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Death The certain Wages of Sin to the Impenitent: Life The sure Reward of Grace to the Penitent: Together with the only Way for YOUTH To avoid the former, and attain the latter.

Deliver'd in three Lecture Sermons; Occasioned by the Imprisonment, Con­demnation and Execution, of a Young Woman, who was guilty of Murdering her Infant begotten in Whoredom.

To which is added, An Account of her manner of Life & Death, in which the Glory of free Grace is displayed.

By Mr. John Rogers, Pastor of the Church of Ipswich.

1 Tim. 1.16

Boston: Printed by B Green, and J. Allen, for Samuel Phillips at the Brick Shop. 1701.

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The Preface.

IT is above Sixty years since Courts of Ju­dicature have been Erected in the Town of Ipswich; yet was it never known in all that time any person Arraigned there for any Capital Offence. Which might justly be supposed to be the reason that so ma­ny Thousands were there gathered, as was scarcely ever heard of or seen upon any occa­sion in any part of New England. Which could not but put all serious and thoughtful Spirits in mind of the Great and General Assembly that will appear at the Great Day to receive their final Sentence: Which Mul­titude were gathered to behold the Tragical End of the person then Executed, which was attended with so many signals of Divine Grace and Favour, as the following pages will give a more perfect and distinct Account of, which not to have published, would have been a concealing of the Displays of the De­clarative Praise and Glory of God; and a damp to the Encouragement of Paenitent Sin­ners to hope for Mercy at the last hour. These following Subjects that were handled on those [Page] Lecture Weeks when the Criminal was Tryed, Condemned, and afterwards Executed, appea­ring to be very suitable to the Occasion. And the Discourses which were raised from them being judged worthy of publication; not only to revive the memory of those that were hap­py in hearing of them; but that all others, who may providentially come to the view of them, may be stirred up to praise the Lord for his wonderful goodness, in making such an heinous Sinner such an Instance of Converting Grace and Mercy: Neither shall any need to question the truth of the repentance of the person Condemned, & after Executed, from the shortness of the time of her Experiences: The Thief that Commenced Converted on the Cross (as was expressed by him that Preach­ed on that occasion) is a proof of the possibili­ty hereof; for with God all things are possible: Seeing we read not any thing of his Conversion before he was Nailed thereon, but God (whose gifts of Grace & Mercy are free, and disposes of them, to whom, and at what time he pleases, did bless the publick and pri­vate means that were used, so as to bring about this marvellous Change in this poor Creature, for the Exalting of the Riches of his Grace to miserable Sinners. So as that [Page] she may be counted worthy to be added to those several memorable Instances of special Mercy recorded in Ancient History, viz. that of Sir Jervace Ellowis, Jacobus Andreas, and others, which Mr. Clarks History recites in the Life of the Reverend Mr. William Perkins. So as that upon consideration of this late & former Examples of like nature all that hear thereof [...]ay well break forth in the words of the Apostle, Rom. 11.33 O the riches both of the wisdom & knowledge of God how unsearchable are his Ways, & his Judgments past finding out.

Further also, It is not unworthy to be in­serted, That this poor Creature lately Execu­ted, when she took her last leave of her Chri­stian Friend, (the night before her Execution) as she sti [...]ed him blessed by whose Ministry she had received most benefit & Comfort. So she did the place of her Confinement, (Happy Prison.) Not unlike that h [...]ly Martyr, wh [...] suffered Martyrdom in Lyons in France: Subscribing his Letter to a Friend—From the D [...]lectable Paradise of the Leonine Prison— And if the Prison of Martyrs be look [...] upon as a Paradise, What will be the place of their Eter­nal Ma [...]si [...]ns in the Higher Heavens▪

William H [...]bbard.
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TO THE Christian READER.

THE Word of the Lord is in it self always precious, yet best esteemed where and when there are few or no open Vi­sions; therefore it is said when Samuel began to Prophesy, the word of the Lord was precious in those days, 1 Sam. 3 1. For when there is a Famine of hearing the Word, then will men wander from Sea to Sea, and run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord: and the fair Virgins and Young men will faint for thirst, Amos 8.12, 13. It is the l [...]s wonderful, but not the less Sinful, that good Books & good Sermons, are so little valued in our Age: for the full Soul is wont to loath the hony comb. And Israel it self despised the Corn of Heaven, when it [...]ell about their Tents every day: yet through the mer­cy of God things are n [...]t come to that [Page] woful pass in New England, but that good Sermons and good Books find many good Friends. And we have the less reason to fear, the following Discourses will want Readers, nay we cannot but hope for a general acceptance, conside­ring the weightiness of the Subject, the worthiness of the Author, and the awful­ness of the Occasion of their Preaching and Printing.

1. The weightiness of the Subject on which the Sermons treats. It is no less then LIFE and DEATH is to be set before you: which when Moses set before Israel, he call'd Heaven and Earth to Record, Deut. 30.19. Sirs, What is more bitter then the Death that Sin de­serves? except the Sin that deserves it: and what is more sweet then the Life that God gives through Jesus Christ? except God in Christ who gives it. Besides, both the Death and the Life treated on are ETERNAL, and they whose minds run on Eternity, and the things that are Eternal, will not account the time long or lost, that is requisite for the Reading a little Book Surely they that choose Life, will do more then this [Page] to escape the Wages of Sin, and to attain the Gift of God: and what more ne­cessary and proper, than to stir up Youth to cleanse their ways, that so they may escape the threatned Death, and obtain the promised Life? and this the Reader will find effectually done in the Third Sermon.

2. The Worthiness of the Author, will be no little motive to them that best know him: viz. The Church and Town of Ipswich, where he Exercises his Pastoral Charge and Care, and the Neighbour­hood round about; and were he as well known in other parts, where this Book may come, we should not have menti­oned this argument; & his known mo­desty forbids us however, to say much of it; yet we may not omit saying, that we esteem him to be a pious, painful, Minister of the Gospel; and that God hath Crowned his Ministerial Labours with good success, and hath owned and honoured his Ministry, (as well as that of his Aged, Reverend, and Worthy Colleague, Mr. William Hubbard) with the convincing, humbling, comforting, and (a [...] is generally believed) convert­ing [Page] as leud, and rude, and wretched a Sinner, as most that are brought home to God, whose woful circumstances, gave the occasion of the Ensuing Ser­mons; in Preaching whereof he com­mended himself to the Consciences of them that heard him; and especially to hers, who for the sake of his frequent visiting her in Prison, and Praying with and for her, and for his Counsils in pri­vate and in publick, cried out in Prison, O Blessed Rogers▪ O happy Prison! but we pass this, being got before we are aware to the third particular, which was the awful oc­casion of the Sermons. They being Preacht at the Trial, Condemnation & Execution of one Esther Rodgers, (who by the way, tho' she was of the same name with the Author, yet was no ways related to him, unless as her Spiritual Father.) This poor woman was the unnatural Mother, and cruel Murtherer of two spurious babes, the fruit of her own Body; a most dread­ful instance of the Wrath of God a­gainst the Sin of Fornication & Whore­dom, which so sadly abounds in our Land, and a Warning to such, as indulge themselves in the breach of the Seventh [Page] Commandment, least thereby they lead themselves into temptation, and so God leave them to break the Sixth; and to work folly & falshood against their own lives, & the lives of their Children, as well as against their own Chasti [...]y & Honour. One reason why God ordained such dreadful punishment for Sinners in this world was, That a [...]l Israel might hear and fear, and do no more so wickedly: and we judge that the reading of these Sermons, and the Confessions and Penitential Pa­pers, and Dying Speeches and Prayers of the poor Condemned Woman, may be a means to startle the Rising Genera­tion, and to keep others from sinning in the same kind, and to make them to beware of the works of Darkness, least God bring them to light, and to punish­ment at the same time, publishing and punishing in the place of Beholders, what was done in secret. And let it be remem­bred, that her sin found her out, and that she endured unexpressible horror, before she obtained Consolation; and when she did obtain i [...], it must be ascribed to the unaccountable Soveraign Free Grace of God, who to the Eternal Glory of his free [Page] Grace, granted her Repentance unto life, when many others dy without instruction, and go astray in the greatness of their folly, being taken by their own iniquity, and held with the cords of their own sin, as is threat­ned, Prov. 25 22, 23. So true is that, Rom. 9.18. The Lord hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hard [...]s; i. e Judicially leaves them to the hard­ness of their own hearts. The Gracious Lord gives instances of both kinds, that none may presume, and that none may despair, but that all may work [...]ut their own Salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who worketh in us both to will & to do of his good pleasure; Phil. 2.12, 13. And it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who sheweth mercy, Rom. 9.16.

We have nothing further to add, but to desire of the Reader, a just candour toward the Reverend Author, and his holy endeavours; so as not to wring or wrest any particular expression beyond his intention, who had no inclination, much less design to appear in Print, but was averse even to a fault, and very hardly perswaded to suffer it to be done, [Page] perhaps fearing, what was proper enough to profit a well-minded popular Auditory, might not be fully guarded against a cavelling adver­sary; for his province at that time was that of predicant, and not of a disputant; & his design was, to convince men, that sin was odious, and that God was gracious, and to urge both to the uttermost He dealt with the Consciences and affections of Sinners, to move them to repen­tance, that God might be Glorified, & Sinners might be Saved. As it had a good effect in Preaching, so we hope and pray that it may in Printing. And if any should think the worthy Author might have been more particular on this occasion, in setting forth the danger and mischief of the Sin of Fornication, for the warning of the Rising Generation. Let the Reader know, that the Reverend Mr. Hubbard did purposely and effectually do it in the same Pulpit, from those words, in 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Know ye not that the Unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? be not deceived, neither Fornicators, nor A­dulterers, &c. Which made him more general, which his Text also led him to, for the wages of all and every Sin is death. Now that God may be Glorified, the Reader benefited, and the pious Author further encouraged and succeeded in his Ministerial Labours; is the hearty desire of your Friends and Servants for Christ's Sake.

Salem 11th d. 7th. m. 1701.
  • Nicholas Noyes.
  • Joseph Gorrish.
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DEATH The Certain Wages of Sin To the Impenitent.

Romanes VI.23.

For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THESE words are the Summe both of Law & Gospel. The Law was given first, and also bro­ken first, before there was any mention or need of mentioning the Gospel.

[Page 2]According to which order and me­thod, we have here, first, the Sentence of the Law, which is rigorous, then that of the Gospel, which is gracious. H [...]re is the Debt which God owes to the Sinner, and the Gift which he be­stows upon him: The Debt according to Justice is Death: The Gift according to Grace is Life Eternal The Wages of Sin is Death: But the Gift of God is, &c.

The former Clause is an intire Axiom, or Doctrine, and cannot be altered to advantage.

DOCTRINE. The Wages of Sin is Death.

Death is the certain due punishment of Sin: The just Reward or Recompence of Sin. Evil Suffering is the just consequent of Evil Doing. The Illu­stration and Confirmation of this Do­ctrine may be had in Answer to these Questions.

  • 1 What is Sin?
  • 2 What is Death?
  • 3. How Sin is punished with Dea [...]h?
  • [Page 3]4 Why it should be so? Under which may be shown the equity as well as certainty hereof.

Quest. 1. What is Sin?

Answ. In general, 'Tis the swerving or declining of the Nature or Act of the Reasonable Creature from the Will and Law of the Creator: It is the Ha­bitual or Actual Exorbitancy, or Devi­ation of the Affections and Actions of man from the Commands of God. God is the last End, the End of all things. As he is Alpha, so Omega, the First and Last, Beginning and Ending. Of him and from him are all things, and also to him; from him as their Origi­nal, to him as their End. His Will therefore is the Creatures Rule. The Will that is In [...]eriour, is to be regulated b [...] the Will of the Superiour: The will of the Father is the Rule of the Child: The Command of the Leader is the Rule of his Souldiers: The Supream Will is the Rule of that which is Subor­dinate. Hence the Will of God Revea­led is the sole Rule and Law of our Inclinations, Dispositions and Actions. It is the right straight line by which [Page 4] our whole course should be ordered. Now any warping or turning from this line is Sin. The Statutes of the Lord are right, the observing them is Righteous­ness. The Conformity of our Nature, Powers, Faculties and Acts unto the Law of God; For Sin is a Transgression of the Law. 1 Joh. 3.4. Whosoever com­mitteth sin Transgresseth the Law. A Con­cordance of our hearts and ways with the Law of God; This is Righteousness. The Disagreeing of these is sin: If it be the Habitual Deviation of our Na­ture, 'tis called Original Sin: The inordi­nation of any Act, Actual Sin. Neither of these are positive, but only the priva­tion, defect, absence of Holiness and Righteousness in the heart and ways of men.

Quest. 2. What is Death?

Ans. As Sin is the privation of Righ­teousness and Holiness in a Subject whose it ought to be; so Death is the privati­on of Happiness in a Subject where it might be, or is capable of it: Death is the privation of Life. Now Life being the greatest Natural Good, its put for all Good; and so Death being the pri­vation [Page 5] of it, and most contrary to it, is the summe and comprehense of all Evil; The loss of all that Happiness and Good both of Soul and Body which man was possessed of here, and was to be commu­nicated to him afterwards: Likewise the sense of all that Evil which he is the Sub­ject of, both now and for ever. This is Death.

Quest. 3. How this Death is inflicted as a punishment on the Sinner?

Answ. Corporally and Spiritually, in both Temporal and Eternal; that is, Inchoatively here, and Consummatively hereafter.

1. Corporally, Man a Sinner suffers Bodily Death in the loss of a twofold Good, and a sence of a twofold Evil, intra et extra.

(1.) There is the loss or privation of the Internal Good of the Body; as of the Beauty, Strength, Vigour and Activity thereof; in all which Innocent man Excelled: But since the Fall is pu­nisht with Deformity, Blindness, Lame­ness, Weakness and Inbecility in all parts, powers and faculties, with an ut­ter decay of all at Death.

[Page 6](2.) The loss of External Good relating to the Body or Outward man, is a fruit and punishment of Sin: There had never been any want of these things, no poverty or indigency, had Adam re­main'd in Innocency. But Sin has de­prived man, not only of self perfections, but the excellency, suitableness and sub­jection of the Creatures to him. These in their very natures are become full of infection and deadly poyson by the contagion of mans sin: The World is full of vanity, disorder, and confusion; yea, in a word, Sin has sown that seed of universal Dissolution, which will one day deface with horror and darkness the Beauty of that glorious Frame of Na­ture, which we now so much admire.

Again, Sinful man suffe [...]s the inchoa­tions of Bodily Death in the sence of Evil, internal and external.

(1.) Within are all manner of pains, griefs, aches, sickness, sores, wearisom­ness, &c.

(2.) The world without is a true Bochim, a place of Tears. There is scarce any thing but ministers matter of sorrow and trouble, for all is not only [Page 7] vanity, but vexation of Spirit, Eccles. 2 17. Our very Honey is mixed with Gall, our Roses set with Thorns, our sweetest pleasures attended with much bitterness: What then may we say of those inmix­ed simple sorrows which we meet with­al? By reason of sin, and the Rebellion of man against God, all the Creatures are up in Arms against him; they do not only not yield the comfort which otherwise they would, but they fight a­gainst him, work his sorrow and ruine. The very Heavens, [...]he Stars which seem to promise nothing but light & comfort, they infect his person and good by their malevolent influences and aspects. The Air proves contagious to him, and scat­ters its plagues throughout the world. The Waters from above pour down up­on him; the Waters beneath they swal­low him up; the Earth is continually gaping and opening its mouth, devours the Inhabitants thereof. The Beasts of the Wood are ravenous and venemous; yea further, man suffers from his own kind, for Homo homini Lupus; as if man­kind had not evil enough, enemies e­nough to conflict with, besides, he be­comes [Page 8] an enemy to himself, and with Cain falls out with his Brother and kills him. Sin has sown the seeds of Enmi­ty and Discord in the nature and mind of men one against another, whence Murders and other mischiefs do pro­ceed; and what the Ruines and Cala­mities of Wars have been, all Ages may and do sufficiently witness to us; nei­ther has our own time wanted the ex­perience of such Sufferings; though we may have wanted the sence of those Sins which procured them, and for that cause are likely to bring them on again. Yet these are but the beginning or in­choation of Bodily Death. The per­fection, consummation or accomplish­ment hereof is in the other world: And it is the total Absence of all good, and sence of all Evil in the Body, when cast into that place of Torment, where is Weeping, and Wailing, and Gnashing of Teeth; when every part and member that has been an instrument of Unrigh­teousness here, shall be pained in the highest degree of misery, and that for ever.

This is the birth of Sin, part of the [Page 9] wages which man works for, when he works Rebellion against God. Bodily Death begun here, and finished hereaf­ter. But there is yet more in Death, and that which is worse too, viz.

(2.) The Death of the Soul. The Sinner dies Spiritually as well as Corpo­rally: Or, The Soul th [...] sins shall dy. The principal Agent in sinning, shall be the chief Patient in suffering▪ Now, This Death of the Soul is also▪ begun here; in the loss of Spiritual Good, and sence of Spiritual Evil. The first is ac­counted the greatest, and that is the loss of the Image of God in the Soul, or defacing and oblitering that Divine Impression once stamped upon it. The Image of God, was the life of the Soul, the privation hereof [...] the death of it. This was the glory, [...] e [...]ellency of man, his preheminence above [...]e rest of the Creation, that he alone bore the Image of his Creator; The Confo [...]mity of man af [...]er his manner and measure to the Divine Pe [...]fecti [...]ns. Now the De­formation of this Conformity is th [...] [...]n­c [...]ati [...]n of Spi [...]i [...]al Dea [...] as the [...] of sin▪ Rom. 3 23 For [...]ll have [...], [Page 10] and come short of the glory of God. Then,

The sence of evil in the Soul is spiri­tual bondage, a subjection to the Powers of darkness, and all deadly enemies of the Soul. Man by Apostasy brought himself into bonds; whence his Anasta­cy is exemplified by a Redemption from bondage, Col 1.13. This is the bondage of the Devil and his instruments: so that man by sin is a Servant of Servants, and a slave to the Devils Servants, the World and Sin. Man is subject to the Temptation of those evils and snares which are in the World through lust, and unto sin as the fruit of that lust; which subjection is not only a consequent but punishment of the first sin.

Then follows, the Terrors of a guilty Conscience, oft conjoyned with Despair: These are the beginnings of a Spiritual Death.

We may next look to the Consumma­tion of this Death of the Soul

1. In regard of its loss which is infinite; being the deprivation of an infinite good; the presence and favour of an infinite God. The greatest heavenly enjoyment is the [...]ruition of God, his [Page 11] favour and fellowship. The chief hap­piness of the Saints in heaven is this per­fect beatifick vision, speculation & con­templation of the glorious Trinity. Now as contraries serve to illustrate each other, by this we see the infinite loss of that Soul which looses God, Heaven and Happiness all at once: that is punisht with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord. To whom God shall say, Depart, Oh dread [...]ul word! enough to kill any Soul indeed: Depart from the living God.

2. This Spiritual Death is compleated with the sence of all Evil: that is Servit [...]tis Plenitudo. The fulness of bondage: They are held in Chains of Darkness to the Judgment of the great Day. God this Judge shall give Commission to the powers of Hell to Seize on their Souls as soon as out of the Body: Take them Devils, Hale them to the place of their miserable ab [...]de for ever ▪ Then and there shall the summ of the Sinners punishment be inflicted fully and finally, yet ever­lastingly, when Body and Soul being brought together shall be cast into the depth of that Pit which is without bot­tom: [Page 12] This is the Second Death, Rev. 21.8.

This may suffice for Explanation of the Doctrine: How Death is said to be the Wages of Sin; even all kinds and degrees of Death, Corporal and Spiritual, Tem­poral and Eternal. For the proof & con­firmation hereof, that thus it is, and that thus it should be, or that it is both cer­tain and just. I might lay down some Positive Texts of Scripture, Examples and Reasons.

First, for Scripture proof.

We may look back to the first threat­ning, wherein God said to Adam, In the day thou eatest thou shalt surely dy. Gen 2.17. This included his Posterity, even all mankind, who sinned in him and f [...]ll with him in his first Transgression. And as Ori­ginal Guilt obligeth, so every actual Sin leadeth unto Death, Jam. 1.15. Lust when it hath conceived bringeth forth Sin, Sin when it is finished bringeth forth Death. This is the Spawn, the fru [...]t and effect of Sin naturally. Prov. 5. Solomon speak­ing of the strange Woman, says, Her feet go down to Death her steps take hold of Hell; her way of Sin is deadly, and they are Children of Death that go after her, [Page 13] though they know it not, yet it is for their life. This also is given as a reason of that Expostulation, Rom. 6.21. What fruit had ye of those things whereof ye are now ashamed, for the end of those things is Death. Hence, He that Converteth a sin­ner, saveth a Soul from Death. Then the Scripture is full of instances as well as Assertions to prove the deadly effects of Sin. Sin once brought a destructive deluge on the whole World: drew down Fire and Brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah which consumed them; and many other Examples of immediate Death inflicted on particular Persons, for the punishment of their sins.

The next thing is to shew it just as well as certain; or give the reasons, in Answer to the fourth Question.

Quest. 4 Why it should be thus? Or, Why is Sin punished with Death?

Answ. 1. From the Will and Pleasure of God; who is the Sovereign Lord and Law-giver, and may set what penalty he will for the Transgression of his Law. Now its the Will of God that Death should be the wages of Sin, or to reward [Page 14] Sin with Death. Its Gods pleasure that man should thus suffer for his Sin; and this is a reason above all other reasons: this were sufficient if there were no other. The Supreme and highest Will, the Will of God it is the Creatures Law, and that is the Rule of Righteousness. God is perfectly independent, has none above him, to limit or give him Rule; but his own Will is the Rule, therefore he can­not err, if he does but please himself: he break [...] no rule except he thwarts his own Will, which is impossible. Now this is Gods will to punish Sin with Death, therefore it is just, for he can Will nothing but what is so. He de­lights in equity, but hates iniquity. Righteousness and Justice in men, its a beam that issues from this Sun of Righ­teousness, yea its but as it were a shadow of his brightness; yet God takes delight therein because its a resemblance of that infinite Goodness which is in himself. Justice is essential to him, its his very Being, his Nature and Delight, therefore it must needs be a righteous Sentence that ever proceeds out of his mouth.

[Page 15]Reason 2 Its just also by Gods Cove­nant and Engagement with man at first. It was their bargain that Death should be the wages of Sin, Gen 2.16, 17. Now consider Adam as able to keep this charge, had power to stand, and could not but know the consequents of his Fall: God did not hide his danger from him, as he justly might, but annexes the penalty to the Precept for his warning, [Thou shalt surely Dy.] Now if Adam would venture his life for a lust, it is no other than just with God to punish the neglect of his Duty and Happiness with the evil he had threatned: if he would choose Death rather than life, God might let him have his choice: and if this was just with respect to Adam, so it is to all his Posterity, who were then as parts of him, and in his loines were partakers in the sin, and so justly sha [...]ers in the suffe­ring: besides the same Law is given us on like penalty, Ezek. 18 20. The soul that sins shall dy.

Reason 3. From a proportion between the Reward of Obedience and Disobedience. This will appear just: The Reward of Disobedience is not longer or larger in [Page 16] point of Evil, than the Reward of O­bedience should be in point of Good-Man is no more miserable by his Sin, than he should be happy by Righteous­ness: Life is as great a good, as Death is Evil; Heaven is as large and long as Hell. Now if God would have man to inherit life, Eternal Life as a Reward of his Obedience; then its equal and just, that he should give Death, even Eternal Death as an answerable Recom­pence of Sin and Disobedience.

Reason 4. This will appear just, if we consider the Nature of Sin. That is, A Forsaking God. Isa. 1 4. Jer. 2▪ 13. There­fore its just with God to forsake them. God is the Fountain of Life, and all Good, the fountain of living waters; if men will run away from it, they must needs perish, Psal. 73 27. It is also just that God should restrain and with hold all the streams of life and comfort, that they never come near them. They that are estranged from the Author of Life by Nature, and yet by actual wil­ful Departure, set themselves further off from God, how or why should they ever be let to know what belongs to Life Eternal?

[Page 17]Again▪ Sin is Enmity, and Sinners are Enemies unto God. As, Rom. 8.7. The carnal mind is enmity unto God. It is high Treason and Rebellion, Treachery a­gainst the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; what punishment but Death can be just and suitable for Enemies to God, Rebels and Traitors against his Crown and Dignity? Tho' the Lord has said and sworn by his own life, that he takes no pleasure in the Death of Sinners; yet he can't but delight to manifest Righ­teousness in punishing Sin with Death: Glory is that which God designs in eve­ry thing. He seeks to get the Glory of [...] the admirable perfections of his Na­ [...], and so desires his Justice might be conspicuous as we [...]l as his Mercy; there­fore a [...] he is willing to make known the Riches of his Grace on the Vessels of mercy, which he had fore prepared thereunto; so he is willing to shew his Wrath, and make known the power of his Justice, and the justice of power on the Vessels of Wrath fitted for Destruction.

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APPLICATION.

USE 1. This shows the miserable Estate of all the Sons and Daughters of Adam. Born in Sin, and so Heirs of Death. They are subject unto Death as soon as they have received life: yea, are born under a necessity of Dying; they may indeed pass from Death to Life through Grace, 1 Job. 3 14 But are by Nature un­der the power of Death: Consequently this sho [...]s the Happiness of those that are Redeemed from sin; at least a P [...]i­vative Happiness, that they are thereby delivered from Death and Hell; and how deeply engaged are all such to Christ their Redeemer, to admire, love and live to him, who by suffering Death has taken their obligation thereunto. If Death be the Wages of Sin, there could be no life for any man, without the Death and Suffering of Christ who is our Surety. God could not withold this due, and remain just; for not only his Promises, but his Threatnings must stand for ever; In the day thou eatest thou shalt dy. This then must be either the [Page 19] Sinner or the Surety; if Christ will be a Surety, he must be a Sufferer. Hence, he praying saith, If it be possible, let this Cup pass; but it was impossible that Cup of Death should pass from the lips of our Saviour, if he would be a Saviour unto us: Justice would not be satisfied with­out the Delinquent or the Surety suffer Death according to the Threatning.

2. This sh [...]ws the blameable cause of all Evil of Suffering of what kind or degree s [...]ever it be. All is comprehended un­der this word Death, and all is procured by Sin: Even the Sufferings of the Saints are chargeable to their own ac­count, and a [...]e a fruit of sin, if not pro­perly the punishment thereof; and they may look upon Death it self with no other aspect then as the greatest bodily Affliction which shall or can befal them. They as well as others must sip of these bitter Waters not for satisfaction but submission to the Law. Indeed Death was d [...]c [...]eed and determined of God to seize upon Fallen Sinners in all its kinds; and we never yet find that dole­ful Sentence repeal [...]d as to a temporal Dissolution in any Promise. It's true, [Page 20] Christ is the Resurrection and the Life, and says, Whoso beliveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. But Dy he must, that is a Statute which never will be reversed. Heb. 9.27. And we see it execu [...]ed in Divine Providence on eve­ry sort of men in the world; yea, such of whom it is said, Ye are Gods, must dy like men, Psal. 82.6 Riches and Great­ness prevail not for a Reprieval; neither will Grace and Holiness exempt from this Sentence. Though the wicked fall twice under the dint of this Goliah's Sword, yet 'tis appointed for all once to dy▪ For as by one man sin entred into the world, and death by sin, so Death passeth upon all men, for that all have sinned. Rom. 5.12.

3. This shows how odi [...]us a thing Sin is unto God. The odiousness whereof ap­pears.

(1.) In that God inflicts any punishment, brings any Evil upon man. Man who was his greatest Favourite, the Object of his peculiar [...]d light, the Subject on whom he first heapt the treasures of love and goodness. God loved all his Creatures, but man superlatively, whilst he remain­ed in Innocency. Surely then, 'tis not [Page 21] a small matter which turned the heart of God against man, and the streams of his love into hatred. Great is the Evil of Sin that disingratiates this Favourite, that stirs up the Wrath of God against his beloved Creature, yea against his only Beloved Son, when he appears as man, and in his behalf.

(2.) In that he brings so great Evil, in­flicts so high a degree of punishment as Death; Corporal, Spiritual, Temporal, E­ternal. It is not a small matter would restrain the influences of Gods love; how offensive then must that be which turns his love into infinite wrath, that nothing less will content him, than the utter destruction of the Offender. We may make a light matter of sin, and ex­tenuate it in our own apprehensions; but God makes every br [...]ach of his Law to be Capital; we have many Laws, but a few Capital; whereas God makes every Law such. He that breaks any one of his Commandments forfeits his life: God has set Death as a stated pe­nalty of every sin: Sin therefore is ex­ceeding hateful to God, and we need not wonder at it, because i [...] there were [Page 22] any Deicidtum, it were by sin. A Sin­ner destroys much good, and if it were possible, would annihilate God himself, the Fountain of all good. This strikes at the Life and Being of God, therefore it is so odious, that he loves to punish it with Death. But,

4. Though Sin be so odious to God, yet see and admire how gracious God is unto Sinners.

1. In his patience, that he forbears, re­prieves from present Execution, or does not b [...]ing the full weight of his Wrath at once. It's admirable long suffering which suf­fers the Children of Death to live at all. Indeed the Curse has taken part hold, and Death has beg [...]n to seize on man from the first s [...]; from the first touch of the Apple man began to dy; his af­ter breath was his dying breath; and every breath the impenitent Sinner breaths, is the expiring of his Soul; but 'tis Gods patience which allows him to breath at all

2. In his Beneficence He not only restrains Judgment by one hand, but be­stows blessings with the other. He ma­keth the Sun to rise on the evil and the [Page 23] good, and sendeth Rain on the just, and on the unjust. Mat. 5.45. There are none so bad but partake of his Goodness in this life. Also he gives to many the opportunity of escaping Death, and the offer of Life Eternal, affording means of Grace to bring them thereunto.

5. This shows how odious and detestable Sin should be unto us; were it only the dead­ly effects of it. The lovers of sin are haters of God and themselves too: E­very wicked man is a Felo de se; A Fe­lon, a murderer of himself. Prov. 11.19. As Righteousness tendeth to life, so he that pursueth Evil pursueth it to his own death. The lips of sin are lying lips, its favour­ing flatteries are cruel deceits; it speaks men fair as Joab did to Abner & strikes Death at the same time. Stollen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is plea­sant; but the Guests of this Banquet are in the Depth [...] of Hell. Therefore men should hate Sin as Death and Hell it self, being the High way thereunto; & this hatred should be universal: for there is the same reason to hate every sin as any sin, for the least is d [...]adly.

Many may please and deceive them­selves [Page 24] with a false distinction of sins into Venial and Mortal. Whereas indeed, all are venial upon Repentance and Faith in the Lord Jesus; but otherwise all are mortal and damnable; and though all are not pu [...]ishable with Death by Hu­mane Laws, but a few stripes or shillings is the ordinary penalty, whence so ma­ny are imboldened to transgress (I fear) yet let such presumptuous ones consider, that God and his Law will not be so easily satisfi [...]d, nor the punishment there­of endured. Besides the hazard of be­ing left to run from lesser to greater sins, till they arrive at the Gallows, as many others have done before: they are certainly reserved to a future Judg­ment, wherein tricks of youth, wanton­ness and other sins, which are here made light of shall be doom'd with an heavy Condemnation. Eccl. 11.9

There are two general Arguments or Motives to hate Sin: Love and Fear.

1. Love to God should make us loth to offend him. We have highest reason to love him who is the Sun of all our Light, the Fountain of our life, the God of our mercies, and Father of all our Comforts. [Page 25] We have nothing, we can have nothing that is good and desirable, but what is dispensed out of his Treasury, and Be­nefits are Bonds, they oblige Lege Ta­lionis: by the Law of Retaliation [...] The Love of God should constrain us: and love to him should make us not only love what he loves, but also hate what he hates: we should have the same com­mon friends and enemies. Now Sin only is an Enemy to God: How then shall we take pleasure in sin against him, who takes no pleasure in our Death? But love of God and our selves too should make us abhor that which is so displeasing unto him, and destructive to our selves.

2. Fear of God should deter us from sinning against him. If we do not for­sake Sin for love of God as a graci­ous Father, yet the Fear of God as a terri [...]le Judge should put a stop to the current of our Iniquity: If the Good­ness of God which has found out a way of Redemption from Sin will not allure and perswade, let the Justice of God which will inflict Eternal Dam­nation as the punishment for sin af­frighten [Page 26] and enforce us: If the Light of his Countenance, which is better than life, and the joys of Heaven perswade us not; let the dark shadows of Death, and the sorrows of Hell constrain us to this abhorrence of Sin, which can only keep us from the Happiness of the first, and bring us into the misery of the latter.

And here Consider, That the least sin may do us this deadly mischief, (as was before hinted.) The least grain of this Poyson will kill both Body and Soul, if it be not expelled by true and timely Repentance: Therefore if we hate the nature of sin, we should hate the least sins, which are of the same poisonous nature, and mortal effect.

Further to excite, maintain and in­crease our abhorrence of every sin, let us think more on Death, which is the bitter fruit thereof. And we have a threefold Object for medita [...]ion herein. viz. The Certainty, the Extremity, the Eternity of this Death.

1. The Certainty of it. There is no­thing more certain than this, that Death is the consequent of sin. So sure as [Page 27] God lives, so sure every Sinner dies; The Life of God is as questionable as the Sinners death; the Sinner as much as in him lies would destroy God; God therefore will certainly destroy the Sinner▪ All the Attr [...]butes of God are offended by sin, and will be avenged of the Sinner. The love of God unto himself, as it sets his heart against sin, so it will set his hand on work to de­stroy the Sinner. Is it possible that God should not be true, or that Truth it self should ly [...]? If this be impossible, then 'tis impossible that sin should es­cape without the reward of Death. If God be a God of Truth, then every Sinner is a Son of Death. For this is that which God hath said, and will make go [...]d; The Soul that sins shall dy: Whether the Sinner be warned or no, he shall dy, as Ezek 3.18, 19. If the Watchman gives not warning, he ha­z [...]rds his own life▪ but that [...]rees not the Sinner from Death.

Again. Is i [...] p [...]ssible that God should for­get his own Holiness? I [...] God be a Holy God, as [...]e is, Exod 15 11. then he can­not but hate all that is contrary and [Page 28] sanctifie himself by bearing testimony against sin. Is it possible there should be any Unrighteousness in God? No, He is a God of Justice and without I­niquity; but it would be injustice to withold a Debt from him to whom it is due: If God be just then, he will pay the Sinner his wages; therefore Death shall be certain, for this is the Reward by agreement: God will be a faithful Pay-master, tho' he does not always pay down, or presently. It is no Unrighte­ousness to remain for a time in Debt, at least if the Debtor has not bound himself to present payment. But Just­ice can never utterly forget to pay the Debt it ows. God lets the Sinner have time and opportunity to finish his work, and when sin is finished, it shall be ful­ly rewarded. God has not only given his word for it, (which is as good as a Bond) but sealed his Decree to punish Sin w [...]th Death: yea, he has sealed it with the Blood of his own Son. If it had not been the absolute determinate Counsel of God, the cup of death had passed the lips of our Saviour Christ; He had never dyed; he had never de­scended [Page 29] into Hell, if Hell and Death were not the certain determined porti­on of the Sinner in whose stead he dy­ed. God the Father would have grant­ed the life of the Elect Gratis, if his Decree had not made it impossible▪ God would have spared his own Son, in whom he took infinite delight, if Justice had not tyed up his hands, (to speak with Reverence.) Our Saviour himself cries unto his Father, If it be possible, and Christ never made a prayer that was not heard by his Father. This is Hypothetical or Conditional, If it [...]e possible, but it was utterly impossible▪ Infinite Justice will not be satsfied unless the Delinquent or Surety suffer this Death for Sin. The Bowels of God, his heart would never have b [...]rn that his only begotten Son should have en­dured such an Agony in the Garden. Th [...]se drops of Blood would have commanded pitty and release if there had been any possibility of it. But Justice cannot permit that the Surety should escape Death, and yet the Sin­ner live. Well then, if God spared not his own Son, his only Son, but delivers [Page 30] him up to Death and Hell for sin imp [...] ­t [...]d. How impossible will it be for any out of Christ to escape? Can any look, or is there any hopes that we may find more Favour at Gods hands than his only Son? and yet He if he will take upon him the sins of his Elect, must drink of this cup of Death. There is a Second Death, and that is as certain as the first: As sure as there is a Heaven, so sure there is a Hell, a Lake of Fire and Brimstone, and all the wicked of the Earth shall have their portion in it; there is none shall escape, not so much as one. It's true, they that a [...]e gotten into the Ark, Ch [...]ist Jesus, they shall be saved; but whosoever is not found in him shall perish. All the Elect have been in Hell already, and have suffered the pains of it in their Surety; But they that have no interest in the Death and Suffering of Christ, they must suf­fer these Eve [...]lasting Torments in their own persons, and there is no possible Redemption for them It will be a vain confidence or hope to rely on general mercy, or the comm [...]n Goodness of God to his Creatures; The mercy of [Page 31] God will deceive such as rely on it without ground; The streams of Gods mercy unto Sinners, they all run in this one Channel, through Jesus Christ our Lord; there is no mercy in God for the Salvation of Sinners but in Christ. Christ died not for Angels, they are lost irr [...] ­coverably therefore; and unless he had undertaken and overcome Death for [...]s, all we must have been overcome by this Death; and though some Sinners may have made a Covenant with Death, and are at an Agreement with Hell, yet this shall be disannulled, it shall not stand, it is a refuge of lies they trust unto, and the deceit will be but an addition to their Torment, Deut. 29.19, 20. For any to think of peace when God proclaim [...] War, to hope for life when God has threatned death, is but to flatter themselves with a Dream, yea, 'tis a com­forting themselves with the sparks that will consume them. For Death is cer­tain.

And under this Head we may also consider its suddenness. It certainly will be sudden; Death shall speedily over­take sin. The day of Patience and [Page 32] Forbearance, it is but short; The Lord delays his Coming, but not long. The day of the Lord is near at hand, whether of particular, or general Judgment: The day of the world is but a short day, the day of ones life much shorter, it will soon be at end; and the night of end less darkness will succeed. Yet a little while and he that shall come will come, and not tarry. God comes on the Sinner sud­denly and terribly; The Chariot Horses of his Justice are swifter than Eagles to bring Destruction upon Sinners; though they ly fast asleep in Sin, yet their Dam­nation slumbereth not at all.

2. Meditate on the Extremity of Death, that it may work a greater abhorance and dread of Sin, which procures it. Indeed, as the happiness of the Saints in Glory is greatly surpassing our highest conceits; so proportionably the wretchedness of the Damned in Hell must needs be the deepest misery. Their Torments are in­vented by infinite Wisdom, and inflicted by Almighty Power. God is terrible when he appears in Mercy (as Jacob says.) how much more when he cometh in Fury: If fearful in the giving of his [Page 33] Law, how dreadful in revenging the breach of it? In the day of Gods pati­ence and goodness here, awful are his Judgments; what then will the Day of his Judgment be? If the Afflicting hand of God be so heavy upon his own Chil­dren, whom he loves with infinite and everlasting love; what will be the weight of the hand of his Wrath upon his Enemies, whom he hates? If the love of God be so wrathful; how dire­ful will his wrath be? If they are such dismal d [...]ops that fall from the love of God, as all the Afflictions of his Saints do; how scalding will the drops of the vial of his wrath be? yea what will be the burning Sea of incensed Fury? If the Fire of God to refine his People be so hot and almost insufferable; how dreadful is the boiling Lake of Fire and Brimstone? If those Rods for his Chil­dren be so sharp and stinging, what are those fiery Scorpions to torment his Ene­mies withal? Heavy Judgment fall upon Sinners in this life, which is the day of Gods patience, but how intolerable will his wrath be in the day of his Wrath and Vengeance? If his li [...]tle Finger be so [Page 34] heavy, a very touch of it, how insuppor­table will the loins of his wrath be? This will surely press down to the lowest Hell. The Extremity of the Sinners misery might be considered on both parts, viz Their Extrusion or Banishment out of Heaven, and from the Soci­ety of the Blessed for ever: And also their Intrusion and incarceration among the Cursed in Hell for ever. Where or what this Hell is which the wicked are cast into; The Scripture leaves us with­out the distinct knowledge of it. It may be this Earth, or this Visible World. That which has been the stage where­upon the Sinner has acted his Rebellion against God, shall also be the Scaffold of his Execution: These Creatures which have groaned under the burden of man, who has imployed them against their Maker, may be restored unto their li­berty and serve their Creator, in being Executors of his Wrath on man. This beautiful Fabrick of the World being perfected to become a Palace for man, a Subject unto God, may be dissolved and confounded to become a Prison, a Dun­geon for man a Reb [...]l.

[Page 35]But wheresoever and whatsoever Hell shall be, it is a dismal place: a place of utter darkness; of horrour and consump­tion: a Pit of Noise, where is nothing to be heard, but Weeping and Wailing, Banning, Cursing, Blaspheming of God, and the horrible out crys of Despair, raised from what is to be meditated on in the third and last place, Viz.

3. The Eternity of this Death, which is the wages of Sin. This is common to the Wicked with the Godly; that their re­ward is Eternal, Dan 12.2. The life of the Saints it is Eternal Life and the Death of the wicked it is no less than Eternal. It is an ever dying Death: As its said, Rev 9▪ 6. There men shall seek Death, and shall not find it, they shall desire to dy, and it shall flee from them. This indeed is the misery of the Second Death, that it will not suffer a man to Dy ▪ Death would be sweet in this Death, but this is the Sting of Death, the immortality of it.

Were all the pleasures of this whole World contracted, and put to one drop of the wrath of God, they could never swee [...]en it; but yet the Eternal duration of this exceeds the bitternes [...] of it in it [Page 36] self; that when whole Myriads of Ages are past in those horrid Torments, yet the time is no whit shortned. Its dire­ful to conceive of the easelessness of the pains of Hell, that Dives shall not have one drop of water to cool his Tongue: But the Endlessness of those Tormets, its in­tolerable. What's a Drop to the Ocean; a Sand, a Dust or a little Atome, to the World? yet these hold a proportion: but now between the longest time and Eter­nity, there is no proportion. We have never a line to measure Eternity by. Our Thoughts that are most swift, and extensive, they are not able to reach to the End of Eternity: It has no end. Our Souls cannot grasp it. EVER and for EVER, it is a word will pose the strongest Head. How can we compre­hend that which has no limits, see to the End of that which has no End?

The least particle of Time detracts from the greatest Summ of Finite Sor­rows, let them be multiplied never so far, by parts, it will be worn out: But the further ye go in these Eternal mise­ries, we are never the nearer to an End: Hell is as lasting as Heaven, and never [Page 37] is wasted. Its the Hell of Hell that it is E­ternal. The never dying Worm is the Worm of Hell. This frets out all com­fort, all ease, all hope, that those Tor­ments are perpetual.

This is the happiness of the Saints, the Heaven of Heaven, that those joys are Eternal: and this is the greatest misery of Hell, that there is no End of misery. This one circumstance has more weight in it, than all Hell besides. To pass through the Fire is dreadful; what is it then to dwell with Everlasting Burnings? Yet this must be the portion of all that live impenitently in their sins.

Who then can, (after this has been told them as most certain,) take any pleasure in sin? If there be any pleasure in it, it is but for a moment, than vanishes away; but the pain that abides for ever.

One serious Reflection on each of these, would bring men to see and con­fess the truth of that, Prov. 14 9. That they are fools who make a mock of sin. None such, fools as those that laugh themselves into misery; and yet none more certainly do so, than they who make a mock of Sin. They sport them­selves [Page 38] into their own Destruction, and pleasantly they goe down to Hell, where those Eternal Flames become their first Awakeners: and then men begin to be wise, when it is too late. They that satisfy themselves with the momentany pleasures of this World, and deride those Everlasting Miseries of the other, shall have leisure enough to Repent their Folly, when their Repentance shall only increase their Sorrow, without hopes of any Ease or End.

I might also show how Precious a CHRIST should be unto every Sinful man: how welcome a Saviour, and how reviving to hear of Life after Death:

But of this in the latter Clause of the Text.

The End of the First SERMON.
[Page 39]

LIFE The Sure Reward of Grace To the Penitent.

Romanes VI.23.

—But the Gift of God is Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

MAN a Sinner, he hath no greater Enemy than God, who has Reveal­ed his Wrath from Hea­ven against all Ungod­liness and Unrighteousness of men: And yet 'tis as true, the Sinner has no great­er [Page 40] Friend than God. There is none that man has more reason to flee from, nor any that he has more reason to fly unto: Adam (and we need not won­der) having disobeyed the Command of God, he is afraid of his Presence; be hears the voice of the Lord walking in the midst of the Garden, he betakes himself to a Thicket for Defence, to shrow'd himself from the sight of God, whose voice he heard: Well might he dread to see the Face of such a Terrible Ma­jesty incensed against him by his Rebel­lion: He could not but tremble to think of beholding a Consuming Fire, as he could not think to see any thing in God but Fiery Indignation. The Voice of God to Adam, it was worse than the roaring of a Lion; yea the dreadful Thunder of Mount Sinai, it was not half so dreadful as this voice of God in Eden. Adam could not bear to see the Lightning after it: therefore he seeks a skreen to hide himself, as not being able to behold the Face of God and live: Adam could expect no less than the full Execution of the Sentence of Death which he had subjected himself unto by [Page 41] his Disobedience. He could expect no other sight of his Maker, than of one armed with Fury and Vengeance to de­stroy him. God had said, In the day thou eatest, thou shalt surely d [...]; Man has Eaten If then God be a God of Truth, what must his next word be, but a pe­remptory Sentence of Death against the Offender; or rather the next word might be a blow, the inflicting of that Sentence of Death which was before threatned. How could Adam think, but that God who was his Law-giver, and had given him Law, would also be his Judge in inflicting the penalty due for the breach thereof, and that with­out mercy. No wonder then that Adam flees from the presence of God. Yet consider also, whom might he better go unto than that God, whom he had offen­ded? whom might he more safely re­pair unto than his Judge? who as he is in­finite in his Justice, so he is no less infinite in his Mercy: and thus indeed Adam found it after his Examination and Tri­al: Notwithstanding he is found guilty, and could dream of no better sentence than to be immediately seized upon of [Page 42] Death and Hell, and to be swallowed up by them; Then God opens the rich Treasury of his Grace, he opens the Door, the Gate of Life to him, he Re­veals a Saviour; even he that gave the threatning, gives the Promise also. The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents Head.

When we read the former part of the Text, with Adam we may be ready to flee away from God, from his Presence; we justly dread this voice of God, this word, THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH. But if we stay a little, and hear further what God the Lord will speak, he speaks Peace unto the Chil­dren of men, be turns that Death into Life. THE GIFT OF GOD IS E­TERNAL LIFE.

In this Verse the Apostle gives as the summe both of the Law and the Gospel. He is a Son of Thunder, and begins with Terror; it is a dreadful Sentence he praemises; The Wages of Sin is Death. He is also a Son of Consolation, and follows with another word as Gracious▪ The Gift of God is Eternal Life. Having had occasion and opportunity to insist [Page 43] much on the former part already for the Awakening & Conviction of Sinners in general, and of one in particular, who has Sinned a Sin unto Death, both by the Law of God and man.

I shall now speak chiefly of the latter for a Reviviction and Encouragement to all that hear the Gospel, and particu­larly to such an one as has been slain by the foregoing Sentence. And as the former words was a compleat, intire Ax­iom or Doctrine without any Alteration, so are these.

DOCTRINE. Eternal Life it is Gods Gift to Sinners, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Altho' Death may be the demerit of Sin; yet Life is the gift of God to the Sinner. He owes Death to him, but be­stows Life upon him. Life is a gift of God through Christ. Here is a blessed Scream, that is Life; a most blessed Spring or Fountain of it, that is, GOD. A most blessed Channel thorow which it is conveyed to the Sinner to make [Page 44] him blessed, that is CHRIST. We may take the Doctrine asunder, and shall find these three parts in it.

  • 1 That there is Life to be had for Sin­ners.
  • 2. That this Life is Gods Gift.
  • 3. The Gift is through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PROPOSITION I.

That there is Life for Sinners: viz. Life Eternal. Under which general term is comprehended every good thing: All that is needful or desirable, whatsoever makes to the well being or perfection of a man. Death is the summ and comprehense of all Evil, Life is also the comprehense of all Good. Particu­larly, the Life here spoken of is Eternal Life, and by it we may understand the Life of Grace and of Glory. These are not distinct in kind, there is only a gra­dual and circumstantial difference be­tween them. The truth of the Propo­sition may be seen both in general and particular. There is Life for Sinners▪ this is the voice of the Gospel. The Law brings news of Death, the Gospel [Page 45] brings the glad [...]idings of life. The Law concludes all under Death, the Gospel excludes none from Life; stretching forth its Arms to all that will receive it. The Law brings Condemnation, the Gospel Salvation. The Law casts all in­to Hell, and as Abraham said to Dives, between us and you there is a great Gulph fixed, so that there is no passing from one to the other. Yet now we may truly say, that this Gulph is passible, or here is a passage from Hell to Heaven. The Gulph is exceeding great, Heaven and Hell are far asunder, Death and Life, there is a vast distance between them; but yet there is a passage from Death to Life, 1 Joh. 3.14. A Sinner may be brought out of the belly of Hell, as sometimes Jonah out of the Whales Belly. Indeed the Law leaves us without hope or help, like Josephs Brethren, it casts into the Pit, & does not regard our crying: But the Gospel lets down those Cords by which we may be drawn out thence. The Pit indeed is deep, but there is an Infinite Arm of Grace that can fathom & reach to the bottom of it, and bring us out of it. A Sinners Chains and Fetters may [Page 46] be broken, and made to fall from him; The Prison doors are set open for man to come out; yea, the door of Heaven is now open, the Gate of Life, wherein whosoever will, may enter, and Live for ever.

Further to illustrate this, Consider two things.

1. Life is tendered unto all. The Gos­pel is universal in its offers: Whosoever believeth▪ and is baptized shall be saved; according to our Saviours Commission to the Preachers of it, Matt. 28.19. Mark 16.15. Ye [...], both the Word and the Spirit says, Whosoever will let him come & take of the waters of Life freely. Rev. 22.17.

2 Life is actually bestowed and conferred upon many, even on all that embrace the Gos­pel. There is Grace enough for all in the Gospel, but all will not accept of it. There are those that will not come unto Christ that they might have li [...]e; But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God; and Heirs of his Kingdom; Hei [...]s of Life and Glory. So Paul to the Ephesians, You hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins. Though Death has passed up­on [Page 47] all because all have sinned; yet many are already passed from Death to Life.

If any ask, What Life is?

They must tarry till they come to Heaven for a full Answer of [...]his Questi­on. No man living can here tell what Life is. Angels know it, but can't im­part the knowledge of it to us.

It is all that Glory, begun in this World and perfected in Heaven, which the Saints shall enjoy to all Eternity. 'Tis the happiness and perfection of the Reasonable Creature in the full enjoy­ment of God for ever. There is This Life for Sinners.

Man though a Sinner may yet be uni­ted to God. Tis most true, that God is a holy God, and of purer Eyes then to be­hold iniquity. He cannot approve Sin, yet he can love the Sinner: He hates Sin with a perfect hatred, infinitely; and yet he loves the Sinner with an infinite love. His heart loaths Sin; he is an E­nemy to all Sin, and that irreconcileably; yet he can be reconciled to the Sinner, and become his Friend. They call'd our Saviour Christ a friend to Publicans and Sinners. God is a friend of Publicans [Page 48] and Sinners, and as it were Courts their Friendship. He is so far from being im­placable to his greatest Enemies, that he is first in moving for Peace, and by his Ambassadors beseeches them to be re­conciled.

Thus in general, There is Life for the Children of Death. More particularly, There is a removal of Death, and Life that is recovered.

1. There is a removal of Death here im­plyed; or Death is taken away. That is, All evil of Sin, and Suffering. As to the evil of Sin.

1. There is a freedom from the Guiltiness.

2. From the power of it.

1. There is a freedom from the Guiltiness of Sin. And Gospel Ministers are di­rected by Christ, To give knowledge of Salvation to his People by the Remission of their Sins, Luke 1.77. Not that the Fast or Action it self can be remitted; be­cause that which is done is done, and cannot be said not to be done. Factum infectum reddi n [...]quit. Ye [...] the Guilt of that evil Act, which is an obligation to punishment may be remitted: and this is properly, Pardon of Sin. Neither does [Page 49] Remission change the nature of Sin, that that which is Sin should be counted no sin: or that Evil should be called Good, Isa. 5.20. Sin is as really sin after pardon, as before: only Pardon frees from the Guilt of sin, takes away, Meritum Paenae, the deserved Punishment, which is a taking away, not from the sin, but from the Sinner only. Still, The wages of sin is Death; that is, deserves it. Though this Death is not actually inflicted on him to whom Sin is pardoned. Neither a­gain, is the Rigour of the Law relaxed by the pardon [...]f sin: only it does not exert its conde [...]ing Power over the persons of B [...]lieve [...]s, because Christ has already suffer [...]d for their Si [...]s. But still the Law remains, and ever will remain a Sin Condemning, and Sin Avenging Law. It has as much power as ever to sl [...]y the Sinner; but it ca [...] sl [...]y him but once, and the stroke of the Law is so heavy in that case, [...] [...]ed not smite him a second tim [...] [...] Christ in­deed being God as well as man, recove­red from that deadly blow which the Law gave him for our si [...]s, and so Sa­ved himself and us. Yet here is no Re­laxation [Page 50] of the Law, but a full Executi­on of it, full satisfaction given to it. The whole Debt is paid to the utmost farthing, by Christ our Surety; whence all the Life, Glory and Happiness that follows hereupon comes in by Grace. But then,

2. There is the freedom from the Power and Dominion of sin; also from the filth and pollution, as well as Guilt and Obligation to punishment. The former is ex­prest in the Sinners Justification, by the imputed Righteousness of Christ. The latter in his Sanctification by infused Ho­liness from the Spirit of Christ. Man fallen from God is become a Captive to sin, and is forced to serve divers Lusts, of which is true, what Solinus says of the several kind of Serpents in Africa; Quantus nominum, tantus mortium nume­rus But the Gospel preaches Delive­rance to these Cap [...]ives: there is a Re­lease from the bondage of Corruption, from the T [...]nny o [...] Sin and▪ Satan in part begun here, an opening the Prison Doors to them that are bound. Then, as to the Evil of Suffering, or conse­quents of sin, there is a perfect freedom [Page 51] to be obtained. The cause being remo­ved, the effect ceaseth. Sin is the cause of Death, it gives life unto Death; therefore if Sin be killed, Death dyes wi [...]h it; The same stroke destroys them both; Sin and Death are contemporary they live and dy together. So that if once a man be gotten free from the guilt and power of Sin, he is also loosed from the bonds of Death, and from the Pains of Hell for ever. For, though it be appointed for all once to dy, and expe­rience confirms the truth hereof, that as by one man Sin entred into the world, and Death by Sin, so Death passeth on all sorts of men, and will do upon all of every sort, because all have Sinned; and excess of Sin, procures untimely Death to many an one; yet 'tis as t [...]ue, where sin is taken away, there the Second Death shall have no power, Rev. 20.6. And even the former is swallowed up in Victory: That the Repenting Belie­ving Sinner may triumph with the A­postle, 1 Cor. 15.55, 56, 57. O Death where is thy Sting! the sting of Death is sin, the strength of Sin is the Law: But thanks be to God who giveth us the Victo­ry, [Page 52] through Jesus Christ our Lord. Then further,

2. As there is a Removal of D [...]h, that is all Evil of Sin and Suffering; so there is a Restoring unto [...] that is all man­ner of Good, of Grace [...], and Glory here­after. The vilest of Sinners may be made holy and righteous now, happy and blessed for evermore. Indeed we should not too nicely distinguish between these: Freedom from Death, and a right to Eternal Life; as if one could be obtained without the other, which is impossible: For certainly not to dy, is to live; not to Dy Eternally, is to Live Eternally. But though these be not distinct in themselves, yet may we speak distinctly of them. As

1. The Sinner may become Holy and Righteous, not only guiltless (as we Saw before) but righteous in the sight of God. A Believing Sinner is not only free from sin, but full of Righteousness: In some sence as righteous as Christ himself, for he is righteous in the Righteousness of Christ, which is every way perfect and compleat; that the Law or Justice it self can find no [...]ault or fl [...]w therein; [Page 53] and is relatively, im [...]atively theirs that by Faith are united to Christ.

Again, There is also a real inherent Ho­liness and Righteousness by a Restoration of the Image of God in the Soul Man that is born a Sinner may be born again. He may be Regenerate, he may be a New Creature; as David prays for himself, Psal 51.11. Create in me a clean heart, &c. In Justification the Sinner is esteem'd as Righteous; but in Sanctifi­cation he is made Righteous. Then,

2. The Sinner also may be Happy. This necessarily follows on the former. A man cannot but be happy, if he become holy: Sin and Misery, Holiness and Happiness are Twins, and will never admit of any separation. Those that are Justified are Sanctified, and they that are Sanctifi [...]d are Glorifi [...]d Happiness is in­choate in this life, and consummate in the next.

Thus▪ much for the Doctrinal handling of the first Proposition.

PROPOSITION II.

That this Life is Gods Gift▪

[Page 54]Two things are implyed herein.

  • 1. That Life is from God originally.
  • 2. That it is bestowed on the Sinner freely.

1. That Life, whether of Justification, Sanctification or Glory, is from God origi­nally. Justification in the Acq [...]ittance from Sin, Guilt, and imputation of Christ's Righteousness, is Gods gift: Hence he is said to be the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus, Rom. 3 26. And Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sin, Psal. 22.1, 2. This is Gods Name, to be a God forgiving ini­quity, transgression and Sin; and if it be God that Justifies, who shall Condemn: Rom. 8.30. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? It's God that justi­fies? It's God that is offended; Against thee thee only have I Sinned. It's he that is wronged by sin, therefore he must give the discharge. He is the great Creditor that alone can release his Debtor. He sealeth the Sinners Pardon▪ & acquits him of his Guilt and Punish­ment.

2. This Justification is Free, and thus it is a Gift. Rom. 5.15. Tis again [Page 55] and again called, The Free-Gift of Righ­teousness to Justification of Life; and we are said to be justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption. But you will ask? Quest. How can this be free, since Jesus Christ has paid and perfor­med all? Has fulfilled all Righteousness; done and suffered all that the Law requires for our Justification: Does not therefore the compleatness of Christ's Satisfaction lessen the Freeness and Greatness of Gods Love in pardoning Sinners? Ans. Not a whit, but these consist well together. Life is by the Righteousness of Christ, and yet a free Gift; This is the admirableness of it, that Justice and Grace meet thus; that Justice and Truth should be fully satisfied, and yet Mercy and Grace highly exalted Neither is Grace in Scrip­ture ever opposed to Christ's merit, but to ours. If we our selves had made the Satisfaction, Justice it self had absol­ved us; but the R [...]ches of Free Grace will appear to them that shall consider these things.

1. That 'tis God himself finds out and accepts the way of our Reconci [...]iation. Men or Angels could never have invented it. [Page 56] Besides, God might have refused to accept of a Surety: This was free, and in this sence, the life of Believers are s [...]id to be given unto Christ; he has bought them, purchased them with a great price, redeemed them with his own Blood; as they are given him, Joh. 17. Thine t [...] were, that is, in the hands of Gods Justice, and he has given them to the Lord Jesus to be redeemed. Hence, its truly said of the Apostle, Rom 3 24 We are justified freely by his Grace, yet or tho' through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ.

2. Christ himself is Gods gift. Joh. 3.16. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, &c. God has given his first born for our Transgressi [...]n: He spared not his own Son, but freely gave him up for us all, Rom. 8 32. To us a Son is given, Isai. 9 6. I [...]s true, Christ [...]ave himself, he was willing, Gal. 1.4 2.20. He came freely and readily, but God the Father sent him, he makes a Present of his Son unto the wo [...]ld; Giving power also to as many as shall receive him, to become the Sons of God, Joh. 1 12.

3. Saving Faith is the gift of God also [Page 57] Eph. 2 [...]8. By Grace ye are saved through Faith, and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God. Is by virtue of our Union to Christ, that we have any benefit by him, by Faith only we are United, and this Faith is Gods gift. Our Righteous­ness is by Faith in Christ▪ and it's God that gives us to believe on him. Thus we see our Justification is of God ori­ginally, and freely, that it is his Gift; and so may be said of our Sanctification & the principle of an Holy Life wrought in the Regenerate. This new Life is given and breathed forth of God: 'Tis the inspiration of his Spirit, a [...] Job 3 [...] [...] says, The breath of the Almighty has given me life, that in Spiritual as well as Natu­ral.

Then, as the Spiritual Life of Righ­teousness and Holiness on the Earth, so Eternal Life of Happiness and Bless [...]d­ness in [...]he Kingdom o [...] Heaven is the free gift of God to Sinners; and [...] he has given Grace, he will give Glory also.

PROPOSITION III.

That this Life is through Jesus Ch [...] our Lord

[Page 58]1. It is by him as he has bought and purchased it. He paid down the full and exact price of our Redemption: So, though it was free to the Sinner, yet it cost our Saviour dear: He laid down his own life a Ransom for ours. He suffered Death, and went into Hell himself, to save us from Death and Hell; and by the Red [...]ndancy of his merit and satis­faction procured Life and Salvation for us.

2. It's by vertue of our Union to him, that we partake of the benefit of this pur­chase, Freedom from Sin and Misery, and Participation of Holiness and Happiness. Our life is derived to us, by being One with him. 1 Joh. [...] 12. He that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son has not life.

3. It's by his good Spirit, that we are quickned, strengthened, and directed in the way of Righteousness and Holiness, and by his Grace are enabled to persevere unto Eter­nal Life.

And then,

4. Its by him at last that we come to the Possession and Enjoyment of Life and Happi­ [...]s [...]verlasting. He as ou [...] Head is al­ready [Page 59] risen, and entred into the Hea­ven [...]; in due time all the members fol­low after. Its he alone, who having purchased this inheritance of life for us, that can give us a Title to it, and put us in actual Possession of it.

The Doctrine which is contained in these Propositions require a much more larger Application, than can be made within the limi [...]s of time ordinarily [...]et for these Exercises: Besides the Solemn Occasion before us, call for a particular as well as general Application of these Truths.

In General

1. How may this be a Reviving word to the Dead World, to every dead Soul, that by nature is dead in Sin; and dead by the Sen­tence of the Law; that by the Grace of the Gospel there is life, even Eternal life to be had for Sinners: what a joyful sound should this be in every ear that hears it. As it concerns all, this should be a quickning Word to beget so much life at least in every one, as to stir them up to seek after this life in the way that God is pleased [...]o bestow it, thro [...]h [Page] Jesus Christ our Lord. Tis also a com­forting Word to all men: though com­forts are usually appropriated to the Saints: the Subjects of com [...]orts are wont to be more special and particular. But yet this Truth like the Sun conveys its comforts to all, to every Son and Daughter of Adam. The voice, the sound of the Gospel is a joyful sound to all men, Luk. 2 10. Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all People. Is there life for Sinners, even such as are condemned to dy? What more grateful news, than to hear of a possible Reversion of the Sentence of Death; this may be a cordial to support the Sinking dying heart of any Sinner, That there is pard [...]n to be had, a possibili­ty of escaping Death, and inheriting Life Eternal; that though in Justice he might dy, ye by Grace he may live, and that for ever.

2. This leads us to the contemplation of the Divine Philanthropy, or Admirable Love of God to mankind. Job. 3 16▪ There are several Considerations which might help to heighte [...] our Esteem, and Admiration hereof; which I shall but just hi [...] at.

[Page 61]As, The Special [...]y of the Subject. Not Angel, but men. The quality of men, as Sinners. The Eminency of the Gift or Benefit, that is Life The principal mean of obtaining it, Viz The Death of his own Son, 1 Joh. 4 9 In this was manifested the love of God towards us, be­cause God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live through him.

It also leads into the Dep [...]hs of Gods Wisdom, that has contrived the way of life for Sinners, after a positive Sentence of Death was declared. This would not only have set the Wisdom of man, but posed quite the Heavenly Intelligences, Angels themselves, to have found out a Way; wherein the Truth of God might be Established, his Justice satisfyed, the Rights and Honour of Holiness Vindicated, and maintained, and yet the Guilty, polluted and condemned C [...]inal be pardoned, justifyed and saved Everlast­ingly. Many other things might be added for the Ex [...]l [...]ation of Divine Pow­er, as well as Wisdom and Grace, in Sav­ing man a Sinner; to quicken and raise the Dead is a work of Omnipotence is [...]. But,

[Page 62]3 Is there life for Sinners, then very great is the Priviledge & Happiness of those that have the way of Life made known to them: that enjoy the light of the Gospel. Next unto life it self, to live under the means of life, is the greatest blessing. We cannot be born under a more happy Star than that which leadeth unto Christ a Saviour, by whom this life and im­mortality is brought to light.

Consequently,

This shows the extreem misery of those that perish under the Gospel. Death will be more deadly to such than others. There are none so miserable as those who either have, or might have been happy. The thoughts of former advan­tages neglected, will add to their present and future sufferings. Time was when they might have had pardon and Eternal Life [...]or asking, or accepting; but now they must perish without remedy, and that more dreadfully than other Sinners Gospel Sinners have the worst Death; For Necessary Death would not be nigh so dreadful as a Voluntary. Now Death to those that live under the Gospel is of choice; they will Death rather [Page 63] than Life; wherefore their Condem­nation is not only most certain and just, but most fearful of all. Thus the danger is proportionable to the Priviledge. But, I hasten to an Use of Exhortation in two words, principally.

1. To a firm and fixed Believing of this Truth, that Eternal Life is Gods Gift through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2. To a speedy and earnest Addressing God in Christ, for the bestowing this Gift, or obtaining the benefits therein included.

1. Is there Life for Sinners? Then its the Duty of Sinners to Believe there is Life for them. I [...]s the Duty of every Sinner to Believe there is life for him. Its the Duty of all in general, and the Duty of every one in particular to Believe this for himself, that he may live, that he may be Saved, that he may be free from Wrath to come, Escape Hell and Death, and be an Heir of Life and Heaven for evermore. Its our Debt to give God Credit for this Word. All Sinners be­lieving may be Saved; th [...]fore, Let All Believe. The Gospel is propounded limittedly in respect to the Condition, Believing, but Universally, in respect of [Page 64] the Subject, Whosoever Believeth, shall not perish, but have Everlasting Life. I don't say, I [...]s every mans Duty to believe he shall be Saved; but to believe that he may be Saved if he will: Whosoever will let him take of the Water of life freely: If any go without and perish for want, it is his own fault. Its true, Many are call­ed, but Few are chosen All shall not ob­tain life, that live under the means of life: All shall not receive life that have the offer and tender of it. All shall not Will to have life. God who is to give the Will and the Deed of his own good pleasure, Phil. 2.13 Does not give all to Will life. But this is the Truth ass [...]rted, God gives life to all that Will: to all that will receive and imbrace it; that is, to all that will Believe and Accept of his Grace in Christ. If any perish, 'tis not because there is no life to be had, but because they will not have life, Job. 5.40. Nay, tis because they Will Death Ezek. 18.31, 32. Let a mans Sins be what they [...]ill, yet there is life for him There is no mins so many, or great, a [...] that they make him uncapable of enter­ing into li [...]. Its said, Strait is the gate, [Page 65] &c but they make the Gate of Heaven streighter or na [...]rower than it is, that don't have it wids enough for the greatest Sinner to pass through. Neither the Magnitude nor Multitude of Sins can hinder. Nay further I say; Were there any one man guilty of all the Sins in the World from the first of Adam to this Day, yet he might be capable of Grace & Salvation. Its impossible that any Number or Degrees of Sin should make the way to Heaven unpassable. Infinite is the Grace of the Gospel. Tis impossible that ever sin should swell to an infinitum in i [...] [...]; therefore impossi­ble it should ever be too big for Grace. There is Forgivenes [...] of All Sin through Jesus Christ, and the Chief of Sinners have obtained it [...] Instances;

M [...]nassah, a Monster in Nature, a Murderer of man▪ a Consulter with De­vils, a Defier of God himself, and yet could we imagine the Sins of Manassah ten thousand tim [...]s greater and more then they were, yet there is pardon for them; and though he so often made himself a Child of Death, yet he became [...]n Heir of Life.

[Page 66]Seven Devils were cast out of Mary Magdalen; but if every one of those Devils had been a Legion, yet they might have all been cast out as well as one. There is Justification, Sanctification and Glorification for the most-Guilty, most Unholy, most Miserable of the Sons or Daughters of men.

Are they not the worst of Sinners that the Apostle speaks of, 1 Cor. 6.9. Hell it self can't afford a worse Rab­ble then we find there, and yet says the Apostle, Such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are justified &c. And now are Glorified.

Again, What more Execrable Wretches can be under Heaven, than those who were guilty of the Blood of the Son of God, that Crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, both the Lord & Saviour of the World? yet even those whose hands were imbrued in the Blood of God, may be cleansed from their blood guiltiness. They may be as pure, s [...]tle's & innocent as if they had had no sin. The Gospel proclaims life to them; yea Ch [...]i [...] himself gives them life, that were instruments of his owne Death: He fetches them out of Hell [Page 67] that were instrumental to send him thi­ [...]her. There is SALVATION for those that kill'd and destroyed the Savi­our of the World, Act. 2 36. Who then shall Despair of life, if they may live that have put to Death the Lord of Life? We may hence Conclude, there is no such Sinner, but he may have life.

The Duty of believing this might be further pressed from the mischief and misery of Despair, which is most inju­rious to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, injurious to the Truth, Power, Goodness and Grace of God; also most pernicious to our selves; which is not only adding Sin to Sin, but a sealing up the Guilt of all other sins. Hereby we loose an Infinite Blessing, and incur an infinite Curse in the room. Wherefore, It is both the Duty and Interest of eve­ry one to get a f [...]m and fixed Belief of this Truth.

And in particular,

I would commend it unto thee, O poor Condemned Malefactor, now standing before the Lord, to hear and receive the words of this Life: Not only thou mayest, but thou oughtest to [Page 68] believe this; viz that there is Life to be had for such an one as thou art; yea even for thee there is Li [...]e. Though yo [...] sins [...]e as scarlet, they may be made white as snow, though they be red like crimson, th [...] may become as wool; they are indeed of a deep and double dye, yet may b [...] throughly pu [...]g'd and done away in that Blood of the Lamb of God which clea [...] ­seth from all sin. Although Death is thy Desert in all is kinds and degrees, Cor­poral, Spiritual, and Eternal: and tho' such is the Nature of thy particular Crimes, that Divine Vengeance rarely suf­fers to go long undetected or unpunish­ed; but Untimely Death is ordinarily the portion of such as are found guilty there­of: therefore must thou acknowledge the Righteousness of God and man too in ordering this punishment unto thee; who standest here guilty of a repeated Murder, and that attended with many heinous aggravations, in destroying the [...] of thine own Body: Thou hast no [...] only been so unhappy as to bring forth Children for the Murtherer, but hast been so ungodly, as to be the Mo­ther and Murtherer of them thy self. [Page 69] O cruel monster in Nature! who shall deliver thee from such Uncleanness and [...]ood guiltiness? Or, who will stay thee from going down to the Pit? Certain­ly that in Job 36.4. will be verified up-thee; Thou shalt dy in youth, and thy life will be reckoned among the Unclean and Cruel. The first Law of God was a Law of Retaliation. Gen. 9 6. Whoso [...]eddeth mans blood, by man shall his blood to shed. So that 'tis not in the power of man to save from the First or Se­cond Death: But yet I say, though by the Sentence of the Law, thou must Dy once, yet by the Grace of the Gospel, thou mayst Live again; yea, thou mayst live for ever. Blessed be God; who has laid help on O [...]e that is mighty, able and willing to save thee to the uttermost. This is a true and fai [...]hful saying, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save Sinners: And our observation may tell us, that God does often make the chiefest of [...]inners, Objects of his choicest Mercy, viz. Pardoning and Sa [...]i [...]g Mercy. Be­ [...]des the Examples instanced in before, The Stock whereof Christ came seems [...]o intimate this. God might have kept [Page 70] the Stock whence Christ descended according to the Flesh, pure & free from being tainted with any notorious Crim [...] but we find sins of a crimson dy eve [...] among them If we examine our S [...] viours Geneology as reckoned in th [...] Scripture, we shall find a company o [...] loose and lewd women, as Tamar, wh [...] played the Harlot with Judah b [...] Father in law, Rahab the Harlot [...] Jericho, Ruth a Moabitess, the root [...] whose Generation was Lots Son b [...] Incest with his own Daughters; Bat [...] sheba, Davids Adulteress, &c. God chos [...] these Repenting Sinners out of who [...] loins Christ was to come, that th [...] greatest of Sinners might not be afra [...] to come unto him: and David hi [...] self (whose Son our Saviour is calle [...] was notorious for the Acts of Mu [...] der and A [...]ul [...]ery. Now in the O [...] nion of the Wise and Learned, Christ own Stock being thus tainted seen an evidence, that Penitents, ho [...]gh [...] the greatest Pollutions might be we come to him, and that as he pi [...] out such out of whose loins to pr [...] ceed, so he would pick out such [...] [Page 71] in whose hearts to reside. This we certainly find, that great Sins are of­ten made preparations to Conversion; not in their own nature, that's impossi­ble; but by the wise and gracious Dis­posal of God; and some Reasons of this Dispensation might be guessed at. To shew the insufficiency of Nature to sach a work (as Conversion is) so the more to Glorify himself, his Patience, Power and Mercy; 1 Tim. 1.16 For this cause (says Paul) I obtained mercy, that in me Jesus Christ might shew forth all-long-suf­fering. Herein also is the exceeding Greatness of Gods Power Exerted: the same as in Raising up our Lord Jesus from the Dead; and the Riches of his Grace to such Sinners is glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that be­lieve. Particularly, the fulness, freeness, tenderness, and compassionateness of his mercy to such as are most deeply in­volved in sin and misery, are made glo­riously c [...]n [...]picuous.

That every Age is furnisht with some remarkable instances hereof, may be [...]o keep up the credit of Christ's Death in the world; or to shew that the value [Page 72] and efficacy of his Sacrifice remains for ever.

The Conversion of some of extraor­dinary Guilt now and then, proclaims to the World that this Fountain of his Blood is inexhaustible; that the vertue of it is not spent or drained, tho' so much has been drawn out of it for above Five thousand years already.

And doubtless, the greater Fruits of this Grace is expected from such Con­verts in ways of Thankfulness, Love and Obedience.

Persons ordinarily admire more when they are pulled out of Danger, than when they are prevent [...]d fr [...]m running into it. Hence, we find that no Apostle gives such Epi [...]hets to the Grace of God as Paul; [...]or any [...]o Seraphi [...]al in admiring Ex [...]r [...]ssions of it. Again,

The Re [...]urns of L [...]ve and Affection will be propo [...]tiona [...]le, Luk 7.47 To whom little is forgiven, the same loves lit­tle. B [...]t Mary Magdal [...]n having her many sins forgiven, therefore she loved much. And so for other Service and Obedience: Paul l [...]b [...]ured more abundan [...] ­ly than they all; because he was one born [Page 73] out of due time, having been so and so before. I might add, for others sake, Eph. 2.5, 6, 7. That the Ages to come might shew forth the transcendant Riches of his Grace. Very great Judgment on a grand Sinner (as one says) is like the Hanging a m [...] up in Chains to deter o­thers from the like practice; and this is the improvement which the Holy Spirit of God in his Word does direct should be made of such Examples; viz. That all Israel should hear and fear and do no more presumptuously, Deut. 17.13. So every such Conversion (as we have been speaking of) is not only an Act of Gods mercy to the Convert, but an invitation to all Spectator [...] or Hearers of it to return to him. Tis natural to men not to be­lieve, till they see miracles,, Joh▪ 4 48. Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. Now of all the standing mira­cles which God has left in the World, these are none of the least, Viz. The Extraordinary Conversions of the vilest of Sinners. And I hope by this time, there has been enough spoken to beget in such an one a firm and fixed Belief of this great Truth: that there is Life to [Page 74] be had for Sinners, even the Chief of them.

The Second Br [...]ch of the EXHOR­TATION is to a Serious and Speedy Ad­dressing of God in Christ for this Benefit. Is it a Divine Gift; then (for ought we know) Thou standest as fair for it as any Sinner on this side the Pit. Is it Gods Gift? Then ask it, Beg it of him. Tis not an Angel or any Creature can con­fer or continue Life. Is it a Gift? Then expect not to merit it by thy Prayers, Tears, Humiliations, or Repentings; but from free Grace alone.

Again, Is this Gift of God through Je­sus Christ? Then come for it in this way, Joh. 14.1. If ye believe in God, be­lieve also in Me, saith our Saviour Christ. For I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: the only way unto the Father. Out of Christ, He is a consuming Fire to the workers of iniquity. There is no Approaching to him wi [...]h Safety, but through JESUS the Mediator and Advocate. God never had a thought from all E [...]er­nity of Pardoning or Saving one Sinner, but only in and through Christ. In whom we have Redemption through his Blood, even [Page 75] the forgiveness of our Sins, and assurance of Life Eternal. Well then, Embolden thy self to Draw near to God in Christ Je­sus, and humbly Beg mercy on his Ac­count, and for his sake. Hast thou ob­tained any grounded Hope hereof already? Then Glorify God all that thou canst. Labour to possess thy heart with great Admirations of Divine Grace. Admi­ration is all the Glory you can give to God for his Grace: seeing you can add nothing to his Essential Glory. O Ad­mire his Distinguishing mercy to thee above Multitudes that never Sinned at such a ra [...]e! who has made thee thus to differ from the many Pillars of Salt of whom thou hast heard and read? was it not God alone? O let him have the Glory, and t [...]y Soul sh [...]ll have the Comfort there­of for ever. I conclude with a Word of Caution & Counsil to the whole Assembly.

Here are some perhaps in this great Auditory that have never heard me be­fore, or ever may again. God Forbid, that any should abuse his Grace either in the Doctrine, or Example thereof now before them. Despair is exceeding dan­gerous; but Presumption is more natural [Page 76] and no less Fatal. Yea, (as Divines ac­count) where That has slain its Thousands, This has slain its Ten Thousands.

1. Think not your Sins are pardoned therefore, because they are [...]ot so great as those which God has pa [...]oned in o­thers: but remember, God cast off Saul for less Sins than David committed.

2. Nor that you may safely go on in Sin without Fear of Death, or Sin the more that Grace may abound, Rom. 6.1. Thus to do were most disingenuous, Foolish and Dangerous. God never in­tended mercy as a Sanctuary to perfect Sin, much less to promote it. Besides, if you loose the present time▪ you are in greatest Danger to loose Eternity also. There are many in Hell already, who never Sinned at such a presumptuous rate. God is now merciful to the Penitent; yet will be faithful to his threatnings as well as Promises: and all Despisers of his Goodness and Forbearance will be found to have treasured up wrath against the day of wrath, and the Revelation of his righteous Judgment.

The Counsil also is twofold.

1. To a Thankful Acknowledgment of [...]

[Page 77]2. To a Faithful Improvement of it.

Be Thankful for the Possibility of Life [...]s and careful to improve the Opportunity of it. If there be Life and Salvation to be had, then All men are called upon to make sure of it. Life is generally tendred to all, therefore it behoves all to make sure of it to themselves.

It were better there were no Offer of Grace, if there be no Acceptance of it. I [...] avails not that there is a general Exhibition, if there be not a special and particular Appplication of it. What tho' the Wells of Salvation are set open, if we draw not Water out of those Wells, we perish notwithstanding. Here is Water of Life running by us, but if we refuse to drink, we may dy of our thirst. Manna falls in all quarters of Israels Camp, the people may gather it, yea are commanded so to do: But they may pine to Death if they look not after it, and gather it in the season: Naaman is Leporous, the Prophet tells him of a Cure, of a Bath that will restore his Flesh; but if he will not vouchsafe to take the pains, he may remain a Leper still. The Prodigal whiles he remains in [Page 78] a far Country is never the better that there is bread enough in his Fathers house: He must come and submit him­self to his Father, take the Dole from his hand, or else it were all one to him, as if there were nothing to be had: There is Wine and Milk enough to be had without mony & without price; but what benefit can this be, if we come not where it is to be had, and buy it on the Terms? Who is the Richer for the Pearl, that has not made it his own by the purchase of it? Tho' Life & Salvation is graciously offered in the Gospel to every man; y [...] there is no man will be the better for it, that does not hearken to this gracious tender, and apply himself to the way of obtaining benefit by it. It is not the opportunity, but the im­provement of it that will make us happy.

Many Arguments might be used as Motives to quicken and strengthen our Desires and Endeavours after Life. I shall hint at these two only. The N [...] ­cessity and Excellency of this Life.

1. Life is necessary, and a necessity is laid in our endeavours after it. There is no [Page 79] way, but one of these two; either Life or Death; if we Live not, we must dye: There is no middle between Life and Death; nothing between Heaven and Hell. It's true, now there is a kind of medium between these: But the time is coming when there will be no other places but these two; the only Recepta­cles of all mankind. If therefore we cannot bear to think of Eternal Death, of an Everlasting Separation and Seclu­sion from the Face and Favour of God, unless we are willing to be shut out of Heaven, deprived of all the joyes and pleasures of it, to be for ever excommu­nicated from the blessed Company of God, Angels and Saints: And unless we can endure to be shut up in Hell, to be unto all Eternity, incarcerated in the Dungeon of Darkness, Cohabiting with Devils and Damned Spirits, to be sub­ject unto all those miseries, which the Infinite Wisdom of God can invent, and the Hand of his Infinite Power can in­f [...]ict: O let us be earnest, instant and constant in our Endeavours for Life; for there is no other Choice. One of these must, and will be the portion of [Page 80] every Son and Daughter of Adam, ei­ther to be happy in life, or miserable in Death, and that for ever. Now God sets Life and Death before us, and we have our choice: If we do not choose the one, we shall never be able to refuse the other. We must needs get life then, because the mischiefs of the want of it are insufferable. If there could be an Annihilation, if we might be reduced to our first principle of nothing again, if we might again not be, and so not be miserable, the matter were less, tho' we were not the Subjects of this Life and Blessedness: Better never to have been born, than being so, to fall short of E­ternal Glory: for then endless misery will be our portion.

2. The Excellency of this Life well thought upon, may invigorate all our desires and endeavours after it. Natural Life of all natural good, is the most excellent; nothing bears so high a price as Life, nothing is to be valued with it; its cal­led the precious Life, and life puts a price on all other things; they are there­fore good and precious as they are means of the being, continuance and comfort [Page 81] of it, and they are valued according to their conducement hereunto: Such is the rate, the degree of their Excellency; but the means are ever inferiour to the end; so that Life Temporal is incompa­rably above all other things; but Life Eternal is more worth than a thousand Lives: It is infinitely better both in the nature or kind, and in the duration of it. In respect of the nature, it includes all other kinds, and all possible perfecti­on of the reasonable Creature. It con­sists in the removal of all Evil, Sin and Misery: and the position of all Good, H [...]liness and Happiness in Soul and Bo­dy for ever. It were as easy to open Heaven it sel [...], and show you that, as to open this Life, or tell the Contents of it. Eye has not seen [...] Ear heard, neither can it enter into the heart of man to con­ceive, much less fully comprehend what this Life [...] In respect of duration▪ [...]. This is Life indeed, and [...]i [...]e without an end. We have frequent experience of the momentanious of th [...]se natural lives of [...]urs: yea, the longest li [...]e on Earth is not a moment to that Eternity which it sets [Page 82] into either of Woal or Woe. Death is appointed for all Living, and we find e­ven such as are called Gods, to dy like men: Nor do the Prophets live for ever? may therefore say with the Apostle, 1 Cor. 15.19. If in this life only there were hope, we were indeed miserable: But blessed be God who giveth to all this good hope through Grace, of an Eternal Life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

The End of the Second SERMON.
[Page 83]

HOLINESS The Way to Blessedness.
A Serious Case, and a Sound Resolution.

Psalm CXIX.9.

Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way: by taking heed thereto according to thy Word.

THE Terms plain, or easy of Explication. Way in Scripture, signifies the course of Life. The Actions of man are the steps hereof; which according to the quality of them, do difference their Way [Page 84] and give it the Character of Good or Evil. Cleanse, or purify: As a man walks in a clean or foul Way. So by the Goodness or Evil of his Actions, is said to be Pure or Polluted in his Way. A Young Man, A Child or Youth; which though some take for a Child of God, or, the New man according to the phrase of the Gospel: yet the most take it lite­rally, for a man in his Youth or Child­hood. So then, here is the young mans Practical Catechism, set down by Question and Answer.

Q. Wherewithall shall a Young man cleanse his way?

A. By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The Psalmist here applyes the power of Gods word to this special Age of man, Happily, Because himself was now young, and because young Persons ought especi­ally to look to their way and practice; and to intimate that the word is able to cleanse their Way, which is most subject to Error, Obliquity, and Impurity. Yet, not excluding all other Ages and Sexes, for it behoves every Man, Woman and Child, particularly in their Youth to [Page 85] mind this. As Austin saith, It denyes not, that any of riper years, or decrepid Age (if they have neglected so long) should make hast and cleanse their ways: But, it requires and shews, that it is to be begun in Youth and continued even to old Age. That none are ever exempted from this Care; but must even from their Childhood or younger years look to this point, To cleanse their ways from Sin, and have respect to the Word of God for this end, to Direct and Assist in a pure Way.

In the Answer is set forth the Excel­lency of Gods Word, in the use and sin­gular effect thereof; as it is both a Rule and Instrument of our cleansing, together with the manner how it is to be applyed and made use of.

By taking heed thereto according to the Word of God. Or studying and endea­vouring an holy Conformity to Gods will revealed in his Word. And 'tis not a slighty and careless but diligent & cir­cumspect walking by this Rule, which is here required. If God had not given Direction about this, we should have been at an utter loss, and without a close Ap­plication [Page 86] hereof, all will be in vain still.

But, I begin with the Question. In which some things are supposed, and something enquired.

1. 'Tis here taken for granted that all men naturally have a desire after Happiness: and in Youth this inc [...]ination is strongest. Some kind and degree hereof is common to all that partake of the reasonable na­ture. There must therefore be an uni­versal Good, or the inclinations of nature would be in vain, Psal. 4 6. Who will sh [...]w us any good: Good is the Cry of the World. It is intended in the very Na­ture of desire, as well as desire of Nature: for every thing which is desired, is desi­red as Good▪ (sub ratione Boni.) As God implanted in us Affections of Aversation, to avoid what is Evil: so Affections o [...] Choice and pursuit to follow after what is good Well then, out of a Principle of self Love, All would be happy and not miserable, they would love good, and have it always. Notwithstanding the Di­versity of men, they all agree in this one thing. Though 'tis as true also, that the generality of men pursue a false happi­ness; or seek it where it is not to be had. [Page 87] Yea, all without Grace are mistaken in it.

1. Some mistake as to the End or Obj [...]ct. Calling and Choosing Evil for Good; or at best embrace the shadow instead of the substance: placing their Affecti­ons upon, and expecting satisfaction from things unworthy of the former, or uncapable of the la [...]ter. Or else,

2. They fail in the means or way to ob­tain. Either because they know them not, like them not, or else faint in the prosecuti [...]n of the End by them. 'Tis true indeed, that as all men desire to be happy; so they apply themselves to those means, which to them appear con­venient for the obtaining it. And by the methods or courses which men take in their life, we may judge or gu [...]ss at the end or final Happiness which they choose or pursue. And in our Obs [...]r­vations we may make this further Re­mark: That every Natural man is fra­ming a Happiness according to his tem­per. The Apprehensions hereof are an­swerable to the dispositions of the per­son; For Faelicity is desc [...]ibed to be the pleasures which arises from the harmo­nious agreement between the Object [Page 88] and the Appetite. Now man by his o­riginal and contracted Corruption is altogether carnal; he cleaves to debasing and defising Objects, and is only qualified for sensual satisfactions. Thus of the first thing supposed, viz. That all men naturally desire Happiness, and are framing one to themselues according to the various Temper or Distemper of their Natures, and likewise shape their course accordingly.

2. It is here supposed to be a matter of great Concernment to all, especially in youth, to be studious and inquisitive concerning the right way to true and eternal Blessedness Our mistakes about it will co [...]t us dear. God is very [...]ealous of what we m [...]e our Happiness; and therefore blasteth [...]be carnal choice. Those that will try experiments, smart for it in the issue; will surely come home by weeping cross, if ever at all. It's good therefore, it's best to be early in this Enqui [...]y. Our Saviour Christ at the Age of Twelve years was found answering and asking questions in the Temple: and he was a young man who came unto him with that question, Good Master, Tell me what I [Page 89] shall do to Inherit Eternal Life! But how few concern themselves about religious matters now a dayes! Young men are all forward enough, but little in Reflect­ion, much in activity, but little in study: hot and confident in their own way, but little inquisition, deliberation or ad­vising: Youth are apt to try, rather than trust. They can't but eat of the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil. Solomon [...] Counsel must be proved before received. Tho' young persons are ap­test to learn, yet of small experience, simple and easy to be deceived, as the Wisest of me [...] men afterwards declares in the example of his own experience, Prov. 7 7. At the Window of my h [...]use I l [...]ked th [...]gh my [...]a [...]ement, and behold a­mong t [...] [...]imple ones, I disc [...]ned among the Yout [...]s, a young man void of understanding, passing such [...] way▪ The point of true [...] should be studied well in youth, and such should beware of taking up with a f [...]lse Happiness, or of being pre­judiced against the True. Many think it a Happiness to live without the yoke of Religion, to speak, and think, and do what they please, without restraint; but [Page 90] to be always in Bonds, and held under the Awe of the Word, that they count u [...]rea­sonable and grievous, Psal. 2 3. Let us break their [...]ands asunder and cast away their cords from us. Wherefore in study­ing of this point, O Young man or young woman, take these Directions.

1. Lean not to thine own understanding, Prov. 23. Vain man would be wise tho' he is born as the wild Asses Colt, Job 11.12 Cease from thine own wisdom; but seek direction from God by his Word and Spirit. For he only can de­termine who is the Blessed man, in whose hand alone it is to make us Bles­sed.

2. Labour for the Light of Faith. Sence and carnal reason will deceive you. Blessedness is a Riddle which can only be [...]ound out by Faith, that is the Evi­dence of things not seen

3 Wait for the light and power of the Spirit of God, to incline and draw thine heart to himself the chief Good, and Fountain of a [...]l Blessing, and Blessedness. Many times we are Doctrinally right in point of Blessedness, but not Practically. We con­tent our selves with the meer notion, but [Page 91] are not brought under the power of these Truths. This is the work of the Holy Ghost himself.

3. 'Tis also further supposed in this Que­stion, that Holiness is the way to Happiness, Sanctification unto Salvation.

In the beginning of this Psalm, there is Blessedness propounded as the End, and Holiness is all along pointed out for the way. And that this is the will of God, even our Sanctification, is elsewhere revealed in his Word, 1 Thes. 4.3. The Doctrines, Precepts, Promises and Threat­nings of the Word do all hold for this. Tit. 2.11, 12. The Doctrine of Grace which bringeth Salvation, [...]eacheth us that Deny­ing ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live sobe [...]ly, righteously and godly in this pre­sent world; and 2 Cor 7 1 We are exhor­ted and encouraged To cleanse our selves from all Filthiness both of Flesh and Spirit, perfecting H [...]liness in the Fear of God. With out this n [...]ne shall ever see God, Heb. 12.14. That is without this Twofold Holi­ness, habi [...]ual and actual, viz the princi­ple of it in their hearts, and Holiness in the practice or exercise of it in their lives. These are both inserted in the [Page 92] Character of the person that shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord, and stand in his holy place. Psal. 24.4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.

4. 'Tis herein implyed, that we are from the Birth polluted with sin, and need chang­ing. Also,

5. That we should be very early and ti­mously sensible of this Evil. For the Que­stion is propounded concerning the Young man. And

6 That we should earnestly seek for a Remedy, how to dry up the issue of sin that runneth upon us, defiling our persons and our ways. All this is supposed, or taken for granted in the Question before us.

That which is Quaeried or Enquired after, is, what Remedy there is against it: or what course is to be taken in this Case? So that the [...]umm of the Questi­on is, How shall a man or woman that is impure, unclean, naturally and actually defi­led with sin, be made able as soon as he comes to the use of Reason, to purge out that natural Corruption, and practically lead a holy and pure life to God?

The Answer given, is, By taking heed thereto according to the Word of God. In [Page 93] which Counsel or Advice are three things very hard to Youth.

  • 1. To be confined to a Rule. Chil­dren and Youth love to keep no path.
  • 2. To be Ruled by the Word of God, which is strict, pure and spiritual.
  • 3. But the hardest of all is to take heed, or be circumspect in walking by this Rule.

The general Doctrine from the whole Verse may be this, viz.

DOCTRINE. That the heedful Observing of our way from our Youth up, according to the Word of God, is an effectual means to cleanse and keep them clean from all sinful Defilement.

There are three Propositions contain­ed in the Doctrine.

PROPOSITION I.

That every mans ways even from his Youth upwards, naturally are Unclean. Or, The Natural ways of every one are Fil­thy and Unclean. A Foundation for this [Page 94] was laid in our First Parents Fall. The Representations of the Forbidden Fruit were under the Notion of Pleasure: The Woman saw the Fruit was good for Food; that is, pleasurable to the Palate, and pleasant to the Eyes. These Allect­ions draw her into the snare, and Adam with complacency received the Tempta­tion, and by the inticement of the soul Fiend of Hell, committed Adultery with the Creature; from whence the cursed Race of Sin and Miseries do proceed. Hereupon they lost the Original Purity and Perfection of their Natures, and contracted a soul Deformity and Pollu­tion to themselves, became defiled with the Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit. Now this first sin was of universal efficacy, and derived both a guilt and stain to mankind in all Ages of the World; e­ven an Hereditary Corruption is trans­mitted to all that naturally descend from old Adam according to an universal and unchangeable Law of Nature, that every thing should preduce its like both in kind and quality. Thus our Saviour tells us, Mat 7 18. That the Fruit par­takes of the Rottenness of the Tree, [Page 95] Joh. 3 6. Whatsoever is born of the Flesh is Flesh The Title of Flesh there does not signify the material part of the Huma­nity; but the Corruption of Sin wi [...]h which the whole Nature is infected; and as it's natural, so universal Job 14.4. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? The Answer is peremptory, Not one. The Fountain was poisoned in Adam; and all the streams partake of the Infection We must every one ac­knowledge with David, Psal 51 5. I was shapen in Iniquity, and in sin did my Mother conceive me. Likewise the pollution of sin is universal in each particular subject or person. Every Child of Adam is born a Leper, all over defiled, from the Crown of the Head to the sole of the Foot; he is as i [...] were one engrain­ed spot, a lump of Uncleanness: The mind impure, Conscience defiled, the Heart as the Chambers of Imagery, and Cage of unclean Birds. The Corrupt Nature is also pregnant with the seeds of all sin, though all do not shoot forth to­gether, or in every individual: The re­straint is from some higher principle.

But this is the Truth ass [...]rted in this [Page 96] Proposition; That all those Actions which proceed from corrupted Nature, even from first to last are sinful, and have need of cleaning. Or, every way of the Natural man is filthy and abo­minable, both internal, or intentional, as thoughts and actions; external, and transient, as words and actions. The ways of the Heart, ways of the Tongue, of the Hands, Feet and whole man, in­ward and outward. There was a time since the Fall, when the whole world was corrupt, Gen 6.5 6 God saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually; and that all Flesh had corrupted his way.

Nor was all the Water o [...] the Deluge sufficient to wash [...]way this Fil [...]. The same Corrupt [...]n is acting and [...]eigning in the heart of every natural man and woman [...]ll Now the uncleanness of sin ariseth thus: partly from inward Filthiness defiling our ways, as Original Sin pollutes all natural and moral acti­ons. Partly [...]om the [...]fulness of our ways themselves, or outward actions de­filing us; as in Actual Transgressions. [Page 97] Both we defile our ways, and our ways us; or we by that which is in us defile our Actions, and then these reflect a spot of Guilt and Filth upon us again; even as the Sow wallowing in the mire, then tumbleth in the Grass, and being wash­ed returns to wallowing again: So the Scripture sets it forth; therefore man must needs be unclean; yea, the ways of some are so brutish, that you may track them in their filthy paths, out of one com­pany and place into another, in their words and deeds, at home and abroad. The Natural man defiles every step he takes, and the filth thereof redounds to himself: Such is the way of young ones especially; if you trace them from their Childhood, what stubbornness, falseness, and multitude of Indecencies: In Youth what Pride, Wantonness, Dalliance, Drunkenness, Self pollution, and Forni­cation; even such as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, and some into Blood [...]guiltiness: But I speak here of the common paths wherein you may track our Youth up and down, in Ly­ing, Swearing, Cursing, Rayling, Filch­ing, Sabbath breaking, Night-walking, [Page 98] Works of Darkness which bring both shame and sorrow when discovered and brought to light. Thus, though there is one Sin which by peculiar use bears the Name of Uncleanness, yet all Sin is so: both in the nature and effect. There is a Turpitude in it self, and stai­neth the person guilty of it. Can a man touch Pitch, and not be defiled therewith? Every Sin is a Transgression of the Law of God: Now the Law is holy and pure; therefore Sin is filth and uncleanness. Hence so many legal Institutions for purification, washing, [...]insing, cleansing, &c. There are L [...]ers of Cleansing set at the door of the Tabernacle, and a Fountain opened for all Judah and Je­rusalem to wash in, to pu [...]ge from Sin and from Uncleanness. Circumcision appointed in the Old Testament, and Baptism in the New. All which do sig­nifie a Native Filthiness in every one which needs to be purged and taken away.

PROPOSITION II.

That it is the Duty and Interest of all, especially in Youth, or as soon as they come [Page 99] to the full use of Reason, to enquire how they may cleanse their hearts and ways from sin: Or, Cleansing our heart and ways is a meet and necessary Object for every mans meditation, study and enquiry; tho' more especially for younger ones. Because such are commonly void of wisdom and experience, heady, wilful, and impatient of Admonition, full of violent passions, stronger lusts, and ex­posed to more and greater Temptations, with other reasons to be given hereaf­ter. Indeed this is the one thing needful for all, whether man or woman, young or old to look about them, to get them­selves purified from their sin; and so to order their course aright here, as that they may see Gods Salvation.

The General Reasons for all.

1. Because, As is the Way, so will be the end. Sinful and fil [...]hy ways are the Devils paths that lead down to Hell, and the Chambers of Destruction. Righte­ousness and Holiness are the wa [...]es of God, that lead to Heaven and Salvation. According to every mans walking, such will he find to be the place of his Rest. The ways of Sin iss [...]e in Death: The [Page 100] way of Grace tendeth to Life. Tho' God is no Respecter of persons, yet he has a great respect to all the actions of man; and will render to every one ac­cording to his deeds. Rom. 2 6 Job 34.11. The work of a man stall he render unto him, and cause every one to find accor­ding to his ways.

2. 'Tis certain God hateth the man that walketh in a filthy course; He is of pure Eyes, and cannot endure iniquity. This is the thing which his Soul hates where e­ver he sees or finds it. He who is Glo­rious in Holiness abominates all ways of Filthiness: and no unclean person shall dwell with him, they shall be shut out of his Presence for ever.

3. It's a token of a heart cleansed, that is thus affected, and Contra. Both for the prose it, that God has begun his good work, and for the future, that they shall obtain a thorow cleansing from all their sins; as the Leper found upon his co­ming and crying to our Saviour, Matth. 3.2. Lord, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean; Jesus put forth his hand, and touch­ing him, said, I will be thou clean, and im­mediately his Leprosy was cleansed.

[Page 101]But as the careless world now carrieth the matter, it seems very impertinent and ridiculous to propose such things to Youth: what have they to do with so serious a wo [...]k? these are too grave mat­ters for that licentious Age; when Old Age has snowed upon their heads, and the smart experience of more years in the world has ripened them for so se­vere a Discipline, then 'twill be time to think of cleansing their way: or entring on a new course of Repentance and Sub­mission to God. For the present, Dan­dum est aliquid hun [...] aetati; Youth must be a little indulged, they will grow wi­ser as they grow older: This we hope, but the former must not be granted. God demandeth his right as soon as we are capable to understand it, and it con­cerns every one as soon as he comes to the use of reason, to mind his way and work, both in regard of God and him­self, Eccles. 12.1.

The special Arguments or Reasons to put Young people on the Duty and Practice hereof.

1. Because even Youths & Childrens way is of great concern and consequence. No [Page 102] part of our Age is to be left free for sin. 'Tis all owing to our Creator, and what more fit than that he should have our first and best, who made us wholly for himself. When therefore we cannot guide our selves, others should be our Monitors, Prov. 22 6 Train up a Child in the way he should go: and Children should be ready to hearken, Psal [...]4 11. Come ye Children, hearken unto me, &c. But Young men will not obey the voice of their Teachers. To Hearken is a proper­ty as far off from Youth as any other vertue whatsoever: Yea, if this were in them, nothing would be wanting.

2. Youth is most likely to be out of the way. Yea, none so Young, but are out. All are born with their backs towards God, and as soon as they can go, are going further astray from him. The Question, Wherewithall shall a Young man cleanse his way? p [...]esupposeth a Defile­ment (as has been shewed) No Infant is like a Vessel that newly cometh out of the Potters Shop, indifferent for any good or bad in [...]usions No, the Vessel is already tainted: Therefore it should be cleansed as soon as may be fit for the masters use betimes.

[Page 103]3. A man begins his way betimes, even in Childhood he begins to take his bent. We look to what hand our Children take, whether right or left; and if Solo­mons observation be true, a mans infancy and younger time is a notable praesage, what he will prove afterwards, Prov. 20.11. Even a Child is known by his Doings, whether his work be pure, or whether it be right. Much may be known by our young inclinations: But when the young man comes on the Stage for Action, he stands a while, like Hercules in Bivio; the way of worldly Delights and Sinful Pleasures on one hand, the way of pain­ful vertue and practice of Godliness on the other: Now choose your course. Children should be put into a good way by others, but when grown up, they will chuse for themselves▪ Therefore need to make the Enquir [...] in our Text.

4 Thi [...] Age is more i [...]e [...]uo [...]s [...]y carried to Evil, in a [...]ead strong course. Partly, through hea [...] of Nature, strong & active Spirits, and force of Passions: Partly, through Ignorance and Simplicity, having little wit to ch [...]se their own way. Young men think old men Fools but old men [Page 104] know them to be so, for they themselves have been young. Yet few of these but think they can guide themselves best, care not to be controuled. Youth is in it self most inclined and disposed to err, through weakness of Judgment, conceit­edness of Wisdom, headiness in choice, vehemence of Affections, inordinate and excessive love of Liberty, and to all these I might add, a variety of more & strong­er Temptations: none so tempted as Youth. Little Children can't be so ser­viceable to the Devil; and old men are spent, however they have chosen their way already. The Prodigal Son had four special Provocations to evil (as Am­brose notes) His Portion in hand; his Father indulgent; ill Company, and the greatest of all was Youth [...]ul Age. That which is said of old Age naturally, is true of Youth spiritually. Morbus est. It is a Disease.

5. Its hard leaving any accustomed way of Evil No easy thing to be broken off an old Haunt. Habits of Sin grown inveterate are most difficultly plucked up or rooted out. Sins of Youth will get into the Bones, and then are rarely got­ten [Page 105] out of the Flesh afterwards. Sin groweth stronger by Custom, and more rooted; it gathereth strength by every new act: yea every act lesseneth the fear of Sinning, and strengtheneth the inclination to Sin.

6. Early Converts or such as take in a good way betimes are fittest to Serve God. The Exercise of Religion dependeth much on the vigour of Affections, there­fore, we should get them sanctifyed be­times: None more zealous than a young Saint, 1 Joh. 2 14 I write unto you young men, because ye are strong and have over­come the wicked one. These will bring a great deal of honour to God, as well as prevent dishonour. When the Fervency and Strength o [...] Youth is imployed not in sati [...]fying of Lusts, but in the Service of God, and fighting against Satan.

7. God will punish the Sins of Youth as well as Elder years. You whip your Children for defiling themselves, and p [...]dling in the dirt; so God gives no leave for T [...]icks of Youth, nor will he always let them escape without some severe mark of Judgment upon them, in this life. However, Justice is provoked [Page 106] the longer, and that will be a grief to you first or last: If ever you are brought home to God it will cost you many a bitter Tear; not only at first Conversi­on, but afterwards, Job 13.26. Thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth. Old Bruises may trouble us long after upon every change of Weather; and new Af­flictions revive the sence of old Sins, they may stick by us as long as we have a day to live.

8. Young Men & Maidens, may be as near their End as Elder Persons. As soon comes a Lambs skin to the Market as a Sheeps; and more dye in Youth than live to Age: more Childrens Skulls in Golgotha than of grown Folk. Youth is a tender Age and brittle, therefore soonest broken, Dum splendet frangitur: the grass while in its strongest verdure is cut down by the Sythe at noon day, and the fairest Flower is first gathered. Thus in ordi­nary Providence, therefore no safety in de [...]er [...]ing of Repentance or turning to God. But this is often executed in a ju­diciary disp [...]nsation, as the fulfilling of some Divine threatning, Psal 68 21 God [Page 107] shall wound the hairy Scalp of such an one as goes on forward in his trespesses. And, Psal. 101.8. He early will destroy the wicked of the Land, and cut off the workers of iniquity. Yea, we find that fatally verifyed which is said in Job 36.14 They dy in youth whose life was among the Unclean. Some turn those words thus, The Unclean are even Dead whilest they live: As is said of the wanton Woman living in pleasure, 1 Tim. 5.6. But be­sides, Excess of Wickedness procures an untimely Death to such: either by some soul Disease, or the Sword of Justice some other way. Eccl 7 17.

9. Young Folks must come to Judgment as well as others Solomon gives this So­lemn Memento for a Co [...]ler to their mirth, and a che [...]k to their madness, Eccl. 11.9. Rejoyce O young man, &c. but know that for all these things God will bring [...] thee into Judg­ment. Not for open profaness only, but secret Filthiness; for his Eyes are upon all the wayes of the Children of men, and the darkness and light are alike un­to him. A serious meditation on this Truth might prevent the Commission of much wic [...]edness; If Sinners would [Page 108] consider that all their Actions are Coram Judice, in presence of such a Judge who will not want Witness to convict them, but can Summons a thousand within their own Breasts, if there were no other without: and if their heart condemn them, God is greater, and knoweth all things.

Well, If these things be so, the main Enquiry for every one is this in our Text, Whereby shall I come to change my Heart and Wayes? or all my ways, inter­nal and external, secret and open: Not who will shew me any good, a good Match, a good Bargain, a good Trade, or place to set up in: But how may I become pure, and be kept clean from the filthiness of Sin? How shall I get Sins past pardoned and purged, and be kept unspotted for the Future, being my self so full of Corruption, & living in such a filthy Age? But O the stupid Block­ishness of the World! Why do we hear no more either Younger or Old, thus Crying out of themselves, Unclean, Un­clean! I see my self in an Odious State and have followed a wicked course, how shall I get freed and cleansed therefrom! [Page 109] Is it because we are all so pure! Perhaps in conceit, Prov. 30 12. There is a Gene­ration pure in their own Eyes, yet is not washed from their Filthiness. May we not say, This is a Generation, or Age gene­rally of that mind! Or, because the most are setled on the Lees of their Sins, de­light in their self polluting Courses, re­solve to continue in them: Like the Collim, make account they shall foul themselves again, therefore will not wash.

Oh, But if God should shew you your Ways and Faces in a glass, you would Abhor your selves in Dust and Ashes. Many of you that think your selves wonderous pure, would (as Job saith) Think your own cloaths defile you, or you your cloaths. What Filthy Souls have many of you, Men and Women, Young and Old, Never yet washed in the Blood of Jesus Ch [...]ist, in Tears of true Repentance, and Laver of Regene­ration, but continue to besmear your selves with your daily sins.

It may be thus pronounced to you all, that if you have not as yet come to make this Question, & that Sincerely, hear­tily, affectionately and with deep desire, [Page 110] as David here did, you are not of his Spirit, nor yet in the way to Heaven; and if so you abide, shall be shut out with Dogs, or unclean Persons.

As for you Old Sinners that have been wallowing & soaking in your miry Filth for so many years, until this Day, and yet take no care to be washed. Did you but see your Filthy Souls in the Glass of Gods Law, and would reflect on the dreadful Stain of your life past, what shame and confusion of Face would cover you? Think how you will look God in the Face another day, when All the hidden things of Darkness shall be made manifest before the World of Angels and Men. How will you hold up your Heads in that Day? Do you look to come where David is? The Devil will as soon, except you be transformed, Changed & Sancti­fyed throughout. Well then, should Young men cleanse their Way, Is it not high time for you? I will only Item such with what the Spirit says, Rev. 22.11. The time is at hand, he that is unjust, let him be unjust still, and he which is filthy let him be filthy still.

[Page 111]I hasten therefore to an Exhortation, wherein I earnestly address this Great Assembly and Concourse of People, be­seeching every one, Old and Young, Male and Female.

1. To Consider your ways now in time. See what they are, or have been, and what their End will be. Remember our life is for an End, I mean an end­less End. It's not only our Business therefore to escape Death and Eternal Damnation, but to Enjoy Life, and E­verlasting Communion with God; or to have an intire Fruition of the best Good for ever. The End (you see) is of greatest Consequence, for that deter­mines the Final Happiness or Unhappi­ness of any person or course. It's not the way rough or plain, but the End whereto it tendeth: The difficulty of the way is no wise comparable either with the Wo, or Happiness of the End. It's not what way or Weather thou tra­vellest through, but where thou must lodge at night. O that we may be eve­ry one wise therefore to consider our latter End.

2. That the End depends on the way. [Page 112] According to the course we steer in this life, we shall certainly arrive at Death: either in the fair Havens of Rest and Glory, with the pure and undefiled, or else in the Dead Sea of Wrath and Misery, where all the Sodomites and Unclean persons are immerst Eternally.

Know then, Here is Life and Death set before us all, and our steps are every day carrying us to Heaven or Hell. Hinc illud melior est Claudus in via quam Cursor praeter viam. Better to be limp­ing in the way, than running besides it. A word for Backsliders, or such as ha­ving once escaped the pollution of the world, and again entangled and overcome, we have in 2 Pet. 2.21. The latter end of such is worse than their beginning.

As for the Directions needful in this Case, they might most properly c [...]me under the third and last Proposition in the Doctrine, viz

PROPOSITION III.

That the heedful observing of our Ways from our Youth up, according to the Word of God▪ is an effectual means to cleanse and keep them clean from all sinful Defilements.

[Page 113]But I shall wholly pass this, Referring you to the late Learned Composures of some who have handled this point with greater accuracy and skill than I may pretend unto. That which I principally aim'd at in this Enterprize was further to excite the Generation of young peo­ple (great Numbers whereof were ex­pected, and accordingly are here gather­ed together on the solemn Occasion be­fore us.) To search and cleanse their ways, To shew them the necessity hereof, and urge them to the practice of the Duty, rather than give Directions about it, which is better done to their hand alrea­dy.

I shall therefore conclude with a word of Motive further, not from pre­cept, but example; not of one coming from the Dead, (as Dives desired might be sent for the warning of his Brethren) but of one going to the Dead, whose counsel and caution may be as effectual, and will to all considerate persons.

Then, Besides what has been hinted already; that Unholiness cuts off from the Blessing of God in this life: often procures untimely Death; and at length [Page 114] shuts out of Heaven, because nothing that defileth or maketh abomination shall e­ver enter in there, Rev. 21.27.

Let me add, or rather present unto you this Solemn Example of one before us at this time, who has been notoriously defiled in her way, and is now hasting to a shameful End of a wicked Life; One that is immediately to Dye for her Sins, though we hope not in her Sins. Such an Example as has never been heretofore in this place; God of his infinite mercy grant (if it be his will) that there may never be occasion for a­nother: But make all that see and hear thereof to stand in aw, and do not any such abominable things as she has done: To whom I had thought never to have spoken a word in this world more, (I mean in Publick) and now the time is so near expired, it can be but a word.

And what shall I say unto thee, Esther, from such a Text as this? Thy ways have been all filthy, thy whole Walk, a walk af­ter the Flesh; thy course a course of filthy Communication and Conversation. O Un­clean, Unclean! As if possest with an [Page 115] unclean Devil, or with as many as Ma­ry Magdalen, yea rather with a Legion; thou hast served the Devil an intire Prenticeship of one and twenty years in filthy ways of one sort or other. But, is thy time of Bondage now expired? O Rejoice thou in the Jubilee, and mag­nify the Lord who has Redeemed thee, and that at so dear a rate, as with the price of his own Blood: Did he vouch­safe to look upon thee, when thou wast in thy blood, even when thou wast in thy Blood-guiltiness and Filthiness, and to say unto thee Live! instead of letting thee sink and be drowned in thy Gore and Guilt, has raised thee to the Hope of Pardon and Life Eternal? O Admire, Admire the Riches of Divine Mercy & Free Grace! Admiration is all the Glo­ry thou canst give to God for his Grace. Jesus Christ will come at the last Day to be Glo [...]ified in his Saints, and admi­red in all them that believe I pray send thine Admirations before hand to attend him at his Coming.

But what preparations has thy Soul made to appear at Gods Tribunal before this Day be ended? Art thou like to be [Page 116] found choathed in the Righteousnesses of the Saints, both imputed and inherent Righteousness, not only justified by Grace, but sanctifyed by the Holy Spi­rit also. The former is to give thee right to the latter, to make thee fitter for Heaven and Happiness: Heaven is the most Holy place, there is the most holy Company & society of God, Angels, & Spirits of Just ones that are made per­fect in Holiness. Hast thou desired and laboured for Holiness to Sanctify thee, as well as Righteousness to justify thee? what means hast thou used to get thy Soul purged as well as sin pardoned: Hast thou been at the Fountain which God has opened for Judah, and for the House of David? Hast thou waited and prayed with David, Psal 51. Wash me throughly from my sins, purge me with Hyssop, refer­ring to the Blood of Sprinkling, that Bl [...]od of the Lamb of God, which alone cleanseth from all sin; or hast thou thought a few Tears sufficient for this? Verily, if thy Head were a Fountain, thine Eyes rivers of waters, & if thence thou couldest pour out such a Flood as would even Deluge the world again, it [Page 117] would not wash out the stain of one of thy least sins: A drop of the Blood of Christ is infinitely better, though all of that be necessary.

Once more then Esther, Look unto that Jesus who came by Blood and Wa­ter both; by the one to purchase Par­don and Heaven for thee, if thou Be­lievest. By the other to purify and prepare thee for it. And God of his Infinite Grace give unto thee an Open and Abundant Entrance thereinto: For the sake of him who is Priest for ever, and Liveth still to make Intercession for Sin­ners.

The End of the Third SERMON.
[Page 118]
Reader;

THis Serves only to draw the Cur­tain, that thou mayst behold a Tragick Scene, strangly changed into a Theater of Mercy, a Pillar of Salt Transformed into a Monu­ment of Free Grace; a poor Wretch, entring into Prison a Bloody Malefactor, her Con­science laden with Sins of a Scarlet Die, but there by the Gracious and Powerful, but va­rious workings: first of the Spirit of Bon­dage, then of Adoption; the space of Eight Months she came forth, Sprinkled, Cleansed, Comforted, a Candidate of Heaven.

Whilst she was under Confinement, after she had conceived in her self good Hope of finding Mercy with God, through Christ, she was ready to give a reason of her hope, to such as were Serious and Pious, with Meek­ness, and much affection. And truly the Reasons and Grounds she went upon were Scriptural, and so able to bear the weight she put upon them; (which Hope the result of her Faith) kept her Company to the last, [Page 119] and failed her not, when she had most need of it. When she walked the dolorous way to the place of her Execution and approaching near to it, after a little Reluctancy of the Flesh, as soon as she ascended to behold the fatal Tree, her Faith, and courage revived, and she lift up her Feet, and Marched on with a [...] Erected, and Radian [...] Countenance, as unconcerned with the business of Death, at once out doing all the old Rom [...]n Mas­culine bravery, and shewing what Grace can do, in, and for the Weaker Sex; and this in Presence of a Multitude of Spectators, of whom this Relator was One, and an Ad­miring Observer: All which is to be As­cribed, Firstly, To the Infinitely Rich, and Free Grace of God; but Ministerially, and Instrumentally to the Labours, Prayers and Endeavours of the Reverend Elders of the Church of Ipswich, and many other good Christians there; after her Apprehension in Newbury where the Fact was Committed.

She was Conveyed, (and it was happy for her) that she was Conveyed to the Pri­son in Ipswich; where are to be found, [A Nation] Pardon the Expression, Of Sound, Serious and Praying Christians, who made Incessant Prayers to Heaven in her [Page 120] behalf, Praying not only for her, but with her, in their own Houses, joyning & turning their Private Meetings into whole days of Fasting and Prayer; and continuing till the Stars appearing: Yea, by Turns in the Prison also. So turning a Den of Theives, (to use Dr. Wilds words) into a House of Prayer; and had there been some Thief there, (for I know not who was there) he might Perhaps, with her, been sharer of the benefit. Their Worthy Pastor also, took constant & unwearied pains, Plying the Oar, To waft over her Soul to Heaven; and saw the fruit of all his Labours, and Travels with her, through the Blessing of God, Namely a gr [...]at & gracious change wrought in her, which she Humbly, Affectionately, and Thank­fully acknowledged.

And now, Let the Great God of Heaven, have all the Praise & Glory of this Action: And let that unhappy Tree; indeed happy in this, that the first that Suffered on it, was (we trust) Fruit Consecrated: But if it be the Will of God, that there may never be Occasion again to make use of it to such Fatal purposes, but only stand as a Bu [...]y, or Seamark, to point out the Rocks and Shelves, where she Shipwrackt her honour; and that all others may HEAR & FEAR, &c. Which is the Desire and Prayer of,

Your Servant in the Lord, SAMUEL BELCHER.
[Page 121]

THE Declaration & Confession OF Esther Rodgers, Of Kittery in the Province of Main, in New England, Single woman.

I was born at Kittery sometime in May, 1680. At the Age of Thirteen came to live as an Apprentice to Mr. Joseph Woodbridge of Newbury. Had little or no thoughts of God or Re­ligion, though Living in a Religious Fa­mily; was taught to Read, Learned Mr. Cottons Catechism, and had frequent op­portunities of going to Publick Meetings; but was a careless Observer of Sabbaths, and Hearer of Sermons; no Word that [Page 122] ever I heard or read making any Impres­sion upon my Heart, (as I Remember) Neither did I at all give my self to Secret Prayer, or any other Duty that concern­ed the Salvation of my Soul. And because I thus neglected God, refused his Coun­sil, and would not walk in his Ways, therefore he justly gave me up to my own hearts Lusts, and ways of Wicked­ness.

About the Age of Seventeen, I was left to fall into that foul Sin of Unclean­ness, suffering my self to be defiled by a Negro Lad living in the same House. After I perceived that I was wi [...]h Child, I meditated how to prevent coming to Publick Shame; Satan presently setting in with his Temptation, I soon comply­ed and resolved to Murder the Child, if ever I should have one born alive: and continued in my wicked purpose all a­long, till I had the fatal Opportunity of putting it into Execution. Being deli­vered of a Living Child, I used means presently to stop the breath of it, and kept it hid in an upper Room, till the Darkness of the Night following, gave advantage for a Private Burial in the Garden.

[Page 123]All this was done in Secret, no [...]er­son living whatsoever, no not so much as the Father of the Child himself was privy to my disposal of it, or knew that I ever had such a Child.

Afterwards reflecting on what I had done, was followed with some Awak­ening, Frights and Convictions during my abode at Mr. Woodbridges, which was about half a year. Yet, never mak­ing any serious Address to God for par­don of these my great and hainous Sins. But thence I went to Piscatequa, where I lived in a publick House, and soon got over and rid of all my Fears, and e­ven all thoughts thereof, giving my self up to other wicked Company and ways of Evil.

About a year after, I returned to Newbury to Mr. Joseph Woodbridges again, where my former Sins came fresh to Re­membrance, and troubled me a while; which together with other reasons, oc­casioned my Removal to another place in the Town. But there also I took all Opportunities to follow my old Trade of running out a Nights, or entertaining my Sinful Companions in a back part [Page 124] of the House. And there I fell into the like horrible Pit (as before) viz. of Carnal Pollution with the Negro man be­longing to that House. And being with Child again, I was in as great concern to know how to hide this as the former. Yet did not so soon resolve the Murder­ing of it, but was continually hurried in my thoughts, and undetermined till the last hour. I went forth to be deli­vered in the Field, and dropping my Child by the side of a little Pond, (whe­ther alive, or still Born I cannot tell) I covered it over with Dirt and Snow, and speedily returned home again. B [...]t being Suspected and Examined, about having had a Child since my going out, made little or no answer (that I remem­ber) till the next Morning The Child being found by some Neighbours was brought in, & laid before my Face, to my horrible Shame & Terror; under which Confusion I remained during my Con­finement at Newbury, being about one Month, Thinking only of the punish­ment I was like to suffer, without any true concernedness as to my Sins against God, or the State of my Immortal Soul; [Page 125] till some time after I came into Ipswich Prison; when and where it pleased the Great and Gracious God to work upon my heart, as in the following Relation I have given account of.

A Relation of her Experience, both of some Conviction and Comfort received in the Prison: Communicated to a certain Gen­tlewoman of the Town, with whom she was very free, before and afterwards.
Taken word for word from her own Mouth.

THE first time Mr. Rogers came to see me; after much other Dis­course, he told me of the odiousness of Sin; and that if ever I came to be sen­sible of it, I should loath it, and not be­cause of my own punishment procured thereby, but because of the Dishonour done to God. Then after he was gone, I began to think that I never loathed Sin so as yet, and was in a dreadful Case indeed; to think what a wretched Con­dition I had brought my self into, and had dishonoured God: insomuch that I [Page 126] could not Rest, I was so dreadfully hur­ried; and Satan made me believe that it was impossible such a Sinner, should be Saved. And I could not Read, nor Sleep, nor have any Rest night nor day. After a while God made me to think that it was Satans Temptation to keep me from Repen­tance: But if I could Repent and Be­lieve in the Lord Jesus Christ, I might find mercy, although I was such a Sin­ner. And although I am such a vile Sinner, I hope God has made me sensi­ble of my sins, he has made me to loath my self, and truly to Repent for Sin. God has made me to see that there is nothing that I can do can save me, but that there is a sufficiency in the Lord Jesus Christ. And I do throw my self at his Feet for mercy, and have hope from his promises. Let the wicked for­sake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him Return to the Lord, for he will have mercy on him: and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. And I do so far as I know my self, Repent of my so great sins against so good a God; for that which has been the delight of [Page 127] my Soul, I do now abominably hate [...] ▪ And again 'tis said, He that confesseth and forsaketh his sin, shall find mercy. I can truly say, I have confessed my Sins be­fore God and man, and do desire truly to Repent for them. Isa. 1.18. Come now let us reason together saith the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. I hope I have hated the evil of my ways; and do hope to have my Soul washed and cleansed in the Blood of Jesus Christ.

During her Imprisonment (which was more than eight months) she was frequently visited by Ministers, and o­ther Christians of the Town and Neigh­bourhood, to whom she gave little En­couragement for a considerable time, being very much reserved, partly thro' natural temper, partly by power of Temptation as was judged; that she could not open her mind or condition at all; nor make any other answer to Questions propounded, than yea or no: till after a while she obtained more free­dom of spirit, and liberty of speech. [Page 128] Then would she speak of her sins with aggravation, and express sorrow for them with great affection: related the distres­sing, and almost despairing thoughts of her mind in the time that she kept si­lence; as that God who had left her to fall so dreadfully into sin, would now leave her to an hard and impenitent heart, that she should be damned; found a great averseness at first, against going to the Publick Assembly on Sabbath and Lecture-Dayes, (for which she had li­berty twice every week) lest her hea [...]t should be more hardned, and her Con­demnation more heightned thereby. But it was not long before she found a better fruit and effect of her attendance thereupon: She felt the power of the Word preached, inlightning, convin­cing, humbling and softning of her heart. Also that the words spoken to her in private made deep and lasting impressi­ons on her Soul: that she began to de­light in hearing the Word publick or private; and set her self to search the Scriptures diligently, out of which she collected many Texts, that encouraged her to hope for mercy and pardon, as [Page 129] particularly these, Prov. 28.13. Isa. 55.1.7. Mat. 11.28. and Isa. 1.18. on these was her Meditation day & night; and though she professed not to rest on these promises, yet was by them encou­raged and drawn to come unto God through Jesus Christ, and to hope in him according to his Word. And ha­ving once laid hold on that Hope set before her in the Gospel; she did not, would not, ever after let it go; and tho' she could not so well express the reasons and grounds of her hope, as was desired, yet would not by any means be beaten off from it: and tho' sometim [...]s she felt a [...]king fear come upon her, yet that did n [...]t [...]ong abide. But still said she, my slopes prevail against my fears; at length all fear was in a manner cast out, and she was even filled with hope, com­fort, and joy in believing: Spake very sensibly of the Nature of Faith, which said she, I never understood before, bu [...] [...] I [...]eel the power of it; 'tis quite [...] than most people take it [...] my s [...]lf did conceive of [...] time before have [...] [...] ­est [Page 130] thou to be Saved by Christ? whereas now I know, that I neither did believe, nor knew I what it was to believe. O Believing is a great and difficult work, 'tis the mighty work of God himself, that any do believe, This was after she had heard a publick Discourse on the Apo­stles words to the Jaylor, Acts 16.31. Having before heard those words of our Saviour, Mat. 18.3. spoken to; and be­ing afterwards asked what she thought or experienced about Conversion, said, I am sure there is a great Change, I think a thorow Change wrought in my whole nature: I now see all things o­therwise then I did before; Sin is be­come very odious, and Christ very pre­cious to me; I s [...]e the folly and filthi­ness of the ways of sin, and in some measure am made to discern the Excel­lency of Gods ways, and do find mor [...] delight and pleasure therein, then ever I did in my former courses. Oh! I can truly say, I loath my self for my sins, I abhor my self; and if I were to live a thousand years in this world, it should be in the hatred of all Evil. Again she said, I would not for all the world be [Page 131] among my sinful Companions, and in the state I then was: I find a thousand times more comfort and delight in this Prison alone, than ever I did with them. When News was carried to her, that her Life was likely to be prolonged near two months by the Courts Adjournment, it rais'd no sudden joy in her, as was ex­pected: and though she could not but wonder at it her self, yet gave this rea­son for it: I find (said she) a willing­ness in me to accept the punishment of my sins, and a readiness to glorify the Justice of God by suffering that Death I have deserved, in hope of receiving his mercy to Eternal Life; but I submit to his pleasure. In the time of this Re­prieval, she had many opportunities of going to the private Meetings of Chri­stians in the Town, who spent whole days in Prayer with Fasting on her ac­count; and though she joyned not in any Conference with them, yet profest her delight in hearing them, that she found much sweetness in their society, and de­sired to be gathered with such at Death.

When the time of her Trial came, tho' she would have acknowledg [...]d plain matter of Fact, yet could not plead Guil­ty [Page 132] according to the Form of her Indict­ment; but being brought in Guilty ac­cording to Law and Evidence, of Wil­ful Murder committed by her, & there­upon being Condemned to Dy, was not at all surprized; but as she before expect­ed, so afterwards approved the Verdict and Sentence, that they were just and right. After Condemnation she was much more free and enlarged in dis­course than before: and being often as­ked, how her Faith and Hope in God and Christ held out; she would answer, without Doubting and Wavering; being askt whether she was never assaulted with Temptations to Unbelief or Fear since her beginning to hope: Answers, yes at the first, but not lately; neither have I been troubled with terrifying Dreams or Fancies, as formerly I was: nor can I possess my self with fearful­ness when I endeavour it by thinking on the most awful circumstances of my Condition and manner of Death which I am to suffer; but in the midst of those thoughts, Gods comforts delight my Soul, and I thi [...]k, that at such times I [...]eel the g [...]eatest incomes of joy and swee [...]ness.

[Page 133]

On the last Sabbath of her Life on Earth, she presented this Bill to be Read in the Congregation, which was wholly Dictated by her own Mouth, though Written by another hand.

ESTher Rodgers having received a Sen­tence of Death, which ere long is to be Executed on her Body, being sensible of the just Hand of God for her Great and Crying Sins and Crimes, that she is found guilty of before God; Humbly begs the Prayers of all Gods People in this Congregation for her: being made in some measure sensible of her sad and deplorable Condition, she earnestly begs, that the Lord would still look down in Mercy upon her, to give her Assurance of the Pardon of all her Sins, and to Wash and Cleanse her from, That Sin of Blood-guiltiness, in the Blood of the Lord JESUS CHRIST; that her Faith and Hope may be only upon the Mercy of God in Christ, for SALVATION: and that the Lord would Strengthen and Uphold her, and carry her through that hard and difficult Work when called thereunto, that she may not be dismayed at the Sight and Fear of DEATH: but that her Mouth may be [Page 134] Opened, and her heart enlarged to declare to Others, what the Lord has done for her Soul, and also to Warn them that are Beholders to take heed by her Example, least they fall into the like Condemnation.

The Lord was pleased to make this a good Day unto her, and she was much strengthned and refreshed by what she heard from those words, Act. 16.31. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be Saved. In which discourse, the Subject, Object, and Principal Act of true Justifying and Saving Faith, were touch­ed upon: And in the close of all, the extent of the Promise being considered, it was particularly applyed unto her upon Believing. The Apostle there did not speak to the Jaylour only, but the Charge and Promise both are Universal. ‘Let every one believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and Whosoever believeth shall be Saved. This was often repeated by our Savi­our, particularly unto Martha, Joh. 11.26. Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never Dy. Nay further to mani­fest the Riches of Grace and Power of Faith: He saith, I am the Resurrection [Page 135] and the Life, He that believeth in me, though he were Dead, [...]et shall he live.’

‘Here is One in the Congregation at this time, of whom it may be thus spoken, That she is a Dead Woman; not only that she was dead in Trespas­ses & Sins, but is Dead in Law, and by a Sentence of Condemnation must be put to Death before another Sabbath come about: And yet there is more than a possibility through Grace, that she may Live again; though not in this World, yet for ever in a better, where she shall neither sin nor sorrow more. Who hath begotten thee to such a lively hope, or hope of Eternal life, O thou Dying Malefactor? Has the Spirit of the Lord Jesus wrought this in thee by his Word or no? O Examine (whilst there is Opportuni­ty) thy Hope by thy Faith, and see if that be well grounded on Christ Himself, according to the Word. Not on thine own Prayers, Tears, Humili­ations, Sorrows or Repentance, but on the Free Mercy of God, and Merits of Christ alone. If so, It can never rise too high, or will make ashamed [Page 136] by its fall. Yet most thou continue instant and constant in thy Looking unto this JESUS, who is not only the Object, but Author and Finisher of thy Faith, to establish, strengthen and ena­able thee to persevere in Faith & Hope to the End; that thou mayst not be found to be one of those who draw back to perdition, but of those that hold out to the Saving of their Souls. Be sensible, that the same Almighty Power which at first enabled thee to believe, is necessary to keep and carry thee through Faith to Salvation. Beg of God to strengthen thee against new Fears, or any Temptations to Unbe­lief: Say with him. A [...] time I am afraid, I will trust in [...] God of his Infinite Grace grant [...] E­vidence of true Par [...] [...] Christ both to thee and [...] we may hold the beginning of [...] [...] fidence stedfast unto the End.’ [...] Heb. 3.14.

The Night before her Execution [...] said to many coming in at once to [...] her: Oh! I have had the joyfulless [...] [Page 137] to day that ever I had in my whole life. I bless God that ever I came into this Prison. When one of the Compa­ny asked her, what she thought of the poor murdered Infants, whom she was instrumental to bring into the world, and then perhaps of sending them to Hell. She answers, I have greatly mour­ned for my cruelty and wrong to them, as well as Sin against God in all that I have done. Question again; But how do you think to answer the Cry of their Blood? Answ. I trust I have an Advo­cate, and many like things.

The next Day (which was appointed for her Execution) being Lecture Day, July 31 1701 This other Bill was presented by one that took it from her own mouth.

ESTher Rodgers a poor Prisoner of Hope, under Sentence of Death, which is in a few hours to take place upon her, being through Gods Grace made sensible of the just hand of God upon her, for her great and crying sins she was found guilty of before God and man: Considering she is upon the [Page 138] Brink of Eternity, which she hopes will be a Blessed Eternity to her; and having a com­fortable assurance thereof, thro' Gods infinite mercy in Christ vouchsafed to her so great a Sinner, she humbly begs the Prayers of all Gods People for her, as being the last time she shall enjoy such a benefit here in this world; that the Lord will be pleased to stand by her, and strengthen her, that her Faith and Hope in Christ may hold out to the end; & that her heart may be opened & enlarged to declare to others what God has done for her Soul; and to give warning to those that are Standers by, to take heed of falling into any such ways and courses, as she has been left unto.

Some time before the Publick Lecture began, the Reverend Mr. Wise went in to visit the Prisoner, and began to quaery with her, about her Spiritual Condition, viz In what preparation she was for Death, that was now approaching?

Her answer was in expression of much comfort and assurance of her future well being.

In the inte [...]im of time came in a Gentlewoman that was her peculiar Vi­sitant, [Page 139] and asked her how she found her self this morning? She answered, her hopes and comfort continued▪

Quest. Whether, when her Coffin was brought in, it did not daunt her?

Answ. No, but it rather ministred matter of comfort to me. Then Mr. Wise replied to what he heard from her, that if this were real, the effect of a Sa­ving Change upon her heart, she of a poor miserable Malefactor was become one of the greatest Favourites to the King of Heaven. Why Esther can you entertain Death, and such terrible Fore­runners of it in such Triumph? Then you are very happy: But are you not mistaken? Will you give me leave to make a more exact scrutiny into the State of your Soul? Then pray, be free and plain hearted, that I may have a particular account of your Spiritual State For this she desired Privacy: whereupon the whole Company with­drew. And Mr. Wise proceeded in dis­course with her after this manner.

Esther, The Godly after Grace is im­planted, God is want to order that they pass variety of trials for the proof of [Page 140] the soundness of their State, that Divine Grace in them may grow into greater assurance: So that to put you upon an Examination of this nature, will be no disadvantage to you. Therefore let me have liberty more c [...]itically to enquire into the ground of your fore mentioned hopes: I would not at such a time mo­lest your Spiritual quiet, yet you are now within a few hours to appear be­fore a Jealous and Omniscient Judge; you cannot be too curious in se [...]ling all things right between Him and your Soul, under the benefit of means. There is no room to err twice in this Adven­ture. If there be any essential error in your State, and it continues, you are un­done for ever. Therefore take my free­dom in good part.

Quest. Where are your hopes placed?

Answ. In the Mercy of God, and Merits of Christ.

Quest. You have been a very great Cri­minal, What sense have you had of Sin? have you seen it exceeding sinful?

Answ. Yes, It has been a greater grief to me that I have offended God, than for what I have, or shall yet endure [Page 141] for my Sin. The time hastens, give me a distinct account of the work of Gods Spirit upon your heart.

This Relation she makes agreeable to the former.

Says she, When I came first into Pri­son, I was altogether careless, unaffected and unconcerned about my condition. Mr. Rogers came to visit me, and in dis­course with me, did so open and lay out my condition before me, in the terrible circumstances and aggrevations of it, that I was smitten in my heart, and filled with terrible thoughts about it. He told me als [...] I must seek to God to doe all for me [...]hat I needed to have done. That I could not mend my heart no more than make it, &c. The trouble of my mind continued upon me, and All the Si [...]s of my Life came to my Remem­brance: I fell into great horrours, and was in great distress & perplexity about my condition: I saw my self in a very miserable State by reason of Sin, and the J [...]stice of God. I had very great and sore Conflicts in my Spirit, and many [Page 142] great Temptations. But it pleased God after some time to come in with much Comfort into my Soul, by many preci­ous Promises, as that in Ezek. 18.32. I have no pleasure in the Death of him that Dyeth, saith the Lord God, wherefore Turn your selves and live ye; and others that have been already mentioned. The Peace and Comfort of my mind, (said she) is great and continued: When I think of my Sins they disappear, and fly from me, I many times have en­deavoured to terri [...]y my self with the thoughts of Death, and my Execution, it seems rather a matter of comfort than terror to me. At times my spirit has been somewhat damped, but my com­fort and peace return. Mr. Wise further quae [...]ied with her about the sense she had of Indwelling sin: And by her answers she did discover a considerable know­ledge of the Mystery in Christianity; that though she was well confirmed (by the [...]eams of Divine Favour) of the c [...]mpleatness of her Justification, yet did discern that her Sanctification was incompleat from the sense of heart E­vils, [Page 143] Darkness, Wandrings, under sacred means, and vain imaginations, &c.

To make some Tryal of the Firmness and manner of her Faith, 'Twas queried,

Whether she found it hard to believe?

Answ. Yes, But yet she desired to roul her self upon the Mercy of God, for He had said, Come unto me all ye that are w [...]ary and heavy l [...]d [...]n, and I will give you Rest.

Hereupon, the Minister gives her his charitable Opini [...]n of her good Estate, of which he had a peculiar esteem from the Account she had given him, that the special instrumental cause of her Awak­ening and Comfort, was an Ambassador of Jesus Christ. So having Recommend­ed her condition to the God of all Grace and Consolation by Prayer, repaired to the Publick Lecture.

After Lecture, the High Sheriff pre­pares a Cart to carry her from the G [...]al, to the place of Execution: But she ear­nestly desiring of him the liberty to walk on Foot; it was granted to her, and two or three of the Neighbouring M [...]nisters [Page 144] did her the Favour to Walk with her, who did by turns endeavour to fill up the time with such Divine Passages of discourse as might best suit her condition; mixing with words of Consolation, something of Terrour and Caution. Her Behaviour was very grave and Christian from first to last. She retained an invincible Cou­rage, and yet manifested nothing that had the least Tincture of a vain glorious Confidence. One of the Ministers thus glossed on her present circumstances for Terrification.

O Esther, How can your heart abide! Dont you here behold terrible displayes of Justice: you are surrounded with Armed men, which signifies that God and man has determined to rid the World of you; and you are thus beset, that you may no ways escape The ter­rible place and Engines of Destruction, are but a little before us, where you must in a few Minutes Expire; and there lyes your Coffin ▪ that must receive your pe­rishing Body: How can you bear the sight of all these things? She turns a­bout, and looking him in the face with a very smiling countenance, sayes, I [Page 145] know I am going to the Lord Jesus Christ. The manner, the Christian Bravery, the Chearfulness, and sudden­ness, with the profound matter of her Reply was suprizing and astonishing; Yet not to clip or over load the Wings of her Soaring Faith; they told her, that God did put much honour up­on, and signalize his Grace to her, in that she had been the Subject of Pray­ers generally through the Neighbour­hood. And now in that Christian and Civil Attendance that was given her in her last Journey; and from the intere [...] she had obtained in the hearts of [...] Sacred Order of men, intrusted with the Keys of the Kingdom. So that they might in a humble confidence and hope, pronounce an Absolution, though not from the Temporal Punishment, yet from the Condemning Guilt of all her great Abominations; (upon a presump­tion of her gracious state) founded on those words, Mat 16.19 Whatsoever thou shalt loose on Earth, shall be loosed in Hea­ven. The Discourse seem'd very de­lightful to her, making suitable, though short Replies to all.

[Page 146]Having walked above a mile, she [...]em'd a little to flag and faulter in her pace; which together with a sudden p [...]ness of countenance occasioned, one of the Ministers observing it, to ask her, How she did now? whether she felt a­ny alteration? To which she replyed, t [...]s; some sudden qualm of faintness and fear came upon me, but it is over, and I am very well; so presses forward again with her usual vigour. Being come in sight of the Gallows, was askt, whether her heart did not now fail [...] She answers, No, but the nearer [...] approach, the more I feel my strength and joy to increase. When come to the Foot of the Ladder, she seem'd no ways altered by any distress invading from the terrible Spectacles then in view. Mr. Sheriff having settled his Guard, and Read the Death Warrant, asked, what she did desire further before Execution? She turning to the Mini­sters, desires one of them to [...] with her. Prayer being ended. Mr. Sheriff bids her go up the Ladder, she readily obeys; But first with very affecting Ge­stures, takes her leave of the Ministers, [Page 147] giving them many thanks for all their kindness to her; and this she does with a mixture of Tears, and a show of mo­derated sorrow, and so without sto [...] or trembling went up the Ladder; and turning her self about, made the follow­ing Discourse to the People, and Prayer to God.

The last Dying Words and Prayer of Esther Rodgers, upon the Ladder, just before her Execu­tion, taken in Short-hand by some there present, July 31. 1701.

HEre I am come to Dy a Shame [...]ed Death, and I justly deserve it's Young, People take Warning, O [...] all take Warning by me; I beg of al [...] [...]o have a Care. Be Obedient to your Pa­rents and Masters; Run not out a Nights, especially on Sabbath Nights, Re [...]rain bad Company for the Lords Sake. Here me poor Souls, Keep Gods Sabbaths, mind the Word of God, and let good People be your Company, Mind it for the Lords Sake: Do it if [Page 148] you love your Lives: for Gods Sake mind your own Souls. O Run not abroad with wicked Company, or on Sabbath day Nights, and so forget what you have heard. Improve time, you do [...]t know what Comfort is to be had and found in Gods Ways; If you do not love God, he will not love you; If you go on in Sin, you will provoke God. O let me beg of you all to hear me! for the Lords Sake Remember me! O let every one Remember me! Let me beg of all Young Ones, be not Dis­obedient, go not with bad Company, O my dear Friends.— Take Warning by me. Here I come to Dy, and if God be not Merciful to my Soul, I shall be undone to all Eternity. — If I do not turn by Repentance. I Bless God, I have found more Comfort in Prison, than ever before. O Turn to God now. O how hard it is to Repent [...] ▪ If you go on in Sin, God may give you up to a hard Heart▪ Oh! Turn whilst the Day of Grace lasts.

[Page 149]

Her Prayer.

O LORD JESUS, I humbly beg of thee, Look upon me in Mercy,— God for Christ Jesus Sake h [...] [...]ercy upon me. It is nothing that I can do for a Pardon — All my Prayers and Tears cannot Save me, — But it is through the free Grace, and Mercy of God in the Blood of Jesus Christ. O Lord, Sprinkle that Blood upon my Soul, that will wash away all my bloody Sins. I beg pardon through him of all those sins I am guilty of. O Lord Jesus have Compas­sion upon me, and say to me, as thou didst to the Penitent Thief; This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Oh Lord, I come, Receive my Soul. Thou hast said, Come unto me all you that are weary and heavy l [...]den. And they that are a thirst, thou w [...]lt give the Water of Life to. Lord, I thirst, have mercy upon me, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake. O Receive my Soul, Dear Lord Jesus, I beg of thee: Have. Compassion upon me, have mercy up­on me, O Lord, for Christ's sake. O pity me, and have Compassion upon me Lord [Page 150] Jesus be with me, and carry me through.— Thou hast said, Whosoever comes unto thee, thou wilt in no wise cast them out. O Lord I come to thee, O Lord cast me not out. Though I have deserved Death and Damnation—my sins have deserved Hell— a thousand Hells, yet Lord pity me, and pardon all my [...], and give me an interest in Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, thou hast said, Whosoever believeth on thee, shall never dye. O Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief. O Blessed Jesus, Receive my Soul, Blessed Lord Jesus, I come to thee, fit and prepare me for thy self. If my heart be not [...]mbled, humble me to the Dust. O Lord Je [...]s, I have been guilty of Blood enough [...] Damn me to all Eternity. O Lord ha [...]e mercy on me, hear me, pity and pardon me. Lord I bless thee, that thou givest me any hope; thou deliverest from the Grave, and out of Hell: I might have been before this time in the Grave with the Dead, and in Hell with the Dam­ned▪ Lord Jesus, thou canst give me a heart to Repent, I do Repent that ever I have sinned against so good and so gracious a God. O Lord, pity me, and send thy H [...]ly Angels to guard my Soul into the [Page 151] Heavenly Kingdom, as thou didst for La­zarus. O pity me, for Jesus Christ's Sake: To whom with thee, O Fa­ther, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed all Honour and Glory for ever Amen.

Then Mr. Pa [...]son said to her, The Lord is the Hearer of Prayers, and will hear thee —

Mr. Belcher said, He that has helped thee to make this Prayer will also hear thee. —

She then said, O Lord Jesus Look down upon me, and Save my Soul; I trust thou wilt Receive my Soul. O Lord I commit my Soul into Thy H [...]nds. O Father of Mercies have Mercy on me. O now Lord Jesus is the Time: — I am upon the Brink of Eternity, O Lord have Mercy upon me. O Th [...]u Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, into thy Hands I commit my Spirit. O Re­ceive thou it. Have Mercy upon me, and Pity me for Jesus Christ's Sake.

Then the Officer binds an Handker­chief upon her Face,— which she cheer­fully receives, with Eyes and Hands lift up to Heaven.

Mr. Wise said, Now is the great Crisis [Page 152] of Time. Does your Faith hold in God and Christ still. —

She answers, God be thanked it does, God be thanked. —

Then being bid to lean her Head back upon the Ladder, to receive the Halter, She readily does it; and Cryes, O Lord Jesus, Now Lord Jesus, I am a Coming: O Come Lord Jesus by Thy Par­doning Mercy, to Save me Now, or I Perish for ever. My Blessed Jesus, — O Lord Jesus, have Pity upon me, O Good Lord. — And thus she remains lifting up her Hands to Heaven, till Mr. Wise said again; We have Recomm [...]ded you to God, and done all we can for you, and must now leave you. —

If your Hopes can lay hold upon the irresistible Grace and Mercy of God in Christ, and you can cast your self into His Armes, you are Happy for Ever. — And so we must bid you Fare Well.

[Page 153]

THE manner of her Entertaining DEATH, was even astonishing to a Multitude of Spectators, (being as was judged Four or Five Thousand People at least) with that Composure of Spirit, Cheerfulness of Countenance, pleasantness of Speech, and a sort of Complaisantness in Carriage towards the Ministers who were assistant to her, with their Prayers and Counsils, that even melted the hearts of all that were within seeing or hearing, into Tears of affection, with greatest wonder and ad­miration. Her undaunted Courage and unshaken Confidence she modestly e­nough expressed, yet stedfastly held un­to the end. So that he must needs want Faith for himself, that wants Charity for such an one.

FINIS.
[Page]

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