul, which needeth to be sanctified, that is, kept in a good order and frame, that it may not rebel, or disobey the motions of the better part. You see All was depraved by Adam, and all is renewed by Christ. then every faculty must be seasoned with the new nature; this leaven must get into the whole lump; the mind, memory, conscience, will, desires, delights, all must be brought into conformity to the Image of God. And as every faculty must be sanctified, so there must be every grace: In Conversion there is introduced into the Soul a stock of truth, and a frame of grace▪ called in other terms the anointing, 1 Iohn 2. 27. and the seed of God, 1. Iohn 3. 1 [...]. There is a stock of truth brought into the understanding to season that; not that every one that is regenerate doth actually know all truths, but there is a saving light and knowledg of things necessary; they see enough to avoyd courses of damnation, and to cleave to the ways of God: and there is an inquisitiveness after truths, and a suitableness to them when they are revealed; they are teachable, though actually ignorant; there is something in their hearts that carryeth a cognation and proportion [Page] to every truth, and claimeth kin of it when ever it is revealed. And then there is a frame of grace; for the mind is not only inlightened, but the will and affections are sanctified, and the heart inclined to choose the ways of God, and to obey him when ever occasion is offered. The habits of all grace are brought into the heart by Regeneration, as original [...]in containeth the seeds and habits of all sin: though there be not explicite workings of all graces at that time, yet they are introduced, and make up one sincere bent of the Soul towards God, called holiness in truth, Eph. 4. 24. Thus you see the new creature doth not come out maimed, the person sanctified hath all the parts of a new man, not one member is wanting. But now though this Sanctification be through, yet it is not full and compleat for degrees; every part is sanctified, but every part is not wholly sanctified: In the most gracious there is a double principle, Hell and Heaven, Adam and Iesus, the flesh and the spirit, the Law of the members and the Law of the mind: such a medley and composition are we during the present state! We know but in part, and we are sanctified but in part, and there being such a mixture in the princip [...] of operation, every action is mixt: It is notable, that there is no commendable act in Scripture recorded, but there is some mixture of corruption in it, even in the most Heroical exercises and discoveries of Faith: Moses beleeveth, and therefore smiteth the rock, but he smiteth twice; Sarah beleeveth the promise, but giveth her maid to Abraham; Reb [...] was told that the elder should serve the younger, and beleeveth it, but yet she sets Iacob awork to get the blessing by a wile; Rahab saveth the Spies, but maketh a lye, &c. Thus is our wine mingled with water, our Cant. 5. 1.honey with wax, and our silver with tin▪ All the tryal is, that the better part prevaileth; and that we are still growing and halting on to perfection, as the morning Sun doth to high noon, Prov. 4. 18.

2. For actual Sanctification, which standeth in a conformity to Gods Will, when the heart is changed so, as the life, thoughts, words, actions, all are sanctified: there is a spirit of holiness working within, and breathing without, in sanctified [Page] discourse and holy exercises, all the actions savour of grace. Now our actions are sanctified and savour of grace, when they are performed upon new Principles and new Ends.

1. New Principles, Duty swayeth the conscience, and love inclineth the heart: 1 Tim. 1. 5. The end of the Commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and good conscience, and faith unfeigned: No act is gracious, and an act of pure obedience, unless it have these qualifications. It is not the matter that maketh the work good, but the principles: all that we do must come from a principle of faith, love, and obedience; obedience respects the Command, love the kindness and merit of the Lawgiver, and faith his bounty and reward: the first swayeth the Conscience▪ the second inclineth the heart, and the third giveth encouragement: This is to do duties with a Gospel frame of spirit: obedience takes notice of the Laws of God, love of the kindness of God, and faith of the rewards of God; and so obedience sheweth us the matter of the duty, and faith the encouragement: so that what ever is done as an act of the new nature or sanctified estate, it is an act of obedience out of gratitude upon the encouragement of our glorious hopes and advantages in Christ: As if it be asked, Why do I do it? 1 Thes. 4. 3. and 5. 18. His Will is motive enough, God will have it s [...]. God hath commanded it▪ Why with such strength of affection and earnestness? 2 Cor. 5. 14, 15. Titus 2. 11, 12, 13, 14. God hath deserved it, because of his love and bounty in Christ: Conscience is sensible of the obligation, and love and hope sweetens the duty. There is a natural conscience of good and evil, which is known by legal ayms and carnal motives: what is done out of natural conscience, is not done out of obedience and thankefulness▪ but out of bondage, and with a servile frame of spirit; like fruits that are ripened by art and force, not naturally nor kindly.

2. New Ends: here indeed the discovery is most sensible; Principles are more hidden, and discovered mostly by ends; Now the only end must be Gods glory: All that is done in the spiritual life, be it an act of piety, justice, temperance or charity, it must be done with this aym, that God may be glorified by our obedience to his Will▪ I owe this duty to God, and I must do it for Gods sake; be it a duty [Page] of worship, or in your civil relation and traffique, as if I pray, the last end of prayer must be Gods glory, whither I seek grace and pardon, or the conveniences and supports of the present life: Grace still sublimateth the intention of the creature, therefore carnal men are taxed for praying out of self-interests; Hosea 7. 14. They have not cryed unto me when they howled upon their beds; they assemble themselves for corn, and wine, and oyl: It is but a brutish cry, when men seek only their own commodity and welfare; as beasts will howl when they are sensible of any smart and injury; dogs or any brute beasts may do the same, there is no act of grace in it. So in charity, many men make it a kind of bargain and traffique, they do it to be seen of men, Mat. 6. 2. to gratifie their worldly interests, not to please God or honour God, for their credit and repute, to be well thought of; and there Christ saith, [...], that is, they have that which they look for; for other things they give God a discharge and acquitance. Briefly, the aims of men not regenerate or sanctified, are either carnal, or natural, or legal. 1. Carnal, when men make a market of Religion, their worship, righteousness and charity is set to sale, and by a vile submission made to stoop to their own private interests; as the Pharisees made long prayers to devour widows houses, that is, to beget a fame and repute of honesty, that they might be entrusted with the management of their estates: So some may pray to shew parts, preach out of envy, and to rival others in esteem, Phil. 1. 15. Often is this vile scorn put upon God, that his worship is made a cover and pretence to unclean intents; which is▪ as if a cup of gold made for a King to drink of, should be filled with excrements; or as if we did set up another god beside him; for that which we make our utmost end, we make it our God: as false Teachers are said to make their belly their God, Phil. 3. 19. because all that they did was for belly chear, to flow in abundance of wealth and worldly pleasures, by this means setting up the belly and the concernments of the belly in Gods stead. 2. There are natural ends: It is grace (as I said) that sublimateth the intention of the creature: A carnal man can go no higher then Self; [Page] as water cannot ascend beyond its spring: Now all natural men are not hypocrites, to put on a pretence of strictness out of design: the Apostle saith, They do by nature the things contained in the Law, Rom. 2. 14. that is, upon the impulses of natural conscience, they avoyd such sins as Nature discovereth, upon such arguments and reasons as Nature suggesteth: If they worship, it is to satisfie their own consciences; if they be strict and temperate, it is not out of reasons of obedience, but because the matter of carnal pleasure is gross and burdensom, and hindereth the free contemplation of the mind; or because these pleasures emasculate and quench their natural bravery, and so hinder their reputation in the world: if they be just, it is to maintain commerce between man and man; if they be kind in their relations, it is for their own peace and quiet; nothing is done as in and to the Lord, as the Apostle enjoyneth, Ephes. 5. God is neither at the beginning nor at the end of any of these actions; the love of God is not their spring and rise, nor the glory of God their aim: If they pray, there is no intention beyond Self, and the welfare of their own natures; the matter is but the [...], Rom. 2. 15 outward work of the Law, and their aim is but the freedom and welfare of nature. 3. There are legal ends: When wicked men are most devout, it is but to quiet conscience, to satisfie God for their sins by their duties; they would fain buy out their peace with Heaven at any rate: Micah 6. 6, 7, 8. Wherewith shall I come before him? what shall I give for the sins of my Soul? They are devout, charitable, that by diligence in worship, and exceeding in charity, they may expiate the offences of a carnal life: If peace of conscience were to be purchased with money, they would not spare; they would rather part with any thing then their corruptions, because nothing is so dear to a carnal heart as sin. So that you see devout nature is very corrupt and perverse, and therefore all its actions are justly hated of God: Prov. 21. 27. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, how much more when he offereth it with an evil mind? that is, to buy an indulgence in other sins, that he may sin them freely and with leave from Heaven: In short, all their duties of worship and charity are performed as a [Page] sin-offering, and not as a thank-offering; to satisfie God, not to glorifie him; usually they are extorted from him in a pang of conscience; as a Mariner casts out his goods in a storm, or a traveller yieldeth his money when beset with theeves; there is no true delight in God or in obedience. And thus I have shewed you what it is to be sanctified in heart and life, which was the first thing propounded.

Secondly, Let me now shew why Gods called people must be sanctified, and that briesly and in few words.

1. For the honour of God, of every Person in the Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit. For the honour of the Father, that his choyce may not be disparaged: Ephes. 1. 4. He hath elected us to be holy. 2 Thes. 2. 14. Chosen to the sanctification of the Spirit. There is some conscience in the world, that maketh them adore strictness: meer morality hath some majesty with it in the eye of Nature, but especially Gospel holiness; whereas looseness is looked upon with scorn and contempt; so that his chosen people would be a dishonour to him if they were not sanctified: therefore God the Father aimeth at it in all his dispensations; he chooseth us, that we may be of a choyce spirit: as when Esther was chosen out among the Virgins, she was purified and decked with ornaments, and had garments given her out of the Kings Wardrobe; so we are made holy being chosen of God. And then he calleth us, that he may put this honour upon us in the eye of the world, to make us like himself; Be ye holy, as he that hath called us is h [...]ly, 1 Pet. 1. 15. It were monstrous that God should set his affections upon a people altogether E [...] demum vera est religio imita [...]i qu [...]m colis. Lactant. unlike him; that he should call them to be so near himself, that continue corrupt and carnal: It is the aim of his Providences as well as his special grace; we are afflicted, that we may be partakers of his holiness, Heb. 12. 10. threshed, that our husk may fly off: God certainly delighteth not in the afflictions of his people; no, Psal. 35. 27. he loveth the prosperity of the Saints, but he had rather see them in any condition then see them sinful. Again, It is for the honour of God the Son, whose members we are; Head and members must be all of a piece, like one another: It were monstrous that Christ should have such a body as Nebuchadnezzar saw in his [Page] dream, where the head was of pure Gold and the thighs Brass, and the feet Iron, &c. and it were an odd sight, that a face of Europe should be put upon the body of a Negro or Ethiopian; and as strange and odd it is, that Christ should have a disproportioned body quite unlike himself; yea it is little for his honour that he should be the head of an ulcerous body, as well as a monstrous body: so much of sin as you continue, so much you disparage your Redeemer, and put him to shame: therefore all Christs aim is to make us holy; for that end he redeemed us, that he might sanctifie us, and make us a glorious Church without spot and wrinkle, Ephes. 5. 26, 27. When Christ was upon the Cross, in the height of his love, he was devising what he should do for his Church to make her honorable and glorious, and he pitched upon Sanctification as the fittest blessing that he could bestow upon us: Every distinct Society must have some distinct honour and priviledg; Now Christ had set apart the Church as a distinct Society to himself, and therefore he would not bestow upon her pomp and worldly greatness, other Societies had enough of that, but holiness, grace, which is our splendor and Psal. 93. 5. Holiness becometh thy house, O Lord▪ for ever. ornament: And indeed this was a far better gift then any outward greatness and excellency could be; for moral excellencies are far better then civil and natural: It is Gods own honour to be holy, therefore it is said, that he is glorious in Holiness, Exod. 15. 11. He is elsewhere said to be R [...]m. 10. 12. Ephes. 2 4. rich in mercy, but here glorious in holiness; his treasure in his goodness, but that which he accounts his honour is his holiness or immaculate purity; as you know among men their wealth is distinguished from their honour. But in this gift Christ had not only respect to the excellency of it, but to our need and want; Christ was then repairing and making up the ruines of the Fall; now we lost in Adam the purity of our natures, as well as the favour of God; therefore that the plaister might be as broad as the sore, he would not only reconcile us to God, but sanctifie us; his Blood was not only [...], a Price, but [...], a Lavor, wherein to wash us and make us clean: as under the Law there was in the Tabernacle a great Lavor as well as an Altar, to shew we must be washed and sanctified as well as reconciled [Page] to God: and Christ came not only to abolish the guilt of sin, which is against our interest, our peace and comfort; but also to destroy the power of sin, which is against Gods glory. And as this was Christs aim in Redemption, so also in the Gospel, and all the precious Promises of it; he dyed that Ordinances might be under a blessing, and conduce to the promotion of holiness; for so it is there in Ephes. 5. 26. That he might sanctifie us by the washing of water through the Word: There is a treasure of grace purchased, and left in the Church to be conveyed to us by the use of these Ordinances. So John 17. 19. I sanctifie my self for their sakes, that they may be sanctified through the truth. When ever we come to the Word, or enjoy the use of the Seals, we may expect to reap the fruits of Christs Purchase. Celsus objected against Christianity, that it was a sanctuary for Villains and men of a licencious life: Origen answered him, that it was not a Sanctuary to nourish them in their evil practises, but an Hospital to cure them. As under the Law all the Cities of Refuge were Cities of Levites, and Schools of Instruction: so Christ hath made the Church a School, wherein to learn the trade of holiness; and the Word, and the Seals, and all the Ordinances look that way. Lastly, It is for the honour of God the Spirit, that the called people should be holy, because they are his charge, in pupillage to the Holy Ghost, for this end and reason, that they may be sanctified; Sanctifica [...]ion is made his personal operation; The sanctification of the Spirit, 2 Thes. 2. 14. and 1 Pet. 1. 2. He is to shape and fashion all the vessels of glory, to deck the Spouse of Christ with the Jewels of the Covenant. This is the great advantage that we have in the Oeconomy and dispensation of grace, that we have God to purpose it, God to purchase it, and God to work it; the Father, Word and Spirit, who agree in one to sanctifie the creature, and make it holy. Now it is a great grief to the Spirit when the work doth not go on and prosper in the Soul; for he worketh us to this very thing, and is therefore called the Spirit of holiness: it is not for his honour to dwell in defiled temples, and to let the called people go naked, and without their ornament. Well [Page] then, you see God for his honours sake will have his purposes accomplished for which he chose us, and Christ his purchase made good, and the Spirit who is left in charge to see all accomplished, he goeth on with the wor [...].

2. Another Reason why we must be sanctified, is, because of the hopes to which we are called, and the happiness which we expect: now we cannot have it unless we be holy: Heb. 12. 14. Without holiness no man shall see God: We are bidden in that verse to follow peace, but chiefly holiness; [...] the masculine article sheweth that it is to be referred to [...]. for it is not said, that without Peace no man shall see God: Peace may be often broken in the quarrel of truth and holiness, and so Gods children may be passively men of contention; aye but for all that they shall see God: but those that are not holy he cannot endure their presence, and therefore they shall never see his face, and enjoy him hereafter. Usually by a fond abuse we restrain the word Saints to the Saints departed; I, but we must be Saints here, or else we shall never be Saints hereafter: I mean true Saints; for by another abuse the word Saints is made matter of pretence in some, and matter of scorn by others; but to be Saints indeed, that is all the evidence you have to shew for your interest in your glorious hopes: What should others do with Heaven that are not Saints? how can they see God, that have not a pure eye? A dusky glass cannot represent the image: [...]. the degree of Vision is according to the degree of Sanctification. And what should a carnal heart, that knoweth no other Heaven but to eat, drink and sleep, and wallow in sensual delights, do with the inheritance of the Saints in light? The Apostle saith, we must be made meet for such a state, Col. 1. 12. The vessels of glory are first seasoned with grace: Alas, otherwise carnal men can no more tell what to do with Heaven, then Swine with Pearls. We do not look for a Turkish Paradise, but a sinless state; not to bathe our Souls in carnal pleasures, but to be Consorts of the immaculate Lamb; our hopes engage us to holiness: 1 John 3. 3. He that hath this hope purifieth himself as Christ is pure: If his heart be fastened upon such an hope, as to see Christ as he is, and t [...] be like him both for temper of Soul and state of body, certainly he must needs be an holy [Page] man; he will be practising and trying here upon Earth how he can conform to Christ, and begin his happiness as well as he can. Certainly he that expecteth that his body shall be like to Christs glorious Body, he will possess his vessel in sanctification and in honour: he cannot use his body that is under so great hopes meerly as a strainer for meats and drinks, and a channel for lust to pass through; his mind that shall see God, he cannot fill it with chaff, or suffer it to be occupied with vanity, toying thoughts, and vile cares, and unworthy projects: and his affections that should cleave to God inseparably, to be prostituted to every base [...]bject. Thus with respect to our hopes we must be sanctified; the foundation and seed of glory Ʋse [...]. is layd in grace, and that life began which we must live for ever▪

It serveth for Conviction: If Gods people are a sanctified people, then here is but sad news for two sorts of persons. 1. The prophane, that care not for holiness, God hath no birthright for such Esaus; the portion of the Lord are an holy portion, but Deut. 32. 5. these have a spot that is not as the spot of his children: See what John speaketh of such persons as wallow in their filthiness, 1 John 3. 8. He that committeth sin is of the Devil, for the Devil sinneth from the beginning; [...], he that tradeth in sin, and maketh it his work and business: You may presume that you belong to God, but you are of the Devil; you have not indeed the least pretence of a claim, and do not go so far as hypocrites, being so little careful to be holy, that you are not moral: Are you called? from what? where is the least evidence of it? I, but Caspa [...] s [...]res. in Miscellaneis. Multi gloriantur cor suum bonum esse, etiamsi extus Vita non respondeat; decipiuntur isti homines, nam si candela intus acc [...]nsa est, lucerna extus necessario lucet & splendet; [...]osito quod cor [...]uum bo [...]m est, tamen damnaberis quia Christus [...]on judicat secundum cor sed secundum opera. If the Israelites had slain & eaten the Passover, yet if the door posts were not sprinkled with blood, the Angel would not spare them. our hearts are better then we shew for: This is to appeal to a witness that cannot be found; it is all one as if a man should lay claim to anothers Land, and pretend that he hath lost the Evidences: your guilt is written in legible characters, that he that runneth may read it. 2. It convinceth persons that scoff at holiness: scoffing is the overflow of gall and malice, and a black mark let it be found where it will be; in the general it argueth a bad spirit, but especially when Religion is made a by-word and a reproach. When you deride men for their holiness, you deride them for that [Page] which is the express Image of the glorious God, and so deride God himself: Holy Brethren, as the Saints are stiled, Heb. 3. 1. should no more be a disgrace then holy Father, as God himself is stiled, John 17. 11. You hate God more then you do the Saints, if you hate them for their holiness, which shineth in them with a faint lustre, but is infinitly and originally in God. Take heed of the chair of scorners, those are Rev. [...]2. 15. dogs that are without, that bark at the splendor of Gods Image, that make Saints a word of disgrace: Scoffing Ismaels that will be mocking, are sure to be cast out, Gen. 21. 9. they do not belong to God: The Apostle interprets that mocking to be persecution, Gal. 4. 27. so it is in Gods account; and yet it is always found in those that are born after the flesh: Prophane spirits think Religion a matter of nothing; and men are wont to mock at those▪ which make a great matter of what they account nothing. Oh remember, holiness is the badg of those which are the Lords called people, and it should be a matter of reverence, not reproach.

Again, It serveth for Caution, to prevent mistakes: Christians,Ʋse 2. look to your Sanctification; Psal. 4. 3. Know that God hath set apart him that is godly for himself: The Beasts worshippers have the Beasts mark, Rev. 13. 16. So also Gods children are stamped with his seal & impress; 2 Tim. 2. 19. The foundation of the Lord standeth sure, having this seal, &c. they are sealed with a mark of preservation, The Lord knows those that are his; and they are sealed with a mark of distinction, Let every one that nameth the Name of God depart from iniquity. As Cain is stamped on both sides, so hath Gods Seal a double Motto; one that noteth his owning the Saints, the other that noteth their tem [...]er and disposition, they depart from iniquity: Take heed then, have you this seal and impress? There are many things that look like Sanctification, but are not; I shall touch upon four, Civility, Formality, restraining grace, and temporary grace.

1. Civility, which is nothing else but a fair demeanor in the world, or in the Apostles expression, a fair shew in the flesh, a darker representation of holiness, rather Heathenish [Page] strictness then Christian: you may descry it by these Notes. 1. It is usually accompanyed with ignorance, and little knowledg of Gods Institutions: Men live well, are no drunkards, no swearers, but know little of God, have no insight in matters of Religion; like Nicodemus, a strict Pharisee, but grosly ignorant, Iohn 3. 10. Spiritual life beginneth with knowledg, and endeth in a rational strictness, and what they do, they do upon principles; Conscience is swayed by the acknowledgment of Gods Will: others live plausibly, but know not the ground and reason of their actions, and therefore are soon satisfied, never troubled about imperfections, because where there is no light, there is not that tenderness, which is found in real Christians, who look into the purity of the Law, and are troubled because they know so much of the Will of God, and do so far come short of it; as in a clear glass the least mote is soon espyed. 2. There is little of Christ in such Souls; for a man that is satisfied with his own righteousness doth not prize Christ: Paul a Pharisee counted his works gain, which afterward he found to be loss, Phil. 3. 7. by gain he meaneth an advantage to procure the favour of God: Self is wont to take up all their thoughts, and therefore moral strains suit more with them, then Gospel comforts, and doctrines that breed faith: The Law is more natural to men then the Gospel; and therefore with those that are of a moral disposition, and no more, it findeth better entertainment and welcome then the Gospel doth: there is no hungering and thirsting after Christ; they do not see the need of the sweetness of his grac [...], of the help of his Spirit, going on in a plausible moral course, without rub or difficulty: whereas in the spiritual life Gal. 2 20. Christ doth all, and every day they see more cause to bless God for him. 3. Ʋsually there is some great prevailing s [...]n: Civility is but a freer slavery; one way or another Satan holdeth them captive, and their honesty and fair shew to the world is but to serve their carnal interests, to hide a lust or feed a lust, and most commonly this sin is worldliness: Christs young man that had kept all those things from his youth, had great possessions, and they were a great snare to his heart, Mat. 19. 22. The sin of the Pharisees [Page] was vain-glory and ambition: some morsel there is reserved under the tongue, some sin kept with the greater allowance from conscience, and the less shame from abroad, because otherwise the life is fair and honest. 4. There is a greater care about actions then lusts: Wrath, and pride, and wanton thoughts are digested, because there is no violence and un [...]leanness in the conversation: Civility is all for the carriage, nothing for tempering the affections to such an order and moderation as becometh grace: Paul complaineth of his lusts, and the Law of sin within, Rom. 7. yea of such sinful workings as do not fall under the cognisance and discovery of the light of Nature, Rom. 7. 7. The first risings and stirrings of sin forbidden in the tenth Commandment, the least rebellion of Nature. Thus for Civility.

2. Formality, or pretended grace: you may be deceived in that; and therefore the Apostle speaketh of a [...]. true holiness, Ephes. 4. 24. in opposition to that which is feigned and counterfeit: Now false grace is always acted by forreign and external considerations; as pupils have not a principle of life within them, but are moved by an external force: The hypocrites principles of motion are without him, as carnal respects, self-ends, &c. True grace hath an inward propensity to comply with the Will of God; there is a Law upon their bowels: by-ends work by constraint, and carry the Soul contrary to its native inclination; a man would not do such a thing, were it not for such ends: therefore the Apostle saith, 1 Pet. 5. 2. Feed the flock that is among you, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. When a man acteth genuinely in a work, his own heart carryeth him to it more then all outward encouragements. Again, False grace is shy of Gods presence and sight: pretences are to deceive men; therefore such persons strive to get God out of their thoughts, they know his eye will find them out: But now truth of grace is ready to draw every thing into Gods sight; though they tremble to think what defects God can find in them, yet they appeal to him for the sincerity of their hearts: Iohn 20. 17. Lord thou knowest all things, and thou knowest that I love thee; He would not excuse miscarriages, [Page] yet for the general temper and bent of his heart he re [...]erreth himself to Gods Omnisciency. So Iob 31. 6. Let me be weighed in an even ballance, that God may know mine integrity; and yet elsewhere he saith, Iob 42. 5, 6. Mine eye seeth thee, and therefore I abhor my self in dust and ashes: In the one place he appealeth to God, for he was confident that his integrity would hold weight; and yet in the other he could even loath himself when he thought of God, because of so many defects and failings. So David, Psal. 139. 23. Search me O Lord, and know my heart, &c. No doubt but David was sensible that God could find enough in him; but Lord search, see if any thing be allowed with full leave of conscience. Again, False grace doth not grow, unless it be worse and worse; Pretences wither rather then thrive: God complaineth, Ier. 7. 24. that they went backward rather then forward: False grace is always declining till it be wholly lost; like bad salt, that loseth of its acrimony and smartness every day till it be cast to the dunghil: But now true grace, from a grain it groweth into a tree, Matth. 13. from a morning glimpse to a perfect noon, Prov. 4. 18. from smoaking flax it is blown up into a flame: The least meal in the Barrel, and oyl in the Cruse, when it is fed with a supply from Heaven, shall prosper into abundance: Nicodemus that at first came to Christ by night, after boldly declareth himself for him, Iohn 19. 30. Grace gets ground upon the flesh, and holiness by degrees advanceth into a triumph; Examine then whether you increase or decrease: if you go backward, from zeal to coldness, from strictness to looseness; if you lose you care of duty, and choyceness of spirit, and there be no complaining, it is a sign grace was never wrought in truth. Once more, False grace is not accompanyed with humility: When men the more they profess, the prouder they grow and more self-conceited, there is cause of suspicion: With true grace there always goeth along a spiritual poverty, or a sense of our spiritual wants; the more knowledg, the more they discern their ignorance, compare 1 Cor. 8. 2. with Prov. 30. 2, 3. the more faith, the more they bewail unbelief, and see a need of increase and further growth: Mark 9. 24. Lord I beleeve, [Page] help mine unbelief. Oh I want faith, what shall I do! still I am haunted with prejudicial and lessening thoughts of Gods alsufficiency and goodness. It is excellent when the Soul is thus kept hungry and humble under our enjoyments, and we Phil. 3. 13. forget the things that are behind, because the things that are before us, or not yet attained, are much more.

3. The next thing is See Mr Lyfords Ca [...]e [...]eehism, last edition▪ page 308, 309. restraining grace, which is nothing else but an awe upon the Conscience, inclining men to forbear sin, though they do not hate it. Now you may discern it, partly because love is of little use and force with such kind of spirits; they are chained up by their own fears: The great Evangelick motive is mercy; Rom. 12. 1. I beseech you by the mercies of God: The heart is most ingenuous when it yeildeth to such intreaties: It is good to serve God with reverence, but a servile awe hath little of grace in it. It is true indeed, it is better to have a slavish fear then none at all; therefore David saith to them that would be held in with no other restraints, Psal. 4. 4. Stand in awe, and sin not: to cool and charm their fury he maketh use of the argument of Gods vengeance; though this is also the fault of slavish spirits, that carnal respects and thoughts of outward inconvenience do equally sway them, as a servile fear of Gods Iudgments. Again, you may know it, because it doth not destroy sin, but only prohibit the exercise of it: Abimelechs lust was not quenched, yet God withheld him from sinning against Sarah, Gen. 20. 6. The heart is not renewed, though the action be checked; as Israel had an adulterous heart towards God, when her way was hedged up with thorns, Hosea 2. 6. Again, it is their trouble that they are held in the stocks of Conscience; they would fain be enlarged, and find out their own paths.

4. The next thing that looketh like Sanctification, but is not, is common grace: This is a distinct thing from all the rest, yet I call it common grace, because it may be in them that fall away and depart from God: It differeth from Civility, because it is more Christian and Evangelical; from Formality, because that is only in pretence and shew, whereas this is a real work upon the Soul; from restraining grace, because [Page] that is only conversant about sins and duties out of a servile awe of God, but this seemeth to carry out the Soul with some affection to Christ; it is a common work, good in its self, which God ordaineth in some to be a preparation and begining of the work of grace: Of this the Apostle speaketh, Heb. 6. 4, 5. where he calleth it an enlightening, a taste of Christ and of the powers of the world to come, and a partaking of the Holy Ghost; meaning of the gifts of the Spirit, abilities for holy duties, &c. of all which elsewhere; only now let me note three things. 1. That the light there spoken of is not humbling. 2. The taste is not ravishing, and drawing out the Soul after more of Christ. 3. Their gifts are not renewing and sanctifying.

1. That light is not humbling; He saith, they are enlightened, but he doth not say they are humbled: Foundations totter that are not layed deep enough: The more true light a man hath, the more cause of self-abasement will he find in himself: You can never magnifie Christ enough, and you can never debase self enough; and certainly Christ is most exalted when you are most abased, Isai. 2. 19. Dagon must fall upon his face, if you mean to set up the Ark; and if Christ shall be precious to you, you must be vile in your own eyes; none have such true revivings as the humble, Isai. 57. 15, 16. True humiliation is far from weakening your comforts, it maketh them more full and sure: therefore a main thing that was wanting in those spoken of in Heb. 6. was humiliation, and their fault was a rash closing with Christ in the pride of their hearts.

2. Their taste was not ravishing, and affecting the heart so as to engage it to seek after Christ; they had but loose and slight desires of happiness▪ glances upon the glory of Heaven and the comforts of the Gospel, which possibly might stir up a wish, Oh that I might dye the death of the righteous, &c. they were not serious and holy desires after Christ, after grace and strength to serve him: The Saints that have a taste Rom. 7. 24. Psal. 119. 5. groan after a fuller communion in his graces as well as comforts; that experience which they have had of Christ, maketh them long for more: But now in Temporaries there is a [Page] loose asse [...]t and slight affection, a taste enough to prevail with them to make some profession for a while, a rejoycing for a season, &c.

3. Their gifts are not renewing and sanctifying; such possibly as may make them useful to the Church, but do not change the heart: the Apostle saith, they were made partakers of the Holy Ghost; that is, had some share, it may be a plentiful share of Church gifts, so as to be able to carry on duties to the edification and comfort of others; but alas what is a man the better, if the heart be opprest with sins in the mean time, and be not upright with God? 1 Cor. 13. 1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and Angels, and have not charity, I am become but as a sounding Brass, and tinkling Cymbal. Though you can speak of the things of God with much enlargement and affection, pray sweetly, all is but as tinkling with God if there be not saving grace: It is a great evidence that we are such as the Apostle speaketh of, when the affection doth not answer the expression of a duty, nor the life our knowledg, and gifts have not a proportionable influence upon practise. So much for that Point.

Having spoken of the State, I come now to speak of the Author of it, God the Father. But why is it so distinctly attributed to the Father? is not Christ our Sanctification? 1 Cor. 1. 30. and is it not called the Sanctification of the Spirit? 2 Thes. 2. 14. The Answer shall draw out the strength of the phrase in these Propositions. 1. It is true, that the whole Trinity one way or other concurreth to the work of holiness; those works ad extra are indivisa common to all the Persons; the Father sanctifieth, the Son sanctifieth, and the Holy Ghost sanctifieth: the same may be said of preserving and calling. 2. Though all work joyntly, yet there are distinct personal operations, by which they make way for the glory of each other; the love of the Father for the glory of the Son, and the glory of the Son for the power of the Spirit. See how the Scripture followeth these things: You shall find first, that no man cometh to the Son but from the Father by Election; Iohn 6. 37. All that the Father giveth shall come to [Page] me: so vers. 65. No man cometh unto me, unless it be given him of my Father. Look again and you shall find that no man cometh to the Father from the bondage of sin and Satan, but by the Son, through his Redemption and Mediation; John 14. 6. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me. Again, you shall see no man is united to the Son but by the Holy Ghost, who worketh in those whom the Father did choose and the Son redeem; and therefore the Sanctification of the Spirit is as necessary as the Blood of Jesus, 1 Pet. 1. 2. So that you see all have their distinct work; the Inchoation is from the Father, the Dispensation by the Son, and the Consummation by the Spirit: from the Father, in the Son, and through the Spirit; there is Gods choyce, Christs purchase, and the Spirits application: all are joyned in one Verse, for indeed they must not be severed, even in the place last alledged, 1 Pet. 1. 2. 3. Because the first distinct operation is the Fathers, therefore the whole work in Scripture is often ascribed to him; he is said to justifie; The Iustifier of them that beleeve in Iesus, Rom. 3. 26. So he is said elsewhere to purge; Iohn 15. 1, 2. I am the Vine, and my Father is the Husbandman; he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit: All dependeth upon the decree of his love: Christ doth not work upon a person, unless he be given to him by the Father; and therefore he being first in order and operation, the whole work is made his work: Sanctified in God the Father. Observe,

That Sanctification is Gods work, wrought in us by the Father. Observat. 1. To cleanse the heart is beyond the power of the creature; it can no more make it self holy, then make its self to be: We could defile our selves, but we cannot cleanse our selves: Dominq [...]rrare per me po [...]ui re [...]ire non pot [...]i. Austin Meditar. as the sheep can go astray of its self, but it can never return to the fold without the shepherds care and help. Lusts are too hard for us, and so are the duties of obedience: Non potest reddi nisi ab [...] a quo potuil dari. Aug. God that gave us his Image at first, must again plant it in the Soul: Who can repair Nature depraved, but the Author of Nature? When a Watch is out of order we send it to the Workman: We are his workmanship in Christ, Ephes. 2. 10. God taketh it to be his Prerogative, Levit. 21. 8. I am the Lord that sanctifieth [Page] thee: Grace is his immediate creature: Mans will contributeth nothing to the work but resistance and rebellion; and outward means work not, unless God put in with them; else why should the same Word preached by the same Minister, work in some, and harden others? all the difference ariseth from Gods grace, which acteth according to pleasure. Well then,

1. Let us wait upon God till the work be accomplished: Our wills are obstinate and perverse, but God never made a creature too hard for himself; he is able to do this thing for us, and 'tis our comfort we have such a God to go to. The Heathens that groped and felt after God, were to seek of a power to quell their lusts, and therefore were put upon sad remedies; whereas all is made easie to you in the power of God through Christ. Crates gave this advice to one that came to him to know how he should subdue the lust of uncleanness, he answered, P [...]i [...]m sa [...]e [...] inde l [...]qu [...]u [...]. Tertul. in Apol. that he should either famish himself or hang himself; they knew no remedy but offering violence to Nature, or else death and despair. Democritus blinded himself, because he could not look upon women without lusting after them. Christianus solvis oculis foeminam. V [...]d [...]t Tertul. ibidem. Now God teacheth us to put out the eye of our lust, not of our bodies: Bless God that you know whose work it is, and to whom to go for Sanctification.

2 Ʋse. Praise the Lord when ever this work is accomplished; Not I, but grace; it must not be ascribed to our works, or to any power that is in our selves, but to Gods mercy, Christs merits, and the Spirits efficacy: There is Gods grant; To her it was granted to be covered with fine linnen, the righteousness of the Saints, Rev. 19. 18. God the Father giveth leave or issueth forth an Authentick Act and Decree in the Court of Heaven; as Esther by the grant of the King was supplyed out of the Kings Wardrobe. Then there is Christs merit; the stream wherein we are washed floweth out of Christs own heart; 1 John 1. 7. The Blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin. Then there is the Spirits efficacy; no less power will vanquish the proud heart of man. 'Tis notable, that grace is expressed not only by the notion of Psal. 51. 10 Ephes. 2 [...]0 2 C [...]. 4. 6. Creation, which is a making things out of nothing; but also by Luk. 11 21, 22 2 [...] 1. 15. 1 John 4. 4. Victory, or a [Page] powerful overcoming of opposition: In Creation as there was nothing to help, so there was nothing to resist and hinder; but in man there is besides a death of sin, a life of resistance against grace; therefore Sanctification must entirely be ascribed to God: we deserve it not, it cometh from the Fathers good-will and Christs merit; we work i [...] not, 'tis accomplished by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Again observe, That though the work of grace be immediately Observat. 2. wrought by another person, yet our thoughts in beleeving must not stay till we ascend and come up to God the Father. You shall see the Scripture carryeth out our acts of faith to him every where: Rom. 4. 24. If we beleeve in him, who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; that is, in God the Father. So John 12. 44. He that beleeveth in me, beleeveth not in me, but in him that sent me: that [not] is not negative, but corrective; not only in me, but his thoughts must ascend to the Father also, who manifesteth himself in me. So John 14. 1. Ye beleeve in God, beleeve also in me. Both expressions may be imperative: Besides beleeving in Christ, we must also beleeve, in God, as the first Fountain and Author of grace. Now the Reasons are, 1. Because all grace beginneth with the Father; the first in order of being, is first in order of working; 'Tis the Father that floweth out to us in Christ and by the Spirit: What ever Christ hath and is, he hath from him as the original Author; 1 Cor. 1. 30. Of him Jesus Christ is made to us Sanctification. The high Priest went into the Sanctuary before he blessed the people; so doth Jesus Christ sanctifie you in the Father and from the Father: as Mediator certainly he is to be considered as Gods Servant and Instrument. Well then, Reason is in its progress, till it climb up to the first cause of a thing; so should Faith; do not leave till you come to the Father, who is the highest Fountain of grace. 2. Because what ever is done to you by Christ, is done with a respect to his Fathers love: John 17. 2. Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him: So see verse 6. I have manifested thy Name unto them, thine they were, and them thou gavest me: That was the ground of Christs respect, the Fathers [Page] donation, or the charge he received from him: and therefore you must look upon the Fathers love as well as Christs care; for in all his respects to us he still acknowledgeth his obedience to the Father; and indeed it giveth us a double ground of hope: Causa [...]quam fili [...] [...]o [...] a [...] a [...] quia ipsi a [...]atre deman datum est, & causa our pater nob [...] savet, est quia hoc filius ab ipso postulat & prom [...]retur. &c. See Stella at large de [...] more Dei, cap. 18. the Son loveth us because the Father required it, and the Father loveth us because the Son asketh it; if Christ be faithful to his Father we are sure to be loved, or if the Father have any respect and love to Christ. 3. Because 'tis a great support and comfort to faith to consider of the Father in the act of beleeving: two are better then one; and 'tis often made a priviledg to have the Father and the Son, 1 John. 1. 3. and 2. 23, 24. 2 John 9. & alib. There is the Fathers love and the Sons merit; either severally will not yeild that joy and peace in beleeving, and therefore 'tis good to have them both together: There is no access to the Father but in the Son: What will guilt do with Justice? stubble with consuming fire? God out of Christ is terrible, rather then comfortable; therefore 'tis said, 1 Pet. 1. 21. that by him we beleeve in God; that is, by Christ through his merit we come comfortably to pitch upon God the Father. So again, Christ separate from the Father doth not yeild such firm grounds of confidence; there must be some act of the Father to give us full security; for in the business of Redemption God the Father is represented as the offended wronged party, who is to receive satisfaction: we are sensible of the wrong and offence, Conscience feeleth that; we must be also sensible of his favour and grace towards us: now when we see him first in all acts of grace, that taketh away all jealousie and scruple. 4. Because in the Fathers Love there are many circumstances which are very engaging to the Soul, which are not to be found in the rest of the divine Persons; for he being first in order, hath the chiefest work ascribed to him; but especially are not to be found in Christ as Mediator: and because Christ as Mediator is most known to the creatures, I shall prosecute this matter with respect to that Consideration. 1. In the Fathers love and acts of grace there is an original Fulness; Christs fulness as Mediator is but derived out of the Fathers plenty; Col. 1. 19. [Page] It pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell: And 'tis limited by the Fathers Will in the dispensation of it; all that Christ dispensed was according to the Charge and Commandment given him by his Father; see Mat. 20. 23. It is not mine to give, save to those for whom it is prepared of my Father: Christ doth not deny his Authority to give glory as well as grace; only he sheweth how in all the dispensations proper to the Mediator he was limited by the Will and Counsel of the Father: And so he denyeth to dispense the knowledg of times and seasons, because the Father had kept it in his own Power, Acts 1. 7. So that now 'tis an engaging Consideration to remember that the Father, whose Will is absolute, who hath an original Fulness of all grace, that he himself loveth us, and is first in all acts of blessing. 2. In the Fathers acts you have the purest and freest apprehension of love; he began and first broke the business of our Redemption: God the Son can have an higher motive, the Fathers Will; but God the Father can have no higher motive then his own love; his elective love was the first rise and spring whence all that love that passeth out to the creature issueth forth, and therefore here we have the freest apprehension of love: there was a love of the Father anteceding the merit of Christ; John 3. 16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son; there was the most independent and free act of love.

It serveth to press us to give a distinct glory in beleevingƲse. to God the Father: Get a right apprehension of the divine Persons, and the several endearments with which their personal operations are represented. 'Tis said, John 5. 23. That God will have all men honour the Son as they honour the Father. God is most honoured when your thoughts are most distinct and explicite in this matter. Do not forget the Father, you are his gift as well as the Sons purchase and the Spirits charge: If God the Father had not loved you before all worlds, Jesus Christ would not have redeemed you; and if Christ had not redeemed you, the Spirit would never sanctifie you: and as the Spirit will not work unless you look upon him as Christs Spirit, John 16. 14. He shall glorifie me, for he shall receive of mine; so Christ came to glorifie the Father, and to finish his [Page] work, John 17. 4. Bless them and praise them all then. If you receive any thing, see the Fathers bounty in it, the freeness and everlastingness of his Love stamped upon what you have. So if you want any thing, holiness, comfort, grace, pardon, reflect not only upon the fulness of Christs merit▪ but the freeness of the Fathers love: You deal with a God of bowels and bounty; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, all are yours. There is a fond affectation in some, to carry all things in the Name of Christ, even such acts wherein the Father is most concerned▪ as the former Age carryed all Dispensations in the Name of God Almighty, without any distinct reflection upon God the Son, in whom the Father will be honoured, and by whom we have an access to the Father: So many in this Age, in their popular discourses and prayers, carry all things in the Name of God the Son, and with a fond and luscious affectation ingeminate the Name, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ▪ so that the honour and adoration due to the other Persons is neglected and forgotten; whereas Christ is to be acknowledged Lord in all Tongues and among all Nations, to the glory of God the Father, Phil. 2. 11.

But now 'tis high time to proceed to the second and last Manifestation of their effectual Calling, [Preserved in Jesus Christ,] [...], kept in or by him; the meaning is, they were not only sanctified for the present out of the store and plenty of God the Father, but should for ever be kept in that estate by Jesus Christ. The Point is, That Gods Observat. called and sanctified people are preserved and kept in their state of grace and holiness in and by Jesus Christ. The Point asserteth two things, that they are kept by Christ and in Christ, that is, not only for his sake, but by vertue of union with him; Jesus Christ is the Cabinet wherein Gods Jewels are kept; so that if we would stand, we must get out of our selves, and get into him, in whom alone there is safety. I might handle this latter Branch apart, namely, that Ʋnion with Christ is the ground of our safety and preservation: but because I am sensible that I have stayed too long upon this Verse already, I shall content my self with handling upon this occasion the [Page] general Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints: And first, I shall give you the state of it, how far we may expect to be preserved. 2. The Grounds of Certainty and Assurance in this kind.

First, How far we may look for Preservation: The Doctrine of Perseverance is much impugned; but the Earth is never the more unsetled, because to giddy brains it seemeth to run round: however let us grant what must be granted, and then the truth will be burdened with less prejudice. Seeming grace may be lost; Take from him that which he hath, Mat. 25. 28. is Luke 8. 18. Take from him that which he seemed to have. Blazing Comets and Meteors are soon spent, and fall from Heaven like lightening, while stars keep their orb and station: A building in the sand will totter; and Hypocrites be discovered before the Congregation, Prov. 26. 26. Again, Initial or preparative grace may fail, such as is spoken of Heb. 6. 4, 5. to wit, illumination, external reformation, temporary faith, devout moods, some good beginnings, &c. Plenty of blossoms do not always foretell store of fruit; some dye in the very pangs of the birth, and are still born. Yet again, True grace may suffer a shrewd decay, but not an utter loss; the leaves may fade when the root liveth: In temptations Gods children are sorely shaken; their heel may be bruised, as Christs was, but their head is not crushed: Peter denyed Christ, but did not fall from grace; there is a remaining seed, 1 John 3. 9. 'Tis notable what Chrysostom observeth concerning Christs prayer for Peter, Luke 22. 32. I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not: [...]. Chrysost. Mark (saith he) he doth not say, I have prayed for thee that thou shouldst not deny me, but I have prayed that thy faith should not altogether vanish and be abolished. Once more, such grace as serveth to our well-being in Christ may be taken away, joy, peace, cheerfulness, &c. As a man may have a being, though his well-being be lost; he is a man, though a bankrupt, though poor, though sick, though diseased: so a Christian may be living, though he be not lively. Yet further, The operations of grace may be obstructed for a great while: a fit of swooning is not a state of death; there may be no acts, and yet their seed remaineth; [Page] this may last for a long time: David lay in a spiritual swoon nine moneths; for he awaked not till Nathan came to him, Psal. 51. the title; and when Nathan came to him, the child begotten upon Bathsheba was born; for he saith, 2 Sam▪ 12. 14. The child which is born to thee shall dye. Yet further, Grace if left to us would soon be lost; we shewed that in Innocency: but 'tis our advantage that our security lieth in Gods promises, and not our own; that we are not our own keepers; that grace is a Jewel not trusted but in safe hands; that perseverance is Gods gift, not mans act; and that Christ hath a Charge to conduct the Saints, and keep them safe to everlasting Glory, John 6. from 37, to 40. and John 10. 28. I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any perish, non shall pluck them out of my hand: My Father which gave them is greater then all▪ none is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand: They neither shall nor can; God and Christ are engaged in the keeping of them▪ Christ by Gods Command as Mediator, and God by Christs merit: therefore he that separateth us from God must tug with Jesus Christ himself, and be too hard for him also, or else he can never pluck them out of his hands. If they should question Christs power, because of the ignominy of the Cross; the Fathers hands are also engaged, for our greater assurance: Can any creature loose his eternal and almighty grasp? and pluck out those whom the Father hath a mind to keep?

We do not plead for any wilde assurance and certainty of Perseverance; we do not say that they that neglect means, or grieve the Spirit, and do what they list, are sure that they shall not miscarry; that is against the nature of Gods dispensation, and the nature of this assurance, and therefore but a vain cavil. 'Tis against the nature of Gods dispensation; whom he maketh to persevere, he maketh them to persevere in the use of means: Hezekiah had assurance from God of life for fifteen years, yet he taketh a lump of figs, and applyeth it as a plaister to the boyl, Isai. 38. 5, with 21. More clearly, Acts 27. 31. All shall come to Land; but, Except ye abide in the ship ye cannot be safe: We are sure of life as long as [Page] God hath any service to do for us, yet we are bound to get food and rayment, and to use all means to preserve life: This was Satans cavil against Gods protection over Christ, Thou art sure not to fall, therefore neglect means, cast thy self upon danger, Mat. 4. 9, 10. You learn this Doctrine from the Devil; Thou mayst do what thou lift, thou art sure to be safe; 'tis the Devils Divinity. Again, 'Tis against the nature of this assurance; he that hath tasted Gods love in Gods way, cannot reason so: A child that hath a good father that will not see him perish, shall he waste and embezzle his estate he careth not how? A wicked child may presume thus of his father (though it be very disingenuous) because of his natural interest and relation to his father; the kindness which he expecteth is not built upon moral choyce, but nature: but a child of God cannot, because he cannot grow up to this certainty but in the exercise of grace; 'tis begoten and nourished by godly exercises: and the thing it self implyeth a contradiction; this were to fall away because we cannot fall away: You may as soon say that the fire should make a man freeze with cold, as that certainty of perseverance in grace should make us do actions contrary to grace.

Again, We do not say that a Beleever is so sure of his conservation in a state of grace, as that he needeth not to be wary and jealous of himself; 1 Cor. 10. 12. Let him that standeth, take heed lest he fall. There is a fear of Caution, as well as a fear of diffidence and distrust; and there is a great deal of difference between weakening the security of the flesh, and our confidence in Christ: None more apt to suspect themselves then they that are most sure in God, lest by improvidence and unwatchfulness they should yeild to corruption: Christ had prayed that Peters faith might not fail, yet together with the other Apostles he biddeth him Watch, Luke 22. 40, and 46. The fear of God is a preserving grace, and taken into the Covenant; Jer. 32. 40. I will put my fear into their hearts, and they shall not depart from me: This is a fear which will stand with faith and certainty; 'tis a fruit of the same spirit, and doth not hinder assurance, but guard it; 'tis a fear that [Page] maketh us watchful against all occasions to sin and spiritual distempers, that we may not give offence to God: as an ingenuous man that hath an inheritance passed over to him by his friend in Court, is careful not to offend him.

Again, This certainty of our standing in grace doth not exclude prayer; Luke 22. 46. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. Perseverance is Gods gift, and it must be sought in Gods way; by Christs intercession, to preserve the Majesty of God, and by our prayers, that we may constantly profess our dependance upon God, and renew our acquaintance with him; besides, by asking blessings in prayer, we are the more warned of our duty; 'tis a means to keep us gracious and holy: As those that converse often with Kings had need be decently clad, and go neat in their apparel; so he that speaketh often to God is bound to be more holy, that he may be the more acceptable to him.

Again, 'Tis not a discontinued, but a constant perseverance that we plead for; not as if an elect person could be quite driven out of the state of grace, though he be saved at length; he cannot fall totus a toto in totum, the whole man with full consent from all grace and godliness; he may sin foully, but not fall off totally, no more then finally; there is something that remaineth, a seed, an unction, a root in a dry ground, that will bud and scent again: Briefly, true grace shall never utterly be lost, though it be much weakened, but in the use of means it shall constantly be preserved to eternal life.

Once more, and I have done with the state of the Question: God doth not only require the condition of standing, or continuing in the exercise of grace, but give it infallibly: The Precepts of the Covenant of Grace are also Promises; Heb. 8. 10. This is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, &c. where all the Articles carry the form of Promises; God undertaketh to fulfil our part in us, when we submit to the Covenant. So Jer. 32. 40. I will put my fear into their hearts, &c. G [...]ds love will not let him depart from us, Is [...]. 54. 10. and fear will not let us depart from God. If there be any breach, it must be from our departing from God, or Gods departing from us: Now God never departeth, his Love never permitteth him to repent of giving his fear and putting his grace into our hearts; [Page] but all the fear is of our departing from God: So some say, God will not depart from us, if we be not wanting to our selves: And Bernard observed that our own flesh is not mentioned Rom. 8. What shall separate us from God? &c. Soli eum deserere possumus propriâ voluntate, our own will may separate us and withdraw us from God: And the Remonstrants, Though God doth not repent doni dati, of what he hath given, yet we may repent doni accepti & retenti, of what we have received, and grow weary of the service of God. But all is answered by Gods undertaking in the Covenant; I will put my fear into their hearts▪ that they shall not depart from me: He will give faith, and love, and fear, bestow and continue such Graces as dispose the Soul to Perseverance.

Secondly, The Grounds of Certainty by which it may appear that we shall be preserved in that state of grace, unto which we are called in Jesus Christ: The Grounds are many; put them all together, and you may easily spell out of them the Perseverance of the Saints.

1. There are some grounds on God the Fathers part; there is his everlasting Love, and alsufficient Power. His everlasting Love: God doth not love for a fit, but for ever; From everlasting to everlasting, Psal. 103. 17. before the world was, and when the world is no more: Gods Love is not founded upon any temporal accident, but on his own Counsel, in which there can be [...], Heb. 6. 18. no change, because the same reasons that moved him to choose at first, continue for ever: God never repented in time of what he purposed before all time: Rom. 11. 29. His gifts and calling are without repentance: By gifts he meaneth such as are proper to the Elect; and by calling, effectual calling; such is [...], according to his eternal Purpose, of these he never repents: The fruits of repentance in men are shame and sorrow; now God is never ashamed of his choyce, nor sorry for his choyce, so as to wish it undone. And then the other ground is his alsufficient Power; Almightiness is engaged in the preservation of grace, by his eternal Love and Will, John 10. 28, 29. Can they pluck Christ from the Throne? are they stronger then Christs Father?

[Page]2. There are grounds on Christs part; his everlasting Merit, and close Ʋnion between him and us, and constant Intercession. For his Merit see Heb. 9. 12. He is entered into the holy place, having obtained an eternal Redemption for us. Legal expiations did but last from year to year, but Christs merit for ever and ever; his Redemption is eternal, not only as 'tis of use in all ages of the Church, but in respect of every particular Saint: those who are once redeemed by Christ, they are not redeemed for a time, so as to fall away again; that would argue that the virtue of Christs Blood were spent, and could preserve them no longer; but they are for ever kept to Salvation. So Heb. 10. 14. By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified: He hath not only purchased a possibility of Salvation, but all that we need to our full perfection; 'tis not for a certain time, but for ever. Then there is a close Ʋnion between him and us; this is the notion of the Text, preserved in Christ. Sicut impossibile est massam a p [...]sta s [...]p [...]rar [...], &c. Luther. Look as 'tis impossible to sever the leaven and the dough, when they are once mingled and kneaded together; so Christ and a Beleever, when they are united together, there is no parting more: Can Christs mystical Body be maimed? or lose a joynt? Then his constant Intercession, that's another ground, a Copy of which we have in the 17 of John, where he saith, Keep them through thy Name, &c. and Keep them from the evil, &c. See Heb. 7. 25. He is able to save to the uttermost those that come to God by him, for he liveth for ever to make Intercession for them: He is interceding with God, that the merit of his death may be applyed to us; and what's that? [...]. Salvation to the uttermost or to the end. The heirs of Salvation need not fear miscarrying: Jesus Christ, who is the Testator, who by Will and Testament made over the heritage to them, he also is the Executor, he liveth for ever to see his own Will executed; he dyed once to make the Testament, and he liveth for ever to see it made good: when ever we are in danger, he is intreating his Father for supports and assistances of grace.

3. On the Spirits part, there is a continued influence so as to maintain the essence and seed of grace: The Fathers love is continued by the merit of Christ, that he may not depart [Page] from us; and we are preserved by the Spirit of Christ, that we may not depart from him: He doth not only put into our hearts faith, fear, love, and other graces at first; but he maintaineth and keepeth them, that the fire may never go out: Our hearts are his temple, and he doth not love to leave his dwelling place: And besides, in the Oeconomy of Salvation 'tis his Office, to glorifie Christ as his Vicegerent, and to be our Comforter; therefore with respect to the honour of Christ, and the comfort of Beleevers, he preserveth and maintaineth that grace that is once really wrought in our hearts. To preserve the glory of Christ thus, Christ you know hath received a Charge from the Father to lose nothing, John 6. 39. neither body nor soul, nothing that belongeth to an elect person: Now that he may be true to his trust, he sendeth the Spirit as his Deputy or Executor, that his Merit may be fully applyed: 'Tis for the honour of Christ, that where ever the work is begun, where ever he hath been an Heb. 12. 2. Author, there he may be a Finisher also. 'Twas said of the foolish Builder, that he began, and was not able to make an end: this dishonor can never be cast upon Christ, because of the power and faithfulness of the Spirit; he doth [...], Phil. 1. 6. go through with the work which he hath begun; the Spirit is to fit vessels for glory: he doth not use to leave them half carved; he is faithful to Christ; as Christ is to his Father: the Father chooseth the vessel, Christ buyeth them, and the Spirit carveth and fitteth them, that they may be vessels of praise and honour. But this is not all, He preserveth and continueth us in the state of grace as our Comforter; by working grace he puts us into an expectation of glory and happiness; and to make it good, he carryeth on the work without failing; therefore grace is called the first fruits of the Spirit, Rom. 8. 24. and the earnest of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 1. 22. and 5. 6. for it hath a double use, to be a taste and a pledg: 'tis a taste, to shew us how good eternal life is; and a pledg, to shew us how sure it is: The first degree of Regeneration is of this nature; 'tis an earnest or gage, assuring us of a more perfect enjoyment; the livery and seisin of glory to come: As soon as a real change is wrought, the Spirit of God doth [Page] give us earnest; and will God lose his earnest? will he give us a pledg, and fail our expectation? Surely no.

Let us now come to Application.

It presseth us to persevere with the more care; 'tis noƲse 1. unreasonable inference: see 1 John 2. 27, 28. Ye shall abide in him: And now little children, abide in him. Since we have so many advantages of standing, let not us fall away: Oh how great will your sin be, if you should miscarry and dishonor God! We pity a child that falleth, when 'tis not looked after; but when a froward child wresteth and forceth it self out of the arms of the Nurse, we are angry with it. You have more reason to stand then others, being brought into an unchangeable state of grace; being held in the arms of Christ, God will be very angry with your slips and failings: Mercy holdeth you fast, and you seek to wrest your selves out of Mercy's arms: None can sin as you do, with such frowardness, with such dishonor to God; you disparage the Spirits custody, the merit of Christ, and the mercy of the Father. See Heb. 4. 1. Let us therefore fear, a promise being left to us of entering into his Rest, lest any should seem to come short of it. Look as some seem to stand▪ that do not, so some seem to fall utterly that do not: A child of God indeed cannot come short, but he should not seem, that is, give any appearance of coming short: When our religious course is interrupted, and we give way to sin and folly, that's a seeming to come short; and so you bring a scandal upon the love of God, as if it were changeable; upon the merit of Christ, as if it were not a perfect Merit: Scandalous Professors make Arminians; in an age of defection, no wonder if men plead for the Apostacy of the Saints.

If you fall through weakness, be not utterly dismayed:Ʋse 2. As the Spinster leaveth a lock of wool to draw on the next thread; so there is somewhat left: when you are departed from God, you have more hold-fast upon him then another sinner; a child, though a prodigal; go to him and say, Father. David pleadeth the reliques of grace yet left, Psal. 119. 176. I have gone astray like a sheep, seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy Commandments; as if he had said, Lord, I have▪ [Page] sinned through weakness, but I hope there is some grace left, some bent of heart towards thee. So the Church, Isai. 64. 8, 9. Now O Lord, thou art our Father, &c. Yea God is angry when we do not plead: So Jer. 3. 4. Wilt thou not cry, Thou art my Father? &c. You have an interest, though you have been disobedient: Thus do, and your falls will be an advantage; as you have seen men go back to fetch their leaps more commodiously.

When you stand, let it excite you to love and thankfulness;Ʋse 3. Nothing maketh the Saints love God more then the unchangeableness of his Love: When they see themselves safe in the midst of weaknesses, and Satans dayly assaults, it doth much indear God to their Souls. Certainly Daniel was much affected with his preservation in the Lions den, when he saw the Lions ramping and roaring about him, and yet restrained with the chains of Providence, that they could do him no harm: So the children of God must needs love their Preserver, when they consider what dangers are round about them; how little they subsist by their 1 Sam. 2. 9. own strength, and how much they have done a thousand times to cause God to withdraw his Spirit from them; and therefore the great argument why the Saints do love and praise him, is not only the freedom of his grace, but the unchangeableness and constancy of it: His mercy endureth for ever; 'tis several times repeated, Psal. 136. So Psal. 106. 1. Praise ye the Lord; O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. No form is more frequent in the mouths of the Saints: and good reason; for alas, if we were left to our selves, we should damn our selves every hour; we have a Jer. 5. 2 3. and 14. 10. revolting heart: we are like glasses without a bottom, as soon as they are out of hand they are broken; we cannot stand of our selves: and we have a restless enemy, that desireth to toss us and vex us, as wheat is tossed from sieve to sieve, Luke 22. 31. and we have often forfeited Gods protection, and grieved him day by day; were it not for everlasting Mercy, what would become of us? Certainly they that do not love God for their preservation, they are not sensible of their condition in the world; what a naughty [Page] heart they carry about with them: 'Tis a miracle that ever grace should be preserved there where there is so much pride, love of pleasures, worldly cares, brutish lusts; that such an heavenly plant can thrive in the midst of so many weeds. Nor what a busie Devil they have to do withall, who watcheth all advantages, as a dog that standeth waving his tail ('tis Chrysostom's comparison) and expecting a bit; and his envy and malice is most bent against them that have most grace. Finally, they do not consider that the world is full of snares and dangerous allurements; for if they did, they could not chuse but fall a blessing of God for Jesus Christ, who yet fasteneth them as a nail in the holy place. I remember one of the Fathers bringeth in the Flesh saying, Ego deficiam, I will surely fail and miscarry; and the World, Ego decipia [...], I will deceive them and entice them; and Satan, Ego eripiam, I will snatch them and carry them away; and God saith, Ego custodiam, I will keep them, I will never fail them nor forsake them; and there lieth our safety and security.

It informeth us, that if any fall often, constantly, frequently, 4▪ Ʋse. easily, they have no interest in grace: 1 John 3. 9. He that is born of God, sinneth not; [...], he makes not a trade of sin; that's the force of the phrase: Gods children slip often, but not with such a frequent constant readiness into the same sin: As fair Meadows may be overflown, but Marish ground is drowned with the return of every Tyde; so are wicked men carryed away with every return of the temptation; therefore he that liveth in a course of prophaness, worldliness, drunkenness, his spot is not as the spot of Gods children. You are tryed by your constant course and walk, Rom. 8. 1. What's your road? what do you do constantly, easily, frequently? I except only those sins which are of usual incidence and suden surrection; as sudden stirrings of passion in a cholerick temper, and vanity of thoughts, and distractions in duties, &c. and yet for these a man should be the more humble and watchful; if they be not felt and striven against, and mourned for, 'tis a bad sign.

It provoketh us to get an interest in such a sure condition.5 Ʋse. Be not contented, 1. With outward happiness; things are [Page] worthy according to their duration: Nature hath such a sense of Gods Eternity, that the more lasting things are, it accounteth them the better: An immortal Soul must have an eternal Good: Now all things in the world are frail and pass away, therefore called uncertain riches, 1 Tim. 6. 18. 'tis uncertain whether we shall get them, and uncertain whether we shall keep them, and uncertain whether we shall live to enjoy them if they stay with us: All of this side grace is uncertain; these things are usually blasted in their flower and beauty; as Herod was stricken in the midst of all his Royalty: so that a man may out-live his happiness, which is the greatest misery; or at least it must terminate with death; there is no use of wealth in the other world. But now the better part can never be taken from us, Luke 10. 42. and by seeking that we may have other things with a blessing, Mat. 6. 33. 2. Rest not in gifts, they are for the body rather then the person that hath them; as many are carnal, and yet come behind in no gift; God useth them like Negroes, to dig in the mynes of knowledg, that others may have the gold: Judas could cast out Devils, and yet afterward was cast out among Devils. See 1 Cor. 12▪ ult. the Apostle had discoursed largely of gifts, and then concludeth thus, But yet I shew you a more excellent way; and what's that? Grace that abideth and endureth for ever, as in the next Chapter. Many that have great abilities to pray, preach, discourse, yet fall away: According to the place which they sustain in the body, so they have great gifts, of knowledg, utterance, abilities to comfort, direct and instruct others, to answer doubts, to reason and argue for God, for conference and holy discourse, and yet fall foully; as those Heb. 6. 4. are said to be partakers of the Holy Ghost, that is, to have a great share of Church gifts. Nay this is not all, Gifts themselves wither and vanish when the bodily vigor is spent: The glory of a man is as the flower of the grass, 1 Pet. 1. 24. By the glory of a man is meant what ever excellency we have by Nature, wit, knowledg, strength of natural parts, as well as wealth and riches: Many times we like the dry stalk remaineth when the flower is gone; nothing but the gracious work of the Spirit will last for ever. 3. Seeming and unsound [Page] grace; as Hymeneus & Alexander are said to make shipwrack of faith, that is, false faith, 1 Tim. 1. 19. 20 false faith, such as beginneth in joy will end in trouble; it easeth you for the present, but you shall lie down in sorrow: General probabilities, loose hopes, uncertain conjectures, vanishing apprehensions of comfort, all these things soon come to nothing: The planting of true faith is troublesom at first, but it leadeth to true comfort; otherwise you may look upon the Gospel with some kind of delectation for a while; as thorns may blaze under the pot, though they cannot keep in the fire: therefore do not rest in tasting the good Word, Heb. 6. 5. in some slight and transitory comfort. Again, there is formal profession; Many may begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh, Gal. 3. 3. A man may seem to himself and to the Church of God to have true grace; he may profess the truth, escape the pollutions of the world, that is, foul gross sins, yea and all this not out of a carnal aim, but out of a slight and insufficient touch of the truth upon the Conscience, and yet fall away; like the corn in the stony ground, that grew up, but had no root. But much more [Christians] will that form which is taken up out of private aims fail and miscarry: God delighteth to take off the mark and disguise of an hypocrite, by letting them fall into some scandalous sin, or by changing the times and posture of affairs, or by sending a storm: Paint is soon washed of; therefore rest not in these outward and superficial changes, till solid and substantial grace be wrought in you.

Is Comfort to Gods children; Grace is sure, and the priviledges Ʋse 6. of it are sure. Grace it self is sure; through your folly it may be nigh unto death, but cannot dye: This is the advantage of spiritual comforts, that they do not only satisfie our desires, but secure us against our fears: The redeemed of the Lord have an everlasting joy, Isai. 35. 10. Once in Christ, and for ever preserved in Christ. Grace would be little better then temporal things, if it did yeild but a temporary refreshing. They weaken Christian comfort that make Beleevers walk with Christ like Dancers upon a rope, every moment in fear of breaking their necks. This is the comfort of a gracious heart, that as nothing shall altogether cut him off from enjoying God, so nothing shall utterly make him cease to [Page] love God. The children of God would be troubled if grace should fail, though their priviledges should not be cut off; you are sure of both. For as grace is sure, so are also the priviledges of grace: This was figured under the Law; an Israelite could never wholly alienate his inheritance and title to the Land; Levit. 25. 23. His title to the Land shall not be cut off, nor sold for ever: This was a type of our spiritual inheritance in Christ, which cannot be alienated from us; he might for a while pass it away, but it was to return again; so those that are made coheirs with Christ, are never dis-inherited: 'Tis true, we forfeit it by the merit of our actions, but God doth not take the advantage of every offence: 'Tis true, we lose the evidences that are in our keeping, peace of Conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost; but the estate it self is undefeasible, and cannot be made away from us. Sometimes we are under a king of sequestration, and there is a suspension of comfort and grace; as the Israelite might make away his inheritance for a time; but we shall recover possession again, though not by our selves, yet by our Goel, our kinsman, or him that is next of blood: As under the Law, if a person were not able to redeem the inheritance, the kinsman was to redeem it; so Jesus Christ, our kinsman after the flesh, he is our Goel, he interposeth by his merit, and reconcileth us to God. Well then, You see grace is kept, and the priviledges of grace are kept in Christ: But now because comforts are never prized but in their season, and men that have not been exercised in spiritual conflicts, nauseate these sweet truths, they know not what it is to be left to uncertainty when troubles come like waves one in the neck of another; therefore let us see when this truth will be most sweet and seasonable. 1. In great troubles, when God seemeth to hide his face; Oh how sweet is it to hear him say, I will not forsake thee till I have performed all that I promised thee, Gen. 28. 15. all this shall better thy heart, and hasten thy glory. In times of distress we are apt to think that God hath cast us off, and will never look after us more, though formerly we have had real experiences of his grace: What a foolish creature is man to weaken his assurance when he should come to use it? to unravel [Page] all his hope and experiences in times of trouble, which is the only season to make use of them. 2. In the hour of temptation and hard conflicts with doubts and corruptions, when we are sensible of the power of sin, and how difficult it is to remove it out of the heart, we are apt to say as David after all his experiences, I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul, 1 Sam. 27. 1. and many times out of distrust give over the combate. Oh then remember now you are preserved in Christ, and that nothing shall separate: as Sarcerius came to Camerarius his wife, when she had been exercised with a long and tedious conflict, and read to her the latter end of the eighth of the Romans, she brake out in triumph, using Pauls words, Nay, in all these things we are more then Conquerors. Oh Christians, neither sin, nor Devil, nor world can divide you from Christ, for he Rom. 16. 20. did not only tread down Satan, but under your feet. 3. In times of great danger and defection, either through error and persecution, as Saunders trembled to think of the fire; especially when others fall fearfully, who were before us in knowledg and profession of zeal and piety; when the first become last; when glorious Luminaries are eclipsed, and leave their orb and station; as the Martyrs were troubled to hear of the revolt of some great Scholars that had appeared for the Gospel: When Hymeneus and Philetus, two eminent Professors, fell, there was a great shaking, 2 Tim. 2. 18. But the foundation of the Lord standeth sure &c. that's the comfort the Apostle opposeth in such a case. 4. In times of disheartening, because of the difficulties of Religion, when the use of means groweth troublesom: to quicken you in your Christian course, think of the unchangeableness of Gods love; all graces rise according to the proportion and measure of faith; loose hopes weaken endeavors: 1 Cor. 9. 26. Irun, not as one uncertain. Those that ran a race gave over when one had far out-gone them, as being discouraged and without hope: When hope is broken, the edg of endeavors is blunted: Go on with confidence, you are assured of the issue, God will bless you and keep you to his everlasting Kingdom. 5. In the hour of death; when all things else fail you, God will not fail you; this is the last brunt; do but wait a little [Page] while, and you will find more behind then ever you enjoyed; death shall not separate: as Olevian comforted himself with that, Vide Scult [...] tum in Isa [...]. 54. Isai. 54. 10. The hills and mountains may depart, but my loving-kindness shall not depart from you; being in the agonies of death, he said, Sight is gone, speech and hearing is departing, feeling is almost gone, but the loving-kindness of God will never depart. The Lord give us such a confidence in that day, that we may dye glorying in the Preservation of our Redeemer.

2

VERSE II.‘Mercy unto you, and Peace and Love be multiplyed.’

WE are now come to the third thing in the Inscription, and that is the form of salutation, delivered as all Apostolical salutations are in the way of a prayer: In which we may observe, 1. The matter of the prayer, or blessings prayed for, which are three, Mercy, Peace, and Love. 2. The manner or degree of enjoyment, [be multiplyed.]

I begin with the matter, or blessings prayed for: It will not be altogether unuseful to observe that diversity which is used in salutations. In the Old Testament peace was usually wished without any mention of grace; as Psal. 122. 8. For my brethrens and companions sake I will say, Peace be within thee: and [...]an. 6. 25. Peace be multiplyed unto you. But in the times of the Gospel grace being more fully delivered, that was also added and expressed in the forms of salutation: but yet in the times of the Gospel there is some variety and difference: Sometimes you shall meet with a salutation meerly civil; as James 1. 1. To the twelve Tribes [...], greeting: so Acts 15. 23. which was the usual salutation among the Heathen: but most usually 'tis Rom. 1. 17. grace and peace; and in other places grace, mercy and peace, as 2 John 3. and 1 Tim. 1. 2. and here it differeth from them all, for 'tis mercy, peace and [Page] love: And Causaubon observeth, that the Greek Fathers, if they wrote to a earnal man, they would wish him grace, but not peace; if to a godly man, they would wish him grace and peace too. To touch upon these things is sufficient. From these Blessings mentioned in this place I shall observe something in general, and then handle them particularly and apart.

First, In the general Consideration you may observe,

1. That spiritual blessings are the best blessings that we can Observat. 1. wish to our selves and others. The Apostles in their salutations do not wish temporal felicity but spiritual grace: Gods people pray for one another out of the communion of the Spirit, and for themselves out of a principle of the divine Nature; and therefore they do not seek wealth and honour for themselves or one another, but increase of Gods favour and Image. 'Tis true, Nature is allowed to speak in prayer, but grace must be heard first; our first and chiefest requests must be for mercy, peace and love, and then Mat. 6. [...]3 [...] an additional supply, like paper and pack-thread, which is given over and above the bargain. other things shall be added to us; the way to be heard in other things, is first to beg for grace: Psal. 21. 4. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him length of days for ever: Solomon sought wisdom, and together with it found riches and honour in great abundance. Well then, if thou prayest for thy self make a wise choyce, beg for spiritual blessings; so David prayeth, Psal. 106. 4. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thine own people; nothing less would content▪ him then Favorites mercy: other blessings are dispensed out of common pity to the generality of men, but these are mercies privilegiate, and given to Favorites; now saith David, of this mercy, Lord; no common blessing would serve his turn: So Psal. 119. 132. Look upon me, and be merciful to me, as thou usest to do to those that love thy Name: Surely that which God giveth to his people, that's a better mercy then that which God giveth to his enemies. Again, these are mercies that cost God dearer; they flow to you in the Blood of his own Son: yea, they are mercies that are better in themselves; wealth and honour may become a burden, yea, life it self may become a burden, but not mercy, not grace, not peace of Conscience; [Page] and therefore they are better then life, Psal. 63. 3. then wealth, then honour: none ever complained of too much mercy, of too much love of God: These are blessings that swallow up other miseries, yea, the loss of other blessings; grace with poverty 'tis a James 1. 9. preferment, peace of Conscience with outward troubles is an happy condition: if there be a 2 Cor. 1 5. flowing of spiritual comforts, as there is an ebbing of outward comforts, we are not much wronged; therefore▪ first seek these bleseings. Again, If you pray for others, pray for grace in the first place; that's an evidence of spiritual affection: Carnal men wish such things to others, as they prize and affect themselves; so also do gracious men; and therefore their thoughts run more upon mercy, peace and grace, then wealth and honour and greatness. When a man sendeth a token to a friend, he would send the best of the kind: These are the best mercies; if you were to deal with God for your own Souls, you can ask no better: You may ask temporal things, for God loveth the prosperity of his Saints; but these special blessings should have the preferment in your wishes and desires of good to them, and then you are most likely to speed. Our Lord Christ in the 17 of John, commendeth the Colledg of the Apostles to the Father; and what doth he ask for him? dominion and worldly respect? Surely no, nothing but preservation from evil, and sanctification by the Truth; these are the chiefest Blessings we should look after as Christians.

Observe again the aptness of the requests to the personsObservat. 2. for whom he prayeth, Those that are sanctified and called have still need of mercy, peace and love. They need mercy, because we merit nothing of God, neither before grace received, nor afterward: the very continuance of our glory in Heaven is a fruit of mercy, not of merit; our obligation to free-grace never ceaseth. We need also more peace: there are degrees in assurance as well as faith; there is a temperate confidence, and there are ravishing delights, so that peace needs to be multiplyed also. And then love, that being a grace in us, 'tis always in progress; in Heaven only 'tis compleat: Take it for love to God, there we cleave to him without distraction and [Page] weariness or satiety; God in communion is always fresh and new to the blessed spirits: And take it for love to the Saints, it's only perfect in Heaven, where there is no ignorance, pride, partialities and factions; where Luther and Zuinglius, Hooper and Ridley joyn in perfect consort.

Again, Observe the aptness of these requests to the timesObservat. 3. wherein he prayed, when Religion was scandalized by loose Christians, and carnal doctrines were obtruded upon the Church; In times of defection from God, and wrong to the Truth, there is great need of mercy, peace and love. Of mercy, that we may be kept from the snares of Satan: Christians, whence is it that any of us stand? that we are found faithful? 'Tis because we have obtained mercy: They would deceive, if it were possible, the very Elect, Mat. 24. 24. Why is it not possible to deceive the Elect as well as others? of what mould are they made? wherein do they differ from other men? I answer, Elective grace and mercy interposeth; 'tis not for any power in themselves, but because Mercy hath singled them out, and chosen them for a distinct people unto God. And we need peace and inward consolations, that we may the better digest the misery of the times; and love, that we may be of one mind, and stand together in the defence of the Truth.

Again, Note the aptness of the blessings to the persons forObservat. 4. whom he prayeth; Here are three blessings that do more eminently and distinctly suit with every person of the Trinity: and I do the rather note it, because I find the Apostle elsewhere distinguishing these blessings by their proper fountains, as Rom. 1. 7. Grace to you, and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ: Sort the blessings right, there is grace from the Father, and peace from Christ: So here is mercy from God the Father, who is called the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, 2 Cor. 1. 3. and peace from the Son, for he is our peace, Ephes. 2. 14. and love from the Spirit; Rom. 5. 5. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given to us. Thus you see every Person concureth to our happiness with his distinct blessing.

In the next place, how aptly these blessings are suitedObservat. 5. [Page] among themselves; first mercy, then peace, and then love; mercy doth not differ much from that which is called grace in Pauls Epistles, only grace doth more respect the bounty of God, as mercy doth our want and need: By mercy then is meant the favour and good-will of God to miserable creatures; and peace signifieth all blessings inward and outward, as the fruits and effects of that favour and good-will; more especially calmness and serenity of Conscience, or a secure enjoying of the love of God, which is the top of spiritual prosperity: And then love sometimes signifieth Gods love to us; here I should rather take it for our love to God, and to the Brethren for Gods sake: So that mercy is the rise and spring of all, peace is the effect and fruit, and love is the return. He beginneth with mercy, for that is the fountain and beginning of all the good things which we enjoy; higher then love and mercy we cannot go, for Gods Love is the reason of it self, Deut. 7. 7, 8. Rom. 9. 15. Isai. 45. 15. and we can deserve nothing at Gods hands but wrath and misery, and therefore we should still honour Mercy, and set the Crown upon Mercy's head (as further anon;) that which you give to Merit, you take from Mercy. Now the next thing is peace; mark the order still; without mercy and grace there can be no true peace: Isai. 57. 21. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked; they say, Peace, peace, but my God doth not say so. Christ left his peace with his own Disciples, John 14. 27. and not as worldly and external peace is left, in the happiness of which both good and bad are concerned; that is general, but this is proper, confined within the Conscience of him that enjoyeth it, and given to the godly: 'Tis the Lords method to pour in first the oyl of grace, and then the oyl of gladness: Alas, the peace of a wicked man 'tis but a frisk, or fit of joy, whilest Conscience, Gods watchman is naping; stoln waters and bread eaten in secret, Prov. 9. 17. The way to true peace is to apply your selves to God for mercy, to be accepted in Christ, to be renewed according to the Image of Christ; otherwise sin and guilt will create fears and troubles. Again, the last thing is love; great priviledges require answerable duty; Mercy and peace need another [Page] grace, and that's love: 'Tis Gods gift as well as the rest, we have graces from God as well as priviledges, and therefore he beggeth love as well as mercy and peace; but it must be our act, though we have the grace from above: We would all have mercy and peace, but we are not so zealous to have love kindled in our hearts: Mercy, peace, all this runneth downward, and respects our interest, but love, that mounteth upward, and respects God himself. Certainly they have no interest in mercy, and were never acquainted with true peace, that do not find their hearts inflamed with love to God, and a zeal for his glory; that as he hath ordered all things for our profit, so we may order and refer all things to his glory and honour. Mercy runneth down from God, and begets peace of Conscience, for peace of Conscience is nothing else but a solid taste of Gods mercy; and peace of Conscience begets love, by which we clasp about God again; for love is nothing else but a reverberation or beating back of Gods beam upon himself, or a return of duty in the sense of mercy: So in the Angels Song, Luke 2. [...]9. Glory, peace and good▪ will. All comes from good▪ wil; that's the first couse [...] ▪ God▪ glory is the last end. Under the Law the first and the tenth were the Lords; the beginning and ending are his. so that God is at the beginning and ending, and either way is the utmost boundary of the Soul; all things are from him and to him.

Secondly, Let me handle them particularly and apart;1. Mercy. and first Mercy, which is the rise and cause of all the good we have from God: The Lord would dispense blessings in such a way as might beat down despair and carnal conf [...]ence: Man hath need of mercy, but deserveth none: Despair would keep us from God, and carnal confidence robbeth him of his glory; therefore as the Lord would not have flesh to glory, so neither to be cut off from all hope: Mercy salveth both; we need not fly the sight of God, there is mercy with him why he should be feared, Psal. 130. 7. False worships are supported by terror; but God, that hath the best title to the heart, will gain it by love and offers of mercy. And we have no reason to ascribe any thing to our selves, since Mercy doth all in the Court of Heaven, and not Justice: If you reckon upon a debt, you are sure to miss: 'Tis a part of Gods Supremacy, that all his blessings should come as a gift; that he should act freely, and entertain us as a King, not as an Host: Merit [Page] taketh off something of his Royalty and supream Majesty. Touching the Mercy of God, give me leave to give you a few Observations.

1. I [...] [...]git [...]ta Scriptura ut credamus Deu [...] esse misericordem. Luther. 'Tis the aim of the whole Scripture to represent God merciful: 'Tis true, God is infinitely just, as well as infinitely merciful; but he delighteth in gracious discoveries of himself to the creature; he counteth it his glory. Moses was earnest with God to shew him his Glory, and then God proclaimeth his Name, Exod. 34. 5, 6. The Lord, the Lord, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, &c. In this description there is more spoken of his Mercy, then of his Justice; and first his Mercy is described, and then his Justice; for Justice is only added to invite men to take hold of his Mercy, and to shew that Justice is never exercised but in avenging the quarrel of abused Mercy. So he is called a God of pardon, Nehem. 9. 17. as if wholly made up of sweetness. So 2 Cor. 1. 3. he is called [...]. Father of mercies, and God of all consolations; He is a just God, but he is not called the Father of Justice: Mercy is natural to him; he counteth it as the proper fruit and product of the divine Essence.

2. Mercy is represented as his delight and pleasure: So Micah 7. 18. Mercy pleaseth him: 'Tis an act exercised with complacency. Judgment is called his strange work, Isai. 28. 21. God loveth to bless and protect; to destroy is not suitable to his disposition; 'tis a thing that he is forced to. Punitive acts in the representations of the Word are more against his bowels, drawn and M [...]ri [...]o [...]dia su [...] [...] parla [...] pe [...]a [...]or [...]m [...]l [...]or co [...]it ut p [...]ni [...]. S [...]l [...]. extorted from him; as Jer. 44. 22. The Lord could no longer bear because of your doings: their sins were so clamorous, that they would not let God be quiet; he would bear no longer, unless they would make an Idol of him. But now all acts of grace and favour are exercised with delight; I will rejoyce over them to do them good, Jer. 32. 41. 'Tis as pleasing to God to do it, as 'tis to us to receive it. The Scripture, after the manner of men, doth often represent a Conflict in the Attributes about sinners; and if Mercy get the upper-hand, 'tis always with joy and [Page] triumph; Jam. 2. 13. Mercy rejoyceth over Judgment: but if he be compelled to strike, and Justice must be exercised, the Scriptures represent a reluctation in his bowels; Lam. 3. 33. He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men; in the original, from his heart; but is like a Father, with a rod in his hand, and tears in his eyes.

3. The Scripture representeth God as exercising mercy, though with some present disadvantage to his Glory: As mercy to the Ninivites, though the credit of his Message lay at stake; Niniveh shall be destroyed in forty days; yet God spared it; and therefore Jonah in a pet challengeth him for it; Jon. 4. 2. Lord, was not this my saying when I was in my Country? [...]or I knew that thou wert a gracious God: As if he said, I knew 'twould come to this, that the Prophets of Israel should be disgraced before the men of Niniveh; and to threaten Judgments in his Name, is to expose our selves to derision; when we have done our errand, free-grace will make us all lyars: To this effect did he expostulate with God. God might easily destroy sinners with much honour to himself; but he is long-suffering, even then when his patience for a while seemeth to impair the revenues of Heaven. The World suspects his Being, the Saints quarrel his Justice and question his Love, and all because the wicked are prosperous, and God keepeth silence. The great stumbling block at which most have dashed the foot of their faith, is the suspension of due Judgments. What was the effects of his patience to them of Aslyria and Babylon? The Lord himself telleth you, Isai. 52. 5. My Name every day is blasphemed; that was all he got by it: his people suffered in person, and God himself in his reputation; all that he got was blasphemies, and reproaches, and injuries. So Psal. 50. 21. I kept silence, and thou thoughtst that I was every way like thy self; that was the effect; gross conceits of his Glory and Essence: When Judgments are quick and speedy, the World is under greater awe, the confidence of the Saints is strengthened and supported, and Gods honour is more clear and unstained; yet with all these disadvantages to his Glory (if we may speak so) God forbeareth: Certainly his heart is much set upon the honour of his [Page] Mercy, that God will glorifie it, though other Attributes seem to suffer loss.

4. The Scriptures speak much of his readiness to receive returning sinners: Though they have done infinite wrong to his Holiness, yet upon repentance, and as soon as they begin to submit, Mercy embraceth and huggeth them, as if there had been no breach; Luk. 15. 20. I will go to my Father, and the Father ran to meet him: So Isai. 56. 20. Before they call, &c. So Psal. 32. 5. I said, and thou forgavest, &c. So Jer. 31. 17, with 20. I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himself, &c. and presently, Oh my dear and pleasant child. The first relentings of the creature work upon the bowels of Mercy: Love's pace is very swift, it runneth to meet a returning sinner: Christ cometh skipping over the Mountains, Cant. 2. 8. He thinketh that he can never be soon enough with us: He would fain have the company of sinners, and therefore meeteth them more then half way: When we but conceive a purpose, we presently receive the fruit of his early mercies.

5. God doth not only admit them to come, but of his own accord inviteth them that are slack and backward. The Scriptures do every where record the intreaties of God: he draweth us with coards of Love; coards that are woven and spun out of Christs heart and bowels: In one place thus, Cant. 4. 8. Come away from Lebanon, my Sister, my Spouse, from the Lions dens, from the mountains of Leopards: Christs love is hot and burning, he thinketh we tarry too long from his embraces. So Cant. 5. 2. Open to me my Sister, my Spouse, &c. Christ stands begging for entrance: Lost man, do but suffer me to save thee; poor sinner, suffer me to love thee: These are the charms of Gospel Rhetorick! So Isai. 49. Harken to me, and attend to the words of my mouth, &c. Oh sinners, you will not harken to me for the good of your Souls! You see none singeth so sweetly as the Bird of Paradise, the Turtle that chirpeth upon the Churches hedges, that he may cluck sinners to himself: The Scripture is full of such an holy witchcraft, such passionate charms, to entise Souls to their happiness.

[Page]6. They that constantly refuse the offers of his grace, are born with for a long time: Rom. 9. 22. [...]. He endured with much long-suffering, &c. All may bless God for patience; they owe an heavy debt to divine Justice, yet 'tis a long time ere God putteth the Bond in suit; though they dare him to his face, yet they walk up and down without the arrest of Vengeance; He beareth with them years and years, after a thousand and a thousand affronts, from their cradles to their graves: When they were green wood, they were fuel fit enough for divine wrath. Oh consider, there can be no cause of this but his mercy to his worst creatures: 'Tis not out of any delight in sin, for he is holy, and cannot endure to look upon it, Hab. 2. 13. Of purer eyes, &c. 'tis not out of any stupid neglect, He is just, and will not clear the guilty, Exod. 34. 7. 'tis not out of any ignorance, He telleth man his thoughts; nor for want of power so men forbear, The sons of Zerviah may be too hard for them; but 1 Sam. 24. 19. If a man findeth his enemy, will he let him go well away? When they are in our power, we satisfie our wrath and revenge to the full: But now God upholdeth all things by the word of his Power; He can in a minute speak us into nothing: As the impression of a Seal upon the water dependeth upon the Seal, if the Seal be taken away the impression vanisheth; So do our beings depend upon Providential influence and supportation: If God should withdraw the word of his Power, we should soon vanish and disappear; Therefore 'tis not for want of Power, but meerly out of Mercy that we are forborn: How may we wonder at this! We are of eager and tart spirits, sharp-set upon revenge: Could we have put up so many refusals of Love? such despights done to Mercy? such wrongs, such grievings of Spirit, and yet have contained? The Disciples themselves, though holy men, when they were sensible of being slighted in the Village of Samaria, called for fire from Heaven, Luk. 9. 54. Certainly we could not endure such a contradiction of sinners: If thunderbolts were in our power, we should soon kindle a burning, and turn the World into smoak and desolation.

7. 'Tis not only the aim of the Word, but of Providence, [Page] and of all the Dispensations of God to the Creature, to represent him merciful. The whole World is a great Volume, written within and without with characters and lines of Mercy: Psal. 145. 7. His mercy is over all his works; Every creature beareth the marks and prints of divine Goodness and Bounty. Once more, The World is a great Theatre and Stage whereon Mercy hath been acting its part for these six thousand years▪ Justice is to have a solemn triumph at the last day: Now and then God hath kept a petty Sessions, and given us occasion to say, Verily there is a God that judgeth the world, as well as preserveth the world: But the greatest part that hath been acted upon the Theatre of the World, is Mercy; as you will easily see, if you consider, 1. The black lines of Providence: If God threaten, 'tis that he may not punish; if he punish, 'tis that he may not punish for ever. In the sadder Providences, though there be misery at the top, yet there is mercy at the bottom. Many times God threateneth, but 'tis to reclaim; though he doth Mutat sententiam sed non decretum. Bradwardine. not change his counsel, yet he doth often change his sentence, Jer. 18. 7, 8. When the message is nothing but plucking up and pulling down, Free-grace cometh in with a sudden rescue, and prevents the execution. Mercy you see is forced to use all methods, and to speak in the language of Justice, that men may be more capable to receive it. Sometimes God punisheth, but with vvhat aim? that he may not for ever punish: 'Tis vve that make punishment to be a pledg of eternal damnation; it its ovvn aim 'tis a prevention; and so it proveth to the Elect; We are judged of the Lord, that we may not be condemned of the world, 1 Cor. 11. 32. So Hosea 2. 6. I will hedg up her way with thorns, &c. We should soon grovv vvorldly, and drovvned in carnal businesses and projects, if God did not come novv and then and blast our enterprizes, and make us see our folly. We are puffed up, and God pricketh the bladder, 2 Cor 12. 7. Hovv svveet is this, vvhen in the midst of Judgment God remembereth Mercy? Yea the very executions of Justice are found to be one of the methods of Mercy. In the middle of the first Curse God dropped out a promise of the blessed Seed; So often Mercy overtaketh a Judgment, [Page] and maketh it cease in the mid way. Look as there vvas a conflict betvveen the tvvins in Tamars Womb, Zarah did put out the hand, but Pharez broke out first; So is there betvveen Gods Mercy and Justice; Justice puts out the hand in a threatening, or some beginnings of a Judgment, but Mercy gets the start, and breaketh out first. 2. Consider the white lines of Providence: He intreateth that he may do us good, and doth us good that he may do us good for ever. For his intreaties: 'Tis not duty so much that is in the bottom of the Exhortation, as Mercy: To glorifie Mercy is the last aim of God and his eternal Purpose: He hath accepted us in the Beloved, to the praise of his glorious grace, Ephes. 1. 6. God receiveth no profit; he intreateth us not that he may be happy, but that he may be liberal: See Prov. 9. 12. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thy self; but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it: God dealeth vvith us as earnestly, as effectually, as if the profit vvere his own, but it vvholly redoundeth to us. Again, He doth us good that he may do us good for ever: He trusteth us vvith Luk. 16. 11 Mammon, to prepare us for the true riches; and vvith the riches of grace, to prepare us for glory. Look as men vvhen they vvould put precious liquor into a vessel, first try it vvith water to see vvhether it leaketh or no: so doth God try us vvith common mercies; he giveth us an estate in the world, that being moved vvith his goodness, vve may look after an estate in the Covenant, and an interest in Christ; and so fit us for Heaven. 'Tis our vvretchedness to make our table a snare, and our welfare a trap: As the Sea turneth all that it receiveth into salt water, the fresh streams, the influences of the Heavens, &c. so do carnal men assimulate and corrupt their comforts, and by little and little all their blessings are cursed; for Mercy can bear any thing but a constant abuse and neglect of it self: Certainly Gods revealed Will is othervvise; that vvhich cometh from God, should lead us to God: see Rom. 2. 4, 5.

8. Consider in how many notions Mercy is represented to us: Gods Mercy hath many Names; a distinct consideration of them yeildeth an advantage in beleeving: for though they express the same thing, yet every notion begetteth a fresh [Page] thought, by vvhich Mercy is more taken abroad in the vievv of Conscience: This is that pouring out of Gods Name spoken of Cant. 1. 3. Ointment in the Box doth not yeild such a fragrancy as vvhen 'tis poured out; and Spices do not give forth their smell till they are chafed. Nothing is more conducible to beget a trust, then distinct thoughts and conceptions of Gods Mercy. Let us take notice of some places vvhere 'tis set forth: See Psal. 103. 8. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy: The expression is diversified; and I note it the rather, because in other places the same notions of Mercy are punctually expressed: see Nehem. 9. 17. so Psal. 14. 5. 8. and in Joel 2. 12. Jonah 4. 2. divers other places: chiefly see that Exod. 34. 7. and you vvill find, that this is the very▪ description vvhich God hath given of himself. Novv vvhat doth the Spirit of God aim at in this express enumeration and accumulation of names of Mercy, but to give us an help in meditation, and that our thoughts may be more distinct. 1. The first notion is Mercy, which is an Attribute whereby God inclineth to succour them that are in misery: 'Tis an Attribute that meerly respecteth the creature: The Love and knovvledg of God first falleth upon himself; but Mercy is only transient, and passeth out to the creatures: God knoweth himself, loveth himself, but he is not merciful to himself. And then it respecteth the creatures in misery; for misery is Mercy's only motive: Justice seeketh a [...]it object, but Mercy a [...]it occasion; Justice requireth desert, but Mercy only want and need. 2. The next notion is Grace, vvhich noteth the free bounty of God, and excludeth all merit of the creature: Grace doth all gratis, Rom. 3. 24. freely, though there be no precedent obligation, or debt, or hope of recompence, vvhereby any thing may accrue to himself; only that it may be vvell vvith the creature. Gods external motive is our misery, his internal motive is his ovvn Grace and elective Love: Am I in want? there is mercy; Am I unworthy? there is grace. Mercy respects us as we are in our selves vvorthy of condemnation, Grace as compared with others not elected: The ultimate Reason of the choyce is Gods grace. The Angels that never sinned, are saved meerly out of grace; but men that vvere [Page] once miserable, are saved not only out of grace, but also out of mercy. 3. The next notion is long-suffering, or slowness to anger: The Lord is not easily overcome by the wrongs or sins of the creature, but easily overcometh them by his own patience and goodness: He doth not only pity our misery, that's mercy; and do us good for nothing, that's grace; but beareth long with our infirmities. Nisi expectaret impium non inveniret quem glorificar [...] piu [...]. Aug. Alas, if God were as short and swift in the executions of revenge as men are, God must create another World to raise up seed to Christ: If he did not wait upon sinners, there would be none made Saints: We provoked him to cut us off long since, but wrath is not easily heightened into rage, and therefore he waiteth that he may be gracious, Isai. 30. 18. 4. Kindness or bounty, plenteous in goodness; BERAB CHESID: Gods communications of his grace to the creature are every way rich and full: You may say, God is merciful, gracious patient. But will he be thus to me? Yes, he is plenteous in goodness, kind and communicative; Psal. 119. 68. Thou art good and dost good; therefore David goeth to him for grace. Well then, study Gods Name, and answer all your discouragements out of the descriptions of his Mercy.

9. Consider your own experiences: We have not As they said, We have heard that the Kings of Israel are merciful Kings, &c. only heard that God is merciful, but we have known it: All men may speak of patience, and common mercy, and outward deliverances; but few improve them to a spiritual use and purpose. 1. Consider Gods patience; How long hath he waited for your Conversion? and he that hath spared you can save you. 'Tis said, The wages of sin is death, Rom. 6. 23. the word implyeth that God is bound to pay it by virtue of an implicite bargain, and agreement between him and the creature: But as yet the hand of God hath not found you out; you are indebted to Justice, but Mercy stoppeth the arrest of Vengeance: Many others have been taken away in their sins, by a sudden arrow and dart from Heaven; Vengeance hath trodden upon the heel of sin; As Zimri and Cosbi unloaded their lusts and their lives together; The Angels for an aspiring thought were turned out of Heaven; Gehazi was blasted with Leprosie just upon his lye; and Lots wife turned [Page] into a stone for a look, a glance upon Sodom; and Her [...]d smitten with lice in the midst of his pomp and vain-glory: and some have perished in the mid way, Psal. 2. in the very heat of some carnal and wicked pursuit; God can do the like to you: therefore reason thus; If Mercy would not save me, why hath Mercy spared me? God might have sued out the Bond long since; what is the meaning of the dispensation? Is God weak or unjust? or hath he a mind to be gracious? Surely he would not have spared me all this while, if he had not a mind to save my Soul. Such reasonings as these many times give us the first encouragement to apply our selves to God: Wicked men like Spiders draw other conclusions, Psal. 50. 21. But should not his patience, &c. Rom. 2. 4. 2. Consider Gods goodness, in giving thee food, and clothing, and honour, and gladness of heart, and all this without thy desert; say, Certainly all these benefits are but so many baits to catch my Soul; I see the Sun riseth every day with a fresh countenance, and shineth upon the fields of just and unjust; to what purpose? but to shew that God is gracious without hire: This bodily Sun is but an obscure type of the Sun of Righteousness, that is willing to display his beams and wings over a poor languishing Soul. Common mercies are the tastes of Gods love while you are sinners, and the common fruits of Christs death, that you may be invited to come for more: Why hath he given me the unrighteous Mammon, but that I may look after the true Riches? What a vile unthankful heart should I have, if I should be contented with Mammon without Christ? and be like Judas, with the bag in my hand, and the Devil in my heart? Gods children are wont to make these gifts a step to higher dispensations: they know God, like the good housholder, bringeth forth the best at last; therefore they must have something above and beyond all these things: Common hearts are contented with common mercies; but they are still waiting when the Master of the feast will bid them sit higher: I may have this and be damned; Where are the arguments of his special Love? 3. Consider deliverances from imminent dangers: Then the Curse began to seize upon you; but [Page] God snatched you out of the fire like brands out of the burning, Amos 4. 11. or like a debtor that escapeth out of the Sergeants hands. Every deliverance is a temporary pardon: See Psal. 78. 38. Then he being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not; the meaning is, respited Vengeance, as appeareth by the Context. So Mat. 18. 32. He forgave them the debt; yet 'twas after required; the meaning is, spared them for the present. Thus when God taketh you out of the teeth and jaws of Wrath, when you are delivered out of sickness and apparent danger, you have a reprieve or a temporary pardon. Oh if you had dyed, you had dyed in your sins, and so been eternally miserable: If the Lord had taken the present advantage, you had been howling a sad note among the screech-owls of darkness; For ever blessed be that Mercy that made a rescue.

10. Consider Gods invitations: Mercy pointeth and beckneth to thee to come and be saved: How many means hath God used to call thee to himself? Every good motion is a call; every Preacher a messenger sent from Heaven to invite thee to Christ; every Sermon a new summons: Plead with thy self, Though God hath not drawn me, yet he hath warned me. The Elect have no more favour in the general means then thou hast: Though Gods grace be limitted by the pleasure of his Wisdom, yet thou hast a fair warrant and encouragement, and every way as good a ground to come to Christ as others have; Whosoever, &c. John 6. 37. When the Gospel doth not exclude me, why should I exclude my self? Doubts that God will not accept me if I come, are but foolish jealousies without a cause. But 'tis time to leave off this meditation upon Gods mercy, which hath carryed me out so far, and to come to the Uses.

It informeth us, that those that would apply themselves toƲse 1. God, must make mercy their only plea and claim: Returning sinners have this form put into their mouths, Hosea 14. 2. Take away all iniquity, receive us graciously: Lord, we desire to be entertained by Mercy, to have our suits dispatched by Mercy. So David professeth that he had no other claim, Psal. 13. 5. I have trusted in thy Mercy: [...] &c. Chrysost. Upon which Chrysostom [Page] sweetly glosseth; If any others have any thing to alledg, let them plead it; Lord, I have but one thing to say, one thing to plead, one thing upon which I cast all my hopes, and that is thy Mercy. So must you come to the Throne of Grace; Lord, my plea is mercy, all the comfort I expect to receive is from mercy. The Apostle I remember maketh a challenge, Rom. 11. 35. Who hath first given him, and it shall be recompenced to him again? Is there any man that can enter this plea▪ This is due to me? Lord give me what thou owest, I desire no more; let me have no blessing till I do deserve it. Ch [...]n [...]us Obs [...]r [...]a [...] a [...]ter [...] in dispu [...] quando cum [...]ominibus sui similibus [...]i [...]a [...] tu [...], aliter in meditationibus quando corem deo sistunt conscientiam suam quosi co [...]sa dicenda [...]ss [...], &c. Davenant de J [...]s [...]ti [...]. Meritmongers are best confuted by experience; Let them use the same plea in their prayers, which they do in their disputes; let them say, Give me not eternal life till I deserve it at thy hand; let them dispute thus with God or with their own Consciences, when they are in the agonies of death, or under the horrors of the Lords wrath. Surely men that cry up the merit of Works, are men of little spiritual experience, and seldom look into their own Consciences? Dare they plead thus with God in their agonies and horrors? The best claim Gods dearest servants can make, is mercy. Possidius in the life of Austin reporteth of Ambrose, when he was about to dye, he said thus, [...] non [...] vixi u [...] pudeat inter nos vivere, &c. [...] quia [...]onum [...] hab [...]o. Possidius in vita August. Though I have not lived so that I should be ashamed to live among you; yet I am not afraid to dye, not that I have lived well, but because I have a good and gracious Master. This hath still been the ground of the Saints confidence.

It exhorteth us to use this encouragement to bring ourƲse 2. Souls into the presence of God: Think of the mercies of God; The vile abuse of this doctrine hath brought a suspition and prejudice upon it: but children must not refuse their bread because dogs catch at it. When B [...]n [...]adad was dejected, and in danger not only of losing his Kingdom, but his life, his servants comforted him with this fame, 1 Kings 20. 31. We have heard that the Kings of Israel are merciful Kings. You have heard how the God of Israel delighteth in mercy: When you come for mercy, you speak to his very bowels. You shall read in 2 Sam. 14. 1. that when Joab perceived the Kings heart was to Absalom, then he setteth the [Page] woman of Tec [...]ah a begging: The Kings heart is to shew mercy; he hath Ezek 18 21. sworn, that he hath no pleasure in his destruction; therefore take courage and come to him: He hath sent Christ to you, as a pledg of his good-will and mercy, why will you not come to him? He that had Love enough to give us Christ, hath Bowels enough to give us Pardon, and Bounty enough to give us Heaven, and what ever we stand in need of: Fear not his Justice, Rom. 3. 25, 26. and 1 John 1 9. Justice and Mercy are made friends, Christ hath taken up the quarrel between them, so that nothing hindereth but that God may act according to the natural inclination of his own grace. And let not the multitude of your sins discourage you; The free gift is of many offences to Justification, Rom. 5. 16. Take it for the offences of many persons (as the Context seemeth to carry it) and 'tis an encouragement to think of the multiplyed instances of Mercy, and how many monuments of free-grace we shall see when we come to Heaven, and that all this while Mercy is not tyred. Or take it for the many offences of the same person, and still 'tis an encouragement, that Mercy can so often bear with our vanity and folly, and not only pardon several sorts of sin, but frequent relapses into the same sin; He will multiply to pardin, Isai. 55. 7. If the Soul still draw back, and be under discouragement, consider your own need: If the Lord were never so tenacious, and hard to be intreated, yet such is your need that you should follow him with uncessant complaints. 'Tis blasphemy to wrong his mercy by lessening thoughts: But grant the sinner his supposition, yet you should be instant, and try what he will do for importunities sake. See Luk. 11. 8. [...] and Luk. 18. 5. [...], &c. In those Parables there is a kind of condescention and yeilding to our unbelief; as if the Lord had said, If you will not beleeve all this that is said concerning my Mercy, yet your want is great, that is enough to make you earnest and frequent in your addresses to me; come and see what I will do for your importunity; the unjust Judg was moved with the widows clamour: be it as you imagine, that I have no bowels for creatures miseries, nor ears for their requests, which yet is a blasphemy confuted by every [Page] object in the world, the Iob 38. 41. Mat. 6. 26. Luke 12. 2 [...]. young Ravens will tell you otherwise: but be it so, you are undone if I be not merciful; see what I will do for constant asking. Upon all these encouragements be perswaded to make an essay: faith at first standeth but upon one weak foot; Jonah 3. 10. [...]o [...]l 2. 14. Who knoweth but that God will be gracious? There is encouragement enough to venture, though we do not know what will come of it: Take up a resolution to make tryal; you will find better welcome then you can expect; God desires to exercise mercy as much as you desire to feel it.

It presseth us in all our enjoyments to acknowledg Mercy: Ʋse 3. Ephes. 2. 4. 1 Tim. [...]. 13 Gen 33 6 Phil. 2 27. The Saints are wont to do so: 'Tis good to refer all things to their head and proper fountain: Every thing that we enjoy is the fruit of Mercy, especially saving grace. 'Tis a sure sign a man hath received no benefit by grace, if his heart be not stirred up to praise it. We have cause to praise God for his mercy above the Angels; I mean not only the bad Angels, with whom God entered not into a treaty, he dealt with them in justice, and not in mercy; but even the good Angels in some respects we have more cause to bless God then they have: Gratitude respecteth the freeness and graciousness in giving, rather then the greatness of the benefit. God was bountiful to the Angels in making them such excellent creatures out of nothing; but he is merciful to us, notwithstanding the demerit of our sins. There was no let in his doing good to the Angels, Goodness floweth out freely from an holy God to righteous creatures; but wronged Justice interposed, and put in a bar against us; so that his Justice must be satisfied, before Mercy can have a free course. We are a generation of sinful men, the wretched off-spring of fallen Adam; we had forsaken God, and cast him off, which the Angels had not; and therefore though they have a large experience of Gods goodness, yet they wonder at the grace shewed to us, 1 Pet. 1. 12. But now much more is this mercy to be acknowledged, if we consider the difference between us and other men, who it may be excelled us in moral accomplishments; but God hath passed them by, choosing us poor things of nought, poor base creatures, that the glory might [Page] entirely redound to his own grace. But especially should this Mercy affect us, when it hath made a distinction between us and others that were involved in the same guilt; when one is taken, and another left; as the bad thief went to his own place, when the good thief was taken to Paradise; and many of Gods Elect were as deep in sin as those in Hell: I say, in all such cases we should still be crying out, Mercy, mercy; for certainly Justice could make no such distinction; it awardeth a like punishment to all that are found in a like crime; but Gods infinite and eternal Mercy only maketh the difference.

'Tis Caution; Do not wrong Grace and Mercy, if it beƲse 4. the cause of all the good which we enjoy: this is to close up the Fountain, and to make Mercy our Enemy; and if Mercy be our Enemy, who shall plead for us? If Mercy be an Accuser, where shall we get an Advocate? But how do we wrong Grace? I answer, Partly by neglecting the offers of it, when you make God speak in vain, 2 Cor. 6. 2. 'Tis a great affront we put upon God, to despise him, when he speaketh to us in the still voyce, and all the woi [...]gs and pleading of Mercy do not move to look after our Salvation; though you do not despise, there is danger in bare So those in Matthew did not deny, but make excuse, [...], Matth. 22. 5 They would not take it into their care and thoughts. neglect, Heb. 2. 3. When all the charms of Mercy do no more work with you, then a story of golden mountains, or Rubies and Diamonds faln from Heaven in a night dream; this neglect argueth a greater suspition and distrust of Gods mercy, then doubts and troubles of Conscience do; Mercy speaketh to them, and they do not think the message worth the hearing or regarding. Again, You wrong Grace by refusing it out of legal dejection, for by this means you straiten the riches, and darken the glory of it; as if there were not more in Grace then there is in sin; or as if an Emperors Revenue could not discharge a beggars debt: The Prodigal could say, there was bread enough in his fathers house: If we perish, 'tis not for want of mercy, but for want of faith: Grace is Gods treasure; he is rich in mercy, Ephes. 2. 4. As far as we straiten grace, we make him a poorer God. Again, We wrong Grace and Mercy by intercepting the glory of it: 'Tis the greatest sacriledg that can be, [Page] to rob God of his Glory, especially of the glory of his Grace; for that's his great aim in all his transactions with man to make his Grace and Mercy glorious; see Ephes. 1. 6. Now when you think God accepteth you rather then others for some worth and good qualities that he seeth in you more then others; it may be in this light of the Gospel which we now enjoy such thoughts are not expressed, but Deut. 9 4. if they lurk secretly in the heart, you think God foresaw you would bring him more glory; you take the Crown from Grace's head, and put it upon your own. So also you wrong Grace when you ascribe any thing to your power and strength: as Joab sent for David to take the honour of winning Rabbath, 2 Sam. 12. 28. Lest I take the City, and it be called after my own name: So send for God to take the honour; Not I, but grace, 1 Cor. 15. 10. Throw the Crown at Grace's feet: The industrious servant said, Thy pound hath gained ten pounds, Luke 19. 16. not my industry, but thy pound. Once more, We wrong Grace by turning it into wantonness; see Vers. 4. 'tis made there to be an heavy charge and black note; when men presume on Grace, and use it only as a dung-cart to carry away their filth; Grace must bear all, and pardon all: as riotous children that have a rich father care not how they spend, his estate shall pay for all. 'Tis a mighty wrong to Grace, this, when you make it pliable to such vile purposes, and father the bastards of your own carnal hearts upon Gospel encouragements: 'Tis the Devils Covenant, not Gods, when you think that you may live as you list, be at your own dispose, and mercy shall be at your beck, and you shall have comfort when you please, and that you may sin freely because God pardoneth freely, as if Mercy gave you a priviledg and liberty to sin. In short, If a man slackens any part of his duty for Mercy's sake, or lets loose the reins to vile affections with more freedom, upon the presumption that God will not be rigorous, he wrongeth Grace exceedingly; I say, if he grow more careless, secure, negligent, not so constant in duty, not so watchful and strict in conversation, or abateth ought of his humiliation for sin, he is a spider that sucketh poyson out of this flower. Lastly, We wrong Grace by slighting it after [Page] a taste: At first coming to Christ, we make an essay and tryal, and usually then God giveth us 1 Pet. 2. 3 Heb. 6. 4, 5. 6. a taste to engage us to look for more: Now after tryal you are not satisfied, but return to your sinful courses again; and so do as it were proclaim to the World that you found carnal comforts and pleasures to be better then communion with God: This is but the interpretation of your Apostacy. The whole aim of the Word is to perswade us to make tryal of the sweetness of Grace; Now you that have once tasted of it, and grow weary, do by your practise tell the World that there is no sweetness in it at all, which is a great wrong to Grace and Mercy.

'Tis high time now to speak of the second thing prayed for, which is Peace; Whence observe, That Peace is a great Observat. Blessing, one of the main Priviledges of the Gospel.

I shall, first, Shew you what it is: Secondly, Give you some Observations concerning it; and thirdly, Come to Application.

1. What it is; 'Tis a tranquillity of mind, arising from the sense of a sure estate with God. To this Peace two things concur. First, A sure estate, or terms of amity with God: this is called in Scripture peace with God, and is the immediate effect and fruit of actual Justification, Rom. 5. 1. And then secondly, There is a sense of this sure estate, or the reflex of this amity upon the Conscience, and is usually called peace of Conscience, and is a special priviledg of Christs spiritual Kingdom: see Rom. 14. 17. the Apostle speaketh there of a peace which is ranked with joy in the Holy Ghost. But it will be better opened to you in the ensuing Propositions.

1. Man by Nature is at enmity with God, and upon ill terms with him. When we lost Gods Image, we lost his favour. This enmity is mutual; Man is an enemy to God, and God is an enemy to man: On Gods part there is wrath, which is all that we are born to by Nature, Ephes. 2. 3. and on mans part there is hatred; we hate God, because we love sin, Col. 1. 21. Gods enmity is suspended in the day of his patience; Now and then Wrath breaketh out, but 'tis not executed to the full; sentence is past, but not executed: nay it may be reversed [Page] if we take sanctuary at Grace; for God is now upon a treaty with us, or offer of peace; therefore 'tis said, Peace on Earth, Luke 2. 14. The next World is a time of vengeance and recompence; but during our earthly state God woeth us and enviteth us to lay down the weapons of our defiance, and accept of terms of Peace: Thus matters stand on Gods part. But now on our part this enmity is carryed on with a great deal of spight; We seek to destroy God, and to deface all the memorials of him that are impressed upon the Conscience; we ungod him in our thoughts and affections: 'tis a pleasing thought to us to suppose if there were no God; as guilty prisoners wish there were no Judg, no Assizes, that they may not be called to account.

2. Man being at enmity with God, all Gods creatures are at enmity with him: Angels, men fire, ayr, water, they are all at Gods beck, and are ready to destroy man when ever the Lord biddeth them; as good Subjects take part with their Prince against Rebels: The Angels harken for the voyce of his Word, Psal. 103. If he do but hiss for the fly of Egypt, Isa. 7▪ 'tis ready presently: 'Tis ill contesting with him that can command Legions; The fire saith, Let me burn his house or dwelling place; the water saith, Let me drown his ships; the Earth, Let me swallow him up quick as I did Corah and his complices. Certainly the Lord cannot want instruments of Vengeance: Man as Gods creature is his own enemy: God needeth not fetch forces from without, there is enough within; the humors of the body, the passions of the mind, all these are willing to serve God as creatures for our punishment: so that if God should but arm our own thoughts, our own affections against us, man is soon overwhelmed: Who can bear the wounds given him by his own Conscience?

3. We being in this estate, can only be reconciled by Jesus Christ: He obtaineth it by his Merit, and conferreth it by his Power. For his Merit, see Col. 1. 20. and Isai. 53. 5. The chastisement of our Peace was upon him: It will not stand with the Majesty of God to make Peace with us without satisfaction: That there might be no wrong done to his Soveraignty, his Law, his Truth, his Justice, his Holiness, it was meet [Page] that we should be chastised either in our own persons or in our Surety; and also all the notions of the Godhead are kept inviolable. Then for his Power; He worketh it at first, and then maintaineth and keepeth it afoot between God and us: He worketh it at first, and bringeth it about thus, by opening the Gospel, wherein God is revealed as pacified in Christ; which is the only doctrine that can calm the Conscience, and establish the Soul in peace and hope: All false Religions are accompanied with scruples and jealousies, Jer. 6. 16. there is no rest for the Soul. And then he applyeth the Gospel by his Spirit: The Gospel is a soveraign Plaister, but Christs own hand must make it stick. There is a double ground of enmity in mans heart, the guilt and power of sin; Christ wipeth guilt out of the conscience by the application of his own blood, and weakeneth the power of sin more and more: Sin is the Makebate, and Christ is the Prince of Peace, Isa 9. 6. The great end for which God set him up, was to plant grace in our hearts, and so to work a friendship between God and us. But Christ is not only the Author, but the great Conservator of the Peace between us and Heaven, Partly by his Intercession: as forreign States have their Agents in Princes Courts to preserve a mutual Correspondence; so Christ taketh up all differences that fall out between us and God, that no breach may ensue, Heb. 9. 24. Partly by a further declaration of Gods love to the conscience, Isai. 26. 3. Partly by stirring us up to watchfulness, that no occasion may be given on our part by returning to folly, Psal. 85. 8. Thus you see what Christ doth; all is briefly summed up by the Apostle in 2 Cor. 5. 19. God was in Christ reconciling the World: Where note, that our peace with God is a reconciliation or a peace after a breach, and this reconciliation is mutual; God appeareth in a form of grace and mercy to us, and we lay down cur enmity against God; he is gracious to us, and we love and serve him: only observe, that God beginneth first, though he the wronged party; he was reconciling: And mark again, 'tis in Christ, to shew 'tis sure: Those that are reconciled to men, are still in [...]mbrage and suspition with them; they that have once been enemies, they may be again, therefore they do [Page] not return to perfect grace; When the wound is cured, the scars remain: But our reconciliation with God 'tis like the sodering of a vessel, which is strongest in the crack; or as a leg broken, if well set, it is the stronger: so are vve upon firmer terms then vve vvere in innocency; there vvas a possibility of being at odds vvith God, vvhich is novv taken avvay.

4. God being reconciled in Christ, all things else are at peace with us: For his League vvith us is offensive and defensive. Tranquillu [...] Deus tranquillat omnia. My horses are as thy horses, and my chariots as thy chariots: God and all his Confederates are in the League, or rather God and all his Subjects: as a Prince doth not only contract for his person, but his subjects and estates. Angels are at peace vvith us; in stead of being Instruments of Vengeance, they become ministring Spirits, Heb. 1. 14. A Christian hath an invisible guard; Satan is sensible of it, though vve be not; he saith of Job, Thou hast hedged him round about: Gods heirs are vvell attended; Angels vvait upon them at Christs direction. Other creatures serve us, as if they vvere in League and Covenant vvith us; Stars, Winds, Seas, Beasts: Job 5. 23. Thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts shall be at peace with thee: They are included in Gods League; vvhich is as much as if there vvere an express Covenant betvveen us and them, that they shall not do us harm; they are at the beck of Providence, and therefore so far as it conduceth to our good, at our service: So Hosea 2. 18. I will make a Covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the Heaven, &c. So for men, they are wolves one to another, yet God can change them: The Gospel civillizeth, and pulleth the beast out of mens bosoms vvhere it vvorketh least: see Isai. 11. 7▪ 8, 9. The hearts of men are in Gods hands; he can either destroy their persons, or restrain their rage, or turn out their respects to you: When a mans ways please the Lord, he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him, Prov. 16. 17. We think to carry all by force and violence many times, but obedience to God is the best vvay to gain the respects of men; as a key openeth a door sooner then an Iron bar: If you be in vvith God, you stop enmity and strife at the Fountain head. So for peace with the Saints; Jesus Christ [Page] breaketh down the partition wall, Ephes. 2. 16, 17, 18. removeth prejudices and jealousies, changeth interests, cleareth up truths, and by his Spirit meekeneth their hearts that they be at one: Surely Eodem sanguine Christi g [...]u [...]ti. Aug. Confess. de seipso & Alipio. his Blood is the best cement and bond of friendship: Christ hath called us into a Body, that there might be peace in the Church, Col. 3. 15. Brothers have defaced the feelings of Nature, but fellow-members are wont to care one for another: Peace with fellow Saints was his dying charge, his legacy, John 14. 27. his prayer, John 17. and his constant care now he is in Heaven. Then for peace with our selves; Sin rendeth and teereth a ma▪ from himself, it maketh a mutiny in his own heart, Rom. 2. 15. thoughts accusing and excusing by turns, [...] ▪ A man and his conscience are at odds, and a man and his affections: Now we being reconciled to God, the foundation is layd for peace of Conscience, that we and our hearts may talk together as loving friends, without scolding, without reproaching And then Grace giveth us a calm and contented spirit, which easeth us of a great deal of trouble; for a discontented man is his own burden: We need the peace of God not only in our consciences, but to bear rule in our hearts, Col. 3. 16. that we may refer all matters to Gods disposal, Psal. 4. 8.

5. Though all things are at peace with us, yet some troubles are left for our exercise, but not for our hurt and destruction. The peace of God 'tis a very riddle, Phil. 4. 7. It passeth all understanding: To sense who more wretched then Gods children, hated, reviled, persecuted, afflicted? How are they are at peace with God and all his creatures? I answer, The priviledges of Christs Kingdom are spiritual; what ever troubleth the Saints, nothing can harm them, 1 Pet. 3. 13. they may harm the man, but not the Christian: All things are at peace vvith them, because they are at the disposal of a wise and gracious Providence, and cannot do hurt to the better part; they vvork for good. Death is at peace vvith them, vvhich doth the greatest hurt to the body: Ask old Simeon, and he'l tell you so, Luke 2. 29. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, &c. They are sent for by their friend; the King of fears is a grim messenger, but they knovv his errand, [Page] and therefore are not afraid.

6. In Heaven there is a perfect Peace; In the nevv Jerusalem all is quiet: 'Tis just with God to give you that are troubled [...], rest, 2 Thes. 1. 7. And there is a rest that remaineth for the children of God, Heb. 4. 9. there vve rest both from our sorrows and our labours; there is no trouble nor affliction more; all priviledges are at the height; no more apprehensions of Gods Wrath, fears of death: there vve are not only free from hurt, but danger; our exercise is at end: there vve do immediately behold the Kings face, vvhich is not granted us here; novv vve are in Absaloms condition, pardoned, reconciled, but cannot see the Kings face. So much for the nature of this Peace, and the Observations that open it to you. Let us novv apply all.

If Peace be such an excellent Blessing, and a main priviledgƲse 1. Tryal. of the Gospel, then it puts us upon tryal; Are vve at peace vvith God through Christ? If it be so, then, 1. Enmity is layd aside; Gods enemies vvill be yours, and yours vvill be Gods; otherwise what peace? What do we talk of peace with God, as long as we are in league with Gods enemy? What peace as long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezabel are so many? Our League with God is defensive and offensive: Pax nostra bellum contra Satan [...]m. Tertul. ad Martyras. There is a war with Satan, if we be at peace with God: The spiritual conflict is the best evidence we have of our unity with God. With the wicked God is at open war; There is no peace, &c. Isai. 57. 20. The Devil may be at a secret peace with them, but God is at distance, and abhorreth all communion with them. Christ is called the Prince of Peace, Isai. 9. 6. but 'tis to those that submit to his Government, to his Subjects, he saith, Take my yoke upon you, and ye shall find rest, Mat. 11. 29. We are not in a capacity to receive this Blessing, till we take an oath of allegiance to Christ, and continue in obedience to him. 2. The next Note is, delight in communion with God: Job 22. Acquaint thy self with him and be at peace. A man that is at peace with God, will be often in his company: Bondage and servile awe keepeth us out of Gods presence; We cannot come to him, because we cannot come in peace. A man never delighteth in duties of commerce with God, [Page] when either he hath a false peace or no peace: Duties disturb a false peace; and when we are raw and sour, we are unfit for work. When a Peace is concluded between Nations that were before at War, Trading is revived: so will it be between God and you; commerce will be revived, and you will be trading into Heaven, that you may bring avvay rich treasures of grace and comfort.

It presseth us to make peace vvith God by Christ: WeƲse 2. Exhortation. speak to tvvo sorts, the careless and the distressed. 1. To the careless; Consider, you are born enemies to God: They that loved him from their cradle upvvard, never loved him: You must make peace vvith God, for you cannot maintain war against him; Are you stronger then he? What vvill you arm? lusts against Angels? And do you knovv the terror of his wrath? one spark of it is enough to drink up all your blood and spirits, Job 6. 4. The present life is but a vapor, soon gone: If God be angry, he can arm the least creature to kill you: The vvhole Creation taketh part vvith God; Adrian vvas strangled with a Gnat. But death vvill not end your sorrovvs; none can punish their enemies as God can; he can ruine your body and soul for ever and for ever: Hovv vvill you screech and howl like Dragons? But your torments are vvithout end and vvithout ease: Be vvise then, and do not sleep vvhen your Pet. 2. 3. damnation sleepeth not; novv is the time to make your peace vvith God; Ah that you knew in this your day the things that belong to your peace, Luk. 19. 41. Peace must be had novv, or else it can never be had hereafter; the day of patience vvill not alvvays last; therefore let us get into the Ark before the Flood cometh: Tis a dreadful thing to be under the Wrath of God, and you knovv not hovv soon it vvill light; our care should be to be found of him in peace, 2 Pet. 3. 14. Christ is novv a Saviour, then a Judg; You vvill yell and howl for mercy vvhen 'tis too late. 2. I am to speak to distressed Consciences; Lift up your heads, God offereth you peace, he sent Angels from Heaven to proclaim it, Luke 2. 14. The ground of the offer is good-will, and the end of the offer is only his own glory; God hath no other reasons to move him to it but his own good-will, and no other aim then [Page] to glorifie his grace; see Ephes. 1. 6. and therefore take hold of his Covenant of Peace, as 'tis called, Isai. 54. 10. He is content we shall have peace upon these terms, and peace assured us by Covenant. Certainly 'tis not a duty to doubt, nor a thing acceptable to God, that we should always be upon terms of perplexity, and keep Conscience raw with a sense of wrath and sin: Wherefore did Christ bear the chastisement of our Peace? God is more pleased with a chearful confidence then a servile spirit full of bondage and fear.

'Tis Caution: If Peace be a priviledg of the Gospel, letƲse 3. us take care that we settle upon a right Peace, lest we mistake a Judgment for a Blessing. 'Tis the greatest Judgment that can be, to be given up to our own secure presumptions, and to be lulled asleep with a false peace. When the pulse doth not beat, the body is in a dangerous estate; so when Conscience is benummed, and suiteth not, 'tis very sad. The Grounds of a false and carnal Peace, are, 1. Ignorance of our condition: Many go hoodwink'd to Hell; a little light breaking in would trouble all, Rom. 7. 9. Sluttish corners are not seen in the dark Iniqua lex est quae se exquinari non patitur. Tertul. Apol.: Things are naught that cannot brook a tryal: So you may know that 'tis very bad with men, when they will not come to the light, John 3. 20. or cannot endure to be alone, lest Conscience should return up it self, and they be forced to look inward; their confidence is supported by meer ignorance. 2. Sensuality; Some mens lives are nothing else but a diversion from one pleasure to another, that they may put off that which they cannot put away; there is bondage in their Consciences, and they are loth to take notice of it: Amos 6. 3. They drink wine in bowls, and put far away the evil day: This is to quench the spirit without a metaphor: All their pleasures are but stoln waters, and bread eaten in secret; frisks of mirth, when they can get Conscience asleep: Ca [...]ns heart was a trouble to him, therefore he falleth a building of Cities: Saul to cure the evil spirit ran to his Musick; and so usually men choak Conscience either with business or pleasures▪ 3. From formality and slightness in the spiritual life: First, Either they do not seriously perform duty; that will make men see what carnal unsavory sapless spirits they have: He [Page] that never stirreth, doth not feel the lameness of his joynts: Formal duties make men the more secure; as the Pharisee thought himself in a good case, because, &c. Luke 18. 11. but spiritual duties search us to the purpose, as new wine doth old bottles. Or else secondly, They do not exasperate their lusts, and seriously resist sin: Tumult is made by opposition. When a man yeildeth to Satan, no wonder that Satan lets him alone: Luke 11. 21. The goods are in peace, because the Devils possession is not disturbed; he rageth most when his Kingdom is tottering Rev. 12. 12. Please the worst natures, and they will not trouble you: There is no tempest where wind and tyde go together: You let Satan alone, and he lets you alone; this is a peace that will end in trouble.

I now come to speak of the third thing prayed for, andLove. that is Love, which (being taken here not for Gods love to us, but our love to God) may be thus defined; 'Tis a gracious and Definition. holy affection, which the Soul upon the apprehension of Gods love in Christ, returneth back to God again by his own grace. The1. Grounds & Causes of it. Grounds and Causes of it are two; the one worketh by way of argument and swasion, the other by way of efficacy and power.

1. It ariseth from the sense and apprehensions of Gods love in Christ. Love is like a Diamond, that is not wrought upon but by its own dust: 1 John 4. 19. We love him, because he loved us first. Love is like an eccho, it returneth what it receiveth; 'tis a reflex, a reverberation, or a casting back of Gods beam and flame upon himself. The cold wall sendeth back no reflex of heat till the Sun shine upon it, and warm it first: so neither do we love God till the Soul be first filled with a sense of his Love: And as Radius reflexus languet. rays in their relection are more faint and cold; so our love to God is much weaker then Gods love to us. Valdesso saith, God loveth the lowest Saint more then the highest Angel loveth God. Once more, The more direct the stroke and beam is upon the wall, or any other solid body, the stronger always is the reflection; so the more sense we have of the love of God, the stronger is our love to him.

2. The next Cause of Love is the grace of God: there is not only an apprehension of Love, but the force of the Spirit [Page] goeth along with it: Our thoughts, our discourses upon the love of God to us in Christ, nay our sense and feeling of it, is not enough to beget this grace in us. Love is a pure flame, that must be kindled from above, as the Vestal fire by a Sunbeam. 1 John 4. 7. Love is of God; that is, of a celestial or heavenly original. There is in the Soul naturally an Rom. 1. 30. [...]. hatred of God, and a proneness to mingle with present comforts, which can only be cured by the Spirit of grace: Our naked apprehensions will not break the force of natural enmity; and 'tis God that must circumcise and pare away the foreskin of the heart before we can love him, Deut. 30. 6. There is a natural proneness to dote upon the creature, and hate the Creator. Base creatures neglect God, and pollute themselves with one another; and there is no help for it till the heart be over-powered by grace. Thus for the Causes of Love.

The Object of Love is God himself; not meerly as considered in himself, for so he is terrible to the creature; but as God in Christ, for so he will be known and respected by us in the Gospel, and so we have the highest engagement to love him; not only upon the respects of Nature, as our Creator, but of Grace, as our God and Father in Christ. Now God is the supream Object of Love, and other things are loved for Gods sake, because of that of God which we find in them: as his Word, which is the Copy of his Holiness; his engraven Image; as the Coyn beareth the image of the Prince; so 'tis said, Psal. 119. 47. I will delight my self in thy Commandments which I have loved. And then his Saints, which are his living Image, as children resemble their father; so 'tis said, Psal. 16. 3. To the Saints, and to the excellent of the Earth, in whom is my delight. And then other men, because of his Command, 1 Pet. 1. 5. Add to brotherly-kindness, love. So his creatures, because in them we enjoy God, the effects of his Bounty. But chiefly his Ordinances, as they exhibit more of God then the creatures can: So that Love respects God and other things for Gods sake.

Again, In the Description I take notice of the essence or formal nature of it, and call it the return of a gracious and holy affection to God. Love is carryed out to its Object two ways, [Page] by desire and delight: Our necessity and need of God is the ground of desire; and our propriety and interest is the ground of delight: Desires are the feet of love, by which it runneth after its Object; and delight is the rest and contentment of the Soul in the enjoyment of it: Because of our imperfect fruition in this life, Love bewrayeth it self by desires mostly, or pursuing after God: See Psal. 63. 8. My heart followeth hard after thee: It noteth those sallies and earnest egressions of Soul after the Lord, that we may have more communion and fellowship with him. In short, the radical (if I may so speak) and principal disposition of Love is a desire of Ʋnion; for all other effects of love flow from it: This is that makes the Soul to prize the Ordinances, because God is to be enjoyed there; and these are means of communion with him; Psal. 26. 8. I have loved the place where thine honour dwelleth. This maketh sin terrible, because it separateth from God, Isai. 59. 2. This maketh Heaven amiable; the fairest part of our portion in Heaven is a closer and nearer communion with Christ, Phil. 1. 23. This maketh the day of Judgment sweet, for then we shall meet with our Beloved in the ayr, 2 Tim. 4. 18. In short, this maketh the Soul to take such contentment in thinking of God, and speaking of God; 'tis the feast of the Soul; My meditation of him shall be sweet, Psal. 104. 34. Their Souls cannot have a greater solace then to think what a God they have in Christ.

Having in some manner described the Love of God, letReasons why we must love God. 1. God hath commended it. me use some Arguments to press you to it.

First, God hath commanded it: The sum of the Law is Love. When the Scribe came to Christ, Mat. 22. 36. Master, which is the great Commandment in the Law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy soul, and all thy might: Mark, this is the first and great Commandment, to love God; 'Tis not a sour Command, but sweet and profitable: God might have burdened us with other manner of Precepts, considering his absolute right; to offer our children in sacrifice, to mangle our flesh with whips and scourges; but these are cruelties proper to the Devils worship. The Lord is a gentle Master, and only [Page] desireth the love of his servants; we have cause to thank him for such a gracious Precept. If he should require us not to love him, this were Hell it self; that is the Hell of Hell, that they which are there do not love God. 'Tis our priviledg as much as our duty. God loveth all his creatures, but hath commanded none to love him again but man and Angels; so that it is the great priviledg of the Saints, to love God. It had been a great favour if God had given us leave to love him: as it would be a great favour if a King should give leave to one of his meanest Subjects to have the key of his privy Chamber, to come to him and visit him, and be familiar with him when he pleaseth; how would this be talked of in the world! yet this is not so wonderful, since the King and the Peasant are both men; in their natural being they are equal, though in their civil distinction and condition of life there be a difference. But what a favour is this, that he who is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, doth not only permit his creature made by his own hands to come to him, and love him, and deal with him when he pleaseth, but hath expresly commanded it? nay this is the great Commandment: Certainly God is very desirous of our love, when he layeth such an obligation upon us: Was there ever such a Master, that made this to be his servants chiefest duty, that they should love him? Again, I observe in Gods Command that the Precept runneth thus, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. The Lord would not lose one grain of the creatures love; Surely he valued it, when he is so sollicitous about it. If we should see a wise man careful to preserve the reliques of what we counted a neglected weed, it would make us think there were somewhat in it. We lavish away our love upon trifles, and God prizeth every grain of it: you see he speaketh as if he would not lose one dust of love; all thy soul, all thy heart, and all thy might. When he biddeth us love our neighbor, he sets limits to it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self; but when he biddeth us love God, he requireth all the heart: The only measure is to love him without measure. The next place that I shall take notice of, where the Precept is [Page] recorded, is Deut. 10. 12. And now Israel, what doth the Lord require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, and to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord with all thy heart, and with all thy soul? God doth not require of us things without the sphere of duty; that we should go into the depths of the Sea, toss mountains in the ayr, pluck the stars from Heaven, &c. these things lie out of the power of man: He doth not require of us barbarous austerities▪ to offer our first-born, to lance our selves, to mangle our flesh with whips and scourges: He doth not require of us absolutely such things which some men can and ought to perform; not such a measure of alms, what then would become of the poor? not such a degree of wisdom and learning, what then would become of the simple and unlearned? But O Israel, what hath the Lord required of thee, but that thou shouldst love the Lord thy God? A duty to be performed by poor and rich, learned and unlearned; what ever their estate and condition be, they may all love God: There are many in Heaven that never were in a condition to give, but to receive, that were never learned, and skilled in sciences, but none that never loved God.

Secondly, God hath deserved love. Let us a little take notice2 Reason, God hath deserved it. of Gods love to us; He beginneth, and loveth us, that we may love him again, 1 John 4. 19. If God should hate us, we were bound to love him, because of his excellency, and because of our duty and obligation as we are creatures; how much more when God hath loved us, and bestowed so many benefits upon us? Love is an affection which God will have repayed in kind: When he chideth us, he doth not expect that we should chide him again; when he judgeth us, we must not judg him again: in these things the creature is not to retaliate: 'Tis true, we do it too often, but still to our [...]oss and blame. But now when he loveth us, he willeth us to love him again; he loveth us for no other cause but that he may be loved; Love must be payd in kind: As water is cast into a Pump when the springs lie low to bring up more water; so God sheddeth abroad his love into our hearts, that our love may rise up to him again by way of gratitude [Page] and recompence. Now in the Love of God we may take notice of the

1. Properties and of it.

2. Effects of it.

First, For the Properties of Gods Love, consider,Properties of Gods Love. 1. The Ancientness.

1. The Ancientness of it; Psal. 103. 17. From everlasting to everlasting, &c. With reverence we may speak, ever since God was God he was our God: You may track his Love from one Eternity to another; Before the world was he loved us, and when the world is no more he loveth us still: His Love began in eternal purposes of Grace, and it endeth in our eternal possession of Glory. 'Tis not a thing of yesterday; he is our ancient Friend; He loved us not only before we were lovely, but before we were at all. We adjourn and put off our love of God to old age, and thrust it into a narrow corner: When we have wasted and spent our strength in the world, we dream of a devout retirement: But the Lord thinketh he could never love us early enough; From everlasting to everlasting, &c. We receive the fruits and effects of Love in time, but all cometh out of Gods ancient and eternal Love; this grace was provided for us before we were born. Yea look upon Gods Love in time; how merciful was God to us before we could shew the least sign of thankefulness to him? He loved us a long time before ever we had a thought of him: In infancy we could not so much as know that he loved us: When we came to years of discretion, we knew how to offend him, before we knew how to love and serve him: How many are there of whom it may be said, God is not in all their thoughts? and yet all this while God hath thoughts of peace and blessing towards them.

2. Consider the Freeness of Gods Love: The value of all2 The Freeness. benefits ariseth from the necessity of him that receiveth, and the good-will of him that giveth. God wanted not us, our love is no benefit to him; but we wanted him, we are undone without him; yet he hath more delight in pardoning then we in salvation, and he is more ready to give then we [...]ii [...] to ask: He often calleth upon us to call upon him; as if he [Page] were afraid we would not ask, or not enough, or not soon enough, or not often enough. A man would think that our wants should be importunate enough to put us upon requests, and that we needed not enforcements to prayer; yet you see God doth not only prevent the request, but make the prayer, and stirreth us up to utter it. But we are not only needy creatures, but guilty creatures; and that God should love us! When we were in our blood and filthiness, 'twas a time of loves, Ezek. 16. 7. This is the great Miracle of divine Love, that a time of loathing is a time of loves: And we will wonder at it more if we consider the active and endless hatred of his Holiness against sin, and therefore why not against sinners? The holiness of his Nature and Essence sets him against them; and natural antipathies and aversations can never be reconciled; as a Man can never be brought to delight in a Toad, or a Lamb in a Wolf. And consider again his infinite Wisdom; We may love that which is not lovely, because we are often blinded by inordinate affection; but now Gods Love is not blind, and overcome with the vehemency of any passion, as mans is: this maketh the wonder, there is no blindness and passion in him that loveth, and yet the thing that is loved is vile and uncomely.

3. The frequency of the expressions of his Love: It would3 Frequency. weary the arm of an Angel to write down Gods repeated Acts of Grace; Rom. 5. 17. The free gift is of many offences unto Justification. We carry loads of experiences with us to Heaven. Gods Book of Remembrance is written within and without. This will be our wonder and amazement at the last day, to see such huge sums cancelled with Christs blood: Every day pardoning mercy is put in: Our past lives are but a constant experience of our sinning, and Gods pardoning. We are weary of every thing but sin; we are never weary of that, because 'tis natural to us. The very refreshments of life by continuance grow burdensom: Meat, drink, musick, sleep, the chiefest pleasures vvithin a vvhile need to be refreshed vvith other pleasures; Man is a restless creature, and loveth shift and change. But now vve are never weary of sin; we have it from the womb, and we keep it to the grave; and yet [Page] all this while we subsist upon God: we subsist upon him every moment; We have life, and breath, and hourly maintenance from him, whom we thus grieve and offend: Dependance should beget observance, but in us 'tis otherwise: As a dunghill sendeth out vapors to obscure the Sun that shineth upon it; so do we dishonour the God of our mercies, and grieve him day by day: How long hath God been multiplying pardons, and yet Free-grace is not tyred and grown weary?

4. Consider the variety of the expressions of his Love: We4. Variety. have all kind of mercies, we eat mercy, we wear mercy, we are encompassed with mercy as with a shield: The Apostle saith, 2 Pet. 1. 3. He hath given us all things that pertain to life and godliness; that is (as I would interpret) all things that are necessary to life natural, to life spiritual; to maintain grace here, and to bring us to glory hereafter. He that hath an interest in Christ, his portion is not straitened; he hath a right to all things, and a possession of as much as Providence judgeth needful; therein we must not be our own carvers: A man of mortified affections thinketh he hath provision enough, if he hath things necessary to life and godliness: and will you not love God for all this? Certainly we do not want obligations, but we want affections. Look as too much wood puts out the fire▪ and causeth smoak; so the multitude and dayly experience of Gods mercies lesseneth the esteem of them: We have but too many mercies, and that maketh us unkind and neglectful of God. What shall I tell you of Sabbaths, Ordinances, food, rayment? If a man would be but his own remembrancer, and now and then come to an account with God, he would cry out, Oh the multitude of thy thoughts to us-ward, how great is the sum of them! Psal. 139. Or if a man would but keep a journal of his own life, what a vast volume would his private experiences make? how would he find mercy and himself still growing up together? Shall I shew you a little what a multitude of mercies there are? I will not speak of the higher and choycer mercies, such as concern the soul, but of such as concern the body: What a deal of provision is there for the comfort and welfare of the body? I instance [Page] in these mercies, partly because they are so common, that they are scarce noted; partly because carnal men prize the body most, they prefer it above the Soul: now the Lord would leave them without excuse; they that love the body shall not want arguments to urge them to love God, since he hath bestowed so much of his love and care upon the body, to gratifie all the senses not only for necessity, but delight. There is light for the eye; the poorest man hath glorious lamps to light him to his labours: For the taste, such variety of refreshments of a different sap and savour; For the smell, delicious infusions into the ayr from flowers and gums, and aromatick plants; For the ears, musick from birds and men; and all this to make our pilgrimage comfortable, and our hearts better. How many creatures hath the Lord given us to help to bear burdens? how many things for meat and medicine? If man had not been created last, after the World was setled and furnished, vve should have seen the vvant of many things vvhich vve novv enjoy and do not value: First God provided our house, and then furnished our table; and vvhen all vvas ready, then man is brought in as the Lord of all. We are not affected vvith these mercies: Hovv can vve sin against God, that can look no where but vve see arguments and reasons to love him? As Christ said, Many good works have I done amongst you, for which of these do you stone me? So may the Lord plead, I have done many things for you; you cannot open your eyes but you see love, you cannot vvalk abroad but you smell love and hear love, &c. for vvhich of those do you grieve me, and deal so despightfully vvith me?

Let me now come to the Effects of Gods Love; I shall2. The Effects of Gods Love. only instance in those three great Effects, Creation, Preservation, and Redemption: Certainly that must needs be a great benefit, out of which there flies not only sparks, but brands; and so that Love which can produce such fruits and effects, 1. Creation. must needs be exceeding great.

1. Creation, This deserveth love from the creature: The fruit of the Vineyard belongeth to him that planted it; and whom should we love but him that gave us the power to love? [Page] All that thou hast, all that thou canst see, that thou canst touch, is his gift, and the work of his hands: He gave thee the essence not of a tree, a bird, a beast, but of a man, capable of reason, fit for happiness: God made other creatures by a word of Command, and man by Councel; 'twas not, Be thou, but, Let us make man, to shew that the whole Trinity assisted and joyned in consultation: He made other creatures for his glory, but not for his love and service; God is glorified in them passively, as they give us occasion to glorifie God; the creatures are the harp, but man maketh the musick: All thy works praise thee, and thy Saints bless thee, Psal. 145. 10. How many steps may a Christian ascend in his praise and thanksgiving? We might have been stones, without sense; beasts, and without reason; born infidels, and without faith; We might have continued sinners, and without grace: all these are so many steps of mercy. But Creation is that we are now to speak of, and truly it deserveth a remembrance, especially Eccles. 12. 1. in youth, when the effects of Gods creating bounty are most fresh in our sense and feeling: We are always to remember our Creator, but then especially: The aches of old serve to put us in mind of our ingratitude; but the strength, and vigor, and freshness of youth, should make us remember the bounty of our Creator. Look upon the body or the soul, and you will see that we have cause to love him. In the body we find as many mereies as there are limbs: If a man should be born blind or lame, or should lose an eye, or an arm, or a leg, how much would he love him that should restore the use of these members again? We are as much bound to love him that gave them to us at first, especially when we consider how often we have deserved to lose them. We would love him that should raise us from the dead: God is the Author of life, and the continual Preserver and Defender of it. If we love our parents that begot us, we should much more love God that made them and us too out of nothing. Take notice of the curious frame of the body; David saith, Psal. 139. 16. I am wonderfully made; accepictus sum, so the Vulgar rendereth it, painted as with a needle, like a garment of needlework of divers colours, richly embroydered with nerves and [Page] veins. What shall I speak of the eye, wherein there is such curious Worshmanship, that many upon the first sight of it have been driven to acknowledg God? Of the hand, made to open and shut, and to serve the labours and ministeries of Nature without wasting and decay for many years: if they should be of marble or iron, with such constant use they would soon wear out; and yet now they are of flesh they last as long as life lasteth. Of the head, fitly placed to be the seat of the senses, to command and direct the rest of the members. Of the lungs, a frail piece of flesh, yet though in continual motion of a long use. 'Twere easie to enlarge upon this occasion: But I am to preach a Sermon, not to read an Anatomy Lecture. In short therefore, every part is so placed and framed, as if God had employed his whole Wisdom about it.

But as yet we have spoken but of the casket wherein the Jewel lieth; the Soul, that divine spark and blast; how quick, nimble, various and indefatigable in its motions? how comprehensive in its capacities? how it animateth the body, and is like God himself all in every part? Who can trace the flights of Reason? What a value hath God set upon the Soul? He made it after his Image, he redeemed it with Christs Blood, &c. Well then, God that made such a body, such a soul, deserveth love; He that made the Soul, hath most right to dwell in it; 'tis a curious house of his own framing: But he will not enter by force and violence, but by consent; he expecteth when love will give up the keys: Rev. 3. 17. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man open to me, I will come in and sup with him. Why should Christ stand at the door and knock, and ask leave to enter into his own house? he hath right enough to enter, only he expecteth till we open to him.

2. Preservation: We are not apprehensive enough of [...]. Preservation. dayly mercies: The Preservation of the World is a constant Miracle; The World is hanged upon nothing (as 'tis in the Book of Job:) A feather will not stay in the ayr; and yet what hath the World to support it but the thin fluid ayr that is round about it? 'Tis easie to prove that the Waters are higher then the Land: so that we are always in the case the [Page] Israelites were in, when they passed through the Red Sea; Nos sumus etiam tanquam in medio rubri maris (saith Luther,) the Waters are round about us and above us, bound up in an heap as it were by God, and yet we are not swallowed up: 'Tis true, the danger is not so sensible and immediate as that of the Red Sea, because of the constant rampire of Providence, More particularly, from the womb to the grave we have hourly maintenance from God. Look as the beams in the ayr are no longer continued then the Sun shineth; so we do no longer continue then God upholdeth our beings by the word of his Power, Heb. 1. 3. Or as 'tis with a Seal in the Water, take away the seal and the impress vanisheth; so do we disappear as soon as God doth but loosen his Hand and almighty Grasp, by which all things are upheld and preserved. But let us speak of those acts of Providence that are more sensible: Into how many diseases and dangers might we fall, if God did not look after us as the Nurse after her child? How many have gone to the grave, nay it may be to Hell, since the last night? How many actual dangers have we escaped? God hath looked after us, as if he had forgotten all the world besides; as if his whole employment were to do us good: He saith, that he will no more forget us, then a woman doth her sucking child; and that we are written before him, and graven in the palms of his hands, Isai. 45. 15, &c. as men tye a string about their [...]inger for a remembrance, or record in a book such things as they would regard: all these are expressions to describe the particular and express care of Gods Providence over his children. Now what shall be rendered to the Lord for all this? If we could do and suffer never so much for God, it will not answer the mercy of one day: Certainly at least God expecteth love for love; Love him as he is the strength of thy life and length of thy days, Deut. 30. 26. Every days experience is new fuel to keep in the fire: The very beasts will respect their preservers, they are loving to those that are kind to them; The Ass knoweth his owner, and the Ox his masters crib; There is a kind of gratitude in the beasts by which they acknowledg their benefactors that feed them and cherish them: But we do not acknowledg God, who [Page] feedeth us and upholdeth us every moment; There is [...] creature made worse by kindness then man: He that was made to be Master of the creatures, may become their Scholer; there is many a good lesson to be learned in their School.

3. Redemption: As a man when he weigheth a thing, casteth3. Redemption in weight after weight till the scales be counterpoysed; so doth God mercy after mercy to poyse down mans heart: Here is a mercy that is overweight in it self; 1 John 4. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that God loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins. If we had had the wisdom to pitch upon such a remedy (as certainly it could not have entered into hearts of men or Ephes. 3. 10. Angels) yet we could not have the heart to ask it; It would have seemed a rude blasphemy in our prayers, to desire that the Son of God should come out from his Fathers bosom and dye for us; Therefore herein is love, that is, this is the highest expression of Gods Love to the creature, not only that ever was, but can be; For in love only God acteth to the uttermost: he never shewed so much of his Power and Wisdom, but he can shew more; of his Wrath, but he can shew more: but he hath no greater thing to give then himself, then his Christ. At what a dear rate hath the Lord bought our hearts? He needed not; he might have made nobler creatures then the present race of men, and dealt with us as he did with the sinning Angels, he would not enter into treaty with them, but the execution was as quick as the sin; so the Lord might utterly have cast us off, and made a new race of men to glorifie his Grace, leaving Adam to propagate the World to glorifie his Justice: Or at least he might have redeemed us in another way, (for I suppose 'tis a free dispensation opus liberi consilij:) But John 3. 16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son; He took this way, that we might love Christ as well as beleeve in him: God might have redeemed us so much in another way, but he could not oblige us so much in another way; He would not only satisfie his Justice, but shew his Love: 'Twas the Lords design by his Love to deserve ours, and so for ever to shame the creature, if they should not now love him. Oh think much of this glorious Instance, the love of [Page] God in giving Christ, and the love of Christ in giving himself. When the Sea wrought and was tempestuous, and Jonah saw the storm, he said, Cast me into the Sea, and it shall be calm to you; but the storm was raised for his own sake. Now Christ when he saw the misery of mankind, he said, Let it come on me; We raised the storm, but Christ would be cast in to allay it. If a Prince passing by an execution should take the Malefactors chains, and suffer in his stead, this would be a wonderful instance indeed: Why? Christ hath born our sorrows and carryed our griefs, Isai. 53. 4. the very same griefs that we should have suffered, so far as his holy Person was capable of them: his desertion was equivalent to our loss, his agonies to our curse and punishment of sense; and all this very willingly for the sake of sinners. 'Tis notable, he doth with like indignation rebuke Peter disswading him from sufferings, as he doth the Devil tempting him to Idolatry, Get thee behind me Satan, compare Mat. 16. 22. with Mat. 4. 10. He is well pleased with all his sorrows and sufferings, so he may gain the Church, and espouse her to himself in a firm League and Covenant: Isai. 53. 11. He shall see the travel of his Soul, and be satisfied; as if he said, Welcome agonies, welcome death, welcome curse, so poor Souls be saved! As Jacob counted the days of his labour nothing, so he might obtain Rachel; and yet there is a vast difference between the love of Christ and the love of Jacob: Rachel was lovely, but we are vile and unworthy creatures; and Christs love is infinite, even beyond his sufferings, and the outward expressions of it; as the windows of the Temple were more large and open within then without. Well then, every one of Christs wounds is a mouth open to plead for love; He made himself so vile, that he might be more dear and precious to us: Certainly if Love brought Christ out of Heaven to the Cross, to the grave, should it not carry us to Heaven? to God? to Christ, who hath been thus gracious to us? Thus God hath deserved our love.

The third and next Argument is, God hath desired it: What3. God hath desired it. doth the Lord see in our hearts that he should desire them? If a Prince should not only make love to a vile and abject [Page] creature, but seek all means to gain her affection, you would count her very froward and unthankeful to give him the denyal. Christ doth not only oblige us, but woo us: If man were such as he should be, he would not need enforcements, because of the multitude of his obligations; and if the Lord did deal with us as we deserve, he would slight us and scorn us, rather then woo us: He doth not want lovers, there are Angels enough in Heaven, whose wills and affections cleave to him perfectly; yea God doth not need the love of any creature, all this wooing is for our sakes; Wherein can frail men be beneficial to God? What increase of happiness hath he if all men should love him? 'Tis his happiness to love himself, and he would have us to share in this happiness; therefore he threateneth, and promiseth, and beseecheth: As one that would gladly open a door, tryeth key after key, till he hath tryed every key in the bunch; so doth God try one method after another to work upon mans heart.

He threateneth eternal torments if we do not love him:1. Threatneth. 1 Cor. 16. 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha: The form of speech implyeth the most dreadful curse that may be: 'Tis not arbitrary, whether you will love him or no; you are either to love him, or to perish eternally. Among men if love doth not come kindly, we neglect it; that which is forced is nothing worth: yet the Lord is so earnest after the love of the creature, that he would have it by any means.

He promiseth: We have not only mercies in hand, but2. Promiseth. mercies in hope; not only obligations, but promises. 'Tis our duty to love God if there were no Heaven; our obligations might suffice: yet what great things hath God provided for them that love him? 1 Cor. 2. 9. If a man should sell his love, he cannot have a better Chapman then God, who is most rich and most liberal. If an earthly Potentate should promise to them that love him half his Kingdom, he would find lovers enough. God hath promised glory, the Kingdom of Heaven, and shall we not take him at his word? The Lord will give a gift for a gift, because he hath given us to love him; therefore he will give us Heaven as the reward of love. Who [Page] ever heard that an hungry man was hired to eat? and rewarded for tasting dainty food? or a thirsty man for drinking? The Love of God is so excellent a priviledg, that we should endure all torments to obtain it; and yet God hath promised a reward: yea he is pleased to bargain with us, as if he were our equal, and we were altogether free before the Contract.

Again, He beseecheth: We are cold and backward, therefore3 Beseecheth. he useth intreaty upon intreaty, as if he were impatient of a denyal: Out of what rock was man hewn? God himself cometh a wooing, and we have the face to give him a repulse: and what doth he woo for? but our hearts, which are his already by every kind of right and title: Prov. 23. 26. My son, give me thy heart. God is pleased to call that a gift, which is indeed a debt: Though the heart be due, yet God will put this honour upon the creatures, to receive it from them in the way of a gift: 'Tis but equity to give to God the things that are Gods. Look upon the heart, see if any could make it, but God himself; Whose image and superscription doth it bear? Wilt thou refuse to surrender up to God his right? God hath made it, bought it, and yet he beggeth it. VVhen thou hast been as earnest with God, and asked any thing regularly of him, did he deny thee? 'Tis no benefit to him; he desireth the heart of the creature, not that he may be happy, but that he may be liberal; he would have thy heart that he may make it bette▪ How easily do we give up our affections to any thing but God, who hath the best title to them? If the World or Satan knocketh, we open presently; We are as wax to Satan, and as stone to God; exorable and easie to be intreated by any carnal motion: as some hard stones cannot be wrought upon but by their own dust; so men are facile only to their corruptions, to their own lusts, not to the motions of Gods Spirit.

Fourthly, The nature of Love sheweth that 'tis fit for nothing Fourth Argument, The Nature of Love sheweth that we should love God. but God: He hath given us this faculty and disposition, that we may close with himself. He that looketh upon an ax will say 'twas made to cut; and he that looketh on love will say 'twas made for God. What is the genius and disposition of [Page] Love? Love is nothing but an earnest bent and strong motion See Neir [...]nbergius de ingenio amoris. of the Soul to what is good for us: Every man hath an inclination in his nature to what he conceiveth to be good, Psal. 4. 9. and grace doth only direct and set it right: All the difference between Nature and Grace is in fixing the chiefest good and the utmost end: One great blessing of the Covenant is a new heart, that is, a new and right placing of our affections. Well then, God is summum bonum, the chiefest Good; even Nature cannot be satisfied without him, but Grace findeth all contentment in him: If there be any good in the creatures, 'tis originally in him; He is the Fountain of living waters, where comforts are sweetest and freest. The heart hunteth after good among the creatures, which is but an image and ray of that perfection which is in God; and who would leave the substance to follow the shadow? and prize the picture to the disdain of the person whom it represents? 'Twere easie to prove that God is the only, proper, eternal, alsufficient Good of the Soul: and if the heart were not perverted and byassed with carnal desires to other objects, it would directly move to God, as all things do to their center; I say, were it not for sin, we should no more need be pressed to love God, then to love our selves: There need no great motives to press us to love our selves, Nature is prone enough of its own accord; and if Nature had remained in that purity wherein it was created, it would move to God of its own accord; as all things move to their center, and there they rest. Now God is the Center of the Soul: The Souls good is not honours, pleasures, profits: the Soul is a spirit, and must have a spiritual good; 'tis immortal, and it must have an eternal good. By experience we find that our affections are never in their due posture, but are like members out of joynt (or the arms when they hang backward) when they are not fixed upon God; therefore there is a Domini s [...]cist [...]os propter to & irrequietum est co [...] [...]s [...]um d [...]ne [...] perve [...]iat ad t [...]. Aug. restlessness and dissatisfaction in the Soul: We Acts 17. 26, 27. grope and feel about for happiness, and cannot find it; like Noahs Dove, we hover up and down, and find no place whereon the sole of our foot should rest. Well then, if God be the only alsufficient Good of the Soul, why do not we love him more? If he be the Center of the Soul, why do [Page] not we move directly thither? 'Tis a shame that a stone should be carried with greater force to its center, then we to God; by its natural course it falleth downward, and breaketh all things in the way, yea though it self be broken in pieces: But alas, how little do we break through impediments to go to God? 'Twere a miracle to see a stone stoped in the ayr by a feather: But now every vain thing keepeth us off, and intercepts our affections; sin hath given us another center, and after grace received we hang too much that way. Again, As love is for Good, so 'tis for one Object; like a Pyramide, it ends in a point; affection is weakened by dispersion, as a River by being turned into many channels: In conjugal love (where friendship is to the heighth) there is but one that can share in it, that's the Law of Nature; Mal. 2. 15. Did he not make one? yet he had the residue of spirit: the meaning is, that God made but one man for one woman, though he had spirit enough to make more; 'twas not out of defect of power, but wise choice, that their affections to one another might be the stronger, which otherwise would be weakened; as they are in the brutes scattered promiscuously to several objects: so the true object of love is one God; he is loved for himself, and other things for his sake. Once more, The force and vehemency of love sheweth that it was made for God; Love is the vigorous bent of the Soul, and full of heights and excesses, which if diverted to other objects, would make us guilty of Idolatry, we should place them in the room of God: Still we find; that men are besorted with what they love; as Sampson was led about like a child by Da [...]ilah: all conveniences of life, pleasures, profits, are contemned for the enjoyment of the thing beloved: Now these are heights proper to the Divinity, to the infinite Majesty of God; To whom else is this vehemency and this selfdenyal due? If we lavish it upon the creatures, we make gods of them; and therefore covetousness is called Idolatry, Ephes. 5. 3. and the Sensualist is said to make his belly his god, Phil. 3. 19. There is such an excess, such a doating in love, that if we be not careful in fixing it, before we are aware we run into practical Idolatrie and practical Atheism. There [Page] is an Atheism in the heart, as well as in the judgment: Atheism in the judgment, is when we are not convinced of the Being of God; In the heart, when our affections are not set in God: this is more incurable, because the dogmatical Atheist may be convinced by reason, but the practical Atheist can only be reformed by grace. Thus the Nature of Love sheweth it.

Fifthly, The Nature of the Saints sheweth it; the new 5 Argument, from the nature and disposition of the San [...]s. nature hath new affections; it bewrayeth it self by the new heart, as well as by the renewed mind, Rom. 12. 2. There are not only new thoughts, but new desires and new delights; desires after God, and a delight in God, as the fountain of Holiness. When we come to God at first, we love him out of spiritual interest, for ease and comfort, and the benefit we gain by him; Christ alloweth it, Come to me and I will give you ease, Mat. 11. 28. When fire is first kindled, there is as much sin [...]ke as flame, but afterwards it burneth brighter and brighter by degrees: A fountain as soon as digged runneth muddy at first, but afterwards the stream groweth more pure and clear. So doth the love of the Saints; at first 'tis but a love of interest, but by acquaintance we love him out of a principle of the new nature, for his Holiness and Excellency, because that which is in us in part, is in God by way of eminency and perfection. Certainly likeness must needs beget love, and the Saints being conformed to God, delight in him; so that then their love floweth not so much from profit and interest, as grace: yea at length out of a vehement complacency of the new nature they love holiness above happiness or spiritual interest; and S [...] sic pecc [...]i pudorem illi [...] i [...]ferni horr [...]ren, &c. Anse [...]r. Hell is not so bad as sin in their account: there cannot be a worse Hell to them then unkindness to God, or grieving his Spirit; and Heaven is amiable for Gods sake, because he is loved there and enjoyed there; there are none of Gods enemies in Heaven, and there they shall serve him and cleave to him without weariness and wandering. Well then, There is such a disposition Psal. 31. 23. in the Saints to love God, which anseth not only from hope, because of the great benefit which we expect from him; nor only from gratitude, or the sense of his love already [Page] shewed; but from an inclination of the now nature, and that sympathy and Eadem velle & no [...] ea demum vera est amicitia. Salust. likeness that is between us, because we Prov. 8. 13. Rev. 2. 6. hate what he hateth, and love what he loveth; and because God is the original Fountain and Samplar of Holiness.

Well then, Saints mind your work; Do you indeed love God? Christ puts Peter to the question thrice, John 21. A deceitful heart is apt to abuse you: Ask again and again, Do I indeed love God? Evidences are these.Evidences of our love to God. [...] Evidence, God will be loved alone.

1. If you love God, he will be loved al ne; those that do not give all to God, give nothing; he will have the whole heart: If there were another God, we might have some excuse for our reservations; but since there is but one God, he must have all, for he doth not love inmates. When the Harbengers take up an house for a Prince, they turn out all; none must remain there, that there may be room for his greatness: So all must avoyd, that God may have the sole possession of our hearts. The Devil that hath no right to any thing would have a part, for by that means he knoweth the whole will fall to him; Conscience will not let him have all, and therefore he would have a part to keep possession: as Pharaoh stood hulking with Moses and Aaron, if not the Israelites, then their little ones; if not their little ones, then their heards; if not their heards, then their flocks: but Moses telleth him there was not an hoof to be left. So Satan, if he cannot have the outward man, yet he would have the heart; if there be not room enough in the heart for every lust, then he craveth indulgence in some things that are less odious and distastful; if Conscience will not allow drunkenness, yet a little worldliness is pleaded for as no great matter: But the love of God cannot be in that heart, where the world reignēth. Dagon and the Ark could not abide in the same Temple; neither can the heart be divided between God and Mammon. All men must have some Religion to mask their pleasures and carnal practises, that they may be favorable to their lusts and interests with less remorse; and usually they order the matter so, that Christ shall have their Consciences, and the world their hearts and affections: But alas, they do not consider that God is jealous of a Rival; when he [Page] cometh into the heart, he will have the room empty. 'Tis true, we may love other things in subordination to God, but not in competition with God, that is, when we love God and other things for Gods sake, in God and for God. When a Commander hath taken a strong Castle, and placed a Garison in it, he suffereth none to enter but those of his own side, keeping the gate shut to his enemies; So we must open the heart to none but God, and those that are of Gods party and side, keeping the gate shut to others: We may love the creatures as they are of Gods side, as they draw our hearts more to God, or engage us to be more cheerful in service, or give us greater advantages of doing good; Of what party are they Bring nothing into thy heart, and allow nothing there, that is contrary to God. When Sarah saw Ishmael scoffing at Isaac, she thrust him out of doors: So when riches, and honour, and the love of the world upbraid you with your love to God, as if you were a fool to stand so nicely upon terms of Conscience, &c. when they incroach and allow Christ no room but in the Conscience, 'tis time to thrust them out of doors, that the Lord alone may have the preheminence in our Souls.

2. This love must be demonstrated by solid Effects, such2 Evidence, The Effects of Love. 1 Hatred of sin. as are;

1. An hatred of sin; Psal. 97. 10. Ye that l [...]ve the Lord hate an evil: With love to the chiefest good, there will be an hatred of the chiefest evil. Friends have common loves (as I said) and common aversations: Upon every carnal motion doth thy heart recoyl upon thee, and say, How can I do this wick dness, and sin against God? Gen. 39. 9. or else, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? or after such a deliverance as this, &c. Ezra 9. 13. Love to God will be interposing and crossing every carnal motion.

2. By a delight in obedience: 1 John 5. 3. This is love, 2▪ Delight in obedience. that we keep his Commandments, and his Commandments are not grievous. Nothing is diffcult and tedious to him that hath any affection to his work. As the Prophet cured the bitterness of the wilde goards by casting in meal; so mingle but a little love with your work, and the bitterness is gone. [Page] Sechem yeildeth to be circumcised for Dinah's sake, because he loved her; and Jacob endured his seven years service for Rachels sake: so will love make us obey God chearfully in things contrary to our natural inclination. Love and labour are often coupled in 1 Thes. 1. 3. Heb▪ 6. 10 Scripture; and those that left their first works, had lost their first love, Rev. 2. 4, 5.

3. Delight in Gods presence, and grief for his absence; or3. Delight in Gods presence and grief for his absen [...]. an holy sensibleness both of his accesses and recesses, to and from the Soul: Can a man love God, and be content without him? If you lose but a ring which you affect, how are you troubled till it be found again! Ye have taken away my gods (saith he,) and do you ask, What aileth thee? Judg. 18. 24. So when God is withdrawn, all visits of love and influences of grace are suspended, and they have no communion with him in their duties, should they not mourn? See Mat. 9. 15. Is spiritual love without all kind of passion? or are they Christians that are stupid and insensate, and never take notice of Gods coming and going?

These are the Evidences; I shall only now suggest two Helps to keep up and increase this love to God, and I haveHelps. done with this Argument.

1. Prize nothing that cometh from God, unless thou canst see his love in it. God giveth many gifts to wicked men, but he doth not give them his love: The possession of all things will do us no good, unless we have God himself; other mercies may be salted with a curse. Gods children are not satisfied till they can see him and enjoy him in every comfort and mercy. Esau was reconciled to Jacob, and therefore Jacob saith, Gen. 33. 10. I have seen thy face as the face of God; 'Twas a token and pledg of the gracious face of God smiling on him. Hezekiah was delivered out of a sickness, and then he doth not say, Thou hast delivered me from the grave; but, Thou hast loved me from the grave, Isai. 38. 17.

2. Prize nothing that thou return to God, unless there be love in it. We accept a small gift where the party loveth, and otherwise the greatest is refused: If I give my body to be burned, and have not love, &c. 1 Cor. 13. 1. Love is an act of grace by it self; other duties are not acts of grace, unless [Page] they come from love; as alms, fasting, prayer, Martyrdom, &c. they are all nothing; [...] (saith the Apostle) I am not only little, but nothing. On the other side, small things are made great by love; as a cup of cold water, a poor womans mite, they are accepted as coming from love.

So much for the matter of the Prayer; We come now to the manner or degree of enjoyment, [Be multiplyed:] From whence note, That we should not seek grace at the hands of God, but the increase and multiplication of it. InDoct. managing this Point, I shall first give you Reasons to press you to look after growth in grace: Secondly, I shall give you some Observations concerning it; and so thirdly, Come to some Application.

First, The Reasons are these. 1. Where there is life 1. Reasons or Motives. there will be growth; and if grace be true, it will surely increase. A painted flower keepeth always at the same pitch and stature; the Artist may bestow beauty upon it, but he cannot bestow life: A painted child will be as little ten years hence as it is now. So a pretence of Religion always keepeth at the same stay; yea when their first heats are spent, they are fearfully blasted: But now they that have true grace are compared to a living plant, which increaseth in bulk and stature, Psal 92. 12, 13. and to a living child, which groweth by receiving kindly nourishment, 1 Pet. 2. 2. Therefore 'tis not enough to get peace and love, but we must get them multiplyed.

2. If we do not grow, we go backward, Heb. 6. compare the first with the fourth verse, Let us go on to perfection; and then presently he treateth of Apostacy: We cannot keep that which we have received, if we do not labour to increase it. They that row against the stream, had need ply the oar, lest the force of the waters carry them backward; or as he that goeth up a sandy hill sinketh down if he do not go forward, Mat. 25. He that would not improve his talent lost it: So here, we waste and consume what we have, if we do not improve it. 'Tis dangerous to rest satisfied, and never [Page] go further; there is no stay in Religion: all the Angels in Jacobs ladder were either ascending or descending, continually in motion: There are no stinted trees in Christs garden; if they leave off to grow, they prove doated or rotten trees. An active nature, such as mans is, mvst either grow worse or better; therefore we should be as careful after the increase of grace, as we would be cautious of the loss of grace.

3. 'Tis an ill sign to be contented with a little grace: Minime bonus est qui mel [...]r fieri no [...] vul [...]. Bernar [...]us. He was never good, that doth not desire to grow better: Spiritual things do not cloy in the enjoyment; He that hath once tasted the sweetness of grace, hath arguments enough to make him seek further, and desire more grace: every degree of holiness is as desireable as the first; therefore there can be no true holiness without a desire of perfect holiness: God giveth us a taste to this end and purpose, that we may long for a fuller draught; as the clusters of Canaan brought to Israel in the wilderness made them put on for the Country: They are Hypocrites, and sure to be Apostates, that are contented with a taste, Heb. 6.

4. Because we cannot have too much grace: there is no nimium in the internals of Religion; you cannot have too much knowledg, too much love of God, too much of the fear of God. In the outward part there may be too much done, and then it proveth will-worship and superstition: The Apostle saith, 2 Pet. 1. 11. That we must give diligence, that an abundant entrance may be ministred to us into the everlasting Kingdom of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Some are Ephes 2. 13. afar off from the Kingdom of God, as persons ignorant and touched with no care of Religion: Mat 12 34. Acts 26. 28. Some come near, but never enter, as semi-converts and men of a blameless life; these cheapen, but do not buy, and go through with the bargain: others enter, but with greater difficulty, are scarcely saved, 1 Pet. 4. 18. saved as by fire, 1 Cor. 3. 13. they make an hardshift to go to Heaven, and have only grace enough to keep body and soul together (as we say) not a jot to spare: Others enter with full sails, or as 'tis said, they have an abundant entrance ministred to them, and yet all is but little enough; [Page] spiritual things cannot exceed measure. But you will say, 'Tis said, Eccles. 7. 16. Be not righteous over much. I answer, Either 'tis meant of an opinionative righteousness, be not too righteous in thine own conceit; or rather of an indiscreet heat, or a rigid and sullen severity, without any temper of wisdom and mod ration; otherwise in real holiness there can never be enough.

5. God hath provided for them that grow in grace a more ample reward; according to our measures of grace, so will our measures of glory be; for they that have most grace are vessels of a larger capacity, others are filled according to their size: See S [...]a [...] [...]e [...]m. Dub. Evang. par [...]o 31. D [...]b 135. & alios passin. 'Tis indeed a question whether there be degrees of glory yea or no; But I suppose it may easily be determined, He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly, whereas others have their bosoms full of sheaves: if a man with a little grace should get to Heaven, yet he hindereth his own preferment; Who would have a thin crop, and a lean harvest?

6. It suiteth with our present state; here we are in a state of progress and growth, not of rest and perfection: Grace is not given out at once, but by degrees: Christ saith, Joh. 17. 26. I have declared thy Name, and will declare it: and Joh. 1. 50. Beleevest thou? thou shalt see greater things then these; There is more to come, therefore let us not rest in our first experiences: Paul saith, I have not attained, Phil. 3. When grace is wrought, yet there is something lacking: He is a foolish builder that would rest in the middle of his work; and because the foundation is layd, is careless of the superstructure. The state of the Saints is expressed by a growing light, Prov. 4. 18. As long as there is want, there should be growth; see 1 Thes. 4. 1.

7. Seeking the increase and multiplication of spiritual gifts, suiteth best with the bounty and munificence of God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have rich grace for us; and we are most welcome, when we seek for most plenty: God the Father is represented as rich in mercy, Ephes. 2.4. Rom. 10. 12. We can never exhaust the Treasures of Grace, and impoverish the Exchequer of Heaven: So Christ hath a rich and [Page] full merit, 2 Cor. 8. 9. to make us rich, &c. God the Son aimed at it in all his sufferings and condescentions, that he might make a large purchase for us, and we might not be straitened in grace. The Spirit of God is poured out [...], richly, Tit. 3.6. There is mercy enough in God the Father, merit enough in God the Son, efficacy enough in God the Spirit: God is not wanting, if we be not wanting to our selves. If a mighty King should open his Treasure, and bid men come and bring their bags, and take as much as they would; do you think they would neglect this occasion of gain? surely no; they would run and fetch bag after bag, and never cease. Thus doth the Lord do in the Covenant of Grace; you will rather want vessels then treasure.

8. 'Tis a necessary piece of gratitude: we would have mercy to be multiplied, and therefore we should take care that Peace and Love be multiplyed also, we would have God add to our blessings, and therefore we should add to our graces; see 2 Pet. 1. 5. When we have food we would have cloathing, and when we have cloathing we would have house and harbour, and when we have all these things, we would have them in greater proportion; the like care should we shew in gracious injoyments; When we have knowledge, we should add temperance, and when we have temperance, we should add patience, &c.

9. We may learn of our Lord Jesus to whom we must be conformed in all things, Luc. 2.40. He grew in wisedom and stature: the meaning is his humane capacitie was inlarged by degrees according to his progress in age and strength, for in all things he was l [...]ke us except sin, and our reason is ripned and perfected together with our age.

10. We may learn of worldly men, Who Isay 5. [...]. joyn house to house, and field to field, and are never satisfied: So there is an holy covetousness in spirituall things when we joyn Rom. 1. 17 faith to faith, and obedience to obedience, one degree to another: our Blessings are better, and the chiefest good should not be followed with a slacker hand; 'tis our happiness to enjoy the infinite God, and therefore we should not set a stint and limit to our desires: With what arts and methods of increase [Page] doth a covetous man seek to advance himself? he liveth more by hope then by memory, and what he hath seemeth nothing to what he expecteth: So should we Phil. 3. 14 forget the things that are behinde, and reach forth to the things that are before us: A covetous man seemeth the poorer, the more he hath gotten: so should we grow humble with every injoyment, 'tis a good degree of grace to see how much we want grace: A covetous man maketh it the main work and business of his life to increase his estate; He goeth to [...]bed late, riseth early▪ eateth the bread of sorrows, and all for a little [...]elf, the strength of lust should shame us, should not we make Religion the businesse of our lives, and our great imployment? shall we be as insatiable as the grave to the world, when a little grave serveth the turn?

Secondly, the next thing which I am to do is to give you2. Obser. some observations concerning growth in grace, they are these: 1. To discern growth, there is required some time, a totall change which is far more sensible than growth, that may be in a [...] instant, then a sinner, now a Saint; but there must be a competent time to judge of our growth, we cannot discern it by single acts so much as by the great [...]r portions of our lives. As [...]nden [...]o [...]on volando ascinditur summi [...]as scalae Bernard. We cannot so easily find out how we grow by every Sermon, as by comparing our past estate with our present: we do not fly to the the top of Jacobs ladder, but go up step by step, 'tis a work of time and so we may judge of our not growing, if after a long time we are where we were, under the power of the same prejudices, or the same doubts, or the same lusts still, see Heb. 5. 12.

Secondly, In the growing of Saints there is much difference, all the plants in Christs garden are not of a like heighth and stature, some that are more publickly usefull have theiy five talents, others but two; some thrive more and grow of a sudden, 2 Thess. 1. 3. Your faith grew exceedingly, others are weak and slow, and yet they are fruitfull: We all grow according to the measure of a part, Eph. 4. That is, according to the rate of that part which we sustain in the body, a finger groweth not to the quantitie of an arm, they all grow, but the growth of all is not equall.

[Page]Thirdly, Growth in grace is alwayes accompanied with growth in knowledge, 2 Pet. 3. 18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, &c. Plants that grow out of the Sunne send up a longer stalk, but the fruit is worse: some Christians pitch all their care upon the growth of love, and take no pains to grow in knowledge; but this is not right, we should alwayes follow on to know the Lord, Hosea 6. 3. We reade that Christ grew in knowledge, we do not reade that he grew in grace: Gods choysest saints are alwayes bettering their notions of God; Moses his first request was Tell me thy name, Exod.4. and afterwards, sh [...]w me thy glory, Exod. 33. Our fairest portion in Heaven is the satisfaction of the understanding with the knowledge of God: therefore if we would have grace multiplied, it must be through the knowledge of God, 2 Pet. 1. 2. the more shine, the more warmth.

Fourthly, Growth of knowledge in the growing and increase, is less sensible then the growth of grace, but afterward more sensible; as a Plant increaseth in length and stature, though we do not see the progress, but afterwards we know that it hath grown: growth in grace is alwayes cum lucta, with many assaults, and so more sensible, whereas the work upon the understanding, is more still and silent; draw away the curtain and the light cometh in without any more stirre, our ignorance vanisheth silently and without such strife as goeth to the taming of carnall affections: but afterwards tis more sensible, for we have not alwayes a spirituall feeling, but the effects of knowledge are standing and permanent, Eph. 5. 8. Ye were darkness. but now are light in the Lord.

Fifthly, Progresse in knowledge is rather in degrees, than in parts and matters known: I mean it consisteth not so much in knowing new truths, as in a greater proportion of light; yet I say 'tis rather not altogether, for a man may walk in present practices which future light may disprove and retract, but usually the increase of a Christian is rather in the measure of knowledge, than in knowing new things, the light shineth more and more, Prov. 4. I know God more, Christ more, the vanity of the world, more, the odiousness of sinn: more, [Page] that is more practically, and in another manner then I did before, old Principles are improved and perfected: I speak this because of the danger to which men expose themselves by expecting new light, keeping the soul from an establishment in present Principles, and looking for new truths to be revealed to them.

6 [...]y, Of all Graces we need most to grow in faith, 1 Thess. 3. 10. I desire to see you that I may perfect that which is lacking in your faith. Luk. 17. 5. Lord increase our faith, and Mark 9. 24. Lord I believe, help my unbelief: Faith is most defective, our assent is tremulous, our affiance weak; and faith is most assaulted. All the temptations of Sathan tend to weaken your faith: and all other Graces depend upon the increase of Faith.

7l [...], Growth in parts and gifts must heedfully be distinguished from growth in Grace: many may grow in parts, that goe back in Grace, you can only discern a meer growth in parts and gifts by pride and self ends; knowledge puffeth up: 1 Cor. 8. 2. When men grow in abilities and grow more proud and carnall, 'tis a sad symptome.

8ly, The infallible signes of growth in Grace are three. When we grow more spirituall, more solid, more humble.

1. More spirituall, the growth of wicked men is in spirituall wickedness less debauched, but more malicious; so will our growth in grace be discerned by our spirituality in our aimes, when our ends are more elevated to Gods glory, &c. In our grounds and principles, as when we resist sin out of love to God: and as 'tis contrary to his purity and holiness, and when we are carried out against inward corruptions, such as the world doth not take notice off; not onely against sins, but lusts and thoughts, for that argueth more light and more love, so when we regard the spirituality of duties, serving the Lord in the spirit: so when we rellish the more spirituall part of the Word, plain and solid preaching, rather then such as is garish and full of the pomp of words, 1 Cor. 2. 6. We speak wisedome among those that are perfect, the trappings of an ordinance are baits to take the more carnall sort of hearers; See Plutarch in hi [...] Treatise [...]. Plutarch in his Treatise of growth in morall virtue, [Page] wherein are many notable things applicable to growth in Grace; saith, that a man that hath made some progress in virtue is like a Physitian, that coming into a Garden he doth not consider flowers for their beauty as gallants do, but for their use and virtue in medicine; So he doth not consider speech for its fineness but fitness and seasonableness to present use; the same holdeth good also in growth in grace, the more we grow the more we regard the spirituall part of the Word and such as is of a practicall use and concernment.

2. More solid and judicious, Phil. 1. 9. I pray God your love may abound more and more in all judgement there is a 1 Cor. 13. 11. childishness in religion as well as nature, when we are led altogether by fancy and affection, but afterward we grow more prudent, sober and solid: Growth then is not to be measured by intenseness and vigour of affection that goeth and cometh, and in the infancie of Grace our affections are most warm and pregnant: Young men if they know their hearts have cause to complain of Hypocrisie, as old men of deadness. Mr. Thomas Goodwin [...], in a Treatise of growth in grace. A young tree may have more leaves and bloss [...]mes, but an old tree is more deeply rooted, and young christians seem altogether to be made up of will and affections, and ferverous motions, but have less of judgement and solidity, many times of sincerity; as men in a deep thirst take down what is offered to them to drink before they discern the taste of it, so acts of will outstart the understanding; but in old men nature being spent, and through long acquaintance with Religion, there are not such quick and lively motions; the one are sick of love, have more qualms and agonies, the other are more rooted in love, and grow more firm, constant, solid, rationall and wise, in ordering the spirituall life.

3. More humble, as 'tis a good progress in learning to know our ignorance, they that have but a smattering are most conceited. Plutarch in the fore mentioned Treatise, tells us of the saying of [...]. Plutarchus ubi supra. Menedemus, that those that went [Page] to study at Athens at first seemed to themselves to be wise, afterwards, onely lovers of wisedome, then Oratours such as could speak of wisedome, cast off all and knowing nothing with the increase of learning, still laying aside their pride and arrogancy: so 'tis with those that grow in grace, by acquaintance with God, light is increased and made more reflexive, and they are more sensible of their obligations to God, and so are more tender, and by long experience are better acquainted with their own hearts; and thats the reason why we have such humble acknowledgements from them; Paul a sanctified vessel, yet calleth himself chiefest of sinners, 1 Tim. 1. 15. and less than the least of the Saints, Eph. 3. 8. And Agur Prov. 30. 2. 3. Surely I am more brutish than any man, I have not the understanding of a man, I have neither learned wisedome, nor have the knowledge of the Holy: So if you did overhear the secret confessions of the Saints to God, you would think them the vilest persons in the world, for so they are in their own sense and representations to God.

Ninthly, The lowest evidences of growth in grace are longing for food; and being humble for want of growth: for the first, Longing for food, see 1 Pet. 2. 2. life hath a nutritive appetite joyned with it, when that is strong 'tis a sign the soul is healthy, it will grow: as we say of children that take the dug kindly, they will thrive and do well enough. For the second, humble for want of growth, see Mark 9. 24. help my unbeliefe: 'tis a sign you mind the work, and are sensible of spirituall defects, which is a great advantage.

Tenthly, Growth is the speciall fruit of the divine grace, God giveth the increase, 1 Cor. 3. 6. Plants thrive better by the deaw of Heaven, then when they are watered by hand: Grace that is necessary to every action is much more necessary to every degree; in the Text the Apostle doth not exhort but pray, mercy peace and love be multiplied, our endeavours are necessary. As ploughing and digging are necessary, but the Blessing cometh from above. These are the observations, let us now apply all.Ʋse 1.

First let us be earnest with God for this increase, he hath the riches of Glory, Eph. 3. 16. which we cannot exhaust. [Page] You honour God when you go for more, you want more and he can give more; when men are contented with a little, 'tis a sign either of hardness of heart, they are not sensible of their wants or of unbelief, as if God had no higher and better things to give us.

It sheweth us how far they are from being Christians, that care not for the least degree of Grace, that do not spend a thought that way, these are farre from the Kingdome of God. Ʋse 2.

Secondly, That are faln back and have lost the savouriness of their spirits, and their delight in communion with God; time was when they could not let a day pass without a duty, nor a duty pass without some sensible experience of God, but now can spend whole dayes and weeks and never give God a visite; time was when there could not a carnall motion arise, but they were up in arms against it; but now their hearts swarm with vain thoughts, and they can swallow gross sins without remorse: improvident mispence of time was once a great burden, but they have lost their tenderness and can spend a Sabbath unprofitably, and find no regrete: their vain thoughts were wont to trouble them; but now not their carnall practices, duty was once sweet, but now their greatest bondage: certainly the candle of the Lord doth not shine upon them as it did in the moneths that are past.

Thirdly, Those that are at a stay had need look to themselves; stinted trees cumber the ground, and they that go on in a dead powerless course, do hurt rather then good; lukewarm profession is but the picture of Religion, and painted things do not grow, but keep at the same pitch. If a man were a Christian in good earnest, could he be contented with the present weakness of his faith, imperfection of his knowledge, with this creeping cold way of obedience?

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VERSE III.‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you, of the common salvation, it was needfull for me to write to you and exhort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints.’

THe Apostle having dispatched the salutation, maketh way for the matter of the Epistle; this Verse is the Preface to the whole, wherein he proposeth two things:

1. The occasion of his writing.

2. The matter and drift of it.

1. The occasion of writing this Epistle, which was double,

1. His earnestness in promoting their good; Beloved, when I gave diligence to write to you of the common salvation.

2. The urgencie of the present necessitie, [It was needfull for me to write unto you and exhort you.]

In assigning his earnestness and zeal for their good, you may take notice of three things, which I shall explain in their order.

1. A compellation of their persons, [...] [Beloved;] a tearm usuall in the Apostles writings, the same word is used, 1 Pet. 2. 11. and there translated, Dearly beloved: it noteth not onely that affection which by the law of nature we owe to one another, Rom. 13. 8. nor that love which by the law of bounty and kindness we are bound to render to them that love us, Matth. 5. 46. but that singular love which we owe to them that are with us in Christ, which is alwayes expressed by [...] in Scripture, and we sometimes translate it [Charity] often [Love,] the Rhemists alwayes [Charity;] whose tenderness in this point (as one observeth) is not altogether to be disallowed, lest it be confounded with common and impure love expressed by [...], [Page] and charity] being a Church Word, is wholly free from such indifferency and equivocation: So here instead of [beloved] they render [my dearest] which fitly noteth the tenderness▪ and bowels that are in Christian affection.

From this compellation observe, That Christians should Doct. be to each other as beloved; such dearness and entireness of affection should pass between them, that they may entitle one another to their bowels, and choiser respects.

Reasons are these. 1. None can have better grounds to love 1 Reason. another, they are members of the same body, 1 Cor. 12. Brothers born of the same womb, living in the same family, have defaced all the feelings of Nature, and been divided in interest and affection; but surely no such Schism can happen in the same body, who would use an arm to cut off a leg, or an hand to scratch out his eyes, members care for one another. Now this is the relation which Christ hath left us, he hath▪ not only called us into a family, but into a body, Col. 3. 15 See the same pressed together with many other uniting considerations, Eph. 4. 4. 5. 6. verses, There is one Body, one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God, and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Let us a little go over that place: The first engagement is [one Body] they are Wennes, and monstrous excrescencies, not members, that suck all the nourishment to themselves. Again, one member lacking, or out of joynt, is a pain and deformity to the whole. The next engagement is [one Spirit] which in all other relations can onlie be had in fancy and imagination; friends speak as if they lived by one common soul, but here 'tis so really, all Believers have the same Spirit; I say in other relations (even in the nearest) every one is acted by his own soul, but here by one Spirit we are Baptized into one Body, 1 Cor. 12. 13. What should divide us when we have the same Spirit? We have not all the same measures, and that occasioneth some difference; as the Soul sheweth it's self in some members more than in other, though it acteth all, but the Spirit is the same. The next consideration is [one Hope] Shall not the same earth contain those, that [Page] expect to live in the same heaven? Luther and Zuinglius, Cranmer and Hooper, Ridley and Saunders, shall all accord for ever in heaven; and certainly 'tis through the reliques of the flesh that they cannot accord here: In other relations there may be divisions, because they have different hopes, and it may be hopes that intrench and encroach upon the good of each other; but here you have one heaven, and one hope, 'tis all for you; there may be a difference in the degree of glory, but none to provoke pride, or feed envy: How will bitter and keen Spirits look upon each other, when they meet in glory? It followeth [one Lord] We are in the same family, how will you look God in the face if you fall, a smiting your fellow-servants? Matth. 24. 45. Then [one Faith] There may be different apprehensions, and every one may abound in his own sense in circumstances, but the Faith is the same, they agree in the same essentials and substantials of Religion: The Enemies of the Church, though divided in interests and opinions, yet because they agree in one common hatred of the Saints, can hold together, Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalee, and the men of Tyre, did all conspire against Israel, Psa. 83. Like Sampsons Foxes, though their faces looked several wayes, yet were tyed to one another by their tails, and ran together to burn up the Cornfields, and shall not the people of God agree, who all profess one and the same Faith? The next consideration is [one Baptism] that is one badg of profession, 'twas a cause of difference among Jacobs Sons, that one had a Coat of divers colours, a special badg of affection: Consider you are all brought in by the Baptism of Water, and the use of ordinary means, none have a special and privilegiate Call from heaven above the rest of their Brethren. Lastly, it followeth [one God, and Father of all] You all worship the same God, there is nothing divides more than different objects of Worship: Summus ut [...]iusq ind [...] suror [...]ul [...]o quod numina vi [...]inorum o [...]it u t [...]q▪ locus juv [...]nali. When one scorneth what another ador [...] eth, 'tis extreamly provoking; 'twas the Plea used to Joseph, Gen. 50. Pardon the trespass of the servants of thy Fathers God. Thus you see that we have be [...]ter grounds of love then others have.

[Page]2. None can have higher motives, as the love of Christ, 2 Reason. Eph. 5. 2. walk in love, as Christ hath also loved us; the Pagan world was never acquainted with such a motive: Now none are affected and melted with the love of Christ, but those that have an interest in it; therefore Christ expecteth more love from Christians, than from others. Matth. 4. 46. If ye love them that love you, what reward shall ye have, do not even the Publicans the same? The Publicans were accounted the most vile and unworthy men in that Age; but a Publican would love those of his own party; therefore a Christian that is acquainted with Christs love to strangers, to Enemies, should mannage his affections with more excellency and pureness; the world is not acquainted with the love of Christ, and therefore only loveth its own, but we are acquainted with it, and therefore should love others. See John 13. 34. See that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Jesus Christ came from heaven, not only to repair and preserve the notions of the Godhead by the greatness of his sufferings, but to propound to us a more exact pattern of charity, and to elevate duty between man and man.

3. None have a greater charge, Christ calleth it his New 3 Reason. Commandement, John. 13. 34. A new Commandement give I unto you, that ye love one another: How new, since 'twas as old as the Moral Law, or Law of Nature? I answer, 'tis called n [...]w, because excellent, as a new Song, &c. or rather because solemnly and specially renewed by him, and commended to their care, as new things and new Laws are, much esteemed and prized, or enforced by a new reason and example his own death. So 1 John 3. 23. [...], This is the Commandement, that we should believe in him whom he hath sent, and love one another as he gave Commandment: 'Tis made equal with Faith, all the Scriptures aim at Faith and Love, 'twas Christs dying charge, the great charge which he left at his death, John 15. 17. These things I command you that ye love one another: Speeches of dying men are received with most veneration and reverence, especially the charge of dying friends, the Brethren of Joseph fearing lest he should remember the injuries formerly done to him, they use this [Page] place, Thy father did cōmand us before he died, saying, &c. Gen. 50. 16. Let us fulfill the will of the dead: When Christ took leave of his Disciples, he left this as his last charge, think of it when thou art bent to quarrel, or to neglect others: Shall I slight his last Commandement, his dying charge? 'Tis made the Character of Christs Disciples, Hereby shall all men know that ye are my Disciples, if ye love one another; 'tis as much as your Discipleship, &c. It serveth to press you to1 Ʋse. this amity and love; why should those that are to meet in the same heaven, be of such an estranged heart to each other? certainly it cometh from evil. In two cases Gods people can agree well enough, in glory and in misery, in a Prison, as Ridley and Hooper did, and in heaven as all do, in heaven where there is no sin, and in a Prison where lusts lye low, and are under restraint: Oh then labour for love and meekness, to which end take a few directions. 1. Honour the least of Christs where ever you find it, if any should despise others for their meanness, it would be more proper to God to do so, than for any other, because they are most distant from his perfection, but he will not despise smoaking Flax, Mat. 11. You do not know what a spark of glory and of the Divine Nature may lye hid under Smoak, and a covert of darkness; Christ loved the young man that had but some accomplishments of nature in him▪ Mark 1021. Jesus loved him, much more should you, when you find any weak appearances of Christ, though they do not come up to your measures. 2. Let not difference in opinion divide you; 'twere to be wished that Believers were of one heart, and of one way, that they all thought and spake the same thing, yet if they differ, cherish them for what of God is in them: in a great Organ the Pipes are of a different size, which maketh the harmony and melody the sweeter; Whereunto we have attained, let us walk by the same rule, and mind the same thing, Phil. 3. 16. Many men love to impropriate Religion, as if there were nothing of God to be found but in their own sphere; 'tis natural to a man to do so, we would be singular, and ingross all repute of pirty, Or [...]hodoxy, and right worship to our selves. 3. Take heed of letting love degenerate into compliance, there is the [Page] Eph. 4. 3. Bond of the Spirit, and there is an 2 Cor. 6 [...] 14. unequal yoke, there are Wards of love, and the Chain of Antichristian interests, and you must be careful to make distinction, Isa. 54. 15. They shall gather together, but not by me: There are evil mixtures and confederacies that are not of God, which you must beware of, lest by joyning with men, you break with God, and turn love into compliance: The Image was crumbled to pieces, where the toes were mixt of iron and clay, Dan. 2. Love may forbear the profession of some truths; there is an having faith to our selves, but must not yeeld to error.

4. There are some so vile, that they will scarce come within the circuit of our Christian respect; such as are the open Enemies of Christ, and hold things destructive to the foundation of Religion, John 2. Ep. 10. If any one bring not this Doctrine, bid him not God-speed: Vile wretches must know the ill sense the Church hath of their practises; Elisha would not have looked upon Joram, had it not been for Jehosaphat, 2 Kings 13. 4. When men break out into desperate rage and enmity to the wayes of Christ, or run into damnable errors, 'tis a compliance to shew them any countenance. Thus for the compellation.

2. The next circumstance in the occasion is, at stification of the greatness of his love and care; [...], When I gave all diligence, he speaketh as if it were his whole care and thought to be helpful to their faith, and therefore did watch every occasion: He addeth [to write to you] that's a further testimony of his love, that he would think of them absent to write, when he could not speak to them. So that here are two things. 1. The greatness of his love. 2. The way of expressing it by writing.

From the first [I gave all diligence] observe, That offices Doct. of love are most commendable when they are dispensed with care and diligence: 'Tis not enough to do good, but we must do good with labour, and care, and diligence: See Tit. 3. 14. Let ours also learn to maintain good works; in the original [...], watch our good works, hunt out occaons: So Heb. 10. 24. Consider one another, to provoke to love and good works: 'Tis not enough to admonish one another, [Page] but we must consider, study one anothers tempers, that we may be most useful in a [...] of spiritual communion: So Rom. 12. 17. providing for [...]ings [...] in the sight of God [...]n [...] men, [...], catering, contriving, as carnal men do for their lusts, Rom. 13 14. So for Ministers, 'tis not enough for them to press that wherein they are most versed, or what cometh next to hand, but to study what will most conduce to the ends of their Ministerie with such a People, study to approve thy self a good workman, &c. Well then, try your Christian respects by it the Spirit is most pure, not only when you do good, but when you do it with care and diligence; wicked men may stumble upon good, but they do not study to do good; common Spirits are moved to pray, but they do not watch unto prayer Eph. 6. 17. that is, make it their care to keep their hearts in order, and expresly to suit their prayer to their present necessities; many may do that which is useful to the Church, but they do not watch opportunities, and make it their design to be serviceable.

Again, let no care be grievous to you, so you may do good, I am willing to spend my self, and to be spent for you, 2 Cor 12. 15. We cannot be wasted in a better imployment; so we shine, no matter though we burn down to the Socket, or like Silk-worms, die in our work, Phil. 2. 17. If I be offered upon the Sacrifice of your Faith, I rejoyce with you, &c. The greatest pains and care even to a maceration of our selves, should not be unpleasing to a gracious heart, certainly this is an expression will shame us; I gave all diligence, he sought all opportunities, when we will not take them; Love will put us upon searching out, and devising wayes of doing good.

2. This love he would express by writing when he couldObservat. not come to them: Holy men take all opportunities to do good, present or absent, they are still mindful of the Saints, and write when they cannot speak; As Ambrose alludeth to Zecharias, writing when he was stricken dumb: A man wouldZecharias cum l [...]qui non potuit Scripsit. think that absence were a fair excuse, a writ of ease served upon us by Providence; yet godly men cannot be so satisfied, but all helps to promote the common benefits; a willing [Page] mind will never want an opportunity, and they that have an heart, will be sure to find an occasion; they give all diligence to promote others welfare; and therefore use all means, take all occasions: Which sheweth first how far they are from this temper that do nothing but by constraint. A ready mind is a special qualification in an Elder, 1 Pet. 5. 2. and a sure note of our reward, 1 Cor. 9. 17. But now when the Awe of the Magistrate prevaileth more then love of souls, every thing is done grudgingly: 'Tis Pauls advice, Be instent in season and out of season, 2 Tim. 4. 2. not only at such seasons as are fairly offered, but where corruption and laziness would plead an excuse. Christ discoursed with the woman at the Well when weary, John 4. We have but a little while to live in the world, and we know not how soon we may be taken off from our usefulness; that was Peters motive, to write, 2 Pet. 1. 12, 13. 2. This sheweth their sottishness that are not careful to redeem opportunities for themselves: Jude is studying which way to promote the salvation of others, and many do not look to the state and welfare of their own souls.

Again observe, That uniting is a great help to promote the Observ. common Salvation: By this means we speak to the absent, & to posterity; and by this means are the Oracles of God preserved in publick Records, which otherwise were in danger of being corrupted, if stil left to the uncertainty of verbal tradition: By this means are errours more publickly confuted, & a testimony against them transmitted to future ages: Speech is more transient, but writing remaineth; so Christ telleth the Apostles that they should bring forth fruit, and their fruit should remain, John 15. 16. Apostolical Doctrine being committed to writing, remaineth as a constant rule of faith and manners, and by the publick Explications of the Church left upon record, we come to understand the Dispensations of God to every age, what measures of light they enjoyed, how the truths of God were opposed, how vindicated; Finally by writing the streams of salvation are conveyed into every family as a common fountain by so many pipes and conveyances▪ that in the defect of publick preaching, good supply [Page] may be had in this kind: Well then, 'tis an acceptable service to the Church, which they do Judg. 5 [...]14. who can handlethe pen of the writer, when they send abroad a publick testimony against errour, a publick monument of their affection to the truth, the Goose quil hatl [...] smote Antichrist under the fifth rib; the Earl of Darby accused Bradford for doing more hurt by his writings then preaching. Hezekiah's servants are commended† Scribant docti (que) indocti (que) Poemata passion: Juvenal. for copying out the Proverbs of Solomon, Prov. 25. 1. They deserve not to be censured, but commended and cherished that do service in this kind; I confess there is no end of Books, pride and ambition may put many upon scribling, and filling the world with chaffs and vanity, so that there needetha restraint, rather then an incitement: Councels have thought it worthy their care, Vide Canones Apostolorum, (ut voca [...]t) Can. 60 Synod. Dordra [...]. Concilia de corrig [...]ndis Ty [...]ographiae abusibus session [...]. [...]22. some meerly blur paper, which is no small discouragement to modest and able men; surely care should be taken to prevent abuse: writing is a more publick way of teaching, and men should not undertake it without a care. Jeremies advice is good, Ne ad scribendum citò prosilias, & levi duceris insania multo tempore disce quod doceas, Hier. ad Rusticum Mohachium. Be not too hasty to write; that which is prepared for publick instruction had need be prepared with great deliberation: the the [...]. Plutarchus in vita Numae. vestal Virgins were ten years in learning, and ten years in practising, and ten years in teaching, and prescribing directions to others: when every Sciolist will be obtruding his Notions upon the world, 'tis a great abuse; for by this means useful men are discouraged, or if they publish their labours, they are not taken notice of: As two or three grains of good corn are hardly found out under an heap of chaff: But take away this abuse, writing is a great help to the Church in practicals, that people may still be furnished with good books in every age, old ones written long ago being neglected, or lying hid in some private studyes, or else not coming up to the rate of present light, or not answering the temper of the present age, not meeting with the sins, nor incouraging the graces within use and exercise: Again in controversals there is great use of writing; controversies not being so easily determined by the judgment of the ear, as the eye Alternù vi [...]bus contensios [...] su [...]e sune u [...]e [...] ▪ d [...] e [...] in [...]e [...]eram traximu [...] ▪ [...]bstre [...]ent [...]bus [...]t [...] a [...] qu [...]busdam spectant [...]us, [...]ing [...]lo umn [...] b [...]o quodam veritas [...] b [...]abatu [...]. [...]er ul. co [...]tra lu [...]ae [...]s.: In the clamour of disputations and violent discourse, [Page] usually there is such a dust raised, that we cannot so soon discern the truth, as upon a calm debate, and mature consideration of what is delivered in writing, which I remember was the cause why Tertullian wrote his treatise against the Jews, lest the tumult and noyse of the dispute should be some prejudice to the truth. But of this enough.

I come now to the next Circumstance in the insinuation or profession of his readiness to do them good, and that is the object or subject concerning which he would write to them, [the common Salvation,] a fit argument for Saints: The Observ. Apostles in their private and familiar letters were very spiritual; yea when they wrote about their ordinary occasions, as Paul to Philemon. Still they were ready to impart some spiritual gift, whether by conference or writing; those Letters then should be most welcome to us that mind us of the best things.

But what was this common salvation? I suppose by it is meant that Salvation wherein he and they, and all the Saints were concerned; this expression may be conceived to be an Argument, either of the Apostles meekness, though he were an Apostle, and they private believers, yet I and you have but one common salvation, as Captains to indear themselves to their Troops will say [Fellow-souldiers] as ingaged in one common Warfare: or else of his holiness [the common Salvation] that is, which I am to look after as well as you: or else of his love to their salvation, which he would look after as well as his own; the Saints carry on a joynt trade to Heaven; they are all partners, and Salvation lyeth in common between them: you are to promote mine, and I yours: Well then, he having their faith and salvation in like respect with his own, he was willing to write to establish them in the truth: I shall form the point in the very words of the Text. That the Salvation of the peeple of God Observ. is a common Salvation: not to good and bad; for it belongeth only to a peculiar people, but common to all believers: 'tis common to them in divers regards. 1. They all are chosen by the same grace; there is no special reason why Paul should obtain mercy rather then John, and Andrew, and [Page] Thomas. Free-grace acteth upon the same terms. All Gods motives are taken from himself, from his own bosome: For my own sake, saith the Lord, Isai. 43. 25. There may be a difference in the creature, John and Andrew may be otherwise tempered and disposed then Paul and Peter: but Gods motives to choose both the one and the other are still the same.

2. They have the same Christ; there is no other Name under Heaven, Acts 4. 12. And Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, Heb. 13. 8. In all ages the Church hath been saved by Christ, none of the holy ones of God had a more worthy Redeemer then we have. Christ gave the same ransom to purchase Heaven for me, and thee, and others: as under the Law the rich and the poor, were to give the same ransome, Exod. 30. 15. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less then half a sheckel. The price of Christs blood for all souls was equal, if they had a more worthy Christ to dye for them, you might be discouraged.

3. You are justified by the same righteous one as far as another: The righteousness of Christ is unto all, and upon all that believe, and there is no difference, Rom. 3. 11. In inherent righteousness, there is a great deal of difference, one hath more grace, & another hath less; in sanctificatiō there are degrees, but as to imputed righteousness, they are all equal, none of the Saints hath finer linnen, or are decked with a better vesture then you are; there is a difference in the degree of faith, which receiveth this righteousness, but there is no difference in the righteousness its self; Gemmam an [...]l [...] c [...]rvae iucl [...]sam amplectitur & Gigas a [...] plectitur, & Pu [...]rulus [...]ee [...] G [...]gas [...]o [...]tius [...]am a [...] p [...]ctatur qu [...]m pue [...]lus t [...]m [...]n m [...]net ann [...]lus aeq [...]e [...]re [...]i [...]s [...]s & g [...]mm [...] aeque p [...]ciosa. [...] the [...]n [...] a Giant, or strong man holdeth a precious jewel, so doth a child; the jewel is the same, though a man holdeth it with a stronger hand, it looseth nothing of its worth in the childs hand. So here, the righteousness is the same, though the faith be not the same. Yea fourthly, As we have the same priviledges, so the same way all by faith; and the faith of the weakest as to the essential priviledges, is as acceptable to God as the faith of the strongest, 2 Pet. 1. 1. Simon Peter to them that have obtained like precious faith with us. 'Tis Fides [...]na & [...]ad [...]o [...] [...]o [...] respectu subje [...] [...]oru [...] gradu [...]m sed speciti object [...]. like precious for kind, though not degree; of the same nature, worth, and property, [Page] though every one cannot come up to the heighth of an Apostle. 5. They are all under the same rule and direction. Gal. 6. 16. As many as walk by this rule, peace on them, and the whole Israel of God. The way of errour is manifold, but there is but one path that leadeth to Heaven. 6. They are in one mystical Body, ministering supplyes to one another. Col. 2. 19. Not holding the head, from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. The head is the fountaine of all vital influences, but the joynts and bands doe minister and convey the nourishments; the whole body is still increasing and growing up to perfection, and they are helping one another, as the members of the same body do continue the communion of the same Spirit, or by the continuity of the parts, make way for the animation and quickening by the same soul.

What use shall we make of this? I answer, 1. It hinteth publick care, that we should help salvation forwards, both in our selves and others; rejoyce in others faith as well as in your own. Rom. 1. 12. Comforted by the mutual faith of you and me. His faith was a comfort to them, and their faith a comfort to him; nay out of an excess of love and charity, Paul useth an expression not imitable, Rom. 9. 3. I could wish that I were accursed from Christ for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh.

2. It checketh the impropriating of Grace and Religion, to such an order or sort of Christians, such as was the ambition of former times, as if all religion were confined within a cloyster, or wrapped up in a black garment; those were called religious houses, and those the Clergy, or God▪ portion, all other were Lay, and Secular. Oh how far was this from the modesty of the Apostles! Peter calleth the faith of common Christians, like precious faith; and Jude speaketh of a Common Salvation. So the Jews before them, they confined Gods choyce to their Nation, they could not endure to hear of salvation among the Gentiles, and of a righteousness that came to all, and upon all that believe: we have an envious [Page] nature, and would fain impropriate common favours. The Church of Rome would faine bring all the world to their lore, and confine truth and faith and salvation within the precincts of their Synagogue; they sieze upon and possess themselves of the Keys of Heaven, to open to whom they please. Now God hath broken down all pales and enclosures, they would fain rear up a new partition wall: Corrupt nature envyeth that others should have a fellowship in our priviledges, therefore the same spirit still worketh; men do so value their lesser differences, and that distinct way and opinion which they have taken up, as if none could be saved but those of their own party and perswasion: 'tis very natural to us to affixe holiness to our own opinions, and to allow none to be good but those that jump with us in all things. There were factions at Corinth, and those that said I am of Christ, were counted a faction too, 1 Cor. 1. 13. as arrogating Christ to themselves, therefore the Apostle writing to them, saith, 1 Cor. 1. 2. To the Saints at Corinth, and all that call on the Lord Jesus Christ, theirs and ours. We are apt to be rigid to those that differ from us, and to be favourable to those that think with us. Tertul. in [...]raes [...]p▪ adversus Hae [...]cos. Tertullian saith of some in his time, Illic ipsum est promereri, 'tis holiness enough to be one of them. Oh let it not be so among the people of God! do not nullifie your brethren. Rom. 14. 10. Why d [...]st thou set at nought thy brethren? [...] ▪ Tertullian rendreth it, Cur molificus fratrem? When God hath made a Christian of him, why dost thou make nothing of him? and cry up every private opinion for another religion, as if none could be Saints and Believers but they that think with you? Take heed of impaling the common Salvation, Inclosures are against the Law.

3. It sheweth that there are not several ways to Heaven, there is but one common Salvation to all the Elect, and one common faith, as Paul saith. Tit. 1. 4. To Titus my own Son according to the common faith. There are a sort of Libertines that think a man may be saved in any religion, so he doth not walk against his own light: Do not flatter your selves, all the Elect are brought to Heaven the same way, whether [Page] Jew or Gentile, bond or free, there is a good old way, Jer. 6. 16. which if we misse we are sure to perish.

4. It informeth us who are best to deal in matters of religion: those that are religious, that can call it a common Salvation; that is, common to them with others, they have share in it, and therefore they can best defend it: differences are aggravated when carnall men intermeddle in religious controversies, but those are likest to deal with most purity of zeal and love that can say your salvation is their salvation; so in the next verse, They turn the grace of our God into wantonness, they that have an interest in grace cannot endure to see it abused.

5. It forbiddeth scorn of the meanest Christian, they have as good hopes through grace as you have in Jesus Christ: all are one, Master and Servant, rich and poor. Onesimus a poor runagate servant, yet being converted, Paul calleth him his faithful and beloved brother, Philem. 10. In earthly relation there is a difference, yet in regard of the common faith and common salvation we are all one.

I have now done with the first part of the occasion, his earnestness in promoting their good. I now come to the second part, the urgency of the present necessity [it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort you,] which is said to shew that this Epistle was not only occasioned by the fervency of his own bone, but the present exigence and necessity as affairs then stood; the School of Simon, the Gnosticks, and divers other hereticks of a like loose strain and libertine spirit, sought to withdraw and alienate them from the truth, for that was the necessity here expressed, as appeareth by the next verse; Exhortations the more necessary, the more pressing; need quickens both writer and reader, and the less arbitrary things are, the more throughly we goe about them.

Observe from hence, That necessity is a time for duty; Observ. necessity is Gods season to work, and therefore it should be ours; For a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness, 1 Pet. 1. 6. Duties are best done, when we see they are needful and necessary; things that are arbitrary are done with a loose [Page] heart; the creatures duties towards God begins at the sense of their own wants. Jam. 1. 5. If any man lack wisdom, &c. Well then, take this hint for prayer, and other services; if there be a need, omit not to call upon God: as when distempers grow upon the spirit, the heart's unquiet, the affectious unruly, a deadness increaseth upon you, temptations are urgent, and too strong for you, cry out of violence, as the ravished Virgins. So when conscience is uncessantly clamorous, David could not find ease, till he confessed, Psal. 32. 5. Silence will cause roaring, and restraint of prayer, disquiet. Again, If there be a need, omit not to call upon men by exhortation and counsel; as when you see things grow worse every day, and can hold no longer: the Kings danger made the Kings dumb son speak; Paul was forced in spirit when he saw the whole City given to idolatry, Acts 17. 19. When we see men by whole droves running into errour, and ways destructive to their souls, is there not a need? is it not a time to speak? men say we are bitter, but we must be faithful: so they say the Physician is cruel, and the Chyrurgion a tyrant, when their own distempers need so violent a remedy: can we see you perish, and hold our peace?

Observe again, That Ministers must mainly press th [...]se Observ. Doctrines that are most needful; 'tis but a cheap zeal that declaimeth against antiquated errours, and things now out of use and practice: we are to consider what the present age needeth; what use was it of in Christ's time to aggravate the rebellion of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram? Or now to handle the Case of Henry the Eight's divorce, what profit hence to our present Auditories? There are 2 Pet. 1. 12. present truths to be pressed, upon these should we bestow our pains and care; usually when we reflect upon the guilt of the times, people would have us preach general doctrines of faith and repentance. But we may answer, It is needfull for us to exhort you, &c. To what end is it to dispute the verity of the Christian Religion against Heathens, when there are many Seducers that corrupt the purity of it amongst our selves? In a Countrey audience, what profit is it to dispute against [Page] Socinians, when there are Drunkards, and practical Atheists, and Libertines, that need other kind of doctrine? He that cryeth out upon old errours not now produced upon the publick Stage, doth not fight with Ghosts, and challenge the dead: So again, to charm with sweet strains of grace, when a people need rowsing, thundering doctrine, is but to minister Cordials to [...] full and plethonick body, that rather needeth phebotomy and evacuations: 'tis a great deal of skill, and God can only teach it us, to be seasonable to deliver what is needful, and as the people are able to bear.

Again observe, The need of the primitive Church was an Observ. occasion to compleat the Canon and rule of faith. We are beholding to the Seducers of that age, that the Scripture is so full as it is: we should have wanted many Epistles, had not they given the occasion. Thus God can bring light out of darkness, and by errours make way for the more ample discovery of truth.

I have done with the Occasion, I come now to the Matter and Drift of this Epistle: [And exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the Saints.] In which there is a necessary duty pressed; and these two Circumstances are notable; the Act, and the Object; the Act is to contend earnestly, 'tis but one word in the Original, [...], but 'tis a word of a vehement signification, and therefore fitly rendred to contend earnestly. 2. The Object of this contention, which is, [the faith once delivered to the Saints.] Fides est duplex, [...]i [...]es q [...]ae cred [...]tur, & [...]ides qua c [...]d [...] [...]u [...]. Faith may be taken either for the doctrine of faith, or the grace of faith; both are too good to be lost, either the word which we believe, or faith by which we believe; the former is intended, faith is taken for sound doctrine, such as is necessary to be owned and believed unto salvation, which he presseth them to contend for, that they might preserve it safe and sound to future ages. Now this faith is described, 1. By the manner of its conveyance, [...]; 'tis given to be kept, [...]liquid tibi [...]r [...]ditum non a te inventum aliquid quod ac [...]epis [...]i, non exa [...]i [...]asti, &c. Vincensius Lyrinensi [...]. 'tis not a thing invented, but given; not found out by us, but delivered by God himself, and delivered as to our custody, that we may keep it for posterity; As the Oracles of God in the [Page] Old Testament, were delivered to the Jews to be kept by them, Rom. 3. 1. 2. By the time of its giving out to the world; the doctrine of salvation was given but once, as never to be altered and changed, once for all. 3. The Persons to whom, [to the Saints,] so he calleth the Church according to the use of the Scriptures, or else by Saints is meant the holy Apostles, given to them to be propagated by them. I shall first speak of the Object, before I come to the duty it selfe; and because the description here used will agree both to the grace of faith, and the doctrine of faith, though the doctrine of faith be mainly intended, yet give me leave a little to apply it to the grace; if it be a diversion, it shall be a short one.

1. This faith is said to be given. Observe, That faith is a Observ. gift, so Phil. 1. 29. [...], Given f [...]e [...]y. To you 'tis given to believe. Ephes. 2. 8. By grace ye are saved through faith, not of your selves, it is the gift of God. We cannot get it of our selves; a meer imagination and thinking of Christs death is easie, but to bring the soul and Christ together, requires the power of God, Ephes. 1. 19. We cannot merit it, and therefore it is a pure gift. God bestoweth it on them that can give nothing for it: works before conversion cannot engage God, and works after conversion cannot satisfie God. Well then, let us asmire the mercy of God in the Covenant of grace. Christ is a gift, John 4. 10. If thou knewest the gift, &c. His righte. ousness is a gift, Rom. 5. 16. The free-gift is of many offerces unto justification; and faith which receiveth this righteousness is a gift: so that all is carried in a way of grace, in the Covenant of grace, nothing is required but what is best owed. Again, it teacheth us whither to go for faith, seek it of God, 'tis his gift, all the endeavour and labour of the creature will never procure it: But must we not use the means of prayer, meditation, and hearing, &c? I answer, Yes. For 1. God dispenseth it in a way of means. Mark 4▪ 24. With what measure ye meet it shall be measured to you again, and unto you that hear more shall be given: According unto the measure of our hearing (if the Lord will work) is the measure of our faith. Acts 16. The Lord opened Lidia's heart [Page] to attend to the things spoken by Paul; God stirreth up to the use of means, and whilest we are John 6. 44, 45 taught we are drawn. 2. Though faith be Gods gift, mans endeavors are still necessary; for supernatural grace doth not exclude the ordinary & natural means: Marriage is necessary for the propagation of mankind, though the rational Soul is from God; yea more care is had of women with child then of brute beasts, because the fruit of the womb is the immediate work and blessing of the Lord: so faith is of Gods planting, and therefore we should be the more careful in the use of means.

2. This faith is said to be once given: This will also holdObserv. concerning grace; for Where 'tis once planted it cannot be totally and finally destroyed, rather 'tis continually supplyed by the care and faithfulness of God: see 1 Cor. 1. 8. and 1 Thes. 5. 24. and Phil. 1. 6. And those hypocrites that fall off after a long profession seldom recover themselves by repentance, Heb. 6. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 21. Well then, here is Comfort to the people of God, that find so many lusts, and so many temptations, they think they shall never hold out, faith is but once given; where 'tis really given, there needeth not a second gift. Again, here is Caution, Faith is a precious Jewel, if once lost wilfully after the knowledg of the truth, 'tis not easily regained

3. Consider the persons to whom 'tis given; * 'tis not given to every one; 2 Thes. 3. 2. for all men have not faith; and 2 Cor. 4. 3. the Gospel is hidden to those that are lost: but 'tis given to the Saints, to those who were chosen, that they might be Saints: which sheweth, 1. The excellency of Faith, 'tis a privilegiate Observ. 1. Observ. 2. and peculiar mercy. 2. That Beleevers are Saints; Faith giveth an interest in Christ, and therefore they must needs be holy; His Blood cleanseth, 1 Joh. 1. 7. His Spirit sanctifieth, 1 Cor. 6. 11. Again, Faith it self hath a cleansing purisying virtue; Hearts purified by faith, Acts 15. 9. Faith applyeth the Blood of Christ; and the hand of the Laundress is as necessary to cleanse the clothes, as the soap wherewith they are cleansed: Faith waiteth for the Spirit; it argueth from the love of God: Faith and sin are like the poyson and the antidote, always working one upon another, [Page] till faith hath gotten the mastery. Well then, Is your faith sanctifying? Strong perswasions of an interest in grace, and a loose life, will not suit: we are not perfectly clean and holy, but there will be strong desires and earnest groans after more holiness; as Psal. 51. 10. and Rom. 7. 24. Who shall deliver me? &c. that is, Oh that I were; questions are put for wishes: so Psal. 119. 5. Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy Statutes: Yea there will be not only groans under, but struglings against sin. A child of God may fall into sin, but he cannot rest in it, and lie down with ease; as mud may be cast into a pure fountain, or stirred up in it, but the fountain never ceaseth till it work it self clean again. Peter and David stepped aside, but they could find no peace till they were reconciled to God: I will return to my first husband, then it was better then it is now, Hosea 2. Again, you may know it by the drift and disposition of the heart; Which way lieth the bent of your spirits? and what are your constant motions and operations? A man that is travelling another way may now and then look back: How is your heart inclined? Psal. 119. 112. I have inclined my heart to perform thy Statutes always unto the end; Is there a constant inclination towards God? 1 Chron. 22. 19. Now set your hearts to seek the Lord; Is the heart set? what is your constant course and walk? Rom. 8. 1.

But so much for this Digression, occasioned by the suitaableness of words, to the grace of faith: Let us now come to the other acception, which is more proper in this place, namely, as faith is put for the doctrine of faith: now this was 1. Delivered. 2. Once delivered. 3. To the Saints.

1. Delivered Quod tibi creditū non a te intentum quod accepisti non excogitasti. Vinc. Lyr. Mensis., not invented; 'tis not the fruit of fancy 1. or humane devising, but hath its original from God; 'twas delivered by him to holy men chosen for that purpose, and by them delivered, by word of mouth to the men of that age wherein they lived, and by writing for the use of after ages: and delivered to be kept; 'tis a sacred Depositum which God hath put into the hands of the Church: Keep that which is committed to thy trust, 1▪ Tim. 6. 20. and to them were committed the Oracles of God, Rom. 3. 2. I shall observe, [Page] 1. The Mercy of God in delivering this Faith or Rule of Salvation. 2. The Duty of the Church concerning it.

1. The Mercy of God in delivering this faith to chosen men, Observat. 1. that by their means the world might come to the knowledge of it. The doctrine of Salvation first came out from God, and then was conveyed to us by the hands of holy men; we are not sensible enough of the priviledg: Psal. 147. 19, 20. He sheweth his Word unto Jacob, his Statutes and Judgme [...]ts unto Israel, he hath not dealt so with any Nation, &c. 'Tis not a common mercy, for many Nations want it; nor no casual thing: in the primitive times not only the doctrine of the Apostles was directed and ordered by the Holy Ghost, but also their journeys; the Gospel came not to them by chance, but as a special gift from Heaven. But that we may be more sensible of the Priviledg, I shall shew you, 1. The Benefit of the Word: By it Gods heart is opened to us, and our own hearts to our selves; by it we are acquainted with the way of Salva [...]io [...], and come to understand the courses of the Lords Justice and Mercy, and in what manner he will govern and rule the World, which are altogether unknown to them that have not such a Revelation delivered to them. We should never have known the cause of our misery, our fall in Adam, nor the means of our Recovery, Redemption by Jesus Christ, if they had not been delivered to us in this doctrine and rule of faith; we should never have known how to worship God, or enjoy God. If carnal men should have a liberty to let Nature work, and set down a Divinity of their own, what a goodly Religion should we have in the World? a very comely Chymaera no doubt? For practicals it would be large enough I am sure, for natural conscience hateth fetters and restraints; in doctrinals it would be absurd enough: Man can never take a right draught and image of God; Who can empty an Ocean with a Cocklesh ll? And since the Fall we are grown quite brutish; our conceits are not so monstrous in any thing as in the Worship of God. The Pagan Philosophers, that were most profound in the researches and enquiries of Reason, they sate abrood, and thought of hatching an excellent Religion; but what was the issue? Professing [Page] themselves to be wise they became fools, Rom. 1. 22. All that they produced was fables and high strains of folly, mixed with popular Rites and Customs. There are many things necessary to Religion, which the Angels themselves could not have known if they had not been revealed; therefore their knowledg increaseth by observing Gods dispensations to the Church, Ephes. 3. 10. The way of Salvation by Christ is such a Mystery, as could not have entred into the heart of any creature, no not of an Angel: If an Angel had been to set down which way man should be redeemed, nay if all the Cherubim and Seraphim, Thrones, Dominions and Powers had met together in a Synod and Council, and had taken in all the world to their assistance, it would have posed them all▪ to have found▪ out such a Way as God hath appointed. But not to speak of Mysteries. There is in the Word some Moralities suitable to the Law of Nature, which was once written upon mans heart: but alas, now there remains only some scattered fragments and obscure characters, so defaced that they cannot be read; and how blind are we in these▪ things without the Word? Witness the sottish Idolatry of those Nations that want it, worshipping stocks or stones, yea a piece of red cloth, or what ever they saw first in the morning: And witness those brutish Customs among other Nations, whereby uncleanness and unnatural sins have been authorized by a Law. Therefore 'tis a great mercy that something is delivered, and given out as a Rule of Faith and Manners.

2. That this Tradition is written, and put into a stated course in those Books which we call Scriptures. If the Revelation of Gods Will had been left to the tradition of men of such a rank or order, what a liberty might they take of coyning Oracles, and obtruding their fancies upon the world: 'Tis a great mercy that our faith doth not depend upon uncertain suggestions, but some main publique Records, to which all may appeal and find satisfaction. Heretofore the Lord revealed himself by Visions, Oracles, and Dreams, to persons of ancient holiness and sanctity, that they might instruct others; which course was sure enough, while the people of [Page] the world were but a few families, and the persons intrusted with Gods message had authority and credit sufficient with the present age, and lived long to continue the tradition with the more certainty to future ages. But afterwards the Lord was pleased to speak to his Church both by Word and writing: His Word was necessary for further revealing and clearing up the doctrine of Salvation; and writing was necessary, because when Precepts were multiplyed, it was needful for mens memories that they should be written; the long life of Gods Witnesses was lessened, corruptions began to increase, Satan giving out lying oracles and visions, idolatrous Rites and customs crept into the Josh. 24. 3▪ Gen. 39. 2. best families, the people of God were grown numerous enough to make a Comm [...]nwealth and Politick Body; therefore to avoyd mans corruptions and Satans deceits, the Lord thought fit that we should have a written Rule at hand, as a publique Standard for the tryal of all Doctrines: Exo. 24. 12▪ God himself wrote the first Scripture with his own Finger upon tables of stone, and he commanded Moses and the Prophets to do the same, Exod. 17. 14. and 34. 17. which dispensation of Word and Writing continued till Christs time, who as the great Doctor of the Church perfected the Rule of Faith, and by the Apostles as so many publique Notaries consigned it to the use of the Church in all Ages: When the Canon began to be compleat, the latter Apostles pressed the receiving of it; and John as the last, and as one who outlived all the rest, closeth up his Prophecy thus, Rev. 22. 18, 19. If any man add, &c. and if any man take away, &c. which doth not only seal up the Book of the Revelations, but the whole Canon and Rule of Faith; which indeed▪ was a great mercy to the world; the Lord knew to what a liberty we inclined in divine things, and therefore we needed to be tyed up to a Rule, which here is given us.

3. The mercy of God appeareth in preserving it, that it may be delivered from one age to another. No Doctrine so ancient as the Doctrine of the Scriptures; it describeth the whole History of the World from the very Creation, and the original of all things: Where are there Records so ancient? [Page] and yet they have been preserved even to our time. We have some ancient writings of the Heathens, though nothing so ancient as Scripture; but these are not contrary to mens lusts, and have been cherished by them, and yet they have felt the tooth of time, and are in a great measure mangled; but the Word of God hath been maligned and opposed, and yet it continueth, and holdeth up its head in the world: not only the main Doctrine of the Scriptures hath been continued, but no part of the Word hath been falsified, corrupted, destroyed: the world wanted not malice nor opportunity; the powers of the world have been bent against it, and corrupt persons in the Church have been always given to Gal. 1. 6, 7. 1 Tim. 6. 3. other gospelling; but still the Scriptures have been wonderfully preserved, as the three children in the furnace, not an hair singed, not a jot and tittle of Truth perished.

4. That God doth continually stir up men in the Church, and bestow gifts upon them for the opening and application of this faith and doctrine of Salvation. Christ that hath given Prophets and Apostles to the Church to write Scripture, hath also given Pastors and Teachers to open and apply Scripture, that so still it might be delivered to the Saints, and also to vindicate the doctrine of it when opposed: Every age that hath yeilded the Poyson hath also yeilded the Antidote, that the world might not be without a Witness; if there hath been an Arrius, there hath been an Athanasius; if a Pelagius, there is also an Austin; the Church hath never wanted help in this kind. Look as in War, as the Arts of Battery and methods of destruction do increase, so also doth skill in Fortification; and in the Church God still bestoweth gifts for the further explication of Truth.

5. That the Light cometh to us, and shineth in this Land. The Gospel is a great National Priviledg: To you is this Word of Salvation sent, Acts 13. 26. Pray mark, 'tis sent; he doth not say we have brought it to you, but 'tis sent, 'tis a token sent from Heaven in love: there is a mighty Providence accompanieth the Gospel; the journeys of the Apostles (as I said but now) were ordered by the Spirit as well as their doctrine: Acts 8. 26. The Angel of the Lord said to Philip, [Page] Arise, and go towards the South, towards the way that goeth down to Jerusalem: They went not as their own good affection carryed them, but according to the Spirits direction. So Acts 17. 7, 8, 9. The Spirit suffered them not, &c. as prophecy came not by the will of man, 2 Pet. 1. 20. that is, the doctrine it self, so the delivery of it; the doctrine they had from the Holy Ghost, and also their commission and pasport. You would stand wondring, and think it a special benefit, if in a time of drought the rain should fall on your field, and none else: if, as Gideons fleece, your heritage should be wet, and all is day round about you; or if the Sun should be shut up to others, and shine only in your Horizon, as it did in Goshen; this is a better blessing, and God hath a special hand in the progress of it; it goeth from place to place as the Lord will: Why should it come to us? our Monstra Diabolica col [...]bant A [...] g [...]ptiaca nunc numero Vincentia. Gildas. Ancestors were of all Nations most barbarous and portentous for their Idolatries; why to us? No cause can be assigned but the free grace and gift of God.

6. That it is given to us in our persons in particular in the power and efficacy of it. 'Tis offered to the Nation, but bestow [...]d upon us: John 14. 12. Why is it that thou wilt reveal thy self to us, and not unto the world? Others have only Truth presented to them obiter, by the by, for your sakes; but you are called according to purpose, Rom. 8. 28. Though in the general means they have a like favour with you, yet you may observe the particular aim of God in continuing the Gospel to England for your sak [...]s.

Well then, Acknowldg God in the truths that are delivered Ʋse. to you out of the Scriptures. What ever means are used, God is the Author of the doctrine, and the Disposer of the message; receive it as the Word of God, and then it will profit you, 1 Thes. 2. 13. If you had an Oracle from Heaven speaking to you on this wise, you would be more serious: It is as certain, yea 'tis [...], a more sure Word, 2 Pet. 1. 19. more sure then the Oracle spoken of in the Context: Regard the promises and threatenings of it with more reverence, as if God in person had delivered them to you: If you receive it as the Word of God, and not of men, what will you venture [Page] upon the promises of it? These are bills of exchange given you, that you may draw your estate into another Country, that you may lay up treasures in Heaven: Neglect of the opportunity is a sign of unbelief. If one should proffer you an hundred pound for the laying out of a peny, and you go away and never heed it, 'tis a sign you do not beleeve the offer. The recompenses of the Word do far exceed all temporal emolument; if you do not heed them, 'tis a sign you do not beleeve them. So, what will you forbear upon the threatenings of the Word? If there were a Law made, that every time we deceive or slander one another we should hold one of our hands in scalding Lead for half an hour, men would be afraid of the offence. God hath told us that the wages of sin is death, that we shall be plunged for evermore in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; and yet it doth not deter us from sin, and giving offence to God. If a man were told that he were in danger of a cruel death every moment if he did not presently get a pardon, he would not sleep till it were done: Natural men are in danger of Hell every moment by the sentence of the Word, and yet how backward are they to make their peace with God?

Secondly, The word [delivered] implyeth a leaving things in anothers hand by way of trust, and so doth not only note the mercy of God, but the duty of the Church, to whom the Oracles of God are committed to be kept: Whence observe, That God hath delivered the Doctrine and Rule of Faith Observat. 2. to the Church as a publique Trustee, that it may be kept and employed to the uses of the Truth. Let us a little see what is the Churches duty towards the Truth: I answer, 1. To publish it to the present age. 2. To keep it and preserve it for ages to come: So that to the present age we are Isai. 43. 10 Witnesses, to the future Trustees.

1. To publish, own and defend the Truth, by Profession and Martyrdom; and therefore the Church is called the pillar and ground of Truth, 1 Tim. 3. 15. namely in respect of men, and as it holdeth it forth to the world; and therefore we ought to harken to the Churches testimony till we have better evidence: We do not ultimately resove our faith into [Page] the Churches Authority, for the Churches Authority is not absolute, but ministerial; as a royal Edict doth not receive credit by the Officer and Cryer, he only declareth it and publisheth it; yet the Churches testimony is not to be neglected, for faith cometh by hearing, Rom. 10. 14. and this publication of the Church is a good preparative inducem ut, John 4. 42. If we would know the truth of a thing till we have experience we go to those that have experience, and ordinarily the judgment of others whom we respect and reverence causeth us to have a good opinion of a thing till we make tryalNon crederē Scripturae nisi me Ecclesia moveret Author it as. Aug. our selves: in which respect Austin saith, I had never believed the Scriptures, unless I had been moved thereunto by the Authority of the Church; as we should never have known Kings pleasure, unless the messenger had brought us his Letters. The Church hath not power to make and unmake Scripture at pleasure, but onely to communicate and hold forth the Truth; and till we have further assurance is so far to be heard: We receive the faith of per Ecclesiam by the ministry of the Church, though not propter Ecclesiam for the Authority of the Church.

2. The next Office of the Church is to preserve the Truth, and transmit it pure to the next age: As the Law was kept in the Ark, so was Truth delivered to the Church to be kept. 1 Tim. 1. 11. The glorious Gospel committed to thy trust: There is a trust lieth upon us; upon the Apostles first to publish the whole Counsel of God, and then upon Pastors and Teachers in all ages to keep it afoot, and upon all Beleevers and Members of the Church, to see that after ages be not defrauded of this priviledg: We are to take care that nothing be Deut. 4. 2. & 12. 32. added, there is enough to make the man of God perfect; nothing diminished; none of the Jewels which Christ hath left with his Spouse must be embezzel'd; that it be not corrupted and sophisticated; for we are not only to transmit to the next age the Scriptures, those faithful Records of Truth, but also the publique Explications of the Church in Summaries and Confessions must be sound and orthodox, lest we intail a prejudice upon those that are yet unborn: Every one in his place is to see that these things [Page] be accomplished. So much for the Tradition it self.

Now for the Manner [Once delivered,] that is, once for all, 2. as never to be altered and changed; and when the Canon or Rule of Faith was closed up, there was nothing to be added further, as a part of the authentick and infallible Rule, though the dayly necessities of the Church do call for a further Explication. But you will say, You told us but now how the Word was many times delivered, how then once? I answer, The Apostle speaketh not of the successive manifestations of Gods Will to Prophet after Prophet till the Old Testament was perfected, but of that common doctrine which the Apostles and Evangelists by one consent had published to the world, and which was now to settle into a Rule, and so to remain without change till the coming of the Lord. Observe, That the doctrine of Salvation was but once delivered, Observat. 3. to remain for ever without variation. Paul chideth them for being withdrawn to another Gospel, Gal. 1. 6. and Peter telleth them to prevent the reception of feigned Oracles, that they had a surer Word of Prophecy, 2 Pet. 1. 19. a safe rule to trust to: and Paul biddeth Timothy, 2 Tim. 3. 14, 15. Continue in the things which he had learned: and our Lord saith, Mat. 24. This Word of the Kingdom shall be prea [...]hed to all Nations. Now the doctrine of Salvation is but once delivered, 1. Because all is done so fully and perfectly, that nothing can be added; there is enough to make us wise to Salvation, and what2 Tim. 3. 15, 17. should Christians desire more? There is enough to make the man of God perfect, that is, to furnish him with all kind of knowledg for the discharge of his office; there needeth no more; there is enough to make us wise to preach, and you wise to practise; and 'tis certain enough, that you need not spend your time in doubting and disputing; and 'tis full enough, you need nothing more to satisfie the desires of Nature, or to repair the defects of Nature: here is sufficient instruction to decide all Controversies, and assoil all doubts, and to give us a sure conduct to everlasting glory. 2. Because this Rule can never be destroyed: The Word hath often been in danger of being lost, but the miracle of its pr [...]servation is so much the greater: In Josiahs time there was but [Page] one Copy of the Law; in Dioclesians time there was an Edict to burn their Bibles, and Copies were then scarce and chargeable; yet still they were kept, and so shall be to the end of the world, for the Sacraments must continue till Christ come, Mat. 28. 20. and 1 Cor. 11. 26. and the Word must be preached till we all grow into a perfect body in Jesus Christ, Ephes. 4. 12, 13. not only de jure, but de facto, not only it must be so, but it shall be so. Well then, expect not new revelations, or discoveries of n [...]w truths beside the Word,Hold fast till I come, Rev. 2. 25. which is the immutable Rule of Salvation. Again, it checketh them that expect new Apostles, endued with a Spirit of infallibility, to resolve all doubts and questions: We must give heed to the Scriptures, till the day star arise in your hearts, that is, till we have full communion with Christ; for our reward in Heaven is expressed by the morning star, Rev. 2. 28. To him that overcometh I will give the morning star. Again, it confuteth the Familists, that dream of some days of the Spirit, wherein we shall have a greater light then is in the Scriptures; they fancy the time of the Law to be the days of the Father, the time of the Gospel to be the days of the Son, and the latter end of the world to be saeculum Spiritus Sancti (as the Weigelians phrase it) the age of the Holy Ghost, but foolishly, for these are Acts 2. 17 Heb. 1. 1. the last times, and the holy Ghost was never more gloriously poured out then at Christs Ascension, and greater things cannot be revealed to us then God in Christ reconciling the world: Lastly, 'tis for the comfort of the Saints, that their Salvation is put into a stated course, and God hath shewed you what you must do if you would inherit eternal life.

The next circumstance is the persons to whom it was delivered,3. [to the Saints,] it may be understood of the Apostles, to whom it was delivered to be propagated; o [...] of the Church, to whom it was delivered to be kept, and who in the constant use of Scripture are called Saints. Observe, That Observat. Saints are most interested in the acknowledgment, propagation and defence of Truth. The Christian faith was delivered to Saints and by Saints, and none receive it so willingly, and defend it so zealously, and keep it so charily and faithfully as [Page] they do. 1. The men that the Spirit of God made use of as Penmen were holy men, specially purified and sanctified for this work: 2 Pet. 1. 21. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost: And Ephes. 3. 5. Revealed unto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit: These men were the fittest instruments to beget an external repute to the Word; Surely they would not do any thing for their own ends, and obtrude their own inventions upon the world as Oracles from God. A carnal mans testimony is liable to suspition; Who would count that wholesom that cometh from a leprous hand? Yea those that were not of eminent sanctity were not fit for such an employment: a novel doctrine (such as the Gospel seemed to be in the world) needed all the advantages that might be, to gain a title and interest in their belief; therefore did the Lord make use of such holy and self-denying persons, who expected to gain nothing but ignominy, poverty, afflictions, bonds, death; these things did abide for them in every City. 2. Holy persons are only fit to preach the Faith; sancta sanctis, holy men for holy things; 'tis an holy faith, and therefore fit to be managed by holy persons, that their hearts may carry a proportion with their work: Isai. 52. 11. Be ye clean that bear the Vessels of the Lord: The Officers that carryed the Vessels and Utensils of the Temple out of Babylon, were to take care of their cleanness. God purified Isaiah when he sent him to reprove, Isai. 6. 7. and the Priests under the Law that ministred before the Lord, were to wash in the great Lavor; Regeneration is the best preparation for the Ministry. Others disparage their testimony, and bring a reproach upon the Gospel; People think we must say somewhat for our living, and so give us the hearing, but that's all: Oh think of it, the credit of Christ lieth at stake; and since Miracles are ceased, all the external confirmation that we can add to the Word is by holiness of conversation. The Levites first cleansed themselves, and then cleansed the people, Nehem. 12. 30. The life of a Minister is much either to edification or destruction; they take the lesson rather from your lives then your mouths, and by your levity or vanity sin cometh to be authorized: [Page] in short, either your doctrine will make your life blush, or your life will make your doctrine blush and be ashamed. 3. None are fit publiquely to defend the Truth, but the holy; they speak with more power, as from the heart, and inward experience, and are more zealous as being more nearly concerned; Erubescit quamvis [...] praedam d [...] ctrina quam propria reprehendit conscientia. Hieron. in Epitaph. Marcellae. We can do nothing against the Truth, but for the Truth 2 Cor. 13. 5. they that partake of Gods Nature, will soonest espouse Gods Cause and Quarrel: and their zeal is most pure; Carnal men pervert religious differences, they change the nature of them, turning them into a strife of words, or a contention for interests; matters are not managed so purely as when there is conscience on both sides: The Saints contend best for the Saints faith. Zeal in carnal men is like fire in straw, quickly up and quickly down; but in the godly 'tis like fire in wood, longer kept: Wisdom is justified of her children, Mat. 11. 19. they are fittest to interpose. Again, false zeal is most passionate without pity and meekness, but the flame is most pure and bright in an holy heart, which is subdued to the power of Truth. 4. None receive the Truth so willingly as the Saints do: Holy persons can best understand what was written by holy men, they pierce into it more deeply; as Iron that is red hot runneth further into the board, then a sharp tool that is cold: Psa. 25. 14▪ John 7. 17. God unbosometh himself to his familiars; Holy hearts are not clouded with the mists of lusts and interests: [...] Nazi. Orat. (ut memini) 40. Holiness doth not blunt the wit, but sharpens; none have a worse spiritual sight then they that lack grace, 2 Pet. 1. 9. Where there is purity, there is brightness; the mind being separated from gross things, is fitted for the reception of spiritual mysteries: Paul saw most of God when he was blind to the world; the heart being taken off from the world, is erected to things supernatural and of an higher cognizance. 5. None retain the Truth more firmly then the Saints do. Manna was kept in a golden Vessel, and so is Truth in a pure Soul: Titus 3. 9. Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. An unclean vessel sowreth the liquor that is put into it; so doth a carnal heart pervert the faith, and teint the judgment. Let a man once be given up to some great lust, and you shall soon find him to be given up to some roaring error also; and when once they come to make shipwrack of a good conscience, they do not long hold the faith that was once given to the Saints, [Page] for grace and truth always thrive together.

I come now to the main Observation that is to be drawn from these words; That 'tis the Duty of Christians in times of Error and Seducement to contend earnestly for the Faith once Doct. given to the Saints. 'Tis their duty at all times, but then especially: 1. That we may not discredit our selves and the Truth. 2. That we may not hazard our selves and the Truth.

1. Let me first speak to the Discredit, and there I shall shew, 1. That Truth is honoured by a bold and resolute Defence of it: We are not ashamed of it though it be questioned and scorned in the world: Mat. 11. 19 Wisdom is justified of her children: Neither Johns doctrine nor Christs doctrine would relish with the world, yet some had a reverend opinion of it for all that. Psal. 119. 26, 27. They make voyd thy Law, therefore I love it above pure gold. In times of defection our love to God and the ways of God should be the greater; as Fountain water is hottest in coldest weather. 'Twas an honour to the Christian Religion that the Quid ergo malum in Christiana Religione cujus reus gaudet, accusatio votum est & poena foelicitas. Tertul. primitive Professors were glad of an occasion to dye for it, and the more it was despised and persecuted the more did they own it; falshoods cannot endure the brunt of opposition. 2. That we may not dishonour our selves, and discredit our own profession: He is but an ill servant of Christ, that will not serve him when the Lord hath need of him; when God distinguisheth sides, and cryeth out, Exod. 32. Who is of my side, who? Times of Error and Seducement are searching trying times: Light chaff is carryed about with every wind, but the solid grain lieth still upon the ground: The approved are made manifest, 1 Cor. 11. 19. There is a time not only to shew love, but valor: Jer. 9. 3. They are not valiant for the Truth upon the Earth. To be valiant for Truth is to defend it in time of opposition, and to sparkle so much the more in an holy zeal because they pervert the right ways of the Lord: A Christian must an heart as well as a liver, not onely love the Truth, but contend for it, and the more earnestly the more 'tis opposed: The Apostle saith, that a Bishop must hold fast the Word of Truth, Titus 1. 9. [...]. The word signifieth an holding [Page] it fast against a contrary force; as when a man seeketh to wrest a staff out of anothers hand, he holdeth it the faster.

2. The next Reason is, That we may not endanger and hazard our selves and the Truth. 1. That we may not endanger our selves: 'Tis good to be able to defend Religion when 'tis questioned; ignorant, secure and careless spirits will certainly miscarry: Present Truths and present Errors have an aspect upon our interests; we must determine one way or another: Now how easily are they carryed away with interests that have no principles, no [...], 2 Pet. 3. 17. no proper ballast in their own spirits? Therefore let us strive to know the Truth, to own the Truth in a time of tryal; 'tis needful: All Errors and Heresies are but mens natural thoughts gotten into some valuable opinion, because backed with the defences of wit and parts. What are all the learned Disputes against the Truth, but the props of those vulgar misprisions and gross conceits that are in the heart of every natural and ignorant man? We have all an heretick in our bosoms, and are by nature prepared to drink in all kind of errors and lyes, and therefore we are said, Psal. 58. 3. to speaklyes from the womb, because these things are in our natures; Pelagiani omnes miscimur & cumsuper cilio Pharisaico. Spanhem. we are born Pelagians and Libertines and Papists. As in the new nature there is a cognation and proportion between us and Truth, so in the old nature there is an inclination to all manner of Errors. Luther saith, Every man is born with a Pope in his belly: And Mr Greenham hath a saying, That if all Errors and the memorials of them were annihilated by the absolute Power of God, so that there should not the least remembrance of them remain, yet there is enough in the heart of one man to revive them again the next day. Certainly what ever is suggested from without doth very well suit with the carnal thoughts that are in our own bosoms: Look upon any error or blasphemy that is broached in the world, and you will find it true: Is Atheism vented? The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God, Psal. 14. 1. Gentilism or the doctrine of many Gods? So do we set up many Gods; what ever we fear or love, that we worship; Whose god is the [Page] belly, Phil. 3. 19. Every man naturally is a Pagan and Idolater: Pelagian Tenets, wherein original sin is denyed, are natural: Common people think they had ever a good heart towards God; All these have I kept from my youth, Matth. 19. 20. Chance and Fortune in a contradiction to Gods Decrees are a mans natural opinions. So the doctrine of works and merit is in every mans heart: What question more rife when we begin to be serious, then What shall I do? A ceremonious ritual Religion is very pleasing to carnal sense; Conjectural perswasions is but a more handsom word for the thoughts of ignorant persons; they say they cannot be assured, but they hope well: Doctrines of Liberty are very suitable also to corrupt nature; Cast away the coards, Psal. 2. and Who is Lord over us? Psal. 12. 4. Nay all sins are rooted in some error of judgment, and therefore they are called errors, Psal. 19. 12. Well then, for our own Caution we had need stand for the Truth, because Error is so suitable to our thoughts; now when it spreadeth further, 'tis suitable also to our interests, and then we are in great danger of being overset. 2. That we may not hazard the Truth: When Errors go away without controul, 'tis a mighty prejudice both to the present and the next age. The dwellers upon Earth rejoyced when Gods Witnesses were under hatches, and there was none to contest with them, Rev. 11. 10. Fools must be answered, or else they will grow wise in their own conceit, Prov. 26. 4, 5. Error is of a spreading growing nature, therefore 'tis not good to retreat and retire into our own cells from the heat and burden of the day; let us stand in the gap and make resistance as God giveth ability: Two Motives will enforce this Reason. 1. The Preciousness of Truth: Buy the Truth, and sell it not; 'tis a commodity that should be bought at any rate, but sold by no means, for the world cannot bid an answerable price for it: Christ thought it worthy his Blood to purchase the Gospel; by offering up himself he not only procured the comfort of the Gospel, but the very publication of the Gospel; therefore we should reckon it among our treasures and choicest priviledges, and not easily let it go, lest we seem to have cheap thoughts of Christs blood▪ [Page] 2. The trust that is reposed in us for the next age, that's an obligation to faithfulness: We are not only to look to our selves, but to posterity, to that Doctrine which is transmited to them; One generation teacheth another: and as we leave them Laws and other National Priviledges, so it would be sad if we should not be as careful to leave them the Gospel. Our fathers told us what thou didst in their days, Ps. 44. 1. Every age is to consider of the next, lest we intail a prejudice upon them against the Truth: What cometh from forefathers is usually received with reverence: A vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, 1 Pet. 1. 18. If you be not careful you may sin after you are dead, our errors and evil practises being continued and kept afoot by posterity. All the World had been lost in Error and Prophaneness, if God had not stirred up in every age some faithful Witnesses to keep up the memory of Truth. There is in man a natural desire to do his posterity good; Love is descensive: Oh consider, how shall the children that are yet unborn come to the knowledg of the purity of Religion, without some publike monument, or care on your part to leave Religion undefiled. Antichrist had never prevailed so much, if men had thought of after ages; they slept and unwarily yeilded to incroachment after incroachment, till Religion began to degenerate into a fond Superstition or bundle of pompous and idle Ceremonies; and now we see how hard it is to wean men from these things, because they have flown down them in the stream of succession, and challenge the authority and prescription of ancient Customs. Look as sometimes the Ancestors guilt is measured into the bosom of posterity, because they continued in their practises; Matth. 23. 35. That upon you may come all the righteous blood, &c. So many times the miscarriages of posterity may justly be imputed to us, because they shipwracked themselves upon our example: The fathers ate sowr grapes, and the childrens teeth are set on edg. Well then, let us perform the part of faithful Trustees, and keep the Doctrine of Salvation (as much as in us lieth) pure and unmixed.

It presseth us to this earnestness of contention and zealƲse. [Page] for the truths of God: We live in a frozen age, and cursed indifferency hath done a great deal of mischief. Christians! Is Error grown less dangerous? or the truth of Religion more doubtful? Is there nothing certain and worth contention? or are we afraid to meddle with such as shrewd themselves under the glorious name of Saints? We will not oppose Saints, and so let the Truth go that was given to the Saints, to be kept by them: Oh my Brethren, Paul withstood Peter to the face, when Truth was like to suffer, Gal. 2. 11. So should we withstand them to the face rather then make such sad work for the next age, and leave our poor babes to the danger of error and seduction. What's become of our zeal? There is none valiant for the Truth upon the Earth: Prejudices and interests blind men so that they cannot see what they see, and are afraid to be zealous lest they should be accounted bitter. We have been jangling about discipline, and now doctrine it self is like to escape us. In the Name of God let us look about us; Are there not crafty Thieves abroad that would steal away our best treasure? and in the midst of the scuffle cheat us and our posterity of the Gospel it self? We have been railing at one another for lesser differences, and now we begin to be ashamed of it: Satan hopeth that Error and Blasphemy it self shall go scot-free. Ah my Brethren, 'tis time to awake out of sleep; whilest we have slept the Enemy hath come and sown tares: What a tattered Religion shall we transmit to ages to come, if there be not a timely remedy? To help you I shall shew,

1. What we must contend for.

2. Who must contend, and in what manner.

1. What we must contend for, for every Truth of God according to its moment and weight: The dust of Gold is precious; and 'tis dangerous to be careless in the lesser Truths. Whosoever shall break the least of the Commandments, and teach men so to do, &c. Mat. 5. 19. There is nothing superfluous in the Canon; the Spirit of God is wise, and would not burthen us with things unnecessary: Things comparatively little may be great in their own sphere, especially in their season, when they are the truths of the present [Page] age, and now brought forth by God upon the stage of the World that we may study his mind in them. Potius runt coelum quam pereat unamica veritatis. Luther. Better Heaven and Earth should be blended together in confusion (saith Luther) then one dust of Gods Truth should perish. If the Lord call us out to the defence of them, what ever cometh of it we must be faithful: A man may make shipwrack of a good conscience in small matters; say not, It is a little one, and my Soul shall live: Harken to Satan, and this will be a little one, and that shall be a little one, till we have littled away all the principles of faith. I tell you, the world hath counted those small things for which the children of God have ventured their all 'tis your duty to take the little foxes, Cant. 2. 15. The first appearances of Error are many times modest: There is a chain of Truths; the Devil taketh out a link here and a link there, that all may fall to pieces: See 2 Thes. 2. 2. Let no man deceive you with such doctrine as that the day of Christ is at hand: Why? they might say there is no great danger in that? Peter saith, the end of all things draweth nigh, 1 Pet. 4. 7. The Seducers said, [...], it is at hand; and Peter saith, [...], it draweth nigh; here is no great difference! Aye but be not shaken in mind (saith Paul) neither by letter, nor by word, nor by spirit, as if the day of the Lord were at hand: that is, take heed of such suggestions under what pretence soever they are brought to you, either of revelations or collections from my doctrine, 'tis all a falshood: Ne forte cū transisset tē pus quo cum credebant esse venturum et venisse non cernerent etiā caetera fallaciter sibi promi [...]i arbitrantes & de ipsa mer [...]ede fidei desperanit. Aug. Ep. 80. Why is Paul so earnest? because Satan had an aim to make them look for the sudden coming of Christ, which not happening accordingly to make them fall a questioning all the Truths of God. So Gen. 3. 2. Ye shall not eat nor touch lest ye dye; that was Satans repetition; whereas God had said, Gen. 2. 17. Thou shalt surely dye: no great difference; but Satan got a great deal of advantage by it, therefore be not ignorant of Satans devices: The Council of Nice would not gratifie [...] and [...]. Arrius in a letter, and [...] and [...]. Nestorius in a letter: The lesser Truths are not to be slighted in their time and place; they deserve an earnest contention: The Martyrs were not foolish nor prodigal of their lives, they knew what they did when they durst not give place for a moment.

[Page]All this is not spoken to justifie undue rigors, such as are without any temper of Christian moderation; or those frivolous Controversies about trifles, such as have no foundation in the Word, as about the Observation of Easter, between the Eastern and Western Churches, which difference grew so high that they excommunicated each other; or about celebrating the Lords Supper with leavened or unleavened bread; or the fierce bickrings between Chrysostom and Epiphanius about Origens Books, set on by Theophilus, in pursuit of which many were slain, the Senate house pulled down, and the great Church at constantinople set on fire. Nor to justifie meer verbal strifes about words and names forbidden by the Apostle, 2 Tim. 2. 14. 1 Tim. 6. 4. Vain glorious men if they can get but a different method or expression, cry no new light, and so there is a great deal of noise stirred up about a mistake. Nor to justifie the breaking off Church-fellowship and communion, and making rents in the Body of Christ, because of difference of opinion in smaller matters, when we agree in the more weighty things: We are to walk together as far as we are agreed, Phil. 3. 16. and externals wherein we differ, lying far from the heart of Religion, are nothing to faith and the new creature, wherein we agree, Gal. 5. 6. and 6. 15. The most weight should be pitched upon the fundamentals and essentials of Religion; and when there is an agreement there, private differences in smaller matters should not make us break off from one another: False zeal is unevenly carryed out to these lower things both in opinion and practise; and usually young Professors are eager upon disputes, impatient of contradiction, and lay out all their strength this way, to excuse their care in the more weighty matters of Christianity; whereas the Kingdom of God doth not stand in meat and drink, but in peace, and righteousness, and joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. 14. 17. The itch of disputing and zeal for an opinion, rather then Religion in the main, are bad characters. Again, when men, though in the right, think there is no Religion or holiness but within the compass of such an opinion, this is censorious rigor, or to Eccl. 7. 17. be righteous over-much; or when a lesser dissent is loaded with all the odious consequences [Page] that you can fancy in your thoughts, though disclaimed by the party dissenting; when Eloi is turned into Elias, and things are perverted by a mis-interpretation, as Christs words were, John 2. 19. compared with Mat. 26. 61. Briefly, when men upon every small occasion draw all things to extremity, and break out into As Rivet said of Montague, Non potest ille quenquam a quo dissentit ver in levissimis sine convitiis mominare. Rivets Apol. pro sanctissima Virgine Maria. contumely, revilings, persecution, biting and devouring one another; 'tis not zeal, but fierceness and brutish immoderation: Therefore all this excepted, it standeth us upon to be zealous even to sufferings for the lesser Truths, that we may prevent the further [...]ncroachments of Satan and Antichrist his eldest son upon the liberties and priviledges of the Saints.

But now besides the lesser things, there are Fundamentals and Essentials in Religion, which challenge the choicest of our care and zeal, that they may be kept entire and without violation; the ignorance of them is damnable, and the denyal heretical: to determine what they are is an undertaking of great concernment to the Christian World, but of too high a nature for the present Exercise. I shall only mention a few Points which seem to be [...] matters concerning the Foundation; as the Creation of the World by God in six days out of nothing, Gods Providence, mans misery by sin, [...] liverance by Christ, the necessity of the new creature, the Resurrection of the dead, and the everlasting Recompenses: These are Points of the greatest moment, though I cannot but say that others also are Fundamental; There are divers other Fundamentals of the highest nature, as the Mystery of the Trinity into which we are baptized, the Ʋ [...] nion of the two Natures in the Person of Christ, that Scriptures are the Word of God, &c. but these come to mind as being of the most practical concernment.

2. Who must strive, and in [...]hat manner. I answer, All in their place, and in that way that is proper to them. 1. Private Christians must have a share in this holy contention; their duty is partly to search out the truth, that they may not fight blindfold, or by an unhappy mistake lavish out their zeal upon fancies which they affect, or ordinances and doctrines of men: People are never so furious, as when they have least ground and reason for what they assert; yea and error never prevaileth so much as when Christians are all flame and affection, without judgment, and do not understand the Reasons of that Religion which they do profess: See [Page] 1 Pet. 3. 15. A reason of the hope that is in you: and 2 Pet. 3. 17. [...], their own stedfastness; that is, such a stedfastness as doth arise from solid grounds in their own hearts, and not meerly from the consent of others. 2. To own the profession of the Truth what ever it cost them; I say 'tis their duty to own the profession of the Truth, for the publike owning of the people 'tis a great let and restraint to Tyranny, and such innovations as otherwise a carnal Magistrate would introduce into the Church by force and power▪ See Acts 4. 21. They let them go because of the people: so Mat. 14. 5. and 21. 46. And again, I say they must own it what ever it cost them, for zealous defences are a great honour to the Truth: The disputations of the Doctors do not commend it to the world so much as the death of the Martyrs; and therefore though you cannot dispute for the Truth, yet you should dye for the Truth: Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, &c. Heb. 12. 4. We cannot be at too much cost to preserve so precious a treasure to posterity; And here even Ipsae foeminae sunt pobiscum in eadem confessionis gloria constitutae. Cyp. Mart. Cum triumphantibus viris & foeminae veniunt quae cum saeculo dimicantes sexum quo (que) vicerunt. Cyp. Serm. de Lapsis. women may put in a share, they have lives to sacrifice upon the interest of the Truth, and usually they do not fall in vain. 3. To honour the Truth by their conversations: there are heretical manners as well as heretical doctrines; and there are many that are otherwise of an orthodox belief, yet make others sectaries and disciples of their vices: some live Atheism; there are Antinomians in practise: An Apostate is a practical Arminian: Therefore Christians are called to hold forth the Word of life in their conversations, Phil. 2. 16. and to make the doctrine of God the Saviour comely, Tit. 2. 10. by glorifying God in that course of life to which they are disposed: To preach and write for the Truth, doth not honour it so much as to walk in the Truth, John Ep. 3. 4. Efficaeius est vitae quā lingu [...] testimonium. Bernard. and the life is a better witness of the reality of Religion then the tongue. 4. To comprise all in a few words what ever maketh for the Truth, either with God or men all that must the people do; We can do nothing against the Truth, but for the Truth, saith Paul, 2 Cor. 13. 8. To God you must pray, that he would send forth not only Laborers, but Champions, Mat. 9. 38. not only such as can handle the trowel, but the sword in the Battels of the Church: Gladiatores perfectissimos non tantum magistri & praepositi sui, sed etiam Idiotae & supervacuè qui (que) adhortantur de longinquo ut saepe se ipso populo dictata suggesta profuerint. Tertul ad Mart. To men, you are [Page] to quicken those that have gifts to look to their duty in this kind; Say to Archippus, Take heed to thy Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, Col. 4. 17. Many may be stired up by your exhortations, that otherwise would lie useless in illeness and privacy; in the Battel the Trumpeter hath his use as well as the Souldier: Neither are they to be admonished only, but assisted, and by that means you have an interest in the glory of the work: John Ep. 3. 8. We ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-helpers to the Truth; [...], co-workers; your helping hand is to the action, and God will not be unmindful of it: yea if you bear any part of the toil, by performing any labour of love to them, it shall turn to a good account in the day of the Lord: Hezekiah's servants did but copy out the Proverbs, and 'tis mentioned to their praise, Prov. 25. 1. All this may be done by persons of a private gift and station.

2. There is something that the Magistrate may do; Rom. 13. 4. He is the Minister of God for good; not only for good Civil, but Spiritual; and therefore doth the Apostle bid us pray for them, that they may be keepers of both the Tables, 1 Tim. 2. 2. that we may lead a quiet life under them in all godliness and honesty. [...], &c. Arist. Polit. lib. 7. cap. 8. Heathens have asserted, That it belongeth to the Magistrates duty chiefly to look after matters of Religion: Much more is it evident by the light of Christianity: The Kings of the Old Testament are commended for their zeal in this kind; and in the times of the Gospel it is prophesied that Kings shall be the Churches nursing fathers, and Queens her nursing mothers, Isai. 49. 23. which they cannot be if they suffer poyson to be given to Gods little ones without any let and restraint: 'Tis a clear truth, that if a man give up himself to Christ, he is to give up himself to him in every relation; his wit, wealth, parts, authority, all to be layed out for the use and service of Christ: he that doth not give up all, giveth nothing; we are to be Christs in every capacity: Therefore a Magistrate as a Magistrate must not only countenance Religion, but also discountenance Error, and hinder the spreading of it within his charge. 'Tis by Christ Prov. 8. 1 [...]. that Kings reign, from him they received their power, and [Page] to him must they give an account of the exercise of it in the great day of Recompenses; therefore they are bidden to be wise and to kiss the Sun, Psal. 2. 10, 11, 12. which certainly noteth more then a negative act or not opposing; there must be something positive▪ a zealous defence of the Truth in their way, or else God will reckon with them: Those Gallio's that are indifferent to Christ and Antichrist, cannot expect a long and happy reign. I cannot see how they can be true to Civil Interest, unless they be careful for the suppression of Error; for when false doctrines are freely vented, 'tis to be supposed they will find a general reception, for the most are the worst; and then when the generality of a Nation are corrupted, National Judgments will not long be kept off, the whole Body is sure to smart for it; for (as the Jewish Proverb is) Two dry sticks will set a green one on fire: Besides, that Error is masterly and bloody, and loveth to give Law; therefore ere it be too late they should look to the Civil Peace, for if men be quiet, God will not, when his Honour and Truth and Worship is neglected. But of this more hereafter.

3. Ministers are to contend for the Truth; for by their office and station in the Church they are Captains of the people in this War against Satan and his adherents; therefore 'tis required of them that they should be able to handle the sword and the trowel; not only to exhort by sound doctrine, but to convince the gainsayers, Titus 1. 9. These are [...], 2 Tim. 2. 2. the faithful men, the Feofees in trust, to whom Truth is committed; they are the salt of the Earth, Mat. 5. 13. those that must season the world with gracious principles; therefore they must above all others labour in the desence of the Truth, otherwise they are compared to Is. 56. 10. 11 dumb dogs that bark not when the thieves come to steal away the treasure. Now Ministers must contend, partly by preaching, warning the people of the Wolves that are abroad, Acts 20. 29. Partly by disputing, Acts 15. 2. & 18. ult. that by the knocking of flints light may fly out, and that Truth may beat its enemy hand to hand in the open field: And partly by writing, Alteruis vicibus contentioso fune uter (que) diem in vespedam traximus obst [...]epentibus etiā quibusdam spectantibus, singulorum, nubilo quodam verit as obumbrabatur. Tertul. contra Judaeo. for many times disputes are [Page] carried on with so much tumult and popular noise, that Truth is lost in the crowd; besides, by this means we are the help to posterity, that together with the poyson the antidote may be transmitted to them.

4

VERSE IV.‘For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.’

JƲde having made way into their affections by a Salutation, which according to the wont of the Apostles, breatheth out spiritual and heavenly wishes for their good; he doth in the third Verse exhort and engage them to a constant defence of the Truth; and now the necessity or occasion of such an Exhortation is declared, namely, because false Teachers were got abroad, and had slily taken up the general name and profession of Christians; therefore in faithfulness he could not choose but warn them of the danger.

The whole Epistle is spent in the description of Hereticks, their sins and punishments: in this Verse they are described by four things. 1. By their entrance into the Church, [Certain men crept in unawares.] 2. By their condition before God▪ [who were before of old ordained to this condemnation.] 3. By the disposition of their spirits, [ungodly men.] 4. By the course of their doctrines and conversations, where two things are charged upon them: 1. Abusing the Gospel, [turning the grace of our Lord into lasciviousness.] 2. Denying Jesus Christ in his Natures and Offices, [denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.]

[Page]First, Let us begin with the description of their entrance into the Church, [There are certain men crept in unaware [...]] Some say they are not named, as not being worthy, or rather it not being necessary, they being so plainly described; and indeed 'tis usual with the Apostles, who rather dealt against things then persons, to suppress the name, and describe the error or sin. But what is the meaning of this first thing layed to their charge, they crept in unawares? I answer, It may imply their entrance into the Church under a colour and shew of profession: Wicked men may creep into Observat. the best Church; God permitteth it not only for their own hardening, but for our trouble and tryal: Paul complaineth of false Brethren privily brought in to spy out their liberty, Gal. 2. 7. and the adversaries of Jerusalem said, Ezra 4. 1. Let us build with you, for we seek your God as ye do; but 'twas with an intent to hinder the work: so Simon Magus got to be baptized▪ Acts 8. as thieves seek to be entertained in the house, that they may have the more opportunity to work mischief whilest the good man is asleep. Learn hence to be more watchful in admissions to the Church; no perils so great as those occasioned by false Brethren: We think to fill the Church, but we do but fill the house with thieves; wicked men ever prove a trouble: 'Tis an easie matter to fill the Church by remitting the rigor and severity of discipline, but Heaven is never the fuller, but the emptier; for wicked men are hardened and confirmed in their own security, and the Church never fareth the better, Multiplicitis fidei populis fides imminuta est & cresantibus filiis mater aegrotat, quantū copiae accessit, tantū disciplinae necessit, in audito genere processus & re [...]essus, crescens simul et decrescens. Salvian de Gubernat. it loseth in strength what it gets in bredth, as a river doth, and zeal is lessened the more the number is increased: yea wicked men usually prove a trouble, and we come to wish afterward we had been more strict: 'tis said, Acts 5. 13, 14. Of the rest d [...]rst no man joyn himself unto them, but the people magnified them, and Beleevers were the more added unto the Lord, multitudes both of men and women: 'Tis spoken upon the occasion of the sudden death of Ananias and Saphira; it terrified the hypocrites, but brought in more sound Beleevers; for of the rest durst no man joyn, that is, of such as Ananias and Saphira was, Beleevers in shew, but carnal in heart; [Page] they saw 'twas not dallying with God in such matters: Just so when the Church keep a streight hand, hypocrites dare not joyn, but sound Beleevers will the sooner, and then the Church though it be a lesser body, 'tis more sound, healthy and active. But what Rule must we go by? we must go by outward and general profession: I answer, This place will give us some direction; as far as we can discern men, so far may we judg of them; for the entrance of these men is here declared to be clancular and surreptitious; if the Church had known them, or looked to them so warily as it should, the mischief had been prevented. Ecclesia exintentione fideles tantum colligi [...], & si nosset impios & incredulos eos aut nunquam admitteret aut casu admissos excluderet. Bellar. de Ecclesiae, c. 10. Observat. 2. Bellarmine himself confesseth, That the intention of the Church is only to gather Believers into a Body, and if it knew the wicked and unbeleeving, it would either not admit them, or being admitted by chance, it would cast them out. 'Tis good to be strict, lest by promiscuous admissions we bring in such a mischief to the Church as we cannot easily get rid of.

2. It may note their intrusion or invasion of the office of preaching; presuming without a Warrant, or coming into the fold not by the door, in the regular established way, false Teachers usually running unsent, 'tis often charged upon them in the Scriptures: None so prone to errors as those that have a defect in their Calling. Christ when he prayeth for a blessing on the Apostles labours, he useth that as an argument, John 17. 18. I have sent them into the world: They that are loth to submit their gifts to publike approbation, draw a just suspition upon themselves; How came they to you? did they cre [...]p in? or were they solemnly admitted? When Elements are out of their place they breed confusion: When men are out of their place they are not a blessing, but a mischief to the Church.

3. The two former sences may be allowed, but I rather prefer a third; their creeping into the peoples hearts and affections by plau [...]ble pretences and insinuat [...]ons, in stilling their errors drop by drop before they could be observed, and pretending themselves to be friends of Truth and Piety. I do prefer this sence, partly because he saith only [crept in,] without mentioning either Church or Office; but chiefly, [Page] because this Epistle is but the abridgment of the second Epistle of Peter, as will easily appear to those that do compare them: now there 'tis said, [...] Pet. 2. 1. They shall privily bring in damnable heresies, denying the Lord that bought them. From this sence observe, That false Teachers use to varnish Observat. 3. over and mask the face of Error with plausible pretences, that unawares we may take it into our bosoms: The Apostle speaketh of their slights and cunning craftiness, Ephes. 4. 14. Their slights and pretences are many, I shall touch upon a few. First, Sometimes greater strictness; Col. 2. 18. Which things have a shew of wisdom, and neglect of the body: rigorous observances and outward mortifications, as the Papists do▪ 2. Special meekness; Ravening Wolves in sheeps clothing, Mat, 7. 15. Sic Sisinnius Novatianorum Episcopus apud Vedelium in Prud. veteris Ecclesiae in Prol. c. 3, 4. as if they were all for love and kindness; Absalom stole away the peoples hearts by this artifice, 2 Sam. 15. 2. 3. Higher Gospel strain [...]; therefore doth Paul speak so much against the other Gospel, Gal. 1. 3. and the other Jesus, 2 Cor. 11. 4. namely, such an one as they had set up. 4. Selfdenyal; as some false Teachers at Corinth would take no maintenance to disgrace Paul; see 2 Cor. 11. 12, &c. this was their glorying, that they would preach freely; and whereas they contributed to the relief of Paul, to them it needed not. 5. Greater learning and notions of a newer and more sublime strain; Oppositions of science falsly so called, 1 Tim. 6. 20. Platonick speculations, ungrounded subtleties. 6. Greater favour and liberty to Nature; They promise liberty, and allure through the lusts of the flesh, 2 Pet. 2. 18. representing the faithful Ministers of Christ, as envying the contentment of your natures, and burdening you with exactions too rigorous; therefore the Apostle saith, I am afraid lest any through subtilty beguile you, as the Devil did Eve, 2 Cor. 11. 3. How was that? I answer, By insinuating a kind of envy in God, as if he did begrudg them the perfection and freedom of their natures; Gen. 3. 5. God knoweth that your eyes shall be opened, &c. So they think others are too strict, and lay too many restraints upon your carnal desires, and by this means allure many loose and unstable Souls. 7. Many times pretending the defence of that Truth, [Page] which they secretly impugn; as Pelagius talked altogether of grace; and Faustus Rhegiensis dum capriose videri vellet pugnare contra Pelagianos, compertus fuit Pelagio savens. Isiodor. Faustus Rhegiensis pretending to oppose the Pelagians, did but more covertly own their Cause.

Uses of this Point are divers 1. For Information, it sheweth us the Reason why we cannot set down the precise beginnings of Errors, because they are privily brought in: Rev. 17. 5. Mystery is written in the Whores forehead; The leak is not espyed many times, though the ship be ready to sink: The originals of Heresie are like the Fountain of Nile, obscure and hidden; a man may lose himself in the Labyrinth of Antiquity, before he can find them out. See the reverend and learned Dr Ushers Answer to the Jesuites Challenge. The Roman Apostacy is a Mystery of Iniquity, that stole into the Church disguised and by degrees: So that the beginning of it is not so easily stated as of other heresies that are full grown at their first appearance. 2. It informeth us of the odiousness of Error; it dareth not appear in its own colours, nor be seen in its own face: therefore Satan when he would set any Error on foot, he maketh choice of the most sub [...]il instruments, that they may put a varnish upon it; as when he tempted Eve, he made use of the Serpent, the most subtil of all the beasts of the field, Gen. 3. 1. whereas the Lord chooseth the plainest instruments, and hath commanded them to use all simplicity and godly conversation, 2 Cor. 1. 12. for Truth is so lovely in it self, that it needeth no borrowed colours, 3. It informeth us what reason those that are over you in the Lord have to press you to Caution; excuse their holy jealousie, 2 Cor. 11. 3. all is but need: we must bark when we see a Wolf, though in a sheeps garment; our silence and negligence doth but give them an advantage: Whilest the husbandman slept, the enemy came and sowed tares, Mat. 13. 35. 4. It presseth you to skill and watchfulness; you had need be sound in the faith, that you may discern between good and evil, yea to have your senses exercised, Heb. 5. ult. A soft credulity is soon abused; Prov. 15. The simple beleeveth every word: There is no reason but knowledg should cost us pains as well as gracious conversation; 'Tis a matter of great skill to be a through Christian; there is a great deal of Sophistry and cunning abroad: if you follow the cry, you are [Page] in danger of engaging in a confederacy against God; if you stick to received Customs, there may be Error there too: if you run after every Novellist on the other hand, you will soon be led into the bogs of Error and Prophaneness; therefore go to him for direction that hath the treasures of wisdom and knowledg. But you need not only skill, but care and watchfulness; 'Tis not good to drink too freely of suspected Fountains: let not your affections surprize your judgment; we admire the persons, the gifts, and so easily swallow the doctrine: Try the spirits, 1 Joh 4. 1. 1 Thes. 5. 2 [...]. When there is counterfeit gold abroad, we use the Touchstone: Truth loseth nothing by being tryed, and you lose nothing, for then your affections are better grounded: Prove all things, no man is infallible; an implicite faith begets but a fond affection.

Secondly, These Seducers are described by their condition before God, [who were before of old ordained to this condemnation,] [...] of old, that is, from all Eternity, for so the matter here spoken of imports; [...], we translate it before ordained, but the word signifieth written as in a Book: 'tis usual in Scripture to compare Gods Decrees to a Book; as Christ alledging Gods Decree for his mission into the World, saith, Psal. 40. 8. In the volume of thy Book 'tis written of me: The meaning of the metaphor is to shew that these Decrees are as certain and determinate as if he had a Book wherein to write them: Now these are said to be written before of old, to shew, that though they crept in unawares as to the Church, yet not as to God; they fell under the notice of his Decrees before ever they acted in this evil way. 'Tis further added, that they were ordained or written down in Gods Book, [...], for judgment or condemnation; the word is indifferent to either sence, for [...] is often put for [...]; thus it is to be taken here for condemnation, appeareth by that place of Peter▪ [...], damnable heresies, 2 Pet. 2. 1. and vers. 3. Whose damnation of a long time slumbereth not; as he saith here, of old ordained to this judgment: The meaning of the whole is, that they were such as were left to themselves to bring [Page] upon themselves by their own sins and errors a just condemnation.

That the object of the divine Decrees are not only mens ways, Observat. 1. but mens persons: He doth not only say that their condemnation was pre-ordained, but they also were ordained of old to this condemnation. I observe this, because many say that Gods Decrees do only respect actions and the events; we see they respect persons also; we have no cause to mince matters, when the Scriptures speak up to the point so fully and roundly.

Again from that [ordained, or forewritten] observe, God Observat. 2. hath his Books and Registers, wherein the persons, behaviors, and eternal estates of all men are recorded. At the Day of Judgment, these Books shall be opened, Rev. 20. 12. Therefore it should be our care to be able to read that our names are written in the Book of Life, then which there cannot be a greater priviledg, Luk. 10. 20. And it presseth Caution; all that we do standeth upon record; our speeches, Mal. 3. 16, 17. our thoughts, 1 Cor. 4. 5. our actions, Jerem. 17. 1.

Again observe, That in all those things which appertain to Observat. 3. the Judgment of sinners, God doth nothing rashly, but proceedeth by foresight and pre-ordination.

Again, No man ever perverted the Truths of God but to Observat. 4. his own loss. They were ordained to this judgment, that is, that by their sins they should come to such a ruine: We play with opinions, but do not consider that damnation is the end of them; The way of truth is the way of life, but error tendeth to death.

These things might be observed, but I shall rather pitch upon two Points; one particular, and restrained to the scope of the Context; the other general, as being taken from the consideration of the expressions in their full latitude:Observat. 5. The first is, That Heresies and Errors do not fall out by chance, but according to the certain pre-ordination and foreknowledg of God. There are two Reasons for it, Nothing can come to pass without his Will, and Nothing can come to pass against his Will. 1. Not without his Will: If a Sparrow [Page] cannot fall to the ground without our heavenly Father, Mat. 10. 39. that is, cannot be taken and slain without the Will of God, then certainly nothing can be imagined, which God did not foresee, or which he could not have hindred: There is nothing so small, but the Lord taketh cognizance of it▪ nothing so evil, but he turneth it to good. Exempt any thing from Providence, and you weaken that respect which is due from the creatures to God: If Satan may do what he will, and God only be a looker on, then the Devil-worship of the Heathens would seem more rational; 'twas their custom first to appease the angry gods lest they should hurt them, and then to invoke the propitious: Upon this doctrine we might fear the Devil and carnal men, though God be propitious for many things are done whether he will or no. 2. Not against his Will; for then God should make a creature too hard for himself: Things may be against his revealed Will, for that is a Rule to try the creatures; but not against his secret Will, for that would make God impotent and weak: Things that are most against his revealed Will, yet fall under the ordination of his secret Will; and whilest men break Commandments, they fulfil Decrees: His revealed Wi [...]l sheweth what should be done, his secret Will what will be done. Briefly, the concurrence of God in and about the errors of men may be conceived in these things. 1. He denyeth grace and light, which might direct and sanctifie; He is debtor to no man, and may do with his own according to [...]i [...] good pleasure, Mat. 20. 15. He is not bound to give grace to all, and therefore 'tis no prejudice to his goodness to pass by some. 2. He leaveth difficulty enough in the Word, that men who will not be satisfied may be hardened: Mark 4. 11, 12. All these things are spoken in Parables, that seeing they might see and not perceive; that is, for a punishment of their wilful blindness and hardness: Corrupt nature stumbles in Gods plainest ways; the Word is clear enough to them that have a mind to understand it, and yet difficult enough to them that have a mind to harden themselves into a prejudice. Non periclitor dicere (saith Tertullian) ipsas Scripturas ita dispositas esse, us materiam subministrar [...]nt [Page] haeretius: So the Lord himself saith, Jer. 6. 21. Behold I will lay stumbling blocks before this people; that is, suffer them to stumble at their own prejudices. 3. God leaveth them to follow the course of their own hearts: he doth not incline and compel their wils, or infuse evil to them, onely suffereth them to follow the carnal bent, and corrupt ambition of their own hearts, Hosea 4. 17. let him alone, 1 King. 22. 22. Go forth and do so; Psal. 31. 12. I gave them up to their own counsels, he hindreth not their wickedness; Yea, permiteth it, that so his wise counsels may take place. 4. God ordereth it for good, thereby bringing great advantage to his own name, Exod. 9. 16. For this cause have I raised thee up to shew in thee my power, great shakings and tumults discover much of God to the world; the Devil picketh out the most polished shafts in all the quiver of mankind: and yet still the Lord maintaineth the Lot of his Inheritance: Yea, God doth not onely advance his Name, and discover the glory of his providence, in protecting the Church, notwithstanding Satans factors, and the abettors of his cause and kingdom: But also causes the truths that are questioned to shine the more brightly, as being more strongly vindicated and asserted, as a Torch shineth the brighter when 'its waved with the wind; such times put men the more upon the study and love of truth, doctrines not being taken up upon trust, but sound conviction, besides errour being permitted, manifests the approved, 1 Cor. 11. 19. as a quick smart wind severeth the solid grain, from the chaff: and 'tis a means to ingage our dependance upon God for knowledge and instruction; Christs Prophetical Office would lye idle and useless, were not the chains of consent sometimes broken, and the language divided, some saying one thing some another, as the difference between the Jews, and the Samaritans about the place of worship, maketh the woman to go to Christ for satisfaction, John 4. 20. Once more, Gods permission of errour conduceth to the just ruin of his enemies: Offences must be, but wo be to that man by whom they come, Mat. 18. 6. 7. So 1 Sam. 2. 25. Elyes Sons would not harken to the voyce of their Father, [Page] because the Lord had a minde to slay them: By their own voluntary sins, God bringeth them to their just ruine and condemnation, God lets them alone to wanton and play away their own salvation, if they will turn Seekers, Familists, Ranters, Atheists, Let them alone.

Ʋses. The Point may be applyed many ways. 1. Here is comfort to those that regard the affairs of Sion; all the confusion, and troubles that are in the Church, are ordered by a wise God, he will bring some good issue out of them, some glory to his Name, wherein the Saints rejoyce as much as in their own welfare; some good to the Church: Observe hast not thou been more confirmed in the truth? ingaged to a more frequent recourse to Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? Hast thou not seen more of Gods Providence displayed by these tumults, &c. 2. It checketh fear, 'tis all in the hands of a good God, as God tryeth you to see what you will do, so you must wait upon God to see what he will do: let him alone, in and by all, he will bring forth his work in due time. 3. It sheweth their wickedness that take occasion to turn Atheists, from the multitude or errours, when the Church is rent into so many factions, men foolish, as if there were no God, and the whole Gospel were but an imposture, and well devised Fable; that's the reason why Christ prayeth, John 17▪ Let them be perfect in one, that the world may know that thou hast sent me, (i. e.) that they might not suspect me for an imposture: usually we find that thoughts of Atheism are wont to haunt us upon these occasions; but there is little reason for it, for all these things are fore-known by God, f [...]re-told by God, They must be▪ 1 Cor. 11. 19. Mat. 24. 6. And never is there so much of God and of the Beauty of Truth▪ discovered, as when errours abound; so that if there were not errours, there would be more cause of suspition, where all things run with a smooth and full consent and were never questioned, then the strength and worth of them is not tryed: But the words of the Lord are pure words, as Silver tryed in a Furnace of earth, purified seven times, thou shalt keep them O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from [Page] this generation, Psal. 12. 6. 7. 4. 'Tis a ground of Prayer in times of delusion: Lord this was ordained by thee in wisdome, let us discern the glory in it and by it, more and more, the Church argueth, that there was not onely Pilates malice and Herods malice, but Gods hand and Counsel in the crucifixion of Christ, Acts 4. 28. to do whatsoever thy Hand and Counsel determined before to be done: Lord we know there is thy Counsel in it, and thy Counsel still tendeth to good, &c. God loveth to be owned in every Providence, and to be intreated to fulfil his own Decrees. 5. It informeth us what a foolish madness it is, to think that God seeth not the sin which we secretly commit: surely he seeth it, for he foresaw it, before it was committed: Yea, from all Eternity.

So much for the first Point, the next is, That from all Observat. [...]. Eternity some were decreed by their sins, to come unto judgement or condemnation; Because this is one of the Texts which Divines bring to prove the general Doctrine of Reprobation. I shall here take occasion. 1. To open this Doctrine. 2. To prove it. 3. To vindicate it. 4. To apply it: In the First, you will understand the Nature: In the Second, the Reasons: In the Third, the Righteousness; In the Fourth the profit of this Decree.

1. I shall open the Nature of it in several propositions. 1. 'Tis an Eternal Decree: Gods Internal Acts are the same with his Essence, and therefore before all time, as beleevers are Elected before all worlds, Eph. 1. 4. so are sinners reprobated, they are both in time and order, before ever the creature was, Rom. 9. 11. Before the Creatures had done either good or evil, it was said, Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated. Election and Reprobation are not a thing of yesterday, and subsequent to the Acts of the creature; but from all Eternity. 2. There is a Decree and preordination, not onely a naked fore-sight of those that perish: Some Lutherans say that Praedestination is proper onely to the Elect; but as to the Reprobate, there is onely a praescience or naked foreknowledge: no Preordination, least they should make God the Author of the creatures sin and ruin; but these men fear [Page] where no fear is, the Scriptures shew that the greatest evil that ever was, did not onely fall under the Fore-knowledge, but determinate Counsel of God, Acts 2. 23. 'twas not onely fore-known, but unchangeably ordained and determined. 3. This Decree of God, is founded in his own good will and pleasure; for there being nothing higher and greater then God, 'tis a great errour to suppose a cause of his will, either before it, above it, or without it: Gods actions do all begin in himself, and his Will is the supream Reason, Mat. 11. 26▪ Even so Father because it seemed good in thy sight: Jesus Christ would give no other reason why the Gospel was hidden from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto Babes: we are often disputing, why of two men that are equal in misery, the one should be taken the other left; why the Lord will shew mercy to some that are no less unworthy then others; but when we have all done, we must meerly rest in the Will and good Pleasure of God, Even so Father, &c. See Rom. 9. 18. He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth: 'tis not from the fore-sight of our wills receiving or rejecting grace proposed, for then mans will would be made a superiour cause to an act in God. 4. In this matter of Reprobation, Preterition, and Praedamnation, must be carefully distinguished: look as in Election, God hath declared to bestow first, grace, and then glory, to the Decree of giving grace preterition is opposed, to the Decree of giving glory, [...]rdination unto judgement: now Gods Preterition or passing by, is meerly and barely from the good pleasure of God: But Praedamnation, presupposeth consideration of the creatures sin; both these parts of the Decree, are clearly set down in the word: Preterition, or passing by, Rev. 17. 8. Whose names were not written in the Book [...]f life, from the foundation of the world, so again, Rev. 13. 11. In other places you have Predamnation expressed, as 1 [...]hes. 5. 8. appointed unto wrath, and here ordained to this judgement. 5. Those who are passed by, or not written in Gods Book, never attain to saving grace; 'tis not given to them, Mat. 13 11. To them it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom, but to you it is not given: Yea it is said to [Page] be hidden from them, Mat. 11. 26. they may have common gifts, or be under such a common work of the Spirit, as leaveth them without excuse; but because the Lord hath passed them by, effectual grace is not given to them without which they cannot beleeve and be saved, John 10. 26. Ye beleeve not because ye are not of my sheep, that is, not elected of my Father, saving grace runneth in the Channel of Election, so Acts 13. 48. as many as were ordained to eternal life beleeved Gods special gifts are dispensed according to his Decrees. 6. Men being left of God and destitute of saving grace, freely, and of their own accord fall into such sins as render them obnoxious to the just wrath and vengeance of God, Rom. 11. 7. The Election hath obtained, and the rest were hardened, freely and of their own accord, they turned all things to their own judgement and ruine: so Rev. 13. 11. The dwellers on earth did worship the whore, whose names were not written in the Book of life, that is, they turned aside to Antichristian defilements, and pollutions. 7. Gods Decree concerning such persons is immutable, it is not rescinded and disannuled, but is fully executed and accomplished in the damnation of the sinner; the Lords Counsels are all unchangeable, both as to Election, 2 Tim. 2. 18. Heb. 6. 17. and as to Reprobation, no Reprobate can be an Elect person, nor an Elect person a Reprobate, Job. 12. 14. He shutteth up a man and there can be no opening, and Job. 22. 13. He is in one minde, who can turne him: In Gods Books there is no putting in and crosing out of names; but as the number of the Elect is definite and certain, they cannot be more, and they cannot be less, so also of the Reprobate. 8. This Eternal, Irrevocable purpose of God, of leaving sinners to themselves, that by their sins they may come to judgement, is for Gods glory, Rom. 9. 22. What if God willing to shew his warth and to makd his power known, endured with much long suffering, the vessels fitted to destruction. All Gods Decrees, Works, Providences, tend to the further discovery of himself in the eye of the creatures.

2ly. Let me prove that there is such a Decree, by Scriptures, for reason here hath no place, take here three that [Page] are most full; the first is 1 Thes. 5. 9. God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by Jesus Christ, which plainly implyeth that some are appointed unto wrath: The second is, 1 Pet. 2. 8. where the Apostle speaketh of some that were disobedient and refused Christ, whereunto also they were appointed: The third place is Prov. 16. 4. God made all things for himself, and the wicked for the day of evil: the drift of that place is to shew that both Creation, and Predestination were for Gods glory, and he instanceth in that part of predestination which concerneth the wicked, because it is hardest to be digested and beleeved.

But now for the Reasons, why God hath chosen some and appointed others by sin to come unto judgement: I can onely tell you that Gods judgements are past finding out, Rom. 11. 33. We must admire, we cannot search them to the bottom: so far as God hath revealed his Will, we may clearly judge that 'tis for the discovery of his Justice and Mercy, neither of which could have been discovered to the world with that advantage, had it not been for his double Decree of God to save some and leave others to their own ruin: if grace were given to all, how should the word know that God were free; again, if all were pardoned, how should the world know that God were just: in Election, God discovereth the freeness of his grace, Eph. 1. 6. 'tis love, that we injoy grace, elective love, that we enjoy it alone: In Reprobation, God discovereth his Soveraignty, and by it, the security of his justice, and power of his wrath, Rom. 9. 22. in chusing one and leaving another, there God discovereth his Liberty, and that he doth not act out of servile necessity, and his severity in the eternal pains of them that perish in their sins.

3. Let me vindicate this Doctrine, which in the eyes of some seemeth to blemish the Justice of God, to infringe the comfort of man; Yea to abolish the duty of man; therefore it needeth a little cleering, reason cannot easily digest this strong meat: partly because we are apt to reprehend what cannot comprehend, partly because this Doctrine checketh carnal ease and security, which is usually fed with a general [Page] hope, and presumption. That the God that made us will save us, that he will not damne his creatures, but is merciful to all, &c. now this awakeneth us, when we hear that grace floweth in a narrower Channel: partly because aspiring man is loath to submit to this absolute Lordship, and Soveraignity of God, that he should dispose of his creatures according to his own pleasure: our ambition is to be [...] Lords of our selves; Man that would be as God, taketh it ill to be as a beast made to, be taken and destroyed: Upon all these prejudices man is loath to receive this Doctrine, therefore it needeth to be cleered.

1. In regard of God, that you may not pollute and stain his excellency, with impure and prejudicial thoughts: you will say, is God just, that onely upon his will and pleasure ordaineth his creatures to condemnation; hath not the Reprobates cause to complain if he hath passed a Decree upon which their condemnation doth infallibly follow? I answer, 1. our understandings are not the measure of Gods Justice, but his own will, things may be just, though the reasons of them do not appear to us, humane reason groweth giddy, by peeping into the deep of Gods Decrees, our worke is not to dispute, but wonder: Gods freedom is a riddle to reason, because though we will not be bound to Laws, yet we are willing God should be bound: Gods Actions must not be measured by any external rule, things are good because God willeth them, for his Will is Justice it self. 2. The Electing of some, and passing by of others, is not an Act of Justice, but dominion; for he doth not act here as a Judge, but as a Lord; 'tis a matter of favour not of right and wrong condemnation of a man for sin, or punishing a man for sin, is act of Justice; but to have mercy, or not to have mercy, that dependeth meerly upon Gods will, otherwise it would follow, that God were a debtor unto man: Justice supposeth debt, or something due, no wrong is done them in not giving grace, the Elect can speak of undeserved grace, and the Reprobate of deserved punishment; when we are not bound to do good, if we act according to pleasure, there is no injury, as in invitations, preferments, and all acts of favour: we cannot endure [Page] that a right should be challenged; the good man in the Parable pleaded, I may do with mine own as it pleaseth me, Mat. 20. 15. The Lord may justly challenge grace as his own, and therefore leave him to his pleasure in the distribution; for he is bound to none. 3. Gods not giving grace to the Reprobate, is not their sin, but their misery, Preterition made them miserable, but not sinful: it doth not infer a Coaction and compulsion to sin, sin followeth upon it not as an effect, but a consequent; as upon the absent of the Sun, darkness doth necessarily follow, and yet the Sun is not the cause of darkness: In grace God purposeth, God worketh, in sin God ordereth the sin, and maketh use of it to the glory of his Justice: but man sinneth freely: the water while it runneth its own course, serveth the end of the Lord of the Soyl, in driving Mils, and bringing fish into his Ponds, and overflowing his Meadows, &c. So God causeth not sin in any, onely permitteth it and endureth it, and serveth his righteous ends of it, Rom. 9. 24. He endureth with much long suffering, the vessels of wrath, fitted for destruction, he preprreth the vessels of mercy (as the Apostle there expresseth) but endureth the vessels of wrath, while they fit themselves for ruine. 4. Sin is the cause of punishment, though Gods will is the cause why they are passed by, they are not punished because not elected, but because not obedient, Wherefore doth a living man complain, but for his sins, Lam. 3. 39. tis here as it was in that case; David gave order to Solomon, that Joab and Shime [...] should not dye in peace, 1 King. 2. Yet Davids order was no cause of Joabs death, but his own treason, nor of Shimeis death, but his own flight: God never damneth the creature, or decreeth to damn it without respect of sin; Gods Will is the cause of Preterition, his Justice is the cause of Predamnation, for damnation is an act of punitive Justice: God is so just, that he doth not condemn any, but for sin; so gracious, that he doth not condemn every man that doth sin. 5. The formal and proper end of God in Reprobation, is not the eternal destruction of the creature; but the discovery of his own Justice or glory, promoted or shining forth in and by that destruction: in Election [Page] God desireth and effecteth the salvation of a sinner in a subordination to his own glory; but in Preterition, God endureth a sinner with much long suffering, till by his own destruction, he bringeth to him the glory of his justice, Ezek 23. 11. As I live saith the Lord, I desire not the death of a sinner, So Ezek. 18. 23. Have I any pleasure at all, that the wicked should dye? the meaning is, God doth not will these things with such a will as is terminated in the destruction of the creature, but onely ordereth them in a subornination to his own glory, or in plainer terms, God delighteth not in the destruction of a sinner, as 'tis the destruction of the creature; but as it is the execution of Justice: in the execution of a malefactor, there is a difference between punishment and destruction; his punishment is of the Judge, his destruction is of himself; so in this case, Thy destruction is of thy self O Israel, Hos. 13. 9.

2. Concerning the second Objection, whether it doth not infringe our comfort, and discourage men from looking after their Salvation? If I am elected, I shall be saved, if I am not Elected, I shall be damned: thus many men plead (say they) and how will you stir up the negligent, and incourage the distressed, supposing that doctrine which you have layd down.

I Answer, this scruple is but affected, not offered, and therefore should be chidden, and not Answered: a questioning Gods secret will when we know his revealed: Gods secret will hath relation to his own actions, his revealed will to ours; we must not look to Gods Will in the depths of his Counsel, but his precepts: not what God will do himself, but what he will have us do; God saith, Beleeve in Christ and thou shalt be saved, that's our rule, a Physitian offereth cure to all that will come; 'twere a madness to dispute away the opportunity, and say, I do not know whether he intendeth it to me: if men were ready to perish in the deep waters, and a Boat should be offered to carry to land as many as would come in it, to be making scruples when we are ready to be drowned, whether this help be intended to us yea, or no, were a very fond thing: in such cases we would not wrangle [Page] but thankful, take hold of what is offered. 2. This Doctrine can be no ground of despair to any, because reprobation is a sealed book▪ no man for the present can know his reprobation; nor is to beleeve himself to be a Reprobate; but is called upon to use the means that he may be saved: he is no Reprobate that falleth into sin, but he that persevereth in sin unto the end; therefore it is no good conclusion, I am a sinner, therefore I am a Reprobate, 'tis midnight, therefore 'twil never be day: this is a Book sealed with seven seals, none but the Lamb can open it. 3. The opposite opinion, is encumbred with more difficulties and scruples: what comfort can a man have in Ʋniversal Redemption? a man cannot have solid comfort in that which is common to good and bad, to those that shall be damned, and those which shall be saved, all comfort ariseth from a practical syllogism, now make the practical syllogism, according to the principles of Ʋniversal grace, Christ dyed for all men, I am a man, therefore for me, where humanity, or being a man, is made the ground of claim and interest; and then unless with Puccius and Huberus, we hold universal salvation, as well as universal redemption, the argument wil yield no comfort? how can I according to that opinion, comfort my self in the death of Christ, when men maybe damned that have no interest in it. 4. As to the other part of this Objection, concerning the profit of this Doctrine, and whether it doth not take off men from industry, so some have thought. But I Answer no, For, 1. God hath enjoyned the end and the means▪ together: Except ye abide in the Ship, ye cannot be saved (saith Paul to them that sayled with him) a Decree was past for their safety, that not a man of them should perish; yet they must abide in the Ship; God doth infallibly stir up the Elect to the use of means, as well as bring to such an end. 2. The right use of the Doctrine of reprobation, is to put us upon examination or diligence; upon, examination whether we beleeve in Christ, or have truly repented, that we may make our calling and election pure, 2 Pet. 1. 10. For by this means is the sealed Fountain broken open. Or upon diligence, in case you finde no fruits of Elective love: pray read, hear, [Page] meditate▪ wait, work out your salvation, &c. 3. The Doctrine of Election is of great use in the spiritual life, without it we cannot understand the freeness of Gods love, which is the great means to quicken us to praise God, and to beget love to God again: for as fire kindleth fire, so doth love beget love; 'tis Gods glory to be served out of love, and free consent: the devil ruleth his slaves by a servile awe: well then, if love set love a worke, and the best sight of Gods love be in Gods Decree; let them say if they dare, that the Doctrine of Gods Decree, is an unprofitable Doctrine: again, nothing taketh off carnal confidence, and glorying in our selves more then Gods choise, according to his own pleasure; nothing▪ is a greater support in afflictions, especially in distresses of conscience. In short, nothing is such a firm bond of love between beleevers, then the consideration that they are all predestinated from all eternity, to the everlasting enjoyment of the same inheritance, those obligations which last onely for this world, cannot be so firme a tye.

3. The next Objection is, How can God call upon them to beleeve; whom he hath passed by in the Counsels of his Will, and intendeth never to give them grace, without which they cannot beleeve? I Answer, God may require men to beleeve, though he never intended to give them faith; for there is a great deal of difference between his Decree and his Law: his Law sheweth what must be, his Decree what shall be: God never said all shall beleeve, but he hath said the contrary, 2 Thes. 3. 2. but all must beleeve, that he hath said again and again, the Gospel doth not signifie, this or that man shall be saved; but Whosoever beleeveth shall be saved, as truly as it can be said to John or Thomas, or any elect person, If you do not beleeve, you shall be damned; so surely may it be said to a Reprobate, to Judas or any other, If you beleeve you shall be saved: if the Reprobate have a like favour, with the Elect in the general offer of grace they are left without excuse, the tender being so great and so far the same unto both, though the Elects receiving be the effect of specia grace; yet the Reprobates rejecting is without excause, [Page] he voluntarily turnig back upon his own mercies.

So much briefly for the vindication of this Doctrine.

4. Let me now apply it. 1. Let the Elect so much the more admire Gods love to them, because that some are passed by, your mercies are not every ones mercies; Gods ayme herein was, to commend his mercy to the Vessels of mercy, Rom. 9. 23. If he had passed us by, we could not have blamed his love; if he had punished us eternally, we could not have blamed his justice; consider God hath as much interest in them as in you. All souls are mine saith the Lord, Ezek. 18. 4. he was their Creator as well as yours, and we are all in our blood involved in the same condemnation; he saw as much of original sin in you as in them, we lay in the same polluted Mass: Oh that free grace should make such a difference! He had as much reason to chuse Judas and Simon Magus as you; was not Esau Jacobs Brother? Mal. 1. 2. in all points alike, but only in Gods choise, when men chuse 'tis for worth, who would chuse crooked timber to make Vessels of honour? yet thus doth the Lord single out the worst and most depraved natures, to form them into a people for himself; how sensibly many times did God make a distinction between you and others in the same Ordinance: One is taken and another left, and one is taken to grace, and another left to perish in his own ways, others it may be were hardened by the same Sermon by which you were converted! Oh how ravishing is the sight of Gods love in election, and the distinct courses of his providence!

2. To press us to diligence: To make our Election sure, that we may be out of the fear of being in the number of Reprobates; the great question that concerneth the comfort of thy soul is, Whether thou be ordained to eternal Life, or no? Now, if thou beest negligent and careless, and refuseth to use the means of salvation, the case is decided, though little to thy comfort; thou judgest thy self to be unworthy of eternal life, Acts 13. 48. A lazy, carnal, careless man doth but provide matter of despair for himself: there are some steps to the accomplishment of the Decree of Reprobation: As sottish obstinacy against the counsels of the word, [Page] a being given up to the spirit of error, a constant neglect of means an hardening of our selves in the abuse of grace, &c. all these are black marks; a man may recover, but your soul is nigh to death, therefore beware, lest thou be found one of them who by sin are ordained to come to judgement: Elyes Sons hearkened not to the Counsel of their Father, because the Lord had a mind to slay them.

3. We are now come to that part of the description [ungodly men]: [...] The word signifyeth without worship, and is sometimes applyed to Heathens and men that live without the knowledge and worship of the true God; at other times to wicked men that acknowledge the true God, but walke unsuitably to their knowledge and profession: that we may find out who are these men, let us see what is ungodliness, a sin much spoken of but little known: the word (as I said) signifyeth without worship. Worship is the chiefest and most solemn respect of the creature to God, and therefore 'tis put for the whole subjection and obedience that we owe to him, and when any part of that service, respect or honour is denyed, or withheld, we are guilty of ungodlyness.

That Pagans and men out of the Church, are signifyed by the term ungodly, appeareth by 1 Pet. 4. 18. If judgement begin at the House of God, where shall the wicked and ungodly appear? where the ungodly are plainly opposed to the House of God. Again, the unjustifyed estate is expressed by ungodlyness, as the Apostle when he speaketh of the justifying of Abraham and David, he gave the Lord his Title, Rom, 4. 5. God that justifyeth the ungodly; and so Christ is said, to dye for the ungodly, Rom. 5. 9. The reason of which expression is, because the people of the Jews were divided into▪ three ranks or sorts, there were [...] the ungodly [...] the just, and [...] the good, or to keep their own terms, there were Reshagnim, the wicked or violent, and Tsidikim, the just, and Chasidim the good, or the bountiful; now (saith the Apostle) scarcely for a righteous man would one dye; that is, for a man of a rigid innocency, but for the good man, that is, the bountiful, the [Page] useful, a man would even dare to dye; but Christ dyed for us when we were Reshagnim, sinners, enemies, &c. Again, more especially, ungodliness implyeth the transgression of the first Table, as Rom. 1. 18. where all sin is distinguished into [...], ungodliness, and [...], unrighteousness, ungodliness in respect of duty to God, and unrighteousness in respect of the duty to men; and also where sin is distinguished into ungodliness and wordly lusts, Tit. 2. 12. So that it chiefly signifyeth that part of sin whereby we rob God of his honour, respect and service, established by the first Table, and it may be described to be a not giving God his right or due honour.

To clear it further, let me tell you, that there are four Notions, which are the ground of all Religion. 1. That God is, and is One. 2. That God is none of those things that are seen, but something more excellent. 3. That God hath a care of humane affairs, and judgeth with equity. 4. That the same God is maker of all things, without himself. And to these four Notions or principles, are suited the four preceps of the first Table: in the first, we have Gods unity: in the second, Gods Invisible Nature, and therefore Images are forebidden upon that ground, Deut. 4. 12. In the third, the knowledge of humane affairs, even of mens thoughts, and that's the foundation of an oath; for the third Commandment doth principally forbid perjury, and in an Oath, God is invoked as a witness chiefly of the heart, in which his Omnisciency is acknowledged, and appealed to as a Judge and Avenger, in which his Justice and Power is acknowledged; the next principle that God is Creator and Governour of all things, is established by the forth Commandment; for the Sabath at first was instituted for that purpose, to keep up the memorial of the Creation in the world. Now out of these specula [...]ive notions practicals flow of their own accord, &c. that God is alone to be worshiped, obeyed, honoured, trusted and as far as we set up other confidences, or are ignorant of his excellency, or deny God his worship and service, or serve him after an unworthy manner, superstitiously, carelesly, hypocritically, or have gross opinions [Page] of his Essence, or exclude the dominion of his Providence, or cease to invocate his name so far we are guilty of ungodlyness.

More Distinctly and closely, yet let me note, that God is to be acknowledged, as 1. The first cause. 2. The chiefest good. 3. As the supream Truth, and Authority. 4. As the last end; God is to be honoured as the first cause that giveth being to all things, and hath his being from none, and so if we do not trust in him, or can trust any creature, rather then God: our Estates rather then God, or do not observe him in his Providence: the effects of his Mercy, Justice and Power, or do not acknowledge his Dominion in all events, and sanctifie the things which we use, by asking his leave and blessing in prayer: we are guilty of ungodlyness. Again, God is to be acknowledged as the chiefest good, and therefore if we do not know him, often think of him, delight in communion with him, fear to offend him, care to please him, this neglect and contempt of God is ungodgodlyness. Again, God is to be acknowledged as the Supream truth and Authority▪ and therefore if we are not moved with his promises, threats, Counsels, as the Gentiles were moved with the Oracles of their Gods; as Gods people of old, (when that dispensation was in use) with a voyce from Heaven, and do not submit to him, reverence him in Worship subject our hearts and lives to his Lawes, 'tis ungodliness: once more, God is the last end, and therefore if in all acts Spiritual, Moral, Natural, even those of the lightest consequence, we do not ayme at Gods glory. Still 'tis ungodliness.

In this Method, I shall endeavour to open this argument. And 1. Let us consider God as the first cause, and under that consideration, 1. Ignorance is a branch of ungodliness, I name it first, because 'tis the Heu primae sc [...]lerum causa mortalebus aegris naturam nescire dei. cause of all disorder in worship or conversation; the Apostle saith, 3. Epist. John 11. He that doth evil, hath not seen God, right thoughts of God are the fuel which maintaineth the fire of Religion, which otherwise would soon decay and be extinguished: now generally people are ignorant of God, they know him as men born [Page] blind do fire, they can tell there is such a thing as fire, because it warmeth them, but what it is they cannot tell: So▪ the whole world, and conscience proclaimeth there is a God: the blindest man may see that, but they know little or nothing of his Essence, as he hath revealed himself in his word: The Athenians had an Altar, and the Inscription was to the unknown God, and so do most Christians go on in a track of customary worship, and so worship an Idol rather then God: so Christ telleth the Samaritans, John 4. 22. Ye worship ye know not what: 'Tis usual with men in a dark and blind superstition, to conform to the worship of their place, not considering why, or whom it is they worship: gross ignorance is a signe of no grace; for God hath no childe so little but he knoweth his Father, Jer. 31. 34. They shall all know me, from the last to the greatest, some have better education then others, greater helps and advantages of parts, and Instruction; but they all have a necessary knowledge of God: Again, gross ignorance is a pledge of future judgement, 2 Thes. 1. 7. God will come in flaming fire, to render vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel: many poor ignorant creatures are harmless, they do no wrong; Oh but they know not God, and that's wrong enough, Ps. 27. 11. God will avenge it; to be ignorant of God that made them, is a matter of sadder consequence then you are aware: by those that know not God, in this place is meant, Pagans for 'tis contradistinct to those that obey no [...] the Gospel: but if there be vengeance for Pagans who have no other Apostles sent to them, but those natural Apostles of Sun, Moon, and Stars, and have no other Books wherein to study God: but Showrs of raine, and fruitful seasons, if there be vengeance for them because they did not see and own a first cause? what is there for those that shut their eyes against the light of the Gospel, surely to be ignorant now, is a greater sin, then we think of. 2. When we do not depend upon him, 'tis ungodlyness: trust and dependance is the ground of all commerce between us and God; and the greatest homage and respect, which we yield to the Creator and first cause: now when men trust any creature rather [Page] then God, their estates rather then God, they rob him of his peculiar Honour: That there is such a sin, appeareth by that Job 31. 34. If I had made gold my hope, or said to the fine gold thou art my confidence: If I rejoyced because my wealth is great, and my hand had gotten much, &c. Job to vindicate himself from Hypocricie, reckoneth up the usual sins of Hypocrites, amongst the rest this is one, to make gold our confidence: men are apt to think it the staff of their lives, and the stay of their posterity, and so their trust being intercepted, their hearts are diverted from God: 'tis an usual sin though little thought of: the great danger of riches is by trusting in them, Mark 10. 23, 24. When men are intrenched within an estate, they think they are safe, secured against what ever shall happen, and so God is layd aside; let a man be intrenched within a promise, and yet he is full of fears and doubts; but wealth breedeth security, therefore coveteousness is called Idolatry, Eph. 5. 3. and the covetous man an Idolater, Col. 3. 5. not so much because of his love of money as his trust in money; Phil. 3. 19. the glutton loveth his belly, and the gratifications of the Appetite, yet he doth not trust in his belly cheer, he thinketh not to be protected by it, and therefore though he rob God of his love, yet he doth not as the covetous, rob God of his trust; we are all apt to make such an Idol of the creature: poor men if they had wealth, this were enough to make them happy, and therefore they trust in those which have it, which is Idolatry upon Idolatry: whence 'tis said, Psal. 62. 9. Men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree a lye; to appeareance men of low degree are nothing; but men of high degree are wont to be trusted in, and therefore a lye, because by a righteous judgement of God they disappoint our trust: But chiefly, is this secret Idolatry incident to the rich; though they do not pray to their wealth, or offer sacrifice, but use it as familiarly as any other thing, yet if it intercept their trust, they are guilty of Idolatry; many that smile at the vanity Gentiles that worshipped stocks and stones and Idols of gold and silver, do worse themselves, though more spiritually, whilest they build their happiness and security upon their [Page] estates, it may be they do not say to their riches ye shall deliver me, or to their gold thou art my confidence: they do not use such gross language; for covetous men may speak as basely of wealth, as another man, they may say I know 'tis but refined earth, &c. but their hearts make it their only refuge and stay, and their inward thoughts is, that they and their children cannot be happy without it, which is a great sin, a setting up another God; for by this means is their heart withdrawn from the true God to the world, and kept from good works, least they part with that which is the staff and stay of their lives.

3. When we do not observe his Providence; the blinde world sets up an Idol called chance, and doth not acknowledge God at the other end of causes, as swaying all things by his Wisdome and Power. 1. In afflictions, they think they come by chance and ill luck 1 Sam. 6. 9. and Isa. 26. 11, As if instruments and second causes did all, and the Lord were an Idle spectatour and looker on▪ and had no hand in all that befalleth us: Job better, The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh, he doth not look onely to the Chald [...]an, the Sab [...] an, the Thief, but the Lord: in all afflictions we should look beyond the creature, and not complain of ill fortune, and chance, or stars or constellations or any thing on this sid [...] God. 2. In mercies, 'tis ungodliness when we do not see God in all our mercies: wicked men receive blessings, and never look up, they live upon God every moment; they have life and breath and motion and hourly maintenance from him, and yet God is not in all their thoughts: as swine ravine upon the Acorns, and never look up to the Oak from whence they fall; so they look no higher then the next hand; but Gods children may be compared to Chickns that sip and look upwards: The Lord complaineth of Israel, Hos. 2. 8. She did not know that I gave her corn and wine and oyl [...], and silver and gold; there cannot be a greater signe of an ungodly spirit then this unthankful profaneness; this is that which God expecteth from reasonable creatures, by way of homage, that we should own him as Author of al the good, which we enjoy, other creatures live upon God, but they are not [Page] capable of knowing the first cause as we are: Idolatry and Atheism had never crept into the world, if men had considered who it was that gave them fruitfull seasons and showres of rain, and filled their hearts with food and gladnesse, Acts 14 16, 17. And surely nothing feedeth piety, and maintaineth a constant awe of God, so much as thinking of God every time we eat and drink, and enjoy any new mercy from him: but, alasse, usually we forget God, when he remembreth us most, he is never so much dishonoured as in eating and drinking, and in the plentifull enjoyment of outward comforts.

4. Another part of ungodlinesse is, when we doe not acknowledge his dominion over all events, sanctifying the things we use and undertake, by asking his leave and blessing. 'Tis robbery to use goods without the owners leave, so to use any creature, food, or physick without 1 Tim. 4. 3, 4, 5. sanctifying it by the Word and Prayer, that is, knowing our liberty and right from the Word of promise, and asking God, leave and blessing in prayer, or to go about any businesse or journey, or fixing our abode without inquiring at the Oracle, all this is ungodlinesse: 'Tis our duty still to consult with God, Ye ought to say if the Lord will, &c. Jam. 4. 15. 'Tis a peece of religious manners, we forget to bid our selves Good speed when we do not acknowledge the dominion of God in all these cases, Prov. 3. 5. In all thy wayes acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Gods children dare not resolve upon any course til they have first consulted with God.

Secondly, God will be acknowledged as the chiefest good, and so we are guilty of ungodlinesse:

1. If we doe not often think of him; if we did not want hearts we cannot want objects to put us in mind of God, [...], he is not far from every one of us, Acts 17. 27. But though God be not far from us, yet we are far from God; he that is every where is seldom found in our hearts: We are not so near to our selves as God is near to us; who can keep his breath in his body for a minute if God were not there? He is within us, and round about us in the effects of his power and goodnesse, but we are at too great a distance [Page] from him in our mind and affections: How many trifles occupy our minds? but the Lord can seldome find any room there, God is not in all their thoughts, Psal. 10. 3. Yea when thoughts of God rush into our minds, they are like unwelcome ghuests, we wish to be rid of them: wicked men abhorre their own thoughts of God, because the more they think of God, the more they tremble, as the divels doe; therefore the Apostle saith, They like not to retain God in their knowledge, Rom. 1. This is far from the temper of Gods children, David saith Psal. 104. 34. My meditation of him shall be sweet. 'Tis the spiritual feast and entertainment of a gracious soul to think of God: none deserveth our thoughts more than he, and we cannot put them to better use: He thought of us before the world was, and stil great is the multitude of his thoughts to us ward; therefore 'tis vile ingratitude not to think of him again: when we hate a person we cannot endure to look upon him, and the hatred of the mind is shewed by the aversation, and turning away of the thoughts.

2. If we doe not delight in communion with him, we doe not honour him as the chiefest good. Friends love to be often in one anothers company, and certainly 'tis good to draw nigh to God; to preserve an acquaintance between him and us: he hath appointed his Ordinances, the Word and Prayer, which are as it were a Dialogue and interchangeable discourse between God and the Creature; in the Word he speaketh to us, and in Prayer we speak unto him; he conveigheth his mind in the Word, and we ask his grace in Prayer; in Prayer we make the request, and in the Word we have Gods Answer. Well then, when men neglect publick or private Prayer, or opportunities of hearing, they are guilty of ungodlyness, so far they break off communion with God, especially if they neglect Prayer, which is a duty to be done at all times; a sweet diversion which the soul enjoyeth with God in private, a duty which answereth to the daily sacrifice; therefore the neglect of Prayer is made to be a branch of Atheism, Psal. 14. 3, 4▪ verses. When men are loth to come into Gods presence out of a love to ease and carnal pleasures, and care [Page] not if God and they grow strange, or seldom hear from one another, 'tis a great evill: our comfort and peace dependeth much upon frequent accesse to God: so when family worship, when that's neglected, God is not honoured as the chiefest go [...]d, the heathens are described to be the families that call not on Gods Name, Jer. 10. 25. In many places from one end of the week to the other, there is no Prayer and Worship in the Family, and so the house which should be a Church is made a Stye: not a swine about their houses but is attended morning and evening, and yet they can finde no time for the solemn invocation of the Name of God, what are they better than Heathens?

3. If we doe not fear to offend him. God will be served with every affection; Love is of use in the spiritual life, and so is fear, 2 Cor. 7. 1. Perfecting holinesse in the fear of God. Love sweetneth duties, and Fear maketh us watchful against sin: Gal. 5. 6. Love is the doing Grace, and Fear is Jer. 32. 40. the conserving Grace. We have cause to walk in Gods wayes, because we are alwaies under his eye. Love is necessary, that we may keep God alwaies in our hearts; and Fear, that we may keep him alwaies in our eye: both of them are of great use, but Fear we now speak of, which is the true internal root of all obedience and worship, Eccl. 12. 13. when there is such a setled disposition of heart, as that we dare not grieve him, nor affront him to his face (as Ahasuerus said, Will he force the Queen before my face?) God is much honoured, but now when we are secure and careless, and forget God, and can sin freely in thought, and fouly in act without remorse, 'tis ungodlinesse. Fear is a Grace of continual use: we cannot be alwaies praising God, worshiping God, and employed in acts of special communion with him, yet we must be alwaies fearing God; be thou in the fear of God all the day long, Prov. 23. 17. and elswhere, Blessed is he that feareth alwaies, Prov. 28. 14. A man hath done with his devotion in the morning, but he hath done with God; we should think of him, and remember that his eye is upon us all the day long: we must rise in the fear of God, walk in the fear of God, trade, Jude 12. eat, drink in the fear of God. Some Graces are as the Lungs [Page] never out of use and exercise. More especially must fear be active when temptations and corruptions arise, we must argue as Joseph, Gen. 39. 9.

4. If we doe not care to please him: An ungodly man thinketh of nothing lesse than pleasing God, he neither careth to know his waies, nor to walk in them, they are willingly ignorant, 2 Pet. 3. 5. They doe not search that they may not practice, and so erre not in mind, but heart: We desire not the knowledge of thy wayes, Job 21. 14. They have not a Nolentes audire quod Auditum damnare non possunt &c. Tertul. in Apol. minde to know that which they have not a mind to doe, as those that would sleep shut the Curtains to keep out the light. A godly man is alwaies approving what is the will of God, Rom. 12. 2. Ephes. 5. 10. 17. he practiseth what he knoweth, and is still searching that he may know more, as willing alwaies to be more usefull for God: What have I to doe more?

Thirdly: God will be acknowledged as the supream Truth and Authority; and then if we are not moved with Promises, Threats, Counsels, as with the words of the great God, if we doe not yeeld him reverence in his worship, and subject our hearts and lives to his Laws, 'tis ungodlinesse.

1. We must receive the counsels of his Word with all regard and reverence; for that is to receive it as the Word of God, 2 Thes. 2. 10. Heathens received the Oracles of their Gods, and were much moved; we can drowsily hear of the great things of salvation of heaven and the death of Christ, and the Covenant of Grace, &c. and are not moved, no more moved than with a Fable or Dream. If a man should make another an offer of a thousand pound for a trifle, and he should accept it, you would not say, 'twas because he prized the trifle more, that's improbable; but because he did not beleeve the offer: So when God offereth heaven upon such terms as he doth, we do not honour him as the eternal truth, but count him a lyar, 1 Joh. 5. 10. or else we would not neglect the offer.

2. We must yeeld him reverence in his worship: God is said Psal. 68. to be terrible in the holy places: he is not only terrible in the high places of the field, where he executeth his [Page] dreadfull judgements, nor in the depths of the Sea, where the wonders of the Lord are seen, but terrible in the holy places, where his Ordinances are dispensed, because there his holynesse, which is the astonishing Attribute, is most seen and remembred. We doe not come to him as the supream Majesty, when we doe not come with awful apprehensions, God is dreadfull there where he is most comfortable, Deu [...]. 28. 58. That thou mayst fear this glorious and fearful Name, the Lord thy God: To have God for our God is the ground of all our comfort and hope, and yet 'tis a glorious and fear ful Name: In Mal. 1. 14. the Lord urgeth two arguments why we should worship him with reverence; one is, I am a great King, saith the Lord of Hosts; the other is, My name is dreadful among the heathen, implying in the first, that careless and rude addresses to him are a kind of a lessening his Majesty, they doe not come to him as a great King, and doe as much as in them lyeth, go about to perswade the world that he is not the God that he is taken to be, so great, so terrible, and glorious. The next argument is taken from his respect among the heathens that know him by common providence, they that have but a glimpse of his glory, that know least of his glory, yet know enough to fear him, and reverence him: Therefore take heed of serving him in a loose and perfunctory manner, you dishonour God exceedingly else, even then when you come to give honour to him.

3. There must be a willing subjection of our hearts and lives to his Laws: It must be a subjection of the heart; Gods Authority is never more undermined than by a meer form of Godlinesse, 2 Tim. 3. 5. 'Tis the greatest ungodlinesse that can be, for you rob the Lord of his Dominion over the conscience; Hypocrisie is a practical Blasphemy, I know the blasphemy of them, &c. Rev. 2. 9. The life also must be subject to God, by a conformity to his Laws: Men hate God as a Law-giver, they love him as a giver of Blessings: 'Tis the disposition of all, that they would live at large, and have no God to call them to an account, though to strike at the Being of God, and Doctrines of liberty are welcome to a carnal heart; 'tis pleasing to think if there were no God, [Page] to hear that there is no Law, no suggestions are more catching: The life must be conformed to Gods Laws, for he will be honoured in our conversations, as well as have his throne set up in the consciences: 'Tis the glory of a Commander to be obeyed; I say to one goe and he g [...]eth, and to another come and he cometh: God looketh for glory from you in this kinde, he will have all the world know that his servants are at his beck, that he hath called you to his foot, Isa. 41. 2. the righteous from the lust, he called him to his foot; that is, to go to and fro at his command, if he say goe they go, if he saith come they come, these are the people framed for his praise: he can bid them doe nothing but they are ready to doe it with the losse of all.

4. God will be honoured as the utmost end; and so if in all acts, natural, moral, spiritual, if we doe not aym at his glory, we are guilty of ungodliness: In acts natural, and matters of the least consequence we must have a supernatural aim, 1 Cor. 10. 31. Whether ye eat or drink▪ or whatsoever you doe, doe all to he glory of God. If I take a meale, I must have an aym at Gods glory in it; in civil acts, and Virtutes & vitia non officiis distinguuntur finibus. duties of mutual commerce, all must be done as in and to the Lord, Eph. 5. 22. Eph. 6. 1. 5. 6. 7. We are to walk in our relations so as God may have honour. In Spiritual acts of Prayer, Praise, and Worship, yea the whole ordination of the spiritual life must be unto God; I live unto God, Gal. 2. 20. All the motions and tendencies of the soul look that way: This is the difference between Holynesse and Godlinesse, Holynesse more properly implyeth a conformity to the Law, and Godlynesse an aym of the soul to exalt God, and so they are propounded as distinct, 2 Pet. 3. 11. What manner of persons ought we to be in all holinesse and godlinesse of conversation? Well then look to your aimes, and in eating and drinking you set up Moloch, 'tis a Meat-offering, and Drink-offering to appetite, if you doe not aim at Gods glory: So in Trafique, if you meerly regard Wealth, you are a consecrated Priest to Mammon: In these ordinary actions of Eating, Drinking, Trading, you may be guilty of Idolatry before you are aware, and may set up Phil. 3. 19 the belly, or Mat. 6. 24 Mammon in [Page] Gods stead, nay in your very desires of Grace your ultimate aim must not be self; We are accepted in the beloved to the praise of his glorious grace, Eph. 1. 6. And in actions most sacred 'tis dangerous to look a squint, 'tis to put dung in Gods own cup, when we make Worship a stale to our own ends. In short, the Lord hath given many things to the creature, that onely which he hath reserved to himself is his glory, therefore he taketh it ill to be robbed of that.

Thus I have shewed you the several kinds of ungodliness, some are more refined, some more gross, but all naught. The worst sort is, when we do contemptuously slight his providence, and disobey his Laws, hardening our selves yet more and more, as Ahaz did, though the Lord had exercised him with sharp afflictions, and living in open irreligion, and despight of God, casting off yoke after yoke, till at length we have out grown the heart of a man, fearing neither God nor men.

Well then, if we would not be counted ungodly, let usƲse take heed of all these sins.

1. How else will ye look God in the face at the day of Judgement; The ungodly shall not stand in judgement, Psal. 1. 5. That is, so as to be able to plead their cause, and lift up the head, though they shall rise again and receive their sentence; therefore ill rendred by the vulgar, non resurgunt, yet they shall have no boldnesse, but hang their guilty heads for shame in that day; the day of Judgement is appointed on purpose to take vengeance of ungodly persons, see Jude 15. 'Tis the day wherein God that is now withdrawn within the Curtain of Heavens, commeth forth to manifest himself to the terrour of all ungodly ones.

2. There are great judgements inflicted upon them in this world, the Flood swept away the world of the ungodly, 2 Pet. 2. 7. and 1 Pet. 4. 18. Where shall the sinner and the ungodly appear? The Lords jealousie for his honour is very great, and therefore none shall smart so soarly as the ungodly person: 'Tis said Isa. 57. 17. He putteth on jealousie as a cloak; the cloak is mans upper garment, which is most visible; there is nothing so visible in Gods Providence as his jealonsie for [Page] his honour; there is no sin robs God of his honour, so much as ungodliness; so, 'tis said Exod. 34. 14. That jealousie is his name: the name of a thing is the note of distinction, by which it is known and differenced from all other things either of the same or another kinde; so Gods jealousie against those that rob him of his Honour, differenceth him from all the Gods of the world; the Gods of the Heathens were good-fellow-Gods, and could endure Rivals and Copartners; but this the Lord doth severely punish, none have faln under the weight of his vengeance so much as they that deny their respects to him, and go on whor [...]ing after another God.

3. 'Tis the great ayme of the Gospel to prevent ungodliness, by discovering more of God then was known before, and by finding out a way how the Notions of God might be kept inviolable, and how we might come to the enjoyment of God; and yet God suffer no loss of Honour: therefore the Gospel is called the Mysterie of godliness, 1 Tim. 3. 16. and a Doctrine according to godliness, 1 Tim. 6. 3. men might be ungodly at a cheaper rate then now they can in these days of the Gospel: now we have more means to know God, and more obligations to respect God: more clear and certain notions of his excellency and glory.

4. Ʋngodliness is the root of all irregular courses: Abraham was afraid of himself in Gerar: Why? The fear of God is not in this place, Gen. 20. 11. Godliness is the great bulwork of Laws and all honest discipline; subjects are not afraid of Princes, nor Princes of subjects, where the fear of God prevaileth: there can be no true honesty without piety: the first part of the Law, provideth for respects to God, as being the proper foundation of the second, which containeth respects to our neighbour: often it cometh to pass by Gods just judgement, that spiritual wickedness is punished with civil: See Hos. 4. 12. 13. and where men are not tender of Gods Interests, they do also incroach upon civil rights and freedomes. Means and directions are these. 1. Purge the heart from principles of ungodliness: there are many gross Maximes ingrafted in mans heart; as that 'tis folly to be precise, that it [Page] was better when there was l [...]ss knowledge; that 'tis in vain to serve God, that thoughts are free; if we carry it fair before men, we need trouble our selves no further: when men do their best, petty sins are not to be stood upon: that Religion is but a notion and fancy: the Gospel a g [...]lden dream, &c. That such principles are within us, appeareth by the sottishness of our practices and course of living; for actions are the best Image of our thoughts, and these are purged away by waiting upon the word, which discovereth them, Heb. 4. 12. and layeth in good principles, Psal. 119. 9. by which means they are destroyed. 2. Suppress all ungodly thoughts assoon as they do arise, as, that there is n [...] God, Psal. 14. 1. Shame may lay a restraint upon the tongue, but the heart is ever casting up such a thought as this is: So that God is not so harsh, but we may take a little liberty in sinning: see Psal. 50. 21. or that he taketh no notice of what we speak or do; he cannot see through the dark clouds, Job 22. 12, 13. When any such thoughts rush into your minde, check them, and actually rebuke them, least they settle into a rooted Atheism. 3. Mortisie vile affections: the judgement is tainted by the contagion of lusts, as a foul stomack sendeth up fumes and gross vapours into the head; and so the principles of godliness do quickly suffer an Eclipse; The pure in heart see most of God, Mat. 5. 8. In fenny Countries the Ayre is seldom cleer; so in hearts that lye under the power of br [...]itish lusts, there are seldom clear and distinct thoughts of God. 4. Keep close to Gods institutions; these keep up his presence and memorial in the world, and so are the best preservative of godliness; false worships are full of ceremonies, which darken the Nature of God Images beget a gross opinion of God: no wonder if people grow blockish, that worship God in a senseless stock or store. V [...]rro in Austin observed, that those that first invented Images, did but increase errour, and take away all fear of Religion. God knoweth what is best for himself, and how by his own Institutions to keep up the repute of his Nature and Essence: when man presumeth to be wiser then God, and leaveth the certainty of Gods Institutions, for additions and innovations of our own, that please us better, because [Page] they have [...], a shew of wisdom, Col. 2. 22▪ 23. all Religion goeth to wrack. 5. Let us often exercise our selves unto godliness, 1 Tim. 4. 7. delight to give to God the Honour due to him; Love, Delight, Fear, to worship him often, to do all things as ayming at his glory.

The next clause in the description of these seducers is, That [Turning the grace of our God into wantonness:] Where you may take notice. 1. Of their Filthyness and bruitish course of life, implyed in the word [wantonness,] in the Original, [...], a word proper to luxury, and the impurities of lust, it is derived from Alpha, an augmentative Particle: and Selga, the name of a Town in Pisidia (saith Suidus) whose inhabitants were infamous for Sodomi, and weakening Nature by such prodigious filthiness as is not fit to be named among Saints: and the persons here noted the school of Simon. The Nicholaitans, the Gnostickes, and other impure Hereticks of that age were for promiscuous commixtures, and the free use of their fellow creatures (as some carnal wretches in our age have learned to speak) without any respect to conjugal relation, and those restraints which God and nature, and all civil Nations have layd upon the lusts of man, as if men should use no more distinction and confinement then the bests, yea gave up themselves to all manner of unnatural lust, as in the process of this Epistle, we shall more fully discover. 2. The occasion and incouragement of this wantonness, which doubleth the iniquity of it▪ and is [the grace of God,] by which is meant the Gospel when he called the grace of God, as Tit. 2. 11, the grace of God hath appeared unto us, teaching us, &c. and in the Gospel chiefly, they abused the Doctrine of Christian liberty, and free justification by Christ, this is primarily intended: you may by analogie, inlarge the expression to commit all those other Doctrines which libertines are apt to abuse; yea those gracious providences▪ which wicked men do convert into fuel and nourishment for their sins. 3. The manner how so excellent a thing as the grace of God, was made pliable to so vile a purpose, for a man would wounder that things at so great and infinite a distance as the grace of God and filthy lusts, should ever be [Page] brought to cast an aspect upon one another; that is shewed in the word [turning] in the Original [...] resting, transferring from its proper use. They offered violence to the Doctrine of grace, that it might be conscious to such a monstrous birth and production, as filthy lusts and carnal pleasures. 4. You have an hint of the reason why the Apostle writeth against them with such a zealous indignation, in that word [Our]▪ as if he said, that grace whose sweetness we have tasted, whose power we have felt; of that God, who hath been so kinde to us in Christ, whose glory we are bound to promote: shall we see our God, and that grace upon which all our hopes stand to be abused to such an unclean use?

From the words thus opened, I Observe. 1. That the Observat. [...] ▪ Gospel and grace of God in its self, is not pliable to carnal purposes, yeildeth no carnal conclusions. [They turn it] saith the Apostle, there is no such thing gotten out of the Gospel without wresting, and till the art of a deceiver hath past upon it. I shall prove the point by three Arguments.

1. From the constitution of the Gospel, it yeildeth no leave Reason 1. to sin but liberty to serve God: this is the great designe of it, Christ came not to reconcile God and our sins together; but God and our persons, to reconcile our persons and destroy our sins: not to free us from the Law, but sin; to free us from the service of the Devil, 1 John 3. 8. not from the service of God: In short, he came not to make the Law less strict, or sin less odious, or us less holy; for perfection of the Law was never so cleerly known, as since the comming of Christ, See Mat. 5. and sin was never so odious, as since the abundance of grace, they under the law sinned at a cheaper rate then we can, because they did not sin against so much l [...]ve and kindeness, See Heb. 2. 2. 3. neither could Christ come to make us less holy or to dispense with our care of holiness; for then he should come to deface the Image of God, and make us more unlike God, which would not be a priviledge but a burden to the new creature; freedom from wrath and Hell is a priviledge; but freedom from duty and obedience is is no priviledge: in the Gospel there is pardon for failings, [Page] but not to encourage us in our failings, but our duties: We were never so much obliged to duty as since the Gospel, because now we have more help and more advantages, stronger motives, and greater incouragements: If we look backward, we are bound in point of gratitude to serve the Lord, being redeemed hereunto by the blood of Jesus; if we look forward, we are encouraged by the hopes of eternal life: the Law could not perswade by such arguments as the Gospel doth; there is more of the Rule known, more of the Spirit poured out, to give us help to observe it; so that from this short abridgement of larger discourses, it appeareth, that the great design of the Gospel is to make us more like God, and to free us from the slavery of the Devil, that we may be better servants and subjects to God.

2. There are frequent and constant disswasives from this perverting our liberty in Christ to the service of any fleshly design: The Spirit of God foresaw how corrupt nature in us would tempt us to abuse our priviledges to an evil purpose; yea many had already attempted it in the Apostles dayes, as the sect of the Nicholaitans, the school of Simon, and after them the Gnosticks and Basilikians, who under colour of Evangelical liberty, gave up themselves to lawlesse and bruitish practices (as before was hinted) therefore by way of prevention, disswasives are very frequent every where, as Rom. 6. 1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid: As if he had said, you will not want such corrupt Teachers, nay your hearts will be marvellous apt to frame such kind of consequences and conclusions; but reject them with indignation. So Gal. 5. 13. You are called to liberty, onely use not your liberty as an occasion to the flesh. Christ hath done his part, purchased glorious priviledges for you; onely take you heed that you doe not abuse them, your base hearts are apt enough: so 1 Pet. 2. 16. As free, but not using your liberty as a cloak of malitiousness. Freedom by Christ will be an unfit cover and pretence for so vile a practice.

3. Because in the Gospel its self there are quite contrary inferences and conclusions from those which flesh and blood would [Page] draw from the Gospel: As to instance; in any thing wherein the Gospel hath been abused, to three ends hath it been abused, to Looseness, Laziness, Licentiousness. Now you shall see the Word carrieth things in a quite contrary way to what carnal men doe: to Looseness: men have been the more loose and careless, because Grace hath abounded in the discoveries of the Gospel; but the Apostle disdaineth, it as a most abhorrent and strange conclusion from Gospel-principles, Rom. 6. 1. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. [...], doe not cheerish such a vile and unworthy thought; the Gospel teacheth quite contrary, see Titus 2. 11, 12. not wantonness, but weanedness, to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. So see Rom. 6. 16. and 2 Cor. 7. 1. a Bee gathereth honey thence from whence a Spider sucketh poyson. Again, to Laziness: men are apt to lye down upon the bed of ease, and say Christ must do all, and so exclude all use of means and the endeavour of the creature: This is a foul abuse; for the Scripture inferreth thence the care and work of the creature, because God doth all, Phil. 2. 12, 13. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for 'tis God worketh in you both to will and to doe. We must the more humbly wait upon God in the use of Ordinances, because all dependeth upon his assistance. Again, to Licentiousness: men have interpreted freedom by Christ in such a perverse sense, as to cast off obedience to civil powers, either to Masters in the Family, or to Magistrates in the Commonwealth; whereas the Word calleth for these duties upon this very ground, because we are made free by Christ, that is, more ready and apt to discharge the duty we owe to God and man: in this sence 'tis said, 1 Cor. 7. 22. That a servant is the Lords freeman; and 1 Pet. 2. 16. Obey Governours as free, but as servants of the Lord: Christianity giveth us a greater aptnesse, layeth on us a greater engagement, the bond of conscience; so that there is, as Sadvian speaketh, in maximâ libertate minima licentia, a great deal of liberty by Christ, and yet the strongest engagement to service that may be.

Let us now apply the point.

It serveth to inform us in the first place, that carnal men [Page] are ill skilled in consequences, from the very Gospel would they draw a liberty to sinne, than which from such premises no conclusion can be more strange; 'tis well worth the observing to note the different arguings in Scripture from the same principles, as see some instances, compare 1 Cor. 7. 29 with 1 Cor. 15. 22. the principle in both places, is, the time is short: Now the Apostle in the former place draweth from it conclusions of strictness, temperance, and mortification; Let us use the World as if we used it not, &c. But in the latter the dissolute Epicure argueth quite otherwise, Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we shall dye, a quite different conclusion from the same principle: So here, Grace aboundeth, let us be much in duty saith the spirititual man, let sin abound saith the carnal. Again, compare 2 Sam. 7. 2. with Hag. 1. 2. I dwel within a house of Cedar (saith David) but the Ark of God dwelleth within curtains. Surely I should have had more care of the Ark of God, now God hath built me such a stately Palace: But they in Haggai, We dwel in sieled houses, therefore the time to build the Lords house is not come; so they might live in pomp and ease they little cared how matters went with Gods house. Once more, I Sam. 3. 18. It is the Lord, let him doe what seemeth him good: he argueth from thence to meekness, and a submislive patience; but now compare 2 Kings 6. 33. This evil is from the Lord, why should I wait upon him any longer; from the same principle he argueth himself into a murmuring, and fit of impatience. Thus▪ carnal men are alwaies out in their reasonings: A Parable in a Fools mouth (saith Solomon) is like a thorn in the hand of a Prov. 26. 9. drunkard: When the spirits are disturbed by excess of drink, men have not an even touch, and so when they would use a Thorn, or any sharp thing they wound and gore themselves, so do wicked men being besotted with lusts, argue falsly from the Grace and the holy principles of the world to their own destruction.

Again, it serveth for caution, when you meet with suchƲse 2. base inferences from Evangelical principles doe not blame the Gospel, or the Ministry and dispensation of the Gospel.

1. Not the Gospel, as if it were not clear enough, or faithfull [Page] enough or wary enough, such thoughts are wont to haunt us when we see grosse errours creeping under a shelter and pretence of Scripture, foolish men would give Laws to heaven, we think God should speak more plainly, as if the Lord should make a sun for them to see that shut their eyes: vain man will stumble in Gods plainest waies, should things be never so clearly carried, a perverse apprehension would make them obscure, Parables (which are the liveliest and most sensible representations of things) hardned the Pharisees, Mark 4. 11, 12. If men ruin themselves by their own false Logick we should not therefore accuse God: they that have a mind to fall shall not want a stone of stumbling; they that will onely be feasted with comforts, no wonder if they contract a spiritual sickness, and undoe their souls by a misunderstood, and misapplyed Gospel.

2 Doe not blame the Ministry, and dispensation of the Gospel, because some abuse Free grace, others cannot endure to hear it preached; but children must not be kept from their bread, because Doggs catch at it; because some are drunk with wine, and others eat to excesse, shall the hungry man want his food? Shall hungry consciences lose their portion for others abuse? No, no, if carnal men serve their lusts of these truths, we cannot help it, we are not in the place of God; we can onely deliver the Doctrine, we cannot give them gracious hearts to improve it. The Papists will not let the people have the Scriptures upon this reason, for fear of abuses; and Gardiner would not have this gap of free Grace opened to the people▪ &c. The Devill hath ever maligned a Gospel dispensation: Let not us withhold the truth for fear of inconvenience: Let us look to our commission, preach the Gospel to every creature, if men abuse it we are clear, their destruction is just, as the Apostle speaketh to this very case, Rom. 3. 8. Some slanderously report that we say, let us doe evil that good may come thereof, whose damnation is just: some gave out that Paul taught that they might sinne freely, that God might have the more glory in pardoning, their damnation is just, if they went away with such a vile conceit (saith he) they learned it not from me. Musculus complaineth in one of his books, that no place was so prophane and irreligious [Page] as those where the Gospel had been preached; and Adamus contzenius in Mat. cap. 24. Contzen a Jesuit, citing this passage, cryeth out, See the fruit of Protestantism, and their Gospel preaching; many are of his spirit, doe even hate the publication of the doctrin, of Grace, as if these were the cause of mens miscarriage: If men abuse the truth we cannot help it, however visible mistakes must be prevented, lest men goe away with a Scorpion instead of Fish, and a stone instead of Bread.

2. The next point, that though Grace its self be not pliable Observat. 2. to such conclusions, yet wicked men are very apt to abuse it to the countenancing and cherishing of their sinnes and lusts. You see here the abuse of the Doctrine of the Gospel was very ancient, this spirit of Errour wrought betimes, the former dayes were no better than these, Eccl. 7. 10. In the Apostles dayes, vile hearts did abuse good doctrine, Men were the same then which they are now. when such kind of Errours have a second spring and revolution▪ Indeed of all Errours these seem to be very natural; we greedily drink in the poyson of carnal liberty, but let me give you the reasons why ungodly men take liberty and occasion from the Grace of God to serve their sinful lusts and pleasures.

1. Because carnal hearts do assimulate all that they meet Reasons. with, and turn it into the nourishment of their carnal lusts, as the salt sea turneth the fresh Rivers, and the sweet Showres of Heaven into Salt waters, so do carnal men pervert the holy principles of the Gospel, or as sweet Liquours are soon sowred in an unclean vessel, so doe truths lose their use, and efficacy when layd up in a carnal heart, and are quite turned to anopurpose.

2. Because they would fain sin securely, & cum privilegio, with a free dispensation from God, and therefore seek by all means to entitle God to the sin, and the sin to God; they would finde a great deale of ease from gripes of conscience if they could make God the Author, or at least the countenancer of their evill practices, and therefore when they can rub their guilt upon the Gospel, and pretend a liberty by Christ, the design is accomplished. Augustine often taketh notice, that the Heathens took the most liberty to sin, because [Page] their Gods were represented as approvers and countenancers of such kind of actions; if men could once make God an approver of sin, and giving leave to satisfie our desires, the design of carnal nature were at an end, and they would be freed of that awe of a divine power which is only left in nature as the check and restraint of sinne; and therefore because God hath revealed so much of his indulgence to the faln creature in the Gospel, they strive to draw all the passages of it that way, as if God had given leave to sinne freely.

3. Because man is obedient naturally no longer than when under impressions of awe and fear, the Hos. 11. 4. cords of a man work little with us, like beasts we onely put forward when we feel the Goad: Violent means doe more than gentle perswasions, and the sweet strains of Grace. Usually where we are dealt with in that kinde, we Deut. 32. 15. wax wonton and kick with the heele, as an Asse-colt being suckled and full, kicks her dam in the fore-head.

4. Because we all naturally desire liberty, carnall liberty, to be left to our own sway and bent, and therefore we catch at any thing that tendeth that way, we would be as Gods, Lords of our own actions, and so are very apt to dream of an exemption from all kind of Law but our own lusts, the Seducers bait was a promise of liberty, 2 Pet. 2. 19. We would all be above check and controle, and have scope and roomth from our lusts, Psal. 12. 4. Our lips are our own, who is Lord over us? We would fain bring it to that, to be at our own dispose, to be answerable to none, that should call us to an account: The tumult of the Nation against Christ was about bonds and yokes, Psal. 2. 3. The pale or the yoke is grievous to us, see Job 11. 12. Jer. 31. 18. Now being so resolved to be free, we are, willing to hear of liberty, and apt to abuse whatever sounds to that purpose.

But now let us see how many wayes the grace of God may be turned into wantonness; a right knowledge of the evil may be a means to prevent it.

There is a Grace dispensed in the way of Gods providence which may be called, the Grace of God, and is very lyable to; [Page] abuse; a word of that before I come to the main thing here intended. Thus we finde the patience of God often abused, when the Lord keepeth silence in heaven, and doth not presently thunder down vengeance on the heads of sinners, wePsa. 36. 2. Zeph. 1. 12. wallow in ease and fleshly delights, and dream of a perpetual happiness, and think we shall doe as well as the precisest of them all; Eccles. 8. 11. Because vengeance is not executed speedily, therefore the heart is set in them to do evil: Thus doth mans venemous nature, suck poyson out of so sweet an Attribute as Gods patience! And as Gods patience is abused, so is also his goodness and Bounty. When we are full and enjoy plenty, we grow wanton, and either despise our mercies, Mal. 1. 2. Wherein hast thou loved us? or, which is worse, despise God himself; turn back upon the Mercie-seat, grow very negligent, cold and careless in the Worship of God: nay many times the minde is efferated, and grown bruitish and insolent both towards God and man, Hos. 13. 6. According to their Pasture so were they filled, they were filled and their heart was exalted, they have forgotten me. Men have large Pastures, and strong lusts, and then God is forgotten, there is not that care of God, that sense of duty, that meeknesse of spirit, this is growing wanton with Gods; goodness. Once more, there is another Grace of Providence which is apt to be abused, and that is, the vouchsafement of Ordinances, or the meanes of Grace, in great plenty a Mercy prized when it first cometh among a people, but within a little while they grow wanton, 1 Sam 3. 11. The Word of God was precious in those dayes, for there was no open vision: whilst Visions are scarce they are higly prized, but when they are open aud publick, men begin to grow giddy, cannot be contented with the simplicity of Gods Ordinances, but must be fed with ungrounded subtleties, and quintessential extracts, when spiritual appetite groweth wanton, it is an ill sign, when plain truths will not down, and all things must be carried in an airie, subtile, and notional way, God will have a scourge for such a wanton people.

But let us come closer to the matter in hand: This Text speaketh of Doctrinal discoveries of grace, of the abuse of [Page] the Gospel, and the principles thereof: now 'twere an hard task to give you an account of all the paralogisms and corrupt inferences, which men draw from the Gospel, there is no Doctrine, but one way or another, a carnal heart is apt to abuse it: the most usual abuses are these.

1. The Doctrine of Election is abused, men say they may live as they list: If God hath elected them, they shall be saved, and so allow themselves in their careless neglect of the means of salvation be not deceived: God that decreeth▪ the end, decreeth the means: God hath predestinated us to be conformed to the Image of his Son, Rom. 8. 29. in grace here as well as in glory hereafter.

2. The Doctrine of the Attribut's of Gods mercy and long suffering. Men will say they are sinners and so are others but God is merciful, and so poor ignorant drunkards, Adulterers and swearers as they are, they dye with this principle in their mouths, God is merciful, but be not deceived, neither Fornicators nor Adulterers, &c. shall enter into the Kingdome of God: 1 Cor. 6. 9. So Eph. 5. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things commeth the wrath of God. Both these places shew there were divers which had such deceitful thoughts, as if living and dying drunkards, Adulterres, &c. they should go to Heaven: others abuse the long suffering of God to their delaying and putting off their repentance, as if after a long vitious life provided they could be devote at the last gasp, they should at length be saved, and of▪ a suddain from Swine become Saints: as many delayed their Baptism heretofore, because they would have longer time to sin in, and to walk after their own lusts, and when they were warned of their licentious course; their answer was, Tunc demum a peccatis de [...]stam cum baptizatus ero; When I am baptized I will live otherwise: Thou fool, besides the uncertainty of thy having time or grace to repent; this is a manifest abuse of Gods patience, and will turn to thy greater ruine, Romans 2. 4. 5.

3. The Doctrine of Gospel grace is abused many wayes. Sometimes to exclude the fear and reverence of God, as if [Page] fear were an antiquated grace suiting onely with a legal dispensation: whereas the children of God think the more grace, the more fear, Psal. 130. 4. There is mercy with thee, therefore thou shouldst be feared, and Hos. 3. 5. They shall fear the Lord and his goodness: the goodness of God doth not make them presumptious; but is the greater matter of reverence and holy trembling: fear is so far from being abolished in the Gospel, that it continueth in Heaven, it being an essential and necessary respect from the Creature to the Creator. Again, 'tis abused to deny all humiliation and sorrow for sins; yea all confession of sins, as if to be humbled for sins were legal, whereas repentance and all the acts of it, is a meer Gospel duty, the Law knew no such thing, and the truest and most genuine sorrow ariseth from a sense of pardon, Zek. 12. 10. They shall look upon him whom they have pierced, and mourn, So Luk. 7. 47. that Christian Niobi loved much and wept much, and all because much was forgiven; John speaketh to beleevers to them that walked▪ in the light to confess their sins, 1 Joh 1▪ 9. we cannot have pardon in Gods way till this be done: if we confess, &c. tis a condition not for which, but without which pardon is not obtained: it doth not shew the cause but the order of graces working: again, sometimes tis abused to the neglecting of circumspection and heed in us: we are preserved in Christ (say they) and therefore we may be careless, and though we cast our selves upon snares, temptations and occasions to sin: be confident that God will keep us; the Devil sets upon Christ with such a temptation, Mat. 4. 6. Cast thy self down, and he shall give his Angels charge over thee. Libertines scoff at the niceness and scrupulousness of former professors, that were willing to keep at such a distance from a temptation, as if their strict and exact walking were a fruit of their darkness and legal spiritedness: whereas the Apostle maketh it a main property of of children of light; thus to do Eph. 5. 15. So Gods doing all in the covenant of Grace, is abused to exclude all care of duty: and to keep men in a lazy oscitancy, and gaping for grace without all care or endeavour on our part: whereas God loveth to be met with in his own way, and [Page] commeth in with supplies of grace, according to our diligence in the use of means: See Mark. 4. 34. and as 'tis abused to shut out all endeavours after grace; so all actings and operations under grace: as if we were meer logs rather then rational agents, and God so did all, that the act of our own faculties were quite abolished, or suspended: whereas though the grace be from God, yet the act is ours, for otherwise the faintness and defectiveness of the operation would be chargeable upon him, and the Lord doth so draw us, that we have a motion of our own; draw me and we will run after thee, Cant. 1. 4. 'Tis he that treads down Satan, but under our feet, Rom. 16. 20. the Doctrine of Christian liberty, which is one part of the Gospel is abused to exclude the Moral Law, as a rule of duties to God and man: whereas the Apostle saith, I am not [...], not without the Law to God, but under the Law to Christ, 1 Cor. 9. 20. sometimes 'tis abused to a living to the height of the Creature, (as some carnal wretches phrase it) or an immoderate use of carnal comforts: whereas to restrain us in this kinde the Scripture forbiddeth licentiousness in the use of the creatures under such tearms as do imply the lawful use; See Luk. 17. 27 and Isa. 22. 13. the things mentioned there are necessary for the supportation of life; but the immoderate use is intended, because they did nothing else but minde these things, He that will do all that he may, will soon do more then he should. The doctrine of spiritual worship, and abolishing the shaddows of the Law, which is another part of the Gospel, is abused to the neglect and contempt of Ordinances, and acts of solemn worship, as if all were but formes, not suiting with that spirituality unto which they thinke they are called in these dayes of the Gospel, and so constant prayer is layed aside as a form, whereas God calleth for dayly worship in this kinde, Mat. 6. 11. and making conscience of hearing the word: a form too low for them that pretend to live immediately upon the spirit: whereas the Scripture joyneth word and spirit together, as inseparable in the dispensation, Isai. 59. 21. and the Apostle in one Verse, saith despise not prophescying, 1 Thes. 5. 19. and presently Verse 20. Quench [Page] not the spirit: implying, whosoever doth the one, will, certainely do the other; so the Ʋse of the Seals, Baptism, and the Supper, as forms fit for Novices; but they are of a more elevated strain, and above these lower helps, enjoying so much in the inward and hidden man; whereas Christ hath injoined these Ordinances for the use of al sorts of Christians till he come again to judge the World, see Mat. 28. 20. and 1 Cor. 11. 26. so instructing Children, a form, though we have express command for it in Scripture, Eph. 6. 4. 'twere easie to rake in this Puddle, but this tast may suffice.Ʋse 1.

The Use of all is to make us more cautious and wary, that we may not be guilty of this great sin.

'Tis the errour of the wicked, 2 Pet. 3. 16. 'tis a black mark to grow the more wanton for mercies; secure, for patience; sensual, vain, negligent careless, because of the free tenders of grace in the Gospel; there cannot be a more evident marke of a man in a carnal condition: 'tis sad when our Table is made a snare; but 'tis worse when the very Gospel is made a snare; for the better things are, the worse is the abuse and more dangerous; look as 'tis a mark of the Love of God to have all things work together for good to us, Rom. 8. 28. So 'tis an argument of the hatred of God, when all things prove a snare, and the very Gospel it self, the blessed Gospel of the glorious God is cursed to us, Oh how said is their condition!

2. 'Tis a sin against Mercy, and those of all others are most dangerous, when you abuse Grace, you make Grace your enemy; and 'tis ill for creatures when Grace is their enemy, and there is nothing left for them but Justice and Wrath; Justice will take up the quarrel of abused Mercy, and as Grace is despised, so wrath taketh place; they treasure up wrath, &c. Rom. 2. 4, 5.

3. 'Tis soul ingratitude to turn our mercies into a provocation, to make a Calf of our Earings, and to serve our lusts of Gods Providence, as he said of Adam, that what he received [...] a Rib he returned [...] a Dart, alluding to his fall by Eve; so he fight against God with his own weapons, what vile ingratitude is that? See Jer. 5. 7. Ezek. 7. 20. To [Page] make Plenty the fuel of our lusts, what is it but to Isa. 43. 24. make God serve with our sinnes, and to grow worse for the Gospel, black and tauny because the Sun of Righteousness hath looked upon us? 'tis as it were to give it out to the World, as if he did serve with our sins by his own consent, and we had a license from heaven to doe what we do.

4. 'Tis a great grief to the Spirit of God▪ when you abuse Grace, you doe as it were put your miscarriages upon him, when you call licentious walking, Christian liberty; and neglect of duty, Gospel freedom; and godly sorrow, legalism; and strict walking, superstitious niceness; you doe as it were Father your bastards upon the Spirit, and intitle the monstrous conceptions and births of your own carnal hearts to his incubation and over-shaddowing; you think God warranteth you in all this, and that's a high wrong to him, which he wil avenge in due time; see Psal. 50. 21, 22. I remember the Prophet saith, Jer. 4. 10. Oh Lord thou hast greatly deceived this people, because the false Prophets had done it in his name; false doctrines make God to be the deceiver, and these ill consequences drawn from the Gospel, are in effect charged upon the Spirit who is the author of it.

Well then, learn the truth as it is in Jesus. Ephes. 4. 21.

First, Make him your Teacher; flesh and blood will stumble in Gods plainest wayes, we cannot learn any Gospel truth of our selves, but we are apt to pervert it to an ill use.

2. Take the whole doctrine together; for it is the truth as it is in Jesus, otherwise 'tis the truth as 'tis in the mouth of a false Teacher, half truth, hath filled the world with loosness, when men divide between Christs comforts, and Christs graces, his Priesthood and his Regality, his Benefits and his Laws, these partial apprehensions spoyl all.

3. As to your maner of learning, let it be saving, and such as tends to practice; 'tis not enough to make Christ our Teacher, by using his Word, and looking for the direction of his Spirit, and to make the whole counsel of God our lesson, but also we must learn to a saving purpose, to put off the Old man, to put on the New, and not to store the brain with knowledge [Page] so much as the heart with grace: for to this end is the Gospel given to us not for science so much as practies, to make us better rather than wiser and more knowing.

Another Use is Examination, to put us upon tryal, whetherƲse 2. we doe not, yea, or no turn the Grace of God into wantonness: A man may be right in Doctrine, and yet the constitution of his spirit may be naught. Again, there may be a fond dotage on the name of Christ, and yet no real respect to him, therefore it behoves us to search how the Gospel works with us.

1. Are you not the better for the knowledge of it, if you are not the better, you are the worse; if you know Christ, and come short of the houre of his Grace, you know him in vain, you make Christ and the Gospel an uselesse thing, compare 2 Cor. 6. 1. with Col. 1. 6. there is a receiving the Grace of God in vain, and a knowing the grace of God in truth, we receive it in vain when we are nothing the better for it; and we receive it in truth when we feel the sweetness and power of it upon our hearts and consciences; those that know the grace in truth, are the more vigilent, more humble, more holy, they are more diligent for the grace of God hath a mighty constraint to urge us to duty, 2 Cor. 5. 14, 15. more humble, nothing so melting as Grace, Zech. 12. 10. Ʋnkindness after so much Grace as we have received in Christ is the great reason and cause of godly sorrow: More holy, nothing kindles such a rage and indignation against sin as Grace doth, Ezra 9. 14 Should we again after such a deliverance, &c. nothing perswadeth by such powerful arguments to the practice of holyness, as grace doth, See Tit. 2. 11. 12, 13, 14. Therefore what are you the better, if it worketh not thus 'tis sad.

2. Are you the worse sensibly for the knowledge of the Gospel.

First, Do you grow more careless and neglectful of duties, as if now there were not so much required of you? The Gospel never taught you that; but your own corrupt hearts; 'tis true, the more Christ is preached, the more Evangelical a man is in his duties; his heart is taken off more [Page] from resting in them, he doth not pitch his hopes upon the tale of number of his duties, and he doth not perform them out of bondage, but more clearly, knowingly, comfortablely, as upon Gospel grounds; but still he will be performing: as knowing that duties can never have too much of our care, and too little of our trust: in the Gospel we have more help, therefore in all reason we should perform more work: well then to grow more lazy, and less frequent in the worship of God, and the use of the means of grace: the more we are acquainted with Gods grace in Christ, is to abuse grace, which was given us to make us more chearful, not more slack and negligent.

Secondly, Less circumspect and wary in your conversations, loose walking is an ill sign: Christ himself taught us, To enter in at the streight gate, and to walk in the narrow way, Mat. 7. 14. When men seek more roomth and breadth for their lusts, they pervert the end of the Gospel, for the Gospel onely sheweth, That the greatest sin is pardonable, but the least is not allowable: the world is much for a shorter cut to Heaven; but when you have done all, you will finde that the good, old, long way is the neerest way home; still we must make streight steps to our feet: mortify lusts, bridle vile affections, and keep close to Rule. Sin is the same that ever it was, and the Law is the same, and God is as Holy and as much delights in holyness as ever he did; we therefore must be as strict as ever: 'tis but a carnal liberty to have leave to be wanton, to be free to sin: Nature is very apt to hear in that ear, See 2 Pet. 2. 18. 19. but grace counts it no priviledge.

Thirdly, If less humble, still you are guilty, a man committeth sin and findeth no remorse, upon the pretence of Gods free grace in pardoning, this is still the wantonness which ariseth from the abuse of the Gospel; Gods children never loath themselves more then upon the remembrance of mercy, Ezek. 36. 31. never melted for sin more, then when the warm beams of Gods love thaw their hearts, that they should sin against a pardoning God, a gracious Father: a good Master, &c. every mercy is a new stab at heart, Christs [Page] look made Peter weep bitterly, nothing affects them so much as grace.

The third point is taken from that Particle [Our] [...],Observat. 3. he mentioneth their interest in God to provoke them so much the more to zeal, against errours, that were so scandilous to his grace. Note, That sense of Interest in God begets the best zeal for the truths and glory of God. The point consists of two Branches.

1. That Interest in God will beget a zeal for God: it troubleth a good man to see any one wronged, much more to see his own relation wronged, most of all to see his God wronged: can a man profess love to God, and not espouse his quarrel? freinds have all things common, common love and common hatred, wrong the one, and the other is not well at ease; so it is in the spiritual friendship between us and God, Psal. 69. 9. The reproaches of them that reproached thee, are fallen upon me: injuries done to God and Religion, will as neerly affect us, as those done to our persons; certainly they that can be silent in the cause of God, have little affection to him, and are so tender of wordly interests, do little value an interest in God: Wisdom is justified of her children, Mat. 11. 19. they are Bastards and not Children, that are afraid or ashamed to own their mothers defence, or can hug those in their bosoms that are enemies to God and his grace, Psal. 139. 21. Doe not I hate them O Lord that hate thee? am not I greved with them that rise up against thee? 'Tis an Argument of his sincerity, that God and he had the same enemies, that he could finde no room in his heart for affection to them, that he had no affection to God, when we came into covenant with God: we made a League with him offensive and defensive, to count his friends ours, and his enemies ours, to hate what he hateth, and to love what he loveth; therefore without breach of covenant we cannot be silent in Gods cause▪ and friends to the enemies and abusers of his grace.

2. The next Branch is, That their zeal who have an inteest in God, is the best zeal: now 'tis the best partly because 'tis hotest, they that contest meerly for an opinion, are not so earnest as they that contend out of affection, as a stranger [Page] seeing a man oppressed, may chide him that did the wrong, but a meet relation, he will interpose and venture himself in the quarrel. So will one that loveth God, sacrifice all his interests for Gods sake: partly because 'tis purest; carnal men may ingage in Religious controversies, out of passion they may stikle for their own opinion; but this fire is taken from a Common heart, not from the Altar, it doth not arise from any love to God, from any inward relish, and taste of the sweetness of grace, but onely from humour and obstinacy, and wordly i [...]terest, we may as well be afraid of some mens zeal against errour, as of other proneness to it: Carnal persons keep a great coyle, and fill the world with clamour and rage, but their hearts do not flame with zeal upon a proper interest and do not carry on things in Gods way.

The Use is to inform us of the reason why the spirits of godly men are so keen against such errours as intrench upon the grace of God; why errours about Christ are horrible to them, a very abomination to their thoughts; because thereupon are built all their hopes, and in such matters they have most experiences, therefore their hearts sparkle within them, others feel a cold indifferency, but they a mighty pressure upon their spirits.

I now come to the last part of their discription. [And denying the onely Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ] observe their sin [denying.] The Object [the Lord Jesus Christ,] who is here described three ways. 1. By his absolute rule and supremacy [...] the onely Lord. 2. By his Essence, [...] God. 3. By his Headship over the Church, [...], our Lord Jesus Christ

I shall first vindicate and then open the words, divers take words disjunctively, applying the first clause to the father: the second to the Son: So Erasmus translateth it: God who is that onely Lord, and our Lord Jesus Christ: But as Beza observeth: this is not the first time that he is taken tripping in those places, which seem manifestly to assert the Godhead of Christ; briefly then that the whole clause is to be understood of Christ, may be proved by these arguments. 1. Because the paralel place in Peter, from whence this [Page] seemeth to be taken, maketh mention onely of Jesus Christ, where [...], the word of absolute Sovereignty is ascribed to him [denying [...], the Master that bought them,] 2 Pet. 2. 1. 2. Because to me it seemeth that Jude would lay down all the prorogatives of Christ in his Natures, as God as man: In his relation to the world, so a Master, to the Church, so a Lord, 3. By the tennor of the words in the Original, where there is no new Article to divide them and therefore all these Titles belong to the same person, [...]. 4. Many old Coppies (as Calvin saith) read thus: denying Christ who is onely God and onely Lord. 5. Because the heresie of these times struck at Christ, more then God the Father, and onely at the Father for Christs sake; and therefore John in his Epistles, speaketh often of those that denyed Christ: See 1 John 2. 22. and 1 John 4. 3. 'tis true the School of Symon and some other Sex, held forth many fabulous things of God, and introduced multitude of Rulers by whom the world was governed; but this was to exclude Christ, and to make voyde that Soveraignty which the Scriptures assert to be committed into his hands: The most ancient Heresies were those of the Simonians, Menandrians, Saturninians, who denyed the person of Christ; affirming Simon Magus to be Christ. And the Valentinians, who denyed his humane Nature, affirming that he brought his substance from Heaven, and onely passed through the Virgin Mary, like water through a Conduite: there is but one Objection against this exposition, and that is, if it be meant of Christ; then the Father will be excluded from being God, for Christ according to the sense alledged, is said to be onely Master, onely God and onely Lord; I Answer, The expression doth not exclude either of the Persons of the Godhead, the Father or the Son; but onely the Creatures, and foigned Gods, especially those feigned Rulers and G [...] vornors of the world▪ which the School of Simon, and the Nicholaitans introduced under the horrid names of Barbel, Abrakan and Kavlakan, &c. and indeed such kinde of expressions are frequent in Scripture, as Isa. 44. 8. Is there a [Page] God beside me? yea there is no God, I know not any: So Isa. 45. 5. I am the Lord, there is none else, there is none besides me: All which expressions are meant of Christ, as appeareth not onely by the Titles of Saviour and Redeemer, given to the God that there speaketh; but also by divers passages therein proper to him; yea by a quotation of the Apostles. Compare Isa. 45. 22. 23. with Rom. 14. 11. and Phil. 2. 2. Again you shall finde like passages of God the Father, where [...]e is said to be onely true God, Joh. 7. 3. This is life eternal to know thee the onely true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent; which is not exclusive of other persons, but of other Gods, and the Scriptures speak thus, because of the unity of the Divine Essence, which all the persons communicate one with another.

The Exposition of the words now they are vindicated will be easie, [And denying] this is done either openly or covertly. Openly, when Christ is cleerly renounced and opposed. Covertly, Christ is denyed either by the filthy conversation of Christians, or else by Heretical insinuations, striking at his person and natures at a distance, both are intended for these seducers, though they denyed Christ, yet they had▪ their pretences and illusions, this Christ whom they denied is described, by his relation in the World [the onely Master, or Ruler] this word is opposed to their doting conceit of many Rulers, between whom the Regiment of the World was divided, the next Title is [ [...] God] so Christ is called because of his divine nature, and then [our Lord] he saith [our] partly to shew that this was the Title that he bore in relation to the Church, they being his peculiar people by his fathers gift and his own perchase, partly to awaken their zeal by a consideration of the interest, which they had in this Lord, thus denied; and then the other word [Lord] is proper to Christs Mediator-ship, see 1 Cor. 8. 5. there remaineth but Christs name [Jesus Christ] the word [Jesus] is opened Math. 1. 21. Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins, and it implieth here that Christs Lordship shal be administred for the salvation of the Church; the other word [Christ] signifieth anointed, [Page] which noteth his designation from God to be King, Priest, and Prophet, I do thus particularly open the terms, because I suppose the Apostles scope is to give us a sum of the Christian Doctrine, concerning the person, natures and Offices of Jesus Christ, all which were one way or other impugned by the seducers of that age.

The points that might be drawn hence are many, for a tast take these.

That Jesus Christ is M [...]ster and Lord, [...], King of nations, Jer. 10. 7. and King of Saints, Rev. 15.Observat. 1. 3. or as the Apostle in one place, Head over all things to the Church, Eph. 1. 22. he is over all things Supream and absolute, but the Churches head, from whom they receive all manner of influence, he hath a rod of Iron to rule the Nations, and a golden Scepter to guide the Church, in the World he ruleth by his Providences, in the Church by his Testimonies, Psal. 93. per totum. In the World the attribute manifested is Power, in the Church, Grace; well then, here is comfort to Gods people, your Lord is the Worlds Master, let the waves wave, the Lord reigneth, Psal. 93. You need not fear, he is not onely Lord to protect you, but Master of them that rise up against you: Again, who would not chuse him to be a Lord when whether we will or no, he is our Master; and bow the knee to him, that will else break the back; and touch his g [...]lden Scepter, least we be broken with his Rod of Iron; and take hold of his strength by faith, least we feel it in displeasure; Lord let me feel the efficacy of thy grace, rather then the power of thine anger.

Observe again: That Christ is Lord and Jesus, he cameObservat. 2. to rule, and he came to save: I shall handle these two Titles. 1. Conjunctly, and then, 2. Singly and apart.

1. Conjunctly, Let all Israel know that God hath made this Jesus whom ye have crucified Lord and Christ, Acts 2. 36. 'Tis usual to observe in Christs stile and Title, a mixture of words of power, and words of goodness and mercy. See Isa. 9. 6. & a tibi passim, now for what end? partly to shew that he is a desireable friend, and a dreadful adversary: partly to set forth the mystery of his person, in whom the two Natures [Page] did meet, partly to shew that he is not good out of impotency and weakness; if we pardon and do good 'tis out of need; God is strong enough to revenge, but gracious enough to save and pardon: Power maketh us cruel; Who findeth his enemy and slayeth him not? if we forbear, 'tis out of policy, not out of pitty: the sonnes of Zerviah may be too hard for us, but Christ who is the great Lord, he is also Jesus, he hath the greatest power, and the greatest mercy; mighty, but yet a Saviour: Partly to shew how we should receive him; we should not onely come to him for ease, but take his yoke, Mat. 11. 28, 29. Give him your hearts as well as your consciences; if Christ save, let not sin Lord it. What a pittifull thing is it when men would have Christ to redeem them, and Sathan to rule and gov [...]rn them? [...], we will not have this man to reign over us, Luke 19. 14. There the businesse sticks; the carnal mind is enmity to the Law, Rom. 8. Lusts cannot endure to hear of a restraint, and therefore we oppose most Christs Nomothetick power; like angry Dogs we gnaw the chain: the language of every cardal heart is, our lips are our own, who is Lord over us? Psal. 12. 4. To be controled for every word, every thought, every action, we cannot endure it. Oh consider Christ hath many enemies, but they are his chief enemies that doe withstand his reigning, Luke 14. 29. Those mine enemies that would not that I should reign over them, &c.

Secondly: Let us handle these two titles singly and apart.

1. He is Lord, Acts 10. 36. Jesus Christ he is Lord of all. As he is God he hath the same glory with the Father; as Mediatour there is a dominion that results from his Office; for so he is the heir of all things, the head of all creatures, and King of the Church, and at the last day the Judge of all men. But he is chiefly a Lord because of his heritage in the Church; a Lord over his own people, who are given to him for a possession by God the Father, Psal. 2. 8. and bought with his own blood, Acts 20. 28. and taken into a Marriage-covenant with him, Eph. 5. 25, 26, 27. And as Sarah called her husband Lord, so must the Church own Christ for Lord and Husband. [Page] Well then, let us acknowledge the dominion of Christ, let him be Lord alone in his own house; let us yeeld subjection and obedience to him; let us beware of depriving him of that honour to which he hath so good a right: You will say, who are those that deny Christ his Lordship? I answer. 1. They that will not hear his voice, that slight his calls; he inviteth them and prayeth them that they will look into their hearts, consider their eternal condition, but they quench the Spirit, smother light, resist all these motions; these will not hear Christs voyce; he intreateth, prayeth that we will come and put our souls under his Government, and we in effect say, we are Lords and will not come at thee, Jer. 2. 31. We are well enough, and shall doe well enough without any such care and strictness.

2. They that cannot endure his restraints, Jer. 31. 18▪ Thou art as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. They cannot endure to hear of denying their fashions, their lusts, their pleasures, their vain thoughts, when every thought, and every desire must be under a Law; so much time spent in duties, such gravity in the conversation, such awe in their speechs, they break off like a wanton heifer; vain and licentious spirits will not be yoked and clogged thus, Mal. 1. 14. What a weariness is it? Sacrifice upon sacrifice! such waiting upon God! they cannot endure it. Man is compared to a wild Asse-col [...], not onely for grosness of conceit, but for un [...]a [...]edness and wildness, Job 11. We would roam abroad without restraint.

3. They are given up to strong and inordinate desires of liberty; when men quarrel at duties rather than practice them, think it a kind of happiness to be free, and that there is no freedom but in sinn [...]ng, and following the bent and sway of their own hearts, are all for breaking bands, and dissolving cords, Psal. 2 4.

4. These are bewrayed by a proud contempt, and obstinacie against instruction and reproof, Jer. 5. 5. I will goe to the great men and speak to them, but these have altogether burst the yoke, and broken the bands, they had cast off all respect and obedience to God, Jer. 13. 15. Hear, give ear, be not proud, &c. So [Page] Heb. 13. 12. Suffer the words of exhortaiion, &c. Some spirits are impatient and recoile with the more violence upon a reproof, and storm and vex, which argueth much unsubjection of heart to Christ.

Secondly: he is Jesus, which signifyeth a Saviour; now Christ is a Saviour positively as well as privately, he giveth us spiritual blessings, as well as freedom from misery, Joh. 3. 17. That they should not perish but have everlasting life. Again, he is a Saviour, not onely by way of deliverance but by way of prevention, he doth not onely break the snare, but keep our feet from falling: He is as a Shepheard to lead the flock, as well as a Physitian to heal the diseased: We doe not take notice of preventive mercies, and yet prevention is better than escape. Again, he is a Saviour by merit, and by power; for he hath not only to doe with God but with Sathan; God is to be satisfied, and Sathan overcome, and therefore he rescueth us out of the hands of Sathan, and redeemeth us out of the hands of Gods Justice. To rescue a condemned Malefactor, and take him by force out of the Executioners hands, is not enough, the Judge also must be satisfied, and passe a pardon, or the man is not safe: Christ hath pulled us out of the power of darknesse, Col. 1. 13. and in him the Father is well pleased, Mat. 3. 17. There needeth also power to work upon our hearts, as well as merit to satisfie God. Before his Exaltation he redeemed us, then he deserved it, and therefore 'tis said, We have salvation by his death, 1 Thes. 5. 9. After his exaltation he worketh it, and so we are saved by his life, Rom. 5. 10. So that living and dying he is ours, that living and dying we may be his; we have the power of his Exaltation as well as the merit of his humiliation. Once more, he saveth us not onely for a while, but for ever, and therefore 'tis called an eternal salvation, Heb. 5. 9. not onely from temporal misery but from hell and damnation, not only the body is saved but the soul, and the soul not onely from hell but the fear of hell, Heb. 2. 14. from the fear as well as the hurt, from despair and want of hope, as well as from the misery it self. Yet again, he saveth us not only from the evils after sin but the evil of sin, Mat. 1. 21. He shall save his people [Page] from their sins, there is the chiefest part of his salvation. He doth not onely save us in part, but saves us to the uttermost, Heb. 7. 25. He giveth us life, and all things necessary to life. Well then,

1. Blesse God for Jesus Christ, that he took the cure of our salvation into his own hands, he would not trust an Angel, none was fit for it, Isa. 59. I looked and there was no Saviour, therefore mine own arm wrought out salvation; there are poor creatures, like to perish for want of a Saviour, I will goe down and help them, as Jonah when he saw the tempest, Cast me into the sea; so when we had raised a tempest, cast me in (saith Christ) Lo I am come to do thy will.

2. Get an interest in Christ, Luke 1. 47. My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Interest is the true ground of comfort and rejoycing, what must we doe to get this interest? I answer,

1. Reject all other Saviours, Acts 4. 12. There is salvation in no other: nothing could save Noah and his Family but the Ark; if they had devised Ships, they would not hold out against the deluge; especially take heed of making Christ of self, setting up thy own merit, or thy own power, the one in effect renounceth his humiliation, the other his exaltation: Christ came to save that which was lost; the sinking Disciples cryed out, Master save us, we perish. 'Tis long ere God bringeth us to this; till you are lost, why should you make choice of a Saviour; swimming is not a thing that can be practised a shore or on firm land; till we are brought into distress we will never look for a Saviour.

2. Be earnest with God for an interest, and for the manifestation of it, Psal. 35. 3. Say unto my soul I am thy salvation: When the Soul hath chosen God, Lam. 3. 24. The Lord is my portion saith my soul, I'll have no other Saviour, but I'll desire the Lord to ratifie it by his consent; I am thy salvation. Those that would make use of Christs salvation in a temporal way pressed on him, untiled the house to come at him, so should we force our selves upon him by an holy boldness.

Again, from the words observe, The Son of God was Observation. [Page] Christ that he might be Lord and Jesus; anointed of the Father that he might accomplish our salvations. This anointing signifieth two things.

1. The quality and kind of his Office.

2. The Authority upon which it was founded.

First, it noteth the nature of his Offices under the Old Testament three sort of persons were anointed, Kings, Priests, and Prophets, and all these relations doth Christ sustain to the Church. Men that were to be saved lay under a threefold necessity, ignorance, distance from God, and inability to return to him; suitably Christ is a Prophet to shew us our misery; a Priest to provide a remedy; a King to instate us in that remedy; therefore according to these three Offices doth the Scripture use words in describing the benefits we have by Christ, John 14. 6. I am the way, the truth, and the life. Christ is the way As a Priest, for his oblation and intercession, we have the boldnesse to come to God; the truth as a Prophet, the life as a King; take life either for the royal donatives of Grace or Glory. So 1 Cor. 1. 30. He is made to us wisdom, righteovsness, sanctification, and redemp [...]ion. We are ignorant, foolish creatures, therefore Christ is made to us Wisdom as a Prophet; we are guilty creatures, and therefore righteousness as a Priest; sinfull creatures, therefore sanctification; miserable creatures, liable to deach and hell▪ therefore redemp [...]ion, and both these as a King: 'twas necessary that the way of our salvation should be opened, effected, and applyed, therefore did Christ first come from heaven as a Prophet to preach the Gospel, and then offer up himself through the eternal Spirit as a Priest, and last of all seise upon the Mediatorial throne, as King of the Church. Well then, if our blindnesse and ignorance troubleth us, let us make use of Christs Prophetical Office, that he may teach us the whole counsel of God; if we are haunted by troubles, and the accusations of our own conscience, let us sprinkle our hearts with the blood of our high Priest, that they may be pacified; if we have any desire to be granted, let us make use of his intercession; if we be discouraged by our own weaknesse, and the power of our spiritual [Page] enemies: let us run for protection to our King through whom the Saints are more then Conquerors.

2. It noteth the Authority upon which his Office is founded, he was annointed thereto by God the Father, who in the work of Redemption is represented as the offended party, and supream Judge; and so 'tis a great comfort to us that Christ is a Mediatour of Gods chusing: when Moses interposed of his own accord, he was refused; blot me out of thy book: no saith the Lord, The soul that sinneth, him will I blot out of my Book: but now Jesus Christ took not this honour upon him, but was called of God thereunto; 'twas the will of the Father: so that when we come to God, though we cannot say he is mine, yet we can say, Lord he is thine: a Saviour of thy setting up, thou hast Authorized him, and wilt own thine own way, &c.

Once more observe, (which indeed is a point that lyethObservat. 4. full in the eye of the Text) That Jesus Christ the master of the world and Lord of the Church is true God. For 'tis said here [denying the onely Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ] It would seem a strange thing that I should go about to prove the God head of Christ were not blasphemy grown so common, and appearing abroad with so bold a forehead; heretofore it was a grievous abhomina [...]ion to the children of God, when such a thought rushed into their minds; but now some promote it as a settled oppinion: 'tis Satans policy to loosen a corner stone, though he cannot wholly pull it out, he striveth all that he can to make the main Articles of Religion seem at least questionable: But Christians be not shaken in minde, the foundation of the Lord standeth sure; I confess I should wholly omit such disputes; in fundamental Articles, we shouldnot allow a scruple; Thou shalt not enquire after their Gods, Deut. 12. 30. But when such conceits are not onely Sathanical injections, but mens settled opinions, 'tis good to establish the heart in such principles as this is: that Christ is God, appeareth by express Scripture, where he is called th [...] true God, 1 John 5. 20. the great God, Tit. 2. 13. to shew that he is not a God Inferiour to the Father, but equal in power and glory, and that not by courtesie [Page] and grant, but by Nature. So he is called the Mighty God, the everlasting father Isa. 9. 6. and God over all, Rom. 9. 6. proofs so evident and pregnant, that they need no illustration, and that he is a God equal to the Father, appeareth also by express Texts of Scripture, Phil. 2. 6. He was in the form of God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with God, and Col. 2. 9. in him dwelleth the fulness of the God-head bodily: the Saints are made partakers of the Divine nature, 2 Pet. 1. 5. but in him the whole God-head dwelt personally, and all this was no usurpation of a mothers right; the Jews would have stoned him, because he said God was his Father, making himself equal with God; therefore he meant it not in an ordinary sense, and indeed if he be a God, he is a God by Nature, for God will not give his glory to another. Again, God he must needs be, if you consider the work he ought to do: the work of the Mediator could be dispatched by no inferiour agent: as Prophet, he was to be greater then all other Prophets and Apostles; for the great Doctor of the Church ought to be Authentick a Law-giver from whose sentence there is no appeal: A Lord in his own house, Heb. 3, 6 one to whom Moses was but a servant, for to him he gave the Law, Heb. 12. 29. One that is to be a Foun [...]ain of▪ wisdom to all the Elect, 1 Cor. 1. 30. One that must not onely teach but give eyes to see, and ears to hear, and an heart to learn: consider him as a King, a finite power cannot break the force of enemies, pour out the spirit, raise the dead, bestow grace and glory, and become an original fountain of life to all the Elect; all these things are proper to God, the glory which he will not give to another: Consider him as a Priest, and there is two Acts, Oblation and Intercession, and still you will finde that he must be God; for his Oblation, he must be one that could offer up himself, Heb. 9. 14. and therefore must have power over his own life, Iohn 10. 18. to lay it down and take it up, which no creature hath: And he must offer himself one for all, 2 Cor. 5. 15. the person that suffered was to be infinite, as good and better then all theirs that should have suffered, as they said to David, thou art better then a thousand of us; and this suffering was to be but once: [Page] now the wages of sin are eternal death, something there must be to compensate the eternity of the punishment, and nothing could counterpose eternity, but the infiniteness and excellency of Christs person, as a payment in Gold taketh up less room, then a payment in silver, but the value is a [...] much: 'twas necessary that he should overcome the punishment, for if he were always suffering, we could have no assureance that God were satisfied, and the end was to expiate sin, nothing but an infinite Good could remedy so great an evil, the person wronged is infinite, so is the person suffering; and then his death was not only to be a ransome, but a price, not only [...], but [...]: a surety to an ordinary creditor, payeth the debt, and freeth the debtor from bonds; Christ was to bring us into grace and favour with God, and to merit Heaven for us: now for the other act of his Priesthood his Intercession; so he was to know our persons and our wants and necessities, as the high Priest had the names of the twelve▪ Tribes on his Breast and shoulders, Exod. 28. 12▪ 29. and then he is to negotiate with God in the behalf of all beleevers, and to dispatch blessings sutable to their state: and who can do this but God who knoweth the heart, and tryeth the reins? in short, to be a [...]it Intercess [...]ur for all the El [...]ct he is to know our needs, thoughts, sins, prayers, desires, purposes, and to waite on our business day and night, that wrath may not break out upon us, so that his work as mediatour, sheweth him to be God.

Well then we learn hence.

1. That Christ is a proper Object for faith, faith is built Ʋses. on God, 1 Pet. 1. 21. and Christ is God, and therefore his merit was sufficient to redeem the Church, who is therefore said to be purchased by the blood of God, Acts 20. 28. this maketh him able to sanctifie us, and purge us, for his blood was offered through the eternal spirit, Heb. 9. 14. as God he knoweth our wants; for as to his divine nature he knoweth all things, and then he hath an humane nature, that hath had experience of them he is able as God, to give in the supplies of the spirit, to save to the uttermost, Heb. 7. 25. God manifested in our flesh, is a firm Basis for [...]aith and comfort.

[Page]2. Since he was God by Nature, let us observe the love of Christ in becomming man; men shew their love to one another when they hang their Picture about their neck: what did Christ when he took our Nature? to see the great God, in the form of a servant, or hanging upon the Cross, how wonderful! God manifested in our flesh is a mystery fit for the speculation of Angels, 1 Tim 3. 16. with 1 Pet. 1. 11. it would have seemed a blasphemy for us to have thought it; to have desired it: among the Fryars, they count it a mighty honour done to their order, if a great Prince when he is weary of the world, commeth among them and taketh their habit, and dyeth in their habit: certainly 'tis a mighty honour to mankinde that Christ took our nature and dyed in our nature, and that he was made sin, made man, made a curse: Let us desire to be made partakers of his nature, as he was of ours, this is our preferment to be be partakers of the divine nature, 2 Pet. 1. 5. as this was his abasement, the Sun of righteousness went backward, there was the miracle; and let us use our selves more honourably for the time to come that we may not defile that nature which the Son of God assumed.

3. 'Tis an invitation, to press us to come to Christ, and by Christ to God: The great work of the Ministers is like that, of Eli [...]zer, Abrahams servant, to seek a match for our Masters son; our way to win you, is to tell you what he is, he is God man in on person, he is man that you may not be afraid of him: God that he may be sufficient to do you good; the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the heir of all things: the Saviour of the world: this is your beloved, ye daughters of Jerusalem: He knoweth your wants, is able to supply them, though you are unworthy: come, he needeth no portion with you, we can bring nothing to him, he hath enough in himsell, as Esther the poor virgin, had garments out of the Kings Wardrobe, Esther 2. 12. and the perfumes and odors given her on the Kings cost; therefore come to him, 'tis danger to neglect him: see that ye refuse not him that speaketh from Heaven, Heb. 12. 25. 'tis God wooeth you, hee'l take you with nothing▪ he is al su [...]cient, you bringing him nothing [Page] but all▪ necessity, [...]e will protect you, maintain you, give you a Dowry as large a [...] heart can wish: Therefore leave no [...] till you come to I am my Beloveds, and he is mine.

I come now to the Word, implying their guilt, [...],Observ. 5. Denying▪ Observe, That it is an horrible▪ Impiety to deny th [...] Lord Jesus: When he would make these Seducers odious, [...]e giveth them this character. Now C [...]rist is many ways denyed, I shall refer them to two heads, In Opinion, and Practise.

1. In Opinion, So Christ is denyed when men deny hi [...] Natures or Offices. 1. His Natures; His Deity or Humanity: As those ancient and wicked Hereticks [...]ion and Cerinthus; and that's the reason why John beginneth his Gospel (which was last written) with a description of his God-head, and is so zealous against them in his Epistles; as also Jude and Peter. E [...]ion, Cerinthus, and [...]arpocrates, and others, held▪ he was begotten as others are, by the help of a man. M [...] held the Son of God to be a part of his [...] thers substance. Satur [...]ius, Basilides, Cordion, with other [...] denyed the Humanity of Christ, saying, He only appe [...]r [...] in the shape of a man. Samosatenus held God was not otherwise in Christ then in the Prophets. Eutiche [...] held there was in Christ but one Nature which was made up of the c [...]mmixture of his Flesh with his Divinity, as water is m [...]ed with Wine▪ Nestorius would give him two Personalities, because he had two▪ Natures. The Marcio [...]ites▪ affirmed▪ Christ suffered not really, but in shew. Thus you see how busie the Divel hath been, and always is, about this main Article.

2. His Offices of King, Priest, and Prophet have been denyed by none, as I remember, but yet often made void, and of none effect. Antichristianism is perfectly the evacuating of Christs-Offices: The Papists set up Head against Head, which is the spirit of Antichristianism; They make void his Priestly Office by Indulgences, Purgatory, Doctrine of Merit: Hi [...] Prophetical Office, by Doctrines of men, and unwritten Traditions. So Socinians make void his Priesthood, by denying his satisfaction; and Papists make void the other act of his [Page] Priesthood, by setting up Mediators of Intercession, &c.

2. Christ is denyed in Practise; and so 1. By Apostasie, and total Revolt from him; Matth. 10. 33. Whosoever shall deny me before men, &c. None sin as Apostates do; for they do as it were, after Tryal, and upon deliberate judgement, acknowledge the Divel the better Master; they first for sook Sathan, and then came to Christ, and then they go back again from Christ to Sathan; and so do as it were tell the world, that with him is the best service; and therefore it were better they had never known the way of righteous [...]ess, &c. 2 Pet. 2. 22. 2. By not professing Christ in evil times, for no [...] to profess, is to deny: see Matth. 10. 32, 33. and Mark 8. 38. in an age when men prove disloyal in the Duty of the Covenant, called there an Adulterous generation: Some are ashamed for fear of Disgrace, as well as afraid for fear of danger to own Christ, and the ways best pleasing to him, this is to deny him. 3. Men deny Christ, when they profess him, and walk unworthily and dishonourably to their Profession: Actions are the best Image of mens Thoughts; now their Actions give their Profession the Lye; Titus 1. 16. They profess they know God, and in works they deny him. So 1 Tim. 5. 8. If any provide not for his own house, he hath denyed the Faith; that is, done an act incompatible with the Christian Faith, of which he maketh profession; which is Interpretative, a denying the Faith. For the more clear opening of this, consider these Propositions.

1. An empty profession of Christ is not enough, Now Christ is every where received, 'tis easie to profess his Name. To be a Christian in [...]eart and Conscience was far more easie to them in the Primitive times, then be so in Name and Profession, the Powers of the world being against that way: whereas the difficulty on our part lyeth on being Christians in heart; 'tis no disgrace now to be a Christia [...] outwardly; that opposition and scorn which was then cast upon Christianity, would now be cast upon Judaism, or Turcism, or Paganism: The winds blow out of another corner, and that which was their discouragement, may be our Motive, to wit, The Countenance of Civil Powers; all advantages lie this [Page] way. If in Christ's time they followed him for the loaves, nowJohn 6. 28. Gilbert. in Cant. they may much more: Quandoquidem panis Christi jam pinguis, factus est (saith Gilbert) tractatur in Conciliis, disceptatur in Judiciis, di [...]putatur in Scholis, Cantatur in Ecclesiis, quaestuosa res est nomen Christi: The world is well altered since the first flight of Christianity abroad; the Kings, and Princes, and Wise men of the World were then against it, every where was it hooted at as a novel and improbable Doctrine, but since (by long prescription of time) it hath gotten esteem in the world, and is made the publike profession of Nations; and Kings and Princes have brought their glory into the Church; now Christ is handled in Councils, disputed of in the Schools, and preached of in the Assemblies▪ so that the general profession of Christianity is a matter of no thanks: 'Tis easie to be good where there nothing to draw us to the contrary; and therefore when Christ cometh to judgement, Paganism and loose profession of Christianity shal fare alike; for loose Christians are but Pagans under a Christians name: see Jer. 9. 25▪ 26. The days shall come, that I will punish all them that are uncircumcised, with them that are circumcised; Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab; for these Nations are uncircumcised in flesh, and the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart. 'Tis no advantage to bear Gods mark in our Bodies, and to hove no fruit of it in our Souls; This is but to cloath our selves with the leaves of the Vine, without partaking the sap. What difference is there between those who in a loose Christian profession are addicted to Luxury, wantonness, quarrelling, prodigious lusts, and the Votaries or Worshippers of Mars; Venus, Bacchus, and Priapus? Only the one appear in their own colours, and shew what they are; and the other, though they are as low and brutish in their practises, pretend to an higher Name, even to the sacredRom. 2. 25. and excellent name of Christians: Alas! your Circumcision shall be reckoned Ʋncircumcision, when you have not the fruit of it.

2. Profession of Christianity without answerable practise, maketh us in worse case than an Heathen, that is ignorant of Christ, and salvation by him: see 1 Tim. 5. 8. He is worse [Page] then an Infidel. Poor Pagans are not so well enlightned, instructed, and acquainted with such rich and glorious mercy, with the great things of Eternity, with the assistances of God the Spirit; they have not such Rules as we have, nor such Advantages as we have, nor such Obligations as we have, nor such Encouragements as we have: If a man on Horseback cometh slower then a man on Foot, we blame him the more, because he had more help: So are Carnal Christians in worse case then the Heathen, because God may justly expect more from them. To be brought up in a Princes Court and to be still of rude and servile conditions, is worse in them then in those that follow the Plough all days of their lives: So to be trained up in the Courts of Christ, and to come short of the Heathens in Morality and strictness of conversation 'twill be worse taken of us, then of those that never heard of Christ: The more we profess the Truth, the more we condemn ourselves in our evil practises, and therefore must needs be worse then Heathens, for we practise that by voluntary choise, and perverse inclination, which they practise by education, they know little better: So that the more excellent the Religion is which we profess, the more vile and base is our disobedience; for our profession will be a sore witness against us, that we knew better, and had encouragements to do better; we justifie the Heathen, but we condemn ourselves, as Israel justified Sodom, Ezech. 16. 5 [...]. but by her profession so much the more disproved her own carriage; see vers. 63. time will come when you will wish you had never known the way of righteousness; and as Job cursed the day of his Birth, so will you the memory of that day wherein you were added to the Church.

3. Profession accompanied with some rash and fond affection to Christ, is not enough to acquit us from denying him. Many in an heat and humour will be ready to die for their God, and yet deny him ordinarily in their lives: as a quarrelling Ruffian will stand up for the honour of his Father, who yet by his debauched courses is the very grief of his heart; it may be he wisheth his death to enjoy the Inheritance, yet if any other should speak a disgraceful word of him, he is up in [Page] Arms presently, and ready to fight with him▪ So some [...] pretend much affection to their Religion, and are ready to [...] him that shall question it, or to venture their own lives in the quarrel; and yet none do this Religion so great a despite and dishonour as they do themselves by their ungodly conversations: The Apostle supposeth that some may give their Bodies to be burned, that have not Charity, 1 Cor. 13. 1. for all this ado is not for their Religion, but their humour: If their Religion were rightly understood, they would not endure it, because it altogether disproveth such practises as they delight in; and all that they do is no more then they would do for an Idol, if they were born there where Idols are worshipped. The Blasphemies of a Pagan, or an open Enemy to Religion, do not touch Christ so near in point of honour, as the scandalous Behaviour of a Christian; when Pagans declaim against him, 'tis but the malice of an enemy; Dogs will bark, 'tis their kind; but your disobedience to his Laws, and unsuitable carriages, doth far more dishonour and represent him as an ulcerous Christ to the world▪ because you pretend so much affection to him, and can live in such a fashion; you would be taken for his greatest friends, and so in effect you make the world believe that he doth approve your Doings.

4. Christ may be denyed, though there be a stricter Profession of his Name, and some faint love and relish of his sweetness. Besides the loose National Profession of Christianity, which God in a wise Providence ordaineth for the greater safety and preservation of his Church, there may be a strict personal profession, taken up from inward conviction, and some tast and feeling, and yet Christ may be denyed for all this; as some that had tasted the good Word, turned aside to the world, and so are said to crucifie him, rather then to profess him, Heb. 6. 4, 5, 6. The Apostle intendeth some Hebrews that did mix Moses with Christ and Judaism, to save their goods: So elsewhere he speaketh of some, that had a form of godliness, but denyed the power thereof, 2 Tim. 3. 5. By the Form, meaning the strictest garb of Religion then in fashion: this is to deny Christ, when we deny the Virtue and Power of that Religion [Page] which he hath established, and will not suffer it to enter upon our hearts.

5. The means to discover false Profession is, to observe how we take it up, and how we carry it on; whether we embrace it upon undue grounds, or match it with unconsonant practises.

1. We embrace it upon undue grounds, if we take it up meerly upon Tradition, without a [...]ight of that distinct worth and excellency which is in our Religion; for then our Religion is but an happy mistake; the stumbling of blind zeal upon a good object; and all the difference between you and Pagans, is but the advantage of your Birth and Education, standing upon an higher ground doth not make a man taller then another of the same growth and stature that standeth lower; their stature is the same, though their standing be not the same: So you are no better then Pagans, only you have the advantage of being born within the pale, and in such a1 Chron. 17. 4. Eph. 1. 3. Country where the Christian Religion is professed. You do according to the Trade of Israel, and live [...], as the fashion of your Country will carry it; and as Beasts follow the Track, so you take up that Religion which is entayled upon you.

2. If we match it with unsutable practises. These may be known, if we do consider what is most excellent in theSee my Comment on James from pag. 146. to page 149. Christian Religion. Elsewhere I have shewed that the glory of the Christian Religion lyeth in three things; In excellency of Rewards, and purity of Precepts, and sureness of Principles of Trust.

[...]. In the Fulness of the Reward▪ which is the eternal enjoyment of God in Christ; therefore they that do not make it their first and chief care, to seek the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness Matth. 6. 33. that are like Swine, in preferring the will of carnal pleasures before communion with God, or in the Scripture expression, Love pleasures more then God, or prefers the profers of the world before everlasting happiness; they whose lives are full of Epicurism, Atheism, Worldlyness, 'tis not a pin to those whether they be Pagans or Christians; for acting thus heathenishly, thus brutishly, [Page] they do but polute that Sacred and Worthy Name.

2. The perfection of the Percepts, which require a full conformity of the whole man to the Will of God; More particularly Christian precepts are remarkable for Purity and Charity: for Purity, and therefore revellings and banquettings and chambering, are made to be customs of the Gentiles; 1 Pet. 4. 3. things abhorrent from the Christian Religion; they that are yokeless, and live according to the swinge of their own lusts, or else that only fashion the outward Therefore a merciless disposition is made a denying the Faith. 1 Tim. 5. 8. man, make no conscience of thoughts, lusts, &c. they do not live as Christians: for Charity, nothing is more pressed then giving▪ 'twas Christs maximé, It is better to give then to receive, Acts 20. 35. and also forgiving; one great strain of his Sermon is Love to enemies, Matth. 5. 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48. Christ when he brought from heaven the discovery of such a strange love from God to man, would settle a wonderful love on earth between man and man.

3. For sureness of Principles of Trust, the whole Scripture aimeth at this, to settle a trust in God, and therefore it discovereth so much of Gods mercy, of his particular providence of the contrivance of salvation in and by Christ; so that to be without hope, is to be like a gentile for they are described to be men without hope, 1 Thes. 4. 13. and carking and distrustful care is made the sin of the Gentiles, Matth 6. 31, 32. this kind of solicitude is for them that know not God, or deny his providence over particular things.

Well then, Take heed of denying Christ, 'tis an heavie sin, it cost Peter bitter sorrow Matth. 26. 75. Will you deny Christ that bought you? 2 Pet. 2. 2. Now they deny Christ, whose hopes and comforts are only in this world; Christ is not their God, but their Belly, Phil. 3. 19. Libertines are not Disciples of Christ, but Votaries of Priapus. Merciless and revengeful men do cond [...]mn that Religion which they do profess: in short, they do not only deny Christ that question his Natures, or make void his Offices, but they that despise his Laws, when they do not walk answerably, or walk contrary.

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VERSE 5.‘I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this; how that the Lord having saved the People out of the Land of Aegypt, afterwards destroyed them that believed not.’

WE have done with the Pre [...]ace, I come now to the examples by which the Apostle proveth the danger of defection from the Faith; the first is taken from the murmuring Israelites; The second from the Apostate Angel; the third from the be [...]stly Sodomites. T [...]at you may see how apposite and apt for the Apostle's purpose these instances are, I shall first insist upon some general Observations.

First Observe. That Gods ancient Judgements were ordained Observ. 1. to be our warnings and examples. The Bible is nothing but a Book of Presidents, wherein the Lord would give the world a Document or Copie of his Providence; All these things are hapned to them for examples: 1 Cor. 10. 11. When we blow off the dust from these old experiences, we may read much of the counsel of God in them; their destruction should be our caution: His Justice is the same that ever it was, and his Power is the same, his vigour is not abated with yeers, God is but one, Gal. 3. 20. that is, always the same, without change and variation, as ready to take vengeance of the Transgressors of the Law as of old; for that's the point there discussed: So 2 Tim. 2. 13. He abideth [...]aithful, he cannot deny himself: In all the changes of the World God is not changed, but is where he was at first: Surely we should tremble more when we consider the examples of those that have felt his Justice; for God keepeth a proportion in all his dispensations: If he were strict, and holy, and just, then he is strict, and holy, and just now. He that struck An [...]nias, and Saphyra dead in the place for a lie, that made Z [...]chary dumb for unbelief, that kept Moses out of the land of Promise for a few unadvised w [...]rds that turned Lot's wi [...]e into a Pillar of Salt for looking back, is the same God still, not a jot altered; his judgements may be more spiritual, but then more terrible.

[Page]Again, Answerable practises make us partakers of their guilt, and therefore involve us in their punishment [...] Imitation is an evidence of approbation; A man may have more sins charged upon him then those committed in his own person; you are partakers of their evil deeds that lived before you, if you do as they did; it may be the memory of those that formerly fell under the weight of Gods displeasure is execrable to you, yet your walking in the same course is a signe that you like their practises, and therefore you must expect their judgements with advantage and usury▪ Matth. 23. 35. That upon you may come all the righteous blood that was shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachia [...]; whom ye slew between the Temple and the Altar. Why upon them? And how did they slay him? No doubt the memory of Cum was accursed among the Jews, but they walked in the way of Cain, and so were to receive Cain's judgement with advantage; No doubt the memory of the murtherers of Zechariah the Prophet was hateful to them, but they continued Prophet-killing, and Prophet-huting; and therefore did implicitely approve his murder, and so are said to slay him: Jude 1 [...]. 'tis said, These perished in the gain saying of Kora [...] ▪ How can that be, when they were not as yet born? These Seducers lived long after, but following them in their sin, in their rui [...]e they had a sure pledge of their own destruction: when we see others fall into a deep pit, and yet will adventure the same way, as we sin the worse, so our judgement will be the greater.

Well then, Let us make every instance of the word à Ʋses. warning, and apply it for our Use; 'tis excellent when we read the Scriptures with a spirit of Application in the miscarriage of others, we have experience at a cheap rate, and in their misery we have as sure a proof of the evil of sin, though not as costly, as if we had felt it our selves.

Again, When wicked men flourish, be not dismayed: How hath God judged sinners of like kind? What say your Scripture presidents? I went into the Sanctuary, there I understood their end, Psal. 73. 17.

[Page]Again, it sheweth how vain their conceit is, that God will not deal so severely with us if we continue in our sins as he hath done with others in former times, when the Scriptures were written; Gods judgments (I confess) are more spiritual, but every way as severe to them that continue in their sins; heretofore they were written with death, now with deadness: Nadab and Abihu were quickly dispatchedLev. 10. 3. &c for their unhallowed approaches to God in worship; many come now that do not sanctifie God in their hearts: their judgement is more spiritual, the Ordinances which should quicken, harden them: Bears devoured the children that2 Kings 2. 23▪ 24, 25. mocked the Prophet; many sit taunting by the walls that are not torn [...]n pieces by Bears, but they are posting to hell apace; tarry but a little while, and God will tear them in pieces, [...]nd there shall be none to deliver, Psal. 50. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were swallowed up quick; the earth Num. 16. cleaves to receive them that made a cleft in the Congregation: Many act as tumultuously as they, and no doubt their day is coming: Lot's wife whose heart hankred after her possessions, was turned into a pillar of Salt for lookingGen. 19. back: They that revert, and after they are embarked with Christ, run ashore again, assoon as they see a storm a coming, shall have their reward in due time.

The next thing which I observe in these instances is, TheObserv. 2. impartiali [...]y of Divine Justice; for in all the examples brought, there are some circumstances upon which others would expect an exemption from wrath, as the interest of the Israelites, they were God's own people; the dignity of the Angels they were as it were fellows of God, and Courtiers of Heaven: the beauty and excellency of the country of Sodom: and in all the instances ye may observe the judgements fell on multitudes and societies, or collective B [...]dies: All the murmuring [...]sraelites, All the Apostate Angels, All the Inhabitants of the four Cities. Observe then, That no outward Priviledge can avail us in the day of wrath▪ and so 1. Gods [...]ustice knoweth no relations; He spared not Christ, Rom. 8. 32. He spared not the Angels, 2 Pet. 2. 5. He spared not his people of Israel, &c. 2. None have a priviledge [Page] to sin▪ and th [...]efore none are exempted from punishment, the Law includeth all, the Son, the Servant, them that sit on the Throne, and those that grinde at the Mill, none have a license from heaven, and a priviledge to sin above others. 3. Wicked men do not spare God, and therefore God doth [...]t spare them; They abuse his Justice, his Mercy, they spare not his glory, his Laws, and as they are impartial in sinning, no restraints with-hold them, so God is impartial in punishing.

Lean not then upon these reeds, when wrath maketh inquisitionƲses. for sinners, outward privile [...]ges are of no use, 'tis happy for them alone that are found in Christ Phil. 3. the Avenger of blood had nothing to do with the man-slayer in the Ci [...]y of Refuge; when God is about to strike, no [...]e but Christ can hold the blow; See the vanity of other things; 1▪ Outward Profession is nothing, your Circumcision becometh uncircumcision; God disclaimeth interest in a sinful people; Thy people which thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt (saith God to Moses) when they had corrupted themselves, Exod. 32. 7. in scorn and disdain. Thy people, he will not own them for his Sheep, Deut. 32. 5. 2. No dignity can exempt us, the Angels were cast down t [...] places of darkness. Dignity doth not lessen, but aggravate sin; where much is giv [...]n, much is owed, and much will be required. Tophet is prepared for Kings▪ for Princes is it prepared. 3. Not outward excellency, as the pleasant Land of Sodom: The Disciples thought the goodly buildings of the Temple, would move Christ to pity, Luk. 21. 5, 6. but Christ telleth them, not one stone should be left upon another: Saul was checked for sparing the best: Justice is not dazled with outward splendor. The Lord threatneth to punish the dainty Daughters of Sion with a scab▪ Isa. 3. 17. &c. 4. Not any society or multitudes of m [...]n: He spared not the old world, 2 Pet. 2. 5. No leagues and combinations can maintain your cause against God, though the wicked go hand in hand, they shall not scape unpunish [...]d Pro. 11. 21, Briars and Thorns may be intricated, and infolded one within another, but when a devouring flame cometh [Page] amongst them, they do not hinder, but increase the burning. Universal evils are above mans punishment▪ but not Gods; there is no safety in following a multitude to do evil. So that nothing will serve as a fit screen to interpose between wrath and you, but only Christ.

Thirdly, I observe, that in all these instances, there wasObserv. 3. some preceding mercy, more or less: The Angels had the dignity of their Nature; the Israelites had the Testimony of Gods presence, and were delivered out of Egypt; the Sodomites had Eternal Blessings, and the preaching of Lot, Gen▪ 19. 9. It's Gods usual course to give a people a taste of his mercy, ere he di [...]cover the power of his anger: Judgment is his last work there is some mercy abused before it cometh, which doth abundantly clear God in the judgements that come upon the sons of men: Their ruine may be sad but never undeserved; God hath not left hims [...]lf without a witness, but we are lest without [...]xcuse.

Fourthly, Once more I observe, that in all these InstancesObserv. 4. God had still a care to put a distinction between the just and the unjust; the race of [...]srael was not destroyed, but only them that believed not: The good Angels were preserved▪ the bad only fell from their first estate: Sodom perished in the flames, but Lot escaped; when the multitude is so corrupt, that we know not how they shall be punished, and the rest preserved, let us think of these instances, let us refer it to God, he knoweth &c. 2 Pet▪ 2. 9.

I come now to the words, in which you have a preface; and the first instance of Gods judgement, which was on the unbelieving Israelites. In the Preface you may take notice of his purpose [I will put you in remembrance] his insinuation [though ye once knew this]

I begin with the first part, his purpose [I will put you in remembrance] from thence ob [...]erve, That it is a great part Observ. 5. of a Ministers duty to be a Remembrancer. We are remembrancers in a double sense. 1. From the people to God, to put God in mind of his peoples wants; so 'tis said Isa. 62. 7. Ye that are t [...]e Lord's remembrancers: Christ is the Church [...]s advocate, but we are the Churches Solicitors, to [Page] represent the s [...]d condition of the Church to God. 2. From God to the people; and so we are to put them in mind of the being of God, the riches of his grace, the necessity of obedience, the preciousness of their souls▪ the many dangers that lye in their way to Heaven, &c. These are standing dishes at Christs Table: That this is a great part of our Office, appeareth by those places, 1 Tim. 4. 6. I [...] thou put the Brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good Minister of Jesus Christ: And Paul speaking of his Apostleship, saith, Rom. 15. 15. As one that putteth you in remembrance, through the grace given to me, See 2 Tim. 2. 14. Tit. 3. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 12. 13, 14. 2 Pet. 3. 1. So there are two Psalmes that bear that Title; A Psalme of David to bring to remembrance. Psal. 38▪ and Psal. 70. The great use of Sacraments is, to put us in remembrance of Christ, 1 Cor. 11. 24. Yea, one great employment of the Spirit, is to bring things to our remembrance, Ioh. 14. 26. all which intimateth. 1. Our forgetfulness and incogitancy, Truths formerly understood are soon forgotten, or not duly considered and kept in the view of conscience. 2. The benefit of a good memory: A bad memory is the cause of all mischief; but a lively remembrance of truths, keepeth the mind in a good frame. 3. That however it be with natural, yet spiritual knowledge, is a reminiscence, or reviving the1 Cor. 15. 2. Heb. 12. 7. seeds infused in the New Creation. 4. That a Minister dischargeth his duty, when he teacheth his people things vulgar and already known, as well as those which are rare and less known; if he be but a remembrancer tis enough; we are to bring forth things both new and old; we count him a wanton prodigal that only furnisheth his Table with rarities, neglecting wholesome meats because they are usual. 5. The necessity [...]f a standing Ministry, if not to instruct, yet to keep things in remembrance, because the most necessary truths are few and soon learned; men presently begin to think they know as much as can be taught them, and so neglect Ordinances; whereas one great use of the Ministry, is to keep truths fresh and savory in the thoughts and memory; the Heathens [...]oon lost the knowledge of God▪ [Page] because they were without a publike Monitor, that might keep this knowledge still on foot; the sound of the Trumpet infuseth a new courage; so doth every Sermon beget new affections, though we knew the Truths delivered before: Coals will die without continual blowing; so will graces languish, without often warnings and admonitions.

The next thing in the Preface is the Insinuation [though ye once knew this.] That word [once] needeth to be explained; his meaning is not that formerly they had known, but now forgotten it; neither is [once] to be referred to [...] as if the sense were, I will once put you in remembrance, but by [once] is meant once for all; that is, ye have certainly and irrecoverably received this as a Truth: This clause will yeild us these Notes.

1. That it is the duty of every Christian to be acquainted Observ. 6. with the Scriptures; the Apostle presumeth it of these Christians to whom he wrote: Now this is necessary in regard of our selves, that we may know the solid grounds of our own comfort: every man would look over his charter, Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think to have eternal life: John 5. 39. Particular and distinct Scriptures are a great advantage in temptations; Sic scriptum est, is Christ's own argument against Sathan, Matth. 4. No Christians so unsetled in point of comfort or opinion, as those that are unskilful in the word. Heb 5. 14. In regard of others 'tis necessary, that we may discharge our duty to them; Let the word d [...]ll in you richly, teachi [...]g and admonishing one another, &c. Col. 3. 16. None but full vessels will run over:Job 32: 18. Ignorant Christians are barren and sapless in discourse; Private Christians must be full of knowledge, not only to have knowledge enough to bring themselves to heaven, but to admonish others, see Rom. 15. 14. Well then, do not put off this care to others, as if it were proper only to Scholers, and men of a publike calling, this is every mans work that hath a soul to be saved, 'tis popish ignorance to be contented with an implicite belief, you may best trust your own eyes; when the Sun shineth, every man openeth his windows to let it in; we busie our selves in other books, [Page] why not in the Word? Austin was pleased with Tully's Hirtensius, but he cast it away, because he could not find the name of Christ there: 'tis the description of a godly man, His delight is in the Law of God, and in his Law doth he exercise himself day and night Psal 1. 2. There are the chast delights of a child of God, not in Play-books, and idle Sonnets; How many sacrilegious hours do most spend in these trifles? Good Books should not keep us from the Scriptures; Water is sweetest in the Fountain: Luther professethLuth. in Gen▪ cap. 19. that he could wish all his books forgotten and utterly laid aside, rather then that they should keep men from reading the Scriptures themselves. Christians study the Word more, that you may have Promises, Doctrines, Examples ready, and more familiar with you; to be ignorant in a knowing age, is an argument of much negligence, Heb. 5. 14. Now Religion is made every one's Discourse, Will you alone be a stranger in Israel? As the many helps [...]all upon us to study the Word more, so the many Errors which are abroad: all errour cometh from unskilfulness in the Scriptures, Matth. 22. 29. Ye err, not knowing the Scriptures; in the dark a man may soon lose his way.

To cure this mischief, let me press you 1. To read the Scriptures in your Families, se [...] up this Ordinance among other parts of Worship there, 'tis a Family Exercise, that your children may be trained up in them, 2 Tim. 3. 15. 'Tis a good Closet exercise for your own private instruction, none of you is in too high a Form; the Prophets searched them diligently, 1 Pet. 11. 12.

2. Read them with profit, so as you may understand them, and apply the Doctrines and Examples you meet with there; Ask thy soul, Ʋnd [...]rstandest thou what thou readest? Acts 8. 30 or as Paul▪ Rom 8. 31. What shall we say to these things? The Scriptures are not to be read for delight, but for spiritual profit and use.

3. In cases of difficulty use all holy means, pray to God, the Spirit is the best Interpreter; Pray before, Pray after, as you do for food, if God answer not at first, cry [...]or knowledge, li [...]t up thy voice for understanding: Call in the helps [Page] which God hath given, many private helps of Commentaries, but above all, despise not Prophesying. Consult with the Officers and Guides of the Church, Ephes. 4. 14. Mal. 2. 7.

2. Observe again, That those Truths which we understand Observ. 7. already▪ they had need be pressed again, and revived upon us, See 1 John 2. 21. Our Knowledge is but weak, the eye of the mind is opened by degrees; our Memories are weak, and commands must be repeated to a forgetful Servant; our Affections are slow, not easily wrought up to the love of good things. When the Wedge will not enter with one blow, we follow it home with blow upon blow: Well then we say, 1. Repetitions are lawful for you, 'tis a sure▪ thing, Phil. 3. 1. Christ in the Gospels, and Paul in the Epistles do often repeat the same passages: Till you be affected with them, we must inculcate necessary Principles again and again: God speaketh once, yea twice, when men regard it not, Job 33. 14. Consider men are dull to conceive, slow of heart to believe: The way to pierce the hard stone, is by often dropping: apt to forget heavenly Truths: Leaky Vessels must be filled again, Heb. 2. 1. We must repeat, to make shame more stirring. Peter was troubled when Christ said the third time, Lovest thou me, John 21. 17. Let this which hath been said prevent censure, look upon it as a providence, when the same Truth or Sermon is presented again, Surely I have not meditated enough of this truth, I am not enough affected with it, therefore the Lord hath again brought it to my thoughts, or there is some new temptation that I shall meet with, that I may find the need of this old Truth, &c. 2. That it is a spiritual disease, a Surfet of Manna, when men must still be fed with new things; no truths are too plain for our mouths, or too stale for your ears; the itch of novelty puts men upon ungrounded subtleties, and that maketh way for errour, or hardness of heart, though you hear nothing but what you are acquainted with be content; they were carnal people that complained they had nothing but the old Burden, Jer. 23. 33, 34. Take heed of the Athenian itch, many times it argueth guilt: [Page] we cannot endure to have an old sore rubbed again; as Peter was troubled when Christ spake to him the third time (as I noted before) that his Apostacie should once more be revived. 3. It may justifie two duties of great use, Meditation, and Repetition in our Families. Meditation, for 'tis good to remember Truths that we do already know. Once hath God spoken, and twice have I heard it, Psal. 62. 11. we should go over and over it again in our thoughts▪ first we learn, and then we meditate; S [...]udy findeth out a truth, and Meditation improveth it; as first the meat is taken in, and then the digestion is afterward: Conscience preacheth over the Sermon again to the heart; while the thing is new, it doth more exercise study then meditation; but when we have once learned it, then our thoughts should work upon it; for meditation is the improvement of a known truth. 2. Repetition in our Families, let them hear it again and again, the third blow may make the nail go: If people were humble and sober, they would have new and fresh thoughts every time a truth is revived upon them: at first hearing many are lost through the wandring and distraction of our thoughts▪ things which upon the review may be brought to hand again, at least youth and children must have line upon line, as when they learn to write the same letters, and the same Copie are written over again and again, till the figure of them be formed in their fancies.

I have done with the Preface, I come now to the first instance produced [How that the Lord having saved the people out of the Land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not] [...], the term is of an honourable use in this place [the people] for the peculiar people of God, the holy and elect Nation▪ that had the Law and the Covenants of Promise, this people after they were delivered, and that by so great and solemn a deliverance as that out of the Land of Aegypt, were afterwards destroyed; so that 'tis ill standing upon priviledges: Though many of them to whom the Apostle wrote, had renounced Gentilism, and were (as it were) come out of Aegypt, and made God's people by visible [Page] profession; yet after all this, they might be destroyed in case of disproportionable practise, or disobedience to God in that profession. Of Israel's destruction, see Num. 14. 37. 1 Cor. 10. 10. Libertine Christians shall fare as bad as obstinate Jews, that's the drift of his Argument.

From this clause observe, That after great mercies, there Observ. 1. do usually follow great judgements, if great sins come between: as after their deliverance out of Aegypt, they were destroyed for Ʋnbelief: This may be proved from Christ's advice to the man cured on the Sabbath d [...]y, John 5. 14. Thou art made whole, sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto th [...]e. There is the mercy, the duty thence inferred, and the judgm [...]nt that doth avenge the quarrel of the abused mercy: Often it cometh to pass that many mens preservation is but a reservation to a worse thing, to a greater judgement; So see Joshua 24. 20. He will turn again, and do you hurt, after he hath done you good. So Isa. 63. 10. He b [...]re them in the arms of his Providence, but they rebelled and vexed his spirit, and he was turned to be their enemy. None usually have greater judgements, then such as formerly have had sweet experience of mercy: Why? There is no hatred so great as that which ariseth out of the corruption of love: Disappointed love, abused love groweth outragious. When Amnon hated Tamar, 'tis said, The hatred wherewith he hated her, was greater then the love where with he loved her. As 'tis thus with men, such a proportionable severity we may observe in the Dispensations of God, after a taste of his mercies, Joshua 23. 15. It shall come to pass, as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you, so the Lord shall bring all evil things upon you, until he hath destroyed you, when ye have transgressed the Covenant of the Lord your God. No evils like those evils which come after mercy. No sins are so great as those sins which are committed against mercies; there is not only filthiness in them, but unkindness, Psal. 106. 7. They provoked him at the Sea, even at the red Sea: Mark, 'tis ingeminated for the more vehemency, that at the Sea, even at the red Sea, where they had seen the miracles of the Lord, and had experirience [Page] of his glorious deliverance, that there they durst break out against God. See the contrary in Judges 2. 7. Certainly the more restraints, the greater the offence, when we sin not only against the laws of God, but the loves of God, &c.

Well then, 1▪ It informeth us, that there may be danger after deliverance; there are strange changes in providence, Man in his best estate is altogether vanity, Psal. 39. When you are at your best, as the Sun at the highest, there may be a Declension.

2. 'Tis a warning to those that enjoy mercies; Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you: The next judgement will be more violent. There are some special sins which you should beware of, even those which testifie our unthankfulness after the receipt of mercies: As 1. Forgetting the vows of our Misery. Jacob voweth Gen. 28. 22. but he forgets his vow, and what followed? Horrible disorders and confusions in his Family: Dinah deflowred, Reuben goeth into his Fathers Bed, a murder committed upon the Sichemites under a pretence of Religion, and then Jacob remembreth his Vow: We promise much when we want deliverance, and when we have it, God is neglected; but he will not put it up so, by sad and disastrous accidents he puts us in mind of our old promises. 2. When you kiss your own hand, bless your dragge, ascribe it to your merit and power: Habb. 1. 16. Deut. 9. 4. for these things are our mercies blasted. 3. When we grow proud, self confident: If you were never so high, God will bring you low enough; 'tis a great skill to know how to abound. She remembred not her last end, therefore she came down wonderfully, Lam. 1. 4. when we forget the changes and mutations to which all outward things are obnoxious, God will give us an experience of them. 4. When you continue in your sins, the judgement is but gone cum animo revertendi, to come again in a worse manner: See Psal. 106. 43.

2. The next observation is taken from the cause of their destruction, intimated in those words [that believed not] Many were the peoples sins in the wilderness, murmuring, [Page] fornication, rebellion, &c. But the Apostle comprehendeth all under this [they believed not] Ʋnbelief is charged upon them as the root of all their miscarriages elsewhere, as Numb. 14. 11. and Deut. 1. 32. Whence observe, That Observ. 2. unbelief bringeth destruction, or is the cause of all the evil which we do or suffer.

In handling this point, I shall open 1. The hainousness of Ʋnbelief. 2. The Nature of it. 3. The Cure of it.

1. The hainousness of the sin, that we will consider in1. Hainousness. general, or more particularly.

The general considerations are these.

1. No sin doth dishonour God so much as unbelief doth, 'tis1. In general. an interpretative blasphemy. a calling into question of his mercy, power, justice, but especially of his truth; 1 John 5. 10. He that believeth not God, hath made him a lyar; You judge him a person not fit to be credited; the giving of the lye is accounted the greatest injury and disgrace amongst men; for truth is the ground of commerce and humane society: So that to say a man is a lyar, is as much as to say a man is unfit to keep company with men: But especially is this a great injury to God, because he standeth more upon his word, then upon any other part of his name, Psal. 138. 2. He hath magnifyed his word above all his Name: We have more experience of God in making good his word, then in any other thing. As faith honoureth God, so doth unbelief dishonour him; what God doth to the creature, that doth faith to God; God justifieth, sanctifieth, glorifieth the creature, and faith is said to justifie God, Luke 7. 29. To justifie, is to acquit from accusation; So doth faith acquit Gods truth in the word, from all the jealousies which the carnal world, and our carnal hearts do cast upon him. Faith is said to sanctifie God, Numb. 20. 12. To sanctifie, is to set a part from common use; and God is sanctified when we set God aloof, above all ordinary and common causes, and can believe that he will make good his word, when the course of all things seems to contradict it. Faith is said to glorifie God, Rom. 4. 20. We glorifie him declaratively, when we give him all that excellency which the word giveth [Page] him: Now because unbelief accuseth God, limiteth him to the course of second causes, and denyeth him his glory, therefore is it so hainous and hateful to God.

2. 'Tis a sin against which God hath declared most of his displeasure. Search the Annals, surveigh all the monuments of time, see if ever God spared an Unbeliever: Hence in the wilderness the Apostle saith they were destroyed for Ʋnbelief: Many were their sins in the Wilderness, Murmurings, Lustings, Idolatry but the main reason of their punishment was, they believed not; look to their final excision and cutting off, why was it? [...] for unbelief were they broken off, Rom. 11. 20. not so much for crucifying the Lord of life; the Gospel was tendred to them after Christ was slain; 'twas for not believing or refusing the Gospel: If you will know what company there is in hell, that Catalogue will inform you, Fearful, and Ʋnbelievers, &c. Rev. 21. 8. if you look to temporal Judgements, that Nobleman was trodden to death for distrusting Gods power 2 Kings 8. 2. and could only see the plenty, but not taste of it: Nay 'tis such a sin as God hath not spared in his own children: Moses and Aaron could not enter into the land of promise, because of their unbelief; Numb. 20 12. So Luke [...]. Zechary was struck dumb for not believing what God had revealed. Christ did never chide his Disciples so much for any thing as for their unbelief, Luke 24. 25. O ye fools, and slow of heart to believe: and Why doubt ye, O ye of little Faith? Matth. 8. 26. he chideth them before he chideth the wind, the storm first began in their own hearts.

3. 'Tis the mother of all sin; the first sin was the fruit of [...] Qualitas malae vitae initium habet ab infidelitate. Aug. unbelief, we may plainly observe a [...]aultring of assent, Gen. 3. 3, 4, 5. and still, 'tis the ground of all miscarriages, of hardness of heart, and Apostasie, Heb. 3. 12, 13. He that believeth not the judgements and threatnings of the word, will not stick to do any evil; and he that doth not believe the promises, will not be forward to any good: All our neglect and coldness in holy duties, cometh from the weakness of our faith, there is a decay at the [...] did we believe [Page] heaven, and things to come, we should be more earnest and zealous: Many are ashamed of Adultery, Theft, Murder, but not of Ʋnbelief, which is the mother of all these.

4. Final Ʋnbelief is an undoubted evidence of Reprobation. See John 10. 26. Ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep: And Acts 1 [...]. 48. Unbelief is God's prison, wherein he keepeth the reprobate world, Rom. 11. 32. He hath shut them up under unbelief, &c. And shall I continue such a black note upon my self? I know not how soon God may cut me off, and if I die in this estate, I am miserable for ever; Lord I desire to believe, help my unbelief.

5. 'Tis a sin that depriveth us of much good, of the comforts of providence. Nothing doth ponere obicem, bar and shut out God's operation in order to our relief, so much as this sin; Mark 6 5. He could do no mighty work &c. So John 11. 40. Said I not unto thee, if thou would'st believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God. So also of the comfort of Ordinances, Heb. 4. 2. The Word profited not, because it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it. So for Prayer, James 1. 7, 8, 9. Nay it barreth heaven gates. it excluded Adam out of Paradise, the Israelites out of Canaan, and us out of the Kingdom of heaven, Heb. 3. 17, 18.

Well then, Let us see if we be guilty of this sin; Take heed (saith the Apostle▪ Heb. 3. 12.) lest there be in any of you an evil heart of Ʋnbelief; Many have an unbelieving heart when they least think of it: 'Tis easie to declaim against it, but hard to convince men of it, either of the sin, John 16. 9. or of lying in a state of Ʋnbelief; 'tis the Spirit's work, The Spirit shall convince of sin, because they believe not in me. There are many pretenses by which men excuse themselves, some more gross, others more subtile. Many think that all Insidels are without the pale among Turks and Heathens, alas, many too many are to be found in the very bosome of the Church: The Israelites were God's own people, and yet destroyed because they believed not: Others think none are unbelievers but those that are given up to the violences and horrors of despair, and do grosly reject, or refuse the [Page] comforts of the Gospel; but they are mistaken, the wholl word is the object of Faith, the commandments and threatnings, as well as the promises, and carelesness, and neglect of the comforts of the Gospel, is unbelief, as well as doubts, and despairing fears: Matth. 22. 5. But they made light of it: He is the worst unbeliever that scorns and slighteth the tenders of Gods grace in Christ, as things wherein he is not concerned. Briefly then, Men may make a general profession of the name of Christ, as the Turks do of Mahomet, because 'tis the Religion professed there where they are born; a man may take up the opinions of a Christian Country, and not be a whit better then Turks, Jews, or Infidels; as he is not the taller of stature that walketh in an higher Walk then others do: They may understand their Religion, and be able to give a reason of the hope that is in them, and yet lie under the power of unbelief for all that; as many may see Countries in a Map, which they never enter into. The Divel hath knowledge, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, &c. And those that pretend to knowledge without answerable practise, do but give themselves the lye, 1 John 2. 29. Besides Knowledge there may be assent, and yet unbelief still; the Divels assent as well as know; they believe there is one God, James 2. and 'tis not a naked and inefficacious assent, but such as causeth horrors, and tremblings. They believe and tremble: and they do not only believe that one article, that there is one God, but other articles also, Jesus thou Son of God, Art thou come to torment me before my time? was the Divel's speech; where there is an acknowledging of Christ, and him as the Son of God, and Judge of the world, and increase of their torment at the last day upon his sentence: Assent is necessary, but not sufficient; Laws are not sufficiently owned when they are believed to be the Kings Laws, there is somthing to be done as well as believed: In the primitive times Assent was more then it is now, and yet then an unactive assent was never allowed to pass for faith. Confident resting on Christ for salvation, if it be not a resting according to the word, will not serve the turn, there were some that leaned upon the [Page] Lord, Micah 3. 11. whom he disclaimeth; 'tis a mistaken Christ they rest upon, and upon him by a mistaken Faith. 'Tis a mistaken Christ, for the true Christ is the eternal Son of God, that was born of a Virgin, and died at Jerusalem; Bearing our sins in his Body upon a Tree, that we being dead unto sin, might be alive unto righteousness, 1 Pet 2. 24. the true Christ is one that gave himself for us, that he might purifie us to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works, and is now gone into heaven, there to make Intercession for us, and will come again from heaven in a glorious manner, to take an account of our works, Tit. 2. 13, 14. But now when men lie under the power and reign of their sins, and yet pretend to rest upon Christ for salvation▪ they set up another Christ then the word holdeth forth; and as the Christ is mistaken▪ so is the Faith: 'tis not an Idle trust, but such as is effectual to purge the heart; for the true faith purifieth the heart, Acts 15. 9. If besides profession, knowledge, assent, and a loose trust, they should pretend to assurance, or to a strong conceit that Christ died for them, and they shal certainly go to heaven; this will not excuse them from unbelief, this is [...], the grand mistake, that the strength of Faith lieth in a strong perswasion of the goodness of our condition, and the stronger the perswasion, the better the faith. If this were true, hardness of heart would make the best faith, and he that could presume most and be most secure and free from doubts, would be the truest believer, and the goodness of our condition would lie in the strength of our Imagina ion and conceit: Alas, many make full account they shall go to heaven, that shall never come there▪ The foolish Virgins were very confident, and the foolish Builder goeth on with the building, never suspecting the foundation: nay, let me tell you, Assurance of a good condition as long as we lie under the power and reigne of sin, is the grossest unbelief in the world; for 'tis to believe the flat contrary to that which God hath revealed in the word: therefore none abuse the Lord, and question his Truth so much as these do; Where hath God said that men that live in their sins shall be saved? nay, he hath [Page] expresly said the contrary, be not deceived, neither Fornicators, nor Adulterers, nor Idolaters, &c. 1 Cor. 6. 9. so that you give God the lie, or conceit that he will break his word for your sakes; nay (in a sense) you even dare him to make good his truth: He hath said, Be not deceived; you shall never enter, &c. and you say, Though I am an Adulterer, a Drunkard, a Worldling, I shall go to heaven for all that, Now in a little while you shall see whose word shall stand, God's or yours. Jer. 44. 28.

Once more, The word is not supposed to be without all kinde of power; men may have some relish of good things, and some experience of the powers of the world to come, and yet be in an unbelieving state: See Heb. 6. 5. Where the Apostle speaketh of a common work, opposed to [...], to things that do accompany salvation, v. 9. or have salvation necessarily annexed to them; they may have some feeling of the power of the truth, and yet afterwards make defection out of a love to the world, and worldly things; they may have many spiritual gifts, change their outward conversation, make a glorious profession▪ and be thereupon enrolled among the Saints, yea be of great use and service in the Church, though for their own ends and interests, remaining all this while unrenewed, and having their worldly inclinations to honour, esteem, pleasure, profit unbroken and unmortified; for there is no such enemy to faith, as a carnal worldly heart: Therefore let men pretend what they will, when they are as eager upon the world, as if they had no other matters to mind, and the love of outward greatness doth sway with them more then the love of heaven, and the praise of men, more then the approbation of God, and carnal ease and pleasure more then delight in God, How can they be said to believe? John 5. 44. for such kind of lusts and earthly affections are inconsistent with the power and vigour of saving faith, therefore till the bent of the heart be towards heavenly things, and carnal affections be soundly mortified, unbelief reigneth; I pitch it upon this evidence, partly because the great drift of conversion is to draw off the soul, as from self to Christ, and from [...]in to [Page] holiness, so from the world to heaven; See 1 Pet. 1. 3. Begotten to a lively hope: and 1 John 5. 4. He that is born of God, overcometh the world: Assoon as we are converted, the heart is drawn and set towards heavenly things; partly because the main thing to be believed, next to God's Being, is his Bounty, Heb. 6. that we may make God our rewarder: and partly because the main work of Faith is to draw off the soul from sensible things to things unseen, and to come, Heb. 11. 1. so that whatsoever glorious profession men make, or whatsoever service they perform in the Church, or whatsoever experience they have in the enlargement of gifts, yet if they be careless of things to come, and eager after the things of the world; Faith is not throughly planted: for a main thing wanting in these temporaries, was a resolution to serve God for God's sake, or to make him their pay-master, which can never be, till carnal inclinations to the honours, pleasures, and profits of the world be subdued, and we are willing to lay down all these things at Christ's feet, taking only so much as he shall fairly allow us for our use.

Thus much for the hainousness of unbelief in the General.

2. Let me tell you, that all unbelief is not alike hainous, 2. In particular. as will appear by these considerations.

1. Total reigning unbelief is a black mark, such as lie under it, are in the high way to hell. John 3. 18. He that be-@2lieveth not, is condemned already: The Law hath condemned him, and whilest he remaineth in that estate, the Gospel yeildeth him no hope, John 3. 36, The wrath of God abideth on him; and if he die in it, he is miserable for ever, Rev. 21. 8. Fearful and Ʋnbelievers are reckoned among the Inhabitants of hell. First he is condemned by that ancient sentence, That whosoever sinneth shall die; which is not reversed, but standeth in full force till faith in Christ, John 8. 24. If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins: and if we continue refusing the counsels of the Gospel, to the condemnation that is already, to the condemnation of the Law, there is added a new condemnation, for despising the Gospel: But now partial unbelief where faith prevaileth, [Page] though there be many doubts and fears, leaveth a man obnoxious to temporal judgements, but not to eternal ruine.

2. All unbelief is the more hainous, the more means you have to the contrary, as counsels, warnings, promises clearly held forth; See John 15. 22. If I had not spoken to them, &c. and John 2 19. Light is come into the world, &c. The word is preached [...], for a witness, Matth. 24. 14. with Mark 13. 9. first to them, and if not received, then against them; Did not I warn you saith Reuben to his Brethren? Every offer and warning will be as so many swords in your Consciences. One observeth well, That twiceDespaigne on the C [...]eed. Christ marvelled, once at the unbelief of his Countrymen the Galileans, that had so much means, Mark 6. 8. and another time at the faith of the Centurion a stranger, Mat. 8. 10. who had so little means: 'tis a thing to be marvelled at, that a people should have so much means, and profit but little: Wonder is a thing that proceedeth from ignorance, and Christ though not ignorant, yet would express all humane affections; and the rather, that we might look upon it as a strange and uncomly thing, not to believe after so many helps vouchsafed to us.

3 The more experiences, comforts, evidences, and manifestations of God's power and presence we have had, the great [...]r the unbelief: This was that which provoked the Lord against Israel, to destroy them in the Wilderness. Numb. 14. 11. How long will it be ere ye believe in me for all the words that I have shewed? God traineth up his people by experience, that they may know what he can or will do for them; and therefore by every experience we should grow up into a greater courage and strength of faith and as David, draw inferences of hope against the present danger from the Lyon and the Bear, 1 Sam. 17. 36. or as Paul he hath and doth, and therefore will, 2 Cor. 1. 10. otherwise these experiences are given in vain: Christ was angry with his Disciples for not rememb [...]ing the miracle of the loaves, Matth. 16. 9. when they were in a li [...]e stra [...]t again; when we shew a child a letter here, and the same letter again in another word, and the same again in a third, if he should be to seek when we shew [Page] him again the same letter in the next word, we are angry, and think our teaching lost: So when God giveth an evidence of his power and care in this strait, and in a condescention to our weakness, giveth us a like evidence again, and in a third strait he teacheth us how to read and apply a promise, and yet upon the next difficulty we are to seek again, God is angry with us, because his condescentions are lost: and in this sense God is more angry with the unbelief of his children then of others, because they have more experiences, and are so ready to distrust him that never failed them.

4. The more deliberate our unbelief is, the worse, in times of inconsiderate passion, and in a fit of temptation it may break out from God's children. David when he spake in haste, was fain to eat his words, Psal. 116. 11. I said in my haste all men are lyars, Samuel, and all who had told him of the Kingdom, I shall never live to see the promise fulfilled; so Psal. 31. 22. I said in my haste I am cut off, nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my Supplications: in a fit, discontent may break out, but 'tis presently opposed and checked, but when it groweth into a setled dist [...]mper, then 'tis worse: as that in Psal. 73. was a more lasting temptation; therefore David calleth himself Be [...]st, vers. 22. for his foolish and brutish thoughts of providence.

5. Where unbelief is expressed and put into words, there 'tis more hainous: Ʋnbelieving thoughts are a great evil, but when they break out into murmurings and bold expostula [...]ions, with or against God, then they are worse; 'tis better to keep the temptation within doors, that if the fire be kindled, the sparks may not fly abroad to enkindle others; you grieve God by your thoughts, but you dishonour and disparage him when they break out into words, Mal. 3. 13. Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord: 'Tis a greater daring to avow openly, and publish our suspicions of God, [...]nd discontents against him, Deut. 1. 34. The [...]ord heard he voice of your words, and was wroth, saying, not one of these shall enter my rest. Others may be perverted, and make ill use of our infirmities.

[Page]6. Where there are professions to the contrary, there the unbelief is the worse. After these things do the Gentiles seek, Matth. 6. 32. Christians are not only instructed to do better, but profess to do otherwise; Distrust is a Pagan sin, you are acquainted with a particular providence, with an heavenly father, with the happiness of another world, and for you to be worldly, distrustful, to make it your business what you shall eat and drink, that's a most unworthy thing: for a professed Infidel that believeth not eternity, that never heard of God's fatherly care, nor of heaven or hell, to be altogether in the world, this were no such marvel; but for you that profess to believe the Gospel, to have your hearts fail and sink upon every occasion, and to be under the tyrannie of distracting cares, how sad is it!

Thus much for the hainousness of Ʋnbelief, which I was willing to represent thus at large, that you might see what just reason there was that God should destroy those in the wilderness that believed not.

The next thing thing is to open the nature of it. I shall here give 1. The kinds. 2. The Notes whereby this sin2. The nature of Unbelief. may be discovered. For the kinds of it: Unbelief is two-fold,

Negative.

Positive.

1. Negative Ʋnbelief is found in those to whom the1. The kinds of it. sound of the Gospel never came, or to whom God hath denyed the means whereby faith might be wrought in them, the want of means is not their sin, but their punishment, or misery at least; and therefore they are not condemned so much for want of Faith in Christ, as for not obeying the Law of Nature, for sinning against that knowledge which they received in Adam; now they never received the light of the Gospel in Adam, neither had Adam the knowledge thereof revealed to him, but by special grace after the fall, when he stood in the quality of a private person, then was the promise of the Womans seed revealed to him, therefore they that never heard of Christ, are not condemned simply [Page] for not believing in him; [...] for their sins against the law At the last day there is a difference made between them that know not God (i. e.) by the light of nature, and those that obey not the Gospel (i. e.) answer not Gods ends in revelation of the Gospel. 2 Thess. 1. 8. they are condemned, not for their unbelief against the Gospel; that's the reason why Christ when he had said John 3. 18. Every one that believeth not, is condemned already, presently addeth by way of explication, This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, &c. as restraining it to positive Infidelity; though without Christ they can never be saved, yet God will not damn them for this reason, for not believing in Christ, for he never gave them the means of the knowledge of Christ.

2. Positive Ʋnbelief, which is found in them that have means to believe in Christ, and yet neglect and refuse him, and the offers of grace and life in him, and so continue in the state of nature. This is two-fold.

1. Total.

2. Partial.

1. Total unbelief, in those that continue professed Infidels after the tenders of the Gospel; as the Word where it came found different success, as at Antioch, Acts 13. 48. at Iconium, Acts 14. 1, 2. at Athens, Acts 17. 34. many refused to make any profession.

2. Partial, When men are lustred with some general profession, and gained to some owning of Christ, but do not fully believe in him, not cordially embrace him; either through the weakness of their assent looking upon the Gospel only as probable, or out of the strength of their worldly and carnal affections, they relish not, and esteem not the counsels and comforts of the Gospel, not the comforts and hopes of the Gospel, because they are matters of another world, and lie out of sight and reach, but worldly comforts act more forcibly upon them, as being more suited to their hearts, and at hand, and ready to be enjoyed: Thus Israel out of Unbelief despised the pleasant land, Psal. 106. 24. counted it not worth the looking after; and the counsels of the Gospel they refuse out of an indulgence to fleshly lusts: as there is in the Gospel the History and Doctrine of salvation, so there are counsels of salvation which must be obeyed, [Page] and therefore we hear of obeying the Gospel, 2 Thes. 1. 8. and the obedience of Faith elsewhere.

This unbelief is again two-fold, 1. Reigning. 2. In part broken, though not wholly subdued.

1. Reigning Ʋnbelief is in all natural men, who are not only guilty of unbelief, but described by the term unbelievers, as being persons never throughly gained to the obedience of the Gospel, or the acceptance of Christ, and life and peace in him. It bewrayeth it self, 1. By hardness of heart; they are not moved nor affected with their own misery▪ nor with redemption by Christ, and the great things of eternity depending thereupon; nor the invitations of grace, calling them to the enjoyment of them, Acts 19 9. And divers w [...]re hardned, and believed not, &c. an hard heart is one of the Divel's impregnable Forts, not easily attached by the force and power of the Word: Men are born with an hard heart; we bring the stone with us into the world, and by positive unbelief, or by slighting offers of grace made to us, it increaseth upon us: Hardness of heart is known by the foolishness of it, when seeing we see not, and hearing we hear not, Acts 28. 26, 27. when we have a grammatical knowledge of things, but no spiritual discerning; 'tis also known by the insensibleness of it, when men have no feeling of terrors by the Law, of peace, joy, and hope by the Gospel, no taste of the good word at all, but are as stones, unmoved with all that is spoken. 2. By a neglect of spiritual and heavenly things, they do not make it their business and work to look after those things, Matth. 22. 5. [...], They would not take it into their care and thoughts.But they made light of it, and went one to his Farm, another to his Merchandise. Your callings are not your [...], your work and main business, that is to look after an interest in Christ, therefore when, this is the least thought of, and the Farm and the Merchandise ingrosseth all our time and care men believe not; Could they slight Christ and holy things if they did soundly and throughly believe the Word of God? Would they not find some time to mind their souls? Looking after the inward man, that's the main care; and men would first regard it, if they did believe that the soul were [Page] so concern'd both in point of danger and hope, surely when men take no heed to the great offers of the Gospel, they do not look upon it as a certain truth. 3dly. By secret suspicions in their own souls against the truth of the Gospel; that prophane wretch said hae [...] fabula Christi▪ they look upon it as a Golden dream to make fools fond with it, and that all opinions in religion are but a Logomachy, a meer strife of words, or a Doctrine to set the World together by the ears, as Gallio, Acts 18. 15. or a fancy and fond superstition, Acts 25. 29. and that we need not trouble our heads about it, these are the natural thoughts which men have of the Gospel, such thoughts may rush into the heart of a Godly man, but they are abhominated and cast out with indignation, but in wicked men they reign and dwell, they live by these kind of principles: I remember Christ saith of his Disciples, [...], John 17. 8. they have known surely that I came out from thee, the light of faith is an undoubted certain light; but in wicked men, their assent is mingled with doubting, ignorance, errour, and sottish prejudices against the Doctrine and Worship of God, Matth. 3. 14. natural Atheism in them is not cured; and that faith which they pretend to, and professe, is but a loose wavering opinion, not a grounded and setled perswasion of the truth of the Gospel, Coll. 2. 2▪ the assurance of understanding (as the Apostle calleth it) dependeth upon experience and an inward sense of the truth, and is wrought by the holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 2. 4. and therefore (I suppose) proper to the Godly. 4 By rejecting the counsels of Salvation, see Acts 13. 46. Luke 7. 31. all natural men, are children of disobedience, [...]ph 2. 2. out of pride scorning either the messages of God, folly [...]o him, 1 Cor. 2. 14. or the messengers, [...]s not this the Carpenters Son? Mark 6. 3. [...]oining and fencing with the word, and defeating the methods of Grace used to gain them, Rom. 10. 21. guilty of an obstinate frowardnesse it is a people that do erre in their hearts, Psal. 95. 11. not in their minds onely, but their heart▪ as if they did say, we desire not the knowledge of t [...]y w [...]i [...]s Job 21. 14. 5. By the unholinesse of their lives, the Apostle saith, 2 Peter 3. 11. [Page] We that look for such things, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holinesse and godlinesse of Conversation? from whence we may plainly infer; that they which are not such manner of persons, do not look for such things as faith inferreth, obedience: where the Prince is, there his train will be, so is unbeleef known by disobedience; when men live as carnally and carelesly as an Infidel, there is not a pin to chuse between them. 6. When men hear the Word, and never make application, or convert it to their own use, 'tis a sign they are under the power of reigning unbelief, in faith there is assent or believing the Word to be the Word of God; or that it is a faithfull saying▪ 1 Tim. 1. 15. and then consent or approbation of the Word, as a good word or worthy saying, and then application or converting the Word to our own use; so in unbelief many doubt of the truth of the Word, others acknowledge not the worth of it, they do not glorifie the word, Acts 13. 48. most that speaks well of the word and approve it in their consciences, do not urge their own hearts with it▪ What do we say to these things, Rom. 8. 32. and know it for thy good, Job 5. 27. the Word is far sooner approved then applied, and yet till it be applied it worketh not, when we see our selves involved and included in the general promise and precept, and are accordingly affected, then are we sa [...]d to believe, in Psal. 27. 8. the injunction is plural, seek ye my face; but the answer is singular, thy face Lord will I seek, thus must all truths be applied, and that in their method and order, for there is an Analogy and proportion between them, as the Doctrine of mans misery, that I may consider this is my case, and having a feeling of it may groan for deliverance, the Doctrine of redemption by Christ, that we may put in for a share, and assure our own interest; the Doctrine of the thankfull life, that we may deny our selves, take up our crosse and follow Christ in the obedience of all his Precepts. The first Doctrine must be made the ground of complaint; the second of comfort [...]nd hope; the third, of resolution and practise: But when we suffer these truths to hover in the brain without application, or hear them onely as children learn them by [Page] rote, never thus reflecting▪ What am I? What have I done? What will become of me? &c unbelief remaineth undisturbed. 7. By Apostacy or falling off from God, the great businesse of faith, is by patient continuance in welldoing, to look for glory, honour, and immortality, Rom. 2. 8. but now to tire and grow weary, or to fall off from God as not worthy the waiting upon argueth the heighth and reign of unbelief, what ever faith we pretended unto for a flash and pang. 8. Desperation, when conviction groweth to an heighth, and legal bondage, gets the Victory of carnal pleasure, Gen. 4. 13. My sin is greater, &c. and Jer. 18. 12. Th [...]re is no hope, &c. when men think 'tis in vain to trouble themselves, their damnation is fixed and therefore resolve to go to hell, as fast as they can, such desperate wickednesse may there be in the heart of a man.

2. Unbelief in part broken, and so it implyeth the remainders of this natural evil in the Godly; in whom though faith be begun, yet it is mixed with much weaknesse, Mar. 9. 24. Lord I beleeve, help my unbeleef, this unbelief is manifested. 1. By a loathness to apply the comforts of the Gospel; 'tis the hardest matter in the World to bring God and the soul together, or to be at rest in Christ, when we are truly sensible we draw back, Luke 5. 8. depart from me (saith Peter) for I am a sinfull man, and he should rather say, draw [...]igh to me, the poor trembling sinner thinketh so much of the judge that he forgets the father, though the soul longeth for Christ above all things, yet it is loath to take him for comfort and reconciliation, but floateth up and down in a suspensive hesitancy. 2. By calling Gods love into question upon every affliction, and in an hour of temptation unravelling all our hopes, See Isa. 49. 14. and Judges the 6 and 13. see Psal 77 7, 8, 9, 10. If the Lord were the God of the Mountains and not of the Valleys, we are wont to say if God did love us, why is this befallen us? those are fits of the old distemper, Christ when crucified would not let go his interest, but crieth out, My God, My God. 3. By fears in a time of danger, carnal fears such [...] do perplex us, when we are imployed in Christs work and [...]ervice, as the Disciples that were imbarked with him, were [Page] afraid to perish in his company, Why are ye so fearful, O ye of little faith, Matth. 8. 26. filial fear or reverence of God is the daughter of faith; as distrustfull fear is the enemy of it; trouble is the touch-stone of faith, if we cannot commit our selves to God in quietnesse of heart, it argueth weaknesse; God hath undertaken to bring his people out of every streight, in a way most conducing to his glory, and their welfare, Rom. 8. 28. and therefore when the word yeeldeth up no support, Psalm 119. 50. and the promises of God cannot keep us from sinking and despondency of heart we bewray our unbelief. 4. By Murmurings in case of carnal disappointment, discontent argueth unbelief, they quarrel with Gods Providences, because they believe not his promises, Psal. 106. 24. They believed not his Word, but murmured in their Tents, 'tis ill and they cannot see how it can be better: So Deut. 1. 32. with 34. in this you believed not the Lord your God. 5. By carking in case of streights, bodily wants are more pressing then spiritual; here faith is put to a present tryal, and therefore here we bewray our selves, Matth. 6. 30. Shall he not much more cloath you, O ye of little faith, he doth not say of no faith, for the temptation is incident to a Godly man; they do oftener bewray their unbelief in distrusting God about outward supplies then about eternal life, which yet I confesse is very irrational; for if a man cannot trust God with his estate, how shall he trust him with his soul, and to a considerate person there are far more prejudices against eternal life, than against temporal supplies, look as it was a folly in Martha to believe that Lazarus should rise at the general resurrection, and to distrust his being raised from the dead after four days lying in the Grave, John 11. 24. so 'tis a great folly to pretend to expect life eternal, and not to be able to depend upon God for the supplies of life temporal. 6. By coldness and carelesnesse in the spiritual life▪ if men did beleeve that heaven were such an excellent place, they would not so easily turn aside to the contentments of the flesh, and the profits of the world, men have but a conjectural apprehension of things to come of the comforts of another World; as things at a [Page] distance, sometimes we see them, and sometimes we lose their sight, so that we are not certain whether we see them, yea or no; so it falleth out in heavenly matters, we are poor short sighted creatures, 2 Pet. 1. 9. sometimes we have a glimpse of the glory of the World to come, some flashes, and again the mind is beclouded; and that's the reason why we mind these things so little, and seek after them so little, a steady view and sound belief would ingage us to more earnestnesse: they that beleeve the high price of our calling, will presse on to the mark, Phil. 3. 14. surely men do not believe that heaven is worth the looking after, otherwise they would seek it more diligently, Heb. 6. 14. a poor beast that is going▪ homeward goeth chearfully. 8. Indirect courses to get a living and subsistance in the World, as if God were not All-sufficient, Gen. 17. 1. to break through where God hath made up the hedge, argueth that we do not depend upon him, as by temporising, or by unjust gain: This for a fit and in some distemper may be incident to Gods Children.

3. The last thing in the method proposed, is the cure of 3. The cure of Unbelief. unbelief, God by his mighty power can onely cure it, Eph. 1. 19. but the means which we must use may be reduced to two hearts, 1 Cautions, 2 Directions.

1. Cautions, 1 Take heed of setting God a task, Psalm 78. 20▪ Can the Lord prepare a Table in the Wildernesse, &c. so Matth. 26, 40. if thou be the Son of God, come down from the Crosse, this is to go beyond the promise, and to indent with God upon conditions of our own making, so Matth. 4. if thou be the Son of God turn these Stones into Bread, so when we prescribe to God in matter of allowance. We would have God maintain us at such a rate, be so fed, so cloathed, have so much by the year, such Portions for our Children, he that will be rich, &c. 1 Tim. 6. 9. God never undertook to give us meat for our lusts, when we subject his Providence to our direction, and prescribe what he shal do for our satisfaction, we do but make a snare for our selves. 2. Take heed of betraying faith, by distrusting present means, 'tis an usual thing. Luke 16. If one come from the dead they [Page] would beleeve, if we had Oracles or Miracles, or God did speak to us from Heaven as heretofore, then we should not faulter in our trust as we now do; but by this excuse you impeach the Scriptures, Moses and the Prophets are a sufficient ground for saith, and extraordinary means will not work on them, upon whom ordinary do not prevail there were weaknesses then, and so there will be, whatsoever Dispensation God use, Man is Man still they beleeved not though he opened the Clouds, and commanded Manna from Heaven, Ps. 78. 23. 3. Take heed of [...]ff's in principles of Faith, Foundation stones if laid loose indanger the whole building, take notice of the first hesitancy, Gen. 3. Yea hath God said? So Matth. 4. 3. If thou be the Son of God, &c. there was a plain Oracle from Heaven determining it a little before, Thou art my beloved Son, but the Divel would fain draw it to an IF. 4. Beware of sin, doubts are the fumes of sin, like the vapours that come from a foul stomack, uprightnesse begetteth serenity and clearnesse, as in nature there is often a [...], a circular generation, vapours beget showers, and showers beget vapours; so in moral and spiritual things, there is such a circular generation, unbelief maketh way for sin, and sin for unbelief, sin will weaken trust, it cannot be otherwise; shame, and horrour, and doubt, these are the consequences of sin, God never undertook to bear us out in the Divels work.

2. Directions. 1. Strengthen your Assent to the Word of God, fire if well kindled will of it self burst out into a flame, so assurance and comfort would more easily follow, if there were a through and undoubted assent, to the truths of the Word, we take them up hand over head, and then when a temptation commeth, no wonder that the building tottereth, when the foundation is so weak, there are several degrees of assent, conjecture which is but a lighter inclination of the mind to that which is probable; opinion, which is a stronger inclination to think, that, that which is represented is true; but there is formido oppo [...]ti, 'tis mixed with hesitancy and doubts, [...] weak faith; or firm adherence upon sufficient conviction, yet doubts may arise and in time of temptation, this degree of Assent may be overborn; [Page] but above this, there is a through certainty or assurance of understanding, Col. 2. 2. We should never cease till we come to this; 'tis a great mistake to think that we need not look after the setling of our assent to the truths of the Word: but take these for supposed, but in an hour of temptation we are made sensible of our folly herein; and if I am not mistaken much of our carelessenesse and unsetlednesse of life doth proceed from hence. 2. In setling assent begin with natural principles, and then go on to those which are spiritual and mystical. As Gods Being, and Gods Bounty in the everlasting rewards, Heb. 11. 6. the necessity of purity and holinesse, Heb. 12. 14. the fall and misery of the creature, and then our redemption by Christ, &c. I observe the Apostles when they came to gain men to faith; began with truths suited to their capacity and present understanding: With the vulgar they evince Creation and Providence, by arguments taken from showers of rain, and the courses of nature, Heb. 14. 16, 17. with the Philosophers they urge the notions of a first cause, and a first mover, and those inclinations in nature towards an eternal good, Acts 17. 3. Urge your hearts with the truths you assent too, and work them upon your affections, Rom. 8. 31. Heb. 2. 3. and Job 5. 27. 4 They observe the disproportion of your respects to things present, and things to come. If the Judgement Seat were fi [...]ed, and the Books opened, how would natural men tremble, now faith should make it as present, Heb. 11. 1. the Apostle [...]aith, I saw the dead small and great stand before the Lord, &c. Revel. 20. 12. faith which is the evidence of things not seen, should see it, as if it were in being▪ the light of faith, differeth not from the light of Prophecy▪ in regard of the certainty of the thing which is to come or the assured expectation of it, the light of Prophecy requireth a special Revelation▪ and differeth in degree from the light or sight of [...]aith, as it causeth rapture and exstatick motions; but as to the seeing of things to come with certainty there they agreed; well then if you would discern the strength or weaknesse of your faith; observe how differently you are affected with what is present, and what [Page] is future. So also how differently you are [...]ffected with things visible, and things invisible, with things temporal and eternal; if upon easie terms you might have a good bargain for lands and riches, how readily would men imbrace the offer? for temporal profit what pains will they take? but now in things of soul-concernment we are not alike affected, which is an argument we do not beleeve them; in all cases tis good to put spiritual things in a paralel temporal instance we are taught that wisdom▪ Mal. 1. 8. Offer it now to the Governour, &c. would we do thus to an earthly Potentate as we do to God? If an able potent friend promise help in troubles, how are we cheared with it? If God promise the same things we are little comforted; if every offence that we commit were liable to the notice of man, & our punishment should be to hold our hand in scalding Lead for half an hour▪ men would be more afraid to offend (then now they are) in the sight of God, who knoweth all their thoughts, and hath threatned eternal torment; if the tasting of such a meat would bring present death, who would be so fool-hardy as to meddle with it; nay, when a thing is but likely to do us hurt, as some meats, in case of the Cholick, Gout, or Stone, how cautious are we? To conclude all, let me give you Chrysostomes supposition, for besides unbelief there is somewhat in the strength of evil inclination, suppose a man mightily desirous of rest and sleep, so that he can hardly hold open his eyes, and there were an offer made him of free and undisturbed rest for one night; but in case he gave way to it, to be held under an hundred years torment, would he venture and with so great an hazard gratifie his drowsie humour; yet such is our fearlessenesse and security, that we can run the hazard of eternal torment, for a little carnal satisfaction; if a man were sentenced to death and in danger of execution every moment, would not he bestir himself and improve all his interest for a pardon, we are all cond [...]mned already; but how few are solicitous to get a copy of their discharge. 5. Bewail the relicks of unbelief▪ Mar 9. 24. 6. Chide your hearts for your dejection and distrust of Gods providence, as Ps▪ 42. 5. [Page] Why art thou so disquieted O my soul, &c. and Psal. 77. 10. this is my infirmity, 'tis the duty of a gracious man to rebuke his fears, to chide himself for admitting mistakes of Gods love, suggestions of unbelief and disputes against the promises. 7. Consider how willing Christ is to help you, he carryeth home the stray lamb upon his own Shoulders rejoicing, Luke 15. 5. how he prizeth the weak beginnings of faith, smoaking Flax will he not quench, Matth. 12. 20. taketh notice of the green Figs, Cant. 2. with a mild condescension indulgeth our infirmities, reach hither thy fingers Thomas, John 20. This for the Cure of Ʋnbelief.

6

VER. 6.‘And the Angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting Chains under darkness unto the judgement of the great day.’

IN this Verse you have the second instance from the Apostate Angels, who notwithstanding the dignity and heigth of their nature, upon their rebellion were left to a dreadful punishment, in this instance there is an argument not a pari (as in the former verse) but a majori ad minus, not from a like case, but from the greater to the less; for if God spared not such creatures, as by the grace of Creation were advanced to such an excellency of being; certainly he will not spare us what ever Gospel priviledges we have, if we walk unsuitably.

In these words observe 1. The Sin of the Angels [they kept not their first estate] 2. Their Punishment which is twofold.

1. Present and felt.

2. Future and decreed.

1. Present which is also double: 1. Paena damni their lesse [they left their own habitation] 2. Paena s [...]nsas, their [Page] punishment of pain or sen [...]e [he hath reserved in everlasting Chains under darknesse.]

2. Future and Decreed [unto the judgement of the great day.]

Because I will not perplex the discourse by grasping at too much at one time, I shall discusse each circumstance a part, and in distinct explication. I begin with the phrasesThe Angels Sin. implying their sin and fall. [And the Angels] the expression is plural, to no [...]e the great number of those which fell [their first estate [...]] the word may be translated either their principality or their beginning, and which is all one; first estate, if you translate it principallity, it will well enough sute with the scope of the Apostle, and the Angels are often called Principallities in Scripture, because of their great power and excellent nature: So Col. 1. 16. Thrones, Dominions, Principallities and Powers; all which terms imply the dignity of the Angelical nature; nay, the Divels themselves because of that power and cunning which they still retain, are called principallities, Eph. 6. 12. We wrestle not against Flesh and Blood, but against Principallities and Powers, against the Rulers of the darknesse of this World. If you translate it beginning or first estate; it will more fully expresse the misery and fall of the Apostate Angels, they being not onely departed from the excellency and p [...]w [...]r, but from the integrity and righteousnesse▪ wherein they were first created: So that the point is, that the Angels are fallen from: the condition of their original excellency and integrity.

So Peter, 2 Pet. 2. 4. [...], God spared Doct. not the Angels that sinned, &c. and John 8. 44. the Divel abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him; that purity and integrity wherein they were created is there called truth, because truth is the perfection of any rational creature, and that holinesse which they had was onely to be kept up by the truth or right notions of God; in opening this point I shall inquire

1▪ Wh [...] was this [...]

[Page]2. What was their sin, or how they departed from it▪

3. How they came to sin.

4. The number of them that fell.

5. The Time.

I do confesse the Scriptures do speak somewhat sparingly of the nature or fall of Angels, it being calculated chiefly for the use of man; but some hints there are which we shal take notice of, and improve not to satisfie curiosity, but to serve profit. 1. What is this first estate from which they are departed. I answer their original condition of holinesse and happinesse; every creature which the Lord made, he saw it to be good, much more the Angel whom God created for his own train and company, they are called the Sons of God, Job 38. 7. because they bore his Image, and that in a more eminent degree then man, as being wholly spiritual substances, just, holy, pure, in all qualities representing God their father; 'tis said of man, thou hast made him little lower than the Angels, Psal. 8. 5. when man was at his best there was an inferiority, the image of God was given to us in a lesse degree, although we were placed above all visible creatures, yet then the Angels we were a little lower; that they were excellent, appeareth in that the Angelical obedience is made the pattern of ours, Matth. 6. 10. And our happinesse in heaven is expressed by the condition of their nature, Matth. 22. 30. They are as the Angels of God in Heaven; yea, 'tis notable that when the Scriptures would expresse any excellency, they use to say 'tis fit for Angels; thus Manna is called Psal. 78. 25. Angels food, not as if they needed food, spirits are not capable of corporal refreshments; but if so high a creature should need food, he could have no better. So the tongue of Angels 1 Cor. 13. 1. that is, with a tongue becomming creatures of so perfect an understanding; but you will say these expressions are meant of the good Angels; I answer that at their first creation, they had the same common nature and excellency, as appeareth by the name of Thrones, Dominions, and Powers, which they yet retain in common with the good Angels; yea [Page] and by that power, wisedom, and knowledge which is yet left; in their innocency they were alike good, and alike happy, and could contemplate and behold God, and embrace him with delight as others did; all that is Super-natural in the good Angel, is, the grace of confirmation; by which they abide in the knowledge and l [...]ve of God, whereas others left [...] their first estate, and 'tis probable this grace was given to the good Angels, in the very mome [...]t of their creation, before any merit of theirs, or use of their natural abilities, as appeareth by the others sudden fall, and because they are chosen in Christ who is the head of Men and Angels, Col. 1. 16.

2. What was their sin, there is a great deal of difference among Divines about it, for herein they proceed by guesse and conjecture, rather then any c [...]rta [...]n proof. Howbeit there is enough to vindicate Gods justice against them, quae vis peccata (saith Aquinus) sunt in malis Angelis; according to his opinion they have the guilt of all sin upon them, as tempting man to every sin; but what was the special formal sin, is not so easily determined, some say, affectati [...]n of the Divi [...]ity; others say, flat Rebellion against the Law of their Creation, or rash attempts against the Empire and Soveraignty of God; others envy, because of the humane nature exalted above the Angelical in Christ, he took not the seed of Angels, Heb. 2. 16. but whether that mystery were made known to them is uncertain, rather there are probabilities to the contrary; for the good Angels know it now by Gods dispensations to the Church, Eph. 3. 10. others think R [...]bellion against a particular Law given to them, as that concerning eating the forbidden fruit was to man, whether it were affecting an higher degree above their Creation, or refusing their office and ministration about man, or confidence in their own gifts and received excellency, in a matter of so great incertainty; 'tis hard to determine. To state their sin, take these Propositions. 1. The Law which made their act to be sin, was the Moral Law, as being the Copy of Gods holinesse, his revealed will to all rational creatures, and they are said to [Page] sin, 2 Pet. 2. 4. and [...] sin is [...], a 1 John 3. 4. transgression of a Law; and of no other Law do we read, but of the moral Law, which (as is probable) was given to the Angels, excepting onely such things as are not suitable to a spiritual nature; the Commandement concerning Adultery or unlawfull Propogation, for they Mat. 22. 30 neither marry nor give in marriage, a thing proper to the bodily life. 2. The most likely thing in their sin was Pride, there is Pride in every sin, namely a despising and contempt of the Commandment; and this is a sin agreeable enough to a spiritual nature, as Adultery, Drunkennesse, and such sins are proper to a corporal and sensitive n [...]ture, [...] (saith Chrysostome) [...]: To prove it, the Gregory. Austine. D [...]mascen, &c. Fathers usually quote that place Isa. 14. 12. How art thou fallen from H [...]aven O Lucifer Son of the morning, for thou hast said in t [...]y heart, I will ascend above the heights of the Clouds, I will exalt my Throne above the Stars of God, I will be like the most high: But these are but metaphorical Passages concerning the King of Babylon, and the ground of the mistake was; because the Angels are often in Scripture set forth by Stars, as Job 38. 7. That testimony which is most cogent, is in 1 Tim. 3. 6. Ordain not a novice, lest being lifted up with Pride he fall into the Condemnation of the Divel; this is, lest he make himself guilty of that sin for which the Divel was condemned and rejected of God, namely, of Pride, and See my notes there. James 3. 15. Pride is called Divelish Wisedome; the sin is often to be read in the judgement that followeth it, Gods throwing them down from the dignity of their estates, was a sign that they aspired above it, and it may bee collected from the first temptation, ye shall be as Gods, as himself said in the sense of the fathers, eri sicut altissimus. so to our first Parents he said, eritis tanquam di [...]: 3. They do best that make it a compound sin, accommodating all opinions; for look as there are many sins in that one Act by which Adam fell, Ʋnbelief, Pride, Ingratitude, Disobedience, &c. so in this act of the Angels there might be many sins▪ for though Pride be a chief sin in it, yet what kind of Pride it was, or [Page] how discovered it cannot be determined every opinion is affected with equal probability, it might be envy at man, as we see the good Angels rejoiced at their happinesse, Job 38. 7. Luke 2. 14, 15. and [...]uke 15. 7. or affectation of worship, as we see now they delight in it, or any other rebellion against Gods Empire and Majesty.

3. How they came to sin the Angels being created pure, they had no lust within to incline them, being in heaven they had no object without, to draw and allure them, there was no evil [...]racture, no tempter how could they sin? I answer 'tis probable that many of the Angels sinned by temptation, and seducement, and that one great Angel now called Beelzebub first fell, and drew the rest after him, Mat. 25. 41. the Divel and his Angels, and Mat. 10. 25. Beelzebub the Prince of Divels, it was the name of the Idol of the Ekronites, 2 Kings 1. 2. and signified the God or Lord of flies, now because the Jews knew that they were Divels, that were worshipped in the Idols of the Gentiles▪ they gave the names of the Idols to the Divels or evil Angels, and the chief of the Divels they called by the name of Be [...]lzebub. So Matth. 12. 24. implying, one that was the Prince of the unclean spirits called Divel, Sathan, the great Dragon, and the God of this World; from all which we may probably collect, that there was a Prince or Chief of the Apostate Angels, who was the Ring-leader in this Faction and Rebellion against God. 2. Because the question returneth how came the first Angel then to fall? I answer 'tis hard to conceive how sin came into the Angels first; all that we can say, is this, that the Angels were created good, yet mutable and free, and they voluntarily chose not to abide in their own estates. All the answer Austine would give to this question was, Deus non sunt, they are not God; 'tis God's Prerogative alone to be immutable, they might sin because they were creatures; and Aquinus giveth this reason, God cannot sin, because his act is his rule, but all creatures though never so pure, if not assisted by Grace may sin, Job 4. 18. he chargeth his Angels with folly; there is mutability in the Angelical nature, there called folly: Certainly [Page] God was not the cause of their fall, by infusing evil to them; 'twas the errour of the Manichees, to say they were created evil, nor by his prescience for that inforceth not, nor his voluntary permission, for they were left to their own sway, nor his decree, for that is within himself, and doth not compel the creature; neither is God to be looked upon as consenting to the action, in that he did not hinder them from it; or in that he did not sustain them by his own Grace, for he oweth this Grace to none, and giveth it when and to whom he pleaseth; and in the Angelical nature, as well as the humane, he would discover his justice and mercy, and the freedom of his dispensations.

4. The number, how many fell? the Schoolmen are too rash; some say, just as many fell as stood; others, that a third part fell, abusing that place, Rev. 12. 4. That the Dragon drew a third part [...] the Stars of Heaven after him: Whereas that is meant of defection in the Church▪ certain we are, many fell, and therefore 'tis said Angels in the Text; that the number is great appeareth in that the World is full of these evil spirits, and an whole Legion which containeth some thousands, is said to possesse one man, Luke 8. 30.

5. For the time, in the general very soon, therefore 'tis said, John 8▪ 44. That Sathan was a Murtherer from the beginning: And 1 John 3. 9. The Divel sinneth from the beginning, that is, presently after his Creation, created these Angels were, 'twas the errour of Ʋ [...]le [...]ius and Basilides in the age next the Apostles, that they were not crea [...]ed but begotten of God, these primitive Monsters broached it to the disgrace of Jesus Christ, the onely begotten Son of God, but that they were created, see Coll▪ 1. 16. and Psalm. 148. 2. and created they were in time some of the Gr [...]ek Wri [...]ers supposed the Angels to be made before [...]e World; but there is no ground for that, there being but one beginning of all created Beings; and 'tis said, before t [...]e beginning nothing was made Jo [...]n▪ 1. 3. therefore created they were the seco [...]d day with the Heavens as being of the same matter, as man was made when his sea [...] and [Page] dwelling place was perfected; so the Angels, when their seat and place of residence was prepared, Moses mentioneth▪ them, not because he treateth of the visible World, and corporal Beings, now 'tis certain that being created, the [...] sinned ere man fell, for the Divel in and by the Serpent seduced Eve, 2 Cor. 11. 3. therefore probably they fell a little after their Creation, not in the very instant that it might appear they were not naturally evill, 'tis probable that some time interceded between their creation and defection but a very little time, to shew the mu [...]uability of the Creature.

Let me now apply what hath been spoken, and presse youƲse. to consider it in your thoughts, & to consider it with observation and application to your selves. 1. Consider it with observation, and there is scarce a matter that can be more profitably▪ amplified in your thoughts, we have the most impartial view of things in another person: Oh think of this dreadfull instance the fall of the Angels. 1. Observe that such excellent creatures fell, Angels themselves were created excellent but mutable; certainly, we that Job 4. 18. dwel in houses of clay, and whose foundation is in the dust had need be more cautious, if they be mutable, we are weaker and more mutable, to see such glorious stars leave their station: and fall from heaven like lightning, it should make us poor creatures tremble and look to our own standing, lest we also fall, 1 Cor. 10. 12. self confidence is the next way to ruine, God onely cannot sin because his act is his rule, there may be a great height, strong abilities, rare accomplishments of nature and grace; and yet you see these cannot exempt us from shamefull falls without the divine concurrence, the Angels were the Courtiers of Heaven, the glory of the Creation in the first rank of the created Beings, and yet they fell, who can presume to stand when Angels fall? 2. They fell soon, a little after their Creation, there is no created excellency but if left to it self, will quickly undo it self; how soon do creature perfections fade? Surely there is no stability but in Christ; as the Angels, so Adam fell a little after his Creation, Psalm 49. 12. Adam being in honour [Page] abideth not, in the Original, abideth not for a night; and if it be applyed to the first Adam, it implyeth that he left the honour of his innocency the first day▪ in the morning innocent, and at night a sinner: our new state in this regard is better then innocency, and the grace of regeneration 2 Tim. 2. 1. My Son be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus exceedeth that of creation: the Lord would still keep the creature depending, our estate in Christ onely is sure, because there our strength lieth in another: let us then work out our Salvation with fear and trembling: If Angels fell, and Adam fell, when they had no such mixt nature and divided principles as we have, what will become of us? Neither Man nor Angel can be kept without a surety; and unless Christ be continually present with his own gifts, there is no standing. Thirdly, they fell dreadfully, and from Angels became Divels, exercising thest, lying, envy, murther towards men: the best things corrupted, become worst; as no Vinegar so tart as that which is made of the sweetest Wine; when men sinne against light and grace they become cruel▪ the revolters are profound to make slaughter, saith the Prophet, Hosea 5. After profession the fall is most desperate: their latter end is worse then their beginning, 2 Pet. 2. 20. What a malice have these evil Angels now against God and man, they go about seeking whom they may devour, none so bad as Apostates. Fourthly, their fall made way for ours, by this means there came to be a Tempter in the World, the fall of Angels occasioned the fall of man, and the fall of man the comming of Christ: do but go home with reverence, and observe how by the bare permission of God the Divine Decrees were accomplished, and wonder at the purity of that unspotted providence that is conversant above sin and evil, but not conscious to it: the Angels led the way, and man followed, and so occasion was given for the discovery of the manifold wisdom of God to men and Angels, Eph. 3. 10. Fifthly, so many fell as were not elected by God, there was Election and Approbation among the Angels, among the most glorious Creatures God would shew the liberty of his Counsels, not onely amongst [Page] men, the lower sort of rational Creatures, but among Angels: Therefore the Apostle speaketh of Elect Angels, 1 Tim. 5. 2. Why should Clay murmer, when Gold is refused? if some of the Angels were appointed to be vessels of dishonour, who art thou that repliest upon God; [...], Rom. 9. 20. that will be disputing the soveraignty of God: And ask the reason why he giveth grace to some and not to others, wonder at it, till thou canst understand it, disputare vis mecum? mirare mecum▪ Augustine. & clama O Altitudo! Gods Decrees are hard meat, not easily digested by carnal reason: a proud creature cannot endure to hear of Gods soveraignty, it awakeneth our security to hear of a distinction in the Counsels of God, and that grace runneth in a narrower channel then whole Mankind; do but consider amongst the Angels, some are past by, and others confirmed: and who art thou O man that replyest? Sixthly, In the Election of Angels pardoning mercy is not so much glorified as in the election and calling of men; then was grace shewed but not mercy, Vide▪ Irenaeum lib. 4. cap. 78. Damas lib. 2. Orth. fid. cap. 3. Et Neiremb. Theoph. &c. none of the fallen▪ Angels were saved, but fallen man is called to grace in Christ: we were all in our blood when God said Live, the whole lump and mass of mankinde was fallen; probably next to the free Counsels of God, that was the reason the whole humane nature fell, but not the whole Angelical nature, but onely a part of it, so that the Kinde it self needed not to be repaired; their sins argued more malice because of the height of their understanding; they sinned without a Tempter, but the reason of reasons is the will and gracious good pleasure of God, who was willing to shew pardoning mercy to us, and not to them, the good Angels had confirmation but we redemption, we are reconciled, they continued, love after a breach made, is more remarkable. Seventhly, from the sin in general, by which they fell, was by pride; see the danger of this sin it alwayes goeth before falling, the Angels lost their holiness out of a desire of greatness, they would be over all and under none; tis dangerous when men minde rather be great then good. In Scripture we [Page] have two notable instances of the fall by pride, and our restoration by humility, the Angels fell by pride and aspiring; and Christ restored mankinde by being humble, lowly, and submitting himselfe even to the death of the Cross: Adam would be as God, and so ruined us; and Christ that was God became as man, and so saved us: to counterwork Sathan, he layeth aside the glory of his Godhead, he layeth aside the glory of his Godhead and puts on an humble garb; saving as not by power, but by suffering: well then, look upon pride as the sure forerunner of a fall. Eighthly, Observe the particular fact is uncertain though the general sin may be known, as how this pride was discovered, whether in a thought, or by some bold attempt is not known; it doth not so much pertain to edification and salvation to know their sin, as to know our own: The Scriptures direct us to look inward, 'tis more for our profit to keep out Sathans power, then to know the circumstances of his fall; let us not fall with him, Peter would know Johns end, but Christ rebuketh him, what is that to thee? follow thou me; Joh. 21. 20, 22. We betray our duties by our curiosity, surely we should be more at home, and look to our beame, that we may not ascite others before the chair of censure, but our selves before the tribunal of conscience. Ninthly, Observe that the first sin that ever was, was a punishment to its selfe, they kept not their first estate, the sin is expressed in such a phrase as doth imply their loss, duty hath its reward in its mouth, as the sacks of the Patriarchs their moneys; so sin its punishment, never think that you shall get any thing by offending God, you do but defile, and debase, and degrade your selves from your own excellency when you sin: 'tis Hell enough to turn away from God, and misery enough to polute and stain an image in our soules; the fall of the Angels is described to be a departure from their own happiness.

Secondly, Consider it with Application to your selves, First, apply it for humiliation, we left [...], our first estate as well as the Angels, God made man upright, but [Page] they sought out many inventions, Eccles. 7. 29. Read your own guilt and Apostacy in the sin of the Angels; usually the Page is whipped to shew the Prince his fault; but here the Princes and noblest part of the world are set out to us for examples, that in their ruine and dreadful fall we might understand our own. Do but observe the Parable, they had [...], an original estate of happinesse and holinesse, and so we, they fell soon, so we; they fell by Pride, so we; the Angelical fall is our glass; we are a kind of Divels, and Apostates from God: they were driven out of Heaven, so we out of Paradise: they are punished with darkness, and so we. Secondly, apply it for Caution, there is a new beginning in Christ, the Apostle saith, Heb. 3. 14. We are made partakers of Christ if we [...]old [...], the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. If we should break with God again upon this new stock, there will be no more sacrifice for sin, faith which is the gift of Gods grace, is the beginning and root of a new life in Christ: if we should forfeit this, we cannot expect God will deal with us any more.

We are now come to the phrases that imply their punishment, Secondly the punishment of the Angels. and that we made to be two-fold, Present and Future, the first part of the present punishment is paene d [...] ni, their loss implyed in that clause [leaving their own habitation] in which their guilt is further intimated, for the Apostle here maketh it to be their act, but Peter in the paralel place maketh it Gods act, 2 Pet. 2. 4. God spared not his Angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell, without further diversion we may take up the point thus, That the Apostate Observ. Angels upon their sin and fal departed from that place of happiness and glory which before they enjoyed. So Rev. 12. 8. Their place was found no more in heaven, and the great Dragon was cast out, that old Serpent called the Divel and Sathan, which deceiveth the whole world, he was cast out into the earth, and his Angels were cast out with him. That Scripture I confess is mystical, and speaketh of the overcumming of Sathan in this present world, and casting him out of the Church, which is there expressed by Heaven, [Page] as the World by Earth: For I observe in that book the Church is sometimes expressed by terms suitable to the Jud [...]ical state. So in Rev. 11. 2. The Church is called the Temple, and the World the Court, and sometimes by the Celestial state, and so the Church is called Heaven▪ and the World Earth; but however there is a plain allusion to Sathans first fall from Heaven, as the ground of these expressions, and therefore I may use that place as a proof in this matter, that you may understand the loss of the Angels: give me leave to lay down these propositions. 1. The place of their Innocency was Heaven, round about the Throne of God, where the good Angels do continually behold his face, and stand before him, Dan. 7. 10. In such a blessed place, and in such blessed company was their [...], their abode or habitation: when God disposed the several Creatures into proper mansions and places of abode, he took the Angels into his own train and glorious attendants, that they might be still with him, other Creatures were his Servants, those his Courtiers, that is, his Houshold and ordinary Servants that were to attend as in his Chamber of Presence. 2. In this place they were to enjoy God and glorifie God, their happiness was to enjoy God, their duty to glorifie him;Cor. 13. 12. there they behold his face, Matth. 18. 10. for vision and sight of God is the happiness of rational Creatures, and therefore our happy estate is expressed by beholding him▪ face to face: and David saith, Psal. 16. 11. in thy presence, or in thy face is fulnesse of joy, in Heaven then did God manifest himselfe to them, there they were to applaud his Counsels, receive his Commands, to love God with the most perfect embraces of their will, and to fulfil his Commandments, hearkning to the voice of his Word. 3. From this place they are now driven into the lower parts of the World▪ as being a place more fit for sin and misery: that the place into which they are driven is the bottom and center of the Earth, cannot be shewen out of Scripture, rather the contrary; for sometimes they are said to fly up and down in the air, and therefore is Sathan [Page] called the Prince of the power of the air, Eph. 2. 3. and the other Divels, Principalities and spiritual wickednesses in high places, Eph. 6. 12. They aspire to get as high as they can, but they can get no further then the Regions of the [...]ire; and sometimes they are said to compasse the earth to and fro, Job 1. 7. The Earth is Sathans walk and circuit, where he seeks to do mischief, and sometimes they are in the Sea, Matth. 8. 33. for as yet they are not in that prison and place of torments▪ where they shall abide for ever under the wrath of the Lord: therefore when Christ checketh their power in the world, they expostulate with him, Jesus thou Son of David, ar [...] thou come to torment us before our time, Matth. 8. 29. and besought him that he would not cast them into the great deep; by which some understand the final place of their residence and torments, even the lowest place of the world, most remote from the highest Heavens, which place as yet they have not entred: but how is it said that they are already cast down into Hell, 2 Pet. 2. 4. [...], I Answer, that expression doth onely note the dreadfulnesse of their fal from so glorious a mansion, to such a place of misery, and because where ever they are, they carry their own Hell with them, though by Gods permission they are as yet suffered to remain in the Air or Earth. 4. Departing from Heaven, they departed from all the happiness and glory which they enjoyed there, namely, that light, which they had in their understandings to behold God, that power in their wills to love and s [...]rve him, in stead of which they are filled with darknesse and malice and become the unreconsilable enemies of God and Man; as to their light, their gracious knowledge is quite extinct, their natural knowledge much Eclipsed, and their experimental knowledge, not enongh to engage their hearts to God; as to their integrity and holiness, in stead of a will to love and serve God, there are nothing but obstinate purposes to do evil, and endeavours to hinder the glory of God, and the good of Man, 1 Pet. 5. 8. lest we should enjoy that happiness which he hath left. Hence those [Page] titles given then in Scripture, as Rev. 12. 9. Divel, which signifieth a Slanderer, Sathan which signifieth an Enemy, the Tempter, Matth. 4. 1. because he dayly solliciteth us to evil, [...], the evil one, Matth. 5. being full of wickedness himselfe, he maketh it his study and care to propagate it in others; Belial, 2 Cor. 6. 15. unprofitable, as good for nothing, [...], the destroyer, because he worketh mischief; the old Serpent, Rev. 12. 6. because under the shape of the serpent he poysoned Eve; as to their power, it is much broken and limitted, they are held in the chains of providence, they could not do hurt to the herd of Swine without permission, Luke 9. 26. 5. Though they have lost much of the glory and power annexed to their habitation, yet many tokens of the divine image do as yet remain in them: holiness is (as we said) utterly lost, he sinneth from the beginning, 1 John 3. 8. that is, doth nothing else but sin; and Acquinas saith well, Hoc est Angelis casus, quod hominibus mors, their fall into sin to them is as death to us: but now in other things they have much left, as man after his fall is like a drisled picture, and had onely enough left to shew what he once was, so the Angels though they are much fallen from the excellency of their nature, yet there is enough left to shew that once they were glorions creatures: that which remaineth may be referred to two heads, their great cunning and active power. 1. Their knowledge and cunning is great, they have much natural and experimental knowledge, so as they can discern hidden causes, and virtues which scape the flight of mans reason and understanding; they know how to apply active to passive things, can guess notably at future events, but as for a certain knowledge of them (unless of such things as depend upon necessary causes) that is proper to God, and accordingly he challengeth it, Isa. 41. 23. shew the things that are to come, that we may know that ye are Gods, &c. Therefore the Divels Oracles were either false or doubtful, as 2 Kings 22. 16. great skill in Arts and tongues they have as appeareth by their teaching those things with wonderful facility to those that [Page] have familiarity with them See my Notes on Jam. 2. 19. in divine things, they know enough of God and his justice, as to feel an horror impressed upon themselves, Jam. 2. 19▪ Luk. 4. 34. Acts 19. 15, besides they are of wonderful sagarity to judge of mens hearts by the gestures, the motion of the blood and spirits, and other such external signes, for directly they do not know the thoughts. that is the priviledge of God. 2. Their power is great still, though limited, so that it cannot be exercised but when and where, and as God will; they are able to raise tempests, to bring fire from Heaven, as they did, to ruine Jobs house and children, Job 1. they can deceive with lying miracles, but true miracles can onely be wrought by a divine power; being of much sagacity and skill in the secrets of nature, they may poyson the air, destroy the bodies of men, infest and trouble beasts and cattel, in short do all that lieth within the compass of a natural cause where God permitteth: Again they may possess the bodies of men, hinder the Godly in the execution of their duty; over rule the spirits of wicked men, and act and stir them up to wrath, lust, filthiness, Eph. 2. 3. besot them with error, &c. it would require a distinct discourse, to open this power to you: they cannot create new beings, nor raise dead bodies, nor compel the will of man, they can do mira, but not miracula, &c. Let me now come to observe somewhat of practical concernment from what hath been spoken.

1. That God hath proper places where the Creatures Partical Observations thence. shall perform their duty and injoy their happinesse, as the Angels had Heaven which was [...], their proper place, so Adam▪ had Paradise, and the Saints the Church; 'tis misery enough to be thrown out of that place where God manifesteth himself, he that was cast out of the Church was given up to Sathan, 1 Cor. 5. 5. in the Church, Christ ruleth; in the World, Sathan; 'tis good to keep to the Shepheards Tents, Cant. 1. 8. the Angels left their first estate, at the same time that they lost their own habitation, 'tis dangerous to leave our own place, to be cast out of the Congregations of the Faithfull, where God [Page] dwelleth and is glorified, he inhabiteth the praises of Israel, Psalm 22. 3. that is in the Church where he hath praise, and we have benefit, the Church is the Gate of Heaven, Gen. 28▪ 17. where God is, there Heaven is; Cain himself could bewail his misery in being turned out from the Church, he had the whole earth before him, but (saith he) I shall be hid from thy face, Gen. 4. 14. that is, I am turned out from the place of thy worship, and where thy name is called upon: 'tis sad to be banished from the Lords gracious presence.

2. Sin depriveth us of Gods presence, this is the Wall of separation between us and God, Isa. 59. 2. Your sins have separated, &c. it not onely provoketh God to stand at a distance from us, but worketh a strangenesse in us, and maketh us shie of his presence, it cast the Angels out of Heaven, Adam out of Paradise, Cain out of the Church; well then, when you are tempted to folly, bethink with your selves, God could not indure the sight of Angels, when once they were defiled with sin; if I should yeeld to this temptation▪ I should never indure God, nor he me; this will either cause the spirit to leave me, or me to leave the Throne of Grace; guilty souls cannot sustain the presence of God, and God doth not own the presence of guilty sinners. Peter said Luke 5. 8. Depart from me, for I am a sinfull man: And God saith, Depart from me into everlasting torments, Mat. 25.

3. Observe again Jude maketh it their act, and Peter Gods Act: Jude saith, they left their own habitation, and Peter, God cast them down: and punishments are voluntarily contracted, founded upon some act of ours: God may passe by a creature out of his meer will, but he damneth not, till we provoke him; first there is a voluntary aversion from God, and then God turneth away from us, Hosea 13. 9. O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self, our ruine is caused by the free motion of our own wils: God punisheth not willingly, and as delighting in our destruction; we sin, and so freely depart from our own happiness; we leave, and then he casteth down.

[Page]4. God casteth Sathan out of Heaven. Do you imitate your heavenly Father, cast Sathan out of your hearts. Who would entertain him whom Heaven hath spued out? 'tis said Rev. 12. 8. That Sathan and his Angels found no more place in Heaven; Oh then, give him not place to dwell in your hearts, Eph. 4. 17. do not entertain wrathful, or lustful motions: God decreed that the evil Angels should be cast out of Heaven, and Christ died that they might be cast out of your hearts, Joh. 12. 21. Now shall the Prince of this world be cast out: Oh let him not erect a new Heaven and Empire in your soules! his great aim is, now he cannot get into Heaven, to dwell in the hearts of men.

5. Angels, Creatures of the highest exeellency are not spared when they sin; 2 Pet. 2. 4. God spared not the Angels, &c. wonder at the patience of the great God to us sinners; if a King be angry with his offending Nobles, should not the skullions tremble? how come we to be of this side Hell? Go home and adore that Grace that hath kept you out of the chains of darkness, Lam. 3. 23. It is of the Lords mercy that we are not consumed, not swallowed up quick not cast down to Hell; if the Angels in the very Infancy of their Creation were so soon punished for the first offence, Lord what didst thou see in us, that after so many offences we should be yet alive? tis mercy, pardoning mercy that giveth us our beings! we fail not because compassions fail not

6. Angels were forced to leave their habitation; when they changed their nature, they changed their estate: let all sinners tremble! consider the instance, and you wil see that no dignity and worth of the Creature is of any avail, nothing can keep off the stroakes of vengeance, but the blood of Jesus Christ; they were Angels, glorious Creatures, their sin but one, and probably that in thought, yet how dreadful is their punishment? cast out of Heaven, kept in chains of darkness for a severer vengeance! Oh then, how should we tremble that have drunk in iniquity like water? surely God is the same, he doth no less hat [...] [Page] pride, obstinacy, and contempt of his grace now, then he did in times past, God is but one, Gal. 3. 20. he acteth according to the same tenour of justice now as heretofore, &c.

7. From the word [...], their own place, observe the true dwelling place and rest is Heaven; 'twas the habitation of the Angels, and the rest of the Saints; Oh long for your home, let your hearts and your hopes be there, enter upon your eternal inheritance by degrees; the Angels left their habitations, do you be always travelling thither, let your▪ Col. 3. 1. hearts be in Heaven; Phil. 3. 20. your conversations be in Heaven ere your persons, there are good Angels still, blessed companions, Heb. 12. 22. 23. an innumerable company of Angels and Spirits of just men perfect▪ An Heathen could see out of a glimp [...]e of the soules immortality, O preclamor illum diem, cum ad illud animorum concilium atumque proficiscar. There you shall see the vacant rooms of the Apostate Angels occupied by the Saints. Say wo is me, that my pilgrimage is prolonged, Psal. 20. 5.

8. They were cast from Heaven into this world; do but look-upon the World in a right notion; Sathan that was not fie for Heaven, is cast out into the Earth, as a meet place for misery and torment▪ he is called the Ruler of the darkness of this world▪ Eph. 6. 12. and the God of this World, 2 Cor. 4. 4. 'tis punishment enough to the Apostate Angels to be cast out into the World: the World is the Divels work-house and prison; one calleth it Sathans Diocess; who would be in love with a place of bondage and punishment?

9. The Divel and his Angels are in the World, let us be the more cautious; he compasseth the Earth to and fro, no place can secure you from his temptation, he is every▪ where ravening for the prey with an indefatigable and unwearied diligence, 1 Pet. 5. 8. Let us look about us, Wo to the inhabitants of the Earth and the Sea; for the Divel is come down to you, Rev. 12. 12. Where ever you are, Sathan is, neer you, the World is full of Divels; when you are in the Shop, the Divel is there to fill your hearts with [Page] lying and deceit, as he did the heart of Ananias, Act. 5. when you are in your closets, and when you have shut the door upon you, you do not shut out Sathan, he can taint a secret duty; when you are in the house of God, Ministring before the Lord, Sathan is at your right hand ready to resist you, Zach. 3. 1. He is ready either to pervert your aimes, or to divert your thoughts; We had need keep the heart in an humble, watchful praying frame; God hath cast out the Angels out of Heaven, and now they are here upon earth, tempting the sons of men to folly and inconvenience: be watchful, the world is the Divels Chess-board; you can hardly move back or forth, but he is ready to attach you by some temptation.

10. When grace is abused, our dejection i [...] usually according to the degree of our exaltation, the Angels from Heaven are cast down to Hell, the highest in the rank of creatures are now made lowest; corruptions of the best things are most noysome. Thou Capernaun which are exalted to Heaven, art now brought down to Hell, Matth. 11. 23. 'Twas one of the chiefe Cities of Galilee, and where our Saviour usually conversed; 'tis a kind of Heaven to enjoy Christ in the Ordinances, but now to slight this mercy, will bring such confusions and miseries as are a kind of Hell to you; slighting of grace (of all sins) weigheth heaviest in Gods ballance.

11. Spiritual judgements are most severe, and to be given up to obstinacy in sin is the forest judgement; 'tis diabolical to continue in sin; the Angels left their habitation, and what followed? they lost their holiness.

12. Loss of happiness is a great judgement, 'tis Hell enough to want God; the first part of the sentence, depart from me, Matth. 25. 41. is most dreadful, loss of Heaven is the first part of the Angels punishment; we in effect say now, depart from us, Job. 21. 14. but God will then say, depart from me; ye shall see my face no more, &c.

Thus we have dispatched the first part of the Angels punishment, their loss, we now come to the other part, [Page] their poena sensus, their punishment of sense, or pain, [b [...] hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness] where there is an allusion to the state of Malefactors or condemned men, who are kept in prison till execution: now the evils of a prison are two. 1. The darkness of the place. 2. The hard usage of the evil doer, suitably to which the Apostle used a double notion, 1. They are reserved in everlasting chains. 2. Ʋnder darkness.

1. Begin with the first part [In everlasting chains.] Whence two notes, 1. That the Angels are kept in chains, 2. That those chaines are everlasting.

1. They are kept in chains. But what chains can hold Angels? can Spirits be bound with Irons? I Answer. I Answer they are spiritual chains, suitable to the spirituall nature of Angels: such as these, 1. Guilt of conscience, which bindeth them over to judgement; the consciences of wicked Angels know that they are adjudged to damnation for their sin; this is a sure chaine, for it fasteneth the judgement so as you cannot shake it off, 'tis bound and tied upon us by the hand of Gods justice. The condition of a guilty sinner is frequently compared to a prisoner, Isa. 42. 7. Isa. 49. 9. Isa. 61. 1. and sin to a prison wherein we are shut up, Rom. 11. 32. Gal. 3. 22. and guilt to chains or bonds laid upon us by God the Judge, Prov. 5. 22. Lam. 1. 14.

2. Their obstinacy in sinning, They are fallen so as they cannot rise againe, they are called Eph. 6. 12. Wickednesses as sinning with much malice and obstinacy; as if you should say, wickedness it selfe; the Divels sin is as the sin against the Holy Ghost, a malicious, obstinate, spiteful opposition against the Kingdom of Christ: such an hatred against God and Christ, that they wil not repent and be saved; their despair begetteth despight, and being hopeless of reliefe, are without purpose of repentance: they do, foolish creatures, adde sin to sin, and harden themselves in an evil way, which is as a chaine to hold them in Gods Prison, till their final damnation, see 2 Thes. 2. 11, 12. Where error and wilful persisting in disobedience, is made to be Gods prison, [Page] wherein reprobate creatures are held till their punishment be consummate.

3. Ʋtter despair of deliverance, they are held under their torment by their own thoughts, as a distressed conscience is said to be bound up, Isa. 66. 1. to them here remaineth nothing but a certain fearful looking for judgement and fiery indignation, Job 10. 37. release they cannot look for, more judgement they do expect, Matth. 8. 31. Art thou come to torment us before our time; their prison door is locked with Gods own Key, and as long as God sitteth upon the Throne they cannot wrest the Key out of his hands.

4. Gods power and providence by which the Angelical strength is bridled and overmastered, so as they cannot do what they would; thus Rev. 20. 2. Sathan is said to be bound up for a thousand years, that is, in the chains of Gods power, which are sometimes streighter and sometimes looser: the Divel was fain to ask leave to enter into the herd of Swine, Matth 8.

5. The chaines of Gods eternal decree. As there is a golden chain, the chain of Salvation, which is carried on from link to link, till the purposes of eternal grace do end in the possession of eternal glory, so there is an Iron chain of reprobation, which begins in Gods own voluntary preterition, and is carried on in the creatures voluntary Apostacy, and endeth in their just damnation; and when once we are shut up under these bars, there is no opening, Job 12. 14.

Secondly, These chains are eternal chains, because the wicked Angels stand guilty for ever, without hope of recovery or redemption. Every natural man is in chains, but there is hope to many of the prisoners: Christ saith, go forth, but those chains upon the evill▪ Angels are for ever and ever, now ad custodium, [...]o keep them and hold them in their lost estate; hereafter ad poenam, they are continued upon them as a part of their final punishment, when much of the liberty which now they have, shall be abridged▪

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From hence observe these practical Inferences.

1. That sins are as it were bonds and chains: a wickedSee my notes on James 1. 25. man is in bondage here and hereafter; now in snares, and then in chains, here taken captive by Sathan in his snares, 2 Tim. 2. 26. and hereafter bound up with him in chains. Sin it selfe is a bondage, and Hell a prison: were there nothing in sin but the preson [...] slavery; 'tis enough to disswade us; but alas this is not all, there are not only snares, but chains; in the fall of the Angels, how many notions are there offered to us to discover the evil of sin? they left their beginning, and lost their habitation, and then chains of darkness: he that hath a mind to be a beast, or a divel, let him be a sinner. If you mean to quench your reason, to eclipse the glory of your Creation, to disturb the quiet of your spirits, and instead of calmenesse and serenity of conscience, to bring in horror and confusion; if you mean to enthral and captiva [...]e your soules to every base affection, and to be at the command of every corrupt desire, then go on freely, as you do in sinning against God; but alas the present thraldome is nothing to what is future, all the sins that you commit will be as so many Chains, binding you over to an eternal and just damnation. The good Angels are at liberty to serve God, when the evil Angels are shut up in the prison of their own obstinacy and wickedness: remember this when you are convinced of a sin which you cannot leave, and fear lest it prove a chaine of everlasting darknesse.

Secondly, those chains & bonds can never be broken by us; the Angels cannot break them themselves, and Christ will not, for their day of grace is past; every ones chains would be eternal, if Christ did not loose them, and open the prison door to poor Captives, Isa. 61. 1. this is our advantage above the Angels, that an year of liberty is proclaimed to us, and an opening of the prison to them that are bound; Christ himselfe was bound with our chains, the Prophet saith, Isa. 53. 8. he was taken from prison, and from judgement, he was in prison that we might go free [...] If the [...]edge had given us up to the Officer, and the Officer had [Page] cast us▪ into pr [...]so [...], how long would it have been, [...]re we had payed the ulmost farthing, Luk. 12. 58. others that reject the mercy offered in Christ, can never wrest themselves out of the hands of justice, but do for ever remain under the power and wrath of the living God▪ Hebr. 10. 30.

Thirdly, The Divel is in chains, a cruel spirit, but under bonds: his power is lesse then his will and malice, he is wrathful, that we may not be secure; he is chained, that we may not despair: he hath no power, but what is given him from above, and when God putteth any of his servants into Sathans hands, he keepeth Sathan in his own hands: if you be in Sathans hands for your exercise, remember Sathan is in Gods hands for your comfort and safety: He had not power over the herd of Swine without leave, Matth. 8. 31. suffer me, &c. so Luk. 22. 31. he could not sift Peter till he had a commission, Sathan hath desired, &c. Ioh. 1. 12▪ Job 2. 7. Sathan could not so much as touch Jobs estate or skin till leave obtained, nay he could not deceive Ahab a wicked man, till God said Go, 1 King. 22. 21, 22. he is but Gods executioner, he sent his evil Angels among them, Psal. 78. 49. God gave commission for the plagues of Egypt, and then the evil Angels had power to execute them: the godly need not fear Sathan, as a disobedient Angel, he is cast into the chains of Gods justice and power; and as head of the Kingdome of darknesse, his power is more restrained by the death of Christ, John 12. 29.

Fourthly, Observe how weak the Creatures are, when God marcheth in judgement against them: guilt of conscience is one of the fallen Angels chains, if God will but arm our own thoughts against us, he needeth not bring forces from without, there is enough in that to sink us into Hell: The Law needeth not bring Brimstone from Heaven to burn sinners, nor open the mouth of the great deep to drown them, nor shatter the frame of nature about our heads; alas, we cannot bear up under the burden of our own consciences, or the weight of our own [Page] grief, when he layeth his finger upon the conscience, who can bear it? The Angels excel in strength, and yet the impressions of honour laid upon them, are too hard for them to grapple with all, Prov. 18. 14. a wounded spirit who can bear? as if he had said, I challenge all the world, to bring me a man that is able to deal with his own conscience when God armeth it against him.

Fifthly, That spiritual judgements of all others are most secure, to have sin punished with obstinacy and hardnesse in sinning. This is nothing but to have the Divels chains layed upon us, a sad intimation, that we are given up to chains of darknesse, frogs and lice, and hailstones were but soft judgements to Pharaoh's hard heart: unlesse God should send us quick into Hell, there cannot an heavier judgement befal us, nay certainly it were better to be given up to Hell torments, if there could be any expectation of deliverance, then to be given up to a spirit of sinning; for there is no end of that; say then, Lord what ever judgement thou bringest upon me, bring not thy heavy judgement of an hard heart; 'tis better by far that you should live miserably, then sin freely without remorse. But what sins bring on this spiritual judgement? I answer, 1. an unthankful abuse of Gods gifts, The Divels had a glorious and excellent nature, but they were not thankful, observe it when you will, you will find it true, that no man was ever punished with hardness of heart, but some former merciful dispensation was abused: the Heathens were not thankful for the light of nature, and therefore God gave them up to vile affections Rom. 1. 22, 24. Others received not the love of a truth, and therefore God gave them up to believe a lye, that they might be damned. 2 Thess. 2. 11, 12. the very sin against the Holy Ghost is so called because 'tis a despighting grace received, or a divellish opposing of the grace and supernatural work of the spirit, by which the mind is convinced of the truth. 2. Sinning against the light, that was Sathans sin, who was full of light, and sinned in the very face of God, and 'tis his sin still, malice having onely put out the [Page] light of prudence, but not of his understanding, so that he knowingly sinneth; so wicked men Rom. 1. 8. imprison the truth in unrighteousness, and then God giveth them up to the sway of their own lusts and passions: there is more of malice in sins against light, you laugh at Christ before his face, out-dare Heaven and Conscience, Esther. 7. 8 will he force the Queen before my face▪ &c. 3. Sinning with the light, When malice sets wit a work (as it doth in the Divels) against God and the Church; 'tis Sathanical to be wise to do evil, to make no other use of our parts then to plot wickednesse, pervert the truth, and undermine religion, Jer. 4. 22. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge: when you make religion yeild to policy, or bend policy to ruine religion, then your wisedome hath undone you, Isa. 48. 4. Malice against God and goodnesse, This is Sathans direct sin, when men will not onely be wicked themselves, but adversaries and malicious opposers of all that is good: This is not onely to be sinn [...]rs, but Sathans, Acts 13. 10. O thou Child of the Devil and Enemy of all goodnesse, Cain that hated his Brother, because his works were righteous, was the Divels Patriarch. 5. A sottish obstinacy and wilfulnesse, When will and humour is lifted up against conviction, Jer. 2. 25. Ier. 44. 18. they will not, because they will not, foolish wilfulness meeteth with penal hardness, he that will wink shall not seethe Sun, shine it never so brightly, such men do but lay Sathans chains on their own will and understanding. 6. A senseless security, notwithstanding the growth and increase of sin, when men lose all feeling and restraint, and grow more wicked, but less tender, Eph. 4. 19. and so men sin freely, foully, wax worse and worse, and adde new lincks to the chains of darkness.

Sixthly, There is little reason that we should adore him, whom God holdeth in chains of darkness, that we should exalt him whom the Lord hath cast downe, and make a God of him; who hath made himselfe a Divel. All sins do, as it were, set the Crown upon Sathans head, these especially. 1. False Worship, Sathan is the Head of Idolaters, if the sacrifice [Page] were offered in an unbecomming manner, God saith, it was a sacrifice offered unto Divels, Levit. 17. 7. In all false worships the Divel is served either directly, or obliquely, either by consequence or in the intention of the worshippers, thence those expressions, Table of Divels 1 Cor. 10. 21. they sacrificed to Divels and not to God, Deut. 32. 17. You gratifie Satan if you be not right in worship; those among Christians that worshipped towards an Idol of Gold and Silver, are said to worship Divels, Rev. 9. 20. Sathan is (saith Synesius) [...]. a lover of Images, and a Patron of false worship. 2. Worldly conversation; he is called the God of this World, 2 Cor. 2. 4. sensual, covetous, proud men are Sathans Votaries, at his beck and pleasure, and will you be one of the number? when Christ came to dissolve Sathans works, Iohn 3. 8. will you uphold them? 3. B [...]se fear of wicked men; you do but fear the Divel in them, Rev. 2. 10. Fear not, behold the Divel shall cast some of you into prison, He that will deny the truth for fear of men, preferreth the Divel before God. 4. Being of the faction of the wicked, there is a corrupt party in the world, over whom Sathan usurpeth Empire and Domination; Rulers of the darkness of this World, Eph. 6. 14. Col. 1. 13. cry not up a confederacy with these, take heed how your soule entreth into that secret. I confess 'tis ingeniousness, a matter of Christian skill and art, to find out the snare that we may escape it: Generally they are the Antichristian dark part of the world such as are led with a blind zeale and rage to oppose the interest of righteousnesse; such as oppose the Gospel with rage and lyes, Iohn 8. 44. Ye are of your father the Divel, and his l [...]sts will ye do. Many that deny Sathan, yet may be of his Faction and Party

We are now come to the second part of the punishment of paines, taken from the other inconvenience of a prison [ [...] under darkness] in allusion to Malefactors, who are cast into Dungeons, where besides the load of Irons, the very darkness of the place concurreth to their misery; light is pleasant, as giving us the sight of what is grateful [Page] in the world, of which when we are deprived, the mind like a Mill falleth and worketh upon its selfe. Peter saith [in chains of darknesse] as implying that God did bind them fast with their darknesse and horror, as with a chain, but our Apostle here seemeth to make them two distinct parts of their torment, as certainly it is a more full description of it. Well then, the proposition will be, That the Apostate Angels are kept under darkness.

Darkness in Scripture representeth three things, first,Observ. Ignorance, secondly, Sin, thirdly, misery; as light the contrary quality, implyeth Knowledge, Holiness, and Happiness, because light discovereth all things. 'Tis put for knowledge, because of all bodily qualities, 'tis most pure and unmixed, therefore 'tis put for holiness, because 'tis wonderfully pleasing and delightful to sense, therefore 'tis put for glory: so contrarywise darkness, which is nothing else but the absence and privation of light, signifieth ignorance, Rom. 2. 19. Sin, 1 Pet. 2. 9, Misery: Psal. 107. 11. Now all these three make way for one another, Ignorance for Sin, and Sin for Misery, the understanding being the great Wheel of the Soule, if it be not right, nothing can be right, Matth. 6. 22. ignorance maketh us stumble upon sin, and by sin we fall into the pit of everlasting darknesse.

If you ask what kind of Darkness is intended here? I answer, though all may be implyed; yet chiefly the darkness of misery is here intended, they being cast down from the light and glory of the highest Heavens, into dark and obscure babitations, where they want the sight of God, and the light of his countenance, as when the Sun is gone, there is nothing but darknesse in the world; so being banished out of the presence of God, they are fitly said to be held under darkness; for as the Sun is to the corporeal world, so is God to the world of Spirits, Psal. 4. 6. now their Sun is Eclipsed, and by the interposition of the dark cloud of their sin and obstinacy; they cannot have the least comfortable glimpse and fruition of God: to which also may be added, the horrible apprehension of their loss, [Page] and that terrour and discomfort that lyeth upon them, for they have onely so much light left, as serveth to encrease their torment; I confesse 'tis disputed by Divines, whether the Devils can grieve for the losse of the light of Gods countenance, or the want of the beatifical vision, and the ground of doubting is, because there is in the Divels an extream aversenesse, enmity, and hatred of God and his Glory; but certain, as they are rational creatures, they cannot but be sensible of their losse, as also the damned spirits are, and so great a losse of happinesse (for that is the consideration under which they are sensible of it) must needs breed horror and torment; they do, not mourn for the absence of God as the Saints do. out of a principle of holinesse, and because God is lovely in himself, but as profitable to them; & this sense as 'tis accompanied with despair, so with blasphemy and hatred of God, surely every part of the sentence that is pronounced upon wicked men, is fitted to beget terrour in them, and therefore depart from me, is apprehended as a misery, as well as go into everlasting torments. Add further to their darkness that despair that is upon them, and fearful looking for of the fiery indignation of the Lord, which desperate sorrow is expressed by utter darkness, and gnashing of teeth, Matth. 22. 13.

Let me now come to some observations.

1. Darknesse is the Divels punishment, the highest misery of the highest rank of reasonable creatures. Oh why should we love that which is the misery of the fallen Angels! as our Saviour speaketh of some that love darknesse rather then light, Iohn 3. 19. that is errour rather then truth, l [...]sts rather then Christ, ignorance rather then knowledge. 'Tis one of the saddest arguments of mans dreadful fall, that he [...]s in love with his own misery, we should hate sin, and we hate the light that reproveth it: ignorant people love a foolish Ministry, Gods faithful witnesses are their torment. Rev. 11. 10. the carnal world would faine lie down upon the bed of ease and sleep▪ light is troublesome, those that let them alone are their Idols [Page] and darlings, the blind lead the blinde, and both fall into the ditch, 'tis evil not to know the will of God, 'tis doubly evil when we desire not to know; the one sort erre in their minds, the other in their hearts: spiritual darkness is far worse then bodily, when Ely was stricken blinde he desired s [...]me body to lead him by the hand, Acts 13. 11. In such a case we count our happinesse to light upon fit guides, in spiritual darkness 'tis quite otherwise, we cannot endure a faithful guide the Prophets prophesie lyes, and the people love to have it so, a blind people are al for blind guids.

2. Light that yeildeth us no comfort is but darknesse, Sathan hath knowledge left, but no comfort, Jam. 2. 19. they believe and tremble, the more sense they have of Gods being and glory, the greater horror have they upon their spirits: 'tis very miserable when we have only light enough to awaken conscience, and knowledge enough to be self condemned To know God but not to enjoy him, that's the Divels punishment, Oh then never leave till your thoughts of God are sweet and comfortable, Psal. 104. 34. Sathan cannot but abhominate his own thoughts of God, for he cannot think of him without torment; but 'tis otherwise with gracious hearts, that meditation which is the Divels terrour, is their solace and support, Gods name to them is as an oyntment poured out, Cant 1. 3. full of fragrancie and reviving: rest not then, till you can see God with such a light as giveth you fruition and comfortable enjoyment of him, in thy light shall we see light, Psal. 36. 9. there is light in thy light, but all other light is but darknesse.

3. Do but bserve the difference between God and Sathan God is light, 1 John 1. 5 and Sathan darkness, God dwelleth in light, and Sathan is reserved in chains under darknesse the first creature that God made in the world was light and the first gift of the spirit is illumination, but now all Satans aim & work is to bring in darkness, to blind the mind, 1 Cor 4. 4. ignorance is the very foundation of his kingdom Eph. 6. 12. Wel then, the more dark, the more like Sathan a Child of God is a Child of light, and what have we to do with works of darkness, Eph. 5. 11. there should [Page] be such a contrariety between you and sin as there is between God and Sathan; say then these actions would only become my night of ignorance and folly, night work is unseemly for the day, Rom. 13▪ 12. the day is at hand let us cast off the workes of darkness; leave these things to the Bats and the Owls, if there be a difference, and contratrariety b [...]tween Christ and Belial, who are the chiefes of either state, so between the persons that heard under them; What communion is there between Chr [...]st and Belial, between light and darkness, 2 Cor. 6. 14.

4. So much darknesse as remaineth in you, so much advantage hath Sathan against you. The dark part of the world is the seat of his Empire; Rulers of the darknesse of this World, Eph. 6. 12. His subjects are the children of darknesse, and all the advantage that he hath over the Children of Light, is, because of the darknesse that is in them: whosoever therefore lyeth under a state of darkness, is under the power of Sathan. The great work of the Ministery, is to recover them, to turn them from darknesse to light, Acts 26. 18. and so from Sathan to God: Oh the sad condition of such persons that are bound together with Sathan in chains of darknesse! Poor Creatures, how are they hurried to and fro? from wrath to Pride, from Pride to Lust, from Lust to Filthinesse, from Filthinesse to Worldlinesse: Oh then! awake you that sleep, and the Lord shall give you light, Eph. 5. 14. What a blessing is it, when it can be said of us, what the Apostle said of the Ephesians, ye were darknesse, but now are light in the Lord, Eph. 5. 8. As soon as you have received light and grace, you are translated out of Sathans Power and Kingdom, and put into the Lords.

5. The darknesse of sin is punished with the darknesse of mis [...]ry. The light whereby we are directed and perfected is the same; the state of grace is a marvelous light, 1 Pet. 2. 9 and the state of glory, the inheritance of the Saints in light. Col. 1. 12. So sin is but darknesse begun. Hell is called utter darknesse, Matth. 8. 12. [...], a darknesse beyond a darknesse; as Augustine [Page] glosseth in his Homilies, In tenebras ex tenebris in foeliciter exclusio, the damned are but thrust out of one darknesse into antoher; from ignorance to sin, from sin to torment: 'tis very observable, when Solomon compareth the way of the just and the way of the wicked, he compareth the one to light the other to darknesse, Prov. 4. 18. 19. The way of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day; and the way of the wicked is as darkness. By the rule of contraries, as one is a growing light, so the other is an encreasing darknesse: from twy-light to star-light, from star-light to thick darknesse: they quench the light of nature, chuse worldly happinesse, grow regardlesse of eternity, are hardened in their way, and at length given up to everlasting horror and confusion of faces, to whom the mist of darknesse is reserved for ever, 2 Pet. 2. 18. Mists of error are justly punished with mists of darknesse. The men there spoken of, were clouds and mists in the Church; and therefore the mists of eternal darknesse are kept for them, as a fit and proper portion.

6. The danger of refusing and abusing light. Those that were Angels of light, are now held in the chains of darknesse: see it every where made good; the blackest evening hath been sent usually after a glorious day; those that once enjoyed Noahs preaching, were afterward the spirits in prison, 1 Pet. 3. 18, 19. He that had not a Wedding Garment on for the feast, was cast into utter darknesse, Matt. 22. 13. Abuse of light, and meanes, and priviledges, will surely make our condition gloomy and uncomfortable.

7. When we are cast out from God, nothing but darkness ensueth, utter darknesse, and weeping and gnashing of teeth. 'Tis our utmost happinesse to enjoy God, and 'tis our utmost misery to want him; the Divels know it, and we shall one day know it: pray for the light of Gods countenance more then for Corn and Wine, and Oyl, Psal 4. 6. One glimpse of the favour of God would turn Hell into Heaven, and give us such a strong and sweet joy, as would [Page] swallow up all kinde of sorrows; 'tis the absence of the Sun maketh night; certainly they have hard hearts that do not mourn when they have lost the sight of God: When the Bridegroom is gone, then shall they mourn, Mat. 9. 15. Alas, how the drooping hearts and withered face of Nature, seem to mourn for the absence of the Sun? and how are all things cleared and revived at Spring again? and shal not we mourn for God the Sun of the intellectual world? Pharaoh was most affrighted with the Plague of Darkness, Exod. 10. 4. Yea the Divels themselves are sensible of the losse of the light of Gods countenance: when God shuteth up himself in a cloud, let our bowels be troubled for him, Lam. 3. 44.

8. The World in comparison of Heaven is but a dark place. 'Tis the place where the Divels are cast, and they are held under darknesse. 'Tis an obscure corner of the Creation; a place fit for our tryal, but not for our reward; in a spiritual consideration 'tis but a great and vast dungeon, where we cannot have so dear sight of God as elsewhere. 'Tis Sathans walk, a place of danger and defilement: 'tis much if we can keep our selves unspotted in such a nasty hole, James 1. 27. 2 Pet. 2. 18. The inheritance which is given to the Saints, is given to them in light; let us look for that, and long for that, andCol. 1. 12. God dwelleth in light, 1 Tim. 6. 16 he dwelleth there, where he discovereth most of his glory, and that's in heaven.

We have done with the present punishment of the Angels; we come now to that which is future, implyed in those words [unto the judgement of the great day] by judgment is meant the sentence of condemnation which▪ shall passe upon them, before the eyes of the whole world, and then the consequents, which are eternal misery and torment.

Observ. That at the day [...]f judgement the punishment of Observ. the Divels will be greater then now it is.

The Divels punishment is for the present great, as you have heard, but they are in expectation of greater, [Page] Mat. 8. 31. Art thou come to torment us before our time? There is a time comming, when the wrath [...] of God shall be encreased upon them, and this time is the day of judgment, the great day of the Lord, when they shall be brought▪ forth before the Tribunal of Christ and his Saints: the good Angels shall come as Christs companions, and the evil Angels as his prisoners. See▪ Matth. 25. 31. and 2 Thess 1. 7. and 1 Cor. 6▪ 3. This is a day that will work upon their envy, thwart their pride, to see the glory of Christ and of the good Angels, and the Saints: after this they shall be adjudged to horrible torments. Hell is their Free-hold and Portion, prepared for the Divel and his Angels, Matth▪ 25 41. The Quality and Nature of their torment we cannot so easily determine, nor what that fire that shall burn spirits, onely the Scripture sheweth they are Rev 30. 7. cast into the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone, where they shall suffer torments without end, and without ease. When Heavens joyes are full, then are Hell torments full also: and therefore though for the present, they are under Gods wrath, yet they do not taste the dregs of it; he exerciseth some patience towards them; they have an Empire and a Ministry in the world, but when all former things are done away, and Christs glory is fully shewen to the world, then will he take full vengeance of his enemies. Well then, from hence Learn.

1. That the wicked's judgement is not as yet full. At the great day, then shall it be more encreased, upon the Union of Body and Soul; they shall drink the dregs of the Cup of Wrath unmixed. In this life we are adding sin to sin, and in the next God will be adding torment to torment; Oh what a sad train of judgements followeth a sinner! for the present he hath Hell in his own Conscience; they sip of the cup of wrath in the bondage and horrors now upon them, and at death these are more revived, and made more lively and active: but consider, after all this there is worse behind, torments insufferable, presently upon the separation, for then they are in prison, [Page] 1 Pet. 3. 9. detained in a fearful expectation of further judgement, Luk. 16. 14. I am horribly tormented in this flame; but after this at Christs comming to judgement, these torments are encreased; and therefore the Apostle speaketh as if he did not take vengeance before, 2 Thess. 1. 7. He shall come in flaming fire to render vengeance, &c. Because then 'tis fully executed; do not adde drunkennesse to thirst, lest God adde to your plagues▪

2. The most miserable Creatures are suffered to enjoy some degree of Gods patience. For the present God is patient, as to the fallen Angels, sure I am to sinning man, in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt dye: the full execution of that sentence is put off to the day of judgement; Reprobates are endured with much long-suffering, Rom. 9. 22. Intermissions God gives in this life, respite to bodies till the last day: adore his goodnesse, do not abuse it.

3. Origens charity was too large, who dreamed of [...] ▪ a flaming River, through which all creatures were to passe, and so to be purged, and then at length to be saved, even the Divels themselves, whereas they are kept for a severer judgment.

4. When you see wicked men endured, and not presently cast into Hell, be not astonished, God hath a Ministry for them as for the evil Angels: Some are reserved to the day of judgement, 2 Pet. 2. 9. that is, their punishment respited for the greater triumph of that day.

5. One judgement may make way for another, the chains of darknesse for the judgement of the great day. Let no man please himself, in that he suffereth afflictions in this world, these may be but the beginnings of sorrow; God is terrible to poor sinners as well as rich; you may be miserable here, and yet not escape in the world to come: do not think the worst is past, some have a double Hell, such miseries here as are pledges of everlasting torments hereafter.

6. Divels fear the great day. An Atheistical lose Christian [Page] is worse then Sathan, he scoffeth at that at which the Divel trembleth. There are Atheists in the Church, but there are none in Hell.

7. Angels are brought to judgement. None are exempted, at the great day you shall see those glorious Creatures bound with chains of Darknesse; the Kings and Captains are brought in trembling before the Lambs Throne, Rev. 6. 20. and great as well as small appear before that great Tribunal, Rev. 20. 12.

8. The Angels are plunged into the depth of Hell, when Saints enter into their Masters joy. God loveth a returning sinner, before an Apostate Angel.

There is one point yet behind, with which I shall concludeObserv. this verse; and that is, That the day of judgement is a great day. 'Tis so in many regards.

1. Because 'tis the consummate Act of Christs regal Office. Rea. 1. Of all Offices Christs Kingly Office is the most eminent: now the Kingly Office was never discovered with so much lustre and glory to the world as then: the eminent act of other Offices do more belong to his abasement; as his Oblation an eminent act of his Priestly Office was to be performed upon earth, so his Prophetical Office was much discharged in delivering the Doctrine of the Gospel whilest he was here; but of his Kingly Office we had but a very little glimpse, during his abode upon earth, in his whipping the buyers and sellers out of the Temple, and his entrance into Jerusalem, when they cryed Hosanna in the streets, Matth. 21. And now in Heaven Christ is supream, but his soveraignty lieth under a cloud and vail. All things are put under him. But carnal sense objects, We see not as yet all things put under him, Heb. 2. 8. But at the last day Christ will shew himselfe to be King indeed, both in rewarding his friends, and in an absolute conquest over his Eenemies, which are the two great parts of his Regal Office: therefore the day of judgment is called [...], the day of the Lord, 2 Pet. 3. 10. as being the day wherein Christ shall manifest himselfe to be a Lord indeed. First, in rewarding his friends. [Page] When David was Crowned at Hebron, then all that followed him in the wilderness, were rewarded according to the merit of their place and service; before they had hard service, and little wages, but then were made Captains of thousands, and Captains of hundreds, and Captains of fifties. So they that are true to the interest of Christ, may meet with many a frown and hard entertainment in the world, but you will not repent of it in the day of Christs Royalty, Matth. 25. 34. Then shall the King say, &c. He is called the Son of man before; but then you will find a King rewarding all his subjects. Peter was troubled about his petty losses, Master (saith he) we have forsaken all and followed thee; what had Peter to forsake? A Net? a Cottage? a Fishing Boat? A great All! We are apt to think much of what we part with upon Christs score; if we suffer but a disgraceful word, a small inconvenience, a frown, we presently say, what shall we have therefore? But we need not seek another pay-Master then Christ, he will not be behind hand with us when the day of payment cometh. See Matth. 19. 27, 28. [...], In the regeneration ye shal sit with me on thrones of glory, &c. that is, at the day of judgement, which is the great regeneration when Heavens are new, Earth new, Bodies new, Soules new, all is new, then we shall be no losers by Christ.

2. In an absolute conquest over his enemies, the stoutest faces shall then gather blacknesse, and the stiffest knees bow to him: There is an expression, Isa. 45. 23. I have s [...]orn by my selfe▪ and the words shall not returne, that to me every knee shall bow, and ev [...]ry mo [...]th shall swear. Now this expression doth concern Christs soveraignty and ful victory over his enemies; for this Scripture is twice alluded unto in the New Testament, and in both places applyed to Christ. The first place that I shall take notice of is Phil. 2. 10. where the Apostle saith, That to Christ ev [...]ry knee shall b [...]w, and every tongue shall call him Lord, which is the same with that which is spoken in the Prophet, and is there made to be the first of Christs Ascension [Page] when he was solemnly inaugurated into the Kingly Office; but the Prophecy receiveth not its full and final accomplishment till the day of judgement; to which purpose the same Scripture is cited by the Apostle, Rom. 14. 10. We shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ, for 'tis written, As I live (saith the Lord) to me every knee shall bow, and mouth shall confesse. So that the bowing of knees, or stooping of enemies is not fully accomplished till then. Christ doth now often over-rule the councils and projects of his enemies, and smite them with a soar destruction, but there is not such crouching and trembling, so sensibly now to be discerned as there will be at that day.

Secondly, the day of judgement is a great day, becauseReas. 2. great things are then done, which will appear if you consider the preparations for that day. 2. The day it selfe. 3. The confequence of it.

1. The preparations for Christs approach, the Scripture mentioneth two, 1. The Arch-Angels trumpet. 2. The sign of the Son of Man.

1. There is that great noise and terrour of the voice of the Lord, which is to be managed by some special Angels, by which all the world shall be, as it were, summoned to appear before Christs Tribunal, See 1 Thess. 4. 16: and Matth. 24. 31. Some expound this Trumpet Analogically, some Literally: they that expound it Analogically, think it signifieth the power and virtue of Christ forcing all the world to appear before his judgement seat, which is therefore called a trumpet, because the solemn Assemblies among the Jews were summoned by sound of Trumpet; but why may we not take it Literally, and in propriety of speech, for the audible sound of a Trumpet? sure I am at the giving of the Law, the voice of the Trumpet was exceeding loud; and the like may be, when he commeth to take an account of our keeping the Law, a sound of a Trumpet, as a terrible sommons to all the world, and a near sign of Christs approach, as Iohn Baptist was the fore-runner of his first coming, who was the [Page] voyce of one crying in the wilderness; So is the Arch. Angel at his second comming, a terrible blast there shall be, such as shall be heard all the world over, startling the dead out of their graves; men do not here the voice of God now, for now he speaketh by his Angels or Messengers, in a still voice: but then all the dead shall hear and live.

2. The sign of the Son of Man, spoken of, Matth. 24. 30. what it is we cannot certainly tell, till experience manifest it; some think a strange Star as at his first comming, the wise men were conducted to him by a Star; others the sign of the Crosse, as being Christs badge, by which he is known in the world; for the great subject of the Gospel is Christ crucified, called therefore the Word of the Cross, and this they think shall appear in the Heavens, as it did to Constantine when he went to fight against Maxentius with this word, [...], by this sh [...]lt thou overcome; though by the way Eusebius describeth that vision as in the figure of χ the first critical letters of Christs name: This way go many of the Ancients, making the Crosse to be Christ Ensign and Royal Banner which he will display in the Heavens, as Kings when they make their triumphant approach, have their Banners carryed before them. But I dare not thus dogmatize: others more probably interpret it of some forerunning beames of Majesty and Glory (like those streaks of light before the Sun be risen) which shall darken the great luminaries of the world, and strike a terrour into the hearts of men, as Paul was stricken with such a terror at the sight of Christ Acts 26. 13. He saw light from Heaven, above the brightness of the Sun, shining round about him: noteable it is, that these fore-running beames of Christs Majesty and Glory are sometimes expressed by light, and sometimes by fire; by light to expresse the comfortablenesse of it to the Godly, as the light of the Sun doth not scortch but revive and refresh: by fire, 2 Thess 1. 8. [...], to shew the dreadfulnesse of it to the wicked, to them 'tis as flames and devouring burnings.

[Page]2. Let us consider the day it selfe, and the great things done therein, 'tis a day of Congregation of all mankinde, there Adam may see all his posterity at once; but especially is it a day of Congregation, in respect of the Saints who are now scattered in divers Countries, Towns, Houses, where God hath any work and service for them; but then shall meet together in one Assembly and Rendezvouz called, Psal. 1. 6. called the great Congregation of the just, as the wicked shall be herded together like straws and sticks bound in a bundle, to set one another on fire, Drunkards together, and Adulterers together, They shall be bound in bundles, &c. Matth. 13. 41. and so encrease one anothers torment; So shall the Godly meet in a Congregation, and never separate more: here the Godly are dispersed as the Stars are scattered throughout the firmament; here they live intermingled with wicked men, Jacobs Cattel and Labans Cattel together; but then the Sheep shall be separated from the Goats, and be all drawn into a body by themselves. Again tis a day of manifestation, the Lords Decrees and Counsels are manifested; creation and providence are but subservient means in order to the triumphs of this day, that the glory of his grace may be advanced in the salvation of the Elect, and the glory of his justice in the punishment of the wicked; who upon this account are said to be made for the day of evil. Pro. 16. 4. where the Holy Ghost pitcheth upon that part of the decree which is hardest to be digested. The making of the wicked for the glory of the Lords justice in that day. The wisedome of God in the courses of his providence is then manifested, for the story of the world is brought before the Saints; we see providence now by pieces, but then the whole contexture of it; the secrets of men are then manifested; and upon what principles and ends they have acted, 1 Cor. 4. 6. The truth of the promises and threatnings is then manifested, in the day of Gods patience there is a darknesse and vail upon the Scriptures, we cannot see how they are made good; but in the day of Gods recompense we shall: what promises, threatnings, [Page] prophesies mean: but chiefly is it a day of manifestation in regard of the Sons of God, Rom. 8. 19. All is now hidden, Christ is hidden, and the Saints are hidden, their life is hidden, Gal. 3. 3. their glory is hidden, 1 John. 3. 2. but then Christ shall appear, and we shall appear with him in glory, as Moses told the Rebels, Numb. 16. to morrow the Lord will shew who are his; the first born and onely begotten son of God then is manifested, Christ will appear in all his royalty and glory, as the great God and Saviour, and Judge of the world, as the great God; therefore 'tis said, he will appear in the glory of the Father, Matth. 24. 13. Matth. 16. 27. the mystery of his person will now be discovered to the uttermost, and therefore he will appear in such a glory as never creature was capable of, nor can he guesse at it, we may by the glory discovered at the giving of the Law, when Moses shook for fear, Heb. 12. 19. by the light that shone at his Incarnation, Luk 2. at his Transfiguration, Matth. 17. by those beames of Majesty which broke out from him when the Souldiers came to take him, John 18. 6. by his appearance to Paul; it struck him blinde for three days, Acts 9. by Isaiahs terrour, when he saw God in a vision, Isa. 6. And as he will manifest himselfe to be the great God, so the true Saviour of the world: the manner of his appearance shall make a full recompense for his abasement: at his first comming John was his fore▪ runner (as we have said) now an Arch Angel, then he came with a few fisher-men, now with a multitude of Angels; then riding on the Colt of an Asse, now up [...]n the Clouds; then as the Son of Man, now as the Son of God; then in the form of a Servant, now in the glory of the Father; then Crowned with Thorns, now Glory and Ho [...]ou [...]; then to teach righteousnesse, now to reward righteousnesse; then in the similitude of sinful flesh, Rom. 8. 3. now the second time without sin, Heb. 9. 27. At his first coming▪ he was not a sinner, b [...]t he came in the garb of a sinner▪ [...]fflicted, miserable, we judged him as one forsaken of God, but now he cometh as one discharged of that debt and burden, [Page] and as one highly honoured by God the Father. Once more he cometh in all things befitting the worlds Judge, accompanied with Angels as his attendance, sitting upon a visible Throne that he may be seen of all, heard of all; in earthly Judicatories, when great Malefactors are to be tryed the whole majesty and glory of a Nation is brought forth; the Judge in gorgeous apparel, accompanied with the flower of the Country, Nobles and Gentry, and a great conflux of people: So hear, Christ cometh forth as the Judge, accompanied with Angels and Saints, powerfully executing the work of that day; And the onely begotten Son of God is manifested: but this is a day of manifestation, not onely of the Son, but of the Sons of God; namely, the Saints, who are then set forth in their best robes. In Winter the tree appeareth not what 'tis, the sap and life is hidden in the roo [...], but when Summer cometh all is discovered: so now it doth not appear who are Gods, nor what they shall be, but at this day all is manifest; When Christ shall appear, we shall appear with him in glory; they shall attain to that fulness of glory, as their hearts could never conceive: 'tis said 2 Th [...]ss. 1. 10. Christ will be admired in them, the Angels shall stand wondering what Christ is about to do with Creatures that but newly crept out of dust and rottenness; every one of them shall shine as the Sun; and what a great and glorious day must that be, when there is a constellation of so many Suns? They shall share with Christ in the glory of his Kingdom, as being associated with him in judging the world: The upright shall have Dominion over them in the morning, Psal. 49. 14. those that are now scorned, persecuted, opposed every where, in the morning of the Resurrection, when they awake to meet Christ, then shall they have dominion over the carnal world; therefore sentence▪ beginneth with the godly, as execution doth with the wicked; the Elect are first acquitted before the ungodly are condemned, that they may joyn afterwards with Christ in judging the world, 2 Cor. 6. 2.

Again, 'tis great in regard of the manner of process, but of that see verse 15.

[Page]3. The consequences of this day they are three. 1. The sending of the persons judged into their everlasting state. 2. The resigning up of the Kingdom to the Father. 3. The burning of the world.

1. The sending of the persons judged into their everlasting estate, the Elect into glory, and the wicked into torments, Matth. 25. 34. Come ye blessed of my Father, &c. you have been too long absent from me, come receive the fruit of your faith and hope; but verse 41. Goe ye cursed &c. they are banished out of Christs presence with such a terrible ban and proscription, as shall never be reversed As Humans face was covered and so led away to execution: so are they chased out of Christs presence with horror, yelling, and houling, with the voice of Dragons, and begging for mercy, but find none. Now from this sentence there is no appeal, 'tis pronounced by Christ as God-Man. On earth many times Gods sentence is repealed, if the nation will rep [...]nt, &c. Jer. 18. 8. and so though God doth never change his d [...]cree; he doth often change his sentence; but the day of patience is now past. and therefore this sentence can never be recalled. Again, the execution is speedy. Here many times the sentence is passed, but sentence is not speedily executed upon an evil doer. Eccles. 8. 11. Once more, this execution beginning with the wicked in the sight of the just, [...], gather ye first the Tares, &c. Matth. 13. 30. which worketh the more upon the envy and grief of the wicked that they are thrust out whiles the godly remain with Christ, seeing execution done; and the godly have the deeper seuse of their condition [...], &c. Contraries put together do more heighten one another, in the execution of the wicked they may see from what they are delivered by grace. Again the sentence is executed upon the whole man, and that for ever, body and soule are partakers as in the work, so in the punishment and reward; and 'tis eternal for the reward is built on an infinite merit, and the punishment is eternal, because an infinite Maj [...]sty is offended; and in the next [Page] world [...]on are in their final estate without possibility of change; therefore God is never weary blessing the good and [...]sing the wicked.

2. The next consequent is, the resigning and giving up the kingdom to the Father spoken of▪ 1 Cor. 15. from 24, to 28. Kingdom may be put for Ro [...]al Authority or Subjects governed▪ as the people we call sometimes the Kingdom of England, or Kingdom of France, Christ is ever head of the Earth and in Heaven we subsift not onely by virtue of his everlasting merit, but everlasting influence, for he is the life, Iohn 14. 6. And therefore I take Kingdome here in the latter sense for the subjects or the Church who are resigned or presented to God, Eph. 5. 27. as the fruits of Christs purchase, as a prey snatched out of the teeth of Lyons: the form of presentation you have, Heb. 2. 13. Behold I and all the little ones which thou hast given me: Oh what a great and glorious day will this be▪ when we shall see Christ and all his little ones following him, and the great Shepherd of the Sheep going into his everlasting folds, and all the Elect in his company, with their Crowns on their heads, singing O grave! where is thy victory? O death! where is thy sting? when all enemies shall be broken, and the Church lodged in those blessed mansions, what applauses and acclamations will there be between them and Christ, between them and the Angels, them and their fellow Saints? how should we strive to be some of this number?

3. The next consequence is, the burning of the World, which is set forth at large in 2 Pet 3. per totum. The passages there are literally to be taken; for the fire there spoken of, is compared with the Waters of Noah, which was a judgement really executed; and by this fire (it is probable) the world will not be consumed but renewed and purged; for 'tis compared to a melting fire, 2 Ret▪ 3. 10. And the Apostle saith elsewhere, the creature shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, Rom. 8. 21. And in the everlasting estate God will have all things n [...]w, even the world it self: the use of this renewed world is either [Page] for an habitation to the just, or that it may remain as a standing monument of Gods wisedome and power. 1. This burning doth not go before the day of judgement, but follow after it; for it seemeth to be an instrument of vengeance on the wicked, 2 Pet. 3. 7. I will not be so bold with the Schoolmen, as to say that the faeculent and drossie parts of this fire are reserved for the torment of the wicked in Hell for ever: but in the general we may safely say that 'tis an instrument of Gods vengeance on them. Well now, that day which hath such an end and cloze, must needs be a great day: Sodoms fire was dreadful, but nothing to this burning; that was of one particular place, but this of the whole world; that was a preparative warning, but this the last expression of his wrath against the ungodly world. Many give divers witty reasons for this burning, a taste may not be unwelcom, under the Law the vessel that held the sin-offering was to be purged with fire, so the world, where sin hath been committed. The object of our Adulteries is burnt and defaced, that we may know the anger of the Lords jealousie Ludolphus in vita Christi. the old world was destroyed by Water, propter ardorem libidimis, because of the heat of lust, and the present world burnt with fire, propter temporem charitatis, because of the coldness of love in the latter dayes. But of such kinde of allusions more then enough.

You see then by all this, that the day of judgement is a great day, let us now apply it.

If it be a great day, let us regard it more seriously;Application. for all things should be regarded according to their weight. This is the greatest day that ever we shall see, and therefore we shall be more affected with this day then with any thing else; we have slight thoughts of things to come; and therefore they do not work with us, can we expect such a day, and not spend a thought upon it? Oh Christians look for it more, long for it more, provide for it more.

1. Look for it, Phil. 3. 21. Titus 2. 13. Every time you look up to the clouds, remember you have a Saviour, [Page] that in time will come from thence, and call the world to an account; faith should alwayes stand ready to meet him, as if he were upon his way, as Rebecca spied Isaac afar off; so doth faith which is the evidence of things not seen. Look within the curtain of the Heavens, and spy out Christ as preparing for his comming. If he tarrieth longer then we expect, he is not stack. 2 Pet. 3. 9. But we are hasty; he wants no affection to us▪ his delights were with the sons of men before they were created, Prov. 8. 31. And certainly now he is so deeply interested in u [...], as having bought us with his blood▪ he desireth to enjoy what he hath purchased: 'tis not want of love keepeth [...]im away, nor want of truth, God is punctual in his promises even to a day, Exod. 12. 41. even the selse same day▪ &c. If all things were ready he would come presently: therefore wait and look still, they were not deceived that expected his first comming in the flesh; 'twas said, a Virgin shall conceive, was it not done? that God would bring his Son out of Egypt; was it not done? that he should ride to Jerusalem upon the foal of an Asse, and was it not done? Surely the God that hath been faithful all along hitherto, will not fail at last.

2. Long for it. The faithful, love his appearing, 2 Tim. 4. 8. This is the great day which they long to see, that they may meet with their beloved, and see him in all his Glory and Royalty. They have heard much of Christ and tasted much of Christ, and they love him much, but yet they have not seen him; they know him by hearsay, and by spiritual experience, but never saw his person, whom having not seen you love, &c. They have seen his picture crucified before your eyes, Gal. 3. 1. beholding at in a glass the glory of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3. 18. therefore they cannot be satisfied till this day cometh abou [...]; Oh when shall it once be, the spirit in the Bride saith come▪ Rev. 22 17. Nature saith not come, but tarry still; if it might go by voices, whether Christ should come, yea, or no, carnal man would never give their voice this way. The language of corrupt Nature is, depart, Job 22. 14. [Page] Carnal Men are of the Divels mind, art thou come to torment us before our time? Matth. 8. they cannot endure to hear of it, but come, Oh come, saith Grace: this day we have cause to long, for not only upon Christs account but our own; 'tis the day of our perfection as well as Christs royalty: now every thing tendeth to its perfect state, so doth a Christian, then there is perfect holiness and perfect freedom: we never find Christ a Saviour to the uttermost till then, to the glorified spirits; he is but a Saviour in part, some fruit of sin is continued upon the body; but then body and soul are united and perfectly glorified to enjoy God in Heaven: Christ then cometh to make an end of what he had begun; he first came to redeem our souls, and then our bodies from corruption, the body is a captive in the grave, when the soul is set at liberty; 'tis held under the power of death till that day: the Butler was not afraid to go before Pharaoh, because Joseph told him he should be set at liberty, lift up your heads, 'tis a day of redemption, Luk. 17. 28. Christ cometh to loosen the bands and shackles of death, to think and speak of that day with horror, doth ill become him that looketh for such great priviledges.

3. Provide for that day▪ 'Tis called the great and noteable day of the Lord, Acts 2. 20. it should be the whole employment of our lives to prepare for it; but how shall we provide for that day? I answer, by making peace with God in and by Jesus Christ. When Jacob heard that Esau was comming with a great power and force, he sendeth to make peace with him: we hear of a great day comming, when the Lord shall descend from Heaven with a shout, and all his holy Angels with him. 1. Let us compromise all differences between us and him, we are advised so to do, Luke 14. 32. While he is yet a great way off, he sendeth an Embassage, and desire [...]h conditions of peace. We need not send to the Lord, God maketh the offer to us; let us lay down the weapons of our defiance, and accept of the terms proposed. 2. If you would provide for this day, clear up your union with Jesus Christ, he is [Page] the Judge, and there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ, Rom. 8. 1. Will the head contemn his own members. If we abide in him, we shall be able to look him in the face, we shall have boldness in that day, 1 Joh. 2. 28▪ then though it be a great day, it will not be a terrible day to us. 3. Frequent Communion with him at the Throne of Grace. When familiar friends meet together after long absence, what a sweet interview is there? what mutual embraces and endearments passe between them? So acquaint your selves with Christ aforehand, Job 22 common acquaintance with them in external worship will not serve the turn, Luk▪ 13. 27. We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and heard thee in our streets; and yet Christ saith, I know you not; there must be an holy intimacy and sweet experience of him, you must know him in the spirit. 4. By holy conversation both as to the matter and end of it. For the great end of this day is, that grace may be glorious; other things are honoured in the world, as power, and strength, and cunning, and civil endowments, but then eminency in grace cometh to be crowned, 2. P [...]. 3. 12. We that look for such things, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holinesse and g [...]dlinesse of conversation? There are two words there used, holinesse and godlynesse; the one relateth to the matter of our actions, that we should do things good, and just, and pure. The other to our end and aime; we must do all this as in and to the Lord, making him the supream end of all that we do. 5. We may press you to heavenliness in your choice, where lieth your Treasure? If the enjoyment of the world be your chiefest good, that will be of no use to you, in that day, in a disdain to our choice, all worldly things are burnt before our eyes; but if your happiness lieth in heaven, thither you are going to take full possession of it; at the last day wicked men cannot murmer; Gods judgements are but their own choice, if the Goates be placed on the left hand, and the Sheep on the right, 'Tis but according to their proposterous affections here in the world, Prov. 3. 16. Length of dayes are in her right hand, [Page] and in her left hand riches and honour. Eternity is the right hand blessing. Now if you despise a blessed eternity in comparison of those left hand blessing, riches and honour, no wonder that your own measure is recompen [...]ed into your bosomes. 6. Love the breathren. This is the great day when all the Saints meet together; and how can we expect to meet with them with comfort, if we should not love them, 1 Iohn 4. 16, 17. There we shall have boldness, &c. It will be a joyful meeting when those whom we have loved, prayed for, fasted with, and (if necessity did require) relieved, shall then be found in such esteem and honour. 7. Mercifulness to the poor, see Matth. 25. 35. 36. with 42. and 43. verses. Christ hath told us aforehand what questions he will ask when he cometh, have you fed? have you visited? have you cloathed? &c. 'Tis good that we should be prepared of an Answer. 8. Faithfulness it Gods ordinances, and the matters of his house. Our Lord is gone, but he will come again to take an account how matters have been managed during his absence; the usual period which is fixed to Ordinances, is the Lords comming to judgement. 1 Cor. 11. 26. Ye do shew forth the Lords death till he come. And 1 Tim. 6. 14. Keept his Commandment without spot, until the appearing of the Lord Iesus Christ. He hath left his Ordinance in his Church as a pledge of his coming, and to keep the great promise still afoot, therefore above all things they should be kept pure and uncorrupt.

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Vers. 7.‘Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.’

IN this verse is the third example, fitly suited to the former, the Angels had the blessings of Heaven, the Israelites of the Church, and Sodom of the World. But the Angels upon their Apostasie lost Heaven; the murmuring Israelites were shut out of Canaan; and the Sodomites were together with their fruitful soil and pleasant land destroyed; you see Heaven mercies, and Churth mercies, and World mercies are all forfeited by the Creatures ingratitude. This last instance is propounded as the first part of a similitude, the reddition of which is in the next verse.

In the words observe, 1. The places or people judged, [Sodom and Gomorrah, and the Cities round about them in like manner] those two Cities are onely mentioned here, as also Gen. 19. 14. because the principal, in Hosea 11. 8. two others are onely mentioned Admah and Zeboim, but Deut. 29. 23. all four are mentioned, the whole land is brimstone, salt and burning like the overthrow of Sodome and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim which the Lord overthrew in his anger and in his wrath. Now the Cities are mentioned rather then the Persons to note the utter destruction of the places together with the inhabitants; for that clause [the Cities about them in like manner] in the original [...], the word for [them] is in the masculine gender; whereas [Cities] the next Antecedent is in the feminine; therefore some refers it to the remote Antecedent▪ the Angels and Israelites as they were punished, so Sodom and those Cities in like manner. [Page] So Junius, but I suppose because [Cities] doth not only imply the places but the inhabitants; therefore the masculine gender was used by the Apostle.

2. Their sin is specified [giving themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh.] Here are two great sins charged upon them. 1. The first is [giving themselves over to fornication▪] [...], the word is unusual, and therefore diversly rendred. One translation, [defiles themselves with fornication] the vulgar, [...]x fornicatae, as noting the strangeness and abhominablenesse of their lust, but that is implyed in the next expression, our translation fitly rendereth it by such a phrase as signifieth their excesse and vehement addictedness to unclean practices. 2. The next fin is [going after strange flesh] 'Tis a modest and covert expression, implying their monstrous and unlawful lusts, contrary to the course and institution of nature, a fil [...]hinesse scarse to be named, from them called Sodomies; the Apostle Paul expresseth it thus, Rom 1. 27. Leaving the natural use of the Woman tkey b [...]ned in their lust [...]ne t [...]wards another, men with men working that which is unsce [...]ly. 'Tis called here [strange flesh] [...] ▪ other flesh, as being other then what nature hath appointed, or because 'tis impossible that man and man in that execrable Act should make one flesh, as man and woman do. 3. Their judgement is set down [suffering the vengeance of eternal fire] Sodom we know and the Cities round about it were consumed by fire and brimstone rained down from Heaven; which though a dreadful, was but a temoral fire: in what sense doth the Apostle call it here eternal life? some to mollifie the seeming austerity of the phrase, read thus, [were made an example of eternal fire suffering vengeance] that is, in that judgement which was executed upon them. God would give the world a Type and Figure of Hell. Others by eternal fire? understand the duration of the effects of the first temporal punishment; the soil thereabout wearing the marks of Gods curse to this day. Others not much differing from the former: by eternal fire understand [Page] an utter destruction▪ and labour to evince it from the use of the phrase in a like sense, and the paralel place in Peter, 2 Pet. 2. 6. he turned the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, and condemned them with an overthrow, that is, utterly destroyed them; but why we need to be so tender I know not, the Sodomites being generally represented as men under everlasting judgement, Matth. 11. 24. and the temporal judgement making way for eternal▪ though as to the state of particular persons we judge not. See Rivet in Gen. exercit. 97. pag. 474.

4. Here is the end and all of the judgement [are set forth for an example] that is, to be a noteable document and instruction to the world, to keep them under the law of God; and therefore every in the prophetick threatnings of the word is this instance alluded unto.

The words are explained, but how shall we accommodate them to the Apostles purpose? I answer, very well; there is a fit correspondency between the case in hand and this example, the Sodomites went after strange flesh, and these Apostles after strange opinions: These errors and opinions of theirs tended to sensuality, and so still there is a greater suitablenesse; The School of Simon, the Nic [...] laitans, the Gnosticks did defile themselves with monstrous and abominable lust as the Sodomites did: and therefore he threatneth them with a destruction like to that of Sodom, yea with eternal fire figured thereby especially they having been formerly enlightned with some knowledge of the truth, which the Sodomites were not. Let me now come to the Observations.

Cities and Countries suffer for the evil of the Inhabitants, Observ. 1. as Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities round about them were consumed with fire and brimstone, and turned into a dead like. Original sin brought on an Original curse; Adams fall, a curse upon the whole earth, Gen. 3. 17. Cursed is the ground for thy sake, thorne [...] and thistl [...]s shall it bring forth to thee: and actual sins do bring on an actual curse, Psal. 107. 34. He turneth a pleasant land into saltness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. A [Page] Traytor forfeits not onely his life but his goods, so do we not onely forfeit our persons, but all our comforts into God hands, and 'tis but fit that the earth should be to us after all our labours, what we are to God after all his husbandry bestowed upon us; we are barren of good fruits as to God, and so justly may the land be to us. I Remember the Apostle saith the Creature was made subject to vanity, [...], not willingly, Rom. 8. 19. the creature hath onely a natural tendency and inclination, and that carries it to its own good; we had free-will and choice, but abused it, and so brought our selves and the creature under the bondage and thraldom of corruption, so that the earth which was intended to be a monument of Gods glory is now a great part a monument of Gods displeasure and our rebellion; 'Tis observable on the contrary side, that the glorious times of the Gospel are expressed by the restoration of the creatures, Isa. 30. 23. 24, 25, 26. and Isa. 11. 6, 7, 8. For as the condition of the Servant doth depend on the Master, so doth the state of the creature upon our conformity or disobedience to God. Well then avoid sin, if not in pity to your poor souls, in pity to the poor creatures, to your poor countrey; as David said, What have these poor Sheep done? So what have the Creatures done that you kindle a burning under their glory? See Jer. 2. 18 19. The land is laid waste, an Citie burnt without an inhabitant; What is the cause of all this? even our sins against the Lord, that a man shall be the ruine of his Country and native soile; this should go nere to us; shal we turn this pleasant land into saltness and lay these dwellings waste! these streets into ashes! carnal men are usually moved by carnal arguments, and tremble more to hear of the loss of their estates then of their soules: we are startled to hear of scarsity, and famine, and fires, and pestilences: all these are the fruits of sin.

Those Cities were utterly destroyed, and accordingly isObserv. 2. the destruction of Sodom put for an utter overthrow. See Isa. 13. 19. Zeph▪ 2 9 Jer. 48. 18. Jer 50. 40. 2 Pet. 2. 6. Thence, that in judgements wicked men may be brought [Page] to an utter destruction. The Synagogue of Sathan may be utterly destroyed but not the City of God, in the saddest miseries there is hope of Gods Children that their dead stock will bud and sent again, Zach. 9. 12. Prisoners of hope, the cutting off of root and branch, is the judgement of the wicked, Mal. 4. 1. Their memorial may be blotted out but Syons cannot, 'tis the design of the enemies to extinguish the memory of the Church, and many times to appearance there is none left, yet out of their ruines and ashes, there springeth up a new brood, and holy seed to God, they are sorely afflicted, Psal. 129. 1, 2. yet Christ stands his ground, they are not wholly prevailed over, the Church may visibly faile but not totally; well then, in the middest of sad miseries; bless God for a remnant, it may be bad▪ but 'tis not as Sodome, Isa. 1. 9. In times of general defection there will be two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, Isa. 17. Some that may continue the name of God, and survive the Churches troubles, that may yet praise him. Again, do not inhaunt with the wicked, and suffer your soules to enter into their secret evil societies, may be absolutely destroyed root and branch: Sodom was condemned with an overthrow; 'tis seasonable advice, come out of her my people, lest you partake of her plagues, Rev. 18. 4. Babylon that was a nest for unclean sinners, will be made cage for unclean birds.

From that [and the Cities about them in like manner.] Observe, likeness in sin will involve us in the same punishment; Observ. 3. they perished and the other Cities in like manner: none had safety but Lot, who consented not, but grieved for these impurities, 2 Pet. 2. 8. Gods wrath maketh no distinction Quos una impietas prophanavit, una sententia delicit (saith Ambrose) they were found in the same sin, and therefore surprized by the same judgement, the destruction of the transgressors and sinners shall be together, Isa. 1. 28. That is the one as well as the other, by what names or titles soever distinguished. Why? I answer, fellowship in evil can neither excuse sin, nor keep off wrath: [Page] it cannot excuse sin, nothing more usual then for men to say; they do as others do; if you do as others do, you shall suffer as others do: example doth not lessen sin but encrease i [...], partly because their own Act is an approbation of the Act of others: immitation is a postconstat, and so besides your own guilt, you are guilty of their sins that sinned before you, partly because 'tis hard to sin against example, but we sin against conscience; we allowing that in our selves which we formerly condemned in another: partly because 'tis a sin against warning to stumble at the stone, at which we see others stumble is an errot, and without excuse:Non ego sum ambitiosus sed nemo aliter Romae vivere potest, &c. Say not then 'tis the fashion and guise, how can we do otherwise? be not conformed to the fashions of this world: you should be like Lot, chast in Sodom, or like those Christians that were godly in Nero's Court. Again, it doth not keep off wrath; multitudes and single persons are all one to avenging Justice, the devouring burning of Gods wrath can break through Bryars and Thorns. 'Tis said Prov. 11. 21. Though hand joyn in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished. Consederations and societies in evil are as nothing to the power of God: though sometimes the Sons of Zerviah, powerful oppressors, with their combined interests may be too hard for men. Well then, learn to live by rule, and not by example, and propose the sins of others to your griefe, not imitation: have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, b [...]t reprove them rather, Eph. 5. their practice will never afford you excuse, nor exemption. Your duty is to be good in a wicked age, sresh like fish in the salt water, follow not a multitude to do evil, wickedness is never the less odious because 'tis more common, 'tis not safe alwayes to keep the road, the bad way is known by the breadth of it, and the much company in it, Matth. 7. 13. to walk with God is praise worthy, though none do it besides thy self, and to walk with men in the way of sin is dangerous, though millions do it besides thee.

Again, from that. [And the Cities about them in like Obser 4. [...] ▪ [Page] manner] the lesser Cities imitated the greater, Admah and Zeboim followed the example of Sodom and Gomorrah; An error in the first concoction is seldome mended in the second, if sin passe the heads and chiefes of the people, 'tis taken up by others under their command; when the first sheet is done off, others are printed by the same stamps. Majestrates are publike fountains of good or evil, to the people over whom they are set: if they be cold and carelesse in the worship of God, given to contempt of the Ministery, enemies to Reformation 'twill be generally taken up as a fashion by others. When the head is sick, the whole heart is faint, Isa. 1. 5. Diodorus Sieulus telleth us of a people in Ethiopia, that if their Kings halted, they would maim themselves that they might halt likewise, if they wanted an eye, in a foolish imitation they would make themselves blind, that they might comply even with the defects and Diseases of their Princes: the vices of them in place and power are authorized by their example and pass for virtues; if they be slight in the use of Ordinances, 'twill be taken up as a piece of Religion by inferiors to be so too.

From the first crime here specified [giving themselves Observ. 5. over to Fornication] That Adulterous uncleanness doth much displease God. When they were given over to fornication, they were given over to judgement. 1. This is a sin that doth not onely defile the Soul but the Body, 1 Cor. 6. 18. Every sin that a man doth is without the body, but he that committeth Adultery sinneth against his own body: most other sins imply an injury done to others, to God or our Neighbour: this more directly an injury to our selves, to our own bodies: 'tis a wrong to the body considered either 1 Thes, 4. 4. as our vessel, or as the 1 Cor. 6. 9. Temple of the holy Ghost: if you consider it as our vessel or instrument for natural uses, you wrong it by uncleannesse: namely, as it destroyeth the health of the body, quencheth the vigour of it, and blasteth the beauty, and so 'tis selfemurder: if you consider it as Temple of the Holy Ghost, 'tis a dishonour to the body to make it a channel [Page] for lust to passe through, shall we make a sty of a Temple? abuse that to so vile a purpose which the Holy Ghost hath chosen to dwell in, to plant it into Christ, as a part of his mystical body, to use it as an instrument in Gods service, and finally to raise it out of the grave, and conform it to Christs glorious body? The dignity of the body well considered, is a great preservative against lust. 2. It brawneth the soul, the softnesse of all sensual pleasures hardneth the heart, but this sin as being the consummate act of sensuality much more, Hosea 4. 11. Whoredom and Wine take away the heart; these two are mentioned, because usually they go together, and both take away the heart, besot the conscience, take away the tenderness of the affections: so that men are not ashamed of sin, insensible of danger, and unfit for duty; and so grow saplesse, carelesse, senselesse. 3. Next to the Body and Soul, there is the name, now it blotteth the name, Prov. 6. 33. a wound and a dishonour shall [...]e get, and a reproach that shall not be wiped off. Sensual wickednesse is most disgraceful, as having turpitude in it, and being sooner discerned then spiritual. 4. It blasteth the estate, Heb. 13. 4 Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge; he will [...]udge others, but surely these, and that remarkably in this life 5 This doth exceedingly pervert the order of humane societies, Solomon maketh it worse then theft. Prov. 6. 29, 30, 31. 32. A Thiefe stealeth out of necessity, but here is no [...] gent necessity; the losse here is not repairable, as that which is made by theft: it bringeth in great confusion in families, &c. therefore Adultery under the Law was punished by death, which theft was not. 6. It is a sinne usually accompanied with impenitency; namely, as it weareth out remorse, and every spark of good consciences; read those cutting places, Prov 22. 14. The mo [...]th of a strange woman is a deep pit, and he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein: so Prov. 2. 19. none that go unto her return again, do they take hold of the ways of life? So see Eccles. 7. 26, 27, 28. verses. It is sin into which God useth to give over Reprobates; Solomon saith he [Page] knew but one returning. Well then, be not drunk with the Wine of Sodom, and do not scruze out the clusters of Gomorrah: Whoredom is a deep ditch or gulf, wherein those that are abhorred of the Lord are suffered to fall; beware of all tendings that way; do not soak and steep the soule in pleasures; take heed of effemina [...]y [...], the soft or effeminate shall not enter into the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6 9. Beware of lustful glances, Matth. 5. 28 Of rolling the fancy upon undone objects heart defilement maketh way for corporal; lust beginneth in wanton eyes many times, and 'tis fed by a delicacy and unworthy softness Guard the senses, cut off the provisions of the flesh, avoid occasions, be employed. Again, if you have stumbled into this deep ditch, repent the more speedily, the more seriously, the case is sad▪ but not altogether desperate; we read of a possibility for Publicans and Harlots entring into the Kingdom of God. Bewaile your estate as David doth, Psal. 51. His Adultery lest a stain upon him, Except in the matter of Ʋriah, &c. Job saith, 'tis a fire that consumeth to destruction and will ro [...]t out all your encrease, Job 31. 12▪ therefore quench it the sooner, &c.

Again, from the other sin, [and going after strange Obser. 6. flesh] Observe sin is never at a stay; first, uncleannesse, and then given over to uncleannesse and then strange flesh; when a stone runneth down hill it stayeth not till it cometh to the bottom; a filthy sinner is growing more filthy still, untill he hath out grown the heart of a man, as the Sodomites did, m [...]n with men working that which is unseemly; a sin which none but a Divel in the likenesse of a man would commit, a sin that hath filthinesse enough in it, to defile the tongue that speaketh of it. Well then, here is a glass wherein to see the wickedness of our natures, who would think reason should invent so horrid an Act? Rom 1. 27. they had no more original corruption, then thou and I have; if God remove the bridle, whither shall shall we run? Let wicked men consider hence, how foolishly they promise themselvs immunity from drunkeness [Page] adultery, or any gross wickednesse. Caution any of them against those things, no I warrant you (say they) do you think I am such a wretch? is thy servant a dog? 2 King. 8. 13.

From that, [the vengeance of eternal fire] The wickedObserv. 7. Sodomites were not onely burnt up by that temporal judgement, but cast into Hell, which is here called Eternal fire: Hell is set forth by two notions, a Worm that nev [...]r dyeth, and a fire that never goeth out, Mark 9. 44. In both which expressions there is an allusion to the Worms that breed in dead bodies, and the fire wherewith they were wont to burn their dead in former times. And the one implyeth the Worm of Conscience, the other the fire of Gods wrath. 1. The Worm is bred in the body its selfe, and therefore fitly representeth the gnawings of Conscience; the Worm of Conscience consisteth in three things, there is memoria prae [...]eritorum, sensus praestutium, & metus futurorum. First, Conscience worketh on what is past the remembrance of their former enjoyments and past pleasures Luk. 16. 25. Son remember that thou in thy life time, &c. so of time wasted, opportunities of grace slighted, the folly of their own choice, &c. all which are sad reflections to them. Secondly, There is a sense of the present pain; here when they were corrected they were senselesse, like stocks and stones; but then there being nothing to mitigate their grief or beguile the sense of it, no carnal pleasures wherein to steep conscience: there must needs be sense and feeling joyned with a bitter discontent at their condition. Thirdly, For the future their condition is hopeless; despair is one ingredient into their torment, Heb 10 27. there remaineth nothing but a fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the Lord. Thus for the Worm.

2. The next notion is that of the Text fire, or the wrath of God transacted upon them. In the sufferings of the damned God hath an immediate hand, H [...]b. 10. 33. no creature is strong enough to convey all his wrath; in being this wrath the capacity of the creature is enlarged [Page] to the uttermost; and in their punishment God sets himselfe a work to shew the glory of his strength, Rom. 9. 22. he with-holdeth the Creature with one hand, and punisheth it with the other: If his anger be but kindled a little, and a spark of it fly into the conscience, the poor Creature is at his wits end: but how dreadful will their portion be, against whom Psal 78. [...]. he stirreth up all his wrath? the humane nature of the Lord Christ in a just abhorrency recoyled when he was to taste of this cup: we that cannot endure the gripes of the Chollick, the torment of the Stone, the pain of the Rack, how shall we dwell with devouring burnings? and all this is for ever. As our Obligations to God are infinite, and as we turn back upon eternal happinesse offered in the Gospel, used as the Majesty offended by sin is infinite, so that we cannot restore the honour to God which we have taken away. Therefore by just reason is our punishment eternal. In the other World men are in their final estate; the fuel continueth for ever, the Creature is not abolished, and the fire continueth for ever, the breath of the living Lord still keepeth the flame burning We think a Prayer long, a Sermon long; what will Hell be? In the night if we cannot sleep, we count the hours, and every minute seemes tedious. Oh what will they do that are tormented night and day for ever and ever? Rev. 20. 10▪ Now this is the portion of all that forget God; Oh who would run this hazard for a little temporal satisfaction? the scourges of conscience that we meet with here, are too great price for the short pleasures of a bruitish lust, much more the Worm that never dyeth, the Fire that shall never be quenched.

There is one note more, and that is from that clause [are set forth for an example.] Observe thence, That Sodoms Observ. 8. destruction is the worlds great example. Both Peter and Jude shew that this was the end of Gods judgements upon Sodom, that they might be an example to all that live ungodly.

You will say, what have we to do with Sodom? their sinnes being so unnatural, their judgements so unusuall [Page] 1. As to their sins, I enquire, are there none of Sodoms sins amongst us? If not going after strange flesh, yet fornication; if not fornication, yet pride, and idlenesse, and fulness of bread? I say again, though our sins be not so great in themselves, yet by necessary circumstance and aggravation, they may be greater; as impenitency, unbelief, abuse and neglect of the Gospel, despising the offers of grace; the grossest sins against the Law are not so great as sins against the Gospel, Matth. 11. 24. It shall be more tolerable for Sodom, &c. We sin against more light, more love, &c. 2. As to the judgements, though God doth now adays smite a Countrey with judgments immediately from Heaven, or make it utterly unuseful, as he did Sodom; yet his dispeasure is no less against sin; and if not the same, a like judgement, one very grievous may come upon us.

This being premised, let us come to open this example, in which these three things are considerable. 1. TheIngentia. Beneficia. Flagitia Supplicia. state of Sodom. 2. The sins of Sodom. 3. The judgement. The first will shew you Gods mercy, the second their guilt, the third Gods justice. Usually these three follow one another, great mercies make way for great sins, and great sins for great judgements.

1. I begin with the state of Sodom. There 1. the quality of the place; there were sundry goodly Cities, of which Sodom was the principal, fairly situated in the plain of Jordan, full of people, and well supplyed with Corn, Wine and Oyl, and all earthly contentments; 'tis said, Gen. 19. 10. Sodom was pleasant, and as the Garden of the Lord. And yet afterwards this was the place which was the Scene of so much wrath & utter desolation. What may the wourld learn from hence? that we must give an account for common mercies; God reckoned with the servant that had but one Talent, Matth. 25. The world is a place of tryal, all men have a trust committed to them; The Talents of the Heathens were fruitful seasons, food and gladnesse. Act 14. 17. God that never left himselfe [...], without a witness, hath left us [...], [Page] without excuse: a plentiful soil doth not argue a good people, but a good God. Sodom was pleasantly and richly situated. If we had nothing else to answer for, but an Island of blessings, how poorly have we discharged this trust? 2. Take notice of their late deliverance, four Kings made war upon them, by whom they were carryed captive, and rescued by Abraham, Gen. 14. 15, 16 Deliverances from war and captivity leave a great engagement; When God hath once spared us, if we repent not, the next turn is utter destruction. Deliverances if not improved, are but reprivals; we are not so much preserved, as reserved to a greater misery; hoisted up, that our fall may be the more dreadful; snatched out of one misery, that we may be cast into a worse: Oh what have we to answer for our late deliverances! Sodom was but once saved in war, we many times; 'tis to be feared that passage recordeth our doom, Psal. 166. 43. Many times did he deliver them, but they provoked him by their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity: deliverances not improved are pledges of certain ruine. 3. Gods patience in bearing with them: Sodom for a long time slept quietly in their sins unmolested, undisturbed; Misericordia mea suadet ut parcam peccatorum clamor cogit ut puniam. Salvianus. the times of Sodom cry to me: the Lord profered Abraham, if there were but ten righteous persons found there, he would spare the Cities: in four Cities not ten righteous persons! God is silent as long as their sins would let him be quiet; but then when he could no longer bear, he goeth down to take vengeance: how long doth the Lord protract the ruine of these wicked Cities? justice is his strange work, but 'tis his work; mercy doth much with God, but not all, justice must be heard, especially when it pleadeth on the behalfe of abused mercy; God that would spare the sinner, yet hateth the sinne. When a people do nothing but weary justice, and abuse mercy Dominus Christus a dcmino patre Concil. Syrm. the Lord will raine from the Lord, &c. Gen 19. 24. Christ will enterpose for such a peoples destruction; Heaven will rain down Hell upon a people so obstinately wicked. The Lord is gracious, but not senselesse: as he will not always contend, so [Page] not always forbear. 4. Lots admonition, it seemeth he frequently reproved them, and therefore do they scorn him, Gen. 19. 9 This one fellow came in to sojourn amongst us, and he will needs be a Judge; his soul was not only vexed with those leud courses, but as occasion was offered, he sought to disswade them. Thence learn, That God seldome punisheth without warning: the old World had Noahs ministry, and Sodom Lots admonitions: the Lord may say to every punished people, as Reuben to his breren, Did not I warn you, and you would not hear? Gen. 42. 22. Seldome doth he hew a people with the sword, but first he heweth them by Prophets: means of conviction aggravate both the sin and the judgement: Ah we have a clearer light, and therefore must expect an heavier doome, Matth. 10 15. sins are aggravated not onely by the foulnesse of the Act, but the degrees of light against which they are committed Sodom sinned sorely, as to the act, but they could not sin against so much light as we do; therefore it shall be easier for them at the day of judgement. 5. They had the benefit of Magistracy, those were Cities that were brought into government, we read of the King of Sodom, Gen. 14 2. but it seems he did not enterpose his Authority, but rather connive at, and tolerate the wickednesse of this people; yea rather approve and partake with them in their abominations. Consider when the vices of inferiours are dissembled and winked at by Governours, the Lord himselfe taketh the matter in hand: and then look for nothing but speedy ruine, the guilt of a Nation is much encreased when sin is tolerated, yea favoured and countenanced, especially when righteousnesse is rather restrained and curbed then sin, as the affronts done to Lot witnessed; the end why Magistracy was ordained is then perverted, 1 Tim. 2. 2. Rom. 13. 5. namely, for the punishment of evil doers and that goodnesse be encouraged; they were punished for allowing the filthinesse of strange flesh. What will become of us if Magistrates should be carelesse and wink at, yea countenance strange opinions, as horrid and as much against [Page] the light of Christianity, as that was against the light of Nature.

Secondly, let us look upon the sinnes of Sodom. See Ezek. 16. 49. Loe this was the iniquity of thy Sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and aboundance of idleness, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy; to which adde the sins of the Text, and then this black roll is compleat. I shall consider, 1. The Sins▪ 2. The Aggravations.

1. The Sins. 1. Pride; 'Tis hard to enjoy plenty, and not to grow haughty; prosperous Winds soon fill the Sailes, but blowing too strongly, overturn the Vessel; how few are able to carry a full Cup without spilling? to manage plenty without pride? men grow rich and then high minded, and that's the next way to ruine. 2. Idlenesse, an easie carelesse life maketh way for danger, God sent all into the world for action, standing pooles putrifie, and things not used, contract rust; so doth id [...]e persons settle into vile and degenerate lusts. 3. Fulnesse of bread; that is corporal delights, Luk. 17. 28. They eat, they drunk, they bought, they sold, they builded; their whole lives were but a diversion from one pleasure to another; how soon are earthly comforts abused into luxury and excesse? Fulnesse of estate maketh way for fulnesse of bread, and many beastly sins. 4. Ʋnmercifulnesse, you never knew any Prodigal, but they were also uncharitable; as Sodom here and the Epicure, Luk. 16. and you shall see James 5. 4, 5▪ those that nourished their hearts as in a day of slaughter, oppressed the labourers; they that set their hearts for ease and pleasure, know not the bitternesse of griefe, and therefore do not compassionate it in others, Amos 6. 6. 5. Ʋncleannesse, and fornication, this followeth on the former; fulnesse of bread must be emptied and unladed in lust. 6. That beastly wickednesse implyed in the Text. When the Angels came to destroy them, because they were of a comely visage, they came raging at the doors, Gen. 19. as usually wickedness is encreased to the height when God cometh to punish it. Well [Page] then if we put all these together, they were a lazy, easie, secure, oppressing, filthy and unclean people: we may wonder more at Gods patience that he bore with them so long, then at his justice, that he punished them so sorely.

2. The Aggravations: 1. Shamelesnesse, Isa▪ 3. 9. they declare their sin as Sodom, they publish it as Gomorrah▪ when a people are past shame they are past hope, such do dare God to punish them. 2. Contempt of reproofe, a sure fore-runner of ruine, when the reprover of sin is blamed more then the actor. Lot seemed as one that mocked, Gen. 19. 14. when Gods Messengers are contemned, he can hold no longer.

Thirdly, their judgement. The Lord rained from the Lord fire and brimstone upon them. Observe here, 1. The suddainnesse the Sun shone in the morning as at other times, Gen. 19. 23. they had not the least fear of any such mischief at hand; God usually surprizeth a people in their security▪ after a great calm cometh a storm. Perish in the mid way, Psal 21. 11. in their full carere,Sulpher futorem hab [...]t [...]ignis ardorem. when they dream of no such matter. 2. The equity; The sin was like the punishment. They first burned with lusts, and then with fire: they burnt with vile unnatural lusts, and therefore against the ordinary course of nature, fire falleth down from Heaven: in this fire there was stink for their filthinesse. Thus doth God retaliate; Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire, and they were consumed with strange fire comming down from Heaven. Job professing his innocency in case of Adultery, otherwise let my Wife grind to another, and a stranger bow down upon her, Job 31. 11. implying that God would punish him in his own bed, if he had violated anothers: in the Gospel we read, Luk. 16. that he was denied a drop that would not give a crumb▪ &c. 3. Observe the power of God, God a little before had drowned the world with Water, now he consumeth Sodom by fire, all the Elements are at his beck, the Creatures are his Hosts, Job. 37. 6. If God say be thou upon the earth, they presently [Page] obey; if we find sins God will find punishments, he can execute judgements by contrary meanes, now drown and then burn. 4. The severity of God, he raineth down fire and brimstone, which is Map and Type of Hell, Isa. 30. last, Rev. 21. 15. The calamities that light upon the Godly arePhil. 1. 28. a token of Heaven; namely, as they work to purifie us from sin; but those on the wicked are Types of Hell, preambles to future woes, as darknesse on the Egyptians was a figure of utter darkness. So these were first turned to destruction, and then into Hell; 'tis sad to think of the judgement past; worse, of judgement to come.

Thus God delighteth to make those that have been examples to others in sinning, examples to them in punishment.

8

Vers. 8.‘Likewise also these filthy Dreamers▪ defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.’

IN this verse you have the Apodosis of the former instance [likewise] is the Adverb, that implyeth the connection between the the two terms of a comparison, they perished that went after strange flesh, so these filthy Dreamers that defile the flesh, &c. shall perish. In the words you may observe, 1. A description of their person [filthy Dreamers] 2. A discovery of their sins two are mentioned in this verse. 1. [...], their impurity [they de l▪ the flesh▪] 2. [...], their tumultuous carriage toward [...] superiours, expressed in two phrases. First they de p [...]sed domini n Secondly, they speak [...]vil of dignities. What these two phrases import is some question, some think the first noteth their judgement and affection, [Page] the second▪ their speech and practice▪ Some think two kindes of government are here understood, and refer dispising of Dominion to contempt of Magistracy and publike Government, and speaking evil of Dignities to the private Government of Masters, 1 Tim. 6. 1. 2. which was also despised by these wretches, under the pretence of Christian liberty. Others more properly understand the first cause of Civil Government, usually expressed in Scripture by [...], or Domination: and speaking evil of Dignities, is fitly referre [...] to the traducing and opposing of Government and Governours Ecclesiastical, as Apostles, Pastors▪ Teachers, and Elders. The Officers of the Church are called [...], the glory of Christ, 2 Cor. 8. 23. and what we translate [speak evil of Dignities] is in the original [speak evil of Glories] but of this more anon.

Let me open the words [likewise] In the original there are many words▪ [...], likewise notwithstanding, that is, though there be so many▪ and such apparent instances of Gods judgement, and those set before us for an example; yet they being blinded with their wicked passions, are not afraid▪ but boldly cast themselves upon the hazard of the same ruine. [Filthy Dreamers] the word in the original is [...] lead, inspired▪ or acted by Dreams, or deluded by Dreames. Beza rendreth it Sopiti, being lulled asleep, as noting their security. I suppose rather the dotage of error, by which they were as it were bewitched and inchanted: our translation seemeth to carry it another way, as applying it to nocturnal polutions, because dreaming is joyned with defiling the flesh. And Peter chargeth these persons with rolling their fancies upon unclean objects, 1 Pet. 2. 14. or possibly it may be taken literally, the persons here noted pretending to dreams inspired by associate and assistant spirits. See Euseb▪ l [...]b 4. cap. 7. The next phrase is [defile the flesh] that is, polute themselves with libidinous practices, 2 Pet. 2. 10. they walked after the flesh in the l [...]st of uncleannesse; and that under a pretence of the Gospel, Vide [...]renaeum passim de Haer. Valentin. The Nicholaitans [Page] taught community of Wives, and that it was an indifferent thing to commit Adultery▪ Rev 2. 6. 14▪ The Gnosticks gave themselves up to all manner of prodigious and incestuous polutions: whence from their obscenity and beastly life, they were called Borborites. See again Euseb. lib. 4. cap. 7. Epiphan. har. 26. How many ways they did defile the flesh we cannot with modesty expresse: the Heathens who made no distinction, charged these impurities upon the Christians in the general, as if they used the unlawful company of their Mothers, and Sisters, &c. The next phrase is [despise Dominion▪] [...], the word [...], signifieth to remove a thing out of its place, with some scorn and indignation; and so it implyeth their utter enmity to civil policy and government, 2 Pet. 2. 10.

They despise Government, presumptuous are they, and selfe willed: [ [...], Dominion] some apply this to the Dominion of Christ, which by their fables of the Aeones, or Lords Rulers they did set at naught, but of that in the fourth verse, but now he speakes of the Government of Men; and there is an emphasis in the word [ [...], Dominion] which is more then if he had said [...], Rulers, for they did not onely despise their Magistrates, or men invested with Superiority, but Magistracy it selfe, as a thing unfitting for believers, and such as were made free by Christ to endure? The last part of the charge is [they speak evil of Dignities] or as 'tis in the original [blaspheam Glories] by which some understand Angels, as Clemens Alexandrinus; these impure Hereticks devising things unworthy, and mis-beseeming the Angels; rather I suppose it implyeth their scorns, curses and reproaches cast upon the Officers of the Church, who are the Glory of Christ, and the practice is afterward compared with the rebellion of Corah, who rose up, not onely against Moses but Aaron, Numb. 11. In the whole you have a lively description of our modern Ranters, Level [...]rs, Familists, Quakers▪ who by dreams are led on to defile the slesh, and to despise all Authority▪ both in Church▪ [Page] and Common wealth, and that with bitter curses and evil speakings, so that our dayes afford us but too clear a comment on the expressions of this Scripture: 'tis sadly fulfilled before our eyes! I come to the Observations.

From that [filthy Dreamers] Note That the erroneous Observ. 1. thoughts of wicked men are but a Dream. 'Tis but Fryerlike, to follow an allusion too far, onely a little for illustration: wicked men are Dreamers: 1. In regard of their state and condition, every carnal man is in a state of a deep sleep, Isa. 29. 10. snorting upon the bed of ease, without any sense of the danger of their condition, as Jonah in the ship was found asleep when the storm arose, they sleep, but their damnation sleepeth▪ not, 2 Pet. 2. 3. 2. In regard of the suitablenesse between their vain thoughts and a dream. A dream you know tickleth with a false delight, and deceiveth with a vain hope.

1. Tickleth with a false delight, they hug a cloud (as we say) instead of Juno, and embrace the contentments and pleasures of the World instead of the true riches, a carnal mans running from pleasure to pleasure, is but a sweet dream, a fit of mirth and pleasure while conscience is asleep, Psal 39. 6. they walk in a vain shadow, they imagine a great deal▪ of felicity and contentment in their condition; but when they come to Isa. 50. 11. warm themselves by their own sparks they lie down in sorrow.

2. Deceiveth with a vain hope, as where the Prophet compareth the dream of the enemies of the Church, to the dream of a night vision, Is. 29. 7. 8. And it shal be as an hungry man dreameth, and behold he eateth, but he awaketh & his soul is empty: or when as a thirsty man dreameth, and behold de drinketh, but be awaketh, and behold he is fain [...], and his soul hath appetite. So 'tis with them, all their hopes are dashed in an instant: the foolish Virgins slept, Mat▪ 25. and when they slept they dreamed, that the door of grace would still be open to them, but they found it shut: many flatter themselves with fair hopes, till they awake in flames, but then all is gone.

Take heed then of being deceived by your own dreams▪ [Page] and the fictions of your own braine: there are no dreams so foolish as those we dream waking, as Epiphanius saith of the Gnosticks: 'twas not [...], a sleeping Dream that they were guilty of, but [...], the dotage of their minds, putting them upon fancies, as monstrous and incoherent as mens thoughts in a dream: waking dreams are most pernitious: There are two sorts of these dreams, 1. Dreams in point of opinion, when we hug errour instead of truth. 2. Dreames in point of hope, when we cherish presumption in stead of faith.

1. Dreames in opinion, which are very rife now, the Mundus senes [...]ens patitur phantasi [...]s. Gerson. old world is apt to dote: Idle and ungrounded nations how plausible soever, are but the dreames of a misty sleepy braine: to prevent these take these Rules. 1. If you would beware of Dreams, beware of a blind minde, men sleep in the dark, and in sleep fancy gets the start of reason, indistinct thoughts do easily dispose to error; and an half light will certainly abuse you, the simple believeth every word, Prov. 14. 15. 2 Suffer not your selvs to be blinded, 1. Not by vile affections: men would fain have that true which is pleasing, and most accommodate to their own interests: vile affection taketh away tht light of reason, and leaveth us onely the pride of reason: and therefore none so confident and touchy in their opinions, as they that are misled by lusts and interests; how easily do we exasperate our minds, and invent prejudices against an hated truth: if the weights be equal, yet if the ballances be not equall, wrong will be done, when the heart is biassed before the search and swayed with some carnal desire or interest, the judgement is obscured and cannot consider of the weight of what is alledged, there is an Idol in the heart, Ezek. 16. 4. 2. By vulgar prejudice, that the Divel may keep the world asleep, 'tis his usual trick to burden the wayes of God with clamour, and vulgar prejudice, a dream or lye dareth not combate with truth in open field, and therefore fortifying against it with popular arguments, that the ways of God may be suspected rather then tryed; [Page] and usually it falleth that error is more specious at the first blush; Gods providence suffering his own wayes to be under the crosse, and the worlds displeasure; now in such a case men keep at a distance, and are loath to search least they meet with trouble of conscience for not obeying the truth, or trouble from the world for crossing their customes and fashions. 3. By personal administration, in spiritual things we learn to dream from one another, Deut 13. 3. Zech 10. 2. No man must be set up in Gods chaire, and their dictates followed, as if they were infalliable.

3. Study the word, else there is no light in what isIsa. 8. 21. brought to you, 'tis but only a dream and dotage of mens braines, and the closer you keep to the Letter of the Word▪ the better: many are perverted by mystical interpretations when men bring that to the word, which they do not find there; the Letter must not be receded from, as long as 'tis capable of any commodious interpretation: now this word must be hidden in the heart, Psal. 119. 9. and dwell in us richly, Coll▪ 3. 16.

2. There are dreames in point of hope, and so 1. Some wholly mistake in the object, and dream of an eternal happiness in temporal enjoyments, Psal. 49. 11. So Luke 12▪ 19▪ Rev. 18. 9. 2. Others dream of attaining the end without using the meanes; they live in sin, and yet hope to dye comfortably, and go to Heaven at length for all that, as if it were but an easie and suddain leap, from Dal [...]lahs lap, to Abrahams bosome; and the pleasures of sin for a season would be no hinderance to the enjoyment of the pleasures of Gods right hand for ever more. A vain Dream, see Luk. 16 25 & Jam. 5▪ 5. 3. Others mistake about the means, because they have a cold form, they are apt to be conceited of their spiritual condition and estate, Rev. 3▪ 17. If you would not Dream in this kind, examine your hearts often, examination is like a rubbing of the e [...]es after sleep, and reviving of conscience, the recollection of▪ our dreams; a man laugheth at his dreams when he is awake, and fancy is sited before the tribunal [Page] of God, vain apprehensions flye away. Again, be sober and watchful, 1 Pet. 5. 9. 2 Thess. 5. 6 Confessing sin 'tis telling our dream, when we are awake and come to our selves, Jer. 31. 17.

From that [defile the flesh] Observe, That dreams of Observ. 2. error dispose to practices of sin and uncleannesse, and impurity of Religion is usually joyned with uncleannesse of Body: which cometh to passe partly by the just judgment of God, who punisheth spiritual fornication with bodily, Hos. 4. 12. 13. They have gone an whoring from their God, therefore their Daughters shall commit whoredom, and their Spouses adultery. That is Gods course, that the odiousnesse of the one may make them see the heinousnesse of the other: see Rom. 1. 24. Partly by the Anima quae fornicata est Deo castaesse non posset. Aug. influence of error, it perverteth the heart, a frame of truth preserveth the aw of God in the soul, and a right beliefe maketh the manners Orthodox: all sins are rooted in wrong thoughts of God, 3 Ep. John 11. Either in unbelief or misbeliefe; unbeliefe is the Mother of sin, and misbeliefe the Nurse of it; it springeth from distrust, and is countenanced by error: Partly because the design of most errors is to put the soule into a liberty which God never allowed; some errors come from the pride of reason, because it will not vaile and strike saile to faith; but most come from vile affection, a carnal heart must be gratified with a carnal Doctrine, 2 Pet. 2. 18. They promise liberty, &c. Errors are but a device to cast off Christs yoak, and to [...]ull the conscience asleep in a course of disobedience. Well then, avoid error of judgement if you would avoid filthinesse of conversation; men first dream, and then defile the flesh, abominable impurities (unlesse temper of nature and posture of interests hinder) are the usual fruit of evil opinions: Truth is the root of holiness, sanctifie them by thy truth thy word is truth, Joh. 17. 17. Gods blessing goeth with his own doctrine, 2 Pet 1. 22. Again, those that have taken up the profession of a right way of Religion should beware of staining it by such kinde of practices, nothing maketh the wayes of God suspected so much as the scandals of [Page] those that professe to walk in them, walk in the light as children of the light; Eph. 5. otherwise you will be a reproach to the truth, and deprive it of its testimony.

Again, observe, That sin is a defilement, it staineth andObserv. 3. darkneth the glory of a man, Matth. 15. 20. this defilement was implyed in the washings of the ceremonial Law, and in Baptism, we are washed as soon as we are born▪ because we are sinners as soon as we are born; surely they that glory in sin, do but glory in their own shame; 'tis but as if a man should boast of his own dung, and count his spittle an ornament, when you count gracelesse swearing, mightinesse to drink, revenge, pride, a glory to you, you do the same: there is nothing maketh us stink in Gods nostrils but sin. Psal. 14. 3. They are altogether become filthy, so much sin as you have about you so much nastinesse; gain is pleasant to those that are taken with that kind of lust; but the Scripture calleth it filthy lucre, 1 Tim. 3. 3. all sins▪ are compared to filthy garments, Zech. 3. 4. Jude 19. and Isa. 30. 22. desire to be washed and that thoroughly, Psal. 51. 2.

Again observe, That of all sins, the sin of uncleannesse Observ. 4. or unlawful copulation is most defiling: it defileth the whole man, but chiefly the body: and therefore 'tis said [they defile the flesh] it staineth the soul with filthy thoughts, Matth. 15. 20. it staineth the Name, Prov. 33. But in a singular manner it poluteth the body, 1 Cor▪ 6. 18. in all other outward sins, though the body be the instrument, yet it is not the object of them; all other sins do abuse objectum extra positum (as Piscator explaineth it) as a Drunkard, Wine; an Epicure, Meats; a Worldling, Riches; all these are objects without us: but here the body is not onely the instrument but the object, Rom. 17. 24. God gave them up to uncleannesse to dishonour their own bodies. So see 1 Thess. 4. 4. it wasteth the strength, and beauty of the body, Prov. 5. 9, 10, 11. hindreth our serviceableness, and doth not consider that this body is consecrated to God, Rom. 12. 1. & 1 Cor. 6. 15 a Temple of the holy Ghost, 1 Cor. 6. 19. interested in hopes of Glory, [Page] Phil. 3. 21. and therefore puts it to so vile an use as to be an instrument of lust. Christians, shall those2 Pet. 2. 14. eyes which are consecrated to God to behold his works be windows to let in sin? that body which is the holy Ghosts Temple be made the member of a Harlot? and so wasted in the service of lust, as to become a clog to us, and wholly uselesse, as to any gracious purposes: are not your beauty, health, strength, concernments too good to be spent upon so vile an interest? take heed then of all uncleannesse, both conjugal consisting in excesse, and immoderating of lust in the married estate, si vinim ex Apothecâ tuâ, &c. you may not be drunk with your own Wine; nor quench the vigour of nature by excesse in those pleasure which the Laws of God and men do allow you: and also of uncleannesse Adulterous, which is more bruitish when men scatter their lusts promiscuously without confinement to one object.

From that [Despise. Dominion] Observe, that errors especially Observ. 5. such as tend to sensuality, make men unruly and Antimagistraticall. Dreamers that do defile themselves, do also despise Dominion; Now this cometh to passe, partly from the permission of Gods wise and just providence, who suffereth such miscarriages to awaken the magistrate to a care of truth, if not in zeal for Gods glory, yet out of a sense of his own interest, and upon reason of state; the Common-wealth being troubled by those who first began to trouble the Church, [...]; new Doctrines put men after an itch upon new Laws, and false Religions are usually turbulent; partly because persons loose and erroneous would free themselves from all awe, both of God and Man, as 'tis said of the unjust Judge, that he feared neither God nor Man, Luk. 18. So with those men, error taketh off the dread of God, and sedition the dread of the Magistrate, that so they may more freely defile the flesh. God hath two Deputies to keep a sinner under awe, Conscience and the Magistrate; now false doctrine benummeth conscience, and then that all Authority may be laid [Page] aside, the rights of the Magistrate are invaded, that as conscience may not stand in the way of their lust, so not the Magistrate in the way of their sin, that there were anciently such libertines in the Church appeareth by Gal. 5. 13. and 1 Pet. 2. 16. and 1 Cor. 7. 20, 21, 22, 23▪ vain man would fain be free and yoaklesse, neither would he have his heart subject to God, nor his actions to mans censure: partly, because all errors are rooted in obstinacy, and that will bewray its selfe, not onely in Divine and Spiritual, but in Civil things, see 2 Pet. 2. 10. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleannesse: Presumptious are they and selfe willed▪ they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Usually errours sear the conscience, and give the sinner a front and boldnesse, so that God is not onely dishonoured, but civil societies disturbed as Nazianzen observeth of the Arians; they began in blasphemous language against Christ, but end in tumultuous carriage against the peace of the Common-wealth; for [...]. Nazian. Orat. 25. (saith he) how shall we hope that they will spare men, that would not spare God? Often it falleth out that they that please not God are also contrary to all men, 1 Thes. 2. 15. Tully an Heathen observeth the same, [...]ietate adversus Deos sublatâ fides etiam & soci [...]tas humani generis, &c. Partly because opposition to Magistracy is a kind of indirect blow and aim at God, and that either as 'tis his ordinance, Rom 13. or a kind of resemblance of his glory; I have said you are Gods, Psal 84. 6. So that 'tis a contempt of God in his image and picture; look as under the Law God forbade men cruelty to the beasts, as not to destroy the Dam from the Young, loseth the Kid in the Mothers milk, &c. but such kind of Prohibitions might be as a fence and raile about the life of man; so respect to Magistracy is a kind of fence about his own. Dignity and divine Glory: Magistrates being representative Gods [...]; and therefore through their sides they strike at God himselfe. Partly because the end of Magistracy is to suppresse evil, Rom. 13. 5. an indesinite speech is equivolent to an universal, in a matter of necessary duty, [Page] and the universal particle is expressed elsewhere, Prov. 20. 8. A King that sitteth upon the Throne of judgement scattereth away all evil with his eyes: all evil that falleth under his cognisance, whether it be of a Civil or Spiritual concernment; we must not limit and distinguish where the word doth not; I know there be some that do defulcate and cut off a great part of that duty which belongeth to the Magistrate, confining his care onely to things of a civil concernment, but preposterously, truths according to godlinesse, belonging also to his inspection, upon which ground we are bound to pray for them, that they may come to the knowledge of the truth, 2 Tim. 2. 2. and under them we may lead a quiet life in all godlinesse and honesty; where it is plainly implyed that the converted Magistrate is to look to the countenance and maintenance of godlinesse as well as honesty. Well then, sensual Hereticks being doubly obnoxious, as sensual, as venting errors, no wonder that they rise up in defiance of Gods Ordinance.

It sheweth us the evil of inordinate lustings; we mayƲse 1. learn hence whence they proceed, and whither they tend; they proceed from the pride and obstinacy of error: Men dream and are then licentious, and it tendeth to the casting off of all duty to God and Man; nip this disposition in the bud; 'tis in all our natures, man is born like the wild asses colt, Job. 11. 12. not onely for rudeness of understanding, but untamedness of affection: we love to break through all bonds and restraints, as if none were Lord over us, Psal. 12. 3.

It informeth us what will be the issue when libertism Ʋse 2. aboundeth, even an utter confusion. See Socrates Sch [...] last. lib. 5. Eccle. 4. 11. in proem. Non nunquam tumultus Ecclesiarum antegress [...], reipublicae autem confusiones, consecuta sunt. The ruine of the Weale publike is brought on▪ by pestilent and evil doctrines. So our Divines at the Synod of Dort. Cavendum est, ne qui magistratu conniver [...]e res novas in Ecclesia meliantur, eodem etiam repugnante idem in republica. effi [...]iunt. Tully in his Book De [Page] legibus, saith, That the glory of Greece presently declined, when the people were given malis studiis, malisque doctrinis, to evil manners, and evil opinions; let us lay these things to heart. I do not love to enveigh against the times, and to endulge the petulancy of a mistaken zeal, but the Kings danger made Croesus dumb son to speak.

It may take off the prejudice that is often cast upon Religion,Ʋse 3. and the true ways of God, 'tis not truth that troubleth Israel, but error; 1 Kings 18. 18. I have not troubled Israel, but thou and thy fathers house, in that ye have forsaken the Commandements of the Lord; 'ts an old slander that strict Religion is no friend to Common-wealths: as soon as Christianity began to fly abroad in the world, it was objected against her, as if it were prejudicial to civil power and greatness, thereby to defeat her of the patronage of Princes, and to hinder them from becomming nursing fathers, Isa. 49. 25. Magistracy being that power which is left able to suppresse or advance Religion: the Divel striveth all that he can to incense it against her: there is a natural and wakeful jealousie in Princes over their Dignities and Prerogatives, and therefore the enemies of the Church have ever sought occasion to represent the people of God as enemies to their just power; So Christ was accused, Luk. 23. 2. and Paul, Act. 24. 5. But altogether without cause, 'tis true, if Religion be not kindly received, it bringeth a judgement there where 'tis tendered, as the Ark where it was irreverently handled, brought a plague upon the Bethshemites, 1 Sam. 6. 19 but yet a blessing upon the house of Obed Edom, so Religion wher it is worthily treated bringeth a blessing, otherwise a judgement: let the world say what it will, 'tis a friend to Magistracy, partly by its commands enforcing civil duties by a sacred bond and obligation, See Prov. 24. 21. Matth. 22. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 17. Eccles. 8. 2. Partly by its influence, meekning the hearts of men, and obliging them to faithfulness, [...]. Vid. E [...] seb lib. 2. de vit â Constant. Sozom lib: 6. Those that are faithful to God, I shall expect them to be faithful to me (said Constantines Father) certainly none live▪ so sweetly under the same government [Page] as those that are united in the same faith, or cemented together with the same blood of Christ. Partly, by the indulgence of Gods providence, who is wont to favour those States, where true Religion is countenanced and vigorously owned; Oh that our Magistrates would regard this; there wisedom lieth in kissing the Son, Psal. 2. 10. Christ came not to gain persons but nations to his obedience, and the more that is effected, though it be but by a publike profession, the more safety may they expect; 'tis but a necessary thankfulnesse of the powers of, the world to him, to whom they owe their Crowns, Prov. 8. 17. Let us pray for them that God would raise their zeale, and make them more cordial in the support of Religion. An Heathen said, aut undiqua (que) religionem tolla, aut us (que) qua (que) conserva, either wholly abandon Religion, or maintain it more entirely.

It sheweth us what little reason Magistrates have toƲse. 4: countenance, and spread their skirt over obstinate and impure Hereticks; such spirits being usually most opposite to Magistracy. They do but nourish a Snake in their own bosomes, and cherish a Faction, that in time will eat out their bowels: were there no respects of Religion but onely those of Civil Policy, they should not be so sleepy in this case; but you will say, is it lawful for them to intermeddle in matters of Religion, and to use any compulsive power? I answer, yes verily; they bear not the Sword in vain; we have frequent instances in the word of good Kings, whose zeal is commended for so doing, and frequent injunctions: also to this purpose, the Levites are commended for assisting Moses in the execution of those that worshipped the Calfe, Exod. 32. 26, 27, 28. Abraham was to command his Children, Gen. 18. 29. Asa commanded Judah to worship God, and the thing was right in the eyes of the Lord, 2 Kings 14. 23, 24. So see 2 Kings. 15. 23. & Esra 10. 8. So 2 Kings 34. 32, 33. And that promise. Isa 43. 23. I know I touch the soar of this age, and that this is a truth much prejudiced, therefore I shall first remove the prejudices, and then state the question.

[Page]1. Remove the prejudices; The first is taken from theAustine changed his his mind twice and was at last for compulsion. Fathers or Primitive Christians, who almost generally expresse themselves against planting Religion by the Sword and compulsive force; defendenda est Religio non [...]ccidendo sed monendo non saevitia sed patientia, so Lactantius: and suitably others: I answer, were Religion now to be planted, these sayings would take place, Pagans are not to be compelled, but enlightned, taught, not destroyed; and yet in such a case 'tis a question not easily resolved, whether the Magistrate, if he had power, were not bound to compel his people, though professed Pagans, to hear or attend upon the Ministry of the Word, it being the ordinary meanes of working faith. Augustine determineth that a Christian in such a case should improve his power for Christ. Faelix necessitas quae ad meliora nos cogit, foris inveniatur necessitas & nascitur intus voluntas; & a little after, non quia cogantur reprehendant, sed quae cogantur attendant, 'tis a favour that the Magistrate wil take care to bring them to the means of salvation. Again, in such a case they are to be kept from scandalizing & blaspheaming the true Religion; that's the least a Magistrate can do for Christ: But where a people are Christianized, and do professe the true Religion, they should not be set free to Ateh [...]ism, Error, and Apostasie.

2. Another prejudice is, that the examples before mentioned are brought from the Old Testament, and so propose to the policy of the Jewes. I answer, some alledged were before Moses Law, as that of Abraham and Jacobs commanding his family to put away their Idols, Gen. 35. 2. And the injunctions in the old Testament were built upon reasons of imm [...]table equity, as Gods glory, the danger of infection, &c. and so concern us as well as them, and the thing in question is agreeable to the light of nature, there being instances of Pagan Princes, who were so far convinced of their duty to the true God, that they enjoyned his worship, punishing the contempt thereof; See Esra 6. 11. so Esra 7. 26. & Dan. 3. 29. The Gentiles by the light of nature saw it to be suitable and agreeable [Page] to right reason. Arist. Polit lib. 7. cap. 8. saith the first thing that falleth under a Magistrates care is [...], a care of divine worship. The Athenians banished Protagoras for speaking doubtfully, and by way of extenuation of their Religion, and burnt his Books: besides all this the reason why we have onely presidents in the old Testament, is, because the people of the Jews were the onely State that were acquainted with the knowledge of the true God: we have some prophesies that the like should be done in the New, Isa. 49. 23. & Zech. 13. which concerneth Gospel-times, Isa. 60, 10. Rev. 21. 24. we were worse provided for then they were in the Old Testament, if men that had the Plagnesoar of Heresie running upon them, should without restraint be permitted to come into all companies.

3. Another prejudice is 'twill make men Hypocrites; I answer with Athanasius, would to God all were got so far as Hypocrites, it would certainly be better for the Christian world; but however duties must not be left undone for ill consequences.

4. Prejudice, this will make way for persecution, and the calamities of the Godly upon every change of the Princes mind. I answer, if the Lord see persecution necessary for the Church, we must endure it, and so we shall be gainers, both by good Princes and bad: by the persecution of evil Princes, Truth is made glorious; by the ministry of the good, error is suppressed and dis-countenanced; God would oblige us the more to pray for them in power, Ps. 72. 1. & 1 Tim. 2. 2. and he hath promised to hear such prayers & provide Nurse Fathers for the Church. Sometimes a wicked Magistrate understanding his duty, may by the over-ruling power of God in his conscience, be with-held from persecuting the Truth, yea carried out to the suppression oferror. When Paulus Samosatenus revolted from the Orthodox Christian Faith, and would yet retain the Bishoprick of Antioch, the businesse was brought to Aurelian a Pagan Emperor, who removed him.

[Page]Secondly, I shall state the point, and shew you how far compulsion it necessary. 1. The Magistrate should use no compulsion before care had, for better information, and resolution of the doubting Conscience, otherwise the practice were fell & cruel, like that of false Religions that brook no contradiction; consc ences scrap [...]lous must not be too hardly dealt with all: Ex officin â curvi [...]ium solunt argumenta & quos serm ribus decip [...] e [...]on possunt gladits [...]l [...] m [...]nt [...]ss [...] f [...]riendos. Ambros. to answer arguments by a Prison, or the Fires, is a Popish Topick, and to supply in rage what wanteth in strength of reason, and clearnesse of light, is but a butcherly violence; punishment and compulsion should not be hastned as long as there appeareth a desire to be informed, with meek endeavours after satisfaction. The Apostle Paul is for two Almonitions b [...] fore Church censure, Titus 2. 10. And the cen [...]ure of the Magistrate should no [...] p [...]ecede that of the Church. 2 In things indisferent, Christian toleration and forbearance take places, all men never were nor ever will be in this world of one and the same opinion▪ no more then of the same feature and complexion. There is a due latitude of allowable differences, wherein the strong should bear with the weak, `Rom. 15. 1. Eph. 4. 2. Gal. 6 1. There are some lesser mistakes of Conscience, and infirmities incident to all men; namely, such as are consistent with Faith, the main and fundamental truths and principles of salvation and charity, as not tending to foment Faction in the Church, or Sedition in the Common-wealth; but if either of these limits be transgressed, circumstances may make these lesser things intolerable, as Paul withstood Peter to the face, though otherwise he did not count the matter great, Gal. 2. 11. yet when it was urged to the scandal of the Churches, he thought it worthy of a Contest: and here it belong [...]th to Christian Princes, as to defend truth, so to see that Peace be not violated for Rites and Ceremonies, and lesser differences that lie far from the heart of Religion. I am perswaded that want of condescention to brethren, hath brought all this confusion upon us, &c. 3. A grosse error kept secret, cometh not under the Magistrates cognisance, but the diffusi [...]n and [Page] dissemination of errors he must take notice of, as when men infect others, and openly blaspheam Christian Doctrine, he beareth not the sword in vain. The minde and conscience as to any power under God is sui juris, thoughts are free; 'tis a saying in the Civil Law, Cogitationes poenam nemo patitur, all command is exercised about such things as fall within the knowledge of him that commandeth; now God onely knoweth the heart, quis mihi im o [...]t necessitatem creden [...]i quod nolin (saith Lictantius) v l quod v. lim non credendi. Theodosi [...]s and Valentinian in their Law concerning the Heretick, give this limitation▪ sibi tantummodo nocitura sentiat, aliis ob [...]utura non panda▪ Subscriptions and Inquisitions into mens consciences, we cannot but justly condemn. 4. Error▪ according to their nature and degree merit a different punishment, Jude [...] 9. and Esra 7. 26. 5. Blasphemy, Idolatry, and grosse Heresie are to be put into the same rank with grosse, vicious actions and supposed (if entertained after the receiving of the truth) to be done against light and conscience. Paul saith of the Heretick that he is [...], after due admonitions, Ti [...]s 3. 11. Therefore in some cases these may be punished with death; as Baals Prophets were slain, 1 Kings 18. 40. & E [...]. 21 20. Lev. 24 16. But of the whole Question elsewhere.

Again, I observe from the same clause, That 'tis a sin to despise Dominions; For 'tis here charged uponObserv. 6. these Seducers. 'Tis a sin, because 'tis against the injunctions of the world, Rom. 13. 1. Titus 3. 1. We are apt to forget our civil duties, or to count them Arbitrary, as if the same Authority had not established the second Table as well as the first, and 'tis a sin because Magistracy is Gods Ordinance, the general instructi [...]n of it is of God though the p rticular constitution of it be of man. Compare Rom. 13. 1 with 1 Pet. 2 13 Government it self is of God, but this or that special maner or form o [...] government is not determin'd b [...] God, which is the difference between Civil and Ecclesi stical Government, for there the particular form is specified, as well as the thing it self appointed. [Page] Again, 'tis a sin because dominion preserveth human S [...]cieties; so that we should trespasse against the common good and publike order if we should desp [...]se this help, yea against the Law of our own Natures; man being by nature a sociable creature. Well then, let us obey every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake. The publike welfare is concerned in our obedience, as also the honour of Religion, both which should be very dear to one that feareth God: the publike wellfare better bare many inconveniencies then embroyl the Country in War and Blood. We are bidden be subject [...], to the froward, 1 Pet. 2. 18. And the honour of Religion, God will have the world know that Christianity is a friend to civil policy, see 1 Pet. 2. 15. & Matth. 7. 27. We learn hence too, that they are but libertines that think that Religion freeth them from the subjection which they owe to God or man; it doth not exempt us from our duty, but enable us to perform it: may take such a liberty in civil things that they begin to grow contemp [...]uous even in divine, and so cast off Gods yoak, as well as the Magistrates.

The last expression is that [speak evil of Dignities] or of [Glories] by which probably Church-Officers are intended,Observ. 7. such being spoken against in that age, John. Ep. 3. 10. and expressed by the word [Glories] a term given both to the Apostles and other Officers of the Church. Note, There is a respect due to persons invested with Church power. This is established by Gods Ordinance, and therefore should not be set at naught, neither should the persons invested with it, be evil spoken of, that obedience is required to them, see Heb. 13. 17. and respect and honour, see 1 Thess. 12. 13. & 1 Tim. 5 17. that they should not be lightly evil spoken of, 1 Tim. 5. 19. though for their persons and outward estate they are mean and desp [...]cable, yet they are called to an high employment, and have the promise of a great pow r and presence with them Matth. 16. 19. John 20. 23. Their regular proceedings are ratified in the Court of Heaven; we are fallen into an age wherein no persons are more contemptible then [Page] Ministers, nothing lesse valued then Church-Authority: 'tis become the eye-soar of the times; not to speak of those barking Shim [...]is the Quakers, and their [...]oul mouthed language taught them by the Father of lyes; surely others have not such a reverence of Gods Ordinance, as they should have.

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Vers. 9.‘Yet Michael the Arch-Angel, when contending with the Divel, he disputes about the body of Moses, durst not bring against them a railing accusation, but said, the Lord rebuke thee.’

THe Apostle had charged the Seducers, against whom he wrote, with opposition of Magistracy, and contemptuous speaking against those lights which God had set in the Church; he now cometh to aggravate their effrontery and impudence, by the carriage of Michael the Arch-Angel towards the Divel In the Comparison there is an Argument a majori ad minus, from the greater to the lesse, which is evidently seen in all the circumstances of the Text.

1. In the persons contending, Michael the Arch-Angel with the Divel: If Michael so Excellent in nature, so high in Office, contending with Sathan an impure Spirit, already judged by God, used such modesty and awe, who are they, sorry Creatures, that dare despise persons invested with the Dignity and Height of Magistracy.

2. There is an aggravation from the Cause [when he disputed with him ab [...]ut the body of Moses] a matter just, and in which the mind of God was clearly known, and dare they sp [...]ak evil of things they know not? that is, in matters so far above their reach, to take upon them to ensure and determine.

[Page]3. There is an aggravation taken from the disposition of the Angel [he durst not bring against him a railing accusation] His holiness would not permit him to deal with the Divel in an und [...]cent and injuri [...]us manner. But these rashly belch out their reproaches and curses against Superiours without any fear.

4. In the manner of speech [the Lord rebuke thee] The whole judgement of the cause is referred to God; but these Gn [...]sticks take upon them, as if the whole judgement of Things, Persons and Actions were left in their hands, as our modern Quakers take upon them to curse, and to pronounce dreadful judgements upon Gods most holy Servants according to their own pleasures. The sum of the whole is this, if an Angel that is great in power durst not bring against the worst Creatures in the very heat of contention about a good cause, any undue language and reproach, certainly 'tis an horrible impudence in men to speak contemptuously, yea in a cursing and blaspheming manner, of those whom God hath advanced to Superiority in Church or Common-wealth.

This is the sum of the words, but because this Scripture is difficult, before I come to the Observations, I shall premise some explicatory Questions.

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Quest 1 Whence had the Apostle this story? the Scriptures making no menti [...]n of it?

Answ. 1. The substance of it is in Scripture, we read, Deut. 34. 6. that the body of Moses was secretly buried by the Lord; but now for the circumstances of it, he might receive them by divine Revelation; which are here Authorised and made Scipture, and indeed 'tis usual with the Pen-Men of holy Writ, to adde such circumstances as were not mentioned in the place where the History was first recorded, as in Exodus we read of the opposition of the Magicians to Moses; but their names are mentioned, 2 Tim. 3. 8. As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses. The whole story of their contest with him is in the Talmud and in Apulei [...]s and other. Histories; we read, that these were famous Magiti [...]ns, So Psal. 105 18. we [Page] read that Josephs f [...]et were hurt in Fetters, and he was layed in Iron, which in the story in Genesis appeareth not; so Moses quaking, Heb. 12. 21. and the following of the Water of the Rock, 1 Cor. 10. 1, 2. Those things might be received by Tradition, or Divine Inspiration, or were extant in some known Book and Record then in use. Origen quoteth a Book [...], about the assumption of Moses for this History, some remainders of which are in the Books of the Jews unto this day. Capellus I remember repeateth a long tale out of the Book called Rabbah, or the mystical Expositions of the Pentateuch, concerning the alteration between Michael and Samuel, or the Arch-Angel and the Divel about the body, or rather soul of Moses. And how God to save it from Samuel, sucked out his Soul from the Body by a kisse; but the story is so fabulous, that I shall not repeat it: see Cappelli Spicelug. in locum pag. 128, 129.

2

Quest. 2. Is this a real History, or an Allusi [...]n?

Answ. 2. There are three opinions about this. 1. One is, that 'tis a figurative expression of Gods care for his Church; and they that go this way by the body of Moses, understand either the whole body of the Levitical worship, or else the community of Israel represented in Joshua the High Priest, who stood before the Angel of the Lord Zech. 3. 1, 2. and Sathan at his right hand ready to resist him, and the Lord said unto the Lord, the Lord rebuke thee, the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke th [...]e; In Joshua the L [...] vitical worship newly restored is figured, and the Angel of the Lord, before whom he stood, is Christ the Judge, Advocate, and Defender of the Church, and the Lord, that is the Lord Christ, called the Angel before, puts forth the efficacy of his mediation against this malicious opposition of Sathan. So some accommodate this Text to the sense of that place, and the main reason is, because of the form here used, The Lord rebuke thee; this sense is argute, but not so solid. Junius who first propounded it, seemeth to distrust it; the reason is of no force, for the same form might be used on divers occasions: and my reasons against [Page] it are, because these expressions are Typical and Visional, now to make a Type of a Type especially in the New Testament, which usually explaineth the difficulties of the Old, seemeth irrational, and though by Michael Christ may be intended; yet the change from Joshua to Moses is too much forced. 2. Others conceive that 'tis not an History, but a Talmud [...]ck fiction and Parable: and that Jude in citing it doth not approve the story as true, but onely urgeth it upon them for their instruction, who were mightily pleased with these kind of Fables; as the Fathers against the Heathens did often make use of their own stories and fictions concerning their gods, such condescentions are frequent: But against this opinion, it seemeth to be urged here by way of down right assertion, not as an argument ad homines, and by Peter on the like occasion, 2 P [...]t. 2. 11. Whereas Angels that are greater in might and power bring not a railing accusation against them before the Lord. I say, he doth not try it as a Jewish Fable, but as a real argument taken from the nature of the holy Angels. 3. There is another opinion, That it is a real History, namely, that the Devil was earnest to discover the place of Moses grave, and to take up his body again, wherein he was resisted by Michael, some principal and chiefe Angel, and his attempts made fruitlesse by this holy and modest addresse to God, The Lord rebuke thee.

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Quest. 3. The next question is, who is meant by Michael the Arch-Angel.

Answ. 3. Michael is the name of his Person, and Arch Angel of his office; Michael signifieth, he is strong God, or who is like the strong God; and therefore some apply it to Jesus Christ, who in many places of Scripture is set forth, as head of Angels, See Exod. 3. 2. with 4. & Exod 23. 20, 21. 22 Gen. 48. 16. and in Dan. 12 1. & Dan 10. 13. Jesus Christ seemeth there to be intended by Michael, he being the Prince of Israel. But there is no necessity of interpreting those places in Daniel, of Christ; much lesse is he in [...]ended here, it being [Page] beneath the dignity of his person to contend with the Devil, which though he did in his humiliation, Matth. 4. yet to do it before, that was unworthy of him; besides that phrase [he durst not] is not so applicable to Jesus Christ; and besides Christ and the Arch-Angel are in Scripture distinguished, yea Peter applieth this to Angels in general, whereas Angels, 2 Pet. 2. 11. But you will object how can any creature be called Michael, equal to God in power and strength? I Answer, it may be taken absolutely, and so 'tis proper to Christ, who is Gods fellow, Zech. 13. 7. 2. Comparatively, and so it may be applyed to him who is highest in dignity among the Creatures, and is next to God in excellency, and strength, and so it may imply the highest Angel, as in Hell therei [...] a Beelzebub, or a chief Divel; therefore 'tis said, Matth. 25. The Divel and his Angels, so in Heaven there may be a Michael, one highest in order among the blessed Angels.

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Quest. 4. Why should the Divel so earnestly dispute about the body of Moses?

Answ. 4. The Rabbins among other of their Fables, interpret it of the desire which the Divel had to destroy Moses by death, there being no man like Moses, that saw God face to face; therefore his rage was great against him, and he sought to destroy him; and to this purpose apply that of the Psalmist, Psal 37 1. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. Among Christians some say this striving was before, some after his burial; some before his burial, as Junius, that his body might not be removed out of sight, but he might satisfie his rage and malice upon it, in abusing it. But that is not so probable, the body being suddenly disposed of by God to some secret place of burial Some say after burial the Divel sought to take it up again▪ and upon that ground arose this contention between him and Michael. But why should the Divel contend so much about the buried body of Moses? To answer this we must consider what might be the ends of Gods concealing his burial; possibly [Page] this might be one, Least in a preposterous zeal, they should yield honour to the dead body of such a famous and excellent Prophet, and so it might become a snare to the people: possibly there might be something Typical in it; the dead body of Moses was buried in an unknown place, least they should take it up, and carry it into the Land of Canaan, to signifie the abolition of the legal Ordinances, under the Evangelike flate: So that to revive the Antiquated Ceremonies of the Law now, is to but rake up Moses his dead body; Now the Devil may be supposed to contend for the body of Moses, partly out of obstinate curiosity, whereby sinful creatures are strongly inclined to desire things forbidden: Partly to defeat the purposes of God: but chiefly by dead Moses, to set up himself in the hearts of the living▪ seeking thereby to provoke them to a worship of his relicks or remains.

These questions premised, the explication of the words is easie, [Michael the Arch-Angel] that is some principal Angel deputed to this Ministry and service [when he contended with the Devil, [...]] the word signifieth an altercation or contention in words, a dispute with the Devil [about the body of Moses] about the knowledge of the place of his Burial; [durst no [...]] his sear of God, modesty and meekness would not permit him, [bring against him a rayling accusation] [...], the judgment of blasphemy, or such unworthy Language as the heat of contention is wont to provoke and extort from us. [But said, The Lord rebuke thee] 'tis a modest referring of the matter to Gods cognisance, or a prayer that the Lord would check this malicious opposition.

Observations are many. 1. Observe, That to aggravateObservat. 1. their virulency, he compares it with the modesty of an Arch-Angel, whence note, That pride and contempt in them of a low degree, is less tolerable then in those whom God hath advanced to an higher rank and sphere Partly because th [...]se have less temptation to be proud; and when a sin is committed without a temptation, 'tis a sign that the heart is strongly inclined that way; as there needeth no force to [Page] make a bowl run downhill, because of its natural tendency: their wants and meanness should keep them humble, we look that the fire should go out when the fuel is taken away, when men have nothing to be proud of, the want of an opportunity should make men at least forbear the sin. Partly, because they have more reason to be humble, as the rich and grea have reason to be thankful, so the poor have reason to be humble; with a low condition there should be a lowly mind, 'tis better to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, &c. Prov. 16. 19. Well then, poverty and pride are most unsuitable, pride is allowable in none, but in the poor most prodigious; 'tis an odd sight to see those of the highest Rank to turn fashionists, and display the E [...]signs of their own vanity, but when servants, and those of a low degree, put themselves into the Garb, these are prodiges of pride; as the modesty of the Arch-Angel, was an upbraiding to the pride of the Gnosticks, so should those that are advanced to the highest degree of honour, shame the meaner sort, with your comely plain. Again, to see men of the greatest sufficiences, humble in stile and mind, and denying their great Parts for the sake of the simplicity of the Gospel; 'tis a shame that persons of low parts should be puffed up, and appear flaunting in the pomp of words, or blustring in Greek and Latine sentences, as if all reading and learned worth, were their own; as the Apostle condemned the Corinthians for the pompous use of Tongues in the Church, and shameth them by his own example, 1 Cor. 14. 18. I thank God I speak with tongues more then you all, yet rather, &c▪

Again, To take down pride, look to others whom God hath set higher, and yet are more humble, as usually the higher the Sun, the less shadows it casteth. Usually Gods children carry a low mind in an high condition; James▪ 1. 10. they are rich, yet made low, that is, lowly. If in the fulness of Riches, Honours, Parts, and Enjoyments, they are so meek and humble, why should I that have less temptations, be more proud? They are lifted up by God, but not in their own spirits, I am a worm in a much lower Sphere, and yet of a prouder heart! they are aff [...]ble, meek, modost▪ why am [Page] I so fierce and impatient of contradiction? Once more, If the judgments of God light upon greater Personages for their pride; say, what will become of me? in me 'tis more odious: If God destroy those whose height is as the height of Cedars, Amos 2. 9. surely the Reed should tremble: Many times mean and base people that have no tincture of ingenuity; and are of no name or quality in the world have pride enough to be bitter enemies to Gods children, David saith, Psal. 35. 15. The abjects gathered themselves together to make Songs against me, when as God rebuketh Kings for their sakes; If he visit the Throne, will he not visit the Ale bench? What scorn will he cast upon this sawcy dust? these spightful worms that have only malice enough to snarle, and can go no further; If the great men of the earth tremble, shall the bondmen go free? Rev. 16. 15. But chiefly upon this occasion would I commend to you, the example of the Lord Christ, to take down pride; this is an example that will shame us indeed, what ever the pride be; are you puffed up with pride of vain conceit? Christ stripped himself of all his glory, Phil. 2. 7. with pride of revenge? men are loath to strike sale, to seek to an enemy, they scorn it: Jesus Christ, though such an excellent person, loved us first, 1 John 4. 19. sued to his enemies: is it disdain of our condition, pride of murmurings? he made himself a worm and no man, and when he was rich in the glory of the God-Head, became poor for our sakes, Matth. 10. 24. The Desciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord: if we be scorned, would we be better dealt with, then our master was; many times you have seen a Master do the work of a servant to shame him, so did Christ: do but think of Christs excellency, and your own base condition, as here, to shame the brutish Gnosticks, the Apostle telleth them, they took more upon them then a glorious Angel.

Again, From the Arch-Angels contending about the body Observat 2. of Moses: The Devil would discover Moses his Grave, and the Arch-Angel is ready to resist him: The Note is, That God hath Angels, and Arch-Angels, that are always ready to defend a good cause; They are many, the King of Heaven [Page] hath a brave Court. Dan. 7. 10. A thousand thousand Minister to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before him, Christ saith he could pray for twelve Ligions in an instant, Mat. 26. 53. Now a Legion in the least computation is six thousand Foot▪ and seven hundred Horse: they are able, they excell in strength; one Angel slew 185000 in one night, Isa. 37. 36. They are always ready attending on Gods commands, Psal. 103. 20. They rejoyce in names of service, more then names of honour. They are swift in execution, they are described to have six wings a piece▪ Isaiah 6. 2. as being at the Lords beck, and ready to execute his Command as soon as▪ they hear the word: All which, First, Informeth us of the danger of wicked men in opposing a good cause; they fight not only against men, but against Angels. 2. That Angels have more to do in humane affairs then we are aware of; there are evil Angels assisting in the Counsels against the Church, and good Angels resisting, in those days of conflict; The Combate is not only between men and men, but between Angels and Angels, Dan. 10. 13. The protection of the holy Angels is invisible, but true and real. 3. Here is comfort to Gods children, when they are imbarked in an hazardous, but in an holy business; there are far more with us, then can be against us, 2 Kings 6. 16. there is God the Fathers power on the Churches side; The Son puts forth the strength of his Mediation, Zech. 3. 2. The spirit comforts and animateth us, and then holy Angels are imployed as instruments; The Lord Jesus and his Angels will stick to the Church, when none else dare, Dan. 10. 21. There is none holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your Prince When all humane strength falleth, Christ by their Ministry can uphold the affairs of the Church, omnipotency is a great deep; usually we look to means, and can better conceive, of the operations of finite Creatures, then of the infinite God, therefore doth the Lord represent the help of the Church, as managed by these powerful instruments: only now take heed that you do not betray your succors, nor defraud your selves of their protection. 1. By neglecting to seek to the God of Angels. Dan. 10. 12. From the first day thou didst [Page] set thine heart to understand, and didst chasten thy self before thy God, &c. we are not to pray to them, but for them, to the Lord. 2. By unwarrantable practises, for then you joyn with Satan to their grief, Psal. 34. 7. The Angel encampeth about them that fear him. A good cause should be well managed, and then trust God, who, if he seeth fit to glorifie himself by our deliverance, rather then our sufferings, can finde means enough to save us, when men fail.

Observe again, That Angels have a care not only of the Observat. 3. souls, but of the bodies, yea even of the dead bodies of the Saints▪ as Michael disputed with the Devil about the body of Moses. That you may understand the particular care which the Angels have about the people of God, I shall open it to you in several Propositions.

1. 'Tis certain, The Angels had a great care about the people of God in ancient times, Examples are, found every where in the word of God; Lot was led out of Sodom by Angels, Daniel taught by an Angel, Cornelius answered by an Angel, an Angel withstood Balaam in the way, Numb. 22. An Angel walked with the three children in the fiery Furnace, Dan. 3. 25. An Angel shutteth up the mouths of Lions, that they might not hurt Daniel in the Den, Dan. 6. 22. An Angel comforted Paul in the Tempest, Act. 27. 23, 24. Scarce any remarkable thing befell the people of God, but it was accomplisht by their ministry.

2. The Ministry of Angels though not so visible and sensible, as heretofore i [...] not wholly ceased; The priviledge of it belongeth to all Saints, Heb. 1. 14. Are they not ministring spirits sent forth for the Heirs of salvation? all that are called to inherit a blessing, were under their tutelage, so see, Psal. 91. 12. and those instances alledged in the former Proposition, are patterns and presidents by which▪ we may know what to expect; their tutelage then was more visible and sensible, because the Church newly planted, needed to be confirmed, but God would have us live by faith, and expect all our supports in a more spiritual way▪ though we have not visible apparitions, yet we have real experiments of their succour; the evil Angels appear not, yet we doubt not of the [Page] hurt done by them; in the first times of the Gospel, Christs bodily presence was necessary, but now onely his spiritual.

3. The proper object of their Ministry and care▪ are the children of God, wicked men are not under their covert and protection; 'tis true, they may be▪ under a general care, as Hagar and Ishmael, who are set out in Scripture, as the Types of those that are rejected by the Lord, yet Gen. 21. 17. An Angel of the Lord came and stood by Hagar, and said, the Lord hath heard the cry of the sad: though possibly this might be, as he was Abrahams Son; dogs in the House have the Crumbs.

4. The Ministry of the Angels is over all the children of God, without exception, not only Moses, but the meanest Saint is under their care; Gods love to his people is not dispenced with respect to their peculiar pomp and greatness, Mat. 18. 10. Offend not these little ones, for their Angels beheld my Fathers face; 'tis chiefly meant of those that are little in esteem and account in the world; the message of Christs birth was brought by Angels to Shepherds, feeding their flocks in the fields, Luke 3.

5. As no Saints are excepted from receiving the benefit of their Ministry, so no Angels are excepted from being imployed in i [...]: Michael contendeth with Satan, and the Apostle saith, [...], Are they not all, &c. Heb. 1. 14. The Arch-Angels themselves are ministring spirits; 'tis a rash boldness in the Schoolmen to exempt any from this Office, what an instance is here of Gods love, that the highest Angel should not be exempted from a care of the lowest Saint.

6. That every single beleever hath his proper and alotted Angel to attend him from his birth to his death, is rather matter of problem and dispute, than positive assertion; there are some Scriptures make it probable▪ but not certain; sometimes we read of one Angel attending many men▪ and at other times of many Angels attending one man, as Jacob had many, Gen. 32. 1, 2. Gods Host, &c. so Elisha, 2▪ Kings 6. 17. Elisha prayed and the Mountains were full of Chariots and Horses of fire, that is, that is of Angels comming to offer help in that [Page] case: 'Tis true, the opinion of a particular Angel Guardion was antient, Plato saith, [...], and among the ancient Fathers, places of Scripture are brought for it, that are full of probability, not cogency; one is that of the old Testament, Gen. 48. 16. The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the Lads, &c. in which passage he seemeth to ascribe his preservation and deliverance to▪ some particular Angel; but to this may be replied what was before alledged of the Host of God, going along with him, and by this Angel is meant the Lord Christ, who is alone the object of worship, and adoration; and who because of the frequency of his personal appearance and mediation between God and man, is set forth under the term of an Angel: The Rabbines expound it of the Angel of Gods presence: Another place is, Mat. 18. 10. Their Angels see my Fathers face, not the Angels, but their Angels; but the word there may only imply their common interest in the whole Host of God; Christ doth not say that every one of them hath an Angel: as for instance, it may be said, these Prisoners have their Keepers, these Scholars have their Masters, these Souldiers have their Captains, it doth not follow that every one hath a particular Keeper, Master, Captain, &c. Another place is Acts 12. 15. When the Maid said Peter was at the door, they distrusting her report, said, 'tis his Angel; This place may be answered thus, That sayings of men in Scripture are not all Scripture, or a part of our rule; and that many things were spoken by the Disciples in their rudeness, which are not altogether justifiable; but because this place is the main▪ let me examine it a little: Three opinions there are about the place: Some understand it Johns Disciples are called [...], Angels, or Messengers of John Luke 7. 24. Appellativ [...]ly, 'tis his Angel, or Messenger, sent by him out of Prison. But R [...]oda heard Peters voice, and that was the ground of the sayings: Others understand it of some Angel come to give notice of his death, but that is groundless: Lastly, some as Chrysostom, of a particular tutelar Angel; but whence doth it appear that these Angels had the shape and habit of those they kept, and Angels do not use to knock at doors, [Page] and wait for opening: and if Peter had a special Angel, it followeth not that all have; the meaning probably is, 'Tis a spirit that hath assumed his shape.

7. Though it be not certain that every particular believer hath an Angel deputed to his attendance, yet in the general, there is an assurance of a Guardianship, and Tutelage from the Angels; the Heirs of salvation have them among them; if the whole City hath a sufficient Guard, 'tis as good as if every Citizen had a distinct Souldier to defend him; nay, 'tis more for our comfort that we have many rather then one, we have to do with many enemies, and therefore we need much assistance, Psal 91. 12. He shall give his Angels charge over thee: Many Angels are charged with our safety, and though they be not so particularly conversant about us (as the other opinion conceiveth) yet they behold the face of God, and are always in his presence, and wait for his command, Psal. 103. 20. who so careth for every one as if he had none to care for besides him.

8. This Tutelage is from their first conception in the womb, till the translation of body and soul into glory; survey all the passages of life from the Womb to the Grave, nay, after death, till the Resurrection, the Ministry of Angels doth not wholly cease: their care beginneth as soon as the child is quickened in the womb, for then they have another distinct charge to look after; and as they are servants of providence by their help they are born and brought into the world, Gods providence taketh date thence, Gal. 1. 15. and they, I say, are instruments of providence, they watch over us in infancy and childhood; little ones are committed to their custody, and Babes and Sucklings have their Angels, Mat 18. Jesus Christ was provided for in his Cradle by an Angel, Mat. 2. 13. The Devil rampeth about the Elect whilst they are yet in their swadling cloaths; That expression, Rev. 12. of the Dragons seeking to devour the man▪child, as soon as he was born, is figurative, but it alludeth to what is true: Again, as we grow up they rejoice at our conversion Luke 15▪ we read of joy in Heaven over a▪ sinner that repente [...]h; you cannot gratifie the Angels more then in your conversion to [Page] God; the Devil seeks to hinder it as much as he can, but they rejoice when a brand is pluckt out of the burning Zech▪ 3. Again after conversion, they watch over us in duty and danger, and temptations, in duties where Satan is most busie to hinder, Zech. 3. 1. they are most helpful; the Angels are in the Assemblies of the faithful, 1 Cor. 11. 10. So in dangers, when Peter was in prison, God sendeth him an Angel to bring him out, Acts 12. Ruffinus speaketh of a young man, a Martyr on the Rack, that had his face wiped by an Angel, and refreshed by him in the midst of his pains: nay, in casual dangers, which we cannot foresee and prevent, Psal. 91. 12. He shall give his Angels charge over thee, that thou dash not thy foot against a stone; so in Temptations, Mat. 4. 11. they ministred to Christ, when he was tempted by the Devil; they came to shew how God will deal with his people in like cases: Once more, they are with us to comfort us in death; in the midst of his Agonies the Lord Jesus was comforted and refreshed by an Angel, Luke 22. 43. so they are with the faithful, helping and easing them in their sicknesses: After death they carry our souls to Heaven, as Lazarus was carryed into Abrahams bosome, Luke 16. 22. Though the body had not the honour of a pompous burial, yet the soul is solemnly conveyed by Angels, and gathered up into the communion of the souls of just men made perfect; as Christ himself also ascended into Heaven in the company of Angels, Acts 1. Once more, after death they guard our bodies in the Grave, as the Angels guarded Christs Sepulchre, Mat. 28. 2, 3, 4. God did set his Guards, as well as well as the High-Priests: Their last Ministry and service about the faithful, is to gather up their bodies at the last day They shall gather up the Elect from the four winds, Mat. 24. 31 and then their Office and charge ceaseth.

9. This Tutelage is ever administred according to Gods pleasure, Psal. 103. 21. Ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure, not their own, not ours, but his pleasure; the help of Angels is more powerful, but no more absolute then the help of other means, for it dependeth still on the will of God, as all other means of defence and outward support do; their [Page] imployment is to attend us, and serve us, according to the Lords direction.

Let us now apply what hath been spoken. First, It serveth for Information, to shew us,

1. The care of God for the Elect; He ingageth his own Use 1. power for our preservation, as also the Mediation of Christ, the conduct of the Spirit, and the Ministry of Angels: In Zech. 1. you have a Schem of providence, the man that stood among the Mirtle Trees, sent the Angels too and fro, throughout the earth, and then they come and give him an account of what passeth in the world; The Man is Jesus Christ, who to pre-figure his Incarnation, is thus represented, and he hath all the Angels at his command, to send them forth as the condition of his Church requireth; and they as his Intelligencers and Agents, are to bring him notice how all affairs and matters pass in the world; Thus doth the Lord set forth himself to our capacity, and that we who are used to means, may the better believe in him.

2. The Condiscention, and humility of the Angels, they rejoice in names of service▪ more then in names of honour, and will perform Offices of respect to the meanest Creatures an Angel cloathed with light and glory, would come to the Shepherds, and do not refuse at Christs direction to wait upon those who are despised and rejected of men.

3. It informeth us of their mankindness, which shameth our envy, their love is great to mankind, and are affectionately desireous of our good, and therefore decline no Office of love and service to us; they rejoiced when the world was created as a dwelling place for man, Job. 38. 7. And again at the comming of Christ, which was mans restoring, Luke 2. 13. And so at the calling and conversion of a sinner, Luke 15. 7. when we come to be possessed of our priviledges in Christ.

4. It informeth us of the dignity of the Saints, what a price doth the Lord, and the holy Angels set upon the meanest Christian; Gods own Court is their Guard: certainly a godly man though of the meanest calling, should not be contemptible; there is somewhat in holiness more then the [Page] world seeth; some worth in it, or else God would not set such a Guard upon it, a Guard so full of state and strength; 'twas a mighty favour for Mordicai to have a Courtier of a great King to wait upon him for one hour: We have Angels that still attend and wait for our good.

5. It informeth us of the obedience of the Angels in the lowest services; God saith, go, and they go, though it be to wait upon poor and mean Creatures; we usually dispute commands when we should practice them, and stick at duties that have any thing of abasement, and self-denyal in them, in the Lords Prayer we are brought to this pattern, Mat. 6. Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven, that is, by the holy Angels; it should be done by us with like readiness and submission: No Office or employment that God calleth us to, should be looked upon as too mean and base for us, the Angels that excell in strength, when God commandeth, being willing to condiscend to the Guardianship of men.

Secondly, It serveth for Exhortation to the children ofUse 2. God.

1. To wait for the Angels help, Do you keep in Gods ways and in your Callings, and you shall have safety and defence, when the Lord sees it fit for you; remember you are a spectacle to God, Men and Angels, in all your actions, tryals and sufferings, and bear up with a confidence, becoming Christians, though you can do little as to the promotion of Christs interest; What cannot God do by his Angels?

2. To behave our selves as those that do expect this help, not tempting God, not grieving the Angels; We should take heed how we carry our selves in regard of this honourable attendance; our sins and vanity offendeth them, as it doth God▪ Let was a man of a mixt nature, yet vexed with the impure conversation of the Sodomites, 2 Pet. 2. 8. Angels are pure and holy Creatures, that still abode in the truth; pride, lust, and vanity, is very offensive to them, especially impurities and undecencies in Gods worship, about which they have a special attendance; therefore the Apostle bideth the women to cover their heads because of the Angels, [Page] 1 Cor. 11. 10. their fashion being to come into the Congregation with loose dishevelled locks, he mindeth them of the presence of the Angels: We may use a like Argument to women to cover their naked Breasts, now their immodesty is grown so impudent as to out-face the Ordinances of God.

3. To observe this when 'tis bestowed upon us; The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him; and then, Oh come tast and see, Psal. 34. 7, 8. When deliverances are strange and wonderful, and there is the least concurrence of visible causes to defend Christs interest, remember that all things visible and invisible, were created by Christ, and for Christ, even Thrones, Principalities and Powers, Col. 1. 16.

Thirdly, Here is Reproof to wicked men that perform theUse 3. Divels Ministry act the part of the bad Angels rather then the good; despise, slaunder, oppose, seduce, and tempt the children of God: how darest thou despise those whom the Angels honour? you think them unworthy of your countenance and company▪ when Angels disdain not to vouchsafe them their service and attendance; you slaunder those whom they defend, and oppose and persecute them whom they are engaged to protect; and wrong them whose Angels behold the face of God; and tempt and seduce them, whom they rejoyce to see brought home to God.

I have but one word more, and I have done with thisObservat. 4. Point. Get this interest if you would be under this Tutelage; get an interest in Christ, and then you get an interest in the Angels, their Angels, &c. Mat. 18. 10. they are not called Gods, but theirs, hereafter the Saints shall be [...], like the Angels in Heaven, Luke 20. 30. and here, till we have this glory, we shall have their defence.

In the next place, somewhat may be observed from the stile and Character of this Angel, Michael the Arch-Angel▪ That there is an order among the Angels, both good and bad; they have their distinct heads, we read of Michael, and we read of Beelzebub; there is an order in Hell, thence that expression, Mat. 25. 41. The Divel and his Angels, which seemeth to intimate a Prince among the unclean spirits; [Page] much more is there an order among the good Angels. God that made all things in order, would not endure confusion among those heavenly Creatures, for that would seem to infringe their happiness: but now to define this Order, and the several degrees of it, were but to intrude our selves into things we have not seen, Col. 2. 19. See Rivets Cathol. Orthodox. de Aug. Grad. Cyril calleth it [...], the domineering of bold spirits: The School-men take upon them as if they knew all the particulars of their government and distinction; but in things not revealed there can be no certainty; the Apostle indeed speaketh of several ranks of invisible Creatures, Col. 1. 16. Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Powers; but who can particularly define their Office and Order? a distinction there is, but what it is we know not: however, the general consideration is useful. Partly to shew us the necessity of order and subordination, no Creatures can subsist without it; they that are against Magistracy, are against peace and happiness; the Angels and Devils are not without their Heads and Princes. Partly to represent to us the Majesty of God; He hath Angels, and Arch-Angels, Thrones' Dominions, Principalities and Powers; our eyes are dazled at the magnificence and lustre of earthly Kings, when we see them surrounded with Dukes, Marquesses, and Earls, and Barons: Oh what poor things are these to those Orders and degrees of Angels, with which God is invironed? Partly to acquaint us with the happiness of the everlasting estate: 'Tis the misery of the wicked, that they shall be cast out with the Devil and his Angels, and our happiness that we shall make up one Church and Assembly, with Angels, and Arch-Angels, Heb. 12,

Somewhat may be observed from the matter of the contention,Observat. 5. the body of Moses, which the Devil would abuse to Idolatry, that is the reason why he was so earnest in the contest: Note, That the Devil loveth Idolatry; all false worships either directly, or by consequence, tend to the honour of the Devil; therefore Idol▪ Feasts are called the Table of Devils, 1 Cor. 10. 31. Now 'tis observable that those Sacrifices which were offered to the true God, but in [Page] an unbecoming manner, are called the Sacrifices of Devil, Levit. 17. 7. compare it with vers. 3. 4. Though they killed a Goat, or an Ox, or a Lamb, to the Lord for a Sacrifice, because 'twas in the Camp, and not before the Tabernacle; God saith▪ they shall no more offer Sacrifice to Devils: so 'tis said of Gods own people▪ Deut. 32. 17. They sacrifice to Devils, and not unto God; in their intention it was unto God, but in the issue, and necessary interpretation of it, 'twas to the Devil: Now the Devil delights in Idols and false worships: Partly in malice to God: the Lord▪ above all things is most tender of his worship, and therefore Satan is most busie to corrupt it: There are two things that are dear to God. His Truth, and his Worship; now Satan bendeth his strength and spight, to corrupt this Truth with errour, and his Worship with superstition. Partly in malice and spight to men, God is a jealous God; Satan knoweth that corruptions of worship do not go unrevenged, Psal. 16. 4. Sorrows shall be multiplyed on them that hasten after another God, of all sinners they shall not escape; the severest revenges of God have been occasioned by prevarications in worship, as Lev. 10. 3. on Aarons sons, strange fire in the [...] ensors brought down strange fire from Heaven, so 1 Sam. 6. 20. There were 50000 Bethshemites slain for an undue Circumstance: so the breach made upon Ʋzzah, 2 Sam. 6. 6, 7. the Devil is not ignorant of this, and therefore longing for mans destruction, seeketh to hasten it as much as he can by Idolatry, and false worship. Partly out of pride, he is constant in evil, and abode in pride, though he abode not in the truth, he would fain be worshiped, and assumed into a fellowship of the Divine Honour and glory; he [...]aith to Christ, Mat 4. 9. Fall down and worship me, and I will give thee all these things, the Devil is not Changling though he doth not retain his place, he retaineth his pride; nothing so pleasing to him as Worship and Adoration, and so he can get it any way from the creatures, be is contented.

Well then, it sheweth us.

1. What care we should take to be right in worship▪ bothUse 1. for the object and manner: 'tis Idolatry not only to worship [Page] false Gods in the place of the true God, but to worship the true God in a false manner, and both sorts do gratifie the Devil; when he cannot hold the people under utter blindness and Paganism, he is glad if he can draw them to undue Rites and Ceremonies in worship; therefore let us hate the least kind of Idolatry, if we would not prog for the Devils Kingdom: David saith, Psal. 16. 4. I will not take their name into my lips, that he would abhor the very mention of Idols: so Hosea 2. 16. God would no more be called Baal, though it signified Lord and Husband, because the Title had been applyed to Idols; The Israelites when they took Cities, they changed their names if they had any tincture of Idolatry, Numb. 32. 38. Nebo and Baalmeon, their names being changed; so exact should we be in keeping from Idols.

2. Let us beware of Idolatry, Satan loveth it, and that is motive enough; we should hate as Christ hateth, and love as he loveth, Rev. 2▪ 6. and on the contrary, love what Satan hateth, and hate what he loveth, naturally we are wondrous prone to this sin, and therefore Idolatry is reckoned as a work of the flesh, Gal. 5. 20. man naturally hath a corrupt, and working fancy and imagination, which depending upon sense, formeth fleshly conceptions, and notions of God; and therefore are we so prone to erre in this worship: 'tis not needful, (I hope) to speak to you of Paganish, and Popeish Idolatry: Let me only now disswade you,

First from making the true God an Idol in your thoughts, by forming apprehensions unworthy of the glory of his Essence, Psalm. 50. 21. Thou thoughtest that I was altogether like thy self; Now thus we do when we conceive him of such a mercy as to hold fellowship with one that continueth under the full power of his sins, so weak as not to be able to help in deep extremities, Zech. 8. 6. Of a rigorous and revengeful disposition, as not to pardon injuries and offences, upon submission and repentance, Hos. 11. 8. of a fickle nature, so as to fail in his promises, Numb. 23. 19. Thus 'tis easie to turn the true God into an Idol of our own brains. To remedy this, consider God in his works, and in Christ. In his works, [Page] Cyril I remember observeth that before the flood, we read of no Idolatry. Aquinas addeth a reason to the observation, because the memory of the Creation was then fresh in their thoughts: Again, look upon God in Christ, you heard before in Levit. 17. if they did not bring their Sacrifice to the Tabernacle, it was called a Sacrifice of Devils; The Tabernacle was a Type of Christ; you make God an Idol▪ when you worship him out of Christ, For the Father will be honored in the Son▪ John 5. Therefore when ever you go to God, take Christ along with you.

Secondly, From setting up any Idol against God in your affections, when you set up any thing above God in your esteem, especially in your trust; that's an Idol, covetousness is twice called Idolatry, Col. 3. 5. Eph. 5▪ 5. because it doth withdraw our affections from God; yea our care, our esteem, our trust, which is the chiefest homage and respect which God expecteth from the Creature: I mention these things because I would speak somewhat to practice, and because Satan is gratified with spiritual Idolatry, as well as with that which is gross and bodily.

From that Clause [about the body of Moses] once moreObservat. 6. observe, That of all kind of Idolatry, the Devil abuseth the world most with Idolatrous respects to the bodies and Relicks of dead Saints. If you ask why, I answer. Partly because this kind of Idolatry is most likely to take, as being most plausible and suitable to that reverend esteem which we have of those that are departed in the Lord; and so our Religious affections become a snare to us: Partly because when men become objects of Worship and Adoration, the God-Head is made more contemptible, and mens conceits of a divine power, run at a lower rate every day. Partly because this malicious fiend hopeth this way to beat the Lord with his own weapon; when the bodies and Relicks of those Saints, who by the famousness of their examples were likely to draw many to God, do as much, or more, withdraw men from him; and superstition doth as much hurt, as their example did good. Partly because the Devil by long experience hath found this to be a successful way in the world, Lactantius [Page] proveth it, that the Idolizing of famous men, was the rise of all Idolatry; and Tertullian in the end of his Apology, observeth the same, that Heathen Idolatry came in this way; sub nominibus & imaginibus mortuorum, by a reverence to the images of dead men, whose memory was precious amongst them: Nin [...]s or Nimrod, the first Idolater, set up his own dead Father B [...]lus; whence came the names of Baal and Bel, for an Idol: The Teraphim▪ stolen by Rachel▪ Gen▪ 31. 35▪ were the images of their Ancestors, whom Laban worshipped; so in the primitive times, before any other Idolatry was brought into the Church, they began with the Tombs and Shrines of the Martyrs.

First, It sheweth us the first rise of Idolatry; respect toUse 1. the Relicks and Remains of some men, famous in their generations: Satan attempted it betimes, not only among the Heathens, but among the people of God; he contended for the body of Moses, that he might set it up for this use; but that which he could not obtain then, he hath effected now in the Roman Synagogue, by the Arms, the Legs, the Hands, the Feet, the Pictures of the Martyrs: surely such a known Artifice, and ancient method of deceit, (a man would think) should long ere this have been discerned, but that God hath given them up to beleeve a lye: Well might the Anti-Christian state be called, Rev. 11. 8. Babylon, Sodom, and Aegypt; that is, Babylon for Idolatry▪ S [...]dom for filthyness, and Aegypt for Ignorance and darkness; the same Idolatry being practised, which was in use in the darkest times of Paganism: Heathenism and Popery differ but little, only the names are changed, a new Saint for an old Heathen Idol; their canonizing, and the Heathens [...], are much alike; so are their Saints, and the Heathens and Heroes and middle poners: only that the Papists have put many in the Calender, which either never were in the world or else were wicked and traiterous; as our B [...]cket, and St. George, an Arrian Bishop, that so the Devil might be doubly gratified, by the Shrine it self, and that by the canonization of the infamous person, sin might become less odious.

Secondly, It sheweth the perverseness of men, who [Page] are apt superstitiously to regard the Relicks of them dead, whom they despised living: Moses was often opposed living, and after death likely to be adored; as 'tis often the condition of Gods people, to live hated, and dye Sainted. Vetus morbus est (saith Salvian) quo mortui sancti coluntur, vivi contemnuntur: The Scribes and Pharisees garnished the Tombs of the dead Prephets, and killed the living, Mat 23. 29, 30. And the Jews in the fifth of John, pretended love to Moses, and shewed hatred to Christ; posterity honoureth them whom former ages destroyed: living Saints are an eye-sore, they torment the world, either by their example, or their reproofs, Rev. 11. 10. Heb. 11. 7. but objects out of sight, do not exasperate, and stand in the way of our lusts; this fond affection is little worth; those that were ready to adore Moses would not imitate him.

Again from that [He durst not] [...], he had notObservat. 7. the boldness to do any thing contrary to the Law of God, or unbeseeming his Rank and Ministry: Note, That sin is a bold contest, or a daring of God: Every sin is an affront to the Law that forbiddeth it, 2 Sam. 12. 9. Wherefore hast thou sinned in [...]espising the Commandment? a sinner doth in effect say, What care I for the Commandment? I will go on for all that; but a godly man feareth the Commandment, Prov. 13. 13. If a Law of God standeth in his way, he durst not go forward; he feareth more to break a Law, then to meet with the Devil in all his ruff, or any opposition from the world; this is a holy timerousness: whereas on the contrary, no such boldness as in sinning: 'tis not onely a despising of the Law, but a contest with God himself, 1 Cor. 10. 22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie, are we stronger than he? will you enter into the lists with God? as if you could make your part good against him? Ezekiel 22. 14. He that sins against light and conscience, he biddeth open defyance to the Majesty of God; and his lust and Gods will do contend for the mastery. Let this make us afraid of sin, 'tis a daring attempt of the Creature against his Maker; a challenging of God to the Combate; well might the Apostle say, that the carnal mind is [...] enmity against God, Rom. 8. [Page] 7. Therefore when you are tempted, consider, What am I now a doing? Shall I challenge the Combat of my Maker? Draw Omnipotency about my ears? An Angel durst not: How can I do this wickedness, and sin against God? Gen. 39 9. Again, It informeth us what is the proper remedy against sin; an holy awe and fear; therefore the first and chiefest point of true wisedom, is made to be the fear of God, Prov. 9. 10 so Prov 14. 21. this keepeth the soul from daring. Jobs es [...]hewing evil is ascribed to his fearing God, Job 1. 1. There are two Grounds of this fear, Gods Power, and Goodness.

1. Gods Power, Shall we contend with Him who can command Legions? surely he will always overcome [...]hen he judgeth, Rom. 3. 4. and have the best of it at last, and so this sin will be my ruin: there is a difference between striving with him in a sinfull, and wrestling with him in a gracious way, there God will be overcome by his own strength, Command ye me, &c. Isaiah 45. 11. but when you have the confidence to contest with him in a sinfull way, what will become of you? Psalm 76. 7. Thou, even thou art to be feared, and who can stand in thy wrath when thou art angry? Man may make his part good against man, but who can cope with the Lord himself?

2. Gods Love and Mercy. That should beget a fear, or an unwillingness to displease God, Hosea 3. 5. They shall fear the Lord and his goodness; not only abstain from sin (as a Dogg from the bait, for fear of a Cudgel) out of bondage, or servile fear, but out of an holy childlike affection to God, and so do not only forbear sin, but abhor it; 'tis base and servile, when we are moved with no other respects but our own danger; there is an holy fear, which ariseth from grace, and partly of nature: an Arch-Angel durst not, that is, the holiness of his Nature would not permit him; there is an holy reverend fear, by which we fear to offend our good God, as the greatest evil in the world; and it ariseth partly from the new Nature; and partly from thankfulness to God, because of his Mercy in Jesus Christ.

I have done with this Note when I have told you, That boldness in sinning, resembleth the Devil; but an holy fear [Page] resembleth Michael; 'tis Devil like to adventure upon sin, without fear and shame: Satan had the impudency to seek to defeat the Lords purpose of burying the body of Moses, but the good Angel in opposing him, durst not bring a railing accusation. Certainly, They that fear neither God nor man, Luke 18. 7. have out-grown the heart of a man, and are next to the Devils; many account it a praise to themselves when they are bold to ingage in vilanous actions and attempts; Oh to be presumptious and self-willed, is the worst2 Pet. 2. 10. Character that can be given to a man; a stubborn boldness argueth a seared conscience.

Once more from that [ [...] He durst not] That Observat. 8. the Angels are of a most holy Nature, which will not permit them to sin: Therefore they are called holy Angels. Mat. 25. 31. and the Devils unclean spirits: In their Apparitions they usually came in a Garb that represented their innocency, as at Christs Sepulchre, there were two Angels in white, the one at head, the oth [...]r at feet, where Jesus had lain, Mat▪ 28. 4. so to Daniel, Dan 10. 5. one appeared having his loins girt with fine Gold of Ʋphaz, with long white Robes; Gold, to shew his Majesty; in white Robes, as an Emblem of purity and holiness: see Acts 10. 2. Now this holiness they have partly by the gift of God in their Creation, God made them so at the first, which may beget an hope in us men; the same God must sanctifie us, that made the holy Angels: surely he can wash us, though never so filthy and make us whiter then snow, Psalm 51. 7. Partly by the merit of Christ, which reached to things in Heaven as well as in earth Col. 1. 20▪ Eph. 1. 10. if those places be not cogent, but be thought to intend the glorified Saints; yet because they are called Elect Angels, 1 Tim. 5. 21. And all election is carryed on, in and by Christ, Eph. 1. 4. It seemeth probable at least, that they have benefit by him; yea Heb: 12▪ 22, 23. they are made a part of that general Assembly, of which Christ is the Head, and so by consequence, they are members of the redeemed society, which should incourage us the more to come to Christ: Angels have much of their whiteness from being washed in Christs blood; they are preserved [Page] in Jesus Christ as well as we, and have their confirmation from him, or else they had faln with the other Apostate Spirits.

Again, This Holiness is the more increased and augmented,

1. By their constant Communion with God, for their always beholding his Face, must needs beget the more holy awe and reverence: Michael durst not, &c. 'Tis a great advantage to holiness, to set God before our eyes, and to foresee him in all our ways, Psalm 18. 23. I was upright before thee; that is, the thought of his being before God made him more sincere; He that doth evil hath not seen God, in the third Epistle of John, vers. 11. that is, hath no acquaintance with him, the good Angels being so neer the chiefest good, are at the greater distance from evil.

2. By their continual obedience; They do his Commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word, Psalm 103. 20. exercise perfecteth and strengthneth every habit; the Angels, the more they do the will of God, the more they hate what is contrary to his will; the evil Angels grow worse by frequent acts of spight and malice, and the good Angels better by frequent acts of duty: For the first, see 1▪ Iohn 3. 8. The Devil sinneth from the beginning, Satan is still a sinning, and his whole life a continued act of Apostacy: so the good Angels, are always doing, they rest not day and night, Rev. 4. 8. Surely 'twill be a matter of great advantage to exercise our selves unto godliness, the greater will be our hatred of sin, and delight in obedience: as on the other side, the exercising of the heart unto sin, doth much strengthen and increase it, 2 Pet. 2. 14. In Heaven, whereUse 1. there is continual duty, there is no sin.

Let us apply it now.

First, It serveth to humble us, we are the next rank of reasonable Creatures, but how do we differ from them? their natures ingage them to holiness, and ours being corrupted engage us to sin; their nature will not permit them to sin, and our nature will not permit us to do that which is good, Rom. 7. 21. and yet the Angels are ashamed of this [Page] their nature; they cover their faces, when they behold Gods▪ Job. 15. 14, 15. What is man that he should be clean? and he that is born of a woman that he should be righteous? Behold he putteth no trust in his Saints; yea the Heavens are not clean in his sight. These holy Angels, when they compare themselves with God, are abased; and should not we much more? See also Job 4. 19.

Secondly, It serveth to stir us up to holiness: you will say, where lyeth the Motive? I Answer,

1. We are bound as well as they; they behold his face, and we behold his face in a glass; we are under a Law as well as they, yea commanded to observe their pattern, Mat. 6. 10. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. The examples of the Saints on earth, are no fit Copy for us to write after, for there we shall find many of the Letters set awry; in their lives, corruption is more visible then grace; therefore Christ giveth us a Copy from Heaven that we might aim at the holiness and perfection of the Angels: 'tis but equal that we who expect to be like the Angels in glory, Luke 20. 36. [...], should be like them in grace now: many would strive to be as Angels for gifts and par [...]s, but not for holiness; for exact purity, and chearfulness. and readiness in service, which yet are the things propounded to our imitatation; the Devil retaineth cunning since his Apostacy; to be wise to do evil, is to be like the bad Angels, not the good; if you would not be cast out with them hereafter, you should not take their Copy and example for imitation, but that of the holy Angels.

2. We are bound more then they, as being of an inferior rank: and acts of submission and obedience, do chiefly oblige inferiours, the Angels themselves are inferiour to God; but dwellers in Houses of clay, much more; that passage of the Psalmist is emphatical, Psal. 103. 20. The Angels that excel in strength do his Commandments: shall the Peasant scorn that work in which the Prince himself is engaged? if the glorious mighty Angels durst not sin against God, we should not much more: When John would have worshipped the Angel, he saith, Rev. 22. 9. See thou do it not, for I am thy [Page] fellow servant: Ah who would decline the work, when an Angel is our fellow servant? when these mighty spirits put their necks to the work of the Lord, shall sorry man be excused?

3. We are the more bound for their sakes, because of their Tutelage, they are present with us: we are awed by a man of gravity, much more should we be by the presence of an Angel: When Cato was upon the Stage, they durst not call for their obscene Sports; there is an Angel always by you; What reports (think you) will they carry to Christ, if they should see any thing that is unseemly? 1 Tim. 5. 21. I charge you before God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Elect Angels, &c. The holy Angels are as it were, the Spies, and Intelligencers of Heaven, and do acquaint Christ not only with our miseries, but our sins: Gods omni-presency is a great depth, we cannot fathom it with our thoughts, and therefore it worketh but little with us; the nearer things come to the manner of our presence, the more do they affect us: consider the Angels are present with you in the Room where (it may be) you are acting your privy wickedness.

Again we had need be holy, the rather for the Angels sake, because else we shall lose their Tutelage; they care not to take notice of an impure, obstinate sinner, Psalm 34. [...] ▪ The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him: they that fear God themselves, delight most in them that do likewise: sutableness of Spirit and life, breedeth an holy and sweet familiarity between us; they delight to keep us, and go with us here, that they may lay a Foundation for a more familiar acquaintance in Heaven: Now shall we grieve such blessed companions! When Balaam went to curse the people of God, a good Angel resisteth him, Num. 22. 22. If an Angel stood in the way of a Sorcerer, much more do they seek to stop and prevent the miscarriages and offences of Gods children; will you break forth or go on violently, when an Angel standeth in the way? and leave their Tutelage for a lust? they are holy, and disallow all carnal enterprises, and would withstand the execution of them: will you constrain them to forsake you? You know [Page] how it sped with Josiah, when he would not turn his face, but go out without the defence of God and his Angels, see 2 Chron. 35. 22. He was wounded in the battel, and goeth home and dyeth,

Thirdly, It teacheth us to be more awful, all fear is not slavish; the Angels that have a pure nature, are afraid to sin, we have a mixed nature: corruption is already gotten into our souls, and therefore have more need of caution; as they that have an enemy without, and a treacherous party within, have need to watch and ward; fear is all the remedy left us: we cannot stop the flux of natural corruption, but we may withstand an actual temptation; as the Angels resist the admission of sin: so let us withstand the increase and propagation of it; we are always in the presence of God, and shall we affront him to his face? fear keepeth the Angels pure, and us holy, them from the admission of sin, and us from the commission of it: so Solomon saith, Blessed is he that feareth always, Prov. 28. 14. that is, not that perplexeth himself with needless terrors and scruples, that were a torture, not a blessedness; that's the Devils fear, who believe and tremble: But when we are always cautious, out of a deep respect to God, that we dare not offend him at any time, this is a blessed fear, like the good Angels fear; as Michael here durst not bring a rayling accusation.

The next Point is from that [a railing Accusatio [...]] in the Original 'tis [...], the judgment, or sentence of Observat. 9. Blasphemy, or evil speaking: The meaning is, such unworthy Language as would not become any serious judgment or process; and because the Angel▪ was a party, not a Judge, we translate it not a railing Judgment, but a railing Accusation. Thence observe▪ That to the worst▪ Adversary, in the b [...]st cause, railing and reviling must not be used. Michael when contending with the Devil about the body of Moses, &c. The Reasons are,

1. Because such Reproches come from an evil principle, contempt or passion; both of which argue pride; one that over-valueth himself, disdaineth others, and stormeth when he is crossed, as a full stream roareth and swelleth, when it meeteth with a dam and obstruction.

[Page]2. Such Reproches are most unsuitable to matters of Religion; the God of peace will not be served with a wrathful spirit, and Christs warfare needeth no carnal weapons. Christianity of all Religions is the meekest and most humble; the Foundation of it is the Lamb slain; and the consignation, and sealing of it, is by the Spirit, who descended in the form of a Dove, both emblems of a modest humility; and should a meek Religion be defended by the violence and fury of our passions? Cursing doth ill become them that are called to inherit a blessing, 1 Pet. 3. 9.

3. They are flatly against the word; the Scripture is a great friend to the peace of humane societies, for it condemneth the least offensive word and gesture, Isa. 58. 9. Thou shalt put away from thee the yoke, and the putting forth of the finger; a gesture of indignation, and therefore God would have it layd aside, even the putting forth of the finger, as well as the yoke broken: So see Mat. 5. 22. But I say unto you, whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, is in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say unto his brother Racha, is in danger of the Council: and whosoever shall say thou fool, shall be in danger of Hell fire. The Scribes and Pharisees had restrained the fifth Commandment, to the gross act of murder; Christ telleth them, that rash anger, with all the expressions of it, is murther: His expressions allude to the Courts of the Jews, three there were especially among them; the lowest, the middle, and the highest: There lowest Judicatory was of three men, who took cognizance of lighter matters; as injuries and strifes about goods, and things of a pecuniary concernment: this Court was set up in lesser Towns, that had few inhabitants: The second Court was of three and twenty men, before whom the weightiest causes were brought; concerning the life of a man, all Capital crimes, or if an Ox had goared a man or woman; or in case of any abominable commixtion with a Beast, if a woman approched to a Beast, &c. Levit. 20. 16. This Court was set up in all the Cities of P [...]laestina, and was called the lesser Sanhedrim; and because Jerusalem was the head City, the Seat of the Prince, and Temple was there; therefore in that City [Page] were two of these lesser Sanhedrim, the lower Sate in the Gate of the Mountain; that is, that Gate which gave entrance to the Mountain of the Temple; the other being the higher, Sate in the Gate of Efra, neer the Porch of the Temple. The third Judicatory was the greater Sanhedrim, which consisted of seventy men, in imitation of the Council of God to Moses, Numb. 11. 16. This was the highest Judicatory, from whence there was no Appeal, as there might be from the lower Courts to this: into this Assembly were chosen such as did excell others for Nobility and Wisdom; and that by a solemn laying on of hands; strangers or unclean persons, or common people, might not come nigh unto them: To this Tribunal were referred all doubtful matters, too hard for inferiour Courts to decide, Deut. 8. 8. 9. as also all things that did belong to the twelve Tribes, or to the whole Nation; all things that concerning the High Priest, matters of war, and peace, the false Prophet, &c. therefore Christ saith, Luke 13. 33. It cannot be that a Prophet should perish out of Jerusalem, that being the City where the Sanhedrim sate, by this Court was Christ condemned, and the Apostles, Acts, Chap. 4. 5. and Steven, Chap. 6, 7. and Paul, Acts 23. 1. They sate in a part of the Temple, called Gasith; their punishments were strangling, beheading, storing, burning; those that were condemned to be burned, were burnt in the Valley of Hinnon, and in great cases besides his co [...]p [...]ral death, the Malefactor was appointed and accursed to the judgment of Hell: Let me apply all to the present case: Christ doth not meddle with the lowest Court▪ the judgment of three men, because Capital matters did▪ not belong to their cognizance; and his intent is to shew what a Capital matter the least expression of anger is: Whosoever is angry▪ with his Brother without a cause (saith he) is in danger of judgment; that is, of the judgment of twenty three men, to shew that rash anger is before God a Capital matter. And whosoever shall say to his brother Racha▪ thou vain and w [...]less f [...]llow; this was the lowest kind of contumely, then in use; some make it only an Interjection of indignation: [is in da [...]ger of the [Page] Council] that is, of the Sanhedrim, which noteth, that Anger expressed, though in the lowest way, is an higher fault then single and b [...]re anger, as the fault was greater for which they appeared before the higher Sanhedrim, then that for which they appeared before the twenty three Judges: [But whosoever shall say thou fool] This noteth a higher contempt, as implying a charge, not only of weakness of nature, but of sin and wickedn [...]ss, [he is in danger of Hell fire] which was the highest judgment of the Sanhedrim, to burn them in the Valley of Hinnom, and to leave them accursed till the Lord come; and so proportionably it noteth the greatness of the crime, which is committed in slandering and reproching our brethren; 'tis a most odious sin before God: for in allusion to mans judgment, he sheweth, that though there be degrees in the sin, and will be in the punishment, yet the whole kind is very displeasing to the Lord.

4. Because Reproches have an influence, and do exasperate rather then convince: The Dog that followeth the game with barking and bawling, loseth the prey; and there is not a more likely way to undermine the truth, then an unseemly defence of it: Satan is mightily gratified (if men had eyes to see it) with the ill managing of Gods cause.

First it serveth for Information, to shew us the vanity of Use 1. those excuses by which men would disguise their wrath and passion; What will you plead, I am in the right way, 'tis Gods cause. Answ. Passion is blind, and cannot judge, James 1. 20. The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God; the wrong way may be usually descryed by the excesses and violences of those that are engaged in it: if we be in the right, extremities and furies of passion, are not lawful, our religious affections may over-set us; when Religion which should limit us, is made a party to engage them; 'tis hard to keep bounds; a stone the higher the place from whence it falleth, giveth the more dangerous blow; so the higher the matter about which we contend: usually our Anger falleth with the more violence, and is the more unmortified, because of the pretence of zeal: if the erring parties offend through ignorance, remember a bone out of joint must [Page] be setled again with a gentle hand, Gal. 6. 1. Are they opposite stubborn? in meekness instruct those that oppose themselves, 2 Tim. 2. 25. when their absurd opposing is apt to tempt us to rage, passion and reproch, we must contain our selves; the hasty Disciples knew not what spirit they were of.

Do they provoke, revile, wrong us first? Answ. The railing and ill dealing of another, doth not dissolve the bond of our duty to God; to return injury for injury, is but to act over their sin; 'twas bad in them, and tis worse in us; for he that sinneth by example, sinneth doubly, as having had experience of the odiousness of it in another: Qui malum imitatur, bonus esse non potest: revenge and injury differ only in order of time, the one is first, the other second in the fault, and 'twas no excuse to Adam that he was not first in the transgression: Christianity teacheth us a rare way of overcoming injuries, not only by patience, but doing good to those that wrong us, Rom. 12. 17. and 1 Pet. 3. 9. render not reviling for reviling, but contrarywise blessing; we have for our pattern Christ, who being reviled, reviled not again, 1 Pet. 2. 23. and herein he was imitated by his Disciples, 1 Cor. 4. 13. [...], being defamed we intreat, a Motto which I would have prefixed to all rejoynders, or replies to a virulent opposition; Calvins modesty concerning Luther, is notable; Etiam [...]i me diabolum vocarit eum tamen insignem Dei ser [...]um agnoscam, Though he should call me Devil, yet God forbid but I should account him an eminent servant of Christ. 'Twas once an Argument for the truth of our Religion, that the Scriptures contained a Doctrine that could not be of men; as forbidding revenge, which is so sweet to nature, and commanding us to do good to them that hate us.

But shall I suffer my self, and in me the cause of Christ, to be trampled upon?

Answ. You are allowed a modest vindication of the truth, and your own innocency, Prov. 26. 4, 5. Answer not a fool according to his folly, least thou be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, least he be wise in his own conceit. You will say here is hot and cold, in one breath: I answer, Solomon [Page] speaketh of a scoffing, railing fool; and the meaning is, do not imitate him in his foolish passion; this were to be evil, because he is so; and 'tis against reason, that because I am sensible of undecent carriage in him, therefore I should allow it in my self; but yet Answer him that is to the purpose, and with solid reason beat down his presumption and ignorance, with a meek, but a strong reply; such as may check his pride, but not imitate his folly: 'Tis observable, when 'twas said to Christ, John 8. 48, 49. Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a Devil; he answered not a word to the personal reproch, but where his Commission was touched, to that he replyeth, saying, I have not a Devil, but I honour my Father: 'tis but weakness of mind, or strength of passion, to regard personal invectives. In short, we may answer, but not with harsh and contumelious language.

Secondly, Here is a Direction to publick persons, and those that can handle the Pen of the Writer; Passion is apt toUse 2. teint our Religious defences, but check it, Michael durst not bring a railing accusation, leave all unhandsomeness of prosecution to them that defend an evil cause; The servant of God must be gentle and patient, 2 Tim. 2. 24. Opprobrious Language doth but darken a just quarrel and contention: But you will say, may we not reprove the sins of men, and that somewhat sharply? I Answer yea, 'tis lawful, as appeareth both by the practice of the Prophets and Angels, yea of Christ himself, and also by the precepts of the word; Paul saith, Tit. 1. 7. That a Bishop must not be selfwilled, and soon angry; and yet he biddeth him [...] to rebuke some gainsayers sharply; there is a great deal of difference between railing and a reproof: a Sermon without some warmth and keenness in it, is but like a Cold oration; men that speak from their brain will speak coldly, because they only declaim against things for fashions sake, without any sense or touch upon their hearts; an affectionate pleading, for Christ, is like strong-water; whereas a formal narration is but like River water, without any strength and vigor: They that love Christ, will be zealous for his Truths and Ordinances, and zeal cannot deliver▪ it self without some smartness and [Page] earnestness; but a cold indifferency, is more [...]ame and [...]lat: But then this must be done with great caution, you had need look to your spirits. Partly because Satan loveth to corrupt a Religious affection. Partly because in these businesses God is not only engaged, but our selves; and many times the savour of the main River is lost, when 'tis mingled with other streams; too too often do we begin in the spirit and end in the flesh: The Cautions which I shall give, respect. 1. The Object, or Cause. 2. The Persons. 3. Manner. 4. Principle. 5. End.

1. The Cause must be regarded, that it be real and weighty; weighty it must be, 'tis prepostreovs to be all of a fire, about questionable truths, and matters of a less regard: the flaming Sword was set about Paradice: And real it must be, the sin we reproove must be manifest, and the faults we charge, apparent, Mat. 5. 22. If any be angry with his brother without a cause, &c. otherwise Christ and his Apostles called Racha, Mat. 23. 17. O fools and blind, and Luk. 24. 15. O fools and slow of heart to beleeve, &c. and Gal. 3. 3. Oh foolish Galatians, and James 2. 20. O vain man, &c. but in all these cases, there was a cause; false and rash imputations, are but railing, zeal being a fierce and strong passion, you must not let it fly upon the throat of any thing, but what is certainly evil.

2. The Persons must be considered, weak sinners are to be distinguished from the malicious, and the tractable from the obstinate; Gods tender Lambs, though straying, must be gently reduced; put a difference, saith our Apostle, vers. 19. Ad evangelizandum non maledicendum missus [...]s, said Oecolampadius to Farrell, who was a good man, but a little too violent, Thou wert not sent to revile, but to preach the Gospel; but on the other side, there is a difference to be used in the case of Hypocrites, that gain by that repute and esteem which they have; Christ himself inveyed against the Pharisees, asperrimis verbis, in the roughest ways, Mat, 23. Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites, &c. we may pluck off the disguise from an Hypocrite, especially when they seduce and deceive the miserable multitude by an opinion [Page] of holinesse; the Pharisees and Sadduces to keep up their repute, submitted to Johns Baptism, but doth he treat them gently? no, Mat. 3. 7. O generation of Vipers, &c. So Paul to Elymas the Sorcerer, Acts 13. O thou full of all subtilty and mischief, thou child of the Devil, and enemy of allrighteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the holy ways of the Lord? in these cafes there is a regard had to others, that they may not perish by too good an opinion of such deceivers; and here that of Solomon is of regard▪ Prov. 28. 4. They that forsake the Law, praise the wicked, and they that keep the Law, set themselves against them; a vigorous opposition doth better here then a cold dislike.

3. For the manner, with our zeal we should still manifest love and compassion; and our way of dealing must rather be rational then passionate; there is an holy contemperation of zeal and meekness it we could hit upon it; the same spirit that appeared in cloven tongues of fire, appeared also in the form of a Dove: the work of righteousnesse may be sown in peace, Jam. 3. 18. The Churches Garden thriveth by the cool gales of the North wind, as well as the suliry heat of the South, Cant. 4. last, Gods cause should neither be neglected nor a [...]sparaged by an indiscreet carriage.

4. Concerning the principle, see that it be good, it must not be zeal for our private concernments, but for the glory of God not a strange fire, but an holy: fire; Moses was the meekest man upon earth in his own cause, Numb 12. 3. When Miriam and Aaron▪ spake against Moses, the man Moses was meek above all mon of the earth: when our zealous contests come from an heart bleeding for Gods dishonour, from hatred of sin, a fear of the publick, then they are right: Lot was vexed not with Sodoms injuries, but Sodoms filthinesse, 2 Pet. 2. 8. When love of our neighbor, desire of his amendment, we are loth to suffer sin upon him▪ puts us upon this earnestness, your heart is upright with God: but when we seek to disgrace the men rather then to condemn the sins, and we rage most upon the hazard of our own interest, and can be earnest against some sins and errors, and comply with worse; 'tis not zeal for God, but for a purity.

[Page]5. Great regard must be had to the end; a Reproof aimeth at the conviction or conversion of a sinner, but censure at his disgrace and confusion: our aim must be as right as our passion is strong, what ever we do must not be done out of a spirit of ostentation or popularity, or to keep up a devotion to our own interests: John Baptist sharply reproved the Pharisees, not when contemuing his person, but when coming to his Baptism.

There remaineth nothing of the ninth Verse to be discussedObservat. 10. but the last Clause, [The Lord rebuke thee] Though Michael doth not rail, yet he referreth the matter to God: Whence observe, That in Religio [...]s contests we must carry we the opposition, though not in an unseemly manner. Michael doth not let Satan alone, so we must not let errors alone, and the Devil to carry it clearly without rub and opposition; many under a pretence of meekness, are still and silent in the cause of Christ: cursed is this peace, and meekness when we let the envious man sow his tares, & we never give warning. Gods Messengers are compared to watchful Dogs when the Wolf cometh we must bark, if the sleepy world be troubled at it, we must bear their reproch.

Again, He referreth it to God, who is the fittest PatronObservat. 11. of his own causes: In our contests about Religion, God must especially be sought unto for a blessing. Michael contended but said, the Lord rebuke thee; disputing times should also be praying times: prejudices will never vanish, till God send out his light and truth, Psal. 43. 3. and if the Devil be not prayed down as well as disputed down, little good cometh of our contests.

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VERS. X.‘But these speak evil of the things they know not, but what they know naturally, as bruit Beasts; in those things they corrupt themselves.’

IN this Verse he sheweth the disproportion between them and the Arch-Angel; he was modest in a known good cause, but these are contemptuous, and given to railing in matters of which they are wholly ignorant: Two faults are charged upon them in this Verse. 1. Pride, in condemning things without knowledge. 2. Wickedness, in abusing the knowledg they had.

[But these, [...]] the Seducers spoken of in the Context, [speak evil, [...]] take liberty to belch out their reproches [of the things they know not] what are those things? Some say, the Dignities before spoken of; others the Mysteries of the Christian faith: For the former opinion, that clause may be alledged, vers. 8. [...] speaking evil of dignities; and so it will imply that they were ignorant of the nature of Angels, with whom they pretended so great a familiarity; as to know their courses, services, [...], Vide Iraeneum. conjugations; or else of the nature of Church-Ordinances, they taking upon them to speak so reprochfully of the Offices which God hath set in the Church: or of the nature of civil power and Magistracy, they allowing themselves in such intemperate Language: But for the latter opinion, the universal Particle in the Text, [...], Whatsoever things they know not; so Peters phrase is general, 2 Pet. 2. 12. But these as natural bruit beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things they understand not: The scope of both these Apostles being to set out these deceivers as ignorant and bruitish sensualists; and yet under a pretence of great and more curious knowledge than others had (wherefore they were called Gnosticks) for my part, I shall interpret the clause generally of their ignorance in all [Page] truly spiritual matters, which was bewrayed in that they did deliver their sense in matter of Magistracy, and Church Ministries, with some impudence and reproach, [But what they know naturally, as bruit Beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves] before I come more particularly to open the words, let me tell you, that there is some difference about that clause [as bruit Beasts] to what part of the sentence it is to be referred; if to the former part, thus [What they know naturally, as bruit beasts] then the sence will be that knowledg which they have in common, with the beasts: man is in part an Angel, in part a Beast; in his reason, and upper part of the soul, he resembleth an Angel; and in his appetite and senses, a Beast. What they know by their senses and brutish desires; that wil be the sense, if you allow of this first reference: If to the latter part, thus, [in those things as bruit beasts they corrupt themselves] then it will suit with the parallel place in Peter, 2 Pet. 2. 12. [...] as natural bruit beasts, made to be taken and destroyed; and it will imply that they degenerated into beasts, notwithstanding that natural knowledge wherewith they were endowed; but to speak my own thoughts in this matter; the former reading is more agreeable to the posture of the words in the Original, [...], What they naturally as bruit beasts know, in those things they are worse then beasts, corrupting and defiling themselves, by the excesses of the sensual appetite; as in eating and drinking and the use of the woman in common copulation, as if there were no Law, nor limited use of those things which yet they might discern in the beasts themselves, and the dictates of their own consciences.

This being premised, I come to explain the words [what they know [...], naturally] There is a three fold light. 1. Sense or Instinct. 2. Reason. 3. Grace, and accordingly as a man is furnished, he may said to be [...], spiritual, or furnished with the light of grace, or [...], which we translate natural, 1 Cor. 2. 14. it signifieth one that hath nothing but the light of a reasonable soul. Lastly, [...], meerly natural, which signifieth one guided by the [Page] blind motion, and instinct of nature, without reason, counsel and choice, as the beasts are, so 'tis said here, what they know naturally; that is, what they understand by natural inclination, or the meer judgment or preception of sense to be good or evil [in those things they corrupt themselves] [...], are corrupted, so Erasmus, but the word is not simply passive, but after the form of the Congregation, Hitkp [...]ph among the Hebrews which infert passionem in se, it implyeth such a passion as we cause to our selves, But how do they corrupt themselves, sinfully or penally? I answer both ways, sinfully they corrupt and defile themselves, and so drive down punishments, both upon their souls and bodies, 2 Pet. 2. 12. They shall perish in their corruption.

Having made this way, I come to the Observations: AndObservat. 1. in the first place observe, That truth is usually slandered out of ignorance, because men do not understand the ways and things of God, therefore they do condemn them: in the Apostles days, the Doctrine of the Cross was accounted foolishness by those that knew least of it; and afterward the Christian Religion was condemned, because it could not be heard; Simul ac desinunt ignorare, desinunt odisse, so Tertullian in Apol. when they knew it, they could not hate it: 'tis the Devils cunning to keep us at a distance from truths, and therefore burdeneth them with prejudices, that we may suspect rather then search; and condemn that out of ignorance, and upon vulgar clamour, which upon knowledge, we could not choose but love and profess: and 'tis mans perverseness, and pride, to speak evil of things above his reach, and to disprove that which they have not attained unto or cannot understand: Nazianzen speaks of some ignorant people that condemned learning, because they had not the happiness to attain to it [...], saith he, Orat. 20. that their own deficiency being the more common, might be less odious; or to instance in an higher case, Papists and carnal men, scoff at imputed righteousness, assurance or salvation, and the testimony of the spirit, because they are things they are utterly unacquainted with: Well then, when we declaim against things, we should speak out [Page] of advised knowledge, not rash zeal, See John 3. 11. We speak that which we know and testifie, that which we have seen: zeal, as it must have a right aim, so a solid ground, to proceed upon: 'tis a vain thing to begin at the affections, and to hate before we know, Prov. 18. 13. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is a folly and shame to him, if you light right, 'tis but an happy mistake and stumble: quid i [...] quies quam ut oderint homines quod ignorant, eri [...]r [...]si res meretur odium, Tertul. ut supra. When our affections out-start our judgment, men grow obstinate in their ignorance, and will not know what they have a mind to hate; Malunt nescire quia jam [...]derunt, as Tertullian goeth on: rash prejudices ingaging men in opposition; they will not own the truth when represented to them having hated it without knowledg, they hate it against knowledg, and so are hardened against the ways of God, which is the case of many, who in a blind zeal have appeared against the publique Ministry and Ordinances; and being engaged, are loath to strike sayl, and lay down their defyance, when sufficient conviction is offered.

Observe again, Blockish and stupid men are most bold in reproching: Observat. 2. a fools wrath falleth very heavy, because it falleth with all its weight, there being nothing to restrain and stop it, Prov. 27. 3. A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a f [...]ls wrath is heavier then them both, when the mind is void of judgment, 'tis more overcome and carryed out in the way of a naughty passion; usually we find it, the weakest spirits are most violent, there being nothing of judgment to counter-ballance affection; men are all flame and rage: Liquors when they run low, and are upon the dregs, they grow more tart and sowr, so 'tis usually with the dregs of men, for when they are weak and run in low parts, their opposition is most troublesome: What ado in the Ministry have we with young heady Professors, that have more heat than light? And how trouble some are those wild sectuaries, that have only knowledg enough to prate a little against the undoubted Ordinances of Jesus Christ? or there being nothing of knowledg and civility to restrain them, they easily give [Page] vent to the excesses of their passion, by clamor and evil speaking.

From the second part of the charge, observe, That men Observat. 3. of corrupt minds are usually sensual, and sensual men are usually men of corrupt minds, an unsound heart is best sheltred under unsound Doctrine; and earnal delights blunt and weakens the edge and intention of the mind, so that they are very liable to mistakes: Therefore on the one side, we should labour to keep the mind right, and sound in the faith: fish flinct first at the head, when the judgment is poisoned, the teint is soon conveyed to the affections: On the other side, add to your knowledge temperance, 2 Pet. 1. 6. The Apostle joineth these, because many times men of the greatest parts are overcome by apposite; and some say, that temper of body which is fit for ▪wit and Schollarship, is much inclined this way. Solomon so famous for wisdom and knowledge, was entised by women: Oh let not fleshly lusts betray you, that's the best knowledge that endeth in temperance, or begets an holy moderation in the use of sensual pleasure; if we cannot govern our affections, we know nothing as we ought to know; nay otherwise, your knowledge will be corrupted by your affections; many Errors take their rise and beginning from evil manners, and filthy lusts.

Observe again, That wicked men left to themselves, do but Observat. 4. abuse and corrupt that natural goodness and knowledge which they have in them. Natural abilities are soon depraved with evil habits; he that had but one Talent is called a wicked and slothful servant, Mat. 25. 26. slothful for not growing better2 Pet. 1. 2. and wicked for growing worse: naturally we are blind, and we cannot endure to be enlightned, 2 Pet. 3. 5. Ye rather we put finger in natures eye, and then there cometh on judicial blindness, Rom. 1. 28. we suffer lusts to blow ou [...] the candle of reason, and then we are justly left to the power of vile affections; certainly they do but flatter us that say there is a power in nature, as to conversion, and turning to God; we are so far from improving our selves, that we corrupt our selves in what we know naturally, and suffer bruitish lusts to blind the mind and harden the heart.

[Page]Once more observe, Sin where it reigneth, turneth a man Observat. 5. into a bruit beast, Psal. 49. 12. Man being in honour, abideth not, he is like the beasts that perish; the meaning is, [...]he abode not in the honour of his creation; hence compared to Wolves for their cruelty, Doggs for their filthiness; to Horses and Mules for the rage of lust [...] to a wild Asses Colt; for wildness and dulness of understanding, See Jer. 5. 8 Eze [...]. 20. 23. Job 11. 12. Rev. 22. 15. You may see here, to what sin will bring you, with Nebuchadnezar we out-grow the heart of a man, what he did through that deep melancholy that f [...]ll upon him by Gods judgment, Dan. 4. 32. we do spiritually; if we had the head of a Horse, or the face of a Swine, or the Hoofs of an Ass, how should we be looked upon as Monsters; but to have the hearts of the beasts, is worse, to be like them in the inward man, is more monstrous in the sight of God: Consider this, sin maketh a beast of you; nay, it maketh you worse then the beasts; The Ass knoweth his owner, &c. Isai. 1. 3▪ they are serviceable to their benefactors, but thou art a Rebel against God that made thee, and hath kept thee all thy days. The sluggard is put to school to the Ant, Prov. 6. The beasts know their stint and measure; an Horse or a Dogg will not be drunk, &c. Shall I speak one word more? Sin doth not only make a beast of you, but a Devil of you, Joh. 6. 70. One of you is a Devil; the Devils said, What have we to do with thee, Jesus thou son of David? and wicked men, What is the Almighty? depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

Again observe, 'Tis a sign of a man turned beast, to follow the passions and lusts of corrupt nature, Why? For then theObservat. 6. government of reason is renounced, and all is yielded up into the hands of Lust and Appetite; in men reason should have the chief governance, and exercise a coercion and restraint over our affections; but now when we yeild up our selves to the passionateness of lust, and are transported with violence of it, it answereth to that rage which reigneth in the beasts: I shall take occasion here; to shew you how many ways a man turneth beast.

1. By an addictedness to sensual pleasures and delights: [Page] 'tis the beasts happiness to enjoy pleasures without remorse, they have no conscience, they are not called to an account, &c Now he is not worthy the name of a man (saith Tully) that would willingly spend one whole day in pleasure; We may take pleasures sometimes, but they should not take us, that is, we should not be vehemently addicted to them.

2. When in the use of these delights we keep neither modesty nor measure, this is but like swine to wallow in our own filthiness, a beast can do no more; nay, many a beast would not do so much.

3. When men live by Appetite rather than Reason and conscience, feeding without fear, and nourishing the body, but taking no care to refresh the soul, This should humble many that think highly of themselves, they do but carry a beasts heart under a mans shape; while they are wholly given up to sensual delight, pampering the body, when in the mean time, the precious, but neglected soul, may justly complain of hard usage.

In the last place observe, That sensuality doth but make Observat. 7. way for corruption, you may counterpoise the temptation to the sin, with the punishment; usually secret sins, and sweet sins, meet with an heavy punishment: secret sins that do not betray us to shame, may yet beget horror, when we think of what will ensue; and sweet sins, that entice our affections, to prevent them we may counterballance one affection with another, delight with fear: Well then, to check the bruitish rage of sensual inclinations: Say, This will tend to my corruption, and perishing for ever; They that sow to the flesh shall reap corruption, Gal. 6. 8. carnal pleasures turn to an ill account in the issue, so Rom. 8. 13. If ye live after the flesh, ye shall dye. The Lord fenced Edom with a flaming Sword, so is the Garden of carnal delights fenced with the wrath of God; we ran a great hazard to enter in: say then, shall I for a superfluous Cup adventure to drink a Cup of wrath unmi [...]ed? For pleasures here, for feit the pleasures at Gods right hand for evermore? For a little wanton dalliance, loose the embraces of Christ, when he cometh out to receive the Saints to himself at the last day? God forbid.

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VERS. XI.‘Wo unto them, for they have gone the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gain-saying of Corah.’

HEre the Apostle commeth to reckon up their sins, and he doth it by examples, which are suited so, that they may imply both the sin and the punishment: Three are produced in this Verse; That of Cain, to note their malice and cruelty: That of Balaam, to note their covetensness and seduction: That of Corah, to note their faction and sedition, against Magistracy and Ministry, as Corah and his accomplices rose up against Moses and Aaron.

[Wo unto them] 'tis Prophetically spoken, not execrat [...]rily as a threatning, or denuntiation, not as a curse. [For they have gone in the way of Cain] Cains example is produced, because he was the first and chief of them that departed from the true Church and pure service of God, Gen. 4. 16. Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt, &c. Tertullian saith he was the Devils Patriarch, the first root of the carnal seed, or of the seed of the Serpent, in whom persecution began: Now Cains way was a way of murther, he slew his Brother, because he was more righteons and godly then himself, 1 Joh. 3. 12. and so they go in his way, that have an envy and hatred against their holy brethren; which many times proceedeth so far as violence, persecution and murder: This instance is fitly applyed to these Seducers; for (if the Targum of Jerusalem say true) besides the particular grudge, which Cain▪ had against Abel, about the acceptance of his Sacrifice: There was a dispute which happened between them in the field, concerning the providenes of Gods last judgment, and world to come Vide Nieremberg. Strom. 1. cap. 17. & Glassium. l. 1. Philol. sacrae. pag. 60. & Christolog. Mosaicae dissert. 5. p. 165. Non est judicium nec judex nec saculum aliud, nec merces bona pro justis nec paena pro impiis: nec Dei misericordia creatus est, mundus nec ejus misericordia regitur, eo quod suscepta est oblatio t [...]a cum benepla [...]it [...], mea ver [...] [...], [Page] Tarq▪ Hieros. So were these Seducers exasperated against the Orthodox, not only because of the greater presence of God among them, but also because of difference of judgment, about Christ, the world to come, and Providence, with other wholesome Doctrines, by which godliness is maintained: Again, Cain slew Abel, so were these Gnosticks ready to break out into all violence against those that dissented from them, and stirred up the Jews to persecution against the Christians: Cain after this murther was haunted with his own Ghost, and trembled where ever he came; so doth Cains end attend Cains course, such quakings and fears of conscience following them, where ever they went: 'tis said, The Lord set a mark upon Cain, Gen. 4. 15. what this mark was, is much disputed; most say it was a continual trembling and quaking throughout his body, Vide Aug. lib. 12. contra. Faust. cap. 12. Chrysost. hom. 19. in Gen. And the Sept. render that, Ge [...], 4. 12. [Thou shalt be a Vagabond upon the earth] [...], Thou shalt be groaning and trembling upon the earth; and the word Nod, the name of the place where he sojourned, is by interpretation, agitatio commotio, quaking or trembling: [...], and Basil seleuc. apud Neiremb. stromat. 1. pag. 23. which if so, our wicked Quakers may see who was their Patriarch. Now from this first instance observe.

First, That the practice of wicked men now, and the practice of Observat. 1. wicked men from the beginning, is still the same Multi adhuc sunt qui clavum sanguine Abelis rubentem circumferunt.: Cains Club (as Bucholcer speaketh) is still. carryed about in the world stained with the blood of Abel, see Gal. 4. 29. But as then, he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the spirit, even so 'tis now: So 'twas then, so 'tis now, so it will be while the spirit of the Devil worketh in the world; we have the same original sin which they had in former times for a long time a disease runneth in the blood, and is continued in a line and family; but after some generations 'tis worn out; but this filth will still run as long as there is a channel of carnal generation to convey it: Again, we have the same Devil to tempt us, who ever is converted, he will [Page] never turn Christian to be sure; and there are the same provocations and occasions to exasperate mens corruptions: Well then, let us not be over troubled, there is no new thing under the Sun; the same Devil that rageth now, hath been a murderer from the beginning, John 8. 44. The same Devil that deceiveth now, was a lyar from the beginning: are there those now that separate from all Churches of Christ? there were Donatists in former time, are there now that deny the God-Head of Christ? There were Arians then, are there now Ranters, Familists? and there were Gnosticks then, are there bloody enemies of the truth? every Age can yield its Cains: Again, if we would better know the state of our times, let us blow off the dust from our old presidents; the Devil doth but play over the old game, and though the Scene be shifted and furnished with new Actors, the Plot is the same.

Observe again, Hereticks and Libertines usually turn persecutors, Observat. 2. for 'tis said here, They go in the way of Cain: Satan that is a lyar is also a murtherer, a false way cannot subsist without the props of blood and cruelty, witness the Circumcellians the Priscillianists, the Arians, the Donatists; the Tragedies at Munster: An erroneous opinion is touchy, and therefore efferates the minds of men against those that oppose it: beleeve not Seducers then, when they come in sheeps clothing, 'tis but that they may get a power to play the Wolves the better: and when Libertines encrease, let Magistrates look about them, there are Clouds gathering together towards a dismal storm; and though they seem to be meek and full of love, while their party is contemptible; yet when they grow considerable they appear in their colours: Again, let us bless God for the peace we enjoy; there are swarms and droves of Locusts abroad, but blessed be God that there is a restraint upon them, that there is a spirit of perversity mingled with their counsels: I tell you, the great danger of the latter times, is from Libertines, many fear a second deluge of Anti-Christianism; but that is not so probable as the seditious insurrections of Sectaries: What sad havock will be made of the people of God, when once [Page] these bloody minded wretches get power? The latter times [...], perilous times, 2 Tim. 3. 1. Why? from what sort of men will the danger arise? not from the Anti-Christian, or Popish party, so much as from a Libertine party, from Quakers, Ranters, Anti-Scripturists, Familists, &c. The Anti-Christian party carrieth things by power, and wordly greatness, but this party there described, is a creeping party, that gets into houses, leadeth captive silly women, verse 6. the Anti-Christian party abuseth the Sword of the Magistrate; but this is a trayterous party, heady, high minded, verse 4. a party rising up against Magistracy: The Anti-Christian party are stiffe and obstinate in their old forms, but this is a party of seekers, looking for new discoveries, holding nothing certain in Religion; ever learning, and never coming, [...], to the acknowledgment of the truth, vers. 7 In short, the party there described, are a party that deny civil reverence, natural affection, and are contemptuous despisers of the true and holy servants of Christ; and all this carryed on under a pretence and form of godliness; this is the party from whence I fear such danger and disturbance, if the Lord put not an hook into their Jaws, or do not awaken the Magistrate to look to the safety, not only of Christs interests, but his own: Cursing Balaams will soon prove bloody Cains, and wicked seducers, tyrannous oppressors.

The next part of the Description is [And ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward. His story beginneth Numb. 22. and his Tragedy you have, Numb. 31. 8. Baalam cursed Israel for hire against his own conscience, so did these pervert the truth. Balaam had linguam venalem, Oracles to [...]ell; so they adulterated the Doctrine of the Gospel out of covetousness and filthy lucre. Simon Magus, out of whose School the Gnosticks came, would you know, buy and sell the holy Ghost, Acts 8. Now after this errour 'tis said, they ran greedily, [...], were poured out, 'tis a metaphor taken from a River overflowing the banks, or from a thing poured out from a Bucker, with a full current or stream.

Now from hence Observe,

1. That the Devil en [...]iceth his slaves to divers sins; as toObservat. 3. the malice of Cain, so to the covetousness of Balaam.

[Page]2. That men are usually carried into errours by the bait of Observat. 4. gain and worldly profit, 2 Pet. 3. 3. Through covetousnes shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you; that which is the root of other evils, is often the root of Heresies or sect making: souls are a precious commodity, Christ thought them worthy of his own blood, but seducers count them cheap ware, for their own gain and worldly interests, they care not how they they betray souls; yea, Christ himself is sold by them as Judas purchased a field with the reward of iniquity, Acts 1. 18. Oh then beware of covetousness, 'tis a great snare; a covetous man, the Devil hath him upon the hipp, and how far, or whither he will carry him, he cannot tell: Balaam had many good gifts, God is said to have put words into his mouth, Numb. 23. 26. he asked councel of the Lord, loath to go; yet covetousness by degrees wrought upon him.

3. From the word [...], Men sin with full bent of Observat. 5. heart, a [...]d are carried out violently against all restraints of conscience; as Balaam, notwithstanding the checks and disappointments which he met with in the way; The dumb Ass forbidding the madness of the Prophet, 2 Pet. 2. 16. yet was still hurried on by the violent impulsions of his own lust, and greedy desire of reward; so the Apostle speaketh of some that work uncleanness with greediness, Eph. 4. 19. The motions of lust are rapid and violent, we are in earnest when we do the Devils work; a stone runneth down-hill with a swift motion, because of its propension and tendency that way: Oh when shall we learn to serve God as we have served Satan; our work is better, our wages better, and our Master best of all: When shall we pour out our hearts▪ in prayer, as we do in sin? In the business of Religion we act with a great deal of dividedness and partiality; our evil works are meerly evil, but our good by no means can be purely good.

4. Again observe. That covetousness is a violent, headstrong lust; you would think uncleanness is most violent, asObservat. 6. having a rage, and a passionateness in it, it is so; but covetousness is more strong, as engaging not only the lighter [Page] part of the affections, but the will it self, 1 Tim. 6. 19. He that will be rich, &c. fits of lust are earnest for the present, but this is the constant and more deliberate bent of the heart towards that which is evil; watch the more, that your feet be not taken in this snare.

The last instance is, [perished in the gainsaying of Corah] this is produced to note their factious practises; you have the story of him, Numb. 16. being overcome with ambition, he would take upon him the Priesthood; he and his accomplices made head against Moses and Aaron, but he perished in the attempt; and so will these likewise that rise up against Magistracy and Ministry, as surely as if it were already accomplished; and therefore though they were not as then born, yet they are said to perish when Corah perished: From hence note.

That ambition breedeth faction, hence Corah gainsayed; Observat. 7. Diotrephes loveth the preheminence, and therefore troubled the Church, in the 3 Epistle of John 10. All stirs begin first in our own lusts, men are discontented with their estate, would be higher, and therefore break rank: Lanctantius observeth of the troubles of his age, thus. Fuerunt quidam nostrorum vel minus stabilitâ fide, vel minus docti, vel minus eauti; qui dissidium facerent unitatis & ecclesiam dissiparent, sed ij quorum fides fuit lubrica, cum deum nosse se & colere simularent, augendis opibus & honori studentes, affectabant maximum sacerdotium, & a potioribus victi, secedere cum suffragatoribus suis maluerunt quam eos ferre prae positos, quibus concupiebant ante praeponi, &c. Lactant. de vera sapientia lib. 4. to cap. 30. 'tis an excellent thing to be contented with our own station; Jesus Christ was chadal ischim, Isa. 53. 3. the leaving off of men, or contented to be in the lowest rank, if God hath denyed thee any condition in the world which thou affectest, thou art not worthy of it, or it is not fit for thee, &c.

2. Observe, Ambition that carrieth men against Ministry Observat. 8. carrieth them against Magistracy also: Corah and his companions rose up against Moses and Aaron, the Church and Common-wealth, are like the soul and the body; the one [Page] fareth the better for the welfare of the other; and seditions spirits will brook no restraint, let them alone in the Church, and they will soon disturb the State also. But of this before, verse 8.

Once more, The levelling humour is no new thing in the Observat. 9. Church of God; their plea was, Numb. 16. 3. all the Lords people are holy, or Saints, and why should any be set over them? let us beware then of that parity which some affect; there must be Rule and Superiority, or all will come to nought: God made the world to consist of Hills and Valleys, and in Church and State there must be Governours, and governed, Teachers and taught; 'tis Corahs sin to invade Offices without a call, and to destroy that Order which God hath established.

Again Observes Schisms and factions in the Church, bring Observat. 10. destruction in the end: Those that made a cleft in the Congregation, the earth cleaved to swallow them up; Christ saith, Woe be to that man by whom offences come, Mat. 18. 7. 'tis sad to take offence, but worse to give it, all the mischief that ensueth will be reckoned to your score; surely men would be more tender in this Point, if they did but think of, the punishment that sensibly overtaketh the disturbers of a well ordered society.

Again Observe, The Scripture speaketh of things to come Observat. 11. as already past, for 'tis said, these perished, &c. so Rev. 14. 8. Babylon is fallen, is fallen, what is threatened is as certain as if it were already accomplished; so also for promises, you have the mercy, if you have the promise; by Gods word all things were created and do subsist: Let it be, was enough to make a world, when God saith in shall be, is not the thing sure, though unlikely? hath Gods word lost any thing of its creating power? God counteth our work done, when but intended, Abraham offered, &c. Heb. 11. 17. Well then, let us be able by faith to see the ruin of wicked men when they reign most.

Lastly Observe, Wicked men may read their destruction in Observat. 12. the destruction of others that sinned before them: They transgress the same Law, and God is as tender of it as ever; and [Page] there is the same providence to take vengeance, which is as mighty as ever; and they act out of the same lusts which God hateth as much as ever, sin is not grown less dangerous now in the latter days, surely then a man would think the old world should grow wiser, having so many presidents: Pride may see its downfall in Nebuchadnezar, sedition in Corah, Rebellion in Absalom, violence in Cain; painted adulterousness in Jezebel, disorders in worship, in the fall of the Bethshemites, the breach made upon Ʋzziah; the usurping of sacred Offices without a Call may see its danger, in the leprosie of Ʋzziah: there is searce a sin of the pestilent influence, of which we have not some example, which is set up like a mark in the way, in effect saying, Take heed, enter not here, it will prove your ruin and destruction; or Look upon me and be godly.

12

VERS. XII.‘These are spots in your Feasts of Charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear. Clouds they are without water, carried about of winds, Trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit twice dead, plucked up by the roots.’

IN the former Verse the Apostle setteth them forth by examples, in this by similitudes: Let us go over the expressions a part, as the Text offereth them [These are spots in your Feasts of Charity] [...], the word also signifieth Rocks, but is fitly here rendered spots, for 'tis in Peter, [...], 1 Pet. 2. 13. spots they are and blemishes—so he called them as being in themselves defiled, and to others disgraceful: or because defiling with their presence, and infecting by their example, [in your Feasts of love or charity] these were Suppers used in the primitive times, either to manifest their brotherly union, or for the comfort and refreshing of the poor in obedience to Christs Injunction. [Page] Luke 14. 12, 13. though little observed for the ends for which they were at first appointed; divisions being hereby nourished, 1 Cor. 11. 21. each faction by themselves taking their own supper, and the poor excluded, 1 Cor. 11. 22. Some dispute the lawfulness of them, it being an addition to the Lords Supper, taken up in imitation of the Heathens, and blasted by Gods providence in the very beginning, never approved, and (it seemeth) but slightingly spoken of: Your love Feasts, saith our Apostle; however, they might be lawfully used. Tertullian sheweth a lawful use of them in his time, Tert. in Apol. cap▪ 39. Coimus in Caelum ut ad Deum quasi manu faustâ, &c. We meet together (saith he) that by an holy conspiracy we may set upon God by a force that is welcome to him, where prayers are made, and the Scriptures opened; and after this meeting a Supper began with prayer, Non prius discumbitur quam oratio ad deum praegustetur editur quantum esurientes capiunt bibitur quantum pudicis est utile; and their discourses were such as did become the ears of God, and after washing they sang a Psalm, and so soberly departed: Now these sensual persons did defile the love Feast, the infamy of their lives being a scandal to the meeting, and the Church far'd ill for their sakes, for Peter maketh them to be spots, not only for their disorderly cariage at the meeting it self; but because of their constant course, 2 Pet. 2. 13. They count it pleasure to riot away the day time: Partly by their undecent words and actions, when the Christians were met together, giving up themselves to excess, 1 Cor 1. 21. some are drunken, and libidinous practises, for this was frequent in the meetings of the Gnosticks.

Observe hence, That sensual persons are the spots of a Christian society; they are not only filthy in themselves, but bring a dishonour upon the whole Church, whereof they are members, Heb. 12. 15. Take heed lest any root of bitterness spring up amongst you, whereby many may be defiled; now what that root of bitterness is he sheweth you, vers. 16. Lest there be any fornicator or prophane person as was Esau, who sold his Birthright for a mess of Pottage. When any root springeth up, or breaketh out into a scandalous action, the whole [Page] society is defiled, therefore it sheweth that such are discovered, for otherwise we should turn a Church into a Stye, their spot is not as the spot of his children, Deut. 32. 5. they have not Gods mark, but Satans: Calvin observed, that nothing doth mischief the Church so much as remisness, and kindness to wicked men; partly as they do infect by the taint of their evil examples, and partly as they bring infamy upon the Body; therefore cut off these ulcerous members: Again, we learn that the purest Churches have their spots: In Christs Family there was a Divel, John 6. One of you is a Divel: You would be scared to see a Divel come among you; every malicious sinner is a Divel, and every sensnal sinner is a Beast; such may now and then creep into the Church, but they should not be allowed there; they that put off the nature of man, are unfit for the communion of Saints; these are spots to be washed off: Holiness is the Churches Ornament, Psal. 93. last▪ Holiness becometh thy House, O Lord, for ever. Again, they that are in a Church should be the more careful; you defile your selves else, and the society whereof you are members; yea, your miscarriages reflect upon Christ himself: Carnal Christians carry up and down in the world the picture of the Divel, and put Christs name upon it, and so expose it to scorn and derision in the world. 'Twas an old complaint of the Gentiles, mentioned by Cyprian in his Book de duplici Mar [...]yrio, the words are these, Ecce qui j [...]ctant se redemptos a Tyrannide Sathanae; qui praedicant se mortuos mundo, nihilo minus vincuntur a cupiditatibus suis, quam hos quos dicunt, teneri sub regno Satha [...]ae, quid p [...]odest ill [...]s Baptismus, quid prod [...]st Spiritus sanctus, cujus arbitrio dicunt se temperari? &c. So in Salvians time, the Heathens were wont to upbraid the Christians thus, Ʋbi est Catholica Lex quam credunt? Ʋbi sunt Pi [...]ta is & C [...]sti atis exempla quae discunt, Evangelia lgunt & impudici sunt, Apostolos audiant & ineb [...]iantur, Christum sequu [...]tur & capiunt? &c. They talk of an holy Christ, and yet are unjust unclean, wrathful, covetous; of a meek patient Christ, and yet are rapacious and vi [...]lent; of holy Apostles, and yet are impure in their conversations: [Page] Our Author goeth on thus, Sancta a Christianis [...]ierens [...] sancta Christu [...] do [...]isset▪ aestimari a culioribus potest iste qui colitur, quomodo bonus magister cujus tam m [...]los [...]sse videmus Discipulos: If their Christ were an holy meek Christ, they would be better. Now judge you whether such wretches be not spots both to Christ and the Church, a disgrace to Head and Members; therefore all Church members should be more watchful and circumspect than others, le [...]t they give occasion to those that watch for their halting, to speak evil of the way of God.

The next clause is [When they feast with you.] The word signifieth, to feast liberally together: this is added, to shew, that they perverted the nature of the meeting, and made that an action of Luxury, which was at first an action of charity; in the Feasts of the godly there was moderation and temperance, but these were blithe and jocund, filling their paunches at the charge of the Church: What we translate feasting with you, others read feasting upon you; and Peter 2 Pet. 2. 13. Sporting themselves with their own deceivings, while they feast with you: that is, by carnal Gospelling, and subtle devices, justifying their own intemperance. Whence note,

That 'tis an odious filthiness to make Religion serve our Observat. 2. bellies, and to turn charity into luxury. This is here charged upon them, and often practised in the world, Rom. 16. 17. They serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; Christ hath the name, but the belly the respect: so Phil. 3. 19. whose God is the belly. When men aim at nothing but their own ease and pleasure, they set the belly in Gods stead: Among the Papists, Religious houses are but so many s [...]yes of filthiness; and the charity of well meaning persons diverted, to feed the luxury of a few slow-bellies: Well then, those that live upon Church maintenance, should be the more sober and temperate; though a double portion will well become them that take double pains, yet you should take heed of luxury, that you may not be corrupted with ease, that you may have enough for charity; that you may silence the clamours of the world, your temperance and [Page] sobriety should be known to all men. Paul giveth such an account of his life, as will shame most ministers when they think of it, 2 Cor. 11. 27. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness; and Paul had his enforced fasts, his voluntary fasts, notwithstanding his great pains; our lives should carry some proportion; we do not always suffer persecution▪ but we should stil have a weaned heart in the fullest estate that doth befal us: certainly maintenance would be more cheerfully given, if well used,

Feeding themselves without fear,] [...], feeding themselves as a Shepherd doth his sheep; it noteth their excess, eating beyond all measure, and without respect to that communion that should be among Saints: they fed themselves, not others; their own bodies, not others souls, Ezek. 34. 2, 3. Ye feed your selves, but the flocks have ye not fed. Whence note,

That at our Meetings and Feasts we should have respect to Observat. 3▪ Christian communion; Not only take in meats, but give out gracious discourses and instructions: Christ when he sate at meat, raiseth their thoughts to a better Banquet, Luke 14. 15. Blessed is he that shall [...]at bread in the Kingdom of God: when the body is fed, let not the soul be neglected; the word of God is [...], the food of souls, it should not be wholly banished from our Tables, at every meal, the divel usually bringeth his dish, when our hearts are warmed with the use of the creature, he setteth our corruptions a working, and we are ready to censure, or to brawl, or jest in an unseemly manner; 'tis but reason that Christ should set his dish upon our Tables also; and it being a solemn time of coming together, we should take occasion to quicken each other to the love of God, and an affectionate remembrance of our Creator, by whose bounty we enjoy what is set before us, that the spiritual appetite may be refreshed as well as the bodily.

Here is yet another word in this clause, [...] [without fear.] The meaning may be either without fear of God, or without fear of the Church, or without fear of the snare in [Page] the creature. If you take the first sense▪ without fear of God, you may either understand it of his presence or judgments. 1. Of his presence, They had no dread of him before whom the Assembly was met. Note thence,

'Tis sinful to sit down at meat, without thoughts of God. Observat. 4. You shall see 'tis said Exod. 18. 12. That the Elders of Israel did eat bread with Moses his father in law before the Lord; that is, in his presence: when thou art eating bread, thou art before the Lord; as the Psalm 145. 15. eyes of all things look up unto him for meat in due season, so are Gods eyes upon us, upon our carriage and behaviour, therefore still retain a dread of his presence; the fear of God is a grace that is never out of season: Be thou in the fear of God all the day long; not only in the morning, when immediately employed in acts of worship, but in thy shop, at thy meals; as the lungs are in continual exercise whether we are sleeping or waking, so are some graces: Who is it that giveth us food and gladness? Acts 14. Shall we forget God, when he remembreth us most? The Lord forbid; when his creatures▪ are in our hands, let his eye be in our thoughts, Deut. 8. 10, 11. when thou hast eaten, and art full, beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, 'twill be a good curb to our loose and vain affections.

2. Without a fear of his judgements. Thence note, That Observat. 5. riot and voluptuous living, bringeth a brawn upon the heart, and men that are given up to a luxurious course, grow secure. They that did drink wine in bowls, did put far away the evil day, Amos 6. 3. that is, all thonght and sense of approaching judgements: When Jerusalem was grown riotous, she grew careless; and therefore God biddeth the Prophet, to eat his bread in trembling, Ezek. 18. 22. well then, avoid immoderation in carnal pleasures, as you would avoid security and hardness of heart. We lose our tenderness, by bathing and steeping the soul in these delights; Epicures are past feeling, Eph. 4. 19. and the Wanton is said to be dead while she liveth, 1 Tim. 5. 6. Wine and women take away the heart, Hos. 4. 11. as they do extinguish every spark of conscience, and abate of the vigour and tenderness [Page] of our affections: 'Twas and 'tis the opinion of Libertines, that 'tis perfection to get the victory of conscience, and to live as we lift, without any trouble and sense of danger, possibly such a thing may be aimed at here; 'tis the perfection of sinning (I confess) to do evil, and then to choak the Conscience with carnal pleasures, that we may not fear evil.

2. You may expound it, without fear of the Church then assembled, in such an holy meeting they were not awed from riotous practises: Whence Note,

That sensuality maketh men impudent. Partly becauseObservat. 6. where spiritual sense is gone, shame is gone; partly because when the bodily spirits are warmed with wine and meat, men grow bold and venturous; Solomon saith Prov. 23. 33. the drunkards heart shall utter perverse things; in such a case men take a liberty to speak or do any thing that is unseemly: I do not exclude this sense, because Peter in the paralel place maketh them all along presumptuous and sensual, 2 Pet. 2. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.

3. You may expound it, without fear of the snare in the creatures. Whence observe,

In the use of pleasures and outward comforts there should Observat. 7. be much caution. When Jobs sons feasted, he falleth to sacrifice, l [...]st they should have sinned against God, Job 1. 5. 'Tis good to be jealous of our selves with an holy jealousie, lest unawares we meet with a snare in our Cup, or Dish: At a feast there are more guests then are invited, evil spirits haunt such meetings, they watch to surprize us in and by the creature, and therefore we should watch, especially if we be given to appetite, then put a knife to thy tbroat, as Solomon saith, that which is sweet to the palate, may wound the souls, and gluttony may creep upon good men before they are aware, as Austin confesseth, that he was far from drunkenness but crapula nonnunquam surrepit servo [...]uo; somtimes he would eat too much, but (saith he) Lord thou hast now taught me to use my meat as my medicine, to repair nature, not to oppress it; an holy course, and to be imitated: Christians you may think it needless that we should [Page] speak to you about your meat and drink, as if the light of Conscience were pregnant and active enough to warn you in such cases: Oh! but you cannot be too cautious the throat is a slippery place, and a sin may get down ere you are aware: Christ did not think it needless to warn his own disciples of excess, Luke 21. 34. Take heed to your selves, lest ye be overcharged with surfetting and drunkenness, &c.

The next clause is [Clouds. They are without water, carried about of winds] Here now comes in an heap of similitudes to express their vain arrogancy and oftentation, in professing themselves to be far above what indeed what they were; though they were unapt to teach, and to every good work reprobate, yet they gave out as if they were illuminate men, and of an higher attainment than others. The first similitude is in these words [ [...], clouds without water.] Aristotle called barren and light clouds, such as are carried up and down with the winds, [...]; and to these are the Seducers likened; because, though they seem to look black, and promise rain, yet they do not give us one drop, one wholesom notion that may occasion more light in the understanding of saving Doctrine, or any further relief for the poor thirsty conscience▪ or any more2 Pet. 2. 17. forcible excitement to the practise and power of godliness: The Apostle Peter hath two similitudes, Wells without water, and Clouds carried about with a tempest, but here they are contracted into one; if you will have the holy Ghosts own comment upon this similitude, see Prov 25. 14 He that boasteth of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain: That which is observable is:

1: That the word of God is like a moystening rainy cloud, Observat. 8. Deut. 32. 2. My doctrine shall distil like the dew, and my▪ speech like the small rain; among the Hebrews the same word signifieth to teach and to rain; Well then▪ let us as parched ground, wait for the droppings of Gods clouds: in this time of drowth, when you go abroad into the fields, you shall see the grass burnt, and turned into stubble, and the earth gaping for a refreshing, and with a silent eloquence begging for the influences of the Heavens, every [Page] chap is a mouth opened to swallow up the clouds as soon as they fall, or a cry to the God of Heaven for a little rain; just so should you come to wait upon God in the word; My soul desireth after thee as a thirsty Land, Psal. 143. 6. Oh for a little refreshing from the presence of the Lord in his Ordinance; promise your selves also that from the word which you would from rain, Isa. 55. 10, 11. this is the means by which the grace of God soaketh into the heart to make it fruitful.

2. False Teachers are Clouds without rain; 'Tis the proposition of the Text; Partly because they make shew ofObservat. 9. more then they have, they boast of a false gift, Prov. 25. 14. There is a great deal of shew to affect the minds of the simple, but little of substance and truth, like boxes in the Apothecaries Shop, that have a fair Title, but no Medicine in them; much pretence of light and spirit, and when all comes to all, there is nothing but pride and boldness: Aperiunt fontes doctrine, sed non habent aquam scientiae; they will adventure to rain, when they have but a few heat drops, a few poor fragments of truth, which being disguised and transformed into some strange conceits, are cryed up for rare mysteries and attainments: However, thus much we learn from them, That 'tis seducer-like, to promise more then we can perform, and to be much in the pretence, when we have little of real and true solid worth. Partly because they do not that good to others which they promise to do; Satan will always be found a lyar, 'tis the property of his instruments to beguil men into a false expectation: Papists cry up their Masses and Indulgences, which yet do not one penny worth of good: Preachers that study pomp and edification come with much fancy and appearance; but alass these airy notions are too fine for the conscience; seducers pretend to some heights of discovery, as if they would carry you into the third Heaven, but you are where you were at first; they promise you hidden Manna, rare discoveries of Christ; but is your heart the better? two things they never do, which may be explained by two properties of rain: Namely, Refreshing the earth and making it fruitful.

[Page]1. Refreshing the earth, Do they offer any Doctrine that will give the conscience solid comfort and relief in distress? here you will find them barren Clouds; the Locusts tormented the dwellers on earth▪ Rev. 9 5. they tickle the fancy for a while, but when you come to dye, and are serious, you must return to the old truths to find rest for yourIer. 6. 16. souls; your fancies then are like the Brooks of Teman consumed out of their place: when Pharaoh was under any trouble, Moses and Aaron must be sent for, his Magicians could not satisfie him nor ease him.

2. To make the earth fruitful, do you find holiness improved by their Notions, 2 Pet. 2. 19. They promise liberty when you are the servants of corruption; they promise a new way of mortification, but still your bondage under your lusts is increased.

Again in the third place, false Teachers are light, easily driven up and down in various motions: Carried about of winds 'tit said in the Text, sometimes with this opinion and sometimes with that; as light clouds yeild to the motion of the winds, the winds are there corrupt passions, lusts, and interests, Eph. 4. 14. Be not t [...]ssed about with ever wind of Doctrine, [...], carried round the Card and compass; when the chain of truth is once broken man is at large, and being taken off from his bottom, left loose to strange contrary winds; we see many scrupulous persons, that at first made conscience of all things, afterward to grow so loose as to make conscience of nothing.

Again, they are as clouds driven with a tempest, so Peter, they do not yeild rain, but breed Factions and Schisms and turbulent Commotions; light Clouds are driven with great violence: Well then, Mark them that cause div [...]sions and off [...]nces, Rom. 16. 17 they are not what they seem to be; you will sind in the end that you get nothing by dancing after their pipe.

We go on with the Verse [Trees whose fruit withereth, twice dead▪ pluck [...]d up b [...] the roots] this is the second similitude; here are four Properties of evil Trees reckoned up by way of Gradation▪

[Page]The first is [Trees whos [...] fruit withereth] let us first look to the Grmatical interp [...]etation of these words, and then the sense and accomodat [...]on of them: [...], the vulgar readeth [...]bores Autumnales Lethifer Autumnus Juvenal., in Autum things begin to decay and Trees loose both fruit and leaves, and so would some explain it like trees that loose their leaves in Harvest time, and bring forth no fruit: some go another way making it an allusion to a particular experiment of young plants, who if they flowre at Autumne, husbandmen take it for a sure sign that they will dye: But simi [...]itudes are taken from things usual and known; I suppose therefore the Apostle useth the word in its native and original signif [...]cation, 'tis derived [...], from corrupting fruits, and the mean [...]g is, they bring forth no fruit but what is rotten and withered; and so 'tis applyed to these seducers, whose lives were not full of good fruits; they pretend much, but what fruits do you find? more Holiness, true Mortification, Strictness, Piety to God, or Equity and Mercy to men? nay rather all manner of bruitishness disobedience to civil powers, neglect of God, abuse of Gospel, contempt of their Betters, &c.

Observe, Corrupt Doctrine produceth corrupt fruits: Observ. 10. Principles have an influence upon the life and conversation, our Saviour directeth us to this way of scrutiny and tryal, Mat. 7. 16 By their fruits you shall know them; How can that be since they do easily counterfeit an holiness; ' [...]i; said before, they come in sheeps cloathing. I Answer, Pretences will not last lo [...]g; observe them narrowly, and you will find the wolf breaking out; I, but may not a good way be promoted by men of an ill life? Answ Look to the See Dr Hammond pract. Cat. p. 14 [...]. 145. fruits of the Doctrine, if it hath no influence upon strictness, but be only curious, and tend to foment pride, malice, envy▪ sedition, and turbulent practises, and contempt of Superiours, certainly 'tis naught, who ever brings you that Doctrine, what ever holyness they pretend in other things: on the contrary side, the wisdom that is from above, is full of good fruits, J [...]mes 3. 17. Mercy, Justice, Piety, Strictness, meekness, &c. The Lord sealeth the integrity of faithful [Page] Teachers by guiding them to holiness; and by his judgements suffereth Hypocrites and Seducers to discover their filthiness and shame, that they may be manifested to the Congregation, Prov. 26: 26. Holiness hath been the usual badge of truth, and the professors of it, when watched have been in no point liable to exception, but in the matter of their God. Pliny could find no fault with the Christians, but that they worshipped one Christ, whom they owned for a God, and had their Hymns Antelucanos, their morning meetings, and Songs of praise to him: one of the Notes by which the inquisitors of the Waldenses descryed them, was that they were sobrii & modesti vultu & habitu, of a sober deportment, and modest garb: But may not seducers put on a demure garb, as Swenckfield, prayed much, lived soberly, but his Doctrine tended to looseness, destroyed the person of Christ, &c. I Answer as before, you must consider the aim of the Doctrine, which is not always to be discovered by the life of the first br [...]acher of the errour; Satan may transform himself into an Angel of light; to set on a design of darkness, paint will in time wear away. Cito ad naturam ficta reciderunt suam, 2 Tim. 3. 9. They shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be made manifest to all men, they begin with great shews at first to gain credit and entrance, but a discerning eye may find the deceit, and in due time God will discover them to the Congregation: Well then, trye ways and persons by this Note,

1. Ways, men do not easily teach point blank contrary to their manners, surely the Devil would not assist to bring holiness in fashion, and promote Christian practice; observe the fruits and evils both of their lives and Doctrines, in two cases 'tis a pure Note: 1. When there is a fair compliance between principles and practises, if neglect of God, mutinous practises, fraud, injustice, contempt of civil dignity, be the very aim and design of the Doctrine, and accordingly men live, this is of the Devil. 2. If it be so generally, and in the most zealous of this way, some men are of a reserved temper, not disposed to gross and sensual wickedness, and so can counterfeit the better; and possibly▪ [Page] so much of truth as they do retain, in the midst of their errours may somewhat operate to sanctification; [...]d on the other side, a true way may be prejudiced if we should look to one or two, a street is not measured by the sink and channel, but if it be usual, and for the most part so, then their principles are corrupt. 3. We may not be always inticed to a course of weakness, or gross wickedness; if it be to a dead powerless course, or formality, if it weaken the life and power of godliness in you, from such turn away, 1 Tim. 3. 5. your love to God, and delight in God, and converse with him in the spirit, is forcecibly lessened, fear the influence of such an opinion.

2. You may judge Persons by it, especially your selves; where ever there is grace, there will be fruits of grace, and corrupt fruits shew a naughty tree; if the clusters be clusters of Sodom, and the grapes grapes of Gomorrha, it sheweth the Vine was of that race and kind. Eph. 5. 9. The fruit of the spirit is righteousness, goodness and truth; the Apostle instanceth in such fruits as concern civil commerce; partly because by these we adorn our profession, and set it off to others; partly because here we have a frequent tryal, these graces being of a daily use and exercise.

But I would rather apply it, by way of Exhortation to those that profess the truth, to honour it in their lives; let your Manners be Orthodox, least you expose the ways of God to suspicion, Mat. 3. 8. Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, [...], beseeming the change of your minds.

2. The next evil property is [...], without fruit, andObservat. 11. in the Application it implyeth that they bring no honour to God, no good to others, neither are they wise for their own souls: To be barren and unfruitful under a profession of Christ, is a signe of great Hypocrisie; he that hid his Talent is called a naughty servant, and because of his unprofitableness cast into utter darkness Mat. 25. A Vine is good for nothing if it be not fruitful, not so much as to make a pin in the wall Now God compareth Israel to an empty vine, Hos. 10. 11. because they poured out all their strength, [Page] and time, and care upon their own interests: Well then Be not barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. 1. 8: Grace is an active thing where it is, it will shew it self; garden trees must not be like the trees of the forrest, if you would be fruitful.

1. You must be planted with a right seed; a wild vine will yeild but wild grapes: The Trees of righteousness are of the Lords own planting, Isa. 61, 3. and when you are grafted into the Noble Vine, Christ Jesus, then are you loaden with Clusters, like the Vine of Eshcol, John 15. 2. In me ye shall bring forth much fruit.

2. There must be good husbandry and culture, Isa. 5. 2. 3 Psal. 13. 14. Planted in the Courts of God, &c. thats the kindly soil; good fruit needeth the manure of Ordinances, wild plants grow and bear of their own accord.

3. This fruit must be ripe, not buds and blossoms, but fruit; you must not be almost, but altogether; there must be not only the flowers and leaves of profession, but the solid works of godliness; 'tis said here, trees without fruit, but 'tis not said here, trees without leaves, see Iohn 15. 4. here are branches in the Vine that are only Pampinarii.

4. Fruit is for the owner, the profit of trees returneth to the husband man and master, see John 15. 8. and Phil. 1. 11. the spiritual life beginneth in God, and its tendency is to him: God must have the glory of all, but you shall not be without the comfort of it, Rom. 6. 22. Ye have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life, the grave is but a winter, it taketh off your leaves and verdure for the present, the sap and life remaineth in the roots.

The next evil property taken from trees, and applyed to men, is [ [...], twice dead] if you apply this to the trees, they may be twice dead, either in regard of fruit, as a barren thing is said to be dead, as the deadness of Sarahs womb, Rom. 4. 19. Or in regard of substance, rotten, and like doaty trees, growing worse and worse; or twice dead, by an Hebraisme, very dead, as double is put for much; but now if you look to the reddition of this similitude, these seducers are twice dead, both in regard of their natural estate, [Page] dead in trespasses and sins, and their Apostasie, or decay of that life which they seemed to have by the grace of the Gospel: wilful defection making their case incurable, Heb 6. 5, 6. 2 Pet. 2. 20.

Now in this description you may observe a gradation, 1. Whose fruit withereth. 2. Without fruit. 3. Twice dead. First bad fruit, and then leaves, and then rottenness. Note,Observat. 12 That deceivers and hypocrites grow worse and worse: you have it from the Apostle Paul also, 2 Tim. 3. 13. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived; they deceive others, and the divel deceiveth them; the two states are now at a stay, wicked men grow worse and worse, and godly men grow better and better: observe then which way is your progress and growth; the glory of the Lord in Ezekiel, departed by degrees, first, from the holy place, then from the Altar of burnt offering, then the threshold of the house, then the City, then the mountain which is on the East side of the City; it stood hovering there as loth to be gone: So the Spirit of God doth not all at once depart from men, but by degrees: first men suspect duties, then dispute against them, then shake them off, and then come to beastliness and profaness: Or if you will take the graduation thus, first God is cast out of the Closet, private intercourses are neglected, then out of the Family, then out of the Congregation, and publike Ordinances seem useless things, and then blasphemies, and a profane vertiginous spirit ensueth: first men begin to wrangle, and sceptically to debate matters of Religion, and within a while to oppose the truth, the beginning is foolishness, and the latter end is mischievous madness, Eccles. 10. 13.

Again, I observe, Men that fall off from the profession of Observat. 13 the truth, are twice dead. To natural, they bring on judicial hardness; when they seemed to make some escape from the misery of nature, they relapse into it again, and then their chains are doubled: As a prisoner that hath once broken prison, if taken again, is loaden with irons; Two ways do natural men come to be twice dead, By custom in sinning, and by a revolt from God after they had given their names [Page] to him: By custome in sinning, for by that means they are hardned in their way, and given up to a reprobate minde, so as to lose all sense of sin, Rom. 1. 26. 28. and by revolt from God, those that will after tryal forsake him, no wonder if God leave them to their own choice, to be held under the power of the Divel, by a dark and foolish heart.

There is one clause yet remaining [ [...], plucked up by the roots.] and then trees are past all hope of springing and sprouting again; and so it fitly noteth their incurable Apostacy; in this latter clause is set forth, 1. Their being deprived of all spiritual communion with Christ and his mystical body. 2. Their incapacity to bring forth fruit. 3. Their readiness for burning and destruction. Note,

That barren and corrupt Trees shall utterly be rooted out of Observat. 14 Gods Vineyard: they shall not have a visible abode and standing there: Now this is brought to pass, partly by their own act, 1 John 2. 19. They went out from us, because they were not of us; for if they were of us, they would have continued with us: they separated themselves from the communion of the faithful, to which they did never truly belong, both from the doctrine professed in the Church, and fellowship with them in the use of Ordinances, partly by Gods act, an act of judgement on his part, Rom. 11. 20. for unbelief were they broken off; partly by the act of the Church, by which scandalous sinners are taken from among them, 1 Cor. 5. 13. Put away from among your selves that wicked person: well then, let us walk so, that this heavie judgement may never be laid upon us, let us get a real union with Christ, for then we can never be broken off, you can no more sever the leven and the dough, then a Christ and a Believer, &c. Walk with the more caution, Be not high minded, but fear, 'tis dreadful to be cast out of the true Church; the finger that is cut off from the hand, is also cut off from the head: That censure, if rightly administred against us, should be matter of great sorrow and humiliation to us, &c.

13

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Verse 13.‘Raging Waves of the Sea, foaming out their shame; wandring Stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.’

HEre are two other comparisons, the one taken from raging Waves, the other from wandring Stars: For the first [Raging Waves of the Sea, foaming out their own shame] There is a great deal of variety among Interpreters in the application or accomodation of this similitude, some go one way, some another; Waves are not more various and uncertain in their motions, then they in their expositions; some apply it to their levity and inconstancy, some to their restless activity in sin, some to their turbulency, others to their pride and ostentation; in such uncertainty what shall we fix upon? Two things will direct us, the scope, and the force of the words: The scope of the Apostle in all these similitudes is to shew, that these seducers were nothing less then what they pretended to be: Clouds, but dry barren clouds; Trees, but such as bore either none, or rotten fruit: Waves that seemed to mount up unto heaven, and to promise great matters, as if they would swallow up the whole earth, but being dashed against a Rock, all this raging and swelling turneth into a little foam and froth. So Calvin applyeth it to the Libertines, who scorn and disdain the common forms of speech, and talk of illumination and edification, so that their hearers seem to be wrapt into the heavens, but alas they suddenly fall into beastly errours.

From the scope observe, That spiritual Boasters will certainly Observat. 1 [...]. come short of their great promises: All is but noise, such as is made by empty vessels; in the latter times you are troubled with boasters, 2 Tim. 3. 2. men that boast of depths, and seem to be wise and knowing above the ordinary sort, that will pretend to shew you new ways; a shorter cut to heaven, and rare discoveries of Christ, and Gospel light, [Page] &c. but alas to the issue, they leave you much more the servants of sin then you were before.

But leaue a little examine the force of the words; the whole similitude alludeth to what is said of wicked men in general, Isa 57. 20 The wicked are like a troubled Sea, that cannot rest whose water c [...]st up [...]ire and dirt.

Observe in the first place that they are Waves▪ whichObservat. 2. noteth their Inconstancy, Gen. 49 4. Reuben is as unstable as water▪ water▪ you know) is moveable, soon furled and driven too and fro by the winds, so were these carried about with every wind of Dostrine, Eph. 4. 14. Note thence,

That Seducers are unse [...]l [...]d and uncertain in their opinions; so 2 Pet. 3. 16▪ Ʋnlearned and unstable; if you ask why? Because they are not rooted and grounded in their profession, but led by sudden affection and interests▪ rather then judgement; they are unstable, because unlearned; such as do not proceed upon clear and certain grounds, and those whom they work upon are of no principles, beguiling unstable souls: well then, discover them by their levity, you will never have comfort and certainty in following them, who like weather cocks turn with every winde. Ecebolius is infamous to all ages, see Socrat▪ Scholast lib. 3. cap. 2▪ He was Professor of Eloquence at Constantinople under Constantius, zealous of Christian Religion under Julian a P [...] gan, and when he was dead, he professed Christianity again; but, then he came weeping to the Church [...], Tread upon me unsavoury [...]lt, and cast me to the dunghill, Constantius Colorus▪ though an Heathen both Zozomen and Eusebius give us the story) yet loved constancy and faithfulness in men as to their profession; he made proclamation, that whosoever would not sacrifice, should be discarded, and no more retained in pay with him; but when many false▪ Christians h [...]d renounced their profession for gain, and pre er [...]ing their civil Interests, he would not receive them saving, [...]: How can they keep [...] with their King and Emperour, that would faulter in an higher matter in the business of [Page] their God and Religion, for a small and petty Interest. Much to the same purpose there is a passage of Theod [...]rick King of the Goths, who loved a Deacon who was of the Orthodox profession, though he himself was an Arrian; the Deacon to please the King the more, changeth his Religion, and professeth Arrianism also; but he beheadeth him, saying, [...], If thou hast not kept thy faith with God, how wilt thou preserve a good Conscience in thy duty to men? The story is in Theodoret: Some are meerly Waves, rolling hither and thither in a doubtful uncertainty.

2. Waves of the Sea; There you have their restless activity, they are always tossed too and fro, Jer. 46. 23. The Lord shall trouble Damascus, that she shall become like a fearful Sea that cannot rest, so these cannot rest from evil, 2 Pet. 2. 14. Eyes full of Adultery, that cannot cease from sin. Observe.

Ʋsually wicked men are of an unquiet spirit, restless in evil: Observat. 3. They are acted by Satan, who is a restless spirit, and there is a great correspondency between their activeness in sin, and the importunity of Sathans malice, 1 Pet. 5. 8. He goeth about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour: Now you shall see the like diligence and readiness in his instruments, they walk the divels round, Matth. 23. 15. Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites; for ye compass Sea and Land to make one Proselyte, &c. Blind zeal leadeth on men with an incessant rage, to poyson others with their errour, and draw them to their sect: Well then, we may learn diligence from our enemies; Shall they be more busie to pervert the truth, then we to propagate it? Dan. 12. 4▪ Mary shall run too and fro, and knowledge shall be increased: Once more learn, that 'tis a signe of a naughty heart to be restless in sin, Prov. 4. 16. They sleep not unless they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken from them unless they cause some to fall.

3. Raging waves of the Sea, there you have their turbulency, they fill all places with troubles and strifes.

Wicked Seducers are usually of a turbulent and impetuous Observat. 4. [Page] spirit. Why? Because they are urged by their own pride and vanity, and have lost all restraints of modesty, and are usually (as to their constitution) of violent and eager spirits: Well then, be not born down with impudence and rage, there may be during attempts, and much resolution in an ill cause: Besides, 'tis an hint to the Magistrate to look to seducers betimes, for they are raging waves.

4. The next expression is [foaming out their own shame,] as a raging sea casteth up mire and dirt; or it alludeth to that scum and froth which the Waves leave upon the rocks, and so it noteth the abominab [...]eness of their opinions and practises. Whence note,

That though Errours come in blushing, and with a modest Observat. 5. dress, yet usually they go out of the world with a great deal of shame. They dash against the rock upon which the Church is built, and what is the issue? They are covered with froth and foam; 1 Cor. 3. 13. The day shall declare it, that is time, whose daughter truth is; have a little patience, and you shall see, that all that is but hay and stubble, which is accounted gold; when worldly interests are unconcerned, and the heat of contention a little allayed, that men may have more clear discerning, and the world hath had a little more experience of the fruit of false ways and opinions, there will not need any great confutation; evil men will sufficiently bewray their own filthiness: Guicciardine saith of the expedition of Charls the 9th into Italy, that he came in like lightning, and went out like the snuff of a Candle; so errours come in like a raging wave, as if they would bear all before them, but they go out like foam and froth, in scorn and infamy: Well then, observe the fruitlesness of all Sathans attempts; the gates of hell shall not prevail against this Rock, Matth. 16. 18. By the gates of hell, is meant strength and counsel power and policy; for in the gates was their Ammunition, and seats of Judicature: they that seek to slaver the Church▪ or deface the truth, which is the foundation of it, they do but spit against the wind, the drivel is returned upon their own faces: We often betray our trust and faith by our passions; we have not an holy greatness [Page] of mind to look above every trouble; contend for God, but wait upon him; Sathan may prevail a long time, but he can never carry it clearly from Christ: the Arrians had a day of it, but they soon grew infamous for their cruelty and baseness.

We come now to the next similitude [wandring stars,] [...], it may be taken two ways, properly, or improperly. 1. Properly, for the stars which we call Planets, or wandring, though indeed no stars wander less then they do; they have their name from the opinion and common judgement of sense, because they are not carried about the whole circuit of the heavens, but in a shorter orb and course, in themselves they have certain stated motions, and do keep thr just points of their compass; the Sun knoweth his going down, Psal. 104. 2. Improperly, There are a second sort of wandring stars, which Aristotle calleth [...], running and gliding stars; not stars indeed, but only dry exhalations inflamed, which glare much, and deceive the eye with an appearance of light, but soon vanish, and are quenched: Now these glancing shooting stars, do excellently express the quality of these Seducers, who pretended great knowledge, being therefore called Gnosticks, and gave out themselves for illuminate and profound Doctors, but were various and uncertain in their motions, and soon extinguished and obscured. 'Tis notable that the Apostle ransacketh all the elements for comparisons whereby to set them forth; The Ayr, Clouds without water; the Earth, barren rotten Trees; the Water, there he compareth them to raging Waves; the Fire, to wandring stars, which are of a fiery nature: A fruitful fancy can make use of all the world, and a willing mind cannot want objects of meditation. But let us come to observe somthing from this similitude.

The guides of the Lords people should be stars▪ but not wandring Observat. 6. gliding stars. These seducers pretended to be stars, and great lights of the Church (which is the office of the ministers) but were indeed wandring stars, and such as did seduce, and cause to err.

[Page]First, Stars they should be, 1. In regard of the light of doctrine. Matth 5. 14. Ye are the light of the world, thats Christs honour, John 1. 9. but he taketh his own crown, and puts it upon his servants heads, they are the light in a subordinate sense; stars, though not the Sun; he is the original and fountain of all light, and we are used as a means to convey it to others; thus John is called, John 6. 35. a burning and a shining light: He useth our service to dispel the mists of errour, the right of profaness, and the darkness of false worship: you had need prize those whom God hath set over you, they are light, and will 2 Sam. 21. 17 you quench the light of Israel. 2. In regard of the luster of their conversations; 'tis said of all Christians, Phil. 2. 15. that they should shine as lights in this world; they are the bright part of the world, as the stars are the shining part of heaven; as the star directed the wise men to Christ, so they must shine to light others by their example to him, as 'tis required of all Christians, much more of Ministers, who are placed in an higher orb and sphere; alas we are but dim lights, we have our spots and eclipses, but this sets the world a talking.

Secondly, They must not be gliding falling stars, thats charged upon these seducers, a false teacher, and a falling star symbolizeth in three respects. 1. 'Tis but a counterfeit star; so is he an Angel of light only in appearance, 2 Cor. 11. 14. a true Christian should covet more to be▪ than to seem to be; to be light in the Lord, before he is a light in the world; Hypocrites are all for appearance 2. In respect of the uncertainty of its motion; falling stars are not moved with the heavens, but with the motion of the Ayr, hither and thither, and so are no sure direction; so are they unconstant and unstable in the doctrines which they teach, running from opinion to opinion; vagabond lights, that seduce, not direct; as meteors, mislead travellers out of the way. 3. In regard of the fatal issue; a wandring star falleth to the ground, and becometh a dark slime and jelly; so their pretences vanish at length, and they are found to be those that were never enlightned and [Page] fixed in the firmament of God; counterfeits cannot last long, we see stars shoot in the turn of an eye, and Sathans instruments fall from heaven like lightning.

Well then, for a guide to heaven, chuse a star, but not a wandring star; n [...]w light is admired, but it should be suspected rather; usually we are rather for things new than excellent, homini ingenitum est magis nova quam magna mirari, saith Seneca, We gaze more on a Comet than the Sun: check this itch, those that are various, and given to changes, are no lights for you; and if they be not burning and shining lights, avoid them; true stars have influences, they do not only enlighten and fill you with notions, but enflame and stir you to practise.

The last clause of the Text is [To whom is reserved blackness of darkness for ever.] having described them in several Metaphors, he cometh to speak again of their punishment, continuing the last Metaphor, (as some suppose) as garing Meetors after a while vanish into a perpetual night and darkness, and are no more seen and heard of; so these vanish, and are swallowed up of the horrours of eternal darkness: In this threatning three things are noteable. 1. The dreadfulness of the punishment. 2. The sureness. 3. The suitableness of it.

1. The dreadfulness in two circumstances, 1. The nature of it, 2. The duration of it.

1. The nature of it, [...], the blackness of darkness; 'tis an Hebraism for exceeding great darkness, called in the Gospel [...], outer darkness; as being furthest from God the Fountain of life and glory, and so expressing that extream misery, horror and torment which is in Hell. Hell is a da [...]k and dismal region, where men lye deprived of the light of Gods cou [...]tenance; tormented with presence of Devils, and become the burden of their own thoughts▪ calling to remembrance their past sins, and having an active sense of their present pains, and dreadfully looking still for future judgment; but of this See verse 6. on those words, [chains of ever last [...]ng darkness] and ve. se 7. those words [ [...]t [...]rual sire] before▪ Well then, let us not begin our Hell our selves, by shunning Gods presence; by preferring carnal pleasures before [Page] the light of his countenance: by remaining in the night or darkness of ignorance or errour; by darkning the glory of our holy profession▪ through scandalous living; by sinning against conscience, and so providing food for the gnawing worm, or matter of despair to our selves to all eternity; Briefly, let us beware of a dark and doubtful condition, it carrieth too great a proportion with Hell, the more bondage we have, the more fearful looking for of judgment, the more are we like the damned, as the more assured and possessed of Gods love▪ the more like the blessed; joy in the Holy Ghost is the Subburbs of Heaven.

2. The next thing is the duration [The blackness of darkness FOREVER,] Thetorment prepared for the wicked is everlasting, their worm dyeth not, and their fire is not quenched, Mark 9. 44, This is the Hell of Hell, that as the torments there are without measure, so without end; vivere nolunt mori nesciunt, here they might have life and would not, and now would have death and cannot▪ Rev. 20. 10, tormented for ever and ever: Wo alass, 'tis for ever! Poor wicked wretches, whose bodies shrink at the prick of a Pin, or the flame of a candle, how will they endure those endles [...] pains? when their restless thoughts shall have run through thousands of years, they must look for more; the the pains of the damned are eternal: partly because of the greatness of the Majesty against whom they have sinned; we are finite creatures, and so not fit to judge of the nature of an offence against an infinite God; the Law giver best knoweth the merit of sin, which is the transgression of the Law, as a Jeweler knoweth the price of a Jewel, and can best give sentence in the case what he is to pay that hath lost or spoiled it; with man offences of a quick execution meet with a long punishment, and the continuance of the penalty in no case is to be measured with the continuance of the act of sin; Saelus non tempor is magnitudine sed iniqu tatis magnitudine metiendum est: Partly because man sinneth as long as he can, he sinneth in aeterno suo (as Aquinas) and therefore is punished in aeterno Dei; we would live for ever to sin for ever▪ Wicked men are not changed in Hell; melted mettle groweth hard again; the bad theif had one foot in Hell, and yet dyeth blaspheming; their Iudgments are changed not their hearts; they would have dallyed with God longer, greeved his spirit here in the world longer, but that their Candle went out, &c. in Hell the desire of sinning is not extinguished [Page] or mortified: Partly because they despised an eternal happiness, and therefore do justly suffer an eternal torment: Partly because they are in their final estate peace upon earth, Luk. 2. 14. here God is upon a Treaty with us; but there we are beyond a possibility of repentance and pardon. Partly because their obligations to God are infinite, and so their punishment riseth according to the excess of their obligations: Well then, this representeth the folly of sinners, that will run the hazard of eternal torments for a little temporal satisfaction, as he cryed out, For how short a pleasure have I lost a Kingdom? When he had parted with his Soveraignty for a draught of water; so you, out of a desire of present contentment, forfeit Heaven, and run the hazard of the horrours of everlasting darkness; therefore to counter-ballance the violence of a temptation, 'tis good to think of it: Can I dwell with everlasting burnings? if a man be sick in the night, he tumbleth and tosseth and telleth the hours, and wisheth it were day: Oh what will a man do that is h [...]ld under an everlasting night and darkness? We are wont to think a Sermon long, a Prayer long; what will hell be? When conscience shall repeat over the passages of our lives, and remember us of the wrath of God that endureth sor ever? here sin is ever working, all the day it runneth in the mind, all the night it playeth in the fancy; we begin the morning with it, and end the day with it, and in the visions of the night it easily gets the start, and out runneth reason and conscience, there the guilt of it will torment us day and night, and man is ever haunted with his own horrours, and the wrath of God inflicted upon him.

So much for the terribleness of the judgement, now secondly let us consider the sureness of it, [...], 'tis reserved: Observat. 9. Hell sorment is sure, prepared, kept, for the wicked: so Mat. 25. prepared for the Devil and his Angels; Heaven is prepared for the Saints, and they for it; in one place 'tis said, The Kingdom prepared for you; in another, Vessels of mercy aforehand prepared unto glory: so is Hell, fitted for the wicked, and they fit themselves for Hell; God [Page] prepareth the Saints and sitteth them, but endureth the wicked, and beareth with them whilst they fit themselves for destruction, see Rom. 9. 22, 23. Carnal men may lord it abroad for a while, and ruffle and shine in worldly pomp, but the blackness of darkness is kept for them.

3. Observe the suitableness of the judgment to the sin, he saith darkness, not fire: Clouds that darken the truth are justly punished with the mists of darkness for ever, see 2 Pet 2. 17. they that would quen [...]h the true light, are cast into eternal darkness, God loveth to retaliate, that men may read their sin in their judgment here in the world, we may do it in mercy to the Saints; Jacob that came the younger, for the elder, to blinde Isaac, had the elder daughter given him instead of the younger. Asa that put the Prophet in the stocks, was diseased in his feet; but in Hell he doth it for the greater horror to the wicked; they that chuse left hand blessings, Prov. 3. 16 are justly placed with the Goats on the left hand, Mat. 25. he that denyeth a crumb, could not receive a drop; they that cared not for Gods company, are then banished out of his presence, and to those that loved darkness more then light, is the mist of darkness reserved for ever.

14

Verse 14.‘And Enoch also the seventh from Adam, Prophesied of these, saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints.’

THe Apostle urgeth another Argument to imply the destruction of those Seducers; and that is, The Prophesie of Enoch: whether this Prophesie were written or no [...], the same spirit that spake in Enoch inspired our Apostle, if he received it by Tradition, 'tis here made Authentick and put into the CanonVid. Bez. & Estium in loc.; The Jews have some Relicks of this Prophesie in their Writings, and some talk of a Volume extant in the primitive times, consisting of 4082. [Page] lives, called she Prophesie of Enoch; but that was condemned for spurious and Apocryphal: Tertullian saith there was a Prophesie of Enoch kept by Noah in the Ark, which book is now lost, be it so; many good books may be lost, but no Scripture; but most probably, 'twas a Prophesie that went from hand to hand, from father to son; Jude saith Enoch Prophesied, he doth not say 'tis written, as quoting a passage of Scripture: But why should he rather produce Enochs Prophesie, rather then a passage out of the Authentique books of Scripture, where are many such to this purpose. I Answer, 1. It was done by the providence of God, to preserve this memorial to the Church. 2. Because ancient things are more venerable, for by all mens confession those times were most simple and free; partium studio, from factions and partialities, therefore all along the Apostle bringeth instances of the most ancient date.

[And Enoch the seventh from Adam,] that is inclusive, putting Adam for the first; but why is this circumstance mentioned? I Answer, 1. To commend the Antiquity of the Doctrine, the seventh in discent from Adam, intimates that judgment was to be administred by Christ, 2. Some observe a mystery, the seventh person was a Prophet, as the seventh day was holy. 3. I think 'tis to distinguish him from Enoch the son of Cain, who was the third from Adam, as Enoch the son of Seth was the seventh, see Gen. 4. 17. [Prophesied] that Enoch was a Prophet is clear here, and may begathered from Gen▪ 5 2 [...]. where he is said to walk with God, a phrase proper to those that served the Lord in some near way of ministration; 'tis there applyed to Enoch who was a Prophet, and to Noah Gen. 6. 9. who was a Preacher of righteousness, 2 Pet. 2. 5. and to Eli. 1 Sam, 2. 30. who was a Priest [Of these saying] Of these, because of such like, 'tis a general Prophe. sie brought down to a particular case and instance. [The Lord cometh] that is, the Lord Jesus appointed to be the Judge of the world; nay mark it, [Behold the Lord cometh] as putting it before their eyes: [commeth] [...], is [Page] come, that is, he shall as certainly come as if he were come already: the Jews say the great excommunication Maranatha, was instituted by Enoch, the word signifieth, The Lord commeth [with ten thousand of his Saints] it may be rendred with his holy Myriads, or ten thousands, an uncertain number for a certain, that was their highest and roundest reckoning; the meaning is with huge multitudes of Angels and Saints: as the Apostle, 1 Thes. 3. 13. At the coming of the Lord Jesus with all his Saints, Zech. 14. 5. The Lord my God shall come, and all thy Saints with thee, not only the Angels, but the Saints do help to make up the tryumphs of that day.

The Notes are these.

1. That what is spoken in the word in general doth as much concern us as if it were spoken to our own persons; Enoch Prophesied of these, &c. Particulars are comprized in their generals, some Scriptures speak directly to every single person; the Decalogue is most express this way, Thou, thou, &c. as aiming to awaken every one to a sense of their duty, God doth as it were talk with every of our persons imediately: the Gospel indeed speaketh largely, come all yee, &c. as excluding and exempting none out of the hopes of it, yet sometimes the Gospel speaking as particularly as the Law, especially where the condition is annexed to the offer, as Rom. 10. 9. If thou beleevest in the Lord Jesus with thine heart, &c. if you, as speaking to me, if thou, as speaking to thee, and every other man in particular: Well then, though the word speaketh generally, take home your own share, as men cut a passage out of the common River to water their own fields, let not the Scriptures speak in vain, James 4. 5 we are all concerned, when his speech is directed to men of our condition: Psal. 27. 8. Thou saidest seek ye my face, and David sub-sumeth, Thy face Lord will I seek.

2. Prophesie or Preaching the word is ancient, for Enoch the seventh from Adam Prophesied, still some have been set a part for this work; Enoch was a Prophet, and Noah a Preacher of righteousness; 'tis said that in the latter end [Page] of six thousand years, we should be rooting up an ancient Ordinance, that hath stood from the beginning of the world till now; in the old time before the Law, there were some to teach, every master in his family, churches were then in houses, and some special Prophets to instruct in publique, and continue the tradition: under the Law also there were some solemnly set apart for the work of the Tabernacle, and Prophets immediately called to deliver the special messages of God, not only for the instruction of the present age, but to increase the Canon, or rule of faith and manners, even for our comfort; and in Christs time Apostles were added to unvail the figures of the Law, and deliver the Gospel more clearly; and when once the Canon was setled, and enough delivered to make us wise to salvation, some were set apart by the constitution of Christ as Pastors and Teachers to explain and apply Scripture; and though all the Saints be Kings and Priests to God, yet the office ministerial must not be invaded; for as spiritual Kingship is no warrant to disturb the Magistrate, or to wrest the exercise of authority out of his hands, so spiritual Priesthood doth not lay the Ministry in common, but still there must be some set apart for that work; if we grudge at the institution, we repine at Christs bounty to us, and in effect, bid him take his gift to himself, for in the day of his Royalty, or Ascention, he gave gifts to men, some to be Apostles some Prophets, some Pastors, some Teachers, &c. Eph. 4. 11.

3. That the Doctrine of the day of Judgement is ancient, Observat. 3: long since foretold. Enoch prophesied of it, yea the sentence of death pronounced in Paradise did imply it, and the Lords messengers have ever urged the terrour of it: many passages in Moses may be applied to this purpose, Deut. 32. David clearly saith, Psal. 50. 22. I will set thy sins in order before thee; now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. So Solomon, Eccles. 11. 9. Remember that for all these things thou shalt come to judgement. 'Twere needless to tell you of Daniel, Joel, Malachy, Christ, Paul, Peter, John, Jude: [Page] still this truth was pressed in the Church, nay the Lord was pleased to grant some intimation of it to the heathens, [...], &c. in the fragments of the Sybils, in Eusebius by the light of nature the Philosophers had some dark and uncertain guesses at such a thing, Conscience is soon sensible of the truth of it, as Felix trembled when it was mentioned, Acts 24. the ancient judgements of drowning the world, and burning Sodom, were types and forerunners of it: Well then, entertain this doctrine with the more certainty, verum quod primum, that which is first, is true: we are secret Atheists, can a man believe judgement to come, that walloweth in sin and profaness? Our actions are the best image and expression of our thoughts; the Apostle saith, the latter days shall yeild scoffers and mockers, 2 Pet. 3. there may be Atheists in the Church, but there are none in hell, we deny and doubt of that at which the divels tremble, if the Spirit, Scripture, Conscience, Reason will not teach men, there is no other way of learning but by feeling and experience.

Enoch prophesied, the man that walked with God, he could see the day of judgement, though so far off:

Those that have most communion with God, do most discern Observat. 4. his mind. Let a man walk humbly and closely with God, and he is near, not only the root of life, but the fountain of light, Psalm 25 14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him: when the Disciples doubted of any thing, they pointed to him whom Jesus loved, and who leaned in Jesus bosom, John 13. 21, 22, 23, 23▪ those that are in Christs bosom, know his mind; well then, if we would pry more deeply into the things of God, walk humbly and closely with him; there is a promise, John 7. 17. He that will do the will of God, shall know what doctrine is of God: [...]. Naz. Pure souls are soonest enlightned, and they discern most of the Lords counsel, who are not darkned wits Lusts and Interests.

5. From that [Beh [...]ld] he speaketh of this day of theObservat. 5. Lord, as if it were instant, and before their eyes:

We should always real [...]ize the day of the Lord, and represent [Page] it to our thoughts as near at hand. 'Tis the work of faith to give things absent, and at a distance, a present being in the heart of a Believer, Heb. 11. 1. Six thousand years agone Enoch said, Behold he cometh; 'tis not for us to fix the seasons which the Father hath put in his own hands, there may be much of snare and temptation in that; therefore the Apostle Paul reproveth them, that confidently gave it out, that the day of the Lord was at hand, 2 Thess▪ 2 24. [...], instantly to come, * Austin giveth a reason of it thus, ne forte cum [...]ransisset tempus, tempus quo eum credebunt esse futurum de ipsa mercede fidei desperarent; self they should question all, when deceived in the time of their fore-setting; which indeed experience hath verified: In the year of Christ one thousand and one, when many vain opinions and conceits of the end of the world were disappointed, men began publikely to assert, Mundus est incorruptibilis, Bar. ad annum 1001. The faith of all truths is shaken, by the disappointment of a rash confidence: but though we are not punctually to state the time, yet the thing being certein, faith should represent it to the thoughts as actually present, and we should live as if the Trumpet were always sounding in our ears, and the Judge were sate, and the books opened, to put off the thought of that which will one day, and within a short time come about▪ is a spice of Atheisme, Amos 6. 3. for things foretold in the Word should be as certain, and have a like influence upon us, as if they were already accomplished. Behold the Lord is come.

6. From that [with ten thousand of his Saints,] When Observat. 6. Christ cometh to judgement, his Saints come to judge the world with him. When the wicked are filled with amazement, they come in Christs company; partly that the world may know what shall be done to the men whom God will honour, and that Christ may be admired in the glory he putteth upon them, 2 Thess. 1. 10 partly that Christ may make them partakers of the mediatory Kingdom, therefore they are associated with him in judging the world, Matth. 19. 28. their suffrage is required, as approving the sentence of the Judge, 2 Cor. 6. 2. partly for [Page] the greater sorrow of the wicked, they shall be judged by mean men, whom they once hated and persecuted, Psal▪ 49. 12. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, that is of the resurrection, they counted their lives madness and folly, but now they are exalted: partly to make amends for the perverse censures of worldly men, now they are judged every day; counted the off scowring and reproach of men, but then the Lord will clear up their innocency, and they shall sit as Justices with the Judge upon the Bench. Well then 1. Be Saints, if you would have a Saints priviledge; Fellons may be jovial in the Prison, but they tremble at the Bar; they are happiest that have joy and boldness at Christs appearance; when wicked men come like miserable captives, how shall the Saints arise out of their graves like sons of the morning? They and Angels intermixed in the train of Christ, what is wanting here, is richly made up there. 2 Walk as those that shall be associated with Christ in judging the world; walk with Christ now, and you shall come with him then; follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth, when he is crowned at Hebron, he will not forget his old companions, cleave to him, cry not up a confederacy with them, that cry up a confederacy against him; he will say to you, you have been with me in all my sufferings and sorrows, now you shall be with me in my glory, Matth. 19. 27, 28. Again, Judge the world now, condemn them by your lives, as knowing that you shall condemn them hereafter by your vote and suffrage. N [...]a [...] condemned the world, Heb. 11. 7. a serious Christian is a living reproof; a carnal professing hypocrite, justifieth the wicked; ye have justified your sister Sodom, see Ezek. 16. but a sincere Christian condemneth them.

7. From that [with ten thousand of Saints] At Christs Observat. 7. appearance his train shall consist of multitudes of Saints and holy Angels. Now they are but as two or three Berries upon the top of the uppermost bough, scattered here and there, as God hath work and service for them to do, but when they appear together in that great rendezvouz, they are a number which no man can number, see Rev. 5. 11. [Page] and Rev. 7. 9. 'tis a comfort against the paucity and smalness of those that are upright with God; in heaven we shall have company enough, Gods family when it cometh altogether, is very numerous, or rather innumerable, Heb. 12. 23, as the wicked shall be exposed to the fellowship of divels, and persons like themselves, where the company shall add to the torment, so shall we be called to Psal. 1. 5. a great Assembly, and to bear a part with that glorious train which cometh with Christ.

15

Verse 15.‘To execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly amongst them, of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’

HAving described the Judge, with his attendants, he cometh to describe his work, which is to convince, and execute judgement, together with the persons against whom he will thus proceed [All that are ungodly amongst them] as also the grounds and reasons of the Process, because of their ungodly practises, and hard speeches against Christ.

Some say the 14th verse doth only contain the prophesie of Enoch, and that these words are the Apostle's application or explication of it, but improbably, the words running on in a continued sense or form of speech, and the application is at the 16th verse.

[To execute judgement] 'tis an hysteron proteron, the last act is put first, execution before conviction or arraignment, [upon all] that is, upon all such as are here spoken of, upon all the ungodly, for judgement is not executed upon the Saints, but for them. [And to convince] [...], it implyeth such a clear proof, that we see 'tis impossible things should be otherwise at the day of judgement, wicked men [Page] are speechless, Matth. 22. and self condemned [all that are ungodly amongst them] that is, amongst the wicked, and the severity of the process is chiefly bent against those that are ungodly [of all their ungodly deeds] in the Greek, the deeds of their ungodliness; now ungodliness here is not taken in its proper sense for denying God his due honour and worship, but for any opposition against his servants, worship, truth [which in an ungodly manner thy have committed] [...], which argueth the malice spite which they bewrayed in their oppositions and reproaches [and of all their hard speeches] [...], [hard] as applicable to things as well as speeches; our speeches are here intended, as appeareth by the following clause; wicked practises and an evil tongue are seldom severed; that by hard speeches is meant any proud, taunting, cursed, or contumelious language, see 1 Sam. 2. 3. in the Hebrews, and Psal. 94. 4. How long shall they utter and speak hard things, and the workers of iniquity boast themselves [which ungodly sinners] not only sinners, but ungodly sinners, for the greater emphasis, see Psal. 1. 1. [against him] that is, against himself, against his person, or messengers, or truths, ordinances, for what is spoken against any of these, is spoken against Christ himself.

This verse is large, and full of points; but because the doctrine of the day of Judgment hath been already touched upon, and ungodliness opened at large verse 4. therefore the briefer notes will serve the turn.

1. Christs second coming is to judgement; so 'tis said in the Text, He shall come with ten thousand of his Saints to execute judgement. Of his first coming 'tis said. John 3. 17. God sent not his Son to judge the world, but that the world through him should be saved; he came not then as a Judge; but as a Redeemer, offering and procuring grace and life, when we frustrate the end of his coming as a Redeemer, we make way for the end of his coming as a Judge, and he that then came to us, will now come against us.

2. When Christ cometh to judgement, one great part of his work will be, to convince sinners, and that openly, publiquely. [Page] Some think that the whole work will be dispatched in the Conscience, without any audible and external voice, both▪ as to ex [...]mination and sentence; others think the tryal and conviction shall be in the conscience of a sinner, but the sentence audibly pronounced, and because the punishment is too light upon body and soul, the ear is to receive it, as well as the Conscience feel it: I conceive, that conviction, tryal, and sentence, will be all open and publique, though I cannot expresly say, that every particular sin shall be discovered before the whole world, yet enough manifested to shew the sentence just, as their unfaithfulness in their callings, their opposition of God and Godliness, their oppression of his servants, their neglect o grace, &c. with all the circumstances and aggravations of it, as the gracious opportunities and means which they have enjoyed, stirring serm [...]ns, motions of the spirit, checks of Conscience, blessed methods of love and mercy, &c. God keepeth an account of these things; those passages which imply Gods reckoning with his people in the world, are but pledges of what he will do at the day of our last account: now here God taketh exact notice of the long time, and many means which we have enjoyed, as Luke 13. 7. these three years &c. it alludeth to the time of Christs ministry, he was just then entring upon his last half year, as by a serious harmonizing the Evangelists will appear, John 2. 54. This second miracle did Jesus in Canah of Galilee; account is kept of a former: 1 Kings 11. 9.—appeared to him twice, so these 23. years, and J [...]r. 25. 3. all this is remembred and produced to convince the sinner.

This conviction implyeth two things. 1. The opening of the Conscience, Rev. 20. 12. The books were opened, that is, the book of Conscience, and the book of Gods remembrance; the consciences of men shall then be extended to an exact view of all their works and deeds past; 'tis wonderful, but it shall be done by the mighty power of God; for 'tis said here, he shall convince them of all their ungodly deeds, and hard speeches; their works and words are not lost and forgotten, but do follow them into the other world, and stand [Page] in the view of Conscience, challenging the sinner, tu nos See Hosea 7. 2. Psalm 49. 5. egisti, opera tua sumus; sinner, these are the things which thou hast done and spoken, we will not leave thee, but bring thee to judgement; then is that expression made good, Numb. 32. 23. their iniquities shall find them out, our old sins, and carnal practises were long since forgotten and worn out of memory, so that we think we shall never [...]ea [...] of them more, but there they find us out, and pursue us to Christs Tribunal. 2. There is an outward publication and manifestation of all these sins, or of most of them, before the world; for the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 4. 5. hidden things shall be brought to light in that day; that is, not only called to remembrance by the sinner himself, but exposed to the notice and censure of others, as the context there sheweth: so Eccles. 12. 14. 'tis said, secret sins shall be brought to judgment, if only discovered to the conscience of the sinner, they are still kept secret: wicked men are already in a great measure convinc'd, yea & condemnd in their own consciences, 'tis then Gods designe to shame them before all the world, how otherwise shall the suspected innocency of his servants be vindicated, and Saints and Angels applaud the equity of his judgements, unless they have some cognisance of the matter for which wicked men are condemned? Now these sins may be discovered many ways, either by their own confessions, and pitiful complaints extorted from them by the power of God, they shall wail and bemoan their case thus probably, Oh that ever I despised Christ, oppressed his servants, opposed his truth, slighted the seasons of grace, &c. see Rev. 6. 16, 17. or by the sentence of Christ, in the pronouncing of which, there is some repetition of their sins, see Matth 25. 41, 42, 43. and also by the testimony of the good and bad Angels against them: The good Angels and Guardians of the Saints, are sensible of the injuries done to them, and may possibly accuse you to Christ upon that score, Matth. 18. 10. the Divel, who is now a Tempter, will then be an Accuser: One of the Fathers bringeth in the Divel pleading thus, Domine sit meus per culpam, qui tuus esse noluit per gratiam, &c. Lord let him be mine by [Page] sin, who would not be thine by grace; I never died for him, had no heaven to offer him, only a little carnal pleasure or profit, and this was enough to draw him from thee, &c. yea further, the Ministers, and other godly persons, by whose example they have been reproved or condemned, may give testimony against them, John 5. 45. there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, &c. the cries of those whom they have oppressed and wronged, may possibly be renewed, James 5. 4. Abel's blood may cry out against Cain afresh, starved souls may cry out against a lazy Minister, oppressed subjects against a bloody Magistrate, the neglected poor against those that have shut their bowels against them; as on the other side the godly poor that have bin refreshed and relieved by the bounty of the rich, are said to receive them into everlasting habitations, Luke 16. 9. Again, the example of those that have had less means may be produced against them, because they went further in a way of compliance with the Lords purpose, Matth. 12. 41, 42. Others with whom we have sinned may complain of us; Dives was afraid lest his Brethren should come into the place of Torment, Luk. 16. 28. which might be a means to increase his anguish, they sinning by his example; I have produced these suppositions, only to make the conviction at the day of judgement more intelligible and effective.

Again observe, when Christ hath convinced, he will condemn, Observat. 3. and when he hath condemned, he will execute: Conviction now maketh way many times for conversion, but then for confusion; now God killeth, that he may make alive, but then they are presently transmitted and sent into their everlasting estate: Let us imitate the method of Christs process in our judging our selves, let us examine judge, execute, not our selves, but our sins; voluntary acts prevent enforced.

From that [Of all their ungodly deeds, &c.] Observe, That the process of the last day chiefly lieth against the ungodly. Observat. 4. These are expresly mentioned in the Text, unrighteousness is a cause of Gods wrath, as well as ungodliness, Rom. 2. 18. But ungodliness doth chiefly provoke; for the first [Page] part, and chiefest part of the Law, provideth for our duty to God, ex ordine modum, ex loco statum, & dignitatem Tertullian. uniuscujusque praecepti &c. The dignity of every command is known by the command of it; now in the first place, godliness is required, and then righteousness, or a care of moral duties.

If you would know who are ungodly, see the notes on verse 4. where they are described at large, all Atheists, peeuliative and prastical Pagans, sinners that slight the offers of Christ, that neglect communion with God, and are touched with no reverence and dread of his Majesty, all these are ungodly persons, and also all that scof at Religion, and holiness of conversation, that despise the Ordinances of God, oppress and persecute his servants; hate his truths, these are all in the Scripture branded with the same mark, as I could easily shew you, if I l [...]sted to dilate upon this argument.

Now none of these will be able to hold up the head in the day of Judgement, Psal. 1. 5 The ungodly shall not stand in judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for since they hate or neglect God, how shall they be able to look him in the face, or appear among his servants? They that have despised the 1 Tim 3. 6. 1 Tim. 6. 3. mysterie of godliness, how can they expect the reward of godliness? You that mock at godliness, make Duties the objects of your scorn, not your care; how will Christ scorn you at the last day? Well then, if you would have the day of judgement comfortable to you, be not only just and strict, but godly, for godliness is a notion distinct from holiness, 2 Pet. 3. 11. 'tis not enough to do actions just and good, but we must do them upon the sight of Gods will, and with aims at his glory: Holiness implyeth a conformity to the Law of God, but godliness an enlightned respect to his glory, now a Christians whole life should have such a tendency and ordination, for 'tis called a living to God, Gal. 2. 19.

Once more observe, These ungodly men are the rather Observat. 5. judged, because they commit sin with an ungodly mind, or sin with a sinning mind; for so 'tis in the Text; ungodly [Page] deeds ungodly committed: A child of God may fall into wickedness, but he doth not commit it wickedly, with a full consent; men are not condemned for infirmities but iniquities; as a child of God cannot act with such liberty, purity and perfection in the ways of God, as he doth desire, so in the ways of sin he cannot do what he would, nor be carried out with such a full bent and purpose of heart, as wicked men are, because of the opposition of the new nature; to this latter sense is it said, Gal. 5. 17. Ye cannot do the things that ye would, as will appear by a serious inspection of the context: wicked men follow the Derils work with all their might, Micah 7. 3. They do evil with both hands, earnestly, the Lord that is tender of those that sin through infirmity, yet taketh notice to the purpose when men sin for sins sake, and their hearts are largely and eagerly set upon it; those that are discaimed at the day of judgment, are called workers of iniquity, Mat. 7. 23. such as make a business and a trade of it; a godly man doth not so much act sin as he suffereth by it, peccatum patitur non facit, Bernard. He doth not pour out his whole heart this way, there are constant dislikes in the soul, which are a let and restraint to him; usually the sins of the godly are either sins of ignorance, incogitancy, suddain surreption, and daily incursion, if they sin deliberately there is not such a spight and rage, as there is to be found in the sins of the wicked.

From the next clause [and their hard speeches] Observe,Observat. 6. Not only the deeds of ungodly men, but their speeches are brought into judgment; words do not perish with the breath with which they are uttered, no, they remain upon record and we are to give an account of them at the last day, Mat. 15. 36. and James 2. 12. Men are more serious in their actions, but in their speeches rash and inconsiderate, and those that dare not act evil, dare yet speak; Oh consider if Christ did only call us to an account for our actions, and our words were free, 'twere another matter; but he reckoneth with us about our speeches, therefore so speak, and so do, as those that would be judged by the Law of the liberty.

[Page]Once more from thence observe, That of all speeches mens hard speeches shall be produced at the day of judgment: Now what are these hard speeches? I Answ. either such as have anger in them, as Solomon speaketh of the froward mouth and perverse lipps, Prov. 4. 22. when men breath nothing but fire, and drop coals instead of words; or such as have pride in them, or contempt of others, as when we lessen their abilities, insult over their miseries, They speak to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded, see Psal. 94. 4. or triumph over their slipps and failings: this is to pour salt and vinegar into new wounds.

Again, such as have bitterness and malice in them, as calumnies and reproaches, Psal. 64. 3, 4. They bend their bows to shoot their Arrows, even bitter words; By whisperings and clancular suggestions they wound the credit of Gods servants, and so bring them into dis-esteem with others. Well then, be not hasty to utter hard speeches, especially against Gods children, Numb. 12. 8. Were ye not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses? The repetition of these hard speeches will be sad notes to your ears at the last day.

The next Note is, That of all hard speeches those are the Observat. 8: worst which do most directly reflect upon the honour and glory of Christ; for so 'tis in the Text [hard speeches spoken against him,] Now hard speeches against Christ are either blasphemies against either of his natures; the Ebionites denyed him to be God; the Valen inians made him a phantastical man, or a man only in appearance, or murmurings against his providence and regiment of the world: Your words have been stout against me, Mal. 3. 15. When we tax and excuse providence, as if the Lord were blind careless, unjust or injurious in his dealings: The Lord shall not see, he shall neither do good nor evil, how should the most high know? or when we scoff at his word, as these, Jer. 23. 33. The burden of the Lord, the burden of the Lord, everymans word shall be his burden, because the Prophets usually began their Sermons with this Preface, The burden of the Lord, they scoffingly were wont to say, what burden have you for us [Page] to day? Now saith the Prophet, this shall return into your bosoms, your words shall be your burden: So also when we speak against his ways, calling zeal fury, strictness a foolish preciseness, and godliness puritanism: Oh Christians, these hard speeches will cost dear, here or hereafter; Mat. 12. 32. [...] 'tis possible that blasphemy repented of may be forgiven, but when you are brought home to Christ, 'twill cost you bitter pangs, and a sound remorse.

16

Verse 16.‘These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having mens persons in admiration because of advantage.’

HEre the Apostle commeth to make Application, and to prove that these were such as Enoch had described, and therefore liable to the judgment threatned: Here are several things charged; I shall take them in order:

The first thing is, their unsatisfiedness with their present condition, expressed in two words, 1. Murmurers, 2. Complainers.

The first word [...], signisieth such a muttering as men use when they are under a passion and discontent: The other word [...]. signifieth blamers of their lot and portion; namely, of that portion which is set out for them by God; the one implieth their discontented thoughts the other their qeurelous expressions. Note hence,

That murmuring is a great sin; 'Tis so charged hereObservat. 1. upon the Seducers. I shall first shew what murmuring is: Secondly prove that 'tis a great sin.

1. What it is, Or Sibbus. [...] one saith well, it must needs be known because 'tis so commonly practised; but if you will have me describe it, I shall say 'tis the scum of discontext, or the [Page] vent of impatience, or such bold expostulations and complaints as flow from an exulcerated mind: In the Text, you see first men mutter, and then complain, the heart boyleth with impatience, and then the froth is cast out in passionate speeches and complaints: humble complaints are not murmuring, else there would be no room for prayer; but bold expostulations are murmurings, when we complain rather of God then to God, taxing the administration of his providence, as if he dealt too hardly with us; so that in effect murmuring is an anti-providence, first cherished by repining thoughts, and then vented and uttered in bold and uncomely speeches; thoughts are audible with God, but 'tis worse when thoughts are not controled, but break out openly in words tending to Gods dishonour; if the fire be kindled in our bosoms 'tis some kind of victory if we smother it, and will not let the sparks fly abroad.

There are several kinds of murmuring, either against men, or against God, though in the issue all be against God, against God about men.

1. Against men, and so either against our equals or superiours.

1. Equals, when we murmur because they are admitted to the same priviledges with our selves, see Mat. 20. 11. They murmured against the good man of the louse, saying, these last wrought but one hour; so Luk 15. This thy son devoured his living with harlots, &c. and Beza, of some that reproached him with the sins of his unregenerate condition: Hi homines invident mihi gratiam divinam, surely these men are angry because God hath shewed me mercy: there is an envious nature in man, we would all shine alone, and inclose the common salvation; to upbraid men with late conversion is all one as to make it a crime, because they are born but yesterday, 'tis to take up that filth which God would have covered.

2. Against Superiours, especially because invested with Magistracy or Ministry, some men are of a yokeless libertine spirit, will acknowledge no other Law but their own lusts, as in the Text: Murmurers, walking after their [Page] own lusts, think Magistracy to be an incroachment upon their freedom, and therefore cannot away with any established order; and as for Ministry, that all the Lords people are holy, Numb. 16. 3 what need any to be set a part for that work; thus would they level all things in Church and Common-wealth, as those Rebels rose up against Moses and Aaron: but though not against the Office, we may murmur at the persons that are advanced, as if we would teach God how to govern the world, and whom to lift up and cast down: or else by finding fault with their government without a cause; some presumptuovs persons that never learned obedience, are always unsatisfied; 'twas * observed of Egypt, that it was Loquax est ingeniosa in contumeliam praefectorum provincia, si quis forte vitaverit culpam, contumeliam non [...]ff [...]git; many such ungoverned spirits there are that are always traducing publick government, especially when 'tis most faithfully manag'd, and to the discouragement of Opinionists and evil-doers; God will not suffer this evil to go unpunished, Exod. 16 8. and 1 Sam. 18. 7. the calling is his Ordinance, the persons are designed by his providence, and the work concerneth his glory, and therefore God taketh himself to be much interested in the querrel.

2. There is a murmuring which is immediately against God himself, since the fall man is always quarrelling with his Maker, either against his Decrees or his Laws or his Providence.

1. Against his Decrees, proud man cannot endure to hear of Gods absolute Soveraignty, we will do what we will but we will give leave to God to do what he will: The good man of the house was fain to plead his right, Mat 20. 15 Shall I not do with my [...]wn, &c. we can see no reason, why God should pass by one and chuse another; though we can see no reason, 'tis enough 'tis Gods pleasure, Mat. 11. 26. God hath his arcana imperii, as well as earthly Princes, and we have cause to admire what we cannot understand, things may be just, though his reasons appear not to us; God is not bound to give us an account, or to tell [Page] us all his secrets; humane reason groweth giddy by prying into the depth of Gods Decrees; 'tis good to change disputes into wonder and reverence, Rom, 9. 10 Who art thou Oh man that disputest with God? we may chop Logick one with another, the potsheards of the earth with the potsheards of the earth, but Gods prerogative is above the tribunal of our reason.

2. His Laws, a proud creature cannot endure to hear of restraints, we could love other things in God, but not his legislative power, Rom. 8. 7. the carnal mind will never stoop, but complaineth of him as harsh and severe, as if he had forbidden us the satisfying of those desires which he hath planted in us; the Israelites murmured thus, the Land was a good Land, but there were Gyants and Sons of A [...]ak: Numb. 13. 32. the Heaven promised is a good Heaven, but the way is rough and unpastable, duties are difficult and 'tis cumbersome to thwart our lusts; the project of carnal nature is to find out an easie and smooth path to etern [...]l happiness, see Psal. 106 24 25. They despised the pleasant land, they b [...]leeved not his word, but murmured in th [...]ir Tents, Heaven figured by the Laud of Canaan, is not counted worth the pains and difficulty of getting thither.

3. His Providence, in general when the wicked prosper; 'tis a temptation that hath shaken the tallest Cedars in Lebanon; David, though a Steward, he was ashamed of it, and counts it bruitish ignorance Psal. 73. 22. so Jerem. 12. 1. 2, 3. and Habakkuk chap. 1, But let us come to temptations that are of a more particular and private experience: We murmur either for what we want, or for what we have lost, or for what we affect.

First for what we w [...]nt, as soon as we are streightned, we complain presently, this is not so bad as when we murmur out of wan onness, the Israelites (I observe) did sall a murmuring either out of want, and then they were spared, as for want of waters, Exod. 5. 14. for want of meat Exod. 16 2. want of bread, Numb. 20. 3. but at other times out of wantonness; they loathed Manna, must have Quails, but then some special judgment or other brake out upon them; [Page] but however 'tis bad enough, when our necessities extort these complaints from us; want is a time of praying not of murmuring, the Throne of Grace was erected for a time of need, Heb. 4. 16. but 'tis mans usual custome to change duties into sins, as admonition into censuring, instead of speaking to men, we speak of men, so instead of complaining to God, we complain of God, and so make murmuring take the room of prayer. Necessity is a time to put the promises in suit, to try faith, to awaken affections, not to provoke murmurings; I was dumb and opened not my mouth, saith David, Psal. 39. We may open our mouths in confessions of sin, humble narratives pleading of promises, but not in self justifications, stormings against Providence, or words of unbelief and impatience, so we must be dumb and not once open our mouths.

Secondly, For what we have lost, we complain when God taketh away such a child, or such a comfort, or blasteth such a confidence of ours, as our affections were much set upon, and in bitterness of heart speak unworthily of God and his dispensations, see 2 Sam. 18 33. we hate going back a degree or two, and count it miserable to be once happy, &c. but oh Christians remember when any thing is lost 'tis a wonder all is not gone; Job lost all, and yet blessed God, Job 1. 23. Sencea. abstulit sed & dedit, He took, but he gave first: That we were once happy, sheweth we have not always been miserable, our Pilgrimage might have been wholly evil and uncomfortable, shall we receive good and not evil at the hands of the Lord, Job 2. there is much gone, but somewhat left, that little that is left is more then we have deserved; many in the world would be glad of our Relicks, hath he taken ought from us? he might have taken more, he taketh part that giveth all; all is his own, he reserved the property to himself; as much right as we had to our comforts was long since forfeited: If God hath lent us blessings and demand them again, shall we grudge them to the right owner? 'tis needful now and then that God should take our comforts from us, when we have gotten a carnal pillow under our heads, we are apt [Page] to fall into a deep sleep, and dream many a fond dream till God take it from under us; he withdraweth comforts to see how we will take it, and bear up upon our great and everlasting hopes, Heb. 10. 33. Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, &c. you will say that was by Martyrdom, but your loss by an ordinary providence; and will not you let God take us willingly as thieves and persecutors, you have the same incouragements, a beter and enduring substance.

Thirdly, For what we affect: We are wont to murmur at the smalness of our portion, we have not so much as others, our condition in the world is not so great, so rich, so honourable, as theirs; we have but a single, but they a double, a Benjamins portion: Oh but consider this it meer murmuring, God never undertook to maintain all his children at the same rate, and we cannot expect so much; variety of conditions is necessary for the preservation of the world, levelling is not Gods dispensation; some must be high and some low; the wise preserver of all things distributeth his gifts variously, wealth to one, skill to another, strength to a third, one must reign, another serve, and all for the common good▪ a piece of Arras is composed of several parcels; we should all famish for company, if all were of one sort, who should endure the handy labours? how low soever thou art, thou art there where God hath set thee, and there thou must tarry till the said invitation of providence call thee higher. Look backward thou hast made some increase: Jacob took notice that his was become two droves, Gen. 32. 10. though when he first came into the Country he had nothing but his staff in his hand: many of Gods children are not so high as thou art, if you murmur; what should others do that have less; we cast our eyes forward on those before us, and because we have not so much as they, so good trading, houses so well furnished, such honour and esteem in the world, all is as nothing; h you do not look about you to the thousands that come short of you; you say why should not we thrive as they? be preferred as they? Joseph knew why Benjamin [Page] had a larger mess, though the rest at the Table did not; so doth the Lord know why he goeth to one, and not to another.

Secondly, Let me shew you the hainousness of the sin, by the causes of it. 2. By the injustice of it.

1. The causes of murmuring are many, but all naught, as 1. Pride and Self-love, when men are conceited of themselves, they storm that others are preferred before them; a proud man must needs be discontented, because he sets an high price upon himself, and when others will not come up to his price, he is troubled; you will find such a proud thought rising in your heart, that men of your worth are not taken notice of, and yet they that deserve least, complain and murmure most; the best say, I am not worthy: real worth is humble, the loaden boughs hang their heads, the Nettle mounteth, when the Violet lyeth shrouded under its leaves, and is only found out by its own scent: All Gods blessings are low to him that is high in his own eyes.

2. Impatience. We cannot endure the least inconvenience, touchy nature would be at ease, tumbling and wallowing in all kind of pleasure; therefore as soon as we are touched in our skins, we fall a murmuring, Why is this evil befallen me? and Why should I wait upon the Lord any longer? An unsubjection of Will to God, will inevitably put us upon repining.

3. Presumption of merit, where all is of free cost, there is no complaining; Men ascribe to themselves, when they prescribe to God what he shall do for them▪ or how bless them; every thing is welcom, where nothing is deserved; if you keep a man of Almes, you take it ill that he should not be pleased with his Diet: when we look to desert, we may wonder more at what we have, then what we want; God would do us no wrong, if we were reduced to a less pittance▪ if in a prison, 'tis a favour we are not in hell: a Malefactor would be glad to commute his punishment, a greater for a less, death for exile; exile for loss of estate, and then the whole for a part: Can a firebrand of hell murmure? there is our desert, but we think God is bound and [Page] that 'tis a wrong that he taketh no more notice of us, wherefore have we fasted, &c. Isa. 58. I am not as other men, &c. Luke 18.

4. Carnal affection, Quod enixè concupiscunt ut sit, contabescunt quod esse non possit. Gilbert in cant. 19. We are too ravenous and greedy upon outward things, and therefore the disappointment breedeth the more vexation, our desires and hopes of more, destroy the memory and consideration of what we have: God giveth sufficiently to satisfie our necessities, and we seek to supply our lusts: Lust is more given to murmuring then necessity; Nature is contented with a little, 'tis soon satisfied, but lust enlargeth the desire as hell.

5. Ʋnbelief and Distrust, Psal. ro [...]. 24, 25. They believed not his word, but murmured in their tents: Men quarrel with Gods providence, because they do not believe his promises; distrust will be sure to breed discontent; 'tis ill for the present, and they cannot see how it will be better; they could not believe that the wilderness was the way to Canaan; that God can love one whom he corrects; and therefore as soon as they feel the smart of the rod, they give vent to their passions.

Secondly, The injustice of it, 'tis injurious to God, to others, to our selves: 1. 'Tis injurious to God; murmuring is a sin that pulleth God out of the throne; you enter into judgement with him; as David on the other hand prayeth, Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord, Murmurers either deny his providence, or tax it: Implicitely they deny it, as if God did not set out to every man his portion, if men did believe that God did govern the world, even as he made the world, why do they not complain of creation as well as providence; we would laugh at him that would murmure because God did not make him an Angel, or a Star, why is it not as ridiculous to murmure because God hath made thee a subject, and not a Prince, a begger, and not a rich man; a servant, but not a master; but that they own the hand of God in one, and not in the other; as if the world were governed by blind chance. Or else they tax providence, of indiscretion or unrighteousness: 'tis marvellous to see how murmuring robbeth God of all [Page] his attributes; it clippeth his Soveraignty we will not let him do with his own as it pleaseth him; the great contest between him and us, is, whose will shall stand, his or ours; it limits his power, and slghts it; when God doth not satisfie us, we think he cannot, Psal. 78. 20. We set him a task▪ and if God perform it not, we question his sufficiency; 'tis a contention with our Maker▪ an entring into the Lists with God, as if we could make our party good against him, Psal. 78. 17. We tax his wisdom: Men will be teaching God how to govern the world for we prescribe to him, as if he did not understand what is fit for us, he pleaseth us not in his wisest dispensations, and bear it out, as if we could mend his works, Job 21. 22. Shall any teach God knowledge, seeing he judgeth th [...]se that are high: They that disallow of Gods proceedings, take upon them to be Gods Teachers: Twa [...] a blasphemous speech of Alphonsus, Si Deo a consiliis ad [...]uisset in creatione Mundi, multa sc consulius ordinaturum. If he had been of Gods Council when he made the world, he would have ordered many things better. Many abhor the blasphemy, and yet think almost to the same effect: if they had the governing of the world, such men should not prosper, and such and such things should not be done: thus do weIob. 38. 0. darken counsel with wo ds without knowledge, and cast a reproach of folly and injustice upon Gods providence.Quantum lib [...]t saepe obligati hoc solum memincr unt quod negatum est, Plin. Ep. 4. l. [...]. Non quod habit num [...] quod non ab [...]t op [...]at. M [...]nil. Again, to his goodness▪ we are injurious, by disvaluing what we have, in comparison of what we expect, Mal. 1. 2 Wherein hast thou loved us? As if they had nothing, because not fully what they expected; 'tis mans nature to forget what is granted, and pitch only upon what is denyed; as children in a pet; throw away what they have, if you do not give them more: saith Haman, All this availeth me nothing, &c▪ Esther 5. 13. and the whole Kingdom of Israel would not content Ahab when he falleth sick for Naboth's V [...]eyand, 1 Kings 21. 4. As in the body, if one humour be out of order, or one joynt broken, the soundness of all the rest availeth us nothing a little is enough to set the creature a complaining. His Justice also we tax, as if he did defraud us of our due; we [Page] think somwhat is due, or else why do we complain, Matth. 20. 13: Friend, I do thee no wrong, &c.

2. 'Tis injurious to others, it puts us upon acts of violence and sedition, the murmurers are called rebels, Numb. 17. 10. Schisme in the Church, and sedition in the Commonwealth are but the fruits of murmuring; men do like their own rank and station, and then murmure, and then perturb all; Oh that I were a Judge, saith Absolom, and afterwards breaketh out into open rebellion; thin exhalations end in great storms; servants would be masters, and the poor would be rich, and subjects would be in office and power; and by giving vent to their repining thoughts, inflame the zeal of persons like minded with themselves, till all be embroyled in blood and confusions.

3. 'Tis injurious to our selves, man is a foolish creature, what doth he get by complaining of God? Who shall right us? Before what Tribunal will you put him in suit? Of all sins murmuring is most unreasonable, but very peruitious; what do we get by it but disquiet and judgement? 'Tis like spitting against the wind, the drivel is returned upon our own heads; disquiet it breedeth us; a murmuring spirit is a greater evil then any affliction, like a sour vessel, it turneth all things that are put into it into sowrness; most mens misery ariseth from their discontent, if their heart and their condition were suited, they would do well enough in the world, we trouble our own peace; if we could learn to frame our minds to our estates, as the skilful Musician letteth down the strings a peg lower when the tune requireth it, we should pass to heaven more comfortably. Again, it bringeth down judgement; expressions tending to Gods dishonour, have a loud cry in his ears: Mi iam was smitten with leprosie for murmuring, and Dathan and Abiram swallowed up alive; fiery serpents, and plagues, and exclusion out of Canaan, were Israels judgements when they were sick of the fret: see 1 Cor. 10. 10. Neither murmure ye, as some of them murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

Let us now make Application, Beware of murmurings, [Page] 'tis a greater sin then the world taketh it to be; here I shall speak of two things, 1. Murmuring at the Times and publike changes which have hapned amongst us. 2. Murmuring in our own private case.

1. Murmuring at the Times, 'tis a repining age we live in, many factions are disappointed, and therefore the most are full of discontent, forgetting that all this is the work of a wise God: Mistake me not, I list not to become the Times Advocate, it little beseemeth us to be Patrons of publike miscarriages, or Factors for any Private Interest.

Therefore let me proceed with the greatest Scripture evidence and conviction, and state what is murmuring at the Times: 'Tis forbidden Eccles. 7. 10. Say not thou that the former times were better then these; for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this: Now what is the sin taxed in this Scripture? I answer,

1. Not godly sorrow, and complaining to God, and bewailing the corruptions of the times: No, the Mourners in Sion are marked for preservation, Exek. 9. None are better friends to publike Interest; 'twere well if these Doves of the Vallies had more company; this is no sin, for this is the only way of entring our protest, and being free from the corruptions of the age, God hath bound up all Politique Bodies in the same bundle, and we are concerned in others sins; 'tis the art of divine mercy by this means to prevent publique ruine, by interesting his people in the welfare of those places where they live, that every man in this place may be sensible of present sins, and approaching judgements, two dry sticks will set a green one a fire: Can you blame the children of God then if they mourn, and enter their protest against the iniquity of the Times? The Corinthians were not clear of the incest committed amongst them, till they had mourned, then the Apostle saith, now ye are clear in this matter: 2 Cor. 7. 11. surely they that are involved in the guilt concerned in the judgement, had need mourn.

2. Not zeal in publique reproof. Isa. 58. 1. C [...]y [...]aloud, spare not, &c. vitium saeculi is no excuse; if we spare, God [Page] will not spare, i [...] we hazard our bodies in bearing our testimony, we save our souls: we must cry out upon sin with a full throat, and that again and again, provided we be clear in our Principles and Ayms, and do it without clamour, and popular Invectives: When a fire is kindled in a City, we do not say coldly, yonder is a great fire, I pray God it do no harm: in times of publique defection, we are not to read taine Lectures of contemplative Divinity, or fight with Ghosts, and antiquated Errors, but to oppose with all earnestness the growing evils of the world, what ever it cost us.

3. Nor yet an holy dislike and singularity, standing aloof from publique corruptions, as Lot in Sodom, and Noah walked with God in his generations, Gen. 6 9. Gods children most commonly are forced to walk in a counter motion to the times, Paul when he had accused the times as evil, adviseth Christians to walk circumspectly, Gal. 5. 16. Worldly wisdom would draw quite another conclusion. The times are bad, let us do as well as we can; theres no living in the world, unless we yeild a little; the Oak is rent to pieces with the fury of the wind, when the willow boweth and bendeth; shall we alone resist such a torrent? Thus would we reason; but the spirit doth not loosen the reins, but straighten them upon this consideration; the days are evil, therefore be circumspect, that is, be careful to keep close to rule, left you be blinded and perverted by the subtleties of those that lie in wait to deceive, and elsewhere shine as lights in the midst of a perverse generation: Dead fishes swim with the stream, there is a difference between subjection to God, and compliance with men, &c.

But now positively, What is the fault there reproved? I Answer, 1. Foolish murmurings, or such a fond and unthankful admiration of former times, that we have not a good word for the present; Tacitus observed it, vitio malignitat is humane vettra laudantur, praesentia fastidio sunt; 'tis a common evil, men are praising past times, and declaiming against the present; querulous natures are never pleased, neither full nor fasting; past temptations are forgotten, [Page] and therefore present evils [...]eem worst, and laziness many times occasioneth complaints: Many repine against God because he hath given us our lot in such an age, wherein publick contests put us upon the trouble of prayer, discourse, and diligent searching in the mind of God, now usually to excuse other duties, we fall a complaining.

Again, private discontent may exasperate some, things are not suitable to their humours and interests; no wonder if Demetrius and the Copper▪Smiths call those evil times when the Gospel is like to get up, because their craft is like to go down and they are not▪ favoured as they do desire: Again, sottish carnality may be in the wind, carnal men will extol the happiness of former times; their great hospitality and kind neighbourhood, their honest dealing, and good devotion; what a merry time it was, and how plentifull all things were before the new Gospel came in, and they had nothing; but Moss and Mattens, as those sots, Jer. 44. 18, 19. Formalists cry up the goodness of the old Religion to disparage times of reformation; so the Roman Empire thrived more under false Gods; then under the Christian Religion, wherefore Augustine wrote his Books, De civitate. Dei, to answer that charge; Christians these times▪ may be the worse for those that went before, we may smart for their blood and Idols, and hatred of the people of God; judgments were then in the causes, as the clouds gather before the rain falleth.

2. When we pass over the good, and look only upon the evil; we should [...]counter ballance our affictions with our mercies; Shall we receive good and not evil at the hands of God Job 2. 'tis railing to gather up the failings of others and not to take notice of their graces; so 'tis a railing against providence, and an ill office to be only like flies pitching upon a sore place: is there no blessing with all this bad? with our temporal calamities have we not some increase of spiritual priviledges? as in the wilderness they had Gods presence, though they had a tedious passage of it; the free use of Ordinances will countervail all publique burdens, some suppose that Solomon in that Eccl. 7. 10. [Page] alludeth to the peoples murmuring in his time, there was a Temple building, but the Taxes were great, and therefore they cryed the former t [...]mes were better then these, see 1 King. 12. 4.

5. When we charge our guilt upon the times, man is apt to transfer his faults upon others, and obliquely upon God himself, The woman which thou gavest me, &c. and so usually the times wherein we live are such, &c. why? God ordered them, and if you were as you should be, the times could not hurt you, a great deal of fire falleth upon a stone and it burneth not, but a dry chipp soon taketh fire; men think if they be corrupt the sault is not theirs but the times; 'tis yours certainly, 'tis bad men make bad times, as I shall shew anon.

Let me now give you a few Remedies.

1. When your hearts storm, look back, there were inconveniences in the wilderness, but a sore bondage in Egypt; a good memory is an help to thankfulness, for my owne case, when I am brimfull, I consider the times that are past See 2 Chron. 15. from 3. to the 6. when there was no peace to him that w [...]nt out or came in, when private meetings were a conventicle, and in publick we could only sigh, not speak; when May poles and carnal sports were preferred before the Sabbath, when afternoon Preaching was supprest to make way for those sports; when 'twas a crime to go from a doa [...]ing service-Reader to hear the Preaching of the word; surely they that are so ready to return into Egypt, have forgotten their bondage; when their cry came up to God because of the anguish of their souls; our hard task-Masters, the domineering Prelates, and their oppressing filthy Courts are forgotten, our promiscuous communions, and the flat and cold repetitions of an imposed liturgy quite forgotten; so the confinement of Preaching, and the restraint of Doctrines; these things are out of feeling, and therefore out of remembrance: one great defect the people of God are troubled withal, is a bad memory, Mich. 6. 5. Oh my people remember, &c. I tell you if we did but remember how we were Prelate-bitten, we would not murmur, but give thanks.

[Page]2. There is nothing now under the Sun, Eccles. 1. 7. We say, Is there any sorrow like unto my sorrow? things never were as they are now; certainly you do not rightly enquire after this matter, the world is the world still, men have ever had the same principles, the same corruptions, the same temptations, there were Donatists then, as well as Separatists now, Pelagians then as well as Arminians now, Arians then as well as Socinians now, all new lights are but old darkness revived, neither new, nor lights; 'tis easie to parallel what is most odious; there is a circular motion of opinions and fashions, as the Sun returneth every year to the same points of his compass.

3. All commeth to pass by Gods providence, he is the great Master of the Scenes, that presents the world with a new Stage, both of Acts and Actors, 1 Sam, 2. 7, 8. The Lord maketh poor and maketh rich; he bringeth low, and he lifteth up; he raiseth up the poor from the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghil to set them among the Princes, [...]nd make them inherit the Crown of glory, for the pillars of the earth are the Lords, and he hath set the world upon them: The government of the world is in Gods hands, and he casteth down some, and raiseth up others from beggery to Soveraignty, from the dunghil to glory: you see there his course is contrary to levelling, he will have some upon the Throne of glory; and you see again, that God hath an hand in all the mutations and changes that fall out in the world: and that these mutations are frequent, the world is tossed to and fro like a bill from hand to hand, that Gods Soveraignty and Dominion over events may the better appear, and that power may not want a bridle, nor the low condition, a comfort; again, that all the Kings of the earth do hold their estates of God; say then, If God hath set up these persons, let me see what God will do with them.

4. The good of times is not to be meas [...]red by the carnal quiet of them; Physick provoketh ill humours, better they should be stirred then lye still and foment a disease; God usually commeth with a Fan and a Sword, we should not murmur against the Sword, because of the benefit of the Fan,

[Page]5. If every one did amend himself, the times would soon amend: M [...]nd thy self and as many as are under thy charge, and mourn for others, and thou hast no cause to compl [...]in, Joshua 24. 15. I and my house will serve the Lord, if every one did sweep before his own door, the common filth would be sooner carryed away, usually complainers do least, as the crafty Lapwing will go up and down fluttering and crying, to draw the fowler from her own nest; we have some secret nest of our own, and we are loath it should be rifled and exposed to publick view.

6. The worse the times are, the more exercise for grace; we have more opportunities of shewing love to God then formerly, and zeal for his interests, and industry in finding out the right way; man is never contented, sometimes we question Gods love if we meet with no opposition, and a [...]d yet we complain when the ways of God are opposed.

7. There is an Antiperistasis in grace as well as nature, you should be better in bad times, as fountain water is hottest in winter, and fire scaldeth most in frosty weather, or stars shine brightest in the darkest night, see Phil. 2. 15. when the air is infectious we are the more carefu [...] of our diet.

8. Complaining will not excuse duty, it argueth little faith, is not Christ King? doth not he reign? little obedience, and care of reformation; a gracious heart is most apt to return upon 'its self; if the times be bad, what have I done to make them better? if not, thou art one that hast made them worse.

9. He that is not good in bad times, will be naught in better, Isa. 26. 10. In the Land of uprightness will he ded vnjustly, a sick man thinketh to have ease in another bed in another room carry him thither his pain continueth; if a carnal man had lived in the Prophets times, or the Apostles time, he would be the same as now, see Mat. 23. 29, 30. A bryar is a bryar where ever it groweth, change of times will not do the work without a change of heart: Adam sinned in Paradise, the Apostate Angels in Heaven; Lot was unchast [Page] in the Mountains, where were none but his own family, in an howling Wilderness where they had no outward enticements, the Israelites were given to fleshly lusts.

2. The next Part of Use is to rebuke murmuring in our own priuate case; by way of consideration take these helps.

1. A little is enough, too much is a snare, Luk. 12. 15. Mans life consisteth not in the abundance of what he possess [...]th, the wants of nature are very few, till lust make it ravenous, a garment too long will soon prove a dirty ragg, the greater gates open to the greater temptations and cares; 'tis an hard lesson to learn to abound, Phil. 4. 12. we say such an one would do well to be a Lord or a Lady, 'tis an harder thing than you think it to be, a little sufficeth to keep us till we come to Heaven; if we have cloaths for warmth, though not for pomp, 'tis enough, Qui Christum curat non multum curat quam de praciosis cibis stercus conficiat. Hierom. what need a Christian care how finely dust and ashes be wrapped up, or of what stuff his excrements be made of.

2. God hath an hand in all things, Psal. 39. 9. Isa. 38. 15. God is the Party with whom we have to do in sickness, or any other trouble, every wheel moveth according to the motion of first, when we see the hand of God 'tis a piece of religious manners to keep silence.

3. God seeth what is fittest for us, if a man should be left to carve out his own portion, he would be his own greatest enemy; none hath more love then God, more wisedom, and justice, then God; therefore count the present estate best, because 'tis of his chusing, should the shepherd chuse the pastures or the sheep? we are all for the delicacies of pleasure and prosperity; children think green fruit the best diet because it suiteth with their appetite; what a strange creature would man be if he were what he would be himself? well then, let us leave it to God to chuse our portion and to appoint us what part we shall act in the world, usually we set up a court in our own affections, and enact Laws; prescribe to providence, we would have this and we would have that, and when our expectations are not [Page] answered, we fall a murmuring, 'tis very hard to repeal the decrees of our own will, therefore 'tis good to resign our selves to the disposal of providence, as David doth, 2 Sam. 15. 26, 27. and to keep our desires low, till Gods will be declared; 'tis easier to add then to substract, and to ascend with providence, when the master of the feast biddeth us to sit higher, then to be compelled to descend and lye in the dust.

4. If it be bad, it might have been worse, in regard of Gods absolute power and our desert; your suffrings are not so great as your sins, Ezra. 9. 13. Thou hast punished us less then we have deserved▪ God is too just to do us wrong; if he will exchange Hell for Babylon▪ there is much of mercy in it nothing of injustice; if you do not deserve this usage from the hands of men, you have deserved this, and much more from God; 'tis deserved of God, and therefore to be born patiently, 'tis not deserved of men, therefore to be born chearfully; whose cross would we bear, Christs or the Theeves Cross? when we suffer deservedly and as Malefactors, we bear the Theeves Cross.

5. The Lord disposeth all for the benefit of his own people, so that if it be not good for the present, it will turn to good. Rom. 8. 28. if God should not thus exercise us, we would have more cause to complain; he is too gentle a Physitian that lets his Patient dye for want of putting him to the trouble of physick; consult with Gods aim, rather then your present feeling; let him cut and burn here, that he may save hereafter, Domine hic ure, hic seca, &c.

6. Murmuring is so bad in none as in Gods children, it doth not become their priviledges▪ their vows, their hopes; God, in covenant, is theirs, and he hath all things that hath him that made all things, all things are comprised in God; if our lumber be changed into silver, our silver into Gold, our gold into one rare Pearl, that's all the other virtually; if God hath given us himself, his Christ, his Spirit will not all this content us? It doth not become our vows, and the promises which thou m [...]d'st to God when thy terrours were upon thee; then thou didst say, Oh Lord let me have [Page] Jesus Christ, and I will be content, though I should begg my bread, and be reduced to raggs and extremity of want; when thy heart was stung with sin, thus desireous wert thou to reckon upon Christ as thy all-sufficient portion; how grew the * consolations of God to be small with thee, now God tryeth whether thou wilt stand to thy word, and thou fallest a murmuring; it may be just with God to dipp his Arrows in venom and vengeance, and shoot them into thy soul again: Once more, 'tis below your hopes, you should have a spirit as high as Heaven, and will you storm at every petty loss, as he said, Art thou the Kings son in law, and art so lean from day to day? are you Heirs of glory, and stand so much upon triffles? it should not be.

Having given you some general Considerations against murmuring, I now come to particular Cases.

1. Doest thou lye under deep presting wants? divers have been put to great streights, that have done God more glory: Musculas a great Divine, yet forced to serve a Weaver for his subsistance: Paul made Tents that he might not be burdensome, and so prejudice men against the Gospel; the more destitute, the more sensible of the care of providence; God beareth the Purse for us, when we have but from hand to mouth, we are still supplyed; the more immediately you liue upon God, the more you begin the life of Heaven, where God is all in all: Deep poverty is is the sauce of the present life; Austin saw a beggar frisking after his belly was filled, he could find no such delight after the use of the creatures, being daily and abundantly supplyed; the spectacle much wrought upon him.

2. Hast thou sustained great losses? If God hath lent us blessings, and taken them again, shall we grudge them to the right owner, he took part that gave all.

3. Dost thou endure great pains? there is a gradation in miseries, those that lite upon the estate, do not sit so close as those that lite upon the body, and those that lite upon the body are not so terrible as those that lite upon the soul; a wounded spirit who can beat? bodily pains is the case we now speak too, you are full of pains, but Christ [Page] on the Cross suffered more; but he was God-man; the Martyrs suffered more, Heb. 11. 35. they were tortured, [...], they were stretched out like a Drum; but those were rare instances, and had a singular assistance, Pauls was an ordinary case, his thorn in the flesh, 2 Cor. 12. was some great bodily pain; but Paul was a choice spirit, heathens have born it stoutly; Epicurus was full of solace in a fit of the Cholick, ob memoriam inventorum, by calling to mind his inventions in Philosophy; and Tully speaketh of Possidoni [...]s the Philosopher, that whilst he was under a great fit of the stone, could discourse freely that nothing was good but vertue, nothing evil but vice, and when his pain twinged him, would say, Nihil agis dolor quamvis sis molestus nunquam confitebor te esse malum; Pain thou dost nothing alter my opinion, though thou art troublesom yet thou art not evil; but these were men that obstinately maintained an insensibleness; little children have endured great pains, and wilt thou startle at that which poor little children have suffered? Besides all this, 'tis Gods design to try you; Virtus etiam lecto exhibetur. there is a great deal of valour to be shewed in the sick bed, either the end of it will be life or death, if death, 'tis the last brunt, bear it patiently, Exod. 14. 13. those enemies which ye now see ye shall them see no more, Heaven will make amends for all: If life, you will be ashamed when well, that you had no more patience whilst sick; passive valour is the glory of a Christian, active volour that is fomented with plenty of blood and spirits, is a poor thing to it, great Souldiers that will venture upon the mouth of a Canon, yet tremble at a disease, and lingring death, when they are sick they are under gods arrest, &c,

That I have given you remedies against murmuring by way of consideration: Now by way of practice.

1. Divert the stream another way, as to the disposition of heart, take this rule; Be still examining thy self, rather then judging God, Psal. 4. 4. If God seemeth to neglect me, have not I neglected him, &c. as to the outward expression of murmuring, turn the streams again; express thy sorrows often in a way of prayer, thy rejoycings in a way [Page] of praise: prayer cureth murmuring, for that's a duty wherein we profess subjection and dependance; and besides, utterance giveth ease to the soul, an Oven stopped is the more hot within, complain more to God, and we shall not complain of God: Praise cureth murmuring, Job 1 23. as long as we can give thanks, we will not be querulous; but when we are disdainful of blessings, and we say, what no more? Mal. 1. 2. the distemper is getting ground upon the soul.

2. Affect rather to be good then great, none murmur because of the smallness of grace, that's not their complaint; but because of the lowness of their condition in the world▪ a man that looketh after the increase of grace, he can bless God for his outward decays, 2 Cor. 4. 16. and look upon murmurings as worse then pains or losses, those are afflictions, these are sins: So much for the first crime charged.

The next part of their Character is [walking after their own lusts,] This is fitly subjoined to the former; for lusts make men froward and hard to be pleased; and the persons here described were exact Libertines, making their lusts their rule and their law; yea, the most bruitish of all lusts, the lusts of the flesh; and therefore in Peter 'tis 2 Pet. 2. 10. That walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness; how portentous they were for impurities in this kind, we told you before; their [walking after their lusts] implyeth their giving up themselves to such a course, contrary to all fear of God, care of Laws, or restraint of nature.

The Point is, That 'tis an Argument of ungodliness when men walk after their own lusts: The Apostle appling the Prophesie of Enoch against ungodly men, bringeth this as a part of the charge, that they walk after their own lusts: I shall enquire

1. What lusts are.

2. What 'tis to walk after their own lusts.

3. Prove it to be a note of ungodliness.

1. What lusts are? This I have Answered elsewhere; [Page] see my Comentary on James 1. 14. pag 105. and 106. for the present let it suffice to note, that lust is either original, or actual.

1. It signifyeth our original pronnness to all that is evil, James 1. 14.

2. Actual lust, so it signifieth any evil motion of the heart that swerveth from the Law of God, more especially our inordinate desires and inclinations to pleasures, honours or profit; sometimes they are called fleshly lusts, 1 Pet. 2. 11. as carrying us out to the satisfaction of our bodily and bruitish appetites; sometimes worldly lusts, Tit 2. 12. because they are stirred by worldly objects; lusts are the fever of the soul, unnatural heats, transgressing the Laws of reason, and bounds of Religion.

2. What doth this walking imply; 'tis elsewhere expressed by serving divers lusts and pleasures, Tit. 3. 3. and by fulfilling the desires of the flesh and the mind, Ephes. 2. 3. It noteth,

First, a willing subjection to lust, as a law or as a Master, the one is implyed in walking after our lusts, the other in serving our lusts; when men do as they please, and let their sensual heart give Law to the whole man: a child of God may be overcome by his lusts, but he doth not walk after them, or serve them, he may be foiled, hut he doth not give over the combate, and is still resisting, striuing, praying, calling in the help of the spirit, his soul suffereth a rape by lust, there is not a plenary consent on his part.

2. Customary practice and observance, walking is a progressive motion, and so implyeth mens course, and the tenour of their lives: a child of God, his walking is in the spirit, Gal. 5. 16. and doth not fulfil the lusts of the flesh; but 'tis a wicked mans work and employment.

3. A fond indulgence; they are so far from thwarting lusts that they provide, contrive for them, Rom. 13. 14. Make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof, they nourish their hearts, fondle lust, and make a wanton of it, they do not crucifie it, and set up a course of mortification against it.

[Page]Thirdly, This is a note of unregeneracy, or a state of ungodliness; the Apostle describeth the natural state by this serving, Tit. 3. 3. and this fulfilling, Eph. 2. 3. and when the Holy Ghost doth derive the pride and folly of youngJob. 15. 11. [...] men in giving themselves up to a course of lust and vanity; he saith, go walk in the way of thine own heart, Eccles. 11. 9. and the negative or privative work of regeneration is called a putting off the old man with his deceitful lusts, Eph. 4. 22 and it standeth with good reason.

1. Because they that walk after their lusts seek to cherish that which Christ came to destroy, and so go about to defeat the Redeemer, and to hinder him from obtaining his purpose in their hearts; Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil, 1 John 3. 8 [...], to unty and loosen those cords of vanity wherewith Satan hath bonnd us; the works of the Devil are lies which are of his inspiring and cherishing, John 8. 44. Ye are of your father the Devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: Now when Christ cometh to lose these cords, carnal men tye them the faster, and therefore certainly are to be reckoned to the devil, and not unto God; every degree of service done to Satan, is an act of treason and disloyalty to Christ, therefore when men make it their work to fulfil their lust, they renounce all allegiance to Christ.

2. They that walk after their lusts have not taken the rule of the new creature upon them; the new man hath another Master and another rule, the renewed soul is not governed by lust, but by the Law of God, Gal 6. 16. it we have not changed our rule, 'tis a sign we have not changed our Master.

3. They that walk after their lusts, never felt the power of grace for the grace of God teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts Tit. 2. 11, 12. how doth it teach us? I Answer, partly by diversion, by acquainting us with better things in Christ, Rom. 13. 14 Put ye on the Lord Jesus, and make not provision for the lusts of the flesh; love cannot lye idle in the soul, the mind of man must have some oblectation and delight, either love runneth out in [Page] lust, or in respects to God; either to heavenly or worldly things: when we only savour the things of the flesh, 'tis a sign we never tasted how sweet God is in Christ.

2. Partly by way of help and supply; it planteth opposite principles and makes use of an opposite power, it plants opposite principles, a new nature that hath new desires and delights, 2 Pet. 1. 4. and maketh use of an opposite power, which is the spirit of God, Rom. 8. 13.

3. Partly by way of argument; grace out▪ pleadeth, lust it urgeth the unsuitableness of it to our condition, see Rom. 13. 13. 1 Pet. 4. 3. and 1 Pet. 1. 14. Rom. 6. 2. to our vows; Baptism implyeth a renunciation of sins, 1 Pet 3. 21. 'tis an answer to Gods demands, Credis? Credo, ab renuncias? Ab renuncio, spondes? spondeo. Therefore he that liveth under the full power of lust, hath forgotten his Baptismal vows, 2 Pet. 1. 8. forgotten that he was purged from his old sins: it pleadeth also the unsuitableness of it to our hopes, 1 Pet 2. 11. we are passing on to another Country, where we shall enjoy a price, and sinless estate.

Let us now apply the point.

It disswadeth us from walking after our own lusts: youƲse 1. that are Christians should deny them, and not gratifie them, otherwise you renounce your allegiance to God; Lust sets up another Lord, and maketh us stand in defiance with the God that made us; his Laws call for one thing, and your lusts crave another: God saith, put off the old man with his deceitful lusts, and you say, we will keep them: Can they be good subjects that live in defiance of their Soveraigns Laws? If a Prince should send a message to a City not to harbour such and such Traytors, but to search them out, and bring them to condigne punishment, if they never look after them, yea are angry with those that discover them, it argueth they do inhaunt with Traytors, and are enemies to their Prince: We are often warned in Gods name to look to our sinful lusts, to put them away, and we go home, and never regard it, nay are angry with those that grate upon the Conscience: Herod would not have his Herodias touched; we take it hainously when the

[Page]Word beareth hard upon our hearts, what do we but shew our selves Traytors to the Crown of heaven?

2. Otherwise you ren [...]unee your interest in Christ, Gal. 5. 24. They that are Christs, have crucified the flesh, with the affestions and lusts thereof: He doth not say, they are Christs that take up this opinion and naked belief, that he was crucified, or died for sinners, but they are Christs, that feel that he was crucified, that by the vertue of his Cross do crucifie their own lusts and sinful affections; What? a Christian, and yet worldly! A Christian, and yet sensual! A Christian, and yet proud! You that are given to pleasures, do you believe in Christ that was a man of sorrows? You that are carried after the pomp and vanity of the world, do you believe in Christ, whose kingdom was not of this world? You that are proud and lofty, do you prosess an interest in Christ, who said, Learn of me, for I am humble and lowly? 'Tis in vain for you to talk of his dying for sinners, and boasting of his Cross, when you never felt the vertue of it, Gal 6. 14 What experience have you, that his Cross was the Cross of the Son of God, when your hearts linger as inordinately after carnal things as ever? Have you gotten any thing by it? Do you feel any weakning of lusts? Any decay of sin? Are you planted into the efficacy of his death? Rom. 6 5. If not how can you glory in the Cross of Christ?

3. Otherwise you are not acquainted with the spirit, his work is to mortifie lusts, Rom. 8. 13. and they that are after the flesh, do savour of the things of the flesh; and they that are after the spirit, the things of the spirit; Rom. 8. 5. After whom do ye walk? After your own lusts? Or after the Spirit of God?

4. God doth not only require you in point of Soveraignty, to put away your lusts, but also pleadeth with you upon terms of grace, Titus 2. 14. The grace of God that bring th [...] salvation, teacheth you to deny worldly lusts: Grace hath denyed us nothing, it hath given us Christ, and all things with him; and shall we stick at our lusts, that are not worth the keeping? Nature is much addicted to these lusts, but surely God loves Christ much more then we love the world; [Page] his love is infinite and unlimitted, like his essence, yet God gave up the Son of his love; Grace counteth nothing too dear for us, not the blood of Christ the joys of Heaven, and shall we count any thing too dear to part with for Graces sake? God forbid. A Mat. 5. 19. right eye, and a right hand, cannot be so dear to us▪ a▪ Christ was to God: At what cost hath Grace been at to redeem us, and save us! And shall Grace be at all this cost for nothing? If God had commanded us a greater thing, ought we not to have done it? If to give the body to be burnt, to offer the first born for the sin of thy soul? considering his absolute right over the cre [...] ture, he might have require [...] thy life, and thy childrens life, but he only requireth thy lusts, things not worth the keeping, the bane of the soul, a bad inmate; which if we know its pestilent influence, we needed no more arguments to turn it out of doors; thy lusts God requireth, things we are bound to part with, to preserve the integrity and perfection of our natures, if God had never dealt with us in a way of grace; but now shall grace plead in vain, when it presseth to deny lusts, will be the shame and horrour of the damned to all eternity, that they have stood with God for a trifle, that they would not part with d [...]ng for gold, with a little brutish contentment, for the consolations of the Spirit, especially when grace which hath so deeply p [...]e-engaged us, pleadeth for it.

5. Consider what lust is; 'tis the disease of the soul: Natural desire is like the Calor vitalis, the vi [...]l heat but lust is like a feverish heat, that oppresseth nature, we should get rid of it, as we would of a disease, the satisfaction of it is sweet to carnal nature, so is drink to a man in a fever; who would desire a Feven to rellish his drink? Better be without the disease, then enjoy the pleasure of the satisfaction, better mortifie lust, then satisfie it, in the issue 'twill be sweeter; I am sure the pains of mortification will not be so bitter as the h [...]rrours of everlasting darkness: lust let alone beginneth our hell, 'tis a burning heat, that at length breaketh out into everlasting flames: Again, lust is the disorder of nature, as 'tis monstrous in the body, if the head be there [Page] where the feet should be, and the feet there where the head should be; such a deordination is there in the soul when the affections carry it, and when Reason should be in dominion, we suffer lust to take the throne; man rightly constituted, his actions are governed in this manner, the understanding and conscience prescribe to the Will, the Will according to right reason and conscience moveth the affections, the affections according to the command and counsel of the will, move the bodily spirits and members of the body, but by corruption there is a manifest inversion and change, pleasures affect the senses, the senses corrupt the fantasie, the fantasie moveth the bodily spirits, they the affections, and by their violence and inclination the Will is enslaved, and the mind blinded, and so man is carried headlong to his own destruction; now shall we cherish these lusts and brutish appetitions? The Lord forbid.

6. 'Tis lusts that hinder the peace of the world, our own peace: how quietly and happily would men live, if they were more mortified? Men desire more then they have, and so are made poor, not by want, so much as desire; he that expects little, is soon satisfied: 'tis our own passions that raise a storm in the soul: a man that is vile and little in his own eyes, when others contemn and slight him, they do but ratifie his private opinion of himself, and who can be angry with others, because they are of the same judgement with our selves? Take away the lust, and the trouble ceaseth: What need Haman be troubled that Mordecai did not bow the knee, but that he looked for it? Nay, Lusts trouble our p [...]ace of Conscience: Lusts let alone, end in gross sins, and gross sins in desperation: love of pleasures, if uncontolled will end in drunkenness, or adultery and envy in murder and violence: sins unchecked, grow lic [...]ntio [...]s and unruly: Judas allowed his covetousness and it brought him to betray his Master, and that Brought him to the halter: Gehazi was first blasted with covetousness, and then with leprosie. and so became a burden to himself: Ananias and Sap [...]ira taken off by a sudden judgeme [...]t: The divel loveth by l [...]st to bring us to sin, and by sin to shame, and by [Page] shame to horrour and despair; so that if we walk after our lusts, it proveth a sad walk in the issue: Again it disturbeth ou [...] peace with others, these Libertines were yokeless, and could not endure restraints, because wedded to their own lusts, 'tis not opinions divide the world, so much as lusts and interests.

7. The more you walk after your lusts, the more you may: they are not quenohed when they are satisfied, but increased rather, as the fire is, by laying on of new fewel, the distemper groweth every day, till you are quite enslaved: Titus 1. 7. Titus 2. 3. given to much wine, 'tis [...], enslaved to wine in the Greek: In this sense we are said to be brought under the power of the creature, 1 Cor. 6. 12. so that what ever shame or loss ensueth, you cannot leave your lusts. Jer. 18. 12. There is no hope, &c. they see 'tis bad, and cannot see how it should be otherwise.

8. What can we get by sin but a little pleasure? Tit. 3. 3. serving divers lusts and pleasures, this is the great Sorceress that inchants the whole world, the root of all sin, they loved pleasures more then God, 2 Tim. 3. 4. 'tis not imaginable that an intelligent creature should rest in his own action, we aim at somwhat in walking after our own lusts, if we balk that which is honest, it must be profit or pleasure: now that a man should enslave himself forever, and that for a little pleasure, which is base in it self, and lost as soon as enjoyed, is monstrous and absurd: Breve est quod delectat, [...]ternum quod cruciat; the pleasure is but short, vanishing, but the pain is for ever? and will you for a thing of nought break with God, and forfeit your immortal souls? Oh let it not be.

Let all this now perswade you to deny your lusts, rather then to feed or cherish them, to renounce them, and not to walk after them: There are three degrees of this denial: 1. They must be prevented, and kept from rising. 2. Suppressed, and kept from growth. 3. We must not accomplish them, and if they gain consent, keep them from execution: Suitable to which three degrees, there are three duties, 1. Mortification, that we may prevent them. 2. Watchfulness, [Page] that we may suppress them. 3. Resolution, that we may not accomplish them.

1. To begin with the top and highest degree is to prevent the lust, 1 Pet. 2. 11. Abstain from fleshly lusts, 'tis not enough to abstain from acts of sin, but we must abstain from lusts, yea the root must be deadned, Gal. 5. 24. Crucifie the flesh, she is chaste that checketh an unclean solicitation, but she is more worthy praise whose grave carriage forbiddeth all assaults and attempts in that kind, so should we be so mortified as to prevent a temptation, not to have a lust stirring: but because this cannot always be, 2. The next degree is, timely to suppress them, laus est aliqus in secundis stare, to conquer lust when we cannot curb it, and wholly keep it under: Dash Babylons brats against the stone, and take the little foxes, smother it in the conception, Jam. 1. 15. 'tis a great sin to quench the spirits motions, so 'tis a great neglect not to take notice of the first thoughts and risings of sin; the little sticks kindle first, and set the great ones on fire, crush the Cockatrice in the egg, the flesh riseth up in arms against every gracious motion, so should the spirit, the better part, against every sinful motion, Gal. 5. 17. chide away your carnal thoughts, and let them not finde harbour; if the envious man throw weeds over the Garden wall, the gardner will not let them root there; if Sathan cast in thoughts, cast them out again with indignation.

3. Let not worldly lusts be put in execution. If thou hast neglected the mortifica ion and deadning of the affections, if sin hath got the star [...] of thee & gained a consent, yetat least restrain the practice, Jam. 1. 15. L [...]st when it hath conceived, bringeth forth sin, that is, an external sinful action, there are works of the flesh, that follow the l [...]sts of the fl [...]sh Gal. 5. 19. 'tis good [...]o stop at lust, though the lust grieveth the spirit of God, yet the work, beside the grief b [...]ingeth dishonor to God, giveth an ill example, bringeth scandal to Religion, maketh way for an habit and further proness to sin; therefore if thou hast not prevented the lust, act not the sin, Micah 2. 1, 2. Wo be to them that devise evil upon their beds, and when the morning is light, they practise it: 'tis naught to harbour the [Page] motion, to plot and muse upon sin, but 'tis worse to practise it, for every act strengthens the inclination, as a brand that hath been once in the fire, is more ready to burn again, if the divel have kindled a fire in thy bosom, let not the sparks fly abroad, but keep the temptation within doors, left thou more betray thy self into Sathans hands.

The third clause in this Application of Enochs prophesie is, that [their mouth speaketh great swelling words.] In Enochs prophesie not only ungodly deeds are noted, but hard speeches; these Gnosticks were faulty both ways, both in word and deed: that which is charged here, is a fault in their speech. 'Tis said Dan. 11. 36. The King shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods. In the Septuagint the same phrase is used that is here, [...] and so possibly it may imply their blasphemies against God, a crime of which these wretches were guilty in exalting Simon Magus▪ above the true God: or else these swelling words may relate to their boasting of their own knowledge, from whence they were called Gnosticks, and Tertullian saith of them, omnes tument, omnes scientiam pollicentur ipsae mulieres haereticae quam sunt procaces! They all swell with pride, and make ostentation of deeper knowledge, their very women▪ how conceited are they! Or else it may signifie their proud censures of others, their scorning of the Guides of the Church, as 'tis said of some, Psal. 73. 9. They speak loftily, they set their mouth against the heavens, their tongue walketh through the earth, they took a liberty to speak of all things and persons at pleasure, without any restraint, which was and is the very genius of these and other Seducers: rather I suppose, though not excluding the other senses, these swelling words relate to their phras [...]ologie and unsavoury gibberish which they used in representing their opinions, Peter calleth them, swelling words of vanity, 2 Pet. 2. 18. The Note hence is this.

That the pride and vanity of Seducers, is usually bewrayed Observat. 3. in the fondness and affectedness of their expressions. The affected language of the Gnosticks and Valentinians, may be [Page] seen in Iraeneus; and how much this pattern hath been improved by men of a fanatical spirit, may be found in those that have written of the Heresies of succeeding Ages? Jerome taxeth Jovinian withDiscripsit Apostolus Jovini [...]num loquentem buccis tumentibus & inflata verba trutinantem. Hieron. lib. 1. adversus Jovin. his swelling▪ words: In times more modern, Swinkfield was observed to be always talking of Illumination, Deification &c. and the Famulists cant is not unknown, of being godded with God, and christed with Christ; so Jacob Behmens▪ greening of the inward root, &c. and Calvin saith of the Libertines of his time, communi sermone spreto, exoticum nescio quid idioma sibi fingunt, interea nihil spirituale afferunt; they pretend to matter more spiritual, and when all cometh to all, 'tis but noisom errours disguised, or common things represented in uncouth forms of speech which the Scriptures own not, rational and truly spiritual men understand not; the same unsavory & unintellegible forms of speech may be observed in a wicked Book, lately put forth by a Knight of this Country, called The retired mans meditations, wherein the highest principles of our most holy faith are endeavoured to be undermined by this Artifice of covert and affected speech, but that by the providence of God the Book fell under neglect and scorn, presently upon the publication; Now the reason of this affectation is (I suppose) to amuze the Reader with the pretence of mystery and depths, Rev. 2. 24. that despising the simplicity of the world, and the common and avowed principles, he may be the more pliable to their carnal fancies, which if naked y exposed at first, would have nothing of allurement and temptation in them to any well disposed minds: well then, be not wrapt into admiration with novel and conceited expressions, nor troubled with oppositions of science falsly so called, 1 Tim. 6. 20. This is the Devils device, first to maze people, (as brids are with a light and a bell in the night) and then to drive them into the net: if you would keep to wholsome Doctrine, keep to a form of wholesome words; and do not place Religion in conceited speaking; an holy dialect I know becometh Saints; but an affected p'raseology is one of Satans lures, and a means to corrupt many.

[Page]The fourth Clause is [Having mens person in admiration because of advantage.] Junius applyeth this to those that set up Angels and unknown names, and persons in the Church instead of Christ, but I think 'tis rather to be applyed to men; person is therefore put for the outward state and appearance, in which sense 'tis said, Thou shalt have no respect of persons in judgment, that is, of their outward condition and estate;As Ge. 19. 21. Nashati panecha, the word signifyeth I have accepted thy face, or lifted up thy face the Sept. render [...]. We, I have accepted thee concerning this thing. accepting of persons is rendred by the Septuagint by [...], wondring at a mans face or outside, as being overcome and dazled at the splendor of it, accordingly our Apostle saith here▪ Having mens person in admiration; now this they did for advantage, that is, either to gain men to their party, by crying them up as holy and knowing, to the contempt of others who were more valuable for the sincerity of Religion; or else for worldly profits sake, those whom they feared, or from whom they expected any worldly profit, as the rich and powerful, upon these would they fawn, and with these in a servile manner insinnuate themselves, commending their actions, and magnifying their persons.

Having been so long in the former part of the Verse, I shall but mention the Notes here.

1. None so fawning and base spirited as the proud for their Observat. 4: advantage; these spoke swelling words, and yet basely crouching for profits sake. Ambrose noteth it of a spirit of ambition; ut dominetur aliis prius servit curvatur obsequio ut honore donetur; none stoop so as they that have a mind to rise,Dr. Jackson in his Treatise of faith. one observed of our late Prelates, That they were willing to take Chams curse upon them to domineer in the Tents of them, that is, would be servants o [...] servants slaves to great mens servants, that they might lord it over Gods Heritage; men of proud insulting spirits, how low for their own ends? as Absolom courteth the people to justle his father out of the Throne, 2 Sam. 15. 2, 3, 4, 5. and Tacitus observeth the like of Othe, that he did proiicere oscula, adorare vulgus & omnia serviliter pro imperio: adore the people, kiss the meanest, basely dispense his courtesie to the vilest, all to further his designs upon the Empire; [Page] so Ammianus Marcelliuus, lib. 25. observeth the same of Julian, that out of affectation of popularity he delighted to converse with the meanest of the people; certainly a proud spirit is no great spirit, no more then a swoln arme can be accounted big.

2. Having mens persons in admiration for advantage, is a Observat. 5. sin: we may admire the gifts of God in others, so as to praise the giver; but not so as to be guilty of anthropolatry, or man worship, 1 Cor, 3. 21. not so as to despise others, who have their usefulness, and it may be as excellent a gift in another kind, 1 Cor. 12. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. not so as to promote our interests thereby; this is servile flattery condemned in the Text; and Hosea 7. 8. not so as to be afraid to tell them their own, or for their fear or favour to wrest the truth of God▪ Mat. 22. 16. Thou teachest the way of God in truth neither carest thou for any man, for thou regardest not the person of men; let all regard this, especially the Ministers of Christ.

3. That seducers are apt to insinnuate with great persons, Observat. 6. and men of power and interest, that having their ear and countenance, they may ingage them against the truth: having not truth of their side, they use the more craft: as the Ivy not being able to support it self, twineth about the Oak till it sucketh out its heart; Gods Messengers carry it more openly, and with a single plainness, see 2 Cor. 1. 12. creepers and fawning parasites do but draw a suspicion upon themselves; surely Gods cause is able to stand upon its own legges, and needeth not the support of so base an Artifice.

But is it not lawful to use some prudence in this kind, and to insinnuate with great men for the advantage of a good cause?

I Answer, To be over solicitous in this kind, argueth distrust of Gods providence, and draweth suspicion upon the way which we would need maintain; that matter is not very cumbustible where men blow so hard: what favour commeth in the fai [...] way of Gods providence we may accept; All men seek the Rulers face, but every mans judgment [Page] is of the Lord; and what may be gotten by honest; open, and lawful means, as by humble addresses, and the magnetick virtue of truth its self, and the holiness of them that maintain it may be sought after; thus the Apostles dealt with the Rulers and great ones, to gain their respect to Christianity, that they might with less prejudice insinnuate the truth to the people, Acts 18. 8. and Acts 19. 31. Some of the chief of Asia were friends to Paul: but now when this respect is to be gotten by clamular and dishonest arts, and cannot be kept without flattering them in their sins, or complyance with their lusts and carnal designs, and men stretch their consciences, and make it their business to humour those that they may advance them; and trample upon all that may be called right and honesty, to accomplish their ends, and magnify those whom they would have scorned, if their station had not been so high; This is to have mens persons in admiration for advantage.

4. Ʋsually men of a false way in Religion admire those of Observat: 7. their own party above others of known worth and integrity; this is one part of the sense; all of their own way they accounted Gnosticks, that is knowing persons, as if others, how much soever owned by God, as having the stamp and impress of gifts and graces upon them, were not to be compared with them; this is the genius of all Sectaries, illi [...] ipsum esse est promereri, saith Tertullian, 'tis religion enough to be one of them.

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Verse 17.‘But Beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.’

HAving described these Seducers, he exhorteth those to whom he wrote, to beware of them, aliedging the warning of the Apostles, to shew that not only Enoch, who might be supposed to speak of the wicked men of his own time; but the Apostles, who expresly spake of the present age, foretold that scoffers and sons of Belial should arise in the Church.

There is nothing difficult in this Verse, only a doubt is to be discussed; doth not this passage yeild an Argument against the Authority of this Epistle? he speaketh of Apostles, and [...]. of of words spoken before by them, as if he were of an inferiour orbe, and writing long after their publication of the word. I Answer no.

1. Peter maketh mention of the Epistles of Paul, yet it doth not weaken his Authority, 2 Pet. 3 15, 16.

2. In the place exactly parallel to this, 2 Pet. 3. 2, 3. that Apostle citeth other writings, yet avoweth his Apostolical Authority; Be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy Prophets, and the commandment of us the Apostles of Jesus Christ.

3. This term [before spoken of] only sheweth that he wrote late, when either the Apostles were dead, or their writings were common in the Church:

But why doth he quote the words of the Apostles, neither urging his own Authority, nor including himself as Peter doth: I Answer, partly out of modesty to point at the place whence he had taken these thing [...], and to shew that he was not ashamed to use and alledge the writings of his fellow Apostles.

2. To declare their mutual consent: In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

[Page]3. His own Authority is implyed in vouching theirs, and before expressed, when he calleth himself [The Brother of James.]

Notes from this Verse are these.

From that [Beloved] which compellation is used to note his affection in this writing, the like is used by Peter, 2 Pet. 3. 1. Beloved I thought meet, &c. When we declaim against errours, we should do it out of love, and a tender respect to the good of souls: In all conquests we had need watch our own hearts; people suspect us to act out of peevishness and sininister affections, to serve a sect and party, and our ingagement to be faction, not zeal, therefore be the more careful that the flame be pure, incense must not be kindled with strange fire, nor zealous ingagements arise from a carnal impulse.

Again, we may be earnest against errour, when corrupt men are gotten into esteem; but 'tis in love to you, if we express our selves with some warmth and affection, 'tis for God, and your souls are concerned: 'tis observable John, the Disciple of love, is most earnest against deceivers; bid them not good speed saith he, 2 Ep. John 7. 10. and every where in his Epistles, My little children beleeve not every spirit, &c. there are many Anti. Christs, men that lye and have not the truth; 'tis sad your Ministers should be looked upon as enemies, because they love you, and warm you; But you will say 'tis out of perverseness, to serve their faction, and to cast an odium upon parties opposite to themselves: I Answer, Charity thinketh no evil, we should not interpret the worst; those that storm at a warning, give a shrewd presumption of their own guilt: usually persons that object thus, are such as would have us tamely to suffer the honour and interest of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, to be trampled under foot; but 'tis our hearts desire that tender consciences may know, that 'tis not the shame of others, but their good, which we aim at.

From that [Remember,] Seasonable remembrance of truths is a great help and relief to the soul; John 2. 22. When he was risen from the dead, the Desciples remembred, &c. [Page] in events 'tis good to remember Prophesies, they confirm the soul, and support it against the present distress and temptation, both sins and discomforts arise from forgetfulness mostly, and want of actual remembrance; Have ye forgotten, Heb. 12. 5. but now when the spirit is ready with the remedy, as the flesh is with the temptations, 'tis a mighty support; in the debates between the carnal and spiritual part, seasonable thoughts carry it, I do not say bare thoughts do it, unless God be in them; there may be gracious dissallowing thoughts, and yet the flesh go away with the victory for all that; but this is the way by which the spirit of God worketh by fresh and seasonable thoughts, he poyseth the heart, and inclineth it to the better side: Well then, let your memories be as an Ark or Chest, in which the Tables ore kept; lay up a good stock of knowledge, that you may have truths always fresh and present with you, will be an help to prayer, Eph. 6. 17, 18 Take the sword of the spirit which is the word of God, praying always, &c. a check to temptations to sin, Psal. 119. 9. I have hid thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee; a support in afflictions, Heb. 12. 5. a remedy against errour, John 14, 26.

The next Clause is [the words spoken before] The Prophesies Observat. 3. of Scripture evince the truth of it; things are there spoken long before they fall out, not only before the event, but before the causes, or remorse tendencies to such an event; wise men may guess when they see probabilities, and foretel that which dependeth on natural causes; the Devil can many times shrewdly interpret the predictions of the word, but a certain precience of what is future, and meerly in it self contingent, is the prerogative of God, Isa. 41. 22. Let them foretel things to come, &c. this is done in the Scripture, Cyrus is mentioned by name an hundred years before he was born, Isai. 25. 1. The birth of Josiah 300. years before it came to pass, 1 King. 13. 2. The building of Jericho 500. years before it was re-edified, Josh 7. 26. with 1 King 16. 34. The great promise of Christ in Paradice, accomplished a thousands of years afterward; the people of the Jews were [Page] ever warned by Prophesie of the good or bad that befel them; Scripture was to them not only an Authentick Register, but an infallible prognostication; these two signal providences of the reje [...]ion of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles, were they not abundantly foretold, and accordingly came to pass? Can there be any compact here? When the Jews were the keepers of the Oracles of God, would they foyst in Prophesies against themselves? Well then, venture upon the truth of the word more than you have done; God hath ever hitherto stood to his word rather then he would go back from it, he would not only cast off his ancient people, but send his own Son, to suffer a shameful and an accursed death; he that hath been faithful hither to, is he like to fail at last?

I go on in the Text, [of the Apostle of our Lord Jesus,]Observat. 4. That the words of the Apostles are the Rule of faith; these were legati a latere, sent from the side of Christ; they had an extraordinary mission and call immediately from Christ, as Christ from the Father, John 17. 18, and John 20. 21. they had extraordinary gifts, as infallibility, quod hoc, as to the work of an Apostle, the power of working miracles, &c. and ordinary gifts in an extraordinary manner, as tongues, &c. they were to write Scripture, and to consign a Rule to the use of the Church in all ages: This word of the Kingdom must be Preached till the end come, Mat. 24. 14. and Christ prayed for no more then do believe through their word, John 17. 20. and to them he said, Matth 28. I am with you to the end of the world, no other doctrine can we expect till we come to study Divinity in the Lambs face.

Once more, these Apostles of the Lord, were Paul and Peter, 2 Tim. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4 Peter, 2 Pet. 3. 2, 3. FromObservat. 5. whence Jude taketh many passages.

'Tis not unlawful to make use of the writings of other men. Compare the fifteenth and sixteenth Chapters of Isaiah with the 48 of Jeremiah, especially Isa. 16. 8, 9, 10, 11, verses, with Jer. 48. 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. and you shall see how they agree almost word for word; the gifts and labours [Page] of others are for our use, not to [...]eed laziness, but to exercise industry, in some cases if we speak, iisdem paene literis & syllabis▪ (as Melanchthon wished Divines would) in the same words, 'tis not a fault in controversies and positive truths, better make use of old words, then coin n [...]w matter: many now scoff at common truths, as if Preachers did but talk like clocks, one after another; Doctrine cannot be varied; a good scribe indeed must bring forth out of his Treasury things both new and old, represent common things in a fresh savory way; yet 'tis not altogether unlawful to make use of the words of others, where they are poinaunt and emphatical, not lazily to go on in the tract, but as improving their conceptions.

Yet again, Jude an Apostle▪ quoteth Apostles; Daniel aObservat. 6. Prophet read in the Prophesies of Jeremiah, Dan. 9. 2. Peter was conversant in the Epistles of Paul, 2 Pet. 3. 16. Paul himself had a care of the Parchments, that is (as some suppose) the Volumes and Books of Scripture, 1 Tim. 4. 13. Certainly the Scripture is not only for novices and young beginners, but for the highest, a study becomming the most eminently gifted; there is a passage, Psal. 119. 75. Let those that fear thy name turn unto me, & those that have known thy testimonies; that turning to him, some understand of joyning with him in friendship and familiarity, as certainly godly men by a secret inclination, are moved to joyn one with another; others make the end of turning to him to behold in him a pattern and example of the Lords grace; but the Chaldee paraphrase thus, turns to my Doctrine▪ those that know let them come to know more. Well then, do not rest in the light you have, and think that you are above these helps, you may be further instructed and established, if you had all knowledg there are affections to be wrought upon; you may be quickned if not learn; Ministers and those that abound in knowledg may be stirred up by the admonitions and exhortations of others.

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Verse 18.‘How that they told you that there should be Mockers in the last time, walking after their own ungodly lusts.’

HOw that they told you] he meaneth not in word but in writings; they told the Church in general, but the Apostle applyeth it to them, places are every where, 1 Tim 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 1. Acts 20. 29, 30. [in the last time.] The days when the Gospel was first Preached are so called in a double sense, either with respect to the approaching judgements on the Jews, 1 Iohn 2. 18. Little children now it is the last time, the lease of our mercies was running out a pace; so James telleth the carnal Jews, Iames 5. 3. Ye have heaped up treasure for the last days, when God was pulling down and plucking up, they were scr [...]ping and hoarding up wealth, and so became a greater prey to the destroyer. 2. Or because then the last dispensation began, which God would continue without change unto the worlds end, Heb. 1. 2. He hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son; the Lord hath now fully revealed his mind, and the Doctrine of salvation is put into a settled course, never more to be altered.

But why do the Scriptures speak so much of Scoffers in the last time?

I Answer, 1. Either by way of aggravation, that there should be scoffers then, when God had sealed Doctrine by the comming of his Son, beyond which godly men did not desire a greater confirmation.

2. Or [...], by way of distinction, more Mockers in the last time rather than another; partly because the world was still continued, notwithstanding the threatnings of its destruction, 2 Pet. 3. 4. partly because the holy people were then devided, Jews and Christians, and times of division prove times of Atheism and scoffing: partly because carnal hopes of a ten poral Messiah were dissappointed, [Page] and by that means their assent was much weakned as to principles of faith.

[mockers] some think it imlyeth Seducers, who by deluding, do as it were, make a mock of men; but I suppose 'tis rather taken properly, for such as in the old Testament are termed scorners, Prov. 9. or scoffers; when men slight that of which themselves or others have had an high esteem they usually do it by scorning and scoffing, thereby the more to deface all feelings of conscience: if you enquire what they mocked at? I Answer in general, it seemeth to be the Lordship of Christ; in particular, the glorious exercise of it at the day of judgment; Where is the promise of his comming? 2 Pet. 3. 4. and therefore is Enochs Prophecy produced, which foretelleth the Lords comming with ten thousands of his Saints, and Hieron in Isa▪ lib. 14. cap. 51. telleth us of a discourse between Peter and Simon magus, (against whose School and Sect our Apostle is supposed to write) concerning the destruction of the world: If God be good (saith Simon) why will he destroy that which is good; if the world be bad, how is God good that made it &c.

These Scorners are said [to walk after their own ungodly lusts] walking implyeth their setled course and daily custom of life, and their lusts are called ungodly lusts; partly to note the profane temper of their spirits, and partly to distinguish them from the motions and lustings of the new nature.

The Notes are these.

1. What is told to the Church in general, we must apprehend Observat. 1. it as told to us. Paul telleth Timothy, and Peter telleth the distressed strangers, and Jude saith they told you: So Heb. 12. 5. the exhortation speaketh to you, &c. As if the Hebrews were the persons to whom the Proverbs were directly written: the Scriptures speak to every age, every Church, every person, no less than to those to whom they were first directed; well then, it sheweth us how we should be affected in reading the word, we should read it as a letter written by the hand of God from Heaven to us by name, if an Angel should bring us a letter from Heaven▪ [Page] certainly we would regard it; the Bible is a Message sen from Heaven to acquaint us with the mind of God, if we own the divine authority of it, why do we regard it no more?

2. We should not be troubled at what is foretold, monstersObservat. 2. expected are not wondered at, expectation as it deflowreth any good thing that we expect, so it fore armeth the mind against evil, John 16. 4. these things I have told you, that when the time shall come ye may remember. I have told you, why? what good will that do? Ans. we are the better prepared to entertain evils when we expect them before they come, and the evil to which the mind is accustomed seemeth the less; again, we have an experience of Gods truth in the prediction, which will help us to believe and depend upon other promises: finally it assureth us that the Lord hath a hand and a Counsell in all our troubles, for hee told us of them before.

3. That the Scriptures speak much of the evil of the latter Observat. 3. times, there is more knowledg and yet more sin and error; knowledg where it is not sanctified, puffeth up and maketh men curious, and so they have an itch after novelties, or else it maketh men wicked, exasperating our evil affections, and so none so bad as they that sin against light; thence much of the error and profaneness in the latter dayes: Again the latter dayes are as the bottom and sink that receiveth the dregs of foregoing ages, and Mundus senescens [...]patitur phantasias. Gerson. as the world groweth old it is much given to dreams and dotage: Once more much division there will be, and be [...]ting their fellow-servants, Matth. 24. 29 much Libertinism instead of casting off ceremonies, they will cast off O dinances, and desire to be freed not only from the Popes Laws, but the very Law of Christ.

Among other sins that are found in the latter times, there Observat. 4▪ will be many Scoffers. Partly because in times of controversie men will lose all awe, when truths are made questionable assent is weakened; partly because in times of liberty men will g [...]ve vent to their thoughts; partly because the scandals of professing Christians will make many turn Atheists▪ [Page] partly because fabulous conceits concerning the coming and temporal Kingdom of Christ will make men question the whole doctrine of his coming: Well then, wonder not if you find many scoffing at the authority of the Scriptures, God-head of Christ, Day of Judgment, the Ordinances, Fasting and Prayer. The latter age will yield such kind of men, and 'tis one of the arts of Sathan, by his Instruments to make things of the saddest and most serious concernment to seem ridiculous, that when once the awe of these blessed truths is weakened, men may be more easily induced to cast off both the concernment and profession of them.

Mockers and Scoffers are usually the worst of sinners. InObservat. 5. the first Psalm there are three degrees of sinners mentioned, and the highest rank are those that sit in the seat of sinners, Psal. 1. 1. the Sept. render there [...], the chair of pestilence, these are the pests of mankind, scorning commeth from custom in sinning, and maketh way for freedom in sinning; when Conscience is seared and men have lost not only restraints of grace but natural modesty, then they they fall a scoffing; aud when once they are turned scoffers nothing will reclaim them, reproofs inrage them, rebuke a Scorner and he will hate thee, Prov. 9 8. yea, none do the Divel so much service in preventing others as they; if your feet have been taken in this snare of death, extricate your selves betimes, beg earnestly for the more grace, there is some hope, God inviteth Scorners, Pro. 1. 22.

Again observe, Those that cast off the awe of the Lords Observat. 6. coming will certainly give up themselves to bruitish lusts: Those mockers that said where is the promise of his coming, are said here to walk after their own lusts, N [...]gantes enim paenam n [...]gant, & disciplinam, saith Tertullian, de resurrect. cap. 11. denying the Resurrection of the flesh, they must needs be fleshly; for therefore they denyed the day of his coming to avoid the fear of his judgment.

It a [...]gueth a state of wickedness to walk after our own lusts. Observat. 7. That is, when sin and lust is our constant practice, a godly person may too often do according to his lusts, but he does [Page] not walk therein, 'tis not his constant road and path, pag▪ 68. 21. he will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses, such as go on still are there accounted enemies to God, but what is to walk in sin? Ans. to make lust our principle, our course, our end. Our principle, what ever a wicked man goeth about, he doth it out of some carnal impulse, his good duties are either to hide a lust or feed a lust, if he abstain from one sin 'tis to feed another; again, when 'tis our way and course carnal men follow earthly things with greatest earnestness and delight, but heavenly things in a sleight and overly manner, the world and the flesh is their [...], their business, all their care and comfort is it; and this is their end to please themselves, and to satisfie thei [...] lusts: Well then, walk in the spirit that you may not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. See verse 16.

19

Verse 19.‘These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.’

HEre the Apostle cometh to inform them who these Mockers were of whom the Apostles of the Lord spake, he describeth them by three notes.

1. They separate themselves, 2. Sensual. 3. Not having the Spirit.

1. [These be they who separate themselves] [...], the old English Translation had it thus, these are the Makers of Sects, the word signifieth those which disterminate and pluck up the bounds which God hath set The Apostle meaneth those that without any necessity and warrant from God, cut off themselves from the communion of the Church.

2 Sensual, [...], animal or Soul-men, men that have nothing but a reasonable Soul which being corrupted, mindeth only the things of the flesh, and so noteth fleshly [Page] corrupt men Tertullian when leavened with Montanism, called the Orthodox psychicos because of they did not with Montanus, condemn second marriages; the word is notable, it will be some advantage to us to consider it a little more fully: 'Tis three times used in Scripture, as in 1 Cor. 2. 14. the natural man [...], who is opposed to [...] the spiritual men. So in James 3. 15, the wisdom that is from above is earthly, sensual, [ [...]] divelish▪ and then in this place, the word (as I said before) properly signisieth those that have a Soul, and [...] is elsewhere used for the sensitive Soul, as where the Apostle distinguisheth of body, Soul, and Spirit, 1 Thes. 5. 23 [...], where by [...] spirit, he understandeth the intellectual or rational part, by [...] Soul, the meer animal or sensitive part, or that sensual appetite which we have in common with the beasts, by [...] body, that which is commonly understood by it, the body as it is the Organ and Instrument of the Soul, and this is one reason why [...] cometh to signifie sensual▪ the other is because man being left to himself to meer Soul-light or Soul-inclinations, can bring forth no other fruits then such as are carnal; for whilst men are destitute of sanctifying grace, sense and the flesh do raign in their full liberty and power: Well then, these seducers▪ were sensual▪ given up to bruitish lusts and practises; they taxed others as carnal, and now none so libidinous, impure and carnal, at they.

3. Not having the spirit; this is added, not only to shew that they were destitute of true grace and regeneration: partly to rebuke their vain pretences; the Gnosticks and other filthy seducers of that time, did arrogate to them▪ selves a singularity and peculiarity of the spirit, as if all others were carnal, they only had the spirit, whereas indeed the contrary was true, they giving up themselves to such filthy practises, shewed that they had nothing of the spirit in them; see Iraeneus, lib. 1. cap. 9. sect. 6, 7. Partly to shew the incompatibleness of the spirit with a fleshly and carnal life.

Notes from hence are these.

[Page]

That separation or dividing our selves from the fellowship of Gods Church is sinful, or a work of the flesh: The Apostle describeth carnal persons, and of them he saith, They separate themselves, and accordingly the Apostle reckoneth [...], seditious heresies. or sectmakings in the Church among the works of the flesh, Gal. 5. 20. and with good reason, to leave the Church is to leave God; Cain was the first separatist we read of, Gen. 4. 19. He went out from the presence of the Lord, God is every where, how, from his presence? the meading is, from the Church, where is the presence of his grace; why should we run from the Shepherds Tents where Christ feedeth at noon? Cant. 1. 9. 10. And as 'tis contrary to our love to God, so to our love to the Saints, to which we are so solemnly ingaged; the question of separation lyeth much in the dark, but obligations to love are clear and open, see Eph. 4. 4. 5, 6. 'Tis sad that many that pretend much to Religion make no conscience of Schism, and offending the brethren, by withdrawing from them, as if Christs precepts of love were not to be stood upon, as certainly they are not by them who draw their liberty to the highest, and in indifferent matters rather take that course which will offend.

Once more, 'tis little for the honour of Christ, that his body is crumbled into small bits and portionets; he prayed, Let them be one that the world may know that thou hast sent me, implying that our divisions and breaking into sects, would breed suspicion of the Gospel in the hearts of men, as if that great mystery of redemption by him, were but a well devised fable: Yet again, this running into parties and sects, is our great hindrance and disadvantage: partly in spiritual things, for all duties of spiritual commerce and communion are fore-born; 'tis said here, These separate themselves, but beloved, do ye edifie one another in your holy faith, implying that though others withdraw and omit all duty in this kind, those that continue in the body will contribute their mutual help and care to confirm and build up one another; a draught of wine is best preserved in the [Page] hogshead, and Christians in their societies; coals lying together, keep in the heat, Apostacy began in forsaking the assemblies, Heb. 10. 23, and 25. and 1 Iohn 2. 19. Partly as to our outward peace and welfare; separation sets others against us, and us against them, it exulcerateth mens minds against you, when you give out as if you were more pure and holy then others, Isai. 65. 5. Stand by thy self, come not near me, for I am holyer then thou: Gracious singularity is many times envyed and hated, but certainly peevish singularity draweth a just scorn upon its self; and it setteth you against others, men seldom separate, but their hearts are much estranged from those from whom they separate, for Religious ties being once broken are hardly made up again; civil ruptures are not carryed on with such vehemency, and are sooner closed again; but Religion being the highest bond and ligament, when 'tis once violated, the breach is the more irreconcileable.

Thus you see the evils of Schism or separation; but because this is many times perversely charged, we must look a little more into the nature of it; the Spouse had her Vail rent, and Gods own people have been burdened with the imputation of Schism and Faction; it will concern us to state what separa [...]ion is sinful: In general, such as dissolveth that union and love which should be among Christians, or an unnecessary, unjust or rash departure from fellowship, and communion with one another in the Ordinances of Christ.

This separation 1. Supposeth that there was Once an union; we cannot be said to separate from the world of infidels, as Pagans, Turks, Jews, with whom we were never vnited, as water when the Ice is dissolved cannot be said to be separated (in the sense we now take it.) from bodies Heterogeneal, as stars, wood, &c. because never united with them but by accident, agregation there is, but not properly a separation; separation is a dissolution of union, as when one Church separateth from another, who are united in the same body, as parts of the Church universal, or one or more persons from the same particular Congregation of [Page] which they are members: I only add to this proposition, That this union is to be understood not only of what it is de facto, but what ought to be, de jure; thus persons that ought to join themselves but out of schismatical principles do not, nor never did, join themselves to the Churches of Christ, may be guilty of this sinful separation, because there is an union required.

2 The fault and crime of the Schism is not always in those that do actually separate and withdraw, but in those that cause it; a man threatneth death to his wife, hereupon she separateth, not she, but he maketh the separation; Rome obstinately continuing her corruptions, and threatning death to those that warn her, the cause of separation is in Rome, not in us; strings in tune must not be brought down to strings out of tune, but the other set up to them; Go not thou to them (saith God to the Prophet) but let them return to thee.

3. Though th [...]se that separate be the fewer yet that nothing varyeth the case; Noah and eight persons went into the Ark, and left the world in infidelity; Lot got out of Sodom with one family; Elijah was left alone to contest with Baals Priests, not the greater, but the better part is to be regarded; Jacobs family was fewer then the Cananites, and Israel less then the rest of the world; Gods witnesses at the first may be but a very handful.

4. A separation from corruptions, and a separation from those that are corrupt, are two distinct things; a separation from corruptions is always injoyned, but not always from those that are corrupted, those Scriptures, Isa. 52. 11. and 2 Cor. 6. 17. speak of a fellowship with men in evil works; but now a separation from men that are corrupt, is sometimes lawful, Rev. 18. 4. Come out of her my people, &c. and Jer. 51. 9. She would not be healed, &c. we may separate from such as separate from Christ, and continue obstinate in their corruptions; and sometimes 'tis not lawful, as when a Church is is reforming, and purging out these corruptions, or they are not of such moment as that such a desparate remedy should be used; a limb is not to be cut [Page] off as soon as it akerh, but when 'tis rotten and likely to endanger the whole body, when evils are incurable, deadly and contagious; and we can no longer maintain communion without sin, at first 'tis good to try all things.

5. There are several sorts of separation, as these distinctions will manifest. Separation is either

1. Partial.

2 Total.

1. Negative.

2. Positive.

1. Ʋniversal.

2. Particular.

For the first distinction, there is a partial separation when we withdraw from the communion of the Church in some Ordinances and not in other, as in the Supper, but not in praving and hearing of the word.

The second distinction beareth thus: There is a negative separation, as when men do not hold communion with some Church, but yet do not joyn elsewhere, but continue waiting for the amendment of that Church: Positive separation is when they embody in another Church way, setting up Altar against Altar, and threshold against threshold.

The third distinction is to be understood thus. 1. There is a particular separation whereby men renounce communion with the Churches of such a kind and constitution, catholick or universal separation by which men disclaim all Churches extant in the world, as seekers, and many loose and vagrant persons, that are as yet to chuse Religion, or look for new messengers from Heaven, to resolve the questions that are now on foot.

Now the more unjust the ground is, the more aggravated is the sin by the degrees of it; if our separation be total and positive, and to deny all Churches, of what constitution soever, argueth an high degree of pride and Schism.

6. Faulty separation is that which is rash, sinful and unjust, [Page] rash without any real [...]cause, meerly for our better accommodation, or when we require that of the Church which the Scripture doth not require; unjust without any sufficient cause, occasioning so many scandals and contentions for a trifle, and aggravating every discontent and dissatisfaction to the highest; sinful (I call it) when the grounds are as carnal as the practice, as revenge, personal discontent: as many in the primitive times went over to the Sect [...] in stomach and discontent; so Tertullian (is reported by some to do) to the Montanists: Or else corrupt aims to be in the head of a train or troop, Acts 20. 28. 'tis easie to abuse the innocent credulity of the people, and therefore some wicked spirits make it their work to draw Disciples after them: Or it may be carnal fear of the severity of discipline or the censures of the Church, or out of love of gain, 2 Tim. 4. 10. or affectation of novelty, or an higher way than ordinary Christians, or out of faction, in Corinth some of Paul. some of Apollos, some of Cephas, 1 Cor. 11. 21.

7. The only lawful grounds of Preparation are three.

1. Intolerable persecution. 2. Damnable Heresie. 3. Gross Idolatry.

1. Intolerable persecution, Under this head is comprised sinsul excommunication. See Joh. 9. 34. and Joh. 16. 2. when we are thrust out Christ biddeth us flee into another City. 2. Damnable Heresie, we cannot bidd them God-speed, l st we be partakers of their evil deeds, John 2. ep. verse 11. 3. Gross Idolatry, when we cannot communicate in their worship without sin.

8. The scandals of Professors are ground of mourning, but not ground of separation. 1 Cor. 5. 2. Church Guides must do their Office, discern between the precious and the vile, that the hearts of the righteous be not made sad, yet if not, you have no ground to separate, because God may own them for a Church though they have many scandals among them, as in Corinth there was inc [...]st, heresie, profaneness, many that never had repented, 2 Cor. 12. 21. yet to the Saints at Corinth: we may communicate with a Church without sin, when we have done our duty, that is, informed, warned, mourned, if the▪ word and Ordinances [Page] be kept pure for substance though the persons be corrupt, you may communicate without sin, the Pharisees held the degree of Doctors and Expositors of the Law, and so far were to be owned though guilty of much personal wickedness, Matth. 23. 2, 3. The Prophets lived in corrupt times yet did they not separate from the Assemblies of the Church; usually laziness is the ground of separation, they are loth to discharge their duty, to take pains, to convince, exhort, and warn their fellow members, or to call upon their Pastors to take heed to their Ministry, and some Pastors are loth to be at the labour to gain a rugged people to the obedience of the Gospel, to use that frequent admonition, and those serious addresses which are necessary for such a purpose, and to expose themselves to encounter those exasperations which the discharge of their duty will necessarily draw upon them, and therefore rnn into separate assemblies where all things may be carried on more easily.

9. Lawful separation must not be suddain, till all due courses be tryed, 1. Cor. 13. 7. Love beareth all things, endureth all things, hopeth all things. Certainly we should do much, endure much, ere we go off from the communion of any Church; it must be with grief when Physicians cut off an arm or leg, they do not de [...]ight in it, but are driven to it of necessity: So when a Judg condemneth a Malefactor, he delighteth not in the punishment, in a civil warre though the cause be just, yet to delight in the executions that are done upon the enemy is not without sin, 1 Cor. 13. 5. Charity rejoyceth not in evil but rejoyceth in the truth. Ab Ecclesiâ Romanâ non alio [...]is [...]ssimu [...] animo quam ut si correcta ad priorem Ecclesiae jormam redeat, nos qu [...] que a [...]ill [...]n revertamur, &c. See my Comment on James pag. 405. Again it must be with a mind to return when the evil is taken away.

10. For the degrees of separation take these rules: If a afew separated for a weighty cause they should only withdraw, tarrying for the Reformation of the Church, but numerous bodies may go on to positive Seperation; for they ought not to be without Ordinances, but boldly to profe [...] the right way. Again as long as a lower degree of separation will serve the turn, we should not go to a higher; 'tis a great weakening to the Interest of Christ when we presently [Page] draw things to an extremity: In smaller differences we must observe the Apostles rule, Phil. 3. 16. but enough of this matter,

The next Point is taken from the seond sin mentionedObservat. 2. in this verse [sensual] he chargeth it upon those that separate themselves. Those that separate from the assemblies of the faithful, are usually sensual, Discipline is too straight for them that would live according to their own lusts; the Raven that was s [...]nt out of the Ark, finding carrion floating abroad, had no mind to be cooped up there, and therefore returned not, so these finding more liberty abroad, than in the Congregations of the faithful▪ separate and inhaunt with such among whom they may have room for their lusts: Moreover they lose the benefit of those that should watch over them, Church communion is a good preservative against lusts: Wo to him, that is alone Eccles 4. 11. Straglers are more easily surprized; they were s [...]a [...]tered and became meat to the beasts of the field, Ezek 34. 6. they that separate are the more easily perverted both in Judgment and practice, they tu [...]n Famulists, now Famulism is but painted Atheism, or Antimonists and Antimonism is but sin licensed and priviledged. Again, 'tis just with God to punish that pride wherewith seperation is accompanied with bruitish lusts, usually unsanctis [...]ed knowledg runneth into pride, and then the affections are not governed; well then, observe the providence of God in setting a mark upon those that separate, they are men of unbridled affections, and without yoke, and are usually given up to carnal pleasures; and wonder not if sensual persons cast off communion with the Church, when they cast off communion with God himself, those that spent their dayes in mirth said unto God dep [...]rt from us, Job 21. 14. Many now that are come to the height of pride and sin, pretend to live to the height of the creature.

The next Note is, That sensual persons are evil persons, Observat. 3. there are three ranks of sinners, those that are given to to fleshly lusts, and they are the sensual, those that are given to the lust of the eyes, and they are the worldly; those [Page] that are given to pride of life, and those are the proud, the great spirits of the world, see 1 Iohn 2. 16. and Jam; 3. 15. with my comment there: our work now lyeth with the [...]ensual, who seem to be the worst sort of sinners, and altogether unfit for any worthy action and exploit: To find them out let us consider what sensuality is; 'tis an inordinate desire and delight in soft and delicate living, there is a due care of the body to keep it serviceable, and an allowed delight in the creature; he that created water, created wine, creatures for our delight as well as our necessity; and false Teachers have often set off themselves with the shew of a severer abstinence; Col. 2. 19. 'tic possible that by an undue rigor the body may be used a little too hardly and disabled for better services; but yet we are more usually guilty of the excess, then of the defect, pleasure is born and bred with us, and therefore hath a mighty force and inchantment upon the soul; the first years of humane life are meerly governed by sense, and for a great while all our business is to live and grow, and therefore most men miscarry by appetite, and an undue liberty in meats, drinks, and sports; now to state the due bounds, and limits which reason and Religion hath set, is very hard, different tempers and constitutions of body make rules uncertain: in the general, 'tis good to watch, least pleasure become a master, and reason a slave: The two general limits are, 1. The health of the body, 2. The welfare of the soul.

1. The health of the body must be regarded; too much care for the body destroyeth it, as too much oyl [...]pu [...]s ou [...] the Lamp, wine and women take away the heart, Hos. 4. 11. that is, the generousness and sprighrliness of a man, the vigor of nature is abated, gallant and active spirits effeminated, and brave hopes drowned and quenched in the puddle of ex [...]ess, and masculine agilioy and vivacity melted away in ease and pleasure: The Romans were wont to have their sunerals at the gates of Venus Temple.

2. The souls welfare is of chief consideration; we must take [...]eed that the soul be not either disfited▪ for duty or disposed for sin.

[Page]1. Dis fitted for duty, when the soul cannot lift up it self to God and divine things, and findeth less aptitude for his service, you are inordinate: Luk. 21. 36. Let not your hearts be over charged with surfeitting and drunkenness, &c. the heart may be over-charged when the stomach is not; when we are warned of surfeitting and drunkenness, we think of vomiting, staggering, reeling, fauliring in speech, or gate; Oh Christians! you are guilty of it when the heart is over-charged, and driveth on heavily in holy things: when we are warned of adultery we think only of defiling other mens wives, or scattering our lusts promis [...]uo [...]sly as the beasts do; but alass we are guilty of it when the inordinate use of a lawful wife doth quench our vigor and alacrity in our heavenly calling; si vinum [...]x [...] potheca tua, &c. a man may drink too freely of his hogshead.

2. We must take care that the soul be not more disposed to sin; diver; lusts and pleasures are fitly joined by the Apostle, Tit. 3. 3. if we do not watch over pleasures, the heart groweth more wanton and libidinous, the restraints of grace are weaker, and carnal motions more urgent and violent, the heart is nourished▪ &c, Jam. 5. 5. the enemy put in strength and heart, 1 Pet. 2. 11.

Well then, let us beware of sensuality, other things defile a part, as ceveto [...]sness the soul, but sensual lusts defile the soul and body to▪ they leave guilt upon the soul, and dishonour upon the body, while 'tis made a streiner for meats and drinks, and a channel for lusts to run in; other lusts seem to gratifie the ambition of man, and to exalt him, but these debase him, and turn him out among the beasts: to renounce pleasures is the first thing you must do if you mean to do any thing in Religion, otherwise you lye open to every temptation, Pro 25. 18. The water of the Sanctuary could not heal the mirery places, Ezek. 47. 11 which is usually appled to sensual hearts; preasures bring a brawn, and a deadness upon the conscience, and a cloud upon the understanding: Daniel that had the high visions of God, lived by pulse: John Baptist that had the most eminent Gospel dispensation, Mat. 11. fed upon locusts and [Page] wilde honey; among the Heathens he was counted the most accomplished man Ebrietas longe est a me Domine crapula autem nonunquam surrepit servo tuo. Aug Confes. that spent more oyl in the Lamp [...] then wine in the bottle: certainly, the baser a man is, the more he affects carnal delights, Eccles. 7. 4. The heart of a so [...]l is in the house of mirth, that which wise men prefer, is better then that which fools make choice of; pleasures are the choice of fools, wise men know them to be baits and snares; that if they be not watched they soon put us out of frame, and unfit us for communion with God, Eccles. 2. 2. Once more, this sort of sins enslaveth, and by custome, gaineth upon the heart more then others do, and bringeth us under a power which we cannot easily break, 1 Cor. 6. 12 Therefore use pleasures with care and caution, that when we take them, they may not take us: Gods people (I suppose) are not so easily tempted to adultery and drunkenness, but beware of gluttony, the throat is a sl [...]pery place, and instead of supplying nature, we feed lust; be not too much in the use of carnal delights, least you suffer this distemper of spirit to take root; Dives fared deliciously every day, there are times of abstinence, as well as liberal rejoycing in the creature; when our lives are but a diversion from one pleasure to another, nature groweth wanton and unsatisfied, and men live as if they were born to eat, drink, play, sport and sleep, Luk. 17. 27. Lastly, take heed of solliciting lusts when you should quench them, Rom. 13. 14.Observat. 4.

The next thing that we may observe, is, That sensual persons have not the spirit; these two are contrary flesh and spirit, Gal. 5. 17. and they that cherish the one, do necessarily banish the other, and as they enlarge the one, they streighten the other; the spirit is a free spirit, and sensual persons are very slaves; the spirit is a pure spirit, and they are unclean; the spirit is active, and they are gross and muddy, of a dull and stupid nature; the spirit worketh intellectual and chast delights, and they are altogether for base and dreggy pleasures, such a perfect contrariety is there between them: more distinctly take it thus.

1. Sensual men have little of the inlightning of the spirit, [Page] their palate is better then their understanding, Eph. 5. 16. Be not drunken with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the spirit; where the fumes of wine, and the motions of the spirit are composed as things incompatible, in marish countreys we do not expect a clear air; so sensual persons have seldom any clear and raised thoughts of God; men given to pleasures can taste meats and drinks, but not Doctrines.

2. Sensual men have little of the quickenings and efficacy of the spirit; the more they dissolve and melt away their precious hours and spirits in pleasures, the more do they grow sapless, dead▪ and careless▪ and loose all tenderness of conscience, and livelyness of affection; they quench the vigor of nature, much more do they quench the spirit; Voluptuaries are said to be past feeling, Eph. 9. 19.

3. They have little of the comforts of the Spirit; the comforts of the spirit arise from meditating on the works of God, Psal. 104▪ 34. or tasting his love, 1 Pet. 2. 3. or contemplating our great hopes, 2 Cor. 4. 18. Now carnal men can relish none of this, they cannot exercise love or faith, or hope, that they may delight themselves in God, and have some lively tasts of eternal life; when the soul lyeth under the dominion of carnal and dreggy pleasures, 'tis uncapable of thinking upon God, and his works, or relishing inward consolation, love is pre-occupied.

Well then, we should the more take heed that we be not sensual; never had any sensual person any great measure and portion of the holy Ghost in gifts or graces; the Devil easily entereth into swine, but the holy spirit of God will not dwell there; a man is put to his choice which he wil have pleasures or the spirit; 'twil be sad for you, if you love pleasures more then God, 2 Tim. 3. 4. and prefer these dreggy delights before those masculine joys▪ which will ac [...]rue to you by communion with God; if we were altogether to renounce delight, 'twould be more [...] some; no, you are only called to excharge it; which will you cause then, to live at large, and wallow in carnal contentments or be imployed in the serious and grave exercises of Religion? [Page] surely, one moment▪ communion with God is better then all the mirth we can get by the pastime of an age.

20

Verse 20.‘But ye beloved build up your selves in your most holy Faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.’

HEre the Apostle cometh to exhort, as all along, with the description of Seducers he intermingleth exhortation, the summe of the exhortation is to quicken them to the use of the means of perseverance and constancy. [Build up your selves, [...]] the word signifieth the going on with a building already begun, and fitly noteth that care they should take for the growth of their spiritual estate [your selves, [...]] Some transl [...]t [...] i [...]vicem, build up one another, that I confess is the Apostles▪ [...]nte [...], but first to press them to a care of their own Salvation, and then mutually to care for one another▪ See 1 Thes. 5. 11. Comfort your selves together and edifie one another, as ye also do, and possibly this is spoken here by way of opposition to those that separate themselves [in your most holy Faith] By faith may be meant either the grate of saith of the doctrine of faith. I rather suppose the latter, that true and pure Religion which they had learned from the Apostles, which was the foundation already laid▪ unto which they should keep close: If it be meant of [...]aith the grace, the [...] he perswadeth them to progress and to lay hold on the superstructure of good works and final perseverance. Matth. 7. 24. This faith is called [most holy] in opposition to the profane mysteries of the Gnosticks and Valentinians▪ 'tis an holy rule, and maketh us holy, John 17. 17. Sanctifie them by thy truth, thy word [...] truth. [praying in the Holy Ghost] [...] may be [...]nder [...]d, [...], with, or by the Holy Ghost, that is, by hi [...] motion and inspiration▪ and gifts and graces received from him; elsewhere the Holy [Page] Ghost is said to pray in us. Rom 8. 26. and here we pray in the Holy Ghost, he prayeth in us so as we pray in him, he prayeth in us to note the excitations of his grace, we pray in him to imply the concurrence of our faculties, which is to be noted against the Famulists who make the Spirit to be the immediate formal cause of all our actions, as if in the productions of grace the Spirit did only make use of us as Bilhah did of Rachel, to bring forth upon her knees, Gen. 30. 3. and the action were wholly his own.

The Notes are these.

1. 'Tis not sufficient to be established or grounded in the Observat. 1. faith, but we must daily increase and grow more and more therein; when the foundation is laid the building must go on piece by piece, they that are contented with a little faith have no faith, graces though imperfect are alwayes growing, Luk. 17. 5. 'tis the holy ambition of Christians to be more like God every day, certainly their temper is contrary to the temper of Gods people, that think they have learned enough, know enough, are holy enough, none are so knowing but they may know more, so established but they may be more; here we are in a state of progress not of rest and perfection, the Corn in the field groweth though in the Barn it doth not, Eph. 21. 12. 13. Phil. 3. 13. A Christian is alwayes reaching forth and pressing onward, and the nearer he cometh to Heaven, his motions and tendencies arethe more earnest, as a stone moveth faster the nearer it cometh to the Center; the more he enjoyeth still he hath new motives to seek more, Pro. 1. 5. A wise man will hear and will increase learning; a good man would go to Heaven as fast as he can, not make an hard shift but enter abundantly, 2 Pet. 1. 11.

2. To grow in faith is a means to persevere in faith, manObservat. 2. is of an active nature, either he groweth better or worse, we shall not keep what we have received if we do not labour to increase in it, as an house begun to be built goeth to decay, and droppeth down more and more if we do not go on to finish it; do we grow then or decline? Did we observe our first coolings, the mischief would not be so [Page] great, but we like the Hen, as long as there is one egg in the nest observe not how many are taken away, as long as we have any tolerable affections to the things of God, or somewhat to keep us alive we do not consider how many degrees of grace we have lost.

Faith (take it for the grace) is the proper foundation of holiness and good works. Works without faith are but a roof without a foundation, and faith without works is a foundation without a building, good fruit supposeth a good tree, Math. 7.

The faith of Christians is a most holy faith, no doctrine hath such pure precepts, such high examples, such raised motives, such misterious inforcements, such blessed rewards, and all to encourage holiness; if ever any thing were exactly fitted to its purpose, surely the word is fitted to promote holiness, the percepts of the Law require it, the doctrine of the Gospel sheweth where vertue and power is to be had to perform it, the promises incourage it, the examples of God and Christ shew the height and exactness of it, the examples of the Saints shew 'tis possible, the word and ordinances work it, as being instituted by God for such a purpose, and accompanied with the power of his grace. Eph. 5. 26. God hath reserved this honour of sanctifying the heart to the doctrine of the Scriptures, to evidence their divine original, James 1. 18. He hath begotten us to himself by the word of truth, this great change which is wrought in the heart of man, is by the word, a moral Lecture may a little fashion the outward man, and reduce him to a civil course, as Xenocrates his moral Lecture made Polamo leave his vitious and sensual course of life, but regeneration is only found in the School of Christ: Well then, it you will know the best Religion observe where is there most holiness discovered and wrought, Psal. 19. 7, 8▪ 9. John 17. 17. In the word of God you have the copy of his holiness, there is somewhat of good life and moral behaviour among Heathens, but nothing of regeneration and genuine holiness. Once more, an impure life will not suite with an holy faith, you dishonour God and disparage your religion when you [Page] walk as Heathens: This holy faith is best kept in a pure conscience, 2 Tim. 3. 9.

From that [building up your selves] In building up that Observat. 5. is in growth and persevereance, there is a concurrence of our own endeavours; we are living stones, 1 Pet. 2▪ 4. after we are converted, and are not altogether dead and passive, as in conversion; after we have received Christ we may walk with him, Col. 2. 6▪ motion and opperation followeth life, he that made thee without thee will not save thee without thee.

From the other interpretation of the word [your selves]Observat. 6. that is, one another; Observe that Mutual conference is a means of perseverance, Solomon saith, Eccles. 4. 10. When two lye together they have heat; surely good company preserveth and keepeth up our warmth and vigor▪ as a remedy against Apostacy▪ spiritual communion and conference is often pressed, see Hebr. 3. 13. and Hebr. 10. 24, 25. When Gods people did oftner meet and confer together, there was more life in them.

Next to conference, prayer is required; note thence,Observat. 7. That prayer is a means of establishment; We are kept by Gods Power, and Gods Power is set a work by prayer, this is the breath that keepeth in the fire; men that neglect prayer, finde sensible decays, when they suspected some distemper upon Jobs spirit, they charge him with the neglect of prayer, Job 15. 4. surely thou restrainest prayer, no wonder if men grow unsavory, worldly, voluptuous, when they let days go, and weeks go, and God never heareth from them.

8. Then we pray aright, when we pray in the holyObservat. 8. Ghost; this concurrence is, necessary both with respect to acceptance and assistance.

1. With respect to acceptance, God will own nothing in prayer, but what cometh from his spirit, any other voice is strange and barbarous to him, Rom. 8. 27. He knoweth the mind of the spirit, because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God, the Lord delighteth no [...] in the flaunting of pates, and the unsavory belch [...] [Page] and eructations of an humane Spirit, the tun [...]able cadency of words is bu [...]an empty ring in Gods ears, the Psalmist saith, Psal. 19▪ 2. Let my pray [...]r be set forth before thee as [...]ncense: Now the Censers were to be kindled with holy fire before the smoak went up, the coal wherewith we are kindled must be taken from the Altar not from a common hearth, and then our prayer goeth up as incense: Gods course is to prepare the heart, and then to grant the request, Psal. 10. 17. Thou w [...]lt prepare their hearts and cause thine ear to hear, surely Gods ear will be opened if our hearts be opened, when he himself sets us a work we need not doubt of audience; fire from Heaven to consume the sacrifice was the solemn token of acceptance heretofore, fire from Heaven is the token still, even an holy ardor wrought in us by the Spirit.

2. In point of assistance prayer is a work too hard for us, we can [...]abble of our selves, but we cannot pray without the Holy Ghost, we can put words into prayer, but 'tis he Spirit puts affections, without which 'tis but a little cold prattle and spiritless talk, our necessities may sharpen our prayers, but they cannot enliven our prayers, a carhal man may feel the impulsions of a natural fervency, and so cry unto God as the young Ravens cry unto him, and in all creatures there is a desire of relief, the [...]ude Mariners in the tempest were very earnest, Jonah 1. 6. but now gracious affection is quite another thing than this natural fervency; there may be cold and raw wishes after grace, but not serious volitions and spiritual desires, these we must have from the Holy Ghost▪ surely if we did consider what prayer is, we should see the need of this assistance, 'tis a work which will cost us travel of heart, Acts 1. 14. [...] and James 5. 16. [...], 'tis expressed by striving, Rom. 15. 30. Strive with me in prayers, and Col. 4. 12. Labouring for you [...]ervently in prayers, &c. [...], 'tis a striving with God himself, and then there is no setting upon God but by his own strength, this was figured in Jacobs wrestling, Gen. 32. 25. to the end, which is explained, Hosea 12. 4. Yea, he had power over [Page] the Angel and prevailed, yea, he wept and made supplication, the party that Jacob wrestled with is called a man, an Angel, and God; a man for the shape and form assumed, an Angel to note the second person who is the Messenger of the Covenant, and God, Gen. 32. 30. 'Twas such an Angel as blessed him, which is proper to God, now in the assumed body Jacob wrestled with him, which was symbolical; the Prophet referreth it to his Prayers, but how is it said he could not prevail against Jacob? With a blast of his mouth he might have confounded him, and it had been as easie for him to maim and destroy every joynt, as to make him halt and same of one thigh. I answer, he could not because he would not, he gave out but such a measure of strength to the body assumed, and the Lord did wrestle both in and against Jacob, in Jacobo Deus est seipso fortior, he wrestleth against us with his left hand, and strengtheneth us with his right, so that Gods power prevaileth over himself; all this is spoken to shew what need we have of a divine power; when we strive with God.

But now what is it to pray in the Holy Ghost? I shall answer it in a word, the Spirit helpeth us in prayer in a way of gifts or graces, in a way of gifts, that the heart may not be bound up, and that we may have necessary words to give vent to affections: Adam maimed us both as to gifts as well as graces, and therefore that our supplies in Christ may be answerable, the Spirit bestoweth upon us the gift of prayer, that we may inlarge our selves to God on all oncasions, this gift was either extraordinary and proper to the first times of the Gospel, when they were able of a sudden to dictate a prayer in a strange Language which they had never learned; so 'tis said 1 Cor. 14. 15. I will pray with the Spirit, and with understanding also: Many did pray with the Spirit, that is, made use of this gift, but to the neglect of edifying, they did not pray so as they might be understood by the Hearers: Now saith the Apostle I would use the gift, but to edification, so as the understanding of the Auditory may go along with me.

2. The ordinary gift of the Spirit, is that special dexterity [Page] whereby men are able to put their meaning into apt words; 'tis not of such a miraculous infusion and so wonderful in its self as the former, because it dependeth much upon the temper and suitable constitution of the body; and is much bettered by industry, hearing, reading, meditation, conference, &c. As all other ordinary habits are, but such a gift there is in the Church as we find by plain experience, many mens tongues being as the pen of a ready Writer, Psal. 45. 1. All miraculous gifts are now turned into ordinary gifts somewhat like them, as discerning of Spirits into a sagacity and ca [...]telous prudence, gifts of tongues into a special dexterity that way, and gifts of healing into skill in physick [...] so straying with the spirit into readiness of utterance and freedom of speech: Now though we we are to covet the best gifts and strive after them, yet we must be contented with our measures: Sometimes this gift is given to carnal men, because of their▪ service in the Church, gifts are for the body, they may have great abilities to pray and preach, and may be carried on with full gales of outward assistance: Usually 'tis given unto men according to their constitution and natural receptivity, all cannot expect a like quickness and inlargement of speech, in the Pen-men of Scripture you may observe a difference of character and stile according to their temper and education, though there assistance as to words was also infallible, Is [...]y writeth in a courtly stile, and Jeremiah in a priestly. and Amos his manner of speech relisheth of his calling; in the new Testament John is Seraphical, Paul argumentative, and Peter writeth in a milky, sweet, middle-way &c.

2. There is the gracious assistance of the holy Ghost; now this is either Habitual or Actual.

1. Habitual grace is necessary to prayer, Zech. 12. 10. I will pour upon them a spirit of grace and supplications; where there is grace there will be supplications, as soon as we are new born we fall a crying: Behold he prayeth, Acts. 9. 11. is the first news we hear of Paul after his conversion; prayer is a kindly duty to the new creature, things of [...]n airy and fiery nature, a little thing will carry them [Page] upward; [...] their natural motion and tendency; the regenerate are easily drawn into Gods presence, 'tis the vent and utterance by which we discover the impression that is upon us; the Priests were to wash in the great l [...]vour, before they went to th [...] Altar; Tit. 3. 5. we are w [...]shed in the lavor of regeneration, and renewed by the holy Ghost, and so made fit to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

2. There is actual help and assistance which we have from the spirit; though a man be regenerate, yet he cannot pray as he ought unless we be still moved and assisted by the holy Ghost; this is continual, for we soon work out the strength which we have received: Now these actual motions do either concern the time of prayer, or the matter and the manner of it. 1. The time of p [...]ayer, the spirit suggesteth the fittest seasons, he that searcheth out the deep things of God, knoweth the acceptable times, Psal. 32. 6. and accordingly giveth notice to the heart, by setting it a work in serious addresses to God, Psal. 27. 8. Thou saidst seek ye my face, and my heart said, thy face Lord will I seek; god speaketh to us by holy motions, and the impulsions of his grace, and we answer God by a ready obedience; 'tis the worst scorn we can put upon one whom we hate, when we deny to speak with him when he sendeth for us; by these motions we are invited to come and confer with God, do not say I am not at leasure; I would not have this interpreted, as if every motion to prayer were from the spirit; 'tis possible Satan may oppress an anxious soul with the tyranny of unreasonable impulsions to duty, I only understand such motions as are regular and according to the word; neither would I again be so understood as if God were never to be called upon, or we were never to pray but when the spirit moveth us, that's one of the carnal fancies of many wretches now; no, no, God must have his dayly acknowledgment, give us this day our dayly bread; but my meaning is, that such a season when we are so strongly moved by the spirit of God, should not be neglected.

[Page]2. Thy matter of prayer is suggested by the holy Ghost, let a man alone and he will soon run into a temptation, and cry for that which it were cruelty in God to give him; therefore the direction of the holy Ghost is necessary that we may not ask a scorpion instead of a fish, and a stone instead of bread, Rom. 8. 27▪ He maketh intercession for the Saints, according to the will of God. We take counsel of our lusts and interests when we are left to our own private spirit, and so would have God to be a Minister of our carnal desires, and would engage him in our quarrels and private revenges: or else ask meat for our lusts; now the holy Ghost teacheth us to ask not only what is lawful, but what is expedient for us, that so the will of God may take place before our inclinations.

3. For the manner in every moral action; the manner of working is a chief circumstance, a man may sin in doing good, but not in doing well: now in prayer where we have immediately to do with God, we should take great heed in what manner we come to him; the right manner is when we come with affection, with confidence, with reverence.

1. With affection, 'tis the holy Ghost set us a groaning, Rom. 8. 26. He maketh intercession for the Saints with such sighs and groans as cannot be uttered; words are but the outside of prayer, sighs and groans are the language which God will understand, and these are the prayers which the holy Ghost maketh for us, and in us; we learn to mourn from the Turtle, from him that descended in the form of a Dove, he draweth sighs from the heart and tears from the eyes; parts may furnish us with eloquence, but the spirit giveth affection, that earnest reaching forth of soul, that holy importunity, that spiritual violence, 'tis all of his working, many a prayer is neatly ordered, and tunably delivered, but this artifice of words smelleth of the man, then it savoreth of the holy Ghost, when there is life and power in it, and the poor supplicant sets himself to wrestle with God, as if he would overcome him by his own strength.

[Page]2. With confidence, when we come in a child-like manner and call God father, Rom. 8. 16. We have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father: Usually we do not minde this part of the Spirits help in Prayer, we look to gifts and inlargements, but not to this child-like confidence, that we maybe able to cal God father without blasphemy and reproach, tis an easie matter to language it with our mouths, but to have the sense of our adoption in our hearts is a difficult thing, sometimes the Spirit witnesseth it more explicetly by expressions, as if it were said when we go to prayer, Be of good cheer, thy sins are pardoned, God is thy God at other times by impressions or more secret instincts, if not by working child like confidence yet child like affection, optando si non affirmando, that we may call God Father by option and choise, if not by direct affirmation or a clear sense of our adoption.

2. With reverence, that we may be serious and awful, God is best seen in the light of his own Spirit; the Heathens could say non loquendum de Deo sine lumine, we need light from God when we come to speak of or to God. That sense of the Lords greatness and those fresh and awful thoughts that we have of his Majesty in prayer they are stirred up in us by the Holy Ghost, he uniteth and gathereth our hearts together, that they may not be ravelled and flittered abroad by impertinent and vain thoughts, Psal. 86. 11. Leave men to themselves and they will do as foolishly as a man that is to gather a posie for his friend and filleth it fuller of stinking weeds than flowers, we shall mingle many unfavoury worldly thoughts, or deal as basely and affrontingly with God, as if a man under the Law should mingle Sulphure and Brimstone with the sweet perfumes that were in the Censer, lust will be interposing in prayer, and out-talking grace; therefore that we may be reverend and heedful, we must use the help of the Spirit, praying in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance, Eph. 6. 18.

Well then, when thou goest to prayer look upon the Holy Ghost as appointed by the Father and purchased by the [Page] Son to help thee in this sweet and comfortable service, Rom. 8. 26. the Spirit helpeth our infirmities, [...], goeth to the other end of the staff and beareth a part of the burden, we are tugging and wrestling at it and can make no work of it, but the Spirit cometh and puts under his shoulder, and then it cometh off kindly.

2. It informeth us how much they sin that are so far from praying with the Holy Ghost, that they do not pray with their own spirit, alas this is but babling when the heart doth not go along with the lips.

3. It informeth us of the priviledges of the Saints. God is their Father, willing to hear prayers, Christ is their advocate willing to present their requests in Court and the Spirit a Notary to indite and draw up their requests for them, oh what incouragement have we to go to the throne of Grace! Surely we do not improve our priviledges or else we might have more comfortable access to the Father through Christ by the Spirit, Eph. 2. 18.

21

Verse 21.‘Keep your selves in the Love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.’

THe Apostle goeth on directing to the means of perseverance, as before he mentioned two duties, Conference and Prayer, so here two graces, [...]ove and Hope.

[Keep your selves] that is, use the means we are kept by the power of God unto Salvation, but because of the concurrence of ou [...] endeavours 'tis ascribed to us [your selves] Some interpret it as before, alii alios keep one another, [In the Love of God] it may be taken for that love which God beareth to us, or else for the Love wherewith we love God, which is fitly called the Love of God; partly because God is the object of it, partly because the Author of it be commandeth, or begetteth it, increaseth it, perfecteth it in [Page] the Soul, in this second sense I take the Love of God here, namely for that grace wrought in us, and the great work committed to our care is to keep it, encrease it, and discover it in all the operations of it [looking] the formal act of hope, [for the m [...]rcy] the cause is put for the effect, for all that good which we shall receive at Christs coming, 'tis called mercy because his proceeding with the Elect at the last day will be upon terms of grace [of our Lord Jesus Christ] 'Tis so called because 'tis purchased by Christ and disp [...]nsed by him John 17 2 he h [...]th power to give eternal lif [...], and at his coming he introduceth his people into their happy estate, John 14 3 [unto everlasting lif [...]] our happiness in Heaven is sometimes called everlasting life, at other times, everlasting glory.

Observe hence, 1. In perseverance there is a concurrence Observat. 1. of our care and diligence, Ph [...]l. 2. 12, 13 Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling for, &c. The main work is Gods, he that hath begun a good work must perfect it, Phil. 1. 6. and the same Jesus that i [...] author is also finisher, Heb. 12. 2. the deeper radication of the habit the defence of it, the growth and perfection of it, the ability to act is all from God, 1 Pet. 5. 10. The God of all grace make you perfect, stablish, strengthen and settle you; but yet a concurrence there is of our care and endeavours, a child in the womb is nourished by the mother, liveth by the life of the mother, feedeth by the food of the mother, but a child born liveth a more distinct and separate life of its own though it still be under the mothers care and provision; so 'tis with us after grace received, we have a power to act and do what is necessary for the preservation of the spiritual life: Well then, let us not neglect the means, you must not lye upon the bed of ease and think that God must do all, he doth all indeed, but in us and by us. Idle wishes will do us no good as long as our hands refuse to labour.

Again, Men that have grace had need look to the keeping Observat. 2. of it. Why? first we our selves are prone to revolt Jer. 14. 10. this people loveth to wander, and Psal. 95. 10. they erre in their hearts though under the immediate conduct of God: 'Tis noteable in [Page] Scripture that we read of a decay both of faith, love, and obedience; which are the three main graces; some that left their first faith, 1 Tim. 5. 12. Others that left their first love, Rev. 2. 4. and as to obedience we read of the first wayes of David, a [...] distinguished from his latter, 2 C [...]ron. 17. 3. he walked in the first wayes of his father David, David in his latter time fell into scandalous crimes.

2. We are assaulted with continual temptations; an importunate suiter by perseverance in his suit may at length prevail, Sathan will lose nothing for want of asking, those that refused at first may yield afterward: Long conversing with the world may taine the Spirit, a deformed object when we are used to it seemeth less deformed, in dwelling lust though long restrained breaketh out afterward with the more violence: Rose trees s [...]ipt in June, bear in the winter, many that in youth have held an hard hand over sin, in their very old age have found their lusts more violent.

3. A man of long standing is apt to grow secure and negligent, as if he were now past danger, when his condition was doubtful he seemed to be more diligent and serious; but when the labours and difficulties of our first entering into favour with God are well over, and a man hath gotten some freedom from the terrors of the Law and some peace and confidence, he is in danger of security, by which all runneth to waste in the Soul, see Rev. 3. 17, 18, 19. Well then, this life is never exempted from care, either to get grace or to keep it, we need to be watchful and diligent to the very last; man is a changeable creature and Sathan is restless, either he continueth the old suite or altereth the course of temptations, 'tis his subtilety in that he doth not always play the same game, a man may stand one brunt and fail in another: Joab turned after Adonijah though not after Absolon, 1 Kings 2. 28. every new condition bringeth new snares, Ephraim is a cake not turned, Hosea 7. 8. A man may be well baked of one side and yet quite dough of another, the children of God prosperous, differ from the children of God afflicted, Phil. 4. 12. we had need to learn [Page] how to walk up hill and down hill, that we may keep with God upon all grounds: again, corruptions may be disguised, a man may withstand open enemies and yet fail by the insinuations of those that have a shew of goodness; the young Prophet withstood the King stoutly, but yet was perverted by the insinuations of the old Prophet, 1 Kings 13. 4. with nineteenth verse.

Meletius a Sufferer under Pagans but went over to the Arrians.

Again where there seemeth to be least danger there is most cause of fear. Lot that was chast in Sodom miscarried in the mountains, where there were none but his own family: Conscience that is now tender may be strangely deaded and layed by for a time. Who would have thought that he whose heart smote him, for cutting off the lap of Sauls garment, should afterward fall into uncleanness and blood, and lye asleep in it for a long time: Confidence is sure to be dismounted, Peter is a sad instance, he told his Master if all men deny thee yet not I, and he meant as he spoke▪ he ventureth on a band of men with a rusty blade, followeth Christ into the high Priests Hall, who more secure than Peter? but all this confidence failed though it met but with a weak tryal, the soft words of a Damsels question; such feathers are we when the b [...]ast of a temptation is let loose upon us. Upon all these considerations now let us make it our care to keep what graces we have gotten, which will never be done without watchfulness and diligence: to quicken you further to it.

1. Unless you keep it all is in vain if so be it be in vain: Gal. 3. 4. 'tis in vain as to the final reward, 'tis not in vain as to the increase of punishment; you will lose all your cost you have been at for Christ, Ezek▪ 18. 24. John 2. [...]p 8. your watchings, strivings▪ prayings, sufferings come to nothing, the Nazarite was to begin all anew if the dayes of his separation were defiled, Numb. 6. 12. nay 'tis not in vain as to punishment, 2 Pet. 2. 20. 21, 22.

2. To lose any degrees of grace is a great loss, 'tis the most precious gift, 2 Pet. 1. 1. conduceth to the highest [Page] ends, eternal happiness, fitteth us for communion with God, all the world cannot repair this loss, or purchase a supply for us; we are to be accountable for degrees as well as for the grace it self, they that had five talents reckoned for five, a Factor that giveth an account only for a part of the estate received, is not accounted faithful: we may not be intrusted with so much again: a man that hath faln may recover his peace and joy but in a lower degree; a Prodigal that hath once broken is not trusted with a like stock again, & a man after a great disease may never come to the same degree and pitch of health; so Christians may not recover that largeness of Spirit after their foul falls and fulness of inward strength and comfort.

3. Those that have made profession of Love to God, and yet afterwards break with him, bring an ill report upon the Lord, as if he were an ill Master: I am perswaded that the Divel in policy lets many men alone for a while to make a strict profession, and seem to be full of zeal and holiness, that they may afterwards do Religion a mischief, whilest they act for God though they do some things excellently, Sathan never troubleth them, he is at truce with them, till they have gotten a name for the profession of Godliness and strictness of conversation, and when once they have gotten a name, their fall will be more scandalous, more ignominious to themselves, and disgraceful to Religion, verily this is a common experience, we see many forward; hot and carried out with great impulsions of zeal, and all this while Sathan lets them alone, he knoweth how mutable men are, and how soon they begin to tire in the ways of God, therefore lets them alone till they have run themselves out of breath, that afterward by a more notable defection they may shame themselves and harden others: If Judas will be a Disciple he lets him alone, if Simon Magus will be baptized and Nicholas bear Office in the Church he lets them alone, he knoweth the best are mutable, that many take up their Religion out of interest, that men are soon weary of their own scrupulousness and rigid observances, that they first make Conscience of all things and [Page] then of nothing, and therefore he lets them go on without any notable defect or failing, to fly some youthful lusts, to renounce some interests, till they have gotten credit enough to discredit Religion▪ see 2 Tim. 2. 18. Oh Christians, if you are not moved with respect to God, yet for your own cause, after a blaze will you go one in a stench? an house begun and not finished is an habitation for screech Owls; but on the contrary, what an honour is it to hold out to the last to be like MNason an old Disciple?

4. The worst is past, we have but a few years service more, and we shall be happy for ever; Your salvation is neerer then it was when you first beleeved, Rom. 13. 11. a little more and you will land safe at the expected Haven; if we have a rough passage, 'tis a short one; What will you not watch with me one hour, saith Christ to his Apostles, the longest life is no more in comparison of eternity. Enoch lived longer then most men do, he lived 365. years▪ Gen. 5. 22. but all that while he walked with God, and is it so tedious to us co tell ouer a few summers and winters before we come to Heaven.

The next Point is more particular and express: That of Observat. 3. all graces, Love needeth keeping: Why? 1. Because of all graces 'tis most decaying. Mat. 24. 12. Rev. 2. 4. Flame is soon spent, graces that act most strongly, require most influence, as being most subject to abatemen [...]; we sooner loose our affections then any thing else. 2. Because love is a grace that we can ill spare▪ 'tis the spring and rise of all duties to God & Man. 1. To God, love is the first affection corrupted and renewed; the Schoolmen dispute whether there be any thing a man doth, that had not its first rise from love; 'tis love maketh us angry, and 'tis love maketh us Psal. 97. 10. hate, and Joh. 11. 35, 36. love maketh us grieve, much more is it love that maketh us hope and desire, and delight, so 'tis gracious Luk. 7. 47. love that sets us a mourning for sin, puts us upon hatred of evil, delighting in God and in his Laws, see 2 Cor. 4▪ 14. 1 Ioh. 5. 3. Gal. 5. 6. faith worketh by love, faith receiveth grace and love, exerciseth it; if we would do any thing in the resistance of sin, in keeping the Commandments, we cannot spare [Page] our love. 2. As to man, love is a grace that will make us industrious for the good of others, and therefore we read of the labour of love, 1 Thes. 1 3. 'tis gluten animarum, the glue of the souls, the cement, and soder of the Church; the jointing that runneth throughout all the living and squared stones, Col 3. 14. by this souls are mingled▪ and all mutual offices done cheerfully: want of love to the Saints is the cause of Apostacy, for the less we love them, the more we associate to the wicked, and then zea [...] is damnifi [...]d and abated.

Well then, watch the more earnestly against the decays and abatements of love; leaving our first love is a disease not only incident to Hypocri [...]es, but sometimes to Gods own children▪ Christians go backward in the heat and light of their graces ten degrees, either through the badness of the times, Mat. 24. 12. or through a cursed [...]a [...]i [...]ty that is apt to creep upon us, aff [...]ctions are deadned to things to which we are ac [...]ustomed; the Israelites cryed out nothing but this Manna, our desires are not so fresh and lively▪ after long acquaintance: Sometimes it cometh from neglig [...]nce, or a sluggish carelesness, we do not take pains to keep graces alive, nor [...], stir up the gift that is in us, 2 Tim. 1. 6. as the Prie [...]s in the Temple were to keep in the holy fire, so are we by prayers, and meditation, and constant wo [...]k, to keep our love al [...]ve; but when these exercises are neglected, it decreaseth: Sometimes it falleth out through freeness in sinning; neglect is like not blowing up the coals, sinning is like pouring on waters, a very quenching of the s [...]irit, 1 Thes▪ 5. 13. Again, through secure dalliance with the pleasures of sin, or cumbring the soul with the cares of the world▪ when the heart runneth out too much upon the creature God is neglected; Thus it may fall out.

But now the decay of love is seen in two things. 1. The remission of the degrees of love. 2. The intermission of the acts of love.

1. A remission of the degrees when the heart groweth cold, listless, and loose; when there is not such a strong tendency and bent of soul towards God as formerly, not such [Page] a sense of unkindness, such an awful respect to God, a care to please him, and desire to enjoy him; nor such complacency and delight in the thoughts of God; but now every loss or abatement of degree doth not mount to a leaving of our first love, there are certain ravishments and transports of soul, which we feel upon the first evidence of our being reconciled to God, or are stirred up upon ther special occasions; these are accidental overflowings, which may come and go, we cannot always bear up under them, new things strangely affect us, love is afterward more settled and d [...]ffused in the channels of obedience, and therefore no wonder if it do not run with so full a [...]yd [...] and current; this remission of degrees then must be understood with respect to these constant dispositions of love, as care to please, fear to offend, desire of, and delight in God, when these fail as to any degree, love is a chilling or growing cold.

2. An intermission of the acts and exercise of love, when God is forg [...]tten, duty neglected, sin unmo [...]tified, no ca [...]e of; or frequency in private communi [...]n with God, no sweet thoughts of him, Psal. 63. 6. Psal: 104. 34. where we love there will be musing on the object beloved, there will be familiarity and intimateness of converse, there is not a day can pass but love will find some errand and occasion to confer with God, either to implore his help or ask his counsel; but now when men can pass over whole days and weeks, and never give God a visit, such strangeness argueth little love: Again, when there is no care of glorifying God, no plo [...]tings and contrivings how we may be most useful for him; when we do not mourn over sin as we were wont to do, are not so sensible of offences, have not these meltings of heart, are not so careful to avoid all occasions of offending God, are not so watchful, so zealous, as we were wont to be, do not rise up in arms against temptations and carnal thoughts, love is decayed certainly, when the sense of our obligations to Christ is warm upon the heart, sin doth not scape so freely, love will not endure it to live and act in the [...]ear, Tit. 2 11. 12. Gen. 39, 9. but now as this is worn off, the heart is not watched; the [Page] tongue is not bridled, speeches are idle, yea rotten and prophane, wrath and envy tyrannize over the Soul, all runneth to riot in the poor neglected heart; yea further, Gods publick worship is performed perfunctorily, and in a careless stupid manner, sin confessed without remorse and sense of the wrong done to God, prayer made for spiritual blessings without desire of obtaining, wrath deprecated without any fear of the danger, intercession for others without any sympathy or brotherly Love, thanks given without any esteem of the benefits or affection to God in the remembrance of them, conference of holy things is either none at all, or very slight and careless, hearing without attention, reading without a desire of profit, singing without any delight or melody of heart. All this is but the just account of an heart declining in the love of God.

Now as you love your own Souls beware of this great evil, to this end. 1. Be rooted and grounded in love, Eph. 3. 17. Do not content your selves with flashes and good moods and meltings at a Sermon, but get solid grace and thorow experiences, glances and suddain affections will come to nothing, Matth. 13. 4. 5. with 20. 21. A tree that hath taken root is in less danger of withering.

2. Increase and grow in love, 1 Thessa. 4. 10. Nothing conduceth to a decay more than contentment with what we have received, every day you should love sin less, self less, world less, but Christ more and more.

3. Observe the first declinings, for these are cause of all the rest, evil is best stopped in the beginning; if when we first began to grow careless, we had taken heed, then it would never have come to this, an heavy body moving downward, vires a [...]quirit [...]undo, it gathers strength by running, and still moveth faster and faster, look then to your first breaking off from God, and remitting your watch and spiritual fervour; 'tis easier to crush the egg than to kill the serpent: He that keepeth an house in constant repair, prevents the ruine and fall of it, stop every hole and chinck before the mischief spread further.

4. Plead with thy heart, the highest degree of love doth [Page] not answer the dignity of Christ nor the duty that we owe to him; he is to be loved with all the Soul, and all the heart, and all the might; 'tis a disgrace to him to give him less, surely he looketh to be much loved again who hath loved us so intirely, and translated us out of darkness into marvelous light.

5. In case of decay take the advice which the holy Ghost hath given you, Rev. 2. 5. where three things are required, 1. Consideration. 2. Humiliation. 3. Reformation.

1. Consideration, Remember whence thou art fallen, ponder the case; in examination we compare our selves and the Law together, but in this recollection, our selves and our selves together; sadly consider then what a difference there is between thee and thy self, recall former experiences and say as Job 29. 2. 3. Oh that I were as in moneths past, in the dayes when God preserved me, when his candle shined on my head, or as the Churce, Hosea▪ 2. 7. It was better with me than now, in our serious sequestration and retirements we should have such thoughts as these are, I was wont to spend some time every day with God, I remember when 'twas a delight to me to think of him, now I have no heart to pray or meditate, no relish of communion with his blessed majesty; 'twas the joy of my Soul to be at an Ordinance, the returns of the Sabbath were welcome to me, but now what a weariness is it! time was when I had sweet experiences, and the graces of Gods Spirit were more lively in me, but now all is dead and inefficacious; time was when a vain thought was burdensome unto me, but now I can away with sinful actions; time was when the mispence of ordinary time was a grief unto my Soul, now I can spend the Sabbath unprofitably and never be troubled, &c. Thus should you consider your estate.

2. Humiliation intimated in the word repent; 'tis not enough to know your selves faln, many are convinced of their collapsed and decayed estate, but do not judg themselves for it in Gods presence, go bewail it to God, smite upon the thigh, praying for pardon; thats the notion of the word [repent] here, 'tis not enough to repent of gross whoredom, theft, drunkenness, we must repent also of the [Page] decayes of love, the blind world thinketh we are to repent of nothing but what is publikely odious: In friendship coldness is taken for a great injury, go arraign thy self before God for growing cold in his Love and Service.

3. Reformation, do thy first works, we must not spend the time in idle complaints; many are sensible that do not repent, some may repent that do not reform, you must not be quiet till you recover your former station; Christ puts Peter upon a trebble profession because of his trebble denyal, John 21. 17.

The next note is from the coupling of these two, the love Observat. 4. of God, and looking for the mercy of Christ unto eternal life. Thence observe, That love to God will put us upon looking for Christs second coming when this mercy is to be dispensed to us. See the like connection elsewhere; 2 Thes. 3, 5. the Lord direct your hearts to the Love of God, and the patient waiting for Christ. Two reasons may be given of it.

1. Love allayeth fear, 1 John 4. 17. 18. of whom should a Christian be afraid at that day? of the Divel? he is held in chains of darkness, and judged by the Saints together with Christ; of Christ? Shall the members be afraid of their head? the ransomed of their Redeemer? the beloved of of their Saviour? Oh but then he cometh as a Judg, but 'tis to plead their cause, to right their wrongs, to revenge their enemies, to reward their services; if he be then your Judg he hath ever been your Advocate hitherto, and surely he that hath interceded for you, will not cond [...]mn you.

2. Love quickeneth desire, 2. Pet. 3. 12, Looking for and hastening the coming of the Lord. see Cant. 8, 14. Rev. 22. 20 An Harlot would have her husband deferre his coming, but a chast spouse thinketh he can never come soon enough, they that go an whoring after the world, neither d [...]sire Christs coming nor love his appearing; but the Spirit of the Bride saith come, they that love God look for it, Phil. 3. 20. long for it, 2 Tim 4. 8. they love his appearing, corrupt nature saith depart, Job 22. 14. but grace saith come; the children of God would fain see him of whom they have heard so often, and so much, and of whose sweetness they [Page] have tasted; they know him by hear-say and by spiritual experience, but they would fain see his person. 1. Ʋse

This now informeth us what a difference there is between a child of God and wicked men, they wish this day would never come, and would be glad in their hearts to hear such news, the thought of Christs coming is their burden and torment, they have the spirit of the Divel in them, art thou come to torment us before our time, Matth. 8. 31. They cannot endure to hear or think of it; if it might go by voices whether Christ should come or no, would they give their voice this way, and say Come Lord Jesus, yea, come quickly? If Thiefs and Malefactors should have the liberty to chuse whither the Assizes should be kept or no, would they ever fix it? and look for and long for the time of its approach? No no, but a child of God is waiting and looking for this happy time.

But now here is an Objection, are Christians alwayes inObject. this frame? What shall we say then to those weak ones that tremble at the thought of it, for want of the assurance of Gods Love, and the best Saints that do not alwayes feel such an actual inclination and strength of desire?

I answer, the meanest Saint hath some inclination thisSol. way, can a man desire that Christ should come into his heart and not come to Judgment? Since comfort and reward is more naturally embraced than duty, the first work of grace is to raise us up to this hope, 1 Pet. 1. 3. but yet sometimes there may be a drowsiness and indisposition, and then, their lamps may not be kept burning, Luc. 12. 35, 36. The wise Virgins stept as well as the foolish, Matth. 25. oftentimes they find themselves indisposed for his coming by careless carriage, remission of their watch, and scattering their Love to the Creature; yea, much of their old b [...]ndage may remain through the imperfection of their Love; for his perfect love casteth out fear: A wife desireth her husbands coming home, but it may be all things are not ready, and in so good order as they should be, all Christians desire the coming of Christ, but sometimes they are not so exact and watchful, and therefore their affections are not so lively.

[Page]Here is a note of tryal whether we love God or Christ,Ʋse. 2. how do we stand affected towards his appearing; the world cannot satisfie Christians, they look beyond it; in things to come we are apt to feign, and because we have not a sufficient sense of them, we think we have an affection to them, when we have them not, if there be looking, there will be preparing; when you expect a great estate for your children, you breed them accordingly; or rather thus, a man that expecteth the comming of a King to his house will make all things ready, surely you look for no body when you are not fitting and preparing your selves; what have you done against this great day? do you judge your selves? 1 Cor. 11. 31. do you get into Christ? Rom 8. 1. that you may be interested in Christs Righteousness against you come to undergo Christs judgement? what purging of heart and life? 2 Pet. 3. 11. art thou in such a case wherein thou wouldst be found of Christ?

To exhort those that love God to look earnestly for the comming of Christ; to this end 1. Consider our relations to him, he is our Master, we are his servants, and good servants will wait for their Masters comming, Mat. 24. 45. here we have our meals, but then our wages; 'tis but present maintenance which we have now, but behold I come and my reward is with me, Christ will not come empty handed: Again, he is our Husband, we his Spouse, the Bride saith come, Rev. 22. 17. we are now but contracted to Christ, then is the day of solemn Espousals: The Judge is the wicked mens enemy, but your Redeemer. 2. Consider the priviledges we shall then enjoy; the day of Christs coming is

1. A day of manifestation, Rom▪ 8 19. all is now hidden, Christ is hidden, the Saints are hidden, their life is hidden, Col. 3. 3. their glory is hidden, 1 John 3. 2. but then Christ shall appear, and we shall appear with him in glory, as Moses told the Rebels, Numb. 16. To morrow the Lord will shew who are his; Christ as the natural son shall then appear in all his Royalty and Glory, as the great God and Saviour of the world; so shall the Saints put on their best robes; in winter the tree appeareth not what it is, the sap [Page] and life is hidden in the root, but when summer cometh, all is discovered.

2. 'Tis a day of perfection, every thing tendeth to its perfect estate; the little seed that is sown in the ground, breaketh through the clods that it may be in flower and perfection, so a Christian is working through, that he may come to an estate of perfect holiness, and perfect freedom; here we are very weak, yea even to glorified spirits he is but a Saviour in part, there is some fruit of sin continued upon the body, but then body and soul are united and perfectly glorified to praise God in Heaven, Christ cometh to make an end of what he hath begun he came first to redeem our souls from sin, but then our bodies from corruption; then all priviledges are perfect regeneration, Mat. 19. 27. when Heaven's new, earth new, bodies new, souls new, that's a regeneration indeed; so adoption, we are sons▪ but handled as servants, looking for the adoption, Rom. 8. 23. so justification, our pardon shall be proclaimed at the market cross, published before all the world, Acts▪ 3. 19. so for Redemption, Luk. 21. 28. the body is a captive, when the soul is set at liberty, the body is held under death till that day.

3. 'Tis a day of Congregation, or gathering together; the Saints are now scattered, they live in divers Countreys, and in divers ages, but then all meet in one Assembly and Congregation Psal. 1. 6. but of these things more largely, verse 16. on these words [the great day.]

From that [looking for the mercy, &c.] Observe, That Observat. 5. looking earnestly for eteanal life, is a good means of perseverance; for to that end is it urged by the Apostle here; I shall enquire 1. What this looking is. 2. What influence it hath upon our perseverance.

1. What this looking is, it implyeth patience, but chiefly hope.

1. Patience, in waiting Gods leisure in the midst of present difficulties, Heb. 10. 36. Luke. 8. 15. 1 Thes. 1. 3. Rom. 8. 25.

2. Hope▪ now because there is a blind hope, and a good hope, a bastard hope, and a genuine hope, good hope through [Page] grace, saith the Apostle, 2 Thes. 2. 16. Let me tell you that this looking or expectation is not that blind hope that is found in men ignorant and presumptuous, that regard not what they do, presumption is a child of darkness, the fruit of ignorance and inconsideration, when men are once serious they find it an hard matter to fix an advised hope on things to come; for guilty nature is more inclinable to fear than to hope; this blind hope will certainly fail us, 'tis compared, to a Spiders web, Job 8. 12, 13. The Spider spinneth a web out of his own bowels, which is swept away as soon as the besom cometh, so do carnal men conceive a few rash and ungrounded hopes, but when death cometh or a little trouble of Conscience, these vain conceits are swept away; this hope which I press you to is a serious act arising from grace aiming at its own perfection: again this looking is not some glances upon Heaven, such as are sound in worldly and sensual persons, who now and then have their lucida intervalla, their good moods and sober thoughts, as Balaam, Numb. 23. 10. a taste they may have, Heb. 6. 4. a smatch of the sweetness of Heaven and spiritual comforts; the most wretched worldlings have their wishes and suddain rap [...]s of Soul, but alas these suddain motions are no [...] operative, they come but seldom and leave no warmth upon the Soul, as fruit is not ripened that [...]ath but a g [...]a [...]ce of the Sun, and a suddain light rather blindeth a man than sheweth him the way. So these suddain indeliberate thoughts vanish and leave men never the better: again 'tis not a loose hope or a probable conjecture; this hath no efficacy upon the Soul; men that are under an anxious doubtful posture of Spirit will be very uneven in their walkings, James 1. 8. when men are discouraged in a race they begin to slacken their pace; to which the Apostle alludeth when he saith, I run not as once, that is uncertain▪ 1 Cor. 9, 26. but when they begin sensibly to get ground, they hold on their course the more chearfully.

Thus negatively I have shewed you what 'tis not, but now positively, tis an earnest well grounded expectation of blessedness to come, it bewrayeth it self, 1. by frequent and [Page] serious thoughts, thoughts are the spyes and messengers of hope, it sendeth them into the promised land to bring the soul tydings from thence; 'tis impossible a man can hope for a thing, but he will be thinking of it, by this means we prae-occupy and forestall the contentment of what we expect, and feast the soul with images and suppositions of what is to come, as if it were already present; if a beggar were adopted into the succession of a Crown, he would please himself in imagining the happiness and honour, and pleasure of the Kingly State, so certainly if we did look upon our selves as Hoirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, and coheirs with Christ, we would think of that happy state more then we do, and by a serious contemplation, our hearts would carry us above the clouds, and set us in the midst of the glory of the world to come, as if we did see Christ upon his Throne, and Paul with his Crown of righteousness upon his head, and all the blessed leaning in Abrahams bosome: a carnal expectation filleth men with carnal, musings and projects, as Luk 12. 18. [...], he was dialoguing and discoursing with himself of pulling down Barns, and building greater, of bestowing his fruits and goods, see the like. James 4. 13. 'tis usual with men to forestall the pleasure of their hopes, as young riotous heirs spend upon their estates before they come in hand; now so 'tis also in Heavenly things, men that expect them will be entertaining their spirits with the thoughts of them.

2. By hearty groans, and sighs, and longings, Rom. 8. 23. We groan in our selves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our bodies, they have had a tast of the clusters of Canaan, and therefore long for more, they can never be soon enough with Christ, when shall it once be, the nearer enjoyment the more impatient of the want of his company; as the decays of nature do put them in mind of another world, they begin to lift up the head and look out, Rom. 8. 19. [...], the earnest expectation of the creature▪ the word signifieth the puffing out of the head to see if it can spye a thing a great way of, and noteth the extension of the soul towards the fruition of things hoped for, [Page] they would have a fuller draught of the consolations of the spirit, more freedom from sin, more perfection of grace, &c.

3. By lively tasts and feelings, John [...]. a beleever hath eternal life, he beginneth it here; hope is called a lively hope, not only living, but lively, 1 Pet. 1. 3. because it quickeneth the heart, and maketh us chearful and sprightly, Rom. 5. 2. We rejoyce under the hope of the glory of God; joy is for enjoyment and possession; but yet that pre-possession which hope getteth, causeth all joy, see 1 Pet. 1. 8. I confess all feel it not in a like degree, because it dependeth upon a sense of grace, which beleevers always have not, yet all find a sweetness and some comfort, when they think of what they look for: worldly hope is but the dream of a shadow, there is pain and trouble in the expectation, and no satisfaction in the fruition.

2. Let me shew you the influence it hath upon perseverance. 1. It sets us a work to purge out sin, 1 John 3. 3. Every one that hath this hope purifi [...]th himself as Christ is pure; the things that we look for are holy, 'tis a great part of our portion in Heaven, to be free from sin, and to be Consorts of the immaculate Lamb; can we hope for these things and cherish wotldly lusts? if we did we look for a sensual Paradise, then we might indulge our lusts without any defyance of our hopes: but we look for a pure and holy as well as a glorious and blessed estate, and therefore we should begin to purifie our selves.

2. It withdraweth our hearts from present things, Phil. 2. 20. Our conversation is in Heaven, from wh [...]nce we look for a Saviour; a man that hath been looking upon the sun, findeth his eyes dazled that he cannot behold an object less glorious, the oftner we look within this vail, the more is the glory of the world obscured; Abraham lived as a stranger in the promised land, why? because he looked for a City &c. H [...]b. 11. 9, 10 deny deadly lusts (saith the Apostle) looking for the blessed hope, Tit. 2. 12, 13. a man who is much in Heaven, his affections are pre-ingaged and therefore the world doth him little hurt; birds are seldom taken [Page] in their flight, the more we are upon the wing of heavenly thoughts, the more we escape snares, hope sets the wheels a going, Phil. 3. 13. I press onward because of the high price of our calling; the thought of the end quickeneth to the use of means, we faint because we do not consider it more, 1 Cor. 15. 58. Heaven will pay for all.

4. It maketh us upright and sincere, looking a squint on secular rewards is the cause of all our declinings, Mat. 6. 2. See the larger annotations. [...], they have their reward, hired Servants do not look for the inheritance, and therefore must have pay in hand, if they may have the world and live in honour and pleasure, they will discharge God from all other promises; a sincere man maketh God his Pay master, and that chiefly in the other world, Col. 3. 24. we have a Master good enough in him, we need not look for pay elsewhere.

5. It supporteth us under those difficulties and afflictions which are wont to befall us in a course of godliness, we can counterballance what we feel with what we expect, we feel nothing but trouble and that which we expect is life and glory, Rom. 8. 18. 2 Cor. 4. 17, 18. in this respect hope is called an Anchor, Heb 6. 19. in the stormy gusts of temptation it stayeth the Soul, which hope we have as anchor of the Soul both sure and stedf [...]st, and entereth into that which is within the vail, 'tis a weighty anchor that will not bow or break, and the ground is good, it entereth into that within the vail, and therefore though tempests arise it will keep us from floating and dashing against the rocks: again 'tis called a Helmet, Eph. 6. 17. the Helmet of Salvation, so 1 Thess. 5. 8. the Helmet is for the Head, in conflict [...], as long as we can lift up our heads and look to Heaven we are safe.

6. It helpeth us to resist temptations, sin maketh many promises, and prevaileth by carnal hope, Balaam was enlivened by promises to curse Gods people, Babylons fornications are presented in a golden cup, men are corrupted with promises of preferment, and greatness, and present accomodations; now hope sets promise against promise, Heaven against earth, pleasures at Gods right hand against [Page] carnal delights and taking our f [...]ll of loves, as one hall driveth out another, so doth hope defeat the promises of the world by propounding the promises of God.

Let us now apply this.

1. It informeth us, that we may look for the reward without sin. Those men would be wiser than God that denyƲse 1. us a liberty to make use of the Spirits motives, they begrudg Gods bounty, to what end should the Lord propound rewards but that we should close with them by faith, graces may be exercised about their proper objects without sin, it requireth some faith to aim at things not seen, the world is drowned in sense and present satisfactions; they are Mercenaries that must have pay in hand, their Souls droop and languish if they do not meet with credit, applause, and profit, they make man their pay master, they have the spirit of a servant that prefer present wages before the inheritance; but to do all upon the incouragements of the mercy of Jesus Christ unto eternal life argueth grace: 'Twas a relief to the Soul of Christ to think of the reward, Heb. 12. 2. Christ, as man, was to have rational comforts and humane incouragements; that is, sinful indeed when we would have the reward but neglect the work, when we would be Mercenarii but not Operarii, we sever the reward from the duty, & like Ephraim are willing to [...]ead the corn but not break the clods, Hos. 10. 11. Again, we look amiss upon the reward when we have a carnal notion of heaven, as some Jews looked for a carnal Messiah, so do some Christians for a carnal Heaven, for base pleasure and fleshly delights, for a Turkish Paradis [...], such kind of hopes debase the heart, or else when we look for it as merited by us, as if we could challenge it by our works, then we are Mercinaries indeed, 'tis here looking for the mercy of Jesus Christ, &c.

Again, our own happiness must not be our last end, there is a personal happiness that results to us from the enjoyment of God, now the glory of God must be preferred before it.

2. If you would persevere in the love of God and a good frame of heart, revive your hopes, and set the Soul a lookingƲse 2. and a longing for eternal life, if we keep the rejoycing of [Page] our hope firm to the end then we are safe, Heb. 3. 6. Courtiers are more polite in their manners than ordinary subjects, because they are more in their Princes eye and company; the oftner we are in Gods Court the more holy: Well, then be as much as you can in actual expectation of this blessedness.

To this end, 1. Believe it, there is a mist upon eternity to a carnal heart, they are led by sense and reason, and believe no more than is evident to a natural principle, but now faith is the evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11. 1. fancy and nature cannot ou [...]-see time and look beyond death, faith holdeth the candle to hope, and then we have a prospect into the other world, and can see an happy estate to come.

2. Apply it, 'tis a poor, comfortless meditation to think of a blessed hope and the certainty of it, unless we have an interest in these things, an hungry man taketh little pleasure in gazing upon a feast when he tastes not of it; the reprobate hereafter are lookers on, and David speaketh of a table spread for him in the sight of his enemies; hope hath never a more lively influence than when we can make out our own propriety and interest, 1. Job 19. 26. I know that my Redeemer liveth. 2 Cor 5. 1. We know that if this earthly Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Hence forth there is laid up for me: &c, they do not only believe there is an Heaven, but apply it for me. You will say is hope only the fruit assurance. I answer 'tis the fruit of faith as well as of assurance or experience, but the sense of our interest is very comfortable, and in some sort necessary, before we can hope any thing for our selves, our qualification is to be supposed; in a matter of such moment a man should not be at an uncertainty, canst thou be quiet and not sure of Heaven? not to look after it is a bad sign, a godly man may want it but a godly man cannot slight it: 'Tis possible a man may make an hard [...]hift to creep to Heaven through doubts and fears, and may be 2 Pet. 4. 17. scarcely saved, whilest others have an abundant entrance, but then you lose your Heaven upon earth, [Page] which consisteth in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, and lose much of the efficacy of hope; for uncertain wavering thoughts work little, therefore assurance cannot be sleighted: further I adde by shewing what application there must be if we cannot attain to assurance, there are three deg [...]ees of application beneath assurance, there is acceptation, adherence, and affiance.

1. Acceptation of Gods offer upon Gods terms, Job 5. 27. Know thou it for thy good, put in for these hopes and take God to his word upon this confidence, make good thy part of the stipation in the Covenant, and he will not fail thee, this application there must be in all, an answer to the demands of the Covenant, 1 Pet. 3. 21. Exod. 24. 6, 7, 8.

2. Adherence, Stick close to this hope in a course of obedience, if we do Gods work we shall not fail of wages, 1 Car. 9. 26. I run not as one that is uncertain.

3. Affiance, resting, waiting upon God for the accomplishment of this blessedness, though not without some doubts and fears as to our own interest, though you cannot say 'tis yours, yet you will cast your self upon the mercy of God in Christ as 'tis in the Text. Looking for the mercy of Christ, you dare venture your Soul in that bottom, this is that committing your selves to him as unto a merciful and faithful Creator, which the Apostle speaketh of, 1 Pet. 4. 18. You will go on with your work and put your selves in Gods hand for your eternal happiness, because he is merciful, faithful: See also Rom. 2. 7.

3. Meditate on it often, med ta [...]ion is a temperate extasie, a survey of the Land of promise, God biddeth Abraham take a view of Canaan, Gen. 13. 14, 15. Surely the more we lift up our thoughts in the contemplation of this blessed estate, the more lively will our hopes be, if every morning we spent a thought this way, it would season the heart against the love of present things, the morning is an emblem of the Resurrection, when we awake out of the sleep of death, and the day cometh which will never have night more, Psal. 17. 15. So in time of troubles we should [Page] be reckoning upon a better estate, Rom. 8. 18, so when you are by bodily sickness summoned to the grave, and you are going down to converse with worms and skulls, then think of a blessed eternity, Job 19. 26.

The next Point is from that elause [the mercy] The Observat. 6. ground of our waiting and looking for eternal life is Gods mercy, not for any works and merits of ours, we cannot challenge it as a debt: sin and death are as work and wages, but eternal life is a donative, Rom. 6. 23. eternal life is not the wages of obedience, as damnation is the wageso [...] sin; why: wherein lyeth the difference? I answer, wicked men stand upon their own bottom, but Christ hath obtained this priviledge for us: Wicked works are ours, and they are meerly evil, the good that we do is imp [...]rfect, and Gods grace hath the main stroak, so that we are rewarded, rather according to what we have received, then what we have done; a servant is under a covenant of obed ence, and [...]radeth with his masters estate, he doth but his duty, he deserveth something: we are bound to do good, and forbidden to sin; when we do what is forbidden, we deserve punishment; but when we do what is commanded, we do not deserve the reward, because we are bound, and because we have all from Gods grace: as you must pray for eternal life, so must you look for eternal life; if you should say give me Heaven for I deserve it; natural conscience would blush at the immodesty of such a request; 'tis as great an absurdity when you make your own works the ground of your hope, for in prayer our desires and hopes are put into language, and made more explicite; so that which is our plea in prayer, must be the ground of our claim in point of confidence, unless we mean to complement with God.

Well then, 1. Let this encourage us to wait with hope, notwithstanding infirmities as well as affictions; what a good master do we serve? he hath provided comforts not only against our misery, but against our unworthiness, not only glory as a reward, but mercy as the cause of it, that we may take glory out of the [...]ands of mercy; he looked upon us not only as liable to suffering but sinning, and therefore [Page] as he hath provided life and safety for us, so upon tearms of grace.

2. It sheweth us how we should ascribe all to mercy, from the beginning to the end of our salvation: we were taken into a state of grace at first out of meer mercy, 1 Tim. 1. 13. [...], I was all to be mercy'd, Tit. 3. 5. Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us: he doth not barely say, not for our works, but not for our works, [...], not for our best works, those works of righteousness which might be supposed to be foreseen as done by us: so also when we are taken into a state of glory, 'tis still mercy, we can merit no more after grace then before, 2 Tim. 1. 18, The Lord grant him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day.

Once more this mercy is called [the mercy of our Lord Jesus Observat. 7. Christ.] Thence observe, That this mercy which we look for is dispensed by Jesus Christ; he purchased it, and he hath the managing of it in the whole oeconomy of grace: he shall take of mine, saith he, concerning the holy Ghost, and in the last day he distributeth to some judgment without mercy, to others mercy, they are judged upon Gospel terms.

Well then, 1. Get an interest in Christ, otherwise we cannot look for mercy in that great day, 1 Iohn 2. 28. If we abide in him then shall we have boldness; they that sleight Christ in the offers of the Gospel have no reason to look for benefit by him, you will howl and tremble then, and call upon the mountains to hide you from the wrath of him that sitteth upon the throne; they that prize the mercy of Christ now, they find it to be the very last, mercy that planted g [...]ace in their hearts, will then put the crown upon their heads; here 'twas their care to glorifie Christ, and to honour him though with the loss of all, there will Christ glorifie them in the presence of all the world.

2. It maketh for the cemfort of Christs people and members; our blessed hopes are founded upon the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in his hands to dispence them: from thence you may collect,

[Page]1. The fulness of this bl [...]ssedness, and infinite merit, purchased it, an infinite mercy bestoweth it: surely the building will be answerable to the foundation; 'tis no small thing that we may expect from infinite mercy and infinite merit; would an Emperour give brass farthings? do men that understand themselves give vast sums for trifles?

2. The certainty of this blessedness, Christ hath the managing of it; he never discovered any backwardness to thy good, nor inclination to thy ruine; he dyed for thee before thou wert born, he called thee when thou wert unworthy, warned thee of dangers which thou never fearedst, instead of deserved wrath shewed thee undeserved mercy, interceedeth for thee when thou little thinkest of it, hath been tender of thee in the whole conduct of his providence, visited thee in Ordinances, is mindful of thee at every turn, and will he be harsh to thee at last?

The last Note is from that clause [unto eternal life] The great binefit which we have by Christ is eternal life.

1. There is life, all that you labour for is for life, that which you prize above other things is life; Skin for skin, all that a man hath will he give for his life; That is, he will part with all things, even to his very skin to save his life.

2. Called therefore a Crown of life, Rom. [...]. 10. 'Tis an excellent life, the life of sense, which is the beasts, is better then that vegetative life which is in the plants, and the rational life which is in men, is better then thee sensitive, and the spiritual exceedeth the rational, and the glorious life the spiritual. Vegetative life is the vigor of the sap, sensitive life is the vigor of the blood, rational life is the union of the soul with the body, spiritual life is the union of the soul with Christ, and the life of glory exceedeth that in degree, for it standeth in the immediate fruition of God.

3. 'Tis an happy life, not subjected to the necessities of meat and drink, we have then spiritual bodies, 1 Cor. 15. 45. 'Tis not encumbered with miseries, as the present life is Gen. 47. 9 'tis a life which we are never weary of; in deep distresses life it self may become a burden, Elijah said, Take away my li [...]e, 1 Kings 19. 4. but this life cannot be a burden.

[Page]4. 'Tis eternal life, this life is but a flower that is soon withered, a vapour that is soon blown over; but this is for ever and ever, as eternity increaseth the torment of the wicked, so the blessedness of the godly: Well then, let this press you to keep your selves in the love of God, till this happy estate come about.

22-23

Verse 22.‘And of some have compassion, making a difference.’Verse 23.‘And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.’

HEre is the second part of the Exhortation, explaining their duty towards others, or teaching them how to behave themselves to them that were gone astray.

[Of some have compassion] the vulgar readeth quite to to another sense, and some being reproved: Beza saith, that in some Greek Copies he found it [...]; but the reading which we follow is to be preferred; the other is but in few Copies, is harsh in construction, and mangleth the whole context: [...] on these have mercy; 'tis a word that cometh from another word that signifyeth bowels, and so noteth not only the gentleness of the censure, but the inward affection, or as we render it, the compassion which we should have over them: [putting a difference] [...], the word hath many signification [...], judging, discerning, we most fitly render it according to its usual sense, and the Apostles scope.

From the 22. verse observe.

1. That reproofs must be managed with compassion and holy Observat. 1. grief; ou [...] words must have bowels in them; this is like God; He doth not afflict willingly, nor g [...]ieve the children of [Page] men, Lam. 3. 33. there are tears in his eyes when he hath a rod in his hand; 'tis like Christ, He wept when he drew near the City Luk. 19 41. the Jews were his enemies, and that was the day of his solemn tryumph, yet he wept, Oh that thou ha [...]s [...] known the things of thy peace; 'tis suitable to the disposition of Gods servants in all ages: Samuel left Saul, but wept for him, 1 Sam. 25. 35. Paul speaketh of very wretches that made a design of the Gospel, to gratifie their belly concernments: I tell you weeping, saith he, Phil. 3. 18, 19, There are three grounds of this holy grief.

1. The dishonour done to God, Psal. 1 [...]9. 136. love will be affected with the wrong of the party loved; if we see a man kill a friend or child whom we love, the sword would pass through our own hearts, Luk. 2. 35. Shall we see them strike at God and not be troubled?

2. The harm and destruction men bring upon themselves, that they have no care of their own souls, Jer. 13. 17.

3. The proneness that is in our nature to the same sin, Gal. 6. 1. Bernards good man would weep ille hodie & ergo cras, he to day and I to morrow; there is no sin in their lives, but was in your nature. Well then, it checketh them that speak of others sins by way of reproof or censure; but with delight or petulancy of spirit, many reproofs are lost, because there is more of passion then of compassion in them; 'tis spiritual cruelty when you can turn a finger in your brothers wound without grief; reproofs are delightful sometimes out of the sweetness of revenge, or hatred, and ill will to the persons of men, sometimes out of pride, or a desire to vaunt it, and insult over others; sometimes from self. conceit, and non consideration of our own faultiness: Oh consider this is not Christian dealing, Paul saith, I am afraid least when I come among you, my God will humble me, and that I shall bewail many, &c. 2 Cor. 12. 21. Many a proud Pharisee would have blustred, and threatned them with the severity of discipline; but Paul was afraid he should have a heavy load upon his own soul.

Again, and more expresly observe, That in reproving Observat. 2. some must be handled gently: But who are those that must [Page] be handled gently? 1. With the most notorious 'tis good to begin mildly, that they may see our good will and desire of their Salvation, 2 Tim. 2. 25. hasty Spirits cannot brook the least opposition, and therefore are all a fire presently, how did God deal with us in our natural condition? with what lenity and mildness? and spake comfortatably to us, to allure us out of the Divels sna [...]e, Hosea 2 15.

2. The persons whom we should treat with much compassion are these.

1. The ignorant and seduced, some are of a simple and weak heart; the young men that went with Absalon went in the simplicity of their hearts, and knew not any thing, 2 S [...]m. 15. 11. though swine or dogs be driven with violence, yet poor stray Lambs must be brought home, as the Shepherd brought home his two lost sheep upon his shoulders rejoycing, Luc. 15. Many well meaning men may erre, be not too severe with them, le [...]t prejudice make them obstinate, and so from Errare possum Hereticus esse nolo. erring brethren they become heretical.

2. Those that slip of infirmity, members must be set in joint tenderly, Gal. 6. 1. the carnal world reflects with most sharpness upon the infirmities of Gods people, the late Bishops Courts were chiefly bent against the godly, a Drunkard and an Adulteror found more favour than a godly Inconformist; let us learn to distinguish betwixt an evil course and inconsiderate slips, and as long as there is any thing of Christ be not too severe, 2 Thess. 3. 15.

3. The afflicted in Conscience, we must not speak to the grief of those whom God hath wounded, the Apostle would have the incestuous person comforted lest he should be swallowed up of too much grief, 2 Cor. 2. 17. When Adam was troubled though God reproved him yet he made him a coat of skins to cover his nakedness, when Peter was weeping Christ sendeth a comfortable message to him, Go tell my disciples and Peter, &c. Mark 16. 7.

4. If they erre in smaller matters, we must not deal with motes as with beams, and put the wicked and the scrupulous [Page] in the same rank, nor the gross Heretick, and those that mistake in point of Church order, while the judgement is sound in Fundamentals, and the practice is reformed, we should use meekness till God reveal the same thing, Phil. 3. 15, 16. God hath given them light in most things and those which are most necessary and no time will discover those truths to them whereof they are yet ignorant.

5. The tractable, and those of whom we have any hopes, Rehoboam would deal roughly, and so lost ten tribes. Tertullian was even forced into the tents of the Montanists, by the indiscreet zeal of some who were too forward with censures, and still men are lost that otherwise would be reclaimed; differences are made irreconcileable by the imperious sowreness and bitterness of those that manage them, dashing storms wash away the seed, whereas gentle showers refresh the earth, men left without hope grow desperate.

From that [putting a difference] In all censures and punishments there must be choise used and discretion. Prudence is the Queen of graces, different tempers require different remedies; Isa. 8. 27. the Prophet saith, in Husbandry the fitches are not treshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the Cummin, but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the Cummin with a rod; so all tempers do not need a like dispensation, God himself putteth a difference, some are brought in with violence, others gently, grace forceth open the door of the heart sometimes, and cometh in like a mighty rushing wind at other times, it breatheth upon the Soul with a gentler blast, some are caught with guil, 2 Cor. 12. 16. Others directly knocked down, this sheweth,

1. That Ministers had need be wise to know how to suite their doctrine, to distinguish between persons, actions, circumstances; deep learning, much godliness, and great prudence make an accomplished Minister; 'twas said of Chrysostom, that he was [...], too easie, and so did not many times mannage things so wisely, and so of Epiphanius, [...], 'tis good to be well read in persons, to note circumstances, [Page] and times; Paul striketh in with Felix, treateth of an apt lesson before him and Drusilla. Acts 25. 25. Tacitus saith that he did servili animo exercere imperiumper libidinem & sevitiam. Felix was a very incontinent person and very unjust, Paul, to give him his due, treateth of righteousness and temperance, and judgment to come.

2. That Ministers should give every one their portion, Zuinglius when he had flashed terrors in the face of the hardened sinner, would adde Bone Christiane haec nihil ad te, tender Conscience this is not for thee: We must rightly divide the word of truth, that is not by crumbling and mincingTim. 2. 15. a Text of Scripture, but giving every one their portion, terror to whom terror belongeth, and comfort to whom comfort

3. It sheweth what care we should take to know the state of our flock, that we may know how to apply our selves toPro. 27. 23 them, Col. 4. 8. Tychichus was sent to the Colossians to know their state, it also obligeth private Christians to consider each others temper, gifts, frame of heart that we may the better suite our selves to do and receive good. See Heb. 10. 24, 25.

In the twenty third verse is the other part of that duty which they owed to straying Brethren. [And others] those that are of another strain and temper [save] that is, do your endeavour to be instruments of their Salvation, See 1 Tim. 4. 16. Thou shalt save thy self, and them that hear thee [with fear] that is, by some more severe course either making the admonition more sharp, or denouncing judgment against them, or by the reverend use of Church censures, which were then dreadful, as being solemnly managed and accompanied with some sensible marks of Gods vengeance, 1 Cor. 5, 5. anguish of Spirit or possibly torments of body. [pulling them out of the fire] some make it an allusion to the several ways of purgation by water or by fire▪ these latter like the harder mettals are to be pulled out of the fire, but this seemeth to be forced: Rather 'tis an allusion to the snatching of a man whom we would save, out the fire where he is likely to be burned; we then not only nicely reach out the hand, but pluck them out with violence, or it may be an alusion to Lots being plucked out of Sodom [Page] by Angels, Gen. 19. 16. [hating the garment spotted by the flesh] 'tis a figurative speech, some apply it to the avoiding of the appearance of evil; there is a story of Valentinian in Theod. lib. 3 15. Theodoret, who accompanying Julian the Apostate to the Temple of Fortune, and those that had charge of the house sprinkled their holy water upon the Emperour, a drop falling upon his garment, he beat the Officer, [...], saying, that he was polluted, not purged, and tore off the piece of his garment upon which the drop lighted, hating (saith the Historian) the garment spotted by the flesh: But rather the expression alludeth to the old Law concerning legal uncleanness, Lev. 15. 4. The bed whereon he lyeth is unclean, and Verse 17. every garment is unclean, and therefore I suppose it noteth their avoiding the society of such evil persons as in the greater excommunication they were wont to do, which separation was a solemn profession how much the Church did detest the wickedness.

Observation 1. There is a time when we may use severity; others save with fear, weak Physick doth but stir bad humours, not purge them out; nettles if gentle touched, sting the more; fair, plausible lectures do hurt to seared Hypocrites, there is a time for the Trumpet as well as the Pipe; when we pipe to men in the alluring strains of grace, and they dance not, Then cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a Trumpet, Isa. 58. 1, but who are these others, who must be dealt with roughly? I Anser,

1. The Seducers themselves, these must be layd forth in their colours, though the seduced must be pittied, see Titus 1. 11. with 13. They subvert whole houses, teach things which they ought not, them rebuke sharply; the Prophet flouteth at Baals Priests, 1 Kings 18. 27. and Christ every where giveth the Pharisees their due load, Oh ye generation of Vipers, and Scribes and Pharisees, and Hypocrites.

2. Those that are hardned, and grown perverse and stubborn; when the iron is blunt we put to the more strength, softer strains would but harden these more.

3. Those that are secure Libertines, wallowing in sin and pleasure, we had need put them in fear, though it be distastful [Page] to the flesh, 'tis healthful for the soul; none hate you worse then those that suffer sin upon you, if physick gripe the bowels 'tis for your good; if the Ch [...]rurgeon launce and cut you, yet he doth not hate you.

2. Observe this severity must arise from zeal, a desire of Gods glory, and their salvation; save them with fear, (saith the Apostle) plucking them out of the fire, see a Cor. 10. 8. The Lord hath given us an Authority for your edification, not destruction, so that either God will have us use gentle means, or violent to a gentle purpose, Tit. 1. 13. Rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. Well then▪ 1. Take Admonitions in good part, 'tis a sharpness needful and profitable and needful, he is not a friend that dealeth mannerly with you when you are in the fire.

2. It reproveth the undue use of Church censures; weighty Ordinances are not to [...]cquy upon trifles, nor to be prostituted to carnal ends; the power of the keys is a great trust, and is to be faith [...]ully mannaged; we read of abuses of this power in Scripture, Iohn 9. 34. and 16. 2. 2 Ep. Ioh. 10. The watch men may take away the Spouses, Cant. 5.

Again observe, That fear is a way to reclaim obstinate sinners, 'tis sweet to use arguments of love, but sometimes we must lay before men the terrors of the Lord, 2 Cor. 5. 11: Paul an elect vessel made use of threatnings, 1 Cor, 9. 27. Surely men have a mind to sleep in sin, when they would always have us come in the still voice. Dives was more charitable than they would have us to be, he would fain dismiss a flamy Messenger to his Brethren, Luc. 16. 27, 28. Sluggish Creatures need the go [...]d; in innocency God saw it meet to propound a threatning, and fenced the forbidden fruit with a curse, Gen. 2. 17. if a boistrous lust bear down all milder motives, 'tis good to scare the soul with threatnings of the Law; fear is good, but the servility or slavishness of it is sinful; fear it self, or a tender sense of Gods wrath and displeasure against sin, is so far from being a sin, that it is a grace rightly conversant with its object: Gods wrath and vindicative justice, is the proper object of fear, and so it must be looked upon by the converted and [Page] unconverted. 1. For the unconverted, 'tis the great fault and security that they do not consider what a dreadful thing it is to lye under the wrath and displeasure of God, Psal. 90. 11. there is but a step between them and Hell, and they mind it not; tell them of their danger, and they scorn it. 2. The converted are to fear Gods wrath, Mat. 10. 28. 'tis a duty Christ injoyneth to his own Disciples; the words do not only contain a description of the person who ought to be feared, but of the ground and reason why he ought to be feared; Fear him who is able to cast body and soul into hell fire, is as much as because he is able to cast body and soul into hell fire, as appeareth by the Antithesis, Fear not them that kill the body, that is, because they are able to kill the body, see also, Heb. 12 28, 29. Though we are to fear Hell as an evil likely to fall upon us (when we are assured from Gods favour) yet we must fear it, as an evil which God hath power to inflict, and will certainly upon those that disobey him; we are to fear it, so as to eschew it with a fear of flight and aversation, not with a perplexing and doubting fear.

Well then, so far 'tis good, but now the servility that is sinful; the servility is seen partly in the dis [...]ingenuity of it, when our own smart and torture is more feared then the displeasing of God, as a slave careth not how his masters goods go to wrack, so he may avoid stripes: Partly because 'tis accompanied with an enmity against God▪ slavish fear hateth God for his holiness, and feareth him for his wrath; they wish his destruction, that there were no God: Partly because it causeth but an incompleat reformation, it makes a man fotbear sin, but not hate sin; a wolf may be scared from the prey, that yet keepeth his preying and devouring nature: Partly because there is torment and p [...]rplexity in it, 1 John 4. 18. a tend [...]r conscience is a blessing, but a stormy conscience is a judgment slaves are exercised with the torture and rack of perplexing fears.

Again from that [pulling them out of the fire] A poor Observat. 4. guilty secure sinner is like a drunken man that is fallen into the fire: he is so in three respects.

1. In point of security, a drunkard is ready to be burned, [Page] but he feeleth it not, so they are upon the brink of hell, but are not sensible of it, Eph. 4. 19. past seeling.

2. In point of danger, sinners are often compared to a brand in the burning, Zech. 3. 2. Amos 4. 11. they are already under the wrath of God, as a beleever hath eternal life, whilst he is here in the world; they are in the suburbs of hell, the fire is already kindled.

3. In point of impotency, and inability to help themselves; a sottish drunkard that is ouer-poysed by his own excess, lyeth where he falleth, and except some friendly hand lift him up, there he perish; and just so 'tis with sinners, they are pleased with their condition, and if they be not soundly rowsed up, and awakened; they lye and dye, and fry in their sins: Oh then pluck them out of the fire, warn them to flee from wrath to come. Mat. 3. 7. Minister art thou sensible of the danger of souls? are thy words as burning coals? do they fret through the heart of a sinner? Christian, art thou sensible of the danger of thy carnal neighbours? they are burning in their beds, and thou wilt not cry fire fire! they are besotted with lust and error, and wilt thou let them alone? Oh unkind!

The next Point is from the last clause, [hating the garment Observat. 5. spotted by the flesh,] Some sinners are so unclean, that we cannot keep company with them without defilement; see 1 Cor. 5. 9, 10, 11. so 2 Thes. 3. 14. & 2 Tim. 3. 5. From such turn away: now the reason is partly for our own caution; evils made familiar by a customary converse, seem less odious: Partly These are spots in your love-feasts, verse 12. to vindicate the honour of Christ, and the soscieties of his people; the blemishes of their miscarriages redounds to the whole Church, Heb. 12. 15. till they be disclaimed: Partly to punish the offenders, that it may be a means to reduce them, 2 Thes. 3. 14. 'tis a sad thing to live an outcast from Gods people; let obstinate and scandalous sinners think of it; and let others learn to bear reverence to Church-censures.

24

[Page]

Verse 94.‘Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy.’

THe Apostle having perswaded them to duty, now commendeth them to the divine grace, as 'tis usual with the Apostles to shut up their Exhortations with prayer, to intimate that the fruit of all must be expected from God, without whose blessing Exhortations or Endeavours would be nothing.

[To him that is able to keep you] it may be referred either to God or to Christ, as Mediatour: [from falling, [...] that is, from total Apostacy, God is able to keep us altogether from sin, if we speak of his absolute power; but he speaketh here of such a power as is ingaged by promise and office: Christ who is the Guardian of beleevers, hath received a charge concerning them, and is to preserve them from total destruction. [And to present you faultless.] This Clause sheweth more clearly that Christ is intended in these expressions, for 'tis his office to keep the Church till it be presented to the Father, and at length will present them [faultless,] 'tis Eph. 5. 27. Without spot and blemish: [before the presence of his glory,] that is, at his glorious appearance, Col. 3. 4. when he shall come to judge the world: [with exceeding joy] is meant rather passively on our part, then on Christs, though it will be a sweet interview between Christ and Beleevers, and he will rejoyce to see us, as we to see him.

The Observations are these.

1. All means without the Lords grace will not keep us from Observat. 1. falling: The Apostle requireth duty of the faithful, but asketh grace of God; he had before said, keep your selves in the love of God, and now to him that is able to keep from falling, [Page] &c. we fall not because God doth not let go his hold; our necessities and difficulties are so great, that nothing less then a divine power can support us, 1 Pet. 1. 5. Ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation: This power of God is set a work to encourage hope, not to check industry, use means, but look for his blessing: We cannot stand a moment longer then God upholdeth us, we are as a staff in the hand of a man, take away the hand and the staff falleth to the ground, or rather as a little infant in the Nurses hand, Hosea 11. 3. if we are left to our own feet, we shall soon fall and get a knock; created grace will never hold out against so many difficulties: One of the Fathers bringeth in the flesh, saying, ego deficiam, I shall fail; the world, ego dicipian, I will deceive them; the Devil, ego eripiam, I will take them away; but [...] saith, ego custodium, I will keep them, never fail them, nor forsake them, and there lyeth our safety; the world is full of snares, we are carnal, and there are carnal persons about us, and the Devil is a restless enemy, watching all advantages; and surely having so much pride in us, and love of pleasures, and so many worldly desires, we give them him but too too often, therefore unless God keep us, we shall be tossed too and fro like feathers, with the wind of every temptation.

2. Observe, That 'tis a great releif to faith, to consider that God is able to keep us, accordingly you find it urged inObservat. 2. Scripture, see Iohn 10. 28, 29. 1 Pet. 1. 5. Rom. 14. 4. He shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand; the two Pillars of the Temple were Boez and Jachin, strength, and he will establish; the power of God, and mercy of God, are the two Pillars upon which our confidence standeth: the power of God is a r [...]liefe upon a threefold acount.

1. Because the great trouble of the soul ariseth from a dis-belief of Gods power; we stumble at his can, rather then at his will; one said, Mat. 8. 2. Lord if thou wilt thou canst, but another said, Mark 9. 22. If thou canst do any thing help us; when we consider our own infirmities, and corrupt inclinations, and the sundry temptations and allurements that we meet with in the world; the many lets and discouragements [Page] which befall us in our heavenly course, we think we shall never hold out to the end, so that want of power is our greatest trouble, but when we stay our selves upon the name of God, and consider how almighty his power is to bear down all created opposition, 'tis a great relief to the Soul.

2. Because the power of God is ingaged to help us, it doth not simply follow that because God can keep us, that therefore he will keep us, but God hath promised to keep us, Jer. 32. 40. and he hath power enough to make good his word, and therefore we cannot miscarry.

2. There is a charge laid upon Christ, we are put into his hands, John 10. 28. he hath not only leave to save the Elect, but a charge to save the Elect, see John 6. 37, 38. 40. they are under his care, [...] he will imploy the whole power of the God-head rather than be unfaithful, he is to be answerable for those that are given to him at the last day.

3. The invincible power of God is set a work by his unchangeable love, so that we may be confident that he, what he is able to do, he will do for us; the power and authority of a relation or friend of ours in Court, is an incouragement, whilest the friendship and relation lasteth.

3. The last reason is, because the power of God is many ways exercised for our preservation, partly by way of internal influence, swaying the heart, and inclining it to his fear, if the will of man were exempt from the dominion of God, then God had made a creature too hard for himself; partly in over-ruling and disposing the temptation that it shall not be too great for us, 1 Cor. 10. 13. Faithful is God who will not suffer you to be tempted ab [...] what you are able to bear; partly, in removing the temptation, rebuking Sathan and his Instruments, &c. Well then, commit your Souls to Christ with the more confidence, 2 Tim. 1. 12. I know whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him unto that day; when the difficulties of Salvation are sufficiently understood, there will need explicite thoughts of the divine power before we can with any [Page] confidence trust our selves with Christ, and go on with incouragement in well doing.

3. Observe, Jesus Christ will one day make a solemn preservation Observat. 3. of his people to God, the Apostle saith here he will present you: There is a three-fold presentation spoken of in Scripture. 1. One made by believers themselves, Rom. 12 1. I beseech you by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice▪ and Rom. 6. 13. yield your selves unto God, [...]. When we consent to set apart our selves for Gods use, to be his in all estates, to act for him in all his businesses, then we are said to yield up or present our selves to God.

2. By Christs Messengers, they have a charge, and when they have done their work they present u▪ to God, 2 Cor. 11. 3. that I may present you a chast Virgin to Christ, 'tis sweet when Ministers can say here are the fruits of my labours, the pledges of my faithfulness.

3. This presentation is applyed to Christ himself, now two ways is Christ said to present us.

1. To himself.

2. To God.

1. To himself, Eph. 5. 27. that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, in that place our interest in Christ and his interest in us is represented by marriage, in the world we are contracted, but there presented, actually brought to him when fitted for his use; as Esther when she was chosen out from among the Virgins to be wife to the King, she was first purified and supplyed with garments, odours, and sweet▪ ointments out of the Kings house, and then when the Moneths of her purification were accomplished, was presented to him, Esther 2. from 9. to 12. verse, so we are chosen, elected to grace, and then purified and prepared, but at the Kings cost, we have garments of Salvation out of Christs ward-Robe, and odours and sweet ointments out of his Store-house, and then when spot and wrinckle is done away, we are presented to him, he is said to do it, because he hath the main stroke in this work.

2▪ To God, so 'tis said Col. 1, 22. that he may present you [Page] in his sight; that is, in the sight of God the Father; for the antecedent you find in verse 19. It pleased the Father, &c. Thus Christ is said to give up the Kingdom to the Father, 1 Cor. 15. 24. to 28. that is, the Church, the Kingdom is put for the subjects governed: Now Christs presenting us to God may be looked upon either [...] as an account of his charge in effect he saith, I have done the work for which thou hast sent me. Christ is under an office and obligation of faithfulness, he hath a trust of which he must give an account, he is to take care of the persons of the Elect to justifie, sanctifie, and glorifie them in his own day, now that it may appear that he is not unfaithful in his trust, he doth present them to God as having fully done his work, so that no doubt of his unwillingness to pardon or sanctifie, or glorifie, is in effect to charge unfaithfulness and disobedience upon him; for Christ as Mediator is subordinate, he is Gods, 1 Cor. 3. 18▪ and 1 Cor. 11. 3. The head of Christ is God, namely with respect to this office and charge, so he is under God and to give an account to him; he hath undertaken to make up all breaches between God and us; as to the merit and satisfaction he gave an account a little before his going to Heaven, John 17. 4. but as to the application, to every party concerned he will give an account in the last day, when he will present himself and all his flook, saying, Behold I and all the little ones which thou hast given me, Heb. 2. 13▪ when all the Elect are gathered into one troop and company, and not one wanting.

2. As an act of delight and rejoycing in his own success, that all that were given to him are now fit to be settled in their blessed and glorious estate, Christ taketh a great deal of delight to see the proof and vertue of his death, and that his blood is not shed in vain, as a Minister taketh delight in those whom he hath gained to God, what is our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoycing, are not ye in the day of the Lord, 1 Thess. 2. 19. if we rejoyce thus in the fruit of our Ministerial labours, surely Christ much more, we have not such an interest in them as Christ hath, and the main vertue came from his death and spirit; 'tis said Isa. 53. 11. [Page] He shall see of the travel of his Soul, and be satisfied, that may be understood either of his fore-seeing from all eternity, or of his actual seeing when the whole is accomplished, if you understand it of his foreseeing, the expression is not altogether alien from the point in hand; when Christ foresaw the good success of the Gospel, and what a company he should gain to himself in all ages, he rejoyced at the thought ofit; well, saith he, I will go down and suffer for poor creatures upon these tearms; but rather I understand it of his sight of the thing when it is accomplished; when he shall see his whole family together, met in one Congregation: now (saith he) I count my blood well bestowed, my bitter agonie well recompenced, these are my Crown and my rejoycing: Look as the first person delighted in the fruits of his personal operation, for so 'tis said, Exod. 31. 17. In six days God made Heaven, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed; he was refreshed, not in point of weariness, but delectation; he rejoyced in the product of his wisdom, power, and goodness; so Christ in the work of redemption, when his death turneth to a good account, he will delightfully present you to God as the proof of it: These are those whom I have redeemed, sanctified and kept, &c.

3. 'Tis an Act of his love, and recompence to the▪ faithful, they have owned him in the world, and Christ wil own them before God, men, and Angels, there is no Saint so mean but Christ will own him, Luke 12. 8. The Son of man shall confess him, &c. Father this is one of mine; as for his enemies Christ will see execution done upon them; slay them before my face, Luk. 14. 27. to his friends he will own them publickly, and that [...] be honoured before the presence of his glory.

Well then, see that you be of the number of those whom Christ will present to God, if he hath purified you to himself, Tit. 2. 14▪ he will present you to himself, if you be set a part for God, Psal. 4. 3▪ you shall be brought to God, the work is begun here; privately 'tis done at our deaths; when the foul as soon as 'tis out of the body, is conveyed by Angels to Christ, and by Christ to God, and publikely and solemnly [Page] at the day of his coming, then he presents the Elect as a prey snatch'd out of the teeth of Lyons, but spiritually the foundation is laid, when you dedicate your selves to God, Rom. 12. 1. and walk so as Christ may own you with honour and credit in that great day; if you be the scandal of his Ordinances, the reproach of your profession, can Christ glory in you then as a sample of the vertue of his death? Surely no.

Again observe, That when Christ presenteth the Elect, he Observat. 4. will present them faultless, that is, both in respect of justification and sanctification; this was intended before the world was, Eph. 1. 4. he hath chosen us before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in Love, but is not accomplished till then, now we are humbled with many infirmities and sins, but then presented holy, unblameable. and unreproveable in his sight, Col. 1. 22. the work is undertaken by Christ, and he will carry it on till it be compleat; here the wedding garments are a making, but then put on.

1. The work must be begun, here the foundation is laid as soon as we are converted unto God, 1 Cor 6. 11.

2. This work increaseth daily more and more, 1 Thess. 5. 23. 24. we are not faultless, but Christ will not rest till we be faultless, he is sanctifying further and further, that we may be blameless at his coming, he will pursue the work close till it be done.

3. 'Tis so carried on for the present, that our justification and sanctification may help one another, the benefit of justification would be much lessened if our sanctification were compleat, and our sanctification is carried on the more kindly because the benefit of justification needeth so often to be renewed and applyed to us; [...] inherent righteousness were more perfect, imputed righteousness would be less set by, in this great imperfection under which we now are, we are too apt to fetch all our peace and comfort from our own works, to the great neglect of Christ and his righteousness, therefore doth the Lord by little and little carry on the work of grace, that by the continual sense of [Page] our defects, and the often making use of Justification we may have the higher apprehensions of Gods Love in accepting us in Christ, the reliques of sin trouble us as long as we are in the world, and so the benefit is made new to us, which otherwise would wax old and out of date, and the benefit being made new, increaseth our love to God, Luc. 7. 47. and putteth us upon the study of holiness.

4. At the last day all is fully accomplished, 1 Col. 22. Well then, let us wait upon God with incouragement, and press on to perfection upon these hopes, surely we shall be faultless, Christ would never have given us 2 Cor. 1. 22. earnest if he meant not to stand to his bargain.

The next clause is [before the presence of his glory▪] noteObservat. 5. thence, that Christs presence at the day of Judgment will be exceeding glorious; for he will then appear not only as the Son of man but as the Son of God, Matth. 16 27. he will then appear not only as the Saviour but as the Judg of the world, both for the terror of the wicked, 2 Thess. 1. 8. and as a pattern of that glory which shall be put upon the godly, Col. 3. 4. and Phil. 3. 21. Well then, let us not despise Christ, now he lieth hid under the vail of the Gospel, but with comfort let us expect his coming; for when he is glorious we shall share with him, and appear also in glory: And let us not think shame of his service, what ever disireputation the world shall put upon it.

The last particle in the words, is that [with exceeding Observat. 6. joy] from thence note, The day of Christ to the godly is a joyful day; when others howl, you shall triumph, when others are dejected, and call upon the Mountains to cover them, Rev. 6. 16. you shall lift up the head for your redemption draweth nigh, Luc. 21. 28. Christ will be glad to see you, whom he hath carried in his heart from all eternity, for whose sake he came into the world and dyed, and for whom he went back again into Heaven, that he might negotiate with God in your behalf, and whom he now cometh to receive unto himself, that you may be for ever there where he is; and surely you that have received Christ into your hearts, and loved him though unseen, and served him [Page] though with the loss and hazard of all, will be glad to see him in all his glory and royalty, especially when you shall hear him calling upon you, Come, ye blessed of my Father, enter into the Kingdom prepared for you. Oh that we could act over this joy aforehand! faith is a bird that can sing in winter; before Christ came in the flesh the Patriarchs got a sight of him by the Eagle-eye of faith, and rejoyced at the thought of it, John 8. 56. Your Father Abraham rejoyced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad. Oh surely our hearts should be warmed with the thought of that blessed day, when we shall be able to say, Yonder, even there is our great Lord!

25

Verse 25.‘To the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, now and ever, Amen.’

THe Apostle in this verse goeth on with that doxology which he had begun in the former, here you may take notice of the description of the person to whom the praise is given, he is discribed 1. By his excellency, the only wise God. 2. By our interest and the benefit we receive by him, and our Saviour.

2. The ascription of praise, Be glory, &c. there is 1. what is ascribed, glory majesty, dominion, and power.

2. The duration, how long he would have this ascribed, now and ever.

3. Manner, in what fashion 'tis ascribed, in the particle, Amen, with which all is sealed and closed up, this particle implieth, 1. Our confidence, that it shall be so, 2. our hearty affection that it might be so, love saith let it be, and faith it shall be; for faith is a prophetick grace, in prayer it answereth its self.

But let us go over these particulars more fully and distinctly, from the description of the person [to the only wise [Page] God our Saviour] that Christ is God, we proved before on verse 4. see pag. 222. and 230, 231, 232, 233, 234▪ and that Christ is a Saviour, and how, on the same verse, pag. 227, 228, 229, I shall only now observe.

1. That God is wise. 2. That God is only wise. 3. That Observat. 1. Jesus Christ as Mediator hath a right to this attribute.

I begin with the first, That wisdom is ascribed to God, Gods wisdom is a distinct notion from his knowledge he doth not only know all things, but hath ordered and disposed them with much counsel, the wisdom of God is asserted in the word, Job 9. 4. and Job 12, 13▪ and proved there by what he hath bestowed upon man, he that teacheth man knowledg, shall not he know? Psal. 94. 10. what ever man hath from God, God hath it in himself in a more eminent degree: and 'tis also evidenced by the works of God, as in the works of creation, providence▪ and the methods of his graces.

1. Much of his Psal. 104. 24 1 Cor. 1. 21. wisdom is seen in creation, there his wisdom is discovered in the excellent order of all his works, their mutual correspondence and fitness for the several ends and services for which they were appointed; the order of the world sheweth the wisdom of God, the order of placing the creatures, see Pro. 3. 19, 20. the Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, by understanding hath he established the Heavens, by his knowledg the depths are broken up and the clouds drop down the dew; the earth is set lowermost as the foundation of all the rest, the Sea pent up within its channels, the air above them both, and the Heavens higher than all▪ the Stars and Planets placed in the Firmament, and the fishes in the Sea; the order of making, God proceeding from things imperfect to perfect, first the rude mass, then the Heavens and the vast earth, and glorious creatures, but without life, then the herbs and plants that have life but not sense and motion, then the brute creatures, that have sense and motion but not reason, then man with a reasonable Soul, after his own image; in this order you may observe, first the dwelling place is appointed, then the food, then the creature that feedeth upon it, the beasts upon the herbs, and man upon the beasts: The Queen of [Page] Sheba was astonished at Solomons wisdom, when she perceived the well ordering of his family, certainly if we did observe the order of nature, we would stand wondering more at the wisdom of God: Next observe the correspondence that is between all the parts of the world, compared sometimes to a building, wherefore God is called [...], an artificial Builder, Heb. 11. 10. In this great house every part conspireth to the beauty, service, and dece [...]cy of the whole, the roof is Heaven, and therefore the Spheres are called chambers and stories in the Heavens, Amos 9. 6. The foundation is earth, Job 38. 5, 6. The Stars and glorious Luminaries are the windows, the Sea the water course, &c. Sometimes 'tis compared to the frame and structure of mans body, Heb. 11. 3. The worlds were framed, 'tis in the original, [...], set in joynt, as all the members of the body are tied together by several ligaments, &c. Sometimes to an Army, Gen. 2. 1. The Heavens were finished and all the hoast of them. Order is necessary every where but especially in an hoast, there every one must keep in his rank and station, thus the Stars have their courses, Judges 5. 20. and the clouds their courses, Job 37. 12. yea, the Grashoppers march as an army, Joel 2. 15. The next thing that sheweth the wisdom of God, is their fitness for use and service, the work mans skill is as much commended in the use of an instrument as in the making and framing of it; the upper Heaven' [...] fitted to be the everlasting mansion of the Saints, the middle Heaven to give us light, and heat and influence, the air, or lower Heaven, for breath, the earth for habitation, the Seas for navigation, the herbs and plants for food and medicine, &c. Look upon the bodies of living creatures and tell me if there be not a wise God; Galen saith there are 600 muscles in the body of man, and every one fitted for ten uses; so for bones, nerves, arteries and veins, whosoever observeth their use, scituation, and correspondence of them, cannot but fall into admiration of the wisdom of the Maker, who hath thus exactly▪ framed all things at first out of nothing, and still out of the froth of the blood: The wisdom of men and Angels cannot mend the [Page] least thing in a flye; the figure, colour, quality, quantity, of every worm, and every flower, with what exactness is it ordered? as if God had nothing else to do but to bring forth such a creature into the world as the product of his infinite Wisdom.

2. Providence, Gods wisdom is much seen in the sustentation and governing of all things, Eph. 1. 11. He worketh all things according to the Council of his will; do but observe a little now all things are put into a subserviency to Gods purpose, sometimes the smallest things occasion events of the highest concernment; the occasion of Josephs greatness in Egypt was a dream▪ a lye cast him into prison, and a dream fetched him out: sometimes the most casual things to us are the most necessary means to accomplish that which God aimeth at; A certain man drew a bow at peradventure, and slew the King of Israel between the joints of the harness, 1 King. 22. 24. Contingencies to us are infallihle events as to the purposes of God: voluntary things that depend upon the will of man, fall under the ordination of the will of God; there is more wisdom shewn in ruling a skittish horse, then in rolling a stone or dead thing; God sheweth his wisdom in guiding the courses of the stars, but much more in disposing the heart of man, Prov. 21. 1. there is nothing so confused, but if you look upon it in its result and final tendency, there is beauty and order in it, the tumults of the world, the prosperity of the wicked, carnal men think them the disgrace and blemish of providence, whereas they are the ornament of it, Psal. 92. 5. Lord how glorious are thy works? thy thoughts are very deep! man is discontented because he cannot fathom the deep thoughts of providence: nothing so opposite, so bad, but God can bring good out of it; the sins of men set forth the beauty of providence, as shadows and black lines in a Picture set it off the more, see Acts 4. 28, and Job 5. 12, 13. Christ hath been beholding to his enemies as much as to his friends, their potent opposition hath occasioned the further increase of his Kingdom.

3. In the methods of his grace, so I call all the transactions of God about the salvation of sinners from first to last; [Page] the rejection of the Jews, and calling of the Gentiles. Rom. 11. 33. Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledg of God: the various dispensations used in the Church before the Law, under the Law, and time of the Gospel, these are called [...], the manifold wisdom of God, Eph. 3. 10. Redemption by Christ, the great plots of Heaven, called the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery, and without controversie a great mystery, 1 Tim. 3. 16. that which Angels desire to pry into; Gods Master piece, wherein all things by a rare contrivance, are ordered for Gods glory, and mans good, the wonder of it will take up our hearts to all eternity; to see the ruins of the fall so exactly repaired, the glory of God salved, the comfort of man provided for, [...], Oh the depth of this glorious mistery!

Again▪ The various acts of love, whereby God subdueth sinners to himself; this taking sinners in their moneth, and disposing of unthought of circumstances and passages of providence in order to their conversion: Once more, the over-ruling of all events to further the eternal blessedness of the Saints, Rom. 8. 28. In all these I have forborn particular illustrations, that the discourse may not swell up into too great a bulk.

Now whosoever shall seriously consider these things, will certainly conclude God is wise; but further, consider the usual concomitants of Gods▪ wisdom, and then we may come to make some use of this meditation.

Wisdom in God is accompanied with immaculate holiness, and infinite power; in the Devils there is great cunning great power, and much wickedness; in man there is much shame, little power, and less wisdom; Gods power and wisdom are often counted in the expressions of Scripture, Job 9, 4. He is wise in heart, and mighty in power, so Job 3 [...] 5. He is mighty in strength and wisdom the two for midable properties Dolus an virtus quis in hoste requirit? in an adversary, and the desire able properties in a friend, so see 1 Cor. 1. 25. Again, 'tis joyned with holiness he is most wise, and most holy, glorious in holiness, and rich in wisdom.

Well then, let us often admire the Wisdom of God;Ʋse 1. [Page] look up to the Heavens, and what do you find there? The work of a wise God. Jer. 10. 12. Look to the structure of all things round about you, and what offereth its self to your thoughts? by his wisdom he hath established the world. Jer. 10. 12. Look within you and you cannot chuse but say, Oh God I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, Psal. 139. 14. Look into the Scriptures and consider the stupendious mysteries that are revealed there; of the Trinity in unity, God manifested in our flesh, a Virgin conceiving, Christ dying, and can you hold from crying out, Oh the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledg of God? Rom. 11. 33. view these things again and again; we cannot take up all of God, in one, or many, or all our meditations.

2. Let not it be a bare speculation, but improve it, 1. ToƲse 2. quicken you to prayer, where should we go for wisdom when we need it, but to the wise God? see Job 28. 12. James 1. 5. Job 329. Solomon asked wisdom and had it 2. Improve it to thanks; when you are able to discern your way and your work, P. ov. 2. 6. 3▪ Improve it to waiting, Isa 30 8 He is a God of judgment, blessed are all they that wait for him; when things grow cross, let the wise God alone till you see the end of his work; will you be his Councellor, and teach him how to mannage his affairs? he knoweth how to deliver the godly, &c. 2 Pet. 2. 9. 4. Improue it to patience and contentation; the wise God knoweth how to make use of thee in every condition, where ever thou art say, I am there where God hath set me, God knoweth what is better for me, then I do my self, he that hath put all things in their places, hath put me in this peace, and here I will glorifie him, 1 Cor. 7. 22. euery cross is chosen and elected, as well as your persons, there are secrets of wisdom in providence that are not always to be found in the surface and out side of it, Job 11. 6. though it appear in a way of rigor, yet God may have a design in it of mercy to me, and glory to himself.

The nex Point is, That God is only wise, see the sameObservat. 2. expression, 1 Tim. 7. 17. and Rom. 16. 27. why you will [Page] say this is a communicable Attribute, God hath endowed man with a spirit of wisdom, and humane prudence is an emblem and resemblance of divine providence, how then is God only wise? I Answer, wisdom in God is in such an infiniteness and excess that wisdom in man is but folly in comparison of it, there is none as he, there is none wise but from him; in short, God in three respects is only wise.

1. Originally, and independently wise, not by communication from another, but of himself; our wisdom is but aray communicated from the father of lights, James 1. 17. a drop from the Ocean, a beam from the Sun, the whole knowledge of the Angels is but a spark of this light.

2. God is essentially wise, and so only wise: do not understand God to be wise as if wisdom had made him wise, as it happeneth among the creatures, in them wisdom is a separable quality, distinct from their Essence: now Gods Wisdom is Himself, and Himself is his Wisdom, the perfections of the creature, are like the gilding which may be layed on upon vessels of wood or stone, the matter is one thing, and the varnish or ornament is another; but the perfections of God are like a vessel made of pure beaten gold, where the matter and the splendor, or adorning, is the same.

3. God is infinitely wise, and so only wise, as the Candle giveth no light when the sun shineth, our wisdom is bounded within narrow limits, and extendeth but to a few things, but Gods to all things; we count them fools that can only mannage petty matters, buy and sell, and keep out of harms way; such fools are all creatures to God, whose wisdom is unlimitted and incomprehensible; they that can mannage a small Common-wealth with Advice▪ and Council, are cryed up sor wise men; but now God mannageth the affairs of the whole world, both visible and invisible; he careth for all things, from the Ant to the Angels, nothing so small as to escape his knowledge, nothing so great as to burden his mind, the sun doth with the same easiness shine upon the whole world, as upon one field: so doth God mannage the government of the whole world [Page] as of one person or creature: our wisdom is gotten by learning, but who hath directed the spirit of the Lord, Isa▪ 40. 17. our wisdom is bettered by experience, therefore old men are most prudent; but Gods wisdom is uncapable of increase, as being in an infinite fullness; we are often deceived; men of the greatest segacity and cunning, fail in their plots and enterprises, and so their wisdom is turned into folly; but 'tis not so with God, His Council shall stand, Psal. 33. 11. there can no difficulty occur, but what is foreseen: he goeth not upon probability and conjecture, but certain foreknowledg: Man can attend but upon one care at once, various thoughts scatter the mind, and weaken it, but God in one moment of under standing seeth all things, and wisely disposeth of all things; Gods wisdom doth not deliberate with hesitancy, or consult with doubt, his thoughts are simple, and not successive, and in their way of discourse. Thus you see what good reason there is why God should be said to be only wise.

Well then, let not the creature seem wiser then God, and cavil at what he hath revealed, because we understand it not; we cannot know the nature of an Ant, we are puzzled in the least creature, no wonder then if humane reason grow giddy, when it pryeth into the deeps of God; there should be [...], the obedience of faith to all that is revealed; and divine truth, like Pills, must be swallowed rather then chewed, received upon Gods single Authority, when we see no reason for them, for God is only wise: Again, when you think of the perfections of God you must raise your thoughts above the Law, and all manner of all created beings.

The next Point is, That Christ Jesus our Saviour is worthy Observat. 3. to be accounted the only wise God: Christ is wise as he is God, and as he is Man.

1. As he is God, so he is called the wisdom of the Father, 1 Cor. 1. 24. and represented to the antient Church under this title, as Prov. 1. 20. and Prov. 8. per totum, wisdom is there spoken of as a person, and the discriptions there used are proper to Jesus Christ; some suppose the Heathens had [Page] some traditional knowledg of this mystery and appellation; for as Christ the wisdom of the Father was eternally and ineffectably begotten in the divine Essence, so they worshipped a Goddess whom they called the Goddess of▪ wisdom, and fained that she was begotten by Jupiter of his own brain, and they called her [...] ▪ which word is much like in sound with the Hebrew word, Adonai Lord.

2. As he is man, he received the habits of all created knowledg and wisdom, as all other graces without measure, John 3. and so 'tis said, Col. 2. 3. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledg. Well then, since Christ hath brought down wisdom to us in our own nature, let us be more studious to get it into our hearts: As Mediator, he is fitted to make us wise to Salvation, and appointed by God to be wisdom to us, 1 Cor. 1. 30.

Once note more from the other title, that is here givenObservat. 4. to Christ [our Saviour] Those that have had any benefit by Christ will be very much affected with his praise; there is a double ground of exalting Christ, a sight of his excellency, and a sense of his benefits; and there is a double notion by which our honouring of Christ is set forth, praise and blessing; praise hath respect to his excellency▪ and blessing to his benefits, Eph 1. 3. We may praise a man for his worth, though we have no benefit by him, and so we are bound to praise God for the excellency of his nature, though he had never done us good; but now when he is our God and our Saviour, and hath shewed us so much of his goodness and mercy in Christ, we should be ever praising him, Phil. 4. 20. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever, Amen; Glory is due to him as God, much more as our Father, his worth and excellency, though he were a stranger to us doth deserve an acknowledgment, but when we consider what he is to us▪ and what he hath done for us, then we can hold no longer, the heart being affected with a sense of his kindness, breaketh out, to our Father, to our Saviour, be glory for ever and ever. Well then consider the Lords excellencies more, and observe his benefits, and work them upon the heart till you be filled [Page] with a deep sense of his love, and find such an impulsion in your Spirits as you cannot hold from breaking out into his praise.

I come now from the description to the ascription▪ to himObservat. 5. be glory, &c. Can we bestow any thing upon God? or wish any real worth and excellency to be super-added to him? I answer no, the meaning is, that those which are in God already may be first more sensibly manifested. Isa. 64. 2. Make thy name known among the nations. 'Tis a great satisfaction to Gods people, when any thing of God is discovered, they value it above their own benefit and safety, see Psal. 115. 1. they preferre the glory of mercy and truth before their deliverance.

2. More seriously and frequently acknowledged, 'tis a great pleasure to the Saints to see others praise God, Psal. 107. 8. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.

3. More deeply esteemed, that God may be more in request, more in the hearts of men and Angels, Gods children no not count it enough that God is glorified by themselves, but they desire also that God may be glorified by others; as fire turneth all things near it into its own nature, so is grace diffusive; good men are loath to go to Heaven alone, they would travel thither by troops and in company.

But let us more particularly take a view of this ascription, and so first what is ascribed, glory, majesty, dominion, and power. Let us open these words. Glory is clara cum laude notitia, excellency discovered with praise and approbation▪ and notech that high honour and esteem that is due to Christ. Majesty is the next word, which implieth such greatness & excellency as maketh one honoured & preferr'd above all, therefore a stile usually given to Kings, but none so due as unto Christ, who is King of Kings and Lord of our Lords. The third term is dominion, which implieth the foveraignty of Christ over all things, especially over the people whom he hath purchased with his blood. The last word is, power, which signifieth that all sufficiency in God, [Page] whereby he is able to do all things according to the good pleasure of his will.

From hence observe,

1. A gracious heart hath such a sense of Gods worth and Observat. 6. perfection, that it would have all things that are honourable and glorious, ascribed to him, therefore are divers words here used▪ When we have done our utmost we come short; for Gods name is exalted above all blessing, and above all praise, Nehem. 9. 5. Yet 'tis good to do as much as we can: Love to God will not be satisfied with a little praise, I will praise him yet more and more, love inlargeth the heart towards God, if there be any thing more excellent he shall have it; well then 'tis a sign of a dead heart to be a niggard in praises, to be sparing, careless, or cold this way.

2. When we think of God, 'tis a relief to the Soul to consider Observat. 7. of his glory▪ majesty, dominion and power; for this is that which the Apostle would have to be manifested, acknowledged, and esteemed in God, as the ground of our respect to him; it incourageth us in our service, we need not think shame of his service to whom glory, and power and majesty and dominion belongeth: It hearteneth us against dangers; surely the great and glorious God will bear us out in his work; it increaseth our awe and reverence, shall we serve God in such slight fashion as we would not serve the Governour? Mal. 1. 8. 'tis a lessening of Gods majesty, you do not treat him as a great and glorious Potentate, Mal. 1. 14. It inviteth our Prayers, to whom should we go in our necessities but to him that hath Dominion over all things, and power to dispose of them for the glory of his majesty: It increaseth our Dependance, God is glorious, and will maintain the honour of his name and truth of his promises: When we are daunted by earthly Potentates 'tis a relief to think of the majesty of God, in comparison of which all earthly Grandure is but the dream of a shadow: Again, God that hath a soveraignty▪ over all things, and such an almighty power to back it, will not be wanting to do that which shall make for his glory.

2. The next consideration in this Ascription, is the duration,Observat. 8. [Page] now and ever: Thence note, The Saints have such large desires for Gods glory, that they would have him glorified everlastingly, and without ceasing, they desire the pre, sent age may not only glorifie God, but the future, when they are dead and gone the Lord remaineth, and they would not have him remain without honour; they do not take death so bitterly, if there be any hopes that God will have a people to praise him: and their great comfort now is the expectation of a great Congregation, gathered from the four winds, united to Christ, presented to God, that they may remain with him, and glorifie him for evermore; 'tis the comfort of their hearts to see this Congregation a making up every day, that there are Saints and Angels to praise God, whilest others grieve and dishonour him; they prize their own salvation, upon this ground that they shall live for ever, to glorifie God for ever, see Eph. 3. 21. Ps. 41. 13 Psal. 106, 48. Now this they do, partly from their love to Gods glory, which they prize above their own salvation, Rom. 9. 3. Partly in thankfulness to God for his everlasting love to them; God is from everlasting to everlasting, and his love is from everlasting to everlasting, Psal. 10 [...]. 17. he was their God, and will be their God for ever and ever, and therefore they purpose to be his people, and to praise him for ever and ever. Well then, get these large desires for Gods glory, that he may be honoured in all ages, and in all places, Psal. 113. 2, 3. What have ye done in a tendency here unto, that prosperity may praise God? do you labour to promote the knowledg [...] of Christ, and the succession of Churches, all the ways that you can? zeal in your place is a good argument that you are well▪ affected in this kind; as a Master of a family hast thou taken care to keep Religion alive among thy children when thou art dead and gone? Gen. 18. 19. as a Merchant hast thou promoted Religion with thy▪ Traffique? Deut. 33. 18, 19. as a Magistrate doest thou take care to secure the interest of Christ to posterity that the succession of Churches may not be cut off; Ministers, have you been witnesses for God to the present age? and behaved your selves as Trustees for the next Age? Have you taken [Page] care that God may be honoured then? that we do not transmit prejudices against the ways of God, and corruptions in Doctrine and worship to posterity? Oh where is this affection, this wishing, To him be glory now and ever?

The last thing in this Inscription, is the Particle Amen, which is signaculum fidei & votum desiderii nostri, it signifieth an hearty consent to Gods promise, and a steady belief that it will continue to all generations: this word is often put at the end of Prayers and Doxologies in Scripture, see Rev. 5. 13, 14. Rom. 16. 27. Phil. 4. 20. &c. and sometimes 'tis doubled for the greater vehemency, Psal. 51. 13. Ps. 72. 19. Psal. 89. 52. and it seemeth by that passage oft he Apostle that antiently it was audibly pronounced by the people in publick Assemblies, at the conclusion of prayers, 1 Cor. 14. 16. and since that Hierom telleth us that Amen ecclesiae instar t [...]ni [...]ru [...]reboabat, that the Amen was so heartily soundedObservat. 9. out by the Church, that it seemed like a crack of thunder: Certainly 'tis good to conclude holy exercises with some vigor and warmth; natural motion is swifter in the end and close, so should our spiritual affctions be more vehement, as we draw to a conclusion, and when the Prayer is done, put out the efficacy of our faith and holy desires in a strong Amen, that it may be to you according to the requests of your hearts, and you may come away from the Throne of grace as those that have had some feeling of Gods love in your Consciences, and are perswaded that he will accept you, and do you good in Jesus Christ.

Again observe, There should be an Amen to our praises, as Observat. 10 well as to our prayers, that we may express our zeal and affection to Gods glory, as well as to our own profit; many with the Leapers will say Amen, to Jesus, Master have mercy on us, but we are not as ready to say Amen, to this to whom be glory, &c. our Hallelujahs should sound as loud as our Supplications, and we should as heartily consent to Gods praises, as to our own requests.

Lastly, In desiring the glory of God to all ages, we should Observat. 11 express both our faith and love, faith in determining that it shall be, and love in desiring that it may be so with all our [Page] hearts, both are implyed to the word Amen; it will be so what ever changes happen in the world, God will be glorious; the Scene is often shifted, and furnished with new Actors▪ but still God hath those that praise him, and will have to all eternity. Well then, let your faith subscribe, and put it to its seal to the glory of God in Christ: and let earnest love interpose: Lord let it be so, yea Lord let it be so; heartily desire it, and with the whole strength of your souls; set to your seals without fear, 'tis a request that cannot miscarry, and follow it with your hearty acclamations; the world shall continue no longer, when God shall have no more glory by it; here you may be sure you pray according to Gods Will, and therefore may take it for granted▪ only follow it earnestly, say, Lord what ever become of us, and our matters, yet let thy Name be glorified: Amen, Lord let it be even so. Now

‘Blessed be his glorious Name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory: Amen, and Amen,’Psal. 72. 19.

An Alphabetical Table.

[Page]

[Page]

A

ABuse of the Gospel, p. 206, 207, 208, 209. see Grace.

Adultery how displeasing to God, 327, 328, 329, 330. How defiling to man, 345, 346.

Ambition breedeth faction, 405. engageth men against Magistracy and Ministry, 405, 406

Angels, the bad, their sin, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280. Uses of it, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284. Their▪ punishment of loss, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288. Uses of it, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292. of Sense, 292, 293, 294, 295. Uses of it, 296, 297, 298, 299 Their punishment further amplified, by darkness, 299, 300, 301, 302. Uses of it, 303, 304, 305. Their punishment will be greater at the day of Judgment, 306, 307, 308

Angels the good, how ready they are to defend a good cause, 363, 364, 365. Their Ministry about the Saints, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370. Uses of it, 370, 371, 372. There is an Order among the Angels, 372, 373. Their [Page] holiness, 380, 381, 382. The Uses of it, 382 383, 384▪

Apostacy dangerous, 421 422.

Apostles, their Office and Priviledges, 484.

Application, how many degrees of it there are beneath assurance 533.

Assurance, whether Gods children always have it, 16, 17, 18, 19. How far necessary to our hope and comfort, 532, 533.

B

IN what respect a wicked man is as a Beast, 388, 589.

Spiritual Blessings▪ the best blessings 68, 69.

C

EFfectual Calling the nature and uses of it, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. An evidence of our Election 15, 16. How it may be known 18, 19, 20. Notes of it, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

Carnal men ill skilled in consequences, 207, 208

Church admissions into it should not be too easie, 170, 171.

The respect due to Church Officers, 339, 340, 355, 356.

Christ, eternal life is of his bestowing, 535. Comforts thence, 536.

Christ will be glorious at the day of Judgement, 553. He is a Saviour, and how, 227, 228. His threefold Office, 229, 230. His God-head proved, 221, 222, 223, 230, 231, 232, 233. How he may be denied both in Opinion and Practice, 234, 235, 236 237, 238, 240. He is Lord and Master, 224. Lord and Jesus, 224 225, 226.

Civility distinct from holiness, 40, 41, 42.

Communion with God is the ready way to know [Page] his mind 436.

Communion with God is the ready way to know his mind, 436.

Conference an help to perseverance, 506.

Covetousness the root of Sect-making, 404. 'Tis a violent head-strong lust, 404, 405.

D

DReams of Carnal men, especially▪ Opinionists, 341, 342, 343, 344.

E

ERror disposeth to uncleaness, and impurity of life, 344, 345. 417, 418, 419. Maketh men unruly, and anti▪ Magistratical, 346, 347, 348 349, 350.

Erroneous persons usually sensual, 397.

Errors end in shame, 426, 427.

Erroneous persons, and Libertines are usually bloody, 402, 403. See Seducers.

Error in judgement, whether punishable by the Magistrate, See Magistrate.

Reproofs of Error should be seasoned with love, 482.

Errors fall not out by chance, but according to the certain pre ordination and fore▪ knowledg of God, 175, 176, 178, 179.

F

FAction bringeth men to ruine, 406.

Faith to be contended for, that duty opened and pressed, with the causes incident discussed, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163 164, 165, 166, 167, 168.

Faith of Christians an holy faith, 505, 506.

Fear of Gods wrath, its use, 543 When 'tis slavish, [Page] and when not, 544

Feasts should be seasoned with grace, 411.

Feeding, what fear and caution to be used therin, 412, 413, 414.

Formality what, and how known, 42, 43, 44.

Evils foretold are more comportable, 488.

G

GRace restraining, 44.

Grace common, how differenced from saving 44. 45, 46.

Grace of God, how it may be abused, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209. Reasons of this abuse, 210, 211. Kinds of it, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216. Disswasives from it, 216, 217. Signs of it, 218, 219, 220.

Growth in Grace, reasons perswading to it, 118, 119, 120, 121. Observations about it, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, Uses, 127. Necessity of it, 504, 505.

H

HEll described, 331, 332. and 429, 430, 431.

Hope, the nature of it, 526, 527, 528, 529. the influence it hath on our perseverance in a state of grace, 529, 530 531. Uses of it, 531, 532. Means to get it, 532, 533.

I

THe Divel loves Idolatry, 573, 574, 575, 576.

Dead bodies of the Saints abused to Idolatry, 376 377, 378.

Judgements ancient are our warnings, 241, 242 243. and 406, 407.

The impartiality of Divine Judgements, 243, 244. They come on places for the peoples sake, [Page] 324, 325, 326. Fellowship in evil, bringeth on fellowship in Judgements, 326, 327.

The day of Judgement is a great day, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321. The doctrine of it ancient, 435, 436. We should be mindful of it, 436, 437. The Process of that day described, as to the conviction of sinners, 441, 442, 443. The coming of Christ to Judgement must be looked for, 525, 526, 'Tis a joyful day to the godly, 553, 554. Saints Judge the world together with Christ, 437, 438.

Infirmities and Iniquities differenced, 444.

K

KEeping that grace we have received, is our duty, 514. What need there is of care and caution therein, 515, 516, 517, 518, &c.

L

LAtter times evil, 488 A Levelling humour no new thing, 406,

Life eternal, 536, 537.

Love to God, the nature of it, 96, 97, 98. Reasons perswading to it, 98, 99 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114. Evidences of it, 115, 116, 117.

Decay of Love to God, how easie, and yet how dangerous, 418, 419. Whence it proceedeth, what is decay of love to God, 519, 520, 521. Preservatives against it, 521, 522, 523. They that Love Christ, look for his coming, 523, 524. Whether they always be in this frame, [Page] 524, 525. Love from Christians one to another, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133.

Lusts, what they are, 467, 468. What 'tis to walk after them, 468, 469. 489, 490. This a note of unregeneracy, 469, 470. Disswasives from them, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474. Directions about the suppression of them, 474, 475, 476.

M

WHether the Magistrate may interpose in the case of Error and how far, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354.

Magistracy and Magistrates not to be despised 354, 355.

Magistrates duty about the truth, 167, 168.

Mercy of God to sinners set forth, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82. Uses of [...], 82, 83, 84, 85. How we may wrong Mercy, 86, 87, 88. Great Mereies abused, bring great Judgements, 251, 252.

Ministers should be temperate, 410, 411. Stars, but not wandring stars, 427, 429, 429. They are Remembrancers, 245, 246, 247. Their Office ancient, 434, 435, &c.

Murmuring, what it is, 447, 448. The kinds of it, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452. The causes of it, 453, 454. The evil of it, 454, 455, 456. Murmuring at the times taxed, and stated, with remedies against it, 457, 458, 459, 460 461, 462.

Murmuring in a private case, with remedies against it, 463, 464, 465. Particular remedies for particular cases 465, 466, 467.

N

[Page]NAtural men left to themselves, grow to be more corrupt, 397.

P

PEace of God, what i [...] is, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93. Uses of it, 93, 94, 95, 96.

Of the Doctrine of Perseverance, how Christ is concerned in it, 52. Nature of it, 53, 54, 55, 56. The grounds of it, 57, 58, 59. Uses of it, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65. When to apply the comfort of it, 65, 66, 67.

Power of God, to keep us a relief to the soul, and how, 547, 548, 549.

Praying in the holy Ghost opened at large, with Reasons and Uses, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510.

Pride in them of low degree is less tolerable, 361, 362, 363.

Proud men for advantage most fawning, 478 479.

Presentation of the Elect by Christ at the last day 549, 550, 551, 552, Who are then faultless, 552, 553.

R

RAiling and Reproaches, especially in controversies about Religion, most culpable, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389. Cautions about it, 390, 391, 302.

Reproofs managed with compassion, 537, 538. The difference to be observed in the dispencing Reproofs, 538, 539, 540, 541. When severi [...]y is to be used in them, 542, 543.

Reprobation, the dostrine of it asserted, vindicated, and applyed, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188.

[Page] Repetition necessary, 249, 250.

Remembrance of truths, if seasonable, a great help, 482, 483.

Respect to persons a sin, 479.

Reward, we may look to it, 531.

Retaliation, Gods way of punishing, 432.

S

SAints fittest to preserve, propagate, and defend the truth, 155, 156, 157, 158.

Sanctification, the nature of it, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34. Reasons why it should be looked after, 35, 36, 37, 38. The bad estate of the enemies of it, 39, 40. How God the Father is Interested in it, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52.

Salvation, how common, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141.

Seducers, their pretences, 171, 172, 173. are like clouds without rain, 415, 416. Boaster, 423, 424 Unsetled and uncertain in their opinions, 424, 425. Restless 425. Turbulent, 425, 426. They bewray themselves by their affected expressions, and uncouth expressions, 477. Are apt to insinuate with great persons, and men of power and interest, 479, 480. Admire them of their own party, 680.

Scriptures, Providence of God about them in writing, and preserving them from age to age, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151. Use of it, 152. The office of the Church about the Scriptures, 152, 153, 154.

The Scriptures a perpetual setled Rule, our duty to be acquainted with the Scriptures, 247, 248.

Truth of Scripture evidenced by accomplishment of prophesies, 408, 409.

Scoffing a common sin in [Page] the latter times, 488, 489. a great sin, 489.

Sensuality tendeth to death and corruption, 399, 400.

Sensual persons the spots and stain of Christianity, 408, 409.

Sensuality maketh men secure, 412, and impudent 413.

Sensual persons have little of the Spirit, 501, 502, 503.

Sensuality, what it is, 499 500. Evil of it, 500, 501, 502.

Separation, the sinfulness of it when unjust, 492, 493, 494. When it is unjust, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498.

Separatists are often Sensualists, 498.

Service of Christ, 2, 3. The honour of it, 4. Nature of it, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Sins of Great Ones easily imitated, 328.

Sin is never at a stay, 330, 331, 421. A defilement 345. 'Tis a bold contest or daring of God, 378, 379, 380. It turneth a man into a Beast, 398, 399.

Men sin with earnestness, 404.

Dangerous condition of a secure sinner, 544, 545

Sodoms destruction is the Worlds example, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337.

T

TErrors of the Law, how differently dispenced, 17, 18.

Truth usually slandered out of Ignorance, 395, 396.

V

UNbelief, the hainousness of it, 253, 254, 255, 256. Discovertes of it, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259. Particular aggravations of it, 259, 260, 261, 262. The kinds of it, 263, [Page] 264, 265. Reigning Unbelief, with its notes 264, 265, 266, 267. The reliques of it in the godly, with notes of it, 267, 268, 269. The Cure of it, 269, 270, 271, 272.

Unfruitfulness an ill sign, 419. How to avoid it, 420.

Ungodliness what, in all the branches of it, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201. Remedies against it, 201, 202, 203, 204. A chief thing taken notice of in the day of Judgement, 443, 444.

W

VVIsdom of God what it is, 555. Proofs of it, 555, 556, 557. Uses of it, 558, 559.

How God is only Wise, 559, 560, 561, 562.

Treasures of Wisdom in Christ, 562, 563.

Words brought into judgment, 445, 446.

Word of God like rain, 414, 415. Generals, there should be applyed, 434, 487.

Wicked men in all ages are still the same, 401, 402.

Writing an help to the Church, 134, 135, 136, 137.

Writings of others, how they should be made use of, 484, 485.

Z

ZEal for God, quickned by Interest in God, 220, 221.

The names of such places of Scripture, as are occasionally explained and opened in this Treatise.

[Page]

Genesis.

Chap. | Verse | Page
4. | 19. | 492
32 | 25 | 507, 508
48 | 16 | 367

Exodus.

Chap. | Verse | Page
15 | 11 | 36
32 | 7 | 244
34 | 5, 6 | 73
| 7 | 79, 80

Leviticus.

Chap. | Verse | Page
25 | 23 | 65

Job.

Chap. | Verse | Page
11 | 12 | 348
31 | 34 | 193

Psalms.

Chap. | Verse | Page
1 | 5 | 201
| 6 | 312
2 | 10, 11 | 168
27 | 8 | 19, 20
78 | 38 | 82
103 | 21 | 369
119 | 57 | 25
| 75 | 485
| 93 | 22
| 176 | 60, 61
141 | 2 | 507

Proverbs

Chap. | Verse | Page
1 | 25, 26 | 13
16 | 9 | 312
26 | 4, 5 | 388, 389

[Page]

Ecclesiast.

Chap. | Verse | Page
7 | 10 | 457, 458 459
| 16 | 120
12 | 1 | 105

Canticles.

Chap. | Verse | Page
5 | 6 | 21, 22

Isaiah.

Chap. | Verse | Page
28 | 21 | 73
45 | 22, 23 | 225, 309 550, 551
53 | 11 | 109
57 | 17 | 201

Jeremiah.

Chap. | Verse | Page
4 | 10 | 217
23 | 33 | 446 447
31 | 9 | 23, 24
32 | 40 | 56, 57

Hosea.

Chap. | Verse | Page
4 | 11 | 329
7 | 14 | 33

Jonah.

Chap. | Verse | Page
4 | 2 | 74

Zephan.

Chap. | Verse | Page
1 | 11 | 370

Malachi.

Chap. | Verse | Page
1 | 14 | 199
2 | 15 | 213

Matthew.

Chap. | Verse | Page
5 | 22 | 585, 586, 587
6 | 2 | 33
| 33 | 68
| 46 | 131
7 | 16 | 417
10 | 25 | 278
| 28 | 544
16 | 18 | 426
| 22 | 109
19 | 27, 28 | 309
20 | 16 | 10
23 | 36 | 98, 99
24 | 35 | 244
| 24 | 70
| 30 | 311
| 31 | 310
26 | 53 | 368
9 | 44 | 331

Luke.

Chap. | Verse | Page
2 | 14 | 72, 89
| 40 | 121
11 | 8 | with 84, 85
18 | 5 | with 84, 85
19 | 16 | 87

[Page]

John

Chap. | Verse | Page
6 | 39 | 59
10 | 3 | 14
| 28 | 54
12 | 44 | 49
13 | 10 | 29
| 34 | 131
14 | 1 | 49
14 | 17 | 131
16 | 8 | 20

Acts.

Chap. | Verse | Page
12 | 15 | 67

Romans.

Chap. | Verse | Page
2 | 14 | 34
5 | 9 | 189, 190
8 | 16 | 84
| 26 | 504, 511, 513
10 | 3 | 14
11 | 29 | 57
| 35 | 83
18 | 19 | 313

1 Corinthians.

Chap. | Verse | Page
3 | 3 | 26
| 13 | 426
6 | 18 | 328, 345
11 | 12 | 55
12 | 31 | 63
13 | 1 | 275
15 | from 24 to 28 | 316

2 Corinthians.

Chap. | Verse | Page
1 | 3 | 72
1 | 3 | 73
| 22 | 59
5 | 19 | 90, 91

Galatheans.

Chap. | Verse | Page
3 | 4 | 516
5 | 17 | 445
| 24 | 471

Ephesians.

Chap. | Verse | Page
4 | 1 | 25, 26
| 4, 5, 6 | 129, 130
5 | 3 | 19 [...]
| 16 | 458
| 18 | 502
| 26 | 29, 36
| 27 | 36

Philippians.

Chap. | Verse | Page
3 | 7 | 41

1 Thessalonians.

Chap. | Verse | Page
4 | 7 | 12
| 16 | 310
5 | 23 | 30, 491

2 Thessalonians.

Chap. | Verse | Page
2 | 2 | 163, 437

[Page]

1 Timothy.

Chap. | Verse | Page
3 | 6 | 277
6 | 18 | 63

2 Timothy.

Chap. | Verse | Page
2 | 16 | 541
3 | from 1 to 5 | 403

Titus.

Chap. | Verse | Page
2 | 11, 12, | 469, 470 471, 472
3 | 5 | 535

Hebrews.

Chap. | Verse | Page
1 | 14 | 91
6 | 4, 5 | 45, 46
| 19 | 530
7 | 25 | 58
9 | 12 | ibid.
10 | 14 | ibid.
12 | 14 | 38

1 Peter.

Chap. | Verse | Page
2 | 9 | 44
3 | 21 | 470

2 Peter.

Chap. | Verse | Page
1 | 3 | 103
| 11 | 119
3 | 11 | 444
3 | Chap. tot. | 316, 317

1 Iohn.

Chap. | Verse | Page
3 | 3 | 38
| 8 | 39, 469
| 9 | 62
| 23 | 131
4. | 10 | 108
5 | 10 | 253

Revelations.

Chap. | Verse | Page
2 | 5 | 522
20 | 12 | 271, 441

FINIS.

ERRATA.

[Page]

PAge 31. line 33. for halting read Hastning. p. 6 [...]. l. 32. for surrection r. surreption. p. 84 l. 2. for [...]hy r. thy for and also r. and so. p. 92. l. 4. add may be. p. 95. l. 16. for suiteth not r. smiteth not and s. 23. for up r. upon p. 104. l. 33. [...] for benefit r. bonefire p. 105 l. 36. for awe r. aca p. 115. l. 21. for Hulking r. hucking p. 126. l. 4. far last of all r. lust of all p. 128. l. 26. r. one with us in Christ p. 133. l. 2. for wards r. cords p. 134. l. last. before helps add must use p. 135. l. 11. for uniting r. writing p. 136. l. 17. for care r. calling ibid. for Jeremy r. Jerom p. 138. l. 19. for righteous r. righteousness p. 140. l. 25. for Mollifica, r. Millificas p. 143. l. 4. for not r. but p. 141. l. 25. for Gon [...] r. Love p. 148. l. 37. for ancient r. eminent p. 158. l. 25. add have p. 169. l. 3. for the help r. [...]n help p. 178. l. 22. for men foollish r. men fool it p. 28 [...]. l. [...]7. for security r. severity p. 189. l. 28. for his r. this p. 198. l. 30. r. not accept of it p. 199. l. 36. for though to r. thought that p. 200. l. 9. for righteous to the last r. righteous from the East for store r. stone p. 204. l. 27. for when he r. which is l. 22. for commit. r. comprise p. 208. l. 35. for world r. word p. 218. l. 13. blot out shees p. 221. l. 2. for meet r. neer l. 7. for heart r. harth p. 222. l. 17. for sex r. sects p. 224. l 20. for wave r. roar p. 231. l. 11. for mothers right r. anothers right p. 239. l. 33. for will r. swill p. 239. l. 37. for those r. chose p. 278. l. 2. for assected r. asserted p. 281. l. 36. for approbation r. rep obation p. 283. l. 33. for an image r. his image read O preclorum illium diem, cum ad illum animarum concilium, caetumque proficiscar! p. 199, [...] p. 324. l. 11. for all r. aim p. 324. l. 11. for Apostles r. Apostates p. 326. for delecit r. delexit p. 331. for praestutiun r. praesentium p. 331. l. last for being r. bearing p. 332. l. 3. for witholdeth r. upholdeth and l. 14. for used r. and p. 334. l. 22. for times r. sins p. 337. l. 30. before otherwise add saith p. 339. l. 8. for cause r. clause p. 343. 1. for immoderating r. immoderations p. 346. for vinim r. vinum p. 347. l 30. for looseth r. to see the p. 351. 2 [...] for propose r. proper p. 355. l. 18. for may r. many p. 358. l. 12. for alteration r. altercation p. 359. l. 18. for try r. urge p. 362. l. 19. for your comely plain r. their comely plainness p. 366. l. 35. for sad r. Lad p. 396. l. 35 for ways r. words p. 391. l. last for purity r. party p 355. l. 11. for drive r. draw and l. 14. opposite r. appetite p, 400. l. 26. for the providence of Gods last judgment r. the providence of God and the last judgment p. 409. l. 1. read, therefore when such are discovered they are to be cast out. and l. 28. for hos. r. nos p. 418. l. 31. for pure r. sure p. 419. l. 7. for wrackness r. looseness p. 423. l. 22. for edification r. deification p. 444. l. 3. for command r. order and l. 9. for pecul [...]tive and prastical r. Atheists speculative and practical and l. 34. for enlivened r. unfeigned p. 448. l. 33. for take r. rake p 499. l. 30. r. will not p. 450. l. 25. r. David though asterwards p. 452. l. 26. for said r. fair p. 453. l. 2. for goeth r. giveth p. 459. l. 19. before Roman Empire add the Pagans said that the &c. p. 464. l. 4. for derive r. deride p. 469. l. 16. for lyes r. lusts p. 475. l. 32. for lust r. last p. 480. l. 9. r. clancular p. 482. l. 9. r. contests p. 483. l. 26. r. remote p. 484. l. 20. r. quo ad hoc p. 491. l. 29. before partly r. But p. 493. l. 33 for stars r. straws p. 496. l. 19. r. separation p. 509. l. 13. for strange r. praying p. 529. l. 35. for deadly r. worldly p. 530. l. 33. for enlivened r. entised 539. l. 16. dele two p. 540. l. 6. r. in time p. 549. l. 4. r. presentation p. 550. l. 14. r. to doubt.

Information about this book

Title statement

A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden.

Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677.

Edition statement

1657

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A89503

ID [STC]

Wing M530

ID [STC]

Thomason E930_1

ID [STC]

ESTC R202855

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99863011

ID [PROQUEST]

99863011

ID [VID]

115193

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A89503)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 115193)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 139:E930[1])

Source

— A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden., Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677..

Extent

[16], 567, [17] p.

printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Parrot in Pauls Church-yard,. London :: 1658.. (Running title reads: An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude.) (Includes index.) (With a final errata leaf.) (Annotation on Thomason copy: "nouemb: 29"; 8 in imprint date crossed out and "7" written in.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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