OF all other parts of the holy Bible, this Booke of the Psalmes, (penned for the most part by David, the sweet Singer of Israel, and a man after Gods owne heart) is stuft and fill'd with greatest plentie and varietie of preci­ous Lessons and instructions unto eternall life. The Contents and the be­nefit of the Psalmes in ge­nerall. The choice and flower of all things profitable and comfortable for the right course of a Chri­stian [Page 2] life, is therein briefely contained, and very movingly and feelingly exprest. In them we may be acquainted with the Majestie and Mysteries of God, with the Sufferings of Christ, with un­fained Repentance, unwearied Patience, spiritu­all Wisedome, and wonderfull Courage of the godly man, and true Christian. In them we may behold the terrors of Wrath, and the anguishes of an afflicted Conscience, the comforts of Grace, and great Deliverances, the wonderfull workes of Providence over this World, and the promised Ioyes of that World which is to come. In a word, all good necessarily to be either knowne or done, or had, is plentifully, as out of a rich Trea­surie, reveal'd and offer'd unto us in these heavenly Songs of David.

Amongst which, Of the 119. in particular. this 119. Psalme (a part of which I have now read unto you) is, as it were, a precious Iewell, or cleare Crystall; wherein wee may see the right temper and state of true godli­nesse, and sinceritie, the markes and properties of all true worshippers of God, the zeale and affecti­ons of all faithfull Christians, the very lively Ana­tomie and laying open of a good and gracious Soule.

This whole Psalme doth consist of 22. The Division of it. Parts or Portions of Staves, or Octaves, even just so many as there be Letters in the Hebrew Alphabet; and every Portion containeth in it eight Verses; and every Verse of every Portion, or Staffe, begins with the same Hebrew Letter. The which speci­all and extraordinarie penning and disposing of [Page 3] the Psalme, Three Lessons to be learned thence. doth declare and set out unto us these three things:

1 The diligent intention of mind, and care­full meditation of the Author, in the framing and composing of it.

2 The preciousnesse and worth of the matter contain'd in it; in that it pleased the Spirit of God to deliver it in choice and speciall order.

3 A desire and purpose, that it might more easily be learn'd by heart, and committed to me­morie, and often and earnestly meditated and thought upon, being set downe unto us in so faire and easie order of the Hebrew Letters.

This Part, or Portion, which wee have now in hand, is the foureteenth; and doth containe in it many worthy and gracious Lessons for our in­struction and devotion in heavenly things, propo­sed unto us out of the practice and Christian car­riage of this holy Prophet, and Man of God, David, a perfect patterne of all true zeale and pietie.

In the thirteenth Portion, Two things observable in the 13. Part. immediately going before, David had delivered specially two things.

First, How by his love, reading, study, and me­ditation in Gods Word, 1 How David became wiser than his ene­mies. he had attained most ex­cellent knowledge, wisedome, and understanding; so that thereby he was become farre more wise than his enemies; that is, than Saul and all his politike Courtiers and Counsellors of State. Hee had more understanding than his Teachers, than the great Doctors, and Rabbins; for all their deepe Lear­ning being not sanctified unto them. He under­stood more than the grave and ancient men, for all [Page 4] the worldly wisedome and great experience they had gathered in many yeeres, and through length of dayes. Where, by the way, take this Lesson.

There is no wit or policie, Doct. not all the Learning in the World, True wisdome to be had only from and in the Word. or worldly wisedome, can make a man truly wise, (that is, wise unto salvation) but onely a powerfull and working knowledge out of the holy Word of God.

The Reason is: The Reason. Because all other wisedome doth onely provide for the Body, Because other wisdome pro­vides only for the body, but this for the soul [...]. for a temporall happinesse in this life, for a few and evill dayes, and leaves the Soule in a sinfull and wretched e­state; shortly, in the day of Visitation, to be over­taken and fearefully confounded with strange a­stonishments, horrors, and despaire; and hereaf­ter, wofully to be tormented amongst wicked De­vils in the Lake that burnes with fire and Brim­stone for evermore. But wisedome out of the Word of God doth so furnish a mans Soule with Grace, and all holy Vertues, that in despight of all creatures, hee may live comfortably in this Vale of teares, and in endlesse joyes in the World to come.

Now (I pray you) tell me, whether is truly the wiser man; hee, that for an inch of time makes much of his wretched Body, that must shortly rot in the grave, and be devoured of Wormes, and turned into dust; but in the meane time lets his immortall Soule, that can never die, sinke into the Dungeon of everlasting woe and miserie: or hee, which by taking sound and saving counsell and direction out of the Word of God, and how­soever [Page 5] he be hated and neglected of this vaine World, yet yeelding chearefull and constant obe­dience thereunto, provides unspeakable comfort, rest, and blessednesse both for Body and Soule, through all eternitie?

Secondly, In the second part and foure last Verses of the former Portion, 2 He sets downe the fruits of his knowledge David sets downe the fruit, use, and benefit which sprung from his divine knowledge. It sweetned his heart with much comfort, and sound contentment, and chea­red him with joy unspeakable, 1 Pet. 1. 8. and glorious, amidst all crosses and discomforts; it bridled and re­strained him from every evill way; it kept and pre­served him in the paths of righteousnesse; it bred in him a hatred and loathing of the wayes of error, falsehood, and hypocrisie. Where, by the way, I would give you this other Lesson.

We must labour and be sure that we draw our knowledge in Gods Word into practice, Doct. action, and exercise; All our know­ledge must be practicall. otherwise, it will not onely be un­profitable and unfruitfull unto us, but indeed bring upon us a greater and more fearefull con­demnation. For, Luke 12. 47. For, He that knowes his Masters will, and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes, Luke 12. 47. All our knowledge is in vaine, ex­cept by the power of it our inward affections be sanctified, our words seasoned with grace, our actions and conversations guided with spirituall wisedome and unfained sinceritie.

After David had thus, in the former Portion, layd downe unto us, and confessed what excellent knowledge he had got out of the Word of God, [Page 6] and the precious fruit and benefit he had reaped and enjoyed by it: Now,

In the first Verse of this present Portion, The foure­teenth Part explaned. hee makes, as it were, a protestation and profe [...]ion, that he is wholly and onely enlightened and led in all his wayes by this holy Word of God, as by a Light or Lanterne: The brightnesse thereof doth not onely bring him into the wayes of righ­teousnesse, and blessed estate of Christianitie, but doth also conduct and guide him in all the paths and particulars of his life and actions, in all the parts and passages of his speciall calling: For he saith, Thy Word is a Lampe unto my feet] that is, whereby I see and discerne the way to Heaven, and the narrow path through the Kingdome of Grace; and a Light unto my paths] that is, a guide to direct me in every particular step, at every turning, that so I may keepe a straight course, and the readie way to the Kingdome of Glory.

That David had thus wholly yeelded and resig­ned up himselfe to be guided and governed by the glorious Light of Gods holy Word, appeares in the Verses following.

First, 1 Vers. 106. in Vers. 106. by a solemne Oath and sa­cred resolution to keepe Gods righteous judge­ments, and an unfained and constant purpose to performe the same; I have sworne, and will performe it, that I will keepe thy righteous judgements.

Secondly, 2 Vers. 107. in Vers. 107. by his patiencie and suf­ferance of wrongs, disgraces, and afflictions, which the wicked and prophane World heaped upon him, for his profession of holinesse and sin­ceritie. [Page 7] For, except he had loved and followed the Light of divine Truth, whensoever the fire of persecution and tribulation, because of the Word, had beene kindled against him, hee had shrunke backe and fallen away; I am afflicted very much, quicken me, O Lord, according to thy Word.

Thirdly, in Vers. 108. by the offerings of his mouth, and calves of his lips; 3 Vers. 108. that is, the spiri­tuall sacrifices of prayers, thanksgiving, and gra­cious Vowes for Gods service, which with a free and fervent spirit, and earnest desire of acceptati­on, he continually offered unto the Lord; O Lord I beseech thee, accept the free-will offerings of my mouth, and teach me thy judgements.

Fourthly, in Vers. 109, 110. by his stedfastnesse and sticking to the Law and Word of God, 4 Vers. 109, 110. though hee was beset and strongly incompassed with snares, with dangers, and with death it selfe: His soule was continually in his hand; that is, hee was ready and resolved every houre rather to part with his life, than with a good Conscience; to shed his bloud, rather than to forsake the Truth and Com­mandements of God: My soule is continually in my hand, yet doe I not forget thy Law: The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I erred not from thy Precepts.

In the two last Verses, upon the former reasons hee concludes the Point; 5 Vers. 111, 112. That his heart and in­ward affections do dearely embrace Gods blessed Word, as a most rich and lasting Inheritance, as his sweetest and greatest joy; and, that hee bends all the powers of his soule, and best endevours, to be led with, and to follow the Light thereof even [Page 8] unto the end, untill it bring him to immortalitie and Light, 1 Tim. 6. 16. that no man can attaine unto: Thy testi­monies have I taken as an heritage for ever, for they are the rejoycing of my heart: I have inclined my heart to performe thy Statutes alway, even to the end.

Thus you see in generall the meaning of this Portion.

Before now I descend unto particulars, Sixe markes to distinguish a godly man and an hypo­crite. and come to gather Notes severally from the Verses in order, let vs take notice, I beseech you, (for our instruction and examination of our owne soules) of sixe notable markes, and signes, by which a true Christian may be discerned from a Tempo­rizer; a sincere server of God, from a carnall Gospeller.

The first I gather out of the first Verse: 1 Vers. 105. Every sonne and servant of God doth with humilitie, A godly man is guided by the Word in all his wayes. chearefulnesse, and obedience, yeeld and submit himselfe to be wholly and onely directed and gui­ded by the Light of Gods Word, in all his wayes, both generally, of Christianitie, and particularly, of his speciall calling; as David here did. But the naturall man, A naturall man not at all. that is not yet entred into, or acquainted with the state of Grace, is led and gui­ded in his courses onely by the Light of Reason, and worldly Wisedome; by good Meanings, without ground and warrant out of the Word; by a blind and ignorant Devotion; by the Mul­titude, Examples, Custome of the Times, and such like blind Guides: But if he take any advice and direction out of the Word of God, it is but in part, Or in par [...]. by halfes, and for a time.

[Page 9] A second ariseth out of the second Verse: 2 Vers. 106. Every Child of God doth not onely promise, vow, He performes all his Vowes. and purpose to forsake and abandon all his knowne sinnes, to watch carefully and consciona­bly over all his wayes, to delight in and to sort himselfe with godly and gracious companie, to have a respect to all his Commandements, and to keepe his righteous Iudgements; but hee doth also truly and throughly performe it: hee goes through-stitch with his spirituall affaires, and with constancie and courage walkes in a setled course of Christianitie. An unregene­rate man doth not pay them. But the unregenerate man, not yet soundly seasoned with the power of Grace; howsoever he hath sometimes good mo­tions and purposes arise in his heart, to forsake his former evill wayes, and to fall to godlinesse; how­soever in the time of Sicknesse, of some great Iudgement, or when his Conscience is terrified by the Ministerie of the Word, when he seriously thinkes upon the day of his death, and of that great and last Iudgement, or the like; hee makes Vowes with himselfe, perhaps, that hee will be a new man, and change his courses: But when he is once out of danger againe, when he comes to the point, and practice, he is not so good as his word, he doth not pay and performe his former Vowes and purposes; hee is presently choaked againe with worldly Cares, and drowned in earthly Plea­sures: And so all his goodnesse is as a morning Cloud, Hos. 6▪ 4. and as the morning Deaw it goeth away.

The third marke lyeth in the third Verse: Every Child of God doth with contented patience▪ 3 Vers. 107. [Page 10] with strong dependance upon Gods providence, He patiently suffers perse­cution for the Word. with rejoycing in his sufferings, beare and endure many miseries and pressures layd upon him▪ for his profession and practice of sinceritie. He well knowes out of the Word of God, and feeles by his owne experience, 2 Tim. 3. 12. That all which will live godly in Christ Iesus, shall suffer persecution, 2 Tim. 3. 12. And therefore he makes up his account with the World, and is at a point with all that is under the Sunne; hee is perswaded, that all the afflictions of this life are not neere worthy the glory which shall be re­vealed, Rom. 8. 18.

But the carnall Gospeller he thinkes it is good sleeping in a whole skin; The carnall Gospeller spare [...] him­selfe. he lookes for a Gospel of ease, for a soft and silken service of God; for a Church (as one speakes) all of Velvet. And there­fore, rather than he will suffer any losse, or worsing, any diminution or disparagement in his outward estate, in his reputation, wealth, and worldly hap­pinesse, he will make shipwracke of a good Conscience; he will yeeld to the corruptions of the Times, and with the greater part, rest and repose himselfe peaceably and pleasantly upon his Bed of ease, and carnall securitie: never considering, that the Crosse is the Christians triumph; that Christ himselfe was crowned with Thornes; and, that wee must through many afflictions enter into the King­dome of Heaven, Act. 14. 22. Act. 14. 22.

A fourth marke may be gathered out of the fourth Verse: 4 Vers. 108. The prayers and praysings of God, in the mouth of Gods Child, He is frequent in praying and praysing. The other not. are frequent, free, and fervent; but with the carnall Gospeller, they [Page 11] are very rare, cold, and formall. The Reason is; Gods Child is very sensible of his corruptions, The Reason. and wants, hee still longs and gaspes for more grace, with a spirituall taste he sweetly relisheth Gods great mercie and goodnesse unto him; he hath the love of God and the spirit of prayer shed into his heart by the Spirit of Adoption; and therefore his heart is as full as the Moone, of godly motions and meditations, which like a con­tinuall Spring sends out groanes and sighes un­utterable, many zealous and faithfull prayers and thanksgivings unto his gracious God with a free and feeling affection. But the carnall Gospeller, because his understanding was never enlightened, his heart never truly humbled, his affections never sanctified; because he hath no sence of his wret­ched estate, nor present feeling of grace, nor sound hope and assurance of happinesse in Heaven; why, therefore he hath no great mind, or heart, or list to prayer; hee hath no great delight, or exercise, in this holy businesse: and if he doe pray (which is but seldome, and coldly) it is but lip-labour, and lost labour, because it is without faith, and fee­ling; for fashion, custome, or company, because he was so taught in his youth; or that he super­stitiously thinkes, the very worke wrought, and a number of prayers solemnely said over, will san­ctifie him.

A fifth marke may be gathered out of the sixt and seventh Verses: 5 Vers. 109, 110. The Child of God doth not onely passe through with patience, He will lose his life for God. for the pro­fession of Gods truth and sinceritie, lesse and infe­riour [Page 12] miseries; as losse of goods, losse of friends and reputation with the World, slanders, disgra­ces, and wrongs: but hee also holds his soule (as it were) continually in his hand, as David here sayes of himselfe; readie (if need be, and the times so require) even to shed his bloud vnder the Sword of Persecution, or to lay downe his life in the flames, rather than to dishonour so mercifull a God, to betray his holy Truth; or, by his back­sliding and falling away, to hazard that Crowne of Glory, which by the eye of faith he hath alrea­die in sight. A temporarie is offended. But the carnall Gospeller, in time of peace and plentie, while he lives quietly, and at ease, without crosse or trouble, in faire and Sun­shine dayes, may perhaps be a stout and peremp­torie Professor, but hee ever shrinkes in the wet­ting; he pulls in the head in the fierie triall: ever, when trouble or persecution commeth, Mat. 13. 21. because of the word, by and by he is offended.

The sixt marke is gathered out of the two last Verses: 6 Vers. 111, 112. The Child of God holds his Word farre more deare than any precious Treasure, A Child of God counts the Word his greatest Trea­sure. than the richest Inheritance, than Vers. 162. great Spoyles, than Vers. 72. thousands of Gold and Silver: It is the joy of his heart; and therefore it inclines and inflames his affections with love and zeale to doe Gods will, and fulfill all his Commandements. And no mar­vell though the true Christian find most sound and unconceivable delight in the Word of God, The Reason. the Doctrine of Heaven: For by it, he is borne a­new, and made heire of Heaven: by the Light of it, he sees his Name written in the Booke of Life, [Page 13] never to be raced out by man, A Christian man hath such assurance in the good things of the world to come, that he can ea­sily moderate his affections as touching earthly and transitorie things. It is otherwise with an Hypo­crite. or Devill; all the sweet and gracious promises of salvation and comfort revealed in it, are sure his owne: So that thence he knowes, and is perswaded undoubtedly, that after a few and evill dayes spent in this mise­rable life, he shall remaine and reigne eternally in the glory of God, of Christ Iesus, the blessed Spi­rit, and the holy Angels. But it is otherwise with the carnall Gospeller; for whatsoever shew or protestation he makes to the contrary, yet indeed in his heart, affections, and practice, hee preferres his pleasures, riches, and profit, before hearing of Gods Word, sanctifying his Sabbaths, and obe­dience to his Commandements. And why? And no mar­vell: for because hee yet never lived the life of faith, but is a meere stranger to the mysterie of godlinesse, hee hath no true interest nor sound as­surance in the joyes of another World; and there­fore feeds onely and fills himselfe with transitorie and earthly contentments.

Now I beseech you (beloved in Christ Iesus) let every one with singlenesse of heart and since­ritie examine his owne Soule, and the spirituall state of his Conscience, by these signes and marks which I have now delivered to you, out of the ex­ample and precedencie of the Christian affecti­ons and holy disposition of David, a sanctified man, and a principall patterne of pietie and zeale for all faithfull ones. 2 Cor. 13. 5. Know you not (saith the Apo­stle) that Iesus Christ is in you, except you be repro­bates? So undoubtedly, if Iesus Christ be in you, if you be of Davids stampe and temper, that [Page 14] is, alreadie possessed of the state of grace, and marked out by the Spirit of sanctification, for the glory that shall be revealed; you doe find in some good measure these markes and signes of an holy man in your selves.

1 That you are enlightened and guided by the Word of God in all your wayes.

2 That you have not onely good motions and purposes for a zealous and constant service of God; but doe faithfully, with sinceritie and inte­gritie of heart performe the same.

3 That you suffer joyfully and patiently af­flictions and disgrace in the World, for the te­stimonie of Gods Truth, and profession of sin­ceritie.

4 That you freely and faithfully, with much feeling and fervencie of spirit, offer dayly prayers and prayses unto the Lord.

5 That you had rather part with the dearest and most precious things in this life, nay, life it selfe, than leave the service of God, and the testi­monie of a good Conscience.

6 That you have more comfort and delight in hearing, reading, meditating, conferring of, and applying unto your owne soules the holy Word of God, than in the treasures and glory of the whole Earth.

Such markes as these you must finde in your selves, if you ever meane or hope to finde true con­tentment in this life, or the comforts of Heaven in the life to come.

Now I come to a more speciall and particular [Page 15] consideration of every Verse in order; and thence togather such Notes and Doctrines, as may best instruct us in the way to Heaven.

First, Vers. 105. ex­plained. David tells us in the first Verse; That Gods Word is a Lanterne to his feet, and a Light unto his paths: The Word is taken three wayes. Which, that you may better understand, I will tell you the meaning of the words, and ex­plaine unto you the severall tearmes.

First, the Word may be taken three wayes.

1 For the substantiall Word of God, 1 For the sub­stantial Word. the se­cond Person in the Trinitie, Ioh. 1. 1. In the begin­ning was the Word, and the Word was God.

2 It may be taken for the written and sounding Word; The written and sounding Word. as it onely strikes the eare, and informes the understanding; but it is not conveyed, neither sinkes it into the heart by the powerfull assistance and sanctified concurrence of Gods Spirit, it be­ing not prayed for to the conversion and sanctifi­cation of the whole man. And so the Word is heard and understood of many, that shall never be saved, but returnes unfruitfull.

3 It may be taken for the working and effectu­all Word, The effectuall Word. as it is the power of God unto salvation; as it is rightly understood, Rom. 1. 16. applyed unto the heart and Conscience, possest of the thoughts and affe­ctions, and practised in the life and conversation. This Word thus understood, inlived, managed, and powerfully applyed by the Spirit of God, was a Light unto Davids steps; and so is a guide unto the paths of all true Christians, to the worlds end.

That you may understand how the Word is a Light, 2 What is m [...]ant by Light? you must consider,

[Page 16] 1 That Christ is called Light, Ioh. 1. 4. The Ministers are called the Light of the World, John 1. 4. Mat. 5. 14. Mat. 5. 14. The faithfull are Lights, Phil. 2. 15, 16. The way of the righteous (saith Salomon, Phil. 2. 15, 16. Prov. 4. 18.) shineth as the Light, Prov. 4. 18. that shineth more and more vnto the perfect day. The Word of God is also called a Light; as in this place. But first,

Christ is Light of himselfe, 1 Christ origi­nally. and originally; he is the Fountaine and everlasting Spring of all the Light of Grace and Glory, both in Heaven and Earth; Mal. 4. 2. Hee is called, The Sunne of Righteousnesse. The Sunne, you know, hath his Light rooted in his owne faire Body, and receives that from none other; and with that, hee enlightens the Moone, the Starres, the Aire, the Earth, & all the World: Even so the blessed Sonne of God, the Sunne of Righteousnesse, hath in himselfe, and from himselfe, the Light of all Wisdome and Knowledge, Mer­cie and Comfort; and from him floweth and springeth whatsoever Light of Glory is revealed unto his blessed Saints and Angels in Heaven, or whatsoever Light of Grace is shed into the hearts of his sonnes and servants here upon Earth.

2 The Preachers of the Word are Ministers and Messengers of this Light; 2 Ministers, mi­nisterially. and therefore are but Light ministerially. They are as the Starres, and so they are called, Rev. 1. 20. They receive all their Light from the Sunne of Righteousnesse, R [...]vel. 1. 20. CHRIST IESVS, and either doe or should con­vey and cast their borrowed beames upon the earthly, cold, and darksome hearts of the people of God, Act. 16. 18. that they might turne from Darkenesse [Page 17] to Light, from the power of Sathan unto God, Act. 26. 18.

3 The Word is Light instrumentally; The Word instrumen­tally. which being powerfully sanctified unto us for our salva­tion, and being holden out unto us by a conscio­nable Ministerie, is as a Candle or Torch, to guide us through the darknesse of this World, unto our eternall Rest.

4 Lastly, The faithfull are the sub­jects of this Light. the faithfull are Lights Subjectivè; because they receive this Light into their Vnder­standings, (whereby they see the Wonders of Gods Law, the Secrets of his Kingdome, and the great Mysterie of Godlinesse, and the way to Heaven;) into their Consciences, (whereby they have their sinfull miserable estate by nature discovered unto them, and the way to Christ for remedie and salvation;) into their affections, (whereby they are enkindled with zeale for Gods truth, honour, and service,) into their actions, and conversation, whereby they shine as Lights in the World, Phil. 2. 15. amid a naughtie and crooked generation, Phil. 2. 15. And after the Sunne of Righteousnesse once a­rise in their hearts, like the Sunne in the Firma­ment, they shine more and more in all holy Ver­tues, unto the perfect day, untill they reach the height of Heaven, and the full glory of the Saints of God.

In the third place, [ by Feet] is meant his minde and understanding, 3 What is meant by Feet. his affections, thoughts, actions, his whole life, all his wayes. All these in David, were guided by the Light of Gods Word.

[Page 18] Lastly, 4 What, by Paths. by Paths, are meant every particular step, every turning and narrow passage in his spe­ciall calling. For this Light, the Word of God, doth not onely guide a mans feet into the way of peace, and put him in the right way to Heaven; but also goes along with him, inlightens and directs every step, that his feet doe not slide. It so informes him with spirituall wisedome, that hee layes hold on every occasion for the glorifying of God, descries every little sinne, and appearance of evill, dispo­seth every circumstance in his actions, with a good conscience, and warrant out of Gods Word.

This then is the meaning of this Verse. The meaning of the Verse. David, the man of God, had the Word of God working powerfully upon his soule, as a Light: that is; As a Lampe is to the life and safetie of the body, in darke and dangerous places; so was this Light to the life and salvation of Davids soule, in the darkenesse of this World, and shadow of death: To guide his feet and paths; that is, his mind, affecti­ons, thoughts, actions, his whole life, all his wayes, and every particular step and passage thereof.

This Verse being thus understood, let us now come to gather some Lessons and Doctrines for our instruction.

The first shall be this:

There is no man can hit the way to Heaven, Doct. 1. or walke in the paths of Righteousnesse, through the Kingdome of Grace in this World, unto the Kingdome of Glory in the World to come, ex­cept he be inlightened, informed, and instructed in the holy Word of God.

[Page 19] The second Note wee gather out of this Verse, shall be this:

The Word of God is a Light, Doct. 2. not onely to guide us into the way to Heaven, and instruct us in our generall calling of Christianitie; but also to leade us along in a course of godlinesse, and to direct us particularly in our speciall calling.

I will first follow the former Doctrine; which in few words, and plainely, I thus propose unto you.

No man can at first finde the entrance, Doct. 1. or after hit the way to Heaven, except he be enlightened and led along by the holy Word of God. For David, as here wee see, a man of great worth, and understanding, otherwise excellently and extra­ordinarily qualified; could not find out, or follow any other Guide, or direction to Heaven, but onely the Light of Gods Word.

The Reasons of this Doctrine, may be these which follow.

The first may be taken from the insufficiencie and inabilitie of all other meanes, Reason 1. to bring us to Heaven: No other meanes can bring us to Heaven. as,

1 All the greatest Learning and deepest know­ledge in the World, Not humane Learning. will stand us in little stead in this businesse: Otherwise it had gone well with many ancient Heathens and Philosophers of old, who fadomed as deepe, and reached as high in the depths and mysteries of all humane Lear­ning and knowledge, as the light of Reason and strength of Nature could possibly bring them: And yet they were utterly strangers to the life of [Page 20] grace, Eph. 2. 12. and without God in the World. When they pro­fessed themselves to be wise, they became fooles, saith Paul, Rom. 1. 22. Rom. 1. 22. They were puffed up with a little vaine-glorious knowledge here upon Earth, and got them a Name amongst men: But, alas, what was this? When as for the want of the Light of Divine Truth, they lost their Soules in another World, and their Names never came in the Booke of Life. Where is the wise? (saith Paul in another place) Where is the Scribe? 1 Cor. 1. 20. Where is the Disputer of this World? As if hee should have said: All the knowledge of the greatest Doctors and learnedest Rabbins in the World, without Grace, vanisheth into nothing, into vaine-glory, emptinesse, and aire; nay, casts them with greater horror, and confusion, into the Pit of Hell. Every man (saith Ieremie) is a Beast by his owne knowledge, [...] Iere. 10. 14. Iere. 10. 14. Except, besides all other know­ledge, he be enlightened from above, and have that Divine knowledge sanctified unto him, hee can come no neerer the happinesse of Heaven, than a very Beast.

2 Worldly wisedome and policie is so farre from making men wise unto salvation, Not worldly wisedome. The wisedome of Gods Book, & mans brain, stand at oddes, with an ever­lasting oppo­sition, Rom. 8. 7. that it is not onely starke foolishnesse with God and good men, but it doth strongly set it selfe and is at en­mitie against God. Therefore, saith God; I will destroy the wisedome of the wise, and will cast away the understanding of the prudent, 1 Cor. 1. 19. 1 Cor. 1. 19. Ahitophel was so wise even in the affaires of Kingdomes, and businesse of State, 2 Sam. 16. 23. that the counsell which he counselled [Page 21] in those dayes, was like as one had asked counsell at the Oracle of God; and yet all this great wisedome in the end ended in extreme folly: for upon a little discontent and disgrace in the World, 2 Sam. 17. 23. he sadled his Asse, and went home unto his Citie, and put his household in order, and hanged himselfe, 2 Sam. 16. 23. & 17. 23. Although the end of all worldly wisedome be not so shamefull in the eye of the World, yet undoubtedly it is most miserable and wofull in the World to come, except their wisedome be sanctified and over-ruled by the Light of Gods Word. Carnall wisedome can neither preserve a man from death, nor prepare him to die blessedly: it cannot stay his Life from going, neither can it stop the Curse from comming; it cannot deliver him from damnation in the World to come, but rather encreaseth the grievousnesse of his punish­ment: for in this life it hath kept possession a­gainst heavenly wisedome, it made him uncapa­ble of all good instructions, it made him impati­ent of any rebuke, and held him in ignorance and disobedience all his life.

3 No good meanings or intentions, Not good meanings. without knowledge and warrant in the Word of God, will ever serve our turne for salvation; nay, indeed they are abominable and hatefull in Gods sight. Howsoever, thousands deceive themselves in this point. 2 Sam. 6. 6. Vzzah had a good meaning, in 2 Sam. 6. 6. when hee put his hand to the Arke of God, and held it; for the Oxen did shake it: but notwith­standing, the Lord was very wroth with Vzzah, and God smote him in the same place, and there hee [Page 22] died. Iames and Iohn had good meanings, when they called for fire from Heaven to consume the Samaritan, that would not entertaine Christ; but Iesus rebuked them, Luk. 9. 54, 55. 1 Sam. 15. and told them, they knew not of what spirit they were. Saul, in 1 Sam. 15. had a good meaning, when he spared Agag, and the best of the Sheepe, and of the Oxen, to sacrifice them unto the Lord; but notwithstanding Samuel tells him, that he had done wickedly in the sight of the Lord, and that the Lord had rent the Kingdome of Israel from him that day. Peter had a good meaning, when in Ioh. 13. 8. Ioh. 13. 8. he would not suffer Christ to wash his feet; but Iesus answered him, and told him, If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me. Good meanings then are wicked missings of the true service of God, except they be guided by know­ledge, warrant, and ground out of the Booke of God. Let no man then tell of his good meaning, if he be ignorant in the Will and Word of God, for certainely it will never serve the turne, it will never hold out in the Day of Christ Iesus.

4 No will-worship, Not will-wor­ship. or will-service, or volun­tarie Religion, Col. 2. 23. as the Apostle calls it, Col. 2. 23. which is forged and framed out of a mans owne braine, humour, and conceit, without ground or warrant in the Booke of God; though it be per­formed with never so glorious a shew of zeale and paines, yet it is not any way availeable for our spi­rituall good, and eternall happinesse: nay indeed, it is most odious in the eyes of God, and ever ly­able to a very high degree of his wrath and ven­geance.

[Page 23] Baals Prophets, 1 King. 18. 28. 1 Kings 18. 28. were so hot and hastie in their will-worship, that they cut themselves with knives, and launcers, till the bloud gushed out upon them. The Papists they whip themselves, they vow Continencie, perpetuall Povertie, and Regu­lar Obedience, and yet is the profession and pra­ctice of both, bloudie and idolatrous. When the Iewes worshipped God after the devised fashions of the Gentiles, though their meaning was to worship nothing but God, yet the Text saith, they worshipped nothing but Devils, Deut. 32. 17. Deut. 32. 17. And God there protests, that therefore a fire was kindled in his wrath, that should burne unto the bottome of Hell, and set on fire the foundations of the mountaines. So hated of Almightie God is all service and wor­ship devised by the wit and will of man, without warrant in the Word of God.

5 Lastly, Not the Word it selfe in the Letter, with­out the mea­ning. not the Word of God it selfe in the Letter, without the spirituall meaning, and the finger of Gods Spirit to apply it powerfully to our soules and consciences, is any sufficient rule of life, or able to bring us into the Light of Grace. This appeares in Nicodemus, who was a great Do­ctor in the Law, Ioh. 3. 10. and the Prophets, a chiefe Master and Teacher in Israel; yet was a very Infant and Ideot in the power of Grace, and mysterie of god­linesse. For all his learning in the Letter of the Law, he had not yet made one step towards Hea­ven; for hee was not onely ignorant of, but had a very absurd and grosse conceit of the new birth; which is the very first entrance into the Kingdome of Grace. For when Christ told him, hee could [Page 24] not be saved, except hee were new borne, hee strangely and foolishly replyes; Vers. 4. How can a man be borne, which is old? How can he enter into his mo­thers Wombe againe, and be borne? Thus you see, there can no other meanes be named, or thought upon; not all humane Knowledge, nor worldly Wisedome, nor good Meanings, nor Will­worship, nor the Word it selfe in the Letter, which can leade us into the wayes of Righte­ousnesse, or bring us unto Heaven; but onely the Light of Gods holy Word, holden out un­to us by a profitable Ministerie, and the power of the Spirit.

A second Reason of my Doctrine may be this: Reason 2. No man can ever see the Kingdome of God, The Word workes rege­neration; with­out which, no salvation. ex­cept he be borne againe, except he be a new crea­ture, a new man, as is plaine in Christs words unto Nicodemus. For our new birth, or regene­ration, is the necessarie passage from Nature to Grace; What regene­ration is? from prophanenesse, to sinceritie: It is that whereby wee are wholly sanctified and set apart unto God, from the sinfnll corruption of our naturall birth, and the evill fruits thereof, to serve God in our whole man, both body, soule, and spirit. Now you must conceive, that this new birth must necessarily spring from the immortall Seed of the word of God; 1 Pet. 1. 23. for so it is cal­led, 1 Pet. 1. 23. It is the Seed of our new birth, salvation, and immortalitie. And you may as well looke for Come to grow up in your fields without sowing, without casting any Seed into the furrowes, as to looke for Grace to grow up [Page 25] in your hearts, or to reape the fruit of holinesse, everlasting life; except this immortall Seed, the Word of God, be first cast into the furrowes and fallow ground of your hearts, and be there re­ceived with reverence and attention, nourished with prayer and meditation, and fructifie in your lives and conversations. Hence it is, that Gods Word is called, Act. 13. 26. The Word of Salvation, Act. 13. 26. Act. 14. 3. The Word of Grace, Act. 14. 3. The Word of Life, Phil. 2. 16. Phil. 2. 16. The Power of God unto Salva­tion, Rom. 1. 16. Rom. 1. 16. For there is no power of Grace, or spirituall life, to bee had ordinarily upon Earth, or salvation and eternall life to be hoped for in Heaven; except a man be enlightened with the knowledge, and enlived with the power of the holy Word of God. There is no en­tring into the Kingdome of God, except a man bee new borne, except hee bee first renewed in his spirit, soule, and body: And there is no new birth, without the See Dearing, pag. 325. 1 Cor▪ 4. 15. Iam. 1. 18. immortall Seed, the Word of God. And therefore, without know­ledge and direction in the Word of God, no salvation.

The third Reason of my Doctrine, Reason 3. is this: The Word of God hath only the power and propertie to search into and to sanctifie the whole man, The Word is able to sancti­fie the whole man. even to the inmost thoughts and the secret cogitations of the heart. All the devices and imaginations of mans heart lye without the walke of humane ju­stice, and censure: no word or writing of man is able to bridle them, or bring them within com­passe; no Law of Nature, or Nations, can affright [Page 26] or restraine the freedome and wanderings of thoughts: onely the Word of God can amaze, search, and sanctifie them. The weapons of our war­fare (saith Paul) are not carnall, 2 Cor. 10. 4. but mightie through God to cast downe Holds; casting downe the imagina­tions, and every thing that is exalted against the know­ledge of God, and bringing into captivitie every thought into the obedience of Christ, 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5. The Word of God (saith the Apostle to the Hebrewes) is lively and mightie in operation, Heb. 4. 12. opened. and sharper than any two-edged sword; and entreth through, even to the dividing asun­der of the soule and the spirit, and of the joints and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart, Heb. 4. 12.

The Word of God may be said to be living or lively in three respects. The Word is said to be live­ly in three re­gards.

1 Because, whereas we naturally live under the shadow of death, and in the darkenesse of sinne, it quickens us with a new and spirituall life, It quickens. it cheares and comforts us with heavenly Light.

2 The Word may be called Living, because it selfe is immortall, It lasts for ever. and lasteth forever; as doth the living and eternall God, Psal. 119. 89. the Author of it.

3 But most especially, and agreeably to the place in the Hebrewes, It disperseth it selfe, and sear­cheth into e­very part of the soule. it is called lively, because it enters with great power and secret insinuation into every part and power both of soule and body: So that as our life is scattered and dispersed into every little part, and least veine in us, and we feele it both in paine and pleasure; even so the vertue of the Word of God pierceth into every member, into the most secret and hidden Closet of the [Page 27] heart, either to breake and bruise with terror and astonishment the very bones, & crush the sinewes of the sinfull soule; or to fill them with marrow and fatnesse, and to refresh the affections of the truly penitent with joy unspeakable, and glorious. God tells us in Ieremy, Jer. 23. 29. that his Word is like fire; and therefore it can easily insinuate into all the creekes and corners of our corruptions; it can fully and clearely enlighten our Consciences, and discover unto us the sinfulnesse of the most lur­king and secret thoughts.

Thus you have this first Doctrine plainely pro­ved and confirmed unto you.

No man can at first finde the entrance, or after hit the way to Heaven, except he be enlightened and led along by the saving knowledge of the holy Word of God.

No other meanes, which the power of Nature, Wisedome, Learning, or the whole World can afford, will serve the turne in this businesse of Sal­vation. It is the Seed of our new birth (as I told you;) there can be no growing of grace, or reaping of glory, without it: It hath onely power to shake, ransacke, and search into the inmost secrets of the heart: It onely can sanctifie us both in­wardly and outwardly, both in soule and body, both in thoughts and actions; without which, both inward and outward holinesse, no man shall ever see the face of God. Vse 1.

Now I come unto the Vses of this Doctrine. Confutation [...] of Papists, who keepe the Word in an unknowne Tongue. And in the first place, it may serve for confutation of the Papists, those great employsoners and mur­therers [Page 28] of infinite soules of men. Is the Word of God as a Lampe, and a Light, without which wee cannot see the first step, or set one foot aright to­wards Heaven? Why then, sinfull and pestilent is their practice, who hide this blessed Light from the people of God, in an unknowne Tongue; and by their bloudie Inquisition, damme up the holy Fountaines of heavenly Truth, which should spring up in every mans heart unto eternall life: Whose cruell and craftie Religion (for, bloud of Princes, and cursed Policie, are the principall supporters of Poperie) teacheth them to blind­fold and hood-winke the poore Laitie in forced ignorance, lest they should know Gods will, or any way to Heaven, but theirs; which indeed is the right, direct, and desperate downe-fall into the Pit of Hell: So that millions of soules live no lesse without Scriptures, than if there were none; and wofully walke in this World, through darke­nesse of sinne, shadow of death, and ignorance both of God and his Word, unto endlesse and utter darkenesse in the World to come. The Prophet David tells us, Psal. 19. 7, 8. in Psal. 19. That the Law of the Lord is perfect, and giveth wisedome unto the simple: The Commandements of the Lord is pure, and giveth light to the eyes. In this place hee tells us, That the Word was a Lampe unto his feet, and a Light un­to his paths. Joh. 5. 39. Christ himselfe, Iohn 5. 39. bids us, Search the Scriptures: even all, without excepti­on; so many as looke for eternall life. Not lightly, and at leisure to reade them, but with diligence to dive into them; for so the word sig­nifies [Page 29] in the Originall: To seeke for the right knowledge, and true sense of them, Prov. [...]. 4. as for Silver, and to search for it as for Treasures. The Noble­men of Berea, Act. 17. 11. Act. 17. 11. searched the Scriptures dayly, whether those things were so, that were preached unto them. [...] Pet. 1. 19. Saint Peter, 2 Pet. 1. 19. calls the Word of the Prophets, a Light, which shineth in a darke place, to which wee should take heed. But the Pope, and his Factors, teach other Lessons. The Catholike Church (saith one of their chiefe Be [...]. de Verb. Dei, 2. cap. 15. At Catholica Ecclesia, &c. Champions, out of the Councell of Sess. 22. ca. 8. Can. 9. Trent) forbids the reading of Scriptures by all, without choise, or the publike reading, or singing of them in vulgar Tongues. The wise will not here re­gard (say the Rhemists in their Preface to their Testament) what some wilfull people doe mut­ter, that the Scriptures are made for all men. And soone after, they resemble the Scriptures to Fire, Water, Candles, Knives, and Swords; which are indeed needfull, &c. but would marre all, if they were at the guiding of other than wise men: And this is indeed one of their principall reasons.

Many abuse the Scriptures by ignorance, Obiect. infir­mitie, or malice, The Scriptures are ready to be abused by the ignorant, to error, heresie, &c. to Errors, Heresies, Schismes, and their owne destruction: therefore they are not to be read of all, without choise.

I answer; they might as well reason thus: Many men abuse Meat and Drinke, Answ. by surfetting and excesse, So may Meat be abused, and the Aire infected: yet they are not to be ta­ken away. to the destruction both of their soules and bodies: therefore men are to be deprived of Meat and Drinke. Some men are infected with the Pestilence, by drawing in corrupted and em­poysoned [Page 30] aire: therefore the aire is to be taken away, and removed. But as those men which are deprived of Meat and Drinke, presently languish and pine away, and die a temporall death; and those that enjoy not the benefit of the aire, are presently stifled, for want of breath: even so, all those that want the spirituall Food of their soules out of the Word of God, and the holy inspirati­ons of his good Spirit builded thereupon; how­soever they be fat and flourishing in their outward estates, yet they are full leane and lanke in their soules; and if they so continue, must needes die an eternall death, and perish everlastingly. Let us then learne to detest and hate the bloudie Po­licie of the Synagogue of Rome, which cruelly keepes from many thousand Soules that blessed Light of Gods Word, which should lead them to eternall life. They indeed pretend other Rea­sons: But the truth is, if the Word of Truth should be permitted and published to all, there would be old running out of Babylon; all their Pompe and Policie would downe; their shame­full Iuglings and Cousenages, their strong De­lusions and Impostures would be laid open, in the sight of the Sunne. The Princes of the Earth, that have so long beene drunken with the wrath of her empoysoned Wine, would no longer com­mit Fornication with her. Rev. 18. The Merchants would buy no more her Wares; but would stand afarre off from her, for feare of her torment, weeping, and wailing. No marvell then, though the Pa­pists labour might and maine, and to this end [Page 31] maintaine a bloudie Inquisition, to suppresse this Light of Gods Word, lest it should discover their darknesse, and hasten their destruction.

A second Vse, Vse 2. is for terror, feare, and amaze­ment to all them that doe not live and delight in the Light of Gods holy Word, Of terror to them that de­light not in Gods Word. but yet are wal­king in the darkenesse of ignorance, and in the shadow of death. The whole World, I Iob. 5. 19. and every man in particular, lyes in darkenesse; that is, in igno­rance, under sinne; and so subject and lyable to damnation and eternall death. There is no way to come out of this state of Darknesse, Damnati­on, and Death, but by the Knowledge, Light, and Ministerie of the Word. Act. 26. 18. Hence it is, that Act. 26. 18. it is Pauls charge, and hee is sent to this purpose, to open the eyes of men, that they might turne from Darknesse to Light. Eph. 5. 8. And Paul himselfe, Eph. 5. 8. speakes thus unto the Ephesians; Yee were once Darkenesse, but now yee are Light in the Lord; walke as Children of the Light. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Out of 1 Pet. 2. 9. it appeares, that all Gods Children are called out of Darkenesse into marvellous Light. Why then, fearefull and most wretched is the state of all those, The state of those that are in Darkenesse. who by the Light and knowledge of Gods Word are not translated and guided out of this Darkenesse. For, as in Darkenesse,

1 There is much feare, He is in feare. Gen. 15. 12. horror, and discom­fort; a man cannot enjoy the lightsomenesse of Heaven, the comfort of the creatures, the com­panie of men: Even so ignorant men, not en­lightened with saving knowledge, are utterly without all hope of Heaven; they have no sight [Page 32] or taste of the endlesse joyes thereof; they have no companie or conference in heavenly matters with true Christians; they have no comfort or interest in the Covenant of Grace, or Promises of Salvation: But Feare, Horror, and Despaire are most justly treasured up for them against the Day of Wrath, Rom. 2. 5. and of the declaration of the just Iudgement of God.

2 He that walketh in the Darkenesse (saith Iohn) knoweth not whither he goeth: He knowes not whither he goes. Ioh. 12. 35. He cannot discerne his way; he seeth not what is behind, or before him; he cannot descry or discover the dangers which are round about him: But especially, if the wayes through which he passeth, be slipperie, steepe, and rockie, full of pits and holes, he is in danger at every step, by some grievous fall, to crush his body, bruise his bones, or breake his necke. The state of ignorant men. It is just so with every one that lives in ignorance of Gods Word, and Truth; he cannot possibly discerne the way to Heaven, amongst the many by-paths of iniquitie; he cannot judge in spirituall matters betwixt right and wrong, good and evill▪ Light and Darkenesse, Christ and Belial, prophanenesse and sinceritie; though there be behind him, a Life spent in much wickednesse, lewdnesse, and ignorance; before him, Despaire, Hell, and eternall Damnation; about him, the World, with a thousand baites and pleasures, to intice and intangle him in sinne; Sathan, like a roaring Lyon, readie every houre to seize upon his Soule, and to teare it in pieces, while there is none to helpe; all the creatures armed, and in a [Page 33] readinesse, with whole Armies of Plagues, and Vengeance, to be revenged upon him, for disho­nouring God, by ignorance in his Word: Yet hee sees none of all this. Hee neither knowes, feeles, or suspects these many dangers, with which he is incompassed; but goes on plodding, with ungrounded confidence, and wicked securitie, in the way of wickednesse and destruction: hee pas­seth, with much desperate boldnesse, through many dangerous and fearefull wayes; wherein, at every step, he wounds his Conscience with one sinne or other in the meane time, and at length falls headlong, and suddenly, body and soule, into the Pit of Hell. This is certainely the miserable and wofull state of all those that live in spirituall Darkenesse, and are ignorant in Gods Word, and the wayes of godlinesse. It may be they may flatter, please, and perswade themselves, that their case is good enough; that, when they heare of Heaven, and those everlasting pleasures at Gods right hand, they thinke notwithstanding that they shall come thither at length; though they know never a foot of the way, take no direction by the Light of Gods Word, nor set one step, by new obedience, towards that place of blessednesse. But indeed and truth they doe very fearefully de­ceive and over-shoot themselves: Simile. And their case is just, as if a man should fall asleepe upon the edge of some high and steepe Rocke; and there dreame, that he is made a King, attended with a glorious Traine of Nobilitie, furnished with sumptuous Pallaces, and stately Buildings, en­riched [Page 34] with the Revenues, Soveraignetie, and Pleasures of a whole Kingdome: But upon the sudden, starting up, and leaping for joy, falls irre­coverably into the mercilesse and devouring Sea; and so loseth that little comfort, which he had in this miserable life. Many wretched men lye and [...]leepe and snort in ignorance and spirituall blind­nesse; thinking, that skill in the Booke of God, and points of Religion, belongs onely to those that are Booke-learned; entertaining much vaine hope of salvation, without all truth or ground: But when upon their Death-bed, their Conscien­ces are awakened by the finger of Gods justice, out of the slumber of sinne, they then too late find and see, that all was but a Dreame; for they sud­denly fall and sinke into despaire, horror, and end­lesse desolation. The state then of ignorant men, though perhaps they little thinke upon it, or take it to heart, is most fearefull in this life, and will be most horrible hereafter. In this World; be­cause they are unacquainted, and untaught in Gods Truth, points of Religion, and way to Hea­ven; they neither know their owne miserie, the great mysterie of godlinesse, or meanes to salva­tion; and therefore live as aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel, Eph. 2. 12. strangers from the Covenant of Pro­mise, without hope, and without God in the World: Which is a miserie of all miseries; They are con­demned alreadie: Joh. 3. 18. For as it is, Iohn 3. 18. He that beleeveth not in him, is alreadie condemned. And Saint Paul saith, Rom. 10. 14. Rom. 10. 14. How shall they beleeve in him, of whom they have not heard; and how shall they [Page 35] heare, without a Preacher? So, that without know­ledge in Gods Word, there can be no faith; and without faith, there is no salvation. You may further see a notorious Linke of many wretched mischiefes, Eph. 4. 17, 18, 19. which arise from ignorance, Eph. 4. 17, 18, 19. Vanitie of mind, and darkenesse of under­standing are naturally in all men; for wee are all starke blinde, and utterly dead, in respect of mat­ters of Heaven, and spirituall affaires. From thence comes, The fruits of ignorance. grosse Ignorance of God, and all godlinesse; and this Ignorance, if it be not remo­ved and dispelled by the Light of Gods Word, is the root and cause of strangenesse from the Life of God: Hardnesse of Heart; Searednesse of Conscience, and want of Feeling; an itching, wantonnesse, and eagernesse to sinne; a commit­ting of any sinne, without remorse, occasion be­ing offered; an unsatisfiednesse and greedinesse in the pursuit of sinfull pleasures, 1 Ioh. 2. 16. and in fulfilling the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and pride of life. These are the bitter and poysoned fruits of Igno­rance, and want of knowledge in the Word of God, and way to Heaven. And what is to be ex­pected hereafter, 2 Thess. 1. 7, 8, 9. appeares 2 Thess. 1. 7, 8, 9. The Lord Iesus will shew himselfe from Heaven, with his mightie Angels, in flaming fire, rendring vengeance unto them that doe not know God, and which obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ; who shall be pu­nished with everlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. Seeing then the comming of the Lord will be so terrible and fearefull to the ignorant, so that they shall [Page 36] desire the Mountaines to fall upon them, that they might hide themselves from the fierce wrath of the Lord, and not behold his fearefull counte­nance; and that they shall wish full many times, they had never beene borne; how ought every man, which lives without the Light and know­ledge of Gods holy Word, feare and tremble? And yet, God knoweth, hee cannot conceive the thousand part of those horrible torments which the ignorant and wicked persons endure for ever. For as the heart of man cannot comprehend those blessed and glorious joyes, 1 Cor. 2. 9. which God hath pre­pared for those that love him; so the woe, tor­ments, and endlesse vexations, which shall be poured with wrath and vengeance upon the head of the wicked, infinitely passe the understanding of man: None can conceive how horrible they are, but onely he that feeles them. It very deepe­ly then concernes you (Beloved in Christ Iesus) as you tender the everlasting good and happinesse of your owne soules, to labour by all meanes to be instructed and inlightened by the holy Word of God, which is holden out unto you, as a Lampe and Torch, to leade you through this Vale of Teares, and World of Darkenesse, to the blessed fruition of the most glorious and everlasting Kingdome of Heaven. Otherwise, if you will needes continue in ignorance still, marke what is your wofull state and condition: howsoever you may seeme to shine outwardly, to the eye of the World, or in your owne conceits, in pleasures, in plentie, in civill honestie, in outward mirth, and [Page 37] other worldly contentments; yet, in deed and truth, 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4. your life is a life of darkenesse. The god of this World, the Prince of Darkenesse, hath blinded the eyes of your mindes, Ephes. 4. 18. that your Vnderstandings are not onely darkened, Ephes. 5. 8. but you are Darkenesse it selfe, Eph. 5. 8. Your workes are the workes of Darke­nesse, your way is the way of Darkenesse; Prov. 4. 19. you are fettered and enchained in the power of Darkenesse, Coloss. 1. 13. Coloss. 1. 13. In the darkenesse of crosses and af­flictions of this life, you shall be without any glimpse of true comfort and refreshing from the Lord: upon your Death-beds, you shall meete with nothing but darkenesse of despaire and hor­ror: in the Grave, Sathan will guard you with the Barres of the Earth, as in a Bed of hopelesse Darkenesse, untill the Iudgement of the great Day. Zeph. 1. 15. And that Day will be unto you, a Day of wrath, a Day of trouble and heavinesse, a Day of de­struction and desolation, a Day of Clouds and black­nesse: as it is, Zeph. 1. 15. And at the last, you are to be cast, body and soule, from the presence of God, and joyes of Heaven, into utter Darke­nesse, there to be tormented amongst wicked Devils, for ever and ever. This is certainely the state of all ignorant men, and those that will not be enlightened with saving knowledge out of his Word: There is nothing to be expected of them, but Darkenesse, Sorrow, Despaire, and Horror.

A third Vse of this Doctrine, Vse 3. may serve for admonition to all those, Admonition to take the Word for our guide. who by the Light of Gods Word have alreadie found and are entred [Page 38] into the way to Heaven; that they would suffer themselves with humilitie, obedience, and con­stancie, to be led along in a course of sanctificati­on, by the holy guidance and direction thereof; that they would shine dayly more and more in all Christian vertues, exercises, and duties. For it is the propertie of all those which are become new creatures, who are washed from their sinnes, sanctified, and new-borne by the immortall Seed of the Word, and the Spirit of Grace; to long after, and earnestly desire the sincere Milke of the Word, that they may grow thereby in knowledge, comfort, and new obedience. A new-borne Babe will be pleased and satisfied with nothing but the Pap; not Gold, Pearles, or any thing else will content it: even so a new-renewed Soule doth ever hunger and thirst after the sacred and sincere Milke of Gods holy Word, 1 Pet. 2. 2. as Saint Peter calls it, that it may dayly gather strength in grace; other­wise, as the Child, so it would languish, pine a­way, and die. He that growes not, and goes not forward in grace, had never true grace. He that faithfully labours not to feed his soule with spi­rituall food, never passed the new birth. The way of the righteous (saith Salomon) shineth as the Light, Prov. 4. 18. that shineth more and more unto the perfect Day, Prov. 4. 18. For if the Day-starre of saving knowledge once appeare unto a man, Mal. 4. 2. and the Sunne of Righte­ousnesse arise in his heart; they never set, untill they bring him unto that glorious Light above, that no man can attaine unto. He proceeds and pro­fits in the great mysterie of godlinesse, in faith, [Page 39] repentance, and sinceritie; he growes from ver­tue to vertue, from knowledge to knowledge, from grace to grace, Eph. 4. 13. untill hee become a perfect man in Christ Iesus. It may be, as the fairest Sunne may sometimes be over-cast, and darkened with Clouds, and Mists; so the holinesse of a godly man may be over-clouded and disgraced some­times, by falls into a sinne, upon infirmitie, igno­rance, heedlesnesse, or the like: But, if he be so overtaken; after his passing through sorrow and griefe of heart for the same, and his rising againe by repentance; hee shines farre more brightly and pleasantly both to God and man, in sinceritie and all holy graces; he afterwards runnes a more swift and setled course in the race of sanctificati­on. So that ordinarily all Gods children shine as Lights in the World, Phil. 2. 15. in the midst of a naughtie and crooked generation, being once inlightened with saving knowledge; and they still waxe brighter and brighter, untill at last they come to shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament, Dan. 12. 3. and the Starres in Heaven, for ever and ever. Looke to it then, I beseech you: whosoever hath alreadie given his Name unto Christ, tasted of the good Word of God, and received into his soule some glimp­ses of heavenly Light; let him be sure to fol­low hard towards the Marke, for the Prize of the high calling of God, in Christ Iesus: Let him set his best desires, affections, and endeavours, to grow and proceed in all holy knowledge, in the Light of Gods Word, and chearefull obe­dience unto the same. For it is a speciall note [Page 40] and marke of a man that is truly religious, to goe forward, and encrease in grace and understanding: Hee must be like the Sunne, which, rising in the East, enlargeth his glorious light and heat, untill he reach the height of Heaven. But, as one well notes; the true Christian must not be like He­zekiahs Sunne, Isai. 38. 8. which went backward: If a man back-slide, waxe worse, and fall away from good beginnings, he addes weight unto the wrath of God, and doubles his damnation: Hee must not be like Ioshuahs Sunne, Iosh. 10. 12. that stood still. It is so farre to Heaven, and the way so narrow, so rough, and full of dangers and difficulties, that he which stands at a stay, will light short: The Bride­groome will be entred in, Math. 25. 10. and the Gate shut, be­fore he come. Hee that hath so much grace, that hee desires no more, did never truly desire any: And he that endeavours not to be better, will by little and little grow worse, and at length become starke naught. He therefore must be like Davids Sunne, that great and glorious Gyant of the Hea­vens, that like a Bridegroome comes out of his Chamber, Psal. 19. 4, 5. and as a Champion rejoyceth to runne his Race. One grace in Gods child, begets another; and one holy action, performed with sinceritie of heart, doth inflame his affections with love and zeale, with courage and resolution, to undertake moe, and to goe through-stitch with all the affaires of God, and good causes. For he alone knowes the invaluable worth, and inestimable price of hea­venly Iewels; and therefore he is ravished with their beautie, and growes unsatiable in his desires [Page 41] and longings after them. He is still toyling and labouring in the Trade of Christianitie, for more gaine of grace, encrease of comfort, and further assurance and securitie of the joyes of Heaven. Sith hee hath alreadie tasted and fed upon cele­stiall and spirituall food, he findes in that such unutterable sweetnesse, and pleasant rellish, that hee for ever after hungers and thirsts after it. If then you would be assured, that you are in the way to happinesse, be sure to be led on by the Light of the Word in all heavenly knowledge, spirituall wisedome, and holy obedience.

A fourth and last Vse of my Doctrine, Vse 4. is for in­struction to all; Instruction. See Chrysoft. in Math. pag. 76. whether they be naturall, or spi­rituall; ignorant, or instructed in the Word of God: That they make it their chiefe and princi­pall Christian care, zealously, and conscionably, and constantly to heare, attend, and understand the holy Word of God; and to be guided and conducted by the Light thereof in all the passages of their life, and wayes of their conversation.

1 And in this point, I will, first, lay downe unto you certaine Motives, that may induce and stirre you thereunto.

2 Cautions, or Caveats, to fore-arme and fore-warne you of Lets, and Temptations, that may with-draw you there-from.

3 Lastly, some needfull instructions for your right carriage therein.

One Motive, Motives. [...] to stirre us up to a reverend regard and attention, in hearing the Word of God, to a love and liking of the heavenly knowledge therein [Page 42] contained, The Word is a Love-Letter from God. and to a sound and sincere practice of it, in our lives and conversations, may be this: The Word of God is, as it were, an Epistle or Letter (as one of the Fathers calls it) written from God Almightie unto us miserable men, Quid est autem Scriptura sacra, nisi quaedam Epi­stola Omnipoten­tis Dei ad creatu­ram suam? Greg. Epist. lib. 4. Epist. 48. published by his owne Sonne, sealed by his Spirit, witnessed by his Angels, conveyed unto us by his Church, the Pillar and ground of Truth, confirmed with the bloud of millions of Martyrs, 1 Tim. 3. 15. which hath alrea­die brought thousands of soules to Heaven, and fills every heart that understands it, and is wholly guided by it, with Light and Life, with Grace and Salvation. Simile. Now let us imagine a man to have a Letter sent unto him but by an Earthly King, or some great Prince in the World; wherein hee should have a Pardon granted him for some capi­tall Crime, and high Offence, whereby hee were lyable to a terrible kind of death; or wherein hee should be fore-warned of some great and immi­nent danger hanging over his head, and readie eve­ry houre to fall upon him; or, wherein hee should have assured and confirmed unto him, under the Kings Seale, some rich Donation, or great Lord­ship. Now I say, if a man should receive but a Letter from some high and mightie Potentate upon Earth, wherein any of these favours should be conveyed unto him; how reverently would he receive it? how thankfully would he accept of it? how often would he reade it? how warily would he keepe it? how highly would he esteeme of it? Why, in this royall and sacred Letter sent from the King and great Commander both of Heaven [Page 43] and Earth, all these favours, and a thousand more joyes and comforts, are conveyed unto every be­leever and practiser thereof. In that, we are fore-warned, lest by our ignorance, impietie, and impe­nitencie, wee fall into the Pit of Hell, and ever­lasting horror: In that, we have promised and per­formed unto us the pardon and remission of all our sinnes, whereby wee justly stand guiltie of the se­cond death, and the endlesse torments of the dam­ned. By the vertue of it, we are not onely comfor­ted with grace in this World; but shall undoub­tedly be crowned with peace, glory, and immorta­litie in the World to come. Such a Letter as this, hath the mightie and terrible God, most glorious in all Power and Majestie, who is even a consuming and devouring fire; sent unto us miserable men, by nature wretched and forlorne creatures, Dust and Ashes: why then, with what reverence, cheareful­nesse, and zeale, ought wee to receive, reade, heare, marke, learne, understand, and obey it?

A second Motive, 2 The matter contained in it, is excellent and precious. may be the precious, golden, and divine matter which is contained in the Booke of God, and that true and ever-during happinesse, to which it onely can bring us. There is nothing proposed and handled in the Word of God, but things of greatest weight, and highest excellency: As, the infinite majesty, power, and mercy of God; the unspeakable love and strange sufferings of the Sonne of God, for our sakes; the mighty and mi­raculous working of the holy Spirit upon the soules of men. There is nothing in this Treasury, but Orient Pearles, and rich Iewels; as, promises of [Page 44] grace, spirituall comfort, confusion of sinne, the triumph of godlines, refreshing of wearied soules, the beautie of Angels, the holinesse of Saints, the state of Heaven, salvation of sinners, & everlasting life. What Swine are they, that neglecting these precious Pearles, root only in the Earth, wallow in worldly pleasures, feede upon vanities, transitorie trash, and vanishing riches, which in their greatest need will take them to their wings, like an Eagle, and flie into the Heavens? Besides, the Word of God is only able to prepare us for true happinesse in this world, and to possesse us of it, in the world to come. It only begets in us a true, intire, and universall holi­nesse; without which, Heb. 2. 14. none shall ever see the face of God, or the glory of Heaven: for it is impossible, hereaf­ter to live the life of glory & blessednes in Heaven, if we live not here the life of grace and sincerity, in all our waies. 1 Pet. 1. 23. It is called the immortall Seed, because it regenerates and renewes us both in our Spirits, Soules, and Bodies: in our Spirits; that is, in judge­ment, memory, & conscience: in our Soules; that is, in our will and affections: in our Bodies; that is, in e­very member. If the Prince of this world hath not blinded the eyes of our minds, and that we be not reprobats, as concerning salvation, it only is able to inlighten our understandings, to rectifie our wills, to sanctifie our hearts, to mortifie our affections; to set Davids Doore before our lips, Psal. 141. 3. Iob 31. 1. that are offend not with our tongues; to set Iobs Doore before our eyes, that they behold not vanity; to manacle our hands & feet with the cords and bands of Gods Law, that they do not walke or worke wickedly: nay, and it is able to [Page 45] furnish and supply us with sufficiencie of spiritu­all strength, to continue in all these good things, and in a godly course vnto the end. And if we be once thus qualified, we are rightly fitted and pre­pared for the glory that is to be revealed. As be­fore, this holy Word did translate us from the darknesse of sinne, into the light of grace; it can now much more easily, with joy and triumph, bring us, from the light of grace, to the light of immortalitie, and everlasting pleasures at Gods right hand.

A third Motive may be this: 3 We must be judged by the Word. Wee must be judged by the Word of God at the last Day. If any man (saith Christ, Ioh. 12. 47, 48.) heare my words, Ioh. 12. 47, 48. and beleeve not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the World, but to save the World: He that re­fuseth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, it shall judge him in the last Day. Whensoever wee shall come to judgement, and appeare before Gods Tribu­nall, (and wee little know how neere it is) two Bookes shall be layd open unto us; the one, of Gods Law; another, of our owne Conscience: The former, will tell us what wee should have done; for the Lord hath revealed it to the World, to be the rule of our faith, and of all our actions: The other, will tell us what wee have done; for Conscience is a Register, Conscience; what it is. Light, and Power in our Vnderstanding, which treasures up all our parti­cular actions against the Day of Triall; discovers unto us the equitie, or iniquitie of them; and de­termines of them, either with us, or against us. [Page 46] Now we must not take any exception against the first; that is, the Law of God: For the Law of God (saith David, Psal. 19. 7. Psal. 19. 7.) is perfect, converting the soule: The testimonie of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisedome unto the simple. Wee cannot against the second; that is, the Booke of our Conscience: for it was ever in our custodie and keeping; no man could corrupt it; there is nothing writ in it, but with our owne hands. Now, in what a terri­ble fearefull case will a man be at that Day, when he shall see the Booke of God layd open before him; in the Light whereof hee should have led all his life, and by which he is now to be judged; and yet know himselfe to have had no knowledge, but to have beene a meere stranger in it? Though the great things of the Law were many times pub­lished and preached unto him, Hos. 12. 8. yet hee counted them but as a strange thing. Every mans Consci­ence is naturally corrupt, defiled, and uncomfor­table; and can endure and digest reasonable qui­etly the rage of disordered affections, many vile corruptions, and sinfull actions: and therefore, at the last Day, when it shall be awakened, opened, examined, it will bring forth nothing, but the Worme that never dyes, strange confusion, and condemnation; except it hath beene formerly in this World enlightened, purged, and sanctified by the Word of Grace, and the Bloud of the Lambe. Most accursed then, and forlorne, will be the state of every ignorant man, when he shall ap­peare before the Iudge of all the World: When he lookes upon his Conscience, he shall finde no­thing [Page 47] but guilt, and horror: when upon the Law, and upon the Word of God, after which he should have lived, and by which he must now be judged; it will be to him but as a sealed Booke; hee will see nothing but his owne ignorance, blindnesse, and strangenesse in it: And therefore, all the Plagues and Curses denounced in it against ignorant, wic­ked, and unrepentant sinners, shall be his portion, in the Lake that burnes with fire and Brimstone for evermore. This ought then to stirre up every man, with all care and Conscience, to store him­selfe, while he hath time, with saving knowledge and holy obedience unto that Word, which must be his Iudge in the last Day: Nay, and let him take heed unto his feet, Eccles. 5. 1. and looke unto his beha­viour, when hee enters into the House of God: For in that Day he must answer and be countable for every Sermon that he hath heard, and for every Lesson he hath beene taught out of the Booke of God: If they have not enlightened his under­standing, they have hardened his heart; if they doe not now reforme him, they will hereafter con­found him; if he doe not profit by them, he shall be sure to be plagued for the neglect of them: For Gods Word is unto every man that heares it, either the savour of life unto life, 2 Cor. 2. 16. or the savour of death unto death: Heb. 4. 12. It is a two-edged Sword; it either kills the sinne, or the soule, it must and shall prosper in the worke for which it is sent. Isa. 55. 11. God will rayse glo­ry, hee will winne honour unto himselfe, from every man. If hee cannot be glorified, by his conversion, and salvation; hee will glorifie his [Page 48] owne Name, in his deserved overthrow, and just confusion.

A fourth Motive may be; 4 A fearefull judgement shall befall the not hearers and practisers of the Word. That horrible and fearefull punishment and destruction, which at length will certainely befall all negligent and contemptuous hearers, and those that practise not the power thereof in their lives and conversa­tions. Whosoever (saith our blessed Saviour) shall not receive you, Math. 10. 14, 15. or heare your words; when yee depart out of that house, or that Citie, shake off the dust of your feet: Truly I say unto you, it shall be easier for them of the Land of Sodome and Gomorrah, in the Day of Iudgement, than for that Citie. The infamous abo­minations, the damnable and crying sinnes of the Sodomites are knowne unto all: Who hath not heard of those flouds of fire and Brimstone, which swept them away, as the hatefullest crea­tures that ever lived upon the Earth? How rufull then, and how lamentable will be their condi­tion, who are lyable and subject to more horrible plagues than these? Wee should therefore con­sider, that the negligent, irreverent, and unprofi­table hearing of the Word of God, is a sinne of a farre greater weight, and more fearefull conse­quence, than we ordinarily imagine. When wee heare the Ministers, and Embassadours of God, delivering his mind, and revealing his Will unto us, out of such places as these, we are to conceive, that in a neerer and more speciall manner, wee stand in the presence of the great God of Heaven and Earth, who is clothed with infinite terrour, power, and majestie; and thereafter, we ought to [Page 49] proportion our behaviour and carriage, with re­verence, humility, and obedience to so great a pre­sence. Earthly Princes will not endure contempt and disgrace at their subjects hands: Simile. They can­not abide to have their Majestie and authority lightly set by, their lawes and commands to bee neglected and troden under foot: Why then should the Lord of glory, of justice and power, beare such indignities at the hands of sinfull men, which are his most abject vassals, and contempti­ble creatures? Certaine it is, if wee weight aright the greatnesse of that God, before whom wee stand, and our owne vilenesse, wee should hold it most just, if he should presently in the place where we stand, punish and plague our sleepinesse, tal­king, wandring thoughts, and irreverent carriage at hearing his Word, with some sudden and markable vengeance, to be a spectacle & example unto others, for neglecting so great salvation. It is Gods great mercy that such plagues and judge­ments are respited, suspended, and deferred; for even all the curses in the booke of God doe natu­rally, deservedly, and in the course of Gods ju­stice, belong unto the negligent hearer, and dis­obedient unto the Word of God. All these curses (saith Moses Deut. 28. 49.) Deut 28. 49. shall come upon thee and pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed, be­cause thou obeyest not the voice of the Lord thy God.

I come now in the second place to the tempta­tions and lets whereby a man may bee hindered from hearing the Word of God, Hinderances from profiting by the Word. profiting by it, and a conscionable practising of the same.

[Page 50] The highest in impiety, Let 1. and most horrible, is a spice of Atheisme, Atheisme. which Satan suggests into worldly men, whereby they wickedly, and very blasphemously thinke, Some thinke the Word to be but a hu­mane policie. that the sacred Word of God, is but a politike invention and devise to keepe men in awe and order, in Cities and so­cieties, and to preserve them from wildnesse and outrages. But I would gladly know whose worke and invention it is, if it be not Gods Almighty?

It is not mans: A removing of this. For it directly and strongly op­poseth against the streame of his sensuall de­lights, and earthly pleasures: It curbs his most desired contentments, and crosseth the naturall bent of his affections.

It is not Satans: For he in all ages hath fiercely and furiously set himselfe against it; and it is the engine that batters and beats downe his king­dome of darknesse.

It is not any Angels, or other creatures: For the It may bee discerned by a proper, natu­rall, and inhe­rent Majestie from all hu­mane writings and imitatory delusions and impostures of Satan; such as is the Alcaron Majestie, excellencie, miraculous efficacie, and wonderfull power of Gods Word, is farre above the reach and capacity of any creature; transcen­dent to all created understandings, and finite comprehension. Besides, the famous miracles, the many visions, the true fore-telling of things to come▪ the inward, lively and effectuall workings upon the soules of the elect, and many other sin­gular and sacred markes & characters of divinity stamped upon it, doth plainly shew, that it is the alone holy invention of Gods divine, pure and infinite understanding, and revealed to the world for the inlarging of Gods glory, and the salva­tion [Page 51] of many a thousand soules; for the confu­sion of the kingdome of Satan, and just con­demnation of the children of hell. Take heed then in the name of God, that you give not en­trance or entertainment to any such fearefull blas­phemous temptation, whereby the love and zeale to Gods Word may be cooled, or you grow lesse carefull in purchasing and practising the know­ledge and power of it. This let layes hold onely upon men of a reprobate sense, and those that are already marked out for certaine damnation.

A second let and hinderance from hearing the Word of God, Let 2. is recusancie, the cozenage and imposture of Popery. Recusancie. For such is the wicked­nesse and cruelty of that superstition and myste­ry of iniquity, that it labours might and maine to keepe all the world close prisoners in the dun­geon of darknesse and ignorance, and for ever to deprive them of the light of the Gospell. The prophane professors of this bloudy Religion, hold ignorance to be the mother of devotion, and a very dangerous thing for simple people to pry into the Booke of God. And so they doe more safely and securely feed their followers with their owne damnable principles of treason, rebellion, disloyalty and disobedience to lawfull Kings. So they lead ignorant people which way, and as farre as they will in the kingdome of darknesse, even to beleeve that blowing up of whole states, and killing of Kings, are very glorious acts, and merit the brightest crowne of immortality, and the highest seat in heaven. I hope in the Lord [Page 52] there is none of you, but with all his heart hates and detests this bloudy, murtherous, and Idola­trous generation; and will by no meanes suffer his right eye of knowledge in Gods Word to be put out by these cursed Ammonites.

Adde here another let, which is Separatisme, See Ta. pag. 79.

A third let and hinderance, Let 3. is the height of hardnesse of heart, Hardnesse of heart, and de­speratenesse in sinning. and most damned desperate­nesse in sinning, when men are become so greedy of fulfilling their sinfull pleasures, that they drinke up sensuall delights like water, draw on ini­quity like cords of vanitie, and sinne as with cart-ropes: For then they beginne to say with them­selves, even to God himselfe, with them in [...]ob 21. 14, Iob 21. 14, 15. 15. Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have if we should pray un­to him? And with those to whom Isaiah in his fifth Chapter denounceth a fearefull woe; Let him make speed, Isa. 5. 19. let him hasten his worke, that we may see it, and let the counsell of the Holy one of Israel draw neare and come, that wee may know it. Men that are possessed with such a rebellious and scornfull spi­rit as this, neither much care for God or his Wor [...] threats or promises, judgements or mer­cies, heaven or hell. No marvell then though they set light by Gods ministers, and seeke not for instruction in holy knowledge, and heavenly wisdome. A preservative against this. That wee may be preserved from this horrible and desperate case, and so fearefully hardning our hearts against the Word of life and [Page 53] salvation, we must be very carefull and watchfull, that wee give not way, passage, and entertainment to wicked thoughts, and the first sinfull motions: for in this manner, a man proceedes to the height of sinne, The degrees in sinne. and a reprobate sense. There first ari­seth in his Heart an idle and wandering thought of some unlawfull thing; 1 A motion to sinne. as of Lust, Covetous­nesse, Pride, Malice, prophaning the Sabbath, Cozening, 2 The Will inti­ced. and circumventing his Brother; and such like. Secondly, it begins to allure, entice, and conferre with the Will. 3 Delight. Thirdly, the Will doth, as it were, take it by the hand, and is tick­led, pleased, 4 Consent. and delighted with it. Then followes Consent: 5 Practice. Consent sets the affections on foot, and plots the accomplishment and practice of it; 6 Pleasure. and sinne practised with pleasure, brings Cu­stome. Custome sharpens a mans wit, and makes him looke about, 7 Custome. how to excuse it: From excu­sing sinne, 8 Excusing. hee growes to defend it: Defence of sinne, makes him obstinate, and resolved to conti­nue in it: 9 Defending. Obstinatenesse begets boasting, and glo­rying in it. And if a man once become impudent, and take a pride in sinning, 10 Continuance. there presently follows a brazen Brow, 11 Boasting. and whorish fore-head, an yron si­new in the necke, a heart as hard as the nether Mil­stone, a seared Conscience, 12 A reprobate sense. and a reprobate sense. These are the steps, by which a man riseth into the Seat of the scornefull: And upon the top of these stayres, Sinne sits in the greatest triumph and so­veraigntie; and banisheth out of a mans heart, all feare of God, love to his Ministers, and zeale unto his Word.

[Page 54] A fourth Let and hinderance from hearing Gods Word, Let 4. and yeelding entire obedience unto it, A conceit, that Gods Law, like mens Lawes, takes hold of, and will con­demne onely notorious sin­ners. is a very pestilent and politike conceit, which possesseth the hearts of very many; whereby they are perswaded, That Lawes divine are but like hu­mane or mens constitutions: As these execute none, but chiefe Malefactors; so these Decrees of God will at last condemne none, but infamous and notorious sinners. And therefore, if they be but pettie Offendors, or onely maintaine but one sweet sinne in themselves; if they be not of the worst sort, though they be not so forward hearers of Sermons, so Scripture-wise, or hold such a strict course of holinesse in their conversation: yet they thinke with themselves, their case is good enough, and that it will goe well enough with them at last. Hence it is, that they are cold, and carelesse, in esteeming of hearing, and conforming themselves to the Ministerie of the Word. But let no man deceive himselfe: The destruction of the negligent hearer of the Word of God, and the disobedient to the Gospel of Christ Iesus, This Let is removed, Mat. 11. 23, 24. shall be as the destruction of * Sodome, and farre more grievous. He that lyes and delights in any one knowne sinne, of which his Conscience is con­victed, is in a fearefull case. Heb. 11. 6. Without faith, it is im­possible to please God: Heb. 12. 14. and, Without holinesse, no man shall see the face of the Lord. And none hath either faith, or holinesse, without saving knowledge out of Gods Booke. Without the New-birth, and continuance in grace unto the end, no man shall be saved: And, sincere obedience to a constant [Page 55] and conscionable Ministerie of the Word, is a meanes both to beget, nourish, and continue sa­ving grace. And, let mens conceits be what they will; as sure it is, as God is in Heaven, not one jot or tittle of all the Plagues and Curses registred in Gods Law, but shall be severely executed upon all ignorant and unrepentant sinners, Psal. 88. 21. and poured upon the hairie scalpe of all such as goe on still in their wickednesse.

A fifth Let and hinderance of hearing the Word of God, Let 5. is an excessive and immoderate delight, An eager pur­suit of a mans sweet sinne. and an eager and earnest pursuit of the sinfull pleasures of a mans sweet sinne. What is meant by a sweet sinne. Quemadmodum nemo tam perdi­tus, aut flagitio­sus invenitur: quin ab aliquo vitio magis quàm caeteris abhorreat; sic nemo tantae sanctitatis est, quin ad unum aliquod pecca­tum, quam ad caetera propenstor sit. Cart. p. 1262. By a mans sweet sinne, I meane that, which his corrupt nature hath singled out, and made speciall choise of, to follow and feed upon, with greatest delight and sensuall sweetnesse; which, by custome and continuance, hath taken deepest root and surest hold in his heart: upon which, all his affections and desires are carried with sharpest edge, heat, and headlongnesse; and to which, hee makes all occasions and circumstances, friends and acquain­tance, Religion and Conscience, all the powers both of soule and body, and outward estate, ser­viceable and contributorie, as to that which chiefely rules and reignes in him. This sweet sinne, in some, is Worldlinesse, Earthly-minded­nesse, and Covetousnesse: In others, it is Volup­tuousnesse, Lust, and Vncleannesse; Pride, Plea­sures, Drunkennesse, or such like. Now certaine it is, carnall, prophane, and unregenerate men, doe many times preferre the pleasures of their sweet [Page 56] and most delightfull sinne, before the comforts of Gods House, the Congregation of the Saints, and the preciousnesse of the Word preached. And therefore, howsoever they may ordinarily come to Sermons, (though it be rather for fashi­on, and of custome, than with heartie and true de­votion) yet if some speciall gaine and profit be to be layd hold upon at that time; if some ex­traordinarie pleasure, feasting, pastime, and com­panie be then to be enjoyed; they make no Con­science to turne their backes upon the House of God, and the Ministerie of the Word, even upon the Sabbath day: so, for a little sinfull pleasure, or worldly contentment, wretchedly abandoning Gods holy Ordinance, and the necessarie meanes of their owne salvation.

That many men are thus wickedly hindered from hearing the Word of God, Math. 22. appeares in Math. Luke 14. 22. and Luke 14. The glorious magnifi­cence, and rich comforts of heavenly Cheare in the House of God, The Parable of the great Supper let out by 3. circum­stances. are notably set out unto us there, by divers circumstances, in the Parable of the great Feast. 1 First, it was a Wedding Feast; which usually is full of joy, comfort, and great solemnitie. 2 Secondly, it was made by a King; and therefore, like unto himselfe, Royall, and Princely, in plentie and varietie, answerable to his State and Greatnesse. 3 Thirdly, it was made at the Marriage of a Kings sonne; which would make it yet farre more sumptuous, full of pompe, and noble entertainment, than if it had beene for a servant, friend, or ordinarie person.

[Page 57] By all this, What is meant by it. is meant the Ministery of the Word, and Gospel of Christ Iesus; wherewith every faithfull man is feasted, made Gods sonne, and married to Christ himselfe for ever, Hos. 2. 19. in righteous­nesse and in judgement, in mercie and in compassion. This Feast being in full readinesse, Servants are sent out, to invite Guests: But for all the glory, comfort, and magnificence prepared for them, in this Wedding, and Royall Feast; many refuse to come, Luke 14. 18. and make excuse: One saith; he hath bought a Farme, and must needes goe to see it: another hath bought five Yoke of Oxen, 19. and goes to prove them: another hath married a Wife, 20. and therefore he cannot come: Math. 22. 5. another is busied about his Merchandise, buying and selling, and can hardly spare so much time.

Thus one sinfull delight or other, profit, plea­sure, companie, or the like, doe many times stay and hinder prophane and worldly men from hea­ring the Word of God, and from this spirituall and heavenly Feast in his House; whereby their soules might be satisfied, Psal. 63. 5. as it were with marrow and fatnesse, with the comforts of grace, and a taste of the joyes of Heaven. It is very strange, that any man should be so bloudie and cruell to his owne soule; that, whereas by the breaking of the Word of Life unto him in such places as this, he might have it furnished with spirituall strength, towards everlasting life: yet for some earthly pelfe, and temporall pleasure, absenting himselfe, he suffers it to starve in ignorance and prophanenesse; the immediate and certaine passages to eternal death.

[Page 58] Let a man imagine with himselfe, A counter-poyson against this. when he pur­poses and resolves to absent himselfe from a Ser­mon, that hee layes, as it were, in the one Scale of the Weights, the glorious Majestie, presence, and honour of God; the comfort, happinesse, and sal­vation of his owne Soule: and in the other, a little wretched pleasure, or profit; and so suffers this miserable Vanitie to weigh downe so infi­nite a Majestie.

For, 1 Gods House is the Presence. Chamber of the King of Glory. first, Gods House, where his Word is faithfully preached, is, as it were, the Presence-Chamber of the everlasting King of Glory. Here he sits in a Chaire of State, with more speciall and eminent Power and Majestie, as anciently he sate betweene the Cherubins.

Secondly, 2 Christ is there. Math. 18. 20. Christ himselfe is here present: For, Wheresoever two or three are gathered together in his Name, he is in the midst of them. And so he is said, to walke in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks; Rev. 1. 12. and with speciall power and providence to direct and guide these holy Exercises.

Thirdly, 3 The Spirit is there. the holy Spirit of God is present, in our Assemblies; plentifully shedding into the hearts of the faithfull, the rich Treasures of Wis­dome and Grace.

Fourthly, 4 The Angels are there. 1 Cor. 11. 10. the blessed Angels of God are here; as appeareth, 1 Cor. 11. 10. not onely to doe ser­vice unto the Lord, unto the Elect, and unto his Ministerie; but also, after a sort, to solace and re­joyce themselves in the beautie of Gods House, 1 Pet. 1. 12. and in the Mysteries published in the Gospel: as appeares, 1 Pet. 1. 12.

[Page 59] Fifthly, 5 The Saints are there. Psal. 16. 3. Gods holy Saints here present them­selves; in whom, all our delight and comfort ought to be: for they onely are truly excellent, allyed unto Christ, and heires of Heaven.

Lastly, 6 The effect of the Word to the unconver­ted. here alone ordinarily are to be had Bles­sings, Life, and Salvation: for the Word preached is the ordinarie meanes to beget the unconverted unto God; by inlightening their eyes, opening their eares, softening their hearts, planting faith in their soules, and holinesse in their conversati­ons: so that, of the children of wrath, they become the sonnes of God. 2 Cor. 5. 18. Eph. 6. 15. Act. 14. 3. & 20. 32. Hence it is, that it is called, a Ministerie of Reconciliation, of Peace; a Word of Grace; of Salvation, and of Life.

If a man be alreadie converted, The benefit of it to Converts. and in the state of grace, he may receive these Blessings by it: It is a powerfull meanes of the Spirit,

To encrease his knowledge in heavenly things, 1 It encreaseth their know­ledge. and the affaires of the Soule; by dayly clearing his judgement from ignorance and error, by in­forming it with spirituall wisedome, and all ne­cessarie truths, and needfull knowledge.

To adde strength, 2 Their faith. and vigour, and encrease unto his faith; that hee may grow and proceed, from the infancie and weakenesse in Christianitie, to tallnesse and perfection in Christ.

To preserve him from luke-warmenesse, 3 It preserves them from luke-warme­nesse. world­linesse, and securitie; to recall him from his wan­drings and strayings out of the way of sincerity; to settle, comfort, and confirme him in a godly course.

To prevent his falls, 4 It prevents relapses. and relapses; because by it hee is furnished with Christian armour, against [Page 60] temptations? he is resolved in all doubts, and ca­ses of Conscience; he is admonished of all croo­ked wayes, occasions, and down-falls to iniquity.

To reclaime him from back-slidings; 5 It recovers them, being fallen. to rayse and recover him out of falls, and to restore him to his first love; by discovering unto him the foule­nesse and danger of sinne, the power of his owne infirmities, the bitter root of Originall sinne, the pestilent and impoysoned fruits thereof; and by dayly urging the blessings of true repentance, and the practice of a good Conscience.

Most absolutely to guide and conduct him in the way of righteousnesse, 6 It will [...]uide them aright in all their wayes. and whole course of Christianitie; to furnish him with zeale and up­rightnesse in all holy duties and services of God; with faithfulnesse and conscience, in the discharge and executions of his calling; with holy meditati­ons, when he is alone; with harmlesse behavior, and Light of good example in company, and amongst others; with wisdome and care, ever intirely to san­ctifie the Sabbath, and to teach and pray with his family. Marke now, I beseech you; sith the Mini­stery of the Word is ever graced with so glorious presence, and such incomparable blessings as I have now reckoned up unto you; he that turnes his back upon a Sermon, for the injoying of profit, pleasures, pastime, companie, feasting, or any other worldly and by-respect; he wilfully forsakes the salvation of his owne soule, he casts behind him all these happy blessings and comforts, tendered unto him by the Ministery of the Word; he throws himselfe desperately out of the presence of God Almighty, [Page 61] Christ Iesus, the Holy Spirit, his blessed An­gels, the congregation of Saints, into the power and clutches of Satan, into the company of wic­ked and prophane men, upon the just indignation and revenge of all the creatures, upon the wrath and curse of God, and the shipwracke of a good conscience. Take heed then I beseech you, how you bee drawne by any worldly affaires from the hearing of the Word, especially on the Sabbath day, lest thereby you make it plaine, that you preferre your owne particular, before the glory of God; earthly gaine, before a Crowne of immor­tality; a little vanishing pleasure, before the endlesse joyes of heaven; and that yee yet lie and delight in one sweet sinne or other, which keepes all saving grace out of your soules.

A sixth let and hinderance from hearing the Word of God, Let 6. are certaine prophane and unwar­rantable perswasions and conceits, Carnall con­ceits and ob­jections. which are en­tertained and harboured in the hearts of igno­rant and wilfull people.

Some of them thinke with themselves that there is no such great need of following Ser­mons, Object. and frequenting holy assemblies, May we not be saved with­out hearing the Word preached? especi­ally if at the same time they be not ungodly bu­fied and exercised at home; and therefore they aske; What can we not save our soules, and come to heaven, unlesse we trudge and trot so often to Church? Have we not the Bible, and other good bookes at home to reade upon? Can we not pray and praise God at home?

They might as well aske; Answ. Can wee not have a [Page 62] harvest unlesse we have a seed time, No more than wee can reape without sow­ing, or live without food. and raine, yea, both the former and the latter raine? Or can we not live except we have meat? Certainly no. No more can any man be truly sanctified and sa­ved, nor live either the life of grace here, or expect the life of glory hereafter, unlesse he fol­low the ordinary meanes appointed and sancti­fied by God for his salvation: Except he submit himselfe to that policy and order which God with great wisdome hath established in his Church. Simile. Would a man be taken for a good sub­ject, who should peevishly oppose himselfe a­gainst a law agreed upon and commanded by the King and State, for the great good of the Com­mon-wealth? God himselfe hath appointed a publike Ministery in the Church; Eph 4. 11, 12. Pastors and teachers for the gathering of the Saints, and all that belong to life; and is it fit that any private exercise should crosse Gods publike ordinances? No; It is both inconvenient and wicked, and Gods blessing is never to be looked for, upon any action and exercise, though never so good in it selfe, if his will be not obeyed.

I, Obiect. 2. but some will say; It is good indeed some­times now and then to heare a Sermon; Frequent preaching is not so neces­sary. but what needs so much preaching, and Sermon upon Ser­mon; Would they have us Saints and Angels upon earth?

Wretched is that man which is weary of the Word of life. Answ. And hee hath no true taste of ho­ly things, It is a signe of a gracelessè heart to loath the heavenly Manna. which loaths this spirituall Manna, though never so often reigned from heaven. There [Page 63] is no saving and true knowledge of God in that man, who desires not to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Iesus Christ. Simile. Would we not thinke him mad and distracted that should thus reason against his owne life? I hope I have eaten meat enough heretofore, and furnished my selfe with sufficient strength, so that I now need no more, and therefore I will neither eat nor drink more while I live. Even just so doth he reason and plead against the life of his soule, who com­plaines of too much preaching, and too many Sermons. David, that blessed King, and holy Pro­phet, who was advanced both in knowledge and holinesse, above the ordinary reach and perfecti­on of men, and lived as an Angell upon earth; yet he acknowledgeth himselfe greatly to stand in need of stirring up, by meanes ordained of God for that end. Psal. 84. As we may gather out of Psal. 84. and in many other places. In that Psalme he makes a most grievous and mournfull complaint, that he is debarred and banished from all accesse unto the publike worship and service of God; holding himselfe in this respect more miserable than some of the bruit creatures, which had liber­ty to build their nests, and lay their young neare the Altars of the Lord; which benefit he could not now enjoy. Now if this man of God so lon­ged and laboured after the meanes of grace and comfort, what ought those to doe, who are of little or no faith; who are but Novices and pet­ties in the Schoole of Christ; who are but babes in Christianity, or utterly without grace?

[Page 64] I, Object. 3. but our fore-fathers (will others say) were never troubled with so many Sermons, Our fore-fa­thers had no preaching, yet are saved. and yet we hope they are well, and in Heaven.

Our fore-fathers wanted the meanes, Answ. and that full glorious Noone-tide of the Gospell of Iesus Christ, Their con­demnation shall be easier. which we by the grace and mercy of God enjoy. And therefore whosoever of them peri­shed without them, shall certainly be beaten with fewer stripes, than those that shut their eyes against the faire and blessed Sun-shine of Gods holy truth, which is shed round about us, and if it be hid, 2 Cor 43, 4. it is hid onely to those that perish, in whom the God of this world hath blinded the eyes of their minde. Besides, 2 We are bound to blesse God, who hath dealt more graciously with us. if it so pleased the Lord in his just and secret judgement to suffer some of our fore-fa­thers to live and die under the tyranny and dark­nesse of Antichrist; how much are we bound to blesse God, that we are borne and brought up in the light of the Gospell; and what heavie plagues and great damnation doe wee bring up­on our selves, if wee neglect or despise so great salvation.

I, Object. 4. but yet further, (will some say) wee have li­ved some of us fortie, some thirtie, some twenty yeares, without so much preaching, and yet have holden good credit and reputation in the world, and prospered in our wayes, would you now have us so forward in running to Sermons?

Strange it is to see how wise the simplest are in matters of the world, Answ. about their temporall state, but how simple and blinde the wisest worldlings are in the affaires of Heaven, and about their [Page 61] greatest, spirituall, and eternall good. Let us suppose a man to have lived long in a poore Cot­tage, and now at length to have some great and rich Lordship befallen him; doe you thinke hee would reason thus: Why, I have lived some thir­tie or fortie yeer [...] now alreadie in this low estate with good conte [...]ent, and credit, amongst my neighbours; and therefore here I will rest, the rest of my dayes; I am too old now, to change my former estate? Would such a foole as this, be found in a whole Countrey? And yet many Countries are full of such fooles, in respect of spirituall advancement, and the salvation of their soules. Me thinkes, those that have long lived in ignorance, and blindnesse, should rather conclude thus: Have I thus long and so fearefully lived without God in the World, without knowledge of his Truth, faith in Christ, and Conscience of my wayes? Oh, then it is more than high time now at length to awake out of sleepe, and to open mine eyes, and to imbrace this glorious Sun-shine of the Gospel, which the Lord of his great mercy hath brought unto me, that so I may be enlighte­ned to eternall life.

As for prospering in the World, that is no marke of a good soule; nay, it is commonly the Let of the wicked, not to be plagued like other men, but to bring their enterprises to passe, Psalme 73. Nay, yet further: There is no greater Curse can befall any man, than to prosper in the World, and be out of the way to Heaven.

I, Object. 5. but (will others say) to the attaining of eternall [Page 66] life, What needs so much adoe? The whole du­tie of man is soone learned. what needs so much adoe, so much preaching, catechising, expounding, conferring, meditating, teaching and praying with our families, which are so much and so often urged upon us? When all comes to all, this is the summe and end of all; To feare God, and keepe his Comm [...]dements; That we love God above all, and our neigh [...] as our selves: And we hope we can doe this, without all this adoe.

To feare God, Answ. and keepe his Commandements, (which is the whole dutie of man, It is soone said, not so soone done. as the Preacher speakes in his last chapter) and to love God above all, Eccles. 12. 13. Math. 22. 40. and our neighbors as our selves; ( upon which han­geth the whole Law and the Prophets, as Christ tells us, Math. 22.) are indeed soone spoken, but not so ea­sily, truly learned; and most hardly, sincerely pra­ctised. Is it enough, Simile. thinke you, to make a man a good Carpenter, or Mason, to say; That, that is soone learned; and, I know as much as the best workman can teach or tell me: To build an House, is nothing but to lay the foundation, to reare the walls, Simile. and cover it with a Roose? Is it enough to make a good Husbandman, to say; I know as much as the best Husbandman can teach me; for Hus­bandry is nothing else, but to sowe and reape? Is it enough to make a good Preacher, to say; It is no such great matter, Simile. to make a Sermon; I know as much in that point, as the best Scholler amongst them can tell me: To preach, is nothing else but to expound the Text, gather Doctrines, and make use and application to the hearts & consciences of the hearers? But it would be long before these idle and emptie vaunts would build Houses, fill Barnes, or [Page 67] save Soules. There is farre more required to these businesses, than so: There is to be undergone much toile and labour, much care & trouble, expence and exercise, before any of these workes can be rightly accomplished. It is even so in the great worke of salvation, and the attainment of Heaven. The state of grace, and trade of Christianitie, is not so easily purchased & practised. There goes more to saving of a soule, than bold & ignorant brags: than to say; If that be all, I hope I can quickly and easily learne to love God above all, & my neighbor as my selfe: For before these, Things requi­red, before a man can love God or man. there goes many things; as, know­ledge of Gods will, and Word; a thorow view of our owne misery & corruptions, in the glasse of the Law; strange agonies, and sore pangs in the new­birth, and sorrow for sinne, refreshings and coolings by the mercies of God, and merits of Christ; faith, repentance, sanctification, a blessed & holy change in the whole man, both body, soule, and spirit. And then follows new obedience; which consists in the uprightnesse and sinceritie of our owne hearts; a conscionable and charitable carriage towards our neighbors, and a zealous constancy in all religious duties and right service of God: How our ser­vice to God must be quali­fied. which must be universall, in respect of the object; that is, we must walk in all his Commandements: totall, in respect of the subject; that is, we must serve him in all the powers of our soule, and parts of our body; in our thoughts, words, and actions: In all which things, and holy courses, if a man be not particularly in­structed, experienced, & practised, his love of God and his neighbour is but in word and tongue, not [Page 68] in deed and truth. A man, if he be disposed, may quickly perceive and discerne the truth or hollow­nesse of his heart in this point. God hath straitly commanded an entire sanctification and keeping holy of the Sabbath. A triall of our love to God. Let a man then consider, if he suffer himselfe to be drawne away from holy Exercise on that day, by pleasures, profit, pastime, companie, ease, idlenesse, or other worldly occasi­ons; why, then he preferres meere vanities, and the desires of his owne heart, before the glory and ho­nour of God; and so doth not love God above all. The true love of a mans selfe, doth chiefly & prin­cipally consist in furnishing himselfe with saving knowledge, sinceritie of heart, godlinesse of life, a good Conscience, and spirituall comfort, against hee come to Iudgement. Now, if hee love his neighbour as himselfe, A triall of our love to our neighbour. he is not still talking with him of worldly matters; but especially labours with him for his conversion, entertainment of grace, and encrease in godlinesse. If these be not his cares, both for himselfe and his neighbour, he truly loves neither. Thus may a man examine himselfe through all the Commandements in particular; and see, whether it be so easie to love his neighbour as himselfe, and God above all.

I, Object. 6. but where there is so much preaching, there is much disquietnesse and discontentment: Tumults and divisions, dis­quietnesse and discontent­ment accom­panies your preaching. for men are abridged of their former ancient pastimes, and pleasures, and urged unto more strictnesse of life. When as all was well before, in much quietnesse and peace, the preaching of the Word breeds new stirres and contrary affections in men.

[Page 69] No marvell, Answ. though there be much struggling and striving, There is good reason for it. Luke 11. 21, 22. great noyse and stirre, before the strong man in the Gospel can be dis-armed and dis­possessed of his Holds; that is, before Sathan, having long reigned in the hearts, Sathan hin­ders the Word. and sat in the Consciences of ignorant and prophane men, will be cast out, by the Preaching and Power of the Word. This conquest costs full deare; it will not be had, without the losse of our dearest delights; without shedding the very hearts-bloud of our beloved and bosome-sinne; which flesh and bloud will not yeeld unto, without blowes and bloud­shed. You may assure your selfe, where the Light of Gods Truth begins once to peepe out, and the power of grace to worke, for the driving away darknesse, and subduing prophanenesse; you shall be sure ever there to have three fierce and implaca­ble enemies, and opposites, to start up; Sathan, wicked men, and a mans owne corruptions. While men lye in sinne, ignorance, and under the shadow of death, Sathan lets them alone, meddles not much with them, never troubles or disquiets them, but procures them all temporall happinesse, and carnall contentments, that can be; (for he knowes full well, if they so continue, they are sure his owne, and children of endlesse perdition:) But if once, by the power of the Word, they be enlarged out of the slaverie of sinne and death, and lay hold upon salvation, and the glorious libertie of the Saints; why then he begins to bestirre himselfe like a mad­ded & enraged Lion, and labors with all his malice and policie to hinder and dash such proceedings. [Page 70] And in this Conspiracie, So doe wicked men, hee joynes unto him­selfe wicked and reprobate men, to rayle, revile, and rage against sinceritie: And a m [...]ns owne corrup­tions. I, and besides, a mans owne corruption, and sinfull flesh, doth fret and fume, when it feeles it selfe curbed and snaffled by the Law of the Spirit.

The Gospel indeed is a Gospel of Peace: Ephes. 6. 15. But of what Peace? Of Peace with God, with good men, and a mans owne Conscience; of the Peace that passeth all understanding: But it ever proclaimes open warre against wickednesse, prophanenesse, and corruptions; it will have no peace with im­pietie, carnall securitie, and rebellion unto the Lawes of God. Hence it is, that our Saviour tells us in the Gospel, Luke 12. 49. that he came not to send Peace into the Earth; Math. 10. 34. but rather, Fire, Debate, and the Sword: that is, Luke 12. 51. Wheresoever his Word is published powerfully, and conscionably, with fruit and ef­fect upon the soules of his elect; there, by acci­dent (as they say) it stirres up much rage and bit­ter opposition against Gods children. For, as there is no true inward peace unto the wicked; Isa. 42. 28. so, in this World, there is no outward peace unto the righteous: but commonly they are still ex­ercised with one crosse and temptation, or other; either the Devill, or wicked men, are still plot­ting or practising mischiefe and miserie against them.

But you must conceive, The Gospel is not the cause of troubles, but mens cor­ruptions. that the disquietnesses and troubles that arise at the preaching of the Word, are not caused by it, but by mens corrup­tions. Would any man thinke, that Saint Paul, [Page 71] or his Preaching, were in fault, because there was much adoe, and an hurly-burly almost whereso­ever he came; and not rather the wicked Infidels, which could not endure to have their sinnes re­proved? Neither the Sower, nor the Seed, Math. 13. are to be blamed, that it doth not prosper and fructifie; Math. 13. 4, 5, 7, 12. it is the ground that is onely in fault: which is either stonie, or thornie, or barren; or else, it is the envious man, that soweth Tares: The Sower doth onely his dutie, and the Seed is pure and precious; it is mens corruptions, and pro­phane hearts, that causeth all the stirre. Amongst foure kinds of Grounds, there is but one at the most (as appeares in the Parable of the Sower, Math. 13.) in which the immortall Seed of the Word takes root, prospers, and fructifies: Onely the good and honest heart profits by Preaching; to all others, it is the savour of death unto death: And whom it doth not humble, it hardneth; whom it makes not so meeke as a Lambe, and like a little Child in humilitie, it makes as fierce and furious as a Lion, against the power of grace wrought in others, and against the profession and practice of sinceritie. No marvell then, though where the Word of Truth begins to beare sway, there be many times much adoe, and resistance by carnall and prophane men.

I, Object. 7. but (will some say) this Word is brought unto us by weake and fraile men; The Word is brought to us by weak, some­times by wic­ked men. sometimes by those, who are of notorious and infamous life and conversation: and therefore wee have lesse heart to beleeve and obey them. If wee had the Word [Page 72] published by an Angel, or an Apostle, or some more excellent and powerfull meanes, and Em­bassadours, wee should more easily and willingly heare, beleeve, and obey them.

It is Gods great mercie unto us, Answ. 1. that it plea­seth him so farre to condiscend to our infirmitie, It is Gods goodnesse, to speake to us by men, like to our selves. as to open unto us the rich Treasures of his hea­venly Word, by men of the same condition and frailtie, and subject to the same passions with our selves. Hee might by terrible and astonishing Voices, out of Lightnings, Thunders, and Earth­quakes, able to breake the hardest Rocks, and stony Mountaines, Exod. 20. 19. (as he did in the giving of the Law) force us to obedience: Or he might send his An­gels, armed with power and puissance, to execute present vengeance upon all those which doe not presently submit themselves to the Scepter of his Christ, and Soveraigntie of his Word. But in great mercie and compassion unto us, hee chuseth rather to teach us by a still and soft Voice; by a more faire, familiar, and fit instruction for us; even by such as our selves, of our owne nature, frailtie, and condition.

Here in he shewes his great love unto us, 2 It is his love so to honour mankind, as to make men his Embassa­dours. in that he vouchsafeth to put his fearefull and glorious Word into the mouth of a mortall and sinfull man. What an honour and advancement is it unto mans nature, unto mankind, that the high and mightie God of Heaven and Earth should single them out for so glorious a service; sancti­fie their Tongues, to deliver his good pleasure, and newes of salvation unto the sonnes of men? [Page 73] That hee should acquaint and put them in trust with such high mysteries, and heavenly matters, of so soveraigne and saving use, 1 Tim. 4 16. both to them­selves and others?

But it may be, besides common frailtie and infirmitie, the Minister and Messenger of the Word is of lewd and prophane life, and con­dition.

If he be, more is the pitty; the scandall of the Ministerie is the greater, and his owne damnation more smarting and terrible. See Psal. 50. 16, 17, &c. The Ministers prophanenesse is no privi­ledge of dis­obedience to the Word. But notwithstanding, the prophanenesse of the Preacher is no priviledge to the hearer, either of negligence or disobedience. He that turnes his eare from hearing of the Law truly preached (though by a Pharise) even his prayer is abominable, Prov. 28. 9. Prov. 28. 9. Hee that despiseth the Word, shall be destroyed, Prov. Prov. 13. 13. 13. 13. Hee that obeyeth not the Sonne, in his Ministers lawfully sent, though not sanctified themselves, Iohn 3. 36. shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Christ himselfe, in the Gospel; bids his followers to observe and doe whatsoever they were bid by the Scribes and Pharises, which sate in Moses Chaire; Math. 23. 2, 3. but not to doe after their works; for they said▪ and did not. Every Minister is to be heard, received, and followed, so farre as he followes and delivers to the Church the Truth of God, and Doctrine of the Apostles. For therein he is an Angel of the Lord of Hosts, Mal. 2. 7. and Embassadour in the stead of Christ. 2 Cor. 5. 21. And all the parts of the Mini­sterie in his hand (he following the Word) shall as certainely be accomplished, as if an Angel, or [Page 74] Christ from Heaven should presently and po­tently execute them. See Ecclus. 37. 18. If hee denounce Iudge­ments against sinne, it is as if the voice of God himselfe should be heard from Heaven; as if the Lion of the Tribe of Iudah should roare. If he poure the Oyle of comfort into a wounded and distressed Conscience, it is as sure and certaine, as soft and sweet to the beleeving soule, as if the Angels should comfort him, Luke 22. 43. as they did Christ in his Agonie; or, as if Christ himselfe should mercifully reach out his glorious hand, through the Clouds, and binde up his broken heart and bruised Conscience with a Plaister of his owne precious Bloud. If hee instruct, admonish, re­prove, exhort, perswade, from ground and warrant out of the Word; it is all one, as if Christ him­selfe should doe it: Luke 10. 16. who hath said; He that heareth you, heareth me.

Let men therefore pretend what they will; if they will not heare, beleeve, and obey the Lord, speaking in the Ministerie of the Word, though the meanes and Messengers be never so base and vile, fraile, weake, and sinfull. Let an Angel come from Heaven, a Devill from Hell, or a man from the dead; yet would they not beleeve. For, if a man were truly humbled, hee would tremble at Gods Word, of whomsoever hee heard it. If hee had a spirituall taste, hee would relish the hea­venly food, whosoever ministred it. If hee had Gods holy Spirit, hee would know and acknow­ledge his Sword, which is the Word of God, in whose hand soever he saw it. And untill he have [Page 75] this spirit, a spirituall taste, and an humble heart, hee will not beleeve; especially with effect, fruit, and practice, let him pretend whatsoever he will; neither Angels, nor men; dead, nor living; Moses, nor the Prophets; Peter, nor Paul; not Christ, nor God himselfe; if the one were living againe up­on Earth, or the other would be pleased, or it were possible, to speake immediately to him.

For conclusion of this Point, let us know, That the Ministerie of the Word is Gods Ordinance; which dependeth not upon the worthinesse of him who delivereth it; neither is it made void and un­effectuall, by his weakenesse and wickednesse: but it hath it vertue, force, and power from the blessing of God, and from the inward operation of his Spirit; who applyeth it to the hearts and consci­ences of men, and thereby illuminates their un­derstandings, begetteth faith in them, See Downam [...] C. H. pag. 362. and all san­ctifying and saving graces.

I, Object. 8. but (will some say) it is a very wearisome, tyring, This course is wearisome. and tedious thing, to be tyed to the hea­ring of so many Sermons, to meditate of them, conferre of them with our neighbours, teach them our families, and practise them; which are urged upon us, as necessarie Christian duties.

It is a strange thing, Answ. and sore case, that some men will not be perswaded to take halfe so much paines to goe to Heaven, Many will not take such paines to goe to Heaven, as others doe to goe to Hell. and eternall Rest, as ma­ny thousands to goe to Hell, and everlasting tor­ment. How many tyre and torture themselves with carke and care, with much toyle and travell, to heape up those riches, which in the meane time [Page 76] are matter of much vexation unto them; and hereafter will be witnesses against them, and eate their flesh as it were fire, Jam. 5. 3. as Iames speakes? How many spend their wits, their spirits, their time, that they may become some-body in the World, and climbe by indirect and unlawfull meanes, and steps unto those high places, from whence hereafter they must be hurled with greater confu­sion, and a more fearefull downe-fall, into the Pit of Hell? How many waste their wealth, weaken their strength, consume their marrow, fill their bones with rottennesse, and their bodies with dis­eases, with lust and uncleannesse, with following the Whorish woman, Prov. 2. 18. whose paths lead unto the dead; with tarrying long at the Wine, and pouring in of strong Drinke: for which, at length, they shall be sure to be filled with drunkennesse, and with sorrow, even with the Cup of destruction, and trembling; they shall drinke of it deepe and large, and wring it out to the dregges? How un­wearied have Idolaters ever beene in the wicked worship of their false gods? And many Here­tikes, in the false worship of the true God? In thrusting towards Hell, they neither spared cost, nor charge; losse, nor labour: They have beene prodigall both of lives, and living; of bloud, and children. You know, amongst the Iewes, some mingled the rufull cryes of their dearest children with Musicke and melodie, lest they should be moved to compassion, while they were cast into the fire, to be burned up in sacrifice unto the Idoll Moloch. Mat. 23. 15. Scribes and Pharises compasse Sea and [Page 77] Land, 1 King. 18. 28. to make a Proselyte. Baals Priests lanced and cut their flesh before their Idoll, untill the bloud gushed out. The blinded Papists at this day whip themselves, waste their goods, and con­sume their bodies with wearisome Pilgrimages, to see some counterfeit Reliques, and rotten Bones, or to visit accursed Idols, and Popish Saints: Nay, some of them transported with a more bloudie rage, and furious spirit of Anti­christ, suffer as it were with senselesnesse, with desperate and damned boldnesse, most horrible and exquisite torments, for butchering of Kings; for which they hope to merit Heaven, and to sayle through a Sea of Royall bloud to the Haven of endlesse rest; though indeed and truth, they just­ly light short, and sinke, before they are aware, into the deepest Lake of the hottest fire, and most consuming flame of Hell. Now, I pray you, shall these services of Sathan be followed and pursued with such heat and eagernesse, with such paines and patiencie of all miseries and vexations; and shall not the Lords owne Ordinances, and the true worship of the true God have power to make us step out of our doores with patience, and plea­sure, to heare the Lords will revealed unto us, to receive salvation to our soules, and a Crowne of immortalitie to our heads? Can some be con­tent to toyle day after day, fare hard, breake their sleepe, eate the Bread of carefulnesse, and all to heape up a little wealth, perhaps, with the losse of their owne soules, and sometimes they scarce know for whom; and shall not wee with joy and [Page 78] chearefulnesse passe through holy Exercises, for the enriching of our soules, wherein true and la­sting comfort is onely to be found, and whereby we may lay up for our selves Treasures in Heaven, durable Riches, a Bag that cannot wax old, a Trea­sure that can never faile, Prov. 8. 18. Luk. 12. 33. unmixed joyes, endlesse peace, and blessed immor­talitie, presently to be entred upon after death, and then to be enjoyed for ever and ever? Shall rebelli­ous Superstition, and the Doctrine of Devils, and killing Kings, harden the Papists against any cros­ses, and tortures; and shall we be tyred with the peaceable Exercises of sound & saving Religion? God forbid. In whom soever the true love of God and Christ hath taken up the heart, there their Gospel, and Word, and services are sweeter and more tastfull than all outward delights. Little touch of Religion, or sense of Salvation hath hee, that comes unto with unchearefulnesse, and stayes with wearinesse at the Ministerie of the Word.

I, Object. 9. but (will some say) it was never good World since so much preaching came amongst us; There was ne­ver good world since preach­ing came in. when there was lesse preaching, there was more plentie: and therefore, it seemes, there is little good in it. Since this new Religion was on foot, (for so some ignorantly and maliciously call it, though it be as old as God himselfe, whose eternall Truth it is; as old as the Patriarks and Prophets, as Christ and his Apostles) there hath beene (say they) more scarcitie of all things, more Plagues, Fa­mines, strange apparitions, extremitie of seasons, and other Iudgements, than ever our fore-fathers [Page 79] saw, or heard of. Hospitalitie, Charitie, Pastimes, and Plentie were banished with the old Religion; for so they call the bloudie and idolatrous He­resie of Poperie.

This hath ever beene the complaint of Idola­ters, Answ. and the wicked, This hath al­wayes beene the complaint of Idolaters. against the Truth of God; as it is now of the Papists & prophane men amongst us, against the glorious Light of the Gospel, that shines round about us. When Ieremy, chap. 44. had reproved the Iewes, and denounced Gods Iudge­ments against them for their Idolatry, they answer him thus, in vers. 16. Marke that, I befeech you; for it is the ve­ry language of the Papists at this day. The word that thou hast spoken unto us in the Name of the Lord, we will not heare it of thee; but we will doe whatsoever thing goeth out of our mouth: as, to burne incense to the Queene of Heaven, and to poure out drink-offerings unto her, as we have done, both we and our fathers, our Kings and our Princes, in the Ci­ties of Iudah, and in the streetes of Ierusalem; for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and felt no evill. But since we left off to burne incense to the Queene of Heaven, and to poure out drink-offerings unto her, we have had scarcenesse of all things, and have bin consumed by the sword, and by the famine. The very same com­plaint was made of the wicked Heathens and Infi­dels, at the first plantation of Christian Religion among the Gentiles. Apologetico. Vid. Calv. in Ier. 330. Tertullian, an ancient Fa­ther, tells us in his time; If there were any inun­dation and overflowing of Tibris, a great River in Rome; if there were any extraordinarie and un­couth Hayle, or Frost, or any other miserie or ca­lamitie; all the fault was presently laid on Christ, and the Christian Religion.

[Page 80] It appeares also by Austin, Austin. Epist. 121. another ancient Fa­ther, in his 122. Epistle, that there were wicked complaints and murmurings against the Christi­an Faith, in his time; the Infidels were still cry­ing, that before the Doctrine of Christ was pub­lished to the World, mankind was not vexed and distressed with so many troubles and garboyles. To which, the good Father doth there excellently answer; Out of Luke 12. 47, 48. easily, saith he, may they thence take their answer: Luke 12. 47, 48. The servant that knew not his Masters will, and yet did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes; but he that knew his Masters will, and prepared not him­selfe, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Hence then may wee clearely see the reason why our Times, Our Times de­serve greater judgement, than the for­mer Times of ignorance, for three reasons. in all reason, should be more vi­sited with Iudgements, than former dayes of ignorance.

1 Because that the Light of the Gospel is come amongst us; Iohn 3. 19, 20. and many love Darknesse rather than that Light, because their deeds are evill: for every man that doth evill, hateth the Light, neither commeth to the Light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

2 Because the Gospel is not so thankefully received and entertained, as so excellent a Blessing and precious a Treasure ought to be.

3 Many that heare it, live not after it: Per­haps, onely make a shew of godlinesse; but deny the power thereof, in their lives and conversati­ons. So, that negligence and disobedience to the Word of God, is the true cause of those Iudge­ments [Page 81] and miseries, which are wickedly & wrong­fully pretended to bee a cause why they have so little care to attend and obey it.

As for Hospitality in the time of Popery, Popish Hospi­tality, upon what grounds. it did not so much spring from the truth of Reli­gion, as

1. From a superstitious opinion of redee­ming their sinnes, and purchasing Heaven by almes-deeds.

2. From an excessive cheapnesse of all things, by reason of the scarcity of money.

3. From the superfluitie of the wealth, riches, lands and impropriations, the price of the bloud of soules, which Monasteries, and other religious, or rather superstitious houses, had immeasurably and unconscionably ingrossed and got into their hands. And when they had ingrossed the world to themselves, Simile. (as one sayes) they seemed liberall in giving something; like unto some vaine-glo­rious theeves, which having robbed wealthy Mer­chants, bestow some pence upon beggers.

As for works of Charity: Certaine it is, and a reverend and learned man of our Church hath proved it, and it will more clearly appeare here­after; That the charitable benevolence, Our times may compare with any for works of cha­rity. bountifull libe­ralitie, large expences in building and enlarging Col­ledges, and erecting Hospitals, Libraries, Free-schooles, and many other works of charity, and fruits of faith, since the light of the Gospell began to shine amongst us, may compare with, if not farre excell any time of the like or longer continuance in any age.

As for greater dearth & higher price of all things [Page 82] now, The reasons of the higher price of things now. than in former times, it is a cleare and plaine case, that the reason is; that the great store and plentie of treasure which is walking in these parts of the world, farre more in these our dayes, than ever our forefathers have seene in times past. Who doth not understand of the infinite summes of Gold and Silver which are gathered from the Indies, and other Countries, and so yearly trans­ported into these coasts? And this is confest to be the true cause of the same unancient dearnesse of all things, even in other Kingdomes also, where Popery is professed. De Rep. lib. 6, cap. 2. One Bodin, a great Po­lititian of France, tels us, that the common people are much deceived, who thinke that the price of Corne, Cat­tell, and other necessaries, should hold the same rate it did of old. They doe not understand and consider, that the price of things is more by ten parts (saith he) than it was anciently, by reason of the plenty and abundance of Gold and Silver, which is brought out of the West Indies into Europe, whereby it comes to passe that money is lesse esteemed, for plenty of any thing lessens the estimati­on of it.

Besides, for our owne Countrey, wise men have observed another particular reason. For (say they) immediately after our coine, in the time of King Henry the eighth, the prices of all things generally among all sorts of people rose; for that they thinke, that the alteration of the Coine was the chiefe and principall cause of an universall dearnesse of things. And why our English Coine being restored by our late Queene, that blessed Saint of glorious memory, to its former purity [Page 83] and perfection, the prices of all things fall not backe to their old rate, they give sufficient reasons.

As for pastimes, Playes, and other fearefull prophanation of the Sabbath, it is a good signe the power of grace is there planted by the Word, from whence they are banished and abandoned. They are fit pleasures for Papists, which have no comfort in the joyes above; and well agreeing to the darknesse of superstition. But the light of the Gospell dispels such vanities, and Gods chil­dren have all their pleasures in holy exercises up­on the Sabbath day.

This last objection then of Papists and pro­phane men; That the world is worse since there was so much preaching, is idle, vaine, and fri­volous.

Many such like conceits, perswasions and ob­jections as these, which I have now reckoned up unto you, there are abroad in the world, and in the hearts of prophane men, by which they are hindred from hearing the Word of God, with that heart, zeale and diligence as they ought.

Now I come to acquaint you with some slights and temptations of Satan, Satans sleights to hinder the effectuall wor­king of the Word. whereby he labours to bereave us of the blessings and benefits of profi­table hearers, and to hinder the effectuall wor­king of the Word in our consciences and con­versations.

A first plot and practice of Satan, He would keep them from the Word. is to keepe men from diligent hearing the Word; If he can­not that way prevaile, in a second place he labours [Page 84] to make the Word in vaine, Or else hinder the power of it fruitlesse, and unpro­fitable unto them. And that hee doth, by such meanes as these:

I If by the grace of God we breake thorow all lets and snares which might withhold us from holy assemblies, Hee keepes them from at­tending. and hearing of the Word; then Satan, that he might make it uneffectuall for our conversion and salvation; first, labours to worke in us a negligent carelesnesse and heedlesnesse, in listning to those things which are delivered, and that by a kinde of heartlesnesse in holy things, by dulnesse of spirit, drowsinesse, sleepinesse, gazing about, talking, or such like. And such hearers as these, are never a whit moved or affe­cted with the Word preached, but remaine in the same state as they were before. There is neither passion or impression wrought upon them for the present, nor any thought of it, profit or practice afterward.

2 In this depth he uses to fill our minds with barren melancholy, or to make men post off re­proofes, and apply them Pharisoically all the while to others. He fills our minds either with worldly, or else with impertinent unseasonable thoughts. But if he cannot speed this way, but that we rouze up and addresse our selves to heare the Word of God, as desiring with care and good conscience to profit thereby: Why then, in a se­cond place, hee seekes by all meanes to fill our heads and hearts with idle musings, and wandring thoughts, which may distract and steale away our minds from attending to the Word. And that he doth, either by offering and suggesting to our consideration and memory, the world, and the vanities thereof, as our affaires and businesse, our profits and preferments; those pleasures and delights wherein our corrupt affections finde [Page 85] most sensuall sweetnesse: Or, if this will not pre­vaile; by casting into our mindes very craftily and cunningly, things which in their owne nature may be good, honest, and religious: But because they are thought upon out of due and convenient time, they deprive us of the profit of the present holy Exercise; which ought for the time, onely and wholly to take up our mindes.

If this yet will doe no good; 3 but that wee marke diligently and attentively, all the while, what the Minister delivers unto us from God, for our good: why then, in a third place;

1 In some, Some under­stand not what they heare. he makes it uneffectuall, by nou­rishing in them a neglect of reading the Scrip­tures, and ignorance in the Principles of Religion: so that though they attend never so well, and stare the Minister in the face; yet they understand not the Sermons they heare. Let the younger sort therefore, to prevent this mischiefe, acquaint themselves with the Scriptures from their youth; by the example of Timothy, 2 Tim. 3. 15. Salomon, Prov. 31. 1, &c. Samuel, 1 Sam. 1. 24. See also Psal. 119. Prov. 2. 1. And let the miserie upon Elies House, terrifie negligent and indulgent Pa­rents; see 1 Sam. 2. 1, 2. &c. In this depth, the Word is either buried as it is brought forth, or dies at the Church doore.

2 In others, In others, Sa­than steales it away immedi­ately. he earnestly endeavours utterly to extinguish and abolish all thought of it; quite to drive and banish it out of their heads, so soone as they have heard it. And that thus: If mens hearts be hardned through unbeleefe, or custome [Page 86] in sinning, and like the High-way in the Parable of the Sower; then the Evill one comes imme­diately, and catcheth the Seed of the Word so soone as it is sowen, and stealeth it out of the heart. Simile. As we may see many times Birds hovering greedily after the Sower, to snatch away the Corne, before it be covered with Earth, or take root in the ground: even so Sathan, the ravenous Crow of Hell, waites all opportunities to pecke up the Seed of the Word out of the hearts of men, before it sinke into their affections, or fru­ctifie in their conversations. Or otherwise, if the World hath stolne mens hearts out of their bo­dies, Or the World steales away their hearts. so that they have no hearts left within them, for matters of Holinesse, and Heaven; but are wholly set upon Gaine, and exercised in Cove­tousnesse: then needes not Sathan much to be­stirre himselfe; he knowes full well, that worldly Cares will presently choake the Seed of the Word. Mar. 4. 19. As soone as the Sermon is heard, and ended, and they turned their backes upon the Church, there comes immediately into their heads whole swarmes of earthly thoughts, and they are presently plunged over head and eares into the cares and plottings of earthly businesses. So that these men, whom Sathan conquers by this temptation, never meddle with meditation, con­ference, or talke about the points handled by the Preacher, by which the Word of God should be better, as it were, digested, and prepared for pra­ctise. Nay, they have no delight at all to heare others repeat the Sermon; but are very wearie of [Page 87] the place and companie, and never pleased, untill they bring them back againe unto talke of world­ly matters and prophane discourses.

If this yet will not serve the turne, 4 He labours to keepe them from practi­sing what they know. but that the Word gets within a man, and workes upon his understanding; so that by his diligent hearing of it, meditation, and conference, he furnishes him­selfe with competent knowledge in the Booke of God, and Divine Truth: why then, Sathan casts about another way; which is, to make him to content himselfe with a bare fruitlesse know­ledge, without practising the power of it in his life and actions; to rest contented with an abilitie to talke and discourse onely upon points of Reli­gion, and places of Scripture, without inward sanctification, and subduing the will and affecti­ons to new obedience, and sincere exercise of Christianitie. So that, for all his knowledge, he neither meddles with Conversion, nor mends in his Conversation.

He labours here, I He would hin­der their con­version sundry wayes. first, to hinder his Conversi­on, by planting in his heart a prejudice and dis­conceit against,

1 Preaching the Law.

2 Distinguishing severall estates of unre­generate men, Math. 13. the three Reprobate Grounds.

3 The differencing the Children of God, and the Children of the Devill, by speciall markes and notes, Math. 5. Psal. 15. &c.

4 Pressing the Doctrine of Christ, of pressing in at the strait Gate, Luke 13. 24. & 4. 28. And [Page 88] gathering from Scripture those which shall be sa­ved, into a short summe.

5 And by making him make GOD all of Mercie. See Yates, pag. 173. & 229.

And mending in his Conversation, 2 Broad, pag. 100. by motives unto presumption.

If this will not prevaile, 5 He would have them rest in a partiall refor­mation, and superficiall conversion. but that a man endea­vours to draw his knowledge into practise, and fettles himselfe with care and conscience to re­forme his former wayes and courses of iniquitie: why then Sathan plots and practiseth, with all the cunning and policie he hath, to make him rest in a slight, superficiall, and partiall reformation; to content himselfe with an unsound, or unsaving conversion. For, by the way, I must tell you; there may be many conversions, Severall un­sound chan­ges. changes, and alterati­ons in a man, from worse to better; and yet he not truly sanctified, not become a new creature, nor possessed of the state of grace, and glorious com­forts of true Christians.

1 He may be changed, In these cases, Truth is the truest Touch­stone, to diffe­rence a true convert from all states of unregenera­tion. See Gonge, p. 130. from a notorious sin­ner, to a civill honest man: whereas he hath beene before furious, and desperate in lewd courses, hee may grow more sober and moderate in his carri­age: And yet, for all this, continue in his ig­norance, and a meere stranger to the wayes of godlinesse.

2 From civill honestie, he may passe on to a formall Christianitie, and become an outward Professor; and outwardly doe, and performe reli­gious services: and yet lye in his sinnes, and want the power of inward sanctification.

[Page 89] 3 Yet further, by a generall power of the Word, and inferior working of the Spirit, he may in some sort be outwardly reformed, and in some measure inwardly enlightened; hee may have understan­ding and joy by the Ministerie of the Word, and may doe many things after it, and for sake many sinnes. Mark. 6. 20. Herod is said, Mark. 6. to have reverenced Iohn, to have heard him gladly, and to have done many things: And yet for all this, hee may come short of a sound conversion; if hee suffer some maine corruption, some one sweet sinne, or other, to reigne in him, which hee still feedes upon with delight, and sensuall sweetnesse; if hee doe not wholly and entirely resigne and give up himselfe, his spirit, soule and body to the Lords service, and to please him in all things; and with repentance, and resolution, forsake all his knowne sinnes. For this is a certaine Rule and Principle with See Hieron. p. 158. Marbury in his Sermon at P. C. Dod upon the Cō ­mandements, p. 10. Dike, p. 195. True Watch, p. 61. Di­vines; That true turning unto God, and the advised and willing remaining in the practice of any one evill, which is discovered to a mans Conscience, by the Light of Gods Word, to be a sinne, cannot stand together.

These changes a man may have, and thus many passages, from worse to better; and yet the great and glorious worke of regeneration not wrought upon him. For where there is a sound conversion, and through-reformation, there a man is wholly sanctified, Fruits of a true conversion. and set apart unto God, from the sinfull corruption of his naturall birth, and the evill fruits thereof, to serve God in his whole man, both body, foule, and spirit. He shakes hands with all sinnes, he sells all for the precious Iewell of the Gospel; [Page 90] he regards not sinne in his heart, but hath a regard to all Gods Commandements.

Now sith Sathan, that old Serpent, knowes full well, that it will never serve the turne for a man to part but with part of his sinnes; that his case is fearefull enough, whatsoever good, or good deeds seeme to be in him, if he yeeld not to the worke of the Holy-Ghost, for the leaving but of any one knowne sinne, which [...]ighteth against the peace of his Conscience; he knowes, that he hath haunt and hold enough in a mans Conscience, and af­fections; that hee hath sufficient interest and claime to his damnation, if he can but keepe his sweet sinne in heart, and alive in him. And there­fore, when any by the Ministerie of the Word is moved to settle and addresse himselfe to a refor­mation of his wayes, and to redresse his former wicked life; he puts in, might and maine, to pre­serve in his vigour, and soveraigntie, one secret de­lightfull sinne, or other, at least, in the heart and affection of him, that goes about to reforme him­selfe: He singles out one corruption, or other, to which hee findes a man most addicted; and this he conceales, and fenceth with all the policie that he hath, that if by any meanes it may escape un­repented of, unmortified, and unmedled with.

Thus he dealt with Herod: Mark. 6. 17. Herod, by the prea­ching of Iohn, reformed himselfe in many things; but Sathan made sure to keepe him his owne, by that one sinne of Incest. Naaman the Syrian, no doubt, beleeved, and followed the Prophet in ma­ny things; 2 King. 5. 18. but he desired onely, that the Lord would [Page 91] be mercifull unto him, when he went into the house of Rimmon. Math. 19. 22. The young man in the Gospel, in his outward carriage was unreprovable; but that one secret sinne of worldlinesse, banished him out of the presence and Kingdome of Christ. In this point, Act. 5. Sathan labours to perswade men to deale with God in the forsaking of their sinnes, as Ana­nias dealt with the Apostle, in parting with his Money. It was a custome, you know, in the Pri­mitive Church, because of the necessitie of the Times; that many, out of a zealous and extraor­dinarie love unto the Gospel, sold their Lands, and brought the price, and laid it downe at the Apo­stles feet. Ananias amongst the rest, would needes seeme as forward & zealous in this glorious worke of Charitie, as any other: He sold his Lands in­deed, and brought in the Money, and tender'd it at the Apostles fe [...]t; but yet secretly, suspecting Gods providence, and doubting lest himselfe, per­haps, at length should be brought into want, hee kept backe one part of the price of his Possession; making shew notwithstanding, to have brought in all. So it is in many, by the malice of Sathan, and bewitching enticements of naturall corruption, in the forsaking of their sinnes. In a true Conver­sion indeed, when a man is about to buy the Pearle of great price & unvaluable worth in the Gospel, the Doctrine of Salvation, the Way to Life, and Graces of Gods Spirit; he makes an universall sale of all his sinnes; Math. 13. 44. he selleth (as the Text saith) all that he hath: not some piece of his sinfull Posses­sion, but even the very whole Lordship, the entire [Page 92] Inheritance. But it is otherwise with those whom Sathan inveagleth, and ensnareth in this point. Hee is well enough pleased, that they shall seeme to be as forward in the reformation and amend­ment of their lives, as any other; and indeed, that they shall be reformed in good part, and carry some love and affection toward the Word, and Mi­nisters; so that he may keepe hold and possession but in one corner of the heart: For he knowes, that that is enough to keepe the whole man, body and soule, his owne. If he can stay but one sinne unsold, he knowes the man continues still, by the course of divine Law, Simile. a bondslave of Hell. By one little hole a ship will sinke into the bottome of the Sea. The stab of a Pen-knife to the heart, will as well speed a man, as all the Daggers that killed Caesar in the Senat-house. The soule will be strangled with one Cord of vanitie, as well as with all the Cart-ropes of iniquitie: only, the more sins, the more plagues, and fiercer flame in Hell: but he that lives and dies impenitent in one, it will be his destruction. One dramme of poyson will dispatch a man; and one reigning sinne will bring him to endlesse woe and miserie. Let us take heed therefore, when we goe about reformation of our selves, lest we be surpri­sed & overtaken by this malicious craft of Sathan. Let us resolve upon a through-reformation; which is only and ever undertaken, with a purpose not to hold on in the willing practice of any one knowne iniquitie, or sinfull course. Which, when we shall carefully & earnestly go about, Sathan will be sure to set upon us, as Pharoah did upon Moses and Aaron: [Page 93] When the Lord had commanded them to goe three dayes journey in the Desart, Satan deales with men, as Pharaoh did with the Israelites. to doe service and sacrifice unto him, that by all meanes hee might hinder them in this holy businesse.

1. Exod. 8. 25. He would have them to stay in the land, and to doe sacrifice there. Nay (saith Moses) it is not meet to doe so; for then wee should offer unto the Lord our God that which is abomination unto the Egyptians.

2. Sith this would not then serve, but that they would needs out of the Land; Vers. 28. I will let you goe (saith Pharaoh) that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the Wildernesse; but goe not farre away. But Moses would yet none of this, he would not abate a foot of the journey the Lord had appointed.

3. Cap. 10. 9. Why then (saith Pharaoh) if you will needs goe so farre, I am content your men shall goe; but, as it is fittest, your children shall stay at home. Nay (saith Moses) we will goe with our young and with our old, with our sonnes and with our daughters, with our Sheepe and with our Cattell will we goe.

4. Vers. 24. Well (saith Pharaoh) I will yeeld so farre unto you, your children shall goe with you to serve the Lord, onely your sheepe and your Cat­tell shall abide at home.

Nay ( saith Moses) our Cattell also shall goe with us. There shall not an hoofe be left.

Now when all this would not doe, when Moses would not accept of any capitulations, conditi­ons, restrictions, or limitations in holy businesses, and the service of God, (for he was at a point, re­solute, he would not leave so much as an hoofe be­hinde.) [Page 94] Now, I say, when all the enticements and policies of Pharaoh would not prevaile to keepe Moses from serving and sacrificing unto God, and that precisely and strictly, according to his owne appointment and commandement, but that to this end, at length he wrung himselfe and all the Israelites, out of the bloudy teeth of this perse­cuting Wolfe; why then Pharaoh armes himselfe with rage and fury, Exod. 14. 7. with six hundred chosen cha­riots, and all the chariots of Aegypt, with fifty thousand horsmen, and two hundred thousand footmen, Iosephus. as a Iewish Historian writes, purposing with bloudy thirst to devoure at once, and swal­low up quicke, even all the Israell of God: But you know the conclusion was; the Lord of Hea­ven gave a most glorious deliverance to his owne people, wherein his bottomlesse goodnesse, and infinite mercy shall shine cleare and bright for ever, in all generations of the Church upon earth, and through all eternity in Heaven: But upon their enemies he brought such a strange and terrible confusion in the Red Sea, which may strike astonishment and trembling into the heart and loynes of all prophane persecutors of godli­nesse to the worlds end, and amaze the very ma­liciousest f [...]end in hell, while that Kingdome of darknesse stands.

Even iust thus doth Satan deale with all those who desire to bee conducted by the light of the Word, See Broade. pag. 141, &c. out of the Aegypt and slavery of igno­rance, sinne, prophanenesse; and who are resol­ved frankly and freely to give themselves, soules [Page 95] and bodies, to Gods service, and to enter a setled course of holinesse and sanctification; hee useth all meanes and policies to keepe and detaine them in his Kingdome of darknesse. If he can­not hold them in his chiefe palace and Court as it were, where sinne especially raignes and re­vels it, yet he will so farre hamper them, that at least they still hover upon the confines and bor­ders of the Regions of death. If they will needs bee medling with reformation of their [...]infull lives, and that he cannot helpe it, but something must be done, he is content to yeeld unto them upon some termes or conditions, Satan would condition with men in their conver­sion. that they cast him not quite out of their consciences, but suffer him to sway and raigne in their hearts, by some one gainfull or delightfull sinne or other.

1. If they will needs feare God, he stands not much upon it, but that they may doe it outward­ly, and in profession, so that they will continue in Aegypt, within the Kingdome of darknesse, and lie still in their sinnes, and under the shadow of death.

2. If this will not content them, if they will not rest here, but will needs out of the Kingdome of darknesse, and dominion of death, why he is not much against it, but that they may goe the halfe way; that is, he will suffer them to forgoe and forbeare the outward practice and perpetrati­on of many sinnes, so that inwardly their heart and affections harbour, nourish & embrace them still, and feed upon with a sensuall and delightfull re­membrance, the sinfull pleasures of iniquities for­merly committed.

[Page 96] 3. If they desire and endevour to become new men, both inwardly and outwardly, to be sancti­fied in actions and affections, to serve God both in soule and body, he will yet yeeld so farre, that they may be rid of some sinnes both in heart and practice, as perhaps of sinnes of custome; but then he will be a suitor and solicitor unto them, to retaine other sinnes, as perhaps sinnes of na­ture. For example: It may be they may both for­beare the outward practice, and also inwardly loath swearing, drunkennesse, and other such like sinnes of custome; but they will nuzzle in the bosome of their affections, pride, lust, anger, and such other sinnes, the naturall birth as it were of originall corruption.

4. But if they also conquer these, why then he tempts them mainly to continue at the least in worldlinesse. Foure infal­lible marks of cove [...]ousnesse: 1 Carking: 2 Strained bowels to the necessities of the Saints, or any truly poore. 3 Too much businesse in the world. 4 Injustice, or using of inju­rious or indi­rect courses of getting wealth See Wha [...]ly, pag. 30. For this in many mens hearts hath greater power, and beares more sway than nature, or naturall affection. He will secretly suggest un­to them, that upon an eager and excessive pursuit of gaine and riches, depends their life and lively­hood, their credit and reputation, their content­ment and happinesse in the world; so that per­haps at last of all, after all this, they rest and set­tle themselves upon sinnes of advantage, as usu­ry, oppression, unlawfull and excessive gaining, earthly-mindednesse, serving the Times, and such like.

5. But if by the grace of God any be so bles­sed from God above, Gard. of Spirit. Flow. 2. part. pag. G 4. as resolutely to passe tho­row all these traines and temptations, and like [Page 97] strong Samsons, breake through all these Cords and Cart-ropes of iniquitie and vanitie; so that they will not yeeld an ynch to that cruell Pharaoh of Hell, nor leave so much as an Hoofe behinde them, in his Kingdome of Darknesse: why then, this spirituall Pharaoh presently armes himselfe with all the crafts and policies of Hell, with Le­gions of Fiends, and Princes of the Darkenesse of this World; with all his malice, against the salva­tion of the soules of men; with the fire and furi­ous rage of prophane wretches; with the sharpe swords and impoysoned arrowes of lying and slanderous tongues; and with all other advanta­ges, which either the lowest Hell, or the wide wic­ked World can afford. And thus appointed, hee pursues and persecutes, with bloodie and impla­cable furie, all those who have escaped out of this captivitie, farre more eagerly and enviously than ever Pharaoh did the Israelites: That either hee may bring them backe againe into his bondage, or else take them quite away, and destroy them; that they may not attaine the full Light of the Saints, nor doe long service unto the Lord. And certainely, if all the power of Hell, the strongest temptations, the scourge of tongues, the Worlds malice, the spightfull spirit of prophanenesse, the frownings of friends, the scornefull insolen­cies of enemies, the cursed and enticing cryes of our old companions; if wicked men or damned Devils be able to prevaile, he will be sure to stay them, before they enter into the state of grace, and true blessednesse. But yet, if a man put on [Page 98] Pauls armour, in Eph. 6. Davids royall courage, Psal. 3. 6. Moses princely zeale, and truly Chri­stian valour, that he will not leave a hoofe behinde; that is, that he will not leave one corruption un­mortified, one affection unsanctified, one rebel­lious action unreformed, one knowne sinne un­repented of, and unforsaken; one holy dutie unperformed, one Commandement unobeyed: Why then, hee may looke for a more glorious spirituall deliverance, than Moses had a tem­porall: Hell, and confusion, shall swallow up all his See. Isa. 25. 10. enemies; but into his heart, in the meane time, shall be shed and plentifully pow­red comfort, joy, and peace▪ and upon his head shall a Crowne of immortalitie flourish for ever hereafter.

I have stayed very long upon the fifth plot and practice of Sathan, whereby he labours to make the Word heard, unpowerfull and unef­fectuall for the salvation of our soules: For, I know, it is much and often exercised, and with great successe; and by it, he prevailes with very many. When by diligent hearing of Gods Word▪ faithfully urged upon them, they are driven, and doe addresse themselves to a refor­mation and amendment of their sinfull lives; he mightily endeavours to hinder, disquiet, and interrupt them in it; to make it a reformation unto them but in part, and by halfes; unsound, and unsaving: So that, it may be, they may for­sake sinnes of Custome, as Lying, Swearing, Drunkennesse, and such like; but keepe sinnes [Page 99] of Nature, as Pride, Lust, Anger, and the like: Or, it may be, they may forsake both these two kindes of sinnes, and yet keepe sinnes of Advan­tage; as Oppression, unlawfull Gaining, grinding the faces of the Poore, serving the Time, and such like: Or, they may leave all these▪ and yet keepe sinnes of Companie; as, idle and vaine Talking, filthie Ieasting, rayling against and slan­dering their Neighbours, uncharitable judging and censuring their Brethren, and the like. It may be, they may be carefull in their generall calling of Christianitie; but carelesse and un­faithfull in those particular places and callings, wherein God in his providence hath set them: Or contrarily; they may be of Christian beha­viour abroad, and in publike; as at Sermons, and in the Church: but unconscionable at home, and in their private families; never tea­ching, or praying with them: They may seeme zealous in the Commandements of the first Table, and about the service of God; but in the second, and towards their Neighbour, un­mercifull, unconscionable, and uncharitable: Or, they may deale justly and honestly with o­thers, but be utterly voide and destitute of the knowledge and feare of God: They may bee outwardly reformed, but inwardly full of hol­low-heartednesse, and hypocrisie: They may leave all other sinnes, onely keepe one behinde; which is called a mans sweet, delightfull, and bosome-sinne.

If Sathan can prevaile with a man any of these [Page 100] wayes, hee keepes him his owne: for hee that is soundly converted, justified, and sanctified in­deed, must needs be out of love with every sinne, with the whole course of iniquitie; and with sin­cerity and chearefulnesse embrace the entire body of Christianitie, and have a regard to all Gods Commandements.

6 Now I come to a sixt sleight and devise of Sathan, Sathan would hinder perse­verance. whereby hee labours to make the Word fruitlesse and unprofitable unto us. If he cannot stay us in our reformation, but that we will needs through, and cast away all sinnes; why then, hee seekes by all meanes to hinder our continuance, and constancie. Math. 13. If the Seed of the Word be re­ceived with joy, and spring up for a time; that is, be practised for a while; he rayseth up some per­secution, tribulation, or crosses, whereby it is pre­sently blasted, withers, and comes to nothing. The uncleane spirit may for a time goe out of a man, Math. 12. 43. and walke throughout drie places; but if it be possible, he will returne with seven other spirits worse than himselfe: and the end of that man, is worse than the beginning. A man may flye from the pollution and filthinesse of the World, as it is, 2 Pet. [...]. 20. 2. Pet. 2. 20. but by the policie of Sathan, hee may be tangled againe therein: He may be wash­ed (as it is in the same place) for a while, and yet after wallow againe in the myre of sinne: He may be endued with an inferior sanctification of the Spirit, Heb. 10. 29. Heb. 10. 29. and yet after, by the malice of Sathan, tread under foot the Sonne of God: Hee may have a generall participation of the Holy-Ghost, [Page 101] Heb. 6. 4. Heb. 6. 4. and yet after a time fall away, to the very despiting of the Spirit of Grace. I speake not this, as though that any once effectually cal­led, truly sanctified, possessed of the state of grace, and enrolled among the Saints, can possibly be­come a cast-away; it cannot bee: for if once by the power of speciall grace, a man be built upon the Rocke; Math. 16. 18. not the Gates of Hell, not all the pow­ers of Darkeness, nor strongest assaaults of Satan, shall ever prevaile against him. Heaven and Earth shall sooner be removed, than any of Gods ser­vants. For if Gods eternall Decree of Election be unchangeable; if his Covenant be everlasting, and inviolable; if his Truth cannot change, nor his Mercie faile, nor his Power be weakened; if the sacred Seale of the blessed Spirit shall stand; if the precious blood and fervent prayers of Christ Iesus can prevaile; if his Scriptures doe not lye, and deceive; if his sanctifying Grace cannot die, and perish; if Himselfe cannot cease to be: then undoubtedly, if a man be once his, he is his for e­ver; if he be once truely his servant upon Earth, he shall for ever hereafter be a glorious Saint in Heaven. My meaning therefore in this point, is onely this: There is a glimmering Light of the Spirit, some manner of taste of the sweetnesse of Christ, a kind of change, which may be wrought in a man by the preaching of the Word, and yet he not truely and constantly converted, but may by the malice and policie of Satan be repossessed by uncleane spirits, and repolluted with the fil­thinesse of the World.

[Page 102] Thus we may discerne this changeable change (that I may so speake) and the saving change of Gods servants: Difference betweene a false and sa­ving change. If, after we have given our Names to Christ, and begun to professe and practise sin­ceritie, we passe on, and continually grow in grace, and stand for Gods honour and service, against all commers; friends or foes, losse or disgrace, oppres­sion or slanders, men or devils; why then, undoub­tedly, we have the sanctifying Spirit of God, and saving grace; which makes his Children like Trees betwixt the Rivers of Waters, fruitfull in goodnesse, and as bold as Lyons, in good causes. But, if after wee have begun well, wee looke backe with Lots Wife; Gen. 19. 26. if we fall in love againe with those sinnes which wee have forsaken; if Rubbes and Crosses in the World, will turne us out of the way to Heaven; and our righteousnesse be but as the Morning Deaw, which a little heat of Persecu­tion will drie up: why then, our change was changeable, and not that of Gods children. The Seed of the Word, which wee received with joy, was never deepely rooted in good and honest hearts; wee were onely temporarie Converts, not new creatures; temporizing Professors, not true Christians; and our End is like to be worse than our Beginning; and our Plagues more, than if we had never begun.

Let every man take heed then, in the Name of God, lest by the traines and temptations of Sa­than he be turn'd backe againe from any good course; lest after he be washed, he wallow againe in the myre of worldlinesse, and worldly vanities; [Page 103] and after hee hath escaped the filthinesse of the World, lest he be againe entangled therein. Let us beware of longing after those sinnes, which we begun in some measure to reforme; let us not lust againe after the flesh-pots of Aegypt, like the Is­raelites, after we be in some good sort enlarged from the bondage of sinne, and tyrannie of the hellish Pharoah. Lots Wife being delivered out of Sodome, was surprised with a sensuall remem­brance of the pleasures and vanities of the place which shee had left, of the ease and prosperitie which shee there enjoyed; and so look'd backe upon it: But shee was therefore presently turned into a Pillar of Salt, Gen. 19. 26. there for ever to be a monument and fearefull spectacle of Gods terrible judgements against all back-sliders. If the uncleane spirit be cast out of a man by some degrees of reformation, and good beginnings of amendment of life, and have after leave and liber­tie to returne; he brings with him seven Devils worse than himselfe, and makes a man farre worse than he was before. 2 Pet. 2. 21. Much better were it for any man never to have knowne or stept into the way of righteousnesse, than afterward to turne from the holy Commandement of God, and out of a course of Christianitie. It is a fearefull Curse, to continue in hardnesse of heart, prophanenesse of life, and sinfull courses: But to leave them for a little, and to sinke backe againe, is to have Gods Curse bitter against them, if they repent not, and the fire of Hell made more hot for them. First, sicknesses are curable; but relapses are very dan­gerous, [Page 104] if not irrecoverable. If a man (as it is Heb. 6.) hath once beene enlightened, Heb. 6. 4, 6. and then fall away, it is impossible to be renewed by repentance. I know that place principally to be understood of the highest degree of Apostacie, and falling away; but hee that falls away from any good course, and good beginnings, falls towards that irrecovera­ble fall, and makes himselfe more uncapable of repentance, than if he never had been enlightened, or stept into the way of Truth: And it is just with God, to punish such with a reprobate sense, and hearts that cannot repent. Rom. 2. 5.

It then deepely and neerely concernes us; for once wee have felt the sweetnesse of Grace, and tasted of the Powers of the World to come; to drinke deeper of the Waters of Life, and to follow hard towards the marke, for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus. When wee feele any good motions and purposes arise in our hearts, let us labour to follow them, to nourish them, to blow them up, to make a fire of them; lest they onely but make a flash, and passe away as the Light­ning. Let us put them in practise with zeale, and constancie, that we be not as the unfaithfull Waters, which in the Summer are dryed up; or as the dead Trees, which perish in Winter: but that we remaine whole and sound, pure and per­fect, as the living Waters and Olives of the Lord, that ever shed forth their sweetnesse and fatnesse. Let us make a Covenant, 2. Cor. 13. 5. even a Covenant (as the Scripture speaketh) of Salt, durable, and per­petuall, with the Lord, to live before him in [Page 105] holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life: For to him that goes through with his ho­ly businesse, 2. Tim. 4. 7. that fights the good fight of Faith, fini­sheth his course, and overcomes; to him, and to him alone, shall all those glorious Blessings be per­formed, which are promised in the first Chapter of the Revelation: Rev. 1. To eate of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God; Not to be hurt of the second Death; To eate of the Manna which is hid, and to have the white Stone of Victorie given him; To have power given him to rule over Nations, and to be lightened with heavenly brightnesse, like the Morning Starre; To be clothed with white array, (that is, with heavenly Glory) and to have his Name continued in the Booke of Life; To have a Pillar made in the Temple of God, (that is, a firme and unmoveable place of eternall Glory;) To sup with Christ, and to sit with him upon his Throne for evermore. Thus shall hee bee honoured and crowned with the excellencie, fulnesse, and varie­tie of all glory, joy, and happinesse, who enters with sinceritie, and couragiously ends his Race of Holinesse, and conquers in his spirituall Fight. Rev. 21. 8: But all fearefull men, (as it is, Rev. 21. 8.) who slinke backe for feare of Men, or love of the World, or to serve the Times; all faint-hearted men in the Lords Battailes, and that fall away from good beginnings; they shall be punished with unbeleevers, with the abominable, with Murthe­rers and Whore-mongers, with Idolaters and Lyars, in the Lake which burnes with fire and Brimstone; which is the second Death.

[Page 106] 7 But, if by the grace and mercie of God, we quit our selves like men, and hold on comfortably and constantly in a setled course of godlinesse; yet, Hee strives, if hee cannot make them to fall totally and finally, that they may fall partially, and as frequently as he can. for all this, Sathan hath not done: though he can doe us no deadly hurt, yet he will still doe his worst; for his craft and spight is endlesse. If he see there is no hope of bringing us backe againe into his bondage, or making us any more vassals and slaves to sinne; yet he will labour to lay stum­bling-blockes in our way, to bring us upon our knees: now and then, to turne us out of the right path; sometimes, even to over-turne us with some greater and more dangerous fall; hee will lay his traines to intrap and intangle us, if it be possible, in some old sweet sinne: Sathans poli­cie. Which, that hee may bring about, hee will use the benefit and advan­tage of custome, because before our calling, wee have much practised it; of the frailtie of our owne corruptions, because they have most de­lighted in it; of our old companie, because wee have formerly oftenest committed it with them. He will leave no opportunitie, advantage, or cir­cumstance omitted, and unassayed, to hale us back into one or other speciall sinne, of our unregene­ration. If this will not stop, hee will follow all occasions, enticements, and temptations, the tide of our owne affections, the streame of the times, if by any meanes hee can cast us into some grosse and scandalous sinne. These are Sathans plots and practises against those, who hold on in a con­stant course of holinesse: if they will not bee brought to tumble themselves againe in the myre [Page 107] of sinne, and sinfull pleasures, yet he will doe what hee can, now and then, to spot and staine their Christian lives with some grieuous fall, or other; that so, Preservatives against sinne, whereby Gods children keepe themselves from grosse falls. to his utmost, hee may bring upon them Gods disfavour, and angry countenance, disgrace and disconceit amongst their brethren, discom­forts and feares of heart within themselves. But if a man, first, by keeping fresh in his minde the uncertainties and vanities of this vaine World: 1 secondly, 2 by carefull and continuall watching over his deceitfull heart: 3 thirdly, by exercising and practising with diligence and delight, all ho­ly meanes of preserving grace, and starving sinne; as reading, hearing, conference, meditation of the Word of God; Prayer, publike and private; with himselfe, 4 and with his family: fourthly, by declining prophane, unprofitable, and unchristian companie, and acquaintance; and frequenting, with joy and fruit, the fellowship of the Saints: fifthly, 5 by an humble entertainment, nourish­ment, and practice of the good motions of the Spirit: sixtly, 6 by a dayly examination of the state of his Conscience, and reparation of the de­cayes of Grace: 7 seventhly, by his godly jealousie over little sinnes, and present renewing repentance after every slip. I say, if by such meanes as these (which are notable preservatives against the poy­son of sinne) a man fence himselfe from grosse and scandalous falls; or else, if by the politike malice of Sathan, and weakenesse of his owne flesh, he be overtaken with some fouler sinne; and yet notwithstanding, besides pangs of griefe, and [Page 108] anguish of spirit, for grieving his gracious God, hee looke better to his feet, and run faster in the Race of sanctification after his fall; if his falling into sinne teach him these good lessons, which in such cases are ordinarily learned of all true Chri­stians; for all things, even See Gouge, p. 171, 172. sinne it selfe, makes to the best in Gods Children.

1 Hee learnes by his fall, The good that they get by their falls. to distaste his pride, and selfe-conceit, to let fall his Peacockes traine, and despaire of his owne strength.

2 To depend only upon God, the Word of his Grace, and the power and perpetuall influence of his Spirit, for his standing upright in the wayes of Righteousnesse, and preservation from most fearefull and dangerous downe-falls.

3 To cling closer about him; to claspe faster hold with the hand of faith upon the glorious Passion and meritorious justice of Christ; with much heartinesse and zeale of seeke and sue unto him for his speciall aide and assistance against Sa­tans temptations, his owne corruptions, and out­ward occasions of sinne.

4 To blush and be ashamed of himselfe; for that he having had his soule washed with the pre­cious blood of Christ, and having received so great favour, mercy, and pardon at the hands of God, yet hath wretchedly and unthankfully defi­led it againe; and so wofully and wickedly abused his extraordinary love and kindnesse.

5 With more resolute vow, protestation, and practice, to renounce and abandon Satan; with more perfect hatred, and detestation, to loath and [Page 109] abhorre all manner of sinne; Jude 23. 1 Thess. 5. 22. the Garment spotted of the flesh, and all appearance of evill.

6 To become watchfull, and wise; by taking speciall notice of all the motives, temptations, meanes, occasions, baites, allurements to that sinne, into which hee fell; for the avoiding and declining of it afterwards.

7 To thinke charitably of other men, that fall, and are suddenly overtaken in any offence; not to be too eager, hot, and censorious against them; but out of his owne experience, to give them comfort, instructions, and directions, and to la­bour to restore them with the spirit of meeke­nesse. Now, I say, if a man be either fore-armed and fenced (as I said) from falls; or else, after his fall, weepe bitterly, repent sincerely, watch after­ward more carefully, walke more zealously; and out of his spirituall wisedome, make that use and benefit of his fall, as I have told you: then hee may have comfort, that Sathan gets no great ad­vantage this way.

8 Like a fierce cruell Dragon, He sends forth flouds of per­secution and affliction after them. sith he cannot devoure the Womans Child so soone as ever it is brought forth; that is, he cannot repossesse and reigne againe in a true Christian and regenerate man, brought forth by the power of the Word, in the Wombe of the Church; he therefore ca­steth out of his mouth, after him, flouds of out­ward crosses and vexations. If he cannot wound him in his soule, yet he will vexe him in his body, goods, and good name: if he cannot hinder him of Heaven, he will give him little rest or quiet [Page 110] upon Earth: if hee cannot bring him into dis­grace and disfavour with God, he will be sure to rayse him hatred enough, malice, and discounte­nance amongst men: He will doe his worst, to fill and loade him with all outward discomforts and discouragements; as povertie, sicknesse, slanders, scoffings, raylings, reproaches, contempts, and a thousand other persecutions.

But in such cases as these, Comfortable considerations against af­flictions. let every child of God comfort, refresh, and hold himselfe in heart, cheare, and courage, by such considerations as these.

First, 1 From Gods Decree, the example of the Saints, and the Sonne of God himselfe. Act. 14. 22. it is a Decree of Heaven, resolved upon and ratified by the Lord our God, confirmed by the experience of all the Patriarkes and Prophets, of the Apostles and professors of Christ, of all the Saints and servants, nay, and of the Sonne of God himselfe; Act. 14. 22. that, through many tribulations wee must enter into the Kingdome of Heaven. So often therefore as wee shall see any miseries or afflicti­ons comming towards us, for our profession of sinceritie, and righteousnesse sake; let us acknow­ledge them to be as so many most certaine and in­fallible markes, that we are in the right way to Heaven: through which, if we but walke a little further with patience, we shall descry a Crowne of Glory, Rom. 8. 18. which is our owne for ever; of which, all the afflictions and pressures of a thousand Worlds are not neere worthy.

Secondly, 2 From the gra­cious effects of afflictions, for our good. though by this meanes, by these out­ward crosses and afflictions, Sathan dischargeth upon us the very gall of his bitternesse, the poyson of his malice, and arrowes of his spight; yet, by [Page 111] the mercifull and medicinall hand of God, they are returned upon his owne head, they strike through the heart of sinne, and become as preci­ous restoratives, to repaire in us the decayes of spi­rituall life: for in Gods children, crosses and affli­ctions have these worthy effects and workings.

1 They start us out of our securitie, They make us watchfull, &c. careles­nesse, and coldnesse, which by little and little may grow upon the best: They breed in us a conceit and sense of our owne wants, and the necessitie of Gods providence and protection: They adde Oyle unto the flame of our first love, put life into our religious exercises, and power and spirit into our prayers.

2 They curbe and controule the pride, Humble, &c. inso­lencie, and impatiencie of our nature: They coole and kill the heat, headlongnesse, and intemperan­cie of our affections: They weaken indeed the whole old Adam in us, with all his lusts, concupis­cence, and venome; but give strength to the new man, with all his godly and gracious motions, holy and heavenly actions.

3 They make us with indignation to spit in the very face of this vaine, To contemne the World. deceitfull, and flattering World; the temporall love of which, is the eternall losse both of bodies & soules in the other World: They happily weane us from the love of it, and make us willing to part with her paps; to bid all her enticements adiew, and to trample under feet the fading pleasures & vanities thereof: they make us to teare our groveling hearts, and rent our dull affections from the Earth, to which they cleave, [Page 112] and are glued so fast, and to lift up both our heads and hearts to Heaven, and to the glory which is to be revealed, longingly to desire the comming of Christ, the Life that lasteth, and to be clothed with our House, which is from above.

4 Lastly, To see further into the my­sterie of god­linesse. they are as sharpe and precious eye­salves, to cleare and enlarge the spirituall sight of our soules, too much dimmed and darkened with earthly dust, and with gazing too long on the painted glory of the World; that so wee may see further into the great mysterie of godlinesse, deeper into the masse and dunghill of our owne corruptions and frailties, wider upon the vanities of the World, and higher into the happinesse of Heaven, and that great Beautie, Glory, and Ma­jestie above: They serve unto us as sowre Sawces, and bitter Wormewood, to bring us out of love with our sweet sinnes, and to breed a distaste in our mouth against transitorie delights: They are as sharpe pruning-knives, to lop and cut away the excesses, vanities, and unnecessarie cares that grow upon us; and so to trimme us, that wee may bring forth more profitable, plentifull, and fairer fruits in godlinesse and Christianitie.

Thus Sathan is disappointed in his plots, and policie; his malice makes a medicine for our soules: hee purposeth and hopes, by crosses and afflictions to turne us backe, or make us wearie in our course of holinesse; but by the mercy of God, they become as spurres, to pricke us forward in our Christian Race; and as hedges to keepe us in, from wandering out of the way.

[Page 113] Now, 3 Though Satan and his instru­ments be the instrument to afflict, yet God is the princi­pall Agent, who will order all for their good. in a third place; That Gods child may not too much be cast downe, or put out of heart, for crosses and persecutions raysed against him for a profession, and the practice of sinceritie; let him consider, that howsoever Sathan and wic­ked men be the instruments, and executioners, which maliciously procure, and immediately in­flict miseries and vexations upon the children of God; though they be the meanes to lay tortures and torments upon their bodies, crosses and losses upon their goods and outward estates, spots and impression and crueltie upon the face of their harmelesse innocencie, slanders and disgraces, imputations and staining aspersions upon their reputations and good names; sometimes terrors, temptations, and amazements upon their minds: Yet in all these, our gracious God hath the chie­fest stroke, a principall hand, and the greatest sway▪ he directs, limits, and moderates the rage and furie of all our enemies, whether they be De­vils or men, as it pleaseth him; and ever certaine­ly to the singular good of his children, if they be patient and faithfull. Job 5. 6. Miserie (saith Iob, chap. 5. 6.) commeth not forth of the Dust, neither doth afflictions spring out of the Earth. Neither indeed, princi­pally and originally from Man, the Lord of the Earth; nor from the Prince that rules in the Aire; nor from the Host of Heaven: God him­selfe is the chiefe commander, guider, and di­recter of all vexations, and ill of punishment that befalls any man; and inflicts it, for our sinnes and corruptions, upon the reprobates, as [Page 114] appeares in Pharoah, for their further hardening and confusion; upon his elect, for their conver­sion and correction.

Let us then, in all our sufferings and afflictions, stirred up against us for sticking to sinceritie, and keeping a good Conscience; lift up our eyes to the mightie Lord of Heaven and Earth: who, by the strong Arme of his Omnipotencie, holds fast in a Chaine, Sathan, that raging Lion, and great Goliah, that hee cannot stirre one Linke further than hee will give him leave; hee cannot goe a haires breadth beyond his Commission: Nay, and that which hee is suffered to doe, makes one way or other for our farre greater good. Let us consider, what a loving and tender-hearted Father hath us under his correction; and holds in his hand the furie of Sathan, the malice of men, the power and particular stings of all creatures, as Rods and Scourges, to reforme and amend us; to keepe us in a course of holinesse, and in the right way to Heaven. His fatherly love and tender­heartednesse unto his, and such as feare him, doth in dearenesse and unchangeablenesse as farre sur­passe the most compassionate bowels of any earth­ly father, as God surpasseth man; and, an infinite nature, a finite creature. The kindnesse of a mo­ther to her child, is nothing to that love which God beareth to a true Christian. a. 44. 15. A mother may forget her child, and not have compassion vpon the sonne of her wombe. But God neither can, nor will for­get him. The stonie Rockes and Mountaines sticke fast and sure unto their foundations; but [Page 115] Gods love to his child, is farre surer and sounder. The Mountaines shall remove, Isa. 54. 10. and the Hills shall fall downe (saith God by Isaiah) but my Mercie shall not depart from thee; neither shall the Covenant of my Peace fall away, saith the Lord, that hath compassion on thee. Can any man stoppe the course of the Sunne, the Moone, and the Starres? Can hee change the Seasons of the Day and the Night? No more can any creature, or a world of creatures, stoppe and turne aside the streames of Gods end­lesse mercies and favours to his faithfull servants. If you can change (saith God by Ieremie) if you can change the courses of the Sunne, Ier. 31. 33. and of the Moone, and of the Starres; if you can breake my Covenant of the Day, and my Covenant of the Night, that there should not be Day and Night in their season; then may my Covenant be broke unto David, my servant; then will I cast off all the Seed of Israel: Ier. 31. 33. You may therefore make sure of it; every sanctified and sincere man is ever in Gods sight, for his good and preservation; Isa. 49. 16. hee is graven upon the palme of his hand, Cant. 8. 6. hee is set as a Signet upon his arme, and as a Seale upon his heart. God is ever farre more sensible, tender, and compassionate of the sighes, teares, and miseries of his chil­dren, than any man can be of the pricking of the precious ball and apple of his owne eye. Zach. 2. 8. Wee have his Promise, sealed with the precious bloud of his owne Sonne, bound with an Oath; That so, Heb. 6. 18. by two immutable things, wherein it is impossible that God should lye, wee might have strong consolation; That, Heb. 13. 5. hee will never faile and forsake his; That, hee [Page 116] never lay more upon them, 1 Cor. 1 [...]. 13. than hee will make them able to beare. Hee gives them comfort in all their afflictions, deliverance from them, and benefit by them. In all troubles, hee most certainely either quite frees them, or graciously preserves them, in them; so farre as is best for his glory, and their good; and usefull for the Church, and his other children.

Let no child of God then be dismayed or discouraged for any crosses, slanders, or perse­cutions, which befall him for his profession, and practice of holinesse and sinceritie. Though Sathan hath his worke in them, and prophane and wicked men a part; yet our gracious God, so loving and tender-hearted a Father, hath the principall stroake and chiefe finger in them: Sathans worke, and end is, to vexe and dis­courage.

It is evermore the worke of the Devill, ( saith one of the [...]yptian Epist. ad An [...]e [...]an. lib. 4. 2▪ ancient Fathers) that hee may with Lyes teare the servants of God, and by false Opinions spread concerning them, may defame their glorious name; that such as are bright in the light of their owne Conscience, may be darkened and disgraced by the reports of others.

Wicked and prophane men, Why the wic­ked hate and persecute the godly. because they are in Darkenesse, and their workes are evill, they can­not endure the children of Light, and their holi­nesse of life. 1 For this is the root and fountaine of all their malice and crueltie; as appeares 1 Ioh. 3. 12. Cain sle [...] his brother; 1 Ioh. 3. 12. and wherefore slew he him? Because his owne workes were evill, and his bro­thers [Page 117] good. Hence growes and springs all the furie and rage, all the wrongs and slanders, which are wont to be layd on true Christians: 1 Pet 4. 4. They are hated even for their very goodnesse, and because they will not runne with the wicked unto the same excesse of riot: They are filled with con­tempt and reproach, with the mockings of the wealthy, and despightfulnesse of the proud, be­cause they will not sweare, swagger, lye, poure in strong drinke, prophane the Sabbaths, follow the fashions and corruptions of the Times. In a word, because they will not be prophane in this World, and damned in the World to come. And besides, 2 I know not how, wicked men thinke, that by the commonnesse of sinne, their sinfull courses become more commendable; and, that the multitude of offendors makes them more ex­cusable, and their offences pardonable. It is the comfort (saith an ancient Jerome. Father) of evill men, to carpe at the good; thinking, that by the great number of offendors, the guilt of their faults is diminished and abated.

But Gods worke and end, Gods aime in his childrens afflictions. in all false reports unjustly raysed against his children, and in other crosses whatsoever; is to stirre up and revive in them zeale, devotion, and faithfulnesse, in pray­ing, praysing, and serving him; to purge out of them the drosse and relickes of some old sinne; to humble them, and to bring them to a true de­nying of themselves; to trie their faith, patience, and constancie; or for their greater good, one way or other.

[Page 118] A fourth consideration, 4 Afflictions are no strange things. whereby the true Chri­stian may be kept in heart and comfort against all crosses and calumniations which hee shall meete with, in his course of holinesse and sanctification, is this: It is no strange thing that doth befall him, when he is persecuted for sinceritie; but the very beaten way to Heaven, trodden by all such feet, The Saints have gone before us. as ever walked in faith and obedience. Abel begun in this Cup of Persecution, and vexation, for his service to God, to all those who would give their Names to Christ, or fight under his Banner to the Worlds end. The Patriarkes and Prophets, and holy men of old, followed and pledged him: Heb. 11 36, 37. They were tryed by mockings and scourgings, by bonds and imprisonment; they were sto­ned, they were hewen asunder, they were tempted, they were slaine with the sword; they wandered up and downe in Sheepes-skins, and Goats-skins, being destitute, af­flicted, and tormented; whom the World was not wor­thie of; they wandered in Wildernesses, and Dennes, and Caves of the Earth. Nay, Christ himselfe. Nay, Christ Iesus him­selfe, the Sonne of God, and our blessed Saviour, drunke deepe and large of this Cup; it was the Baptisme wherewith he was baptized. Math. 20 23. His Apo­stles and Disciples followed; they endured all the bloudie and mercilesse cruelties, which fierce and furious Wolves are wont to inflict upon silly and harmelesse Sheepe: for they were sent out into the World, Math. 10. 16. as Sheepe amongst Wolves. There come after, and drinke of the same Cup, millions of blessed men and women, under the primitive Persecutions: Of which, some were [Page 119] scalded, some burned, some broyled, some han­ged, some beheaded, some throwne downe from rockes upon stakes, some stabbed in with forkes, some racked, and torne in pieces, their tongues cut out, their eyes bored out, their flesh twitched off with Pinsons, womens brests feared off with hot yrons, pricked under the nayles with Needles, and a thousand more wayes tormented, with as great varietie and exquisitenesse, as politike ma­lice could devise, and prophane crueltie execute. If wee passe along from thence, even to these Times; yea, and if our eyes were so enlightened, that we could looke upon the state of Gods chil­dren, and their way to Heaven, even to the Worlds end; we should ever be able to trace them along by the teares of Brine, and bloud, which are pow­red out and spilt for the profession of Gods Truth, and practice of holinesse. This then is, was, and ever will be, the lot and portion of all those who are fitting and preparing for Heaven. They are ever persecuted one way, or other. If by reason of the milde and peaceable Times, they fight not unto bloud, and passe the fierie Triall; yet they shall have their troubles, oppressions, and disgra­ces; at least, they shall be ever sure to be payd home with the scourge of tongues: they shall be loaden with slanders, and false reports; they shall be made a gazing-stocke, a by-word, and Table-talke; a scorne, reproach, and derision to them that are round about them: Psal. 79. 4. as David was, Psal. 79. 4. Which being so, why should not a com­mon case, in the cause of God, breed a common [Page 120] comfort in true Christians? Why should any of them thinke much to drinke of the same Cup, that the dearest Saints and soules, now blessed with the Lord, have begun to them in; and of which, all that will be saved, even to the last day, must taste, and follow? Why should any man, that truly loves God, or lookes for the joyes of the other World, seeke or desire a priviledge a­bove all the children of God, that everwere; and even above the Sonne of God himselfe, Christ Iesus? Most unworthy is hee of the glorious comforts of Grace, of the inward Peace, that pas­seth all understanding, and of that Glory which is to be revealed; who, for a slanderous tale, a ly­ing tongue, a reproachfull tearme, or the feare and face of any mortall man, slinkes back from a bold profession of sinceritie, and from the true service of the living God.

In sufferings and afflictions for Gods cause, there is not onely matter of patience, but even oc­casion of glory. They are like starres in the fore­head, honourable maimes, conformities to Iesus Christ, Liveries of a Christian souldier.

Fifthly, 5 2. Cor. 4. 17. let him consider, that his momentanie crosses and afflictions cause an exceeding and everlasting weight of glory. Afflictions are but short, and they worke a weight of glo­ry. Let his vexation be never so grievous, his persecutors never so great, and mightie; neither they, nor that, can last long. For the life of man, and all the glory thereof, doth passe away like a Ship in the Water, whose tract cannot be seene againe; like an Arrow through the aire, or a Weavers Shuttle through his worke; [Page 121] like a fading Flower, suddenly plucked up and withered; like Grasse, like Smoake, like a Dreame, like a Bubble of the Water. Though a Christian therefore be never so deepely plunged into As many times they are. See David, Psal. 69. 1, 2. mi­series, he shall abide but a while under the waters of affliction; the day of redemption cannot be farre off. Though he should passe through the teeth of wilde Beasts, upon the sword of the Ty­rant, through the flames of fire; though his braines should be dasht against the walls, his limbes lye scattered in the streets, and his bloud runne downe every channell: yet shall he, ere it be long, glori­ously rise againe, in despight of all the powers of Darkenesse, and bloudinesse of cruell men. Hee shall entirely be restored, by the mightie and im­mediate hand of God; hee shall be clothed with Light, and immortalitie; his bloud shall be re­venged, and all teares wiped from his eyes; Rev. 7. 17. and there shall be set upon his head a Crowne of everlasting joy, peace, and happinesse.

Sixtly, 6 Christ doth suffer and sym­pathize with his children in affliction. comfort unspeakable, and glorious, may spring up in the heart of Gods child, amidst his sufferings for the cause of God, out of a con­sideration, That in all afflictions, without excep­tion, Christ suffereth with him. See Isa. 63. 9. Paul was the mirrour and miracle of all Christians, for the va­rietie and gloriousnesse of his sufferings; you may see a strange and unmatchable Catalogue of them, 2 Cor. 11. 23, &c. 2 Cor. 11. 23. &c. He was in stripes above measure, plenteously in prison, in death oft. Of the Iewes, five times received hee fortie stripes, save one; he was thrice beaten with Rods, he was [Page 122] once stoned, he suffered thrice shipwracke; night and day was he in the deepe Sea: In journeying, he was often; in perils of Waters, in perils of Robbers, in perils of his owne Nation, in perils among the Gentiles, in perils in the Citie, in perils in the Wildernesse, in perils in the Sea, in perils among false Brethren; in wearinesse, and painefulnesse; in watching often; in hunger, and thirst; in fastings often; in cold, and in naked­nesse. Yet all these, and what other crosses and afflictions befell him, he calls and accounts them the sufferings and afflictions of Christ. Now (saith Paul, Col. 1. 24. Col. 1. 24.) now rejoyce I in my sufferings for you, and fulfill the rest of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his Bodies sake, which is the Church. And 2 Cor. 1. 5. As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, 2 Cor. 1. 5. so our consolation aboundeth through Christ. Lazarus, in all his povertie, contempt, sicknesse, sores, or what other miseries, suffered nothing wherein Christ was not partaker of his griefe and sorrow. So sweet and blessed a consent and sympathie is there betwixt Christ, the Head, and all true Chri­stians, his members; that so long as the great my­sterie of that mysticall Vnion stands true and sure, (which is for ever) all holy men, and servants of God, in all their sufferings for the Name of Christ, profession of his Truth, and practice of sin­ceritie, shall have Christ himselfe partner and par­taker of their miseries; which is able to refresh the heaviest heart, in the greatest extremities.

I have stayed long upon this point; to wit, how Sathan labours might and maine, by crosses [Page 123] and slanders, to discourage Gods child, and to stop his course in the wayes of righteousnesse; and in laying downe some comforts against them: because thousands, at the very first entrance, or af­ter some small continuance, are wofully turned backe from grace, and sinceritie, by temptations, reproaches, and troubles raysed against them; by their owne rebellious flesh, Sathan, and pro­phane men.

Now, 9 Satan hinders the working of the Word; by spiritual Pride. in a ninth place, if all this will doe no good; if the heat of persecution inflame the zeale of the true Christian; if reproaches and af­flictions be so farre from daunting and dulling his forwardnesse, that they set an edge upon his affections, and adde strength to his resolution, in proceeding in the glorious state of Christianitie: Why then, the last sleight and temptation of Sa­than, to hinder the sanctifying power and successe of the Word, and to make it fruitlesse and unpro­fitable, is spirituall Pride; which, by his malici­ous cunning, and hellish Alchymie, hee extracts even out of his graces and vertues; out of such sweet flowers, he rayses poyson: and sith he can­not keepe goodnesse utterly out of the soule, he uses it selfe as an instrument, to weaken & wound it selfe. For when a man is most endued and en­riched with extraordinarie gifts, holy graces, and spirituall strength; Sathan seekes most busily to make him proud of them, and to puffe him up with an over-weening conceit of his owne worth; that so himselfe may lose the comfort of them, his brethren the fruit of them, and God the glory [Page 124] of them. This spirituall Pride, is the same in our corruptions and sinfull affections, that the Shirt is in our Clothing; that is to say, it sits the clo­sest unto us, and is last put off: it is the white Devill (as a worthy Divine calls it.) That sinne doth lye, and insensibly insinuate it selfe; and lurkes amid our graces, and good actions, as a dead Fly in the Apothecaries Ointment. It is, as it were, Sathans last intrenchment, which hee holds the longest, and with most resolute and desperate per­tinacie, and is hardlyest driven out; much spiri­tuall wisedome, a great measure of humilitie, and the whole Armour of God is required to this combate. For he is so endlesse, and exercised in the point; that, if we be so humble, that he can­not make us proud of any thing else, he will la­bour to make us proud even of our humilitie; and proud, that we are not proud of our gifts.

Except a Christian continually and carefully watch over his heart, Spirituall Pride may arise in Gods children. and guard it with humilitie, and a lowly conceit of himselfe; this privie Pride may steale upon him, before he be aware.

And first, 1 From a consi­deration of their priviled­ges. it may spring out of a consideration of the excellencie of his estate, and the varietie of his peculiar blessings, and speciall priviledges, which the ungodly men neither can, nor doe en­joy. For when he is once translated from Dark­nesse to Light, Priviledges of the godly. from prophanenesse to sinceritie, from Nature to Grace; out of the Dominion of Sathan, into the Kingdome of Christ, by the great worke of regeneration: hee is presently made partaker of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1. 4. 2 Pet. 1. 4. hee [Page 125] is entitled, by the right of the Sonne of God, to an inheritance immortall, 1 Pet. 1. 4. and undefiled, and that fa­deth not away, reserved in the Heavens for him. While hee is thus looking upon himselfe, pos­sessed of this happinesse, and planted in this glo­rious Paradise; Sathan is secretly blowing the coales of his hidden corruption, to enkindle and rayse there-out an over-weening conceit of his owne worth, and to puffe him up with pride of his owne gifts and graces; whence may ensue two foule and hatefull inconveniences: For so hee may grow by little and little to justifie him­selfe too much, whereby Gods glory may be lessened and darkened; and to despise his Bre­thren, whereby his exercise of charitie may be hindered.

This spirituall Pride may occasionally, 2 From their care, to keepe themselves un­defiled. and by accident, spring out of a godly and gracious care, to keepe and preserve himselfe unspotted and undefiled in his happy and glorious state of grace, and regeneration. For while he is casting with himselfe, and concluding upon some sound and substantiall course of holinesse and obedi­ence in the wayes of godlinesse; Sathan labours might and maine, to draw him to a singularitie of unwarrantable conceits and opinions; that by a tedious and unnecessarie pursuit and possession thereof, he may keepe him cold and uncomfor­table in the practice of the chiefe and most ma­teriall duties of Christianitie; and to make him place the height of Religion, and heat of zeale, in continuall conference and most peremptorie [Page 126] defence of some groundlesse fancies; from whence Sathan busily strives to toll him out, to separa­tion. Which course of separating from, and condemning our Church, Against sepa­ration from our Church. in the judgement of our sincerest Divines, is full of pride, contention, and confusion.

For first, 1 certaine it is, our Church, in that most exquisite and worthy confession of Faith contai­ned in the Articles of Religion, doth hold and professe all substantiall points of Divinitie as soundly, as any Church in the World, none ex­cepted, neither in this Age, nor in the primitive times of the Church.

Secondly, 2 it hath communion with, and testi­monie of all other true Churches.

Thirdly, 3 in it are to be had the meanes of sal­vation, in a powerfull and plentifull manner: and in the bowels thereof, even they that goe out of our Church, if they be truly converted, received that precious and blessed vigour, which is able to quicken them to eternall life.

Fourthly, 4 a Church may be a true Church, though it should have spots, and blemishes; though there be some Swine and Dogges in it. In S. Pauls time, the Corinthians were called the Church of God, 1 Cor. 1. 1, 2. And yet, at that very time, were some in an Heresie, some in Incest, some that had not repented of their filthinesse, 2 Cor. 12. 20, 21. The like may be said of the Churches of Asia, Rev. 2. 3.

Fifthly, 5 though outward prosperitie, worldly honour, and plentie, be rather the lot of false, [Page 127] hereticall, and Apostaticall Churches, than an in­dividuall and necessary mark of the true Church; yet, if unto our unparallel'd Peace, both for dura­tion and entirenesse, we adde our many and mira­culous deliverances, strange defeatments, and pre­ventions of Popish Plots; of their Bulls, Con­spiracies, and hostile Invasions; of their Powder, Poysons, Daggers, Dags, and all manner of exe­crable attempts, machinations, and underminings, which either Hell could devise, or that desperate and bloudy Faction adventure upon, and manage: I say, if all these be put together, and well weigh­ed; it is impossible, but that wee should therein see, acknowledge, and adore the speciall finger of Gods holy providence, upholding his owne Arke amongst his owne people; and pointing out to all the World, the truth of that Church, upon whose side, and for whose safetie and glory hee so mightily stands. This most extraordinarie grace and favour of Divine assistance, having not in one thing, or two, shewed it selfe, nor for some few dayes or yeeres appeared; but in such sort, so long continued, our manifold sinnes and trans­gressions striving to the contrary: What doth it else import, or what can wee lesse thereupon con­clude, than that God would thereby tell and teach the World, That the thing which hee bles­seth, defendeth, and keepeth so strangely, can­not but be of him, and his saving and sacred Truth?

Ill doe they then, who transported with a pang of spirituall Pride, abandon, forsake, and separate [Page 128] from our Church, as though Gods true worship and salvation were not there to be found. You see how Sathan by spirituall Pride may carry and cast a man, from a setled and sound course of ho­linesse and sinceritie, upon the dangerous Rockes of singularitie and separation. But understand me aright, what I meane by singularitie. I meane that onely which ariseth out of privie Pride, is upholden by selfe-will, and obstinatenesse, and many times ends in separation; and hath neither ground nor defence from sound judgement, spi­rituall wisedome, or true tendernesse of Consci­ence, joyned with humilitie, and willingnesse to be rightly informed. I meane not singularitie, in respect of holinesse and unspottednesse of life, in respect of difference and distance from the sinfull fashions of the times: For in this sense, every man that will save his soule, must be singular. Hence it is, that our Saviour asketh his follow­ers, in Math. 5. what singular thing they doe, if they doe but as the Publicans doe? As if hee should have said: You that will be Christians, must be of a more heavenly temper, and higher straine, than the most men, and the greater part of the World: You must be singular, and shine as Lights amid a naughtie and crooked generation. Hence is it, that Gods children ever were, and ever will be, Signes and Wonders, Miracles and Monsters, in the opinion and censure of most, amongst whom they live; gazing stockes, both by reproaches and afflictions, Heb. 10. 33. Behold (saith Isaiah, Chap. Isa. 8. 18. 8. 18.) I and the children whom the Lord hath [Page 129] given me, are as signes and as wonders in Israel, by the Lord of Hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Sion. I am become (saith David) as it were a monster unto many, (or, Psal. 71. 7. & 79. 4. to the great men of the World, as some ren­der it) Psal. 71. 7. And in another Psalme, Psal. 79. 4. Wee are a reproach to our neighbours, even a scorne and a derision unto them that are round about us. But especially you may see in Wisd. 2. (though the Booke be Apocryphall) what is the counsell and conceit of the wicked about the oddenesse and singularitie of the Saints: Let us defraud the righteous (say the wicked) for hee is not for our profit, and hee is, contrarie to our doings; hee checketh us for offending against the Law, and blameth us as trans­gressors of Discipline; hee maketh his boast to have the knowledge of God, and hee calleth himselfe the sonne of the Lord: Hee is made to reprove our thoughts. It grieveth us also to looke upon him: for his life is not like other mens, his wayes are of another fashion; hee counteth us as bastards, and hee withdraweth himselfe from our wayes, as from filthinesse; hee commendeth greatly the latter end of the just, and boasteth that God is his father.

Thus, as Gods children and godly men are in­deed more excellent than their neighbours; and singular, in respect of their sanctification and sin­ceritie: so they are scorned and reviled by the World, and the greater part of men, as odde fellowes, and such as must have wayes by them­selves, and a tricke above others. They are poin­ted at, as matter of scorne and contempt; they are set up, as markes of slander and oppression; [Page 130] and gazed upon, as strange creatures. Wee are made (sayth Paul, 1 Cor. 4. 9. 1 Cor. 4. 9. meaning him­selfe, and other of Gods faithfull servants) a gazing-stocke unto the World, and to the Angels, and to men. And no marvell though it be so: For, besides that all prophane and unregenerate men are naturally ineagered, and inraged with implacable malice and hatred against Gods Children; they are, in all places, but few in number; which makes them more noted, and pointed at.

That they are but few; Gods children are but few. besides many cer­taine demonstrative Reasons out of Scripture; it may thus plainely appeare: as a good Divine tells us.

First, 1 let there be taken from amongst us, all Papists, Atheists, and scorners of godlinesse, and Religion.

Secondly, 2 let there be removed all notorious and infamous evill livers; as Swearers, Drun­kards, Whoremongers, Vsurers, Worldlings, De­ceivers, proud persons, prophaners of the Sab­bath, Gamesters, and all the prophane and igno­rant multitude.

Thirdly, 3 let all those be passed over, that are but onely civill honest men, and meddle not with any profession, or practise of holinesse; without which, no man must see God.

Fourthly, 4 set aside all grosse Hypocrites; who for advantage, or by-respects, are outwardly reli­gious, but inwardly corrupt, hollow-hearted, and abominable.

[Page 131] Fifthly, 5 let there be sorted out and rejected all carnall Protestants, formall Professors, back­sliders, cold and unzealous Christians; who falsely thinke, that they may both enjoy the World, and a good Conscience too; live plea­santly on Earth, and yet save their soules at last; and, that it is not necessarie to hold any such strict course of holinesse, to come to Heaven. Let all these kinde of men, I say, (all which in one measure, or other, are in the state of death, and under the power of Sathan) be separated and shoaled out; and how many doe you thinke will remaine amongst us, sound, sincere, faith­full, and zealous professors, and practisers of sa­ving Truth, the power of Grace, and holy Obe­dience to all Gods Commandements? For such onely are Gods servants, and in the state of Grace. Let a man come into any Towne, Village, Citie, or Corporation, and let all such men as are be­fore mentioned, be removed; and how many should he finde of these last? They would cer­tainely be thinne scattered, and like the Grapes after the gathering of the Vintage, two or three in the top of the upmost boughes, and foure or five in the high branches. Singularitie then of sanctification, is no fruit of Pride, but an in­separable marke and necessarie state of true Chri­stianitie.

I come now to a third ground, 3 Sathan tempts to Pride, by a distasting of a mans particu­lar calling. whence Sa­than may rayse a temptation to privie Pride: When a man is faithfull, and diligent, in the discharge and executions of his civill calling; [Page 132] hee may cast a conceit into his head, that such base, earthly, and worldly imployment, and spen­ding his time, is disgracefull and derogatorie to the providence of God, and his Christian liber­tie; and, that it hinders him in his calling of Christianitie, and duties of Religion. Whence may sollow dangerous effects of spirituall Pride; quite leaving, or neglect, discontent or distaste of his civill calling. And so his heart and af­fections may bee put quite out of order, and deceive themselves, in the very maine point of making towards Heaven.

Sathan, 4 From Gods providence. by his subtill malice, may worke out matter and occasion of spirituall Pride, from the speciall providence of God, condu­cting the Christian the best and the neerest way to Heaven. Examples in particular. To give example, in some parti­culars.

1 When God, 1 out of his great wisedome and mercie, humbles him with afflictions and prickes, the swelling of his Pride; when hee cuts and loppes away his vanities, excesses, and superfluities, with some visitation, or other; and fills him with bitternesse in this life, to the end hee might long for the life to come: Why then, Sathan labours mightily to kindle in his corrupt nature a flash of spirituall Pride, that hee may drive him to grumbling and impatien­cie, and so make Gods fatherly corrections and chastisements fruitlesse and unprofitable to him; which in Gods children should ever worke amend­ment and comfort.

[Page 133] 2 When the true Christian lookes about him in the World, 2 and sees the wicked spreading themselves like greene Bay-trees, in worldly plentie, and pleasures; Sathan here thrusts in, and labours to cast into his minde a considera­tion of his owne worth; and that, how in respect of the wicked, he farre more, and rather, deserves the fruition and enjoyment of the creatures, and benefits and comforts of this life: because all wicked men are but usurpers, and intruders; himselfe being a true owner, by the right of Christ Iesus, Lord of the whole Earth: And that, whereas he stands for the glory, service, cau­ses, and children of God; the wicked labour for nothing more, than the disgrace and ruine of goodnesse, and the upholding and enlargement of the Kingdome of Sathan. From such con­ceits as these, mixed with spirituall, hee easily drawes him on to fretting and repining at the prosperitie of the wicked men, and puts him into one of Davids fits, Psal. 73. 12. and pangs, Psal. 73. 12. Loe (sayth hee) these are the wicked, yet prosper they alway, and encrease in riches: Certainely, I have cleansed my heart in vaine, and washed my hands in innocencie. Or, at least, brings him to que­stion with God; Ier. 1 [...]. 1, 2. as it is, Ier. 12. O Lord, if I dispute with thee, thou art righteous; yet let mee talke with thee, of thy Iudgements: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all they in wealth, that rebelliously transgresse? Thou hast plan­ted them, and they have taken root; they grow, and bring forth fruit.

[Page 134] 3 When the Christian doth presently feele, 3 or after call to minde Gods great mercies, graci­ous preventions, strange protection, wonderfull deliverances, against expectation, and beyond hope, vouchsafed unto him in his direction and conduction towards the glory that is to be revea­led; then doth Sathan busily blow the Bellowes of his corrupt nature with the poysonous breath of his hellish malice, that so hee may puffe him up with spirituall Pride, and exalt him out of measure.

4 When he beholds and observes some sud­den destruction, 4 or fearefull judgement, to over­take and seize upon his enemies; Sathan may se­cretly sollicite him, out of a spice of spirituall Pride, to applaud and please himselfe in the ru­ine and miserie of his adversarie: which, besides the tainture of impietie, tastes deepely also of inhumanitie, and is quite crosse and contrarie to the practice and protestation of holy Iob, Job 31. Chap. 31. In that Chapter, hee imprecates and invocates upon himselfe many fearefull Curses, if hee hath done so, 22. or so. Let mine arme (saith he) fall from my shoulder-blade, and let mine arme be broken from the bones, if I have done such and such things. And after followes: 29. If I rejoyced at his destruction that hated me; or was moved to joy, when evill came upon him; or if I have suffered my mouth to speake evill of him, or to utter Curses against him.

5 When the Christian is sadly and heavily musing upon his many troubles and distresses, 5 which many times come thicke and three-fold [Page 135] upon him, as fast and boisterously, as one wave overtakes another; so that he findes one vexation to be still a step unto another: Sathan then hee puts in, and seeing the season advantageous for his feats, and insinuations, workes what he can to make him take on; and out of a proud conceit of better deservings, to be wearie of waiting the Lords leisure; and out of the anguishes and ago­nies of his heart, to wish and desire death; especi­ally to be rid and freed from those crosses and calamities, which unworthily haunt and perse­cute his innocencie. Holy Iob was strongly as­sayled with this temptation, Chap. 3. when hee cryed and said: Iob 3. 3. Let the day perish wherein I was borne; and the night, when it was said, there is a man­child conceived, &c. And so was the Prophet Ionah, Chap. Ionah 4. 3. 4. Therefore now (saith he) O Lord, take I be­seech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die, than to live.

6 Sometimes, 6 when the Christian is crossed and disappointed in his expectation, God wisely and sweetly diverting, moderating, and disposing all things to his owne glory, and to the true good of his children (though they doe not presently see, and acknowledge it;) Sathan steps in, and by the secret and insensible poyson of privie Pride, labours to suggest unto him, that he is prejudiced and disgraced; that so by his inward fretting, hee may make it plainely appeare, that hee preferres his owne particular credit, before the glory of God. Thus was Ionas tempted, in Chap. 4. Feare­full destruction was denounced by him from [Page 136] God, against the Ninivites: They put on sack­cloth, humbled themselves, and repented; God stayes his hand, forbeares his Iudgements, which were proclaymed by Ionah: Therefore (sayth the Text) that displeased Ionah exceedingly, and hee was angrie; and hee prayed unto the Lord, and said, &c.

When hee begins to observe, 5 Sathan makes men to pride themselves in their abilities and gifts. and admire him­selfe for some speciall acceptation in Christian companie; for his abilities to pray, conferre, dis­cover temptations, and the Devils depths; to presse an holy precisenesse, and mortifying points, &c. Oh then, too often a wide gap is opened in his deceitfull heart, for the Devils wild-fire of spirituall Pride. So that many times, an humble silent soule doth quickly out-strip such an one, doting dangerously upon his present perfections, in the substantialls of Christianitie.

Thus, and many moe wayes, doth Sathan la­bour by privie Pride, to weaken the power of Grace, and efficacie of the Word; to staine and disgrace the best Graces and godliest actions; to grieve the good Spirit, and coole their first Love, even in Gods children; after that, by the helpe of God, they have struggled through other tempta­tions, and obtained much spirituall peace and Christian perfection in the doctrine of salvation, and wayes of godlinesse.

Before I passe from this point, Preservatives against spiri­tuall Pride. I would propose some remedies against this swelling spirituall maladie of privie Pride, and some soveraigne con­siderations, to keepe downe the Christian heart, [Page 137] and to preserve it in the sweet and peacefull state of a gracious humilitie.

First then, 1 Meditate up­on Gods pure eyes. let every Christian, when hee first feeles any over-weening conceit, or proud perswa­sion of his owne worth, and spirituall graces, stealing into his heart; lift up the eyes of his minde, in a divine meditation, unto those brigh­test and purest eyes of God Almightie; which are ten thousand times brighter than the Sunne, and purer than puritie it selfe: so that they see the least and secretest infirmitie in its true and native foulenesse; and before them, our best righ­teousnesse is as a menstruous clout. Isa. 64. 6. If he sound­ly and sincerely entertaine this consideration, it will so humble him, and keepe him under, that he will rather be affrighted and surprized with feare and terror, for his many frailties and infirmities, than be lifted up with a conceit of his graces, and spirituall endowments.

When hee begins once proudly and selfe-con­ceitedly to gaze upon that little sparke of holi­nesse hee findes in himselfe; 2 Vpon Gods infinite per­fection. let him presently turne backe the edge and eye of this dangerous speculation, upon the infinite puritie and endlesse perfection of God Almightie; before whom, the Cherubins and Seraphins, the Crowne of Gods workemanship, and the glory of creatures, doe hide and cover their faces, as not able to behold and endure the perfect brightnesse of his most pure and undefiled Majestie. Isa. 6. 2. In whose sight, the unstained splendour of the Heavens, and the glo­rious beautie of the Starres are uncleane, and [Page 138] foule; Iob 25. 5. darkenesse, and deformitie. The Sunne, the fairest Body in the World, made all of beau­tie and brightnesse; if it were put neere unto that unaccessible and incomprehensible Light, which encompasseth the Lord of Heaven, it would va­nish away as a darkesome Moat, and Lumpe of Vanitie. Nay, in respect of God, those divine and heavenly creatures, the blessed Angels, pure and immateriall spirits, are chargeable with folly and vanitie. Iob 4. 18. Behold, he found no stedfastnesse in his Saints; yea, the Heavens are not cleare in his sight. How much more is man abominable and filthie, which drinketh iniquitie like water? Iob 15. 15, 16. What art thou then, wretched man, that carriest about thee a Body of death? Shall not his excellencie make thee afraid, and his feare fall upon thee? Behold (saith Iob) he will give no light unto the Moone, Iob 25. 5, 6. and the Starres are uncleane in his sight: How much more man, a Worme; even the sonne of a man, which is but a Worme? Iob 4. 18. Behold, he found no stedfastnesse in his servants, and laid folly upon his Angels: How much more in them that dwell in Houses of Clay, whose foun­dation is in the Dust, which shall be destroyed before the Moth? These considerations are able to con­found and cast downe below the Earth, and Dust, the greatest admirer and applauder of himselfe, for his graces, good actions, and spirituall per­fections.

When the Christian is tempted to a proud conceit of his spirituall sufficiencies; 3 Compare thy selfe with o­ther Christi­ans. let him compare himselfe with other Saints of God: which (perhaps) having beene lesse sinners than [Page 139] himselfe, in the time of their unregeneration; and having lesse meanes, parts, occasions, and en­couragements to glorifie God: yet excell him in zeale, sanctification, and the service of God. Paul, that great Doctor of the Gentiles, and glo­rious Angell upon Earth, for all his spirituall blessings, and incomparable graces, cryes out, Rom. Rom. 7. 24. 7. 24. Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? David, a man after Gods owne heart, and a speciall royall Mirror for varietie of spirituall excellencies, is so farre from being proud of his graces; that hee is every where complaining of the burthen of his sinnes, spirituall povertie and want, and the mi­series of his soule: Psal. 38. 3. There is no health in my flesh, (saith he) because of thy displeasure; neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sinne: for my wic­kednesses are gone over my head, and are like a sore bur­then, too heavie for me to beare. For his reputation in the World, Psal. 22. 6. he tells us; that he was a Worme, and no man; a very scorne of men, and out-cast of the peo­ple. In all times, the best Christians have ever beene most sensible of the weight of their sinnes, and corruption of their nature; and from thence, entertained a lowly conceit of themselves. Where there is the greatest measure of sanctification, there is ever the greatest humilitie. If those then that be indeed in the highest favour with God, lesser sinners than our selves, and most sanctified, be of an humble and lowly minde, of a meeke and quiet spirit, which is before God a thing much set by, 1 Pet. 3. 4. let us take heed how we be proud 1 Pet. 3. 4. [Page 140] of those graces; which, if we looke for Gods bles­sing upon them, and comfort from them, must bring forth in us humilitie and thankefulnesse.

Let him compare, 4 Compare thy selfe with Gods holy Law. and examine, and measure himselfe, his wayes, and workes, by the Law of God; and hee shall there finde much matter of humiliation, repentance, feare, and trembling, with continuall supply in abundance ministred unto him: so that there shall be no roome left for any proud and over-weening conceit of any good thing in him. That elect Vessell, and great Apostle, after he was regenerate, (for the unrege­nerate feele no such strife) found such a vast and wide distance betweene the Law, and his owne af­fections, and best workes; that for horror thereof, he cryed out; Oh miserable man, that I am! What spirituall good then is there in any of us, misera­ble wretches, wherein we should glory? Let our best workes be as glorious as we can imagine, let them be performed with never so great integritie and resolution, cover them with grace, derive them from the Holy-Ghost, dippe and dye them deepe in the bloud of Christ, put upon them all the rich attire, and Papall magnificence, with which the Church of Rome hath invested them; yet to the purest eyes of God, and in the cleare Crystall of his undefiled Law, they appeare to be foule, and spotted; impure, and like a menstruous clout. The measuring then of our selves by the Law and Word of God, is a notable meanes to keepe us in humilitie, Phil. 2. 12. and to make us worke out our salvation with feare and trembling.

[Page 141] Let him consider, 5 Consider what thou hadst beene, if God had left thee to thy selfe. what a foule and wretched, what a damned and an accursed creature hee had beene; had not his gracious God, out of the un­searchable depth of his infinite goodnesse and mercie, singled him out to be his servant upon Earth, and a Saint in Heaven. It was onely Gods free mercie, that before all eternitie, by the great Decree of his eternall election, marked him out for Heaven and endlesse joyes, from amidst the huge masse of all mankind. It was the same, that after caused him to send his owne and onely Sonne, out of his owne Bosome, and height of Majesty; that with his dearest and precious bloud, hee might redeeme his Soule from the snares of Hell, into which hee was fallen, by Adams fall: which in due time, by the inward, speciall, and effectuall power of his unspotted Spirit, called him into his Kingdome of Grace, washed him, justified, and sanctified him, in the Name of the Lord Iesus. Else, otherwise, had not these ever­lasting and unconceivable Blessings beene cast upon him, by Gods free meere mercie, without all cause or motive from man, or any other crea­ted thing, out of his infinite Selfe; his case had beene unspeakably wofull: For he should have lived in this Vale of Teares, without God, with­out Grace, without Comfort, without Consci­ence; in Sinne, in Darkenesse, in Prophanenesse, in all Spirituall Miseries: And after the closure and period of these few and evill dayes, he should have beene endlessely divided and abandoned from the joyes and comforts of Gods presence, [Page 142] inchained without all redemption, to despaire and horror, and the hatefull fellowship of the Devill and his Angels: and (that which is the extremi­tie and upshot of all hellish miserie) hee should have had the fierce and horrible wrath and ven­geance of God poured in full measure upon his body and soule; which would have fed upon them, as fire doth upon Pitch and Brimstone, for ever and ever. Out of these considerations, mee thinkes a man should rather with humilitie and thankefulnesse admire and magnifie the mercies of God, that hee is not alreadie a Fire-brand in Hell; than any wayes be puffed up with any worthinesse in himselfe, or dote upon his owne nothingnesse.

When a Christian is tempted to spirituall Pride; 6 Consider the fearfull effects of Pride. let him deepely and thorowly weigh with himselfe, what fearefull inconveniences and dis­comforts will ensue, if hee give way to such temptations: For so, many follow, in the course of Gods just judgement, upon spirituall Vanitie, and Pride; dullnesse, and deadnesse of heart; a restraint of the influence of the Spirit; a dimi­nution and lessening, or a slumber and cessation of the operations of grace, a cooling of zeale, and falling from the first Love. Or, when hee sees us so presumptuously to trust to our strength, and stay our selves with our owne staffe; he may quite give us over, in some great temptation, to some grosse sinne; so that we may take the foile in the Conflict. And then, if wee once be over-taken with the old sweet sinne of our unregeneration, [Page 143] or be ensnared with some new notorious trans­gression; wee must of necessitie, to our great dis­comfort, enter againe the agonies of Soule, an­guish of Conscience, and horror of Hell; wee must enter combate againe with all the powers of Darkenesse; wee must have our regeneration, re­generated; our new-birth, new-borne; and the precious bloud of the Sonne of God, as it were, shed for us againe. Wee turne thereby Gods fa­vourable countenance from us, and the hearts and affections of true Christians: wee put againe a sting into our owne Consciences, and weapons into the hands of Sathan, to vexe, wound, and tor­ment us: wee barre and bereave our selves of Gods gracious protection, of the guard of An­gels, of peace of Conscience, of joy in the Holy-Ghost, of boldnesse in our wayes, of reconcilia­tion in the creatures, and of all the comforts of godlinesse. As a man tenders the preservation of his Soule, from all these spirituall miseries; let him take heed of entertaining a proud and over-weening conceit of his owne graces, gifts, or good actions.

Let him consider, 7 The more a man hath, the more he is ac­countable for. that the more spirituall gifts and graces he hath received from the free mercie of God, the more will be required at his hands. Me thinkes, this should coole and allay any swel­ling conceit, or proud perswasion, that may arise in the heart; and not suffer a man to play with them, and dote upon them, or give him any leisure, with an over-weening and selfe-conceited flatte­rie, to gaze upon them, or to applaud and admire [Page 144] them in himselfe, as though they were his owne; but rather, with all vigilancie and solicitousnesse, with all care and good Conscience, to occupie and imploy them for his Masters greatest advan­tage.

There is no gift or good thing in any man, either of Nature or Grace, of body or minde, of wealth or honour, of reputation or authoritie in the World; but he must give shortly a strict and exact account of the usage and imployment of it, before the impartiall and uncorrupted Tribu­nall of Heaven: And the more excellent his gifts and endowments have beene in any kind, he shall in proportion be answerable, and countable for the more. If the Lord hath enlightened, heated, and inspired any one with much saving know­ledge, with a great measure of zeale, with a high Christian courage, and resolution; he lookes and expects for great gaine of glory unto himselfe, many spoyles and conquests over his enemies, a blazing and exemplarie brightnesse, in holinesse of life; much beautie and lustre to the Church, much good and comfort unto Christians: For much is required of them, Luke 12. 48. to whom much is committed.

Let a man then not labour to make himselfe glorious, by those graces which are none of his owne; but how, by glorifying God with them, in humilitie, faithfulnesse, and sinceritie, and by improving and making the best of them, for the Owners advantage, hee may make a comfortable account at that great Day.

[Page 145] Thus farre I have proposed unto you some Motives, to quicken and stirre you up to a con­scionable and constant hearing and understanding of the holy Word of God; and acquainted you with many sleights, lets, and temptations, which Sathan usually casts in our way, to hinder us therein.

Now, in a third place, I will lay downe unto you certaine rules, directions, and instructions, for your right, holy, and conscionable carriage, behaviour, and importment, in and about the hea­ring of Gods Word.

That the holy Word of God may be unto you the Word of Grace, the savour of Life unto Life, of power unto sanctification and salvation; you must looke carefully and conscionably unto your preparation, before you come; unto your car­riage, while you are there; and unto your behavi­our, afterward.

First, 1 Preparation required to profitable hea­ring. for Preparation.

I am perswaded, the want and neglect of a due and profitable preparation, is the cause that thou­sands receive no benefit or blessing by the Word of Life; but that the Sermons they heare, are re­gistred, as in a Table of Remembrance, before God, For want of preparation, the Word be­comes to men, as so many witnesses against them, for their more fearefull confusion and greater condemna­tion at the Day of Accounts.

1 For hence it is, 1 The savour of death unto death. that to many it is the savour of death unto death; because, before they come, they doe not addresse and prepare themselves for so glorious a Presence, and royall Embassage [Page 146] from the King of Heaven: though they heare it with their outward eares, yet it hardens their hearts, makes them inwardly more peevish, grum­bling, stubborne, rebellious, and refractarie to the power thereof, and prepares and ripens them for more heavie vengeance. It is of it selfe the Word of Grace, Salvation, and Life; a blessed preser­vative against Sinne and Death, Damnation and Hell: but by accident, if men doe not reverence it, tremble at it, and submit themselves to the power of it, it is a strong Hammer, and Iron Scep­ter, to harden their hearts more and more, like an Anvile, or Adamant; and at length, to breake them in pieces like a Potters Vessell. Though in it selfe, it be a saving and wholesome Medicine; yet men of a rebellious and stubborne humour and temper, turne it into Poyson.

2 To some, 2 As Seed in the high way ground. this holy Word, by reason of un­preparednesse, is but as the water spilt upon the ground, and the breath of the Minister scattered in the Aire: If you call them to an account, af­ter Sermon, how they have profited; they are as wordlesse, and witlesse, and indeed as gracelesse in repetition, as if they had beene deafe, asleepe, in a trance, or starke dead all the while.

3 Others, 3 Men are made but onely for­mall by it. by their rash and prophane rushing into the House of God, without all premedita­tion, reverence, or regard of that holy businesse they goe about; become hearers onely, of forme and custome, for fashion and companie. It may be, they may heare, attend, and understand what is delivered; but it breedes no more reverence, [Page 147] impression, or spirituall reformation, than an or­dinarie Tale, or humane discourse: As though that holy toyle, and sacred breath, were spent onely to entertaine the Time, and busie mens eares for an Houre; and, not as Christ tells Paul, To open their eyes, that they might turne from Darkenesse unto Light, and from the power of Sathan unto God.

4 Vpon some, 4 Some become scornets. the Iudgement and Curse of comming without Conscience, and due prepara­tion, doth so farre prevaile, and hath such power, that they become scorners and raylers against the Minister, or his Doctrine, or both; at every Sermon they catch something, that they may ca­vill at, deprave, and calumniate: And so, wickedly and wretchedly oppose their discourse, wit, and spirit of contradiction against the face of Hea­ven, and heart of Divine Truth. They wrangle and repine (in deed and truth, whatsoever their pretences or protestations may be to the con­trarie) against that Great Majestie, whose Mes­sage it is; against that Holy Spirit, which should sanctifie them; and the Word of Grace, which should save them.

5 Others there be, 5 Others are cold and dead-hearted. even of good hearts and affections, Professors, and in some good measure practisers of the power of godlinesse; yet be­cause they are carelesse and neglective of this needfull Christian dutie of preparation, are pos­sessed with much deadnesse of heart, and dull­nesse of spirit, at those holy Exercises. Their zeale, and fervencie, which should be quickened [Page 148] and inflamed at every Sermon, is dulled and be­nummed with senselesnesse and satietie: They doe not so tremble, or are cast downe with Di­vine Comminations and denouncements of Gods Iudgements against sinne, or so refreshed with the gracious promises of Life, and Salvation, as they ought to be: They doe not enjoy and reape the thousandth part of that delight, com­fort, and benefit as they well might, by the Mi­nisterie of the Word, because their hearts are not purged and prepared: They doe not with that chearefulnesse receive, with that sweetnesse taste and rellish, with that life and vigour dis­gest the Food of Life: The eye of their minde, for want of premeditation, doth not so clearely see and discerne the infinite beautie of that sa­cred Majestie represented unto them, or that glorious grace shining unto them, in the face of CHRIST IESVS: Their hand of Faith doth not with that feeling, and fastnesse, lay hold upon and claspe about, the rich Treasures revealed in the Gospell. In a word, they be­reave themselves of much good, blessing, com­fort, and growth in grace, which they might and ought to have, by hearing of the Word, for want of due preparing, and disposing the heart thereto.

This dutie of Preparation then, though that it be not much thought upon, or ordinarily practi­sed; yet it is of great necessitie and speciall use for all those, which looke for benefit or blessing by the preaching of the Word.

[Page 149] There is no great Affaire, Preparation requisite in civill affaires, much more to the hearing of the Word. or of weight and consequence, eyther in Nature or Art, in necessa­rie businesses and civill Negotiations, or in mat­ters of Complement, Ceremonie, and Enterview; but there is required some bethinking preparati­on and prae-dispositions, for the more happie and successefull accomplishment, execution, and per­formance: how much more in the affaires of God, matters of Heaven, businesses of eternitie, and sal­vation of mens soules?

The Ground must be manured and prepared for the Seed, if wee looke it should fructifie and prosper: how much more should our dull and dead hearts bee stirred up, and furrowed, as it were, with humiliation, reverence, and repen­tance; that by the grace of God, and the san­ctifying power of the Spirit, it may lodge and take deepe root in them, and spring up to eter­nall life?

The Body must be fitted with a Preparative, and the humours, as it were, gathered unto a head, if wee desire the Physicke should worke forcibly and kindly, and rid us of their noxiousnesse, and superfluitie: how much more ought our Soules, with an impartiall and narrow inquisition, to be searched and layd open, before they receive the Water of Life, and spirituall Manna; that so they may more seasonably and soundly be wash­ed and purged from corruptions and imperfecti­ons, preserved in spirituall health, and prepared for eternall life?

The Ground must be layd, and some imperfect [Page 150] Draughts, Shadowes, and resemblances premised, before a Picture can be done to the Life, or a full proportion and lively representation pourtrayed or presented to the eye; how much more ought the ground of our hearts to be fitted and prepa­red, that by the preaching of the Word, the Image of Christ Iesus may with a lively and fresh impression be stamped upon them?

Were a man the next day to goe about a busi­nesse that mainely concerned eyther his life, or livelyhood; the state of his Lands, or danger of his life: Would not his minde be troubled be­fore-hand? Would it not breake his sleepe the night before? Would he not be musing, and plotting, by what meanes he might worke out his deliverance, and safetie? what behaviour and carriage might be fittest, to winne favour and grace in so weightie an affaire? How much more ought wee, before wee intrude into the House of God, where matters of our greatest and highest interest, are proposed, handled, and debated by the Minister of the Word; even life eternall, and everlasting estate in another World? I say, how ought wee to thinke with our selves, how wee may make our soules fittest to understand and accept the Covenant of Grace, to receive the Seale of the Spirit, and to get assurance of that glorious and royall Inheritance in the Heavens?

Nay, yet further, even in matters of complement and enterview, there is wont to be preparation, especially if the presence and persons were the greater.

[Page 151] Ioseph, Gen. 41. 14. when he was sent for to goe before King Pharoah, hee shaved his head, and changed his ray­ment, because hee was to appeare before so high and royall a presence.

Queene Hester durst not presse into the pre­sence of King Ahashuerosh, H [...]st. 2. 12. before shee had pre­pared her selfe.

How much more ought wee to fit and prepare our selves, base and miserable wretches, Wormes and no men, as wee are, with feare and trembling, when wee come into the House and presence of the mightie Lord of Heaven and Earth; before whom, Isa. 40. the Seraphins hide their faces, the Nations are as a drop of a Bucket, and the inhabitants of the Earth as Grasse-hoppers: especially, sith there hee offers and tenders unto us enlargement from the slave­rie of sinne, purgation from our pollutions, and a Crowne of life, upon that condition, that wee repent, forsake all our sinnes, and resigne up our selves in sincere and humble obedience unto all his Commandements?

Inducements we have, Motives to Preparation. and Motives many, both from Precept, 1 Precepts out of the Word for it. and Practice, in the Booke of God, for the performance of this Christian dutie of Preparation.

Take heed to thy foot ( sayth the Preacher) when thou enterest into the House of God, 1 Eccles. 4. 17. and be more neere to heare, than to give the sacrifice of fooles; for they know not that they doe evill.

Before thou set foot into the Church, to heare the Word of God, be sure to settle thy affecti­ons, that they be sober, moderate, and sanctified, [Page 152] fit to entertaine the Word of life, and salvation; let thy heart be seasoned with, Before wee heare, our hearts must be qualified with, first, Softnesse; secondly, Humilitie; thirdly, Honestie; fourth­ly, Faith; fifthly, Teachablenesse.

First, 1 Softnesse. if thou doe not preserve thy heart tender, soft, and flexible, the power of the Word will not make any such print or deepe impression upon it; all holy admonitions, reproofes, and instructi­ons, will be unto thee as Arrowes shot against a Stone wall.

Secondly, 2 Humilitie. wee must bring with us an humble heart, to the hearing of the Word; for, the Lord resists the proud, Iam. 4. 6. and gives grace to the humble. Them that be meeke, Psal. 25. 9. will he guide in judgement, and teach the humble his way. The proud heart is so swelled with the winde of vanitie and vaine-glory, of selfe-love, and over-weening conceit, that there is left no roome in it for the precious Treasure of saving grace. If it eyther be puffed up with a conceit of knowledge, or a perswasion of holinesse enough, or a boisterous peremptorinesse against the power of the Word; the Water of Life will be unto it, but as Water poured upon a drowned man; or as a Seale thrust upon Water, which will receive no impression. A lowly heart, broken and bruised with Conscience of sinne, is a fit Seat for the mightie Lord and his saving graces, Isa. Isa. 57. 15. 57. 15.

Thirdly, 3 Honestie. wee must come with a good and ho­nest heart; which hateth all corruptions, both in it selfe, and others; which hath no delight in any sinfull pleasures, or wicked vanities; which hath [Page 153] no manner of purpose to live and continue in any one sinne whatsoever; but is readie and resolved, though it be much cumbred with it owne corrup­tions, the Worlds enticements, and Sathans craf­tinesse; yet to serve and please God, in all the wayes of his Commandements, and that sincere­ly and continually. All profitable and fruitfull hearers have such good and honest hearts, and are resembled by the good ground, Luke 8. 15. Luke 8. 15. But that is a wicked and sinfull heart, and not fit to be wrought upon by the Ministerie of the Word, which purposeth and resolveth to cherish and maintaine but any one sinne whatsoever.

Fourthly, 4 Faith. our hearts must be seasoned with Faith; otherwise, it will not sinke and soake into them with power and profit. The old Iewes heard the Word, Heb. 4. 2. but it profited them not, because it was not mingled with faith in those that heard it, Heb. 4. 2. The fearefull threatnings and thunder­bolts of the Law, by Faith receive an edge to wound, and pierce and strike through our soules, with amazements and trembling. And Faith it is, that animates and inspires the promises of the Gospel with such a soveraigne sweetnesse, and powerfull comfort; that they are able, not onely to rayse and revive us from the depth and extre­mitie of remorse, and feare; but also to put us into a Paradise of spiituall pleasures, and posses­sion of Heaven, as it were alreadie. But if the Word light upon a faithlesse heart, it dyes, it does no good.

Fifthly, 5 Teachable­nesse. wee must bring with us into the Lords [Page 154] Sanctuarie, teachable and hearing hearts, that will willingly and readily open themselves, to receive the Lord of glory, with whatsoever hee shall re­veale unto us out of his holy Word. Psal. 40. 6. Sacrifice and burnt offerings (sayth David) thou wouldest not, but mine eares hast thou prepared. As if hee should have said: Thou hast bored new eares in my heart, that I can now reverently attend unto, rightly con­ceive, and with an holy greedinesse devoure the mysterie of grace.

With such hearts as these, must wee come to the hearing of the Word, if wee looke that it should be unto us a Word of power, salvation, and life; and not to be of the number of those, that offer the sacrifice of fooles, and yet know not that they doe evill.

Many there are certainely, which offer these foolish sacrifices; I meane, hearers, without care and conscience: Who, if they come into the House of God, and vouchsafe their presence in the place, and lend their eares to the Preacher for the time; they thinke themselves presently jolly fellowes, for matters of Religion; and that they are sanctified, as it were, by the Worke wrought, and their onely presence in that holy place: when as yet the Word hath had no more power, nor wrought more alteration upon them, than upon the Seats where they sate.

And that which makes these fooles much more miserable, and foolish, is this; They know not that they doe evill: as it is in the Text. They thinke their case good enough, that they are in the right [Page 155] course of Christianitie; and that no more is re­quired, for matters of Heaven: when as, in respect of saving grace, they are wretched, miserable, and poore; Rev. 3. 17. and blinde, and naked.

Besides this place of the Preacher, the Evange­list S. Luke, 2 luke 8. 18. Chap. 8. 18. bids us, take heed how wee heare. And good reason, in a matter of such great weight and consequence. For there is not a Ser­mon wee heare, but wee must be countable for it at the Day of our Visitation. God is countable unto us for every haire of our head; is it not rea­son, wee should be countable to him for those precious Lessons he reacheth unto us by the Mi­nisterie of the Word? Assuredly, there is not a Sermon, which wee have heard fruitlessely, and without profit, but it will be a shrewd and sore witnesse against us at that Day.

Besides these Precepts, 2 Instances for the practice of Preparation. wee finde much practise in the Booke of God, of this holy dutie of Pre­paration, when any sacred businesse was to be undertaken.

Moses could not approach so glorious and sa­cred a Presence, MOSES. or tread upon the ground, made holy by so great a Majestie as the Lord of Heaven and Earth, Exod. 3. 5. before he had put off his shooes. Neither ought wee to presume or presse into his Sanctua­rie, where he hath promised his Presence in a so­lemne, speciall, and powerfull manner, and is rea­die to shower downe his blessings of salvation into all truly humble and prepared hearts; before wee have shaken off and cast from us all earthly incumbrances, and secret corruptions, all dulnesse [Page 156] and deadnesse of heart, whith makes us unworthy and undisposed to stand upon so holy ground, and utterly uncapable of all that heavenly Wise­dome, and holy instructions unto eternall life, that are there taught, and tendred unto us; nay, turne the blessings of the Ministery into curses and condemnation unto us.

When Ioshuah was to make a strong and lasting impression in the hearts of the Israelites (whom after the death of Moses, IOSHVAH. he conducted to the pro­mised Land) of the power and providence of God for his people, J [...]sh. 3. 5. by that miraculous parting of the Waters of Iordan, for the transportation of the Arke; hee commanded the people to sanctifie themselves, to prepare, and compose their hearts; to admire and reverence with greater intention and amazement, that omnipotent Majesty that wrought such wonders for his chosen: For hearts emptied of worldly thoughts, and sanctified by heavenly meditation, are fit subjects for workes of Heaven, and divine impressions. How much more ought we to prepare our soules, before wee come into the Sanctuary of the Lord; sith there, they are either to be hardned for the Scepter of destruction, and made ready for the flames of Hell, if wee doe not prepare our selves, hearken, and obey: or else, to be softned and sanctified with saving grace, and fitted for a Crowne of Glory; if with reverence, humility, and obedi­ence, wee submit our selves to the power of the Word? There, if wee be unconverted, the great and miraculous worke of the new-birth is to bee [Page 157] wrought upon them; if wee be new-borne, they are to be fed with the spirituall Manna, unto ever­lasting life.

The same Ioshuah, Josh. 7. 13. when the excommunicate and execrable thing was to be found out, and put from amongst them; which was the cause, they could not stand against their enemies: he com­manded them to sanctifie themselves, that the Lord might prosper and poure his blessings upon that necessarie and weightie search and inquisi­tion. How much more ought wee to prepare our selves, before wee step into the House of God; sith there is to be discovered and cast out those hatefull sinnes that fearefully incense Gods wrath against us, and make us weake in the Lords battailes, and not able to stand against our spiri­tuall enemies, the corruptions of our owne flesh, the enticements of the World, and temptations of Sathan?

Before the sacrifice, SAMVEL. and anointing of David King of Israel, 1 Sam. 16. 5. Ishai and his sonnes were sancti­fied: How much more ought wee to be prepared, before wee come before the Lords Prophets, and Embassadours; that there wee may be anointed Kings and Priests unto our God? Rev. 5. 10.

Iosiah, IOSIAH. before the eating of the Paschall Lambe, did bid the people, 2 Chro. 35. 6. not onely sanctifie them­selves, but also prepare their brethren: How much more ought wee, when wee come to the Ministerie of the Word, to seede by faith upon that true Bread from Heaven, Joh. 6. which giveth life unto the World; which if wee once soundly taste with [Page 158] beleeving hearts, wee shall not hunger, wee shall never thirst?

But the most famous and fittest place for my purpose, The people, before the gi­ving of the Law. and preparation in that particular holy businesse of hearing the Word, is that in Exod. 19. 10. Exod. 19. 10. The people were sanctified, and washed their clothes, and prepared themselves for two dayes, and the third day they were readie to attend what the Lord would say unto them. As in that extraordinarie promul­gation of the Law, the people were to be prepa­red extraordinarily; so, from proportion of that practice, and precedencie, ordinarie preparation is necessarie for the ordinarie preaching of the Word, if wee looke that it should powerfully and profitably worke upon our Consciences and affections. Vers. 15. Their washing of their bodies, and clothes, their abstinence from their wives, and such solemne and ceremonious purifications, were typicall sig­nifications and representations unto us, that wee should weane our hearts from earthly thoughts, purge them from secret corruptions, and bring them faire and free, from sinfull spot and worldly entanglement, when wee come to heare the Lord speake unto us by his Ministers.

Holy men of God were wont, addressing them­selves to prayer, to have their ejaculations, lif­ting up of their hearts, certaine short prayers, before they entred into that sacred and solemne action.

Besides Precept and Practice in the Booke of God, 3 The profit of it. for Preparation; the profit is great, the benefits and blessings that redound unto us, [Page 159] and fall upon us by it, are excellent and precious. Looke in the latter end of the eleventh Chapter of Iob.

If thou prepare thine heart, Iob 11. 13. and stretch out thine hands towards him.

If iniquitie be in thine hand, 14. put it farre away, and let no wickednesse dwell in thy Tab [...]rnacle.

Then truly shalt thou lift up thy face without spot, 15. and shalt be stable, and shalt not feare, &c.

Preparation of the heart, is here the foundation and first step unto many glorious blessings. The heart must be first prepared, before other holy duties can be fitly performed, or Gods blessings expected.

In the first place; first, prepare thine heart; secondly, then poure it out in prayer, before the Throne of Grace; thirdly, then purge it from corruption; banish farre, and barre out all ini­quitie; fourthly, next, be sure to reforme, in­struct, and pray with thy family, or those that are about thee: Let no wickednesse, ignorance, pro­phanenesse, swearing, swaggering, drunkennesse, or the like, dwell in thy Tabernacle, harbour in thine house, or rowst neere thee.

And then open thy heart, and hands; for the Windowes of Heaven shall be set wide open, that all manner of spirituall comforts, all the blessings of peace and happinesse, may in abundance be showred downe upon thee; the rich Treasurie of everlasting Glory and Immortalitie shall be un­lockt unto thee, and thou shalt row and tumble thy selfe for ever after, amid mountaines of hea­venly [Page 160] pearles, and golden pleasures; through Ri­vers, nay Seas of endlesse joyes, that no heart can comprehend, but that which is weaned from all worldly pleasures, and set apart and sanctified for holy services and businesses of Heaven.

Then truly shalt thou lift up thy face without spot. Vers. 15.] Though thou hast lyen among the Pots, yet thou shalt be now as the wings of a Dove, that is cove­red with Silver, and whose feathers are like yel­low Gold. Though thou be like the Kedarims, which dwell in Tents, the black-Moores; that is, by reason of thy sinne, subject to the condemna­tion of God, and deprived of his glory: yet shalt thou be in Christ, goodly and glorious, as those that dwell in exceeding glory, Cant. 1. 5. under the Curtaines of Salomon. Though thou be black with the rem­nants of originall corruption, and present infir­mities; though the Sunne have looked upon thee, and parched thee with the scorching heat of sore affliction, and chastisements: yet shalt thou now shine like the Sunne in his strength, with the royall Robe of Christs righteousnesse, with fresh comfort, and lasting chearefulnesse.

Thou shalt be stable, and shalt not feare.] Though the wicked tremble many times at their owne shadowes, and the sound of a Leafe shaken doth chase them, and strike a faintnesse into their hearts, and a trembling into their loynes; yet thou shalt never be afraid of any evill tidings, whether they be forged by the spightfull and im­poysoned tongues of prophane men, Psal. 112. Prov. 3. 24. to defame and disgrace thee, or fetched out of the bottome [Page 161] of Hell, Iob 5. 21, 22. by Sathans malice, to terrifie thee; though the messengers of miseries and mischiefes come thicke and three-fold upon thee, as they did upon Iob; though the Earth be moved, and the mountaines fall into the midst of the Sea; Psal. 46. 2. nay, though the whole World be on flames about thine eares, and the Heavens be rouled together like a Scrowle: yet shalt thou be stable, and shalt not feare, because thy heart is fixed, and beleeveth in the Lord.

Thou shalt forget thy miserie, Vers. 16. and remember it as waters that are past.] Thy happinesse and comfort shall be so entire and unmixed, so absolute and overflowing, that the very remembrance of for­mer miseries and terrors shall be drowned and de­voured in the excesse and excellencie of that; even as the travels of a woman, in her joyes for a new-borne sonne: Or, if it be, that thy former dis­comforts sometimes steale into thy minde, they shall not be able to rest or remaine there, by reason of the predominancie of spirituall pleasures; but glide away as swiftly, as the head-long streame of the most hastie Torrent.

Thine age also shall appeare more cleare than the Noone-day; Vers. 17. thou shalt shine, and be as the Morning.] The Morning is the very Crowne of Time, and the beautie of the Day; the Poets call it, the [...]. Rosie-finger'd Morning. When they labour to describe corporall Beautie to the life, and set it out in the best perfection and freshest colours that the utmost power and highest straine of wit and art can possibly devise; they take their Meta­phors [Page 162] and amplifications from the ruddinesse and brightnesse of the Morning: And yet thou shalt be as faire as the Morning, with all Divine Gra­ces, spirituall brightnesse, and beautie of thy Soule; nay, a Soule set thicke with spirituall Graces, is farre more faire than the Firmament, with all those Eyes of Gold, and fairest Lampes, that shine from it. Neither shalt thou be onely as the Morning, but as the Morning Sunne; thou shalt rise higher and higher in degrees of holi­nesse, and strength of Grace, untill thou commest to the highest point of perfection in this Heaven upon Earth, the Kingdome of Grace. And after thou hast finished thy course, and left behind thee the comfortable heat of thy gracious zeale, much Light from thy good example, and the sweet in­fluence of thy holy life; upon thy death-bed, thou shalt sett with the sweetest and brightest beames of all heavenly comfort, into the immea­surable Ocean of endlesse joyes.

Thou shalt be bold, Vers. [...]. because there is hope; and thou shalt digge Pits, and shalt lye downe safely.] Thou shalt be assured of Heaven, and a Crowne of Glory hereafter, that thou shalt walke through this Valley of Miserie like a Lyon; nor Devill, nor man, nor beast, nor any creature, shall affright or amaze thee. Cast thine eyes, supernaturally enabled, and enlarged with the Light of Faith, from East to West, into the bottome of Hell, and glory of Heaven; and thou shalt clearely see, that all is thine, by the purchase, right, and conquest of the Sonne of God: Job 5. 23. The stones in the street shall [Page 163] be at league with thee, the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee: The creatures shall be all sworne to thy safetie; the purest spirits, the ministers of God, shall be thy Guardians; Saints and Angels are alreadie in thy sight; Immortalitie hath lengthened thy dayes, and the glory of God is before thee in a Glasse.

When thou doest take thy rest, Vers. 19. none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.] When the darkenesse of the Night encompasseth thee, thou shalt not be affrighted with terrors and ap­paritions; when blacknesse and silence, the habi­tation of feares and astonishment, shall pitch round about thee, thou shalt be lightsome with inward comfort; when all thy Sences, the scouts and watch-men for discovering dangers, and pre­serving thy safetie, shall be locked up; his provi­dence, that neither slumbers nor sleepes, shall ten­derly and carefully watch over thee; Rom. 14. 8. Whether thou die or live, whether thou sleepe or wake, thou art the Lords: And therefore, when thou sleepest, thou shalt not be afraid; Prov. 3. 25. and when thou sleepest, thy sleepe shall be sweet: See Iob 5. 21, 22. Thou shalt not feare for any sudden feare, neither for the destruction of the wicked, when it commeth; for the Lord shall be for thy assurance, and shall keepe thy foot from being caught.

Yea, many shall make suit unto thee.] Thou shalt be so encompassed with the blessings of God, so protected from above, so high in Gods favour, that many will come for shadow and shelter un­to thee; they will looke for reliefe and comfort under the shadow of thy wings, thy power and [Page 164] authoritie shall be a refuge and repose for oppres­sed and disgraced innocencie.

All these blessings, and a thousand moe, are built upon a through preparation of the heart, as upon the first foundation stone: Preparation is the very first step to all these degrees, and height of happinesse.

But on the contrarie part, if a man neglect pre­paring his heart, praying unto God, forsaking his sinnes, reforming his family; let him looke for nothing but Curses and Plagues.

But the eyes of the wicked (saith Iob) shall faile, Vers. 20. and their refuge shall perish, and their hope shall be sorrow of minde.] They thinke, their formall and customarie service of God will serve the turne; and thereupon, with great greedinesse and confi­dence, expect and looke for the salvation of their soules after this life: but they shall waile, and gaze, untill their eyes sinke into their holes, and yet shall never be able to taste of true comfort: They may crie untill their tongues cleave to the roofe of their mouth, with the foolish Virgins; Lord, Math. 25. Lord, open unto us, Math. 25. but the Gate of everlasting happinesse shall for ever be shut a­gainst them: They may struggle and strive, by the strength of their good meanings, and formall Christianitie, Luke [...]3. 24. to enter in at the strait Gate, but shall never be able.

Their refuge shall perish.] They have stayed themselves upon broken staves of Reed, and [...]ow they will runne into their hands and hearts too, unto their vexation and horror.

[Page 165] And their hope shall be sorrow of minde.] Their end shall be despaire, and horrible confusion.

I have stayed long upon the motives and in­ducements to preparation, before we come to the hearing of the Word, or undergoe any sacred b [...] ­sinesse; and upon the necessitie, blessings, and benefits of so holy a dutie. The reason is, I would gladly stirre you up, and my selfe too, to a through and constant practise and performance of it: and, because the neglect and omission of it, is the cause that the Ministerie of the Word is not onely fruitlesse, and in vaine, unto thousands; but (which is a fearefull thing) the savour of death unto death unto them.

I come now to the speciall points considerable in preparation, before wee present our selves in this place to the hearing of the Word.

This preparation is an holy action, What prepa­ration is. or exercise, which by examination of our Consciences, pur­gation of our hearts, prayer unto God, and private reading the Scriptures, maketh our soules fit Ves­sels to receive and entertaine the spirituall Trea­sures of Grace; and food of eternall Life, offered and tendered unto us by the Ministerie of the Word; that so they may be the more effectually and fruitfully wrought upon, and happily subdu­ed to the power and practice thereof.

In this preparation, Four [...] things required in preparation. I consider and require espe­cially these foure things: first, Examination of the Conscience; secondly, Purgation of the heart; thirdly, Prayer unto God; fourthly, Readinesse of heart, to receive every truth.

[Page 166] First, 1 Examination. for Examination of the Conscience.

Examination is a dutie practisable by all true Christians, at many times, and upon sundry oc­casions.

It is either more extraordinarie; 1 Extraordina­rie. and that is, either in the time of solemne Fast, and generall humiliation, for some publike Plague and cala­mitie that lyes upon the State or Church. In time of publike cala­mitie. Wee are then seriously to search and ransacke through­ly our Consciences, that wee may throw that or those sinnes out of our affections, practise, and allowance, which have their part in pulling downe those publike Psagues upon us.

Or, 2 When our fa­milies are visi­ted with some speciall judge­ment. secondly, when our family is singled out, and visited with some speciall and extraordinarie scourge, and judgement: and then must we make an impartiall inquisition into our hearts; lest we be the Achans, which by our secret sinnes provoke Gods causefull wrath.

Or, 3 When wee our selves are af­flicted in par­ticular. when our selves in a more private and par­ticular manner, are afflicted with some speciall vexation; as, by some maladie and miserie in our bodies, with some terrors and feares in our minds, or with some slanders, disgraces, and imputations upon our good names: when Gods hand is upon us any of these wayes, wee are presently to con­ceive, that the sinnes of our soules are the true cau­ses of all the miseries and crosses which befall us any manner of wayes; and therefore wee are nar­rowly and exactly to enquire into our selves, and to cast out our secret beloved sinnes, those lurking rebels, the breeders of all our woe.

[Page 167] Besides, 2 Ordinarie. examination of our hearts in these or the like cases; there is also a more ordinarie and usuall examination necessarie, 1 Every day. and required of us, and that especially every day; that we may make the Score of our sinnes lesse, and our account shor­ter, against the Day of our Visitation; that wee may more entirely and comfortably preserve and enjoy Gods favour and protection, inward peace of Conscience, spirituall joy, and Christian chear­fulnesse in all our affaires and passages.

2 Before wee come to receive, 2 Before the Sa­crament. and be parta­kers of the holy Sacrament of the sacred body and bloud of Christ; lest by neglect and omission of this dutie, we become unworthy receivers, and so eate and drinke our owne judgement, and dam­nation, nay, be guiltie of the innocent and pre­cious bloud of Christ Iesus; which one day will be an heavie and unsupportable burthen to our Consciences. Simile. To be guiltie of the sinfull bloud of prophane men, is able to make the proudest heart and highest stomacke to tremble and quake like an Aspen leafe, and to strike through his soule; with restlesse horrour, and gastly sights. Who is able then to beare the guilt of guiltlesse bloud? Gen. 4. 13. Abels innocent bloud cryed for and pul­led downe strange and desperate vengeance upon cruell Cain. How loud then will be the crie of the bloud of the innocent Lambe of God? How will it ring in the eares of God the Father? How fearefully will it fill Heaven and Earth, untill it hath brought downe Plagues and Curses up­on those wofull Soules, who irreverently and [Page 168] unpreparedly prophane so high and holy a my­sterie?

A third ordinarie examination, 3 Before wee heare the Word prea­ched. is before wee presse into the House of God, and present our selves before his Ministers and Messengers, to be instructed in his will from Heaven, out of his holy Word; lest this blessed Ordinance should be accursed unto us. You may see in the Pro­phet Ezech. 14. 7, 8. how the Lord threatens that person that comes to his Ministers to enquire of them, or to be informed by them, and yet separates himselfe from the Lord, and sets up any Idoll in his heart, and stumbling-blocke of his iniquitie, before his face; that the Lord will set his face a­gainst him, and make him a signe and a Proverbe, and cut him off from the midst of his people. Whence wee may well inferre, that it will be very dangerous for any to come to the hearing of the Word, without examination of his heart, whe­ther there be any such stumbling-blocke of ini­quitie in it, or no.

2 Because that examination of the heart, The second dutie besides hearing, is purging of our hearts. to finde out our corruptions, tends especially to the cleansing of it; therefore the second dutie before the hearing of the Word, is the purgation or cleansing of the heart, first, from sinne; which the Scripture beats much upon, Iam. 1. 21. Lay apart all filthinesse and super [...]luiti [...] of naughtinesse, and receive with meekenesse the ingrafted Word, &c. It is not meerely lay apart, but put away quite and cleane all filthinesse: and this is a fit preparative for the hearing of the Word, as appeares also by that pa­ralell [Page 169] place, 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2. Wherefore putting away all malice, all guile and hypocrisie, and envie, and evill spea­kings, as new-borne babes desire the sincere Milke of the Word. And there is the same reason for any other sinne to be put away, that there is for these menti­oned. As it is with the body, when the stomack is foule, and clogged with bad humours, wee should first purge it, before wee feede it; for otherwise, whatsoever we eate, doth but nourish and encrease the corrupt humours of the body: So it is with the soule, when it is stuffed or clogged with sinne; whatsoever is heard in the Ministery of the Word, shall be perverted and abused by it, and wrested to the destruction of it.

It is no wonder therefore, that those that live in dissolute or scandalous courses, those that are drunk on the evening before the Lords day, or spend it in gaming, or company keeping, or have bin acting of some soule sinne, and then repaire unto the Word; it is no wonder, I say, that such goe away never a whit the better, but rather worse than they came. Did you ever know any Salve so soveraigne, that would cure a wound that had a splint or an arrow-head remaining in it? Surely, every knowne sinne unrepented of, hinders the saving operation of the Word in any mans heart; yea, it will make the Word the savour of death unto a man. See to this purpose, Ier. 7. 9, 10.

Secondly, the heart must also be purged from all worldly cares and thoughts, which may divide or draw away the heart: Math. 13. 22. The cares of the World doe choake the Seed of the Word: [Page 170] Luke 21. 34. The cares of this life doe surfet the heart. Now, as it is with a man in a surfet, hee is not fit to eat, neither can he digest any wholesome food: so, when as the heart is surfetted with worldly cares, it is unfit for any spirituall food. You know how it was with Martha, Luke 10. 41. Iesus said unto Martha; Thou art troubled about many things, but one thing is necessarie: Martha had a clutter of many worldly matters, that made a great noise in her head, and hindered better mat­ters, that she cared not for hearing.

How then shall they profit by the Word, that doe jumpe out of their worldly businesse, and from busying their heads about their callings, into the House of God, to heare and to performe the Exercises of Religion? Truly, though they be never so diligent in hearing, yet their hearts will goe after their covetousnesse, Ezech. 33. 31.

3 A third dutie before the hearing of the Word, Thirdly, Pray­er, another dutie. is Prayer; no good thing can be expected from God, as a blessing, if it be not sought by prayer, Deut. 4. 7. and wee finde it layd downe as a condition required, Prov. 2. 1, 2, 3, &c. My sonne, if thou wilt receive my words, and encline thine eare to wisedome, and apply thy heart to understanding; yea, if thou cryest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding, then shalt thou understand the feare of the Lord, and finde out the knowledge of God. The reason is, Vers. 6. For the Lord giveth wisedome, and out of his mouth commeth knowledge and under­standing. Because the Lord gives knowledge, therefore you must crie for it unto him. What [Page 171] is the reason that you do pray for your daily Bread, and a blessing upon it? Why, Deut. 8. 3. Man lives not by Bread onely, &c? If this be so, much more ought you to pray for a blessing upon your spiri­tuall food.

Now for the particulars: First, you ought to pray for the Teachers, That they may so speake, as they ought to speake, Col. 4. 3, 4. so they are to pray for the power and peace of the Ministerie, 2 Thess. 3. 1, 2. Secondly, you must pray for your selves, that through Gods assistance you may heare profitably, and be blessed in the hearing: Ioh. 3. 27. No man can receive any thing, except that it be given him from above. Therefore Da­vid prayed, Psal. 119. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may see the wonderfull things contained in thy Word. Isay 48. 17. God sayth, I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit: Therefore no profi­ting by the Word, without seeking unto the Lord for it.

Now the prophanenesse of people in this case, is the generall cause that our Ministerie doth no more good: Few pray at all before they come to Church, either for the Minister, or for themselves; nay, few, even when they are in the Church, have any heart to joyne with the Preacher in the prayer that he makes before the Sermon: But the com­plaint of the Prophet may be taken up in this case, Isa. 64. 7. There is none that calleth on thy Name, that stirreth up himselfe to take hold of thee.

4 You must be sure to goe with an open heart, The fourth dutie, open­nesse of heart. readie to receive every truth that God shall teach [Page 172] you in this Ordinance. Act. 17. 11. it is said of those noble Beraeans, that they received the Word with all readinesse of minde, i. readinesse to re­ceive every truth. And Cornelius said, Act. 10. 33. Wee are all here present before God, to heare all things that are commanded thee of God. It is well added ( that are commanded thee of God:) not what any Minister shall teach, be he never so good, or so learned; nay, were he an Angell from Heaven, yet his Doctrine must be examined, Gal. 1. 8. But when there is such a disposition in us, as to receive both in judgement and practise whatsoever God shall reveale unto us out of his Word; this is a precious disposition.

But, alas, the most come to heare with pre­judicate and fore-stalled hearts, they beare a se­cret grudge, and quarrell, against some strict Truth, or other; as, against the sanctification of the Lords Day, or Family-duties, or secret communion with the Lord, by prayer dayly, &c. And these imaginations seeme as strong Holds, to keepe Christ and his Truth out of their hearts, 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5. And thus men, that in their hearing doe limit the Spirit of God, would (if it lay in their power) say as those wicked men, Isay 30. 10. to the Seers, see not; and to the Prophets, prophesie not right things unto us; speake unto us smooth things: And those that said so, the Lord calls them despisers of his Word.

These are the maine and principall duties be­fore the hearing of the Word.

[Page 173] Secondly, 2 Duties requi­red in the hea­ring of the Word. let me proceed briefely to those du­ties that are required in the hearing of the Word: Which wee must the rather stirre up our selves unto, because wee have naturally uncircumci­sed hearts, Ier. 6. 10. and are dull of hearing, Heb. 5. 11.

Now the principall duties in hearing, are five; which I will briefely set downe as may be.

1 You must set your selves in Gods presence, 1 To set our selves in Gods presence. whilest you are hearing of his Word: and con­sider with your selves, that it is God that you have to deale withall in this businesse, and not man; and that it is Gods Word, and not mans. It is the great commendation of the Thessaloni­ans, 1 Thess. 2. 13. that they received the Word as the Word of God. This was that whereby the Lord would prepare his people to receive the Law, Exod. 20. God spake all these words. And hee not onely gave the Law, but the whole summe of the Gospel with his owne voice, Mat. 3. 17. Loe a voice from Heaven, saying, This is my beloved Sonne, in whom I am well pleased. Yea, it is the Lord him­selfe that speakes unto you in our Ministery, Luke 10. 16. So the Lord is present in a speciall man­ner, where his Word is preached, to observe and marke how it is received, or delivered; and either to blesse or curse the hearers, or speakers, accor­dingly. So that of this and such like places, it may be said as Iacob said of Bethel, Gen. 28. 16, 17. Surely, the Lord is in this place▪ and, How dreadfull is this place? This is no other than the House of God, this is the Gate of Heaven.

[Page 174] And truly, this apprehension of Gods presence in the Assemblies of his people, will worke three things in us.

First, keepe us in that awfull and reverent dis­position of body and minde that is meet.

Secondly, it will preserve our hearts from [...]o­ving and wandering thoughts, which are great im­pediments of hearing; Psal. 119. 113. I hate vaine thoughts, but thy Law doe I love.

Thirdly, it will make us to receive and obey that that shall be taught us; for so God hath beene wont to prepare his people, to receive his Word: yea, he said of his people, when they were thus affected, Deut. 15. 29. Oh that there were such an heart in them, to feare me and keepe my Comman­dements alwayes.

Now the want of this, is that which hinders abundance of benefit that the Ministerie of the Word would otherwise doe us: This is the root of all the mischiefe the Devill doth to poore soules, in the hearing of the Word; the practice thereof, is the fountaine of all our good. Many gracelesse wretches there are in our Assemblies, like him, Luke 18. 2. that neither feared God, nor regarded man; that despise the Church of God, yea, contemne the presence of the holy Angels, (1 Cor. 11. 10.) and of God himselfe in the As­semblies, who hath layd such a speciall charge upon us, Lev. 26. 2. to keepe his Sabbaths, and to reverence his Sanctuarie; and he addes this reason, I am Iehovah.

2 The second dutie in hearing, 2 Attention. is diligent [Page 175] attention to that we heare: as it is said of our Sa­viour Christ, Luke 19. 48. The people were very attentive to heare him; or, as it is in the Originall, they hanged on him: as if their eares and mindes had beene tyed to his tongue; there was such a dependencie upon him. And that is a remark­able place, Ezech. 40. 4. Sonne of man, behold with thine eyes, and heare with thine eares, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee. See what at­tention is required: Hee bids him set his eyes and his eares, and his heart and all, upon that hee speakes; and not upon some things onely, but upon all that hee should declare unto him. So Prov. 4. 20, 21, 22. My sonne attend unto my words, incline thine eare unto my sayings, keepe them in the midst of thine heart, for they are life to those that finde them: i. looke as a condemned man will hearken to the Sentence of the Prince; every word hee speakes, being life or death: As the servants of Benhadad, when they were in their enemies power, 1 King. 20. 33. they observed diligently whether any word of comfort would come from him, and they did hastily catch it. Thus, with such di­ligence and attention, such poore condemned creatures (as wee are) are to heare the Word of God.

Now to quicken attention, these meanes are profitable.

First, it is good to doe as they did, Luke 4. 20. They fastened their eyes upon Christ; so doe ye upon the Minister, and suffer them not to wander up and downe: A wandering [Page 176] eye is alwayes a sure evidence of a wandering heart.

Secondly, if ye doe not thus, it will be a good helpe for those that can write, to note the Word, as Baruch wrote from the mouth of Ieremiah, Ier. 36. 4. This holds the minde close to all that is said. Some object indeed, that it hinders af­fection in hearing: but though it may doe so in some, for the present; yet afterwards it will worke more lasting affections upon the Word. A Cavea [...]. Onely they that use this helpe-meanes, must be carefull that they doe not presume upon their Notes so, as to neglect the recalling of what they have heard, (as many use to doe) and so lose all holy affections, and that impression that the Word would make upon their hearts.

Thirdly, entreat the Lord to open thy heart, as he opened Lydia's heart, Act. 16. 14. Our hearts are shut up quite, and cannot attend unto any thing that is good, except that the Lord opens them.

Observe then another cause, why the Word is so unfruitfull unto many. Some are like the deafe Adders, that stop their eares against the voice of the Charmer, Psal. 58. 4, 5. And some sleepers there are, that faile in their attention, that the Devill usually rocks asleepe, when they come to heare; but they that are such, should know, that their damnation sleepes not, the Devill sleepes not: he comes to the Assemblies, to picke up the good Seed that is sowne; nay, he comes to picke up their soules indeed: for he cares not so much [Page 177] for the Seed, but he will take your selves napping and your soules especially, and carry them to Hell. Besides, let them remember what befell Eutychus, Act. 20. 9, 10. he slept at a long Sermon, that lasted till midnight; but he was taken up dead, falling from the third Loft to the ground: What shall become of such then, that sleepe in the day time, at a Sermon of an houre long? And let them also take heed of that spirit of slumber, that the Lord hath threatned to poure upon the despi­sers of the Word, Isay 29. 9, 10. The like might be said of our gazers and gapers about, and those that by their talking disturbe others, and hinder themselves: they shut their eares, and turne them away from God; and may justly expect, that he shall turne away his eares from them: as it is threatened, Prov. 2. 8, 9. Zach. 7. 13.

3 You must heare the Word with understan­ding and judgement; 3 Heare with understan­ding. i. labour to understand what wee heare: And to this end, the Minister must have a speciall care to teach plainely, so as he may be understood, Neh. 8. 8. And Christ calls upon his hearers for this, Math. 15. 10. Heare, and understand: How should we else profit by that we heare? Act. 8. 36. Vnderstandest thou what thou readest (saith Philip to the Eunuch:) so say thou to thine owne heart; Vnderstandest thou what thou hearest?

Now the meanes to understand the Word, are these.

First, come to the Word, with a willing minde to learne: you know the Eunuch, Act. 8. though [Page 178] he understood not what he read, yet because he had a minde to learne, how the Lord provided for him, and what a comfortable successe Philips Ser­mon had with him. Men love to teach willing schollers; so doth God, when we come with wil­ling and readie mindes to be taught.

Secondly, exercise your selves in the truth of God, Heb. 5. last; you must by continuall use, get your sences exercised to discerne both good and evill: but especially, be well acquainted with the principles and grounds of Catechisme; it is the want of this, that makes men that they understand not what is preached: They that are not first well nourished with Milke, will not be fit to receive and digest stronger meat: if the foundation be not well layd, it is in vaine to build.

Thirdly, walke according to Light; Psal. 111. 10. A good understanding have all they, that doe his Com­mandements: Then, if thou wouldest get a good understanding, and know the mysterie of godli­nesse, walke according to knowledge, imploy that little knowledge thou hast well, and then there is a promise to give thee more.

Fourthly, be diligent in instructing and tea­ching thy family: If thou art set over others, a little knowledge will encrease greatly, by this meanes. Gen. 18. 17, 19. the Lord said; Shall I hide any thing from Abraham? No: And hee gives this reason; I know him, that he will command his chil­dren and his household after him, and they shall keepe the way of the Lord. If you teach your families, God will teach you.

[Page 179] Well; there are a sort of doltish hearers, that will heare, and seeme to be very attentive, from yeeres end to yeeres end, and be never a whit the wiser, 2 Tim. 3. 7. The heavie judgement of God is upon many of them, that is mentioned, Math. 13. 14. And in them is fulfilled the Prophesie of Isay; By hearing ye shall heare, and shall not understand; and that, I-say 27. 11. It is a people of no under­standing: therefore he that made them, shall not save them; and he that formed them, shall shew them no favour.

4 You must heare the Word with affection, 4 Heare with affection. and delight. It is said of Gods people in the Pri­mitive Church, that they heard the Word gladly; and of Christs hearers, Mark. 12. 37. they heard him gladly: And it is noted for a great signe of grace, to heare the Word gladly, Psal. 119. 162. I rejoyce at thy Word, as one that findeth great spoyles. David had beene a souldier; and ye know, that they that have lyen at the siege of a Citie a long time, and at the last take it, will rejoyce ex­ceedingly in the spoyle of it: therefore he re­joyces in the Word, as they that doe divide the spoyles. And truly, whereas common people complaine of the badnesse of their memories; this would be a marvellous helpe to their me­mories, if they would heare with delight: there­fore David sayth, Psal. 119. 16. I will delight my selfe in thy Statutes, I will not forget thy Word. This delight he meanes will strengthen our me­mories.

Now contrarie to this, are a great number, [Page 180] that heare without all delight, and account it a great wearinesse, Mal. 1. 13. and those the dullest houres, that they spend in hearing. Well, the Lord hath threatned, that the Word shall never doe us good, unlesse that wee attend to it with love and delight, 2 Thess. 2. 10, 11. Be­cause they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved; therefore God shall send them strong delusions, to beleeve Lyes. A fearefull threat­ning, much to be considered in these dayes: For this is the reason, that Popish trumperies and hellish delusions have such entertainment, because God in his just judgement, gives up those to such strong delusions, that love not the strict Truth of the Word of God.

5 You must heare the Word, 5 Heare with application. with applica­tion of it to your owne hearts, and lives; apply every truth to your selves, for your owne use and comfort, and terror and instruction: as it is Iob 5. last; Heare this, and know it for thy selfe; carry this truth home to thine owne heart: And,

First, there is no truth of God taught out of his Word, but it concernes every one of Gods people, and was intended for our use; Rom. 15. 4. Whatsoever is written, is written for our learning.

Secondly, there is no truth can be taught, to doe us good, unlesse that wee apply it: as no Plaister can doe the Patient good, unlesse it be applyed; no meat is able to doe us any good, be it dressed never so curiously, unlesse it be eaten and digested. This comparison is applyed by the [Page 181] Prophet to this purpose, Isa. 55. 2. Hearken dili­gently unto me, and eate ye that which is good: unlesse we eate it, it will doe us no good.

Thirdly, the faithfull have been wont to apply all to themselves; as every member of the body drawes nourishment from the stomacke, to make it his owne: to which the Apostle alludes, Eph. 4. 16. So the Disciples of our Saviour did, Math. 26. 21, 22. When our Saviour had said, that one of them should betray him, they were exceeding sorrowfull, and began every one of them to say unto him; Lord, is it I?

And surely, the want of this application, is one great cause that the Word profits not, because they beleeve it not, nor apply the Word unto themselves: Heb. 4. 2. The Word preached did not profit them, because it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Now one principall worke of faith, is to apply those things that are delivered in the Word: But this, the most hearers doe exceedingly faile in; either not applying, or mis-applying of the truth; shifting off all upon others, and taking little or nothing to themselves. As wee have a notable example of this, Rom. 1. ult. compared with Rom. 2. 1. In the former place, the Apostle speakes of some, that knowing the judgement of God, That those that doe such things, are worthy of death; yet not onely doe such things, but take pleasure in those that doe them: yet in the beginning of the next Chapter, you find the same men judging and condemning of others; yet thinking and [Page 182] perswading themselves, that they (being guiltie of the same sinnes) shall escape the judgement of God. Why? but because they apply not to themselves, but mis-apply to others the things they heare.

Many such hearers there are in these dayes, which are very cunning in shifting off the threat­nings of God against their owne Drunkennesse, and Whoredome, and Swearing, &c. yet very apt to pinne the same Word upon others. Well, these are not wise for themselves, and all their hearing shall doe them no good. Thus much of the duties required in hearing.

Now follow those duties that are required after hearing. 3 The duties af­ter hearing. And these are chiefely thus.

1 Wee must be very carefull to remember and keepe that which wee have heard, 1 We must re­member it. Prov. 4. 4. My sonne, let thine heart retaine my words: and, Vers. 21. Keepe them in the midst of thine heart. As a man that hath a Iewell, will be carefull to locke it up in the safest Chest hee hath, lest it should be stolne away: Which is the very com­parison of the Wise-man, Prov. 6. 20, 21. So Mary, Luke 2. 51. kept all the sayings in her heart: and David, Psal. 119. 11. hid the Commande­ments in his heart; and hee gives the reason, That hee might not sinne against the Lord. And the truth is, that as meat that is eaten, if it re­maines not in the stomacke, it will never doe us good: so the best spirituall food that can be, except it be retained by us, will not profit us: Luke 8. 15. The good Ground are they, which [Page 183] with an honest and good heart having heard the Word, keepe it, &c.

Many there are, that are very carelesse of this dutie: They thinke they have discharged them­selves abundantly, if they heare the whole Ser­mon attentively; as though there were nothing more required at their hands: Like our Saviours hearers, Math. 22. 22. When they heard him, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way: but wee never heare more of them. So many heare desi­rously, and with open and greedie eares: but, as wee say, it goes in at one eare, and out at another; it stayes not for any after-use, but a little present admiration. Others heare, and the Word smites them a little on their Consciences, and wounds; and one would thinke, some good thing would be wrought upon them: but they goe away, and the motion dyes. They are as men that are Sea­sicke, whilest the Word humbles them, and makes their Consciences to wamble within them; but they are as whole as a Fish, when as they are once landed at the Church doore: Or like unto Mettals, which are soft and ply­able, whilest they are in the fire; so these are in the hearing: but shortly they loose all the efficacie of the Word, and become harder than before.

Well, let us in the feare of God, hearken dili­gently to the words of the Holy-Ghost, Heb. 2. 1. That wee ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that wee have heard, lest at any time wee should let them slip, or runne out (like riven Vessels:) [Page 184] Why; what is the danger? How shall wee escape, if wee neglect so great Salvation?

2 Wee must meditate and seriously thinke of that that wee have heard; 2 The second dutie, Medita­tion. that is more than remembring. There is a great deale of difference betwixt the possessing of goods, and the using and imploying of them for our benefit; betwixt the laying up of garments in our Wardrobes, and the wearing of them upon our backes, to keepe us warme: this latter is done by meditation. Prov. 6. 22, 23. My sonne, binde the Commandements conti­nually upon thy heart, and tie them about thy necke: It is a phrase of speech borrowed from garments that are bound about the body; for meditation bindes the Word close to the heart. It is said of Mary, Luke 2. 19. that shee pondered the words of the Angel in her heart: and David was frequent in this dutie, Psal. 119. 15. I will meditate in thy Precepts (saith he:) And it was Pauls advice to Timothy, 1 Tim. 4. 15. Meditate upon these things, give thy selfe wholly to them, that thy profiting may ap­peare to all.

First, this is the way to make men profit by the Word of God; and that so evidently, that all may take notice of it, this is one great benefit of the Word meditated upon, Iosh. 1. 8. Thou shalt meditate in the Booke of the Law day and night: To what end? That thou mayest observe to doe according to all that is written therein.

Secondly, this course will argue unfained love unto the Word, Psal. 119. 97. Oh how I love thy Law, it is my meditation all the day.

[Page 185] Thirdly, this will greatly encrease our comfort in the Word, and cause us to feele much more sweetnesse in it; even as the chewing of our meat makes us to taste much more sweetnesse in it. Psal. 119. 15, 16. he saith; I will meditate on thy Precepts, and have respect unto thy wayes, I will delight my selfe in thy Statutes: Meditation ever brings with it delight.

Fourthly, this will greatly encrease our know­ledge: Psal. 119. 99. I have more understanding than my teachers: Why? because thy testimonies are my meditation.

Now, if this be required after hearing; how is it possible that they should profit by the Word, that never scarcely thinke of it afterwards? It is noted of the Disciples, that though they had seene Christs mightie power in the miracle of the Loaves; yet because they considered not the mi­racle, their hearts were hardened: i. because they did not meditate upon it, they were never the better for it. And thus it usually speedes with those that are carelesse in the performing of this dutie.

3 Wee must conferre of that wee have heard, 3 The third duty after hearing, Conference and Repeti­tion. and repeat it amongst our selves, and examine the Scriptures about the truth of that that is delive­red. I joyne them all together; for so they may well be, in the practice of them. For conference, David saith, Psal. 119. 172. My tongue shall speake of thy Word, for all thy Commandements are righteous­nesse. This was ordinarily practised by the Dis­ciples of our Saviour Christ, when he had taught [Page 186] how hardly rich men shall be saved, Mark. 10. 26. They were astonished out of measure, and said amongst themselves, Who then can be saved? So they con­ferred about another Sermon of our Saviour, Ioh. 16. 17, 18.

Now repetition of Sermons is especially re­quired of them that have families, to repeat the Word unto them: Deut. 11. 18, 19. You shall lay up these my words in your hearts, and you shall teach them your children; speaking of them when thou sittest in thy house: yea, it is said to be the chiefest thing that the Lord had respect unto, in giving us his Word, and the knowledge thereof, that we might instruct our families in it. Deut. 4. 10. Gather ye my people together, and I will make them heare my words, that they may learne to feare me, and may teach their children. And this, if it were practised carefully, would both make children and servants more carefull to heare and to attend unto the publike Ministery; and better our memories, that wee may be much better able to retaine that which we heare: and it will also worke an inward fee­ling in us and our children, of that which we have heard. Therefore, Deut. 6. 6, 7. it is called the whetting of them upon our children; repetition doth set an edge upon their dulnesse.

Yea further, for the searching and examining of the Scriptures, we are commanded, 1 Thess. 5. 21. to try all things, and to hold fast that which is good. And the example of those noble Beraeans is com­mended unto us, Act. 17. 11, 12. that searched the Scriptures dayly, concerning those things [Page 187] that were delivered by Paul; Therefore many of them beleeved.

Therefore it is a grievous neglect, that people in these dayes are guilty of; that neither conferre concerning the Word, they are ashamed of it, and (which is a fearefull reproach unto them) the Word of God is a reproach unto them, Ier. 6. 10. nor yet repeat Sermons in their families; they are like Martha, Luke 10. 41. troubled about so many worldly occasions: nor yet examine and search the Scriptures: And therefore are easily carried about with every winde of Doctrine, and never established and setled in the Truth.

4 Wee are to put in practise whatsoever wee heare, 4 A fourth duty, Obedience. till that our hearts and lives are quite chan­ged by it: Iam. 1. 22. Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers onely, deceiving your owne soules: i. they cozen themselves by false reasonings and argu­ments, [...]. or by sophisticall Syllogismes, reasoning after this or the like manner.

But how doth this follow? For though the neglect or contempt of the Word is sufficient to condemne a man, yet the hearing of the Word is not sufficient to save a man.

Well, obedience is the end of hearing, Deut. 5. 1. Heare, O Israel, the Statutes which I speake in [Page 188] your eares this day, that ye may learne them, and keepe them, and doe them. The like ye finde, Iam. 1. 25. Yea, obedience to the Word must be speedie, without any delayes, or procrastinations; as it is said of the Colossians, Col. 1. 6. that the Gospel brought forth fruit in them, from the very day they heard it, and knew the grace of God in truth. And the Prophet David resolved, Psal. 119. 60. I made hast, and prolonged not the time to keepe thy Commandements. And this is a singular frame of heart; because the putting of the Word in pra­ctise immediately, is a great advantage to the hearer: seeing then, the affections of the heart are quicke, and lively; which with delayes dye, and decay very suddenly.

Now, alas, for the wonderfull paucitie of such obedient hearers; for very few doe practise any thing they heare, leave any sinne, or doe any dutie: and therefore they must needs prove like the House built on the Sand; when the time of tryall shall come, they must needs fall, Math. 7. 27. Againe, there are many that in hearing have good motions and purposes; but they are like the sluggard, that said, Prov. 24. 33, 34. Yet a little slumber, yet a little sleepe; so, because they delay, they vanish and come to nothing: of whom, in respect of their spirituall povertie, it may be said which Salomon speakes; His povertie shall come as one that travelleth, and his want as an armed man.