The Publican.
Lord be merciful to me a sinner.
The Pharisee.
Lord I am not as other men
The doubting Christian.
Lord help my vnbeleefe
Divine Love: OR The willingness of Jesus Christ To Save SINNERS; Discovered in three Divine Dialogues, Between
- 1. Christ and a Publican.
- 2. Christ and a Pharisee.
- 3. Christ and a Doubting Christian.
With several other brief Tracts.
By V. P.
London, Printed for N. Crouch at the George over against the Stocks-Market, 1677.
TO THE READER.
THIS Treatise though small in bulk, yet may be of more use then the many great Volumes of controversy wherewith the Press and the World have so many years been tired.
The method is very plain [Page]and familiar, by way of Dialgue, though it is sometimes much abused, yet may be managed to the profit and benefit of the Reader, as I hope this is, which is intended for the use of honest plain hearted Christians, to shew them almost all (in the words of Jesus Christ himself) his exceeding willingness to save and help poor humble repenting and returning Sinners, as also his rejecting and casting off, of proud, self conceited, and self-righteous [Page]Pharisees and Hypocrites, who having never been sensible of the exceeding sinfulness of Sin, do therefore never understand the absolute necessity of a Saviour: if any poor Soul receive the least spiritual advantage by it, I have my end in this publication.
Divine Love; Discovered in Three Dialogues, • 1. Between Christ and a Publican. , • 2. Between Christ and a Pharisee: , and • 3. Between Christ and a doubting Christian.
The first between Christ and a Publican.
IN the great day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and cryed, saying, if any man thirst, let him come to me, Joh. 7.31. Then [Page 2]drew near all the Publicans and Sinners for to hear him, Luke 15.1. And he said unto one of them.
Poore Publican, what makes thee draw near to me?
Because they say (Lord) that thou art a friend of Publicans & Sinners, Mat. 11.19.
So I am, and thou art Welcome my beloved friend, sit down therefore with me, and my Disciples, Mat. 9.10.
Good Master, though I am unworthy to come into thy presence, yet through thy leave, I'le sit here at thy feet, to hear [Page 3]thy gracious words, Mark 7.25. Luke 10.39. John 12.3.
How knowest thou that my words are gracious?
Lord I have heard thee say, that Publicans & Harlots shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven before the Pharisees which think themselves far better than us, Mat. 21.31. Luke 18.11, 12.
And what say the Pharisees to that?
They murmur among themselves, and say, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them, Luke 15.2.
Didst thou ever hear [Page 4]ine Preach besides that time?
Yes, once besides, and it was the best, and comfortablest Sermon that ever I heard.
Dost thou remember any of it?
Yes, (though I have a bad memory, yet) I remember thou didst say, if a man had a hundred sheep and did loose one of them, he would leave the ninety and nine in the Wilderness, and go after that which was lost, until he find it; and when he had found it, he sayeth it on his shoulders rejoycing, and when he comes home, he calleth together his [Page 5]friends, and neighbours, saying unto them, rejoyce with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.
Is that all thou dost remember?
No, I remember somewhat more, that thou didst speak of a woman, that had ten pieces of Silver, and when she had lost one piece, shee sought for it till she had found it, and then called her neighbours together to rejoyce with her. Also thou speakest of a man that had two Sons, the one that lived still at home, and was obedient to his Father, the other that went away from [Page 6]his Father, and spent his Fathers means among harlots, till he came to Poverty; and yet when he returned to his Father, his Father did receive him willingly, and made him great welcome, and entertainment.
Well done my friend, thou hast well remembred; but dost thou know why I speak these comparisons?
No Sir, I do not well know that.
It was to comfort, and encourage the Publicans and great sinners, that did here me, and to silence the Jews that did murmur, because they came to hear me, and because I received them.
It is true Lord, there were many of us there then, but we did not know what thou didst mean by the lost sheep, the lost piece, and the wicked Son.
I did mean thy Country-men, and Companions, the Publicans, Harlots, and Sinuers, that are in a lost condition, because of your Sins, and Wickedness in the Eyes of others (as the Pharisees) quite lost, and adjudged to perish for ever.
But who was it Lord that did seek for the Lost sheep, and the Lost piece of Silver?
It was I, who am the Saviour [Page 8]of Sinners, and the Shepherd of the sheep, that am come to seek and to save that which is lost, Luk. 19.10. Mat. 18.11.
Lord I am one of those that are lost, what shall I do to be saved? Act. 16.31.
I am the way, and the door, if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and whosoever believeth on me, shall not perish, but have everlasting life, Joh. 14.6. & 10.9. & 3.15.16.
Lord canst thou save such a Sinner as I am?
Yes, I have power to save, and Power to destroy, but I came not to destroy [Page 9] Greek, [...], the Souls of men. mens lives, but to Save them, Jam. 4.12. Luk. 9.56.
And art thou willing, Lord, that I should be saved?
Yes, I am willing that all should be saved, and come to the knowledg of the truth, 1 Tim. 2.5.
But, Lord, I am a wicked and a sinful man, Luke 5.8.
I know (dear Soul) thou art so; But, I came not to call the Righteous; but Sinners to Repentance, Mat. 9.13.
But, Lord, I am not an ordinary, but an extraordinary Sinner.
Notwithstanding, poor man, hearken for thy comfort, there was a certain Creditor, that had two Debtors, the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty; and when they had nothing to pay, he freely forgave them both, Luk. 7.41, 42.
But, Lord, I am a greater Sinner then either of them both, for I have nothing but Sinned all my Life time.
What though, I am come to deliver those that were all their life time subject to Or the bondage of Sin. Bondage, Heb. 2.15.
Lord be merciful to me being a Sinner, [Page 11]for I think there is not a greater sinner upon earth then I am, Luke 18.13.
I am merciful, and I will be merciful, and will pardon thy Sins, Jer. 3.12. Heb. 8.12.
Lord, I am such a Sinner, I deserve no pardon, for I have wearied thee with my Sins.
Though thou dost not deserve pardon, and though thou hast wearied me with thy Sins, yet I will pardon thy iniquities for my own names sake, Esa. 43.25.
Lord, I do think my Sins are so great, that it is impossible for them to be pardoned.
Do not think or say so, for all things are possible to him that believeth, Mark 9.23.
But my Sins are so red, I think all the Water in the Sea cannot wash them away.
Though thy Sins be as Scarlet, they shall be as white as Snow, and though they be red like Crimson, they shall be as Wool, (if thou wilt turn to me from them) for my Blood can cleanse thee from all Sin, Esa. 1.18. 1 John 1.7.
But Lord, if I should turn to thee from them, yet they are written down and thou wilt not blot them out, Jer. 18.23.
I am he that bloteth out thy transgressions, yea, have bloted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions, and as a Cloud thy Sins; return therefore unto me, for I have redeemed thee, Esa. 43.25. & 44.22.
But if I should return unto thee, yet when I Sin again, thou wilt remember my Sins.
No, I will pardon thee, and thy Sins and iniquities will I remember no more, Heb. 10.17.
Oh Lord! I am the child of wicked parents, and thou hast said, thou wilt visit the Sins of the Father, upon the Children, to the third and fourth generation.
If a wicked Father begets a Son, that seeth all his Fathers Sins which he hath done, and considereth and doth not such like; that Son shall not bare the iniquity of the Father; Ezek. 18.14.20. Ezek. 16.3. to the 13.
But Lord were there any wicked parents that had good Children?
Yes, many, as wicked (a) Ahaz had good Hezekiah; So (b) Idolutrous Amon, zealous Josiah, and ungodly Saul, had Godly Jonathan. (a) 2 Kin. 16.20. with 2 Kin. 18.3 (b) 2 Kin. 21.21, 22. with 2 King. 22, 2.
Lord, what if I be a [Page 15]Bastard, and the Child of whoredom?
That doth not hinder thee neither to be saved, for my servant (c) Jeptha was a Bastard; so was my servant Phares who is reckoned in my own Genealogie. Compare Gen. 38.18. & 29. & Ruth 4.12. with Mat. 1.3. (c) Jud. 11.1. with Heb. 11.32.
But Lord, is there not such a Scripture, that a Bastard shall not enter into thy Congregation until the tenth Generation.
Yes there is such a (d) Scripture, and that should make People shun the Sin of [Page 16]Whoredome, but that doth not exclude men that are born Bastards after the Flesh, if they be Born again of the Spirit, either out of my Church on Earth, (now in the days of the Gospel) or yet out of Heaven, Deut. 23.2.
But what Lord, if my Father was a Bastard?
Neither doth that hinder, for Sarah the brother of Phares (who was a Bastard) begot my two wise and Godly Servants Ethan and Heman, compare Gen. 38.30. 1 Chron. 26. with Psal. 88. and Psal. 89. the titles of both being of Heman, and Ethan.
Oh Lord, I am a very old Sinner, and have one foot already in the Grave, and I fear it is too late for me now to be called.
No, it is not too late, for I call some at the ninth hour, yea some at the (e) eleventh hour. Which is but one hour before night, or a little before death. And I will pour out of my Spirit upon old men in these Gospel daies, Mat. 20.6.9. Joel 2.28. with Act. 2.17.
But Lord, I have committed such great and hainous Sins, both by speaking and doing, that I am affraid it is in vain for me to seek Mercy.
Though thou hast spoken, and done evil things, as much as thou couldest, yet return unto me, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon thee, for I am merciful, Jer. 3.5.
How shall I look upon thee, Gracious Lord, for I have multiplied sins against thee.
As thou hast multiplied sin, so will I Or will abundantly pardon. multiply pardons, if thou wilt return unto me the Lord, Esa. 55.7.
Oh but Lord, I scarce think that any so wicked as my self were saved, for I was an Idolater, an Adulterer, [Page 19]a Thief, a Drunkard, and what not that was wicked.
Such were many of my servants that are now in heaven, but I according to my own kindness, and pitty to them, saved them by washing, sanctifying and justifying them, by my own Or power Name, Blood, and Spirit, 1 Cor. 9.6, 9, 10, 11. Tit. 3.3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Oh but merciful Saviour, I was a Ring-leader of others into sin, and I enticed, and drew many into wickedness, and therfore my case is far worse then others.
As thou wast a Ring-leader, [Page 20] and Enticer of others into sin, so I can make thee a guide and leader of others into, and in the way of righteousness, as I made thy Countryman Levi and others.
But that which makes me fear most, is because I was a Blasphemer, Reviler, and Persecuter of thy people, yea many of thy Saints, did I shut up in Prison.
Yet thou shalt have mercy, because thou didst it ignorantly, through unbeliefe, 1 Tim. 1.13.
Oh but Lord, I finde my heart is hardened, through the deceitfulness and custome of sin, that I cannot hope it will ever be otherwise.
I can and will take the stony heart out of thy flesh, and I will give thee a heart of flesh, Eze. 36.26.
Lord wilt thou do all for me?
I must do all for thee, for without me thou canst do nothing, Phil. 2.13. Joh. 15.5.
Lord, what then shall I do?
Before I teach thee what thou must do, I will first shew thee, what I have done, and suffered for thee.
Good Master I desire to know that.
1. I left my own glory, and came into the world to save thee, and such sinners as thou art, [Page 22] John 17.5. 1 Tim. 1.15.
2. Though I was the onely Son of my Father, and in his own form, and equal to him; yet I took upon me the form of a servant, for thee and thy brethrens sake, Joh. 1.14. Phil. 2.6, 7, 8.
3. Though I was Heire of all things, and Possessor of Heaven and Earth, yet I became poor and hungary, that thou mightest be made rich, Heb. 1.2. Gen. 14.19. and 2 Cor. 8.9.
4. Though I deserved honour, and glory; yet I was reviled, threatned, and perscuted by my own Creatures, and all for my [Page 23]good will to thee, Heb. 2.9. 1 Pet. 2.23.
5. Though I had no sin, yet I was made sin that thou poor sinner mightest escape sin, 1 Pet. 1.19. and 2.22. 2 Cor. 1.21.
6. Though I was a Lawgiver, and Law-maker, yet I became under the curse of my own Law, that I might redeem thee from that curse, Esa. 33.22. Gal. 3.13.
7. When I had power over mine own life, and no man could take it from me, yet I laid it down for thee, that thou mightest have life, Joh. 10.18. Rom. 5.6.9. 1 Joh. 3.16.
[Page 24]8. Though I was my fathers delight, and an object of his love from everlasting, yet I became an object of his wrath, for my love to thee, Prov. 8.30. Psa. 88.16. & 102.10.
9. When thou wast an enemy, and stranger to God my Father, I made peace between him and thee, and reconciled thee to him by my death, and sufferings, Rom. 5.10. Col. 1.20.21. Eph. 2.12, 13.
10. When thou wert a slave to the Devil, and a fire-brand of Hell; I did rescue thee from the power of the one, and redeem thee from the plague and [Page 25]punnishment of the other, 2 Tim. 2.25. Amos. 4.11. Heb. 2.14. 1 Thes. 1.10.
Oh Lord I did not deserve any of this from thee.
True thou didst not deserve it, but yet I did it freely, and out of my love to thee, Rom. 3.24. Eph. 5.2.
Are all my sins, Lord, satisfied for, and done a way by thy death.
Yes, they are perfectly satisfied for, and absolutely done away out of my fathers sight, never to be imputed again to thee, 2 Cor. 5.19.
And is there nothing now in the way that hinders me to be saved?
No, there is nothing, for I have taken all things out of the way, that hindred thee to be saved, Col. 2.14.
And am I to do nothing to be saved?
No nothing at all towards thy own salvation, for I have bought thee from death, and purchased thee life, and salvation, 1 Cor. 6.20. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. Eph. 1.14.
Shall I then be saved Lord?
Yes, if thou wilt believe, and trust wholly and only upon me, and upon my righteousness and merits, thou shalt be saved, Joh. 3.36. Rom. 9.33. and Rom. 10.9.11.
Lord I would believe, [Page 27]but I partly am afraid to believe; and partly I am so weak I cannot believe.
Thou poor fearful heart, fear not, but be strong, Esa. 35.4. But tell me why thou are afaid.
Least I should presume, or least I should believe, and have no ground for my faith.
It is not presumption for thee to do what I command thee, but it is obedience, and is not my word of promise a sufficient ground for thy faith? 1 Joh. 3.23. Joh. 5.24.
Doest thou then Lord command me to believe?
Yes, fear not, believe on me, and thou shalt be saved, [Page 28]Lu. 8.50. with Act. 16.31.
But Lord though thou commandest me, yet I have no power to believe.
I will write my Laws in thy heart, and will inable and give thee power to believe, Heb. 8.10. Mat. 12.21.
Lord if thou wilt also give me power to believe, I will acknowledg I am nothing, but what I am in thee; and that I have nothing, but what I have received from thee.
Doest thou not believe?
Oh yes, now Lord I do believe, Joh. 9.38.
This is the work and gift of God that thou doest believe; [Page 29]for flesh and blood hath not wrought this in thee, Joh. 6.29. Eph. 2.8.
Oh Lord, I do acknowledg it to be thy work, but I am afraid I shall loose this faith again.
I that am the Authour of thy faith, will also finish it: be therefore of good chear, for thou art one of my Fathers children, and of my Saints, and my spirit shall abide in thee for ever, Heb. 12.2. Joh. 1.12. Joh. 4.14. John 7.38, 39.
Lord I have sinned against thy Father, and against thee, and I am unworthy to be called either his Son or thy Servant, Luk. 15.21.
Son thy sins are forgiven thee, sin no more, Luk. 5.23. John 8.11.
Lord I am afraid I shall sin again, though I desire, and resolve never to do it. But what Lord, if I should sin against my will?
Thou canst not sin willingly and wilfully; for my seed of grace will remain in thee, and if thou sinnest through weakeness, and frailty, I will be an Advocate, propitiation for thy sins, 1 Joh. 3.9. 1 Joh. 2.12.
Is it then thy will Lord, that I should have forgiveness of my sins, and doubt no more?
Yes sure, for these things have I spoken, that thou shouldest have a full assurance, and doubt no more.
But what if Sathan, when he sees me sin, will tempt me to doubt again?
Say unto him, that I am faithful and just to forgive thee thy sins, and that my blood cleanseth thee from all sin, 1 Joh. 17.
But Lord wilt not thou have me to confess my sins?
Yes, I will have thee confess them, and forsake them, 1 Joh. 1.9. Prov. 28.13.
But Lord, is it thy mind, that I should always be sorrowful?
No, but it is my mind, rather that thou shouldest always rejoyce, and have strong consolation, Phil. 4.4. Heb. 6.18.
Oh Lord, I cannot chuse but cry, and mourn, and be ashamed, and hate my self for all my former wickedness, and ungodliness Ezek. 16.61.
Thou maiest do that, and yet hold fast thy confidence; for the spirit of mourning, and the spirit of grace and adoption, may be in thy heart at once, and the one not destroy the other, Zac. 12.10.
Lord how is that?
Thou maist mourn at the sight of thy sins, as they were [Page 33]committed against me, and for thy denying, felling, and crucifying me, and yet thou maiest believe (because I have said so) that they are all pardoned. As Josephs brethren cryed, and complained for their guiltiness in selling him, yet they were glad that he was alive, and could help them in their distress, Gen. 42.21, 22.
Now Lord thou hast taught me what I should do in respect of my self, but now Lord I would do something for thee.
Come then and follow me, Mat. 9, 9. And be arose and followed him.
The second Conference between Christ, and a Pharisee.
THen one of the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, what shall I do to work the work of God, John. 6.28.
This is the work of God, that thou believe in him (viz. me) whom he hath sent, Joh. 6.29.
But Master what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life, Mat. 19.16.
If thou wilt be saved by doing, then keep the Commandements.
I have kept them all from my youth, Mat. 19, 20.
Then thou art no sinner.
Yes, we are all sinners; but I thank God I am not as other men are, Extortioners, Unjust, Adulterers, or even as this Publican, Luke 18.11.
Why, what doest thou more than this Publican?
I fast twice in the week, and give tithes of all that I possess, and concerning the Law, I live blameless, Luk. 18.12. Phil. 3.6.
Hast thou never read that they which followed after the Law of Righteousness, have not attained to the Law of Righteousness, Rom. 9.31.
No, I never observed that, but I remember another text, where God saith, I gave them my Satutes, and shewed them my Judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them, Ezek. 20.11.
Daest thou think to go to heaven by doing?
Not by doing only, but by doing good, and departing from evil.
But doth not the Law say, cursed is he that observeth not all things that are written [Page 37]in the words of the Law to do them, Deut. 27.26.
Yes, that is, whosoever breaks the Law is accursed, unless he repents for it.
The Law doth not say, unless men repent for breaking it they are accursed, but it says absolutely they are cursed, and I say, whosoever keepeth the whole law and yet offendeth in one point, he is guilty of all, Gal. 3.10. Jam. 2.10. Mat. 5.19.
I say so too, that except men keep the Law of Moses they ( a) cannot be saved, and whosoever ( b) know not, and keep not the Law, they are accursed. [Page 38]Acts 15.1.24. Joh. 7.49
Doest thou know the Law
Yes, I know the Law for I am instructed daily out of the Law, by our ( c) Doctors of the Law and holy Priests, ( c) Zeph. 3.4.
The Priests have done violence to the Law, and they that (d) handle the Law know not the Lord, (d) Jer. 2.8.
Jehovah, hath said, that the Law shall not perish from the Priests, for the Priests lips is to keep knowledg, and we are to seek the Law at his mouth, Jer. 18: 18. Mal. 2.7.
God hath said also, that the Law shall (c) perish from the Priests, and that they (f) [Page 39]shall not every man teach his neighbour any more, for all shall know the Lord, from the least to the greatest, Jer. 31.4.
I perceive thou goest about to destroy the Law.
Think not so, for I am not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it, Mat. 5.17. Luke 16.17.
I Sir, I like that, that we should fulfil the Law, that we should perform it.
Yes, Moses gave you the Law, but (a) none of you keepeth it, but (b) you have been partial in the Law. (c) Ye pay tithe of Mint, Annis, and Cumming, and have omitted the weightier matters of the [Page 40]Law, Judgment, Mercy, and Faith, Joh. 7.19. Mal. 2.9. Mat. 23.23.
It is true, we may come shore in some things, but he that keepeth the Law happy is he.
Thou that (d) restest in the Law, and makest thy boast of the Law, through breaking the Law thou doest dishonour God, and causest many to (f) stumble at the Law, verily I say unto thee, thou (g) shalt be judged by the Law, Rom. 2.17. ver. 23. Mal. 2.8. Rom. 2.12.
No, I hope rather to be justified, then to be judged by the Law.
Verily, verily, I say unto [Page 41]thee, by the deeds of the Law, there shall no flesh be justified in God: sight, Rom. 3.20 [...] Gal. 3.11.
How then shall I be justified?
The righteousness of God without the Law is manifest, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, Rom. 3.21.
What Righteousness is that?
Not a mans (h) own righteousness, which is called, the (i) righteousness of the Law; but the (k) righteousness which is of God by faith (h) Phil. 3.9. ( i) Ro. 2.26. ( k) Ro. 4.13.
What difference is there between the righteousness [Page 42]of the Law, and the righteousness of faith?
Moses describeth the righteousness of the Law, thus that the man which doth those things which the Law requireth shall live by them; but the righteousness of faith, saith, whosoever believeth on me shall be saved, Rom. 10.5.6, 11.
How can men be saved by believing in thee, for thou art but one?
As by one (l) mans offence death reigned, by one muc [...] m [...] they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gi [...] [...] righteousness, shall reign in life by me. Who am the (m) Son of righteousness, (n) and made by God my Father [Page 43]to be righteousness unto men. (l) Rom. 5.7. ( m) Mal. 4.2. [ n] 1 Cor. 1.30.
Thou bearest record of thy self, Joh. 8.13.
[o] Though I bear record of my self, yet my record is true. [p] My Father also beareth witness of me, and this is his witness, that he hath given life, and this life is in [me] his Son. [o] Joh. 8.14. [ p] 1 Joh. 5.11.
But what say'st thou, how was our Father Abraham and his seed [who lived before thee] justified and saved?
[q] Your Father Abraham rejoyced to see my day, and he saw it, and was glad, [Page 44]for [l] I was before Abraham and he and his spiritual seed, were justified and saved by faith in me. ( r) Rom. 4.3.11, 13, 16. Gal. 3.14.18.20.
But was not Abraham justified by works?
If Abraham were justified by works, be hath whereof to glory, but not before God; for what saith the Scripture, It is true Abrahams faith was accompanied with works. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for Righteousness, Rom. 4.2.3.
If I be not justified by my good works, to what end should I perform them?
Though thy good works cannot justifie thee before God, yet they may glorifie God, and be prafitable unto men, Mat. 5.16. Tit. 3.8.
Well then, I am glad my good works be good for something.
Yes, thy good works would be good for something, if thy faith like Abrahams) did work with thy works, but thou doest not believe, and all thy good works thou doest to be seen of men, Jam. 2.22. Mat. 23.5.
No, I do not do my good works to be seen of men, but to please God.
I tell thee, that without faith it is impossible [Page 46]to please God, Heb. 11.6.
But God hath said, if a man do well, he shall be accepted.
It is not for their welldoing that men are accepted with my Father, but they are made acceptable in me, and their works are accepted for my sake, Eph. 1.6. 1 Pet. 2.6.
But am I no nearer Heaven, that perform good works, than this finfull and ungodly Publican?
Thou Hypocrite that justifiest thy self, and judgest another, I tell thee, that Publicans and Harlots shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven before such as thou art, Mat. 7.5. and 21, 31.
Oh untrue, and false doctrine, to say, that those cursed men who know not the Law, should be saved before us, who are the children of Abraham, Joh. 7.49. & 8.33.
Thou blind, and selfconceited Pharisee, understandest thou not the Scripture? I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. And I say unto thee, unless thou doest believe in mee, thou art not the child of Abraham, Mat. 9.13. Gal. 3.26.
I believe in the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, [Page 48]whose child and servant I am.
If thou didst believe in God, thou wouldest also believe in me, but thou art the child of the Devil, and in bondage to this day, Joh. 8.44. Gal. 4.25.
How am I in bondage?
Thou art under the curse of the Law, and under the power of sin and Sathan; and canst never be made free, unless I make thee free, Joh. 8.34, 35, 36.
How doest thou free men?
By my (a) death and sufferings, I satisfie the Law; by the (b) power of my resurrection, [Page 49]I overcome death; and by my Spirit I (m) cast out Sathan, and (n) subdue sin, (a) Gal. 3.13. ( b) 1 Cor. 15.55.57. ( m) Mat 12.28. ( n) Rom. 8.2.
Sir, I hope to be freed another way, to wit, by my sacrifices, prayers, and good works.
Thy sacrifices and thy prayers, are an abomination unto me, and thy workes are not found perfect before God, Esa. 66.3. Prov. 15.8. and 28.9. Rev. 3.2.
What dost thou think to beat me off from my long prayers, and good works? I hope by these, together with my fasting, [Page 50]and mourning, to lay a sure, and happy foundation for my soul, for ever.
Thou worker of iniquity, that dost (a) practice bypocrisie, I tell thee thy prayers are (b) sin, thy works are done to be seen of men; thou also fastest for (c) strife, and thy mourning is but hypocritical: therefore instead of laying a sure and happy foundation, thou (d) heapest up wrath to thy self, against the day of wrath, ( a) Esa. 32.6. ( b) Ps. 109.7. ( c) Es. 58.4.5. ( d) Job. 36.13.
Sir, I am not a hypocrite, but a true child of God, and I hope I shall belived, for I know most [Page 51]good men take me for a godly and righteous man.
Though thou dost cutwardly (e) appear righteous unto men, yet within thou art full of hypocrisie and iniquity; thou seed of the Serpent, thy (f) hope will perish, for thou canst not (g) escape the damnation of hell, ( e) Mat. 23.28. ( f) Job. 8.13. ( g) Mat. 23.33.
I do not fear what thou sayest, for I am better perswaded of my self.
Though thy scared conscience, and hardned heart hinders the yet from fearing; yet fear, terrour, and trembling shall (h) surprise, and fill thy spirit, that thou shalt roare in [Page 52](i) flame; of fire, and in everlasting burnings, ( h) Es. 33.14. Deut. 32.22. ( i) Luk. 3.17. Mark. 9.43.44, 46.
I have joy and comfort in my spirit often from my performances, and I know that God will hear my prayers, that I make publickly and privately unto him.
Thou painted Sepulchre, bast thou not read! that the (k) joy of an hypacrite is but for a moment [...] and that an hypocrite shall not (l) come before God, And dost thou not (m) restrain prayer before God; and when thou praye [...]t, dost thou not do it publickly to be (n) seen of men? (k) Job. [Page 53]20.5 ( l) Job. 13.16. ( m) Job. 15.4. ( n) Mat. 6.5.
I pray in private also.
Then it is either when (o) some punishment is upon thee, or else to quiet thy carnal conscience, (s) Esa 26.16.
Mr. why dost thou reproach me in saying thus?
Thou dissembler that (p) seekest honour of men, and not the honour which commeth from God: thou art to expect nothing but shame, and (q) everlasting contempt. (p) Joh. 5.44. ( q) Dan. 12.2.
Sir, thou judgest rashly.
No, as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just and true, Joh. 5.30. and 8.16.26.
How knowest thou what I am, that thou so judgest?
I am he that searcheth the heart and trieth the reines, and I will give to every one of you according to your works, Rev. 2.23.
When thou judgest the world, what difference wilt thou make between us that serve God, and the Heathens that served him not?
The difference will be this, that your [r] condemnation will be the greater, because, [Page 55]though ye know God, yet ye served him [s] vainly, falsly, and [t] hypocritically. (r) Mat. 23.14. Mar. 12.40. Luk. 20.47. (s) Mat. 15.9. (t) Esa. 57.4.
Good Master, I would escape this condemnation, for I believe it will be great, and thy words begin to terrifie me already.
I have told thee already, that there is no other way for thee to escape it, but only by me, but yet thou dost not believe me, Joh. 10.25.
How wilt thou have me believe in thee?
First, I will have thee see thy selfe to be the (v) greatest [Page 56]and vilest of sinners, and then [...] thy [u] own righteousnesse, service, and performances, to be as filthy and me [...]ruous rags: And after thou hast denied and (w) abhorred thy selfe, then cry out, Master, save me, or else I perish; for the (x) whole need not a Physitian, but those that are sick, (v) 1 Tim. 1.15. (u) Esa. 64.6 (w) Eze. 36.31. [x] Mat. 9.12.
I doe see my self a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins. And doth nor God say, that whosoever confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall find mercy.
I say unto thee (thou luke-warm Professor) Except [Page 57]thou eatest my flesh, and drinkest my blood; and submittest unto my righteousness, thou canst not be saved, Joh. 6.53.
Well then; If I cannot be saved by my own works, and righteousness, Master, let me be beholding to thee to save me.
Hast thou not read, that (a) Salvation belongeth onely to the Lord, and that men are saved by grace, without the works of the Law; why then dost thou so (b) lightly esteem of the Rock of thy Salvation? by seeking to be justified and saved (as (c) it were) by thy own works: I tell thee again, thou must (d) [Page 58]deny thy own righteousness wholly, and look to be found in my righteousness only, else thou canst not be saved (a) Psal. 3.8. (b) Deut. 32.15. (c) Rom. 9.32 (d) Phil. 3.9.
Indeed Master, thou makest the way to Heaven very hard.
It is so hard, that many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able, Luke 13.24.
If it be as thou sayest. I am afraid that many of our best Scribes and Pharisees will come short of Heaven.
Thou maist be sure of that, for verily I say unto thee, [Page 59]Except thy righteousness, exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, thou shalt in no ease enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, Mat. 5.20.
But Master, there be some that do great works in thy name, shall not all such be saved?
No, for many will say unto me hereafter, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful things; and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from me ye workers of iniquity, Matth. 7.22.23.
But why should not such rather be saved then cast away?
Because they did [as thou dost] d [...] all th [...]se things to be seen of men, and to gain honour unto themselves, and s [...] built their Salvation upon this false foundation, as the foolish builder built his house upon the sand, which in i. e. Times of Trial and persecution. Luke 8.12. time of flood, and wind, could not [...]and, but fell, Mat. 7.26, 27.
I see thou dost reject me, I thought to be one of thy Disciples, and to follow thee.
No, I do not reject thee, but am very willing to receive thee; but first consider, what thou dost, and what it will cost, thee, if thou wilt be my Disciple, and follow me.
What will it cost me Master?
Thou must i. e. In comparison of Christ, and when they come in competition with him. Mat. 10.37. hate thy father and mother & wife and Children, and brethren, and sisters, and thine own life also; yea thou must go, and sell all that thou hast, and take up thy crosse daily, and follow me, else thou canst not be my Disciple, Luke 14.26, 27.
This is a hard saying, who can hear it, and he went away sorrowful, and followed him no more, Joh. 6.60.66. Mat. 19.22.
The third Conference between Christ, and a doubting Christian.
COme unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Mat. 11.28.
Oh Lord I am a poor heavy laden sinner that would come unto thee, but cannot come.
It is true O soul, no man can come unto me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him, Joh. 6.44.
How then Lord shall I come unto thee?
I and my Father are one, and we give power to the faint, and to them that have no might, we add strength, Joh. 10.30 Esay 40, 29.
Lord, I am altogether without strength therefore draw me unto thee and I will come.
I will draw thee unto me with the cords o [...] a man, with bands of love and with loving kindness, Hos. 11.4. Jer. 31.3. Joh. 12.32.
But Lord no [...] I look upon my selfe, I see I am unworthy to come unto thee [Page 65]yea, unworthy of the least of thy mercies.
So said my servant (a) John the Baptist, and (b) Jacob, and (c) others, yet do not judge thy selse (as the (d) Jewes did) unworthy of eternal life, (a) Mat. 3.11.6. (b) Gen. 32.10. (c) Luk. 7.7. Mat. 8.8. (d) Acts 13.46.
I [...] such men as John Baptist, and Jacob did judge themselves unworthy; how many thousand times more unworthy am I, a wretched and wicked sinner?
It is true, neither they, nor thou, could be worthy of your selves, but yet I am willing to account [Page 66]you worthy, As the prodigals Father did his Son, Luk. 15.21, 22. Luk. 20.35. and 21.36, Rev. 3.4.
But Lord, if ther [...] were any thing that were good in me, it might a little incourage me to come unto thee, but I find nothing but evil in me.
Dost thou not know [...] that without me thou canst (e) do nothing; and that a man can (f) receive nothing, except it be give [...] him from heaven. Why the [...] dost thou stay away from me who must (g) work all thy workes in thee And, (c) Joh. 15.5. (f) Joh. 3.27. (g) Esa. 26.12 2, 12.
[Page 67]2. Because thou seest nothing but evil in thee, thou shouldst thee rather come unto me, who am the (h) Fountain wherein thy unclean soul must be washed; and unless I (i) wash thee thou canst not be clean, nor have any (k) part in me, (h) Zac 13.1. (i) Eze. 36.25. and 1.9. (k) Joh. 13.8.
True Lord, thou art the Fountain and welspring of life, and it is thy blood (and nothing else) that can wash a way my sins: but how can I come near to thee, who am so wicked, that for [...]ught I know, have counted thy blood an (l) unholy thing, (l) Heb. 10.29.
Thou poor, dear, and doubting soul, what if thou hadst had a hand in crucifying me (as the Jewes had?) yet cannot I forgive thee, as I did many of them. But thou hast not counted my blood an unholy thing, for thou still desirest to have thy sins washed away by it, Act. 2.36.41.
What the Jewes did, they did ignorantly; but I have sinned against knowledge, which makes my sins worse then theirs.
If thou hast sinned against knowledge, ye thou hast not sinned so but that thou maist be forgiven: [Page 69]For my dear Disciple Peter sinned against knowledg, when he denied with an oath that he knew me not, Mat. 26.72.
Oh but yet my sins are worse then his, for his sin was but one sin, and that a suddain and short sin; but I have sinned many sins and continued long in them.
So did my beloved servant David (who was a man according to my own heart) commit several sins together, as Murther, Whoredome, &c. and continued a while too in his sins.
Oh but Lord, those servants of thine though they sinned against thee yet [Page 70]they expressed a great deal of sence of their sins, and sorrow for them; but I can neither be sensible of, nor sorrowful for mine.
Oh sweet soul, thou mistakest, and forgettest thy selfe, for thou dost often confess thy sins before me with sence, shame, and sorrow. And I hear the daily bemoaning, and complaining, and saying, I have (n) sinned against the Lord, woe is me for I am undone, (n) Job. 7 20. Psal. 51.4. Lam. 5.16.
Oh good Lord, it is not without a cause that I cry woe is me I am undone; for I think there is no [Page 71]soul in such a dangerous, and desperate condition, as mine is in.
Why doest thou think, and say so?
Because I have sinned that unpardonable sin against thy spirit.
Oh thou poor and precious soul, thou dost but think so, and fear so: But tell me how canst thou sin that sin against my Spirit, and yet pray for more of my Spirit, and so much prize my Spirit as thou dost?
Oh Lord, I have often grieved and quenched thy Spirit, and is not this to commit that unpardonable sin?
My own dear and loving children may and do sometimes grieve my spirit by sining and quench the gracious motions of it and yet do not sin that unpardonable sin, Eph. 4.30. 1 Thes. 5.19. Esay 63.10.
Oh but I can [...]nk no less, but that I have [...]red that sin, for I have had hard, cruel and desperate thoughts in my heart, against the Holy Spirit.
Though (my child) tho [...] hast had such thoughts in thy [...], yet thou hast no [...] [...]oken evil of my Spirit (as the Jewes did) which is the sin of blasphemy, [Page 73]and that unpardonable sin, Mat. 12.24, 28, 31. Mark. 3.22, to 30.
Lord I am not sure but that I have spoken evil words of thy spirit; for I know I have many times uttered vile, bitter, and cursed words.
Notwithstanding, thou didest through the violence of thy temptations and in the bitterness of thy Soul speak such words (as my servants Job, David, Jeremy, Jonah, and Peter did) yet thou hast not done despightfully (nor sinned maliciously and wilfully) against my Spirit of grace as Reprobates [Page 74]doe, Heb. 10.29. Job. 3. to 13. and 10.18. and 23.15, 16. Psa. 31.22. and 116.11. Jer. 20.14, &c. Jonah. 4.3, 4, 9. Mat. 26, 27, 74.
Oh I have been and still am very wilful, and have often sinned wilfully, and thou sayest in thy word, that if any sin wilfully after they receive the knowledge of the truth their remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Heb. 10.6.
Thou dear soul, have not I heard thee often in prayer complaining of, and bewailing thy sins, and beging earnestly for power against them; therefore it is rather against thy [Page 75]will (then wilfully) that thou dost sin.
Oh but I find sins in power in my soul, which if I were a Saint they would not be so.
My servant Paul found sin so strong in him that he confessed he was carnal, Sin was in power in Paul when it could carry him captive. and sold under sin; and that he found a law in his members, warring against the law of his mind, and bringing him into captivity to the law of sin, Rom. 14.23.
Oh but neither Paul nor any other Saint, hath sinned presumptuously as I have done.
My servant David pray'd, that he might be kept from presumptuous sins, for he was subject thereunto, Ps. 19.13. It is probable that David sined presumptuously in kiling Ʋriah. and so are the best of my Saints.
But Lord I have rebelled against thee.
So did my servants of ‖ old, but I have received ‖ gifts for the Rebellious, and to me belongs mercies and forgiveness, though thou hast rebelled against me, Dan. 9 9 ‖ Is. 1.2. and 63.20. ‖ Is 68.18.
Oh but my Rebellion is the worst Rebellion [Page 77] of all, for I have rebelled against the light; I have professed thee, and yet I have belied thee, and made an hypocritical profession; I seemed like Judas, to be thy friend, whilst in my heart I did not love thee.
The house of Israel and the house of Judah dealt treacherously against me the Lord, and belied me, and Ephraim my dear Son, compassed me about with lies, yet was I gracious to them, Jer. 5.11.12. Hos. 11.12. with Jer. 23.6. and 31.20.
But Lord, Ephraim was never so wicked as I am, and guilty of such [Page 78]Lukewarmness, Hypocrisie and Backsliding as I am guilty of.
Yea, Ephraim was a cake not turned. And Ephraim fed upon winds and provoked me to anger most bitterly, yet my bowels did still worke toward Ephraim, that I could not destroy him Hos. 8.8. and 12.1.14. with 11.8.
But I increased in sin, and the more mercies I received, the more my heart was exalted.
Even so did Ephraim sin more and more, according as he was filled, so his heart was exalted, Hos. 13.2, 6.
But Lord what [Page 79]didst thou do to Ephraim?
I drew them with the cords of man, and with bands of love, and I was as the dew unto them, Heb. 11.4. and 14.5.
Oh but I have forsaken the Lord, and backslided from thee.
So did Israel and Judah, Jer. 2, 13. and 3.6. and 4.16.
But Lord I find that my heart is bent to continual backsliding, yea, my bakslidings are encreased.
So were ‖ they yet I healed their backslidings, so will I heal thine also, Hos. 14.4. Jer. 3.14.22. ‖ Hos. 11.7. Jer. 5.6.
But I have fell into gross sins that hath dishonoured thee, and caused thine enemies to blaspheme.
So did my servant David, 2 Sam. 12.14. and others of my Saints.
I but then he did mourn and repent greatly for his sins, but I cannot do so, for I find my heart as hard as an Adamant.
So my people Israels hearts formerly were as hard as a Rock, Adamant, and Flint, Jer. 5.3. Ezek. 3.9.
Oh but I have been long (yea ever) troubled with this hardness of heart.
Though thou hast, yet I will take the stony [Page 81]heart out of thy flesh, and I will give thee a heart of flesh, Ezek. 36.26.
But I cannot repent me of the hardness of my heart.
What though, yet I am exalted to give repentance unto thee, Act. 5.31.
Oh but I do not find that I am sensible enough of my sin; for if I were I should mourn, and be ashamed for all the wickedness which I have committed against thee.
When thou doest see me whom thou hast pierced, and when thou seest that I am pacified towards thee; then thou shalt mourn, loath thy self, and [Page 82]be ashamed, for all thy sins and abominations which thou hast committed against me, Rev. 1.7. Ezek. 6.9. and 16.63.
But Lord I am a very great sinner, and I would fain see the nature and number of my sins, that I might truly repent me of them, and be humbled for them.
If thou see all thy sins with their nature, number, and aggravations, thou couldst never look upon them, but with despair as Cain and Judas. And it is not so much the sight of sin as the sight of my Love, Grace, Goodness, and Glory, that will lead [Page 83]thee to repentance, and humble thee for thy sins, Luk. 7.42.47. Zach. 12.10. Rom. 2.4. Esa. 6.5. Gen. 4.13. Mat. 27.3, 4, 5.
Oh Lord I know I am as wicked a sinner, and as ungodly a wretch as ever lived: but though I know this, yet methinks I am not broken with the sence thereof, I cannot weep nor shed tears for my sins, Oh no! I go many times to prayer and to hear Sermons, and there is no more working, nor relenting upon my soul, then if I were a dead stock, or stone.
Oh my dear soul, do not thou belie thy self, for I have heard many a sorrowful [Page 84]sigh comming from thy heart, and I have seen many a teare drop from thine Eyes: and I will yet pour out more of the Spirit of mourning upon thee▪ But what if thou didst no [...] find these things in thy self▪ yet I have offered up strong cries and teares unto my Father for thee, Ezek. 9.4. Psal. 34.17. Zack. 12.11. Heb. 5.7.
Oh Lord that I had but faith to believe that I for my selfe.
Have faith in me, and be not faithless but believing, Mat. 11.22. Joh. 20.27.
Lord I find s [...] [Page 85]much Atheism and unbelief in my heart, that I have oftentimes questionings in my selfe concerning God, and concerning the Scriptures, and word of God.
These are the temptations and suggestions of Satan, and my own Disciples were, and are troubled with them, Luk. 24.25.
Oh Lord I am troubled with a thousand temptations.
Yet fear not (my loving and dear Child) for thou hast divers temptations, yet it is that which my best Saints have had, and I will not suffer thee to be tempted above what [Page 86]thou art able, but I will succour thee in thy temptations, and I will make a way that thou shalt escape, and be delivered out of temptations, Jam. 1.2.1 [...] Cor. 10.13. Heb. 2.18. 2 Pet. 2.9.
Christian. But I think n [...] Saint hath such temptations a [...] mine, for sometimes, I am tempted to kill my selfe, and sometimes to kill others; in so much that I cannot look upon any weapon, waters, or the like, but I am ready to do my self away therewith.
Satan tempted me to cast my selfe off the Pinacle of the Temple, and he also tempted many of my dear Children, to destroy themselves: [Page 87]but do not thou harken to the Accuser (for he doth accuse thee to me and me to thee) but rather say unto him, Satan it is written, my Lord Jesus hath over-come thee, and I hope through his blood, and through his might and spirit to overcome thee likewise: say also my God hath commanded me not to kill another, nor to do hurt or violence to my selfe: therefore get thee behind me thou Lier, Murtherer, and Enemy, for I will put my trust in Christ though he kill me, and I will endeavour to live to serve him, though he [Page 88]should afterwards damn me Mat. 4.5. Rev. 12.10. Job. 12.13. Exod. 20.13. Act. 16.28. Job. 13.15.
Though I d [...] sometimes resolve against Satans temptations, and labour to resist them: yet I find my temptations are renewed; and I am not able to withstand them, for they come in as a flood upon me.
I that say unto the proud waves, hitherto shalt thou come, but no further▪ I will by my spirit put the Enemy (Satan) to flight when he comes in like a flood against thee, Job. 38.11. See Esa. 59.19. Marg.
But Lord I find [Page 89]am not only troubled with fear and sad temptations: but also with strong and powerful corruptions.
I will subdue all thy iniquities and thy sins shall not have dominion over thee, Mich. 7.19. Rom. 6.14.
Oh but this doth much trouble me, that I do not find any love in my heart to thee.
What though thou dost not, yet I will circumcise thy heart and thou shalt love me: and when thou apprehendest my love to thee, thou wilt love me again, Deut. 30.6. 1 Job. 40.19.
I have sinned (Lord) against thy mercies and abased thy love, yea love [...] my sins more then thee, therefore I cannot think that eve [...] thou wilt look upon me with any love or delight.
So did my servant David, and my people Israel do, yet as I loved them, so will I love the [...] freely; and betroth the [...] to me in loving kindnes [...] and mercy, 2 Sam 12.8 9. Hos. 2.5, and 14.4. and 2.9.
But Lord [...] have not only sin'd against thy mercies but against thy corrections, and chastisements also
So did my people Israel formerly do, for when I smote them, they went on forwardly in the way of their evil hearts, but I led them, and restored comforts to them, Esa. 57.17.18
I but my condition is worse then all that, for I have been long under the means of grace, and yet I am altogether fruitless; and like the barren Fig-tree.
Thou troubled soul, in me is thy fruit found, and I will purge thee, and thou shalt bring forth fruit abundantly, for they that are planted in my house shall flourish and be [Page 92]fat, and like a green Olive Tree, Joh. 15.5. Psal. 92.12, 13, 14.
I Lord, its true if I were a branch in thee, and a true member of thy house then I could believe these promises of thine; alas! I am neither of both, but separated from thee and thy people.
Do not say that thou art none of mine, (for [...] have bought thee with my blood) and do not speak that thou art separated from my people, for I will give thee in mine house and within my walls, a place, and a name of Son [...] and Daughters, Esa. 56.3.5.
Sure if I were not an out-cast and a Reprobate, I should not be thus (as I am) in a wilderness condition.
Israel was counted an out-cast, and she cried out, yet I was then a God to her, and she a people to me, Jer. 30.16.17.22.
Oh if I were but one of thine, I should then count my self the happiest in all the world.
Fear not my Spouse, for I am thy Husband, and thy Father.
If I were one of thy Children thou wouldst not hide thy selfe from me as thou dost.
I have hid my selfe and my face from some of my Prophers and people of old, and yet it was in love to them, and so it is to thee, Psal. 88.14. Esa. 8.17. and 64.7.
But thou hast hid thy self from me, and thou seemest also to be angry with me, Esa. 54.5. Jer. 31.9.
Fury is not with me (towards thee) and though I be angry, yet my anger is but for a moment, Esa. 27.4. and 54.8.
Yet Lord thou hast been angry with me a long time, for thou hast forgotten me.
Zion did say so, the Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me: yet I had not forgot her; for she was graven upon the palmes of my hands. Esa. 49.14.15. Jer. 51.5.
But Lord if thou had'st not forgotten me, thou would'st never have left me in such a wilderness and barren condition as I am in.
I have allured thee into the wilderness, that I might speak comfortably unto thee, Hos. 2.14.
I have been many years in trouble, and terrours, and wanting peace in my soule, which could not [Page 96]possibly have been, if I had truly believed in thee.
But now will I speak peace unto thee, and I will guide thee into the way of peace. Psal. 85.8. Luk. 1.79.
Lord wilt thou speak peace unto me and guide me into the way of peace? i. e. The Preachers Lips that Preach't peace.
I will create the fruit of the lips Peace, Peace, and my spirit shall be in thee, and his fruit shall be peace to thy soul, Esa. 57, 19. and 55.12.
But Lord thy word saith, there is no peace to the wicked.
No not to a man that will persist in his wicked way, and doth not nor will not believe in me, but thou art one of those that I bore the chastizement of thy peace, and one of the children of peace, Esa. 53.5. and 54.13.
But Lord how can I have peace, seeing a man cannot have peace before (and without) he does believe?
Thou shalt have faith and peace, and I will give peace through believing, 2 Thes. 3.16.6.
But Lord the [...] I must know that I am one of thine.
Thou shalt know that I am the Lord thy God, and that thou art one of my people, Ezek. 34.30.
Oh how shall I know that.
My spirit shall bear witness with thy spirit that thou art my Child, Rom. 8.16.
But how shall I know that it is thy spirit that beareth this witness, and that it is not the spirit of delusion?
Thou maiest know that by its power in working in thy heart which no other spirit can work alike: as also by the earnest [Page 99]and fruits thereof. 2 Cor. 5.5. and 7.22. Gal. 5.22, 23.
Lord what else shall I believe, besides being one of thine?
Dost thou believe that?
Yes Lord, I do believe that thou art Jesus the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world, Act. 8.37. Joh. 6.69. and 11.27.
But dost thou believe that I am thy Saviour.
Lord I do believe that there is no other way to be saved but only by thee, Act. 4.12.
But dost thou believe that thou shalt be saved by me.
Lord I do believe, help my unbelief, Mar. 9.24.
To thee it is given to believe, Phil. 1.29.
now Lord I doe believe.
What dost thou now believe.
I believe that thou loved'st me and did'st give thy self for me, and that thou art my Lord, and my God, and that I am justified and shall be saved by grace, Gal. 2.20. Joh. 20.28. Act. 15.11.
How cam'st thou to believe this?
Lord it is by thy gift and work that I do believe it, Eph. 2.8. Heb. 12.2.
Well; now thou dost believe what wilt thou do?
Lord what wilt thou have me to do? Act. 9.6.
If thou love me, keep my words, Joh. 14.23.
What are those words of thine?
Search the Scriptures; for they are able to make thee perfect and wise unto salvation, and to furnish thee for every good work, Joh. 5.39. 2 Tim. 3.16.17.
But Lord how shall I understand thy word?
I will make known my words unto thee, Pro. 1.23.
But Lord is there no danger of my departing and falling away from thee now I do believe?
No, the Mountains shall depart, and the Hills be removed, but my loving kindness shall not depart from thee, Esa. 54.10. Jer. 32.40.
Lord I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart, Phil. 1.19.69.
I have redeemed thee that thou should'st serve me without fear, in [Page 103]Holiness and Righteousness, all the days of thy life: Luk. 1.69.
Come ye Children and I will declare what my Lord have done for my soul.
My SOƲL shall make her boasts of the LORD, the humble shall hear this and be glad, and magnifie the LORD with me, and let us Exalt his Name together, Psal. 34.11.2, 3.
The Threefold State OF A CHRISTIAN DISCOVERED.
viz.
- By Nature.
- By Grace.
- And in Glory.
With the Character of a Christian.
A Miscellany of Divine Contemplations, Obserservations, and Directions to a holy Life and Conversation.
By V. P.
Printed for N. C. 1677.
The Threefold State of a Christian Discover'd.
1.
BY Nature I was born of the flesh, Joh. 3.6.
By Grace, I am born of the Spirit. Joh. 3.6.
In Glory, I shall have all Spiritual priviledges, Joh. 1.12.
2.
By Nature, I was all flesh. Joh. 3.6. Gen. 6.5. & 8.21.
By Grace, I am flesh and spirit, Rom. 7.20.23.25. Gal. 5.17.
In Glory, I shall be all spiritual. 1 Cor. 15.44.50.
By Nature, I walked after the flesh, 2 Cor. 10.3. Rom. 8.4.
By Grace, I walk in the spirit, Gal, 5.16. Rom. 8.4.
In Glory, I shall be quickned by the spirit. Rom. 8.11.
4.
By Nature, I did mind wholy the things of the flesh Rom. 8.5.
By Grace, I do mind chiefly the things of the spirit, Rom. 8.4.
In Glory I shall mind only things spiritual.
5.
By Nature, I was dead in sin, Eph. 2.1. 1 Tim. 5.6.
[Page 109] By Grace, I am quickened from sin, Eph. 2.5.
In Glory, I shall be quite freed from sin.
6.
By Nature, I did lie in Iniquity, 1 Joh. 5.19.
By Grace, I do live in all piety, Tit. 2.12. 2 Tim. 3.12.
In Glory, I shall enjoy perfect purity, Rev. 21.4.
7.
By Nature, I was under the Law of sin and death, Rom. 8.2.
By Grace, I am made free by the Law of the Spirit of life, Rom. 8.2.
In Glory, I shall triumph over sin and death, 1 Cor. 15.55, 56, 57.
By Nature, I did hate God, and his Law, Psal. 15.21. and 18.15. and 2.3. Rom. 1.30.
By Grace, I do love God and his Law, Psal. 116.1. and 11.19.22. 1 Joh. 4.59.
In Glory, I shall for ever delight in God, and do his Law.
9.
By Nature, I despised all Instruction, Prov. 1.7.
By Grace, I desire all Information, Pro. 11.25. Psa. 86.11.
In Glory, I shall attain clear apprehension, 2 Cor. 3.6.
[Page 111]10.
By Nature, I communicated with the vilest sinners. Psal. 1.1. Mat. 24.49.
By Grace, I kept company with the best Christians Cant. 1.7. Act. 9.26. 1 Joh. 1.3.
In Glory, I shall know all Saints and live with them, Luke 13.28. Mat. 27. - 53 and 15.28. 1 Thes. 3.15.
11.
By Nature, I persecuted Godliness, Act. 26.14, 15.
By Grace, I profess it in power. 1 Tim. 6.12.
In Glory, I shall have the price, Phil: 3.14.
[Page 112]12.
By Nature. I was one of the world Joh. 15.18, 19.
By Grace, I am chosen out of the world, Joh. 15.19.
In Glory, I shall be separated from the world, Mat. 13.49. and 25.3.33.
13.
By Nature, I was in darkness 1 Pet. 2.9. Eph. 5.8.
By Grace, I walk in the Light Joh. 8.12. 1 Thes 5.4.
In Glory, I shall dwell with the Light, 1 Tim. 6.16
14.
By Nature, I was naked and bloody, Jer. 6.15. Ezek. 16.7.
[Page 113] By Grace, I am array'd with the robe of Innocency, Rev, 29.8.
In Glory, I shall be cloathed with Immortallity, 2 Cor. 5.3.
15.
By Nature, I was a stranger, Eph. 2.12.
By Grace, I am Gods freind, Isa: 41.8. Joh. 15.10
In Glory, I shall be his favourite for ever, Pro. 3.4. and 8.25.
16.
By Nature, I was an Enemy, Rom. 5.10.
By Grace, I am Reconciled, Col. 1.21.
In Glory, I shall be saved, Rom. 5.10.
[Page 114]17.
By Nature, I was condemned, Joh. 3.18.
By Grace, I am justified Act. 13.39. Rom. 3.24.
In Glory, I shall judg, 1 Cor. 6.2. Mat. 19.28.
18.
By Nature, I departed from God, Jer. 17.5.
By Grace, I draw near t [...] God, Heb. 7.19.
In Glory, I shall abide with God, Joh. 8.34.
19.
By Nature, I was Satha [...] slave, 1 Tim. 2.26.
By Grace, I am the Lor [...] Free-man, 1 Cor. 7.2 [...] Gal. 4.31. 1 Tet. 2.2 [...]
In Glory, I shall be a Citiz [...] [Page 115]of Zion, Eph. 2.19.
20.
By Nature, I was free from righteousness, Rom. 6.20.
By Grace, I am free through righteousness, Rom. 3.25. 2 Pet. 1.1.
In Glory, I shall raign in righteousness, Rom. 5.21.
21.
By Nature, I lived in fear, Heb. 2.15. Gal. 4.15. Rom. 8.15.
By Grace, I live by faith, Gal. 2.20. 2 Cor. 5.7.
In Glory, I attain the end of my faith, 2 Pet. 1.9.
22.
By Nature, I was without [Page 116]hope, Eph. 2.12.
By Grace, I rejoyce in hope, Rom. 5.2.
In Glory, I shall need no hope, 1 Cor. 13.13.
23.
By Nature, I was without all the promises, Eph. 2.13.
By Grace, I am under all the promises, 2 Cor. 1.20.
In Glory, I shall partake of all things promised.
24.
By Nature, I was the child of the Devil and of Hell, 1 John. 3.10. Mat. 23.15.
By Grace, I am a child of God, and a stranger in [Page 117]the world, Gal. 3.26.29.
In Glory, I shall be an heir of God and of heaven, Rom. 8.17. Heb. 11.7.
25.
By Nature, I was in constant danger, Mat 5.22.
By Grace, I am in continual safety, Psal. 4.8. Joh. 10.28.29.
In Glory, I shall be in an Impregnable sanctuary, Isa. 45.17.
26.
By Nature, I sought to go to Heaven by my own righteousness, Rom. 10.3.
By Grace, I seek to go to Heaven without my own [Page 118]righteousness, Phil. 3.9.
In Glory, I shall be in Heaven absolutely righteous, Eph. 5.27. Jud. 8.14.
27.
By Nature, I sought my self only, Phil. 2.21. 2 Tim. 3.5.
By Grace, I seek Gods glory chiefly, Phil. 1.11. 1 Cor. 10.31.
In Glory, I shall give it to him wholly, Rev. 5.12, 13.
28.
By Nature, I was lost, Luk. 19.10. 1 Pet. 2.25.
By Grace, I am found, Luk. 15.24.
In Glory, I shall be at home, 1 Cor. 2.
[Page 119]29.
By Nature I knew nothing, 1 Cor. 8.2. Rom. 3.11.
By Grace, I know in part, 1 Cor. 13.12.
In Glory, I shall know even as I am known. 1 Cor. 12.
30.
By Nature, My services were abominable, Pro. 15.8.
By Grace, My services are acceptable, 1 Pet. 2.5.
In Glory, My services shall be rewarded, Mat. 6.4. and 10.41.
31.
By Nature, I was like a beast Psal. 73.22. and 45.12.
By Grace, I am like a Prince, Gen. 23.6. Rev. 1.6.
In Glory, I shall be like an [Page 120]Angel, Luke 20.36.
32.
By Nature, My body was the Temple of sin, Rom. 6.12.
By Grace, My body is the Temple of the holy spirit, 1 Cor. 6.19.
In Glory, My body shall be raised spiritual, 1 Cor. 15.44.
33.
By Nature, I did glory in my shame, Phil. 3.19.
By Grace, I am ashamed of my sin, Rom. 6.21.
In Glory, I shall be without sin and shame, Heb. 9.28.
34.
By Nature, I was like the dirt and mire, most filthy, [Page 121] Isa. 57.20. and 10.6.
By Grace, I am like the Moon in beauty, Cant. 6.10.
In Glory, I shall be like the Sun in Glory, Mat. 10.43.
35.
By Nature I sate in the shaddow of death, Luk. 1.79.
By Grace, I do sit virtually in the Kingdom of Life, Eph. 2.6.
In Glory, I shall sit on his Throne Eternally, Mat. 19.40. Rev. 3.21.
The Character of a true Christian, with some Divine Contemplations, Observations, and Directions to a Holy Life.
1.
A True Christian is one that hath had clear convictions of sin, (especially his Master sin & unbelief) and of Christ, that is, the want and worth of him; and of Judgment, that is, of punishment, as the due desert of sin, Joh. 16.8.
He is unbottomed and broken off from himself, he hath no confidence in himself; his Birth, Education, Parts, Performances, and best works, are impure and imperfect in his own sight, Phil. 3.3. Isa. 64.6.
3.
He is hardly brought to believe; he hardly believes that he doth believe, and hardly casts away his confidence, when he doth once truly believe.
4.
Upon selfe suspition he doth greatly desire to be searched, and doth earnestly search himself, Psal. 139.1. [Page 124]and last, and Psal. 77.6.
5.
He doth resolve never to go on in any sin, or to neglect any duty.
6.
He prays to God most against his dearest and Master sin, and praises God most when he hath power against it.
7.
He never repents for any sin he hath forsaken, for any good he hath done, or for any affliction he hath suffered for Christ.
8.
He hath Love to all Christians, and seeks Unity among all, and makes Union [Page 125]and Godliness the ground of his fellowship and Communion, Phil. 1.5. 1 Pet. 2.17. Rom. 14.4. 1 Cor. 1.9, 10.
9.
In reading the Scripture he observes what helps on his holiness, and teacheth self-denial, as well as what increaseth knowledg.
10.
He cares not what he hath, whether he goes, nor what he suffers with Christ and for him without sin.
11.
His faith helps on his holiness, and his holiness helps up his faith.
[Page 126]12.
Though he alwaies resolves to follow Christ, through every condition, yet he much suspects and fears that he shall not be able to hold out.
13.
He seeks and prizes holiness to serve God here, as much as happiness hereafter.
14.
He fears God and sin, more then men and suffering, Gen. 39.9. Dan. 3.17.18.
15.
He neglects not his duty though he knows there is great danger in doing of it, Deut. 6.10.
[Page 127]16.
He is one that is careful to lay in, and to get true grace in his heart, as well as in his profession; as the wise Scribe, Mat. 13. and wise Virgin, Mat. 25.
17.
He can and dare do nothing against the Truth, 2 Cor. 13.8. especially if he knows it.
18.
He cleaves to the Lord, and follows after the Lord fully in the worst times, and when others forsake him, Num. 14.24. Joh. 6.68.
19.
He respects all, and rejects none of Gods commandments, [Page 128] Psal. 119.6. 2 Sam. 22.23.
20.
He takes patiently and thankfully, the harshest words and the hardest dealings of God, 1 Sam. 3.18. 2 Kings 20.19. Job. 1.14. to the end.
21.
He is much affected with, and afflicted for the sufferings of the Godly, and the sins of the wicked; as David, Jeremiah, Lot, Paul, &c.
22.
He is one that when he is recovered from his former backsliding, remembers his former good condition and prizes it, and praises God, [Page 129]and hates his sin more then he did before, Hos. 2.7. and 14.2.3.8.
23.
He seeks and esteems sincerity more then any garnishing gifts & prizes, plain and poor Christians that are honest and upright, more then they that have parts and wealth if they be less sincere.
24.
He is one that exerciseth a good conscience in all things.
25.
He is one that fears God and his name, and desires Grace for Grace sake, Neh. 1.11.
[Page 130]26.
He is one that prays at his first conversion, Acts 9.11. God hath no still-born Children.
27.
He beholds Christ in the deepest affliction, as well as in the most spiritual ordinance.
28.
He believes he shall sooner overcome his outward Enemies by praying for them, then by praying against them.
29.
He prefers Christ before self, and suffering before sinning.
[Page 131]30.
He desires to live so holy that we may keep Christ in heaven undispleased; the spirit within him ungreived, his conscience undefiled, unwounded and unseared, his profession unstained, his brethren unoffended, and poor sinners unstumbled.
31.
His care is to wait on God, to walk with God, to work all his works in and for God, to bring his will to submit to the will of God in all things, to glorifie God, and to gain good to himself by all he doth and suffereth, to do what good he can to others, [Page 132]and receive what good he can from other Christians to deny himself, and to be found in Christs righteousness without his own, Phil. 3.9.
32.
A true Christian will desire to be freed from, 1. Doubts of his Eternal condition, 2. From the power of corruption, 3. From the fire of the Law in his conscience, 4. From the fierce Temptations of Sathan, 5. From scruples in matters of opinion, 6. From wicked places and persons, where he can neither do, nor receive good, nor be without danger of Evil, [Page 133]7. From a bad frame of heart, as hardness, straightness, Lukewarmness, 8. From the fear of Death.
33.
A true Christian desires, 1. To know God in Christ, 2. To know himself in Christ, 3. To know Christ in him, 4. To know himself as he was without Christ, Eph. 2.12. 1 Tim. 1.13. Wicked and wretched in respect of sin, unwilling to good, and weak in respect of good, Rom. 3.9.10, 11. and 8.7. and 5.6.
A Miscellany of Divine Contemplations, Observations and Directions to a Holy Life.
1.
A Christian is to put forth his faith in prayer, and afterwards to follow his prayer with faith.
2.
Reading of the Scripture helps Meditation, Meditation Prayer, and Prayer every good work.
Man may come too late to God when the door is shut, but God never comes too late to men, Luk. 13.26. Mat. 20.6.
4.
Pray that thy last days and last works may be best, and that when thou comest to die, thou maist have nothing else to do but to die.
5.
'Tis very hard to behold our own gifts without pride, and the gifts of others (if they excel ours) without envy.
6.
Do not commend thy friend, nor discommend [Page 136]thy soe too much, least thou be judged to be partial.
7.
Oh my Soul! will neither great Love, great Mercy, great Forbearance, great Intreaty, great Patience, great Promises, nor great Wages, prevail with thee to serve Christ free, better, and more constant and selfdenying.
8.
A deep sence of sin, begets deep sorrow for sin; and true sorrow for sin leads to well-grounded faith; and from hence flows inward Peace, Joy, and Holiness,
A Passionate and troubled spirit is like a little Rill of water, which every shower of rain changeth the colour of it, and makes it muddy.
10.
The fear of death is ingrafted in the common Nature of all men, but faith works it out of Christians.
11.
Nothing will be terrible where the love of God is apprehended, and nothing grievous where love to Christ is excercised.
12.
Careless hearing makes carnal hearts, and carnal [Page 138]hearts makes cursed lives.
13.
Oh my Soul! look for death hourly, long for it greatly, prepare for it carefully, meet and welcome it joyfully for it is Christs servant to direct his spouse (the Soul) to him, and thy friend that comes to set thee at liberty from thy sins; It will discharge thee from thy prison, dismist thee from thy sorrows, and bring thee at once to enjoy all thy desires.
14.
Christians, though disagrecing in opinion, should agree in affection; and [Page 139]though differing in controversie, yet should agree in charity.
15.
He that cannot pitty the sinner and hate sin, doth not reprove out of love to Christ, nor from a gracious spirit.
16.
God makes Christians feel him, (or his hand) that he may hear them; strokes makes crys, and whippings mournful complaints to him.
17.
My Soul! bear up with Christ, bear off from Sathan and the world, bear down thy corruptions, [Page 140]and bear forth thy Testimony.
18.
Clear knowledge of Christ in the understanding, begets fervent love in the heart; and both godliness in the life.
19.
He that would live for himselfe (only or cheifly) in the world, is not worthy to live a day in it.
20.
I would be glad to be out of the world when I have no service to do for God in it.
21.
God hath set the tongue between the brains and [Page 141]heart, that it may advise with both, and guarded it with Teeth to keep it in, and yet how unruly it is.
22.
A Christians security, and safety is, in doing his duty; and he should always Study his duty more then his safety; for if he will take care to please God, God will take care to preserve him.
23.
The love of the Master, the sweetness of the service, and the greatness of the reward, are sufficient encouragements to serve Christ.
[Page 142]24.
The heaviest afflictions on earth are but light in comparison of Christs sufferings, sins desert, or the punnishment of the wicked in Hell.
25.
Lay in, lay up, lay out for Christ, and remember that you will shortly reach immortallity, but never Eternity.
26.
Oh Christian, why should not he please thee, who art but finite, that pleases God who is infinite, even Jesus Christ.
27.
A Christian should desire [Page 143]to dye that he may be fully freed from sin, and have a full fruition of Christ that he may be above all fears and doubts, and may be able to serve the Lord incessantly and unweariedly.
28.
A true Christian when he goes from hence, changes neither his work nor company; but his place and condition only.
29.
Be still imployed in doing good, and you shall not be much tempted, or troubled with evil, for the Devil hath great advantage, both against those [Page 144]that are idle or ill-imployed. David was found guilty of the first, 2 Sam. 11.2. and Jehosophat in the last, 2 Chron. 10.31.
30.
Sence of Misery must precede sence of Mercy, and the more we feel and fear Misery, the more we desire, seek for, and prize Mercy.
31.
It is the least of afflictions to be afflicted by men, for they can afflict but the outward man only; and of all E [...]emies man is the [...]ake [...]t E [...]my; But God, [...], yea Satan, and [...] do afflict the [...] is more intollerable.
[Page 145]32.
That Christian is most in prayer that hath most sence of his own wants, and is most comfortable ordinarily, that is most penitent, and the same word in the Greek signifies to want and to pray; and the same word in Hebrew, to repent, and to comfort.
33.
Be more thoughtful and careful how to use what you have to Gods glory, then to gain more.
34.
Take heed of being humbled and yet unhumbled, that is, of being brought outwardly Low, and yet [Page 146]the heart continue still high.
35.
Sometimes Ejaculations, or short and suddain pantings, and breathings out of desires to God, may be more acceptable to him, and more prevailing with him then long prayers.
36.
Never reckon what thou hast of outward & worldly things, unless it be to praise God for them, or to serve, God better with them.
37.
It is the property of a true Christian to justifie God, and to judg himself [Page 147]under the greatest afflictions.
38.
Learn to know sin, to disallow of it, to dispise it, to overcome it inwardly and to put it from thee: to fear its return, and to be more estranged toward it, more watchful to avoid Temptations, and wise to shun occasions that lead to it.
39.
To dye should be no more to a Christian then to breath, or to pass over a great River on a sure Bridge, or in a safe Boat, or to return from a field where a man hath been [Page 148]working, to his own house to take his rest.
40.
Make hast to do thy work (Christian) and God will make hast to give thee thy wages.
41.
The hardest dutys in Christianity are, to deny self, and to destroy sin.
42.
A heart unconverted, is contented with nothing but what is helping it on to Hell, and it hath never enough of that (to wit sin); and a heart converted, is never satisfied but with what helps it toward [Page 149] heaven, and yet thinks he hath never enough thereof; to wit Christ and Grace.
43.
To take pains about unnecessary and unprofitable things, is laboriously to mispend time.
44.
Get Christ (O Christian) to bind thy conscience to the peace, and thy affections and flesh to the good behaviour.
45.
Be not ambitious of love, and greatness, and thou shalt not be so soon an object of Envy.
[Page 150]46.
He that converts a sinner, covers a world (or multitude) of sins, and gains more then a world, to wit, a Soul, Jam. 5.20. Pro. 11.30.
47.
Take heed of covering any mans good with his evil, but let the one plead for him, as well as the other against him.
48.
One of the chiefest works of the soul, is selfe examination, and yet a Christian will find himself most backward thereto, and soonest weary therein.
[Page 151]49.
Seasonable and unexpected mercys are very sweet and acceptable.
50.
The more a soul is exercised in spiritual meditation, the less with carnal Temptation; and the more frequent and powerful in private prayer, the more free from, and the more potent against Corruptions.
51.
Sin was condemned by Christ to save the sinner, Rom. 8.3. Oh! then let not the sinner seek to save the sin, to wound Christ again.
[Page 152]52.
Quick onsets and Endeavours to reform, are far better then many purposes and Resolutions.
53.
Small sins yielded to make way for greater, and one sin for another.
54.
Be sure to praise God when you receive power against sin and Temptation; and you shall be sure to find God ready to give you power another time when you want it.
55.
When and where wickedness is most, then and there the godly should [Page 153]strive to be most godly. It is a sign of sincerity to be good in bad times and in bad places and among bad persons, as Noah, Lot, and Joseph were.
56.
At the day of death (but especially at the day of Judgment) a Christian will wish he had sinned less, served God, and suffered for him more.
57.
If Christians were not sometimes afflicted, they would forget both themselves and others; for affliction works humiliation in men themselves, and compassion toward others.
[Page 154]58.
It is a hard thing for a profane man to attain the Shaddow of Religion; or for a careless (though true) Christian to attain the substance. And it is hard for a true Christian that hath the substance, to keep up the sence and savour, either of the excellency of Jesus, or the evil of sin, always in his heart.
59.
Oh! what time do Christians mispend; what duties do they neglect, what mercies do they slight, what corruptions do they embrace, what Temptations do they lie [Page 155]under; what corrections do they undervalue. Oh! what heart qualms, and fleshly weaknesses cry out upon us to make ready? and yet how unready, how unripe, how unwilling, how unmindful, and unthoughtful are we of our latter end? and this is because we are unassured of Christ, unweaned from the world, unweary of sin, unbroken from self, and unapprehensive of the glory to be revealed and enjoyed hereafter.
60.
Fear thy friends more then thy foes, thy sins more then thy sufferings, [Page 156]and liberty more then bondage.
61.
Christians should not give offence carelesly, nor take offence causlesly.
62.
Bad times well Improved, are far better then good times not redeemed or mispent.
63.
It is and shall be the care of a Christian, not to suffer for sin, nor to sin in suffering.
64.
There is no real bondage, but what is either from sin, or for sin.
[Page 157]65.
Affections, parts, or applause from the world, or from Christians are very dangerous, and not to be trusted in.
66.
I never trusted Christ but I found him faithful; nor my own heart, but I found it false.
67.
Shut thy eyes from beholding thy ears from hearing and thy heart from entertaining sin.
68.
Take heed of reproving or upbraiding another in passion, or to provoke them thereto; for 'tis [Page 158]better be silent, then sin in speaking; 'tis better to keep thy light under a bushel, then to put it into the hand of him that will blow it out, or tread it under his feet.
69.
Self-loathing, destroys self-love, and the more we loath our selves, the better we love others.
70.
Christians should not envy the patience of God toward their enemies, for it is nothing in comparison of what grace he shows to them.
71.
Of all men a Christian [Page 159]may be freer to lose or to part with any thing then another man, for he loses nothing but what is hurtful to him (to wit his sins) or what he shall regain and recover of a better sort, and in a more abundant degree. As if he lose a small Temporal Estate, he hath in reversion an Eternal inheritance. If he lays down a body that is full of Corruption, he shall have another free from corruption; and therefore he may say, better then the Heathen could, what I keep, I lose, and what I give or lay out, I save.
[Page 160]72.
Sins best is before, but its worst is behind; and the sting and Tayl of it is longer then it self; where sin is not killed, it will kill.
73.
A Christians conversation should keep from the shew of sin, and his conscience from the guilt of it.
74.
The power and strength of corruption is but seldome known, to wit, when Temptations, Opportunities, and Occasions of Tryal come.
[Page 161]75.
The best way to keep from Sin, is to set God in his power, Purity, and Glory still before our eyes; to fear our selves, to keep near Christ, to fast and pray privately; to engage other Christians for our help; to cherish the holy spirit, to keep up constant practice of holiness; to provide contrary means against it, to resolve strongly to withstand it, to eye Gods promises, commands and threatnings; to withstand the first occasions of sin; to reason it off at a distance, to believe it away when it comes near; [Page 162]to avoid all occasions thereof, and to keep on still the Armour of God.
76.
Christians are often apt to be most weary of that condition that doth them most good; like Peter, not understanding what Christ did in washing his feet, Joh. 13.1.9.
77.
Christians in and under afflictions, should be growing holy; and through their afflictions should be going on toward happiness; affliction is part of the way of sanctification leading to salvation, and it is like an up-hil, leading [Page 163]to an house that is on the top of an hill, for so is heaven; and the greatest hardship is nearest the end of the journey.
78.
They have but a slight profession whose profession doth not lead them out of sin and through sufferings, & he that is worse under affliction, as Ahar, may well fuspect his own sincerity.
79.
Christ will soon be sensible of those Christians afflictions, that are sensible of their own sins.
80.
It ought to be a great [Page 164]part of a Christians trouble, that he can be no time what he should be, that is, sinless and servicable; that he is not at all times, what he is sometimes, that is, slighting sin, Judging himself, Loving Christ, and dispising the world greatly.
81.
It is strange, and a very bad sign, to see Christians, look more upon the sins of the wicked; to ripen them for misery, then to mind self-humiliation and holiness, to ripen and fit themselves for mercy.
82.
He loves not a reprover, not values his reproof, never [Page 165]profits thereby; but is more his sins then his souls Friend.
83.
'Tis a sign of a hard heart to desire the Eternal destruction of the wicked, for obtaining of their own Temporal, and Corporal liberty, safety, or honour; as if one should desire to have another cast into the fire and be burnt, that himself may be warmed thereby.
84.
In the midst of earthly businesses the soul should redeem some special time for secret and private duties.
[Page 166]85.
It is the will of Christ that Christians should rejoyce more in what Christ hath done for them, then in what they have done or can do for him.
86.
Christ kept the Law legally, Christians kept it evangellically; He kept it perfectly, they kept it with full purpose and endeavour.
87.
Ask thy soul (O Christian) whether he be willing to receive Christ upon his own Terms, and for his own sake, and to accept of pardon and life through him freely, without [Page 167]looking at all upon thy own righteousness. Art thou contented that Christ should be honoured in and by thee, and that thou shouldst be despised, and dishonoured for his sake?
88.
God doth never out-speak, or out-promise his Power, Truth and Faithfulness.
89.
He is a strong Christian that seeks Gods Glory more then his own salvation, but he is no Christian that seeks neither.
90.
It is a great ease to, and an unburtherning of the [Page 168]to confess sin, sensibly, humbly, brokenly, and with hatred to it.
91.
Christ and sin are most magnified in the eyes of believers in their affliction; but in a very different manner, and to a different end: For Christ appears as the greatest good, and sin as the greatest evil; and then Christ will be most desired, and sin most despised
92.
It is the duty of a Christian to suspect and search himself, when he doth not know evil by himself.
[Page 169]93.
Account the least spiritual thing better then the greatest and best of outward and temporal things.
94.
Keeking from sin is Soul-preservative Physick; but repentance for sin is Soul-Restorative Physick.
95.
Strive greatly to have and excercise a good conscience toward God and men; to commit thy Soul, Life, and condition to the Lord; and then expect the worst of men, and the steb of Christ.
96.
Thou must die once [Page 170]whether thou suffer or no, and thou canst but die once if thou suffer.
97.
The sins of Christians are new sufferings to Christ; and the sufferings of Christians are wounds of Christ, Eph. 1.30. Ezek. 6.9.
98.
Labour to act those Graces chiefly that are most contrary to your Mastersins.
99.
A Christian may know the weight of sin, by the sufferings of Christ; for if that strong Bar of Steel did bend under the weight [Page 171]of our sins; what shall poor weak man do, who is but a reed or rush.
100.
Sathan accuses God to men, and men to God; but Christ excuses and answers all his accusations against his people.
101.
He that will not take example from others, shall make an example himself.
102.
O Lord as a sign that I shall be able to die for thee! let me find my corruptions dying in me, by power from thee.
103.
He that loves not Christ [Page 172]more then his life, is like to lose Christ, and his life; but he that loves Christ more than his life, will be sure to save and keep both, Mark. 10.49. Luke 14.26.
104.
Christians should account restraints from sin, great mercys to them, but Recoveries out of sin, with spiritual advantage, greater.
105.
Sin hath no Mother but a mans heart, nor Father but Satan.
106.
Satan draws the Soul into it, either by Power or Policy by Force or by Fraud.
[Page 173]107.
A Christian should desire to have his heart tyed to the Lord, and to be strong in faith upon Christ, in Love to Christ, and in Resolution for him.
108.
The reason why men do not more magnifie Gods grace, is because they do not behold their own vileness; and the reason why men do not see their own vileness more, is because they do not apprehend Gods goodness more clearly and fully.
109.
When a Christian comes to be as weary of his sins as [Page 174]of his afflictions, God will certainly put an end to them.
110.
There will be a reviving of old sins, if there be not effectual repentance for them, and a care by faith through all duties and ordinances, to get new strength against them, and a constant watch kept over them.
111.
A Christian comes not to know the weakness of his grace, till the spirit ceases to work in and by it; nor the power of his corruption till Satan works therein by his Temptations.
[Page 175]112.
It should trouble a Christian much to have such Graces as he receives from God, beget so little good in him.
113.
The Lord would soon turn from his wrath, if men were turned from their wickedness.
114.
He commands most and best that commands in love, humility, and self-denyal.
115.
The world is a great nothing, deluding the bad, and disturbing and distracting the good.
[Page 176]116.
The Holy Law of God teaches a man to see his own deformity, and requires from a man Conformity to it self.
117.
Sathan works more upon men by slight then by might; avoid therefore his cunning, and thou wilt avoid his cruelty.
118.
He hath not learned to rule well, that hath not learned to obey well.
119.
An even, through-paced, self-fearing, heart-melting Christian is always best.
[Page 177]120.
Rusling, opinion-souring, and Church-renting persons, and professors, have commonly more self then grace, if any at all.
121.
The less a man strives for himself, the more will Christ strive for him.
122.
Thoughts of our own death will much tend to deaden sin.
123.
Prayer is a good preparative to suffering; when Christ had prayed, he went out to meet Judas, Joh. 18.4.
[Page 178]124.
Be never at peace with sin, Satan, or Christs implacable Enemies.
125.
In two cases 'tis hard to act Faith. 1. When there is nothing sensible or visible to second and support it. 2. When there is very much of these outward things to fill and take the senses withal.
126.
As Christ was saved from death though he died, Heb. 5.7. So are true Christians when they overcome death by their resurrection through Christ.
[Page 179]127.
Learn by lighter crosses to look and prepare for heavier.
128.
As our good works and [...]rformances should have an operation upon our souls and hearts to strengthen faith, so should our weaknesses and sins to work Repentance.
129.
No power can keep him in Bond whom truth and innocency acquits.
130.
If thou hast faln into sin through violent temptations seek speedily for Repentance for it, recovery [Page 180]out of it, and Reformation under it. If God hath kept thee from falling, still fear, watch, pray, and live by faith in Christ.
131.
Prepare your self for death and pull out its sting. 1. By bewailing sins past. 2. Turning to God in time to come. 3. Purposing a new life, none can dy ill that hath had a care of living well; perswade your self, if you live well, you shall die well; and if you die well, doubt not but you shall have Eternal Happiness.
132.
Wish not for a long life, [Page 181]so much as for a good life; he hath lived long who hath lived well; a short life in grace, endeth in an everlasting life of Glory.
133.
Distrust not Gods providence in any matter, although you see the means wanting, neither when you have them, let them be re [...]ed on more then God himself, but pray to him for the prosperous use of them.
134.
Love all things for Gods sake, and God only for his own, and look you make him your friend whosoever be your enemy for [...] this you shall do, if as an [Page 182]obedient Child, you always live in the eye of your heavenly Father.
135.
Give no offence to any man justly, whether within or without; for wo to them by whom offences come.
136.
Carry your self unto all, so as the weak may be won, the strong may be comforted, and the wicked be ashamed.
137.
Delight to do all the good you can to Gods Children, and to receive all the good you can from them.
[Page 183]138.
Think it the greatest work in the world to die well, which to do, you must inure your self to die before hand. 1. By dying to your sins. 2. Learning the word of affection before it actually leave you. 3. In your last learning of if, do it willingly, yea joyfully, whensoever, wheresoever, or howsoever God shall call you.
139.
Greive for nothing so much in the world, as for your own sins, and in them for nothing so much as for offending so loving a God.
[Page 184]140.
Let your meat, apparel, and recreation be lawful, needful, and moderate.
141.
Labour alwaies to learn to die, defie the world, deny the Devil, despise the flesh, and delight your self in the Lord; be penitent for your sins past and present, and yet despair not; be strong in Faith, and yet presume not. Desire with the great Apostle to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, with whom even in death, there is life.
142.
Use your life, and keep [Page 185]it with as much quietness as you can, so that you offend not God; that ease that cometh with his displeasure turneth at length to an unspeakable pain, and the gain of the world, with the loss of his favour [...], is extream beggary and wretchedness.
143.
The greatest honour that man can give to God, is to confess his truth truly and faithfully in time of trouble and affliction.
144.
It is but a folly for any one that truly professeth Christ crucified, to look for the love of the world.
[Page 186]145.
Infidelity is the cause of all our misery, which causeth us to fear man more then God, and to esteem things present, more than things to come.
146.
Love is that flower which shall never fade, but shall flourish more and more, till it be made perfect in that place, where Faith and Hope shall have no office, but shall then fully possess that which they have so long patiently waited for in this world.
147.
After the Lord hath made a Christian to know [Page 187]what he is in himself, he will doubtless shew him comfort, and declare to him what he is in Jesus Christ his Son.
148.
The mind of man cannot be contented patiently to bear the troubles either of Soul or body, until it be regenerated and possessed by Gods spirit.
149.
Why should we Christians fear death? can death deprive us of Christ, who is all our comfort, our joy, and our life.
150.
Let us tarry with Christ [Page 188]one hour in Tribulation and affliction, and doubtless he will keep us for ever with him in joys everlasting.
151.
Patience and Perseverance under great tryals are the proper notes whereby Gods children are known from counterfeits; they that persevere not, were alwaies but Hypocrites.
152.
If Christ be our Captain we must follow him as good Souldiers; if we keep company with him in afflictions, we shall be [...]re of his society in Glory, [Page 189]if we forsake not him, he will never forsake us; if we confess him, he will confess us; if we be ashamed of him, he will be ashamed of us. Therefore as he forsook Father, Heaven, and all things to come to us, so let us forsake all things to come to him, being most sure and certain that we shall not lose thereby.
153.
Afflictions are in separable, but not infallible notes of Salvation; for none shall be saved but he must suffer afflictions; but all that are afflicted shall not be saved.
[Page 190]154.
Wealth is not the way to heaven, but the Contrary; let all our care be, how to live well, and then to be sure we shall never dye poor.
155.
Afflictions and sufferings are sometimes the way to Glory in this world; Joseph had never been a Courtier, had he not first been a prisoner.
156.
Gods children are ever the better for being miserable; It is good for me that I was afflicted: let God use us how he will on Earth, so that we may have what he [Page 191]hath promised to those that love him in Heaven; who would not be a Lazarus for a day, that he might sit in Abrahams bosome for ever.
Some Heavenly Meditations, Exhortations, and Consolations, of that blessed Martyr, Mr. John Bradford, and other Martyrs, written out of prison to several Friends.
To Mr. J.H.
COnsider what this life is; Consider what death is; Consider what is prepared for you after death.
1. Concerning this life; know it is full of misery, vanity, and wo, it is a [Page 193]plain banishment, and hath nothing in it that hath continuance; it is therefore compared to a vapour, to smoak, to a shaddow, yea to a warfare, to a vail of misery, wherein we are compassed about on every side with most fierce and fearful Enemies; and should we desire to dwell there? should we be fond to live in this toylsome and laborious world? should we wish to continue in this wretched estate? should we take pleasure to remain in this dangerous condition? Daniels den was not so dreadful, as is this Dungeon we dwell in.
[Page 194]2. Concerning death; to Gods dear children what other thing is it then the dispatcher of all displeasure, the end of Travil, the door of desires, the gate of gladness, the port of Paradise, the heaven of Heaven, the entiance into rest and quietness, the path-way into Felicity, and the beginning of all blessedness. It is a very bed of Down, (and therefore compared to a sleep) for the bodies of Gods people to rest, out of which they shall arise, and awake most fresh and flourishing to everlasting life. It is a passage to the Father, a chariot to [Page 195]Heaven, the Lords messenger, a leader unto Christ, a going to our home, a deliverance from prison and bondage, a dismission from war, a security from all sorrow, and a freedom from all misery. Should we be dismay'd at it? should we be afraid of it? should we trouble to hear of it? should such a freind as this is be unwelcome? should the foulness of his face, fear us from his good conditions? should the hardness of his husk, hinder us from his sweet kernel? should the roughness of the Tyde tye us to the bank and shore? [Page 196]should the hardness of the saddle set us on our feet to perish by the way, rather then leap up and endure the same a little, and so to be where we would be?
3. Concerning that which is prepared for you after death; if I should go about to express it, the more I should do so, the further I should be from it. For the eye hath not seen, neither hath the ear heard, nor is the heart of man able to conceive in any measure, the joy, mirth, melody, pleasure, power, wealth, riches, honour, glory, wisdom, knowledge, treasures, security, [Page 197]peace, quietness, and eternal felicity, which you shall enjoy world without end with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
O! wo to our blind eyes that see not this, wo to the hardness of our hearts that feel not this, wo to the deafness of our ears that hear not this, in such manner as we should do; whereby we should be so far from fearing death, that we should rather wish, and desire it.
To the Professors of the Gospel By Mr. John Bradford, Martyr.
IT is I Lord that have sinned against thee, it is mine hypocrisie, my vainglory, my covetuousness, my carnality, security, Idleness, unthankfulness, self-love and such like, which have deserved the taking away of our King Edward, of thy word and true Religion, of thy good Ministers, by exile, imprisonment, and death, it is my wickedness that causeth success and increase of [Page 199]authority and peace to thy Enemies.
Let us reprove the works of darkness, let us fly from all idolatry; let us abhor the Antichristian and Romish rotten service, let us detest the Popish Mass, and forsake their Romish Idol, let us prepare our selves for the Cross; let us be obedient to all in authority in things that are not against God and his word; for then answer with the Apostle, It is better to obey God then Man.
If you find and feel in your selves, an hope and trust in God, that he will never tempt you above [Page 200]what he will make you able to bear; then be assured the Lord will be true to you, and you shall be able to bear all afflictions; but if you want this hope and confidence, fly and get you hence, rather then by your tarrying, Gods name should be dishonoured.
Hang on the providence of God, not only when you have means to help you, but also when you have no means, yea, when all means are against you.
Give God this honour which of all other things he chiefly and principally requireth at your hands, namely, To believe that [Page 201]you are his children through Christ, that he is your Father and God through him, that he loveth you, and pardoneth you all your offences, that he is with you in trouble, and will be with you for ever; that when you fall he will put under his hand, and will not let you lie long in sin.
Let the life you lead be in the Faith of the Son of God, for the just doth live by Faith; which Faith flyeth from all evil, and followeth the word of God, as a Lanthorn to her feet, and a light to her steps, her eyes be above where Jesus [Page 202]Christ is; she beholdeth not things present, but rather things to come; she glorieth in afflictions, and knoweth that the afflictions of this present life are not to be compared with that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, which God will reveal to us and in us.
Now of this glory the Lord grant us a lively tast here, then shall we run after the scent that it sendeth forth; It will make us valiant men to take to us the Kingdom of God, whether the Lord of his mercy bring us, in his good time, through Christ our Lord.
To Dr. H. By Mr. John Bradford Martyr.
SEt before your eyes the end of this straight way, rather then the narrowness of the passage; so doth the husbandman in plowing and tilling the ground set before him the harvest time; so doth the Fisherman consider the draught of his net, rather then the casting of it in. So doth the Merchant, the return of his Merchandize, and so should we in these stormy days, set before us, not the loss of [Page 204]our goods, liberty, yea of our very life, but the reaping time, the coming of our saviour Jesus Christ to judgment.
The more we lose here, the greater joy shall we have in the world to come, the more we suffer here, the greater triumph shall we have there; for corruptable dross, we shall find incorruptable treasure; for Gold, we shall have glory; for Silver, we shall have solace, and joy without measure; for riches, we shall have Royal Robes; for earthly [...]ouses, we shall have eternal Pallaces; we shall there have mirth without [Page 205]measure, pleasure without pain, and absolute blessedness, felicity and happiness, without end.
To certain of his faithful Friends, by Mr. John Bradford, Martyr.
YEe have cause to rejoyce (my dearly beloved Friends) in the days of tryal and confirmation, in and by which God our Father maketh us like to the Image of Jesus Christ here, that so we may be like unto him hereafter?
For if we suffer with him, we shall raign with [Page 206]him; if we be buried with him, we shall rise with him; if we are companions with him in affliction, we shall rejoyce with him in glory; if we sow with him in tears, we shall reap with him in joy; if we confess him before men, he will confess us before his father in heaven; if we take his part, he will take ours, if we loose any thing for his names sake, he will give us all things for his truth and promise sake; so that we ought to rejoyce, and be glad, for it is not given to every one to suffer loss of country, life, goods, house, and all things for the Lords sake.
[Page 207]What can God the Father do more for us, then to call us into the camp of his dear Son? what can Jesus Christ our Saviour do more for us, then to make us his Warriors, and fellow Souldiers? what can the holy Ghost do to us above this, then to mark us with the badg and cognisance of the Lord of Hosts.
Be of good comfort, be of good comfort, my dear hearts in the Lord, confess him and his truth, and fear not the prison, loss of goods, or life; fear rather that prison, out of which there is no deliverance; [Page 208]fear rather the loss of those goods which last for ever; fear rather the loss of that life which is eternal, whereunto you are called, and the way by which God will bring you to it; because you know not certainly whether it will be by prison, fire, or halter; whensoever these come, let them not dismay you, nor seem strange unto you, for no small number of Gods children are gone that way.
The journey is but short, though unpleasant to the flesh; perchance if we should dye in our beds by a corporal malady, it [Page 209]would be much longer and also more painful; but in Gods sight it cannot be so precious and gainful as I know this kind of death is.
And now I commend my self into the hands of my Father, by whose providence, I came into this world, by whose providence, I have been kept in this world, and by whose providence, I leave and depart out of this world.
Let us make our selves ready to ride in the fiery Chariot, leaving these sorry Mantles, and old Cloaks of our carcases behind us [Page 210]in ashes for a little time, which God shall restore unto us again in a glorious manner.
To a faithful friend of his, by Mr. John Bradford, Martyr.
BE willing to carry the Cross of Christ, least you carry the Cross of the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
One of these four Crosses you must carry, three of them bring to hell, and therefore the greatest part go that way, which is the broad way; only the forth [Page 211]bringeth to Heaven, but few go that way, as well because the way is straight, as also because but few walk in it; how beit though it be straight, it is but short, and the few are many, if you consider the godly as the Patriarks, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and Confessors, and Christ Jesus with all his guard and train.
Think not scorn to come after them who are gone before you.
I hourly look for Elias fiery Chariot to come and catch me up to Heaven; my Cloak, that is my Carcase, I shall leave behind me in ashes, which I doubt [Page 212]not, my Lord will raise up; and restore to me again at the last day, glorified even like unto his most glorious Body. That portion of the good spirit which my Father hath lent me, I wish to be doubled, yea trebled upon you all.
If we suffer in the cause of Christ, our sufferings are but short, and the time of ease to Gods Enemies is not long, the time of our rejoycing shall be endless, but the time of their torments shall be everlasting and intollerable. Our breakfast is sharp, but our supper will be sweet. The afflictions of this life may [Page 213]not be compared in any part, with the glory that shall be revealed.
To his godly Friends. G. and N. By Mr. John Bradford, Martyr.
CAst your care on the Lord, for he careth for you; and hath counted all the hairs on your head so that one shall not perish; if you commit your selves to his ordering, whereas else your heads and bodies, yea, and souls too shall perish; if ye withdraw your selves as unwilling to take his [Page 214]Cup, and to drink of it; not that I would have you to thrust your selves headlong or rashly to pull them upon you; or that I would not have you use such honest and lawful means as you may in the fear of God, and with a good conscience to a void the Cross, and give place to evil, but that I would have you willingly to put forth your hand to take it when God offereth it, in such a manner as with a good Conscience you cannot escape; then take it, kiss it, and thank God for it. It is a most sure sign that God loveth you; as he saith, Whom I [Page 215]love I chastise, Rev. 3.19. And if ye are not partakers of correction, surely ye are no children, Heb. 12.8.
But if once chastise you, and ye kiss the rod, verily he will cast the rod into the fire, and will imbrace you, and kiss you as a mother doth her child, when she perceiveth it to take her correction in good part.
Consider not the things of this life (my dearly beloved brethren) which is a very prison to all Gods children, but the things of Everlasting life, which is our very home; but to the believing of this, you must open the eyes of your [Page 216]Faith, as Moses did, who set more by trouble with Gods people, then by the riches of Egypt and Pharoahs Court. Your house, home, goods, yea life, and all that ever ye have, God hath given you as love-tokens, and to admonish you of his love, and to win your love to him again; now he will try your love, whether you set more by him, then by his tokens or no. If ye for his tokens sake, that is, for your house, home, goods, yea life, will go with the world, least you should lose them, then be assured your love, as he cannot but espy it to be a [Page 217]Strumpets love, so will he reject and cast it away with the world.
In another Letter to the same persons, by Mr. John Bradford, Martyr.
MY dearly beloved, heavy is this anger fallen upon us all, doleful is this day. Now hath Antichrist gotten all his power again, now is Christs Gospel trodden under foot, now is Gods people a division, and a prey for the wicked.
Now is the greatest of all plagues fallen upon us, [Page 218]the want of Gods word, and all these judgments we have, yea I alone have justly deserved.
Oh that as I write with my hands (I alone) so I could wish David, 2 Sam. 24 17. and with Jonas in heart say so. But I do not, I do not; I see how grievously I have sinned, and how great a misery is fallen upon us, for my unthankfulness for Gods word, for mine hypocrisy, in professing, preaching, hearing, and speaking of Gods word; for my not praying to God for the continuance of it, for my not loving it throughly as it required.
[Page 219]Oh good Father, it is we that have sinned, and therefore deserve the taking away of thy good word; it is we that have done amiss, we have dealt unjustly with thy Gospel, we have procured thy wrath, and therefore just art thou in punishing us, just art thou in plaguing us, for we are very miserable.
But good Lord and dear Father of Mercies, whose justice is such that thou wilt not punish the poor souls of this Realm, which yet have not thus sinned against thee as we have done, (for many yet never heard thy word) for [Page 220]our trespasses; and whose mercy is so great, that thou will put our sins out of thy Remembrance for thy Christ sake; if we believe and repent.
O Lord, let us remember that all thy dearest children have carried the Cross of gracious affliction in this life, in whose company thou dost place us, and dost lay such a Cross upon us, as thou wilt make us able to bear, to thy glory, and our Salvation in Christ, for whose sake we pray thee to shorten the days of this our great misery, fallen upon us most justly, and in the [Page 221]mean season to give us Patience, Repentance, Faith, and thy eternal Consolation, Amen, Amen, Amen.
To Mr. J. H. and his wife, Prisoners in New-Gate.
I have heard my good Brother and Sister, how God hath brought you both into his School-house of correction, he I say hath brought you where you are, and though your reason and wit tell you it is by chance and fortune, or otherwise; yet my dear beloved, know for certain, that whatsoever was the [Page 222]means, God your Father was the worker hereof, and that for your good, though it may be your old Adam and poor sences may tell you otherwise; yet I say of a truth, it is your duty to think that this Cross is of Gods sending, and cometh from him, and it is out of his love and Fatherly affection, for your benefit and profit sake.
But here perhaps you will object, what benefit, what advantage can it be? You are now kept in close prison; your children and Family are without good overseers; and by this means your goods are diminished, [Page 223]poverty will approach, and it may be more dangers also, as loss of life, &c.
These you will say are no Benefits, but disadvantages, and those no mean ones neither, so that you would be glad truly to know what benefit can come to you by this Cross, which seemeth rather to bring you very great loss and damage.
To these things I answer, that it is true indeed as you say, of your bodies, families, children, substance, poverty, life, &c.
But if you would consider [Page 224]a while with inward eyes, as you now behold them with outward, then perhaps you would find more ease.
Do you not now by your inward sense perceive, that you must part from all these things, as well as with other worldly benesits; Tell me then, have you not this benefit by your Cross, to learn to loath, and leave the world, and to long for, and desire another world, where is perpetuity and eternal happiness.
You ought of your own mind and free will, to have forsaken the world and all [Page 225]earthly things, using this world as though you used it not, and having your hearts only set upon your treasures in Heaaven, or else you can never be Christ true Disciple, that is to be saved, and to be where he is.
And think you, my dear hearts in the Lord, think you that this is no benefit, to be compelled to do thus by this cross, that so you may assuredly enjoy enless glory with the Lord.
How doth God now as it were fatherly correct you, to remember you of your former offences concerning these things, and all [Page 226]other your miscarriages, that your repentance and remission might ensue thereupon? How doth God now compel you to call upon him, and to be earnest in prayer? Are these no benefits? doth not the Scripture say, that God doth correct us in this world, because we should not be damned with the world? That God chastneth every one whom he loveth? that the end of this his correction shall be joy and holiness? doth not the Scripture say, that they are happy that suffer for righteousness sake, as ye do, that the glory and spirit of God [Page 227]resteth upon them, that as you are now made like unto Christ insuffering, so you shall be made like unto him in reigning; doth not the Scripture say, you are now going the high-way and right way to Heaven? My dearly beloved, what greater benefit then this can a godly heart desire?
The Lord open our hearts to see and feel this indeed, then shall we think the Cross and afflictions, which are the means to bring us to this, to be very advantagious; Then shall we thank God that he would chastise us. And that we [Page 228]may do this indeed, my dearly beloved, Let us still remember that our Cross comes from God, and that they come from God as a Father, for our profit and benefit, and therefore that we ought to call to mind our sins, and to ask pardon for them; and to look certainly for help at Gods hand, in his good time, such help as shall make most for Gods glory, and for the comfort and benefit of our souls eternally.
Now if we do throughly believe, and sensibly conceive these things, then there will issue out from us hearty thanksgiving, [Page 229]which God requireth as a most precious sacrifice.
And that we may all be thus thankful through Christ, let us use earnest prayer to our God and dear Father, begging of him to bless us, keep us, and comfort us under his sweet Cross for ever and ever. Amen, Amen.
To Mr. Laurence Sanders, By Mr. John Bradford, Martyr.
AH good brother, that I could alwaies have God, his majesty, mercy, Heaven, and Hell before [Page 230]me, then should I indure as Moses, as seeing him that is invisible.
Blessed are they that die in the Lord, then how much more, they that die for the Lord.
All here therefore (God be praised) do willingly pledg our Captain Christ of his Cup, even when he will, or how he will.
Let us rejoice in the straight way, which few find, and fewer walk therein, but fewest of all continue therein unto the end.
Doubting of Gods favour, is the very Dungeon of dispair.
Who live soberly but such as are holy?
[Page 231]Once accepted and beloved of God in Christ, and ever beloved; for whom he loveth, he loveth to the end.
Repentance and justification is the Gramar School, wherein we must first be conversant and learned, before we go to the University of Gods most holy predestination.
The pattern which we must follow is Christ himself, and not the multitude nor custome.
In all things we must avoid the seeking of our selves, as well in doing, as in learning things undone.
Long did the Lord linger [Page 232]and tarry to have shewed mercy upon us, but we were ever the longer the worse.
He that will not have Gods blessing, it shall be taken from him.
Bishop Ridly, In a Letter to the dispersed brethren.
WE never had a better or more just cause, either to continue our life, or shed our blood; we cannot take in hand a more certain, clear, and manifest Truth. For it is not any ceremony for which we contend, but it toucheth [Page 233]the very substance of our whole Religion, yea even Christ himself.
What can all their cruelty do against us, but make our Crowns more glorious, yea, beautify and multiply the same?
I esteem nothing available for me, which will not further the glory of God.
Whosoever knowingly neglecteth and regardeth not to keep a good conscience, he cannot have peace with God, nor a lively Faith in his mercy.
If our Doctrine were once the truth of Gods word, do you think that the alteration and change [Page 234]of the times can ever make it an untruth.
Let us joyn hands together in Christ, and if we cannot overthrow, yet over power, and as much as in us lies, let us shake those strong holds, not with carnal, but with spiritual weapons.
It is not the slanderers evil Tongue, but a mans own evil deed that can defile him before God.
Yours by Gods grace in our Master Christs cause unto the Stake, and thenceforth without all dangeror peril for ever and ever.
Doctor Taylor, In a Letter to Bishop Cranmer.
GOD be praised again and again for this your excellent promotion, which you are called unto at this present, in that you are counted worthy to be allowed among the number of Christs Records, and witnesses, England hath had but a few learned Bishops that would stick to Christ, so as to burn for his cause.
For Gods sake pray for us, for we fail not daily to pray for you, we are strongter, and stronger in the [Page 236]Lord, his name be praised, and we doubt not but ye be so also in Christ sweet School; Heaven is all and wholly on our side.
Rejoice therefore in the Lord, and again I say rejoyce.
Pray for me, I will pray for you; God be praised, since my condemnation, I was never afraid to die.
Bishop Hooper In a Letter to certain godly persons.
LEt us prav unto God so to furnish us with Faith and Patience, that we may rather dye ten times, then to deny him [Page 237]once; it is very requisite that the Members of Christ, comfort one another, make prayers together, confer one with another, so shall you be stronger, and Gods spirit shall not be absent from you, but be in the midst of you, to teach you, to comfort you, to make you wise in all godliness, patient in tribulation and strong in persecution. Ye see how the congregation of the wicked, by helping one another, make their wicked Religion, and themselves strong against God, his truth and his people.
If any smart, Gods people [Page 238]shall be the first; if any suffer shame they begin; if any be subject to slander it is those that he loveth, so that Christ sheweth no face, nor favour, nor love almost in this world outwardly to them, but doth as it were lay clay upon the sore eyes of those that are sorrowful, yet the patient man seeth (as St. Paul saith) life hid under these miseries and adversities, and light, and sight, hid under this foul clay.
The will of our Father be done in all things, if he will life, life be it, if he will death, death be it.
It is a trouble to loose [Page 239]the treasures of this life, but yet a very great pain, if they be kept with offence to God; cry, call, pray, and in Christ daily require help, succour, mercy, wisdome, grace and defence, that the wickedness of this world prevail not against us. We began well, God preserve us to the end.
This life is short and miserable, happy are they that can spend it to the glory of God.
We may be tempted of the world, the flesh, and the Devil, but yet although these things pinch, yet they do not pierce, and although they work sin in us, yet in [Page 240]Christ no condemnation to them that are grafted in him.
Mr. Richard Rooth, In a Letter to certain Martyrs condemned at Colchester.
OH dear hearts in Christ, what a Crown of glory shall ye receive with Christ in the Kingdome of God; Oh that it had been the good will of God that I had been ready to have gone with you, for I lie in the Bishops little ease in the day, and in the night I lie in the coal-house, and we look every day when [Page 241]we shall be condemned, for they say, I shall be burned within ten days before Easter; but I lie still at the pools brink, and every one stepeth in before me; but we abide patiently the Lords leisure, in many bonds, in fetters and stocks, by which we have received great joy in the Lord.
Oh my dear hearts, now shall you be cloathed with long white garments upon mount Sion, with the multitude of Saints, and with Jesus Christ our Saviour, who will never forsake us.
Oh blessed Virgins, you have played the wise Virgins part, because you have [Page 242]taken oyl into your lamps, that you may enter with the Bridegroom when he cometh into everlasting joy. But as for the foolish, they shall be shut out, because they made not themselves ready to suffer with Christ, nor venture to take up his Cross.
O how precious shall your death be in the sight of the Lord, dear and precious in his sight is he detah of all his Saints: Farewell mine own dear Hearts, and pray the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen. Pray, pray, pray.
By me Richard Rooth, written with my own blood.
Mr. John Philpot, In a Letter to Mr. R.H.R.G.M.H. and J.C.
GLorious is the course of the Martyrs at this day; Never had the Elect of God a better time for their glory then this is. Now may they be assured under the Cross that they are Christs Disciples for ever.
Many go on well, till they come to the Pikes, and then they turn their backs, and give over in the plain field, to the shame of Christ and his Church, that [Page 244]hath so faint hearted Souldiers in his camp at the time of need, in that wherein his glory ought most manfully to be shewed.
Be content to have your Faith tryed every day by some Cross or other, as it pleaseth God to put it upon you, and if God put no grievous Cross upon you, let your brethrens Cross be your Cross, which is a certain token of true brotherly love.
Hitherto we have not resisted unto blood-shedding, our blood must not be too dear for the Lord, and then his Kingdome shall not be too dear for us.
[Page 245]We have taken our Pressmony a great while, let us now learn to serve him faithfully, and not to fly out of the Lords camp into the world, as many do.
Mr. John Careless, To several Martyrs condemned to die for the truth, in New-Gate.
SO great honour is not permitted to the highest Angel in Heaven, as to suffer for the name of Christ.
Full glad may you be that ever God gave you a life to lose for his sake.
[Page 246]A weak Faith hath ever a cold charity annexed unto it, which is quenched with every unkind word.
Nothing can anger the malicious mind, and cankered heart of Satan more, then the mirth, gladness, and hearty rejoycing of Gods Children in their good Christ.
Only Christs true Disciples do mourn for his absence, therefore they shall doubtless rejoyce in his presence, which will be so much the more joyful, by how much the more his absence is sorrowful.
According to your Faith and as you believe, so shall [Page 247]it be unto you, and as you think God to be unto you, such a one you shall find him to be, think therefore ever sweetly of the Lord, and of his goodness.
Mr. John Careless In a Letter to Mr. John Bradford.
NOw with a merry heart, and joyful tears, I take my farewel of you, mine own dear brother in the Lord, begging him to send us shortly a joyful meeting in his kingdome, that we may both sing praises together unto [Page 248]him with his holy Angels, and blessed spirits for ever and ever.
Farewel thou blessed of the Lord, farewel in Christ, depart unto thy rest, and pray for me for Gods sake.
Well, I will hope in God, and pray all night that God would send me some comfort to morrow, and if the Lord give you leasure to morrow, let me hear four words of comfort from you for Gods sake.
Oh that my life, and a thousand such wretched lives more might go for yours. Oh why doth God suffer me, and such other poor worms to live, that [Page 249]can do nothing but consume the Alms of the Church, and yet take you away so worthy a work-man and Labourer in the Lords vineyard?
But wo be to our sins and great unthankfulness which is the cause of taking away of such instruments of the Lord, as should set forth his glory, and instruct his people; if we had been thankful to God for the good Ministers of his word, we had not been so soon deprived of them; The Lord forgive our great ingratitude and his, and give us true repentance and faith, and [Page 250]stretch forth his hand of mercy over us, for his dear Son Christ his sake; take not away all thy true Preachers out of this Realm O Lord, but leave us a seed, least England be made as Sodom and Gomorrah, when thy true Lots are removed and gone.
But why go I about to mingle your mirth with my mourning, your just joy with my deserved sorrow? if I loved you as I pretended, I should surely rejoice with you most hartily, and praise God from the very bottom of my heart; I should praise God night and day for your excellent [Page 251]Election, in and through his great mercy.
I should give him most humble thanks for your vocation by his Gospel, and your true knowledg in the same.
I should earnestly praise him for your sweet justification, whereof you are most certain by Gods grace and spirit; I should earnestly pray to him for your Glorification, which shall shortly ensue.
I should rejoice and be glad to see you dignified by the Crown of Martyrdome, and to be appointed to that honour to testifie his truth, and to seal it [Page 252]with your blood.
I should highly extol the Lord, who hath given you a glorious victory over all your Enemies, visible and invisible, and hath given you grace and strength to finish your Course as you have begun.
Oh that the time were now come, that I might put off this frail Tabernacle of the flesh, in this heavenly security, quietness of conscience in Jesus Christ.
Yours for ever in the Lord Jesus, John Careless, living in hope against hope
Mr. John Careless, to Mr. Philpot.
MY dearly beloved brother, God hath brought you into a straight place; out of your pinching and painful seat in prison, you have plentifully poured upon me your precious Oyntment, the sweet Savour whereof hath greatly refreshed my faint and tired soul.
Ah good Jeremiah, hath Pashur put thee in the Stocks? why, now thou hast the reward of a Prophet, thy glory never began to appear until now.
[Page 254]Oh good Mr. Philpot, which art a principle Pot indeed, filled with most precious liquor, as appeareth by thy plenteous pouring out of the same; O Pot most happy, ordained to honour by the high Potter, thou dost contain heavenly treasure in thy earthen vessel. Oh Pot thrice happy, in whom Christ hath wrought a great miracle, altering thy nature, and turning water into Wine, and that of the best, out of whom the Master of the Feast hath filled my cup so full, that I am even overcome in joy of the spirit through the same.
[Page 255]Be not offended, dear heart, at my Metaphorical speech, for I am disposed to be merry, and with David, to dance before the Ark of the Lord, and though you play on a painful pair of Organs, the Stocks, not very comly, nor easie to the flesh, yet the sweet sound that came from thence to me, from you, causeth me thus to speak.
Oh that I were with you in the body (as I am present in spirit) that I might sing all care away in Christ Jesus our blessed Saviour and Redeemer from all trouble, for now the time of comfort is come.
Mr. Laurence Sanders, In a Letter to the true Professors of the Gospel.
MY dear friends in the Lord, the times are perilous and dangerous, we must therefore be circumspect and not solace, & delight our selves in carnal security, but with a joyful and contented mind we must now venture into the ship of Christs Cross and afflictions; and now let us seriously weigh, and consider, all the perils, dangers, and hazards that we must expect to meet [Page 257]in our journey to our heavenly Countrey, yet let us account it comfort enough in this dangerous Voyage, that we have the company and fellowship of such an adventurer as our blessed Lord Jesus to go along with us; when he was once in the ship with his Disciples, with his word he did asswage the swelling of the dangerous Seas, and he hath not left us alone in this ship, either to sink or to swim, but will be awaked, if he be call'd upon by importunate prayer.
Holy Breathings: OR, A Divine Dialogue between Jesus and the Soul. With other Poems.
Having the Loyns of your mind girded.
A Farewel to the World.
Books Printed for Nath. Crouch.
- THe Soundhearted Christian, or a discourse of sincerity, with several other Sermons, by W. Greenhil late Minister of Stepney; Price as.
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