DIRECTIONS.

1. Mourn over your selves and Bre­thren, fallen into sin and misery. Com­plaints against Adam are in vain; Com­plaints against God are worse. It was necessary, as Calvin sayes, that the will of man should be flexibilis in utramque partem: God having made man, it was convenient he should put him on Tryal of Obedience. God gave him but one Law, not many; an easie one, not diffi­cult; a negative one, not positive; no thanks had been to Adam to obey, if he could not have disobeyed. Consider it, and it fell out that he sinned. What have we lost in losing Paradise, and the blessings there! When Ziklag was burnt, what an outcry was there! 1 Sam. 30.3, 4. So David and his men came to the City, and behold, it was burnt with fire; and their Wives, and their Sons, and their Daughters were taken Captives: What follows? Then David and the People that were with him, lift up their Voice and wept, until they had no [Page 15]Power to weep. What was Ziklag to Pa­radise? what was the Captivity of the Body, to that of the Soul? How sadly do men look back on a burnt House, and Treasures there; and weep bitterly!

2. Cry against the Tempter, that you may through Grace out-wit him. Was he too hard for man in innocency, how much more now? If any man wants wis­dom, let him ask it of God: James 5. Cry to God against Satan, as David against Ahitho­phel, that God would confound the Po­licy of Ahithophel; so Lord, 2 Sam. 15.31. confound the Devices of the evil one.

3. Strive against all Objections against God in this matter. Though the Act Physically considered is of God; yet not Morally. And though it is true, that se­cond Causes cannot act without the first, aliquid Positioum; yet they may aliquid delinquens. We have learnt of Adam to lay all on God. To them that deny any thing of Predetermination, I humbly of­fer this to Consideration. Whether it be rational to imagine, that it depended upon so pitiful, and weak, and change­able a thing as Adams Will, without Gods Determination? Whether Christ should come into the World, and dye, and so be a Saviour? Whether the Providences [Page 16]of God in the World, should be such as they are? Whether the greatest part of Mankind should be in Hell for ever, and thousands before the Throne, Praising God for a Redeemer? However, Let every Mouth be stopped before God. Luther says, I put off questions about Gods Pre­determinations, with that of Christ to Peter, when he asked an unnecessary que­stion about John; Joh. 22.23. What is that to thee? follow thou me; Officium agamus, said, Me­lancton, Loci. Com. & disputationes de Predestinatione Seponamus: Rom. 11.33. How unsearch­able are his Judgments, and his ways past finding out! Many would search out un­searchable Judgments, and find out ways past finding out. I will not cut a knot that I cannot untie. We that cannot solve the Phoenomena of Nature; how can we satisfie our selves about the great Mysteries of Religion?

We are by Nature Children of wrath, Ephes. 2.3. and let us not so curiously enquire, how Original sin got into our Heart, as care­fully enquire how to get it out. For that Objection against Sin in Infancy:

Obj. Omne peccatum est voluntarium. Every sin is Voluntary. Mel. in his Com. Places, says, that must be understood in civilibus Delictis, in civil Offences among [Page 17]men: and yet sin is voluntary in Infan­cy, quia (saith the same Author) eo delectamur, because we delight in it.

As for such foolish Questions, Whether if Adam had begotten Children before he fell, Sin had been imputed to those Children; we will not waste time to consider them. Catarinus affirmed, Soto denyed, Hist. of the Council of Trent. as F. P. says. Run to Christ, who by once Suffering can save you, as Adam by once sinning hath destroyed you. Rom. 5.19. For as by one mans Disobedience ma­ny were made Sinners; so by the Obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Christ was obedient unto Death, Phil. 2.8. even the Death of the Cross. The Law is in full force a­gainst every ungodly man: God hath still his Power of commanding, though we have thrown away our Power of o­beying. God sees more sin in one wrath­ful thought, than we do in actual Mur­ther; in one covetous thought, than we do in open Theft. Oh then run to Jesus that justifieth, that sanctifieth, that sa­veth. He is our Joseph, that hath all the Store-houses of Provision, in a time of Famine: As the distressed Egyptians said to him, let us say to Christ, Gen. 47.18, 19. We will not hide it from my Lord, our money is gone; — Give us bread, let us be Servants [Page 18]unto Pharaoh. We will not, nay, we cannot hide it from our Lord: All is gone; let us have Grace from him, that we may serve our God; and all Believers must say to Jesus, as they to Joseph, v. 25. Thou hast saved our lives, let us find Grace in the sight of our Lord. When sin had slain us, Christ had Compassion on us, as David had on his Son, when his own Folly had ruin'd him. 2 Sam. 18.33. And the King was much moved, and wept, and as he went, thus he said, O my Son Absalom, my Son, my Son Absalom; would God I had dyed for thee, O Absalom my Son, my Son. Yet Absalom sought his Fathers Crown and Life; and we would be as Gods. Christ feem'd to say over us, Would to God I might dye for thee; and indeed, it pleased the Fa­ther to bruise; Isa. 53.10. —I believe that Adam through this Christ was saved, Gen. 3.16. God immediately on the fall applyed himself to him, and promised a Redeem­er. Paul to the Romans, makes Adam a Figure of him that was to come. Rom. 5.14. If sin and guilt might have made any man pine away, Adam had been the man, that o­pened the Flood-gates of Sin and Wrath to break in upon the World, and was the ruine of the greatest part of his Po­sterity; yet hearing of a Saviour, he [Page 19]lived almost a thousand years. We are not so to mourn for sin, as to forget to rejoyce in Christ our Saviour. Of this blessed Sa­viour, I shall speak in the next Chapter.

DIRECTIONS.

1. Look on, and wonder. Are these things so? 2 Tim. 3.1. Then great is the Mystery of Godliness, God manifested in the flesh! If it be a Mystery, it cannot be fathomed. Wonder at what Christ is, and at what he doth: What he is, Prov. 30.4. It was the wise mans Probleme, or hard Question, What is his name, or his Sons name, if thou canst tell? His Name is called Wonderful, Isa. 9.6. Wonder that the Divinity did not swallow up the Humanity, that the fire and the bush can so well agree together. All the Attributes of God are given to Christ, all the Works of God spoken of him, as of Creation, Sanctification, Glo­rification: Therefore Christ is God not only by name, or secundum divi; but God by Nature. He was God that he might satisfie, he was Man that he might suffer. Wonder at what he doth. Patereulus says, that when the Lacedemonians oppo­sed Attica, the Pythian God told them, [Page 27]that that Army whose General was ta­ken should conquer: Codrus deposita veste regia, &c. Codrus laying aside his Prince­ly Robes, went among his enemies, and was slain by them. Our King on Maun­day Thursday, (so call'd, as some say, because of the Command of Love, Christ gave his Disciples before his Passion, Mandatum novum do vobis,) I say our King useth to wash the feet of as many poor People as he hath lived years, and yet not the less a King for this humble act. Our Lord Jesus the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, dyed that we might live, abased himself, that he might exalt us. Psalm 126.1, 2. When God delivered the Church out of Babylon by Cyrus, they were like men that dreamed. How much more should we be Astonished at our de­liverance from Sin and Satan by Jesus Christ!

2. Let Love be attactive of Love. Let the Love of Jesus to us, make us to Love him. I have read of Agilmond King of the Lombards, that one day he went a fishing, and saw a Babe spraw­ling in the Water (perhaps a base child) he took it up, and made it his adopted Son, and called him Lama, and left him his Crown and Kingdom: You may easi­ly [Page 28]imagine what delight this Lama took in seeing of King Algilmond whilst he li­ved, and in thinking and speaking of this King after he was dead. How excel­lently doth God express his love to the poor Jews of old! Ezek. 16.4, 5, 6. As for thy Nativity, in the day thou wast born, thy Navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water; — None eye pitied thee to do a­ny of these unto thee, to have compassion on thee; but thou wast cast out into the open field, to the loathing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born. And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thy own Blood; I said unto thee when thou wast in thy Blood, live; (And lest this should be soon passed over, the Holy Ghost bids them, as it were, stand and hear it the second time,) Yoa, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy Blood, live: When Tiberius was in a Village named Spelunca, Stones fell from the house where he was: Sejanus genu, vul­tu, manibus (que) super Caesarem suspensis oppo­suit sese, satis incidentibus; saith Tacitus: Sejanus covered the Emperour, that if the Stones fell where they were, Sejanus might die, and not the Emperour; which as the Historian observes, made the Emperour ever after to love Sejanus, though he lo­ved him not before. The wrath of God [Page 29]fell from Heaven, because of mans sin: Christ hath embraced the Sinner and that wrath hath fallen on him, that else had crushed us. O let us love him, let us not be satisfied till we find our hearts burn­ing in love.

3. Crucifie Sin, that crucified Christ. Be the death of those Sins, that were the death of Jesus; Pride, Wrath, Covetous­ness, and every abominable thing, which the Soul of God hates: Rom. 6.6. Know­ing this, that our Old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroy­ed, that henceforth we should not serve sin: Sin is onely destroyed by his death; had not Christ dyed for us, we could no more have killed our Corruptions, or been made Saints, than the Devils can cease to be Devils, and become Angels.

4. Come to God as those that expect to be justified no other way, but by Christ and his Righteousness: In him is God well pleased with Believers. The Names given to Christ are in Scripture given to a Chri­stian, as Son of God, an Heir, King, yea the name Christ; The Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 12.12. As many Members make one Body, even so is Christ: Where it is understood not of Christ personally, but mystically, for Christi­ans, or the Church of Christ. Now as [Page 30] Adams sins is imputed to us, though he, and not we disobeyed; so Christs Righte­ousness is imputed to us, though he, not we obeyed, 2 Cor. 5. last verse; Though Adams Sin be imputed to us, yet we were not the first sinners, nor the involvers of all Mankind into Misery: So, though Christs Righteousness be imputed to us, yet we are not therefore Saviours or Me­diators. We are often commanded to be sanctifyed, but not to be Justified; for Justification is Gods own work without us. The Grace of Christ, that is the ef­ficient cause of our Sanctification, and is the essential cause, the matter and form of our Justification. And therefore when God is said to reward men according to their works, it shews the order of follow­ing, not the Cause; Ʋno Scripturae exem­plo, ista quaestio elucescit, Calv. Inst. lib. 3. cap. 19. saith Calvin: One example in Scripture, shall make it clear. Gen. 15.5. The Promise made to Abram in Uncircumcision, in Gen. 22.16, 17. is there made again on his Offering up of Isaac; By my self have I sworn, because thou hast done this thing — I will multiply thy Seed as the Stars of the Heavens: Now his Obedience was not the Cause of that bles­sing, for Abraham had it before, but was an occasion of renewing it at that time: [Page 31]God rewarded his good works, and so will ours, with Blessings promised before the good works were done. Heaven is an Inheritance of Children.

Obj. If good works justifie not, what need is there to press after them? Take Luthers answer: This is just as if we should say, Money Justifies not, therefore throw it away; our Hands justifie us not, there­fore cut them off: Luthers Comment on the Epist. Gala. We must attribute (saith he) to every thing its proper Work, and Office. A Woman may not wear a Mans Apparel, nor a Man a Wo­mans. The Sun shineth by day, and the Moon by night: So he. Gal. 4.7. Where­fore thou art no more a Servant, but a Son; and if a Son, then an Heir of God by Christ. An Heir is not Agent, but Patient; hath all by Birth, not by Labour; no more than to be born. The Promise, being of Grace, is sure to all the seed: It was not sure to Adam, he had his Treasure in his own hand, and so lost it; but we have ours in the hand of Christ. Justification, and Sanctification are not separated, though they be distinguished: He that is justified will be holy, Tit. 2.14. and zealous of good works. The Objection, that we are ene­mies to good works is in vain. King Hen­ry the Eighth, in his Book against Luther, [Page 32]de Septem Sacramentis, (for which Book the Pope gave him the Title of Defender of the Faith) chargeth our Reformers, with pleading for all manner of Sins from this Doctrine; but how true, the world now knows. If any of the Church of Eng­land are offended, I beseech them to read the Homilies about these matters, and Bishop Downhams large Folio of Justificati­on, and they will find my opinion not different from the old Protestants, thô I confess different from the Opinion of some of the late new Protestants, both Conformists and Non-conformists.

5. If you are through Christ related unto God, give Christ the Glory, and take to your selves the comfort of this re­lation. We are said to be of his Flesh and Bone; Eph. 5.31, 32. to be married to Christ; Now if the Husband be beyond Sea, thousands of miles from the Wife, yet they are one: So is God and a Believer, Joh. 17.21. though God be in Heaven, and he upon the earth.

Remember Christians what Christ hath done for you: He hath paid your debts that you could never do. If a woman were in debt Thousands of Pounds, and by working hard every day, should pay Six­pence now and then; yet she could never all her life time pay the Sum: But if a [Page 33]Rich Man come, and pay down the whole and take the woman to wife, he doth that in a day, which she could never have done in her life time. Christ hath done that in a little time, that we had been do­ing of to eternity: He satisfied Divine Ju­stice. The Dignity of the person, makes the Sufferings of such great value. Give God the glory, that you hear of Christ that you believe in him: pity and pray for the poor Jews, whose eyes are not yet opened. They have not been a Church, nor Nation for Sixteen Hundred years past.

When they were under the Babylonish Captivity, it was but Seventy years, and they had Prophets to Comfort them; but now none comes from God to them, which Consideration hath converted some of them, Schamaria, and Jacob, two great Jews by Luther. I know no Considerati­on (in my little Converse with them) that so convinceth them, that they have not been the Church of God for so long time. Eleazer Bargisha a Converted Jew, in his vain hopes of the Jewish Messiah, hath discovered many of their vain Dreams, and Dr. Addison in his Hist. of the Jews. Stir up thine Affections, O Christian, let thy Heart burn within thee, [Page 34]in the Consideration of the Excellencies of Christ. Muse a little on these follow­ing Scriptures: Heb. 1.2. God hath spo­ken to us by his Son, whom he appointed Heir of all things: Great Heirs are desired in Marriage; will not this do? Once a­gain, Colos. 2.3. In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge. We delight in men of Wisdom, though where they know one thing, they are ignorant of many. Now Christ is the Wisdom of God; will not this do? I will try once more, and a threefold Cord is not soon bro­ken: Rev. 19.12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his Head were many Crowns, and he hath a name given that no man knoweth but himself. In him is wonderful Majesty, Dignity, and Excellencies incomprehen­sible by Creatures. Cant. 2.5. This is my Beloved, may a Believer say, I am sick of Love. God takes more kindly our Love to Christ, than he doth the Love of An­gels: they see him in his Glory, and can­not but love him; but we meet with many Oppositions and Temptations. For the Perswasion of the Love of Christ to our Souls, we should press after it, thô (as our English Divines of the Synod of Dort say, Suf. Brit. that which many find by sad Experience) this Satisfaction in a Chri­stian [Page 35]is sometimes vivida, sometimes lan­guida, and sometimes as nulla; some­times lively, sometimes weak, and some­times even as none.

Remember, all the Saints in Heaven and Earth are Redeemed by Christ, Col. 1.20. And (having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross) by him, to Reconcile all things to himself by him; whether they be things in Earth, or things in Heaven. All the Saints that went to Glory before our Lord came in the flesh, were bought by him: As a man may be said to buy that, which he hath not yet paid for; Lands, Goods, Cloaths, whilst there is a Satisfactory Promise made, and Securi­ty given: So Christ bought them, in the Covenant between the Father and him, that he should in the fulness of time, shed his blood for them.

When Christ came into the World, the way to come to him was Repentance, and Faith; the Apostles preached it, and of these in the next Chapter.

DIRECTIONS.

Stay Reader ere thou goest any farther, if thou art an unconverted man, get, and cherish a few Resolutions, to put in Pra­ctice the few following Directions: Lift up thine eyes unto that God whose dwel­ling is not with flesh, that he would thus incline thy heart: in hopes of this I di­rect,

1. Go in secret, sit down and consider the great sins of thy Heart and Life: Al­low [Page 38]time enough for this. Are you guilty of the horrible Sins of the Age? Try your selves by the Word, by the Ten Com­mandments. Can you not do this? will you do it?

2. Consider these things, till you find your Hearts to ake, and Countenance to change. If you have such Convictions as to say, O that I had not done these things! Could I live over my time a­gain, things should be otherwise: Thô such Convictions may not be saving, yet they are too good to be thrown away. Strike, man, whilst the Iron is hot.

3. Fall down on the Ground, pray to God for Pardon, and Acceptance through Christ: Say as Ezra, Chap. 9.6. O my God, I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face unto thee, My God: for our iniquities are increased over our Heads, and our Tres­pass is grown up to the Heavens. Cry as the Leper, Mat. 8.2. Lord, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean. Look to Jesus typified by the bra­zen Serpent, John 3.14, 15. that thou mayest be heal­ed.

4. Away to the minding of Secret, and Family Duties. Read the Scriptures, call on God, lest the sparks of Convi­ctions you have gotten, go out.

5. Converse with them that Converse [Page 39]with God; say as David, Psal. 119.115. Away from me you Evil-doers, for I will keep the Commandments of my God. Psal. 119.63. I am a Companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy Precepts. Tell them your Case, beg their Prayers; hear their Instructions.

I have lain down a few plain Directi­ons: Wherefore (I pray thee) O Sin­ner, Let my counsel be acceptable in thy sight, as an Ambassador of Christ: I pray thee as in Christs stead, as though God did beseech thee, be thou Reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5.20. Will not this do? Then I adjure thee by that God that made thee, by that Jesus that shall judge thee another day; Consider thy ways. If any think a Death-bed-repen­tance will serve thy turn, the famous Bolton saith, (that Oracle of his time) in his Directions for distressed Consciences, That he could not get proof of any man Converted on a sick Bed. I knew one re­formed three years upon sick bed Repen­tance, but at last grew more vile than ever. In some Respect we may bless God, that blasteth such Convictions: The World too much depends on them now, what would they do, if they saw them in any Persons sound and saving? Mat. 20.7, 12. If you say, some were called at the last hour; I [Page 40]answer, But none were called at the last minute. If a man in old age be conver­ted (which is very seldom) will it fol­low, therefore a man on a Death-bed may be so. Dr. Hammond (in his Dis­course of Sick-bed Repentance) tells us how we should deal with such. Gods example, saith he, must be our rule, Judg. 10. v. 13, 14, 16. to dispense comfort by Degrees: When they cryed, God seems to deny Deliverance, and when they were greatly humbled, the Lord was grieved for them. He adviseth Ministers and others to shew such men, the necessi­ty of mourning, and self-indignation: If I be too forward to comfort them, I ru­ine them, saith he: I would to God they were of his mind, who are so forward to absolve upon dry Confessions, and to Canonize in Funeral Sermons, to the great hardning of the Hearers. God will say by Conscience on a sick bed, What I have written, I have written, The Soul that Sins shall dye. Some are ready to say, If they mind these things now, they shall be out of their Wits. Mise­rable Souls! they have long since told the World by their Lives, that they were never well in their Wits. You know Physicians sometimes say to their Pati­ents, [Page 41]Had I come timely, I might have cured you: If a Patient say, I will take no Physick, I will not be confined to my Chamber, I will eat and drink what I please; this is to say, I will not recover, I will dye: So to say in the heart, I will not follow Directions, is to say, I will be damned.

Remember, God that calls you, needs you not, Job 22.33. Is it any Pleasure to the Almighty that thou art Righteous? or is it any gain to him, that thou makest thy way perfect?

Let none deceive themselves, and think they have repented and believed, when it is not so. They may say as Agag, Surely the bitterness of Death is past, 1 Sam. 15.32.33. and yet be hewed before the Lord. O Blessed God! what a dreadful Surprizal will it be, in the time of Death to many great Professours, that thought for twenty, thirty years or more, that they were in the Way to Heaven, and then, then find themselves mistaken; who find themselves at the Gate of Hell, when they thought themselves at the Gate of Heaven.

Have you Convictions now? stifle them not, bring them before God, lest he say of you, My Spirit shall no more strive with you, O man; Gen. 6.3. I take an everlasting Fare­well [Page 42]of thee, seeing thou wilt be unholy, be unholy still; and seeing thou wilt to Hell, to Hell shalt thou go. Do as Ja­cob, cry and strive long for the Blessing, Gen. 32.26. And he said (that is the An­gel) Let me go, for the day breaketh; and he said, I will not let thee go until thou bless me. What if he had given over an hour or two after he began to wrestle, or but an hour before he had the blessing, he had spoiled all: No, but he strove the whole Night.

You that have repented, and believed, give Glory to the Lord your God. When God made a Covenant with Abraham, he fell upon his face, Gen. 17.3. When Israel heard of their deliverance out of Egypt, they bowed down the head and worshipped. He that believeth, feeleth he believeth; he knows the Acts of Faith physically considered, though not Morally: he hath the Faith of Adhesion, though it may be not of Evidence: he finds the lively wor­kings of Faith, though he may not know whether they be of the right kind. But though our Safety depends upon the ha­ving of Faith, yet our Comfort dependeth on our knowing that we have it. If you know it, say as David, when he had great things from God, he went and sat in his [Page 43]house before the Lord, and said, 2. Sam. 7.20. And what can David say more unto thee? for thou Lord God knowest thy Ser­vant. Or as Paul to the Romans, Rom. 8.31. What shall we say to these things? What indeed! Now may you rejoyce, that instead of the Thorn is come up the Fir-tree, and instead of the Brier is come up the Myrtle-tree, Isa. 55.13. Instead of Sin in the heart, Grace now grows, and instead of abominable practices in the life, there are now good works.

They that have repented, and believ­ed, should endeavour the Conversion, and Confirmation of many in the Faith, as they did, Acts 2.47. that by them, may be added unto the Church, such as shall be sa­ved. But of this in the Following Chap­ter.

DIRECTIONS.

1. Cry to God for Bowels of Com­passion toward Souls, and for Dexterity [Page 52]in this work of Reproving and Counsel­ing, that you may say with Paul, Rom. 9.1, 2, 3. I say the Truth in Christ, I lye not, my Conscience also bearing me Witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heavi­ness, and continual Sorrow in my Heart, for I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ, for my Brethren, my Kinsmen accor­ding to the flesh. As if he had said, I could almost be willing to perish for their sakes: say with David, Psal. 119.158. I beheld the Transgressors, and was grieved, because they kept not thy Word. You Pa­rents, that are so tender of the Bodies of your Children, be much more con­cerned for their Souls. You that desire great Estates for them, much more desire Heaven for them. How many mind their Oxen, Sheep, and Swine, more than the Souls of their Children? Sauls Fa­ther Kish, 1 Sam. 10.2. Gave over caring for the Asses, saying, What shall I do for my Son? So, be less concerned about the things of the World, and say, What shall I do for the Souls of my Children? that it may be said, of you, as in Prov. 10.20. The Mouth of the Righteous is as choice Silver; when you speak with tender Bow­els of Compassion, It is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh [Page 53]in you, Mat. 10.20. When God bad Moses to speak to Pharaoh, and Moses Ob­jected want of Eloquence, said God, Exod. 4.12. Now therefore go and I will be thy mouth, and I will teach thee what thou shalt say: That you may by your good Coun­sel overcome Satan, as David, by playing with his Musical Instrument, made the evil Spirit to depart from Saul. 1 Sam. 16.23. I know for some audacious Sinners, it is better to be silent, than reprove. Hezekiah his command was prudent, when Rabshakeh Blasphemed, Isa. 36.21. But the People held their peace, and answered him not a Word; for the Kings Commandment was, saying, Answer him not. Let Prayer ac­company the work of Exhorting; Neh. 2.4. stand before the man, as Nehemiah before the King and Queen, praying to the God of Heaven to direct you what you shall say. Pray, Lord, let my words administer Grace to the Hearers, Ephes. 4.29. Ask some that are under you, after the read­ing of a Chapter, or hearing of a Ser­mon, what Christ asked his Disciples, Mat. 13.51. Have ye understood all those things? Heal their Ignorance, direct their Souls.

We see Afflictions do many times stir Christians up to this Work, and pre­pare [Page 54]them for it: Paul speaks of great Troubles he endured; 2 Cor. 6.4. But in all things approving our selves as the Mi­nisters of Christ, in much Patience, in Af­flictions, in Necessities, in Distresses. Vers. 9.10. As unknown, and yet well-known; as dying, and behold we live; as chasten­ed, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always Rejoycing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. What did this blessed Apostle get by all? vers. 11. O ye Corinthians, our Mouth is open unto you, our Heart is enlar­ged. He got a Heart to pity Souls, and a Tongue to Counsel them. There is Gold, and a multitude of Rubies, but the Lips of Knowledge are precious Jewels, saith Solomon, Prov. 20.15. Good Counsel given, is better than the giving of Gold. Whilst you are musing, the fire may kin­dle, and then you speak with your Tongue. If you cannot speak to some, write to them; Letters will not blush, if Faces do.

2. Have an eye upon the Sins they are most addicted to, and Reprove for them; and on the Duties they are most averse from, and perswade to them. It is not enough that the Words spoken by you be good, but they must be season­able. [Page 55]Words. Some are apt to use the Name of God irreverently in their Com­munications: Nay, many great Pro­fessors, I am ashamed to mention it. It hath been a comfortable Consideration to me many a time, that when I dye, I shall be tormented with hearing the Name of God irreverently used, ☜ no more. Would to God the third Com­mandment (Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain) were often be­fore the eyes of men. Tell such men, that they ought to fear that great and terrible Name, the Lord thy God: That they have Reason to adore him, that he will give us leave to use his Name at any time, and therefore we should not take it in vain: whether theusing in common Discourse the Word Faith, be Swear­ing, I know the great Sanderson saith, Saunder. de juro mento. (that per fidem though from the manner of some Nations, and intention of some Speakers, it may, be an Oath) yet he saith, Non est ex vi Verborum, because (saith he) Fides Humana non est res Sa­cra, but civilis; and in those words we call not God a Witness, and therefore is Asseveratio tantum, aut ad plurimum Testa­tio: And so he adds, that per fidem, is the same with Ex animo loquor, Pignero­fidem [Page 56]meam, si rem ita se non habere, aut si sciens fallo, nulla mihi in posterum fides ha­beatur. So he. If you ask, Is it unlaw­ful thus to use the Word Faith? I an­swer, I am sure it is not unlawful to let it alone: it is not a thing of good report to use, and the more serious decline it. Are they addicted to Lying, Scoffing at Religion? Shew them the evil nature, and consequents of these things. If they slight Prayer, the Holy Scriptures, Alms­deeds, perswade to them.

3. Be not soon discouraged, because of the Ignorance or Backwardness of them with whom you deal: God may in time work on them. Are they ignorant? speak to them of Christ, and the Cove­nant of Grace, and of the way of Sinners coming to God through a Mediatour; shew them kindness, and seek to make their lives comfortable as much as you can, that you may the better win them. If any say, We are ignorant our selves, and how can we instruct others? This is the way to get knowledge. You know that God made the world: That Jesus Christ is a glorious Redeemer: That all men are hastning to Eternity. Come man, come on, thou knowest enough to fall on the practice of this duty; speak [Page 57]to vain spirits of these things. Mr. Elliot in his Account of the Progress of the Gospel in New-England, written in the year 43. speaks of one Hiacoomes, a plain, ignorant, but yet pious and serious man; he converted one Towanquetick a plain In­dian, and this Towanquetick was the In­strument of the conversion of about a hundred Indians in a little time. If o­thers say, We are ignorant, after all coun­sel, and therefore are discouraged; let such often call to mind what they hear, and time may make an impression. I have read of Hilarius Pictavienses a famous man of France, Hanmore's View of Antiqu. finding that little that he read was remembred by him, threw away his Books: One day passing by a Well, he saw, that by frequent drawing up of the Bucket, the rope had made a deep im­pression on the Stones; he thought that by frequent consideration, and meditation, the things he heard and read might make a deep impression on him; he fell closely to his work, and proved a famous man.

You that are ungodly, and hear not your Instructors, you discourage them in their work, that they are ready to say as Jeremiah, Then I said, I will not make men­tion of him, nor speak any more in his name. But zeal for God, and love to Souls, [Page 58]makes them at last to come to themselves; and add as h [...], Jer. 20.9. But his word was in my heart, as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary of forbearing, and I could not stay. How many serious Souls have experienced this! The Life of Mr. Janeway. When Mr. Janeway o­verheard some unsavoury discourse, in a room nigh to him, he wrote down their discourse, and asked them, after he had read what they said, whether they were willing to hear of such discourse another day. Many men by their evil discourse, poyson many hearers, as the Basilisk doth men, Morney's Resolver. not by looking on them (according to the vulgar error) but by Poyson co­ming out of the mouth. Children, hear­ken to your Parents, that prerswade you to mind your Souls; grieve them not by your folly. Let good men hearken to Reproof from their Brethren, as Aaron did from Moses, and Peter from Paul. When Luther reproved Bullinger, for some errors he had about the Word of God, Bullinger came forth before all the compa­ny, and fell at the feet of Luther, and said, Blessed be the day wherein I saw this gracious face, and had these reproofs. Let good men counsel then their Chil­dren, and Servants, and Friends. It is sad, that such should say, My Father, my [Page 59]Master, my Friend, that is a great Profes­sor of Religion, and with whom I am on all occasions, by day, by night, never was the man that asked me, what I thought of my present, or eternal con­dition; never aked me whether I thought I was converted, or should be saved. Yet set closely to the work, and let it prosper in thy hands, that you may shine as the brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever and ever, Dan. 12.3. But because the Scripture instructs us, and contains the things about which we must instruct others, I shall next speak of them.

DIRECTIONS.

1. Come to the Scriptures, as those that know a Divine Authority stamped upon them. It is Gods Book, read it as such: It teacheth you the two things Austin would often pray for; Ʋt cognos­cam te, ut cognoscam me; That I may know Thee, that I may know my self.

2. Beg the assistance of the same Spi­rit in reading the Scriptures, that the Pen-men had in penning them. A Dial is nothing, unless the Sun shine on it: The Scriptures are nothing, unless the Spirit illuminate our Understandings. If you say, what need then of Scriptures? You may as well say, what need then of a Dial? The Spirit will make you humble. and let you see your own Folly, that the more you know, the less you know. Weems Christ. Syn. In Athens in Greece, the Students were the first year called [...], wise men; the [Page 62]next year [...], Lovers of wise men; but ever after [...], Fools; the more they knew, the more sensible they were of their Ignorance.

3. Whatever Objections you have a­gainst Scripture, be not satisfyed till you have silenced them. To confirm your Faith, remember what is said of Christ's Resurrection: Had the Jews been able to shew the dead Body of Christ after the three dayes, they had overthrown the Gospel. Remember Pauls Conversion, Acts 9. who left a life of ease, for one of affliction. Judas his betraying Christ, proves that he knew Christ to be no De­ceiver: He had not hanged himself to have accused Christ, had he not known his Miracles were real; many of them were not done in a Corner, the place named, the Street, and done before many people. The Disciples conversed with Christ forty dayes after his Resurrecti­on, and saw him ascend into Heaven. They preached this to the world, when they knew this Doctrine would cost them their Lives, and it was never pre­tended that in all their torments that any one of them confessed a Cheat, Leviath. Christ. Pol. but rejoi­ced that they were going to that Christ whom they had thus seen and preached. [Page 63]Mr. Hobbs, though he is pleased to tell us, that the Scriptures were in the hands of the Ecclesiasticks, for about three hundred years after the Apostles, (he had done well to have proved it as well as said it,) yet saith, he believed the Scriptures were not corrupted by them. If there seem to be any Coutradictions in Scripture (saith Morney) we should do with Scrip­ture, as Scholars with Classical Authors: If they meet with a hard Sentence, they do not presently throw away the Book, Morney, de ver. Christ. Rel. but turn it this way, and that way, ra­ther than say, the Author wrote not sense, or true Latine, or Greek: Discipulus prae­ceptorem, praeceptor ignorantiam accusat: The Scholar blames the Master, the Ma­ster his Ignorance, but neither blame the Author. Many passages in Scripture History we cannot easily reconcile, for want of knowing some Occurrences in those times: I have in this case, often made use of such a Meditation as this (which one night came into my thoughts:) If two men writing the History of the Reign of our present King, one should write, that this year was the thirty fifth year of his Reign; and the other should write, that this was the twenty third year of his Reign: A Stranger, or some Beyond [Page 64]Sea would wonder at this different ac­count, and would cry out, that there was a notorious Contradiction in these two Hi­storians: but we that know how Affairs have been in England, know that both wrote true: This is the 35th year of his Reign, if we consider how long he hath Reigned de jure, upon the death of his Father; this is the 23 ^d year of his Reign, if we reckon how long he hath Reigned de facto, or since his retnrn. A young Grammarian, might quarrel with his Grammar, when he read of a Singular Number, when Number must be at least of two: Of a Conjunction Disjunctive, and cry, O Horrible Contradiction in Terms! when there is a conjunction of words, where there is a Disjunction of Sense.

If any say, But a great part of Scrip­ture we understand not. I answer, And a great part of Scripture you do under­stand: VVhat can be more plain than those Scriptures against Sin and for Ho­liness? I have heard of an Unchast La­dy, that was objecting the obscurity of the Scripture, and that she could not un­derstand it: How Madam (replyed one) what more plain than this? Thou shalt not Commit Adultery. Consider again, what [Page 65]did the Eunuch understand? Acts 8.30. God helped him said Philip to him, Ʋnderstandest thou what thou readest? A good question, How can I, (said he:) And Philip instructed him: Here all met, that some would part; Here was Scripture, for he read some of Isaiah his Prophesie. Here was the Spirit that bad Philip go to him; Here was the Preacher, for Philip expounds all to him. Who throws away a letter of great concern, because he cannot read all, nor understand all? he reads it the oftner, takes the more pains, calls for help, and glad to understand most of it, when he cannot understand all. If any plead, We cannot read: A good Woman (in Queen Maries time) that could not read, got a new Testament, went from house to house, and desi­red others to read to her, and soon got much knowledge: Knowledge doth not get into the Soul by the Eye onely, but by the Ear. Many under­stand the mysteries of their Trades, that never read Books about them: Many can tell what news is going, that never look into Gazets, or News-letters, by hearing and considering. I have (saith God, Hos. 8.12.) written to them [Page 66]the great things of my Law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

If any say, I want time. Can you find time to eat, to sleep, and not to look into the Word of God? Some can find time to read vain books, that can find none to read Scripture: Tho' such are as Politianus, that left reading the Scripture, Morney de ver. Rel. Christ. and studied and dispu­ted about such questions as these, whe­ther we should write Carthaginenses, or Carthaginienses, &c. As insignificant are all other Studies, when men con­temn the Word of God.

4. If you find Convictions from Gods Word, lose them not as you have too often done; Cain, when terrified in his mind, built Cities: Saul called for Musick; so some run to their profits, and pleasures. If a man had great Treasure about him, and came by a dangerous way where many were rob­bed, and he himself had some time been robbed, how would he fear? As the Lord liveth, thou art the man: Thou hast been many times richly laden with good convictions, affections, and purposes gotten from the Word of God; the Cares and Temptations of the world have robbed thee, and feek to do it again.

5. Remember, You that are Believ­ers, what Encouragement they had in Scripture, you have; and by them, Josh. 1.5. Heb. 13.5. God directeth and comforteth you; Hos. 12.4, 5, 6. where he speaks of Jacob, Yea, he had Power over the An­gel, and prevailed; he wept and made sup­plication unto him: he found him in Be­thel, and there he spake with us;—There­fore turn thou to thy God: Keep mercy and Judgment, wait on thy God continual­ly. God by giving Jacob the blessing, speaks to us to wait on God. But to the Scripture, we must add Prayer: But of that in the next Chapter.

Directions in answer to a Question.

Q. But what if I have no heart to the work?

1. Pray obedientially, when you can­not [Page 69]pray comfortably. God calls for Prayer, wait on him in the face of all discouragements. Obedience will make an unpleasant work pleasant.

2. Remember, that discomposure may quickly end in enlargement. Abraham found his Ram on the Mount, Gen. 22.13. and that in the Thickets: So many find their hearts in Prayer (not before) and that in the midst of violent Temptations.

3. Remember, that many Prayers, we reckon some of the worst, God accounts as some of our best Prayers; Great are the rewards for what some think to be dead Prayers. We reckon the goodness of Prayer by composure of thoughts, by af­fections, but God by self-loathing, and seeing nothing in our selves and duties, but all in Christ.

Let us cry earnestly to our God. Pagans have cryed aloud to their Gods, 1 Kings 18.26. They cut themselves, and leapt upon the Altars which they made. If any say, I know not how to pray in Secret, I ne­ver yet did it, I know not what to say: Go to God and say so. It is a good Con­fession, Lord here I am come, I would pray, but know not what to say. It may be given you in that hour, what to confess, and pray for, and that with great melting of [Page 70]heart. Ask the Experience of the peo­ple of God: Love them, but of that in the following Chapter.

DIRECTIONS.

1. Remember, what God Commands you to give to the poor, that you have no right to; and it is theft to detain it, as may be made clear by this plain com­parison: One man, by a Carrier sends so much money, or goods to another; if that Carrier keep all, because all came to his hands, he is a Thief, and is dealt with as such. God hath sent so much to the distressed by you, if you give not, you wrong them.

Obj. God hath sent so much, some may say, How much?

Answ. Ask God by Prayer, Scripture by reading, Conscience by Consideration: Prov. 3.97. With-hold not good from him, to whom it is due. Luke 16.12. If ye have been unfaithful in that which is another mans.

2. Conclude on it, if the poor die for [Page 74]want of what we are bound to give them, we are Manslayers, and Murtherers before God. He that sees a man in the water, and will not help him out when he can with ease, he is as really guilty of his death, as if he had thrown him in. How many poor men, good men have perished for want of their right! If God should say to some great men, rich men, as he did to Cain, Where is Abel thy Brother? So where is the poor man, thy Brother? It may be he would answer as he, Am I my Brothers Keeper? But the same reply shall be made by the Lord, What hast thou done? The Voice of thy Brothers Blood cry­eth unto me from the ground, and now thou art Cursed, Gen. 4.9, 10, 11.

3. Remember what an honour it is to be Gods Almoner. What if God in Scrip­ture had named you, as Josiah by name, and call'd on you to the work, would you not chearfully have set about the work? How did Job rejoyce in the per­formance of this duty! Job 29.13, 14, 15, 16. He caused the Widows heart to sing: That his Judgment was a Robe, and a Di­ade: That he was eyes to the Blind, and feet to the lame, and a Father to the Poor.

Some object, Times are hard.

I answer, Mens Hearts are so.

Obj. Money is scarce.

Answ. How is it then you have so much to lay out in unnecessary Attire; Dishes at your Tables; in Pleasures? How comes so much to be spent in Alehouses and Ta­verns? This, O vain man, is but a Fig­leaf to cover thy nakedness.

Obj. Others do plead, Few of the great Professors of Religion do mind this work.

Answ. I answer, But from the Begin­ning it was not so. The Jews under the Old Testament did much, Christians in Pauls time did much. Do not what most Professors do; but what the best do. Ma­ny in our time have acted worthily: The famous Mr. Gouge (now in Glory) he set up an Hundred and fifty Schools in Wales, and went (at least) once a year to visit them, gave away many Bibles, and Catechisms, and took great pains in instructing Children in the Principles of Religion, and would often say; That he had two Livings, the one in Wales, the other in Christ-Church Hospital in London (where he had done much good) that he would not part with for a world. My never to be forgotten Friend, the Re­verend Mr. Fairclougb of Bristol, his Purse was alwayes open for pious uses, especi­ally for educating young men in order to [Page 76]the Ministry. I might say much of Mr. Henry Stubbes my Father-in-Law, were it not that it seems better to become ano­ther mans Pen than mine. There are yet alive many men that are forward for works of Charity.

Obj. Some say, What shall I do for hereaf­ter?

Answ. If thou hadst Faith as a grain of Mustard-Seed, thou wouldst say to this Mountain of Distrust, be thou removed and cast into the Sea, and it would be done: Can you trust God for things eternal, and not for things mo­mentary? Luk. 16.9. Make you friends with the Mammon of Ʋnrighteousness. Riches are unrighte­ously gotten by some, unrighteously spent by others, but unrighteously kept by ma­ny more. Many get that honestly, which they do not honestly keep. It is by Gods Law another mans right: I say to the Covetous, as Christ to that man, Stretch forth thy withered hand. We read of them, Amos 6.4, 5, 6. That invent instruments of Musick, drink wine in Boles, and are not grieved for the Afflictions of Joseph: Let such yet say as David, when the Lord gave him rest, 2 Sam. 7.1, 2. When he sat in his house, he said to Nathan the Propet, I dwell in a house of Cedar, but the Ark [Page 77]of God dwelleth within Curtains. So I am at ease, but many Saints in trouble. Love to the Ungodly is also evidenced in mourning for their Sins, 2 Pet. 2.8. would there were more Lots! whose Righteous Souls, in hearing, and see­ing, are vexed from day to day, for the Sins of the Wicked. It is not, how many tears there are in the eyes; but how much sorrow there is in the heart: Let your heart bleed because of them who are going merrily to the place of Lamentation, Misery and Wo; Like men that should go on singing, and dancing, and calling for their Cups and Musick, to the place of Execution.

I have spoken of several Duties, of reading Scripture, Prayer, Charity, but we must remember all must be done in Sincerity, and this is the next thing we shall consider.

DIRECTIONS.

1. Conclude on the absolute necessity of Sincerity, and beg the Prayers of Gods [Page 84]Sincere ones: Say then to your Souls, we must be upright. If it were proclaim­ed from Heaven, that but one man in a Town, or City, should be saved; every man had reason to give all diligence, that he might be the man, knowing he cannot dwell with Eternal Burnings. Are your doubts many? beg the Prayers of the Faithful, do as God commanded Jobs Friends, Go to my Servant Job, and he shall pray for you, and him will I accept, Job. 42.8. Go to such a Minister such a Christian, be not ashamed to go to them, to knock at their doors, to speak with them, and enquire, Acts 16 30. What must I do to be saved? Cry as they in the Vision to Paul, Acts 16.9. Come over into Macedonia, and help us. If a man be distempered, or wounded in his body, away he goes to the Physician, or Chi­rurgeon: Be as careful of your Souls, as you are of your Bodies. If there be any good desires, cherish them: Cant. 2.3. The Fig-tree putteth forth her Green Figs, and the Vines with the tender Grapes give a good Smell. Arise my Love, my Fair One, and come away. Thy sincere, though weak desires and breathings of Soul, are pleasant to God, and promise well. Can any Babes in Christ say, as the poor Indian when first awakened, being asked what [Page 85]Sin was, Oh, said he, it is the continual Sickness of my Heart? It argues they are alive to God.

2. Do not too soon shake off all fears, and doubts. Some come and tell Mini­sters, how they cannot sleep some nights, being terrified about Sin, and wrath: I am ready to tell them, where they a­wake one night, I would they did many: They that have been so before them, have no reason to wish they had slept the mean while.

Wounds must smart much before they can be cured. Many break their sleep by night about loss of Children, of Goods, &c. and make no great matter of it. You may in a little time, say of your hearts, as Jacob of that place, Gen 28.16 The Lord was here, and I knew it not. The first cry of the New Creature pleaseth God, tor­menteth the Devil. If you are full of fears now, the comforts of God will be sweeter to you when they come. If you on a Journey were benighted on a Down, darkness comes, Rain pours down, one Clap of Thunder and Flash of Lightning followed another, and you were wet to the skin, affrighted, and every hour seems as long as ten, and in the morning, when [Page 86]light appeared, and the Sun began to shine, and you were brought into your Inne, and had the comfort of a good Fire, warm cloaths, good provision, and a good bed; would you not be the more sensible of the sweetness of these things, because of your nights misery? O Christian, Sorrow may continue for a night, Psal. 30. Isa 50.10. but joy co­meth in the morning. Are you in darkness, and so see no light? Hear you the Thun­drings of the Law? See you the Flashes of Gods Judgment? Do the Terrours of God fall upon your Soul? When God shines upon you, then his Promises and Comforts will be sweet to your Souls.

3. Never stick at any attainments, but be alwayes going on. Are you weak? The strongest in Christ were once so. One hath a good meditation upon this, The greatest Giant was once a Babe in the Cradle; The greatest Oak was once a Twig; And the greatest Scholar, was once in his Horn-book, learning letters: So saith he, the greatest Christian, was once a Babe in Christ, and weak in grace. All must grow; sad it is for any to say, if I have so much Grace as will bring me to Hea­ven, I am content: But who is content with just so much meat as will kill hunger, and save life? Or with just so much mo­ney [Page 87]as will keep him from debts, and so from Goal? Strive more and more against Sin: Get greater power over Constituti­on Sins, Company Sins, and the Sins of your Callings. If any should say, our hearts are still bad after praying, watch­ing, and striving, remember still to go on. If a man went to cut down an Oak, the first blow with the Ax tends to the fall of the tree, as well as the last; if one should see one blow given, and another, and an hundred, and the Oak seems as firm as ever, and should say, it is but in vain to strike any more, what weakness were he guilty of? At last down falls the Tree: So the first acts of Repentance, Faith, O­bedience, tend to the pulling down of Sin, as really as the last. How many are prone to Pride, Covetousness, unchast desires, revenge, have found this to be true? they have prayed many years, and Fasted, and striven against Sin, and yet found (as they thought) but a little change, and at last down hath fallen the Sin: And God hath made them very humble, very mor­tifyed, very chast, very patient. Then take up the Ax, strike, strike, and spare not Sin; Sin shall be destroyed.

4. If you find you are Sincere, give God the glory through Jesus Christ. When [Page 88]King Solomon was Crowned, what rejoy­cing was there! 1 Kings 1.40. They piped w [...]h Pipes, and rejoyeed with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them: Cant. 3.11. Go forth ye Daughters of Zion, and see King Solomon with the Crown where­with his Mother Crowned him in the day of his Espousaels, and in the day of the gladness of his heart. God that hath sanctifyed you, hath Crowned you with a better Crown, of Grace, and will with a Crown of Glo­ry. The Angels rejoyced at your Conver­sion, and therefore you should rejoyce: God in heaven, and those your friends there are glad for you, Luke 15.32 and you should be glad for your selves. You once were under the same Condemnation with the wicked. God sometimes pardons Sinners of the greatest sort, and pardons [...]ot some of the lesser sort: As if a King seeing two men, whom the Law had Condemned, the one for Murthering his Child, and contriving to Murther him; another onely for stealing of a few Cattel, or a summ of Money, he pardons the Traytor, and lets the Thief go to Ex­ecution: Even so Father, Mat. 11 26 for so it seems good in thy Sight. Paul runs up all to the Will of God, Rom. 9.23. Yet, says Cal­vin, Ne (que) tamen ingerin [...]us commentum ab­solutae [Page 89]potentiae: He is not pleased with say­ing onely, That God is a Law to himself: It is Gods Will, saith he, that is true, but why God wills, is not for us to know; why he would wrap up so many men in Adam, and they all fell by his Sin; Why Beasts be not men; or why I was not Christs Humane Nature, is not for us to ask: so he. Ephes. 1.4. You that were chosen, that you might be holy, not because he foresaw you would be holy, so you were chosen to Grace, as well as to Glo­ry. Blessed are the eyes that see the things that you see. You are kept by the mighty power of God, through Faith unto Salvation. No man shall be able to pluck you out of Christs hand. If any say then, let the Sincere do what they will, they cannot be damned. Though they shall not be damned, yet they may be se­verely scourged. God can take away their peace of Conscience, deprive them of much Communion with himself, cross them in their enjoyments, and make them to go weeping to their Graves. If any reading our Statute-Law say, The break­ing of such a Law is only the loss of my liberty, not of my life; or of my hand, not of my head; and therefore I fear not Law, every one would deride him; 2 Pet. 3.18 Grow in Grace, is Gods Command to them [Page 90]that have Grace; and they do so, though the change at first be more sensible: Let a white cloath be died black, the first dip makes a sensible, wonderful change, dip it again it is more black, but the change not so sensible as before: So it is with the first and after acts of Grace, first and after Duties.

5. Let us learn more, to enquire into the state and condition of our own Souls, and less into the state and condition of other mens Souls. I may know my self, but not so easily another man; some great Professors prove vile, some weak ones serious, that Dr. Sibs saith, that Bucer after long experience of this, said, he would not exclude from the Lords Supper that man that had Aliquid Chri­sti, any thing of Christ. I have heard of that holy man of God, Mr. Cotton of New-England, that he once said to his Congregation (who were not pleased with it) That if any Indian, or other should step forth, and say, I love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth; and should testifie his willingness to walk ac­cording to the Gospel, though his de­fects were great, for Ignorance, &c. that he would admit him to the Lords Table. We all are of the mind of the Church [Page 91]of England, that no scandalous person, &c. should be admitted (and therefore, by the way, many Ministers are Non-conformists to their own Canons and Or­ders) I would admit any man, that by converse with him, I had reason to be­lieve to be sincere; though I had great fears to the contrary. Whilst I am writing of this blessed Ordinance, this binding Ordinance, this Ordinance God so much blesseth for the carrying on a work of Grace; Remember we there receive the Body of Christ. Mat. 26.26 The Elements though not changed in nature, yet are changed in use: As Wax in Writings, of great use, differs from common Wax. One thus expresseth himself: A Prince sends an Ambassadour, and offers a Woman his Son, and gives the Effi­gies, or Picture of him? the young Prince in Person, not the bare Effigies of him is now given: In Person, how? Not in present, personal, physical possession; but in the true right of Relation, as a Husband. So is Christ given, how? Not by any transubstantia­tion, but as a Saviour. In this Ordinance God reviveth the decaying Graces of his People, and gives them more strength. It is with our Souls, as with our Bodies, [Page 92]they are sometimes sick, and out of Or­der: As sometimes when the body is sick, the eyes cannot see well, nor the mouth taste well, nor the hands work well, nor the feet go well; by Physick, Cordials, or some means we are revived, and all is well. Some temptations, corruptions, cares of the world, bring our Souls out of order, that the Eye of Faith waxeth dim, the hands of good Works grow weak, and hang down, the feet of affections are feeble: But Gods Ordinances, and espe­cially this of the Sacrament revives us, and sets us right again. Sincerity then is the chief thing, and above all gettings we should get it, the Price of it is above Gold, above all Treasures: He that gets it not, gets nothing in the world worth the having. Solomon saith, Fearing God, keeping his Commandements (which is the same with being sincere) is the whole of man, Eccles. 12.13. for he had proved all other things to be Vanities: But of that in the next Chapter.

DIRECTIONS.

1. Call to mind, how uncertain the things of the world have been, to many of our fellow-Creatures before us. Exod. 14.2 Pha­raoh King of Egypt, was drowned in the [Page 94]Red Sea: Dan. 4.33. Nebuchadnezar was made as a Beast in the field, for seven year: Acts 12.2. He­rod, that glittered in his Royal Robes, was eaten of Worms: Antonius Helioga­balus Emperour of the Romans, his Gar­ments were very costly, and yet he would never wear one Garment twice, his Shoes were embellished with Pearls and Dia­monds; his way was strewed with Pow­der of Gold and Silver; his Vessels of ba­ser sort were all of Gold, his Rings and Jewels would he never use but once: Who, among the voluptuous sort of men, would not be Antonius Heliogabalus now? yet this man had always about him a silver Cord, or golden Knife to dispatch himself if he saw occasion; but he did not escape so, the Romans took Him and his Mother (after he had reigned four years) and dragg'd them thorough the streets of Rome, and broke their arms, and threw them into Tiber, Speeds Chron. that they might not be buried, or the Air be infected by them: Who would be Antonius Helio­gabalus now? How have many flourishing Nations, as well as men, been brought to nought? Heylins Cosmog. The Spaniards in seventeen years destroyed six Millions of men, roasted some, pluckt out their eyes, cut off some mens arms and threw them to be de­voured [Page 96]by Wild Beasts. This is repre­sented in that dream of Daniel, Dan. 4.11, 13, 15. Of a tree that grew, and was strong, the heighth of it reached unto Heaven, and the sight thereof to the ends of the Earth. He that came down from Heaven cryed with a loud voice, saying, Hew down the Tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his Fruit:—What is become of the house that Solomon built for Pharaohs Daughter? Where are the fa­mous Structures we have read of, or the men that dwelt in them?

2. Conclude on it, the things of the World are but vain, else Christ, and many good men had never had so few of them, and so many of the worst of men, had never had such an abundance of them. Mat. 17.27 Mat. 27.29 Christ was so poor he could not pay tri­bute, &c. had a Crown of Thorns on his head, when Tiberius that Idolatrous Pa­gan, had a Crown of Gold on his. It is a Priviledge the Saints shall have for ever in Heaven, that they shall never see, nor use any of these toyes there. The vilest of men for Blasphemy, Intemperance, Uncleanness, Oppression, they have much of the world, when thousands that breath after God, and love him above all, have Poverty and contempt: God would ne­ver [Page 97]deny these things (if they were not Vanities) to the righteous, and give them to the wicked.

3. Make the thoughts of a time of dy­ing familiar to you. Think, Must I dye! then Lord it is high time for me, to be­gin to live; which no man doth, till he be dead to the world. If you had been made when Adam was, and had from that time to this, lived in all the delights of the Sons of men, and were now to die, you would be convinced, that all past en­joyments were vanity. If you knew for certain where your Graves should be, where your Bodies should lie till the Re­surrection, would you not (if you could) go often to that Grave, and weep there? But that Curse seems to come on most men, that came on the King of Babylon, Dan. 4.16. Let his heart be chan­ged from mans, and let a Beasts heart be given to him: Hence it is they delight not in God, but in brutal, beastial Pleasures; and though they know they must die, yet prepare not for it. As if a man play­ing at Cards, were told his house were on fire, and desired to hasten away to save his House, Goods and Children, should say, I will end my Game first, and by that time he came all were burnt.

4. Let the spiritual man, the Heaven­born Soul, be ashamed, that these Va­nities have had so much of his time, thoughts and desires. Epictetus directed his followers, when tempted to flattery, today, [...]; Art thou a Philosopher? So when you are tempted to immode­rate delight in Vanity, [...]; Art thou a Christian? A Disciple of Jesus that was de [...]d to these Gai [...]ties? Trust not you in Men, they are Vanity. When Is­r [...]l was in Egypt, in cruel Bondage, News comes from the Court, Pharaoh will let them go: You may imagine how glad they were, and how they did comfort one another; but there comes a Coun­ter word, then they are sad: Then a Promise again, and they had the Word of a King for it and then it is revoked again.

Trust not to Men, nor Things; your Treasures, your Relations are uncertain Comforts. Look oftner to God, less to the World; yet am I not calling a Chri­stian to any unnecessary sadness: He may and ought to take delight in the things of the World, seeing they help him to serve his God: Meats, Drinks, Diversi­ons serve the Body, the Body serves the Soul, the Soul serves God; so that there [Page 99]is a high end in common things. It is unbecoming a Child of God to be melan­choly, and casts a blot on his Profession. The Turks indeed account their melan­choly Men their greatest Saints, and keep them, as such, on a publick Stock: They, as such, (as melancholy) are sitter for Turks, than Christians; yet in all our Mirth and Chearfulness we should fear Sin. I know Zeal and Langhter may be conversant about the same thing; but (saith Ames, De Consci.) Non sub eadem ratione; Z [...]lus enim respicit [...], & turpe, risus autem inexpectatum aliq [...] levi­ter placens absque consideratione, vel honesti vel turpis: Zeal is conversant about a thing, consider it as good or evil; but laughter may be occasioned by some un­expected thing, that please [...]h a little, without the consideration of the thing as holy or prophane.

Is all vanity? then wicked men need not much rejoyce in their abundance, not the righteous much trouble themselves for their afflictions. Their sanctified tribula­tions shall do them much good; when the unsanctified Prosperity of the wicked, shall do them much hurt. But the Bene­fit of Afflictions is the next thing to be considered.

DIRECTIONS.

1. Look unto Christ, and his follow­ers before us, with what patience they have born afflictions. How was Christ reviled, spit on, crucisied, and yet as a Lamb before the Shearers, Isa. 53.7. so was he! Do they contemn and hate us, whom we have shewn great kindnesses to? consider how Moses was dealt with by an ungrate­ful people, though he left the pleasures of Pharaohs Court for their sakes, yet sometimes they were ready to stone him: Exo. 17.4. Though Paul suffered so much for the Go­spels sake, yet some in the Church of Co­rinth said of him, that he walked after the flesh, 2 Cor. 10.2. Because he pleaded the power he had to forbear working, to have carnals from them, that had spirituals from him, 2 Cor. 4.1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy we faint not: Hopes he had of doing some Souls good, and that quieted him. The Pagans of old were wont to ask, Tertul. Apol. how ma­ny Children the Christians devoured, and who were the Cooks that dressed them, &c? All which reproach they bore pati­ently: [Page 104]Christ was not strict enough in his converse, for a number of proud Pha­risees; they accused him with Sabbath-breaking, and keeping company with vain men. Solomons Counsel must take place, Prov. 26.4. Answer not a fool accor­ding to his Folly, lost thou also be like unto him; and though there seems to be a con­tradiction in the next verse, vers. 5. An­swer a fool according to his Folly, lost he be wise in his own conceit: Answer him not maliciously, wrathfully, or using sinful words, as he doth: but answer him wise­ly, and with good and convincing words.

2. Call to mind the wonderful Provi­dences that have attended Gods People in their greatest afflictions. What did God do for Abraham, when he went he knew not whither, and met with trou­bles every where? Josephus for Moses when Thar­mutis (for so was the Daughter of Phara­oh call'd) took care of him? Sir W. R. Hist. When God drowned Cheneres (for so was that Pha­raoh call'd as some say;) For the Church in Queen Esthers time, when the day for their destruction was appointed? Bish. Spotswood in his History of the Church of Scotland, speaking of that Holy man Cragge, the night before he was to be ex­ecuted, Pope Paul the 4 ^th died, which [Page 105]caused his getting out of Prison; having lost himself in a Wood, and wanting con­veniences, a Dog came and fawned about him, having a Purse of money in his mouth, and laid it at Craggs feet, and guided him to Millain, where a company of Banditti, or Robbers set upon him; one of them told him that he knew him, and once had his Charity, and to requite that kindness, he would now secure him out of the hands of that sort of men. Lam. 3.27. I will not say much of my self, who bore the yoke in my youth, nor of a series of won­derful Providences, that nine years ago I met with, in the day when I had not where to lay my head, which for a year after, I did seldom think of with dry eyes: I will add no more of that, because I will offend none. Gods care is such of his own, that he saith, Isa. 45.11. Ask me of things to come, concerning my Sons, and concerning the works of my hands, command you me. I know some would read by way of Interrogation, Do you command me? but we will consider the words, as signi­fying Gods great condescension; yet it is not to be endured, for any to say (as once I heard a Minister do) Lord we there­fore command thee. If a King say to an or­dinary man, in such a thing you may com­mand [Page 106]me, he doth not expect the man should reply, Then, Sir, I command you; but that he should thus understand him: Your request shall as certainly be grant­ed, as if it had the force of a Command, or as if you had the power of command­ing me: Let us consider Gods past Provi­dences to us, to take encouragement from them; Luk. 22.35. When I sent you without Purse or Scrip, lacked you any thing? and they said, Nothing: What did God for Joseph in all his troubles? Psal. 105.18, 19. Whose feet they hurt with fetters, he was laid in Iron, until the time that his word came, till the word of the Lord tryed him: Then the King sent and made him Lord of his house, and Ruler of his substance. 1 Kings 7.21. When the Pillars of the Porch of the Temple were set up, the right Pillar was called Jachin, (which signifieth, He shall establish) and the left Pillar was called Boaz, (which signifieth, Strength is in it;) All this shews the care God hath of his Church and People, notwithstanding all contrivances against them.

3. Take a Prospect of all the happy consequences of sanctified Afflictions. 1. Rom. 5.4, 5. They work Patience, and Patience Ex­perience, &c. They bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness. 2. They make us [Page 107]look to God for comfort, seeing none can be found in Creatures; Micah 7.5, 6, 7. Trust ye not in a Friend, put not confidence in a Guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lyeth in thy bosom: For the Son dis­honoureth the Father, the Daughter riseth a­gainst her Mother, the Daughter-in-law a­gainst her Mother-in-law; a mans enemies are the men of his own house. This was a sad case, but how much good came of it? Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my Salvation: Trust not in an Enemy, or a Stranger, one would think to be good counsel; yea, but trust not in a Friend: But what if that Friend be an intimate one? No, put not confidence in a guide: But my Wife is my second Self; shut the door of thy lips from her that lyeth in thy bosom: But if I am a Father, I hope I shall have comfort in my Children whom I so much love, and of whose Education I am so tender; No, the Son dishonoureth the Father; but saith the Mother, Daughters are more flexible, and I may have Comfort in them; No, the Daughter riseth against the Mother; well, if my Children be bad, I hope to please my self in Children in Law, Sons Wives; No, The Daughter-in-law riseth against the Mother-in-law: If the case be this, then [Page 108]I will (say some) take comfort in Ser­vants, or any one in the house that loves me; No, there is no Comfort there, For a mans Enemies are them of his own House: What follows? Therefore I will look unto the Lord; Therefore, wherefore? because he could not comfortably look to any other: Away to Prayer, to Meditation, to Read­ing: When any say they can take Com­fort in nothing in their Houses; No, have you no Bibles there? 3. Afflictions make us call to mind our own faults; do others wrong, abuse us, have not we done the like to some men in time past? Solomon disswades from fretting, if we hear our Servants Curse us, from this considera­on, Eccl. 7.21, 22. Thou thy self knowest that in time past thou hast cursed others: I have heard of a man that beat his Father, and drew him by the hair of his head towards the street, when he came to the Threshold, Stay Son, (said the old man) drag me no farther, for so far I dragged my Father, and here I left him: I have had the Story from the Inha­bitants of that Town, it being a place where Providence hath often called me. 4. Afflictions make us also to desire Hea­ven. A man in a Journey, if the way be bad, if the weather be bad, if his Horse be bad, and if his Body be out of order, [Page 109]he more desires to be at his Journeys end, than otherwise he would do. When the Saints come there, they shall have their reward. Josephus saith, that when Caius Caligula caused Agrippa to be brought out of Prison, that was committed there by Tiberius, he gave him a Chain of Gold that weighed as much as his Chain of Iron, and preferr'd him: Now the heavi­er the Chain of Iron was, the better for him, the greater was his Chain of Gold. The righteous man will bless God for ever, for all his trouble; when the wic­ked man shall for ever, curse the time in which he enjoyed Prosperity. 5. Afflicti­ons put us on Prayer. David was a man of great troubles, and therefore much given to Prayer, and God delivered, and his Prayers were turned into Praises. If any say, I have prayed long, and yet the trouble is not over. Long: How long? Thy Life is not long. How long did the Jews pray, and wait for Deliverance from the Babylonish Captivity? Even seventy years. Continue in Prayer, and you know not how soon God may appear.

Whilst I mention Afflictions, let me call on all sorts of men, to prepare for national Calamities; they may be such as God speaks of, Deut. 28.34. So that thou [Page 110]shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes, which thou shalt see. Where then will be the Cups, Cards, Musick of vain men? I speak to you from God, as Moses to Pha­raoh, Exod. 10.3. How long refusest thou to humble thy self before me? Jer. 6.4. We may cry as the Pro­phet Jeremy, Wo unto us! for the day go­eth away, the shadows of the evening are stretched out. The day of peace, the day of the enjoyment of Gospel Priviledges seems to draw to a close, when that judgment may be executed, Jer. 20.25. Wherefore I gave them Statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they could not live. I humbly conceive, he speaketh not of the ceremonial Law that he ap­pointed, but of Idolatrous Commands from men, vers. 23. I lifted up my hand also to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the Heathen, &c. I gave them statutes that were not good: not as if God gave them by command, but only by his Providence. If any say, if that be the worst of it, we care not: If Popery prevail, we will never be Non-confor­mists. Go Judas, take thy thirty pieces of Silver; and thy ease and treasures shall do thee as much good, as that Money did him, which he purchased by betraying his Lord.

The Wicked, that now receive their good things, shall be tormented; and the Righteous that receive their evil things shall be comforted. Luke 16.25. But of this in the next Chapter.

DIRECTIONS.

Prepare for the day of Judgment, and when prepared, pray for it. The com­pleating of the happiness of the Saints, as to their body, will be in that day: What think you of the particular Judgment in the time of Death? When Saul was told he should dye, (for that is the meaning of the word, be with me, that is in the number of the dead; for Jonathan was a [Page 119]good man,) 1 Sam. 28.19, 20. Then Saul fell strait way all along on the earth, and there was no strength in him: In the sixth verse we find, In the day of his trouble God answer­ed him not, neither by Dreams, nor by Ʋrim, nor by Prophets: Neither will God speak comfortably to ungodly men when they die, by Ministers, nor Scripture, nor Conscience: If you ask what that Ʋrim was? we read not of it as a thing made by Moses or the People; some think it was a precious stone in the breast of the High-Priest, that by the change of its colour, shewed what success the People should have in War; as by Thummim what Offerings were accepted: I know Mr. Weems throws in one rub against this, Because, (saith he) when the Priest put on Ʋrim and Thummim, he asked Counsel at the mouth of the Lord: He pleads, if there were such a wonderful miraculous change of the colour of Ʋrim, there was no need of asking of God; his Opinion therefore was, when the Priest had it on, he was inspired to answer to the question: I will not gainsay the Opinion, only I conceive the objection is of no force, for that change of the colour might be made by, or in Prayer, and calling upon God: Saul had no answer: the Ungodly shall cry in [Page 120]a time of Death, and not be heard; and when the day of judgment cometh, that great day, the Consciences of the despi­sers of Christ, may say to them, what once Zebul said to Gaal, Judg. 9.38. Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Where is now thy mouth, where­with thou saidst, Who is Christ that I should serve him? Then will he say to such, Exod. 6.1. what once God said to Moses of Pharaoh, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: Now shall Angels and Saints see what God will do to the ungodly; but such as are prepared for that day, may Pray for it; Aug. Me­dit. Aspice Domine Jesu, (cries Angustine) viduitatis, & orbitatis meaelacry­mas, quas tibi offero donec redeas: Behold Lord Jesus the tears of my Widdowhood or fatherless condition, which I pour out 'till thou returnest: Pray for the Judg­ment day, that sin may be no more, that all the faithful may be gathered in: Pray for the eternal Kingdom. Mat. 11.12 The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force: You see how poor hun­gry Beggars cry at your doors for an alms, if you do not presently answer them, if you frown on them, they will not be gone. Let us all smite our breasts; Bles­sed [Page 121]God, what an infinite disproportion is there between my desires, and their ob­jects! how coldly do I Pray for a Heaven!

2. Get a Settlement in your Hearts of the truth and certainty of all these things. It is reasonable to believe, that verily there is a Reward for the Righteous; Psal. 58.11 verily there is a God that judgeth the earth. God rewardeth not his People now, God pu­nisheth not his Enemies now, and there­fore will do it hereafter. The worst of Men have many times the best of the World, and the best of men the worst. God hath put breathings and longings of Soul in his own after the full enjoyment of himself in Glory, and he puts not those desires there to torment them, but to sa­tisfie these desires. Men venture much at Sea in hopes of great gain: Let hopes, even weak hopes in many, put them on diligence in God's Service. Wherefore, 1 Cor. 15.58. my Brethren, be constant, unmoveable, al­wayes abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your labour shall not be in vain.

3. Let all the Saints admire and adore our Lord Jesus, that saveth them from Hell, and brings them to Heaven. Mr. Ambrose in his Looking unto Jesus, saith thus; Suppose for an Offence thou wert to be rack'd leisurably, that thy Bones and Sinews [Page 122]might be pained thirty or forty years; that so much Flesh should be cut off-one day, such a Bone broken another; and by Art the Flesh should be restored, and the Skin cured again; and all th [...]se years thou be dying, and never dead; and all this while thou shouldest have no Cloaths, F [...]od, or Sleep convenient for thee; and when thou thought'st there was no hope, a great Prince should come, and deliver thee from all this misery; and not only so, but give thee great Treasures, and one of the most pleasant Habitations in his Kingdom; how would'st thou love that Prince!— Our Sin had con­demned us to far greater Misery, and our Lord Jesus hath procured for us far great­er Mercy. It is well God hath prepared an Eternity to admire this Love in.

4. Do God that Service here on Earth, that you can never do him in Heaven. I will name a few Particulars, and leave the Amplification to your Meditation.

1. Take thy fill of spiritual Mourning for shine own and other mens Sins now: Thou canst not do this when thou comest to Heaven; for there is no Sin there.

2. Bear up patiently under all thy Trials now; thou canst not do this in Heaven, for there is no trouble there.

3. Deal liberally with distressed Christi­ans now; thou canst not do this in Heaven, [Page 123]for there is no distressed Christians there.

4. Delight in Scripture and Ordinan­ces for the healing of thy Soul now; thou canst not do this in Heaven, for there is no unhealed Soul there.