I. Case of Conscience on Mat. 5. 45.
What do you more then others?

Q. I. WHerein should Christians be singu­lar in their obedience? Or what may they, and must they do more then others?

A. Take the Answer in these 16 Rules contain­ing the Character and Compass of a Christian.—

Rule I. Heartily to love them that slight you, and to wish and seek the good of those that hate you, and seek to hurt you: This is the very thing urged in the Text: If you salute your brethren only and love them that love you, do not even the Publicans the same? Matth. 5. 44, 46. To love them that do respect and value us, this every one can do: but to love them truly that think meanly of us, and have prejudices and hard thoughts against us, and to speak well of them that speak evil of us, (as the sweet spirited Calvin, [Let Luther call me Dog or Devil, I will say of him nevertheless, he is a precious servant of Christ Iesus.] This is to do more then others. Thus the Martyr Cranmer, of whom it was a Proverb, [ Do the Bishop of Canterbury a dis­pleasure, and you shall ever have him your friend.] Thus that Holy Man in his much to be admired parting words [ I had never any greater pleasure in [Page 4] all my life then to forget and forgive injuries, and to shew kindness to them that sought evil to me.] Study who have offended you, and disobliged you, and slighted you, and keep up good thoughts of them (if the case will bear it) and speak nothing but good of them, and think what kindness you may shew them: pray for them; wish well to them; so shall you be the children of your Father which is in Heaven, Mat. 5. 45.

Rule II. To swim against the stream of the mul­titude: The dead fish will swim with, but the living against the stream: Many will turn Iews when their interest will carry it in the world: when religion is the fashion every one will be in it: But to bear head against the current of the times, and to be for strict Godliness in all your ways, when the stream runs quite against it, to bear it down, and to resolve as David did, to be yet more vile, this is to be, and do more then others. The Samaritanes will needs be Iews, when Alex­ander favours and helps them, but when Antiochus bloodily rages against them (as in the time of the Maccabees) then they will be none of the kin, but pretend themselves to be of another stock: (Which by the way, was the reason of the deadly hatred af­terward between the Iews and them). But to be singular in your good choice and resolutions with Ioshua, though all should vote against you with one consent, and with Noah to be perfect in our ge­nerations when never so wicked and so adulterous; and to walk with God when all flesh have corrupted their way, and tread a contrary course; this is to do more then others. Thus the three Children (or rather the three Champions) who would not fear the flouts of the multitude, nor the frowns of [Page 5] the great ones, nor the charge of singularity, but when all the Princes, Governours, Captains, Coun­sellours, Sheriffs, and all the People, Nations and Languages fell down and worshipped, they stood by themselves and would not sinfully comply, Dan. 3. 3, 7, 18.

Rule III. To take most care of that which is most out of sight. A Christians eye is most on the things least seen; first upon his heart, herein he doth ex­ceed the righteousness of the Pharisees, whose great care was to keep all fair and clean that came to view, but looked no farther: Make great consci­ence of your carriage in secret, and let your main guard be upon your hearts, and this will be more then others reach to. This was Paul's care to keep his conscience, his inside clean and undefiled, Acts 24. 16. And Iob's care that though all the world did reproach him, he might not put a re­proach into the mouth of his conscience, Iob 27. 6. and David's care that his heart might be clean. 2. Vpon his hope. Others look to the things seen, things in hand. but the true believer eyes his hopes, walks by faith, not by sight; and lives quite a different life from any others in the world besides; As living upon the hopes of Heaven, doth differ from living on the pleasures, profits, and honours of this world.

Rule IV. To be merciful to others failings, and very severe to our own. The noble Romane Cato could more easily forgive any then himself: To aggravate our own evils, and to have an excuse ready for our brothers; to censure our selves free­ly, and to come with the mantle behind us to co­ver our brother; this is to do more than others. The hypocrite is a severe censurer abroad: he is [Page 6] like the eye that can see any thing but it self: he can discern a moat in his brothers eye, but not a beam in his own. But the servant of God re­bukes others with meekness, but falls out easily and bitterly with himself.

Rule V. To suffer rather then to sin: This was Moses choice: But the hypocrites is quite con­trary: he chooseth iniquity rather then affliction: To go so far with Christ as our way lies together, is to do no more then an unsound Professour may reach to: The tryal is when Christs interest and ours do cross; and we must either baulk our duty or our safety and advantage. The famous Mar­tyr under Iulian, would not give one half-penny towards the building of the Idols Temple, though he was offered his life by the Emperour on those terms. The godly High Priest Eleazer when the Nobles perswaded him to eat other meat under co­lour of swines flesh, and they would perswade the King Antiochus that he had eaten swines flesh, would die rather then stain his profession with the appearance of evil. When a man shall lie in out­ward misery and have a door of deliverance open, if he will but sin, and yet he will not accept it, as those worthies in Paul's Martyrology; this is to do more then others, Heb. 11. 36.

Rule VI. To rejoyce in losses for Christ, and glory in the Cross: When others be discouraged at the news of hardship; as that forward and seemingly resolved Disciple; or shall be offended assoon as the Sun of persecution is up. We shall take pleasure in infirmities, in tribulations, and rejoyce that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ; This is to do more then others. When the servants of God shall not only patiently, but [Page 7] triumphantly undergo the Crosses, that crack the brains, and break the hearts of others, and shall shake off the Viper without receiving any hurt; when Paul and Silas shall sing in the stocks, and the resolved Martyrs shall embrace the Faggots & kiss the Stake: When the Valiant Philpot shall say of his Prison [ In the judgment of the world we are in Hell, but I find in it the sweet consolations of Heaven:] and the Holy Bradford [My Prison is sweeter to me then any Parlour, then any pleasure I have had in all my life.] This is indeed to exceed others.

Rule VII. To be good when we shall be evil spoken of for our labour. A Pharisee will do those duties that will gain applause with men, but to take up with despised duties, disgraceful duties, and with David to be religious, when it will render him Vile, this is to do more then others. The Philo­sopher could say, It is noble indeed for a man to do well when he knows he shall hear ill for it. To take up Religion when every one kicks it off: to stand up alone with Luther for the truth, when the whole world is gone a wandring after the Whore. To have his hand against every man, and to be for Christ with Athanasius against the whole Universe, this is indeed to do some singular thing.

Rule VIII. To strike in with Gods interest when it is falling. To joyn our selves to the Lords peo­ple when its the weakest side: To espouse their interest with Moses, when they were in deep affli­ction, Heb. 11. 25, 26. To own our selves to be some of them, undauntedly, when this way is e­very where spoken against; this is to tread Anti­podes to the course of this world.

Rule IX. To be most cruel to the sin that is natu­rally most dear. The hypocrite hides his sweet [Page 8] morsels under his tongue: he spares as it were the fattest of the Cattel: he saith, The Lord pardon his servant concerning this thing: But when a man shall off with his right hand, out with the right eye, serve his Absolon as Ioab did, when he took three darts, and thrust thorow his heart, this is to do more then others. The sincere Christian is most angry with the sin of his temper, against this he aims the arrows of all his prayers: he keeps him from his iniquity: he drives the whole herd of sin before him, but especially shoots at and singles out this to run it down.

Rule X. To live upon the divine promises when others live upon their possessions. Others are all for what is in hand, with them words are but wind; they cannot live upon them: the promises are to them a barren heath and dry breasts: but when we make the promises our heritage, the staff of our life, the life of our hearts, when the pro­mises are the bottle we run to in all our faintings; and while others hope in their Wealth, our hope is in the Word, this is to do more then others.

Rule XI. To love that best and choose it soonest, which doth cross the flesh most? The godly mans rule is, to take the self-denying side, so he be sure it be safe: when others study is to please themselves, his is to curb himself: the life of others is a flesh-pleasing, his a self-denying life: others joy is, when they can gratifie themselves, his when he can get victory over himself.

Rule XII. To be most hot in that wherein self is least concerned. Paul is meek as a lamb under per­sonal injuries, 1 Cor. 4. 12. Acts 17. 16. but how is his spirit stirred when God is dishonoured? A man of understanding is of a cool spirit, that is, in [Page 9] his own concerns: but Moses the meek waxes hot with indignation at the sight of the calf. To be hot and forward in those duties where the fleshes interest is concerned, is to do no more then a Iehu, 2 Kings 10. 16, 30.

Rule XIII. To make true conscience of the least sins, but most conscience of the greatest. In one of these will the hyhocrite be found tardy: It may be he will fly from open sins and startle at gross staring sins; but of little sins he makes little conscience, This he allows of and connives at. Or else he will be very tender of little things, scruple the picking the ears of corn on the Sabbath day, or the curing of the sick, and strain at the gnat; when he will in other things swallow a camel; devour widows houses. The sincere will indulge no sin; grieves for, groans under, cryes out feelingly against his very infirmities, but most dreads what God most hates.—

Rule XIV. To allow your selves in the neglect of no duty, but to reserve your zeal for the duties of most weight. To tythe mint, and cummin, and neglect judgment, mercy and faith; to be zealous for humane Ceremonies, Ordinances, and mens Tra­ditions, and omit the weightier matters of the Law, is right the Pharisees guise, Matth. 23. 23. Matth. 15. 2. To eye both the Tables, to joyn sweetly together morality and piety, to be pun­ctual with Men, but not careless of God; to give to Caesar the things that be Caesars, but first to give to God the things that be Gods, this is to do more then others. The sincere Christian hath respect to all Gods Commandments, walks in all his Sta­tutes; he is throughout with God, but he is most zealous in those things that lie next the heart of religion.

[Page 10]Rule XV. To love your Reprovers. Herein David doth more then Ahab, see their contrary frames, 1 Kings 22. 8. Psal. 141. 5.

Rule XVI. To subject all your worldly interest to your Makers glory, and perform holy duties with holy ends, and while others do their best actions with carnal aims; you must do your common and civil actions with heavenly aims.

Q. How we may know whether we be, and do more then others that are unsound?

I shall answer this Question by propounding eight Questions to you, beseeching you to retire to the most solemn and strict examination, and make conscience to give a clear answer to these few Interrogatories, and that will resolve the Case.

Q. I. When others do pick and choose, have you respect to all Gods Commandments?—The hypocrite may have great respect to the comforts, but he hath little to the commands of Religion: He is much for the priviledges and promises: little for the Precepts and Duties: He is partial in the Law: he will take but here and there where he likes, and where Gods commands will serve his interest: or at least will not pinch too hard upon the flesh. The sound Christian sets all Gods commands before him: He eyes all his copy; and heartily designs and studies a throughout conformity: He hath no starting holes, nor contrived haunts; nor doth he halt between the Lord and Baal; nor serve two Masters: He doth not fear the Lord and serve o­ther Gods; nor divides his service between God and Mammon, but he is all for uniformity and [Page 11] entirely devoted to Gods service, and fear alone: He hath a good conscience, willing in all things to live honestly, and doth truly, though not per­fectly, forsake all his sins and keep all Gods sta­tutes that are known to him: Let me therefore ask you two questions. (1.) When others divide the Tables, do you sweetly conjoyn them in your practice? The hypocrite it may be is just and square towards men, but follow him to his family or closet; you shall find but little of God: His fa­mily is neglected, his soul is neglected: Or it may be he is a forward first-Table man, but you shall find him tardy in the second: He will make many prayers, and long prayers, yet make no conscience of devouring widdows houses: He is a great pre­tender to piety, but mean while neglects judg­ment, and mercy: The sincere joyn altogether: He is so far careful of justice with men, that mean while he will not neglect the first and great part of justice, viz. to give God his due: He doth justly, he loves mercy, but withall walks humbly with God: He walketh soberly, with respect to himself; righteously towards his neighbour, and godly to­wards his Maker: He is not of those that are good only on their knees, but you shall find him every where conscientious: you shall have tempe­rance at his table, chastity and modesty in his beha­viour; grace and truth in his words; charity in his deeds, faithfulness in his trust justice in his deal­ings. He doth not only seem to be religious, but bridleth his tongue: He is not only a good Chri­stian, but a good Neighbour, not only a good Man, but a good Husband, a good Master, a dutiful Child, a diligent and faithful Servant, a good Subject. In a word, he makes great conscience of discharging [Page 12] the duties of his relations among men.] (2.) When others stick in externals, do you look to the spi­ritual part of every command, and principally mind the inwards and vitals of Religion? Do you not only make conscience of performing duties, but do you carefully look to the manner of per­forming of them, and the ends for which you do perform them? Do you not only make conscience of open but of secret sins? Do you abound above all in secret duties? Do you keep a watch upon your hearts, and make conscience, not only of the gross acts of sin, but even of sinful thoughts, incli­nations, and desires? And are grieved even with your very infirmities and the corrupt disposition of your natures, which you cannot help though you would?—

Q. II. When others have their reserves in closing with Christ, do you give up all to him entirely? Have you taken Christ not hand over head, but delibe­rately, understandingly, sitting down first, and counting the cost? Have you not secret reserves for your own ease, safety, estates, esteem on some beloved sin? Have you upon solemn considera­tion accepted Christ as the Lord your righteous­ness, for better for worse, for all changes of times and conditions? to run all hazards with him, and to take your lot with him fall as it will?—

Q. III. When others are for a little of religion by the by, do you make religion your business? Do you not put off God with the worlds leavings? and serve him when you are at leisure? Must not God stand by while the world is first served? and are not your souls the least of your cares? and put off with some by scraps, and ends of your time? Is Re­ligion your Trade, and your conversation in Heaven? [Page 13] do you walk with God? or have you only now and then a turn with him? When you have ended your prayers, is there an end of your religion till you come to them again? or do you carry on a design of religion throughout your whole course? Have you only a list of religion at the outside the piece? or is the woof of religion woven into the whole cloth? into heart and life? into your dis­course and trades and tables? do you first seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof? Is it the chief care of your lives, that God be served, and your souls be saved? and is this the one thing necessary with you, that you chiefly mind, and are most solicitous about? Do your very hearts say with David, one thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after, &c.—

Q. IV. When others are for the wages of religion, are you for the work? Can you say with David, I have chosen thy precepts? do your hearts come off freely in this choice? Had you rather be holy, than otherwise, if you were at your choice? had you rather be Gods servants and live at his command, then at your own lusts? Do you count the Laws of Christ your heritage, or rather do you not count them your bondage? Do you choose not on­ly the wages of righteousness, but the wayes of righteousness? Are Gods Commandments your delight? and are the sweetest hours of your lives, the hours you spend with him? Do you never injoy your selves so much as when you most injoy God? Is his service the greatest comfort, and is it meat and drink to you to do his will, (unless when you are not your selves in the time of temptation or desertion.) Do you make use of holy duties only as men do of Physick, when they are ill at [Page 14] ease, when conscience lasheth or affliction stings, as it were, to conjure down the frightful furies? or to pacifie God, that he may not hurt you? or else do you use them as your daily bread, the very staff of your life, and means of your com­forts?

Q. V. When others are for the cheap and easie re­ligion, are you for self-denial? When others are for the religion that will serve them best, are you for that which will serve God best? When others are all upon the sparing hand, and will spare what may be spared, and study how they may best save charges in going to heaven, are you of Princely spirits, to resolve not to serve the Lord with that which will cost you nothing? Is your course of re­ligion such as doth put your flesh to it, and cross and curb its desires? Or do you love to give it what it craves, and suffer it to take its own way? Have you no enemy you dread so much as self? Do you pamper and please it and make provision for it? or do you pray and watch against it, and grieve for its unhappy infirmities in your actions? and had rather then all the world that this enemy were under your feet:—

Q. VI. When others are for no more of religion then needs must, are you for the height of religion? The hypocrite (as one well) is very inquisitive what is the lowest pitch that a man may have, and go to heaven; and upon this design, if he could find but this, he would look no further: but the sincere Christian though satisfied that his state is safe, will rest in no attainments in grace; but reaches forward and presses on, if it were possible to attain to the resurrection of the dead. He that doth not desire and design and endeavour perfection, never [Page 15] yet came up to sincerity. A true believer desires ho­liness for holiness sake, and therefore is set upon perfecting holiness; Others desire it only for heavens sake, and there­fore are only for so much as will bear their charges thither; others make use of holiness only as a bridge to Heaven, and therefore are for no more then will just serve their turn And they have a false notion of Heaven it self: else they might justly desire it as the end of their present ho­liness, it being the fruition of God in perfect holiness.. The true believer hath a holy nature, and therefore holiness is his element and natural employ­ment; and he must needs desire ho­liness in its height, because every nature reaches after perfection in its kind: The godly desires not holiness only because it is the way to Heaven, but he loves Heaven the better for the holy way that leads to it, and for the perfect holiness which is there.

Q. VII. When others are all for the Salvation of Christ, are you as truly for Sanctification by Christ? Do you take Christ as God offers him with all his offices, and benefits, to be both a Prince and a Sa­viour, to give you repentance as well as remission of sins? Are you willing of the dominion of Christ, as well as deliverance by Christ? Do you close with his burden, as well as his benefits? do you count his laws your liberty? his government, not your bondage but your priviledge? his service your freedom? Do you go in Christs ways, as in jives or fetters? or do you run with inlargement of heart, delight or real willingness?

Q. VIII. When others do make self their end, do you set up God above all as your highest end? The hy­pocrite doth the same duties with the godly, but [Page 16] with different ends: He eats for himself and fasts for himself, and prays with no better then self ends, and therefore is rejected. Now is it your great design in your whole course to glorifie God and enjoy God? Do you count this your whole busi­ness and blessedness? do you make other business to stoop to this? other interest to yield to this? Do your souls breath after this above all worldly good, that Christ may be magnified in you? Do you count your name and your estate as loss, and the delights of sense but puddle-water in comparison of Christ? If conscience give in a comfortable and clear answer to these Questions, Go in peace, Bles­sed are you of the Lord: God is your Friend. Heaven is your Heritage: The Promises are your Portion: Christ is yours, all is yours; For he that doth these things shall never be moved, Psal. 15. 5.

A Necessary Case on 1 Thess. 4. 1.

Q. WHat may, and must a Christian be, and do, that he may please God?

A. To your pleasing of God something is necessary as to your persons or estates, and something as to your performances and acts?

First, As to your persons or estates, it is necessary in general that you be in a state of reconciliation with God: If you would walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, you must first be friends with him: for how can two walk together except they be agreed? Get the controversie taken up between God and thee, and then shalt thou with Levi, walk with God [Page 17] in peace. Labour to get the breaches made up, to have the enmity slain, to have divine displea­sure removed: till thy pardon be obtained, and thy peace made, nothing thou canst do will please God: he will be angry with thy person, and angry with thy prayers: What a tart Message is that to impenitent sinners, Malach. 1. 10. God cannot take pleasure in their persons: I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of Hosts] nor in any of their perfor­mances; neither will I accept an offering at your hand.] He professeth that his soul had no delight in them, and tells them they are unto him as a Vessel wherein there is no pleasure, Gen. 22. 28. It's the modest expression of that Vessel into which Nature empties it self. Come in then, and touch the golden Scepter; yield to mercy; kiss the Son; resign to Christ: accept of the peace tendred you in the Word of Reconciliation, and then God will be friends. More particularly, that you may be in a state of reconciliation, and so in a capacity of pleasing God, you must follow these directions.

1. Put off every sin: It is your iniquity that se­parateth between you and your God: this is the make-bate. If thou wouldst have God pleased, turn every sin out of doors, pluck it out, cast it from thee: If thou regard iniquity in thy heart, God will not hear thee, nor regard thee, Psal. 66. 8. If thou art of them that have pleasure in unrighteousness, the Lord hath no pleasure in thee. He is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; evil shall not dwell with him: the foolish shall not stand in his sight: he hateth all the workers of iniquity. See that thou abandon every sin that thou knowest; spare not one Agag; not a right eye, not an Herodias; for then God will not spare thee: Give the Dar­ling [Page 18] of thy bosom a Bill of divorce: say to all thy Idols, get thee hence. God will not look to that man that looks pleasantly upon any sin: The Jea­lous God will not endure to see thee hankering on the Harlots lips; embracing any sin with delight: He will not bear it, to see thee smile upon any sin: He holds thee for a Traytor to his Crown, if thou willingly harbour his Enemy: Though thou be very diligent in Gods Service, and pre­sentest him with multitude of Sacrifices, and many Prayers, he will be pleased with nothing, but hide his Face, and stop his Ears, whilst thou keepest thine iniquities in thine hands, Isa. 1. 16, 17, 18. God will not amicably treat with them that will not put away the evil of their doings. O look into thy hands! look into thy heart! look into thy house! in­to thy shop! thy trade! thy calling! see if there be not some way of wickedness, that thou art found in. Thou canst not have peace with God, nor he pleasure in thee till this be removed; put off therefore the old Man with his deeds.

2. Put on the Lord Iesus Christ, Rom. 13.]

First, The red Robe of his Righteousness for Iustifi­cation: The Lord will never give thee a good look, nor a good word but in Christ: He is a revenging, a consuming fire out of Christ: but get on his robes, & he will be well pleased. Enoch had this testimony that he pleased God: but Christ had much more that God was well-pleased with sinners, in and for him. Away with these rags, and with these fig-leaves. How can the righteous soul of God but abhor you, whilst in the menstruous cloaths of your own righteousness? Dare not to come to God but with Christ in your Arms? Ap­proach him not but in the garments of your elder [Page 19] Brother, lest you carry away the curse. Ioshua's filthy garments must be put off, and Christs Ray­ment put on: or else there is no standing before the bright and burning eyes of infinite holiness. Put on the Lord Jesus in believing; that is, ac­cept of him in all his Offices, with all his inconve­niencies, and deliver up thy self to him; and this will intitle thee to his merits, and righteousness: Without this nothing will avail. If thy head were waters, and thine eyes a fountain of tears, if thou shouldst wear thy tongue to the roots with praying, if thou shouldst weep an Ocean, and wash thy self in thine own brine; all could not get out one spot: nothing can be accepted while thou art out of Christ; and therefore in the first place apply thy self to him. God will accept of no Gift but off his Altar.

Secondly, The white Robe of his grace of Sancti­fication, Rev. 5. 11. Thou that art in the flesh, that is, unrenewed, unsanctified, canst not please God, Rom. 8. 8. Never think to make up the matter by a little mending and reforming particular Acts: Man thy heart must be renewed; thy state must be clean altered; or God cannot be pleased, Matth. 7. 16, 17, 18. The Tree must be made good; the Fountain must be healed, or else the Stream will be salt and the Fruit sowr. If Christ be once formed in thee, that is, his image in his grace: Likeness is the ground of Love: Similitude and suitableness of nature, is the loadstone of Affection. God cannot but love his own likeness, wouldst thou have his Favour? wouldst thou be his De­light? then conform to his pleasure, study to be like him, purifie thy self as he is pure. The righ­teous Lord loveth righteousness: he desireth [Page 20] truth in the inward parts, and takes infinite com­placency in the graces of his people. These are the Spikenard and the Saffron, the Spices, the Beds of Lillies; the sweet Ointments that Christ is so ta­ken up with: These are the Cinamon and the Trees of Frankincense, the Calamus and the Camphire; the Myrrhe and the Aloes: the Chains of the neck, and the precious Pearls that he is so ravished withall, and doth so superlatively com­mend, Cant. 4. 9. This is the Rayment of Needle­work, and Gold of Ophir, wherein the Queen is presented to her Royal Husband, Psal. 45. 9, 13. Therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved, Col. 5. 12, 13. Put ye on bowels of mercy, kindness: put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, filthy commu­nication, and put on the new Man, Col. 3. 9, 10. Par­ticularly, let me commend to you some spe­cial graces which God doth manifest himself to be wonderfully pleased withall. As ever you would please God get on these:

I. Be cloathed with Humility, 1 Pet. 5. 5. This is a Garment which must be put on, or else you cannot be accepted or saved, Matth. 18. 3. Here is the dress that you must come to God in. He must be served in humility of mind, Acts 20. 14. You must humble your selves to walk with him, Mich. 6. 8. Humility is a plain, but yet a comely gar­ment. This grace doth eminently honour God; and therefore God doth put a peculiar honour upon, and manifest a most special delight in this. Of all the men in the world this is the man that God will lock unto; even he that is poor and of a contrite spirit that trembleth at his Word, Isa. 66. 2. Though he be the high and lofty One, who inhabiteth Eternity, whose Name is Holy, (from [Page 21] whence the trembling soul is ready to conclude, that surely such a fearful Majesty, cannot but de­spise him; such sin hating purity cannot but ab­hor him; yet he will lay ( Isa. 47. 15.) aside his Majesty and bear with mans impurity, and condescend to most familiar and constant commu­nion and cohabitation with his poor dust, when contrite at his feet, and prostrate in humility. If thou wouldst be accepted of God, come as Benha­dads servants to the King of Israel with a rope about thy neck, and ashes on thy head, 1 King. 20. 32. think meanly of thy self, and God will ho­nour thee, 1 Sam. 2. 30. Put thy self in the low­est room, and God will set thee higher. Be lit­tle in thine own eyes, and thou shalt be high in his. A proud heart and a proud look is with God the first-born of abomination. As ever thou wouldst have God well-pleased with thee, be throughly displeased with thy self: If thou dost throughly loath thy self, God doth love thee: If thou abhorrest thy self, God delighteth in thee. Be angry with thy self, and the Almighty will turn away his anger from thee: Condemn thy self and God will acquit thee. In no wise extenuate thy sins, nor justifie thy self. Think the worse of thy self, and be willing that others should think meanly of thee, and heartily love them that slight thee. This is the frame in which God is well-pleased: pass sentence on thy self, and God will absolve thee: Set thy self at his foot-stool, and he will lift thee up into the Throne, Rev. 2.

II. Labour for sincerity: This is not a distinct grace from the rest; yet for Doctrines sake I speak to it distinctly. Vprightness is the great thing that God looks after, and covenants for, Gen. 17. 1. [Page 22] It renders all our persons and performances ac­ceptable before God, Prov. 15. 8. Such as are up­right in the way are Gods delight, Prov. 11. 20. To these are all the promises of peace, Salvation, Pardon, preservation, Blessedness, Psal. 87. 10. In a word, there is no good thing God will with-hold from them that walk uprightly, Prov. 28. 10. This was Noah's praise that he was upright in his genera­tion: This was that set off Iob at such a rate that God doth so extol him for, and as it were make his boast of him, the singular sincerity and inte­grity of his heart. Study to be upright: See that the main bent of your hearts be to please God, and honour him: That Gods interest be uppermost with you: That he hath the chief share in you, and the eye of the soul be principally to him; for in this sincerity doth consist, as to your main state. Let your great care be of your hearts: Here is a Christians great work. The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the out­ward appearance, but the Lord looketh to the heart: see therefore that thou look to it: Let thine eye be chiefly there where Gods eye is: He look­eth not so much what thou dost as with what a heart: Go then and do likewise: yet be not sa­tisfied in this that you are upright as to your states, but labour to approve your selves in up­rightness to God in your particular actions: Do common as well as spiritual actions with holy ends: Much of our lives are lost for want of this: So much as is done for God, of his strange grace he accounts himself our debtour. But what is done for no higher end then self, is lost from our account.

III. Put on a spirit of zeal and activity. How [Page 23] wonderfully is God pleased with Phineas zeal, Numb. 25. 11, 12, 13. What a great approbation doth he manifest of him? What an attestation doth he give to him? he is so greatly pleased with his zealous appearance for him, that he turns a­way his displeasure from the whole congregation of Israel, and overlooks their crimson provocati­ons against him. On the contrary, there is no­thing that God is more displeased with then the remisness, and lifelessness, and indifferency in Reli­gion. The luke-warm water is not a greater of­fence to the stomach, then the luke-warm Profes­sour is to God; and therefore he will spue such a one out of his mouth, Rev. 3. 16. Christians, where is your zeal for the Lord of Hosts? Christs redee­med must be zealous of good works: Tit. 2. 14. not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord, Acts 18. 25. Rom. 12. 11. Acts 26. 6, 7. instantly night and day for the hope of the pro­mise: do not only that which is right in the sight of the Lord, but do it with all your heart: The Lord loveth a willing servant: Bestir your selves for the Lord. Be ye followers of Christ who went up and down doing good. Every Christian should be a common blessing. A pub­like good. This is to be the children of your Fa­ther which is in Heaven, who is good unto all, and his tender mercies are over all his works: And be sure the Father doth best love that child that is most like him: A private narrow spirit is a low and a base spirit; unworthy of a Christian. A Catholick communicative spirit, full of great de­sires, and great designes. A large heart, set upon doing good, whose fire though ever hottest within, will be breaking forth of his breast and provoking [Page 24] others: whose love will not be confined to a party; but gladly and thankfully owneth Christ where­ever he sees him. This Catholick spirit, I say, is the glory of Religion; the Churches blessing, and Gods delight.

IV. Live by faith, Heb. 10. 38. This is a pre­cious grace in Gods account, 2 Pet. 1. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 7. It giveth glory to God; and therefore God taketh no small pleasure in it. By faith Enoch ob­tains that testimony that he pleased God, Rom. 4. 20. Heb. 11. 5. 2 Cor. 4. 18. Heb. 11. 39. Matth. 8. 10. If you would so walk as to please God, you must walk by faith. Christians must look to the things unseen; they must not live at the common rate: Christ must be their life and breath, their prayers and their promises, their dayly bread. By faith did the Elders ob­tain that good report: 'twas Faith that Christ was so greatly taken with in the Centurion, which made him to commend him for a none-such. This was that which won such a singular praise and approbation from our Saviour to the woman of Canaan; even her victorious faith, Matth. 15. 28. Thou hast taken away my heart, my Sister, my Spouse, thou hast taken away my heart with one of thine eyes, Cant. 4. 9. that is, with thy faith. Live in the power of faith, and thou wilt please him to the heart: Give glory to him by believing. Let the life thou now livest in the flesh be by faith of the Son of God.

Live by faith in prosperity, though thou hast the world about thee, let it not be above thee: Keep it at thy feet; use it as thy servant: Be much in the views of glory, and contemplation [Page 25] of Eternity: Buy as though thou possest not, re­joyce as though thou rejoycedst not, love as though thou lovedst not, use this world as not abusing it, it is but a fashion not a substance, and that which it is passeth away, 1 Cor. 7. 30, 31. Use it there­fore with mortified affections, and prove the sin­cerity of your faith by the victory over your in­ordinate content and delight in, and desires after, and cares for the things of this world, 1 Iohn 5. 4.

Live by faith in adversity: Weep as though you wept not; enduring the cross and despising the shame, as looking unto Jesus, Heb. 12. 2. Heb. 11. 26. accounting Christs reproaches your riches, his shame your glory, Acts 5. 41. Compare these light afflictions with the weight of glory, 2 Cor. 4. 17. Rom. 8. 18. Ply your hearts with the Pro­mises. Count if you can the riches that are laid up in them. Roll your selves upon the Lord, Psal. 37. 5. and know that your heavenly Father hath no greater delight, then to see his Children trust him with confidence, when all visible helps are out of sight, and he seems to be their enemy, Iob 13. 15.

V. Put on the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, this is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Pet. 3. 4. Study to be like your Father, slow to anger, ready to forgive, Psal. 130. 1. 8. forgetting inju­ries, loving enemies, requiting ill-will with kind­ness, ill words with courtesies, neglects with be­nefits; and if any wrong you, do him a kindness the sooner: so shall you bear his likeness and be his delight. And know ye that are of unmorti­fied passions and unbridled tongues God hath an especial hatred and displeasure against, a froward [Page 26] heart and a froward tongue, Prov. 3. 32. 11, 20. 1. 12. 8. 12. Oh seek meekness: How can the holy Dove rest in a wrathful heart. Christ is a Lamb of meekness: how can he take pleasure in an un­quiet contentious spirit: Verily with the froward he will shew himself froward, Psal. 18. 26. If you will not forgive others he will not forgive you. Art thou hard to be pleased, a froward wife, a froward master, a cross and willful servant? surely God will not be pleased with thee: he will mete to you as you measure to others, Matth. 16. 24.

VI. Get a spirit of self-denyal. God is then pleased best when self is displeased most: When we can be content to be emptied, content to be a­based, that God may be honoured; and with the Holy Baptist, are wiling to be eclipsed by Christ; willing to decrease that he may increase: counting our selves no losers whilst his interest is a gainer: Iohn. 3. 29, 30. rejoycing that we are made low for Christs advancement: This is well-pleasing unto God: How greatly was he pleased with Solomon's self-denying choice, and gives him his asking, throwing in riches, and honours into the bargain? 1 Kings 3. 10, 11, 12. Strange was A­braham's self-denyal. What! to sacrifice with his own hand, the whole hope of his Family! the Heir of Promise! the Child of his Years! a Son! an only Son! when his life was bound up in the lads life! Was ever mortal thus put to it? But Abraham shall not be a loser. God gives him a testimony from Heaven: blesses him, blesses his Seed: blesses all Nations in him, Gen. 22. 15, 16, 17, 18. Wonderful was Moses his self-denyal; but more wonderful was his acceptation and re­ward, [Page 27] Heb. 11. 24. none like Moses, Deut. 34. 10. God preferred him in another manner then Pha­raoh could. He must speak with him face to face as a man with his friend: His word shall be as it were a Law with God: Speak for whom he will, they shal be spared though they seemed to be devo­ted to destruction. But speak against him who durst, he shall be sure to bear his iniquity, Numb. 12. 8. Forget self: Renounce thine own wisdom; thine own worthiness; thine own will; Bite in thy passions: Curb thine appetite: Bridle thy tongue: This do and thou shalt be greatly accepted: and shalt find that Gods favour will infinitely reward thee, for all the murmuring oppositions and dis­contents of thy flesh, which will be ready to be impatient to have the reins held so hard.

VII. Maintain a spirit of resolution and constancy in the ways of God, Heb. 10. 38. This was the re­nown of the three Worthies, Dan. 3. They feared not the fierceness of Nebuchadnezzars rage, nor the fire of the furnace: all the world could not make them bow: and how gloriously did God own them, and miraculously evidence his pleasure in them: Stand your ground: Resolve to live and die by substantial godliness: cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart: Let no difficulties make you change your station, then shall you be an honour and a pleasure to the God that made you.

Well then, would you know what frame of heart is pleasing to God? why this humble, sincere, zealous, active, frame, this believing, meek, self-deny­ing, resolved frame; this is the frame that is well pleasing in the sight of God?

Secondly, As to your performances, more briefly [Page 28] that those may please God, you must heedfully look to these five things.

1. That they be done by the right Rule; which is Gods Word; You must not follow the imaginati­ons of your own hearts, Numb. 15. 39. you must not do that which is right in your own eyes: In all sacred actions you must have Gods command to warrant you: you may not offer to God of that, of which you are not able to say, Thou requirest these things at our hands, Isa. 1. 12. In all civil actions you must have Gods allowance: Be sure he will never accept that which his Word con­demns; under pains of Gods displeasure, dare not to set your hands to what the Word forbids.

2. That they be done to the right end, which is Gods glory: How damnably did the Pharisees erre! How miserably did Iehu miscarry! and both in acts for the matter commanded, for want of aiming at this end.

3. That they proceed from right Principles. (1.) Faith, without which it is impossible to please God: Prayer will not avail except it be the prayer of Faith, Heb. 11. 6. We beleeve, and therefore we speak. (2.) Love: If we should give our goods to the poor, and bodies to the fire, and not from Love, it would profit us nothing. Where the slavish fear of hell only, or of the lashes of conscience, or the love of mans praise, carries men to duties, or where any other carnal principle is predominant in the act, it cannot please God. (3.) Fear: we cannot serve God acceptably, without reverence and godly fear (not slavish fear.) The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in them that hope in his mercy. Observe the happy mix­ture, where these two are conjoyned; that is, a [Page 29] true filial fear and faith. Saith David I will come into thy House in the multitude of thy mercy (Behold his faith) and in thy fear will I worship towards thy holy Temple (there is his fear with faith) Faith without fear were bold presumption: Fear with­out faith is sinful despair: joyn them together and God is well-pleased.

4. That they be done in a right manner: Prepa­redly, not rashly and inconsiderately in the presence of so dreadful a Majesty: prudently, for lawful acts may be spoiled, and be done unlawfully without consideration had to the offence that may (in some cases attend them): yea holy Duties as well as common Actions may be turned into sins, by being ill-timed, and for want of a due attending the present circumstances: Holily, not rashly, ut­tering any thing with our mouths before God; but behaving our selves as in his sight: Heartily, not feignedly: with our lips going, when our minds are gadding.

5. That they be directed through the right means, that is, Iesus Christ the only way to the Father: Bring all thy Sacrifices to the High Priest, offer all upon this Altar, else all is lost: not that it is e­nough to say ( Through our Lord Iesus Christ, Amen) at the end; but in every duty you must come with lively dependance on him for righte­ousness and strength, for assistance and acceptance. Remember to do all in the name of the Lord Iesus: to come leaning upon his hand, without this all your services will be rejected at last.

Awakening Questions propounded to the VNCONVERTED:
And Counsels to the CONVERTED.

THat I may reach every Mans Case, I shall speak something to the Unconverted, and something to the Converted.

For the Vnconverted, there are these Six Que­stions which I would advise them daily to put to their Souls.

Q. I. What estate did my Soul come into the world in? Was it not in a state of Death, Ephes. 2. 1. An estate of Wrath? Verse 3. Sirs, awake and bethink your selves where you are, and whither you are going. While you are in your natural unconverted unbelieving state, all your sins are unpardoned, and the wrath of God abideth on you, Acts 3. 19. Iohn 3. 36. Suppose you saw a poor creature hanging over a burning fiery fur­nace by nothing but a twine-thred like to break every moment, would not your hearts shake for such a one? Sirs, it is your very case, you hang over the infernal burnings by nothing but the small thred of your lives, which you know not but it may crack the next moment, and then where are you? Is this a Case for you to go on merrily, and contentedly in?

Q. II. What condition is my soul now in? Am I changed and renewed by conversion, or am I not? Speak Conscience, hath this man, this wo­man [Page 67] man been soundly and savingly changed both in heart and life? where are your evidences? Can you shew the marks of the Lord Jesus upon your souls? Let your conscience answer: where was the place? what was the means? when was the time, that thy soul was throughly renewed? At least if you cannot shew the time, place, nor means, can you prove the thing? Can you say with him [one thing I know, that whereas I was blind I now see.] Sirs, be not deceived, I tell you whatever you be, and whatever you do, nothing will avail you to salvation except you be new creatures, Gal. 6. 15.

Q. III. What if I should lose my soul? What fair work should I make of it then? This is very possible, Matth. 16. 26. Yea it is the case of the most: There are but few, few of the children of men that do escape safe to Hea­ven, Matth. 7. 14. Sirs, be aware of your dan­ger, and fear lest a promise being left of entring into Rest, any of you should at last come short of it, Heb. 4. 1. Suppose a man were to tra­vel through some perilous Wood or Wilderness, having but one Jewel in all the world, in which his All was bound up, and should see some stand on one hand and some on the other, and hear one company in this place and another in that, crying out under the hands of some cruel Robbers: Oh in what fear would this Traveller go least he should lose this Jewel, and be Rob­bed of all at once? Why thou art the man. This Traveller is thy self; This Jewel is thy Soul; This Wilderness or Wood is this World thou art to Travel through. Swarms of sins, Le­gions of Devils, a whole world of Temptations, [Page 68] these are the Robbers that lie in wait for thy Soul: and if all that these can do can keep thee out of Heaven thou shalt never come there. Oh what if thy Pride, or worldliness, thy delays, and triflings in Religion, should at last betray thy Soul into the Robbers hands? Other losses may be repaired; But thy Soul being once lost, God is lost, Christ is lost, Heaven, all lost for evermore.

Q. IV. What do I do for my Soul? What have I a Soul and immortal Soul to care for, and look no better after it, nor bestow no more of my time, nor pains upon it, no more of my thoughts about it? When Augustus the Empe­rour saw the out-Landish Women carrying Apes, and such kind of strange Creatures in the Streets in their Armes, he asked what! have the Women in these Countries no children? So it may be said of many among us, that are early and late at their worldly business, but let the care of Re­ligion lie by neglected; what have these men no Souls? why man hast thou a Soul, and yet dost so little in thy Closet, so little in thy Family, from day to day for it? what meanest thou O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God, that thou perish not, Ionah 1. 6. what will become of thy Soul, it thou lookest to it onely at this careless rate?

Q. V. What if God should this night require thy Soul? where would death land thee? Luke 12. 19, 20. There was one that pro­mised himself many merry daies, and years, as it is like thou doest, but that same night God called for his Soul. Sirs are you in your postures? are you fit to die? oh dare not [Page 69] to live in such a case, nor in that course in which you would not dare to die?

Q. VI. What a happy case were I in if I had but secured my Soul? oh if this were but once done, how sweetly mightest thou live! Then thou mightest eat thy bread, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, when assured that God accepteth thee and thy worke, Eccle. 9. 7. Then thou mightest lie down in peace, and rise up in peace; go out and come in in peace: then thou mightest look death in the face, thou mightest look dangers in the face, yea, look Devils in the face, and never be afraid. Oh Sirs if there be any ensurance office for Souls in all the world, one would think you should be seeking to it. And thus much for the Questions, which though of use to all, yet were intended chiefly for unconverted impenitent Souls.

Counsels and Cordials for the CONVERTED.
The Counsels are These

Coun. I. THat you put hard to it to get that by these hazardous opportunities that may quit all your Cost. What pitty is it that you should adventure much and yet gain but lit­tle? How sad would it be if you should at last suffer deeply for your Conscientious attendance upon God in such seasons, and when you come into a Prison or into Banishment, should find that you had not got that by them that would bear you out.

[Page 70]Coun. II. That you value no mercy barely as it serves in content to your flesh; but as it stands in order to Eternity; and may serve to the furthering of your Makers Glory. God hath preserved your liberties, and hath restored mine: But what of all this? unless we improve our liberties for Eternity, what are we better then those that are in Prison? If this be all the advantage we have, a little more content to our flesh. The Cypher put to the Figure is of great consideration, but put by it self it signifies nothing at all. These Creature comforts separated from their respect to God, and Eternity, are of no value: but in order to these ends, they signifie much. We have ease and fullness, when many others are in pains, and in poverty; And we have much the start of them if we be wise to improve our health in laying in apace against a wet day, and preparing apace for Eternity: and if we serve the Lord with the more abundant diligence, and chearfulness, and gladness of heart, in the abundance of all things. But if this be all we have by it, that our bones do lie a little softer, and our pallats are tickled with a little the more delight, what profit have we by our health, or our estates? If they that be sick, or poor do love the Lord as well, or serve the Lord as much as we, they have the advantage of us; and better were it for us to be poor and sick as they be.

Coun. III. Rest not in probabilities for Hea­ven, but labour for certainties. Beloved, certainty may be had: or else the counsel of God to make our Calling and Election sure were in vain, 2 Pet. 1. 10. Else the experience of the Saints were but a de­lusion, [Page 71] who tell us they know they are passed from death to life, 1 Iohn 3. 14. 2 Cor. 5. 1. Iob 19. 25. 26. else the power of self-reflection were to no purpose, and the spirit which is in man should not know the things of the man, 1 Cor. 2. 11. Now if a certainty may be had, will you not put in for it, and turn every stone but that you will get it? Sirs, now if ever, you have need to put hard to it to get assurance: We are at miserable uncertainties for all out­ward enjoyments; we know not how soon we may be called to part with them all: Christi­ans, what do you mean? will you be content to have nothing sure? will you not settle your everlasting conditions, now you are so unsetled as to your outward condition? What will you do in the day of visitation, when extremity comes upon you, if you have not assurance that God will receive you? It would make ones heart tremble to think of being put up­on such a fearful temptation to part with all for Christ, and not to be sure of him neither? O man, what an advantage will the tempter now have upon thee, when he shall suggest [wilt thoube such a fool as to let go all at once? Thou seest Heaven is not sure, Christ is not sure, therefore keep the world while thou hast it, and hold what thou hast sure:] Belo­ved, what a fearful slighting of God and contempt of Heaven and Glory and all the Promises doth this argue, that you can be content to be at uncertainties, whether they be yours or not? How many of you be there that do not know whether you be going to Heaven or to Hell? and what desperate carelesness doth this argue, [Page 72] to go on from week to week in such a case? Some hopes you have that you shall do well, but put not me off with hopes, never be satis­fied till you are able to say, not only, I hope I shall be saved, but I know I am passed from death to life; I know that when the earthly house of this Tabernacle shall be dissolved, I have a buil­ding not made with hands, &c. 2 Cor. 5. 1.

Coun. IV. Be not satisfied with the truth of Grace, but reach after the Growth. Do not think all is done when you have attained the evi­dence of Grace; but put on hard towards the increase. That person that doth not desire and design perfection, never came up to Sincerity. He that desires Grace truly, desires it not barely as a Bridg to Heaven, and so to seek no more then will just bear his charges thither: but he desires it for its own sake; And therefore desires the height of it. That person that desires Grace only for Heavens sake, and inquires what is the lowest measure of Grace that any one may have and come to Heaven (by which he meaneth but to be saved from misery) upon this design, that if he could but come to that pitch he would desire no more, that person is rotten at the heart. Christans, the Lord doth expect of you, that you should not be Babes and Dwarfs, He looks now especially that you should make some progresse: What do you more then heretofore? What! do you feel his spurs in your sides, and his whip at your backs; And yet never mend your pace in Religion, nor stir one jot the faster? Let me commend to you Pauls study Phil. 3. 12. 13. 14. It argues a base and unworthy [Page 73] spirit to content our selves with little things in Religion.

Coun. V. Labour that Holiness may become your nature, and Religion your business. Then you are come to somewhat indeed in Religion, when the work of God is become your natu­ral, and beloved imployment, your Meat and Drink, your Work and Wages. When your Tongues and Hearts do as naturally run on God, as others on and of the world: much of that may be attained by constant care and prayer. Brethren let Gods work be done by you, not by the by, but as your greatest businesse: Seek first the Kingdome of God Matth. 6. 33. And so wherever you be, you may be able to give that account of your selves, that our Saviour did when they enquired of him, That you are about your Fathers business, Luke 2. 59.

Coun. VI. Confine not your Religion to your knees, but carry on an even spun thred of Holiness through your whole Course. Brethren, 'tis the disgrace of Religion that Christians are so un­like themselves, unless it be when they are in holy duties. This wounds Religion to the quick, when it shall be said of Professors, these men indeed will pray like Angels, but for ought we can see they are as Peevish, and as Touchy as any other men, and they are as Hard in their Dealings, and make as little Conscience of their Words as others do. Beloved, think not Religion lies only or cheifly in Praying, Hearing, Reading. No you must be through­out Religous. Sirs, bring forth your Reli­gion out of your Closets into your ordinary Course. Let there not be a life of Holiness on [Page 74] the outside of the Cloth: But Let Holiness be woven into the whole of your Conversations. Here lies the excellency & difficulty of Religion: when you have the baits of intemperance before you, then to hold the Reins hard, and deny your flesh: when you have provocation before you, then to bite in your passions, and bridle the unruly member? When you have dealings with others, then to proceed by that golden rule of Equity and Charity, To do to others as your Consciences tell you, you would have them do in the like case to you. When you are called upon in your several relations, then to be­have your selves with that tenderness and love, with that reverence and obedience, with that courtesie and condescension, and kind­ness that becomes you in your various capacities; In this I say lies the Excellency of Religion.

Coun. VII. Ever walk with your End in your Eye. It is true, according to the usual and useful similitude, The Traveller thinks not of his Journeyes end every step, nor need he: yet there is no Traveller but thinks of it at his setting out: Brethren, there is nothing hinders but that with Prayer and Watchfulness you might come to this, in every solemn action to mind God as your End: Impose this upon your selves as your daily rule to walk by, never to lie down but with these thoughts [ Well I will make use of my Bed as an Ordi­nance of God for my natural refreshment, that a weary Servant of his may be fitted for his work.] Never to rise up but with these thoughts I will set forth this day in the Name of the [Page 75] Lord, and make it my business this day throughout to please him:] Never to set to your callings but in the entrance to think thus [ I will set about my employment in obedience to God, be­cause this is his will, that I should walk with him in my place and station.] Never to sit down to your Tables but thinking [ I will now Eat and Drink not meerly to feed my flesh, but to cherish a Servant of Christ Iesus, that he may have strength for his service:] Charge this upon your selves, and examine in the evening, how you have minded it, and check your selves wherein you come short. Once learn this, and you are come up to something: and you shall have the undoubted evidence of your sincerity, and shall know the inside of that blessed mi­stery of walking with God.

Coun. VIII. Be and do more then ordinary in your Familys, and Closets now in the defects of the more Publick Ordinances.

1. In your Closets: See that your Consci­ences be able to bear you witness, that under Gods extraordinary providences, you do more then ever in answer thereunto. It may be you Prayed twice in the day heretofore; why should you not at such a time as this is, make one visit more then ordinary to Heaven, daily to represent before God the calamites of his Church. This be sure of, that somewhat more then heretofore must now be done, else God will look upon himself as intollerably slighted; and upon his Church as most unnaturally neg­lected, if we do not now put to it. Be more then ever in self-examination. God doth look that when he is trying of us, we should be [Page 76] much in the trial of our selves. And here let me put it to your Consciences: How are your rules for daily examination looked after? Do you try your selves by them from day to day? Ah wretched negligence! what have you given your approbation and passed your promise, and yet even in such a day as this so much forget your duty? God expects it of you, that now you see him angry, you should with more jealous fear and tender circumspecton and holy watchfulness and self-denial walk before him; else you will greatly incense his indignation, when he shall see that you slight his anger.

2. In your Families: Christians, now the Lord calls aloud upon you to set your houses in order. Oh see what is amiss in them, and strive to cast out that which may be a provocati­on. Three things I advise you to with reference to your Families.

1. That you set up the Solemn exercise of Cate­chising weekly among them: Methinks I would not question but that in every Godly Family there is a care of the Catechisme. But when Go­vernours do onely impose it in general upon their Families; and occasionally take an ac­count, I find but little progress is made: and therefore I beseech you, to make it a Solemn, standing, and constant exercise; and to expect of your children and servants as due an account weekly of what they have learnt in the Prin­ciples of Religion, as of any business of your own. Oh the incredible benefit that would speedily come of this, if I could but perswade and prevail with my hearers in so small a re­quest as this!

[Page 77]2. That you be often enquiring into their spiritual estates; Follow them close, and let them have no quiet till you see they seriously mind and seek spirituall things. Put them upon secret Prayer: Provide helps for them till they are able to go without them: Shew them often the necessity of Regeneration, and Conversion, and the nature thereof. Put them in mind of the fearfull misery of an unregenerate estate. Ask them often whether they are Converted or not. Shew them the danger of delaying in such a case. Beloved, 'tis too sadly evident that as the Ordinances are now somwhere ma­naged, there is little of Conversion work like to be done. Oh you Governours of Families, do but your duty in your several places, and I doubt not but many Souls will nevertheless be Born to Christ, even in such a day as this.

3. Call them to an account of their proficiency by every opportunity. If there be but a Sermon, or a Chapter read, let them give you some account of it. Thus our Saviour, when the Disciples (his Family) were in private, he was asking them whether they did understand, and profit by what they heard in publick.— Mat. 13. 1.

Coun. IX. Be not discouraged by the present Difficulties of Religion, but rather rejoyce in the op­portunity to shew your Love and Loyalty to your Lord. Do not think God hath dealt hardly with you now your Religion is like to cost you something, and presently think of shrinking, and drawing back to preserve your safety: If you do love the Lord Jesus you should Rejoyce, and be exceeding glad in the opportunity to shew it. Brethren, what hath your Religion cost [Page 78] you hitherto? And for shame suffer not your shrinking, and withdrawing to tell the world that you have not Love enough to Christ to en­gage you to run any hazard for him. Do you indeed Love the Lord? oh then now rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for never had you such an opportunity in all your lives to shew your Love as now; For never were you called to ad­venture so for him, and his service, as now you be. Now resolve, that if Religion will make you Vile, you will be yet more Vile; and let your Zeal and resolution for God be intended and heightened by the opposition.

The Cordials follow, which are Sacra­crament-Cordials.

THis holy Sacrament is appointed as a Sealing Ordinance between Christ and you. The Covenants are made, the terms agreed to on both sides; God is willing to be yours to all intents and purposes; your Shield and exceeding great Reward, your Refuge and your Rest, your God, and your Guide. While Christ hath it you shall never want; and what God is to him, that he (in your order) will be to you.

You again (through grace) are willing to [Page 79] be his: His in his own way, and on his own terms: willing to serve him; willing to fashion your selves after him, willing to be betrothed to him and to be commanded by him; to use his remedies, to follow his counsels, and to acquiesce in him as your Blessedness: Thus all are agreed; the Articles are drawn; The Co­venants both on Gods part and yours are ready written: And here you are come to put all past controversie, and mutually to seal and subscribe: Oh happy and blessed meeting! Christians, do not forget your errand, Remember where you are, and what you are come for, and know that you are upon the solemnest transaction that ever passed between the Creator and the Creature: It is Gods admirable condescention that he will be tied to us, and enter into bonds to us, to bless us, and reward us. And because our Faith is weak he hath brought his Surety with him, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is a Surety on his part, as well as ours, to undertake for the fulfilling of the promises. And he hath brought the visible signs and pledges by which all shall be firmly past and ratified before your eyes. This is the New Testa­ment in my Bloud, Luke 22. 20. Written in my Bloud: Ratified in my bloud. Oh Sirs, this is that which God doth here reach forth unto you with his own hand this day; The New Testament in Christs Bloud. Christians, prepare your Ears; And rouze up your Faith, and now believe and hear some of the blessed Articles of that Covenant that God doth here Sign and Seal to you: I shall mention onely Nine, which I advise you to lay next your hearts while you have a day to live. And you shall find the vertue of these Cor­dials [Page 80] strong and operative in all conditions.

Arti. I. That he will fulfil to you the place of all Relations 2 Cor. 6. 18. I will be a Father to you, and yee shall be my Sons and Daughters. What­ever Children may expect from a Father, that you may look for from me: I will find you Meat, be not thoughtful, I know that you have need of all these things, Matth. 26. 31, 32. You shall be Clothed out of my Ward-robe, Matth. 6. 28, 29, 30. and wear my Livery: And when you have need of Correction, I will Remember to do it in mercy, and you shall find, that as a man chastneth his Son, so the Lord your God cha­steneth you, Deut. 8. 5.

I will be a Husband to you and will betroth you unto me for ever, Hosea. 2. 19. You shall not need to fear, your Maker is your Husband: I will give you my choice Love: I will give you my heart.

I will be a Lord and Soveraign to you: The Lord is your Iudge: The Lord is your Law­giver: The Lord is your King: Fear not the un­righteousness of men; I will judge your cause, I will defend your Rights, you shall not stand or fall at mans Bar; you shall not be cast at their Votes: Let them Curse, I will Bless: Let them Condemn, I will Justifie: Who shall accuse, when I shall acquit you? Who shall lay any thing to your charge, when I do discharge you? When you come upon trial for your life to have your eternal state decided, you shall see your Friend, your Father on the Bench: And you shall surely stand in judgment, and be found at the right hand among the sheep and hear the King say, Come yee Blessed.

I will be a Shepherd to you, fear no evil, for I am [Page 81] with you, you shall not want for I will feed you: you shall not wander to be lost, for I will re­store you: I will cause you to lie down in green Pastures, and lead you beside the still waters: if my Officers be careless, I will do it my self: As for you O my flock, thus saith the Lord God, I will judge between Cattel and Cattel, I will feed my flock, saith the Lord God, and cause them to lie down. I will seek that which is lost, and bring again that which is driven away, and bind up that which is broken, and strengthen that which is sick; but I will destroy the Fat, and the strong, and will feed them with judgment.

I will be a Physician to you. I will heal your backslidings, and cure all your diseases, fear not, never did soul miscarry that left it self in my hands and would but follow my prescriptions.

Well this is one of the Articles that God here sealeth to, that he will be to you in the place of all Relations. Silence thou quarelling unbelief, methinks I hear thy whispers, that this is too good to be true, that it were presump­tion in us to count upon all this. What shall they that must say to corruption, thou art my father, be able to say to the incorruptible God, thou art my Father; Shall they that must say to the worm thou art my mother, and my sister, be able to say to the Angels of Light, ye are my fellow Servants? And to the King of Glory, Thou art my Brother, and my Kinsman? Shall Majesty espouse himself to misery, and the worms meat be married to Immortallity and life, How can these things be?

Nay but O heart of Infidelity, who art thou [Page 82] that repliest against God? Dost thou, under a sly pretence of humility, question with thy Ma­ker and call his Veracity into doubt? Is not this his Word, his Promise, his Covenant? and is not here his Seal? why then dost thou doubt O thou of little Faith?

Art. II. That he will entitle you to all the Di­vine Persons and Perfections, Gen. 17. 7. I will be a God unto thee; mark, God gives away himself; and he gives his Son to you, Isa. 42. 6. I will give thee for a Covenant of the people. This is the Churches triumph, Isa. 9. 6. unto us a Son is given. And he gives his Spirit to you, Iohn 14. 16. He shall give you another Comforter. And Believers acknowledge the Receipt, 1 Cor. 2. 12. We have received the Spirit which is of God. Thus you see all the Persons of the God-head are made over to you; and so are all the Perfections of the God-head; for so the Covenant runs, Gen. 17. 1. I am the All-mighty God, or the All-sufficient God, walk before me and be upright: these are the terms between God and a believer, Be thou upright before me, and I will be All-suffi­cient to thee: The All-sufficiency of God is the comprehension of all his Perfections. Truth without Power, or Power without Wisdome, or both without Goodness, would not be All-sufficiency: All-sufficiency takes in all that is in God (it we may speak of Gods most simple Es­sence according to the shallow reach of our pre­sent capacity) yea it comprehends infinitely more then can be said or thought. Why now this is the Covenant of grace which God esta­blishes with you this day, that he will be a God All-sufficient to you.

[Page 83]Christians rouse up your Faith: Now appro­priate and apply the Promises: Now believe strongly, and stedfastly, and believing will fill you with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. I do not wonder if your Faith be put to it in so high and great a mistery; To draw nigh to the infinite Majesty, and consideringly, and with­out hesitancy to say, Thou art mine and all that thou hast, this is no easie thing. But thou mayst not dare to doubt it. Canst thou question him who is the Truth? can the strength of Israel lie, or his word deceive thee? But the soul is ready to reply, oh the thing is too high, and too great for me to presume to believe, and is ready with Peter, astonied to cry out, Depart Lord, for I am a sinful man. But why doth thine hand tremble, and thy heart fail thee, and thy feet (with Peters when walking on the waters) be­gin to sink? What doest thou stick at? Is it at the truth of the Promise? No saith the trem­bling soul, but sure so much can never belong to me so sinful, I am afraid it is not mine, why, what saith the Promise? onely be upright. What though thou hast an hundred failings, yet thy heart is upright: the bent of thy heart is mainly for God and Holiness; thou makest conscience of all sin, little as well as great, secret as well as open, and doest not deliberately allow thy self in any: thou doest in the settled frame of thy heart prefer the pleasing of God, and value his favour, and fellowship above all worldly good, therefore thou art upright, these marks are infalliable. What, doest thou object thy failings? Art thou under a Covenant of works? Do you think God now stands upon Perfection? The [Page 84] Covenant is plain: God conditions but for upright­ness, and God hath wrought in thee the condition that he requirts of thee. What can be plainer? wilt thou suffer the Devil and unbelief to catch the Bread out of thy hand, when God tells thee it is thine? wilt thou be against thy self, and re­fuse thine own peace, when God is come to Seal thee up to the day of Redemption: This is that which the Lord here Seals to thee, That he will be God All-sufficient to thee. O believe, and be thankful, and rejoyce in thine own blessedness: O happy, thrice happy souls, whom the living God thus Signeth and Sealeth to, and Assignes over all his infinite Perfections as its everlasting possession.

Art. III. That he will discharge you from all your Debts. Heb. 8. 10, 12. This is the Covenant, I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more, Isa. 1. 18. Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as Snow. Believest thou this? Come near beloved Christian, approach believingly, and here thou shalt see the Lord Crossing our all thy Debts, taking away the hand writing that is against thee, declaring that he hath received a Ransome and is satisfied, Content, and Paid. Oh happy man that shall leave all thy sins be­hind thee, why this is the very thing that the faithful God doth here Seal unto thee. Thy Pardon is writen in this Sacred bloud, which is here shed for the remission of sins. So that thou mayest triumph with the Apostle, Who is he that condemneth, it is Christ that died, Rom. 8. 34.

Art. IV. That he will save you from all your [Page 85] enemies, not from the Combate, but from the Con­quest. The victory shall be sure, so far God is engaged. So the Covenant runs in its first discovery, That the Seed of the Woman should break the Serpents head, though he should bruise his heel, Gen. 3. 15. by the Seed of the Woman, understand not Christ only, but all Believers: by the Serpent understand not Satan only, but all his party, the ungodly persecuting world, which are his Children; and all our Tyrannous Lusts which are his brood, his works. By his bruising our heel, understand his molesting, and wounding of us, but not mortally. By our brea­king his head, understand the total and final victory which we shall most certainly obtain over him and all his party at last. Christians, what should you fear! Death? The Cove­nant here Sealed makes over Death as a Legacy to you, and behold it brings you the head of your conquered enemy in a Charger. 1 Cor. 3. 22. Death is yours: O blessed and most grate­ful present. Satan? The Covenant assures you God will bruise him under your feet shortly, Rom. 16. 20. The World? Be of good chear, Christ hath overcome the World, John. 16. 33. Hell? There is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus, Rom. 8. 1. Sin? This in­deed is to be dreaded, but with a watchful and cautious fear: not with a fainting discouraging fear: sin shall not have dominion over you, Rom. 6. 13, 14.

Christians, here now is meat for your Faith, What do all these holy Promises nothing move you? or carry little savour, or relish with them? What, shall the All-mighty God give it to thee under his own hands that thou art a free­man, [Page 86] and thou make little account of it? shall he give thee thy protection, and thou lay it by as a useless paper that signifies little? O sirs, when your hearts are ready to faint because of the Sons of Anak that be in the way, when you see the black guard gaping upon you, and the King of Terrours levelling at you, and a wicked World armed with rage against you, and full of malice, and the theeves and conspiratours in the bosome watching their opportunity to betray all to them, yet let not this discourage you: These were enough in­deed to make a considering mans heart to melt, and die within him, but that the Covenant of Grace yields such ample releif against all. Oh be ever mindfull of the Covenant: Remember what hath past this day between the Living God and your Souls: Watch O Christian, and stand fast, quit thee like a man. The Conquest is sure: Who would not fight with courage that hath assurance of the Victory.

Art. V. That he will befriend you in all con­ditions. He will be a fast friend to you in every change, and turn all things to your good, even when you are ready to say unbelievingly with Iacob, All these things are against me, Rom. 8. 28. Gen. 42. 36. If he brings you into the Wilderness, There he will speak comforta­bly to you, Hosea 2. 14. In the fire, And in the water he will be with you, Isaiah 43. 2. He will be a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, and a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall, Isa. 25. 4.

Beloved, here the Lord is come to Seal [Page 87] all these Promises to you: Oh go home and bless your selves in the sweet security of your estate. God hath promised you that what e­ver condition you be in, you shall have suc­cour, and support from him, and enjoy his presence with you; and see his Finger in all your troubles, sweetly turning all to the best: Go away and live like Believers. Be not afraid of suffering, but shew that you believe what God hath promised, that affli­ctions shall not hurt you. The next time any trouble comes upon you, Remember what a Promise God hath passed unto you this day, and wait on him believingly for the happy issue and and event of every triall that shall befall you.

Art. VI. That he will take upon him the care of all your Concernments. You must be Carefull in nothing, Phil. 4. 6. He careth for you, 1 Pet. 5. 7. Take no thought what you shall eat or drink, neither be of doubtful mind, but rather seek you the Kingdome of God, and all these things shall be added to you, Luke 12. 29, 31. Come you to this holy Ordinance in any distress or trouble? Methinks you should go from it as Hannah, and your countenance be no more sad. God will number your hairs, and will take care that nothing be lost, John 6. 39. Luke 12. 7. He will take care of your names, and bring forth your Righteousness as the Light, Psalm 37. 5, 6. of your subsi­stence, He will give meat to them that fear him, and be ever mindful of his Covenant, Psalm 111. 5. of your seed, for he will be a God unto them, and will entail the blessing upon them, [Page 88] Gen. 17. 7. He commands that your Wi­dows and Fatherless Children should be left on him. He is by Covenant to look after their concerns, you need not be solicitous. He is tender of you when he seems most to neg­lect you, as Moses sister that was secretly watching behind the Bush, and wistly looking on, to see what was done to the Child, though to the Finders it seemed exposed to Famine, and Death in the Flags.

Art. VII. That he will give you, or be him­self to you instead of all Comforts. He will be a Sun and a sheild, and will give Grace and Glory, and no good theing will he withold from them that walk uprightly, Psalm 84. 11. Oh the treasure in these words. I am thy Shield and exceeding great Reward! I will undertake both for thy Protection and Provision: When any evil assailes thee I will be a Shield to thee: When any good is wanting I will be a Sup­ply. Thou shalt have Children, or I will be better to thee then ten Children. Thou shalt have Riches, or I will be thy Store. Thou shalt have Friends if best for thee, or else I will be thy Comforter in thy solitude, thy Counsellour in thy distress. My Secrets, my Ear, and my Door shall be ever open to thee, Mark 10. 30. He shall receive an hundred fold now in this time: Though he have not the things themselves, yet he shall have all these, and more then all in me: I will be House, and Friend, and Father to him all in one. If you should have an hundred Candles burning in a Room, and should put out every one, and open the window and let [Page 89] in the Sun, this would be better then the hundred lights that were put out: So here, though thou shouldst be called to forsake all, 'twill be but as the letting the Cistern run and open to thee the Fountain.

Arti. VIII. That he will maintain you all your daies in his service. He will be your Guide even unto Death, Psalm 48. 14. Christans, whilst you have a day to live, God will stand by you: He will never leave you nor forsake you, Heb. 13. 5. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the daies of your lives, Psalm 23. 6. And the Lord will never turn away from you to do you good, Jer. 32. 40. Oh happy Covenant that the Lord Sealeth to you.

Art. IX. That when you come to Age he will give the Kingdome to you. God saith to the Believer here: Thine is the Kingdome: What ever is promised in the Covenant, is Sealed in the Sacrament, Luke 12. 32. It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom, Luke 22. 29. I appoint unto you a Kingdome, mark the promise is pregnant with a Kingdome. 'Tis no less then a Crown, a Kingdome, that is here delivered to you, Luke 19. 12. A certain noble man went into a far Country to receive to himself a Kingdome and to return: This is the business you are come for hither, to receive to your selves a Kingdome and so to re­turn. Oh methinks you should forget what ground you go upon, as you are going home, to think what you have received here: me­thinks you should go forth as Haman from the Banquet joyful and with a glad heart. [Page 90] Sirs, do you know what you are doing? why the Lord doth by these signs give you the Kingdome as a man by the delivering to you a Turf or a Key gives possession of an House, or Land. Brethren, have you ever read of the Kingdome of joy, of the Crown of life, of the Robes of Righteousness, of the Thrones of Glory? Why all this God here makes over to you: I tell you Sirs, these are not big words, nor cunningly devised fables. God All-mighty is here come to certifie you of the reality of his promises. As sure as you do now sit on your seats, you shall shortly sit on your Thrones. As sure as you are now cloathed with flesh, so surely shall you be cloathed with Glory. Are you sure that you are now on Earth? so surely shall you be shortly in Heaven. The Lord intendeth you but for a very little while in this lower Region, you must dwell above; where Christ is, there you must be also. As sure as you now see a Crucified Christ, so sure shall you shortly see a Glo­rified Christ. The Lord Jesus doth antici­pate his sentence here, and calls to you, Guests, Come ye Blessed, inherit the Kingdome. Take the writing, behold the Seals, here are the Conveyances of the Kingdome: The donation is sure and full, unalterable, irrevocable.

Christians, do you believe? If you do, me­thinks you should be ravished: methinks you should be filled with joy unspeakable and full of Glory! But do you stagger at the promise through unbelief? Do you sey, oh it is too much, and too great? why how can that be? What! too great for God to make good? thou darest [Page 91] not think so: But it is too great for me to count upon. Why but man, dost thou not bear upon thee the marks of the Lord Iesus; Whose Image and Superscription is this? Doth not your very heart prize Christ above all the world? Hast thou not made a deliberate choice of him, for thy Head and Husband? Hast not thou entred in­to a solemn contract with him, to be his for all times and conditions, and to love, honour and o­bey him, before all others to the death? And doth not thy heart stand to this choice? Hast not thou taken him with his Yoke, and with his Cross? And dost not thou in thy practice first seek the Kingdome of God, and the Righteousness thereof? And hast not thou chosen the way of the Kingdome? Art not thou in love with Holi­ness, and desirest grace more then Gold? Dost not thou prefer a holy and spiritual life, before all the grandeur of the world, and pleasure of the flesh? And all this not only for a fit or a flash, but in the setled frame and disposition of thy heart? surely thou must wrong God and thy self, if thou deniest it to be thus with thee. Why these are the marks of the Lord Iesus upon thee, the sure marks: fear not, these can not deceive thee, They evidence that thou art born of God, that thou art a Son, and so an Heir; and there­fore mayest lay claim to the inheritance.

Come then Beloved Christians be of good comfort, why shouldst thou doubt? Thou hast the mark of the sheep, And therefore thy por­tion shall be at the Right hand, and thy Sentence among the Blessed. Well then, receive this Ho­ly Sacrament as the pledg of all this. Go home and look over all these blessed Promises, and count [Page 92] them thine: Do not read them (as too often heretofore) as if they did not concern thee: Re­member what God hath here promised under hand and Seal to thee, and let not all be left behind thee, when thou goest hence; but let the remembrance, the fruit and sweet of this, abide upon thee whilst thou hast a day to live, Never forget what the Lord hath here spoken to thy Soul: make more of the Promises then ever in thy life before: Bless thy self in them: Remember how the Lord delivered thee the Promises: how he Sealed to the several Articles: how he sprink­led the bloud upon the Book of the Covenant and gave it to thee, and said, This is the New Testament in my Bloud: Oh live henceforth a life of joy, and Faith, as a man that is elevated above the world. Do not live at thy old, dull, and slothful rate, carry it like a Believer, and in a word, walk as one that doth indeed take all for Truth that the Lord hath spoken to thee this day. Let that of the Apostle be a close to all, 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore these Promises dearly beloved, let us Cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh, and spirit, per­fecting Holiness in the fear of God.