THree sorts of People troubled the Church, 1. Dogs, which with open mouth fought against Christ. 2. Evil workers, who professed Christ, and yet walked inordinately. 3 The Circum­cision, that cut themselves off from Christ and the Church, by their singu­lar Opinions: and fell into Sects, and would needs joyn Circumcision and fleshly Righteousnesse with Christ: and so become confident in the flesh. Against which the Apostle opposeth his own example, who had more to boast of than they; and yet it was nothing to him, in comparison of Christ: So he perswades the Church to hold on forward in the Faith, to the crucify­ing and laying down of all things, till they come to the Resurrection of the Dead; and in all this Contention, to walk in love: that if some did not understand the truth of the Mystery of Christ, nor yet were brought thereto, yet to proceed on in love by the same Rule; & that God in time would reveal it. Here again he pro­pounds his own, and the Faithful for an Example; that they would walk in that way of Faith toward Christ, and Love amongst themselves: and then he gives them warning of the former, viz. Some in the Church that were Enemies to Christs Crosse: and so describes their course and end. 1. He propounds himself as a Pattern. 2. He warnes them of false Teachers or Brethren: In whom consider, 1. His affection, Of whom I have told [Page 2] you often, and now tell you weeping. 2. Their curse in these particulars; 1. They are Enemies to Christ. 2. Their God is their belly. 3. Their Glory is their shame. 4. They mind earthly things. 5. Their End is Damnation. This was no vain boasting, for else­where, be acknowledgeth himself the least of all Saints, but only opposeth himself and the faithful against false Brethren, who only for Glory lived in Envy, sought earthly gain by the Gospel, lived inordi­nately; and lest that weaklings by them should be drawn to fleshly liberty. But look on them which walk after our example, for we have no confidence in the flesh: We count not our selves perfect, we seek not glory, nor profit, but only the maintenance of the Truth of the Gospel; viz. Faith in Christ only, and Love to all men. So that this being their example: Note that,

Faith in Christ, and simple Love to Man is the very Summe of the Gospel, and the Life of all Reli­gion in the heart of Man, Gal. 5. Faith works by love. 1. Tim. 1. The end of the Commandment is love out of a pure heart, a good Conscience, and faith unfeigned, all else ver. 7. is dross and dung. This is the summe of all Pauls Epistles: This Paul to Tim calls the spirit of faith, love and a sound mind. Thus Paul thanks God, for to the Col. the Faith and love to all Saints, &c.

1. For these destroy Self Righteousness, and Self Con­fidence, and Self Love; which are the poyson of all Re­ligion, viz. Self Witt, and Self Will; these Adam got, and therein opposed God.

2. For by Faith he is made a Lord over all things, that will suffer nothing to start up in the Church, and in his Heart, but Christ: and by Love he is servant to all, and plyable; and servant to every one. By the one he is freed with God, and by the o­ther amongst men.

3. By Faith, he that had thought to live in, and [Page 3] by himself, through the Law, comes to dye in himself; and to live in, and by another.

4. Nay, all Religion without these is nothing, but meer opinion and conceit, whereby the heart is puff­ed up, and so not fit for mercy, and also tyed to him­self and his own good: Minde the Religion of Christ: was it any thing, but a denying of himself, and clea­ving to the Father, and giving himself to the Church in love: yea, to his very Enemies? Which Faith and Love is nothing else, but a partaker so of himself, and his own weaknesse, Sin and Death thereby: that he can believe and trust nothing in himself or the world, but only the Word of God, and in that weakness waits on Christ and meere Mercy, and cut of that dislike of himself, and love to that he sees in Christ, loves all, judgeth none but himself.

1. How far are we then from Christs Religion, when all our Religion is, 1. Either in Fire of que­stions and disputations about this and that Opinion, maintaining of our singular conceits, wherein we seem to excel others in knowledge, whereby true love is drowned quite.

2. Or in some singular conceit of quality and dis­position which we conceive in our selves, and thereby grow proud, and despise Christ, and trample mercy under our feet.

3. Or in high roveing conceits of the eternal Deity, Majesty and Power, and Secret Will, and Purpose of God, without Christ; whereby the heart is hardened.

4. Or in the Notion of the Gospel and Christ; and faith without the power thereof, gloriously vaunting of deep Mysteries: But in all these, the thing is wan­ting, viz. an humble low, believing and loving heart like unto Christ.

1. Thus in all these, man leaves his own heart, and followes his heady opinion; he forsakes Christ, and pleaseth himself with his own qualities: [Page 4] turnes from the word, and followes vain speculations, denyes the Faith, and lives by the flesh.

2. Know then, that whatever would draw thee from Christ and his Truth, is not the Doctrine of God; what­ever sets up man, and makes him any thing but a Sin­ner, is not the doctrine of Christ, but of the Devil and Antichrist; for it destroyes faith.

Pray we then that the Doctrine of the Gospel, even of Faith and Love may be continued pure in the Church: For Maus Wit and Reason will gather a thou­sand Errors out of Gods Truth, viz. when it will not be content to become a fool, but will needs comprehend a spiritual Truth, and determine thereof according to its own Principles and Judgement. Then it brings a world of absurdities; for all errors have risen out of the Wit of fleshly minded men, for the Spirit leads unto all Truth.

And I fear, there will arise men of perverse minds, to pervert the truth of the Gospel: some to their carnal li­berty, some to the establishing of a righteousnesse and power in man, without Christ: bear we the Infirmities of men: But take heed of false Doctrine in the Church, for this is the worst of all.

And I pray God, that many alive do not see that the Truth of the Gospel be turned into the Mysterie of Ini­quitie, and a greater Mysterie of spiritual wickednesse than yet we have seen: Sed magna Veritas & praevalet [...] Great is the Truth and prevaileth

4. But the kindly effect of the Gospel is, to establish these two in the heart of man, viz. to bring all things down in man by the Crosse of Christ, and so lay him low under thee feet of all: For the Gospel is a low thing, Faith is a low thing, though mighty in Christ: and Love is a low thing; Therefore all high flowen Chimical Di­vinity is the Doctrine of Satan, and not of Christ.

And therefore, if man be brought under the power hereof, then will Christ be precious to him, and his Word will be the Life and Treasure of his Soul, because [Page 5] man hath nothing to stay him in his deep humility but only he: And then will man love a man, because he is a man: and not because he is of my opinion, or good to me, or of my way or linage: but loves as Christ did, yea, h s very Enemies, As you have us for an example, viz. Us in whom you see the Truth of the Gospel to rule, and to walk according to the same, who seek Christs Kingdom, not ours, So that,

He walks safely, who truly feeling his own weak­nesse, and believes man for the Truths sake, and not the Tr [...]u [...]h for mans sake.

Follow me as I follow Christ: But many were drawn away by the Error of the wicked. For man having a good conceit of another, is apt to believe what he saith: for he believes that God is with him, and so falls into odd opinion [...].

1. Better we should never preach, than that the Gospel should be believed for our sakes. Can we that are nothing bu [...] error add to the Truth of God? nay, if God be not with us, and guide us, we shall tell a thou­sand lies for Truth.

2. But woe be to that man, who becomes by his ex­ample a perverter of the Brethren, either for matter of Faith, or Life, or Liberty: It had been better he had [...]ever been born. Take heed then how we depend on [...]an: there is one man for all, even the man Christ, Who is the way, the truth and the life: follow him in the way o [...] faith and love, of whom I have told you often: be­cause of the danger thereof, & mans weaknesse. So that,

Man is apt and weak of himself to be drawn into an [...]vil way of error, and hardly to believe the truth, and [...]tick thereto, 1. For he is blind of understanding, apt to believe any thing that may further his fleshly Kingdom, [...]oath to believe any thing that makes for the destru­ction of it.

1. Hence it follows that we fall into so many by­wayes, and by-paths of error, because we think we are able to know, and we strain our wits to comprehend, & [...]eck out a reason o [...] Gods matters, which are only to be [Page 6] believed: For though I cannot see a reason how God brings about his purpose, and righteous will, shall I therefore conclude; that he is not righteous, and not believe him; nay, Paul is glad to shut his eyes at that wisdom, Rom 11. And cryes out, Oh the height, and depth, and length of the wisdom of God.

2. Nay, nothing preserves the Truth to man, but the Crosse; for all things are tryed by the fire, and that reveals it.

3. That we may be guided in the way of Truth, First, depend on no man, nor on the opinion of man. 2. Stick to the Word of the Gospel. 3. Pray in­stantly in humility, and the Spirit shall lead us into all truth.

And now I tell you weeping: see the loving affection of Paul, First, who wept partly for those men who h [...]d forsaken the Truth of the Gospel, and turned to the World. And, 2. Partly for the danger of the Church, So that,

A loving man is truly loving to all, and truly minde­ful of the good of the Church, and advantage of Christs Kingdom in all.

1 Paul sought not theirs but them: and the care of all the Churches lay upon him.

1. Away then with this partial affection, when men reioyceth to see others misled, that he may justifie him­self: and away with this judging and not pittying, bu [...] hating them, They are enemies to the Crosse of Christ.

Men that professe Christ, but deny him in his suffe­rings: their minds is not prepared by faith and patience to bear the Crosse; partly in doctrine they denyed it not understanding that mystery, partly and especially in life; for they lived in sensuallity and fleshly pleasures and yet professed the Gospel. So that,

Manie in the Church professe Christ, and the Truth of the Gospel, which deny, and are enemies to the Crosse of Christ, and deny the power of the Gospel.

This is to denie him before men. To the Jews and Gentiles the Doctrine of the Crosse was foolishnesse. [Page 7] Paul when he was called before the Emperor, they all denied him. The false Apostles, Gal. 6. strove against Paul, and desired to have the Disciples circumcised be­cause they would not suffer persecution. The Lawyer, Matth 19. and the Stony ground.

1. For they would have Christ and the World also, which cannot be.

2. They were never brought to see their own desert, and to justifie God, for then if so, they would bear the Crosse willingly, as in Micah. 7. I will bear the indigna­tion of the Lord, because I have sinned against him.

3 They turn the grace of God into wantonnesse, and dream only of ease, and peace, and understand not the mystery of the Kingdom, but would make advantage of Christ to the satisfying of the flesh.

Now this Cro [...]e whereto they are enemies, is indeed that sore affliction, whereby man is past all helps and hope in himself, or the World,

In Christ you see it was, First, He bare the iniquity of us all, so to us, when man bears iniquity in daily reper­tance. 2. He bare the Fathers wrath, so we judgement and wrath in our selves. 3. He suffered all indignity and losse of life, so we patiently. And to be enemies hereto is, 1. To put off sin and bear it through hard­nesse of heart. 2. To pacifie wrath by self holinesse in our own conceit only. 3. And for the World to keep it alive in our hearts, and cherish it under Christs wings.

1. And how many of us are such, we all believe and like well of the Gospel, and to hear of sitting at Christs right hand, but to drink of his Cup, none hath a minde. It is good believing, when we have the Gospel before us, and the World about us, but to suffer want of all viz. the Fathers wrath, none like to this. The Child can bear any thing better, we all like Gospel, but we will loose nothing for it, which argues, we have little confidence in the truth thereof, and little joy therein.

2. But we can talk of the Crosse and sufferings, but [Page 8] we talk of it with light and merry hearts, we make but a play-game of it, for we seek not the bitternesse of Christs agony, nor the smart of the Crosse, and so we dally with all truth, we boast, with Peter, that we will die with him, but before the Cock crow, we deny him thrice.

3. A fearful thing to forsake Christ and his Crosse, so that, it is not so light a thing to be a Christian, which must suffer willingly the spoyli [...]g o [...] goods and soul & all, and be a friend of the Cross: Yea, he is the safest whom God keeps under, for hereby is the truth of the Gospel revealed indeed to man.

4. And happy is he that is guided by Christ in this way, and that his eyes are kept waking all night, and feels the terrors of the Almighty, for he is safe from se­curitie; It is not the dreaming of a power and free-will in man, by use whereof, securitie is prevented: but it is the Crosse of Christ on man, that keeps him waking; for Peter and the rest fell a sleep, notwithstanding, Christs warning given to them so often; only because they dreamed of such a power as Peter boasted, but not sen­sible of the Crosse that lyed on Christ. Nay, all errors have sprung in the Church for want of this, for while men were kept within themselves, and their own mise­rie, their pride was kept under: but when they had lost themselves, and begun to be strong men of knowledge in conceit, then they began to be masters, and run into a thousand opinions from truth, and these are the ene­mies to Christs Crosse. First, Those that live in ease and pleasure under profession and knowledge of the Gospel, and seed on the World as their dainty dish. Secondly, Those which bear out sin through hardnesse of heart; he bare the sin of all, but these bear it not as a burden, but as a pleasure and delyte: Thirdly, Which put of wrath and judgement, through self righteousnesse and qualities, and so with Christ bear not the indignation of the Lord: Fourthlie, Which are lifted up in know­ledge of Christ, but walk not in that denying, humble, and believing way of Christ: And it is a fearfull thing to stumble at this stone, and to frame a Christ to our [Page 9] selves: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will crush all those to pieces, and bring down their pride (whose god is their belly.) Those who were professors and tea­chers of the Gospel, and yet under pretence thereof ser­ved their own lusts and appetites they went talking of Religion, and thereby got good cheare: labour not in their calling but made advantage of the Gospel, to the satisfying of their lusts: These he gives warning of as e [...]emies So that,

It is a fearful thing, and dangerous in the Church, and to man: when man under knowledge and pro­fession of the Gospel, seeks chiefly the serving of his own lusts, and pleasures of his appetite and not cru­cified to the world with Christ.

Such Paul speaks of, that they served their own bellies and not Christ, and said, That they turned the grace of God into wantonesse, and yet frequented their feasts of love: And others Peter shews, that under pretence of long pray rs, spoyled widdows houses, and led captive simple Women; These Paul commanded, that seing they would not work, they should not eat: They professe that they know God, but in deed deny him, that is, They are silled with knowledge, that Christ is the way of Life in Justification, but they follow the world in their appe­titte and deny him.

1. For thus, Religion is made but only a cloak to a rotten and fleshly heart, that under it, they may better at­tain their own desires.

2. Those that have the knowledge of the Gospel without the power thereof, that have learned to know Christ, but not as the truth is in Jesus, they want the power of his death, which is indeed all.

3. These never came in by the right door, the denying of themselves, forsaking all, and taking up the Crosse.

1. And thus doth most of us that professe Christ to be our Lord and King, our life and hope, our joy, and sal­vation and that besides him, there is none under heaven, and yet none denyes him more. We, would enjoy Christ with full bellies, and purses, and so enjoy Christ in the [Page 10] Flesh but Lust: rules over the Spirit. Thus we strive to have Heaven and Earth both, which cannot be: what care and labour to please our bellies? Is not all a man [...] care for his mouth, and yet his desire is not satisfied? this we make sure of to look too; Is not most of thy life time spent in labour about that curious belly of thine, summer and winter, night and day, all is but for back and belly, and yet nature is satisfied with a litle? And these are still h [...]d-hearted men, had rather the poor perish in the Streets, than they want to satisfie their appetites: For if a man would but spare the tenth penny that he spends idelie, only to please his lust, would it not relieve a Town? Nay, if that vain waste were spared, which man spends on his lusts, only to feed a sort of fat idle hostesses, it would keep the poor of a Paroch. And then if our gairesh women would but spare one Lace and Garde of five, it would cloth them from cold. Well, Christ will be no pattern for these things. But above all ashame it is for believers to stoup to this loose god, to live daintily and fair delici­ously. How many Martyrs have lyne in prison with bread and water, and yet better hearts? are we enemies to the flesh, and yet pampers it? Is flesh thus crucified with Christ and yet so great a god unto us?

2. Then if the Crosse go not along with the Gospel, it prospers not, but flesh is strong and presseth to be sa­tisfied, and man will not, cannot lay violent hands upon it, but even this must be given of God, that he keep man down, and his lusts and desires under, viz. so to see and feel himself, as, 1. That he shall think himself unwor­thy of any food, or to live. 2. That his minde be so per­plexed with want of another thing, even Christ, that his minde is thereby drawn off all these things.

3. But he that walks orderly with Christ under the Crosse, is pleased with any thing: Brown bread and the Gospel is good fare, not vowing wilfull poverty, but rejoycing in Christ; and all his gifts, yet well contented in the want of them: whose glory is in their shame, of w [...]ll end in shame, viz They seek glory by their Reli­gion [Page 11] and Profession of the Gospel, but this course will bring more shame, then if they had never professed it. They seek glory but it is but a poor portion. So that,

Many in the Church professe the Gospel, that they may gain glory to themselves thereby in the eyes of man, rather than out of simple love, and simpathize of heart with the Gospel.

You seek honour one of another; The Disciples sought who to be greatest. Pharisees took the uppermost rooms made their Phylactaries broad, & all to be seen of men.

1. For respect is still the aim of all knowledge, and therefore, man labours for knowledge, that he may ap­pear so: this itching humour setting him a work, ra­ther than his own misery and want.

2. This doth still follow the Gospel, others that professe not, look for no glory this way, and yet this shall end in shame.

1. Is not this apparent, when men speak and talk of Religion, and utter great bumbaisted tearmes, and flie and soare above, when God speaks not in them all to be seen and heard: nay, when we preach to please men, we are not the servants of Christ; but when out of love to Christ, and sense of the miserie of man, and our own, we pitie man, and make known the will of the Father to them, then we serve Christ.

2. Have not all an aiming▪ and desire of this, man loath to appear Ignorant, but cloaths himself with knowledge: well, Christ sees thy double heart, and his servants feel not the warming power of his Spirit in thee, therefore it shall end in shame, Christ loved the Publican better than those.

3. But sure a believing, loving heart walks in shame, which shall be turned to his Glory, for he that seeks Glory shall never have it, and be that seeks it not shall have it, he that truely understands himself never looks for good opinion of any, for look what good opinion a man hath of himself, he looks that all the World should have the l [...]ke of him.

4 And this shall end in shame: for God will dishonor [Page 12] man at last, nothing hid, that shall not be made manifest.

Who minde Earthly things, viz They professe the Spi­rit, yet their hearts is after the Earth. So that,

He that under Light and Knowledge of the Gospel is carried after the lusts and desires of the Earth, is an enemie to Christ, and a stranger to him.

THese words are a part of Christs Sermon to the hard hearted Jewes, who neith [...]r by the au­sterity of Johns Preaching nor Christs Doctrine of Love, would embrace the Gospel and My­stery of Life; nor by the great works that he had done in Chorazin and Bethsaida, against whom he threatens heavy woes: Yet in the end gives thanks, that though the wise men of the Jewes rej [...]cted the Truth, being justly blinded: yet it was his good pleasure for to reveal it to poor and ignorant men, even to Babes, that his mercy and love migh [...] appear.

1. He gives thanks for confounding the wisdom of Man, and revealing it to the Ignorant.

2. A limitation of that knowledge, only to the Power of God in Christ.

3. An Invitation to all poor and desol [...]te souls, with a promise of help.

4. An Ex [...]ortation to Patience, in bearing the cross after his example, with a promise of rest therein.

First, He thanks God for confounding the wisdom of the wise, not that he rejoyced in their blindnesse: but wished rather that all might be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth: but he rejoyceth, that seing fl [...]shly wisdom shuts its eyes against the truth, that yet [Page 13] he reveals it to others, wherein he shewes whose eyes are only open to the truth, viz.

He that in conceit of his own wisdom is lifted up above the simplicity of the Gospel, understands the least of the Mystery and Life of the Gospel: but he that lyes low in himself, seeking to be guided by another, shall understand all.

None of the Doctors received his message: not many wise, Cor. 1. &c. If any man seem to be wise, let him be­come a fool. Christ choose not the wise Scribes, but poor Fishers to know his Tru [...]h.

1. For the Gospel is not understood by wisdom, but by that Spirit whereby it is revealed to the Faith of a Believer, that is blind in himself, and seeks wisdom from God.

2. Faith only sees things not seen: if they be seen and comprehended by man, they are not of Faith.

3. The Son that's grown wise through pride, casts off the Father: but the little Child walks in his hands.

4 Conceit of Knowledge makes man unteachable, and hard hearted: as a man that sits on high, looks down to the dungeon, can see nothing there: but sitting in the dungeon, looking up, sees light of Sun: So a man, sitting above, and looking down to the Gospel, as a thing under him, sees nothing: But he that sits in dark­nesse of his own heart, and looks up to the Sun, sees all, waiting still for the Sun to shine. Though man know all the Mysteries of Life to be in Christ: yet without Christ he knows nothing that he dare trust to.

Object. To what end then should Man labour for Knowledge?

Answ. Yes, This condemns not Knowledge, but that a Man should seek it at Christ, and enjoy it in him, In whom it is hid from the flesh in all the treasures thereof: But not that man should store it up, thereby to compre­hend God; but to know, that when he thinks he knowes all, he knows nothing, as he ought to know.

2. That he may maintain Truth in the Church of God.

[Page 14]3. That he may guide himself wisely and soberly before men.

1. Where then are the wise? where is the Scribe? &c. All the wisdom of this World is but foolishnesse; & yet these count the Truth of God foolishnesse: These of all think most basely of the Gospel.

2. Yea, what a fool is Aristotle himself, and all hu­mane knowledge in the matter of Jesus Christ.

3 Be content to be counted a fool with the wise of the world. Thou thinks that he is a fool that follows Christ, but he knows that thou art a fool that followes the World

4. Who would think that many wise men should be so ignorant in Christs matters as they are, and that many ignorants should know him.

5. Well worth low and Child like minds, that dare not trust their own wit or strength, but wait upon the Father.

It is so O Father, because thy pleasure was such. Here he shows the ground and prime cause, that Babes, and not Wise Men understand the Gospel: Not any Power or Worth in Man, but the good will of God: which is not only his absolute Will: but [...], the free love and good will of God toward man, without any respect of his worth: so that,

The good will of God, and his good pleasure, is the only cause of all good to man, when man believes it, and becomes subject thereto, James 1. Of his own good will begat he us. Eph. 1. Our Election is from this ground, God hath chosen us in Christ, before the foundation of the world was laid, who hath predestinated us to be adopted in Christ Jesus: according to the good pleasure of his will: not according to our works, but according to his grace he saved us: so he chose Israel. Who can give a reason in himself, why God doth any good to man, but his good will and pleasure.

1. For its God that moves man, and sets him a wor­king, not man God.

2. Hereby doth he take away all b [...]asting from man, and layes him low, to depend upon another, a [...]d live by meer grace.

[Page 15]3. For he is absolute Lord over all; no resisting of his Will, to which man is never brought to be subject.

But 1. When he feels nothing but weaknesse, sorrow, bondage and misery; and no power to get out, but lyes under quietly; and commits himself to his good plea­sure, in faith, tears and sighs, and groans: This is his case, for now he bears wrath patientlie.

2. And then finding help in God, according to his word, and joy and peace, and freedom he seeth; that it came not by any wit or power in himself, but it was only his good pleasure: so that,

1. Hereby he is enlarged to praise God freely with admiration.

2. And also to believe and vvait on that vvord of Faith, though he feel nothing, yet Gods will and plea­sure is instead of all to him.

1. Thus from the Doctrine of free mercy, doth the Kingdom of God thrive in man, and grovv vigorous: Nothing brings down but this: for vvant of subjection and believing of this good pleasure of God, man still seeks a cause in himself, as this and that good quality, and so never trusts his good pleasure. Man would still know a reason of his good vvill, vvhich he will not suf­fer: For Christ doth not here curiously seek out a rea­son of the Fathers vvill, but gives thanks, that God hath revealed it by the Gospel: To teach us, that we do not rashly presume to search his Counsels, but wait upon his good pleasure in his vvord.

2. What place then hath free Will, which depends only on Gods good pleasure, and not on thy right use of free vvill. For there is no more vvillingnesse in thee, than in others that never obeyed the truth; but it vvas only his good pleasure to thee: For by nature, Man fights against God, and would have rest any way, rather than this; and loath to commit himself to his good pleasure, but still vvould hav [...] a la [...]d in his own safe­ty, and so share in the glory. But Christ takes all boast­ing away, that Faith may live, and Man thereby: that Gods pleasure may stand, and Man subject thereto, [Page 16] that his grace may be communicated, and Man praise his goodnesse.

But this Doctrine of free will destroyes Faith, sets his pleasure aside, and binds God: lifts up man in pride and presumption, and makes him secure in a few faint endeavours of his own.

3. But the only bed of rest in all things is this, as Chemnitius saith, That against this s andal of refusing Gospel, we lift up our thoughts to the good pleasure of God, and there rest in subjection, so in all things: as,

First, Wants th [...]u Comfort and Peace of Conscience? doth God wi [...]hhold the f [...]eling of his Love from thee? Thou wonders what is the cause, nay, say, Even so, O Father: because it is thy good pleasure to bring me down.

2. Art thou troubled with a worldly husband, a frow­a [...]d wife unt [...] ward Children: say, Even so, O Father, It is thy go [...]d pleasure.

3. Art thou weak and sickly, say, It is even so thy pleasure, to keep under my Lost, and Pride, and Wordly affections.

4 Seest thou Iniquitie to abound, and Gospel despi­sed, say so, Father, its thy pleasure.

5. Art thou Persecuted, and the Enemie prevails over thee, say, Father, its thy pleasure.

This is the continuall exercise under the Crosse, in patience not to fret, and lust and strive, seing the will of the Father orders all things, we would still have our own pleasure done, and strive for our own wills: but this is our woe.

Nay, and herein is our happinesse, that it is his good will toward all little ones that are subject as Children, his Will and Rod shall rule and crush the stoutest, even Pharaoh himself, but the meek and lowely shal find his good will towards them, that he will turn their enemies to be their friends, &c.

This good will of God is not to be comprehended by man, for it rests in the Word of God, & there to be made known in time, and only to be believed. For all the works of God, are never known till they be [Page 17] wrought, only to be believed before. For to Reason, manie times God seems to be a severe Tyrant, nay his Word a Fable, which speaks of great priviledges, and they seem in their own sense to be forsaken in affliction, but God gives them a Word that will stand, & his good will shal be revealed in time, in the mean time sit still.

All things are given to me of my Father. Here he sheweth how this good pleasure is c [...]nveyed to man, viz in Christ, for he hath given all things to him. So that lest you little ones should be disheartned; know that I have all in my power, by a free gift, and come to me, and I will ease you. So that,

God the Father hath given and stored up in Jesus Christ a treasure of all wisdom, goodnesse &c. And whatsoever appertains unto the perfecting of his Kingdom: that in himself the Father may be glori­fied, and man made happie.

So by promise, he gave him strength to crush the Ser­pents Head, and to Abraham, that in him all people should be blessed. Isa. He laid help on him that was migh­ty, in his birth he was to be called Wonderful Counsel­ler, &c. And a light to the Gentiles, and the glory of Is­rael, the deliverer of his people out of prison; to give light to the blind.

He was the Vine that had the sap in him: yea, the trea­sure of wisdom; Yea, the fulnesse of the God-head; Yea, all Judgment was committed unto him, Yea, in conclu­sion, all power in Heaven and Earth, and victory over Hell and all Enemies: This was manifested in his Word that was with authoritie [...] and never man spake like him, e­ven to the World in general: And in his Miracles? hath it been seen, that any man opened the eyes of the blind, and raised the dead? This the Father did by an eternal purpose for his glory, and this hath been done for the good and salvation of man, that man that was not ca­pable by his fleshly wisdom of Gods wayes, yet should have one in the flesh like himself: in whom, & by whom he would convey all things that's good to man, because we cannot ascend to Heaven, therefore we might have a God on Earth.

[Page 18]1. Where then is that power and ability in man, o [...] in any other Creature for guiding or preserving him­self, which the wit and pride of Man so boasteth off? Hath not the sparrow power to fall without his provi­dence? Then, what power in Man towards this great vvork. Nay, as there is no power in the Common­wealth, neither for preserving right, nor keeping under of vvrong, but in the King: & therefore the verie pett [...] Constable: or any Officer, he commands in the Kings Name, and Rules by the power of the King; nor no Will, but the Will of the King: So in this Kingdom of Christ, no power but in the King for subduing of rebellious men in the Church by his Word, or Rebel­lious lusts in the heart of man, but the power of this Kingdom. Therefore, the Apostles commanded the evil Spirit by the Name of Jesus of Nazareth. And as he that rules in his own Name is a Traitor, and doth no good; So he that thinks to live and rule by his own power, shal not prevail: This conceit only ariseth out of blind pride, that when God hath shown his power in him he takes it to himself: and stores it up in conceit: and this out of the strength of Lust that will needs have another thing than he gives: or out of a proud opinion, that he would believe another truth than his. So that lust and opinion are the two great enemies of Faith: But if thou haste some abilities out of Christ in thy self, What? 1. needs thou Faith? to believe in him; or to pray him? 2. Why dost thou not conquer thy Lusts, and free thy self as thou seemes to desire.

2. Whatever then man desires, here he must have it: for it is not else whereto be had: whether Peace, Forgivenesse, Assurance, Comfort, Rest. Here it is laid up, & given to the needy; he hath alwayes to deal with such, & none else

3. Happy then he that lives by saith in him, & whose eyes are still towards him, that waits at his Posts, and li­stens to his Word: let all things else passe, work Righ­teousness, live holily; but look for life in none but him. And yet how loath is man to attend here, but he would have all in his own keeping, because he would not de­pend [Page 19] on him: and yet were we then most miserable, if our life depended on our ovvn care and keeping.

For No man knoweth the Son, but the Father. Here is his limitation, viz. That none by the wit of man is able to know Me, & Power, & Wisdom, & Mercy, & Truth, and Way of Happinesse that's hid in me, but whom the Fa­ther doth teach & uphold by his power, but I that know it in him truly: & those to whom I reveal it by my word and spirit, through the crosse & way of death. For it is an unknown way to the world, that by Death should come life, and by sorrow and sufferings, joy and free­dom; so that,

No power or possibility in man by the strength of natural wit, to know the good will & pleasure of God, or the Mistery of Christ; so as man shall find life theteby or certainty therein; but as the Father makes himself known in Christ, by his Word & power of his Spirit, un­to the faith of man believing his truth, 1. Cor. 2. The na­tural man understandeth not the things of God, Christ saith, I am the light that enlightens all that comes after me. Joh. 1, He is the light of the world. Joh. 1.4. There is anoynting that teacheth all things. 1. Joh. 5. None can say that Jesus is the Christ, but by the Holy Ghost. Though we think, that That Jesus we read of, was the Christ and Saviour: yet the flesh thinks but of him after the flesh: but his mightie Power, his wonderful Truth, unspeakable Love to Man, the bitternesse of his Sufferings, the Joy in the Fathers will, the Victory over Hell and Death, the joy at the Fathers right hand: none knowes it, but he that believes it out of blinnnesse and misery.

1. For the Father hath hid the treasures of wisdom in him, hidden them from the world: found, not by curious searching, but by humble crying & believing: & found not in man, but in Christ, & there to be enjoyed: for he is made our Wisdom, Righteousnesse; Sanctification and Redemption.

2. Adam had thought to have known God in the Crea­tures, and himself, and the evil also without God; but knew no good, till God revealed Christ in the promise: So [Page 20] until we be brought by the truth of Christ, to know no good in any thing, but in God: nor no evil in any thing, but in our selves, we know nothing at all: but we seek to see a good in every thing, and in our selves especially: and would see no evil, and so are lifted up: and know nothing as we ought.

3. And this Christ prayes, that his Elect may know that thou art in me, and I in thee: and that thou hast sent me: And I speak not of any self, but they are the words of my Father that sent me, for of my self I can do nothing.

4. And note, that this great Mystery was revealed af­ter Christs death: for then he sent the Comforter to lead into all truth, and not till then. Before this, the Dis­ciples had a thousand imaginations of Christ, but now they knew that he was the Son of the Father, & Head of the Church; So we have a world of fancies to [...]c [...]ing God and Christ, but never know him, until the Crosse reveal him: for till then, we only t [...]ink him to be such and such, and another thought crosseth that. But this makes the weaknesse and vanity to appear, & his power preserves: for every mans work shall be revealed by Fire. How wonderful are the blind conceits that man hath of God and Christ: as,

1. When we will needs comprehend God vvithout Christ in his Essence, Properties, Attributes, Eternity, Omnipotencie, &c. What a foolishnesse is this: to think to compasse in our thoughts Omnipotence? &c.

2. Others that frame a knowledge of Christ, in com­prehending the Story of his Life and Death, Works, &c Thus vve know him by Relation, as we do other Coun­tries where we never were, but never vvalk on foot with him in his death and miserie. None knowes him, whose miserable heart is not delivered from Death by him: who believes his truth above all, then this truth makes him free.

3. We see then, that all Knowledge comes by Faitht as, suppose a man a Stranger, promise to ransome me (a captive) I believe he will: but I know not that he [Page 21] will, but only vvait in faith: nor hovv he vvil do it, nor vvhy he vvill: but when he makes good his word, then I know his love vvhich he revealed to me, and I not able to conceive in my self. So with Christ he promiseth that he vvill redeem me, but I know not that he vvill: onlie I believe, and wait in miserie: yet by that Faith I am preserved through the Word; though I feel nothing but death and b [...]ndage. Wouldst thou know the Love of God that passeth Knovvledge? vvait on Christ by Faith, believing his Word; and he will reveal the Love of the Father. For though vve know not the mind of G [...]d, yet vve have the mind of Christ: So that thou must knovv nothing but in him; abide in him, [...]nd his Word abide in thee, and he will reveal all things unto thee. So that our curious and busie Wit, so hun ing to knovv! and straining out the Wit to understand, leads to many fancies: But knovv, that his wayes are insearchable: but vvait and attend, and he vvill reveal Christ and the Fa­ther: if th [...]u fit under the burden of thine ovvn igno­rance, and content for the time to knovv nothing but thy ovvn vilenesse.

Here we see, that Christ is both God and Man A M [...]n, in vvhom the fulnesse of the God head dvvells, to vvhom all is given that knovvs the mind of the Father, and reveals i [...] to us. This is the only God on Earth that mans mind ma [...] be fixed here, & not gade abroad: nei­ther ascend into Heaven, nor descend down into Hell, &c.

Where then is the free vvill and power of Man, vvith­out Christ living in him, and leading into all Truth: dravving the vvill of Man to vvait on God in subje­ction? All else, is but trusting to the Wit of Nature, vvhich is alvvayes blind. It follovveth in the 28. verse.

HEre is his Invitation, upon the former relation of his fulnesse, viz. You see where all help is. [...] then you want help in any strait that lyes on you as a burden, Come to me, viz. to my Word & Promise; for there he dwells, & I will ease you; So that,

There is no certain way or means to a burdened heart, to free his guilt, ease his burden, or rid in him ou [...] of the Snare of Satan, but the simple fleeing of the mind from all to Christ, in his Word of Truth; and there to stick and abide in life and death.

He was of old ordained to break the Serpents head, and prophesied of, to bind up the broken hearted. He was the refuge of Job in all his afflictions, I know that my Redeemer liveth. He was sealed and appointed thereto by the purpose of the Father. This himself wit­nesseth by word and work: By word, I am come to save the World, I am the Resurrection and the Life; he that be­lieveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

By works, How many poor, lame, blind did he help, which he was after to do spiritually; to heal the blind, &c. The afflicted he comforted, as the Publicane, Mary, &c. And this Paul found in himself, and taught unto o­thers, That there is none other Name under Heaven, &c.

1. For nothing can free the spirit of man but he; for he dwels there; all things else, only ease the flesh.

2. All other things prosper according to his presence, and not according to the power of the Creature.

3. All other things are but miserable comforters, but only a putting off for a time, and forgetting it: but it comes again with more violence, like a sore ill healed.

1. And yet how do we in any strait, run to any thing, rather than this, For first, The World saith, Come to me, and I will relieve thy want: Be diligent, apply thy mind to me: seek and get me by violence or any way, and I will ease thee: and we run to it with love and confi­dence, and yet never a whit eased or satisfied.

2. The Flesh saith, Come to me, & I will rejoyce thee, and lig [...]ten thy heart, and put away all thy sorrow; I [Page 23] season all sadnesse with mirth and delight, & we follow [...]: and yet in the midst thereof, the heart is sorrowful.

3. Reason saith, Come to me, and I will guide thee, [...]nd let thee see Comfort: Look at thy righteousnesse & [...]olinesse, thy diligence and knowledge of the Word: [...]hou art so good, and so good above others: thou hast [...]o reason to be heavy, and yet man is never the better. These are all the Promises of the god of this World.

4. Nay, saith Christ, But turn thine eyes from them all, & come to me; believe and wait, and I will refresh thy heart, pardon thy sin, preserve thee in trouble, and keep [...]hee in death: and this never deceives.

2. And the reason why we come not after so many [...]alls, is, because we are not weary, or think to find ease else-where: and so long we never come, viz. till the Word have revealed such a misery to man, of which he is now sensible, that all things cannot remove: For while man's fleshlie hope remains, he doth not respect Christ Christ hath nothing to do with any, but sinful & miserable man: Therefore, we come not because we are not burdened, or but so, as we think: either the World shall help us, or we shall be able to help our selves.

Mans burden may be reduced to four Heads. 1. Temptations of Satan.

2. Guilt of our own Hearts, and Want of the Fathers Love.

3. Rebellion of the Flesh, & Corruption of Nature.

4. Want and Miserie, and Affliction in the World.

Minde, and we shall see that one of these is alwayes the burden under which we groan: The three first pro­perlie to Believers, either entring the door of Faith, or straying from the Faith received.

1. Satans Temptations are a grievous burden and snare, when he crosseth by Reason the Truth of God: for so he possessed many in Christs time: and now pre­vails with many also: Sometimes, with strong & black Arguments: vexing with fear, doubting and distraction, calling the Truth a lye.

2. Guiltinesse of Sin by the Law, lyes heavy urged [Page 24] also by Satan: filling the Heart with fear and disru [...] the conscience unquiet, and the heart not estabilished in Faith: but still hath an eye to his own unrighteous­ness; and thinks, if he were more holy and righteous, all should be well.

But the remedy is, to accuse thy self still; confesse the Lavv, meet the curse, and bear Indignation: yet turni [...]g from these Arguments of Reason. Tell the Devil, thou never sinned against him, but obeyed him: but against Christ; and that he hath taken to himself, that all thy sins are now his, and his righteousnesse thine. Then be­gins a spark o [...] Faith to arise: saying, O that I could b lieve: these groans are helped by the Spirit: and then comes the feeling of joy and gladnesse.

3. Rebellion of the flesh is a burden to Believers: when he would do good: Evil is present, drawing una­wares to vile courses, still pricking him forvvard to tickling Lusts; dravving still to look to the world, and so darkning the light of Christ in him: But see that it be a burden, and whether it be not the strength of thy fleshly wi [...]l not yet subdued: that it is a burden rather, because thou canst not have thy own will, than bec [...]use thou canst not have thy will subdued: Like a frovvard vvife, vvhich saith, She will be content, and let her hus­band, do what he vvill: but withall frets and repines, because the husband will not yield: vvhich he must do, or else she vvill never be quiet. Here not the froward­nesse, but the crossi [...]g of her vvill is her burden: She is not a burden to her self, but her husbands vvill is a bur­den to her, and she unto him: so with God. But if it be a burden indeed, no remedie but Christ: Th [...]t thou let him see and knovv that it is thy greatest burdens and not trusting thy care, diligence: or watching: nor figh­ting with fleshly vveapons: but lay down all, and wait on him vvho hath power: and by vvhom only sin and lust is crucified.

4. Want, trouble and misery in the World lyes heavy on all: For flesh vvould live in fulnesse, and see some­what a fore-hand: and it may be thou art in want and [Page 25] persecution even for Christ; no remedie but Christ and [...]e Word of Truth. For here, thou seest the promise to any burden whatsoever: Therefore, doth sin in thy [...]lf, or want of comfort, doth outward Crosses: as a worldly husband, froward wife, bitter enemies, sick­ [...]esse and provertie oppresse thee? Sit still, and say with [...]onfidence, and bind Christ to his Word. Thou said [...]ord, thou vvould take away sin: crucifie the flesh, [...]ind Satan, bear all my weakness, stand by, and be ac­ [...]used for me before Counsels: Here I am, thou knowest [...]y burden, that these ly heavie on me; I am vveary [...]o bear them; I believe thy Word, and vvait for thy [...]elp.

3. So that it is not because we are troubled, there­ [...]ore to think that he vvill ease us, but by trouble being [...]riven to him with cryes and faith; for the trulie bur­ [...]ened heart, is a praying and believing Heart: and so a [...]ender and broken Heart, that all the World cannot [...]ure. But these are hard: But vve are at ease in Sion: not [...]roubled, not weary: and therefore have so little fell­owship with Christ, because we have so much fellow­ [...]hip with the flesh.

Take my yoke upon you: To live with Christ, then it [...]s not to believe and live in pleasure, case and wanton­ [...]esse of the Flesh, but to bear his burden and yoke hea­ [...]ier than that of Rehoboams; whose little finger was hea­ [...]ier than his Fathers hand. For this is affliction of Spi­ [...]it, killing of the Flesh, losing of the World, Life and [...]ll: and yet the believing heart stayed on God in hope [...]nd Faith in his promise, patiently suffering his will, [...]hall find rest therein to his Soul, though he be pinched [...]nd killed in the Flesh. So that,

Simple believing in Christ, and vvalking vvith him [...]n the patient & willing bearing of his cross and quiet, [...]ubjection to his will in love, is the only way of peace [...]nd rest to mans restless heart, Jer. 1. This is my burden [...]nd I will bear it. Lam. 3. It's good for a man to bear the [...]oke in his youth. Mic. 7. I will bear the indignation of [...]he Lord, because I have sinned. If you will be my [Page 26] Disciples, take up my Crosse and follow me. Phil. 3. L [...] the same minde be in you, that was in Christ; who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. Nay, he prayed for them, 1. First If ye suffer wrongfully, and take it patientlie, the glory of Christ resteth on you:

For its not the framing of the World, and all things to our wanton minds: but our minds to Gods will, that' [...] our rest; For when we will one thing, and God wills & sends another; then the heart of man is vexed, be cause he cannot have his own Will.

2. There is an unavoidable necessitie, that when man begins to believe, and to follow Christ in his Word, the World will crosse him, Satan will tempt him, and God will trye him; which can no way be helped, but by suffering as Christ did.

3. Faith gives a foundation of rest to the heart i [...] Gods Word: As with Christ, who was the Word of the Father, but the Crosse destroyes the Flesh, and keep [...] Faith in life, that Gods power may be perfected i [...] mans weaknesse.

4. For to a believing heart, the Crosse is no Crosse: and to the unbeliever, peace is no peace: For he hath peace that seeks not peace.

And he that flies the Crosse, shal have the Crosse: Fo [...] its no Crosse to them because it but weakens and cros­seth the Flesh, which he would have crucified: But when man would have Christ, and ease, fullnesse and joy in the World; then it is a Crosse to him.

Now this Yoke must be taken upon us, not vowing vvilful poverty, in solitarienesse: This is but to flie the World to get ease, but to bear it quietly, when i [...] is sent of God: Because we believe and know, that i [...] comes to passe by the certain knowledge of the Father, and so the Flesh grieves at the Crosse, yet the heart im­braceth the Fatherly will freely, and with a willing mind: None bears the Crosse willingly, that seeks eas [...] in the Flesh.

Now the Crosse and Yoke that Christ bare, was

1. The Wrath and Indignation of the Father, an [...] [Page 27] want of feeling his love: My God why hast thou for­ [...]aken me, and he alone trode the wine-presse of his Wrath: [...]his is an heavy burden, man must bear this, Mic. 7. I [...]ill bear the indignation of the Lord: So, when man is [...]o sensible of his own guilt, that he bears patiently the Wrath of God, thinking nothing too much that lights [...]n him, and so wai [...]s for mercy; For God layeth this [...]pon man: now he smiles, and then he looks upon [...]an as an enemie; all must be born in Faith, that man [...]ay be brought down.

2. The sins and infirmities of the people: They were [...]oward, they were rebellious, received not his Doctrine; [...]ay, continued blind, and unfaithfull, after many mi­ [...]acles: They dispised him, and his Doctrine; yea, many [...]ell away, and became enemies to him, and his truth: [...]nd yet all this he bare patiently; He mourned for the [...]ardnesse of their hearts, & wept over them, he prayed [...]or them. As Paul became all to all, he bare the care [...] fall the Churches: And so, man not fretting and con­ [...]nding or justifying himself, and judging them, but pa­ [...]iently bearing the evil; proving if at any time, that God will grant them repentance. If all do not as thou would have them nor, are such as thou expects: con­ [...]ider, thou art the same by nature; and what thou art [...]od they also, it is by the will of the Father.

3 The oppression of his adversaries, with wrongs, [...]nd slanders, and persecution, prisonment and [...]anishment; and yet he bare patiently, and prayed [...]or them, though they did all unjustly: and so he suf­ [...]ered for righteousnesse: They took away life, and [...]ll: So that though man be persecuted, and reproa­ [...]hed, and counted the off-scouring of all things: Yea, [...]o go through good report, and bad report, and passe [...]y all, taking no notice, knowing that God hath sent [...]hem to curse.

4. Want of worldly riches, and pleasure oft in po­ [...]ertie: Yea, He had not whereon to lay his head, he had [...]o sumptuous houses, nor rich treasures, but one poor [...]g in the hand of a thief: for he would not be [Page 28] troubled himself, nor trouble no good man with it; he had not his varietie of dishes, or costly apparel, not yearly revenyes, nor certain estate: Nay, he had but for the day, yet to believe, and to be content, its but an easie burden.

1. This Doctrine is foolishnesse to the World, which know none other good but the World: Its hard to per­swade a wordly heart, that there is so little good, o [...] certainty in the World, or that there is a freedom in forsaking it: for they think it impossible for they have nought to trust too but that: but when man hath an­other to depend on, he lets it go, and looks for supplie from him.

2. And its little known in the Church: We all pro­fesse the truth of the Gospel, but not learned to suffer with him: We like an easie, full, joyful Religion well, to mingle Flesh and Spirit: joyn Christ, and Mammo [...] together: but here is never pure believing: Hence many fall from the Gospel, others live in daily vexation, o [...] securitie; having not learned this lesson: So that we presume, that we do believe, and shall stand, and yet, alace! when the Crosse comes, its a question whether we believe or not; As Peter.

3. So that Christs yoke and Crosse never hurts the Church, as in the time of the Martyrs, it purified Faith. It is a practical divinity; it manifests mans weaknesse, Gods power, and truth, which before man thinks not of, but now he believes and feels.

4. Why then should we fear affliction? why do we grieve and mourn, and cark, and care? Thou canst not deliver thy Soul, thou frets thy self, and God hath set, that thus and thus it shall fall out to thee: which he will order, to the good of all that trust in him. Rest then patiently a while, and the deliverance shall be glorious: Learn of me.

If you will know the way of rest, hearken not to the Flesh, pleading for ease; nor to the World pleading for wealth: nor to your hearts, pleading for joy, and peace in the World: But I will teach you another way, which [Page 29] is foolishnesse to the Flesh: death for the present, but life, and freedom for ever. So that,

Man comes to know, and walk in the way of life & peace, as he is taught by Christ, and in subjection: learns and is guided by him, Eph 4.18 But you have not so learned Christ, &c. he leads unto all truth: He is the Prophet of the Church, and hath all Wisdom, Matth. 5. It hath been said of old, but I say unto you, &c. And in the new covenant, they shall all be taught of Christ, & here, none knows the Father, but the Son.

1. For he only knows the mind of the Father, and i [...] sent into the World to reveal it to man: We know not the mind of God, but we have the mind of Christ.

2. All other handles the Word deceitfully, and is nothing but the teaching of the Serpent, to draw man from God.

3. He hath gone the way himself, others have but seen it in a map.

1. But there are manie false Teachers and Preachers in the World: As Satan preacheth liberty unto sin, the World riches, and careing and fleshlie pleasures: But these are not the Doctrine of the Christ.

2. Others will be wise in heavenlie doctrine by fleshlie wisdom; and so think by art, and learning to compasse it: and so transcend above Christ: and lyes not low with him.

3. Others, teach Christ to be a Law-giver, and so frame a righteousnesse, in seeming obedience; but knows not the power of his death, and life.

1. As the drunkard, to wallow in pleasure, and live like a beast at the stale: didst thou learn this at Christ?

2. The wordling carking, caring, gathering: didst thou learn that at Christ, who had not his kingdom here?

3. The proud, vain, glorious, that looks for respect; did Christ teach thee that? Who pulls down every high thought.

4. The malicious, striving, contentious man; did Christ so? Nay, the Doctrine of Christ was. 1. To pull down man, and lay him low; and exalt God, and the [Page 30] power of his truth. 2. To Crosse the World, and stab­lish Faith, 3. To kill the Flesh, and stablish patience: to destroy Lust, and stablish Love: But we like no [...] this doctrine, it gives no liberty to the Flesh: hereby all false doctrine is detected.

For I am meek and lowly in heart, so should you be: So that,

Lowelie, meek-minded men, who are humbled in themselves, and daily judge their own unworthinesse, shall enjoy most rest unto their Souls.

Christ reviled not again, Mat. 5. Blessed are the meek [...] And a meek and quiet Spirit is much set by. He that humbles himself shall be exalted: the whole Gospel run [...] on this string,

1. For they are fitted to bear all estates.

2. Nothing vexeth man but Pride, and unquietnesse of his own mind: when he looks for this, and that: and strives, cares, and frets, and no rest.

3. He lives by meer mercie, having no good thought of himself.

1. This is not a softnesse of nature, & fretting within.

2. Nor a Pharisaical hanging down the head like a bul-rush, as Isa. 6.8.

3. Nor a lurking like a dog under a cudgile: But a true understanding of himself, and his own vilenesse, which brings down pride: judgeth himself, & justifie others: applyant mind, readie to suffer all, and passe by them.

IN the former verses hath been laid down the birth of Christ, and the manner thereof: According to the prophesies gone of him before. Here is laid down the manifestation hereof to the world. It was the [Page 31] greatest message that ever was brought into the World, and the most unliklie to be believed by the World: That a poor infant, born of poor Parents: so disrespect­ed in the World, that they could not be admitted to come into the Inne, but born in a stable, and laid in a manger: wrapped in a few cloaths: And this now re­vealed to the poor shepherds in the fields: and by them reported to the men of Bethlem: When the Church being then in trouble and bondage: looked for some great and glorious Messiah to come, with great pompe, and power, to work deliverance for them: and this must be the man, raised up by the power of God, to be the light of the Gentiles, and the glorie of Israel.

We celebrate this Feast, in remembrance of this great Savior, and worker of deliverance: Like that of Purim in Esther: But we consecrate it to Bacchus, not to Christ, in Rioting, and Drunkennesse, in Chambring & Wantonnesse, &c. And not in povertie of Spirit, and hu­mility with Christ: but in pride, and fullnesse of the World. Our joy is not in communion with Christ in his birth, and death: but in liberty to the Flesh, & for­getting of all. O, if Christ should come, as he will come, and find us thus: One swilling and drinking: another carding, and dicing: another whoring: And all under pretence of love to him: Would he take it well? O no!

Christ was born in a time, and manner, little looked for by the World, and yet in a time of great need: For the Church was now grown to a low ebb: From Ez­ra [...]s, & Nehemiahs time, after the second Temple; and one, during the time of the Maccabees: They suffered great persecution, & darknesse, as Heb. 11. For now they had no more Prophesies, but a very vaiting on the word of Promises: Yea, & now according to Jacobs Prophesie, the Scepter was departed from Judah, and they Tributaries to the Romans: And now was the time, though not known to the World, not expected, yet, now the fullnesse of time being come, Christ is sent: Thus God dealeth in the Kingdom of Christ. So that,

God hath a time reserved in his own purpose, for deliverance and redemption of man, which he sends not, when, and how he lastingly expects; but only to be waited one by lowly Faith, in t [...]e word of Truth, which shall come, when man in Flesh and sense sees least reason, and least expects it.

When thou brought again the captivity of Jacob, or Sion: we were as them that dream, Hab. 2. The vision is for an appointed time, and the prodigal little looked for intertainment.

1. For so God deals in all, that he may be magni­fied: For to the wicked, he comes in judgment, when they are eating and drinking, and cry, peace, peace: and to believers in mercy, when they cry woe, and misery, bondage, and death.

2. He hath given a sure Word of the Prophets to be attended on: For the time he hath in his own power, and that time is worth waiting on, in Faith and Pa­tience.

3. It is not mans device and work that can haften his time: Not going up to Heaven, nor down to Hell, but abiding in the word of truth, being near, even in our hearts.

Thus, we would all fain hasten the time: As in the Church, there was great expectation; yea, Abraham desired to see this day: So we all would know where, when, and how: But the Kingdom of Christ comes not with observ [...]tion.

1. If we be in miserie; we think too long, and mur­mure: Thy desire God sees; but thy Impatience he likes not: He will answer thy desires and longing: but he will make thee, First, willing to bear his Indigna­tion: Yea, and we no sooner begin to feel the smart of our guilt a little, but we think Christ should pre­sentlie come; nay, but we must pay tribute, and be taxed, and feel Repentance and the bitternesse thereof: and wait in Faith, and then he shal be born unto us: But man is loath to sit in darknesse and death: & yet the Kingdom of God never comes, but to repenting hearts: Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.

[Page 33]2. As also, When we think, because of this and that qualitie or diligence, or repentance, or humilitie, he should come: Nay, he must not be bound by man, nor to man, by nothing but his own Word; and he will thus crosse mans fleshly hopes, when thou thinks thy fell the nearest, thou art the farthest off; and when thou findest thy self the farthest off, then thou art the nearest.

And it is a thing to be noted, That Christ came into the World, when the Jewes went everie one to his own Citie to be taxed: even when they went to acknow­ledge their bondage and captivitie under the Romans, then was Christ born: which is also to be observed spi­ritually, viz. When everie man in his own heart lives in bondage, fear and captivated by Satan, and hath no power to redeem himself, but confesseth his thraldom and lyes under it: then is Christ born unto the heart, for he came to deliver the Captives.

4. As also that the Church was now at a great want, for the Scepter was departed from Judah, and no Pro­phet was left in Israel, as Psal. 74. None the guide or teach them: nothing left but the word of Promise, which seemed to be void, and God to have forsaken them: And now Christ comes, and is born, so it is with us. And there were Shepherds in the Countrey.

Here Christs birth is manifested. First obscurelie, to poor Shepherds, and these must carry the tydings of great Joy: wherein, note that vvonderful humility and lovv estate vvherein Christ appeared to the World, though he vvas the great Lord of Heaven and Earth, Wherein note Christs vvay, viz.

That the way of Christ; from the first to the last in accomplishing Mans Redemption, is in povertie, low­linesse, and deep humilitie of Heart: far separated from the World, and the riches and glory thereof, Phil. 2. He was equal with God, &c. yet took on him the form, of a servant. Isa. 5.3. He hath neither form nor beauty; nothing seen, why we should desire him: he was despised and reje­cted of men, a man of sorrows, and had experience of In­firmities; we hid our faces from him, and esteemed him not: [Page 34] the rich of the world cared not for him: The gre [...] Doctors and wise of the World, despised him, he sough [...] not his own glory, but the good of all; he was still among the poor, and halt, and blind, and beggars; and had not whereon to lay his head: his message was carried by fishers and ignorant men.

1. This was the Wisdom of the Father, that the eminence of the Parties, nor the wisdom of man should not cause his Gospel to be believed, but the Evidence of the Truth: according to the ancient Prophesies, He will not have the Gospel to be credited because of Man, but Man for the Gospel.

2. This he doth, to keep man lowe; that he may see nothing to lift him up in the World, but the word of Truth.

3. And to shew the difference betwixt his Kingdom, and the Kingdom of the World, who only seeks high things & stands in glorie and outward respects; but his in poverty and miserie. Though in that low estate God manifested such a glorie and power, as the World was not capable of: For He was a greater Conquerour than Cesar, Pompey, or Alexander; for they subdued a few Kingdoms, and yet slaves to their own vain glory and lusts: but he overcame the whole World, and Hell too, that he cared nor a rash for it, and yet but lodged in a manger. And this is the way that the mindly low, that it rise not after the World: but so raised by Faith, that it tramples it under foot: For as the Heathen man could say, He is valiant, not only who kills Lyons & Bears, and wilde beasts, but he who overcomes his own pas­sion: so in Christ.

4. For the daily life of man in himself is, repentance, or securitie and pride: that he so live in himsel [...], that Sin and the World is a burden to him: Yea, that have still that opinion of himself that the World had of Christ: yea; that as he was counted the greatest sinner of the World by the World, that he was ignorant and a de­ceiver, so that man see and feel the sins of all men in himself, that he beheld no good in anything, but in [Page 35] Christ; nor no evil in any thing, but in himself. This keeps him in the manger, and among poor Shepherds.

1. How far then are we from Christs birth or way, who only seek to be great in the World, which all strive at: it is not a manger or a stable that will fit them: but like Lords of the Earth seek preheminence. This po­verty of Christ becomes a stone to them, whom no­thing can please but riches and greatnesse.

2. Others who imagine themselves to be born of God, because of this and that good quality; and still strain at high things, thereby to draw near to God. But this way they are farther of: for all Gods people are born in humility, and live lowly and humblie even in the stable: that is well pleased with any thing, and so advanced by Gods free gift, for which they praise him.

3. What though we be base, and fools in the eyes of the World and that we want the glory thereof; it was so with Christ▪ nay, it is our freedom if we want it: or having it, care not for it: Now, as it was the Fathers will that Christ should be born in a Stable, and pu­blished by Shepherds; so it is his will that thou art poor and despised, but he had a care of his Son, he will also bring thee through it, though with lesse pomp, yet with as much ease, and at death no difference; but only that thou with Christ will willingly part with it; and he, with much grief and sorrow.

4. We hear many say, They would have succoured Christ better, but thou hatest him in his members: What good doest thou to them?

The Angel of the Lord came upon them. He came to reveal this great mystery, & to shew the truth of all the promises now accomplished, none able to do it but an Angel from Heaven, viz. an heavenly messenger: so that

No understanding of the Mystery of Christ, or seeing the truth of the Promise accomplished, but as it is re­vealed and freely given from above.

Man in nature perceives not the things of God, 1 Joh. 4. There is an anointing from above that teacheth all things, and none can say that Jesus is the Christ, but [Page 36] by the Holy Ghost, though we think that Jesus is the Christ and Saviour: Yet we think but after the flesh: but his wonderful Love, Truth, Power, bitternesse of Sufferings, Victory over Hell and Death: not known by comprehending, but revealed to poor and miserable minds from above:

1. For the Father hath hid all wisdom in Christ from the wise of the World: and it is to be found in him, not in us.

2. Christ prayes to the Father to reveal this to them, That they may know, that thou hast sent me.

3 And this was promised of Christ, that after his de [...]th he would send a Comforter, that should lead them into all truth.

1. What a world of conceits have we of Christ, and yet know him not: because we think we know.

1. Some know the Historie of Christ, and moved with natural passions by the consideration of his passion.

2. Some strive to know the Mysterie of Christ after the flesh.

2. We see that all knowledge comes by faith, and is revealed from heaven: as a man that promiseth to free me, being a captive: I believe him, but I know not that he will, till he reveal his will to me.

3. Where then is the power of man in the use of this general gift of knowledge to come to know Christ? None knows the Son, but the Father; nor the Father, but the Son

4. Wouldest thou know the wonderful Mysterie of Christ? Sit in thy own ignorance, mourning in blind­nesse: and wait in the word of Truth, till the light shine, and thou shalt understand, though not the mind of God, yet the mind of Christ.

And they were sore afraid. The glory astonished them, the message brought fear to humble them, so in all: so that,

The proper and kindly operation of the whole Word and Message of the Gospel, in the mouth of Christ, is to bring man down: and the foundation of Christs King­dom [Page 37] is laid in fear, to lay man low; that he may be ex­alted in Christ.

To deny our selves, to become fools, and lost; as Paul, I was alive, but when the Law came, I was dead; all our Righteousnesse as filthy rags; the weapons of our warfare are mighty to bring down: all the whole Scripture to man, as he is man, speaks negatively and basely, onlie exalts Jesus Christ as the Law-giver, in thunder to shake the heart of man; the Gospel and the Promise made without any respect of any righteousnesse in man; and the povver whereby this becomes effectual is from another, and not from our selves. Thus was Paul brought to his knees.

1. For it ever brings man to fear and weaknesse, be­fore it bring faith, and preserves fear, that he may still rest on Christ; for when any Land hath been conque­red, First, they weaken them, and bring them into fear, and then they yield; so doth Christ.

2. For the Word opening to man the Book of his own heart, as Acts 2. discovers such a miserie & guilt and weaknesse, that he cryes, What should I do? And as often as it opens mans mind, it discovers such a dun­geon: so th [...]t hereby he is driven from himself, and all boasting is taken away. But man stores himself with better qualities and better conceits, and starts from himself; but if Adams eyes be opened, he shall see nothing but nakednesse, and the Grosse shall weare out all these fig leaves.

3. Everie man is grown proud and wise and high in knowledge against Christ, and hath gotten either the W [...]rld, or knovvledge, or righteousnesse, or something that bears him up: therefore it must be a mighty word that must make all these nothing to man, & perswade him that the world hath no good in it, nor no wisdom: nor in all creatures no life, but in another.

1. But vve all pervert this vvord to our destruction, when we vvill needs comprehend it, but are not com­prehended by it; vve judge it, and are not judged by it: and so vve keep off fear: for vve are made vvise and [Page 38] righteous, according to the form thereof; and becomes men of high thoughts, but not men of low minds, and thereby rejects the simplicity of the Gospel. The word known after the flesh, and not believed, lifts up and har­dens more than any thing; but the Word believed, brings down, and layes low in weaknesse, and preserves fear, & makes man nothing, that Christ may be exalted, but we believe not the thousand part of that we know.

2. So that the Word of Truth is a mighty Word, it layes all low before it: none is able to stand before it but Christ, not the holiest Pharisee: for this shall judge the World, and cast out all the fictions of man, and all the pride and glory of the World: and shall be a terrible Word to all that believe not; when everie tittle thereof shal be verified on man.

O that! we were all stricken with fear, and sensible of our weaknesse: for as we fear, so we believe. But man hath gotten so many coverings, that he runs from one to another to hide himself from his own heart: Some by the Worlds fulnesse, but that shall vanish. Some by knowledge and righteousness after the Law? and bardened therein; but these shall not stand: no nothing shall remain indeed, but Christ and the Gospel: Be not afraid, So that,

Christ and the Gospel only belongs to fearful, and weak men, that first see death and danger, and no help in themselves to escape; and sigh, and cry, and pray, and see no deliverance: Then in time, the Angel from God bringing the message of the Gospel frees them, that the gates of hell shal not prevail.

It is not possible that the heart of man should be pre­ferved from fear, but by Christ only.

1. All the World is not able to free a worldly heart from fear.

2. All knowledge leaves the heart fearfull though se­cure for a time.

3. All holinesse, and qualities, and sacrifice, not able to purge the conscience: but only the blood of Christ, and man fixed thereon: And this only shall turn fear unto Faith, &c.

[Page 39]1. So that the Gospel, I fear, belongs but to few of us, for fear is banished, weaknesse is grown strong, and gotten up again: Sorrow is turned into lightnesse; sighing and praying into vaunting and boasting, so that we need not say, we be afraid. But O man! look into that dead and rotten heart of thine: observe that croo­ked, faithlesse, and worldly path: and be astonished, for the kingdom of Christ was come near thee. But seing thou despisest it, lo we turn to the Gentiles: for fearless and careless estate is fallen upon all, and under the cover of Religion, without Religion.

Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, viz. The accomplishment of the Promise in the birth of Christ; therefore, seek no shifts to escape, turn hither, and behold great joy, and freedom against all sorrows. So that,

The only ground of all joy, & freedom, to a troubled heart, is only Christ made known unto man, in the truth of the Gospel.

Paul rejoyced only in the Crosse of Christ, and coun­ted all things else but dung, and had no confidence in the Flesh, by our rejoycing that I have in Christ Jesus; I die daily, all other things died unto him, and being justified by Christ, we rejoyce in tribulation: How was the mourning of Mary turned into peace and joy by Christ, Isa They rejoyced as men in harvest, and that divides the spoil, and they that sow in tears, shall reap in joy.

1. For all joy but this, is nothing but mistakings, & like a man that laughs in Sleep, for want of understan­ding in himself, and feeding himself with shadows and tidings that Satan brings to him.

2. All o [...] e [...]joy, is but rejoicing in the Flesh. He only comforts the Spirit, when Flesh mourns.

3. All other joyes ends in sorrow, but this sorrow in joy. What is all the joy the World can give to man, even as the cracking of Thorns under a pot: Thou art rich and full of wealth, yet a carefull heart in the midst thereof. Thou joyes to day, and mourns to [Page 40] morrow: So the vvanton, vvhat cause of joy while his Soul is more fettered, and guilt increased? Joy passeth, & guilt remaineth; and yet none so merrie: Thus Satan hath messengers to rejoice man, being sad.

1. The World brings tidings or wealth, and ho­nour, &c.

2. The Flesh of pleasure, joy, and freedom, &c.

3 Reason, from self-righteousnesse and wisdom, &c.

But Christ, from the love of the Father, that is worth all: Now this never springs, but from mourning in our selves: like that of Paul at his conversion to Christ: So then the difference of these are,

1. First, One rejoyceth to gain the World; another to be freed from it.

2. One to have his ovvn will; and another to lose i [...].

3. One to have all things, and suffer nothing: another to suffer all things, and to have nothing but Christ.

2. We see, that all joy that we conceive, that ariseth out of Religion, and not hence: is but a fondation layed in man: which will die with him.

But as the Child is merry in his Fathers love, though he knovv nothing vvhat shall be done to it: and not be­cause he is heir, and must be advanced to a great por­tion: so it is vvith us, not from any quality in our selves, but in another.

For unto you is born: So that,

Christ truely born unto man, is the only fountain of Life unto man in all distresses. In the Citie of David, Mic. 4. So that nothing shall disannul the truth of the Word of God, nor shake the heart that is stayed thereon

A Savior, You and the World seemes to be lost & condemned: but behold, here is a Saviour at hand, even a Saviour sent to you. So that,

The only stay and rest unto the restlesse heart of man, is assurance of a Saviour, & confidence of heart in him.

As Simeon, Mine eyes have seen thy salvation, & Zach. That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, &c. And hast raised up for us a mighty Salvation. And he shall save the people from their sins: Such a Saviour [Page 41] was figured in Moses, and Joshua: And thus prophe­sied by the Angel, Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save my people.

1. For man is a lost and condemned creature, the word of truth hath judged him, his own heart hath given sentence against him: For this hath the Spirit of man sought, since Adams fall: some in the World, some in themselves, but never found, but by Christ. The very Heathens sought it, and we make many Saviours, but all faile, save this. It is not with us, as it was with the Disciples: we have found the Lord Christ: We go a seeking, and enquiring, but we have not found the Lord.

He saves us out of the hand of our enemies, viz.

1. From the guilt of our Souls and temptation of Satan.

2. From the corruption of our Nature, and bondage of corruption.

3. From affliction, and sorrow, and crosses and want.

4. From death, and hell, and judgement at the last.

1. See those miserable Saviours that we frame, as the world or wisdom, or self-righteousnesse: these vve get, but yet we are in the hand of our enemies: our heart's full of fear, and death's a terror to us.

2. This Saviour is born and given to none, but con­demned men; like a murtherer, that can find no way to escape, goes to the King, and confesseth, and cryes for mercie; the King pardons for his own glory, &c.

3. But know that our Salvation stands in another, not in our selves; though we store our selves, and pro­vide great and strong arguments against that day, yet all will fail; and only bearing indignation of the Lord, & committing to free mercy, must be our salvation.

1. Pardoning of Sin. 2. In preserving the heart in Faith by the Word, to live and dye with Christ, and go through all in Patience; not as most, who think them­selves the likeliest to procure a Saviour, is to come with their own righteousness and holiness, &c. But that we come sinners and condemned, not bringing righ­teousnesse, [Page 42] but to obtain righteousnesse, not to offer sa­crifice, but to obtain a sacrifice, even Jesus Christ.

Christ the Lord, viz The anointed Lord, who was fi­gured in that of the Israelites, who had the holie Oyle reserved in the Temple, sanctified by Moses: wherewith their Kings and Priests were anointed. Now the Rab­bins say, that this Oyle ceased in the second Temple, till Christ came: who was to be anointed with the holie Ghost. So that,

God the Father, according to his eternal purpose, hath anointed Christ to be Lord and King of his Church, to rule in the heart of man, that God and his power may he magnified, and man made happie in him.

He hath given all judgement to the Son: All power is given to me in Heaven and Earth, all things are given in me to my Father: he hath hid all treasures in him, and hath laid help on one that's mighty, as Psal. 4.8.

This is manifested in his Word, never man spake like this man, and his miracles, hath it been said, that a man opened the eyes of one that was born blind: This the Father did, by an eternal purpose, for the salvation of man, that seing man could not com­prehend Gods purpose; he sent one in our room, to whom he hath given power, because that we could not ascend to Heaven, we might have a God on Earth. His Kingdom is righteousnesse, & joy in the Holy Ghost.

1. But we have other Lords; the World rules as Lord, and we obey it; the Flesh commands and we are sub­ject to it.

2. Where is that power of man whereof he boasts, We would all be Lords, and rule according to our own will.

AFter that Christ had preached to the People con­cerning John Baptist, and that many of the Peo­ple and Publicanes believed, and were bapti­zed: He upbraids the hardnesse of the Pharisees, which neither believed John nor him, but rejected the Truth: and neither believed John to see their mi­sery, and repent; nor him, that they might receive mercy, but trusted in themselves, and kept all Truth off. In the end, he leaves them with a sharp nip: But wisdom is justified of her Children, viz. the Children of the Truth, will justifie the Truth, though against themselves, and though all the world besides should reject it: so that,

The Children of the Truth do in their hearts justifie and bear witnesse, and clear the Word of Truth, though it be to the condemning of themselves 1. Cor. 14. They fall down and say, of a truth Christ is in this man: so though the Law, Rom. 7. condemned and killed Paul, yet he justified it to be good holy, just and spiri­tual, but I am carnal: So David, Psal. 51. That thou mayest be justified and clear, &c. So Abraham justified the promise, which prevailed in him more than all reason to the contrary.

1. For it leaves that impression in the heart, which all the lyes and shapes of Satan cannot wipe out; though they may cover and hide: Yet this is more powerful in him than all.

2. For this discovers the Intents of the heart, and strikes the heart down, & whatever upheld it: against which, man is not able to stand; but as the guilty fel­lon justifies the sentence of the Judge, so he justifies the righteous sentence of the Truth.

1. But we see, that thousands which professe Christ, yet justifieth not his Word: Nay, we judge the Word, and are not judged by it: We rule and com­prehend the Word, and are not comprehended and ruled by it. We mince the Law and limite the pro­mise, and all to save our own skins, because we would not be condemned by the Word.

[Page 44]2. Yea, such is this wise generation wherein we live, that a man will now judge and limit God himself; set­ting a Law to his Decree, but he is justified to everie believing heart, though reason not able to compre­hend it.

Nay, everie man labour to justifie himself rather than God, and his Truth; and everie thing, on which man dependeth; as,

1. The worldling labours to justifie the world, and the wayes thereof in his thoughts.

2. Another justifies his own qualities of holinesse and righteousnesse.

3. Another, his knowledge and fleshly notions; for they are the Children of these.

4. Another labours to justifie the Truth, by Argu­ments of Reason, against others; but not by faith, against himself: as a Malefactor justifieth the Law from his own guilt, and not because he comprehendeth it.

3. No surer sign of a true man, than to justifie the truth; for he sets to his seal, That GOD is true: when man even swears in his own heart to the truth of all the Word; as, that the Law is just, he is guilty: the pro­mise is free, for he is a sinner: when the heart lyes blee­ding under the power of the Word, though he feel no­thing but death in himself.

4. But we see, how we even deny the Word we pro­fesse: we confesse that God will have mercy, and pre­serve us: and yet flie to the World and something else: and that repentance and denying of our selves, is the way to Heaven, yet hope for it: & repent not at all.

The Pharisee desired him to eat with him. He ever was to spy some advantage for further justifying of himself: so that,

That under the profession of Love and Religion, there lurks in most men base and filthy ends & respects, whereat they specially aim; which poysons all, & proves their Love and Religion meerly nothing.

All the Pharisees guilty of this, as Saul and Simon Mag us, &c.

[Page 45]1. For this is to frame Religion, to serve our selves, and not to serve God.

2. This argues an unpurged heart, which turns all meat to ill humours.

3. Thus Religion is made a way to cover, but not to crucifie the World, and our fleshly Lusts & Self-will.

1. And this is plain in experience: What is it that man doth in Religion, but some base end is more powerful in him to produce it, than the simple power of Christs love in him? We run after the example of others for credit and approbation, rather than out of simple love for our lost minds. Others talk of Reli­gion, so must we; that we may be known: Others shew love, so must we, that we may be approved: and nothing is said or done, whereat we have not an end of our own: We judge the Pharisees, and justifie our selves, and yet do the same thing.

2. Hence we see, what a vain and vile thing mans heart is; that he meddles with nothing, but he mar [...]s it: that though the thing be good, and the word good: yet in us it is ill.

3 No simple and hearty Religion indeed, but when man dwells in the simplicity of his own heart, & in the simple truth: else like a huckster, he makes Religion but as a Trade to gain by, either from God or man.

Behold, a woman which was a sinner: both in the eye of the World, and in her sell: judged by both, and con­demned in her self: So that,

None flies to Christ in deed and truth, nor finds mercy with him, but he that knows and feels himself dayly to be a sinner: and through sin, is a lost & help­lesse creature.

So the Prodigal and Publicane, and Paul, Rom. 7. O wretched man that I am, &c. and David, Psal. 51. 1. Joh. 1 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive our selves.

1. For then death and weaknesse, wrath & judgement lives in man: & presseth him down, and forceth him to cry and to pray.

2. For else man lyes covered from himself under [Page 46] some figleafe, and so flies the judgement; that he may preserve his fleshly life alive, &c.

3. This preserves humility, and keeps down pride, and prepares for mercy; for to these only doth the Kingdom of God come. Now this is not a seeing of this, & that action amiss; but that he see and feel the Original fountain and guilt: That though all actions were re­strained, yet he feels the Power and Inclination, and sway of his mind against G [...]d, & his Truth; that though he be prevented by Gods Power, and shall not taste of Judgement through grace; yet he sees in himself such a power of corruption, & misguided passions, that he cry­es out for mercy daily, & so is faith daily preserved.

1. But all men strive to appear both before God and themselves to be rich, none would be found sinners: Therefore, when we have missed it in one action, we mend it in the next, that we may appear to be righteous

As, 1. The pure moral honesty among men, though they have no great matters of Religion to boast of; yet even that they offer to God as a Sacrifice for their sin.

2. But the more devote men, they think they have a heart full of good qualities and dispositions, and so cloath themselves therewith, for their repentance, hu­mility, faith, and love, &c. They look at, as good quali­ties to cover sin withall: but the only quality that Christ loves, is when man comes a sinner to him.

3. May, others indeed have seen themselves sinners, but now righteous and holy, and their repenting dayes are forgotten; so mercy lost, & saith fails. For as it was sin, that by accident brought Christ into the World, so it is sin in mans heart, that brings a Saviour unto man.

4. Others see in themselves weaknesse and want of Power, that they cannot come to that pitch of know­ledge & righteousnesse that they aim at, which if they could, all would be well: But their rebellious Will, Lust, and Pride and Worldlinesse are hid from them. So that it is the hardest thing to make a man a sinner; and to keep him to a daily sense of his own weaknesse.

2. But sin in man, and mercy in God; infidelity [Page 47] in man; and faith in Christ, layes a right foundation of Religion; and is the dayly continuance of the life of all Religion in man: for thereby, Prayer, humilitie [...]nd saith are preserved.

3 So that the word never prospers, but when it lights amongst sinful men: The self-righteous have a covering yea, & all are grown cunning to put off the evil day, & make a covenant with hell: for no sooner doth sin prick & look out at them, but they have a sore knowledge of a Saviour, and so cure the wound before it be made.

When the heard that Jesus was at meat. She being now brought into misery within her self, and all her sweet pleasures turned into gall and worm wood; she seeks for case and rest: so it will fall out to all: So that,

That all the pleasures of joy and peace, that man now enjoyes: in the world and the flesh, will sooner or later be turned into sorrow, want and misery; for death and judgement will lay all in the dust.

Where was the confidence that Paul had in the flesh, when he was stricken down in the way to Damascus? Where is all the power of Pharaoh, Pompey, of Dives: and wealth of all worldlings, Luk. 12. Yea, Pompey and Alexander are laid in the dust, Luke 6. Woe be to you that now laugh, for you shall mourn. Isa. 28. I will make void your Covenant with death.

15 For there is a way that seems good, but the issues thereof are death.

2. Else man should insult over God and Christ, & his Word become a lye.

3. Thus doth God make way for his mercy and love, that man may be capable thereof.

4. All joy and life of Adam must be destroyed, that Christ may live in us.

1. Woe to the merry deceived wordling, who rejoy­ceth in his wealth, friends, pleasure & respect: as this woman did: but behold, She is now brought to weeping cheare. So we make our selves merry, & promise many happy dayes; but sure, fear and sorrow, weaknesse and misery must first come, before man be established in Peace & Freedom: for this will not last: We think ease [Page 48] good while it lasts, and so we put off the evil: that we must taste, for we have eaten sowre grapes, & our teeth must be set on edge.

Nay, all our labour & care is to put away sorrow & fear: & therefore we gather riches, power, &c. that vve might sit above, and see no evil: Man would do evil, but would not see it: rebell, but not take notice Did ever any rebell against his Prince, but he smarted for it in the end. And though the King, of meer grace would pardon, yet was he a lost man in his own eyes: and his pride was laid down in the dungeon: so with us: for sin in man will cause smart to man first or last: For,

1. Though we may put it off through blind presump­tion, not regarding what shall follow.

2. Or cover our selves, and close up our hearts under the bewitching of wordly profits.

3. Or to drink down sorrow like unto beasts for a while.

4. Or cover our selves from the Word of Truth, and simplicity of our minds: by our opinions of knowledge self-righteousnesse, and the world underneath.

1. Yet either will the Lord find us out by his Word, and discover such a wretchednesse to man, as shall make him cry out, Woe and alace that ever I was born! and that my mothers Womb had been my grave, or that I had been strangled assoon as I saw the light: and so cur­sing his birth day, as Job.

1. Or man runing on to his course to the end of his Shadows, Pleasures, and fools Paradice: at last falls into the Pit, where there is nothing but weeping and gnashing of teeth: weeping and howling for the dayes of their vanity that are past, and cannot be recalled: For the guilt of his Soul presseth him down, and cannot be eased: when man is entred into Eternal misery, which shall never be ended. Then alace! shall we see, that Husband, and Wife, or Children, were but silly fa­ding Earth, on which we so doted; that Gold and Silver were but Drosse, which we so served: and now all taken from us, and our Life too, never to be restored.

[Page 49]1. No misery like to the misery of man; for no crea­ture on earth hath so rebelled against God as he. Did not this woman account any creature happier than she? and yet we sport our selves above all, and feel no smart, because that we are so hardened in the flesh, that the Spirit is lost.

O then! that God would give us hearts to see that misery, that we might mou [...]n in time, and break off sin by repentance. For what a folly is it for a man to run on in a course still, that he knowes will bring sorrow? like the thief, who bewitched with present sweet, and seeding himself with hope to escape, becomes hardned, and never believes, nor sees the sorrowing of his hang­ing day.

4. And that men in the dayes of mirth would think of the time of mourning: every one seeing himself even [...]ing on his death-bed, and bidding farewell to all worldly delights: look for it, even the best. For Christs heavy day was his l [...]st day, even before his entrance into glory: so know, there is yet a more heavy day to come, then thou hast hitherto felt.

When she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisees house Notwithstanding her own unworthinesse, Christs holinesse, the Pharisees hard opinion of her: Yet such was the miserie that she felt, and desire that she had to the Word of Christ: that she saw, that there was nothing that could ease her, but he only; so that,

Christ and his Word are only sweet, and desired of troubled hearts and wearied minds: but to others, it is wearisome, and little regarded, as Psal. 119. I had fain­ted in my affliction, but that thy word stayed me. The poor receive the Gospel, and the halt and blind came wil­lingly at the voice of the Gospel; and how dear was the Word to the Martyrs in trouble; that one of Pauls Epistles was a treasure from hand to hand: And what a wonderful power had it amongst those sick & blind men, that he but spake the Word, and they were made whole.

[Page 50]1. For there is nothing left to a wearie mind that hath any life, but Christ and his Word.

2. For to others, whose present ease and rest it cros­seth, it is un-wellcome.

3. For none believes it but them; others know it, and talk of it, but the poor and lowly minde only be­lieve it.

1. We may then cry with the Prophet, Isa. 55. Who hath believed our report? for every heart is filled and fatted, and born up with something: none lyes under his own burden in the Dust; but one hath the World, and lives by it: another a witty and strong opinion of Faith and Christ: and Christ and his Word not re­garded. Do we not delight in any History, and witty discourse, rather than this: do we not believe & cleave to any lie of Satan, though directly opposite; for if he say, we shall die; We say, no, none will b [...]lieve death, but he that seeks it.

And hence we see, what makes all unprofitable unto man, viz. Hardnesse of heart, and presumption, when man can passe over Hell and Death so lightly, as not belonging to him; and so Christ and his Word are a far off kind of thing to him: He can have it, or want it; he had rather want it than a little portion of Wealth; can live merrily in the fullnesse of the World without the Word, than to want it, though he had Christ him­self daily to Preach.

3. Well worth tender and troubled hearts, who like the distressed Orphant, seeks for the Father; knows his own weaknesse, cryes out, VVho shall deliver me: waiting daily at the posts of his doors, and sit at Christs feet daily: Christ hath sent out a word into the VVorld, that shall seek peace. O! how joyfull to them, that hear of mercy & pardon, when they thought there was no pardon, and to be guided to the Father. This is deare [...] than thousands of VVordly fulnesse.

4. This we know in experience, when the minds of men are plunged into reall misery: when there was lesse knowledge, but more simplicity, then the Gospe [...] [Page 51] sufferd violence, But now, that knowledge hath cove­red us, we hid our selves under the shadow of our own inventions, & none regards the VVord of Christ, Ezek. 7.19. Matth. 18.23

She Weept, and stood behind him. So that,

Till Sin and Death become mans daily burden, grace and mercy are never precious. As the Prodigal, till then he cast off the Father, Psal. 5. Till death entred, [...]he weeps not.

Till the Law came, Paul is alive; but then he cryes, O wretched man that I am: and mine iniquities are a sore burden, Matth. 11.18. Come unto me that are wearie and heavy laden, &c.

1. For man by wit and diligence, is able to help any wound, or heal any miserie but this: but the biting of the Serpent, none can cure, but the brasen Serpent.

1. For hereby, Prayer, Faith and Humility is preser­ved in man; hereby still seeing that his life and safety stands in another.

2. But these dayes are past, and burden is removed, only by a blind foreknowing of the Gospel: For when a man is declared to be miserable, still he hath a voice, saying, Thou shalt not die: and nothing is made known, but he hath a foreknowing of all: Yea, to the imagined, comprehending of God himself: and this hardens more than all else. How comes sin & weak­nesse to be lesse burdensome, than before? Is man bet­ter in qualitie then before; or lesse sinfull? no, man is the same in the Flesh: and if prevented, it is by Grace and Power of Christ, which might a make man more sensibly vile.

And yet it is the conceit of all: We think our selves better, wiser, and holier than before, when indeed w [...] [...]re worse; only God is better than before to us; Yea, and because of some qualities, he thinks his sins are not so grievous as others, and because of these he conceiv [...]s hope; but in this woman, all wrought her woe: no hope in herself but in another: Where then is the power and free-will of man? Mans power is weaknesse, when I am weak, am I strong.

In that She stood behind him, and washed and kissed his feet. Note the base account she had of herself, as unworthy to come before him. So that,

A repenting heart of man, truely knowing himself; ever hath a base account of himself, what ever God is to him.

Psal. 8. What is man, &c. In me dwells no good thing, and yet in Christ he enjoyed much good, Psal 16. All my righteousnesse is nothing, by the grace of God I am that I am: The Prodigal, I am unworthy to be called Thy Son, make me as one of thy hired Servants.

For there is nothing in man but weaknesse, & base­ness: though in the World among men, he be wise & upright: all high thoughts arise out of ignorance and Satans shews.

1. Whence then are those high thoughts, & justify­ing our selves, & condemning & censuring one ano­ther? & whence is this seeking honour one of anothe?

And when the Pharisee that bade him; saw it. Leave we the poor woman weeping, washing, kissing, and anointing, and see what that holy man judged thereof, he shewed before a great love to Christ in his enter­tainment; but see what lu [...]ks in his heart; a secret justi­fying of himself, through pride, and condemning; no [...] only the Woman, but of Christ himself. Wherein not [...] the pride and deceit of mans heart, So that,

That in the heart of all men a fountain of pride, and Fleshly deceit lyes lurking under the cover of Religion, whereby man becomes well conceited of himself, whe [...] there no cause at all.

This was the sin of the Angels, doting on their ow [...] excellency; and of Adam, that would be some body; Yea, Saul would needs justifie himself before Samuel: And the Pharisees wholly carried away with this, and the Libertains, 2 Pet. 2. Spake swelling words of vanity yet under pretence of long prayers, spoiled widows houses.

1. For man is unwilling to bear his own shame, and hence he gloseth, and covers and shifts, & as he grow cunning in Religion to hide himself from the Word o [...] [Page 53] God, he goes for currant; when within there is nothing but rottennesse.

For this grows up with goodnesse it self, as Tares with White; For when God bestows any notable bles­sing or qualitie on man, Satan turns mans eyes to look at it, as an act, or qualitie in man, not as a gift of God, keept in Christ, and thereby he covers himself in that silthin [...]sse within, and thinks himself some body.

1. Hence ariseth all this covering, and cloaking, and seeking of approbation, that we may be seen of men: for look what a man thinks, and how he judgeth of himself, he would have all men to judge and think the same.

And this sticks fast in all, we judge our selves better then many others; when we, in so judging, are worst of all, and yet God and thou knows, whether all thy care and labour in Religion, be not as well to gain re­spect, as out of the trouble of thine own vilenesse and weaknesse.

2. Nay, is there any thing that thou enjoyes, or doth, but there ariseth a conceit with it, of a betterness than before? that because of this good qualitie, &c. judgeth well: which only shews the goodnesse of God to man, and not of man towards God, and so it is this proud opinion that ma [...]s all.

3. See what a proud thing man is, that though a beg­ger, yet will needs be on horse-back: Hast thou any thing that first, thou hast not received it? and then, why boastest thou, as though thou hadst not received it?

2. Hast thou any thing properly thine, or, in thine own power; but in the hand of another, or canst thou stand one hour thereby.

3. Dost thou not marr every thing that thou meddles withall? as the Word, Prayer, &c. though good, yet in thee nought.

4. Dost thou not dissemble with God, & thy self withall? that when thou Professest to trust God, and seek his glory, dost thou not chiefly trust Wisdom, Righteousnesse, &c. and seekest thy self? when alace I [Page 54] all mans dayes are repenting dayes, that the Kingdom of God may be daily built up in us.

4. And the deceits of mans heart are endlesse; For f [...]rst, when he thinks best of himself, then he is the worst

2. When it is the World indeed that gives all Life: He hath a cunning shift so to carrie the matter, that Christ shall bear the Name.

3. And, what ever is revealed, and wrought by Christ himself in his, man hath a cunning tricke to shape the like in conceit: only the one hath them in his head, and the other in his heart.

5. It is not Christs Religion that puffs man up, but, that pulls down: that,

Christ may Live in him.

• 1. One sets up the World & himself, and casts Christ off.
• 2. Another, sets up Christ; and casts himself down.

6. So that, truely to know our selves, and not to be beguiled, is a great mistery; not deserved, but by him that knows the secrets of the heart: For with man he goes for current, when God accounts abominable.

He would have known who, and what this Woman had been: Here together with his pride: in regard of himself, he goes a censuring of others, even of Christ himself: and he judged him, because, according unto their Tradition he did not cast her off; Even indeed, be­cause he was merciful to poor sinners: So that,

He that out of Ignorance hath a good opinion of himself, hath never a good conceit; but a hard sen­suring of others, and hath pity and compassion on none; he that is not partaker of mercy, never shews mercy to any: but judgeth all, even Christ himself.

Thus the Pharisees justified themselves, and con­demned all else: not like the Publican, Isa, 65. Stand by, I am holier than thou. Col. 2. Touch not, taste not, &c. And thus they accused Christ: why eats your Master with Publicans? therefore not a holy man: The elder Brother of the Prodigal, I have obeyed thy command: [Page 55] but this my Brother hath wasted all; with whoors and harlots.

1. For pity and compassion to others ariseth, even out of feeling and knowing of misery and weaknesse in our selves.

2. Comparative righteousnesse is a great plea, and argument to a rotten heart: nay, man never arrogates any things to himself, but he judgeth hardly others: Nor judgeth others, but hath an approving of himself, or else: why judgest thou another, when thou doest the same, or a worse thing?

3. For those men live by Sacrifice, and not by mercy: and therefore will have Sacrifice, and not mercie for it: But Christ will have Mercy and not Sacrifice; & Sin­ners, not Righteous.

And this arised out of meer blindnesse in mans self, which hath covered his filthinesse with fig-leaves: and so tyes Religion to some certain qualities and actions: which, whoso wants, he judgeth: and sin in man, and mercie in God: which is the foundation of all he feels not.

1. This shews there is more Pharisees than Publicans in the Church: and more that live by sacrifice, than by mercy, when every one hath a stone to cast at ano­ther, preying into everie failing: judging out of their own rotten hearts, that to be a fleshly libertie, which flows out of meer love: as here in Jesus Christ: Nay, this we all fall into, in casting off: or secretly judging every one that is not of the same way with us: aggra­vating the fails and slips of others: But, I demand. What seest thou amisse in them, that is not in thee? thou thinks Judas a traitor, and art not thou the same? how often hast thou sold and forsaken Christ for lesse: and caused him to be reproached, and slandered & crucified: even for the satisfying of some base lust? but thou shalt see, when thou feels either his free mercie, or thy own mi­sery: that thou wilt judge none.

2. Hence ariseth all Sects & Contentions in the Church, even because every one hath a good opinion of himself, [Page 56] and judgeth all that are not like him; Thus everie Sect condemns others: But, Christ came not to condemn the world, but to save it.

3. Nay, And this corruption lives in us all: how apt is man to forget himself, and fall upon others: not only to judge their way to be evil, but their very estates with God. If God bring us before his judgement seat, who is able to abide?

4. And thus we judge Christ and his Word, and are not judged by it; we frame it to our own mould, & are not framed by it: as the Pharisees judged Christ pro­phane, because he was not more severe against her: would have had Christ to have been a man of wrath, & judgement, and not a mediator for Sinners.

5. But Christs Religion is a humble, pitiful, & mer­ciful Religion: which indeed is the life of it: For this man had Knowledge: and also Righteousnesse: but no mercy nor love: which proved all to be nothing: Then said Jesus unto him, Simon. Simon. Here, he first convin­ceth the secret hypocrisie of the Pharisee: So that,

Though man walk unblemeably in the eyes of all, and religiously and holily in his own eyes: yet, in the highest perfection of man, God hath somewhat to say unto him.

As the young man, Thou yet lakest one thing; and to Saul, What meaneth the bleating of the Sheep: The Pha­risees thought themselves safe, but Christ had still some­what to say.

1. For the Word of Truth searcheth the secrets of the heart.

2. God judgeth and condemns that which man ap­proves: Yea, he will bring all to judgement, & conclude all under sin, that no flesh may glory: for all mouths must be stopped, and none able to justifie himself.

1. So that all our secret hidings and co [...]ers will not serve: God hath still something to say to us: though we strive to make all so sure, that he might not accuse us: yet all in vain: for we know that when we have hardened our hearts in security, yet God; either by se­cret [Page 57] Testimonies of guilt, or by his Word and Truth, is still pulling by the slieve: & though we slip away, yet he will discover at last.

Two things keeps all men out of Christ, under a kind of cover:

1. Either Beastly, or Epicurian securitie; Or,

2. A Pharisaical pride: either man is drowned in the World, or Prided in conceits, and hardened in both.

2. But know, God will bring to light every secret thing, though we put off, and care not to meddle with him: though we flatter, & think to please him: though we be righteous, and think to stand before him, yet he hath somewhat to say:

A certain man had two debtors. Here under a Pa­rable, he shews t [...]e state of all men in Adam, and in Ch ist: The first in the two debtors, that are not able to pay: and so bound over to death and bondage: The second, in free grace, forgiving both: with the effect of love thereupon. Two debtors, the one owing five hun­dred pence, the other fifty: This difference he speaks according to Simons judgement: for he justified him­self before her, as much as five hundred differs from fifty: though in respect of God, and Original guilt, all are alike. Yet in the eye of the World, and by mul­tiplying actual transgression, increased the guilt & bon­dage, and so did differ; but both debtors, as all men are: So that,

All men, yea, every Son of Adam, through Original sin & guilt of everie heart, are debtors to God: and bound over to death and destruction: which we must pay, and suffer, unlesse Gods mercy and free grace in Christ do free us, Rom. 3. We have all sinned and are equally deprived of the glory of God. Eph. 2. We are all by nature the children of Wrath. Rom. 13.2. There is a law of Sin and Death from which we are fred, only by the Law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus. Gal. 3. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things, &c. And to Adam, In the day that thou eats thereof, thou shalt die, Rom. 14.1. The wages of sin is death, And see it in the Prodigal.

[Page 58]1. The Law of righteousnesse, which God cannot forsake, requires it: that he that will not live in God, shall have no life: as to Adam: Much more, he that would in his heart pull God out of his Throne, and sit there himself: as Absolom.

2. All men in Adam; are so estranged from God in the ground of their hearts, that they are direct fighters against God in all things: for when we should trust, love; fear & obey him; mans heart forsakes him, and runs to every thing rather.

3. For if there were not a debt and poverty to be suffered, there needed no forgivenesse: But we pray daily, forgive us our debts, O Lord.

4. Nay, all men know this: and therefore, flie from God and his judgement, as the debtor from his credi­tor; who, though for the present he is quiet, and hath enough: yet debt and fear lyes on him for future times, because he knows a reckoning day will come; so we: Yea, the very Heathen fear this, that believe the morta­litie of the Soul, and labour by moral righteousnesse to pay the debt, but all in vain.

1. And know that this debt and death his not this or that misguided action: but the very original spring­ing fountain of rebellion, & guilt in the heart: whence spring all these little streams from that great and filthy Fountain. For all actual sins are properly against men, which may be discharged: As, if I wrong any man, I may restore and make a mends, &c. But by this a mans heart fights against God daily: as, when he saith he is just & powerful, & fears not; but thinks to shift it, that he is merciful, & we need it not: but shall live in free­dom, and will mend the matter, and pay him his own.

But the believing heart that knows himself, is still a debtor, because that he feels, that although he guide well, & be prevented from many actual Rebellions, and be partaker of Gods grace, that he shall not taste of judgement: yet, he feels such a spring of Rebellions & mis guided passions, that he is still a debtor, and daily cry [...]s for mercie, and so Repentance and Faith are pre­served.

O! What a vile and miserable thing is man, and yet dreams of no such thing, Other creatures owe debt to man, and daily live in service and subjection, and pay it; and when they die, all is discharged: But man lives in joy & freedom; & when he dies, all is to pay, and he cast into utter darknesse, to pay the uttermost farthing.

2. Whence then is all this pride, and vain boasting? whence is all this Sleepinesse, Security and Peace in the World? whence is this judging and censuring of others? whence is this boasting and high thoughts of our gifts, and abilities? Is not bondage our daily bur­den, and death and misery the portion that we look for & fear. Did not Paul cry out for deliverance from the body of this death, and yet we live in life, and seeks no deliverance: Was not he a dead man in himself, and Christ lived in him, and yet we alive to our selves, and Christ dead to us. Therefore, till man believe and know this, not by discourse, but believing the word of Truth, and finding it in himself, he believes nothing at all, & if man believe this, it would lay him as the dust in him­self, and dash all toyes, and joyes in the World, & make him pitiful to others.

3. But alace! man turns all believing into Fleshly knowing, & thereby keeps off his own misery: like a drunken man, that besots himself, that he may ease himself a while of the fear of that debt he cannot pay: For this fore-knowing of man, prevents believing: and ever lifts up man, never pulls him down, makes him righteous in himself, not a sinner; hardens the heart, but never humbles it.

4. But know, that man must know & feel this one day; when it will be too late, when he shall know no­thing but misery, like a debtor in the Guoile, who runs his mis-pent time, must not see his friends, nor walk abroad, but pine to death, & sorrow: so with us at death.

And when they had nothing to pay. Here comes grea­ter misery, viz. That there is left to no man power to free himself: So that,

No power nor possibility in man, by any witty in­vention, high speculation, or highest holinesse, to free [Page 60] his mind of guilt: to ease his bondage, to flie misery o escape death; but in the sense of all weaknesse & mi­serie, to cry daily for mercy; and wait for deliverance in another.

We are redeemed not with corruptible things, &c. So the Prodigal; And because there was no power in man, he laid help on one that was mighty among the People; wherefore else came Christ into the World; but, be­cause there was none else able to tread the Wine presse of his wrath?

1. For the wisdom of man is foolishnesse, & his strength weaknesse; his righteousnesse as a filthy rag; His sacri­fice abominable; Israel was not able to help themselves at the Read-Sea,

2. Nay, the promise runs upon such, as have no money, or heavy laden, blind, and poor in Spirit.

3. For Till man have nothing in hims [...]lf, Christ hath nothing for him.

4. Then is grace, and God magnified; his Word be­lieved; but, while man hath any possibility in himself, or hope in any creature: mercie is little set by.

1. Away then with all those s ilts of man, to put off the evil day: as 1. One with the full World: he will drown all misery in the Earth: but when the Earth shall be taken away, where then is his portion.

2. Another with moral honesty, thinks it will do something.

3. The more devote, offers fat sacrifices of Righteous­nesse to purge sin.

4. Another thinks, the time was, when he had no­thing: but now he hath somewhat, viz. Faith, Know­ledge, Righteousness, &c. And these he thinks will go far; but Repentance is hid from his eyes: and Faith & Mercie shut up.

5. Another takes time, & promiseth to pay hereafter.

6. Another payes old, and takes new: as new fashions in Religion.

Thus man loath to live in weaknesse, and have hold of nothing, but feeds securitie with some hope or other, [Page 61] and looking at himself, hopes that all that is some­thing: and commits not to free mercie. This is the har­dest of all.

2. But, when man lives in his own miserie indeed, and sees no way to get out: it brings him to wait for mercie onely: Like the debtor brought on his knees, commits himself to the mercy of the creditor: So, that indeed, mans weaknesse is his strength: the Crosse his Freedom, Suffering his victorie, & Death his Life.

3. Where then is the power of man, that we so much talk off? Is it in man? a talent given to man to pay his own debt; Nay, to manifest his grace: and it shews how mercy in God is the dayly life of man, and not in himself, and our help in another: Yea, and it magni­fies his mercie, that takes a Wife of fornication: that hath no good qualitie: as this Woman: and to such vile and weak Rebels shews favour, that the glory may be his alone.

He forgave them both. Here is the Gospel, and free Grace of God unto miserable man: that had no way to turn him, but falls down, & confesseth the debt: for he exacts nothing at them, nor enters into judgement.

Which of them will love him most. Here he propones the question to convince him in himself So that,

Till man be convinced in himself, truely to see his own vilenesse & wretchednesse, all truth is but as a shadow without substance.

While the Pharisees stood justified in themselves, the Gospel was in vain, Christ came to reprove the World, and so to make way for the Gospel: The Word is pro­fitable to convince and reprove.

1 For the first thing it works, it brings man into him­self, as it did this Woman.

2. The Gospel is given to none, but to miserable men: For though others conceive, talk, and dispute of it, only these do believe it.

3. Then man cloaths himself with it, and hides un­der it, but is not brought under the power of it: to yeild, and lay his hand on his mouth: For he is wise above the Word.

[Page 62]1. And hence it is, that the Word is so lightly passed over, every man is wise to keep off the blow: & though it enters his head, yet he keeps out of his heart: & will not be guilty unlesse for fashion: And so for an lowly, lost mind: we have a thousand wise and secure hearts hardned through knowledge: For we have gotten a foreknowing of all Truth, and keeps off repentance; that when ever the wound of sin is discovered, we have readie a plaister, by fore knowing before the wound be made, and so Religion is made a meer matter of Com­plement: For they see a remedie before the sore.

2. And hence see, that if mans heart believingly an­swer the Word of Truth, it will put all men to silence; none is able to stand before it, or to argue against it; It leaves all men guilty and none righteous, But when man gets upperhand of the Word, and gets it under his witt: it makes all righteous in conceit, & none sinners: as 1, by Christ.

1. Who cares for the sparrows and lillies? doth not the heavenly Father? Why then do you care; saying, what shall we eat? &c. Here all men are guilty, none able to say, his heart is clean.

2. Is Christ the Son of God, and hath Christ done that which never man did? and no man spake like this man? Why then do we not believe? but he believes every lye of Satan: So that out of our own mouth and heart he will judge us.

3 So that one word believed with a simple heart, prevails more than the whole Bible, only known of a hard, and fleshly wise mind.

Which will love him most. Or he: to whom he forgave most: So that,

Look what Christ is to man, even the same is man to Christ, & to others, and nothing else.

We love him, because he loved us. First, the love of Christ constraineth us. For Christ lives in me: So that he only gives life in all things.

1. For if Christ dwell but in mans fancie, then he hath only a fancie, and an opinion of Love, Righteousnesse, [Page 63] &c. For what ever rules in the mind; all the whole powers run thither.

2. For what a man is, or doth of himself; he is, and doth for himself, and it is meer nothing, though he gave his body to be burned.

3. Thus Christ shews his Power in man, mortifies man to the World, &c. And man as an instrument to do his will, as in everie Officer of the Kingdom, com­mands by the King.

1. Where then is that power and that wisdom to or­der mans heart, to rule his passions, to frame his mind to the will of God, to mortifie Lust? Is it in mans good husbandrie; no? It is in mans lying dead in himself; wearie of himself, waiting for help, and finding help in another; is losed at the bottome, and loves Christ and all men; not out of any good qualitie in nature, or mor­tified mind through his diligence: but that unknown power of the love of God ruling in man, which sepa­rates man from himself and his own glorie.

2. But this discovers a main want of lively Religion, & harty Love, when in every thing a man meddles with, he still hath an eye to himself, his own ends makes him forward: his own power & wisdom guides him: & his own good he looks at: Nay, when Christ hath freed the mind, how soon returns man to himself, and begins the good thereby to himself.

3. And this shews that Christ lives in few: when we see that cankered malice, covetousnesse, pride, envy: and whole brood of lusts fighting in man: See, He that loves Father or Mother, more than me, &c.

4. Yea, All mens hearts without Christ are like to this mans: a cold complemental courtesie, esteeming well of Christ: but better of himself, a reserved affection without life, for neither do they stand in need of him, nor feel any goodnesse by him, where he onlie lives not.

She hath much forgiven her, and therefore she loves much. Here is the cause and effect of Christ forgiving her sins, and she loving Christ: so that,

An heart truly troubled and lost in himself, and find­ing [Page 64] remission of sins in and by Christ: loves and clea­ves to him above all things in the world or himself: and all men in and for him.

Paul esteemed nothing but Christ, Phil. 3.7. Mat. 10.37. He that loves Father or mother: &c. 1. Cor. 16.22. He that loves not Christ, let him be Anathema. The disciples being stricken with this Doctrine, forsook all.

1. For there is no life left in any thing to man, either in the world or himself, but only in him: as the Prodi­gal: What is all gold & riches to an hungry Stomack, in comparison of bread? So, What is all the World to a lost heart in respect of Christ?

2. For nothing is, or can be such a burden, and death to the heart, as sin and guilt: and so, nothing like free­dom & life, as forgivenesse. O, how sweet is the voice of a pardon to a condemned man! Now, we all say, that we love Christ: But know, it is the mighty power of God, in the truth of his Word, that separates man from himself, and all things to Christ alone: for while when any thing else gives hope, delight, joy, ease or peace to man: Christ is not regarded, but in opinion only.

1. For there is a loving of Christ after the flesh: as the Disciples: who could not abide to hear of his depar­ture: so we have fleshly, cold affections to the notions of Christ, but not to be ruled and guided, and live by him only, but will be quartermasters.

2. And there is a love to the ease, and peace and com­fort by him, which we would still have: and fit at his right hand, or for works sake, but to love him: and esteem him for poverty, want, forsaken, and persecu­tion, &c. we like not: Like a heartlesse wife, that loves and obeyes her husband, so long as he pampers hers and keeps her fair and fine: But when he falls into po­verty, forsakes him, and takes another; as the rich Lawyer and Dives did.

So that Christ may well say, Who hath believed our report, or to whom is the power of Christs death effectual? Seing, all are so knit to the World and our selves, that he and his word is not regarded.

[Page 65]1. The World we love, as Father, Mother, Ease, Fulnesse, &c. and these darken the heart, and gives such a peace to the flesh, that we see not the miserie of our Spirits.

2. We love our own fancies, and thoughts & know­ledge, and qualities, and think these will help us, and plead for us.

3. We love our selves, and any thing that may pre­serve our fleshly Kingdom; but the Kingdom of Christ we cast off.

1 One rather than want his will; another, rather than want the World; another, rather than want ease and life, sets Christ aside: So that we may say? How dwells the love of God in these?

2. But see, Christ is esteemed and loved of none, but miserable and sinful men in themselves: who though he k [...]ll them, yet they will love him: these tread all under foot all righteousnesse, for they see none; all wis­dom, the World, Ease and Peace, and Christ only is life unto them: And besides him, all things works their bondage: yea, are wearisome, as all men are to a lov­ing wife, but her husband.

3. Away then with all Religion, where love is wan­ting: all talking and working, where man doth it to cover his filthinesse; with them: Christ is a judge, and they cannot love him.

4. And none loves Christ, that loves himself: for only such as condemn and judge themselves, esteem of him.

5. And this appears in love to your neighbour, even of mankind, our very enemies: which appears in par­ting freely with the World: helping the needful, forgi­ving injuries, covering infirmities of others; suffering willingly: else, how dwells the love of Christ in us?

6. So that it is not love that is the form of Faith, but faith begets love: & love expresseth faith to the World.

Thy sins are forgiven: So that,

Free forgivenesse of sins in Christ, to a troubled heart, is life in death, and the door and life of all hearty Re­ligion.

Having forgiven us all our trespasses, This was life in the Prodigal, and to the Publicane: And this Paul acknowledgeth, Psal. 32. This is our blessednesse.

1. For till then, the Partition-wall stands, and man sits in death in himself, or life in the world only.

2. This opens the door of the Covenant unto man.

3. This is the daily life of man, who though he daily sin, yet God in Christ, freely forgives, and this brusts his heart, and makes it melt into love.

1. But most enter not in at this door, but leap over this, & take for granted, what they never felt nor enjoyed.

2. Others, offer sacrifice to purge sin, and cover with righteousness, wisdom & opinion.

3. But O, What a life is this to a dead man, as a Pri­soner condemned, yet obtains pardon through the mercy of a Prince?

And this forgivenesse is the free mercy of God, for­giving mans sin, for his own Names sake, not because, they are lesser or fewer, nor because we repent, & now turn, nor because, we are more righteous, or for good qualities.

Who is this that forgiveth sins? Here they begin to judge him again, because he forgiveth sin: they looked that he should have judged & excommunicated her, or set her to keep the Law, and wrought her own peace.

No saith he, I came to save, and not to judge sinners and lost man: But this was a Principle that they favou­red not, so that,

Unbelieving, Strait-hearted, Hard-hearted, & Self-religious Men, though in Wisdom, Righteousnesse, they excell others: yet have they least favour or feeling of repentance and forgivenesse, wherein the life of all Religion consists.

They tithe the Mint, Annise and Cummin; they look to the plucking of the ears of Corn on the Sab­bath-day, but mercy, they are not acquainted with, Mic. They offer thousands of rams, &c. But to walk humbly with their God, they know not. The first, they urge with all vehemency, but the latter, they never men­tion.

[Page 67]1. For, what is in mans power, by diligence; by his own ends he obtains: but, what is Gods free gift, as this; he hath not faith to embrace?

2. Do well, and have well; is the Principle all stick to: but resting in Christ, when all things are lost, is a mystery, known to none, but he that hath it.

1. The worldling hath no life, but in the World: and knows not, what forgivenesse and burden of sin is: So,

2. The Pharisees know all, and do all: but forgive­ness and faith he savours not; therefore, judgeth this to be carnal liberty.

3. All Sectaries, busie themsel [...]es about circumstan­ces; but this never medled with.

4. So we talk and think of Religion, and run into many disputs, and circumstances: and over-leap the foundation, viz. the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus.

5. None knows the Power of Religion in deed, but he that hath it; not in himself, as a quality; but in Christ, by faith.

6. All Religion is nothing, where the Fountain is shut: no matter, what we know: if we know not Christ from a troubled heart.

AFter that Christ had cast off the Pharisee in the preceeding Chapter, & received the Woman; whereby he manifested the freenesse of Gods grace, without any respect unto man. Great multitudes flocked to him, out of all Cities: and he lets them see by a Parable, that all hearers prove not Christians. Wherein note, 1. The occasion, much people met him 2. The Parable it self. 3. The Exposition thereof: Much people were gathered together. Partly, by his Miracles; partly, the power of his word; partly, for custome: but all came, and yet after you see, fall off: So that,

The voice of the Gospel, and the publishing of it, gets many friends and followers at the first; which [Page 68] afterwards fall off, & forsake it, Joh. 6. When all was gone, his disciples began to slink: and he said, Will you also go away. It was great heart burning to the Priests and Elders, that the whole world went after Christ, & yet at the end, all forsooke him: and he trode the wine-presse alone: So Paul had many Children and Churches, Gal. 4. You would have plucked out your own eyes, but they all forsooke him, and turns to the false Apostles: thus beginning in the Spirit, and ending in the Flesh.

1. For, Est natura hominum novitatis avida: but when they have tryed it, and find not that sweet they expect­ed: but that it crosseth their lusts and wordly Kingdom, and suits not with their ease and rest; they forsake it.

2 Many embrace and approve of it for company, and moe forsake it for company: it may be the example of many will draw one to it: but the example of one will draw many from it.

3. Though man think, that a Nation is born at once: yet few truly proves good ground, and sticks to the end: for he that endures to the end, is saved.

1. This is too plain in experience, What zeal and forwardnesse, what diligence and care, is now dead and ended in nothing? and though once we wanted nothing but Christ, yet now have forsaken him in the way of his cross, and ease our selves in the world, and our own devices.

So that, the life of the Gospel continues but a time: for after a while, security takes hold of some opinions and heresies of others: and the world takes hold of all: and so the Lord takes it away, and sends it elsewhere.

2. To shew the perverse nature of man, who is never wearie of the world in the ways of the flesh: and yet how soon weary of this.

He spake by a Parable: Not in high and abstruse ter­mes, or wittie and unknown Language, but in plain parables, as of plowing & sowing, of salt, and three pecks of meal, of lost sheep, of debtors and creditors: things well known unto men, & cast this simple seed amongst them; where, see the nature of the Gospel: So that,

That it is plain & low, & simple; wants nothing, but believing hearts to make it known: yet not understood of any, but such as stand truly in need thereof.

Many great Doctors were ignorant of these Parables: the Parable was plain but the mysteries was hid. Many wise men conceive truly of it, & defended it: but only miserable men knew the power of it.

1. For Christ came not to set men at disputing about opinions, but about themselves: to draw them to believe.

1. So that divinity stands not in curious searching of hidden things, but in plain evidence of truth, to pierce the heart.

2. And hence we see, what good doth all those dis­putes of high knowledge, of contemplative men, viz. The greatest Idolaters, that ever was in the Church: for they frame steps and stairs, to ascend to high Mysteries; and frame a God at the top: and yet, ly in pride and base lusts: God gives us low and humble hearts, & then a Parable will fet: the Gospel will be precious: and if ever God bring us to see the need of Christ, one simple word of truth will bring more joy, than a thousand witty discourses.

A sower went forth to sow. And this seed is the Word of God, which prospers in some better, in some worse: and Christ therein ranks all men, according to that power the word hath in them; so that,

Every man is with God, as the word is to him, Joh. 15 If you abide in me, and my word abide in you, &c.

Saul cast away the Word of the Lord, therefore, the Lord cast him away: and all the complaints against Israel was still, because they hearkned not to my Word: they disobeyed my Word: and all the Plagues that ever came on man, even from Adam, till now is, because our own wills and lusts rules us, & not his Word: we believe not: but David lived thereby. And this is that frees man, thy Word of Truth.

1. For God and his Word are one, such as his Word is to us, such is God in every thing: for not one jote of his Word shall fail.

[Page 70]2. And all the Word is nothing else, but a Declaration of the Fathers will in Christ: as the Law, that we should have no Saviour but him, and the Gospel: that he is a perfect Saviour: & all our sin is but a transgression of this Word, by making to our selves in conceit, other Saviours than him. This is the Word that was given to Adam, Abraham, &c. and this is a mighty Word, for by it all things were made and preserved. As with man, how deadly is the Word of a King in wrath: that it hath ever strucken a man with death? and so of mercy. And the sowing of this seed, is nothing else: but the faithful De­claration of Gods Will concerning Man and Christ, that man may see the deceits of Satan by that Word, & so be brought to repentance: & may see the truth of the Word in Christ, that the Kingdom of God may come.

And yet Christ may say, Who hath believed our re­port: when we see this seed to perish, & not regarded, but cast off as a fable: We believe & fear the Word of Man: and the Word of a Father prevails with a Son: but God calls & cries, and we regard not: He threa­tens, and we fear not: He promiseth, and we believe not: But let the World threaten, we fear, or promise, and we rejoice: and so comes man to be of a worldly heart. Doth not the Father cast out the Son that regarded not his Word. Mark, and we shall see, that the whole ear is stopt to this Word: and he is but a dead hearted man: But know, that God hath punished more for this, than all other sins in the World.

1. Woe then to the deaf ear and hard heart of man, that can neither hear, nor believe what God saith; so that to some we see,

1. It is but a fable, and a thing of no account.

2. Others, reverence it: and seek to know, and cove [...] themselves under it.

3. Others, are stricken with the Glory and Majesty thereof: but fleeing to their own Inventions, are cured and flie high above it.

4. Others, are filled and revived, and live by it only: not minding, what the world or the flesh saith: but what Christ saith.

[Page 71]2. So then, that which most opposeth the Devil, is the Word of the Gospel: he can deal with all but this: but this discovers his dephts: and draws men out of his Kingdom, And if it live not in man, then Satans Word lives in him: either that of the Serpent to Adam, or that of God prevails, and we live thereby.

3. But know, this will be a heavie word one day to those that now cast it off, & prefer their own Lusts be­fore it, when the day comes, that the World & all fails man, & with those. Luke 13. We knock, &c. He shall say, I gave you my Word, I sent you my Prophets, I told you by them, that you were deceived, & that the World would beguile you: I sent you my Son to make known my will, he walked in the way before you: I gave him Power and Wisdom, to guide you by his Word unto Life: I told you, there was no Saviour to man, but only he

But this Word you despised, and would not regard: You believed me not, but counted me a lyer: you trusted the World, & the Wisdom of the Flesh: I would have performed Life to the uttermost, but you trusted me not: but counted Christ a deceiver: Therefore, now your blood be upon your own heads, and now that Word which you have cast away; must judge you: For my Word must stand.

4. Happie he then that lives by his Word, and in whom it lives, for all things else alter and change; yet this abides, if man stick to it, Though for the present, we feel no sweet to the Flesh, yet in time, it comforts the Spirit, and yet how often do we call it a lie, and judge the Word, and are not judged by it, either fram­ing it to our own wills, or lifted up above it, or base­ly sunk down from it, but every way forsaking it, when indeed it is the sure foundation to be waited on, untill the day dawn, and the day star arise, &:

They by the way side. These are four sorts of men in the Church.

The 1. Are like the high way, which is so troden by the dayly path of men, that it is hardned, and the Seed can take no root therein: Such are in the Church; So that,

Those in whom the World, and Lusts hath a daily & continual path and custome, becomes so hardned there­by, that the Gospel takes little effect with them.

So had Israel, Isa. 28. That they made a mock of the Pro­phets; so the young Lawyer.

1. For hereby the heart is filled and sore stalled, Psal 119. They are as fat as brawn, & regarded not thy Law.

2. Hereby is the ear stopped, and the heart hardned: like a drunkard, that they can hear nor minde nothing.

3. For if that everie passage of the World leave such a wound as in David, what a bondage when it hath a path way and is become the verie Shope: wherein all vanitie are bought and sold.

1. Hence it is that worldly hearts that are flesht therein, do least minde the Word: How hardly do these enter; Like the high way, that is neither fit for Corn nor Grasse: And hence ariseth that damnable careles­nesse under the Gospel: Who hear, and care not, whether there be a God or not: Satan hath these in a fare stay.

2. See what a distemper the World workes in man mind, that it makes him mindelesse of God and him­self too.

3. Hence our verie Preaching and Hearing, even lest labour for we cannot shout so loud, but Satan will out-shout us.

4. But well worth tender hearts, that lye in miserie: and everie Word of God sticks to the heart.

Lest they should believe. This is Satans end: So that,

Satans main drift to hinder mans Freedom, and undo him; is, that he may not believe.

They on the stony ground. Here is the second sort i [...] the Church, in whom the Word hath a certain Work: but note, 1. Effectual, wherein, 1. Their condition is hard and stonie. 2. The effect it had, They rejoyced and believed for a time. 3. Their failing, in time of temptation they sell away. So that,

That an hard heart, bound and closed up in him-self, and his own self-love; is altogether unfit to receiv [...] any good from Christ and his Word, Eph. 4.17. [...] [Page 73] of the hardnesse of thy heart: So Israel, they erred in heart: because of the hardnesse of their hearts. Christ was cast out of their Towns, Psal. 81. Psal. 78. Wondrous things did he in the Land of Ham.

Two things chiefly harden; self-love, & self-wisdom: For, when man is lifted up in conceit and opinion in doing something to God, and not poor and begerly to receive, he sends the Rich emptie away. For the whole Doctrine of the Gospel, is not what we should do to God, but what we should receive from him?

1. For the Gospel is soft, and lowlie, and tender, and must be sown in tender hearts of Flesh: The Law was written in stone: but the Gospel in the hearts of Flesh: This hardnesse is nothing, but the closing up of the mind in self-love; or of the creatures, and depending thereon; loving, living, and delighting therein, so that Mercy in Christ is despised.

1. Hence see, why the Gospel prospers not, viz. be­cause of the hardnesse of our Hearts: because, that we neither feel our own misery, nor trust in Gods mercy.

1. Some so confident, and closed up in themselves; that they trample the Word and Christ under foot.

2. Others know and comprehend it, but hard and bound at the bottom.

3. Others dispute and talk of it from a hard heart, no faith, no bowels of mercy; but talk as Lords and Ma­sters of the Scripture, and so nothing but unprofitable found, and pride and vain glory are the bellowes that blows it: and in all these we see,

1. They seek themselves in all things, their own glory and good.

2. They have no Mercy nor Pity for others misery, except partial, in respect of their own way and glory.

3. They censure, judge and condemn all but them­selves.

4. The World and the losse thereof sticks deep, but not the Word. For our own misery and mercy in Christ, only breaks the Heart.

2. We see then whom only the Word profits, viz. [Page 74] Tender Hearts, that ly lowe, melting in Misery and Love: these pity others: these are killed and made alive by the Word, as in Christ, who mourned for the Peoples hardnesse, was partaker of mans misery: and yet saw Mercy of the Father.

3. So that all Knowledge, all Passions with a hard heart are nothing, and nothing more hardens than that

4. And all things prosper, according to the disposition of the Heart, learning &c. are the works of man; but saith and a broken heart, the gift of God only.

This Word may and doth worke many Passions, & a light belief in many: and yet never partaker of Christ therein, as Ezek. 33. They heard and shewed love. And Herod did many things; for the Knowledge thereof is glorious and the evidence of the Truth convinceth man, to make him inexcusable. But these are but First, Stirring of natural passions. Second, Or, informing Reason more clearly. Many such Passions we see stirr'd up; and all nothing: So that, fits & passions, lights and easements come and go: but misery in man, and mercy in God remains ever. And the life of faith, is not any strength or quality in man; but a tender heart, & open ear, to hear & believe Gods Word, & live thereby.

IN this Chapter, the Prophet first bewails the losse of the Righteous of Israel, which was not laid to heart; but they presumed still of their own strength with­out God. Then he calls the Rebellious to a reckon­ing, to convince them of their Idolatry and carnal con­fidence: and to see the vanity of their way and their mi­sery, and captivity ensuing.

And all by a Metaphor of Adulterers, that have for­saken their Husbands, that would have been a safe­guard unto them: and joyning themselves unto others [Page 75] which would be their downfal. As first, that they had joyned themselves to another: than to him: and had made a covenant with them, and sed themselves with beastly pleasures, in satisfying of their Lusts; sometimes covertly, behind the door: Sometimes lifted up in their conceits, as upon a high Mountain.

Then their carnal confidence in the arm of flesh, in going to the King of Assyria, and then when he fail­ed, to the King of Babylon; and so concludes, they have sought all wayes of wearinesse: and yet returned not to God: Wherein, he shewes,

1. The frowardnesse of Mans Heart, and his many devices to nourish his fleshly hope, and put evil from his thoughts

2. The ground of all t [...]is vain confidence; is, be­cause he find the life of his hands for the present; there­fore not grieved.

Thou hast wearied or toiled thy self: viz. Sought out all devices and wayes to nourish hope, even unto wea­rinesse: and yet saw not thy miserie: So that,

All mans toil in the Flesh, wherein he wearies him­self, is only to feed his hope of safetie without God: & to keep evil from his heart and eyes: yet all in vain; for evil shall over take him in the end.

Yea, though man daily see the wearinesse, and vanitie of his own wayes, that they prevaile not to the satisfy­ing of his own lust & desire; yet, he still seeds his hope, & thinks he shall put the evil from his heart: As Israel, though they saw they prospered not in their designs, by their fleshlie power; yet still sought to the arm of Flesh, & trusted it; Pharaoh, though God wearied him with his judgements: yet, he was still hardened against him: The Pharisees, though they saw they prevailed not against Christ: yet ceased not to fight against his Kingd [...]m. The Wordling, though he toile in wearinesse & yet still at a want, yet he cannot cast off care: but hopes to gain sa­tisfaction: And Balack, & Balaam, Is [...]. 62. They will n [...]t s [...]t, but they shall see. For man hath m [...]re confide [...]ce in the World & in the Flesh, than in God: & more ground [Page 76] and reason to believe it, than God; For thought the World have sailed him a thousand times; yet still he be­lieves it, will help him; But if God seem to defer his help a while, he runs to his old friend Mammon again: as Israel did to Egypt, against Aissria: & contra: For man is loath to see any evil towards himself, or the down-fall of his Fleshlie Kingdom; though it doth fail in his sense and feeling: yet he holds it up in his con­ceits and hopes: And so would still have somewhat to look at, that he might believe. For nothing can destroy the hope of man, but God, by the power of his Truth, and sensible Wrath in mans heart: man can shufle and shift off any thing else.

1. For if guilt be revealed, yet there is hope: For he will mend his course, falter Moses, and so hope for mercie.

2. If affliction and crosse come, yet he will be more warry and diligent, and so prevent or recover it.

3. If Death come yet he puts it off as long as he can, and saith, While there is yet Life there is hope of mends.

4. For there is such a sure covenant betwixt the World and mans Fleshlie Heart: that if one faill, he runs to another, and if one conceit hold not, he gets another.

1. Hic labor, hoc opus. Thus doth the Wordlie heart of man wear out his dayes in wearinesse, and still feeds his vain hopes: How hath the youthful mind wearied himself, in one vanitie after another, that now, they are wearinesse to him, and if the old man were kept to those youthfull dallyance, it would be a burden: And yet, though there was hope in riches: and, how hath the rich Worldling fed his hopes with pulling down and building: and yet he is too short: Nay, there is nothing but is wearinesse in all our wayes, and yet we follow them, as though in the end, whe should gain rest: So lothe is man to leave the pursuit of his fleshlie hopes, & so little heart to bear the want thereof; That he will trye the utmost of his strength, before he yeeld.

[Page 77]2. Nay, See the wearie passages man hath in Reli­gion, and yet will not denie himself: he hath gained knowledge, wrought righteousnesse, changed his course, and all to beget a Faith: and yet his heart is fearful and distrustful, and thinks by a new device or degree, to gain it; Nay, how often hath God confounded thy self-opinions and conceits, that thou saw it would not serve the turn, and yet, hast set a fresh upon a new one.

3. Nay, how often hath God frustrate the fleshlie conceits of believers, and yet, they have not learned to trust him.

4. Thus the Flesh still deceives, for the witt of man shews him many great wayes of thriving, & all proves wearie: great wayes of believing, and yet proves vain opinion: Man will have hold of something, that his hope may be preserved: Thus is he still bewitched, & will not understand the fear of the Lord.

5. But know, when thou hast wearied thy self, and worn out thy dayes; all thy hopes shall die with the [...], and thou shalt see the Truth of that thou wilt not now believe.

1. When the World shall passe away from thee, or thou from it.

2. Thy friends forsake thee, or thou forsake them.

3. Thy Knowledge vanish, and thy conceits fail thee.

4. Death arrost thee, and lay all thy counsels in the dust and no hope of returning, or staying any longer: no hope to escape the punishment of thy guilty soul: then there will be no hope indeed.

5. This we see, what the life of man is, nothing but a wearying of himself, and [...]eeding his hopes, which end in confusion; and the greater the way is, and more likelie the project, the more deceived.

1 The way of the Pharis [...]es is a great way of holi­nesse, & great conceits arise hence: but all abominable.

2. The way of fleshlie knowledge, and high contem­plation: is a great and seeming way of happiness: yet, an enemie to the crosse of Christ.

3. The way of self-holinesse and good qualities, and [Page 78] joyful feelings, feed hope; that he hopes it will be some­thing, & so is not brought down to say, there is no hope.

6. And here we see, what an evil rests in the heart of man; like a predominant disease, overcomes all medicines. There is nothing that God doth to him, or that he enjoyes, but this evil destroyes it both: that evil disposition overcomes it, and the evil of miserie falls upon him; which all his witt, and weary toiling cannot avoide.

1. If he meddle with the Word, there is an evil Infi­delitie and Lust that eats it out: and yet, he saith, There is no hope.

2. If he pray: there is an evil of selfnesse and pride that conceives hope from what he doth.

3. If he seek to know and comprehend, yet, there is an evil stubbornnesse, that he will not yield.

4. If he get the World, there is an evil of guilt and want that destroyes his hope and confidence: Nay, there is no evil befals man, but there is a greater with man which he sees not, but covers all he can: untill God take him from himself, and make him a new man in Christ.

And yet saidest thou not, There is no hope. Yet thou blessedst thy self in new aid, and not brought to seek help at me: So that,

Till all mans hope in the flesh be destroyed, the help [...] God in mercy; never relieves him.

As with the Prodigal, and those in the Ship, Lord, save us, we perish. The hope that David had in his high mountain, turned away the face of God, and in numbering the People 72. He was past hope in himself, that he hoped to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of the Living. The Pharisees was strong in this.

1. For till then, man never prayes nor seeks to God in earnest: but to the World, and to the Arm of Flesh.

2. For this sights against faith more than all, and no­thing so opposite.

3. For this is the proper effect of the truth, to destroy the fleshly hopes in mans heart: and to root it out, that he may seek to another.

[Page 79]4. For till then, man never denies himself, till he be sensible of his real misery; and sees and finds no help in the World, or himself, to avoide it.

1. All the poor ease the World hath, is to nourish his hope; for all the good he hath is nothing, but feeding him: self with hopes of more good: and so long as he can keep this conceit alive in his heart, he will not trouble God.

1. See the ground of his hopes. First, One hath the World, or thinks to get it; and therefore, he hopes, he shall not want: But David hoped, because God was his Shepherd.

2. Another hath Religion and the World, and there­fore he hopes, he shall do well.

3. Another, he hath much light, and many feelings of joy, and he thinks, that all will be well; but none hopes in God.

2. See the endlesse goodnesse of God, that in crossing, blesseth them; and in destroying hope, stablisheth them in him self, when the restlesse heart is past hope: saying, I have gotten the World, and looked to my wayes: but the Rebellion of my heart is that, I have no hope: Then saith God, If thou hast no hope in the World, nor in thy Self; then hope in Me.

THis Psalm is a Psalm of Praise, ordained to be sung in the Feast of Tabernacles; when from the fifteenth day, till the two and twenty, they feasted in boothes; as Levit. 23. To put them in mind, how they dwelt as strangers in Egypt, and were thence delivered: and after forty years in the Wildernesse: where they dwelt in Tents daily to be re­moved at Gods appointment: and they to live by Faith [Page 80] in the Covenant: Shewing the life of man, that though he dwelt in Tents, as Abraham, and have no habita­tion nor succour, nor power to defend him: yet God helped them in all these straits: wherein,

1. He exhorts them to praise God, with Psalms and Instruments.

2. Reckons up the great benefits of God in their de­liverance, both in Egypt and the Wildernesse: where he gave them a Law and everlasting Testament.

3. Adding the promise, that he will be their God still: if they will trust and fear him: of which,

4. He shews a reason, why they should have none o­ther Gods, viz. because he is their only God, that brought them out of the Land of Egypt, and confirms the pro­mise, that he will be the same still.

5. Then he upbraids them, and shewes: how, notwith­standing all these mercies and truth, they forsake and would not hear him.

6. And so the righteousnesse of his Judgement in for­saking them, with an aggravation of his judgement; by remembring what they had lost, and might have found. I am the Lord thy God. Why shouldest thou have any other God? I am only He: all thy devices have fail­ed, but I was alwayes thy refuge, none could help, when I helped, So that;

When man hath run through all Inventions & Lusts, yet none but God in Jesus Christ, shall be his rest and stay: and the heart simply believing, & acknowledging: this is only happy.

How often doth he urge this in the Prophets? I am God alone, and beside me, there is no other: Who can mea­sure the Heavens, or gather the Earth into his fist: who can tell things to come. I only have laid the foundation of the Earth. The Prodigal would needs have others: yea, be a God to himself, but was fain to flie hither; David, Psal 73 confesseth, I have none in heaven but thee. Thus cryed the People, when Elias offered Sacrifice: The Lord, he is God: the Lord, he is God Pauls righteousnesse was but drosse, none but Christ, and him crucified.

1. All other things are but deceivable snares of Satan, [Page 81] and all our toyl and hopes are but our own sorrows; for to this we must: and he must either be our best rest and friend, or woe to us. These may flatter a while, but he must give life; or else we die.

2. All things live by him onlie, much more mans Soul, which hath no life in any thing else, as the body hath.

3. This is the whole Law and the Gospel.

4. And God and the Faithful are joyned, and made one in Spirit like Father and Child, Husband & Wife, so that, offer what thou wilt: they cry none, but my Father and my Husband.

1. But the dark World, which is blind, hath incroa­ched upon Gods Inheritance; and shut him out of the hearts of men: that they cry, Any God, but this God: So the Jewes, any but Christ: Barrabas, or any Mur­therer: As,

1. See how the World and the Strength thereof is trusted and relyed on, that they say with Israel, These are thy Gods, which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt.

2. See how it is loved, and how it is sought and de­lighted in.

3. See how the want and the losse thereof is feared, and sorrowed for.

4. Yea, how willingly man serves, and becomes a slave to it; and yet this great and terrible God, this good, kind and merciful God; and his sure word & pro­mise not regarded.

2. So that Faith is a simple and single hearted thing; casts off all power, wisdom, and good of all things, but this only; and like a chaste Wise, cleaves onlie to her husband; and cryes out, with David against all Satans temptations:

1. When he offers plentie and fulnesse nay, none but God and his Christ. 2. When he offers Righteousnesse and Wisdom to look at nay, none but Christ.

3. When he threatens & drives man to seek to the arm of flesh: nay none but God & his power: yea, when he draws to sin, through lust, yet with Joseph, No, I cannot sin against God.

So that Faith is only the preservative: As in the Mar­tyrs: wh [...], for this God, forsook Father, Husband, Life, and all to be joyned to this God so good.

For, while God was a God to Israel, all Nations fled before them, and feared them, no want nor miserie sur­prised them; but they were filled to the full with all good and satietie: and while man sits under his shadow simplie, he is safe: he needs no power of man to sup­port him: nor riches to fill him: For he hath a joy, peace, and riches, and goodnesse, that the World knows not off, because it knows not him.

3. Let everie man try, who is the Lord and God of his Soul. One saith, O! riches is the onlie thing? ano­ther, Nay, drunken and merrie companie is the onlie joye: another, Nay, youthful sports, and pleasures the onlie Heaven: another, Nay, the great Babel, that I have built for my honour: another, Nay, but I have none in Heaven, nor in Earth but thee alone.

Which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. I helped, when thou wast not able to help thy self; I freed thee, when thou wast a slave, and I delivered thee when thou wast in danger, & I supplied thy want, when thou was readie to faint, & wilt thou have any other Gods but me

For they thought not of it: Moses, a weak man to de­liver them, What straits were they brought too, & still he fred them: So that,

God ever witnesseth his power, and truth, and love to man, in his greatest weaknesse and miserie; and then doth man ever find God to him the nearest.

What straits was David in all those bitter com­plaints: and Israel, when they wandered in the wildernesse, and had no City to dwell in, Yea, out of the deep have I cryed, and thou helped me. So when we were in Egypt, wearie of that bondage he braught us out Yea, the Prodi­g [...]l, what straits was he in: and was received to mercy: This is the Type of our great Redemption, manifested in the Gospel. 1. For then doth man most purely believe, & Gods love most apparent. 2. These straits & wants God brings man into: that he may shew man his [Page 83] power, and man may believe him. 3. Then doth he Seal up the truth of his Word and Promise, which man in fulnesse calls a lie.

1. No marvel then, though we have but little appea­rance of Gods love, when we are readie to brost with fulnesse, and satiety of conceit: sin bites, but we feel it not: we can shift it off, and Christ came onlie to sinful man: want presseth us not: need makes us not run. We live in Egypt, but we would live there and fill our bel­lies, and so seek no deliverance. For we feel no bon­dage, but know, that this Pharaoh, a devil; will root as out at last, as to Israel, when they fled to him for help.

2. So that straits and bondage in our selves, and the World, makes God great to appear for, Where sin abounds, there grace also. O! what straits were the poor Martyrs put too, when all was taken away. Their joy turned into sorrow, peace & freedom into war, & bon­dage and jeopardie of death everie hour, and yet, How did he deliver them? how did the light break out of that darknesse? The wicked, who being in honour, Psal. 49. Yet dying, passe from house to grave with woe & wel­laday: These passed from the prison, to the fire with joy, and with singing; I have seen, I have seen, saith God, the affliction of my people in Egypt. I remember my Word to A­braham, Come therefore, & I will send thee to deliver them

But he cannot say so to us; I see the desolate & mour­ning Soul of my people, lying groaning under the bon­dage of sin; Nay, they are full, rich, & increased with goods, &c. Therefore, I will not cast my Word upon them in vain: For they are not fit subjects for my mer­cy: A merciful man indeed hath ever an open heart and hand to the needie: So hath God: But the rich he sends emptie away. The deliverance is more urged in the Old Testament than any work that God wrought: both by Moses, Samuel, and the Prophets: And wha [...] wonder­ful Sacraments for remembrance thereof did God insti­tut, as the Passeover and Pascal Lamb, because it was a figure of our eternal redemption. To teach,

That the life, ioy, & comfort of man is continued still the same way of faith, & promise: & power of God, [Page 84] whereby mans was first fred, that this promise might still live in mans ho [...]. I am the Lord thy God which brought the out of the land of Egypt.

1. For man is as weak in himself, and Satan as strong as then: For as God gave life to man, and be only con­tinues it so he gives grace, and continues it: & thereby we live. His Word endures for ever: Paul was received to mercy, th [...]ugh grace and the same Christ still lived in him. So he often exhorts to continue in grace, and to be grounded and established in grace: & to live by faith.

1. Not as wise unbelieving men, who having tasted of the good word of the Lord and knowledge of the Mystery of the Gospel, with Israel: turn back into E­gypt: or become wise and righteous in themselves, and so cast off the Covenant. And thus with many, they were sinners: and God received them to mercy: But now, these worke it out: beginning in the Spirit, but [...]nding in the Flesh. Alace! Is sin lesse burdensome [...]an before, o [...] thou lesse guilty? or is God more behol­den to thee, than formerly? Or hast thou some store whereb [...] thou lives, no? as this was the first, so it must be the daily food to live by, even this promise, never to depart from us: But that man, still seeing and feel­ing the burden of his rebellious heart; and thence cry and pray, and he shall be delivered.

2. It is not preying, pratting or talking: or soaring high into the air, or storing Manna, or lusting after Quails: but to attend on his hand who brought us out, and will deliver us, if we be not lifted up above him, nor drawn from him: but with Caleb and Josuah, rest constant in his Covenant.

Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. As I have been a God of mercy, so I will be still: Ask, and I will give thee: renewing the promise, that they may still believe, and cleave to him; commanding them, without any condition, on their part: for his promise is free, that neither sin nor weaknesse, nor failings: but open wide, and I will fill all th [...]se wants: So that,

There is an endlesse riches of love, truth & all good­nesse [Page 85] in God, to satisfie all needs and desires of man: which shall never be wanting to open and praying hearts.

With thee, is the Fountain of life, and in thy light, shall we see light, Isa 55. Come, buy Wine and milk without money &c. and let your soul delight it self in fat­nesse: Every one that thirsteth, Come: drink of the Well of the Water of Life, freely, Luk 2. He fills the hungry with good things Psal. 63 David prayed, and he filled his soul as with marrow.

1. For he fills all things with his fulnesse. With him is fulnesse of joy he sends rain to the dry ground, he seeds the ravens, he cloathes the Earth with herbs: all things flow from him: Nay, he hath so filled the treasures of Nature, that there is not, nor can be a vocation, much more, there cannot be an emptie Soul with whom he had nearer Communion, than with all creatures: Bu [...] if it be not filled with the Word, or something else, he fills it.

2. For all things live by him: take away his power, and man dies; his blessing, & man wants, his Wisdom, and man wanders: But our mouths and hearts are straitned We cry not, unlesse to the World, there we open wide: saying, Give me riches, or I die, &c. So that the mouth of Lust is like the grave, never satisfied: But to him we seek not: we are full, and our hearts are straitned. We are like a man shut up in little ease: where he finds no rest, and the Wall so thick, his cryes are not heard, and so none pities him: So we in the World, our hearts are pinched there, and yet the Walls of the World so thick; that the cryes of the Spirit is not heard.

When a man wants Bread, how plentifully doth h [...] crye: with an open heart in true necessity, and yet like sleeping men, we dream of store, and beg not.

1. We are all knowing, wise, & righteous, devote men, but not praying hearts. O! the heart of man, that hath his senses so bound up, and benummed as with opinion, that he is fallen asleep and prayer not, nor wants no­thing, but to satisfie the Flesh, for, if ever the heart were open, & cryed indeed, it should be heard.

[Page 86]2. But know, that the time will come, when we shall cry, and call, knock and weep, and not be heard: Like the foolish Virgins, and Israel here: No, they were wise, and rich, and righteous: and they cryed not.

3. What ever then straitens the heart towards God, and stops the cryes of the Spirit is a work of Satan; though the fairest gift that ever we received: But alace! praying dayes are gone, the time was, when thou went mourning and praying in thy Spirit all the day; and in thy verie dreams, and now thy verie prayers are but dreams; and all thy store is but windie emptinesse. Alace! hast thou not as much need of his grace as ever? is not thy pride, and false knowledge as great a snare as ever? was thy wanton sins; yes sure, & as odious to God

But my people would not hear my voice: Here is his up­braiding of Israel, for their securitie and hardnesse: ap­pearing chiefly herein, that they cast off his Word, and would not hear; Nay, cast him off, and would none of him: This is a fearful hardnesse, that casts off God and his Word and sought other inventions. So that,

When man casts off the Word of Christ, all blessings and joyes is shut up from the Soul of man: and when he casts off God from being his God: death & destru­ction must needs follow.

So to Adam and Saul: and this is complained of by the Prophets more than all, Psal. 50. What hast thou to do to take my Word into thy mouth: and hast cast my Word behind thee? And this was a fearful sign alwayes, of the hardnesse of the Jews: That they would none of Christ, nor his VVord, as Joh. 10. I told you, but you believed not: nor they would not receive his Testimonie: Nay, Joh. 1. The VVord of the Father was sent a light into the VVorld, and to his own, but they received it not. And here Israel believed not his promise, that God would do thus to them: nor have God to be the ground of their rest.

1. For when man casts off his Word, & Christ: he is put to other shifts, & seeks other inventions: & walks in darknesse, and knows not whither he goes: Like an unfaithful Son, who dare not trust the truth and love [Page 87] of his Father that hath brought him up: but layes up a portion in secret, and gets friends abroad: and after a while, being thereby hardened casts off the Father quite.

2. For the life of the soul is hid & laid up in this Word, Ps. 3.5 Our life is hid with God in Christ. Forsake this, & forsake life: It is the treasure of the Kingdom, all good is promised here: the Soul hath no certaintie nor foundation, but in this promise in Christ.

3. For God hath sent his Word & Christ into the World to seek our the forlorn spirit of man, that is misled by the flesh: and covered under the vail of the World; say­ing, Go seek & find out that desolat stranger. Thus he offers life, if it will return: But in steps the blind Rea­son, & Wit, and Flesh of Man, secretly whispering: Now this is a blind way: First, lay a good foundation: get the World, and something to look at, then trust: so also, be circumcised and keep the Law, and then believe: Still the Soul a little enlightened by the truth, saith: But sure this is not the way; me think, I hear, & see fair way o­pened, and that is, Christ is only the way of Life: no faith the flesh, Unlesse we be circumcised Christ cannot profit

1. Thus in all unbelieving hearts, the Word of Christ is still cast off; for first, 1 It is foolishnesse to it that a man should forsake the World, live by faith, follow God with Abraham, he knows not whither, suffer the losse of my own Will; nay, of my Wit; nay, of my Life: and all this is a foolish way.

2. And it crosseth the heart of man (which he will needs have) for rather than he will want that, he casts off Christ himself with him, in Matth. 19. He went away sorrowfull: So that mans infidelitie is still nourished by fleshlie Reason, and fleshlie Lusts, which fight against Faith. 2. Thus the World trusts any thing, rather than God and his Word: For, 1. The World saith, Hearken unto me, and seek me, & ply it, and be diligent, & I will fill thee with fulnesse? and thou shall not want.

2. So lust calls, Come, I will fill thee with mirth, and put away sadnesse: delight thee with pleasures: and yet the heart is sorrowful.

[Page 88]3. So Reason, I will lead thee the good and safe way, behold thy Righteousnesse, Wisdom, &c. What needs thou fear Thes [...] are the promises of God, and of his Word.

4. Nay, saith Christ, These will sail: but come thou to me, and I will ease thee, and deliver thee, and redeem thee from all bondage.

3. Nay, We, that are traders in this Word, yet how is the heart slant from the simplicitie of the Gospel, and so gets no good thereby

For, 1 We gather conclusions from it by strength of Witt and Art. We frame it to our conceits It begets strong opinions in us: and we frame tricks, and self-holie devices all out of it: which are but the Froth of our fleshly brains: But believing, not from a broken heart, tender & relenting. We call opinion believing, and so as among men, it is too true a complaint. That plain dealing is gone: So in Religion, plain dealing is lost. We professe the Word, and trade in it, and cast it off when we have done.

2. Or we confound Law and Gospel, because neither hath power in us. We set one in the room of the other, and make the Gospel effectual by the Law: and not the Law fulfilled by the Gospel.

3. Or we make the Word subordinate to man, and not man to it, laying a foundation in our selves of good qualities, and building the promises thereon: when it is free without condition. We judge the Word, and are masters of the Scriptures, and are not guided & governed with it.

4. Or we seek a sign or a wonder, that may confirm the word to us, that we might feel some joy & peace: that we might know some assurance: But he saith, I have given thee a sure Word, to believe that but in all, we cast away God and his Word and hence it is we get so little good by it.

5. But happy he that sticks to this God & Promise, it shall not fail, speak the Word, and my servant shall be whole. What a mighty Faith, that believed, that Word, and was healed?

[Page 89]6. But this shall be a heavy VVord one day, when the Son stands condemned at the Bar, and the Father saith, Now thou seest, what is become of thy Rebel­lion. I was thy Father, and never wanting, or did I ever fail thee. I promised, thou should not want, and gave thee my Testimonies. I sent my Son, a man like thee, he brought my Will to thee and my Promise, but thou would have none of me: but thou would have the VVorld, and follow thine own VVill: Thou trusted in thy own Power and VVisdom, and Righteousnesse, and Holinesse: Now plead, if thou can: therefore, not I, but that VVord which thou hast cast off, shall judge thee.

Then I gave them up to hardnesse. VVhen mans heart is turned from the VVord of Truth, he usually hardens in some fleshly way, So that,

No greater judgement besals man, nor surer sign of Gods destroying VVrath, than when God ceaseth to call, and worke with man, but leaves him to the lust & hardnesse of his own heart.

Thus to the old VVorld, I will no longer strive with man. Rom. 1. He gave them up to vile affections, The Gentiles, he suffered them to walk in their own VVayes and Counsels, Joh. 17. I pray not for the World: These he leaves, if man have tasted the good VVord of God, &c. and fall from that VVord, he is left impenitent. Thus the VVorld, when a man grows hardned, that the Father can do no good, then he casts him off.

Two things hardens above all. First, Fulnesse of the VVorld. Secondly, Knowledge of the VVord, without the power thereof.

1. VVhat may we then fear, when all our former working hearts, are turned into hardned knowledge & presumption. For First, where is our weeping and mourning dayes? where is that melting and trembling of heart before the VVord? VVhere are those cryes & prayers after Christ and his Truth. Nay, all is turned into secure talking, or dead-hearted profession: that now it is but a dead Letter. God is not with the Word, so that we may say as Deut. 5. I have heard all your [Page 90] Words, But, O! that there were such a heart: we fear the plague & sword, & tremble when it approacheth: but no judgement like to this, when God leaves us to all these, and suffers man to walk in his own course to his destruction.

2. But well-worth tender hearts, whose minds are drawn from the World, & from all things of himself, what ever he feels, yea, though but death and sorrow; yet joy and peace shall come, & he will soon confound all enemies

VVHen God intended to bring Israel out of Egypt, viz. Man out of the bondage of sin and Satan, and bondage of corruption; He sends Moses, Aaron, and the Prophets to guide them according to his will; according to the promise made to Abraham, and now to be accomplished by Moses. First, He sends him with assured confidence of his as­sistance.

2. He hardens him against Pharaoh, & ceaseth not to plague Pharaoh, till he make him yeild, though against his will, and so makes way for the deliverance of Israel, Israel, a figure of the Kingdom of Christ.

1. As they lived in Goshen, where was light and plenty, yet in bondage under Pharaoh: So we under the light of the Gospel, yet bound in infidelity, and lust of the World.

1. Because, we stick not to the Covenant, or because the time is not yet come.

2. Though the promise was made to Abraham, and stood fast in him, yet for the present saw little hope of deliverance, so we though the promise be revealed in [Page 91] Christ, yet to our unbelieving hearts, little hope of de­liverance, But still in bondage under Sin and Guilt, & the World.

3. When they were past hope, after four hundred years bondage: God sent Moses to deliver them, by an unlikely way; even nothing but the Word of God. So, when we see least likely-hood in the flesh, God sends a mighty VVord to destroy sin, and to restore us to freedom.

4. After he had laid manie judgements upon Pharaoh, still lesse hope for Israel; because he hardened & grew more raging.

So with us, after the Word hath discovered man to himself, he sees no hope, but burden, & bondage doubled

5. Yet after they were brought out of Egypt; yet far from the Land of rest, because they walked not in the life of the Covenant, but after their own lusts; So we have much to be suffered, and our Will and the World to be crucified: But when he intended to bring Israel indeed out of Egypt, then he destroyed the first-born, even the strenght of Egypt, in whom their name and power was to be continued, and so he dealeth with us, viz. When he intends to deliver the captive Soul of man out of the hand of Satan, he destroyes the first-born, viz. Our infidelitie, and all that power & strength which Satan reared up in man, and so brings Pharaoh low, So that,

God never delivers his people, and brings them into rest and libertie, till he hath first made them weak; and brought down their strength, and laid them low in lamentation, and woe, Psal. 107.12. He brought down their hearts with heavinesse. So with the Pro­digal, and with Paul; He struck him blind to the earth, and took from him all his Pharisaical strength, as Phil. 3. Yea, Davids high mountain must be taken away, that he may seek to God and be delivered.

1. For all that which is born of the flesh is flesh, & must be destroyed, else, how can the Spirit live and be free; all that strength we have, whether of confidence, [Page 92] assurance, joy, &c. arising from Riches, Wisdom Power, and other gifts and qualit [...]s of nature, are but power, whereby Satan rules in man: Pharaoh was Gods creature, but perverted against God, and thought to keep Israel by strong hand; So all the riches, wis­dom, &c. are his gifts but perverted: when we think to live and stand by them: Therefore must down.

2. Yea, Pharaoh, and his hoste must be drowned in the Sea, even in that hearty, sorrow & deep humilitie, that will drown all Pride, and self-righteousnesse; or, what ever else lifts up man.

3. Thus doth God bring man to trust him, by mak­ing void all other strength to trust to.

4. For all divinity, power and strength is affirmative, or positive in Christ: only negative in us: In denying, in forsaking, in crucifying, &c. So that Christ may live, [...]sitivelie in us; which cannot be, till the chief of all our strength be subdued.

1. But do we not with Pharaoh, still harden our hearts; and will not yeeld, though God send Famine, yet, we recover, and harden thereupon; Though Plague, we escape & live: & we depend thereon; We see and taste sore plagues: but the World, or something creeps in and shuts us up in bondage and darknesse.

Nay, though we feel smart, and want: Yet, we Pha­raoh: Satan, Mammon lives in us: and we cleave thereto: for Pharaohs hardnesse is in us all in the Root.

2. Well were we, if our First-born, even all our fleshlie power and conceit thereof were slain, and that we were brought low enough in the flesh, that Israel: the elect soul of man, might passe on towards rest, according to the promise.

3. But the worst of all is we feel no bondage; nay, we fear our first-born should die: The World is no burden, but a pleasure, Sin no sorrow, but delight: We like so well in Egypt, that we dream not off, nor des­pare not a departure.

4. But if God mean us good, he will kill the first-born of Pharaoh in us, and that by his only Wo [...]d and [Page 93] Messenger. Moses, asilly man: and yet God performed everie Word that he spake, so we fight against the power of darknesse in you [...] else, were it more pleasure to us to tell you of Life and Freedom. But it is not our message, We must first destroy Pharaoh: & then Israel, the poor bond Spirit of man shall flie and be saved.

5. There will come a destroying night to all men.

Then Moses called the Elders of Israel. Now before Israel was to depart: He ordains the Passeover: that seing there should be such a destruction, lest Israel should therefore doubt of the promise; he gives them a sign or token of safetie, As Christ did, When the Shep­herd should be smitten, and desolation s [...]en in the Earth, and that Christ was to leave them: then he gave them the Sacrifice of his death, to assure them, though he should die, and they suffer afterwards: yet, this should be a sign and seal of their deliverance from death and hell: Therefore, he 1. gives a command to keep the Passeover, ver. 21.

2. He prescribes the manner, Take the blood, &c.

3. He adds the promise, For when I see the Blood, I will passeover.

4. The stablishing of this as a perpetual ordinance to Israel.

In the first, he layes down the matter of the Sacri­fice, the latter how to be celebrated: This ordinance was called the Passeover of the Lamb: the other was called the feast of the Passeover.

This was to be eaten in their private houses the fourteenth day of the first moneth Nisan; the other was to be kept seven days, and was called the feast of the Passeover or unleavened bread: So that this is properly the Passeover, the other the Feast: This is the sacri­fice of their deliverance that night: the other a Feast of rejoycing for that deliverance, Wherein their was a holy convocation the first, and last day, viz. A remem­berance of the Lords mercie to them, and a teaching it to their Children.

1. The matter of the Sacrifice was a Lamb of the first year, figuring Christ a Lamb without spot.

[Page 94]2. The taking of the Blood and sprinkling, it was a figure of his Death, So that all this, was but to lead Israel to Christ, and to wait on the Promise made to Abraham, That though they should hear a cry throughout all Egypt for the death that was among them. Yet that they should stick to that Word, & behold this sign, that they sh [...]uld be preserved So that,

The whole Word of God, and all the Sacrifices given to the Church, are given to lead man from all things to Christ; and the stedfast sticking to his Word and Promise, whereby they shall be preserved in all ex­tremities, Isa. 55. Behold, I have given him for a ensign, or witnesse to the people. 1. Cor. He is our wisdom, Righ­teousnesse, &c. Joh. 14. I am the way, the truth, and the life; My servant whom I have chosen, My beloved, in him whom my Soul delighteth: All the promises in him are, Yea, and Amen, They all run upon him in Christ, through Christ, by Christ; And this was the Word of the Father, VVho was in the bosome of the Father, The Light and Life of men: He took flesh, and dwelt among us, and God hath laid help on one that was mighty: and as many as believe this Word, shall not perish, but have life.

1. For such is the distrustful and unbelieving heart of man, that he hath given all things to draw him to be­lieve, His Son in the flesh, and fleshlie Sacrifices and signes, that man may see the accomplishment of the Word before his face.

2. For the whole Word of God is nothing else, but a declaration of Gods purpose, touching his pleasure, towards man and that Salvation which he determined in Christ; only declared to man, that he may believe: And therefore, hath given him the Word, Christ, Sacri­fices, and manie wonderful miracles and great works on Pharaoh, and all enemies, that they may wait on that Word, and stick thereto.

3. And thus Christ himself dealt with his Disciples, saying; You are all sory to hear that I must leave you, And believe not that I shall rise from the dead: your heart [...] will be shaken this night: but I shall die, and rise again▪ [Page 95] and that I will be present with you by the Holy Ghost, whom I will send, and abide with you: Take, and eat, this in rememberance of me, that so you may not flie to any other help nor be discouraged with any temptation in the VVorld: For I will be with you, and not forsake you: Therefore, when ye meet together, eat this Passeover; and feast, and make merrie in me. For though I will judge the VVorld by my VVord, yet I will passeover you that be­lieve my word, and in my Name.

1. But, woe to the World, because of unbelief: God hath promised, and that Word shall be performed in Christ to all believers. This he hath Sealed by manie signs, and yet we believe any thing rather: The VVorld promiseth, and sheweth lying signes: and we believe: Satan promiseth, and sheweth lying wonders, and we believe: But God hath given his Son, and we believe not: This is the condemnation, that light is come into the VVorld, &c.

He hath given signes, and yet we believe not, he hath passed over others, and saved us from great dangers: and still we believe any thing before him.

2. Yea, and of all things, men are least led hither: any thing but Christ: VVe get knowledge by the VVord, and depend thereon, and proud thereof: it lifts us up, but brings us not down to seek hither. Nay, by this word we will needs comprehend God and his Power without Christ: when all power was given to him: Yea, of all other, the Righteous & Religious man could not abide him, nor, walk in his ways, as Scribes & Pharisees: So we become righteous, and will live thereby: VVe run into a thousand opinions, and devices, and inven­tions, but Christ despised of all. VVe provide Lambs and feed on them, but not on Christ.

And yet we see Gods way was alwayes a low way: He, a silly Lamb, and now ordinarie food of Bread & VVine, that hereby, he might reveal the great Mystery. They are poor and common, that he may crosse Mans curious devices, and that the flesh may see no beauty in them, but in him onlie.

[Page 96]1. There is outward Elements set before the common senses of man.

2. The Word, to inform the understanding.

3. And Christ and his Spirit to feed the heart, and spi­rit of man, that he may believe.

4. So that all the Word and Sacrifices are nothing without Faith, as in Heb. 4. This leads past all figures: Yea, when nothing appears but Death, this finds Life This gives a place in the heart of man for eating of the Lamb, Bread and Wine, a silly thing, where the heart is not led further.

It is not knowing, talking, or doing the thing, but be­lieving that Word, and resting thereon: Now, the use and manner of the Sacrifice lets us see the life thereof, the sprinkling of t [...]e blood, the death of Christ; that i [...] his death is accomplished our Redemption; The Lamb without spot, him, who was innocent, doing good: lov­ing all, hurting to none, in whom dwelt all righteous­nesse, and yet he must dye, that we may live.

In this, death is the assurance, that by suffering com [...] life: when this Blood is sprinkled on the heart of Man that the eyes of man be still here, in all wants & straits to wait in Faith, here to receive life: As also, by death and suffering, the losse of all things in patience, we ar [...] through faith made Victors over all. The sprinkling o [...] the Blood, was a sign to Israel of safetie, and of thei [...] deliverance to come: So to us, This Sacrifice is given to draw our eyes from all other things to Christ only.

IN this Chapter, is laid down the woes denounce [...] against Israel, for their hardned securitie, and contempt of the Promise of God in the Messiah; where unto, through fulnesse they were fallen. For fulnes [...] [Page 97] begot Pride, and that made them even drunk as with wine: and so carelesse and secure.

1. He pronounceth the woe, and then shews their present estate.

1. Under pretence of their priviledges, they were lif­ted up in Pride.

2. Besotted with VVorld and sensual pleasures, as men drunk with wine, and hardned in all. Two things made them proud,

1. Their priviledges of being Gods people.

2. The fulnesse of the VVorld and long peace, & this defection was grown general.

1. The People, they were lifted up with a singular conceit.

2. The Priests and Prophets were grown drunk and b [...]sotted.

3. Their Princes were high minded, and scorners: And so at last; in these VVords he proceeds to judge­ment against Israel; shewing what shall befall them, [...]nd so Prophesies of the Captivity following: In which, [...]e declares formally as in all Courts of justice, for the defence of the King his Crown and Dignity: For [...]herein the cryme being notorious in the Countrey, [...]nd appearing so before the inferiour Officer: they are [...]eferred to the judge, specially sent by the King: before whom they are to receive their final tryal and judge­ment according to desert: VVhere, 1. They are called [...]o the Bar, then the Judgement preferred, and sound witnesses produced: so judgement and execution. So [...]oth God here. He calls them to the Bar: by their names, scornful men, that rule Israel. He prefixes the [...]nditement against them, because they had cast off the VVord of the Lord by carnal confidence and securitie, [...]nd so were hardened against God: VVhich confidence [...]ppeared in three particulars, wherein they promise sa­ [...]ety, though God had threatned the contrary. 1. From Death. 2. From guilt, and Hell. 3 From the Crosse, to­ [...]ether with the ground thereof, vanity and falshood.

Three VVitnesses he needed not, for they out of their [Page 98] hardnesse confesse: He proceeds to judgement: wherein he, 1. He layes down the safe estate of Sion, the Church: in that he hath there laid the Foundation and Corner­stone, Jesus Christ: and the safety of all that build thereon, He that believes, &c.

2. And then the judgement of the enemies, as 1, That they shall have right judgement by him. 2. That he will disannul all their hopes of safetie, &c. 1. Note their present condition, and what had brought them to it, viz. Their fulnesse, and peace, and conceit of their pri­viledges above others; So, that had made them now scorners of Christ, & his Word, by the Prophets. So that,

Long peace, and plentie, ease & fulnesse in the World covered with a conceit of Redemption by Christ; doth usually harden man against God, and cover man from himself, that Christ and his promise: his wayes and Religion are despised and little set by: Which, for the most part brings a heavy day in the end.

Thus the old World mocked at Noah, and Psal. the [...] 10. Tush, there is no knowledge in the most high, let him do his Word, that we may see it: Thus the Pharise [...] being full, despised the righteousnesse of God, & mad [...] a mock of Christ; See what end it brings, Prov. 1. Be­cause they despised my counsels, &c. Therefore shall th [...] eate the fruit of their own wayes. As in Constantine time, when the Church enjoyed rest from their ene­mies: and that they had peace through the Christia [...] World: Men became wanton in knowledge, and fe [...] from the truth of Christ, into foul errors, to the ve [...] denying of Christs Godhead, and the Holy Ghost. S [...] in times of peace and fulnesse, Religion is made but matter of discourse not of practise.

1. For two things make all things esteemed, Necessity, Delight: But when the heart is fatted up with th [...] World, he feels no want of Christ. And for delight, h [...] hath none: for he never felt the sweetnesse of his Lor [...] and Reconciliation.

2. For the fulnesse of the World embraced, eats o [...] the life of Religion: As the thorny ground choked th [...] [Page 99] seed & Davids high Mountain: And Christ saith, How hardly doth these enter into Heaven. So that, though the World laugh and seems pleasant for the present; yet in the end, it is a miserable comforter. For, though Israel was now full, and despised the honny Comb of Christs death; yet afterwards, were carried captive; they were forced to sit by the waters of Babel weeping, and drink their own tears: as those, Psal. 37. Who had what they desired, yet were they set in slippery places: and sud­denly went down to hell.

1. This is too plain in experience, peace and plenty have been our portion many a day: We feed of the fat­test, & baist our selves before the fire; we feel no smart, as do others; nor are we pinched with famine, nor hear we the fearful noise of the drum: nor are we affrighted with the terrors of an army. We dwell safe under our Vines, and are not driven from our habitation, as other our neighbours; who are glad to forsake house and harbour, lands and riches, to save their own lives. We play with our Wives and Children, and sport our selves with them for company, when others hearts are broken with cries and lamentation of Wife and Infants: and knowes not how to save them from that approaching destruction that is coming: And yet, what effect hath this wrought: even like those in Zephaniah 1.12. which say; Tush, God will neither do good nor evil; and tush, we shal feel no evil.

2. But look for it, for where this goes before, the other will follow after. If Sodom mock at Lot, through fulnesse of bread, yet God will meet with them. And if the Pharisees stumble at this stone, and will not have this man to reign over them, yet the falling on them, shall crush them to pieces, and destroy those his enemies: But Israel would never believe warning, till it fell upon them.

3. To be crossed then in the World, & to suffer want reproach & persecution: is a safer way than prosperity. For, by the one man is driven to G [...]d; for want drove the Prodigal to his Father: and hereby, the flesh is weakned and crucified, but by ful [...]esse made strong and [Page 100] no Judgement nor bondage so great as this Security & Hardnesse and Slavery to our own Passions. But woe and alace to the poor World, who have not the World, and yet despise Christ most of any; For they are left to their own dissolute Wills and Lusts, and want educa­tion in Gods Fear as much as meat: And therefore it were to be wished, that the course begun might be continued.

4. But it is a fearful thing to make a mock of Christ, and set lightly by his Word, and to be so far in love with the World, that we esteem not his Word: it ar­gues we find little good therein, and little comfort by the Promise: For what we find any good in, we highly esteem of: and what would pull us from our pleasant pleasures, we cannot endure: Therefore was the word of the Prophets so unwelcome to Israel, so to us, For first,

1. The doctrine of Faith, we count foolishness and uncertain.

2. The doctrine of the Cross, impossible.

3. The doctrine of Obedience, bondage & needlesse.

4. The doctrine of Death, most unwelcome. Yea, what account do we make of the World, what care & contending about it, and yet how lightly we passe over Christ and his Word? But take heed, for this grows from setting light to scorning, and then to persecuting of it.

5. Pray we then with David, that we fall not into presumptuous sin: For this is that Word that must save thee, and that Christ, that must redeem thee: and tha [...] Promise that must comfort thee.

And thou little knows what thou scornes, even that, which at Death must be thy best friend: but how ca [...] we look for him to be a friend at Death whom we have despised and scorned all our life.

Because ye have said. Here was their carnal confi­dence, Presumption, and Fools-Paradise; wherein they blessed themselves under the shelter of Vanity a [...] Falshood, they would not hear of Sin, Guilt, & Death and the Cross: but thought they had a device in wit & the world to put off all these. So that,

All men naturally labor, by all wit and inventions to put off the evil day far from them, and security and presumption: to give rest to their restlesse hearts, rather than to feel the evil in themselves, that they may find rest through mercy in another.

S [...] the rich fool, much goods for many dayes, so Da­vid blessed himself in his high mountain, and Israel by the Ark. Thus the Pharisees covered all under pretence of Holinesse, but all in vain: Nay, all cry, Peace, peace.

1. For man is lothe, to see any evil approaching to himself.

2. And mans mind must have something to bear it up, if not Christ, he runns to vain shifts.

3. Man is fa [...]len into an evil estate of heart, which all creatures are not able to help, and he put to his shifts to keep it off as long as he can, For the fear of Hell and Death, is a little bell: These three evils pursue men, fi [...]st.

1. Guilt and Fear of Hell, l [...]ke a worm, gnaws daily: and but for these, man would live merrily in the world: Thus he makes a covenant with either, by forgetting or by flattering the Law, and stablishing a Righteousnesse of his own, or presuming of mercy a far off.

2. The evil of Death presseth upon us, and threatens to make an end of all Joy, Pleasure, & Riches, & leaves no Hope to man: thus we put off many dayes, & think we shal yet live long, when men of our age are gone & forgotten: but it hasteth upon us daily.

3. The evil of Adversity pincheth daily, now this Crosse, that Losse, this Sicknesse, that Want and Trouble: this we hope to prevent and recover, & bow down in fear and basenesse, and husband all so well hereafter, that we shal enjoy better dayes, when it is impossible to order all things according to mans mind.

So that, all these are but vain shifts and falshood: But the only way is with Christ, to take the evil day [...]nd crosse upon us.

1. For guilt to see it, and bear the indignation of the Lord, and with the Prodigal cry out dayly, We have sinned, &c. And wait on Him that hath overcome Hell [Page 102] and Darknesse, and now saith, O Death where is thy sting? Hell where is thy victory?

2. And for Death, no Covenant to be made with it: but seeing the vanity of the World, to meet it joyfully, and say, Thou canst do me no hurt, but take the World and the Life which I esteem not, and open a door to that life which I shal enjoy.

3. And for the Crosse, no way to escape it; But Pa­tience and subjection to the Fathers will, who knows, what is best to tame our proud hearts, and to crosse us in that wherein we dote. And herein appears his love, that he will suffer us to enjoy nothing that will hurt us; but even this shall turn to our good.

Thus we all strive to put evil far off, & to shufle over the fearful dayes. We now think lightly of them, and play with wasters, but when we come to graple with death, we shal find it no play game, Look for it, for an evil day is coming: and happy he that is prepared for that d [...]y. Take heed, lest at any time our hearts be op­pressed with cares of this life, or luke warmenesse.

Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I lay in Sion. Here, He first layes the fou [...]dation of rest in the Church, that though it fare ill with his enemies: yet is his Church built upon the foundation of free mercy in Christ, and his truth revealed by him shall stand against all storms So that,

God hath laid in his Church, & conveyed to his People a foundation of rest in Jesus Christ, which shall pre­serve them against all crosse of Death and Hell, and n [...] storm shall be able to overthrow it, Psal. 125. They th [...] trust in the Lord, shall be as Mount Sion. Mat 7. They that build upon the Rock, shall abide the Tempest.

David calls him a Rock of Stone, and Peter, the Cor­ner-stone.

For this is prophesied of him, Isa. 9. His Name shall [...] called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, the Prin [...] of Peace, &c. Other Foundation, can no man lay.

1. Thence it is said, Heb. 11. That faith is the grou [...] of things hoped for: because Christ, whom faith ot [...] [...]ests on, is unchangeable to his.

[Page 103]2. And the promise in him, is, Yea, & Amen: Though in us oftentimes it is Nay.

3. This is that, whereby Adam was restored, and first laid in him: whereby Abraham was preserved, and Paul delivered in greatest extremity.

This foundation is, Jesus Christ, the Son of God; Lord of the Covenant, the ingraved form of his Image, given of the Father for the Restauration of man; to whom he hath given all power in Heaven and in Earth: and hath hid in him the treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge: and the heart of man built on this foundation by saith thereon, cannot fail.

But the Church of Rome hath translated this founda­tion from Christ to the Church: from head to mem­bers; from that, Mat. 18. Super hanc Petram: and so they have the determination of all truth; & it to be received and believed, because of their testimony.

And so, that Christ is to be believed because of the Church; and not & contra. And thus they pervert one Article of the Creed, to bring all mens heads under their girdle, and that they may sit in the Consciences of men, and do what they list, without controle. They say, We are not only to believe the Church to be, but to give credit to it. To understand the difference, note Austins distinction of Faith; in regard of the object.

1. Credere in aliquid, to believe and put confidence in one.

2. Credere alicui, to believe, or give credit to one.

3. Credere aliquem, to believe that one is; or after this manner.

To believe in one, hath reference to God only: be­cause, the object thereof must be both verum & bonum.

To believe or give credit to one, hath relation to his object; as to objectū formale, a principle for whose sake.

To believe one to be, hath relation, as ad objectum materiale.

The first, we agree in. And as for the second, we say, The testimony of to Church is of all humane the grea­test, and can never err in the whole, nor fundamentally.

They say, Crede Ecclesiae, as to the formal cause, for whose sake, we are to believe all Truth: and some of them, that was inserted, tanquam meum, cum omnia alia credendi. And so, they make it a foundation of faith: upon whose credit, they wholly depend. And this is the difference, and this we deny.

1. Because, the Grammatical Constructions will not bear it: Credere, being taken to give credit, is put with a Dative Case, and an Accusative Case: as in the Creed.

2. Because, there is no such certainty in their Church for man to depend on; but that which must be the foundation of Faith, must be a thing certainly known and determined what it is: not the word but the thing. For saith is not verbal but real: But according to their own assertions, the Church is a thing to them not cer­tainly known or determined what it is.

Their Doctors divide the Church into the Church

• Essential, The Convocation of all that be­lieve in Christ.
• Representative. The Bi hops in a General Council;
• Or, Council of Cardinals.
• Vertual, the Pope only.

And of these we agree not, which is the Church, on which we must depend. Some will have the Essential, as Tride. Catech & Gloss. upon Gratians Decrees, which are Popes own law.

2 Chap. 24 4.1. Some others, seeing this could not be, because it could not be known; conclude it to be re­presentative, as Bellarmine, Herson, &c.

3. But the Jesuits of late, fearing this would prejudice the Popes Supremacy too much: concludes it is the Church Vertual, the Pope only or alone.

And so while they boast of the Church: their Mother: they mean nothing else but the Pope, their Father. What foundation can there be here for man to rest on?

But we have a sure word of the Prophets, and a sure foundation, Jesus Christ, than which none other ca [...] be laid.

1. The ground then of all uncertainty in all thing [...] [Page 105] is, because we build without this foundation: One man layes a foundation in the World: another, in Wisdom: another in righteousnesse: and uncertain in all.

2. Take heed of stumbling at this stone.

1. Either at his sufferings, as Peter: & the Disciples, at his death.

2. Or, at his poverty and low estate, as the Wordling, Matthew 19. and 21.

3. Or at his mercy and love, as the Pharisees that judged him.

4. Or at his Holiness, crossing our lusts.

3. See the certainty of believers. 1. They have a sure foundation, a tryed stone that abides the storm: a pre­cious stone, full of treasure: a corner-stone, that joyns altogether in love.

He that believes, makes not haste: or shal not be con­founded: For he seeks no vain shifts, but sits in death & darknesse, by faith, waiting and sticking to this founda­tion, till the light shine out of darknesse. So that,

The only rest to man in all straits, is the sticking to Christ by faith: and waiting on the promise which shall be fulfilled in time.

Abraham waited four hundred and thirty years, Israel, seventy in Babylon, Isa. 30. Your strength is to sit still.

1. For God hath set a time appointed for every work: like a nurse which hides her self from the child: till it thinks it hath lost her, yet still hears its cryes, and comes in time.

2. God knowes it is best for a man to keep him un­der as yet, till his will be subued and lust abated.

1. But the blind World will needs run before their guide, and will now have it, and so forsake God and his Promise.

2. Weaklings, who would have rest assoon as they feel any disquietnesse.

3. Others that will see things before they fall, and stumble for the present.

4. Wait thou weary heart, make no haste: Fly not off [Page 106] to any other shifts; nor fix on none other foundation. This will be able to keep thee from drowning: he that hath kept thee hitherto, is able to keep thee still; and he that cometh, will come, and will not tarry.

VVHen Hezekiah had overcome the great Hoste of the King of Assyria; he fell sick, & received a message from the Lord, that he must die: Whereupon he fell into great heavinesse, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. So that,

The sentence of Death is fearful unto man, if the great and mighty hand of the love of God, do not migh­tily uphold him, so to Christ.

1. For this is the last enemy to be destroyed: this takes away all sta [...]s & helps in the flesh at once. We all play with it, as with a dead snake: and make a covenant therewith: but when it comes on us with open mouth, it shakes the heart of the best; if God do not mightily preserve him.

2. But if the wrath of God, the guiltinesse of our hearts, & the end of our dayes come all at once: O, whither then shall man flee? O, that man but saw and believed his own mortality! How would it pull down the pride of man, and make the World little in his eyes; and that man would but see himself on his Death-bed? How fearful is that destroying Angel, and Messenger of Death, or the Plague; when it comes to any place to them, that are round about it? After this, the Lord hard his cry, and saw his tears, and gave him assurance of his life for fifteen years, with a sign of the Suns standing still for more assurance, which goodnesse of God he acknow­ledgeth in his Writing, from chapter 38. & 9 to the end [Page 107] Wherein he shews, both the misery he was in, & Gods deliverance: as ver. 15. &c. What shall I say, he hath spo­ken unto me, & himself hath done it? I shall walk humbly in sense of my own weaknesse, as knowing my life is in his hand. Then he acknowledgeth Gods truth and Power. O Lord, by these, viz. thy Word and Power men live, & my spirit hath life in these, and that all this was of meer mercy, for in peace I had great heavinesse, but in love to my soul, thou hast delivered me from the pit, & cast all my sins behind thy back: Yet, after all these experiences & his recovery; see how he falls to the World, to be lifted up in his fleshly portion, in shewing all his store to the ser­vants of the King of Babylon; such a vile creature is man. So that,

That after so many experiences of his love, power & wrath: yet by a little ease and peace in the flesh, shakes hands again with the World, and becomes lifted up thereby to the forgetting of his God.

So with Israel, evermore when they had ease. So with David, in the matter of Uriah.

1. For the world blinds the eyes of man, & hides the glory of the Gospel: by the glory of the world, that he is lifted up; & feels nothing of mercy & power in an­other.

1. We see this in experience. How soon doth man for­get his misery and bitternesse of his soul, the goodnesse [...]nd power of God, the weaknesse of himself, & dotteth in a fools Paradise: yea, and quite runs away from that Word he once believed and sound life in: & fixeth upon that store he hath gotten: when as, alace, all his store, yea, and life too was in the hand of God, even newly delivered. How soon is that faithful confidence forgot­ten, & those Purposes & resolutions of miserable men quite at an end. We cryed: O, that God would de­ [...]iver us, and he s [...]ould be our God for ever, and pre­ [...]ently we chuse another.

1. So that, no keeping of Faith & Comfort in God: but [...]y preserving of humility & sense of death in our sel­ [...]es: for as we die to the World so we live to God, but if [...]e live to the World, we die to God.

[Page 108]3. See the danger of prosperity, viz. of raising up of a mans heart without God, in carnal confidence: and turning the heart from God to his great gifts. This World eats the Word out of Mans heart, that now he lives, as though there were no God; and his Word a matter of no moment.

And now he comes with another message from the Lord to the King, that because he had rejoyced in his store, God would take it away, and his children also: and carry them to Babylon to be a prey and servants unto them.

In the Words, note two things.

1. His heavy message to Hezekiah.

2. Hezekiahs free subjection to the will of God, and justifying his Word.

First, He shewes, that all the riches and store wherein he glories, shall be taken from him: yea, and his posterity for whom he had gathered them, shold be carried Captives and nothing left, that he might return to his God: As if he sh [...]uld say, Th [...]u hast shewed all thy store to the King of Babylon, and sent the newes of all thy wealth thither: Even all this shall be carried away to Babylon, and thy children also. Thus doth God, to destroy the hope of man, So that,

There is a day coming to man, that will turn all his riches and glory, and pleasures, wherein he trusteth and rejoyceth into want, sorrow and misery, and death & doom will sooner or latter, lay all in the dust.

Where is now the glory and pleasure of the Old World? or the Power of Pharaoh, the Weal [...]h of Job, or the Pleasure of Dives, the riches of the rich fool, or righteousnesse of Paul? all laid in the dust. For woe to them that now laugh, &c.

1. For there is a way that seems good to man, but the issues thereof, are the issues of death.

2. For God will take away from man all stayes in the flesh, that he may see and know, that there is no rest but in him; for the life of the first Adam must be lost, that we may live by the second.

[Page 109]3. Thus, God makes way for the manifestation of his mercy, and the delivering of Man out of Satans snare.

1 Woe to the deceived and bewitched heart of Man, whom Satan hath beguiled with the Lustre of the world, and drawn from his God, who blesseth himself in his present portion and pleasure, and thinks he shall see no evil, but enjoy many a merry day, but sees not the black day when all shall be taken away.

Nay, man thinks to joyn a perpetuity here, by joy­ning house to house, and laying a foundation in the earth, and then he saith, Is not this great Babel that I have built: And so shews his Wealth to the world, or at least feeds on it himself, & saith, Is not this a goodly portion, a loving wife, obedient and fine children, a good stock and portion, a certain estate, and never a f [...]iling way of increase: what hurt can come to me? Even like the thief, who blesseth himself in his stolen riches, and never thinks of his hanging-day.

But know, though we may put off the evil day a while; and first, either bury it in forgetfulnesse, or drink down fear like beasts, or cover it with the righteous­nesse of the Law? Yet God will either sooner or later, strip up our hearts, and either, first,

1. By the Word, discover that misery, that all our fulnesse cannot remove, as before to Hezekiah, that with Job, we shal curse the day of our birth, and with we had never been born.

2. Or if he suffer us to run out the course of our va­nities with the Prodigal; yet there will come a day, that will lay all in the dust and darknesse: when we shal be cast into the pit, and death comes, and will not be resisted: and then nothing but wailing and gnashing of teeth: Wailing for the Time of vanity mispent, for Guilt of heart not to be eased, for darling with the World that was so esteemed, and our friends so dear to part with: Then shal we see, that Wife and Children, Gold and Silver, that we see doted on, are but Drosse: When the Babylonians have ransaked our treasure, [Page 110] as now to the Germans, and life taken away not to be restored.

1. Are not the fair and admired beauties now defaced with rottennesse, and consumed with worms: that were as smooth, ruddy neat, and trim, as thou art?

2 Are not the rich worldlings laid low in a poor sheet, and turned to dust?

3. Is not the wise-man dead as the fool, and all the counsels of his heart perished?

4. Are not drunkards and wicked destroyed: and their name and posterity forgotten and rotten upon earth?

2. Hence we see then, whatever man establisheth in his heart and fixeth his mind on, but Christ, must down, and nothing must be left: We all desire to learn something and to have something to look at: we will trust God, but we will have something else to look at, some sign and token; thus, man is lothe to part with all, but still he reservs some portion, some hope, some good quality, some righteousnesse to look at; no, there must be nothing left, but the Brazen Serpent: Nothing but Christ to look at, for all else must to Babylon.

3. Nay, we see how he takes away all excuses, we think to establish our posterity, and gather for our children, that each may have so much, though we fear not our own portion: but even these shal be servants, we feed them with a coal stollen from the Altar: we leave them the fruits of our covetous hearts, and so brings them into the snare for an hours pleasure, they also must into the land of darknesse: commit them to God with any portion; for if they may enjoy any small pittance it is enough, for thou shalt not know whether they shall come to honour or low degree. Let all look for this in the day of fulnesse, look for want & misery, for it will come; see thy self taking leave with all thy Friends and Riches: for Pompey & Alexander are now conquered, that conquered all the World: Yea, the best must taste of this; for Christs last day, was his heavie day, when Wrath & Death lay upon Him. So that there is a more heavie day to be endured: only mans rest in [Page 111] this day is, with Hezekiah: to cleave to the Word of the Lord in subjection.

When the Prophet had delivered his message, we see how Hezekiah takes it:

First, He acknowledgeth the Power and Goodnesse of the Word of God.

2. He submits himself thereto, in confidence and as­surance, that according to the Word, Truth and Peace should be in his dayes; So that,

The Word of the Lord is ever good to man, and his only treasure on earth, and mans subjection thereto, his only freedom and rest, Isa. How sweet upon the moun­tains are the feet of him that bringeth glad tydings of Peace. It is the joyful tydings of Salvation, the Word of Life, and the Message of the Kingdom; and that wherein David found more joy than in all riches or great spoils: The Law is spiritual and good, the Gospel is the message of Mercy and Life; Wisdom is justified of her Children: And Eli's subjection to the word of Sa­muel, was his only hearts ease.

1. For though it fight against the World and Lust of mans heart, yet it is for the freeing of Man from them.

2. For this Word must stand though it sight against Man, and mans subjection must be his Rest; For the Word cannot be changed nor fail.

3. For hereby is made known the Love of the Father, which wh [...]le the Child hath, he fears nothing.

4. Herein i [...] more certainty, than if ten thousands had sworn it.

5. And our Subjection is, our present denying our selves, and partaking with Christ in his Death.

1. This carries the heart above all that he sees or feels, though he see nothing but death; as here, yet hereby he knows that he shal be relieved, as a man having com­mitted murther, prays for pardon at the Kings hand: which being granted, how good is that word of the King to him?

2. And yet we see the carnal heart of Man sees no good in this, delights in any frivolous story more than this: believes any word rather than this, & yet what footing [Page 112] hath mans heart in any thing but this: By this we shal be judged, and by this we shal be freed.

3. And yet we are all found fighters against this, as in Christs time; the whole world opposed him: so when God by His Word, that the Worldings and Hypocrites shall not find rest, they tush at it, and will Evah think, they shal have merry dayes, when he saith, All thy high looks must down, and thy great portion must be lost: nay, saith man, But I will make them sure, and so he trusts every thought of his heart, rather than his word.

4. But know, the day will come, when this will be more worth, than all, and happy he that so esteems it now. And for our subjection, every man hath a will and way of his own, which he labours to uphold: and rather desires that his Word, rather than his own will might be altered: Yet, God saith, We must forsake Fa­ther and Mother, and all: But man saith no. God saith, Be content with thy portion: man covets more: So that

None loves the Word or Gods will, but he that is prepared to bear the Crosse: that man, seeing his own guilt and weaknesse, may submit in humility and look for mercy: then shall Peace be established in his heart, though war and trouble without: And truth shall pre­serve his soul, when all the World seems a lye to him: yea, though God seems his enemy, yet this truth be­comes a friend.

THis Chapter and these Words contain the be­ginning of the Gospel & the very sum thereof: When Adam had miserably fallen through rebellion, and become guilty of death: it was promised (though obscurely) that a man should rise of the seed of the Woman, whom Satan had deceived, that should overthrow his Kingdom, and deliver man [Page 113] out of his hands: whereby Adam and the faithful was upheld until Noahs time; then the promise was re­newed: and the Rain-bow given to testifie, that still God would be good to man till Abrahams time. Then did God more clearly renew the same promise, In thy seed shall all Nations of the Earth be blessed: From that time, the Prophets prophesied most clearly of this Saviour, and with strong prayers and desires, longed after this Christ; and so, from Abraham till David, it was more manifest both in the promise to him, Thou shalt sleep with thy Fathers but I will set up thy seed after thee, and stablish his Kingdom: and I will be his Father, and he shall be my Son. Psal. 132. God hath made a faithful oath to David, of the fruit of thy body shall I set upon thy seat. Psal. 45. Thy throne, O God, endureth for ever, the scepter of thy Kingdom is a scepter of righteousnesse. Whereby he sheweth, that a King shall arise out of the root of Jesse, and the Government shall be upon his Shoul­der. Now, here is the Book of the Generation of this King and Christ so long foretold off, which shewes the wonderful consent of the Scripture, So that,

The whole Word of God declares nothing else, but the fall and daily falling: death and condemnation by Adam, and restoring by Christ; both which, being be­lieved; become effectual to mans good and happinesse. This Paul Rom. 6. Gal. 1.

The first is renewed again in the Law, and shewed in all the rebellions and wanderings of men, that so man may see himself, and be ashamed: and the other a won­derful and incredible thing, that man curst and con­demned, should be restored by the birth of one man. Here needs faith, as much as to believe, that the Word was made of nothing.

1. These are the two Principles of all Religion, that man see his dailie falling in Adam, and daily rebellion against God and his Word; daylie forsaking God, and setting up something besides Christ; which unlesse it be seen, and believed, and felt; no Saviour to man. For Christ was promised to fallen man.

[Page 114]2. This workes death in the heart, and in this death and dayly falling, is man directed to the Book of the Ge­neration of Jesus Christ: No believing of this wonder but in death, that mans meer want and misery force him to believe this Saviour. For no reason can per­swade a dead and cursed man, but the mighty word of God, which man may not argue how like or unlike it is: but that is the Truth of God for ever.

But these are two Principles that are least minded or believed. We frame a Religion of high thoughts, and make a trade of many devices: so that the simplicity of the Truth is hid by the witt and device of man. And herein, we trade for our praise and gain; But to believe the Book of the Generation of Jesus Christ, this too law for their deep judgements. No, they have learned this long since, they have seen their misery, but they are healed; they were wounded by the Word, but they have cured and covered it: So that now the Word cannot fasten on them. They are wise, and foreknow all things: and so able to awarde the blow. And for this book of the Generation of Jesus Christ, they know it, and can comprehend it, and dispute and prate of it, and have mangled and cut, added and diminished; but live not by it; and so full of opinion and windie conceits of all Truth, but believe it not, that this Christ is the Re­demption of man only, and now joyn other books to this; We dare not rest on this without something else to under-prope. Hence came in Circumcision, Mans Righteousnesse, and Riches of the World through Rea­son; but to believe this Book, as to commit soul and life, and all to this promise, even when sin and death bites; is the great power of God to believe Christ to be the Saviour of the World So that the whole Summe of Religion, is truly to know what man is, and what Christ is: truely to know sin and righteousnesse: the one read in the Book of our own hearts, we need go no further: the other read in the Generation of Jesus Christ When man utters forth but the frothe of his own ro [...] ving mind and thoughts, the fleshly mind is tickled, but [Page 115] no certainty; but the book of Jesus Christ is the Word of Truth, and assurance forever. O, that we had hearts prepared to embrace this mystery. Here is the Fountain of Life.

Here is the Book of the Generation of Jesus Christ be­fore prophesied, now accomplished. Here note the Truth and Certainty of Gods Promise: So that,

No certainty to mans heart in any thing, but in the living word of God, and the truth of the promise be­lieved; this abides, all things else will fail, Psal. 26. Thy mercy reacheth to the Heavens, and thy truth into the clouds. Abraham had no hold left but this, and David no comfort in affliction but this Word that sustained him. We have a sure word of the Prophets, which, though the Fathers in reason might deny, because they saw nothing of Christs coming: yet they were to at­tend, till the day dawn: and then the Book of the Gene­ration of Christ shall come, and his star shall appear in the East: So though man feel not the comfort of this Christ, yet attending in that death, on the sure Word of Pro­phesie; the day star shall arise in his heart. But man would feel and believe nothing, and so casts off the Word, and flies to many inventions.

1. For all things have their turns and changes, ac­cording to their uncertain natures and disposition: and alter with fulness and emptiness, with want & riches, according to the Worlds uncertainty, but nothing can change or disannul the promise: not the power of Pha­raoh, nor the malice of the Jewes, nor the treason of Ju­das, nor length of time, or alteration of Kingdoms; but at the fulnesse of time, Christ must be born, suffer and die, &c. So in man?

2. This gives certainty of the Fathers Will & Love to wretched man, and he being stayed by this: endures the time of Tutors and Governours, of banishment & per­secution: yea, of torment and wrath within: & tyranny of Satan: yet waits in patience the revelation of the Gospel. How powerful is the word of a King, that even by his word & wrath hath stricken a man dead.

1. How vain thē is the heart of man, that seeks certainty [Page 116] in every thing but this? Hath not Satan promised joy & peace and loe, at death, all is gone, and man helplesse? Doth not the World promise certainty in its full por­tion, and sure possession to thee and thine: And yet thou seest, or still fearest a decay in all: Doth not the Law promise life and peace, and yet when thou hast done thy utmost, thou art still guilty? Yea, doth not God make void the counsel of the flesh, and when man dies, all perish? and yet man will not learn nor read in this book, which is life. Now the word is certain in it self? and so to man: when the truth thereof is believed, and written in his heart deeper, than all reason, or fleshly speculations.

2. And as this book is the book of a Saviour to be­lievers, so of death to unbelievers, that have cast off this, and followed vain inventions: For both Moses, in whom they trust shall judge them; and Christ, in whom they trusted not, shall condemn them; for God shall judge all by his Gospel. Then shall God say, I promised to Adam, Abraham and David, &c. and they found life therein: I fore told by my Prophets: And in fulnesse of time, I sent my Son declared in the Book of this generations But him ye believed not, counted him a de­ceiver. I would have performed all to the full; he sa­ved all that came to me him by: but you were rich & wise in the World, and trusted that you were rich and devote in your conceit, and despised him: Therefore, out of your own hearts, I judge you.

Nay, without this: there is such a certainty of death and curse: that nothing in wealth or witt, no qualities or righteousnesse can wipe out: but it sticks fast in the bottom, till the Book of the Generation of Christ give certainty of Redemption by him.

Happy he who sticks to this foundation, that is nei­ther lifted up by high wisdom, nor drawn down by base lusts: that judgeth not, but is judged by the Word of Christ. We read this story: O, That we had hearts to read and delight in this Book or Word of Truth: We pro­fesse this Christ, and we celebrate this Feast in remem­berance [Page 117] thereof. But anone, every man runs to his va­nity; soon weary of this, as though he either stood no need of this Book, or had it wrote in our hearts: We re­joyce and play, but it is not in this; nay, how little is this Book looked on: or minded or read in our houses, or embraced in our hearts? When that beastly drink­ing, liker liker Swine than Men; that unmanly custome of Cards, sitter for Childrens Bables, than to be the exercise of Wise and Reasonable men: which the good Moral Heathens could not suffer their Schollers or Children, for making them too effeminate in their minds: and yet we foolishly make them our meat and drink, and let Christ stand behind the door. Well, this Book of the Generation of Christ will stand by man to his joy, when those shall be all witnesses, of vanity & lusts of our hearts against us.

The Son of David. Now he comes to his Genera­tion. David is here first mentioned before Abraham, because the promise was most in him, and Christ most usually promised by the Name of the seed of David: And so he goes on from Abraham to Christ. In which Genealogy note, That most of the Men and Kings that are reckoned, and of whom Christ came: were wicked men and Idolaters, as appears in the Book of the Kings, Yet Christ was born of them, and the women mentioned all wicked and sinners; save Ruth, who was a Gentile: and hated as a Dog of the Jewes; But Thamar, Rhab & Bathseba, all Adulterers. So that.

The promise is made and so effectual, & Christ born, and sent by the Wisdom and Will of the Father, only to; and for sinful, lost, wretched and condemned men: and none else.

I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; [...]e leaves the ninety and nine, and seeks the sheep that is [...]st. When Adam was lost, then Christ was promised. Moses was sent to deliver afflicted Israel: and Joshua [...] bring the wanderers to rest: So Christ was sent to the [...]ost sheep of the house of Israel. And this he verified in his [...]ourse, Publicans and Sinners were objects of his [Page 118] mercie: the Poor, Weak, Halt, Lame and Blind, he was still among: And the Rich he sent empty away, and the righteous Pharisees he regarded not.

1. For if Sin should hinder the coming of Christ, he had never been born; & if Sin should hinder the com­fort of Christ from man, no Flesh should be saved.

2 Nay, Therefore came Christ to take away sin: which by no other means could be overcome.

3. Hereby is the love and grace of God magnified, That he came to save Sinners: When for a righteous man scarce any will die; yet he died for his enemies. Object. Bu [...] all are sinners, yet he came not for all.

Answ. All are sinners, but not sensible sinners i [...] themselves, For there is that say, They have no Sin, an [...] justifie themselves before men, and trust in themselves to b [...] righteous, and that need no repentance.

These are the opinions and conceits of men, and ye [...] no doubt, but these confesse that they were sinners for­mally; There are sinners in general, but covered. The [...] are naked and bare sinners, whose iniquity brings Deat [...] We confesse, we are all mortal, but we feel not th [...] pangs of death, So of Sin.

For this sinfulnesse of man is not acknowledged o [...] this, or that actual failing, but a feeling of the Origina [...] spring, though he be well guided, and that mercie i [...] prepared: yet this makes him no more holie. But he see [...] the Fountain of Pride and Lust burning within, & s [...] forceth to cry and pray, and look for mercy in another.

1. But all strives to appear righteous, even before God & so makes Christ void: none would be found sinners but if they misse it in one action, they will mend it i [...] another, or the next: that they may be righteous.

1. The poor mindlesse honest man thinks, he hat [...] somewhat to offer, if but his honest meaning: & harmlesse course, and diligent working, he hopes this will b [...] one step.

2. The devote Pharisee thinks all his own, for his c [...] diligence and good qualitie.

3 Nay, others think they were sinners, but now th [...] [Page 119] are Righteous and Wise, and so banish Christ and cast him off: and Repentance, & Faith is stopt with them.

But know, all this is but joyning circumcision with Christ, for which he thinks Christ shall become more effectual: as though he came to seek a Righteousnesse in man, and not to bring a righteousnesse to man: Nay, but as it was sin by accident that brought Christ into the World at first: Yea, that he was counted the Master of Beelzebub, and one that brought false do­ctrine, so it the sense of Sin still, that brings him to the heart of man.

2. Hereby is the hope of poor man preserved: that Christ came of the sinful Seed of men, and for sinful man: if he had come only of the Faithful, and would have nothing to do with sinners: then had we been lost: But he is made a man like us, with whom we may talk as one with another: our Brother and friend Why then should the fearful conscience flie him, and make him a judge: who thinks, O! If I were a little more Holie, and lesse Sinful, I could have hope: Nay, if thou were lesse Righteous in thy conceit, and more sensibly sinful, mercy were nearer.

3 So, that it is not properly sin, that is the Rebellion of the heart against God, and in-disposition to keep his Law, that hinders Christ; not because thou art a sinner in thy own eyes, but righteous in thy own sight: These are the enemies of Christ and of his Kingdom ever. So that the Gospel of Christ never prospers, but among sin­ful men, you see Christ was born of them: but man grows wise, and when sin appears he fore-knows a Saviour, and so heals the wound before it be made.

Abraham begat Isaac: And so one in Christs Genealogie; where note, That as he was born of sinful men, so there was a long tract of time after the Promise, before he came: even two and fortie Generations, therein allu­ding to the two and fortie Stations of Israel in the wil­dernesse; where they pitched their Tents, and yet removed: and all this time also the Church had great trouble: Yea, none without: Abraham sore tempted: Isaac also [Page 120] taken, and denyed his Wife; Jacob, in servitude, and per­secuted by Esau; The Judges and Kings alwayes in war: The time of the Maccabees, nothing but Blood-shed, and then the vision ceased; Yet even then, when the Church seemed even wasted, & almost left looking; The Sceptu being departed from Judah; then Shiloh came; But here was long time, and much trouble, so with man: So that,

Man shall endure many wearie dayes, and much trouble in the flesh, before Christ be truely and indeed born in him, or he live by, and with Jesus Christ.

As in Israels stations, they set down often and might not rest there, but a new enemie assaults them: Davids eyes failed for waiting for the promise: O! When wil [...] thou comfort me? why dost thou delayed thy Promise? Paul desired to be dissolved, but he must suffer terrours without, and fightings within; and through many affli­ctions we enter into life: So did Christ our High-Priest, He was consecrated through sufferings: For he must suffer till his hour come, even three and thirtie wearie years; but overcame through suffering.

1. For God hath all times in his own Power and Wisdom.

2. Hereby he prepares the hearts of men to wait for grace.

3. It is worth staying, for having so sure a founda­tion laid; That He that cometh, will come, and will notarrie: even a most sure Word to be attended on.

1. But we cry out with those; Where is the Promise of his coming? or, with those, Luke 12. We would know a sign of his coming: or with the weak, would foresee him coming with fleshly eyes: If I knew that he wold come I could stay: when his Word is gone out as firm as Mount Sion: But by this knowing, we would have a little ease: or would know rather, than believe; nay, know that yet thou must passe many a pinch, fight with beasts at Eph [...]sus, suffer shipwrack, and sight with many a beastly lust: one thief there was, that leapt two and fortie degrees at one leap: but look not thou for that, but know that yet thou must be more vile: Long w [...] [Page 121] the time, and great was the trouble, the Church suffered before they saw their Saviour: So wait to the losse of all, for the vision is for an appointed time: but it shall come and not tarrie, speak and not lie.

2. Let none then look to obtain it by a fair, easie, smooth, quiet life: by flattering the World & himself, pleasing his appetite, putting the evil day far off from him, as we all do: Nor to sleep to Heaven, when first he begins to know a little of Christ, or conform a little to his Word, no, we must passe from Abraham to Isaac: so from Faith, to suffering, from believing to the Cross: so to patience, so to experience, so to hope: But be sure we begin with Abraham, to live by the Promise, and hold that ever fast: and so Christ will come at last: when,

3. Thy Pride is destroyed, thy Righteousnesse pulled down, thy wisdom made foolishness, and thou in thine own eyes be made the off-scouring of men, and the out­cast of the people: when the World is become nothing, and vanisht: and thy securitie awakned: Then in the ful­nesse of time, shall Christ come: in his time, not in thine, Thy time is alwayes, but his, not yet come: But he will come, and swallow up death in victory, and bind the power of darknesse and death, and subdue thine enemies under thy feet; and then shall death, the last enemie be destroyed, that God may be all in all.

4. Only in this time take heed of hardning in securitie [...]nd blind presumption.

IN the former Chapter, he had declared the great and divine power of Christ, who was far above all An­gels and Power: In this he shews, that now Christ [...]eing made the Prophet and High Priest of mans Sal­vation, [Page 122] it became him to be a man like us, both to teach and suffer for us: which he proves by divers testimonies of the Prophets, as I will declare thy name unto my Brethren, and Isa 8.18. Behold, I and the Children which God hath given me: So that he was made even ou [...] brother: In these verses, he concludes and explait [...] what he hath said before, as if he should say; Forasmuch as those Children which thou hast given me, were but Fle [...] and Blood, and not able to free themselves; but through the same Flesh and Blood, were under the Power of th [...] Devil, and by him kept in bondage under the feard death: He took flesh and blood on him also, & becam [...] a weak man, that thus he might by death free his Chil­dren from that bondage: these words declare two thing

1. What man is in himself, viz. Weak under the powe [...] of the devil, & thereby kept in bondage & fear of deat [...]

2. What Christ hath done for weak man, viz. Tak [...] part with us, & by his death destroyed Satan, & freed [...]

Forasmuch as the Children, viz. of Adam, or rather o [...] the Elect, Were partakers of flesh and blood; Weaknesse want, miserie, and death: for through the flesh we a [...] subject to all those, so that, this is our portion, the l [...] of Spirit is gone, & our Spirit dead fo [...] want of th [...] life of God, so also for life and salvation able to do no­thing, but depend on another. So that,

All men, even the Elect of God, and faithful; have nothing properly their own but flesh and blood, viz Weaknesse, Want and Miserie; till they are supplied b [...] Christ, and his fulnesse. Gen. 6. His thoughts and imag [...] nations are evil, Psal. 8. What is man? He is a thing [...] nought, lesse than nothing, and lighter than vanitie, low [...] than the Angels: and yet he found no stedfastene [...] in them. Paul, though full of the gifts of God: [...] the least of all Saints, in me dwells no good thing, not ab [...] to think one good thought (Do our holy high thoughte [...] men judge so of themselves?) Egypt, but a Reed, an [...] the strength of Pharaoh, but a broken staffe: and what [...] our Riches, but as grasse: our Wisdom foolishnesse: [...] Powers not able to make white or black: our Righteousn [...] [Page 123] as a filthy Rag; our Sacrifice, as the cutting off a Dog [...] neck: nay, all but grasse, and as the flower of the field.

1. This is plain in experience: Doth not the weak heart of man flie any whither for succour, though it finds none? bowes to the World, creaves help of the arm of flesh: flie any whither for to hide himself: would do any thing for to free himself from the fear of his own heart: danted with everie noise: dead with any losse, can do no good, not suffer any evil; and yet this silly creature sits in his own conceit as a God, a Lucifer Queen, that shall see no evil.

2. Whence then are all those high thoughts of judg­ing others, and justifying our selves, seeking honour each of other, but because we see not our own weak­nesse, and bondage? Nay: if our eye were returned in­ward, we should have no boasting; if we saw but the spring of Lust and Pride, and how unable we are to resist the least temptation: or stand in the least affli­ction, how good soever God be to us; yet in our selves but flesh and blood, his gifts shews his goodnesse: and they are in him, not in man: enjoyed from him, not from our own fountain.

All high thoughts then are from the devil, for all is but flesh and blood: Thy high Turrets and great Babels: and fair inheritance must come to nought, when thy Soul shall be taken, and it may be thou shalt see it.

This great portion gathered and daily increased, wherein thou boastest thy self, must all be scattered, and [...]hou not know what shall become of it; thy deep wis­dom shall fail thee; it is but fleshly, not able to see into the way of life; to prevent, or deliver thee from death; Thy counsels must perish, thy righteousnesse is but a [...]ag, shall vanish, nothing continue: Nay, what ever thou doest, thou mars it, if Christ be not there? If thou pray, or [...]alk, all is nothing but fleshly; only to stablish a fleshly kingdom & peace to thy self; Nay, bring out thy best qualitie, & it is but fleshly; such as the Heathens have as well as thou: if Christ be not there, else, we needed no Christ, but our Spirits being lost, he came to breath a new life therein to by his power.

Object. But God giveth gifts to men.

Answ. True, but if he be not with those gifts, man marrs them. Where then is the power of good mo­tions, or, free-will? &c. To know, believe, love, re­pent, &c. Not in us but in Christ? And yet this makes not man secure: Doth the beggers poverty make him cease begging: or, the lame man to lye still, and not cry for help: Nay, the feeling of this, keeps repentance and prayer a foot in the Church, and so had we need of mercie everie day, and to pray night and day: That when this grasse withers, &c. Yet, that the Word of God may abide in our hearts for ever. Magnifie Gods mercie, that unto us so poor and weak, that can do no­thing: vouchsafes his help and grace

3. So that all Religion is not any thing we can do to God: we are not fitted? no, What can we add to him, but to receive still from him: both Faith and Righteous­nesse and all? for having none, he is made all these to us, that so we may daily cry, Lord increase our Faith, help our unbelief.

4. But Religion never throve since flesh and blood, even mans fleshly wisdom, and conceited power, and righteousnesse of man got pearckt up in Christs room, in the heart of man; nor will it thrive in any till this be laid in the dust again, and that we begin at the verie earth to abhore our selves in dust and ashes.

He took part with them. That is, was made man, partaker of all wants and infirmities of man: and ye [...] himself conquered, being tempted, and helps all that are tempted, So that,

Jesus Christ that living Saviour of man is partaker and fellow-seeler of all mans weaknesse, & infirmities that he suffers: and lovingly helps, and frees man where all help fails.

Isa. 50.11. Isa. 63. In all their afflictions he was af­flicted: and the Angel of his presence comforted them. Heb. We have an high Priest subject to like Infirmities, that he might be able to comf [...]rt us, he took upon him [...] sins, and bare our infirmities, and he was counted the great sinner of the World.

Like a loving Elder Brother, who seeing his younger brother overladen, takes the burden; sees him beaten; weeps: sees him want, gives him half. For though he was the Word of God, and was God; yet he took the form of a Servant, and became flesh, and dwelt among us: that we might see him a man in the flesh like us: and suffering more than we all, and yet overcame: Thus, he was given as a witnesse to the People, and the first begotten among many Brethren.

1. What then are all those high Contemplations that soar above, and seek Christ in Heaven: and make him a high speculative Angel, and rack their thoughts, and beat their brains in comprehending? When, alace! He is with us, l [...]ke us, suffering, watching praying: poor, judged and reproached: and dying as we are. He cares not for th [...]se high religious ones, but pure and contrite ones: With these he hath fellowship, & they with him.

2 What hearting is this to patience: that he as a hus­band, is ever with us in well and woe? Thou thinks thy case singular: thou art poor, he poorer: thou wants the Fathers Love, so did he: thou art afflicted, so was he: thou art sick, he swate drops of water and blood for the sick: Nay, in all he was with thee. But we have little fellowship with him we sport our selves, and are full: strong and wise, and so strangers to him: We are righteous without him, so that he hath nothing to do, but with poor beggers.

3 And where Christ partakes with us, there he makes us also to partake with others: to mourn with them that mourn, bear their Infirmities, and covers sin, helps the needy, relieves the oppressed, &c.

All high flying Religion then, is not of Christ, but of the Devil: for Christ therefore brings down all high thoughts, for they are against Christ. Then Christ hath little working among us, when every one is for him­self: when we judge and condemn instead of pardon­ing: spread others infirmities, instead of covering them: laugh at others fall, and not mourn for them: robb and not relieve the poor: nay, with the unthankful servant, take him by the throat.

[Page 126]4. Believers have a friend at back, He gives a mouth and wisdom: the world may fail and friends, and wit too short, and riches perish, and the life gone: yet he fails not as to the Martyrs, who had him in all troubles a Protector and Captain, and in His power overcame all.

That he might through Death. Here is the second thing that Christ hath done for us, viz. Destroyed the power of Satan, and delivered man: and the way whereby, through Death. So that,

Christ Jesus, the Son of the Virgin and Savior of the World, hath vanquisht; and doth daily overcome the Power and Tyranny of Satan, which he hath, & exer­ciseth over the Church and Souls of the Faithful: and by His Death, hath freed and delivered; and daily doth de­liver man from that bondage.

So it was promised, when Man had fallen from God to Satan, and was now become a S [...]holl [...]r in his shool, viz by subtilty of Wit, and strength of Lust to sight ag [...]inst God, and stablish his own peace in the Flesh: God promised to raise up one of the seed of the Woman to crush this power, by disannulling that Peace, and bringing man to suffer the Death & Losse of all things, 1. John 3. Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil, viz. To turn that peace into War, to pull down his high Mountains, to set mans crooked way straight, to bring man to Repentance, and so to bring him into his King­dom; He came to bind the red Dragon, that made all drunk: and to this end, was the Gospel sent by Paul to the Gentiles, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.

This was figured in the fall of Jericho, the City of Gods enemies & Idolaters: the walls were high, the in­habitants strong: Israel few and weak, the means weaker, Blowing with rains horns: Yet by the spirit of believing Joshua, they fell. So also man is weak, the walls of Lust & the World are strong & mightie and wylie: but by the foolish way of Preaching, & shout of the Gospel, the Towers fall: and Mountains fall at his [Page 127] presence, and Christ enters. Also figured in the Victorie of David over Goliath; he weak, means weaker: but exposing himself to death, and casting his life into the hands of God, by Faith in the God of Israel, he over­came, and took the bondage and shame from Israel: And figured also in the victorie of Hezekiah over Sena­cherib, that great beast; he cried and wept, and spred the letter and prayed: and Senacherib fell into his hands without lifting up a dart: even one hundred fourtie and five thousand in one night. So when Christ prayed in the garden in his agonie, and embraced Death in sub­jection to the Fathers will: He overcame hell & death. So st [...]ll it is, when man is wearie of that bondage, fells no power, spreads his heart before the Lord, even readie to meet death: then is he freed by a great deliverance.

1. For though Christ by his power, might have de­livered man, and not died: yet this was not profitable for man, both that the power of God might appear, & that He might be a faithful and fit High Priest to sustain man in the power of Dea [...]h

But this was an unlikely thing to reason, That a man by dying should overcome, He [...]ather seemed to be vanquished; yea so He did. But therein he tr [...]pt the de­vil. For while Satan laid on stripes, he gave his ckeeks to the nippers, and let Satan strike his full, & shoot his last dart, whereby he had thought to have driven Christ from the father, or to have sought help of the world; but he continued still patient, and at last rose & tri­umphed over hell, and death. Nay Balaam could not prevail against Israel by all his curses, they still being stayed on God; but by his wicked counsel perswading to draw them to sin, he wrought their death: As by his wylie drawing men to live by the world without God, that way he prevails much: now Christ delivers by his death.

1. Having paid the debt, & answers the law: & became a curse for us. Who hath any thing to lay to our charge

2 In sustaining man by his grace, and upholding him in death; for if we die with him, we shall live with [Page 128] Him: and if we suffer with Him, we shall be glorified with Him.

1. But we seek deliverance another way, and think to escape death.

1. One by his gaining the world, not losing it: by saving his life, not by giving it up: to that end is wise, diligent, careful to put the evil away.

2. Another by the first Covenant, and stablishing a righteousnesse of his own: but that hath nothing but death in it.

3. All hiding and covering, and increasing what they have: and tinkling their old rotten hearts, not by for­saking all and Repentance.

2. But we see the way of Life and Freedom, is, by death.

1. By believing the great power of Christ, whereby he overcame death.

2. By patient submitting to the will of God, no way to overcome but by suffering.

3 So that all this strong hearted Religion, and high flown thoughts, bear out all danger through hardened presumption and a stiff conceited Righteousnesse, or high and loftie knowledge: like those, Isaiah 28. that put the evil day far off, and hide themselves under va­nitie and falshood, is not the way of Christ: no, His way is a low and dying way, They reproached Him, and He bare it: they banisht Him, and He had not whereon to lay His head, and He cared not: They ap­prehended Him, and He lift not up a sword against them: they accused Him falshly, and He said nothing: they crucified Him, and He prayed for them: and whe [...] they laid Him in the grave, in darknesse, and that the power of Satan could do no more, He rose & revived, and shut the mouth of hell, death, and the grave th [...] they should never hurt any of His: But by death he o­vercame death, and brought Life and Immortalitie to light by the Gospel.

4. And this shews the miserable captivitie of Sin, an [...] vilenesse thereof, that nothing can loose but Death: [...] [Page 129] the Wife or Brother that hath committed such an of­fence, that nothing but the death of the Husband or Brother can save her life: how may this break the heart with sorrow: we pity Christ, that so innocent a man should suffer death so unworthily: but see Christs answer to the women that wept for His death, Weep not for me, but weep for your selves. He needs not thy pity, but weep for the death and desolation that thou & thy children must suffer.

Him that had the power of Death. For this was left to Satan: he had power to tempt man in the heel, and losse of all things, even of life: and was the executioner according to the sentence of the judge, but not beyond his commission: So that,

Satan hath a large power and dominion over man to tempt and vex man with all calamities and losse of the dearest object, yet cannot make void the Redemption of man to his destruction.

Thus with Job in all things, but his life, and yet by Faith and Patience he got the Victorie: when once he laid his hand on his mouth, and repented in dust and ashes. Thus he reigned in malice against the Martyrs, even unto death: but their Kingdom & Peace he could not take away from them: Thus against Christ. And he is called the old Serpent, and Satans, the accuser of the brethren. Thus, Satan brings Death in all things, where the heart is not freed by Christ.

All unbelievers are taken captive to do his will as:

1 To the worldly heart, he [...]ffers the Kingdom of the world, and life by them; but death lurks under.

2. To the lusting heart, by satisfying that; but shame and guilt follows.

3. The hypocrite, by high thoughts and self-righ­teousnesse: poysoning his Religion with a false opinion, like an angel of light; that he may cast off Christ: Others he follows with troubles, to drive them to seek help in his Kingdom. Nay, when he offers life & ease in any thing, he thereby intends death, and brings it in the end: and when he threatens death, it is to seek life [Page 130] in him: So no way to overcome, but by taking away that life of his by death, and to overcome this death by suffering and by the life of Faith through Patience.

2. The greatest snare of the devil is, in all thriving wayes: for he is farely covered with pretence of good, peace, and fulnesse, &c. But beware, for death is in the port: if he cannot draw Christ to doubt and deny God, then he grants as much as Christ saith, True thou art the Son of God, and he will keep thee still, thou art now on the Temple, the hight of Holinesse; cast thy self down on this, if that prevaile not: Then he comes with all the world in his hand, confessing still all that Christ urged: No I see thou wilt not tempt God, therefore use thou the means to live and bow thy heart to the world; that thou mayest live well and do good: So trying alwayes to worke death to the mind of Christ: & when this would not prevail, then he sets all the world in malice against him.

3. No way then, but living by the Word & nothing else, he can deal with everie thing but Gods Word, & unlesse he can steal this out of the heart: he can thrust nought else in. This keeps out of all things else but Christ, but if we begin to hearken a commune with flesh and blood and believe his promises, he will promise life in things, when death is sure to be in the end▪ Which for fear of Death, were all their life-time through sin and guilt; So that,

The fear of death and destruction is the fruit of Sin and Guilt, which keeps all the hearts of the sons of men in bondage, until they be freed and delivered by Christ.

When the Law came to Paul, death came Dea [...]h went over all, because all had sinned: And how do these in the Revelation, cry for mountains to cover them: these in Isaiah 28: were glad to make a covenant with death; and Adam made aprons of sigleaves to cover his shame: Nay, this is that which all labour to pre­vent and flee, as hell.

1. For man is guiltie before God; though by sore-knowing [Page 131] of a remedie, he thinks to [...]over it, & as oft as this guilt is naked and bare, fear possesseth the soul.

2. For death leaves no Hope, dasheth all at once; so that if the worlding could escape this, he were a jollie man.

1. Thus we see, what an uncertain ease man is in, that fears death everie hour; especiallie, if man were made sensible of his condition: but this Satan hath co­vered for a while, and saith, Thou shalt not die. And so we sit quiet and fear no evil, but how fearful is the plague or sword where it lights.

2. Nay, but what a tosling of heart there is in a dy­ing man, betwixt fear and hope, which is worse than his pains; now he hopes, then the disease pincheth him: and he fears again, then hath rest & hopes again: But note, That this remains all our life long, even still in the heart of man: O! that it were in us all, it would waken security, and set the heart a seeking & praying: but we live, as though no danger were towards us; but the time will come, when we shall call for the moun­tains to cover us, and not find ease.

VVHen Christ had now finished his course, & was now readie to suffer that fearful & bit­ter hour, he foretells the disciples what to look for, and will befal them: viz. He will strike the Shepherd, and what then will become of the Sheep: they had lived with Him in peace, or at least such a trouble as was easie to bear, but now must all be sha­ken, and so sore-warns them of the Crosse that they must suffer: he sorewarns them of the Crosse and miseries to come, and that by the Instrument of Satan, amplified by a Metaphor, he assures him of help, and that by faith he shall be preserved, and that he hearten his brethren.

After Peters brag, and Christs answer, First, He shews how Satan as an enemie stands waiting and seeking to overthrow Christ & his Kingdom, by which he might shake the saith of all his followers: for if he had overthrown Him, then Faith and all had been dasht; So that,

Satans main drift to worke mans eternal destru­ction, is to overthrow Christ and his Kingdom, and to drive man from C [...]rist, and to seek help elsewhere.

Thus with Job, thus with Annanias, and thus with Christ in his temptations; still granting what Christ alleadged, and still labouring again to trap him in that: for still he traps man in that wherein he stands; as the worlding, he fills them with fear, and pleaseth his lust, and the weak to worke it out, and he laid load upon Paul, fightings without, and terrors wi [...]hin: And thus he layes reproaches upon the Truth, and blazeth the failings of the Faithful, to slander the Truth: for he is the accuser of the Breth [...]en.

1. And herein stands the salvation of man, that he can deal with any thing but Christ; the wisest or holiest he can catch, and keep him in his sna [...]e, and fill them with fear or hope, that he sifts them & keeps them in his b [...]g.

2. For he hath power over man to tempt man in the heel and to sift man, and leave him nothing but brane: For when he hath ground man to powder, he sets his servant, the flesh, to sift him, and he reasons and looks from what he feels; and sues no help left, but all is gone: but Christ through patience overcoming him: Thus he Winnowed the Martyrs, and left nothing in the flesh to uphold them: and thus he workes their good against his will to purge man of the flesh, and to drive him to Christ.

3. The whole truth is revealed by Fire: First, Thus he drives all another way, and he cares not what way he goes, so he looks not this way.

1. The Worlding he keeps in fear of want, or failing, or decrease, or uncertainty: and so keeps him closse, like Israel in Egypt.

[Page 133]2. Others that look after Christ, yet keeps the World alive in the heart through Lust, and that all is theirs, they having right, must provide for honest things as that all is theirs, &c. and so he makes Fig-leafe-cover­ings but the heart Rotten.

3. Others he lifts up above the simplicitie of Christ and their own minds, by great, and high speculations, to falsifie the Truth by false Doctrine: and all this to hide Repentance from mans heart, that so the Kingdom of Christ may not come.

4. Others, by joyning something, as Circumcision with Christ: and the Gospel is perfected by the Law, and not the Law fulfilled by the Gospel.

5. Others he pursues with calamitie and miserie: as in ward Lust and Rebellion: frowardnesse of their own will and indisposition to any good, that so man might get ease thereby.

6 Others by losses, crosses, wants and troubles that he may distrust God, and cleave to the arm of flesh; and so consent to Rab [...]ekeys Letter, saying, Thou trustest and believest in Christ, he will deceive thee; thou art forlorn and forsaken, it were best to look after other helps a little, and then trust God; so that, whither he offer Life, or threaten Death, he intends Death, & for­saken of Christ: for Paul he knows, & Christ he knows.

2. He never prevails so much as in a thriving way, whereby the heart becomes lifted up, he never overco­mes to much by misery, let him fain as much as he will: all this is but to weaken the flesh, and to bring down high Mountains, and bring Job to lay his hand on his mouth, and repent in dust and ashes: So that, nothing preserves man, but a simple repenting heart.

Sensible of weaknesse in the midst of greatest gifts.

1. The simplicitie of the Gospel written in mans heart.

2. Simple believing and patience to suffer, and over­come: so with Christ, He was the Wisdom of the Father; he patiently bare the Wrath of the Father for man.

To winnow you like Wheat, This was a coming, when [Page 134] the Shepherd was smitten, all friends forsook him: the Earth shook, Darknesse was over all; Peter accused, the rest fled: Christ crucified like unto a murtherer: laid in the grave: all gone, so that nothing was left: but the Wis­dom that Christ had given them, and Faith in that Pro­mise to believe, that he would come again: So that Ranson saw little to trust to, So that,

There will come a Winnowing day upon all Flesh, good and bad, to destroy: and take from men all confidence in the Flesh, in which the Faithfull shall be preserved by Faith, and Repentance and Patience.

The Lord will in righteous judgement winnow the wicked, and Satan that falsifier? Where is Pharaohs Power, and Pompejy, and Dives, and Wealth of the Worldlings: and righteousnesse of Paul? Is it not all found too light? God hath had his Fan in his hand, & no unrighteousnesse shall stand before him: For they are like those chaffe before the Wind: Woe to them that laugh for their covenant of Death shall be disannulled or broken.

1. For God maks way hereby for his mercie, and pu­rifieth faith, and drived man to himself, though grievous yet wholesome.

2. All joy and life of Adam must be taken away, & nothing doth that, but Christ.

3. Then though Satan now insult and triumph like a King, yet he must be cast into the bottomlesse Pit, & all that obey him.

4. There is away that seems good bu [...] it must be tryed and proves death: as that of Peter to Christ; save thy self: but this is not good.

1. Know then, that this day will come. We laugh & Feast and Drink, as though it would last alwayes: but know as to a Schollar or idle Servant, that when he hath sported all these dayes, there will come a black-Munday and hard Work.

So that, though we sport our selves in quiet, cover our own guilt, delude sorrow, and drive it from our hearts, put off the evil day, play the Wanton with our knowledge, and Feast a while with Christ dainties; as he [Page 135] dealt with the Disciples, who brought them on by im­mediate power and love: but in the end, he must be taken away: So know, that these will fail; and no­thing left, but naked Christ, a poor despised man: Let the Worlding know, that there wil come a scattering night: where thou and thy guilty portion must part, & horror possesse thy mind: which all thy Wealth will not quiet: Yea, thy Father and Mother, Childern, &c. will be found too light in that day; Yea, thy joy, in thy Works and Knowledge. Then will he say, Bring out thy Righteousnesse, and all thy qualities of holinesse, thy joy and comfort: thy Manna laid up: nothing then will serve, but praying to escape that hour, & yet shall not: but believing that his grace is sufficient.

But we drink down sorrow like beasts, or we hide as under the World, or we make an aggreement, and put it off: We call for Mountains and high devotions to cover us, but all this would not free Job nor preserve Jeremiah, but down they must.

So the time will come, that God will either by his Word and affliction try us, as by fire; and then shall we curse the day of our Birth; or else try us at Judgement, and say, What have I done unto thee? Wherein have I failed thee? what hast thou wanted? I warned thee of this night, and told thee of this time, but thou would not believe, thy Blood be upon thine own head.

But I have prayed for thee. How shall man do in this day of Wrath? yet here is a friend at back, Christ pray­ing, as to the men in the Ship, and he gone into a moun­tain to pray, So here he knew the sorrows of his people as a Man of sorrows, and so prayed for them; So that, here we see the brotherly care of Christ: So that,

That in great Dangers and Weaknesse of man, Christ doth and is readiest to help.

What care had he of his Disciples and how earnestly prayed he for them, Isa. 63. In all their afflictions he was: afflicted, he leaves the ninetie and nine in the Wildernesse▪ and seeks▪ the lost sheep. Heb. 6. VVe have a faithful. [Page 136] High Priest touched with our Infirmities. Like a loving brother, if his brother be overlaid, he pitieth his weak­nesse and helps him: if he be beat, he stands by and cryes: if he want, he gives him half: Or as the husband helps his Wife, runs & rides to do her good. For though he was the Word of the Father, yet he became a High Priest and fellow-feele, of our infirmities: he was given as a Te­stimony and witnesse to the People, and the first begotten of many.

1. What then are those high mystical Speculations and Comprehensions of Christ, making him so high: like speculative Angels? This is but an airy Christ, but our Christ is low and among us, suffering, watching & praying with us and for us. He comes not for these high thoughts, but for pure and contrite spirits.

2. What a hearting is this in trouble to endure, when Christ, like a husband is present in well and in woe? We think our case miserable: we bear the burden of sin: lo, he was forsaken and sick: he swate water and blood, he bears our weaknesse: but who feel it? he pities our tears, but who sheds them? he hears our cryes, but who makes them?

So that all high thoughted Religion is not of Christ, but of the Devil He came to bring down high moun­tains and Imaginations: We see then, that praying be­lievers have a Friend at back: praying, when we are suf­fering. Friends may sail, and Riches may vanish, and life taken away: but he endures yesterday to day, and the same for ever. If then, we are weak & miserable, Christ is never wanting.

That thy Faith fail not. And then let him do his worst, while thou sticks to me, and goes with me through death and hell: So that,

The only way of safety in all straits: is a praying and believing heart: and while these continue: nothing can prevail, Psalm 107. They cried in their distresse, and he heard them: we are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 6 8. When stedfast, resist in the Faith. Psalm. 9. They that know thy Name, trust in th [...]e.

[Page 137]1. For them, their cause is wholly committed to God, and to his Mercy.

2. These are the weapons that overcomes by suffering

3. These overcome the World, and crucifie the flesh, which only worke our bayne.

1. But our mouths are stopped, and hearts straitned. We live by conceits only: we are full and pray not: Want makes man pray, and weaknesse, him believe: And so Satan never overcomes: none but wise & strong men, these Christ rejects

2. But the time may come, when we shall cry, and not be heard: whatever stops straitens and hinders prayer, is a snare: But O, Praying dayes are gone! But, Lord, increase Faith in all our hearts.

When thou art converted, strengthen thy [...]rethren. This is the monition that Christ left, and thou must go through much fear and have experience of sorrows: yet faith shall overcome, though Infidelity seem to over­come: yet shall faith discover it, and then by renewing Repentance, Faith shall restore thee: So that note:

That the faith and comfort of a man being over­clouded, and covered; is renewed by daily Repentance, as in David and Peter, and the Incestuous man.

1. For as Christs Kingdom comes only to repenting hearts at the first: and as Sin in the World by accident, brought Christ into the World: So sense of sin in mans heart brings Christ thither.

2. Here is way made in mans heart for mercy and joy in Christ, & the heart driven to seek him in earnest.

3. Though man build hay and stuble on this founda­tion, yet God will destroy them by Fire & the Crosse, and bring back Israel with joy that went out weeping.

1. But herein it is, that our Faith is turned to a dead and fleshly security, because repenting dayes are gone; we did repent, and felt the bitternesse of sin, but it is all removed, and joy and freedom is come, & thou become secure: so that thus turns the eye from our selves, and Christ too: and so repentance is hid from our hearts. Is sin lesse odious to God than before, or [Page 138] doth he more tollerate it in thee than others? Art thou not more guilty, having felt his love, to turn from him: Is not thy Pride, and Self-Will and Love thy security, and high thoughts as odious to him: and as great rebel­lion in thee, as was the wanton sins in the days of thy Ig­norance. Hast not thou as much need of his grace, and power to preserve thee, as ever thou had to receive them? Shall we sin, because we are not under the Law, but under grace: Nay, as hard shall thou be sifted: but I will bring thee back by deep Repentance, and thy Faith shall revive, though for the present it fail.

2. So that Faith is not preserved, but by deep & daily humilitie and repentance: As Saint Paul, though he was partaker of great gifts, and more experience of Gods love and power, than thousands, yet hereby was it preserved: He stil rejoyced in infirmities, when he was weak, then he was strong: Great Knowledge, devote Holinesse, and high Thoughts, chooke Faith: only hu­militie preserveth it. The one lives by opinion, as light as wind; but the other by Faith and mercie, he feels no­thing but weaknesse and guilt.

3. Well-worth weak and repenting hearts, that weep with Peter, We deny him often, but repent seldom: What ever knowledge, or other thing they have, yet if this be kept lively, Faith shall not fail: though it be seemingly lost, and he turned his back, and he sees no way to peace: Yet wait a while, and light will spring out of darknesse, and well-worth Crosse that preserves Repentance in man, when he sees his own beastly guilt how he hath forsaken God, and run from him: and sees how all fails: then he returns: So it is hard to preserve Faith lively in prosperitie. It is a great point of simpli­citie to enjoy all gifts, and yet look at none: We see then, whereby man is preserved in all straits, viz a pray­ing and believing heart: all else vanish.

4. But praying dayes are gone. We have wept, but now rejoyce: We were weak, but now strong in our selves.

Strengthen thy Brethren: Pitie not me, nor weep for me: but weep for thy self: and pitie thy Br [...]thren: So that.

As the life of Faith is in Christ only, see the practice of Faith is in love to the Brethren, David, Psal. 16. My goodness is nothing unto thee, but to the Saints that are in the Earth. Thus all rules of practice after Faith, that are stablished by Paul, are such like as help the weak, ad­monish the un-ruly, &c. and Christ left this his last Law, Love one another, and Faith works by love: This was Christs practice all his dayes in doing good, & this is a free disposition of a Redeemed Spirit, the flesh seeks its own, but love doth not.

1. Thus is the Fathers Love spread abroad, and the Truth of the Gospel; and the Church increased, and herein is the Communion of Saints.

1. But we all walk in the thearick knowledge of Faith and Christ, and nourish our thoughts therein; but we foresake the practice of Faith: for self-Love, and Pride hath drowned all hearty Religion. Do we help the poor, and relieve them? nay, we spoil them; do we bear with the Weak? nay, we judge them? do we cover the sins of others? nay, we spread them: Do we love our Enemies? nay, We hate them.

2. I wish we had lesse Knowledge, so we had more Faith and Love. Is it not a shame to see how Drunkards are linkt together, and every Sect as one man; & yet, we that professe to believe in Christ, lead everie man to his own gain: So we thrive, we care not who losse; who grieves and bears the burden of others.

I will go with thee, though all forsake thee. Pride of heart, and over-weaning conceit of our own power, because of some singular gift above others is the readie way to fall before all; so its in the Jews, Pharaoh, Ne­buchadnezzar, Lucifer: So that,

There is a presumptuous and proud carlesse confi­dence from the arm of flesh: which goes under the name of Faith, and lifts man up in securitie a while; but will fail in the end. Thus David, Psal. 30. And his numbe­ring the people.

IN the former Chapter, Daniel had interpreted the Kings Dream, concerning the Image of Gold, Sil­ver, Brasse, Iron, and Clay, and the destruction of several Monarchies, by the Stone hewed out of the Mountain without hands; that is to say, The power of Christ, whose Kingdom should overcome all the rest, and be everlasting, never to be destroyed: by which the King was convinced to acknowledge the great Power and Wisdom of the God of Daniel: and sell into ad­miration, but understood not the Mysterie of Christ therein, nor the downfal of his Kingdom, & therefore presently returns to his old Idolatrie; So that,

The Word of God from God, and the great work of his power, doth for the present put man to silence, and convinceth him: yet, where the heart remains harde­ned, and that the mysterie of Christ is hid from man, he soon returns to his old vanitie and Idolatrie of his own heart.

Thus they are often convinced by the great Works of God, Psal. 16. Yet forgot how they were brought out of Egypt, and walked not in the Covenant, but returned t [...] their Lusts: And the Pharisees in Christs time often put to silence, but soon grew wise again to maintain there own Kingdom.

Yea, how manie of his followers, who saw his grea [...] Workes, and confessed never man spake like him, or did the like; spake with such power and assurance, and yet forsooke him: see the stony ground, and those of Judea.

1. For ease and peace, and prosperitie being offered, and a man lothe to live without them, they choak the VVord.

2. The Knowledge of the Gospel without the power of Christ and his death, hardens above all; none such enemies to the simplicitie thereof.

[Page 141]3. For if the Truth and Power of God be revealed, yet if God keep not the Promise of Repentance by the Crosse, & so bring man under the power of that Word, he soon starts up and becomes Wise, and Righteous in himself: not in Christ in the flesh, not in Faith.

4. Though for the present it dash man, and convince him that he confesseth and sweareth that it is the truth; yet when it both crosseth his present ease and libertie, & brings no life but death for the present: he grows wearie, unlesse the great power and love of God pursue his Soul by his Word and Crosse. Hence comes so much back-sliding in the church, that men admire the great Power of God, yet not living in Repentance under the Crosse. Every thing starts up, and so, they turn to the old way, or a new device of their own; but do not be­lieve the down-fal of their Kingdom for the present. For most men, when they have talked and shewed abroad their Wisdom, Righteousnesse, and increased their Glorie: they are the old men again: The World is welcome, and sweet, Sin as light, themselves at ease & secure, as they had never known such a thing.

1. And yet they know their ease and securitie ariseth not out of simple confidence of Faith, but hardnesse of heart: and clothed under a vail of Religion.

2. So it is a fearful thing to grow hardened after truth revealed; that man joyn hands with the World: & that sin become lesse sinful in conceit. This is a meer securitie and not Faith: for if a man flie off, and that the Word cease to judge man, arraigned at Gods judge­ment seat: For Christ hath two judgements in mans heart, viz Judgement and Mercie: so it is said, Man must give an account of what he hath done, Yea, of every [...]dle Word: which is true in mans heart: for they are judged, and man tormented, untill he apply to mercie. For if he be not before one of these two, he is secure; may, this we see too common in all men.

1. For though they must be brought at one time or other, to be judged in themselves, and confesse that it is [...]he way of Faith: Repentance and Love it is the way [Page 142] of Life: yet how soon become hardned, and cast it off, cares not for it, but gets a life else-where: that they cannot say that their joy and pleasure, and life is in Christ, but in another: in his knowledge: and righte­ousnesse, and none abides: but with this Nebuchad­nezzar falls off. But know, that this Word shall judge thee one day.

2. Hence we see, what a Fountain of Lust and Re­bellion is in all men, believers and others, how often hath God expounded our Dreams, restored our free­dom, given Life in Death? and how soon are we re­turned either to the Worlds shifts in straits, or forget the Lord, that brought us out of Egypt: and feed our selves with pleasure.

Nebuchadnezzar made an Image of Gold, fifthy cubits high: He had forgotten the God of Daniel soon, and now makes an Idol, for his own glorie: & preserva­tion, even thus doth all; So that,

When mans heart turns away from God & Christ, that he is not known, believed and loved: every ma [...] set up the idol of his own Imagination in his heart: & forsakes the God of Heaven: that is to say, a God, a Christ: and a Righteousnesse, and Wisdom in Im [...] ­gination.

Thus every Nation had their Gods, all reasons are [...] God framed or comprehended in the witt of man [...] Therefore, God gave this great Law, Thou shalt hav [...] no other Gods but me.

1. Thus Satan is called the God of this World, wh [...] sets up his Law in mans heart. For there is in every man the sins of all men in the root, so that as the Heathen, that know not God indeed: yet had many Imaginary Gods: So all men that know not God, or for­sake Christ, make many Christs: though not all of o [...] fashion, yet such as mans Imagination leads him to.

2. For mans heart must have something to uphol [...] it, either real, or conceited; therefore, in want of th [...] God of life, he must have some God: and somethi [...] to trust to, or sometimes for which he must trust G [...] [Page 143] the better: in all which, though it be nothing but the Idol of his Imagination, yet Christ must bear the Name

He confesseth the God of Daniel, but hath an other Idol whom he worships. For doubt not, but all the Heathen had a general confused conceit of God: unto whom they then framed God a kind of relation in their conceit. For reason could tell them, that a creature could not save them: neither could Nebuchadnezzar believe, that any creature could yet save or deliver him when he counted himself the most patient creature in the world: but had a conceit of God, unto whom he owed Worship: Some acknowledge the true Christ, but he is not the Saviour by whom they live, but some­thing else: So that,

Thus the World and the Church is full of Idolatrie, every man setting up the Idol of his own heart.

One sets up a Golden Image, as the King did here, and makes the World his great God. This he serves and trusts & worships; yea, in all his laws & threats, he fears the loss of his labour: For if this God smile, he laughs; if he frown, he grieves; if he threaten, he fears; if he promise, he believes: and this is the grea­test God, most worshipped in the World. The rich adores it, the poor prayes unto it, all bow unto it: But the great Idol in the Church, is mans knowledge and righteousnesse. This is that the false Apostles set up. This he decketh with Devotion, Ze [...]l and Charitie, but yet not much of that; he worships God before this I­dol, he acknowledgeth Christ, yet with circumcision joyned, this we make only God, we bow down as unto it: Nay, the Idols of mans imaginations are endlesse. For the greatest contemplators, saith Luther, Are the greatest Idolaters, for they make an Idol of their own i­maginations, or their speculations: Christ and Paul was none of these, they lay in misery, they believed God, they practised love, and went about doing good.

1. For by how much any goes about to comprehend Christ and his Word, not believing in him, from a broken and repenting heart, but from strength of ima­gination [Page 144] he is the great Idolater; but know these ar [...] cursed and the makers of them, they have mouths, but speak not; eyes, but see not the way of life: noses, but savour not the things of God; feet, but walk not in the wayes and love of Christ; and they shall not all help in time of need. Thy Knowledge shall vanish, th [...] Righteousnesse be judged faultie, thy gold perish, and thy pleasures be turned into sorrow, and shall this God deliver thee? And all these are framed by man, that he may have ease and freedom elsewhere in the flesh, and have something to see and feel, that so he may live i [...] peace; but the true God is found in trouble, not at the sound of Musick, but in woe and sighing: then is God present with these men, as, Daniel, Shedrach, Mechac [...] and Abednego, were accused by the Officers.

This added to their Captivity, for that herein is doubl [...] bondage, though they were advanced as Rulers in Ba­bylon, yet brings them into bondage: that they migh [...] not fit in Babylon, but upon their God and his Word, So that,

When God intends good unto man, he keeps him under the Rod of miserie without, and weakness [...] within: that Faith may be kept pure, and the flesh a [...] man may have no stay but in him.

Thus with Job, David, Psal. 107.39. He brings dow [...] their heart with sorrow, thus with Christ

1. For till man be throughly whipt, he flies to so [...] new shift, and God in love chaseth him from all hold [...] that he may not setle in carnality.

2. For Abraham had no Child, then Isaac was bo [...] and then hope of him seemed to be taken away. Thi [...] was ever Gods dealing with his Church, they had som [...] breathing time: yet he renewes his rod, when they gre [...] wanton and turn from him: Man would lay hold i [...] any thing, rather than drown: but thus God plunge [...] him into the deep, and then he prayes.

1. Thus we all seek rest in the flesh, and find it: ar [...] say, We shall not be moved, the Pipe and the Tabr [...] is in our Feasts, but sorrow and repentance is hid fro [...] [Page 145] us: But if God intend thee good, he will keep thee from fleshly ease. Thou thinks it an heavy bondage, to lose wife, husband, world and all: but when guilt shall ap­pear within, and God is departed, and death at hand; who shall comfort thee?

2. But we are altogether for ease and peace: Our Church is fleshly. The Church in Canticles, sought and enquired after him in the night, but no such need with us: we feel not the grief and captivity of others. They are now full, anon, taken away; Now in health, anon strucken dead. Children cries, wives lament; husbands slain, none left to comfort them: but cruel enemies to make an end of them: which shewes the cursed strength of flesh, never well but under the rod. This made some [...]un into Monasteries.

We are not careful. That is, we seek no shifts, but trust [...]n our own God; and fear not the fire, nor afraid but God will deliver us: So that,

Faith only staying the heart, only Christ makes man [...]old again from death and miserie: and purgeth the heart from fear.

This was promised by Christ, Be not afraid: so the Midewives of Egypt feared not the King, seeing him [...]hat is Invisible. Thus the Martyrs not afraid to answer [...]heir Adversaries.

1 For it overcomes the World, gives joy in tribula­ [...]ion, after patience, experience; Isa. 58. A Smith lif [...] [...]ot up a hammer, but by me.

2. Man fears only so far, as he trusts himself or the [...]reature.

3. Faith keeps the heart safe, whatever becomes of [...]e flesh.

1. Now there is a fear natural, from Constitution.

2. A fear wordly, because we trust and love it.

3. A fear spiritual, either of wrath or judgement, or [...]f fear in regard of himself and his own weaknesse and [...]bellion [...] but fear makes man-believe.

1. Why doth man fear, but because he believes not? [...]ence our shrinking hearts: that when trouble approa­cheth, [Page 146] he deviseth and invents how to answer & escape and recover. For affliction indeed shakes all frothy faith, but purifieth the rest as gold.

2. But woe to the hardened hearts, that fear nothing, because the World is strong in our hearts, but like blind byard run into a pit.

3. See the safetie of believers, who have a friend at back; that when flesh pleads with Saul to David, thou art not able: and Jonathans man: they are manie judgeth nor after outward appearance, but believes and waits for deliverance: Be not afraid, only believe.

4. And this is the Fountain of all, the careful life of an unbelieving man: alwayes caring to encrease theirs: to be delivered, because they trust not in him thats able.

Our God is able here, opposeth their God to the cum­ber & wrath of the King: we seek not thy favour nor life, nor ease: but our God whom we serve is our only [...]tay: So that, The believing heart, so f [...]r as he believes in Christ, and Christ in him; in all extremities cries from a believing mind, None but Christ.

Thus Solomon when he had tried all vanities, Psal. 73. I have none in heaven, save only thee. Eliah against Baal, The Lord he is God: And the Prodigal, Father, I have sinned against thee, therefore I am no more worthy to be called thy Son. Phil. For we are the Circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoyce in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

1. For there is he that giveth life in death.

2. They are one by faith, as the husband & the wife.

3. This is the Law accomplished by the Gospel, against the world, who worship one God, and trust in another; nay, all have any but thee. Faith is a simple thing separate from all: Christ only lives in m [...]n, and answers Satan with this, Our God is able to deliver us. If he see it best. He can: to which will we are subject and believe his power: yet, if he see it not good, we be­lieve his power, He is able to uphold us in suffering; & we are pleased with his will whatsoever: So that,

So that simple believing of Gods power, & free sub­jection [Page 147] to his will in all things, is the only stay & hearts [...]ase of man in trouble and misery.

As in Abraham, he believed that he was able to raise him up from the death, though he know not that he would; in that he submitted to his will, Rom. 11. Concerning Israel, God is able to graft them in again, & David, When he was driven by Absolom, God can bring me again to the Citie and Tabernacle, if not, here I am: let him do what see­meth him good: So saith the Leper, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean; and God can save by few as by many.

For he that comes to God must first, believe that God is, that is to say, there is Power, and Truth, & Wisdom in him; who, by his Power commands the Heavens, and they were made: who causeth light to shine in darknesse, Thus he argues in Isaiah and Jeremiah, Its I that measure the Sea in my hand. He that made the Heavens and the Earth, that doth lead through the Fire and Water, and brings down to Hell and Death. And this he hath promised, that he will not leave man in distresse, but all shall turn to good.

So that, to denie all creatures and strength of man, & believe his power: to denie our selves, and be subject to his will is our only ease. For Christ so knew his Father was able to save him from that hour, yet was subject to his will, not my will, but th [...]ne be done. But Man hath a Will of his own, which God doth not alwayes answer according to his fleshly appearance, which man seeks to accomplish by his own; or, because man sees not all­wayes a sign or way of deliverance in himself, he fears and thinks all is lost; when God in Wisdom hides all from him, and takes away all stayes in the flesh, that he may despaire in himself, and trust in another, and denie his will, that he may be made subject.

Thus, we all denie the Power of God, & think there can be no comfortable living in the World without fulnesse of the World; nor that Wife and Children cannot live when we are gone, unlesse we leave them full portions: but who fed Elias, and the Widdow of Sarepta? who fed the Ravens and clothed the Lillies? [Page 148] Nay, we do not see, that all the care and power of man cannot make him prosper, when Gods hand is against him: and do we not see how many he raiseth out of the dust, and setteth them with Princes: and yet this we trust more than him: If we have friends and riches, we believe: if not, we fear, as though his power was limited to this.

1. Nay, thus in the way of Religion, we denie his power and will needs help God, as that he cannot save us without our help, Works, Wisdom, & Rigteous­nesse and these must be set up to look at, and we behold Christ through these, and Circumcision: & so we stand not as Beggers to receive of his fulnesse, but as Traders in Religion, to bring something unto him, as a thousand Rams.

2. But what safety to the Citie, if God watch not, or what ease by rising earlie, if God blesse not: so that none believes the power of God, but he that knows his own weaknesse, and of all creatures: For still God ma­nifests his Power Wisdom, and Mercie in the Weak­nesse, Foolishnesse, and Unworthinesse of Man, and this believing Gods, Power, never more seen than in trouble; For while we are full, we believe, because of our fulnesse: but when all fails, then we denie him and limit him by, that we see, or feel; and hence, we denie him in our hearts: I shall never get out of this Miserie; I cannot tell what course to take, I see no help, I have no friends: the enemies is full of Wrath and Power, I can­not escape his hand.

Did he not put a Bridle in the Lips, and a Hook in the Nose of Senacherib, slaying a thousand and fifteen hundred in one night: Hath he not Promised to give thee a Mouth and Wisdom, therefore thogh thou canst not tell what to do, commit all to him, and see what he can do: As we do in any trouble, when we are wea­ry with striving, we give our matters to another, to make what end he will, and we are content: So do with him, as Job, laying his hand on his mouth, and see what an End God made.

Obj. Yes, I know God is able, but yet I know not that he will.

Answ. In this nothing but subjection brings peace, for it is not our curious searching that finds it, We all lost to know and see, rather than to be subject to his Will in patience, We would all know the time when, & by what means, we would have it now and by Fire from Heaven. He hath promised and is able to supplie our wants, but we would know and feel it, and have it in abundance. Thus, Man would be a chief Lord in the Church, and leave nothing for Christ to do, he would have all things in his own hands, and yet for ought I know, when man hath most, he believes God the least, and when he hath most confidence in himself he hath least in God.

But these argued not with God, nor tempted him, but cast all upon him, he is able, and if he will, he can, and if not, his will be done. Thus man in strength of his own will fights against God daily; we pray, Thy will be done, but we never think of it: but rather that our wills might be accomplished, that His will might be the fulfilling of our lusts, rather than suffering want to be­lieve Him. We professe that he will turn all to the good of His, we believe not truth, for else how comes this murmuring in want; but we think nothing can turn good, but that wherein we find present good: We would know and feel all, but believe and suffer nothing.

And he will deliver us. They stick to the Promise, & are delivered: So that,

Faith and sticking to the Word of Promise, gives as­surance & frees man, when all else fails.

Be it known, However He do, yet we will not forsake Him; So that,

The believing heart willingly suffers all miserie, ra­ther than forsake God, or trust any, but Christ.

As Paul, For I am not only readie to be bound, but to suffer all things.

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury; When he saw his power contemned, his will crossed, his glory thus [Page 148] [...] [Page 149] [...] [Page 150] opposed by these, and of another which he saw not, nor believed: his rage was kindled, and he grew mad, and commanded the furnace to be made seven times hotter than before; So that,

The way of Faith doth most cross the power & wis­dom of the world, of any thing; and therefore doth the World cast it off, and grows furious and mad against it.

John preached Repentance, and they cast him into prison because he told them, that their high mountains must be cast down: and that in that way they could not be saved. Christ preached faith, to the convinc­ing of the world, that they should believe, and they look at nothing but Him: And they hated the light, because their deeds were evil: Therefore, were they mad against Him. Paul preached Salvation by Christ, and over­threw circumcision, and they stoned Him. And so the elder brother, the prodigal; Luther preached free justi­fication by faith, without the righteousnesse of man, and the whole army of Antichrist was up in arms against him. So these stick to God, and the King is furious.

1. For this leaves nothing for the heart to fix upon, but Christ, a thing unknown to flesh and blood: If man would fasten on the world and rest there, Christ shews it is a vain and a broken staff, & that a mans life stands not in that, for moths corrupt it; and as the rich man builded his barnes, this night will they fetch away thy soul: So that the worlding hates it in his heart.

2. If man will fasten on his righteousnesse, & know­ledge, opinion, or any qualitie, Christs beats it down, & Paul makes it worse than nothing; and leavs all under sin: And so the wise and righteous men are alwayes the greatest enemies to Christ: for they think much that all that which they have gotten with such labor & cost should serve for nothing: For man would have a life out of all things, but flees death in all things.

3. Nay if man think to store up joy and peace & ease by believing, and so make his mountain strong, by [Page 151] his revelations, gifts, and great joyes. Yet then Christ also comes with darknesse and sufferings, and seems to forsake these men: and this makes the stonny ground to fall off: and these for a time rejoiced in his light, but forsakes him after: So that, Christ may well say, Who hath believed our report? for of all other things this is least welcome to man: Nay, all hearts rise against it, but he that is down already. The Worlding is tyed in his lust, and worldly confidence, and his ears stopped, and his heart riseth against it: for he would sit at ease and enjoy his portion: So also the righteous and religious man, that excelleth others, and professeth Christ; yet lives by circumcision: He storms and argues and disputs against it, and gets strong conceits and opinions to joyn the world, and ease, and Christ together, and none embra­ceth it, but the poor and miserable heart.

THese are the words of the Lord to Baruch by Jeremiah, to comfort him in the heavinesse of his soul, because of the present persecution of the King and people of Judea against the word of the Lord, and the Book which he had written, from Jeremiah: As also, for the ensuing captivitie which he saw: He expected peace and ease, when he had read the book to them: but for that they persecuted both Jere­miah and him: He looked they would have repented, but they are more hardened, and he hath lesse hopes than before: Upon which,

1. The Lord comforts him by the Prophet; wherein Baruchs sorrow and grief is renewed and multiplied, and he left without any hope of ease or rest.

[Page 152]2. The Lord comforts him in his heavinesse, he re­news his threatnings against Judea, that He will pull and pluck up that which He hath planted: [...]he shews wherein is the cause of his sorrow, because he sought great things for himself.

3. A promise of safety, when evil shall fall upon all flesh; yet life shall be given him for a prey. Woe is me now. What is the grief of Israel, had Baruch the book, and cast the Word of the Lord away, and hardened himself in his clear sight revealed, so that judgement must come? So that,

No sure sign of judgement, than of hardness of heart under the clear sight of the Gospel of Christ, Luke 13. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the Prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee: How often would I have gathered you together, as the hen gathereth her brood under her wings; and ye would not? Mat. 22. The unthankful guests were bidden, but hardened against it. T [...]is is the ab [...]sing of his long-suffering through hardnesse of heart that cannot repent, and yet judging others: as the un­thankful servant, that eateth and drinketh with drun­kards. In such securitie was Israel fallen now, for which Baruch mourned, that they cast off the words of Jeremiah, saying: It is false, and God would not cast off his: And so follow the Idols and Imaginations of thelt wicked hearts. This is the turning of Grace into Wantonnesse, like, those in Judea, for which judge­ment was prepared: they fed their bellies, & filled their purses by the Gospel, but not souls with Faith & Love. And it is a sign of death when Physick workes not, but that the disease grows strong against it: so of the soul, when the Word of Life prevails not.

This is a casting off God, whose goodnesse we have felt; so that now we live of our selves, to worke our own peace, procure life, prevent danger: for that is not now called to for counsel, nor is help called for as of old: and this is the hardnesse wherein to we are all s [...]l­len, as woeful experience shews: And this is the con­demnation, That light is come into the world, and men [Page 153] love darkness rather than light. Iohn 3. and this ap­pears, when sin and rebellion is the same or the grea­ter, and yet lesse burdensome, and evil than before. When knowledge of the Gospel hath shut up repen­tance from the heart, and pride hath drowned humility and love in himself, when God of his Judgements are not feared nor selt but we put the evil day far off when iniquity is grown great and impudent: and be­come as ordinarie as our trades and callings are with us. Now the time was, when the disciples of Christ, and Apostles flocked in abundance and left all, as Alex­ander and Demas: but after a while they hardened & fell to the World and ease thereof. The Galatians would have plucked out their eyes, but after turned enemies in legal righteousnesse, but we to dead securitie, even thus with us: Time was, when the Word was pre­cious, and prevailed to rule in us: but now we can abide it through wit and fore-knowledge, and sleep quietly.

1. But well worth tender hearts who eat and live by the Word, whether it speak life or death: it prevailes above all; and hence see the greatest provocation that ever was raised against God, whereby his own people had tasted of his love, and grown wanton in the flesh, and more fearful judgement fell upon them.

So now, the silly ignorant wretch, when he hears but of any judgement, he trembles and blesseth himself after his own poor sighing fashion: but the wise and great devote ones they mock him, and say, Tush, this is no­thing, we shall escape it, and call his word a lye: so that we may justly fear the sequell of these fearful signs, these more certain signs, than in Sun and Moon: For where is the mourning, weeping, and repenting heart? Where is the lowly, believing mind, that joyes in tri­bulation? Where is the open, loving, single heart with­out respect.

Well, nay, we cry, Woe is me now, for Israel hath cast off the Lord, and we fight against his Word: our long peace hath made us secure. The Word & Works [Page 154] of God are become a dallying to us, and we sing pe [...], peace, and yet forsake the way and despise the Kingdom of peace.

God hath added grief to my sorrow. New grief to my old sorrow, one grief after another, that I find no rest: though I faint in my sighing, see Gods dealing: So that,

God usually tryes his to the bottom, and adds one af­fliction to another, to all which he loves, and suffers them not to find any ease and rest in the flesh.

As with Job, Psal. 78. He brought down their hearts with sorrows, Psal. 77. He wept all night. Thus Paul had fightings and terrors: thus Christ, and the Martyrs even persecuted unto strange Cities: thus Abraham nothing left, Psal. 4. One deep calls another; thus the wayes of Christ, and our conformitie to his death; For untill man be throughly whipt, and beat under, he runs to some new shift.

1. And so God in love chaseth him from all holes, as Abraham, though he was brought from his Countrey, yet he had no Children, then was Isaac given; then he had hope in the flesh, but he took that away.

2. Thus was Gods dealing with the Church, though they had some breathings given: yet, when the flesh b [...]gan to grow wanton and rejoyce, and so they forget and turn from the God of their Life, th [...]n he sent his Rod to waken them, that they might not setle on their fleshly ease.

3 Thus will God worke good out of evil, He lets Satan loose to whip & torment his for the destruction o the flesh.

4. Man will lay hold upon any thing before he drown, yea, even a Lease, or Reed, but God plungeth him into the deep, and then he cryes, and is heard.

5. Light afflictions makes man more wise and wilily to escape in the flesh; but sound and deep grief ad­ded to sorrow brings down the heart, and makes h [...]m pray: Thus we see all seeks rest in the flesh, and we have gotten the World to seed us, and Religion to [...]ver us, in prosperitie and peace: and say, Soul take [Page 155] thine ease, and [...]t as a Queen, and say, We shall not be moved.

We add joy to mirth, the Pipe and Tabret is in out Feasts, we drink and care, and laugh in the midst of our finning, but Sorrow and Repentance is hid from us: We have not resisted unto blood, nor affliction hath taken us, but such as with a little time of Wisdom could remove, or at least forget.

1. But know, if God intend thee good, he will add grief to thy sorrow: Thou thinks it a heavie thing, to lose Father, Husband, or Wife; but it will be a heavier thing to feel the burden of thy Spirit, when God hath turned his Face away, and taken all from thee: that thou fe [...]lest nothing but guilt within, and death approaching, and yet God absent: Then will grief be added to sorrow: Who then shall comfort thee?

2. Thus the Faith of our Church is all fleshly; fleshly joy, prosperitie, cast, the Spouse of Christ, Canticles 1. Is black: and her Locks w [...]tt with dew in seeking her beloved in the night, and with weeping in the streets, but no such enquirie with us. Others indure grief upon grief Now full, anon taken away now in peace, anon Drum­ming, and Cannons roaring in the streets: now in Health and Lustie, anon struck dead in an instant: Chil­dren crying, Wives bemoaning, Maids ravisht; Fathers & Husbands slain and none to comfort them; but unrully Souldiers to spoil them: These are dayes and places of Prayer: No ease in the flesh, but crying in the Spirit.

3. We see also the springing corruption of man, like the springing Willow, by the water side; cut it now, and it shoots out the next spring.

4. So that believers needs abundance of purging through affliction: For still we retain something, and gathers some hope from thence, and so flesh still re­news again.

This was it I think, which led some honest minds to betake themselves to such austere living: thinking thereby to tame the flesh; & voluntarily denying fleshly [Page 156] case, but yet it sprung up under a more spiritual form: but in a greater mistery of wickednesse: For, look how far a man afflicts himself he is able to comfort himself: but if God add grief to thy sorrow, and lay it on in­deed, it will fetch tears, yea, blood.

5. The way of man never sorrows till it be kindly, such as all flesh cannot ease: it was so with thee once, and why not now? It is but a light and fleshly sorrow for want of ease, that is eased by any thing in man: but a wounded spirit who can bear? but we take wounded flesh for spirit: For that is, when a spirit is wounded with guilt and want, because it hath followed and be­lieved the flesh, and then as here is no way seen for re­coverie, but sighing and fainting therein, till God beyond hope, come.

I will pull down that which I have builded. He will cast Israel away, whom He once choose for his only people: I will send them into Babylon, whom He ap­pointed to dwell in Canaan, and to worship in Jerusa­lem, and all because their hearts were lifted against him in their imaginations: So that now he will pluck up all, that he may cast down their vain confidence, be­cause they were hardened in securitie, and lifted up in pride: So that.

God will certainly destroy and cast out the fairest gift given to man, when mans heart is lifted up thereby, and hardened therein.

Thus he pulled down the confidence Israel had in the Ark: Thus he brings down Davids high mountain, and Pauls rebellions: this was Johns office to destroy high mountains: Paul had confidence in the flesh, but G [...]d laid it in the dust: So that after he confest, That in me dwells no good thing, but is given only by Christ, in such humility and baseness, that man might not be lif­ted up, his kingdom not be here: He arrogated nothing to Himself, but to his father, Not mine, but him that sent me.

1. For Christ will pull down all other kingdoms, that he may erect his own, as in Daniel: the kingdoms va­nished [Page 157] one after another. This is the stone hevven out of the rock without hands, and therefore Christ came to destroy the kingdom that the law had builded in man, and to convince the world of sin, because of righteousnesse which they had established: of judge­ment, because the Prince of this World judged falsly of Him.

2. For man is cloathed in his gifts, as the Angels: & became strong and wise without God: He hath built him a city, provided a portion, working righteous­nesse, full of knowledge, a God in his own eyes: but God will pull all these dovvn that he may be God.

3. The vveapons of our vvarfare are mighty through Him to pull dovvn strong holds, not through our selves: And this he doth by the povver of the vvord, It is a mighty voice, and thereby layes low all mans thoughts for the present, and by the Crosse kindly together.

4. All gifts that God gives to man are to shew his power and love, for the good of others: not to make them the Idols of our ovvn hearts, and say, These are thy Gods; O Israel.

1. Woe then to the Pride of man, vvho is lifted up by every gift: exalts himself, judgeth others, despiseth the weak; but such boasting must down: yea, whatever God gives them, he will take it again if you begin to store it up.

2. It is a great point of simplicitie of heart, in the ful­nesse of all gifts the hearts be lovv, & lifted up by none: vvhen he hath seen all secure, he seeth none: and en­joyeth freedom, yet vvalks in fear: as the Child, though he vvant nothing, yet he hath nothing properly his ovvn: God is and will be the keeper of his ovvn gifts, vvhich vve put into the hands of flesh: O! therefore, lay your foundation on a Kingdom.

3. But know there vvill come a pulling dovvn, as to Israel, when they sate by the Rivers of Babylon: What foolishnesse, vvhen it is us that builds and plaints, and gathers and makes sure that vvhich must be cast dovvn [Page 158] and scattered? when thy mouth shall be filled with gravel, thy portion scattered, thy honour buried in dust: thy strong confidence perisheth, thy Soul carried into the land of darknesse.

4. See the perverse heart of Man, and strength of fleshly heart, Who the more God bestows on him, the lesse he cares for him: like an untoward, Child keep him bare in Faith and dependence of his Fathers love, and he prayes, and believes, and is obedient: but fill his hand, and let him have his Lust, he sets his Father and Mother at nought: Yea, thus the Flesh makes advan­tage of the most excellent gifts: as b [...]re, even the joy, peace, and assurance God gives man: for man retains nothing, but is lifted up by it.

And believes that it is God, but not man more humble and low to see his own vilenesse, saying, What is man, that thou regardest him?

Doest thou seek great things for thy self, seek them not. Thou mourns & weeps, that this desolation must come It is because thou finds ease and peace, and great mat­ters: no, all shall be taken away: Seek them not, for this is the cause why thou art so troubled, thy fleshlie lusting, not throughly mortified and prepared in faith and patience to wait: So that,

The main ground of all our miserie and sorrow is, our lasting expectation of great ease and peace in the flesh, not faithfullie prepared to be subject to Gods will, or content with his present portion.

David looks that Absolom should be spared above all and therefore was so grieved at his death: yea, more than at the death of all the rest. Peter expected to have his life: & continue there in peace: therefore so wishing, that Christ should not go up to Jerusalem, when Heze­kiah had overcome Senacharib: he thought he should live in peace, which made the message of death so hea­vy, Luk. 12. He said, Soul, thou hast goods laid up for many years: Take thine case, eat, drink, and be merry: therefore death was that night so fearful.

1. Thus we see in experience, and say: I was finelie [Page 159] set, I had paid my debt, gotten a good portion; built an house, provided for wise and children in a good way of thriving, and verie like to have risen: and now all is gone. For look how far the heart is lifted up in experi­ence, so far it is cast down in the want of any thing.

2. Lust leads out the mind beyond present state, and sets a seeking great things, not content with present: & so both wanders in desires and uncertain hopes: & when they have gotten them with much toil, they are left in [...] moment, and he laid in the dust.

3. This deprives man of present good [...]nd what he hath, because of the want and expectation of what he would have. But subjection is necessarie in all estates, thus we are carried still in expectation of great matters, that we forget the present one, of great riches, and cer­tain inheritance for himself and his; and it may be; he or they dies a beggar.

Another of great joy and comfort, and good will: keeps low his heart in sorrow. All expects a mending of their condition, which till it come, they pine and languish: The way of rest is to walk faithfullie for the present, and reserve the issue unto God.

IN this Chapter is laid down the earnest desire of the Prophet, for taking away their rebellion & healing their pride and security: that so the judgement might be removed: wherein by a Metaphor; that nothing can reform Israel but God: descending by his power, and bringing down their high mountain. For he acknow­ledgeth that God is faithful and wonderful in his mercy to them that wait for him, and seek him in his way: for whom he hath done such great things as were never heard of, and then confesseth where the fault lyes.

In the former verse he shewes hovv ready God is to meet him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousnesse in his vvay, and that yet novv he is vvroth, because they have [...]nned: but that in his way there is continuance of his mercy and goodnesse: and that man vvalking con­stantly therein, shall be saved.

Then in the sixth verse, a map and a plain description of mans estate without God: & that is laid down.

1. Generally in their natural disposition, as filthy raggs

2. In their holinesse or devotion, all-our righteousness are as filthy raggs.

3. In their failing and fading in all goodness, like a leaf.

4. In their miserie, their Iniquities like wind takes them away.

5. In their hardnesse, none calleth upon thy Name, or stirreth himself to take hold of thee.

6. Gods absence from them, because of their Ini­quities.

7. And last, they commit themselves to God in sub­mission, as clay to the Potter, and so after, cryes for mercy and reconciliation, and of restoring their capti­vity: In those is continuance and we shall be sav [...]d: In thy way there is safety and continuance, of comfort, if we had hearts to continue faithful therein. But we are: So that,

Mercy, Love and Truth are a continual act in God, and never fails to man: but when man turns to himself and his ovvn vvayes.

But if man could continue constant in faith, he should be preserved in all dangers, His mercy endureth for ever, and his truth from generation to generation, &c. Mic. 6. Israel testifie against me, wherein have I been wanting or failed thee. How did he continue his love to Israel? though they sinned, yet he continued a Father: though we sin, yet he abides saithful. Christ continues ever a faithful High Priest, & neve [...] [...]easeth to make Intercession.

1. For with him there is no shadow of turning: he chan­geth not as man: God is not yea and nay: as a man in [Page 161] war with his enemies: who hath a Captain wise and puissant to overcome, if they bear their station and fight in confidence: But if he out of his pride and infi­delity run out into a way of his own, and trust his own devices, shall fall. It was, because he stayed not vvith the Captain: so it is vvith us, because vve stay not with him, but run after some lust or device, and think to prosper, which skill fails. For vvhen Israel stuck to the Covenant, and endured hunger and thirst: and drunk bitter waters, and waited on him in his way, they prospered: But when they began to lust, & turned from him, they fell through Infidelity.

2. For no length of time nor work of man, can alter him or his word; but man running from him, deprives himself.

3. For it was Adams running from God, and the Prodigal from his Father: and the Apostates, for de­nying and forsaking the faith: that was their undoing.

1. Hence we see, why our joy and peace continueth not, viz. because we continue not faithful in sticking to him; But,

1. Either blesse our selves with hearing of Redemp­tion, and yet live by the world and the flesh.

2. Or tasting of the joy and freedom in the way of faith, thinks all is perfected, and lives not by faith, but the World creeps in.

3. Or receiving joy and assurance from God, thinks to store it up in our selves: which was Adams sin: For he that thinks to store up faith and love, &c. in him­self; and thereby to please God, or to receive from God, is deceived. For there is faithfulness in God, and continuance in God, but not in man: So that, here is our error, we think to store up these by wit and dili­gence, and by faith; for there is no continuance or keep­ing of holinesse in man, but in Christ; for He is our Ho­linesse, and Redemption. Charge not God then, as those in Isaiah 58. as though he failed: for there is no failing in him, but condemn thy self: And yet God char­geth not man as though he had been a wanting to him, [Page 162] Isaiah 1. as though man can do any thing to Him: but because we are not fit to receive, O that my people would have heard: Because he hath not an ear to hear, and a heart to receive what God would bestow on him: Being fore-stalled with a conceit of his own gifts, the sin of the Angels.

3. Hence we see, how hard it is for man to continue in any good way: with God is continuance, man failes oft, for man is lothe to ly in the dust still, and to suffer affliction, and mourn, but he will have some merry dayes: and if God give it not, he flies to the world, and seeks it there: And yet we know that man never finds life but in death, and Paul never rejoiced so much as in infirmities: which argues, we are abundance of flesh, but little spirit; for one hour that we live in the misery of our own spirits, we live then in pleasure or hopes of the flesh.

But we are all as unclean things. He confesseth what man is, without God, viz.

That man separated from God, and not guided by Him, is but vilenesse and vanitie: a lump of filthinesse, and good for nothing, till he be restored by meer mer­cy, and made subject to God, and live in Christ: Psal. 6 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? In us dwells no good thing, man is a thing of nought: Rom. 3. Their throat is an open sepulchre, &c. no stedfastnesse in the Angels, and who can say, My heart is clean? So David, Psal. 5. Daniel 9. confesse what man is.

1. For God is the life, soul, and beeing of all crea­tures, and none lives but by Him: none but men and devils, but are subject to him, and obey his will: only man hath a will of his own which he would have to reign as God.

2. This is the common eye of the world: what malice & danchour, not the like amongst brute creatures; even minds to devour one another, wrong, murder, covetous­nesse, pride, lusts, and all evil is committed amongst men, but all flowing out of this pit.

3. Nay the experience of every heart, understanding [Page 163] it self, sees it, dost thou not find in thy self a heart stuffed with pride, vain glory, lust, & filthy desires, that if the world did but know them thou wart ashamed for ever.

4. And that which makes him worst of all, this beg­gar will needs fit on horse-back, and boast & proclaim himself to be some body.

1. But if mans eye were turned homeward, we should have no boasting: where thou may see in thy self the sins of all men in the world, Pharaohs hardnesse, Cains murder, Sauls doubling, Judas treason, the fooles world­ing: for we do the will and lust of the devil.

2. So that all thy good thoughts of thy self are from the devil, the father of lies: nay, when ever thou medles with any thing that is good, if it be not God that workes in thee, thou m [...]rrs it. Thou talks of Religion from a proud heart, and makes Religion to stink: thou prayes out of a rotten heart, out of self-love for ease, and it is abominable, &c.

3. O that man saw the filthinesse of his own heart! VVhat a hase thing he is? It would both bring dow [...] his high thoughts of himself, and make him charitable to others.

1. Whence then is all this exalting of our selves above others, as thinking we have some excellent gifts above others? is it not because we know not our selves.

2. Whence is this seeking of glory one of another? but because we know not our vilenesse, we are lothe to see any ill in our selves, and thence so many excuses.

3. Whence is this judging and censuring of others? but because we think well of our selves.

Object. But God hath given excellent gifts to men, as Knowledge, Wit, Joy, Comfort, Faith, and Love, &c.

Answ. This declares the goodnesse of God, not of man, this rests in God, not in man: this makes not man better in himself, but shewes that God is better to him: for when man chokes himself with conceits of Gods gifts as his own, he becomes proud. True it is, God re­straine and orders man for good of others, but if he take good to himself, he is deceived.

[Page 164]4. Where then are all these good qualities that man brags of? True it is, for matters pollitical, God hath given gifts and fitnesse to man; but for the Kingdom of Christ there is no power, no fitnesse: all power is in Him, both in heaven and earth: For as in a Kingdom there is no power, no will but in the King, so in this: so that we greatly err in our conceits.

We think Faith is a vertue, and qualitie, and power in man; but it is indeed the weakness of man trusting in another, when the weak, dead, and beggerly heart of man flies to and lives in another; so that, there is no goodnesse in man, but sight of vilenesse &c.

5. O! how much need we then to stand in need o [...] mercie who are vile, filthy, and rebellious?

6. And magnifie we Gods mercie and love, that on us, so vile, and wretched, hath shewed mercie, and still keeps and preserves us.

And all our righteousnesse is as filthy rags. 1. Here he shews, what man is naturally, in the general nature of man: and here he shews what he is in his better refor­med qualities of Righteousnesse and Holinesse: wherein he labours to bring down the high conceits of the Jews: Who accounted themselves the onlie Holie and Reli­gious People: and that therefore, God would carrie them into Captivitie: But he tells them, that even all their righteousnesse, that they boast off, in respect of God, is nothing but filthinesse and vanitie: and so the Righteousnesse and Holinesse of the most perfect man, whereby he labours to root out of man two things.

1. The conceits of all Righteousnesse in himself, and so pride and boasting, that man may know himself. 2. All Righteousness before God: but

1. For first, he doth not draw man from Righteous­nesse, but from the opinion of Righteousnesse.

2. He speaks not of Righteousnesse towards man, but towards God: So that,

Mans best Righteousnesse, and perfection of Holi­nesse with God, and before him; as also all mans con­ceits of Gods love and blessing in respect thereof, is no­thing [Page 165] but filthinesse, and iniquitie, not able to uphold [...]is heart, or preserve his peace in fyrie tryals.

No 'stedfastnesse in Angels, Paul counted all losse & drosse, Psal. 16. My goodnesse extends not unto thee, when we have done all that we can, we are unprofitable ser­vants Isa. 66. Their righteousnesse is like the cutting off a dogs neck; where there was not a humble and contrite Spirit.

1. For the whole depraved nature of man is a like lust in all; and the restoring of Righteousnesse is, as man is: and abides in Christ, not as he is partaker of new qualities in himself, for Christ is the bringer in of everlasting Righteousnesse, and the King of Righteous­nesse.

1. For the whole depraved nature of man is a like lust in all: and the restoring of Righteousnesse is, as man is: and abides in Christ, not as he is partaker of new qualities in himself, for Christ is the bringer in of everlasting Righteousnesse, and the King of Righte­ousnesse.

2. This doctrine stablisheth and preserveth Faith in the Church and heart of man: but mans righteousnesse destroyeth Faith, but Faith establisheth the Righteous­nesse of God, and it is called the Righteousnesse of God, and infinite Righteousnesse, which swallows up all sin in a moment, so that Righteousnesse is preserved by Faith.

3. Faith by Righteousnesse, a Christian is not righte­ous formaliter, according to his substance or quality: but cretum praediuntum ad aliquam: In respect of the di­vine grace, and free remission of sin, Psal 32. Bless [...]d is he whose unrighteousnesse is forgiven, and not who is made habitually righteous.

4. Mans righteousnesse is in another, viz. in Christ, who is made our Righteousnesse through Grace: For take Him away, and there rests nothing but Death: [...]or the Law doth not make man righteous, but sinners [...]nd lost men.

Now Righteousnesse is two-fold,

• Politia divina,
• Morale divinum.

The first is that the Philosophers treat of, which is a Righteousnesse of just and equal disposition of mind and carriage of our actions towards others, doing right to all. That is cal­led in Scripture the Righteousnesse of the Law, which is the righteous work of it in man; but that is nothing before God, for it is not wrought by God, nor for him, but man attributes it to himself, and thinks God should be pleased therewith also. Now this is good & sweet amongst men, but if man bring this before God, it is abominable.

But the righteousnesse of Faith is another thing, viz. the righteousnesse of Christ made ours, standing in free remission of sins and the free grace of God: Therefore it is, that Christ is our Righteousnesse, as a thing out of mans self in another.

1. How far off from life are they then which well unrighteously in all things, both towards God and man.

2. Also those that hold the Truth in unrighteousnesse, which acknowledge the Truth of the Gospel; but sub­mits not to the righteousnesse thereof, but run out after their own unrighteousnesse, and will never regard Go [...] nor his word of promise.

3. And such as makes themselves righteous, an [...] stablish a righteousnesse of their own, and thence seek a ground of believing.

4. Others fall off from the Faith with the Galatians and when God, through His love, hath made the [...] sometimes obedient in love.

1. Fix their eyes upon that, and imagine themselve [...] something, & that now they being made subject a [...] obedient, do look for a blessing the [...]upon: when, ala [...] it is not one good thought of twenty.

2. But know, that all our Righteousnesse is in ano­ther, that man see no good thing in himself, but Sin [...] Rebellion, and Death, &c. but all good in Christ, Wh [...] is made our Righteousnesse: For if man turn from Hi [...] [Page 167] he fails, if he abide in Him, he lives; Therefore a [...] Paul saith, I live not, but Christ lives in me.

3. But most lives by conceit of Christ, not Christ liv­ing in them; so that our power over sin, death, & hell, is not in our selves, but in Christ, who dayly crucifies the world; not any qualitie or disposition that we are brought to, but living in the sense of our own unrighte­ousnesse, and flying from our selves, and so becomes Righteous in Christ.

4. Hence we see, that Faith, and all good is preser­ved to man, in dayly and deep humilitie, when he dayly lives in the life of Repentance, and is weak, and unrighteous, and unthankful; but daily waits for mercy: But when man becomes righteous in his own eyes, either because of that qualitie of Faith, or of Love, or Righteousnesse, then he is lifted up, and it becomes his own righteousnesse, and therefore filthie & nothing.

5. Walk in Righteousnesse, but take heed of looking at it; let it extend to man, that thou mayest justifie thy self before them, else all the world shall condemn that, and the Gospel be slandered, but in respect of God, who is of pure eyes: bring nothing but Christ and his mercy, and then shall we see the Righteousnesse of God upon us.

And we all do fade as a leaf. All our Righteousnesse being but hypocritical; and so we with it doth fall to nothing; So that.

Where the Grace and Love of God by Faith, is not continued to man, there Faith and all Religion fades, & where Religion fades, there all joy and peace and happinesse is lost, and comes to nothing: as Heb. 6 They tasted of the good Word of God, but yet fell away in the end: and Hymeneus & Phletus, and those in Jude: & E­phesus & Laodicea, Revel. 2.3.

1. For it is God only, that both by his grace both guides & preserves faith in man, As the tree planted by the Rivers of water, Psal. 1.

2. When this fades, man daparts from God, as [Page 168] Israel in the Wildernesse, and so never comes into the the land of rest.

3. All things have a passage through man, and he gets a taste of good in them, but they fade in time: only Gods love and mercy endures for ever.

4. When man returns into himself or the World, he soon grows weary; as the leaf, when the sap is descen­ded into the root in the earth; so we, when the sap of God is descended.

1. Hence it is, that so much fair shining Religion comes to nought in the end, being but the work of man, it fades and dies in man; but that of God abides for ever. Thus have we seen much Religion dye; What zeal and sorrow of heart? What love & affection to the truth it self? and now all is drowned up with a fleshly speculation of these things, but the life is gone.

1. Love is forcible, which if it rise but out of a strong stirring of natural affection it is soon lost; but if from real miserie and distrust of himself, it abides with God, though clouded; but the foundation abides in God.

2. And even so will all our joy and peace & freedom fade: Where is that joy and sweet rest we have had, that earnest hunger and desire after Christ? Nay, it is gone, and we grown proud in knowledge: and for the simpli­city of believing, turned it into an opinion of know­ing; edifying one enother in love into fleshlie honour, seeking it one of another, or censuring each other, or love and liking of the Word of Truth, into a judging and despising of the same: our love to each other into self-love, our love to Religion, into the love of the World. So that, hence it is, that our joy is departed from us, because we are departed from Christ: We joy in our fulnesse, power or knowledge, &c. yet will all fade as a leafe, and we also shall in the [...]nd fade with it, we see it. Where is the glorie and pleasure & ful­nesse of our neighbours? is it not faded away, & tur­ned into want and sorrow, and death it self? the youth and suckling, strong and aged, mother and child are all fallen into the dust; and it will be our portion, if [Page 169] righteousnesse and religion lye in the streets despised as it is.

And our Iniquities like the wind hath taken us away. When we thought under a colour of righteousnesse to go on in the wayes of vanitie, and enjoy the World: yet at last, our Iniquities have prevailed and taken us away: So that,

It is sin and rebellion against God which is the onlie way and cause of the destruction of man, and nothing but sin undoes man.

Your Iniquities have separated betwixt God & you. Thus he complains against Israel in all the Prophets, because they sinned against me; and yet they sinned more and more, they are a stiff necked generation: for nothing makes God our enemie, but our running from him.

2. Losse and want never hurts man, but this perverts the mind.

3 Nay, this makes a man a slave to Satan, lusts and to worldlie vanitie which he secures all his life, and then dies, and they forsake him. Now this iniquitie above all was their Infidelitie and pride, denying God and Christ.

1. Thus are we all in miserie and bondage and sees it not: nay, account this our happinesse, and rejoyce [...]herein: We feel want of the World, riches & honour: but of the Word of Truth no want at all: but that wherein we most delight, shall be our overthrow.

2. Thus hath he dealt with our Land & Nation, it hath swept away whole Families & Towns, & yet we [...]egard it not. For it is this that sets all plagues on fire.

3. We cry out under plague & death: O, when will [...]his ill weather cease? But when wilt thou leave sin­ [...]ing against God?

IN this Chapter is laid down the calling of the Gen­tiles, and the rejection of the Jewes; the freenesse of Gods mercy to the one, and the righteousnesse of his judgements to the other. Shewing the constant dealing of God in his Church, calling in by the Word of Truth such as have been aliens and enemies thereto, & casting off such as have enjoyed it: yet walks stubbornly in pride after their own wayes.

The Jewes were a people particularly chosen to God by a special Covenant, and preserved by his power, ac­cording to his promise: But the Gentiles were Heathen aliens and Idolaters, who walked every one after his own way; that had nothing to do with the Covenant and special blessing: Not that they were restrained from enjoying happinesse, but that none should be bles­sed, but that cleaveth to the God of Israel and became a Jew. These were turned from their own wayes to Gods, others fell from God to their own; for they re­tained his Word and way before them, yet did cleave to their own wits and wills, and thereby would ac­complish his righteousnesse. The Gentiles enquired not after, nor sought God, till he sent his servants with the Word of Truth to them: finding them in their Ido­latry and vain wayes: said,

Behold me, Behold me. For though some in all Age [...] were called in, because the Word light on them; yet this was the general and ordinary work: So that,

See by that way [...] that seems most unlike to man [...] Wisdom, and most opposite to mans carnal Judgement [...] doth God worke and stablish His Kingdom, and man [...] happinesse: that his Power and freenesse of his Grac [...] may appear.

For they were grafted in contrary to Nature, so tha [...] all his Works are contrary to Nature: for though he [...]estroy not Nature from its being, yet he destroyes the Lif [...] & Kingdom that seeks in the creature without him: S [...] that, so long as man runs after his natural Inclination as we all do; he wanders from Gods way therein. Fo [...] what an unlikely way is it to reason that by dying w [...] [Page 171] shall live, and by losing life, we shall find it: and by suffering, get the victorie; Not that by dying in our selves, we shall live in our selves, but in another.

How unlike, that Abraham an Idolater should be­come the Father of the faithful? For he sought nor nor enquired after him, yet God called and he obeyed: And Paul, the great enemy of Christ, yet was made the great Champion of Christ.

Christs way of suffering, is a way few do willingly embrace: We professe Christ and talks of Christ, but we s eek other wayes to come by it, and keep this only alive in conceit: like a h [...]llow hearted friend, who bears fair and speaks well, but when it comes to it, will part with nothing. Thus Paul confounded all those reasonable wayes of the false Apostles, and of their knowledge and righteousnesse, &c. and brings all to simplicity of Babes and helplesse hearts; for they kept all alive in conceit, but their hearts covered.

1. Thus God makes man a depending creature, to wait only on his Power and Grace.

2. All the wayes of God are wonderful to a believing heart, but whatever is within compasse of reason is not wonderful.

3. This he doth, that he may hide pride from man: [...]or so the Jews were grown haughtie when they had [...]elt his way of Faith, and wrought their own safety: For that way that man thinks to get life by devising, he [...]hall not. Man grows wise to believe by it, and righte­ous to believe from it, and humble that he may gain [...]he promise. But here simplicity of heart is lost: This [...]s not the way but by being a fool, and sinner in him­ [...]elf: then he is found.

Now this is abused by hardnesse of mens hearts, who [...]herefore cast off fear, and saith, God will find me if I [...]eek him not; and be merciful though I seek him not, [...]nd follow not so hard after him: and so musled in se­ [...]uritie, because he saith, He can do nothing: this is the [...]lead of a senselesse heart in securitie: he saith, He can do nothing, abusing his absolute power and freeness of [...]is merc [...].

But I may say, Have they not heard? Yes, the sound is gone through the World, so with thee: Hath he not sought thee, and called thee daily, and yet thou hardens thy heart against him? Thou hast not sought him, but he thee: and yet thou hidest thy self from him all thou canst.

Thus doth every believing heart that knows himself, find in experience the wonderful power and mercy in Christ, when thou wast wallowing in thy gored blood? yea, following the sway of thine own will: yea, feed­ing thy heart with fleshly pleasures; then God knocketh at thy heart, when thou little thinks of him: nay, ever since, when thou felt nothing but guilt and death, & saw no other reason, yet then he gave life.

Nay, when thou had in strength of wisdom, not from a troubled heart: thought to establish thy thought of happinesse: yet he beat thee down. Yea, when thou thought thy self in the likeliest way to become happie, then proved it most cursed: & when thou seems most wretched, it becomes ever best from him: And all this God hath done, that thou mightest for ever believe him, who hath chosen and called thee one: thou knowes most vile, rebel, lustful, covetous, unlikeliest of thou­sands.

This confounds all the reasonable wayes of fair pro­jects which man hath framed to himself, either out of the world, or out of Religion to establish his thoughts of ease and happinesse: for we see the offers of grace and his great works, and then reasons à posteriore: and thinks to ascend thence to happinesse. But his grace is free out of our compasse, & it is to be attended on.

We would know a reason of God in all his works else we hold him not just. But what reason is it tha [...] ever the Gentiles should believe but his mercy?

And thus, all Religion almost is but the fruit of ma [...] witt and brain, and not of a troubled heart, but for a [...] end of mans self. Gods mercy is simple, and his work simple also: but all Religion that hath an end in man heart towards man, is not of God simple.

So man is busie in seeking and working to make himself rich, searching & knowing to become wise & glorious; Nay, man labours to mortifie the flesh, to get life thereby: but mortification to dayly dying is life, but to get life thereby is death: for where man kills the flesh, to quicken Life, he loseth both: for all mortification so much urged by Christ & Paul, is only that care & diligence, according to that Wisdom given to us: that thereby the flesh and daily lust may be kept under, that the heart harden not by fleshlie ease, & ful­nesse, and so grow wanton; but not to give Life to the Soul, and so are all wayes of mortification.

It is good to restrain appetite, to keep out the World, to walk temperatlie, and soberlie, and diligentlie in our calling: These are good and honest wayes to be chosen, to keep under the rebellious Flesh: But to do these with an opinion of Life thereby, is most base and double dealing: for while we pretend to be humble, [...] inwardlie proud, while we seem to mourn, we laugh in our selves; he that deals with Christ, must deal with a single mind, and shut all out at doors but Christ, and thou and Christ argue the case: What thou can plead for thy self, and thou shalt see all reason dumb, and nothing in thee, but a poor prisoner praying daily for pardon; and in nothing the freenesse of his grace more appear, then in calling the Gentiles. This is it which Christ saith, They shall come from the east & west, &c. And the Children of the Kingdom shall be cast out: So they are not happie whom man accounts, but whom God accounts so: What he did to those that knew no­thing: but gropping after goodnesse, even sought it in man, and so thought that the Souls of those excellent men ascended, some into the Sun, Moon, and Stars, & became Gods; persecuted Christ evermore, even to those blind men he sent his speciallest messenger, that even was to open their eyes, and turn them from dark­nesse to light; So that,

Whom God intends to make happie, he sooner or latter calls and brings his heart by the Word of truth [Page 174] out of the World and himself; and all to rest simply on him and believe, as Matth 22. Psal. 45. Hearken, O daughter Sion: thou must leave thy Fathers house, and A­braham, Gen. 12. &c.

For man is gone out into the World and himself, else should we never have stood in need of this Word, but it should have lived in us for ever: but being gone from God, he sends out his message, saying, Go carrie my will and promise to lost man, and bid him behold me. For this is the execution of his purpose, this calling is outward & inward. Outward in the outward dispen­sation of the Gospel, he layes before man his Will and Promise: and so man understanding and fixing thereon sees a kind of good in it, and approves of it.

Inward, when through the inward power of the Truth, he finds out mans heart, and brings it to it self: separating it from the World and its own devices, in sorrow and misery: and to attend on his Promise, though man see nothing but death and misery: S [...] [...] this calling is not as most think, a mending of this or that Action; but a destruction of all, and calling man from it, not to make him wise to fulfill his own will, but to lose it.

The Word is Evocare, viz. Call out, as out of Egypt, have I called thee.

Woe then to them that are dayly sought and called, and have not an ear to hear: Like these Guests, Matth. 22. Their minds are shut up, they see not their own wants, nor the beauty of the Brid-groom set before them: God calls man to partake of his love: but man saith, I have another, and so the righteous Wrath o [...] God lights on him. For though some expound that [...] Matth. 12. Calling those that were bidden: That this bidding is the universal grace given to all, and that callin [...] is a further grace added to the free-will: Yet, I take tha [...] adding [...] to be the Covenant made with the Jews, t [...] whom he offers the light of the Gospel; as, Acts the 18 This calling abides still in the use of the Gospel, as: Firs [...] To d [...]lly Repentance.

2. To believing.

[Page 175]3. To do his Will, in obedience of Love.

4. To suffer in Patience.

To a Rebellious People. Though they pretended Holi­nesse, and the service of God: yet they were grown Re­bellious against his Will and Word: So that,

There is in all men a Rebellious Will and Lust: yea, even in believers, which it ever leads man from God into misery, and bondage, as in Adam, and David.

And Paul complains of it, Rom. 7. Gal. 5. This fights against the Spirit, though the will and desire of man be natural qualities, yet when they are set upon vain objects, and come to rule and draw, they ever bring into bondage.

For, hereby is God more denied than by any: for though they know him to be true, they trust him not: and as for a stranger to denie and distrust a man is no­thing, but for a Child it is Rebellion, and Rebellion is as the sin of Witch-craft, it denyes God, and makes a Covenant with the Devil, and workes through envie ever to destruction.

Thus, unblief ever Rebells against God: yea, raiseth up arms against him: When he would be a King, no say they, This man shal not rule over us; but would reign as King themselves.

But believers most of all, who dwell in the Kings House, and professe alledgeance and service, and yet underneath, practise and labour that they may be King, and wear the Crown: and so are still drawn from God by Lust and fleshlie Wisdom: And this may he say to our Land, he hath stretched out his hand long over us, but we still Rebel: witnesse,

1. That common trade of iniquitie, as common as breathing.

2. That hardnesse of heart under the Vail of the Gospel

3. That heartlesse dealing betwixt Religion and the World.

4. That casting off the Word we professe, & believe not that to be true which we know, &c.

This makes man an enemie to God, & this is it which [Page 176] makes thee cast the Son out of doors; we walk in a way that is not good, after our own thoughts.

So the Lord may say: They have forsaken my Cove­nant. They follow their own, which leads into an ill way of Life. So that,

When man forsakes the simple Word of God, and cleaves to the devices and inventions of his own thoughts, and follows them: he forsakes the way of Life, & chuseth the way of Death which never prosper.

It was the Curse that lay on the Gentiles, That he suf­fered everie one to walk in his own way, as Psal. 18. They would not hear, nor would have none of me, I gave them up to their own Counsells: Thus Adam and Israel forsook the way of the Covenant and Promise made to Abraham, and made a Calf, and murmured against Mo­ses, &c. The wicked walk in a way that is not good, There is a way that seems good, but the Issues thereof are the Issues of Death. For though man was made righte­ous, yet he seeks manie inventions, to save him: but not by the way of righteousnesse: He hath sold the Birth­right, and Covenant, he hath forsaken with Esau: and now he would have the blessing by any means: He mourns & weeps for the blessing, & would have it though by killing his broth [...]r, & living in an hunting way.

For mans way in himself is not able to guide him to happinesse, for lust blinds him, and leads him to some­thing that is sensual: reason is proud, and leads into all things visible, but Faith is the ground of things neither seen nor felt.

But Christs way which was the way of Life, was not after his own thoughts, but as the Father commands, so he speaks. He sought not his own glorie, but did the Will of the Father, stablishing his Kingdom, & so his way was a new and living way, though the Vail of the flesh was rent: And so it is with man, not by a way of the Flesh; but to break through the Flesh, & by crucify­ing it, enter into the Holiest of all by Faith onlie.

1. This was the way prescribed to Israel, God [Page 177] brought them out by a strong hand, and weak means: as alwayes in the whole course, that no power of the Flesh might appear, as David confesseth, they got not the land by their own power.

2. Then in the Wildernesse, from one place to ano­ther, where they took no rest, but in the Covenant only.

3. Then through Jordan, the River of Tears.

4. Then overcame the enemie.

5. God left them a Law of love to walk by.

6. Commands not to joyn with the enemies, but to destroy them.

But all these Israel forsook, & at the last grew so presumptuous in regard of their prosperitie: and so wise in Religion, that they would not be beholden to God, but would save and free themselves by wayes of their own, till at last they fell from God: and still they thought this was a holy and likely way: Thus the old course of the World is fallen upon the Gentiles, everie man walks in his own way, and yet everie man thinks his way is good, and like to prosper: as,

1. The Worlding, by getting, and gathering and making sure for future time: seems a safe way: but Christs way was to forsake all the World, and had none of these.

2. The Wanton thinks his way right, because of his saint way of Repentance, and yet he fears, Ecclesiastes, That it will lead to a fearful end of judgement.

3. The Pharisees and false Apostles walk in a seeming way of holinesse with Christ: but this makes Christ & all in vain, to joyn any thing with him: For Christ was to denie himself, and cleave to the Promise of Faith, yea, though he was to be taken from them, yet they should wait for the Promise of the Father: who should send the Promise of the Father within few dayes.

Nay, we are grown so cunning in Religion that we can chuse our Christs own Way, and approve it, but walk not therein by the Spirit of Christ: but so follow Christ in our fleshly thoughts, but not by Faith alone, giving up our selves in love to the good of others.

So, we see Gods wayes is not our wayes, yea, & our though [...]s and his words never agree together: one of these must be forsaken: either we must cleave to his Word, and forsake our own wayes, or follow our own wayes, and forsake his Word.

But we live by thinking not by believing: Invent, de­vise and comprehend, that we may guide our selves: but not rest in patience to believe another: Like the Pro­digal: but see the good and safe way of Christs; that stands in simple believing from a troubled heart, and in subjection to the Fathers will in love, in patience to bear his Crosse. But this is grievous to fleshly thoughts but sweet and safe to the Soul.

A people that provoked me to anger continually. That are hardned under the Love of Religion, & so presump­tuous, that they rebell with a stout & stiff neck. So that,

When man hath gotten the World into his heart, and some competent way of Religion to cover his rotten­nesse, he [...]lls into herdnesse, securitie & presumption, and so sights against God with open face. Isa. 1. I have nourished a People, and they rebelled against me, and in Jeremiah, They murther and steal, and all under a coller of the Temple of the Lord: They have gotten a brow of brasse, like those; Psal. 10. Pro. 1. Tush, there is no know­ledge in the most high, For the knowledge of the truth without the power thereof, hardens above all, But the Truth in the power thereof; beats man down, and all things in man: to live in another, or not to live at all: not that the World and Religion can grow up together for then it choaks the Word, and wee bec [...]me Rebel­lious as Adam.

For now they sin with an authoritie, under the sore­knowing of a Saviour: Like a man in the Kings house, that robbeth and oppresseth under the hope of Pardon.

For wh [...]tsoever makes man strong hearted, is not Christ, for he melts the heart in sorrow and in love: For this is the greatest disgrace that can be; if a man must bring Christ to help forward his Lust, As to steal and oppresse, and Christ must help us. Thus with us.

God hath holden out his hand, but we dare provoke him to his face, and call his Word a lye, & run to other shifts; as though we seem to flatter a while, yet Religion is but made a way to bring about our own Lusts, as,

1. Do get the World more freelie: or advance our glorie, or keep peace: but all these covers a Rebellious heart: For if it were seen as thy Face, thou wert a shamed for ever. This is the greatest Rebellion in the Church, covered under Religion, & God most provok­ed thereby: For here man tempts God, and layes all blame on him, blindly waiting for his Power: yet hath no heart nor desire to return, storing himself with Riches and Righteousnesse, that he may not repent.

But do we provoke him to anger, or rather our selves to our own confusion? for we see how he delt with Israel, led them captive, & then cast them off: Doubtlesse he was never more provoked, they sacrifice in Gardens, and burn Incense on Altars of Brick, which should have been on Altars of Stone, without a hammer.

Thus he shews how they chuse their own wayes, that is to say, They sacrifice in Gardens when the Law was at Jerusalem: burnt Incense on Brick, which should have been on Altars of Stone without a hammer; as Christ the Stone hewen out of the Rock without hands: they lay among the groves there to enquire of the dead for the want of things, and not waiting on God, and the Words of the Prophets, They eat abominable broth, and swines Flesh, both which were forbidden by the Law

So that in all, they forsake Christ signified by all those and chuse their own wayes: and this is mans way in the Church: We offer not at Jerusalem, sitting at the door of the Tabernacle, weeping and confessing. Where is t [...]e Mercie Seat, and Ark of the Covenant: but in Gar­dens of Pleasure, in serving God at our leasure, and not on the Corner-stone, Christ Jesus, but on the Altar of our good qualities, which we have hewen to our selves? We wait not on God, & his Will & Word, that we may know it: but in the dead groves of our devotions, and run back to these rotten effects of care & diligence.

If the World shew good signs, we believe: if we see signs and Wonders, we trust; we feed on Swines Flesh, Flesh and broth thereof: That is, we feed on the Flesh and filthy World, which begets nothing, but flegma­tick and cold opinions instead of pure nourishment to Faith and Love.

Stand by, for I am holier than thou: So with all these abominations, there went still a poysoned opinion of holinesse and high thoughts, which made all stink in his nostrils. So that when with Religion there goes a high thought in man, and exalting of himself above others because of his Religion: it poysons all and stinks before God, and will bring man to a fearful fall at the last.

Thus it was with the Pharisee, I am not as other man; as this Publicane, Col. 2. Touch not, taste not, handle not. It was their practice when they had been at the Mercat, they washed: & the false Apostles thought themselves more acceptable to Christ, because they were circumcised: And those Gadders in the Church that went about talking, and thought because of their Religion, they should be respected and relieved, which Paul writes against, that they should not be suffered. Thus is Religion turned into mans own glory and not to Christs glory.

This flows from pride and self-love, which had its beginning in man, & ending in man, as all things do. This makes men Judges in Religion, and not Christ a Saviour: and so with all Religion, there grows up a cursed opinion and seeking of respect, which poysons all. But well worth that Religion where man is not listed up by it, and hath nothing, but all laid up and en­joyed in Christ, not in self.

IN the tenth verse of the former Chapter is a large promise of Mans Redemption by Christ, under the Type of Israels deliverance out of captivity: as, Pre­pare the way of the Lord, cast up the high-way, gather up the stones, lift up the Standard: The Lord hath proclai­med to the end of the World, to Sion: Behold thy sal­vation cometh, his reward is with him, and his work before him: That is to say, Make readie the hearts of men by repentance, and then salvation is at hand, and thou shalt be a holy people prepared of the Lord: Pre­pare the way, that is, let not Israel settle in Babylon, but come out: Remember Jerusalem, that you have lost the signs of my presence, the Ark of my Covenant, the Mercy-seat, and all the tokens of my Love: and that you are now strangers to me: so bring down their hearts, and make a way for my mercy, that I may do them good: that they long for my salvation, & they shall find it ready at hand. Let them not trust in their strength, nor rely on the favour of Babylon, the world, the Flesh; for they will still keep them bound: but re­turn to me, and I will deliver them: so that;

No mercy to man nor salvation from God, nor re­demption by Christ, nor holiness by the spirit; but where God makes way in mans heart by dayly repentance, & dayly turning mans heart from the world, himself: and all things in true sense of his bondage, and longing of the soul after Christ.

Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Psal. 107. He brought down their hearts with sorrow, & then had mercy on them.

For all Israels wanderings, he plagues them, till he made them yield and cry and pray: & then helps them in distresse. It was Johns office to make way for Christ; For what should Christ do with an hardened heart, fil­led with conceit of Wisdom, righteousnesse and the world or riches: For all afflictions that God layes on man, either in the world, or in himself by the word; is but to bring down the heart, to let him see how the World hath deceived him, sin hath beguiled him, and [Page 182] his conceits brought him into a false surmise; and so lets him see, what a little power he hath in himself: that so forsaking and turning to another, he may find mercy

For though God give gifts to man, yet they are kept onlie in the hand of Faith: else man turns to them, and forgets God and himself: and so becomes proud and conceited, & becomes a Saviour to himself.

But the salvation of God is never given but to repent­ing hearts, that are ashamed of themselves, and their own cursed & rebellious hearts, and in sighing & sor­rowing, pray & seek for mercie.

But we all would have salvation another way than by repentance, as one by knowing, another by dying, another by gathering strength; but none by denying themselves. Indeed we daily pray, Lord, forgive us our sins: but sin is not our burden, we would all have mer­cy to our hardened hearts. Nay, how far are we from the salvation of God, whose hearts never felt the bit­ternesse of repentance, or are again hardened through knowledge.

We all dream of being saved, but alace! there is no way in thy heart: Thou knows how little thou minds God or Christ at all; how little thy heart is troubled about life or death: but carried away with present losse. Where is the place that can witnesse thy sorrow and heavinesse of heart, thy sighing & folding of thy hands? how little is it in thy thoughts? What hast thou done, & daily doest against God or thy self? How little art thou troubled about thy eternal being? no Repentance being wrought in thee, all Religion is but a matter of discourse and circumstance.

But woe to us; for repenting dayes are gone: and so salvation hid: the time was, when we were sinners, & went mourning & weeping, & all our dayes were re­penting dayes.

And then were vve ashamed to look into our ovvn cursed hearts & vain vvayes, and all night our very dreams were on misery; & then light rose in our dark­nesse: but now we are wise & righteous, & see not the [Page 183] pride & lust, & worldlinesse of our ovvn hearts, even drovvned in pride of our ovvn hearts, & have a conceit of salvation in our selves. Is sin lesse sinful than it was? Stand vve not as much need of salvation as before? nay, our hearts are not prepared for mercie, but claime it as a due, and therefore is salvation far from us.

But know, that before salvation or freedom come from Christ to our hearts: these high looks must down, & we carried into Babylon. God never casts his mercy upon hardened hearts, but the poor & mourners shall be comforted: So that faith & holinesse is daily pre­served by repentance & deep humility, vvhen God opens the high vvay of our hearts, he gathers out the stones: & all his mercies, though they bring comfort, yet still more humblenesse, that he should daily be so good & we so vile & rebellious; still so is mercie & salvation contained

Who is this that cometh from Edom. That is, from the land of captivitie, from Bozra the chief Citie of the Edo­mites, representing the great povver of Satan, Flesh and the World wherein man is bound, & novv comes the Prince and Captain of our Salvation out of our capti­vity and death, and is consecrated through suffering, even in death overcoming all things: & his garments red with the blood of the Sacrifice.

Laying it down by way of admiration in the question & answer, containing wondering and Christs ansvver.

For the vvhole Chapter is a Prophetical Declaration of Redemption by Christ, and the state of man to be redeemed: as,

1. The Person or Redeemer, even Christ discovered by his povver and strength; travelling in the greatnesse of his strength, and the rest: &c.

2. By his truth and righteousnesse, I that speak in righteousnesse.

3. The way & means how he hath done it, viz. First, By death under a Metophor, of Trading the Wine-presse

4. What he hath done, viz. Troden them in his Wrath.

Who is this that cometh. This shews the expectation of the captive Church, waiting for a deliverer according [Page 184] to the promise, after seventy weeks: so man after his long bondage under hell and Flesh, and seeing Christ a weak poor man, and that all in blood crucified, dead and buried: seems an unlikely man to reason, but in his answer, he puts away all doubts: & that he is the only man and Redeemer: So that,

The weary waiting and forlorn heart of man, though he see little possibility to obtain life by Christ in sense & reason, but many more likely devices; ye shall never find freedom but only in him.

For he was ordained of old to break the Serpents head, and prophesied to bind up the broken hearted: Yet, what a doe had he with his Disciples for to perswade them that He was He? but still they cried. Is not this Josephs Son, is this likely to be He: He only was Jobs refuge in all his afflictions, when he saw nothing but death, yet his Redeemer liveth. This he witnesseth by word and work. By word, I am come to save the World, I am the Resurrection and the Life. By works, How many poor, lame and blind did He help, which He was after to do spiritually: the afflicted he comforted as, Mary and the Prodigal: The Pharisees cryed out, Who is this that forgiveth sins, that destroyes the Law? Nay, others said, Except ye be circumcised, Christ cannot profit.

1. For he came to destroy the flesh, and redeem the spirit: therefore was he weak in the flesh, & strong in spirit, that he might cross the curious witt and pride of man: who looked for great things.

2. All things prosper according to his presence with man, and not he according to the power of the crea­ture; all other things are but miserable comforters, only puts off for a time, but it comes again with all violence: like a sore that is ill healed.

Yet, who hath believed this report, Nay, in any straits we look for other helps. The World saith, Come see what riches and certaintie: I will relieve thy wants, be diligent, ply thy mind to me, and I will ease thee; and saith, Man: This is that comes with full hand and good gain: This is like to preserve so much Inheri­tance, [Page 185] so much coming in: and is yet never a whit eased, but a slave still. The flesh saith, Come to me; I come not in sadnesse and sorrow, but in mirth and pastime, and pleasure: I will put away sorrow from thy heart, and season all sadnesse with mirth: and yet for all this, in the midst thereof the heart is sorrowfull. Reason saith, Come to me, & I will shew thee a like­lie way; do good, worke righteousnesse, see thy great knowledge, and good qualities: then believe that Christ may profit: but simple believing stands not in this, but in another thing: and when thou feels nothing in thy self, Reason would judge this but a blind way.

Nay, saith Christ, But come hither, look on me, be­lieve my Word: I am poor and needie in flesh, and so must thou be: I will deliever thy Spirit, and free thy mind: these deceive thee, but I speak in righteousnesse though I seem base, yet all power is given to me, and I am mighty to save. So that, he that looks for salvation by Christ had need of Faith, more than Witt: When the poor captive Soul sees nothing, but death and bon­dage, no power to free himself; and sees nothing but poor Christ, all wallowing in blood, shut up in the grave, sits mourning at the Sepulchre: and yet look for salvation in him: had need to pray daily, Lord, in­crease our Faith, and help our unbelief.

And to this end would Christ confirm his Disciples in expectation of the Promise and Life by his Death, and to wait for the Holy Ghost by the Sacraments and pledges of his love and truth which he left them, say­ing, I know ye doubt and fear, and hereafter ye shal see me forsaken, judged, and crucified, and buried: and then will your hearts tremble: but that I have spoken in Righteousnesse: take this as a pledge of my love and truth, when ye come together, eat and drink this, & believe my Promise, & rejoyce in me, & in my death: for though I must trade the Wine presse alone, yet I will trade it in my Furie.

I that speak in righteousnesse.

The word of Christ is the word of righteousness to [Page 186] believing hearts, and shall be assuredlie fulfilled to troubled Spirits.

Mighty to save. So that,

All power of saving man is in Christ: no power in man to procure or p [...]eserve his own safetie.

I have troden the Wine-presse. So that,

Jesus Christ hath under-gone the wrath of the Father for man, that he might redeem man from wrath, and by his suffering hath wrought Redemption for man.

I have troden the Wine-presse alone. So that,

None partakes with Christ in the work of mans re­demption, but he is the beginner & finisher of mans happinesse.

Mine own arm brought salvation. So that,

When all povver in man fails, & miserie strikes: then is the power of Gods spirit still at hand.

I will trade down the people in my wrath. I will afflict as I have done my son, and bring down their strength, whereby they novv stand vvithout me: they shall taste of my wrath and see hovv good it is: So that,

All shall sooner or latter taste of the Indignation of the Lord, that God may prepare man for mercie, and bring man out of himself and the world.

Jobs spirit was drunk up with wrath [...]aul was slain and stricken down to the earth [...] [...]ade light of God, was brought unde [...] [...] [...]hat wrath did David suffer, even pains of he l; that made him cry out, & so was his joy restored: yea to Abraham, he see­med an enemy: yet in his subjection was the Covenant renevved, & Christ above all was sorrowful unto death & his soul a Sacrifice, & then he arose and ascended.

For God will destroy all his enemies in man, that man may be freed, & those that stick to them shall be de­stroyed with them: that we may be conformed to our head, & so fitted for mercie in him, who came to sustain man under vvrath: For hovv is he saved from wrath that is never under it? This vvere to save him in his fleshlie way and hardnesse of heart: That just Law vvhich man daily breaks, Thou shalt dye the death, [Page 187] must be true in all, and kill man, that the second Cove­nant may live in man, and he thereby.

God doth this to bring down mans heart and make him yeeld, for man can shuffle off manie things, but this bitter hour past all help. But vve all strive to go to Heaven vvith hardened hearts in beds of doune and worldly fullnesse and ease: we make an agreement, & think we are harmlesse and innocent: and another, that he is a friend of God and his Word and Gospel: & ano­ther, that he is diligent, careful and righteous; and therefore thinks that he shall escape, and so would live and die without Repentance, Wrath and Miserie; and yet Christ could not do that, and so none vvould drink of Christs Cup

But knovv, thought vve can jeast and talk it out, & clothe our selves with conceits, and opinions: yet God vvill trample all these under foot: When his Wrath shal be revealed from Heaven against all unrighteous­nesse of men, that hold the truth in unrighteousnesse: either by his Word and Spirit in mans heart, that he shal say: O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the bodie of this death.

When he shall knock at the door, or call for moun­tains to fall upon him: then shall he see vvhat good he hath gotten vvith sticking so hard to the World, and to himself, but all too late.

But yet to a believing and yeelding heart, that jud­geth himself and not God, in midst of Wrath, he re­members mercie: and even in this, he aims at mans good, though he see it not: For it is to vvhip and to beat mans proud heart, and fleshlie confidence, and to cast out that proud and worldlie Devil, and destroy the enemies that are in mans heart.

Thus the wanton heart of man fights for ease in the Land of captivitie, & would see no evil, but flee from wrath, through hardnesse of heart that cannot repent: and so heaps up Wrath against the day of Wrath.

We would do evil, but would not feel it, nor hear of it: we vvould rebell against God, and follow our own [Page 188] Lusts, that we may live, and yet would have him to put up all: Nay, but the wise Father knows that this is the way to undo the wanton child, and therefore casts him off, leaves him to himself, that he may return by Repentance, saying, Thou knowest that I have been a Father to thee, I have provided for thee, when thou wast young, I mantained thee: When thou wast of age, thou would not be ruled: I was forced to cast thee off. This now justlie come upon thee, yet seeing thou judgest thy self, and justifies me, I will take away my Wrath, and receive thee to mercie, that thou mayest praise me. But, first, he makes them drink of his furie: but our cursed hearts cry for ease and rest, but God will keep on the Rod till the heart be broken, and brought down, and make us like a drunken man, that is besot­ted with wine, that mindes neither Wife nor Children, estate nor credit: So with us, when his Wrath lyes on us, we can neither minde Wife, World, nor Children. For this sticks closse, and nothing can ease? Riches are vain. Pleasures are gone, laughing is turned into mourning, and nothing can ease the heart but mercie: but how will these escape, when time of mercie is gone

I will bring down their strength; So that,

Gods saving way to man, is to bring down the strength of man in himself, that he may be exalted in another.

I will mention the loving kindnesse of the Lord.

There is an endlesse Fountain of Truth and Righte­ousnesse in God, and incomprehensible mercie, which is never wanting to praying and miserable hearts.

But mans forsaking and turning from that, is the cause of all miserie unto man, as Psal. 81. Deut. 23. For he said, Surely ye are my people, &c. Here, he mentions his dealing with them in particular, that is to say, He ever had an eye over them for good, at least to testifie his mercie, and,

1. He remembers their Adoption, with the truth and simplicitie of their hearts; and though now fallen, yet they were his people, and would not lose their preser­vation.

[Page 189]2. He was their Saviour, and delivered them out of afflictions, wherein he was also afflicted.

3. There guide and governour, He led them all the dayes of old by the Angel of his presence, & then shews their Rebellion, & his mercie again in pardoning.

They are my people. This he spake in regard of his first chusing of them, and uprightnesse of their hearts then, and safetie they were in through his Power: So that,

True hearted simple minded men, were & ever shall be blessed of God, what ever gifts they have, when double and shuffling hearts shall be accursed.

See Davids plain and simple heart, when Nathan had opened his eyes, he did not shut them again; but though a King, and a fact discovered that might shame him, yet he goes not about to excuse it, but confes­seth plainlie, and doth pennance to all posteritie; yea, God is near to all that call upon him in truth, and the good ground are good honest and simple hearts; but the Pharisees that say they have no sin, do lye, and deal not truelie: and a man is a lyer to the Holie Ghost, to think to joyn with the Disciples in love, and yet keep the World in his heart to trust to; and in Christ was found no guile; and God loves truth in the inward parts.

For this is the opening and uncovering of the heart to be capable of mercie, and so hence comes confessing and believing with all the heart: For covering is a grea­ter hardnesse added to our former sin: It was sin in A­dam to forsake God, but it was greater to cover it: and in Saul to spare Agag, but greater to excuse it, and lie to the Holy Ghost.

This is a fighting against Christ, and strengthening our selves in something else, that we might not stand in need of him: Like the malefactor, that hath done evil, and yet will excuse it, and justifie himself, he will be hanged indeed.

For God is a God of truth, and workes truth in the inward parts, and the power of truth is to discover the subtilitie of man and the Devil, and to convince [Page 190] the World, and to lay the heart naked and bare before God.

Away then with all doubling lyes, let God be true, and the Devil and everie man a lyer: From the begin­ning vve all professe to love God, and believe in him, but we lie. But, Whence, then is this care and confi­dence in the World, this fear, and sorrow for losse: this pleading of our own Righteousnesse, to keep up conceit? We professe to love God above all, but we lye: Whence then is this self-love, & of the World? and we forsake him for a Morsel of Bread; that we love our Brethren.

Whence then is this malice and revenge, this oppres­sing and grinding, this cusinning, and circumventing, and that we love the truth, and yet believe it not at all, but sell it for our own wills, and that God would change his will, and rather than we want, our Lusts.

We are all knowing and devote men, but honest sim­plicitie is lost among main, plain dealing is gone: So in Religion, truth and simplicitie is gone: simple praying and believing from a troubled Spirit, is gone, simple love one to another, is gone: and everie one judging another; and locked up in secret surmising: not bear­ing with infirmities, but blazing abroad the frailties of others.

But God will find out all our falshood one day, when all our excuses shal be as shiftlesse as to Adam: When he shall open the Books, and that are hid, layed open: Then shal thy Hypocrisie and double dealing be laid open, whither thou hast trusted God, or thy self; loved Him, or the World: Then shal it be seen, whether thou believed indeed and in truth: For true e­vidence shal come against thee a malefactor which thou canst not denie.

It is not our simple sinning that hinders our happi­nesse, for God will pardon? but it is our lying and covering it that hides us from Christ: As the Child that hath not onlie made a fault, but hides and covers it, is beaten double. This his Father cannot abide.

God gives us true and simple hearts, we seek great [Page 191] gifts and qualities, and become wise; but lose inno­cencie, and run from our selves.

In all their afflictions he was afflicted. And the Angel of his presence saved them. Here is Christ suffering, who bare the infirmities of man in all weaknesse; So that,

Christ the loving Saviour of man, partakes with man in all his miserie; and lovingly helps when all fails, Heb. 2. Forasmuch as the Children were partakers of flesh and blood, &c. Heb. 5. He is a faithful high Priest subject to like infirmities; And was partaker with all that was miserable: but the Wealth and Glorie of the World he had none of: Like a loving elder-brother that sees his younger overburthned, helps him: beaten, weeps, and hungry gives him meat.

For he was the Word of the Father, & was God, yet he took upon him the form of a servant, and became flesh, and dwelt among us, that we might see him af­fl [...]cted, suffering, forsaken; and yet he overcame all.

For he came to help the afflicted, therefore he came in the flesh, that he might destroy flesh; & by enabling man to suffer, destroying fleshly lust in man.

Thus was he given as a witnesse to the people, & the first-begotten of many: What then means these high thoughts, & soaring conceits that seek Christ in heaven, and think Him to be some angry spirit: and so rack their thoughts and beat their brains in comprehending Him, but lo, He is with the poor, afflicted and for­saken this high and full Religion he cares not for, nor hath any communion therewith.

What a hearting then is this to patience, that like a loving husband, is with the wife in well and woe: thou thinks thy case singular, none like thee: thou poor, He poorer; thou wants the fathers love, so did he; thou art persecuted, so he; unto death; thou sick, so [...]e swa [...]e blood for sicknesse: But we have little fellowship with Him, for we are full and rich, and at ease; He bears our weaknesse, but who feels it: He wipes away tears, but who sheds them; He hears our cryes, but who makes them: Nay, we are all Christs to our selves; therefore He is a stranger to us.

All high flying Religion then is not of Christ, for he hath no communion with man, but in affliction, there­fore Paul desired only to be partaker in his afflictions, for he hath not to do with rich men at ease, and he that saith, He hath fellowship with him and not in his death lyes and deals not truly.

It is not affliction that hurts or hinders man, but want of Faith; for he is afflicted with us, but because we do not believe his power and truth, nor are we pa­tient to want rest, therefore are we crushed under affli­ctions: we have not learned to lose the world and our selves with him; the fire cannot fear them.

And where man is partaker with Christ in afflictions he makes him also partaker with others, to mourn with them that mourn.

But we are little disposed to the practice of Faith, while we judge others in stead of pardoning, we spread abroad their Infirmities, we spoil the poor: but believ­ing miserable men have a friend at back that is with them: giving a mouth and wisdom, when friends and world fail: yet then He abides and fails not, but when they have least hope, they have readiest help and when they are weak, then are they the strongest.

And the Angel of his presence. When they were brought low in affliction, and sate in sorrow, and help­lesse repenting hearts, then his love breaks out; So that, i [...] Christ is only present to afflicted spirits, and His love and compassion only, is the stay of repenting hearts, & nothing else.

As here he alludes in the presence of the God of Israel, in their Redemption out of Egypt, when they knew not what to do; the Angel brought them out, went before them, and though they fell into many straits, yet the Lord pitied and helped them: yea though they rebelled daylie, yet He afflicted and pardoned them: And His love and mercy is never seen so much, as in daylie par­doning: for it is a burden that all the World cannot remove.

For he was given to bear the infirmities of men, Mat. 11 [Page 193] If any be burthened he shal find rest to his soul: As in the Prodigal and the Publican, like a wise tender fa­ther, whose child hath want only run away, yet the fa­ther seeks him and finds him; First, le [...]s him sit forlorn in the wildernesse, and seems to take no notice: then when he sits crying ou [...] of himself, O wretch that I am, that hath thus abused my good father, cast away my self and know not what to do but dy and perish. Then he appears, and [...]owns on him a while, but after, his heart be brust with sorrow, the fa [...]her can no longer refrain, but smiles and comforts him, as Joseph to his brethren.

For He came to seek and save that which was l [...]st, He came to redeem the captive spirit of man, that was locked up in fleshly bands and his own guilt: Not to ease the captive flesh of man, for many great afflictions ly on many, whom He never ease [...]h, because man can­not have his own Will and Lust and World and Ease and Glory: but these he pities not.

But when the spirit mourns after God, and cannot be comforted by all the world, but sits in ashes, and cryes in the night; the Sun then breaks out, and joy comes in the morning. But nothing is a burthen to the spirit of man, but sin and guilt, and weak [...]esse: for other afflictions are burthens to the flesh, and they are helped: But in the afflicted spirit, there is such a depth of miserie, that nothing can help but His Love & Spi­rit that He hath promised: As nothing can ease the heart of a rebellious child, but reconciliation with the Father, all [...]hat man can do to help, can but strengthen [...]m, His Love only stays the heart by Faith: all things d [...] but only put off, and that by st [...]gthening conceit: bu [...] it returns again with greater violence, like [...] wound ill healed.

But this shews that we have little of Christs com­ [...]any, save only His name among us: we talk of Him, & dispute and follow Him up and down to the Temple and seem to sat by His side, but w [...]h proud hardened hearts. Nay, I judge whether thou art as well with [Page 194] Him as without Him, for any good thou hast by Him, save only a heartless & helpless hope: if thou may have the World, thou seeks no more: If thou have no more joy, than thou hast with him, it will prove but small.

Nay, we are not for His presence, like an adulterous Wife that cares not for her Husbands presence: but if ever that heart be turned by Repentance, and possest of its own guilt, then none but He. Others thinks to pro­cure His presence by trimming and garnishing a fair out-side profession of Christ, and think, if they were more holy and righteous, then He would surely come: but we thus make a Christ to our selves.

But woe to that Righteousnesse that hides Repen­tance, and hardens the heart: Woe be to that Presump­tion that is lifted up above Mercie: Woe be to that Conceit of believing that joyns hands with the World, and shuts man up in self-love: and woe to that Hard­nesse of heart [...], that despiseth long suffering, and heaps up Wrath against the day of Wrath.

And hence we see, that where Repentance is hid from man, Gods love and pity are far from him; whatever we have, it matters not, how Wise, Righteous, & Holy, Rich or Youthful we are, if any Hardnesse of heart goes with all: But we are full and sit as Queens and want nothing. Yet the day is coming, when we shal seek Him and shal not find Him: when all shall fail us, and we afraid to hear of His presence; when He shall sit as Judge, to judge the World, then shall we cry.

O where is he now that we despised and set so ligh [...] by? And then weep with Esau, and say, Father, hast th [...] not one blessing left? Bless me, even me also: Then shal he answer, nay, These are blessed, and shall be blesse [...] thou hast had the fulnesse of the earth for thy portion: b [...] my love and mercy thou regarded not.

In his pity and love he redeemed and bare them. He [...] is the continuance of his love, notwithstanding thei [...] dayly falling off: yet he guided and bare them as [...] nurse in his arms all the ancient dayes, as he choos [...] them in love and pity, and remains faithful to Abr [...] ham and his seed: So that,

As Gods love and pity without any thing in man, is the first fountain of life to man and only cause of his happiness; so is the same Love, Goodnesse and Power, the dayly preservation and guide of man in the way of happiness through Faith.

As Paul, by the grace of God, I am that I am, not I, but the grace of God in me: therefore doth the Lord so often remember Israel of his deliverance out of Egypt, the promise to Abraham that they might look at that Law, and depend on that Promise.

How came Israel out of all these straits, but that God still pityed and forgave them, as David, how he prayed to be guided and preserved and relieved dayly from God And this the Apostle strove for, that nothing might stand in the heart of man after grace received, but the same grace still: and further beats down all things else but this.

For is not man as weak in himself, and Satan and the Flesh as strong as ever? Is not man as sinful, and His grace and help as needful as ever?

For Paul of himself could not live, but Christ lived in him, and he waited therein, He hath delivered, and will deliver me.

Christ did not worke properly for himself, for man to guide himself by his own power: for this is not in man but in Christ, who is his Safetie, Peace, Righte­ousnesse and Holinesse, and all: for Israel was not able to stand before any enemie when they forsook the Covenant, for what shall uphold man under the cross, but his love and pity when all fails,

As the Martyrs, was it their wit, or power, or strength of heart that preserved them? No, but the Power and Truth of Christ through Faith: For as the child hath nothing of his own, but lives at the fathers appoint­ment and providence: so we.

See then, it is not as wise unbelieving men imagine, that after the mysterie of the Gospel be revealed, and apprehended in flesh, turns back with Israel and be­come wise and righteous and strong in themselves; so [Page 196] it is with many that were sinners: but God received them to mercy, and now they worke it out, beginning in the spirit, but ending in the flesh, and then think to recompence God.

Is God more beholden to thee than before, or rather is not thy sinful lust, and pride, and worldly heart, and hypocrisie as hateful to God now: when thou hast the knowledge of his will as thou thinkest.

But these are commonly the greatest backsliders; For though they stick unto Religion, yet they fall from Christ in Religion and conceit, and clothe themselves with his gifts: The World is in their hearts, Repen­tance gone, Prayer dead, Faith only in name.

So that, to those he shal have just complaint; one is rich in the World, and cares not for his blessing, but he will turn it to a curse: another, is wise to guide himself, but will prove a fool and wander: another, is Righteous and rich in Knowledge, but a thief to God, and his mercie most shut from him: Whence, God shall judge and say, Thou of all others shouldest have trusted me, thou profest my Name, sat by my side: but thou art the great thief of all, for thou hast robbed me of my glorie, thou ran from me in pride: therefore, thou of all others art the farthest off mercie.

See the wonderful love of God towards man, that pities man, that pities not himself: When the sturdie Child hath run away, yet having wrought his peace, he calls him back by his Word and pardons him: when the weak heart of man feels Danger and Wrath, and feels no ease to comfort him: when he is persecuted, and knows not what to answer, God puts a Word in his mouth.

What a fool then is man, that hath such a pitiful Fa­ther attending for his good in all, and yet runs to the World and flesh, those cruel Tyrants, and seeks help there.

So dayly mercie in God, and miserie in man, & Faith in Gods Word, is mans preservation.

Pray we then, that the Truth of the Gospel, & Faith [Page 197] may be preached in the Church, that man may have nothing to lean to but mercie; but how hard is this new way to continue, but we would stil have some­thing to feel and lean to, but not his mercie.

But they rebelled and vexed his Holie Spirit. Such is the cursed nature and rebellious flesh of man: So that,

Such is the rebellion of the fleshly nature of man, that the more goodnesse and love God shews to man, he is the more rebellious and wanton against God, & forgetful of himself to the losing of all.

Israel, Jer. 2 David casts off God, when his moun­tain was strong and Jude: They turn the grace of God unto wantonnesse: And I nourished a people, and they have forsaken me: they abused the Patience of God.

This is plain in experience, though God hath given us all enough in the World, that we see, or may see his blessing; who might have frustrated thy labour? yet how l [...]the to depend on this blessing, but would have all sure in the flesh by extremitie. He hath verified, and yet we have not trusted His Word, but would have all in possession.

For the fl [...]sh grows wanton by ease and fulnesse and it is the hard [...]st thing of all to enjoy fulnesse, and yet the flesh not to be hardened thereby.

T [...] keep Humilitie, Repentance, and Weaknesse a foot, when we feel rest and peace: but then man thinks it will never be night again: Like a wanton child, when he hath gotten what he would have, casts off the father, as the Prodigal, till he had spent all: How may we see it in children, when parents have cockered them, so that now they are the greatest vexation, and they wish they were dead or had never been born.

For man dots on every thing, that he quite forgets the fountain, and makes it a foundation of future hopes

Hence cometh so much looking at what we have seen and felt, and reckoning up old store, and thence arguing our present happinesse.

We are grown hardened and secure, and it may be, shal never taste the like again.

But what a cursed thing is the heart of man, that God can do him no good, but he turns it to evil? as in all: thou never prays nor seeks heartily to God, but when need pincheth thee: then thou cryes: but if he ease thee, thou casts Him off: As Israel, both in the wildernesse and Canaan, to Dan and Beth- [...]l, and made agreement with the Canaanites, and after led captive, to killing of the Prophets: and afterward to persecute Christ himself, till they had lost all, and all under a co­lour of Religion.

And so in the Worlding, God hath given all it into his hand, and he hath let into his heart, & made a god of it, & that World & worldly mind as God, he trusts it & loves it above him, saying, This is it that must ease my heart, so he grinds the poor, and oppresseth the needy.

Others having tasted the goodnesse of God in Christ, have cast off fear, and thinks all is their own: under pretence of Religion they are grown wanton and worl [...]ly out-right.

Others, he hath pardoned a thousand times, and they are grown wanton, hardened and presumptuous to cast themselves down: thinking, but not believing that he will pardon, what ever they have done.

Others, have health and strength; and do nothing, but serve their own Lusts: So that there is great danger in prosperitie: there Satan traps man, than man grows secure, forgetful, and wanton: Watch, for there is danger of the Devil; shutting the heart in that fullnesse, and so stops the currant of his grace,

No thriving in Religion but under the Crosse, for man is never ought but then: What a rebellions crea­ture is man, and untoward child; that because God is good, therefore he will be nought: The Father cannot smile, but the child grows way-ward, but when God seems evil, man is the best: but do we provoke him to anger, or our selves to our own destruction; for he will say, I did thee good, and sent the Wealth & Health, & Riches, and would never have failed thee. I sent my Spi­rit which thou grieved, therefore, thou must want the comfort thereof at need.

VVE have heard of Christs birth according to the Promise, and the wonderful treasure of all good, that was to be conveyed to the Church by him: the Church conceived joy, because they expected a Messiah was to come, and great hope offered by him; but no sooner was he come, but he was hunted with miseries, and never had rest in the flesh, till death was conspired and accomplished, that so mans fai [...]h might not be in the arm of flesh, but in the power and mercie of God. This we may plainly see in this storie figured, than which not a more lively typ in the Scriptures; for Isaac being born, according to the Promise it could not be but Abraham rejoyced, and might have great hope even in Reason, that the Promise might go on: but that God might purge this, he takes Isaac away in the flesh, that the puritie of Abrahams Faith might appear to all the World.

In this Chapter is laid down the Storie of Abraham and Isaac his Son.

1. The offering of Isaac at Gods Commandment.

2. The Confirmation of the Promise, & renewing of the Covenant.

3. The posteritie of Nahor, and familie of Rebecca: in offering of Isaac, note;

1. The Purpose and Commandment of God, as a tryal to Abraham.

2. The expectation of the Commandment, and A­brahams obedience in the Command.

1. The Time after these things.

2. The Author, God said to Abraham.

3 The scope, that is to [...] Abraham. In Abrahā we note

1. The expectation of the Commandment.

2. His obedience against nature in both overcoming: as, 1. His great power of Faith against Reason

2, Flesh which assaulted in diverse circumstances.

After these things, that is, after the many tryals that [Page 200] Abraham had, now comes the greatest of all: for he had been sore tossed by nine trials, as the Hebrews note, and this is the tenth.

1. Forsaking his Countrey and all.

2. Fleeing into E y [...]e for Famine.

3. Losse of his Wife and danger of his Life.

4. War with four Kings for redeeming Lot.

5. Desparing of Issue, be married his maid.

6. Is glad to put her away and Child too, to please Sarah.

7. Is circumcised being old.

8. Looseth his Wife to Abimelech.

9. Cast out Ishmael and his Mother.

Thus Abraham, after he believed the promise, and was assured of Gods protection, was still exercised un­der the crosse, that he might thereby have daily experi­ence of Gods truth and love, and that no fleshly reason might arise in him: and now behold, a greater than all these: for these are but as the prick of a pri [...] in regard of this, but now G [...]d comes even with a dart to strike him to the heart; So that Abraham had now more need of Faith than ever: yea,

After all these things. So that,

After man be brought to Faith, and believing the Promise: yet such are the sufferings to be endured hereafter: yet no constant safety and peace, but by the daily exercise and life of Faith, whereby he is to be pre­served in all future dangers and temptations that in the flesh will light upon him.

The just shal live by Faith: What wonderful assaults had David, what fightings had Paul? Satan seeks to devour who persist in Faith.

1. For the rest of the sufferings of Christ are to be ac­complished in the flesh.

2. Manie are baptized into the truth, that have not drunk of Christ Cup, nor baptiz [...]d into his death: but slipping the hand of Faith, lean to the flesh, and over­turned.

3. For there is a fleshly heart to be purged, and a [Page 201] World to be overcome, whereunto the power of God and Faith of man are as requisite as all these: Isaac must be slain.

And can the fleshly will of man overcome these.

4. Thus God daily weakens the out-ward man, and renews the inward, that he may draw man to simplici­tie of Faith & Love, and to have his abiding in God: therefore will give him no rest else-where.

1. Thus is man deceived, when having had some light and love of God to shine in his dark Soul, thinks all is done, and Heaven obtained, and so grows pre­sumptuous instead of believing.

2. Either proud, because he imagines to have power over himself in all, which is only in God, or securely presumes on Gods power without either fear of Weak­nesse, or Life of Truth upholding him, and so is dayly led into temptation.

1. Thou shalt sometimes see the World smiling, and offering a fair bait and portion, and thy flesh gaping af­ter it, and thousands ensnared thereby.

2. Sometimes good conceits, and by thoughts from that thou knowest, or from thy well qualified mind, which thou thinks adds much to thy Faith, but after these Isaac must die.

3. Or sometimes want, fear and trouble, looks grim at thee, and threatens the downfal of all, and if Faith do not uphold thee, how wilt thou stand: nay, thou shalt see secret lusts and desires, and delights in thy heart ease, and peace, &c. Which must all down, so that if God keep not Faith alive in man, wearie and uncertain is his way.

But let all lock for it, after many temptations still greater behind: one deep calls another, for man by the abuse of the liberty of Faith grows secure and proud, & that must down by the crosse: we think when it is fair, it will never be soul, and when we are rich, we shall never be poor.

Nay, but know that a quarter crosse must come to pull that down: for that great enemy, that is, Death, is [Page 202] not yet vanquished, skin for skin, and all for life; so that the safe path of man is, to settle in nothing, but dwell with God, for Abraham might think now all is safe, seing Isaac is born, and well grown; but no safetie in that, for after a calm comes a storm, as we see it in the course of all things: so in mans heart day and then night, light and then darknesse.

God doth not take delight in afflicting his people, but rather than they shall return to the world, and delight and be deceived by the Flesh, that his truth should seem a lie, he will beat and strike the flesh, to the death, with one crosse after another, till it be subdued.

4. Thus we know, God hath com'd near us with many afflictions, and like Israel, when it is past, to fall to our courses again; but he will come nearer at last, till he bind us to himself that we dare not desire to start from him.

5. And we see what brings temptations & crosses, that is to say, when flesh makes use of Gods truth to its own advantage, that man begins to think of ease and peace in the Flesh, then must the crosse come or else thou wilt be lost.

6. But where will be our refuge when Isaac must be slain, for this will come: we have now fulnesse, health and peace, and prosperity and mercies of God on every side, but the day of temptation must come, when we must part with our dearest sons and careful father, thy kind mother and loving sister, thy beloved world and life it self: What then shall stay thee, or whether wilt thou flee? For be sure this day is coming on all Flesh. O happy he that hath the T [...]uth of God to sustain him, and an obedient heart, a subject will, and a patient soul that day: for to him only shall Isaac be raised from death, and be life in death.

God did tempt and prove Abraham. This a tempta­tion of tryal, for otherwise God tempts no man, Jam. 1. Not that God was ignorant what was in him, but that God might manifest to the world the power and sim­plicity of Abrahams Fai h, and to shew what is the [Page 203] deliverance in all straits, that all believers may be blessed with faithful Abel and Abraham: So that,

God sent this temptation to the purifying of his faith, and weakening of the Flesh, that nothing might be left to Abraham but God and his power and Truth to rest on, but God alone: thus to Israel, 1 Sam. 4. Deliver them into the hand of their enemies, that their trust in the Ark might fail: Thus to David, when he had numbred the People, and Psal. 107. When his mountain was made strong.

For hereby he purifieth Faith like gold, 1. Pet. 1. Peter must be winnowed as wheat: for then all rejoicing is taken away in the flesh, when World and all fails.

1. For he seeth that man is apt to joyn with flesh against God, therefore he keepeth this down by daylie suffering: for man is lothe to lay hands on himself, therefore doth he fight against it in man, both by Word which if it prevaile not, he adds blows to weaken the Flesh, that so man may see what a weak staff he hath trusted to: and often he crosseth his children therein when they have forsaken God: He takes away the World, because thou hast run to and trusted it; he suf­fers thee to fall because thou trusts to thy Righteous­nesse: He hides his face because the Flesh grows wanton by his comforts: Thus God daylie crosseth us, and we take no notice, and lay the blame on this or that, and flee to the World for help: but then he will come and whipe thee yet more.

2. If the crosse ly long on thee, the cause is, because there is yet some looking for help from Flesh, or some lust that will not yield: thy stubborn heart is yet har­dened by fleshly hope: For when God hath accomplisht his ends, then shall freedom come.

3. God seeth, that if we should prosper still, we should be undone: for fulnesse of Flesh, and simple be­lieving, seldom go together: nay, he will still keep to such a dyet, as thou shalt still have: So will he keep thee under some crosse or temptation, that thou shalt still need his help, and by this Faith, see his power and truth.

[Page 204]4. That is Faith then and Religion that holds out in tryal, for afflicti [...]n detracts no [...]hing from a man, but shews what a man is; if thy heart be not upheld by Isaac that is to say, the World, but by His Truth: what mat­ters it, though Isaac be slain, therefore, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation, that when temptation comes ye may stand and watch, that is, wait in Faith, pray and seek help in him that is mightie to save, so shall we be preserved; no hurt to man by the crosse but much good; for,

1. Thereby Faith is purified.

2. The flesh weakened.

3. And love increased, for then is man pitiful to others

4. The word prospers, but never thrives but when the crosse goes with it: For full hearts are unfit to receive it, and man at ease easily shuffles it.

Take thy son, thy only son Isaac, whom thou lovest. This God saw in him, and would bring it under, to separe his heart from his dearest object to him only, Isaac was the only son of nature and of promise: So that,

So there is in man, some only son by nature, of some dear object, which he loves, and wherewith he is in­tangled, which must be slain before man come to live in constant peace and fellowship with God.

David and Absalom had great possessions, there it in the world a lust of the eye and flesh, &c.

1. For man fixeth on something in want of God.

2. While this lives, the soul lives in and by it.

3. This must dy or man must perish.

4. And so far as mans heart fixeth on this, it sepa­rats from God.

1. So that the promise of Faith, and living thereby, doth sepa [...]at man from the dearest object of nature, & makes man obedient to the will of God, even to the l [...]sing of all; as, He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me: He that will lose his life, shal save it: And Paul saith, My life is not dear, so that I may finish my course; for Christ loved not his life unto death: Paul could die at Jerusalem. Acts 21. For there [Page 205] through the world is crucified, and nature brought into subjection.

2. For not to love Isaac is unatural, and yet to dote on him, or to be tyed to him, or place felicitie in him, is bondage, and argues a self-will and love not mortified, as in David to Absalom; hereby,

3. God doth wonderfully free his people when by faith He knits man to himself: He layes nature under foot, that man may so enjoy all things in God, that his eyes may be still towards him, that he useth and en­joyeth, as not using.

4. This is to enjoy all things as lawful, that is, a law­ful use of all things, and yet not to be brought under the power of any thing.

1. Away then with all halt and heartlesse obedience, when man out of fleshly knowledge seems to flatter God with a few sacrifices, which are nothing but the overplus and superfluitie of thy peacefulnesse & fleshly will; but when he comes to be tryed to the bott [...]m, starts back, as that obstinate dis [...]bedience in all; when mans lust hath ceased on an object and will not part: but is a law, that therein he fights against God in the way of Faith and Love, and man in the common way of Equitie, that so have it, he will: though to his own and everie one a beloved Isaac, that is, the treasure of his heart; which though he will communicat other things, yet this he keeps in his closet.

Yea, man hath not only a natural love to the crea­tures, but further, thinks while it is but so, all is well: as to love wife and children, riches, &c.

But know this, when it exceeds reason, the Philoso­phers call it, Dotting affection; it brings man into bon­dage, but more when it separats from God: For there is a love natural [...] which is soon satisfied, and there is a violent affection that ever breeds bondage; which placeth a happiness in that thing loved.

2. Thus we see, everie man hath his Isaac that must be slain; for as Isaac was the natural son, yet must be sacrificed: So man hath not only the fruit of his own [Page 206] natural wit, but even the joyes, peace & freedom that comes by the promise, that must be slain, or at least be offered to God, that man may not depend on these, but on the promise: that so he live not by high Revelations, but by the grace of God which is sufficient, as in Paul.

3. All obedience that issues not out of the ashes of Faith, or from the power of Gods love rested on by Faith, is nothing: for not to obtain or coyn a Faith thereby, but as a true expression of a believing heart: And this shews Gods goodness to man, crossing him of his chiefest object, that so he may not cleave to it, but rest in God and his Truth alone.

And get thee into the land of Moriah, and offer him there. Here is the great tryal of Abraham, that he must offer Isaac in whom the promise rested: So that he takes away from his people all stayes in the Flesh, yea, not only his beloved Son in nature, but also the Son of the Promise: and everie part in whom the Promise should be accomplished: So that now Abraham hath nothing left but bare promise, and all those means whereby the promise should be accomplished taken away: So that,

God will sooner, or latter take away from his people all stayes in the flesh, though never so likelie in Flesh or reason, that the believing heart may be bared and weakned, and rest purelie and simplie on God and his Truth.

Thus he took from his Disciples, even Christ in the Flesh, also from Gideon, his great hoste: from the Jews their Temple and Ark, wherein they trust: yea, Jerusa­lem it self, that Jerusalem might come from Heaven, which is the Mother of us all, from David his high mountain.

1. Thus God keeps his Children weak and poor in the Flesh, that they may seek to him, & be strengthe­ned by his power and Spirit.

2. Thus he makes way for believing, for while man hath any thing to look at, his eyes are turned from God nor doth he purelie believe in him.

3. O! This promise is onlie open to the weak and [Page 207] poor, as Matth. 5. For none tastes of Wrath that fears it, nor none fails through weaknesse that feels it: The sturdie Oaks are shaken with the storm, when the bending Reed escape through yeilding.

4. Though God have given Isaac, yet Abraham must not trust to him: so God gives joy, and Peace, according to the Promise yet may we not leave the Promise, and trust to these, nor tye the Promise to them.

1. Vain then is the stay of them, that have no other foundation, but what Flesh yeilds, which is nothing but shame: as also, those that tye God, and limit him to these, and believe only because of these: as the Worldling, because of Riches, the Pharisee, because of Righteousnesse: and Believers, which turn from the Promise, and fix on these onlie, are deceived: For God gives these at his pleasure, but his Truth must rest as mans Foundation.

2. But how will man do, when Isaac must be slain, & all thy hopes in the Flesh taken away: As thy Riches, Libertie, Joy, Peace, &c. Where wil thy rest be then, as it was with the Martyrs.

3. Thus we see, how God in crossing man, blesseth him, by causing the outward man to perish, so the in­ner man is renewed.

4. Happie he, that enjoyes all things in the Flesh, but fix on nothing, but enjoy, as not enjoying: rejoyceth, as not rejoycing: useth, as not using: But if man fix on any thing after the Flesh, it is the readie way to lose it: as to the Jewes Temple, and Davids high Mountain

Abraham went three dayes journey. And all this while he shewed not the place, that Reason and Af­fliction might worke their utmost spite in tryal of Faith: So that,

So doth God with man, he often defers deliverance to man, and hides from him a long time the purpose of his Love, that man may wait in Faith, & be weakned in flesh, and in waiting be delivered.

Thus he made Israel to wait four hundred years, the Church wait [...]d long for the Promise of the Messiah: [Page 208] God hath put tim [...] and seasons in his own power, and the Jews for a Messiah to come with worldly power: but God sent his Son in povertie, and weaknesse: This made Mordecai so confident, that if Esther refuseth, God would send deliverance some other way, For the vision is for an appointed time, H [...]b. 2.

1. This he doth to hide Pride from mans heart, and to make the World a fool, that when man most expects it, he defers it.

2 God hath a revealed will, which man is to believe: but a secret will, man is to wait on

3. God, first workes all things down in man, & se­parats the heart from them before he comes

4. For God hath an end, and man hath need of sore afflictions, and when these are brought about, then will God come. Thus the husband man waits for the harvest: First, it is buried in the earth a long time, then appears a little, but subject to manie frosts, blasts, and disasters, yet he waits thus.

1. Man draws on his miserie, by anticipating God his thoughts, We think now, and now with David. O! when shall I come and appear before thee, and mine eyes sail with waiting, and yet he withholdeth: For thou art not yet subject, when thou sees the Wisdom and Righte­ousnesse of God, that thou can as willingly lye under, as wisht to be delivered, then shal thou be freed: but so long as there remains a Will of thy own crossing his, this must first be brought under: For God sends light in darknesse, life in death, therefore, because we are not yet dead, nor in darknesse, the Promise is deferred: it is not enough that thou hast a foundation of Truth, but thou wild needs have a sign and assurance in flesh for the Spirit to rest on.

2. God hath given his Word and Promise that man is to wait on, but we are loth to travel three dayes, and stay till God shew it: God hath said, I will deliver thee, but we would see some sign of it, he sayes, I will deliver thee, but we would have some other assurance than his Word of Truth, that is, Man would have some other stay beside Christ.

[Page 209]3. Wait then thou wearie Soul on God though thou see no means, for deliverance will come: the weakling cryes out, because he is not now delivered, he is quite forsaken: but God knows, thou hast a wanton wit and rebellious will to be subdued.

4. Nay, when God shews nothing but death, and to the eye of man, that life is farthest off: then is it the nearest: Abraham might be wearie, but God stayed him: but patience with hope, preserved him: Man is wearie of Gods hand, even almost before he feel it, & dreams of nothing but deliverance: even like an im­patient man, that feeling the biting Corassue, would have the plaister taken of, but the Wise Surgeon knowed, that the rotten flesh must be eaten out: so God will have the Flesh to be quiet, & the Spirit strengthe­ned before he remove his Rod.

For a whole burnt offering: By which he was to be consumed, that there should be no memorial left, for so was the laws of the burnt-offerings: So that,

Gods will is to be believed and obeyed of man without reservation, and the Flesh and World to be crucified without sparing any part thereof of all these that would rest in God.

He will be loved with all the heart, and we must have no God but him: For this is the great Com­mandement, Israel must not leave a hoof behind in E­gypt, he will be loved above Father or Mother.

1. For look what a man reserves to himself, he draws from God, and denieth him: acknowledging some other Gods besides him, and so the mind runs after it, as Adam did: and so we halt betwixt two o­pinions.

2. If it be spared a little, presentlie it gets strength, & will arise again, and so is a halting betwixt two.

3. Man spairs and reserves, but that wherein he thinks there is a good besides God, and so the heart runs after it, and so destroyes Faith.

1. Some indeed wholly spare Isaac the World, and cannot abide to be touched.

[Page 210]2. Others offer their refuse with Cain, but reserve Isaac, nay, believers will still have some hold in the flesh, some reservation; so hard a thing is it to sacrifice all, they would have part of the World: some ease, peace, freedom, some assurance of Life and Gospel: but all these must be sacrificed.

4. Religion that is true, is then a simple thing and cannot mix it self with any thing, like quick-silver, or the turtle-dove.

5. Then the obedience of Gods Children if it be simple it is total to all his will, though never so hard to flesh and blood.

For these cannot enter into the Kingdom, and if it be in God and for God, why then not one as well as another: for all are a like in him, that is wholly given to God by Faith in him.

So Abraham went three dayes journey. And yet saw nothing, that Satan might all this while tempt and trye him, and yet God still preserves him: This is Gods dealing to believing man: So that,

God usually tryes his to the bottom, that they may be saved in the Faith, and shew forth his power of truth and promise to all.

Thus Job, and David, Psal. 77. Thus Paul; Christ & his Martyrers: thus was Satan let loose upon Abraham,

1. For while man is but crost a little, he runs to other fleshly help, from one shift to another, as here Abra­ham might Reason though I be banished, yet I have the Promise, and though it be long deferred, yet Isaac is now born, but here God strikes down all these proppes at once.

2. God doth thus worke good out of evil to man, he lets Satan loose to beat and canvisse man in the flesh; and drive him out, for he is the God of the World, and must rule there, that he may drive man home to God, but if man will make a Covenant with him, and stay there, he will be his Lord, and reward him.

3. Man wil catch hold of any thing before he be well drowned, even a Leaf or Reed, but God plungeth him into the deep, & then he calleth from thence.

[Page 211]1. We have not yet resisted unto blood, no tempta­tion hath taken us, but such as man can remove with the World or Reason fixed on the Truth revealed, or qualities: and so we get sin a hiding place in the flesh.

2. Believers need yet a great deal of purging through affliction, for still we retain something, because of which we hope and believe; but this is not plain deal­ing with God, nor pure believing.

3. But know, that day will come, when God will trye us to the bottom, and leave neither Father nor Mother, Wit, nor Wisdom: we shal be put past all our shifts in the flesh: So that,

4. We see what a doe God hath to bring man low enough: hence it is, that we are not enlivened, enriched and made free in God, because we are not poor, weak and blind in the flesh, but find ease there and rest.

5. Thus God secretlie upholdeth his Children in af­fliction, though themselves see not how they are pre­served, he still sends Life in Death, who know not how they are raised.

Stay here, and I and the Lad; All left him, and he left these behind: So that,

If man go to ascend to God, and meet him comfor­tablie in any strait, no coming with Flesh and blood: but leave these, and fix on him in naked belief.

So David with Goliah: so Christ was left alone, & none to assist.

1. For flesh and blood cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, and His wayes cannot be comprehended.

2. Fleshly affection draw men to their own ends, but Faith only layes hold on Christ: these harden the heart, & give a hope without Faith, which God wil not accept

3. These destroy Faith, for the Soul cannot live on both: thus would worldly men fain take the World to Heaven with them: yea, all are lothe to leave all be­hind, but would have something to bear them com­panie, what ever makes for hurting of mans flesh is mans death, let Flesh know nothing, nor rule nothing

Then the Angel said, Stay thy hand. Here Abraham is [Page 212] brought to the pits brink, and sees no deliverance, but only is preserved by Faith, they saw nothing but death before them; Isaac willing and Abraham readie and content, both preserved by Faith, and subjected; So that,

It is impossible for man to meet death willingly, or think thereof: but only when lively power of Faith upholds, and hath killed and crucified the Flesh and will thereof by the sufferings of Christ.

This made Paul willing to leave this tabernacle: David to commend his spirit into the hands of God, and Christ his life to the father, and Martyrs to the fire.

1. For Flesh fears destruction of it self, and if it be not overcom'd and preserv'd by another power, it dyes be­fore the time; death makes on end of all and leaves nothing, neither father nor friends, land nor riches but destroyes all: for as here, Isaac is gone, all Abraham children at once, the means of promise, and also if that his life had been herein, he had utterly failed.

2. This is the great lust and enemie to be destroyed, for, skin for skin, and all that a man hath, will be give for his life: and yet to this we must all passe, it makes death so fearful to worldly hearts, it leavs nothing to hold by: other losses leave some hope of recoverie but this without Redemption; and yet this will come, we see it before our eyes, even death coming when thou must part with thy dearest husband, loving wife, [...]e [...]der children and kind brother, friends, lands, world and all, and see thy self gasping upon thy death-bed; here see Isaac on the Al [...]ar, and see how thou wilt hear it.

3. Yea, this makes death fearful to believers, because the Flesh is not mortified, but lives in them, & desires to live: and because they live not in God, would yet live in the world. All put this day afa [...] off, one is yet lusty and strong, or is yet weak, hopes to recover, and yet never willing to commune with death, because we live not in and by the death of the World: another is old, yet thinks he may yet laste many years: So that,

Only the believing man, in whom life is already [Page 213] overcome, shal die chearfully: as Paul, who said, I can die at Jerusalem: He sees that death shall free him from the world; the Flesh, lust and all.

Stay thine hand. Now God comes with help at a pinch, when it is not expected; if Abraham had a de­ [...]iring expectation of due deliverance this way, God would yet have tryed him further: but seeing past help, and yet believing, he comes: So that,

God comes to help his people in the fittest time, & when man in reason sees no help in the world or in himself: then is God ready at hand.

As at the Red sea, so to Elisha, when the King of Assiria had besieged him in Dothan, there were moun­tains full of Chariots of fire: So to David against Go­liah, Psal. 107. Hungry and thirsty, then they cried unto the Lord: The Publicans cried, Lord, be merciful to me, &c

1. For at first, God made all things out of nothing, and so brings light out of darknesse, and the poor to confound the rich.

2. When the heart hath passed all fleshly power, then he rests in faith: for he hath nothing to trust to. &c.

3. Thereby are the sufferings of Christ accomplished in the Saints in earth, as with the Martyrs; when friends mourned, strangers bewailed, acquaintance pitied, their adversaries boiled in all wrath: and all hope of life past: yet then was God with them, and they joyful; as with the man that cried, Austin, He is c [...]me.

4. Yea, thus doth God weaken Flesh, by dissannuling the hope thereof: and makes his power known in flesh­lie weaknesse: for he both secretlie upholds at present, and sends help when all is past hope.

IN this Chapter he comforts the Church against all darknesse and desolation, threatned in the seventh & eigth chapters: and that by promise of the Messiah: alluding to these calamities, that came both by Tilgath [Page 214] Pileazer, 2 Kings 15. And that great Salmanazer, King of Assiria, where all Israel was led captive, 2 Kings 17. And thirdly, yet greater, when Zenaucharib came upon them, in the dayes of Hezekiah, with two hundred thousand souldiers, and railed on the living God, even in that darkness, when they had no hope of safety. Then Hezekiah spred his letter before the Lord, and Isaiah the Prophet brought the message of safetie, and that without the power of Israel or any man God would overcome: and so sent his Angel, and slew one hundred fourscore and fifty thousand of the Assirians Armies: and here saith he, shall our deliverance be. He shewes, it shall not be by mans power, no more than that: For thou multiplied the Nations, that is of Israel; they had a greater Army than before, yet more afraid: but now they rejoyce as men in harvest. He shewes the reason, for the yoke and burden of the op­pressor is removed, and that without the power of Israel, even as in the day of Midian: then,

A comparison of these, every battel is with blood, but this shalt be with consuming fire: Thou hast mul­tiplied the Nations, but not increased the joy. Jerusa­lem had again gathered strength, yet behold, greater fear than before, 1 King. 19.

First, for he never left afflicting, till he had wasted all their strength, and put them past it; till they bowed down in humility and fear, and spred the letter before the Lord; then comes the Angel; so with us: So that,

It is not increasing our strength, wisdom or any gift, that easeth or rejoyceth the heart indeed: but man walking in faith, fear and humility and love, shall be comforted in God.

Thus the Philistins and Goliah, and David, but still worse thereby: So the fool, Luk. 12. Jerem. 10. Let not the wise man rejoyce.

1. For we are kept by the power of Faith unto Sal­vation.

2. It is the mourner that is comforted, not the joy­ful: [Page 215] yea, the poor that is inriched, and the rich sent empty away: Sowe in tears, and reap in joy.

3. For hereby is the great power of God manifested.

1. Thus we see the World still multiplies riches and wealth, but not joy increased: so we all strive for this and that guilt, knowledge, righteousnesse, &c. And so we multiply our strength & conceit of Power in man, as though he would overcome the King of Ashur; yet this still riseth in man, but is the greatest opposite to Faith of all things. 2. Happy is he that casts down all, and spreads the heart before the Lord, who in him­self trembles in every thing, and flies by faith to God; the Angel shall come in time, & man shall overcome, as Gideon did, Judges 27. God took from him all his strength: a [...],

1. All that were fearful, and all that lay down to drink; so with us.

1. He takes away Infidelity, which was fearful.

2. Earthlinesse, and moves man to suffer, and then in that wearied and tyred estate, he gives victorie to Gi­deon. So that,

Mans victorie is obtained in weaknesse of man by the power of God: and till God have taken from him that strength and wisdom whereby he standeth, he never conquers: as Paul: When I am weak, then am I strong: of my self not able to think a good thought, but through his grace able to do all things.

1. For fear & weaknesse goes before faith, then faith follows: and if faith be preserved, then man is safe: but if a man waxe strong in conceit: then farewell faith & fear, and then hardnesse comes.

All the whole Scripture workes to bring man down that he might rest in God, though he feel no strength, though he feel no reason, though be be in darknesse; yet the promise in Christ dwells in all these.

2. For God is not in thunder & earthquake & winds, but in the soft, still voice, & resting heart of man in him

1. But man hath witt and lives by it; will, & followes is power, and guardes: but all will fail: For where [Page 216] Infidelity is, or those that went on in worldlinesse, these were sent back: for there was thirty two thou­sand, but ten thousand went: and of these all, but three hundred that kneeled down to drink.

So with us, most turn back from Christs battle through infidelity: and others that seem to follow Christ most are subdued by the World: only a few content with present state follow the Lord in Faith: For in the most things we do fear through distrust, or else are stop­ped and cast back through the love of ease that we overcome not, as in the day of Midian.

God sends his spirit into tender & soft hearts, but all things else are dry; & then when the heart is refreshed and strengthened, he sends his blessing in all he takes in hand.

To Hezekiah the sign was, this year eat whatsoever groweth of it self, and the next year without sowing; So to us,

He feeds us his own fulnesse without any help of man or nature, and then enables man to be a husband in the Church of Christ: and this shal be like joy in harvest-tide, Psal. 33.

These battels were with noise & tumbling in blood, but this by the feeling of Wrath and Indignation, which at last shall fall upon the power of Satan through the love of Christ, and consume them: For unto us a child is born. Here is a Prophesie of Christ and his Kingdom and Government.

1 His Person is described unto us, with his Title and Office.

2. His Kingdom and manner thereof.

3. The cause, or fountain of all this zeal of Love unto us: h [...]re he shews the Proprietie & Right that believers have in Christ, and by this Union the Victore comes: So that,

Christ truely born to man, and living and ruling in the heart of man, and man subject to Christ, is the Food & Fountain of all good, Wisdom & Happinesse to man.

He is the Seed of the Woman that breaks the Ser­pents [Page 217] head: He is our Wisdom and Righteousnesse, and Peace and our Life: For all live through him, Paul through him was able to do all things, He is the way, the Truth and the Life, Joh. 14. If you abide in Me, and my Word abide in you, ask, and it shall be given you: Christ is that Word of Faith by which all things are established and made: He is the Light & Life of Man: So that,

When the ministry of the Word is formed to the I­mage of Christ, and that Word lives in man, then en­joyes he all that good and freedom promised in that Word.

For look what Christ was, and did actually and bo­dily in the World, that he is, and d [...]th spiritually in the heart of man: He came by the will and promise of the Father, he was born, not of the will of the flesh: He wrought miracles to the believing man, so in us; gives sight to the blind; He taught and made known the Will, Love, and Purpose of the Father to the World: So in us: He was subject to live in love, so in us. [...]he suffered freely, so us he enables & makes conquerors

So it is plain, that the birth of Christ is the beginning and Fountain of mans happinesse and freed [...]m: & the Life of Christ with the Father, the life of happinesse: and the Death of Christ, the accomplishment of mans blessednesse and victorie.

See then, how all the whole truth of God begins & ends in one. That which was promised to Adam, and Abraham, is Prophesied of: Here is born in time, and sent to everie believer, there [...]ore, all our running about conceits, buildings and thoughts, and imagina­ [...]ions, and inventions, are but vain blasts; for here is all [...]hat is substantial.

But who hath believed our report, may Christ say; for. First, We hear of Christ born, baptized, persecuted and [...]rucified, &c.

But not to us; ray, we know this Christ after the [...]esh, we think well of him, and love the thoughts of [...]im, but not born to us.

Nay, we frame a Christ, and seem to worship him, but not given to us; nay, we have a conceit that he hath done all for us, but not born in us: we defend him, and plead for him, we dispute of him, we talk of him, we read of him: but not born to us.

This teacheth, that Christ was promised of God, and sent in fulnesse of time, and then his spirit sent into the hearts of men.

So there is a waiting for the promise under the Law: but in the fulnesse of time he shal be born and given.

For he came, when man was out of hope; for there was nothing but vexation under the Maccabees, and the Romans, and then came a deliverer, and so to all men: When Sarah was past age, and without hope, then Isaac is born.

So, when thou art past hope, and sees no Reas [...]n, then shall Christ be born to thee, for that is the fulnesse of time, and till then, the fulnesse of time is not come: And we see that Christ is nothing to man, till he be born in man, that the living Word of the Father live & rule in him beyond all Reason and Imagination of Flesh: For no Reason can be given of Christ to be born of a Virgin: nor that man should believe life in death, or a guilty man to be delivered.

A Son is born; Here is the promise of a Messiah, & this already accomplished, both visibly to the World, and spiritually to believers: So that,

No power of the adversary or Flesh is able to mak [...] void the Word of Truth, and Promise, nor shake th [...] heart of man: stayed thereon by Faith.

As Abraham believed the Word against plain reas [...]:

So the Promise of Caanan, Pharaoh on the one side and enemies in the way, and fourtie Kings in Canaa [...] resisted; yet thither they must. Heaven and Earth mu [...] passe away, but not that Word of Truth.

1. For this puritie of Faith, under the Crosse, wh [...] all sights against it, yet it stands.

2. By this, God is magnified, and man hath assuran [...] of rest therein: as when man believes Gods trut [...] [Page 219] though never so unlike; God preserves that man: For can any man stay a showre of Rain: take heed of fighting against God.

3 Be subject and stay here, though thou see no like­ly-hood, not striving what thou would have, but waiting what and when God will do his Will.

4. Here is the stay of believers, though they see no rest, yet they wait on God, and know, that in fulnesse of time the Child shall be born.

5. But though we have a sure word, we are lothe to stay the fulnesse of time, but now man would be com­forted, and then eased; but thou must be more weak, thy Wisdom and Righteousnesse must be troden down, that nothing but God and his Truth may live in thee.

A Son born: Some will have this meant of Heze­kiah, or Isaiah: but it agrees not with the Text, but only of Christ the Word of the Father, which took our nature, that he might redeem us: and let us see the sub­jection and losse of all to way of freedom: These two natures joyned in Christ by an Hypostatical Union, made a perfect Christ, as flesh and spirit makes in Moria a Christian: these not by confounding their na­tures, but by right ordering of both, yet remain distinct; the power of the God-head shining through the Man­hood, Ordering and Ruling, and Guiding in subjection to the Fathers Will So in us,

Religion or Christ born in man, is not the confound­ing of nature in man, as with most beginning in the Spirit, but ending in the Flesh; as, First,

In our glorious notions not rising from Christ, stir­ring up our present passions onlie flesh.

Mans freedom is not helped by Flesh at all, but sub­jection onlie. Manie Sons born to man, but Ishmaels or Esaus; few have Christ formed or born in them.

The government is upon his shoulders. That is, the whole Rule whereby his Kingdom is ordered, is in him onlie; J [...]h. 5. The Father hath given all government to the Son: So that,

The whole power of governing and guiding man, [...]ests in Jesus Christ, and is enjoyed by Faith in him.

All power is given to me both in Heaven and Earth [...], to him belongs dominion power and glorie.

1. For why he is King and Head of the Church.

2. By him only the power of Satan is subdued.

3. He is the corner-stone of all buildings.

Now his power is not of the Flesh, for that was kept weak in him, and at last so dyeth in us; His Kingdom is not of this World, but Righteousnesse, Peace & Joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. 14. By righteousnesse of Faith and righteousnesse of Love: as peace in the heart, with subjection under the Crosse, joy in assurance of the love: and joy in tribulation.

But most are not governed by Christ, but by their own Witt, Will, World and Flesh.

Where then is the power of man, whereby he thinks to obtain Life? It remains in Christ, onlie enjoyed by Faith from day to day: else how doth Christ rule?

But most will have the government upon their own shoulders: He rules all by the Word of Truth, Psal. 45. His Scepter is a right Scepter, his Word returns not in vain, he bears up all by his mighty Word.

He shall be called wonderful. Here is his title and of admiration, and to be referred to all his Wonders in his Wisdom and Counsel, in his Power, Love, & Peace: So that,

So the way of Christ in bringing man back from death to life, is a wonderful way unknown to the World and Flesh: only known by Christ in the Word of Truth, Isa. 55.

1. My wayes are not your wayes, but look how far it is a wonderful way, that he prescribes in Matth. 16.

To denie our selves, to take up his crosse, lose our life: It is called the mystery of the Kingdom, for Genesis 3. He ordained that man should never by that way of the flesh enter into life, but by another way that kills the flesh.

2. The way of Christ is opposite to the way of the [Page 221] World, that his glorie may appear: For Israel, by want of Faith, stood in fear of the Armie of the Philistins, but Jonathan and his Armour-bearer only discomfited by Faith, a wonderful power of God.

3. Thus God makes himself known in the earth by his great wonderful works: now Christs way is won­derful, not only in his birth in earth without a Father, in Heaven without a Mother; but also in his miracles which were great: As in disputing at twelve years old, and fasting fourtie dayes: but also in his ministry, that a silly man opposing the whole Hirarchie of the Phari­sees and Jews, yet spake with authority to the subduing of all, so in his Apostles for the wonderful evidence of the Truth, doth for the present, dash all contrary power, though afterward it rise again: He is also wonderful in the administration of his Kingdom, as he came to give us light, that sat in darknesse and obscuritie.

1. To give Life, and yet he dyed himself: and in Reason, was overcome in death, but that Faith believed the Resurrection.

2. To make us Rich, and yet he himself Poor.

3. To make us free, and himself bound.

4. To comfort us, and yet he himself cryed out for comfort, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me; It must needs be some wonderful way that Christ hath to worke a Redemption for me, and this by an un­speakable power and love, which is seen in all mans straits; as in prayer and affliction, temptation and death: as,

1. Man cryes and prayes to be eased like Paul for a prick in the flesh, God hears by a secret power, and grace and saith in Paul.

2. In affliction he layes Load, and yet preserves by feeling the Fathers love.

3. In temptations justifies, and yet we feel no killing of the flesh.

4. Death comes, and yet we live in him,

1. Away then with that reasonable Religion, Christs way is above, that man hath a readie way of Religion [Page 222] to do well, and know much, and so hath an opinion in Flesh, but not a stay to the Soul: also, a reason of love, as his neighbour and friends, but no reason to love Enemies: It must be a wonderful power of Christ that must separate man from himself in reason: it were likest that man should speed best that comes righteous to him, but not so he that comes a sinner.

2. We see then the necessitie of Faith and the nature of it, that it is not a reasonable perswasion, but a power­ful cleaving to Christ: & no dealing with God but by Faith: for Reason can make nothing of the wayes of Christ.

3. M [...]rvel then not though the World cannot away with it, the Wisdom of the World counts it foolish­nesse, but Faith knows that Reason is a foolish coun­seller; this is another title and propertie, or declaration of the Wisdom of the Father that was with him: he is the Counseller, the Prophet of the Church, to teach it Wisdom, and guide it in the way of peace.

So that the Fountain of all wisdom and counsel is in G [...]d, and none wise in matter of Religion & God, but they that are wise in, and truly know Christ.

In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and know­ledge, which are conveyed unto man as he believes & waits for he is made of God to us wisdom and righteousnesse, &c.

If any obey my will, he shall know, whether this Do­ctrine be of God?

1. For he was in the bosom of the Father, and sent out to counsel and advise deceived men to turn to God again.

2. Man is blind, even the wisest of the World: & the crosse of Christ is their greatest misery: for it is foolish­nesse to them; and they cannot approve it: but the World thinks not so: for, who are counted so wise as the children of this World, who fight against God.

1. So God hath shewed the way to prosper, that is to believe, trust and obey: but the wicked say not, bu [...] cark, care, and oppresse: but the way of life, is a denial and losse of life and will: But they say, Save life and will: for man will either find a way of his own, o [...] help God in his way.

[Page 223]2. Some are wise above the Gospel and Christ, and will needs see into Gods Secrets with their fleshlie eyes: as Arminius, who will needs set rules and laws to God, which neither Arminian or witty man can do; & it is the very quintess [...]nce of witt that under-propps man, & this more crosseth faith than anything: the grea­test Contemplatives, the greatest Idolaters: saith Luther.

2. How lothe is man to be a fool, but he would ap­pear to be somewhat: how he strains his Wit, & vents his conceits, that he may appear to know: Such a one knows more from curious searching and bat [...]ing his brains: than from Christ in the heart. There is two Counsellers to man.

1. Satan adviseth the Worldings to care & deceive, & the Wanton, to follow his pleasure: the Drunkard, his pots; the Hypoc [...]ite, his righteousnesse: yea, as an An­gel of light be shines, as a false light to puff up himself.

2. But Christ counselleth otherwise.

1. To forsake the World and all.

2. To believe in him alone.

3. To love him.

4. To love one another. Wisdom without Christ can do nothing, but fill the heads, and that with conceits & opinions: but he is wise that is counselled by Christ, yet attending on him in that blindnesse of his Soul by faith, he shal be enlightned and know the will and se­crets of the Lord: but man will needs know these be­fore the time.

THis Chapter declares Gods dealing with Saul, for his double dealing in the matter of Ama­lek: These Amalekites were those enemies which first withstood the passage of Israel as Mount Seir, as they passed towards Canaan: against [Page 232] whom, Moses and Aaron and Joshua warred, who would have driven Israel back again into Egypt: against whom the Lord threatned that he would destroy them from off the earth, and have War with Amalek, from generation to generation, Exod. 17.14. To those the Lord sends Saul to destroy them: and he dealeth hal­tingly therein, and for that is cut off. Further note, that these Amalakites were of the seed of Esau: For Ama­leck was the Son of Elyphaz, Esaus eldest Son, which he had by a concubine, Gen. 36. So that they were the Edomites, who were still enemies to Israel. Here is Esau against Jacob still, that is, the of spring of the flesh hated of God, hunting after the world: So that,

Such and so are the corrupt will, & fleshlie lusts of man: like these Amalekites: born of the flesh, hated of God, & forsaken; hunting after the World, fighting against the spirit of man; heir of the Promise, & hinde­ring in the way towards the Lord of rest. Nay, and when they were to enter into Canaan, they stopped the way; and after, when they were entred, they disturbed Israels peace, as here: So that,

Those enemies must be subdued and routed out, be­fore man can have any rest in the Land of the living, 1. Pet 2. Fight against the Soul. Gal 5. War against the spirit. These have fleshlie reason for their kingly will, and affections for their Captains.

1. These like Amaleck, one while seeks comfort to the Flesh: cannot abide to want.

2. Sometimes to deny God through carnal reason; nay, in believers, when we should walk with God in assurance of Faith and subjection of love: then starts up some fleshly power or other, either a man hath some worldly power to follow, or some fleshlie will to stick to: or quietnesse, ease and peace to preserve: or, something that he dotes on, and follows not God ac­cording to the Covenant.

1. This shews that we have not rest in our God only: because the Sons of Esau: the Edomites yet remain in our Land, and oppresse the way of God and of Christ: [Page 233] And why not peace in thy heart? because the Amala­kites yet live in thy heart, enemies with in thee: Thou sighs without, with this want and that wrong, this in­conveniencie and distrust, that do daily vex thee. For take away these, and rest will come in all losses and crosses. O that man would once war against himself to destroy these enemies! Thou art busie against every body but thy self, when thou should be against no body but thy self, or else against something else; as avoiding this or that: Nay, stay thy self and take up these, and so shalt thou have peace; but these must be destroyed without any reserving.

1. If it first draw from the Covenant and Faith in Christ.

2. If it strengthen thy own will.

3. If it make flesh wanton, and so harden the heart, kill it.

Nay, Christ will destroy that kingly reason, which will need fight against God and all his people: And that when God hath said, Israel shall rest: Amalekites saith no. So this turns the truth of God into a lye.

We see then that the Church need not fear her Ene­mies, for God will roote them out of the earth, and have continual War with them that withstand his Truth and Covenant: so that while thou sticks to him thou art safe: nay, and he will warr with the seed of the Flesh in man. Doth he war against lust, and will daily by his word? Nay, God is, and will be an enemy thereto; for the Law condemns it to death, and the Gospel is the Executioner of the Law, and kills it in the heart of man: but if man will spare these, God will destroy man with them, for they must be destroyed, do thou what thou can to save them: for all Flesh is grasse, and thou thinks to preserve them, yet they must down, or else Israel and Saul himself must perish.

But the power whereby thou seest, that is Moses, praying and crying to God, gave them one blow; and then at last Joshua, even Jesus, the Captain of Faith, hewed them in pieces: So that the power is,

[Page 234]1. Prayer.

2. Faith waiting on God, when the heart is turned to pray: then victorie, but not by the power of Israel, not sword of Saul, but by Gods grace and arme; vers 7.1 [...]

Blessed be thou of the Lord, I have performed the Commandments of the Lord. Now when Samuel came to see what Saul had done, and to make known what God had determined: Saul begins to justifie himself, though he knew himself guiltie: and to keep peace within & approbation without: So that,

So it is with all naturally, that when God finds ou [...] man by the light of his Truth, that man labours natu­rally to justifie himself, and to cover his guilt, though to his destruction, rather than to confesse, that he may have mercy.

So to Adam: so the Pharisees and the Lawyer wil­ling to justifie themselves.

1. For there is no power in nature to condemn it self.

2. Flesh cannot be, but it must needs have hold of something.

3. And the Soul must have something to uphold, for the natural of iniquity is in every one: We all desir [...] approbation. Thus all the World is busie in sewing fig-leaves to hide their own guilt.

And this stops the course of Faith and Prayer, every one labours still to make good what he doth get; peace within, approbation of others: Yet this approbation we all desire: & so make best of the worst, if we may keep credit.

Hence so manie excuses as here in Saul, when w [...] seem to condemn our selves, then we justifie our selve [...] and hope, because of our confession to find mercie. I [...] is a great point of simplicity to do good, and not t [...] have an eye to it: but still here ariseth a thought o [...] being something, because of that: everyone is approvin [...] of the good, but thinks none of the evil in themselves, [...] so imagins a power in themselves, which destroy Faith

It is but a poor comfort that man gets by his obedience to the Law: nay, God will find out manie [...] blaiting Lust, & Iniquitie in thy heart, as hereafter.

What meaneth then: Here Samuel discovers his Hy­pocrisie, for he discovers, wherein he had failed: So that

When man hath justified himself, and hid himself in the depth of his own counsel, yet there remains in man a Legion of Rebellion, which hinders his peace, and which God will find out in the end: as to Adam, and the Young Man, and the Rich Fool.

1. For mans pride ariseth from ignorance in himself.

2. Adam slips over these easily, & with little notice.

3. After Faith, and a desire to obey God, yet there re­mains a rebellious flesh, and ease, and peace, which he would preserve.

Thus we all keep up a conceit of our selves: but then what means this following of the World, this envie, hatred, these wringings, & pinchings, & covetousnesse?

What means then Saul seeking to justifie himself?

Samuel discovers his Hypocrisie: And that by bringing before him the spoil that he had reserved underneath, & as in Saul, so in us: Saul had done something, but there rested a whole herd to be destroyed: So that,

When a man hath tasted of Gods love and mercie, and it may be hath inclined to do Gods will, yet there is a troup of rebellious lusts and affections underneath, which both darkens the light of Faith, and keeps mans Soul in bondage: and either they or we must be destroyed.

Thus to the young man, Matth. 19. The rich fool, and Adam.

1. For all men, like Israel, think they should have rest, so soon as they are passed the Red-Sea; when, alace, there are bitter waters to drink; hunger & thirst to be endured, and the Amalakites to be slain.

Here is the dayly exercise and power of Faith and of Christ in man, in subduing these enemies under foot, to the perfecting of our freedom, and establishing ever­lasting Righteousnesse.

That man daily feeling these Rebells within him, may see his Weaknesse and Rebellion, & may flee daily from himself to God for victorie: For he that partakes [Page 236] of Christs death once through Faith to his Redemption by the power of the same death, dyes daily; that so h [...] may live into God.

Thus deal Hypocrites, when looking upon the [...] own righteousnesse, grow high minded, and strongly presumptuous, not feeling these base filthly lusts, be [...] lye underneath: nay, thus we imagine to our selves a [...] opinion more by a thousand times, than we enjoy in­deed: Thus are those deceived, who tasting som [...] sweetnesse of Faith and Gods love, sit down & thin [...] all things is done, and Heaven obtained, when indee [...] they then shrink from God, and themselves too; an [...] then arise a Legion of Lusts that are unkilled.

There is then a beginning of stedfastnesse in going on in Religion, these beginnings may utterly fa [...] where the others follows not: there is a believing [...] Righteousnesse, but there must be a believing by th [...] same faith, and a daily feeding on Gods goodnesse and truth.

1. And hereby appears how apt man is to flatter him­self without cause, thinking all is well, when it is no­thing so: When the Prophet comes, and by the Word of Truth divides betwixt the marrow and the bone: For thou sayest, Thou believest God and thy confidence is in Christ, and that he is, and will be a Father unto thee; but what means the leaning to, and looking at the works of thy hand, or qualitie of heart, and increase of confidence thereby: Why then is there such seeking for, and trusting to thine own power? why art tho [...] then so vexed for want, joy, peace and fulnesse? Why then dost thou so dote upon the World? so lifted up it fulnesse, & cast down in want? Thou sayest, Thou lover God and Christ, and his Word; what means then this self-love? wherein thou hast alwayes a self aim?

2. This casting off Christ: and seeking ease in the flesh; What means then this little respect to the Gospel and so careful for all things else?

3. What means this censuring, and judging & con­demning others, this opening their shame, and this [Page 237] preying into their faults; this back-bitting & insulting, [...]his hardnesse of heart, and unmercifulnesse to them in [...]ant? this pinching and grudging, and grinding their [...]aces; this contention and unwillingnesse to forgive? [...]hou sayest, thou hatest the World, Sin and Lust; but, [...]hy then is thy willing serving of it, and this rejoycing [...] it, and mourning for want, and this total imploy­ment about it: and these burning lusts, and fierie ma­ [...]ice? Thou sayest, Thou wilt suffer any thing for Christ, as Peter: but, what meaneth then thy swearing [...]nd fore-swearing, for these great vexations, for these [...]arthly crosses, and this fear of losse, and danger of Death? So that it is not as we imagine, when the Word of Truth comes.

O! that men would cleave to this Word of Truth in Spirit, it would either hew Agag in pieces, or else Saul should be cut off thereby.

O! that we lived daily in the true understanding of our selves, this would destroy vain glory and pride: We think because we have now a good motion, and [...]hen a sweet joy, and feeling, that God must needs love for these; but we see not the lowing and roaring re­bellions of the heart that fight against Christ.

And thus most men deal with Saul, by halfs in Reli­gion, because they begin to look with Flesh at the con­quest that they have gotten, when thousands are be­hind, verse 15.

We have brought then from the Amalekits. Here Saul again excuseth himself, and pleads their intent to offer Sacrifice, as afterward, verse 21. So that,

So thus in all men not mortified through Faith, would still have both Joy and Faith, and a Will and Word of his own.

So with Adam, so with Peter; He would have had case in the Flesh, and Christs companie too, so the young man, Matth. 19. see all unmortified.

For, till by the power of God in the crosse, the Flesh be subdued; it seeks to live as well as the spirit, & save [Page 238] it self: For there is a self-confidence, a wisdom and a love: which would turn all to its own advantage, which indeed should know or effect nothing at all, and so draws the mind after it.

Thus, we dally with God in the way of Faith, by sparing things that are profitable pleasures.

And thus man excuseth this, or this: I do to follow the World that I may be better sitted to serve God, & to do good to others: and so it appears? that it is the end indeed: nay, thus we dissemble with God: For when we say, We would live in freedom and joy: that in that joy we might better praise God our maker: but the end indeed, is for the good and ease of our selves, & the flesh especially, in things that perfect our ease and peace: & though the mind be thereby insnared, we yet deal easily with it, and thus we still reserve our fat things, and deal favourably with them, and these are our greatest enemies.

Then Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own eyes: This is Gods message wherein he reckons up his favours to him: and secondly, his rebellion against those: I raised thee up of nothing, why didst thou fall on the prey as though I would not have rewarded thee? This Message and Word was to convince Saul of his diso­bedience: and,

1. He shews the door of mercie.

2. The way of Life; So that,

The free grace of God is the fountain of life to man, and when man is vile and nothing in himself, then is the power of God most shown.

He that humbleth himself shall be exalted, He hath filled the hungry, and sent the Rich emptie away.

For so is man capable of grace, and the power of God is magnified in weaknesse: What is it that stops thee free grace of God to man, that is that strength and worth of man, that thinks he hath; for were man little enough, he would pray, cry, and believe, and fear: all mischief enters in at the door of pride, or rather, this is the door that shuts our Christ: we still muse what we [Page 239] are, but not what God is: Then in this little and low condition to wait on God in the Word of Truth, and by Faith to walk in his power, shal destroy all enemies but when we fight with our power, and so cut & carve to please the flesh, and when we depart from the Word of Truth, we never prosper: not that man by thinking basely shall procure peace, but when simplie he is so: so God is, and will be with him, but mans perverse way is, to turn from his God, and fall upon his prey.

So that, the daily way of miserie to man is his diso­bedience and forsaking the way of Faith, and turning to the prey.

So Adam, so David, & Paul to his Revelations, so the Prodigal would have the prey; so Demas turned to the prey; nay, almost all have been caught in this snare:

For such is the force of sensual lust & imagination, that where God doth not mightilie preserve, man still turns hither.

For the Word of Truth is the Life of man, which, while it lives in man it suffers nothing else to live in him: but when man turns from this, in comes a Legion of lusts and base affections, and imaginations, but this layes all low.

Thus we fall on the prey of the World, which en­snared all men, even believers themselves, thus God bids flee the filthinesse that's in the World through lust, and promiseth that he will be with us, but this we for­sake and gather Mammon before hand, and fall on the prey, and this choaks all.

So believers dots also on the libertie of the Gospel, and turns it to wantonnesse, & turns to the prey; yea, whatever God doth to man, man turns to it, & simpli­citie of Faith is foresaken.

But see our safetie, God being our portion & freedom & his Word our Life; so shall we live for ever, verse 20

And Saul said, I have obeyed: Here is Sauls second excuse, wherein he defends himself, that he had done the Commandement of God, which indeed he had done in part; for he had killed many of the [Page 240] Amalekits, but yet with reserving part of the Spoil to himself.

1. He sought honour of Samuel. Therefore he brought Agag alive, and slew him not.

2. The Riches, in sparing the Cattel, under the pre­tence of sacrifice: so it is with all double hearts in Re­ligion: So that,

Man by the light of the Law, shining into him; and working fear by the light of the Gospel manifested, working freedom; may restrain and rectifie many things with a seeming obedience: yet still with a reser­vation to himself: and some gain to be gotten, which mars all.

As the young man, Matth. 19. Had done much, with a reservation of false confidence Ezzra, 3.3. Their hearts ran after covetousnesse; so those Libertines, 1. Pet. They promised libertie, they had great swelling Words, &c. Satan is as a Saphira, Acts 5.

For nothing goes through flesh but Faith in God, and the power of God in man, this purifies all: but flesh would still have something, and that makes our obedi­ence not simple.

For man is seldom so separate from himself in pure love unto God, but some self-love there is, that is to his fleshly will sticking to him, and purloyning some­thing into his pouch to feed flesh with all.

For mans natural power being enlightned by the e­vidence of Truth, discovering both the happinesse of believers: and the miserie of the rest: doth produce in man an obedience according to his apprehension: and so far as the blind light workes upon him: but he never c mes to a real and actual denyal of himself: but there is a building up of his hope thereby: not to a simple heartie believing, and so living: but still with a reser­vation of believing his own work and love of himself, and such is the Religion of the most.

We spare the King and far of the Flock: for there is a reservation almost in all: For, when man would be­l [...]eve and lieve for ever, and with all their hearts; see [Page 241] what a reservation hangs on Righteousnesse, Reason & self-Conceit, so we believe God, but neither because we are such and such.

So there is a stop in our Faith: we still have an eye to something else in our Faith.

And so for love, we love God, but with this limita­tion, not so much, because, it is good in it self, & truly manifest to us: and that it is good to us, and so mans self still comes in, for want of mortification: For hardly do we any thing wherein we have not some respect to our selves.

And for the Word, we see Religion is the only way, and God the only good, but still there sticks in us a great lyking of the World: we hope for a good in it, & find a marvelous sweet therein.

So that none hath any reason to be proud in Reli­gion, though he have obtained, and done that which many have not done, yet there is still more that he knows not, loves not, does not; it may be thou hast a little Faith, and now and then trusts God, but for the most part denies him, and trusts thy self and arm of flesh, or trusts him for this, or that reason: so a little love to God, but a full love to the World, and thy self. And here we see, that in all Reli­gion two things poisons all, viz. vain glorie, and a be­loved World: for, First, we still would have it; there­fore we limite all to this onlie, for we have so many reservations for the World, as a care, time, love, de­light, &c. Yet God is shut out of all; yea, after expe­rience of Gods love, how freely do we return to the World again.

Religion then is an absolute yeelding our selves to God and his grace, without reservation of thoughts: [...]hat Agag, that great Captain of michief even Infide­ [...]itie, and fleshly Confidence, wherein Amalekite [...]rusted: yea, the Infant and Suckling in broad Lusts, & [...]pen; these outward objects must be slain, and that by [...] pure believing, and loving obedience to the Fathers [...]ill: here we see, that all coverings will not serve the [Page 242] turn. For when Samuel comes, all is destroyed; well-worth him, that is open-hearted, to confesse and live by mercie.

See the difference of mens double hearts, that are still building up and excusing, and alwayes on their own side to build up man: But Faith sets a man against himself, and alwayes on Gods side, pulls him down, and all things in man: For often greatest noughtinesse is covered, and hatched under pretence of Religion, as that of Jezabel to Naboth.

See in the World, what covering of lust, and op­pression, what greedinesse, when man thinks that for Religion he should be respected, but Faith and Love teacheth no such thing?

Then Samuel said to Saul, Hath the Lord as great de­light. So Samuel pursued him still by the Word of the Lord out of all holds, and yet by the Word of the Lord, opposeth his good seeming intent: layed down by a question, that Saul might make answer, and be con­vinced in himself.

1. He casts out all conceits of a Sacrifice to please God, while the heart is not subject.

2. He illustrats it by way of comparison of these two, that is, Obedience is better than Sacrifice.

3. He amplifies it by the contraries, for Rebellion is as the sin of Witch craft.

4. He denounceth Gods righteous judgements against Saul, wherein the cause is in Saul: to declare the qualitie thereof: The judgement it self, hath re­jected thee, &c. First, note, how Samuel pursues him, till he make him yeeld at last to the judgement? So that,

This the proper effect of the Gospel, viz. The proper and kindly working of Gods Truth in man, is still to bring man down and all things in him, to lay him low in himself: that he may be exalted through mercie i [...] Christ.

Let man denie himself, and become a Fool: saying In me dwells no good thing, I am not able to think an [...] [Page 243] good thought; all our Righteousnesse is as a filthy clout, Phil. 3. All these are but drosse.

Thus the Word brings all Sacrifice to nought, the Law given in Thunder to shake mans heart: the Pro­mise made freely, without any respect of mans Righte­ousnesse, that man may purely believe.

Nay, and the power whereby all is accomplished is in God, not in man; that man, li [...]e a begger, daily may wait there: Thus it brought Paul to his knees.

First, brings man to fear and weaknesse, before it bring him to Faith, and it keeps him in fear, that he may rest in God.

For man is grown proud and wise against God, else, he had never stood need of his Word; for it should have been a living Word in his heart for ever: as Paul, The weapons of our warfare are mighty, to bring down strong holds.

But see the very truth is perverted by man, for though Samuel come to beat Saul of his hold, yet he still finds other shifts: l ke a wilie Fox: So men grow wise and cunning, and are listed up thereby: yea, most yeeld fleshly obedience to this spiritual truth, and thereby becomes holie in conceit.

Others conceiving gloriously of Christ, and thence grow high minded: for knowledge puffs up, and so be­comes a man of high thoughts: but that man in whom the Word lives, and man by it keeps the eye inward towards himself, and keeps down all high thoughts in a quiet sense of their own Weaknesse and Vanitie, to attend with a crying and praying heart for mercie: which is sweetly enjoy'd and not lifted up: but man freed and not hardened thereby: but out of feeling of himself, is pitiful towards all, judgeth none but himself.

This shews the wonderful power of Gods truth that it will make Saul to bow, so of any man, even Phari­sees for the present, though afterward they get up again: Now it is not Sacrifice that he looks for, but a believing loving heart: So that,

All Service and Sacrifice that men seem to offer to [Page 244] God, not flowing from a loving heart, are nothing with him.

These are like the cutting off a dogs neck, Isa. 1. Who required these things at thy hand? Psal. 50 I reprove thee not, because of thy Sacrifice, wherewith shall I appear, &c.

For he stands not need of thee, neither can he be moved by them, unlesse we think as Balaam, with his seven Bollocks and Rams.

These are born of the flesh, Children of the bond Woman and not of God, nor by promise: Righteous­nesse is nothing, when we make it away to Faith, but when it is an expression of a believing heart then it is sweet.

Now it is not Sacrifice that he condemns, but the cursed opinion that goes with it: Like that in the Law, a daily singing, a daily sacrifice: so with us, when we do it with an evil intent, and not out of a simple mind.

But we have one sacrifice that is Christ only, who hath sacrificed life and all, and that is it that pleaseth God.

Thus it is with us also, our obedience is but to sacri­fice to our God at Gilgall, that is, to purge sin, and to please God: that we may get an opinion that God is well pleased for that: but this opinion ma [...]s all, it is not our obedience that is any thing to God in the Work, but our yeelding heart: For most have looking to that which they have done, some looking at it, as Pharaoh.

This crosseth the free sacrifice of love; it is a great point of simplicitie in the hight of our obedience still to be more vile, and this is the power of Faith, for it shews from whence we had it, not by our own power; Nay, when even in our own selves, we are opposit to God: he hath vouchsafed his grace.

The only sacrifice of God is a broken and contrite heart, sacrifice thy self, and it is in stead of all thy lusts, desires, case, peace, life and all; and when thou hast done that, thou shall have, as Christ, had victory over all; a Resurrection, a Freedom and a Glory: and so shall sit at Christs right hand by Faith till all be subdued [Page 245] to thee, and then man offers sacrifice of praise, con­fessing his name, not to purge sin, but in expression of Gods love and manifestation, and that in love and mercie and not in sacrifice.

Obedience is better than Sacrifice; So that,

That which is accepted, is an obedient heart, subject to the Fathers will in love, is the Life of all Religion, and better then a thousand Sacrifices, Isa. 50.

God opened mine ear, and I was not disobedient, and Samuel said, Speak Lord, for thy Servant heareth, Christ yeelded himself to the Father: Also David, the will of the Lord be done, and Christ to the Pharisees, Ye tithe mint, annise and cummin &c.

Psal. 8. If my people had hearkened.

For God is the sole Lord over all, and man a silly creature, and as the life of a subject is in obedience to a Prince, so here, is mans happinesse in yeelding to Gods will; for that must stand whether man be obe­dient or not, for disobedience was that which cast off Adam and Israel: that is, because man will needs be God.

Now obedience is two-fold, of Faith and Love. O­bedience of Faith is, when the clear evidence of the Truth of the Promise, and mans Reason and Wisdom [...]eelds to that Truth: as Moses at the Red-Sea, and A­braham: When man sees no reason in himself, that God should or will keep promise, but the contrary, he seeing nothing but rebellion and iniquitie, & yet stick [...] to that, where all reasonable wayes of the World, and all threats of Satan are overcome, though the World threaten want: yet he believes fulnesse, for this is the will of God that ye believe.

But most believe not, but rebell in this, for though God hath promised, yet we obey not, believe not, but give the promise the lye: and say, That God will not do, and therefore fear.

So that infidelitie is the great Rebel that strikes at the Truth of God, which a man cannot endure.

This Faith also mars not obedience, in neither limiting [Page 246] God a time but waiting: nor a measure, but believing that it shall be our rest. Obedience of love is the end of the Law, where the love of Christ enforceth man: and this is a sweet and free yeelding up of a mans life unto God, as a Sacrifice, Rom. 12. Which cannot be till our bodies and flesh be sacrificed. and then in the Spirit of our minds we are revived according to the will of God

This is not to be a foundation of Faith, but a neces­sary expression of the love and goodnesse of God to man: This flows from Faith naturally, there is nothing but rebellion and lust, if Faith fail to wait on God: God doth this obedience, and man fleeth, and man seeketh shifts, or some device.

The intent is, doing what he commands not, because the Law forceth so many thievish hearts are bound to be true, but not from the heart.

And warms of Gods love in the heart to suffer for his sake, what ever befalls, as the Martyrs did: but this shews the little obedience in man: For indeed neither will ye yeeld, but the old contention remains, whether shall be God: Faith and Love is the obedience & life of man, and when man lives in [...] yeelding temper, nothing can vexe him: let impossibility come, and he is obedient and suffers: And so was Christ, obedient unto the death of the Crosse.

But, while man hath a will and love of himself, he is never freely obedient, but would frame Gods will to his: and to hearken to Satans voice raither than Gods: So that,

An open ear to hear, and a heart to believe and obey the voice of God, and the Word of Truth, is better than all seeming sacrifice a man can offer, Isa. 45. In­cline your ears, &c. Then shall ye hear the voice of God, and he that hears, shall live: He opened mine ear, and I was not disobedient.

So to that end, God hath given his Word to man, that thereby he might be called back again to God: Therefore God saith, cry aloud to man, and bid him return and come and live for ever, and so he that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.

When God sets his love, and mercie, and truth to, or be [...]ore man: and when man attends and meets God here, then is that Word accomplished to man.

But Christ may still say, Who hath believed our re­port, as to Israel, but Israel would not hear: for man hath two Preachers before him still.

1. Satan, who by his Ministers, the World and the Flesh daily, whispers, and calls man to obey: as to Christ, Satan saith, I will give thee all those: the World calls, here is Riches, the flesh calls, here is peace, ease and honour: God calls, and saith, Here is all in me: Now look whose voice takes place, and is believed, so man prospers.

Man hears as God manifests, and herein is a reaso­nable mystery and spiritual power: by the one, man growes wise, and by the other, faithful and obedient. For rebellion is as the sin of witch-craft.

Man through rebellion of his own heart, and stubbor­nesse of his own will, runs away from God: forsakes the Covenant of peace, casts off obedience and himself to misery in the end, as Pharaoh and Saul here.

VVHen God had governed Israel by Judges for many years, and manifested his power and truth by his Priests and Prophets, in bringing them into the Land of Promise, according to the Covenant; and given them many victories o­ver their enemies. Israel grew secure and presump­tuous, yea, the Egyptian Priest himself grew so care­lesse of the Lords sacrifice: yea, even Ely himself, committed them into the hands of his Sons, who filled their bellies and lusts, and that without reproof: Whereupon the Lord intended to destroy that vain confidence, and to proceed against the house of Ely, [Page 248] which he fore-tells in the second Chapter, by a man of God; and in the third, by Samuel, which in the fourth Chapter, he brings to passe. First, by giving Israel into the hands of their enemies once again, and then de­livering the Ark into the hands of the Philistins, destroy­ing Ely and his two sons.

After Israel had received the overthrow at the hands of the Philistins, they make way for a second, by run­ning further from God; So that,

This is the way of man, for man by every affliction is either brought nearer to God, or else driven farther from him, and so makes way for greater evils to befall him.

As David, who to hide his shame, ran into murther: so Adam having sinned to hide his shame, hides him­self from God; so Saul to the Witch of Endor; like a child that grows more cunning, after the whip, more w [...]lly, but not more wise: And this through stubbor­ness and hardness, and pride of wit. But Joshua, when they f [...]ll before Ai, never ceased till he had found out the curse from God, & cast out the execrable thing.

Many things light upon man that touch not his heart but is so blinded with lust and self-love; that the light of the truth leads him not out, but his wit will needs guide him; God doth nothing in vain

If man regard not Processe, or any hatchment that is coming, he shall see that a writ of Rebellion is coming: and if he regard not that, than a Bailiff comes, and to prison he must: and that God by the righteousnesse of the Law may bring down mans high heart, that he may depend on mercy.

Thus man grows more vile after a judgement to pre­vent it, but no more yielding and obedient to [...]scape it. It may be, God hath taken away thy wife, thy husband and father, thy stay and rest; and yet thou onlie invents new devices to rise, but returns not to God that smote thee. But look for it, if God have com [...] near thee and thou yet blind, he will come nearer thee yet, if he in­tend thee good.

Shall God be still mocked, to see that nothing doth man good, till his heart be brought down and flee all, that he may rest in God? For he hath as much to do, to bring down thy wit, as thy will, and to destroy thy carnal confidence, and draw thee from thy object. All misery come in at the door, that is by fleeing from God.

Yea, thus doth God deal with his people & children, he delivers them into the hand of their enemies: and then they think to worke it out: and still God makes their works void; then they seek to know all, and he makes that void, &c. and suffers nought to prosper, till man rest in Faith.

The Ark had remained in Shilo three hundred years, from J [...]shua's time: as Jos. 18.7. All the time of the Judges, and now must for the security of Israel be re­moved away: So that,

The long continuance of the Gospel is no argument to prove the perpetuity thereof in any place.

As to the Jewes and Churches of Asia and Corinth. So when man grows more secure thereby, God must remove it, even so to man,

Thou hast lived in the light and peace with God, but if a man grow wanton thereby, the light will grow to darknesse: If with Israel thou grow confident of these in thy self, because of these priviledges, they will not stand.

In the words, note Israels fainting and trouble [...]f heart upon their overthrow.

1. Their fleshlie device for future safety.

2. Their vain confidence in that device, that it might save them.

3. Their vain joy arising thence.

4. The fear of the Philistins.

5. Israels overthrow, and losse of the Ark, when the Lord had not given them the Victorie, they fainted & began to enquire and murmure, as they did by the Word of Samuel, but not by believing hearts; but now, because they had a Prophet, they were strong enough: So that,

A faithlesse way is a fearful fainting way, and a fainting way is alwayes vexed and tormented at the heart by every crosse, where faith waits not in sub­jection to Gods will and truth.

So the Disciples, Why do you fear, O you have little faith?

But saith David, I will not fear what man can do unto me: no, not if ten thousands compasse me about Mat. 16. Peter was compassed with fear when Christ should suffer, because he savoured not the things of God.

Nay, Experience teacheth us, that faithlesse men are ever afraid at every rumor of danger: At the last day, mens hearts shall fail them for fear of that day: When a believing man, with David & Paul goes through all dangers with courage: as those, Heb. 11. And the Mar­tyrs, nay, in mans self he shall find, that when faith is darkened, he fears every thing, but when he believes, [...] overcomes all.

For man walks in darknesse, therefore is the way so fearful: as crosses threaten some ruine to mans fleshlie Kingdom, which lust would not part with all, & he sees no other. This is it that makes the World so full of f [...]ar: yea, other faith, fear or security fills all: nay, everie crosse to the worlding gives a wound to the heart: But, What shall his case be, when all shall be taken away.

Even so is all the Power and Will of man, whereby he stands full of fear, because he trusts not God. Not a fe [...]r in regard of our weaknesse, and so attending on faith, but a bottom fear, for want of God & his power: and therefore, a running to mans shifts.

No safe way to man then, but by believing under the crosse, and never to judge according to our selves, but still s [...]ing and feeling the weaknesse of man to wait on him in patience.

Come, let us fetch the Ark from Shilo. Here is their de­vice, which seem like to them: but prospered not:

So that, All fleshlie devices of Mans wit, without sim [...]le-hearted believing, may gain a brain hope: but sh [...]ll fa [...]l and come to nought, when man comes to his [...]

Fleshly wisdom is a fool in Gods matters, ever lead­ing man to a way that will not prosper, though it shape like to the eye of man.

By this, Satan beguiled Eve, and thought to have se­duced Christ to argue the Fathers love by Wisdom, that is not subject to the Law of God, when Israel be­lieved, Gideon, Jonathan, and David overcame with a few, contrary to all reason: When they eyed reason only, then Sauls Armour and Davids one hundred and fifty thousand could not prevail.

1. For God hides his wayes from the wit of man, and reveals it to Babes.

2. Satan lurks here to oppose the way of Faith, God hath revealed his Wisdom: but hereby Man becomes wise against God, and gives him the lye.

Thus man deviseth a device against God, and thinks thereby to thrive: and Satan thereby befools man, pro­pounding unto him a likely way, great power and ap­probation, that he may fix thereon; and yet hath not God in the very eyes of the World frustrated their de­vices: as when thou hast great Riches, Land, Wisdom, Friends, and what not, had built him an nest that he might never want: yet, he had never good dayes there­with: but either he hath spent all to beggerie, or a slave to it while he hath it: or a languishing of sicknesse: had not Gods foolish way of faith been better.

Thus Satan casts a mist before the eye of Faith when he would bring God & his way within compasse of mans witt.

Now in the Church, we grow wise to comprehend the very purpose of God, & give a reason of his will, & set a law to his justice: & faine a reasonable way of believ­ing, & his free will & the foreseeing of Faith: God choose man: but it is so reasonable a Doctrine, it cannot prove true: for Gods truth was ever foolishnesse to wise men.

See the difference of Gods way and mans witt.

1. The one is alwayes dark and uncertain.

2. The other sure, the one forsakes God & his Word, the other cleaves to it; The one seems well and ends ill, the other contrary.

The safe way of man is not to trust the device of man, for thou hast seen these fail thee; nay, when they seem likest the other quiet contrarie, therefore never dispute how like or unlike, but lay down all & believe.

Hadst thou no Lust, nor Will, nor Witt to trust to: then had Satan no power against thee: For either thy Witt, or thy Will draws thee, on thy Will, when thou art not subject in patience: thy Witt, when thou wilt do Gods Work, thine own way is here.

They would fight Gods battels, but would not at­tend on him at Shilo, his own place. But would draw him from thence to them, so we would have God with not but not wait on him: we would have the promise fulfilled, but not wait the time; So that,

The sure way is to wait on God in his way, though we see no way out of Reason.

Abraham abode in Canaan as a stranger, Moses and Joshua at Jordan, &c.

For the vision is for an appointed time.

Thus man workes his own woe, when he either in­vents a way of his own, and will not stay: or joyns fleshly Wisdom, for the furtherance of Gods will; or impatience of delay, appoints a time: Take heed of preserving any thing before God, and his Work and Promise. Many are never well, unlesse the Father be still playing with them.

That it may save us. Here is self-confidence, not that they thought the Ark could save them: but because if they had the Ark with them, God would save them: This is not simple believing, but with relation to something else than God; So that,

Such is carnall confidence in man, it is a snare of Sa [...]an wherein he intangles men to draw the heart to look at some Work or Gift of God, and so to believe, because of that; and not for his simple truth and pro­vidence.

So David thought, that because of the thousands of Israel, he should preserve himself; and Israel in Aarons time, These are thy Gods, O Israel, Psal. 30. [Page 253] Thou hast made my Mountain strong, it shall never be re­moved. The Pharisees they were righteous.

For this is to build a house on the sand, for there is no cause that moves God to do good, or man to believe God, but his simple Word and Truth, though God shine and manifest himself in all things; yet when the Soul is turned from God to them, they become snares, as the brasen Serpent, for the mind must have some­thing to rest on.

So that, when God is wanting, Satan the God of this World brings in the fulnesse of the World, and the certainty thereof, and presents them to man.

1. Fulnesse of Riches and Friends will supplie.

2 Self-righteousnesse, and many lusts and failings of love; saying, They will preserve thee.

3. Or, a carnal beholding of Christ, as here to the Ark

4. Yea, believers are thus drawn, when Christ lives not in them, they suffer with him: but in all there is a bottom darknesse, and fear of hardnesse and self-pride.

Here, Satan layes the foundation of all iniquities; for why doth man covet, oppresse, deceive; but that the World may be his stay, and his confidence? as,

1. Either a blind securitie, from little medling; or, a blind presumption, because he hath this or that more than others: & yet no more certain, nor better satisfied.

Thus, the blind World is deceived: everie man stay­ing his mind, by looking at something that he hath, or labours to get, something that he hath not; that it may save him, as the rich fool; nay, were it for thy riches and friends, where were thy believing.

Thus, all things become snares, when the mind is fixed on them, and man tyes God to them: which is not a believing of God, but of that portion.

We should worke Righteousnesse, but not look at that Righteousnesse, attend on the Ark, but believe not in it, but rejoyce in it with God.

Adam might use all creatures, but not see a good in them, it is a great point of simplicitie to enjoy all, and not to depend on it; but rejoyce in it with God, and [Page 254] thereby to see the Fountain from whence it flowed, and the weaknesse of man: Nay, such is the deceit thereof, that it lifts man up above him self; man shouts before the victorie. But there will come a day of mourning to Israel, this Ark and Riches shall be taken away:

THus we see the fall of Israel for trusting in their inventions, and forsaking the power and truth of God. The Ark is now taken from them, and Hophnie and Phinias the Priests also: and now they are lest desolate, for Eli is now dead, according to the Word of the Lord, which we see must stand: So that,

No power or device of man shall be able to dissannul, or make void the Word of God: but it shall stand & be accomplished both to believers, & against the wicked, though man fight against it, and seek to escape it.

He hath spoken, and shall he not perform it: Yea, Heaven and Earth shall passe away, but his Word shall not passe: He hath said, That Saul shall be cut off, all the World cannot uphold him: He hath promised to Abraham, nothing shall hinder: neither four hundred and thirtie years time: nor the power of Pharaoh, nor difficulties in the Wildernesse; nor fourtie Kings in Canaan: Hath he said, That Messiah shal come, he shal be born in the fulnesse of time? Hath he said He wil preserve David: all the power of Saul, or Goliah shall not kill him? Hath he promised Life to believers, then though Satan rebel and rage, yet the promise shall be Yea, & Amen? For he is not man, that he should lie God shall justifie his righteous judgements, that he hath done nothing to man, but he hath told it to man before.

Hereby appears the puritie of Faith, and power of God, under the crosse: that though man think to shift it, yet judgement shall come: And though man see no Reason, nor help, yet abiding by the Word of God: he [Page 255] shall finde help and be delivered: For David saith, Psal. 15. An honest man will keep his Word though to his hinderance, much more God: For there is nothing to hinder him, He rules man and not man him.

But man fights against this, and rather strives to make the Truth of God a lie, than to yeeld and be sub­ject; God hath said, He will destroy that man, that runs on in wickednesse: and that the wicked, that forget God shall be turned into hell: and yet these men believe it not, but make God a lyer, as the Serpent did to Eve, and say, Tu [...]h, God regardeth not good or evil: or that he is not that he is: or doth not that which he hath spoken: So the stubborn casts off his Fathers threats, till he be cast out of doors.

Others think they shall devise some way hereafter to escape: they take any course, rather than believe him: and yet we have seen it with our eyes: Did he not say, He would cut off Saul, and destroy Jerusalem; cast off the Jews, and call in the Gentiles: Remove his Candl [...] ­stick, and take away his Kingdom, and hath he not done these? Nay, hath he not said, That the drunkard shall come to povertie, and shame: and doth he not say, That the userers and oppressors shall not prosper to the third generation, and that the generation of the just shall be blessed, & do we not see it well.

Know then, though thou make a mock of it, & of us poor silly flesh, as thou art: and cast it off, and thinks to escape: Yet be sure; it will meet with thee, He should not be a God of truth if thou perish not, holding on thy course: but thou wilt reply, Doth he not say also, That this brings a heart that cannot repent, and thou more unpat than before? But he did not excuse his Word to the Ninevites: yet, for the condition of Repentance was understood his general promise; If he return and forsake his way, he will have mercie. So that the altera­tion was in the Ninevites, not in God.

Nay, how often doth believers start from this, & be­lieve rather their own devices than God, hath he not said: That nothing but Faith and Love avails: & yet we [Page 256] fix our eyes and hearts on something else: Nay, we be­lieve the truth, because of something else, and not all things for the truths sake; neither because of this or that: raither than because the truth hath spoken.

S [...] that the way of safety is to believe God in faith­fulnesse: shall he speak and not man regard? Therefore, if thou have never so likely means to uphold thee in the flesh, yet if thy heart run from God therein, it will not prosper: and though thou see no way of safetie, yet abide patiently by the Word, and wait not what thou would have done, but what he saith: For the vision is for an appointed time: but though we have a sure Word, we are to stay the appointed time: for we would be now eased, then comforted; yet rest: thou hast a sure foundation, and it may be thou must become yet more weak; Thy Wisdom Righteousness and Power must yet be more troden down: that so nothing may live in thee, but truth only: As with Abraham, when there was nothing but the truth of the Promise left.

The Philistins took the Ark of God. The fear of the God of Israel, was upon all Nations, as upon the Phi­listins here in these Words. 1. The Philistins taking the Ark & carreing it to Ashdod, one of their chief Cities.

2. Their setting it up by Dagon their God, the fall of Dagon at the presence of the Ark.

3, Their repairing and setting up again.

4. The second fall, with the losse of his head and hands.

First, the Ark was taken away, for Israel was grown secure, because of Samuels words. The Ark, and Eli the Priest, they were proud, and fat in their own conceit: and so had turned Faith into a blind presumption, and securitie: therefore, it was taken away: So that,

When Man by reason of any gift, or priviledges: grows proud and secure in himself: not sensible of his own weaknesse and power; and the promise of God: this is the way to lose it.

When David was lifted up in his high mountain, he was soon brought low: and when Paul was lifted up [Page 257] in aboundance: he had a prick in the flesh: When Israel made a Covenant with death, God disannul'd it. If Nebuchadnezzer be lifted up, upon his Babels he must be brought down amongst the Beasts: The Jews being a people alwayes boasting, they came to be no people.

1 So thus we forsake God, and cleave to the creature

2. Hereby simplicitie of believing is lost, & changed into vain and fleshly confidence.

3. This is the way to purge the old heart, and to bring in the heart to God, or else would man never return to him; if he should prosper.

4. Nothing more opposit to the grace of God, than the pride of man: This was the sin of the Angels, being so proud, and doting upon their own excellencies, they despised God in whom they should have been pre­served.

And yet this is the snare we all fall into: we enjoy no­thing, but the mind is fixed on it, and grows proud of it, and imagines our selves to be strong and safe, be­cause of it: when it is only in the hand of God to be given, and taken at his will, and pleasure, all gifts are to be rejoyced in, but not to be proud of; while we re­joyce only, the mind is kept humble: seeing the foun­tain, and feeling his weaknesse: but pride hardens and makes secure.

Nay, what gift is it we look not at, and think our selves the better for it: and that our Faith and Hope is nourished by these as much as Gods truth and love is enjoyed: Hath not the rich man more confidence, that he shall not want than the poor man? hath not the righteous man more confidence, his state is good, than the desolate wretch? and yet his righteousnesse, as his own, brings no ground to believe, but only Gods free grace.

Is this any thing but Pride and Securitie? & making the arm of flesh his stay: Yea, thus are believers drawn: take we heed, that this be not the way for our Land to lose all: we shall bragg of our peace, till we lose it, and of our pride, till we be subdued: yea, of our [Page 258] wealth till we have lost all: yea, of the Gospel, till it be taken from us, as here they did the Ark.

But it is Gods goodnesse to crosse all his, in that wherein they are misled; that man may see what a weak creature he is, and what a weak staff he hath trusted to, as the World, and now is gone; as know­ledge, and now as he had neither known God, nor himself.

But know, there will come a parting day from thy dearest object; thy careful Father, tender Mother, dearest Infants, loving Brother & Sister: & all, because thou dot [...]st on them: The way of safetie, is to enjoy all in God, but trust nothing else, and forget all behind.

They brought the A [...]k, and set it by Dagon. They thought the God of Israel was a terrible God, and all Nations stood in fear of him; therefore, they set him by Dagon: thinking now, they should be sure to over­come: This Dagon was their Idol, from the navel downward like a fish, and upward like a man; but this prospered not them to win God; and Dagon, to trust to the World, and conceive on this God, as they did on Dagon, it would not serve; So that,

No joyning of the Ark and Dagon in our house, nor God and Mammon in our heart: nor fleshly Wit, nor Gods Truth cannot sute together in Gods Kingdom.

Christ saith, Ye cannot serve two masters, God and Mammon, Christ and Bellial: Christ & Antichrist, if God, be God, serve him, Rom. 5.6. Know you not to whom ye give your selves Servants: his Servants you are. This is putting new wine into old bottels: Christ gives the Reason, either he will love the one and hate the other: or else forsake the one and stick to the other: The Soul can­not intend two objects at once.

For, look what respect we have to the one, it draws from the other, God is a spirit, and must be worshipped in spirit and truth, trusted and loved with the spirit of our minds; else no communion with him.

For as a man hath a Garment, a Bodie and a Soul: So Religion, the garment is the outward form of [Page 259] Actions, Righteousness, Holinesse, the body is Truth: Righteousnesse revealed to the Church, apprehended by man, but the Soul of it is the Spirit, even God himself: as the Garment and Body without the Soul, are but dead Corps, and so this without God: So Paul distin­guished man, into Soul, Body and Spirit: by the Body, the outward Masse of flesh: the Soul, the vital power and sensitive appetites, and natural understanding: by the Spirit, the immortal, or inward part, in right disposing of which, stands mans peace and happinesse.

For if the Bodie be in health, and the Soul in Life amidst the fulnesse of its natural objects: yet no rest, unlesse the Spirit be satisfied also: now when the Spirit of our minds is drawn by sensual power to bodily ob­jects, it wants Life: But leaving all these, being guided to, and joyned to God and Christ, it is then satisfied: and the body cannot be nourished with the pleasure of the Soul without food, nor the Soul with the food of the Body without its objects: neither can the Spirit without them both, without its proper objects & food.

So that the confounding of these is the confusion, & unrest of the Soul.

And yet alace! it is thus in the World: men will needs joyn God and Dagon; Christ and Mammon, without any trust, or thought of God at all, like beasts: Others keep a form of God after the flesh: as they acknow­ledge his power, and see his justice, & fear & worship him, with a far off worship: but the heart bowes to Mammon, loves and cleaves to him above all.

Nay, believers joyn these together, some put confi­dence in God, but more in the World; yea, how soon after God hath shewed himself to man by his truth and love; doth he joyn heart and hands with the World again? So that indeed this eats out all Religion amongst us.

And for fleshly Wisdom, how doth this draw from simple believing, & asking a reason, disputing with him: & joyning the power of man & the power of God: & so making mans free-will a worker with God: So that it is, that man believes not God.

True it is, that man is the subject in whom God workes, yet the life and power of believing & working is in God, and given to man by Faith according to the Promise: and though Paul say, They are workers to­gether, yet it is in regard of manifestation, not of any power they had over the hearts of men.

Nay, let this God of Israel be our only stay, and lay Sauls Armour aside: so man abiding in his simple and naked heart, full of weaknesse, like a Child, waiting on Gods simple truth, the Father will come: but when man thinks to help God, he mars all.

Neither is this a way to securitie, but onlie unto those that pervert all truth unto their own destruction: For this is not a secure resting at all adventures, as though the forlorn child could sit down at all adven­tures, and say, It cannot help my self, my Father must come or I must be lost, but not sensible of his own mi­sery, and forlorn estate: As the Prodigal seeks, and cryes, and prayes, till he come: this keeps him fro [...] sleeping: so with us.

So that, Religion is a simple thing and cannot mix it self with any thing, like the Truth, that joynes to none till death: but simply waits on God with Faith and Love.

But when man brings in Dagon, and sets him up: the Soul of man abhors it: or is joyned to it, or is deceived: Then no bringing in of Religion into a fleshly mind but first, Dagon must down: then Religion will stand.

If ever it be offered to a Worldly mind, it is not an unwelcome guesse, for the Life of that Soul is else­where: It is in the World and pleasures thereof: but the Spirit is dead within them.

Dagon was fallen, Thus the power of God destroyes the Idol; So that,

Thus the Truth of God prevails against the Idol, and will not suffer any thing to stand equal with God in mans heart.

Paul destroyed circumcision from Christ, and Christ & the young man, his weapons taken from him, his high thoughts pulled down.

And thus Gods warriours pulls down groves, and destroyes Idols.

That God may thereby let man see the weaknesse of all power in the creatures. This is the proper work of the Word to pull down high imaginations, and lay them low as the valyes: This truth discovers the vanitie of all the rest: but we, with the Philistins, are still building up Dagon: nay, the Ark is not yet come to us, because Dagon is yet standing.

But know, that it must down: So that mans happi­nesse is in the fall of the flesh, and all the power thereof.

CHrist by his death, hath brough life; this death was spoken of by the Prophets, and often foretold by Christ: and spoken of more at large, and now is come by suffering to lose all: that he may gain all: after that he had comforted His Disciples, and left them the pledge of his Love: he Prophesies of the trouble that shall come to them hereby: that they may now begin to suffer with him.

1. Grievous wants and persecutions to the offending of all.

2. That man shall not stand at that day by any power at all in man.

In the same he lets them see, that this is the way they must still follow.

This is a sacrifice of his death, whereby the same through Faith is confirmed to us: He shews what shal become of the head; and that they should be offended: So that,

Though we live in the light of the Gospel, and Sun­shine of Gods blessing: yet there will come a day that will dash all, and lay it in the dust.

So to David, Abraham, and the Rich Fool.

For life gotten by the creature must be laid away; Christ is the common stock of believers.

Woe to the World, for all high mountains must down, thy dearest object and thou must part: When Israel was boasting of the Temple, then was the Lord removing it from Shilo, or destroying: that new Jeru­salem might come from heaven.

See how thou wilt do, when this night comes, we provide light, fire and houses, against cold and night: but forget this night.

Let believers look for it in their greatest fulnesse and prosperitie, for then will God take away these, that he may be perfected in God.

I will smite the shepherd: Yea, Christ in the flesh, that he may rest solely and simply in God. Abraham, and the Prodigal. Paul, I know none after the flesh, by taking away fuel from it: So that,

This is the way to bring man to God, to purifie Faith, to subdue the World, and make Gods power known. This he doth.

1. In that great tribulation that lyes all on heaps.

2. By his love that kills all at the heart, but then we grow wise in the flesh, to separate the confused heap.

3. By the crosse that wears out all the flesh also.

Woe to them that have none other stay, how will they do, when their Shepherd shall be smitten, like an Orphant, when the Father is dead?

See the vanitie of man, that would still have some hold in the flesh.

But herein doth God blesse his people, when by clear­nesse of his truth, he destroyes all imaginations: & by the crosse, destroyes all lust: and leaves man nothing, but God and his Truth.

4. The freedom and happiness of man in knowing & savouring nothing after the flesh, Rom. 8. This is not to walk after the flesh but after the spirit.

For that which man thus knows, he knows not: and that which he loves not, thus he lusts after; for thus to know God, or to love him, is not to know [Page 263] him: but to know, will, and love all things in God, is to know him indeed: for that man which knows in the flesh, it is not of God, but his own imaginations.

And there will come a scattering day to all fleshlie imaginations, as to Jerusalem, and Davids high moun­tain, when knowledge shall vanish, and mans fleshly hopes shall be destroyed: Where then will man appear? Thy Husband, thy Child, thy Idol, thy Portion, thy Idea, thy Shapes of Fancy, all shall vanish; yea, thy shepherd too, and nothing left, but God and his Truth: Where then will thy fleshly heart rest? So that,

To believe and trust, when all is scattered, is to be­lieve simply:

For to believe, when all is joy and peace, is rather to believe after the flesh, and because of them; which is a turning from God, to his gifts, and then we losse them: but to believe, when we are killed, as Job, and the Mar­tyrs: this is to believe God in and from God, and to love in and from him.

When Peter said, Though all forsake thee, &c. Here is Piters blind confidence, wherein, note this compa­rison of his; though others shall, yet not he; So that,

Pride of heart advancing it self above others, out of a self conceit of some singular gift or power, is the ready way to a fearfull fall below all.

As Proverbs, Pride goeth before destruction, Luk 18. The Pharisees, So Israel, So Pharaoh, The Jews, Nebu­chadnezzar, and Lucifer.

For this is a turning away from God, & becoming a God to himself.

These conceits arise from the devil, and sets God at nought, destroyes Faith, and sets up mans fleshly con­ceits like a Queen.

These have been the ground of all factions in the Church.

God will leave this man free to himself, and others that dote upon him.

Thus we see, that man is a proud creature, he gets no­thing [Page 264] but he is lifted up by it: nay, most labour for abundance, not for necessitie: so much as they may excel.

This conceit sticks fast in all, arising from blindnesse in regard of our fulnesse: for thou mayst see the ini­quitie of all men in thy self.

But faithful men fear and distrust [...]hemselves above all, relying on God.

I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee. Peter had a blind confidence, not knowing the weaknesse of man: So that,

Man that is presumptuous and bold through fleshly confidence, and his self-power shall never stand nor prosper.

There, this is David, Psal. 30. and Israel against the Philistines: but Davids boasting else-where was in God only, through God, we shall do great things.

For mans standing & preservation is not of himself.

This is a sandy foundation, for as it was but flesh, so it boasted: So, when the foundation was removed, the flesh feared.

Thus man walks presumptuously in all things thinking; I will do this or that, when often he is pre­vented, and yet will not see it.

But that man walks safely, that walks in fear: for he trusts none but God, and as he fears, so he believes: Faith in God makes man humble in himself.

No surer sign of a fall in believers: than when they begin to boast: nay, this man denied above all; So that,

How far a man is lifted up in any thing, so far he must fall.

VVE see it verified in this our Brother which we heard the last day, viz. That there is no confidence to be put in man; Neither for his wit, power, wealth, or continuance: For we see it daily to be true, That his breath goeth forth, and he re­turns to his earth, &c.

Which is here apparent before us: For was not he with us at our last Brothers burial: and behold, we are now come to accomplish his.

It's not long, but even one day since that he was in life and liking as you are, he sit as you sit, in place & credit of the World, as you are: he heard where you [...]ow hear: he prayed, where you now pray, he walked strong & lusty upon this earth: which must now devour and shut her mouth upon him: and yet could neither the Riches of this World, nor the cryes of his Children, nor favour of Friends beg him of Death, or keep him from the grave; but down he must, to accomplish the Will of, and Purpose of his Maker.

And thus we see what a day: yea, what a night may [...]ring forth, to make the House des [...]late, the Children Fatherlesse: to separate the Brother and Sister: never to [...]ee each other any more, in the flesh.

And thus we see the Lord comes daily amongst us, [...]hough we think our selves secure, because as yet we [...]ave escaped that common judgement, so frequent in [...]ur neighbour towns: yet, God lets us see that he hath [...]oe destroying Angels than one which are kept in the [...]cret of his Counsel, and stricks according to his pur­ [...]ose; and will sometimes, by a long easie str [...]k: [...]metimes; by a sharp, and shorter blow; sometimes: [...] a sudden stab of his providence, that cannot be re­ [...]ted: yet not sudden, in respect of God, with whom [...] things are determined: but in regard of our securi­ [...]: For as one saith, Non subito minantur, qui semper [...]tant se esse morituros. Nothing sudden, but what is [...] expected. Only this learn by Gods dealing with [...]n. That we have no surer time of life, then he had.

And that it is neither wit, nor wealth, strength nor [Page 266] health, that can prolong thy dayes: or put off death or secure thee one hour.

Therefore learn by him, to watch till our master come, which is the lesson Christ would teach his Dis­ciples in these Words, and in this whole Chapter, which is a Prophesie, and fortelling of the destruction of Jeru­salem, and of the coming of Christ; the one, a figure of the other: From verse 24. He shews the s [...]gn of the end of the World: and thereby, stirs up all to wait, be­cause of the uncertainty: not known to the Son o [...] Man, which verse 34. He amplifies, or illustrats, by [...] parable, of a man going into a far Countrey, leaves his house, and appoints work to his Servants, and command the Porter to watch, and thereupon applyes the parable and renews the caveat, in these words: wherein.

1. A caveat for all to watch, & wait for death & doo [...]

2. His reason from the uncertainty of the time thereo [...]

3. The danger of being taken unprepared, lest he sin us sleepping.

1. The master of the house, viz Christ is gone into a f [...] Country, viz. Far from the knowledge of all huma [...] fleshly wisdom, and given authoritie to his Servants viz. to his Ministers, to guide and govern his Chur [...] and Houshold, by his Word and Discipline, & to eve [...] man his work, viz. His Word to husband, and to wa [...] in love and do good to all: to further his glorie & kin [...] dom, as he gave the Vineyard to husbandmen, viz. H [...] Gospel: and commanded the Porter to Watch, viz. [...] Ministers to watch [...]ver the flock: Therefore, he b [...] both Ministers and people watch; & attend his comi [...] in faithfulness; that so, they waiting in Faith, may [...] ceive mercie: So that,

The work of a believing heart and faithful serva [...] here is nothing else, but a daily waiting of the will [...] pleasure of the Lord, by Faith and patience in love, attending his coming by death and doom.

This Christ often gives in charge as Luk. 1.21. M [...] 24. Luk. 12. And this Job practised, 14.14. This P [...] saw, and waited for, 1. Tim. 4. I am now ready t [...] [Page 267] offered, and 2. Cor. 5. We sigh and groan, desiring to go hence, and he with the Lord, and the Martyrs.

1. For here we have no habitation, but like Pilgrims in tents.

2. For God hath sent us hither a while, to accom­plish his Will according to his Word: but our abiding hereafter is eternal, not to build a rest here: or, think our houses shall continue; but to wait on his coming: when we shall have the reward and doom, that lasteth for ever.

We see it in all faithful Servants, how careful they are to have all in a readinesse, when the Master comes home: and the Maid, how doth she sweep, and wash, and scoure, that her Mastres may find all right: but the carelesse, they sport and ravel, and spend and waste on their Lusts: and when they have done, lye down and sleep, and say, Nay, the Master will be long before he come.

1. And thus it fareth with the secure World, we watch all opportunities but this: When a man hath a great businesse to do, O! how he museth, and thinketh, and studieth night and day; be it su [...]e in Law, or an other project, or danger upon the event; whereof depends his making or undoing? how doth h [...] neglect no infe­riour businesse? He runs and rides, b [...] spares no pains against that day, that he may be pr vided for good issue

And have we any greater busi esse than this; yea, when he hath a sum of monie to pay; how he cares & casts about?

And is not here a great account to make? nay, how do we watch for a fair day in harvest, and ply our time: and yet this great businesse we heed not?

2. Nay, nothing ill make us wait on God, but the Crosse: as to the Disciples, Do we watch to get out of the World: or rather, to run farther into it: As it was in the dayes of Noah; so now, nay worse: For now the World is drowned in carelesness, witness, our ex­cessive drinkings, and endlesse drunkennesse; our too common trade of userie, and oppression; our neglect of [Page 268] the Word and Sacraments: that we watch nothing, but our lusts, and pleasures: Mammon and our own Wills: and like these waste our Masters goods, and strike our Fellow-servants, and withold a portion from the poor. Will not the Lord of the Church call for a reckoning for these: and if we be taken in these, woe unto us? We know what is the hire of such faith­less Servants. We watch the plague to prevent death, but we wait not on God to meet death: we watch the enemies of our Land, that we be not surprized: but we have an enemie within, that will overthrow us: We provide against famine, and yet our selves pine.

Now this watching is not any power in man to pre­serve himself, but sensible of his own weaknesse to preserve himself, and longing to be with Christ.

1. That we wait in Faith upon the Word of Christ, believing the promise, though we see nothing but mi­serie; and death, yet expecting life and freedom ac­cording to that Word.

2. That we be working in love, and obedient to his Will, not seeking, or serving our own Lusts: even so, as we would have Christ to finde us, when he comes.

3. Truely knowing our own danger, & the strength of the Devil, and the World over us, daily drawing us to forget this day.

That which Christ said, come, is, or should be the care of all our Watch.

1. If our love were to Christ, would we not wait for him as the Wife for her Husband, and the Child for the Father?

2 If we knew our danger, we would not sleep, and suffer our House to be broken up.

3. If we b [...]leve the nearnesse, or uncertainty of his coming, We would watch better.

For we know not when our Master will come. So th [...] in this we see the reason, viz. The uncertainty of th [...] t [...]me of his coming.

[Page 269]1. The certainty of his coming, that the Master will return; Death and Doom shall light upon all.

2. That he will come at an unset time, when the World is secure.

3. That none shall escape it.

4. That everie one shall be accountant.

No escaping of this day, for as the balliff, it pursues man though he flee as a Traitor, and having arrested him, Phisicians nor friends: cannot bail him, but he must dye.

When the Scripture speaks of this day, it seems to hasten it, a [...] though it were at hand, even on our necks, as, Dan. 7.9 10. And Paul, upon whom the ends of the World are come, And Peter, The end of all things are at hand, but of that day, knows no man; The Father hath put them in his own power; So that,

The dayes of man are only numbred of God, and the hour of death unknown to man, but he will come when he thinks least thereof.

When they cry, Peace, peace, &c. And yet it cannot belong to any: and for the general day, all the Prophe­sies of Christ are near fulfilled, as the spreading of Er­ror; and Heresies, Wars: Plagues and Prodigies are now abroad; Faith scarcely found, trade of iniquitie in growth: Love extinct: And if the Gospel be prea­ched through the World, it may be before we parte this place.

1. How fond are they then that will calculate this day: as the Heathen of old, by their Chimick year, and golden number, fifteen thousand years: as also the Chi­ [...]eans in Austins time: Who said, It should be four hundred years after the Ascension; and Papists by the [...]oming of Anti-Christ; who was to be of the Tribe of Dan, and reign three years and a half in Jerusalem, and subdue all the World, and then shall the end come; But let God be wise, and all men fools and lyers; for this is not to be known; but waited on in all straits and wants.

[Page 270]1. He wil come it may be in the first or second watch or at the dawning.

2. At death, not as thou lustest: for we would all have him to stay till the dawning: But attend, and he will come. O! What a day will that be, when thou looks for Life and Wealth, &c. And Death comes and will not stay?

Lest ye be found sleeping.

None so great danger to man, as a sleepie securitie, and mindlessenesse of his own frailtie, and the judge­ments of God.

Thus, Sodom, and the Old World, And so shall the coming of the Son of man be: Wealth and Riches make secure, as Luk. 12. Pleasures of the flesh makes secure, as Sodom: yea, the freedom of the Gospel makes se­cure, being turned into the flesh: nothing keeps man waking but the Crosse: and thus the World is fallen a sleep, only dreams of these things.

But a waking day will come: when the sound of the Trumpet of the Word sounds in thy heart: or if not, the sound of the last Trump; and then happie he, whom the Master shall find waking.