Several discourses tending to promote peace & holiness among Christians to which are added, three other distinct sermons / by Dr. Manton.
         Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677.
      
       
         
           1685
        
      
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             Several discourses tending to promote peace & holiness among Christians to which are added, three other distinct sermons / by Dr. Manton.
             Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677.
          
           [8],395, [3], 95 p.
           
             Printed for Jonathan Robinson ...,
             London :
             M.DC.LXXXV. [1685]
          
           
             Each sermon has separate half-title.
             Identified in reel guide as Wing T14; Wing number cancelled in Wing (CD-ROM, 1996).
             Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
           Christian life -- Anglican authors -- Sermons.
        
      
    
     
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           SEVERAL
           DISCOURSES
           Tending
           to
           promote
           Peace
           &
           Holiness
           Among
           Christians
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           are
           added
           ,
           
             Three
             other
             distinct
          
           Sermons
           .
        
         
           By
           Dr.
           Manton
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ;
           Printed
           for
           
             Ionathan
             Robinson
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Golden
           Lion
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           .
           M.DC.LXXXV
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           Right
           Honourable
           ARTHUR
           Earl
           of
           Anglesey
           .
        
         
           
             May
             it
             please
             your
             Honour
             :
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           Learned
           Ages
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           it
           hath
           ever
           been
           somewhat
           difficult
           to
           suit
           Books
           to
           the
           patronage
           of
           the
           Learned
           ,
           Judicious
           ,
           and
           Impartial
           ;
           such
           as
           they
           know
           you
           are
           ,
           who
           know
           you
           .
           And
           when
           such
           Pieces
           are
           prepared
           ,
           and
           ready
           to
           be
           sent
           abroad
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           easy
           to
           make
           choice
           of
           a
           Patron
           worthy
           of
           such
           a
           Treatise
           .
           This
           presented
           
           to
           your
           Lordship
           ,
           worthy
           of
           a
           good
           ,
           hath
           found
           out
           the
           best
           Patron
           ;
           and
           like
           the
           incomparable
           History
           of
           Thua●●s
           ,
           happy
           in
           its
           Author
           and
           manner
           of
           writing
           ,
           and
           in
           its
           Patron
           to
           whom
           dedicated
           ,
           fails
           only
           in
           the
           Pen
           that
           dedicates
           it
           .
           The
           things
           it
           treateth
           of
           ,
           express
           much
           of
           your
           Honour's
           Sentiments
           ,
           Wishes
           ,
           Value
           ,
           and
           Endeavours
           ,
           to
           keep
           the
           Root
           of
           Christianity
           flourishing
           ,
           that
           Christians
           may
           answer
           their
           ancient
           Character
           ,
           
             Vivimus
             ,
             non
             loquimu●
             ,
             magna
             .
          
           It
           savoureth
           of
           that
           moderation
           which
           adorns
           the
           Christian
           ;
           it
           does
           with
           candor
           represent
           things
           in
           which
           many
           now
           dissent
           ,
           that
           't
           would
           be
           happy
           for
           the
           
             Church
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           if
           all
           would
           ,
           on
           such
           terms
           ,
           forbear
           each
           other
           ,
           bear
           one
           another's
           Infirmities
           ,
           and
           shew
           that
           they
           believe
           
             the
             Lord
             is
             at
             hand
          
           .
           Here
           I
           think
           is
           rightly
           stated
           what
           are
           the
           
           lesser
           ,
           what
           are
           the
           weightier
           Things
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           and
           here
           are
           Directions
           ,
           which
           (
           if
           follow'd
           )
           would
           keep
           Peace
           and
           Love
           among
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           perfect
           Holiness
           in
           the
           Fear
           of
           the
           Lord.
           The
           Author
           enjoys
           that
           sight
           ,
           which
           Holiness
           and
           Peace
           here
           recommended
           ,
           did
           lead
           him
           ,
           and
           will
           lead
           others
           unto
           .
           He
           is
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           and
           reaps
           the
           Fruit
           of
           those
           and
           other
           his
           Labours
           ,
           which
           were
           design'd
           to
           help
           others
           to
           Happiness
           also
           .
           Be
           pleased
           to
           give
           the
           Publisher
           leave
           to
           send
           this
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           countenanced
           with
           your
           Honour's
           Name
           and
           Favour
           ,
           which
           may
           induce
           some
           to
           read
           and
           consider
           what
           you
           approve
           ,
           and
           the
           Author
           left
           (
           as
           Elijah
           did
           his
           Posthumous
           Letter
           )
           to
           make
           the
           Age
           wiser
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           holier
           and
           more
           peaceable
           .
           Assured
           of
           this
           Favour
           from
           your
           Honour
           ,
           and
           hoping
           for
           
           this
           Effect
           of
           the
           Work
           ,
           the
           Publisher
           leaves
           it
           at
           your
           Lordship's
           feet
           ;
           craving
           leave
           to
           subscribe
           himself
           ,
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
           
             Your
             Honour
             's
             most
             humble
             and
             obedient
             Servant
             ,
             
               H.
               T.
            
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           Contents
           .
        
         
           
             THe
             preference
             of
             Duties
             ,
             Morals
             before
             Rituals
             ;
             on
             
               Matth.
               9.
               13.
               
               Page
            
             1
          
           
             A
             Description
             of
             the
             true
             Circumcision
             ;
             on
             Phil.
             3.
             3.
             51
          
           
             What
             kind
             of
             Perfection
             is
             attainable
             in
             this
             Life
             ;
             on
             Phil.
             3.
             15.
             149
          
           
             A
             Persuasive
             to
             Vnity
             in
             things
             Indifferent
             ;
             on
             Phil.
             3.
             15.
             182
          
           
             Not
             to
             be
             offended
             in
             Christ
             ,
             the
             ready
             way
             to
             Blessedness
             ;
             on
             Matth.
             11.
             6.
             215
          
           
             Wisdom
             is
             justified
             of
             her
             Children
             ;
             on
             Matth.
             11.
             18
             ,
             19.
             255
          
           
             The
             faithful
             Followers
             of
             Christ
             must
             expect
             Troubles
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             on
             
               Luke
               9.
               57
               ,
               58
               ,
               &c
            
             315
          
           
             No
             excuse
             against
             a
             speedy
             obeying
             Christ's
             Call.
             341
          
           
             Looking
             back
             ,
             ill
             becomes
             those
             that
             have
             set
             their
             face
             Heavenward
             .
             368
          
           
             The
             Nature
             and
             Excellency
             of
             Saving
             Faith
             :
             in
             two
             Sermons
             ;
             from
             Heb.
             10.
             36.
             and
             1
             
               Pet.
               1.
               4.
               
               P.
            
             1
          
           
             A
             Wedding-Sermon
             ;
             on
             Gen.
             2.
             22.
             65
          
        
      
       
         
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           PAge
           7
           ,
           line
           19.
           read
           
             de
             ordine
             modum
          
           .
           P.
           71.
           l.
           20.
           for
           Business
           ,
           r.
           b●s●ness
           .
           P.
           74.
           l.
           28.
           f.
           tendency
           ,
           r.
           Tendry
           .
           P.
           83.
           l.
           12.
           f.
           childish
           ,
           r.
           childlike
           .
           P.
           87.
           l.
           24.
           f.
           sacred
           ,
           r.
           sound
           .
           P.
           109.
           l.
           9.
           dele
           Q.
           and
           read
           2
           
             dly
             ,
             &c.
          
           
           P.
           114.
           l.
           4.
           f.
           care
           ,
           r.
           cure
           .
           P.
           117.
           l.
           1.
           f.
           oblation
           ,
           r.
           oblectation
           .
           P.
           118.
           l.
           25.
           f.
           of
           ,
           r.
           in
           .
           P.
           124.
           l.
           9.
           f.
           justified
           ,
           r.
           instituted
           .
           P.
           139.
           l.
           26.
           f.
           Iustificiaries
           ,
           r.
           Iusticiaries
           .
           P.
           144.
           l.
           25.
           f.
           Creation
           ,
           r.
           Creature
           .
           P.
           157.
           l.
           19.
           f.
           many
           ,
           r.
           any
           .
           P.
           170.
           l.
           11.
           r.
           
             Who
             being
             sensible
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           P.
           256.
           l.
           4.
           f.
           cry
           ,
           r.
           crying
           .
           P.
           259.
           l.
           6.
           f.
           Corath
           ,
           r.
           Wrath.
           P.
           283.
           l.
           21.
           f.
           Corah
           ,
           r.
           Wrath.
           P.
           295.
           l.
           25.
           f.
           Had
           ,
           r.
           How.
           P.
           358.
           l.
           21.
           f.
           Please
           ,
           r.
           plead
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
             
             
               
                 MATTH
                 .
                 9.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 go
                 ye
                 and
                 learn
                 what
                 that
                 meaneth
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 have
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 Sacrifice
                 .
              
            
             
               THese
               words
               are
               part
               of
               Christ's
               Plea
               for
               his
               converse
               with
               Publicans
               and
               Sinners
               ,
               at
               which
               the
               Pharisees
               took
               offence
               .
            
             
               Three
               Answers
               he
               maketh
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 From
                 their
                 Necessity
                 ,
                 represented
                 in
                 a
                 proverbial
                 Speech
              
               ;
               The
               Whole
               need
               not
               a
               Physician
               ,
               but
               they
               that
               are
               sick
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               From
               the
               end
               of
               his
               Commission
               ,
               
                 I
                 came
                 not
              
               ,
               as
               the
               Doctor
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               
                 to
                 call
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 but
                 Sinners
                 to
                 Repentance
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               Here
               is
               a
               third
               suggested
               in
               the
               words
               read
               to
               you
               ,
               by
               a
               saying
               of
               the
               
               Prophet
               Hosea
               ,
               Chap.
               6.
               6.
               where
               a
               general
               Reason
               is
               intimated
               ,
               that
               a
               Ceremony
               of
               the
               Levitical
               Law
               must
               not
               hinder
               a
               necessary
               Duty
               of
               the
               Moral
               Law.
               Therefore
               his
               conversing
               with
               them
               for
               their
               Edification
               ,
               was
               not
               unlawful
               nor
               uncomely
               ;
               for
               all
               Rituals
               must
               give
               way
               to
               Morals
               .
               And
               so
               those
               Laws
               of
               not
               accompanying
               with
               an
               Heathen
               ,
               or
               an
               unclean
               Person
               ,
               were
               never
               intended
               to
               be
               a
               Bar
               to
               an
               Act
               of
               Mercy
               or
               Charity
               ,
               especially
               spiritual
               Mercy
               and
               Charity
               .
               And
               therefore
               though
               they
               held
               the
               Publicans
               prophane
               ,
               and
               unworthy
               their
               Conversation
               ,
               (
               therein
               also
               stretching
               the
               Law
               )
               yet
               Christ
               ,
               without
               any
               breach
               of
               decorum
               ,
               might
               converse
               with
               them
               for
               their
               good
               .
               For
               if
               Acts
               of
               Mercy
               and
               Charity
               be
               to
               be
               preferred
               before
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Worship
               of
               God
               ,
               this
               Act
               of
               rescuing
               and
               saving
               a
               Soul
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               preferred
               before
               all
               these
               ritual
               Restraints
               of
               Conversation
               ,
               with
               those
               who
               were
               supposed
               to
               be
               unworthy
               ,
               or
               legally
               unclean
               .
               And
               't
               is
               notable
               ,
               these
               words
               are
               brought
               ,
               not
               only
               to
               vindicate
               this
               Fact
               of
               Christ
               ,
               but
               secretly
               to
               tax
               the
               Pharisaical
               Hypocrisy
               of
               those
               ,
               who
               place
               Religion
               in
               Rituals
               more
               than
               Morals
               .
               Elsewhere
               you
               find
               
               Christ
               at
               this
               Argument
               again
               on
               another
               Occasion
               ,
               but
               to
               the
               same
               End
               and
               Purpos●
               ,
               Matth.
               12.
               7.
               
               When
               the
               Pharisees
               frowned
               ;
               because
               the
               Disciples
               plucked
               Ears
               of
               Corn
               for
               their
               Necessity
               on
               the
               Sabbath-day
               ;
               
                 If
                 you
                 had
                 known
                 what
                 this
                 meaneth
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 have
                 Mercy
                 and
                 not
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 condemned
                 the
                 Guiltless
                 .
              
               So
               that
               this
               one
               Sentence
               is
               notably
               useful
               to
               condemn
               Pharisaism
               ;
               or
               ,
               which
               is
               all
               one
               ,
               close
               Hypocrisy
               ,
               and
               withal
               to
               set
               us
               right
               in
               the
               true
               Religion
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               words
               observe
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               Christ's
               Preface
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Words
               of
               the
               Prophet
               quoted
               .
            
             
               Christ's
               Preface
               is
               to
               be
               regarded
               ;
               
                 Go●ye
                 ,
                 learn
                 what
                 that
                 meaneth
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               in
               the
               other
               place
               ,
               
                 If
                 you
                 had
                 known
                 what
                 this
                 meaneth
                 .
              
               This
               sheweth
               that
               't
               is
               a
               point
               which
               deserveth
               well
               to
               be
               studied
               by
               u's
               ,
               This
               saying
               of
               the
               Lord
               by
               the
               Prophet
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 have
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 Sacrifice
                 .
              
            
             
               Where
               Observe
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               form
               is
               Negative
               ;
               but
               in
               the
               sense
               't
               is
               to
               be
               understood
               comparatively
               ;
               
                 I
                 will
                 have
                 Mercy
                 rather
                 than
                 Sacrifice
                 .
              
               So
               when
               Paul
               saith
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 17.
                 
                 Christ
                 sent
                 
                 me
                 not
                 to
                 Baptize
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 Preach
                 the
                 Gospel
                 :
              
               Not
               chiefly
               to
               baptize
               ,
               but
               rather
               to
               
                 preach
                 the
                 Gospel
              
               .
               So
               here
               't
               is
               not
               a
               simple
               Negation
               ,
               but
               a
               Comparative
               ,
               that
               he
               approved
               of
               Moral
               Duties
               more
               than
               Sacrifice
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Observe
               ;
               The
               two
               things
               compared
               ,
               Mercy
               ,
               and
               Sacrifice
               .
               In
               the
               Prophet
               Hosea
               there
               is
               another
               word
               ,
               
                 I
                 desired
                 Mercy
                 and
                 not
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Knowledg
                 of
                 God
                 more
                 than
                 Burnt-Offerings
                 .
              
               Mercy
               comprehendeth
               the
               Duties
               of
               the
               Second
               Table
               ,
               as
               the
               Knowledg
               of
               God
               the
               Duties
               of
               the
               First
               Table
               .
               Now
               this
               Piety
               towards
               God
               ,
               and
               Charity
               towards
               our
               Neighbour
               ,
               was
               more
               acceptable
               Service
               towards
               God
               ,
               than
               all
               the
               Rites
               of
               their
               External
               Worship
               .
            
             
               Doct.
               There
               is
               much
               to
               be
               learned
               from
               God's
               expressing
               himself
               in
               his
               Word
               ;
               that
               he
               liketh
               Mercy
               to
               them
               that
               stand
               in
               need
               of
               it
               ,
               better
               than
               the
               Offering
               of
               the
               richest
               Sacrifice
               .
            
             
               I
               frame
               the
               Point
               so
               ,
               as
               it
               may
               comply
               with
               Christ's
               Scope
               and
               Purpose
               .
            
             
               Three
               things
               especially
               we
               learn
               in
               it
               .
            
             
               
               
                 I.
                 The
                 respective
                 Value
                 and
                 Preference
                 of
                 Duties
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 The
                 Guise
                 of
                 Hypocrites
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 pincheth
                 and
                 taxeth
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 often
                 by
                 this
                 Point
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 The
                 Excellency
                 of
                 Mercy
                 .
              
            
             
               I.
               I
               shall
               speak
               to
               the
               respective
               Value
               and
               Preference
               of
               Duties
               ;
               and
               there
               I
               shall
               lay
               down
               these
               Propositions
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               All
               that
               God
               commandeth
               ,
               must
               be
               respected
               ,
               and
               Obedience
               endeavoured
               :
               partly
               ,
               because
               his
               Laws
               are
               all
               Holy
               ,
               Just
               ,
               and
               Good
               ;
               Rom.
               7.
               12.
               
               
                 The
                 Law
                 is
                 Holy
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Commandment
                 Holy
                 ,
                 Iust
                 ,
                 and
                 Good
                 ,
                 viz.
              
               that
               Law
               by
               which
               he
               was
               convinced
               ,
               and
               which
               had
               wrought
               such
               trouble
               in
               his
               Heart
               :
               Holy
               ,
               as
               being
               the
               Copy
               &
               Draught
               of
               God's
               Holiness
               :
               Iust
               ,
               as
               doing
               no
               Wrong
               ,
               no
               Infringement
               of
               our
               just
               Freedom
               :
               Good
               ,
               as
               profitable
               to
               direct
               and
               perfect
               our
               Operations
               ;
               nothing
               therein
               is
               in
               vain
               or
               useless
               .
               And
               partly
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               all
               ratified
               by
               the
               same
               Authority
               ,
               
                 Exod
                 ,
                 20.
                 1.
                 
                 God
                 spake
                 all
                 these
                 words
                 ,
              
               not
               these
               words
               ,
               but
               
                 all
                 these
                 words
              
               :
               He
               that
               said
               ,
               
                 Thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 commit
                 Adultery
              
               ,
               said
               also
               ,
               
                 Thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 Steal
              
               ;
               as
               the
               Apostle
               improveth
               the
               Observation
               ,
               
                 Iam.
                 2.
                 11.
                 
                 For
                 
                 he
                 that
                 said
                 ,
                 Do
                 not
                 commit
                 Adultery
                 ,
                 said
                 also
                 ,
                 Do
                 not
                 kill
                 .
              
               God
               hath
               expressed
               his
               Will
               in
               one
               thing
               as
               well
               as
               another
               .
               And
               partly
               ,
               because
               in
               Conversion
               we
               have
               Grace
               given
               to
               obey
               all
               ;
               Ephes.
               4.
               24.
               
               
                 The
                 new
                 Man
                 is
                 created
                 after
                 God
                 in
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 true
                 Holiness
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               not
               only
               sitted
               for
               Righteousness
               ,
               but
               Holiness
               ;
               not
               only
               for
               Holiness
               ,
               but
               Righteousness
               .
               As
               the
               Sun
               is
               placed
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               shed
               abroad
               his
               Influences
               every
               where
               ,
               and
               nothing
               is
               hidden
               from
               his
               Heat
               and
               Light
               :
               So
               is
               Grace
               planted
               in
               the
               Heart
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               diffuse
               it self
               in
               an
               uniform
               Obedience
               ,
               and
               that
               we
               may
               be
               Holy
               ;
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               15.
               
               
                 As
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 called
                 us
                 is
                 holy
                 in
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 Conversation
                 .
              
               The
               Heart
               is
               framed
               to
               resist
               every
               Sin
               ,
               and
               to
               observe
               all
               the
               Commands
               of
               God.
               The
               new
               Creature
               never
               cometh
               maimed
               out
               of
               the
               Birth
               ,
               or
               wanting
               any
               part
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
               Holiness
               and
               Righteousness
               must
               ever
               go
               together
               ,
               and
               the
               Obedience
               to
               both
               Tables
               be
               inseparable
               .
               
                 We
                 must
                 serve
                 him
                 in
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 all
                 our
                 days
                 ,
              
               Luke
               1.
               75.
               
               Not
               in
               Holiness
               only
               ,
               or
               in
               Righteousness
               only
               ,
               but
               in
               both
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               Though
               all
               are
               to
               be
               respected
               ,
               yet
               all
               Duties
               are
               not
               equal
               ,
               nor
               all
               Sins
               equal
               .
               A
               vain
               Thought
               is
               not
               so
               heinous
               a
               Crime
               as
               the
               killing
               of
               a
               Man.
               And
               to
               blaspheme
               and
               curse
               God
               ,
               is
               a
               greater
               Sin
               than
               an
               idle
               Word
               ;
               and
               Idolatry
               ,
               than
               stealing
               of
               a
               Shilling
               .
               Though
               all
               God's
               Laws
               stand
               by
               the
               same
               Authority
               ,
               yet
               the
               Matter
               of
               all
               is
               not
               of
               a
               like
               moment
               and
               consequence
               .
               And
               therefore
               the
               Sins
               and
               Duties
               are
               greater
               and
               lesser
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               importance
               of
               the
               Law.
               
                 Mat.
                 5.
                 19.
                 
                 Whosoever
                 shall
                 break
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 these
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 teach
                 Men
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 least
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               There
               are
               Commandments
               which
               may
               be
               called
               the
               least
               ,
               and
               there
               are
               others
               which
               may
               be
               called
               the
               
                 greatest
                 ,
                 In
                 ordine
                 motum
              
               ,
               the
               Order
               sheweth
               the
               Weight
               .
               The
               Fundamental
               Article
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               is
               to
               have
               God
               for
               our
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               prefer
               Natural
               Worship
               before
               Instituted
               ;
               the
               Means
               stated
               ,
               before
               Manner
               and
               Time
               ;
               God
               before
               Man
               ;
               Parents
               before
               others
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Simple
               Duties
               of
               the
               first
               Table
               ,
               are
               greater
               than
               Duties
               of
               the
               Second
               .
               Christ
               himself
               saith
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 22.
                 38.
                 
                 That
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 and
                 great
                 Commandment
                 .
              
               
               They
               must
               needs
               be
               the
               greatest
               ,
               because
               the
               Object
               of
               them
               is
               greatest
               ;
               
                 God
                 is
                 greater
                 than
                 Man
              
               ,
               as
               't
               is
               said
               Iob
               33.
               12.
               
               To
               oppose
               a
               Prince
               in
               Person
               ,
               is
               more
               than
               to
               oppose
               his
               mean
               Officer
               .
               He
               that
               sinneth
               against
               his
               Neighbour
               ,
               sinneth
               against
               God
               ,
               but
               not
               so
               immediately
               .
               1
               Cor.
               8.
               12.
               
               
                 And
                 ,
                 2.
                 because
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 Bond
                 on
                 the
                 Heart
              
               to
               enforce
               the
               Duty
               of
               the
               second
               ,
               the
               Conscience
               of
               our
               Duty
               to
               God
               :
               because
               I
               love
               ,
               or
               fear
               ,
               or
               would
               honour
               God
               ,
               therefore
               I
               perform
               my
               Duty
               to
               Man
               for
               the
               Lord's
               sake
               .
               And
               so
               we
               turn
               Second-Table
               Duties
               into
               First-Table
               Duties
               .
               And
               so
               Alms
               is
               a
               Sacrifice
               ,
               Heb.
               13.
               16.
               
               And
               so
               Obedience
               to
               Masters
               ,
               is
               Obedience
               to
               God
               ,
               Ephes.
               6.
               6.
               
               And
               as
               they
               inforce
               ,
               so
               they
               regulate
               ;
               for
               we
               are
               to
               obey
               them
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               so
               as
               will
               stand
               with
               an
               higher
               Duty
               we
               owe
               to
               God.
               Acts
               4.
               19.
               
               
                 Whether
                 it
                 be
                 right
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 hearken
                 unto
                 you
                 more
                 than
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 judg
                 ye
                 .
              
               So
               that
               these
               are
               the
               greatest
               Duties
               ;
               but
               yet
               this
               must
               be
               understood
               so
               ,
               as
               the
               Comparison
               be
               rightly
               made
               ;
               The
               chief
               of
               the
               First-Table
               with
               the
               chief
               of
               the
               Second
               ,
               the
               middle
               with
               the
               middle
               ,
               the
               least
               with
               the
               least
               ;
               Externals
               with
               Externals
               ;
               otherwise
               
               not
               :
               Disobedience
               to
               Parents
               ,
               is
               more
               than
               an
               irreverent
               Speech
               of
               God
               ;
               Adultery
               a
               greater
               Sin
               ,
               than
               coldness
               in
               Worship
               ;
               stealing
               ,
               than
               not
               giving
               .
               The
               People
               made
               many
               Prayers
               ,
               but
               their
               Hands
               were
               full
               of
               Blood
               ,
               Isa.
               1.
               15.
               
               And
               therefore
               the
               Order
               must
               be
               rightly
               conceived
               ;
               first
               ,
               love
               to
               God
               ,
               then
               love
               to
               Men
               ;
               first
               ,
               the
               Worship
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               then
               Duty
               to
               Men
               in
               our
               several
               Relations
               ;
               first
               ,
               Acts
               of
               outward
               Worship
               ,
               then
               Acts
               of
               outward
               Respects
               to
               Men
               :
               Duties
               of
               Piety
               ,
               and
               also
               Justice
               and
               Charity
               .
               Thus
               the
               Circumstantial
               and
               Ceremonial
               Duties
               of
               the
               First-Table
               ,
               must
               give
               place
               to
               the
               necessary
               and
               moral
               Duties
               of
               the
               Second
               .
               But
               when
               the
               Comparison
               is
               duly
               made
               in
               the
               same
               Rank
               ,
               those
               Laws
               which
               do
               simply
               and
               directly
               respect
               God
               ,
               are
               to
               be
               preferred
               before
               those
               Duties
               which
               concern
               Men.
               And
               Sins
               of
               the
               highest
               Degree
               against
               the
               first
               Table
               ,
               are
               greater
               than
               Sins
               of
               the
               highest
               degree
               against
               the
               Second
               .
               And
               in
               Duties
               ,
               the
               Love
               of
               our
               Neighbour
               must
               give
               place
               to
               the
               Love
               of
               God.
               As
               the
               Love
               of
               Father
               and
               Mother
               ,
               Wife
               ,
               Children
               ,
               Friends
               ,
               Brethren
               ;
               Luke
               14.
               26.
               
               
                 If
                 any
                 Man
                 hate
                 not
                 Father
                 and
                 Mother
                 ,
              
               
               &c.
               
                 he
                 cannot
                 be
                 my
                 Disciple
              
               .
               God
               is
               chief
               ,
               and
               most
               worthy
               of
               respect
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Moral
               and
               Substantial
               Duties
               should
               chiefly
               be
               made
               Conscience
               of
               ,
               and
               ought
               to
               take
               place
               of
               Ceremonial
               Observances
               ,
               though
               belonging
               to
               the
               First-Table
               ;
               for
               so
               in
               the
               Text
               is
               Mercy
               preferred
               before
               Sacrifices
               .
               Which
               is
               to
               be
               regarded
               to
               a
               double
               end
               ;
               partly
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               not
               rest
               in
               them
               as
               the
               better
               part
               of
               our
               Duty
               .
               If
               Men
               submit
               never
               so
               much
               to
               external
               Institutions
               about
               Religion
               and
               Worship
               ,
               and
               think
               to
               satisfy
               their
               Consciences
               therewith
               ,
               yet
               they
               will
               not
               at
               all
               be
               accepted
               and
               approved
               of
               God.
               No
               :
               he
               looketh
               more
               to
               moral
               Obedience
               ,
               than
               positive
               Commands
               concerning
               the
               Externals
               of
               Religion
               .
               And
               therefore
               you
               have
               Morals
               of
               the
               First-Table
               ,
               or
               the
               Second
               ,
               often
               compared
               with
               ,
               and
               preferr'd
               above
               the
               Externals
               of
               Religion
               ,
               as
               1
               Sam.
               15.
               22.
               
               
                 Hath
                 the
                 Lord
                 any
                 delight
                 in
                 Burnt-Offerings
                 and
                 Sacrifices
                 ?
                 To
                 obey
                 ,
                 is
                 better
                 than
                 Sacrifices
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 hearken
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 Fat
                 of
                 Rams
                 .
                 Rebellion
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 Sin
                 of
                 Witchcraft
                 ,
                 and
                 Stubbornness
                 as
                 Idolatry
                 .
              
               'T
               was
               spoken
               upon
               the
               occasion
               of
               Saul's
               sparing
               Agag
               ,
               and
               the
               Fat
               of
               the
               Cattel
               for
               Sacrifice
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               to
               destroy
               Man
               
               and
               Beast
               .
               At
               other
               times
               't
               is
               compared
               with
               Duties
               of
               the
               Second-Table
               .
               The
               Moral
               Duties
               of
               the
               Second-Table
               ,
               are
               better
               than
               the
               Ceremonial
               Duties
               of
               the
               first
               .
               If
               we
               be
               scanty
               in
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               abound
               in
               the
               other
               ,
               't
               is
               a
               Note
               of
               an
               Hypocrite
               ;
               Rom.
               14.
               17
               ,
               18.
               
               
                 The
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 standeth
                 not
                 in
                 Meats
                 and
                 Drinks
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 Peace
                 ,
                 and
                 Ioy
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
               If
               a
               Man
               do
               these
               things
               ,
               he
               shall
               be
               accepted
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               approved
               of
               Men.
               There
               are
               two
               Expositions
               of
               that
               place
               both
               equally
               probable
               ,
               the
               one
               more
               general
               .
               That
               Righteousness
               is
               taken
               for
               all
               new
               Obedience
               ,
               and
               Peace
               for
               Peace
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               resulting
               from
               the
               Rectitude
               of
               our
               Actions
               ;
               and
               Joy
               in
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               for
               supernatural
               Comfort
               ,
               which
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               puts
               into
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               by
               reflecting
               on
               our
               Priviledges
               by
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               Hopes
               of
               the
               World
               to
               come
               .
               Now
               Christianity
               lieth
               not
               in
               outward
               Observances
               ,
               but
               in
               solid
               Godliness
               .
               The
               other
               Exposition
               is
               in
               a
               more
               limited
               sense
               ;
               That
               by
               Righteousness
               ,
               is
               meant
               just
               dealing
               ;
               by
               Peace
               ,
               a
               peaceable
               ,
               harmless
               inoffensive
               sort
               of
               living
               ;
               by
               Joy
               in
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               a
               delight
               to
               do
               good
               to
               one
               another
               ,
               not
               dividing
               from
               ,
               or
               hating
               ,
               censuring
               ,
               excommunicating
               one
               another
               for
               
               meer
               Rituals
               ,
               but
               pleasing
               one
               another
               to
               Edification
               .
               These
               Morals
               are
               more
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               approved
               of
               Men
               ,
               than
               a
               furious
               Zeal
               for
               lesser
               things
               ,
               which
               belong
               to
               the
               ritual
               Part
               ,
               or
               external
               Order
               of
               Religion
               .
               It
               's
               an
               Argument
               of
               a
               better
               Spirit
               ,
               to
               be
               more
               zealous
               for
               Morals
               and
               Substantials
               ,
               than
               Rituals
               ;
               certainly
               without
               them
               we
               shall
               be
               of
               no
               account
               with
               God.
               And
               partly
               to
               that
               ,
               when
               Moral
               Duties
               come
               in
               competition
               with
               Ceremonial
               ,
               the
               Moral
               Duties
               at
               that
               time
               must
               take
               place
               of
               the
               other
               ,
               and
               all
               positive
               Commands
               concerning
               the
               Externals
               of
               Religion
               ,
               give
               way
               to
               them
               .
               The
               Lord
               never
               appointed
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               First-Table
               ,
               to
               hinder
               Works
               of
               Mercy
               prescribed
               in
               the
               Second
               ,
               therefore
               the
               Mercy
               must
               be
               done
               ,
               and
               the
               Sacrifice
               left
               undone
               :
               as
               the
               Sabbath
               is
               both
               broken
               and
               kept
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               an
               evident
               necessity
               of
               preserving
               the
               Creature
               .
               When
               David
               fainted
               ,
               't
               was
               a
               Moral
               Duty
               to
               relieve
               him
               ,
               though
               there
               were
               no
               Bread
               at
               Hand
               ,
               but
               the
               Shew-bread
               ;
               1
               Sam.
               21.
               4.
               
               
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 common
                 Bread
                 under
                 my
                 Hands
                 .
              
               And
               Christ
               urgeth
               that
               ;
               Mat.
               12.
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               
                 Have
                 ye
                 not
                 read
                 what
              
               David
               
                 did
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 an
                 
                 hungred
                 ;
                 how
                 he
                 entred
                 into
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 did
                 eat
                 the
                 Shew-bread
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 not
                 lawful
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 eat
                 ;
                 nor
                 for
                 them
                 which
                 were
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 for
                 the
                 Priests
                 ?
              
               In
               an
               extraordinary
               case
               of
               Necessity
               ,
               the
               Shew-bread
               is
               as
               common
               Bread.
               Now
               the
               Reason
               is
               plain
               ,
               because
               Positives
               bind
               only
               in
               certain
               Cases
               ,
               but
               we
               are
               everlastingly
               obliged
               to
               things
               Moral
               .
               Therefore
               Externals
               must
               give
               way
               both
               to
               Obedience
               and
               Mercy
               .
               
                 Internal
                 Acts
                 of
                 Worship
                 are
                 never
                 dispensed
                 with
                 .
              
            
             
               5.
               
               Sacrifices
               come
               under
               a
               double
               Consideration
               ,
               as
               they
               relate
               to
               Christ
               the
               substance
               of
               them
               all
               ,
               or
               as
               External
               Performances
               rested
               in
               by
               that
               People
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 In
                 the
                 first
                 Consideration
                 ,
                 their
                 Gospel
                 lay
                 much
                 in
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 main
                 Duties
                 of
                 Godliness
                 were
                 exercised
                 about
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 brokenness
                 of
                 Heart
              
               ;
               Psal.
               51.
               17.
               
               The
               Sacrifices
               of
               God
               are
               a
               broken
               Spirit
               :
               a
               broken
               and
               a
               contrite
               Heart
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               thou
               wilt
               not
               despise
               .
               
                 And
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
              
               ,
               Heb.
               9.
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               For
               if
               the
               Blood
               of
               Bulls
               ,
               and
               Goats
               ,
               and
               the
               Ashes
               of
               an
               Heifer
               sprinkling
               the
               Vnclean
               ,
               sanctifyeth
               to
               the
               purifying
               of
               the
               Flesh
               :
               How
               much
               more
               shall
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               who
               through
               the
               eternal
               Spirit
               ,
               offered
               himself
               without
               spot
               to
               God
               ,
               
               purge
               your
               Consciences
               from
               dead
               Works
               ,
               to
               serve
               the
               living
               God
               ?
               
                 And
                 Covenanting
                 with
                 God
              
               ,
               Psalm
               .
               50.
               5.
               
               Gather
               my
               Saints
               together
               unto
               me
               ,
               those
               that
               have
               made
               a
               Covenant
               with
               me
               by
               Sacrifice
               .
               And
               ,
               Rom.
               12.
               1.
               
               I
               beseech
               you
               ,
               Brethren
               ,
               by
               the
               Mercies
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               ye
               present
               your
               Bodies
               a
               living
               Sacrifice
               ,
               holy
               ,
               acceptable
               unto
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               your
               reasonable
               Service
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               second
               Consideration
               ;
               The
               outward
               bare
               Offering
               considered
               in
               it self
               ,
               without
               Faith
               and
               Repentance
               ,
               so
               God
               disclaimeth
               it
               ;
               Isa.
               1.
               11.
               
               
                 Bring
                 no
                 more
                 vain
                 Oblations
              
               .
               And
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 66.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 He
                 that
                 killeth
                 an
                 Ox
                 ,
                 is
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 slew
                 a
                 Man
                 ;
                 He
                 that
                 sacrificeth
                 a
                 Lamb
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 cut
                 off
                 a
                 Dog's
                 Neck
                 ;
                 He
                 that
                 offereth
                 an
                 Oblation
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 offered
                 Swines
                 Blood
                 ;
                 He
                 that
                 burneth
                 Incense
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 blessed
                 an
                 Idol
                 .
              
               Their
               great
               Confidence
               was
               in
               their
               Sacrifices
               .
               God
               therefore
               sheweth
               how
               loathsome
               these
               things
               were
               to
               him
               ,
               without
               that
               disposition
               of
               Soul
               which
               should
               accompany
               them
               ;
               being
               such
               Persons
               as
               those
               were
               ,
               he
               would
               take
               no
               Offering
               at
               their
               hands
               .
               The
               Lord
               in
               all
               Ages
               is
               Uniform
               and
               like
               himself
               ,
               in
               approving
               and
               injoining
               Duty
               ,
               and
               in
               disliking
               Sin.
               Morals
               are
               always
               prized
               by
               him
               before
               Externals
               ,
               
               and
               an
               impartial
               respect
               to
               necessary
               Duties
               ,
               was
               more
               to
               him
               than
               the
               greatest
               pomp
               of
               outward
               Worship
               .
               'T
               was
               so
               then
               ,
               and
               't
               is
               so
               now
               ;
               Pride
               ,
               and
               Malice
               ,
               and
               Envy
               ,
               are
               greater
               Evils
               than
               Ceremonial
               Uncleanness
               ;
               and
               to
               fear
               God
               ,
               and
               work
               Righteousness
               ,
               a
               greater
               Duty
               than
               the
               best
               Sacrifices
               .
               The
               performance
               of
               External
               Duties
               is
               not
               ,
               and
               never
               was
               a
               sufficient
               Testimony
               of
               true
               Piety
               ;
               nay
               ,
               without
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               and
               Men
               ,
               and
               an
               uniform
               Obedience
               to
               his
               Holy
               Will
               ,
               is
               meer
               Hyprocrisy
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               When
               the
               breach
               of
               a
               Ceremonial
               Precept
               bringeth
               with
               it
               the
               Transgression
               of
               a
               Moral
               Precept
               ,
               and
               is
               (
               without
               any
               absolute
               necessity
               )
               imposed
               ,
               in
               neg●lect
               and
               contempt
               of
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               ;
               then
               we
               are
               to
               run
               all
               Hazards
               ,
               rather
               than
               to
               transgress
               in
               the
               smallest
               Externals
               :
               because
               tho
               the
               Matter
               enjoined
               be
               but
               small
               ,
               yet
               the
               Contempt
               of
               God
               is
               a
               great
               Sin
               ,
               and
               our
               Sincerity
               and
               Obedience
               to
               God
               is
               a
               great
               Matter
               .
               As
               for
               Instance
               ;
               When
               Antiochus
               pressed
               the
               Jews
               to
               eat
               Swines-Flesh
               ,
               which
               in
               case
               of
               great
               Extremity
               no
               question
               they
               might
               do
               ;
               yet
               when
               he
               pressed
               them
               out
               of
               Contempt
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               they
               chose
               rather
               to
               be
               tortured
               
               to
               Death
               ,
               than
               to
               yield
               to
               it
               .
               And
               for
               this
               they
               are
               registred
               Martyrs
               ,
               
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 35.
                 
                 They
                 were
                 tortured
                 ,
                 not
                 accepting
                 Deliverance
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 receive
                 a
                 better
                 Resurrection
                 .
              
               There
               is
               a
               plain
               Allusion
               to
               the
               Story
               in
               the
               Book
               of
               the
               Maccabees
               ,
               concerning
               Eleazar
               ,
               and
               the
               Woman
               with
               her
               seven
               Sons
               ,
               so
               cruelly
               tortured
               .
               But
               these
               Commands
               were
               contrary
               to
               the
               Laws
               of
               God
               :
               Should
               they
               have
               said
               ,
               
                 God
                 will
                 have
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 Sacrifice
                 ?
              
               No
               ,
               in
               such
               a
               case
               God
               will
               have
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               not
               Mercy
               .
               Tho
               often
               advised
               to
               yield
               ,
               they
               would
               not
               abate
               a
               Jot
               of
               their
               Zeal
               .
               For
               tho
               the
               Case
               be
               but
               in
               Externals
               ,
               yet
               there
               is
               a
               Renunciation
               of
               our
               Relation
               and
               Obedience
               to
               God's
               Law.
               So
               Daniel
               opening
               his
               Windows
               ,
               and
               praying
               three
               times
               a
               day
               ,
               as
               he
               was
               wont
               to
               do
               ,
               Dan.
               6.
               10.
               
               That
               Circumstance
               might
               have
               been
               forborn
               ,
               you
               will
               think
               ,
               in
               a
               Case
               of
               such
               imminent
               Peril
               of
               Life
               :
               No
               ,
               he
               would
               neither
               forbear
               praying
               ,
               nor
               opening
               his
               Windows
               ;
               he
               had
               wont
               to
               do
               so
               before
               ,
               and
               without
               dishonouring
               God
               ,
               and
               renouncing
               his
               Profession
               ,
               he
               could
               not
               forbear
               to
               do
               so
               now
               .
               The
               Promise
               of
               Audience
               ,
               made
               to
               Solomon
               at
               the
               Dedication
               of
               the
               Temple
               ,
               required
               this
               Ceremony
               
               as
               an
               Effect
               of
               Faith
               ;
               1
               
                 Kings
                 8.
                 42
                 ,
                 43.
                 
                 When
                 they
                 shall
                 pray
                 towards
                 this
                 House
                 ,
                 then
                 hear
                 thou
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               And
               David
               saith
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 5.
                 7.
                 
                 In
                 thy
                 Fear
                 I
                 will
                 worship
                 towards
                 thy
                 holy
                 Temple
                 .
              
               The
               Temple
               did
               shadow
               forth
               the
               Body
               of
               our
               Lord
               Christ
               ,
               the
               Mediator
               ,
               in
               whom
               only
               our
               Prayers
               and
               Services
               are
               accepted
               with
               the
               Father
               ,
               which
               Solomon
               respected
               in
               looking
               towards
               the
               Temple
               .
               But
               the
               chief
               Reason
               is
               ,
               the
               Necessity
               of
               Profession
               ,
               and
               open
               Profession
               too
               ,
               against
               this
               impious
               Law
               ,
               contrived
               by
               the
               Malice
               of
               his
               Enemies
               to
               make
               him
               afraid
               .
               Now
               to
               shew
               he
               was
               not
               frighted
               from
               his
               Duty
               ,
               he
               openeth
               his
               Windows
               ,
               and
               would
               not
               forgo
               any
               Circumstance
               of
               his
               Duty
               to
               God.
               I
               might
               instance
               in
               Circumcision
               ,
               (
               as
               urged
               by
               the
               false
               Apostles
               )
               as
               necessary
               to
               our
               Justification
               ;
               Gal.
               5.
               2
               ,
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               
                 Behold
                 ,
                 I
              
               Paul
               
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 you
                 be
                 circumcised
                 ,
                 Christ
                 shall
                 profit
                 you
                 nothing
                 .
                 For
                 I
                 testify
                 again
                 to
                 every
                 Man
                 that
                 is
                 circumcised
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 Debtor
                 to
                 do
                 the
                 whole
                 Law
                 :
                 Christ
                 is
                 become
                 of
                 none
                 effect
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 Whosoever
                 of
                 you
                 are
                 justified
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 fallen
                 from
                 Grace
                 .
              
               Such
               is
               the
               difference
               when
               God
               calleth
               us
               to
               the
               profession
               of
               a
               lesser
               Truth
               .
               Therefore
               the
               
               Case
               may
               be
               such
               ,
               that
               Externals
               may
               bear
               great
               Weight
               .
            
             
               7.
               
               If
               the
               Externals
               of
               God's
               Worship
               instituted
               by
               himself
               ,
               must
               give
               place
               to
               Mercy
               ,
               then
               Externals
               of
               Humane
               Institution
               ,
               ought
               much
               more
               to
               give
               place
               to
               Mercy
               .
               Sacrifices
               were
               of
               God's
               Institution
               ,
               and
               a
               way
               of
               expressing
               their
               Obedience
               and
               Thankfulness
               in
               his
               Worship
               ;
               yet
               God
               saith
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 have
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 Sacrifice
                 .
              
               And
               twice
               is
               this
               applied
               by
               Christ
               ,
               to
               Mercy
               towards
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               and
               Mercy
               concerning
               the
               Bodies
               of
               Men
               ,
               Mat.
               12.
               to
               defend
               the
               Disciples
               rubbing
               the
               Ears
               of
               Corn
               ,
               because
               they
               fainted
               for
               Hunger
               .
               Then
               by
               like
               Reason
               ,
               where
               the
               urging
               of
               Externals
               may
               cross
               Mercy
               to
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men
               ,
               by
               depriving
               them
               of
               the
               Means
               of
               Edification
               ,
               and
               the
               Gifts
               of
               a
               lively
               Ministry
               ;
               or
               crossing
               Mercy
               to
               the
               Bodies
               of
               Men
               ,
               by
               depriving
               them
               and
               their
               Families
               of
               their
               necessary
               Support
               and
               Maintenance
               :
               in
               such
               a
               case
               they
               should
               learn
               what
               that
               meaneth
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 have
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 Sacrifice
                 .
              
               And
               the
               Peace
               and
               Edification
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               is
               more
               valuable
               than
               that
               of
               a
               private
               Man.
               In
               all
               External
               positive
               Institutions
               ,
               the
               Apostles
               often
               
               urge
               Charity
               to
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men
               ,
               for
               which
               Christ
               died
               ,
               that
               we
               neither
               wound
               them
               with
               Sorrow
               or
               Sin
               ;
               as
               the
               sure
               Rule
               to
               guide
               us
               ,
               either
               in
               practising
               ,
               or
               forbearing
               our
               Liberty
               :
               Rom.
               14.
               15.
               
               
                 Destroy
                 not
                 him
                 with
                 thy
                 Meat
                 for
                 whom
                 Christ
                 died
                 .
              
               So
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 8.
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 through
                 thy
                 Knowledg
                 shall
                 the
                 weak
                 Brother
                 perish
                 ,
                 for
                 whom
                 Christ
                 died
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               the
               scandalous
               Abuse
               of
               this
               Knowledg
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               if
               any
               great
               dammage
               to
               the
               Souls
               or
               Bodies
               ,
               scandal
               or
               inconveniece
               should
               come
               upon
               urging
               these
               Externals
               ,
               surely
               they
               should
               be
               forborn
               :
               for
               if
               it
               be
               the
               Will
               and
               Pleasure
               of
               the
               King
               of
               Kings
               ,
               and
               Lord
               of
               Lords
               ,
               that
               Matters
               commanded
               by
               his
               Affirmative
               Precepts
               ,
               should
               be
               forborn
               for
               Charity
               's
               sake
               ;
               Men
               should
               be
               perswaded
               to
               remit
               of
               the
               rigor
               of
               their
               Impositions
               in
               this
               kind
               ,
               though
               the
               things
               imposed
               were
               indifferent
               ,
               and
               the
               practice
               of
               them
               in
               some
               Cases
               a
               Duty
               ;
               yet
               if
               it
               would
               destroy
               Charity
               ,
               we
               are
               to
               leave
               our
               Prayers
               ,
               publick
               and
               private
               ,
               forsake
               a
               Sermon
               ,
               to
               save
               the
               Life
               of
               our
               Neighbour
               ;
               nay
               ,
               to
               quench
               the
               Fire
               burning
               his
               House
               ;
               nay
               ,
               to
               help
               his
               Cattle
               out
               of
               the
               Ditch
               .
               But
               I
               will
               prosecute
               this
               no
               further
               .
            
             
             
               Let
               me
               now
               make
               some
               use
               of
               what
               hath
               been
               said
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Let
               us
               take
               heed
               that
               we
               be
               not
               of
               the
               number
               of
               them
               that
               are
               serious
               and
               zealous
               in
               some
               things
               ,
               but
               not
               in
               all
               .
               Partial
               Zeal
               hath
               always
               been
               the
               Note
               of
               Hypocrites
               ;
               as
               the
               Pharisees
               were
               earnest
               for
               Externals
               ,
               but
               neglected
               Justice
               and
               Charity
               .
               Saul
               is
               an
               Instance
               of
               Partial
               Zeal
               in
               destroying
               the
               Gibeonites
               ,
               and
               sparing
               the
               Amalekites
               ;
               2
               Sam.
               21.
               2.
               
               
                 Saul
                 sought
                 to
                 s●ay
                 them
                 in
                 his
                 zeal
                 to
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 Israel
                 and
                 Iudah
                 .
              
               He
               was
               expresly
               commanded
               to
               root
               out
               the
               Amalekites
               ,
               but
               he
               spared
               Agag
               out
               of
               seeming
               pity
               ;
               but
               useth
               barbarous
               Cruelty
               in
               seeking
               to
               root
               out
               the
               Gibeonites
               ,
               who
               were
               to
               be
               preserved
               by
               Oath
               and
               Covenant
               ;
               and
               this
               he
               is
               said
               to
               do
               in
               his
               Zeal
               .
               Not
               a
               true
               Zeal
               ,
               surely
               ,
               as
               aiming
               at
               God's
               Glory
               :
               for
               it
               tended
               much
               to
               his
               dishonour
               to
               have
               them
               destroyed
               ▪
               who
               were
               new
               Proselytes
               ,
               and
               professing
               Religion
               ,
               and
               had
               put
               themselves
               under
               God's
               Protection
               ;
               but
               a
               preposterous
               hypocritical
               Zeal
               ,
               of
               aiming
               ,
               as
               he
               pretended
               ,
               at
               the
               welfare
               of
               the
               Common-Wealth
               of
               Israel
               ,
               his
               main
               Intent
               was
               popular
               Applause
               ,
               and
               to
               gratify
               
               them
               ,
               who
               envied
               the
               Gentiles
               should
               be
               incorporated
               into
               God's
               People
               .
               An
               Hypocrite's
               Conscience
               is
               not
               uniform
               ,
               but
               brought
               upon
               the
               Stage
               for
               a
               Turn
               .
               I
               shall
               give
               you
               another
               Instance
               in
               Ieh●
               ,
               mighty
               zealous
               in
               destroying
               the
               Idolatry
               of
               Baal
               ,
               which
               was
               the
               Idolatry
               of
               the
               House
               of
               Ahab
               ;
               but
               not
               only
               cold
               and
               indifferent
               ,
               but
               resolute
               against
               the
               destroying
               the
               Calves
               of
               Dan
               and
               Bethel
               ,
               which
               was
               the
               Idolatry
               of
               Ieroboam
               ;
               2
               Kings
               10.
               28
               ,
               29.
               
               Thus
               Jehu
               destroyed
               Baal
               
                 out
                 of
              
               Israel
               .
               
                 Howbeit
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Sins
                 of
              
               Jeroboam
               ,
               
                 wherewith
                 he
                 made
              
               Israel
               
                 to
                 sin
              
               ,
               Jehu
               
                 departed
                 not
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 wit
                 ,
                 the
                 Golden
                 Calves
                 in
              
               Dan
               and
               Bethel
               .
               Reason
               of
               State
               perswaded
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               disswaded
               the
               other
               .
               His
               Interest
               lay
               in
               ruining
               the
               House
               of
               Ahab
               ,
               and
               in
               taking
               care
               that
               the
               Tribes
               might
               not
               revert
               to
               the
               House
               of
               David
               .
               Thus
               you
               see
               Men
               zealous
               in
               some
               things
               ,
               may
               gri●vously
               sin
               in
               others
               .
               Therefore
               ,
               my
               Beloved
               ,
               be
               you
               careful
               to
               regard
               all
               God's
               Commands
               in
               their
               place
               ;
               Piety
               in
               its
               place
               ,
               Justice
               in
               its
               place
               ,
               Mercy
               in
               its
               place
               .
               The
               Jews
               ,
               after
               they
               had
               smarted
               in
               Babylon
               ,
               were
               zealous
               against
               Idols
               ,
               but
               robbed
               God
               of
               his
               Dues
               ,
               never
               took
               care
               to
               restore
               the
               
               Riches
               of
               the
               Temple
               .
               Therefore
               the
               Apostle
               taxeth
               this
               partiality
               of
               Zeal
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 22.
                 
                 Thou
                 that
                 abhorrest
                 Idols
                 ,
                 dost
                 thou
                 commit
                 Sacrilege
                 ?
              
               The
               latter
               Prophets
               tax
               them
               much
               for
               that
               Crime
               .
               The
               Jewish
               Form
               still
               is
               hatred
               of
               Idolatry
               ,
               in-so-much
               that
               they
               think
               that
               all
               the
               Plagues
               that
               come
               upon
               them
               ,
               is
               for
               the
               Idolatry
               of
               their
               Fathers
               ,
               especially
               in
               the
               si●
               of
               the
               Golden
               Calf
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               ;
               and
               translate
               the
               Scene
               of
               their
               Repentance
               far
               enough
               from
               themselves
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               not
               see
               their
               present
               Sins
               ,
               both
               in
               breaking
               the
               moral
               Law
               ,
               and
               despising
               Christ.
               And
               every
               Party
               is
               observ●d
               to
               have
               their
               Form
               ;
               one
               special
               Commandment
               which
               they
               stuck
               unto
               ,
               which
               they
               are
               zealous
               for
               ,
               whilst
               they
               neglect
               the
               rest
               .
               The
               reproaches
               of
               our
               Enemies
               ,
               saith
               the
               Pharisee
               ,
               are
               only
               for
               the
               fourth
               Commandment
               ,
               but
               neglect
               the
               rest
               ;
               zealous
               for
               the
               Sabbath
               ,
               but
               unconscionable
               all
               the
               week
               after
               .
               Oh
               ,
               let
               〈◊〉
               be
               no
               occasion
               for
               this
               !
               Others
               s●em
               to
               make
               little
               reckoning
               of
               other
               Commandments
               ,
               and
               insist
               only
               upon
               the
               fifth
               ,
               obedience
               to
               Superiors
               .
               The
               Charge
               is
               sometimes
               carried
               between
               the
               third
               and
               sixth
               Commandment
               ,
               they
               will
               not
               swear
               ,
               
               but
               will
               lie
               ,
               and
               sl●nder
               their
               Neighbours
               .
               I
               mention
               these
               things
               ,
               to
               shew
               what
               need
               we
               have
               to
               be
               uniform
               in
               our
               Obedience
               unto
               God.
               
            
             
               I
               will
               mention
               but
               one
               Motive
               .
               They
               that
               do
               not
               obey
               all
               ,
               will
               not
               long
               obey
               any
               ,
               but
               where
               their
               Interest
               or
               Inclinations●
               require
               it
               ,
               will
               break
               all
               :
               As
               Herod
               did
               many
               things
               ,
               but
               one
               Command
               stuck
               with
               him
               ,
               his
               Herodias
               ,
               and
               that
               bringeth
               him
               to
               murder
               God's
               Prophet
               ,
               Mark
               6.
               20.
               
               One
               Sin
               keepeth
               possession
               for
               Satan
               ,
               and
               that
               one
               Lust
               and
               Corruption
               may
               undoe
               all
               .
               A
               Bird
               tied
               by
               the
               Leg
               ,
               may
               make
               some
               shew
               of
               escape
               ;
               so
               do
               many
               think
               themselves
               at
               liberty
               ,
               but
               the
               Fowler
               hath
               them
               fast
               enough
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Let
               us
               not
               rest
               in
               outward
               Duties
               of
               Worship
               ,
               and
               place
               our
               Zeal
               there
               ,
               for
               that
               is
               an
               ill
               Spirit
               that
               doth
               so
               ,
               'T
               is
               the
               Badg
               of
               Pharisaism
               :
               they
               keep
               a
               fair
               correspondence
               with
               God
               in
               the
               outward
               Duties
               of
               his
               Worship
               ,
               but
               in
               other
               things
               deny
               their
               subjection
               to
               him
               ;
               the
               main
               reason
               is
               ,
               because
               Externals
               of
               Worship
               are
               more
               easy
               than
               the
               denial
               of
               Lusts.
               The
               sensual
               Nature
               of
               Man
               is
               such
               ,
               that
               't
               is
               loth
               to
               be
               crossed
               ,
               which
               produceth
               prophaneness
               .
               Wherefore
               do
               Men
               ingulph
               
               themselves
               in
               all
               manner
               of
               sensuality
               ,
               but
               because
               they
               are
               loth
               to
               deny
               their
               Natural
               Appetites
               and
               Desires
               ,
               and
               to
               row
               against
               the
               stream
               of
               Flesh
               and
               Blood
               ,
               and
               so
               to
               walk
               in
               the
               way
               of
               his
               own
               H●art
               ,
               and
               the
               sight
               of
               his
               Eyes
               ?
               Eccles.
               4.
               8.
               
               If
               Nature
               must
               be
               crossed
               ,
               it
               shall
               be
               crossed
               only
               for
               a
               little
               ,
               and
               in
               some
               slight
               manner
               ;
               they
               will
               give
               God
               some
               outward
               thing
               ,
               which
               lieth
               remote
               from
               the
               subjection
               of
               the
               Heart
               to
               him
               ,
               therefore
               be
               zealous
               for
               Externals
               ;
               and
               this
               produceth
               Hypocrisy
               ,
               gross
               Hypocrisy
               ,
               and
               Dissembling
               ,
               whereby
               we
               deceive
               oth●rs
               ,
               and
               get
               a
               good
               Name
               among
               others
               ,
               by
               a
               zeal
               and
               fervency
               for
               God's
               outward
               I●stitutions
               .
               And
               this
               close
               Hypocrisy
               or
               Partiality
               of
               Obedience
               ,
               is
               that
               whereby
               we
               deceive
               our selves
               ,
               exceeding
               in
               External
               Actions
               and
               Duties
               ,
               while
               we
               neglect
               those
               Substantials
               wherein
               the
               Heart
               and
               Life
               of
               Religion
               most
               lieth
               :
               such
               are
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               ,
               Contempt
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               Mortification
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               the
               Heavenly
               Mind
               ,
               and
               Holy
               Constitution
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               ●irmly
               set
               to
               please
               God
               in
               all
               things
               .
            
             
               Once
               more
               ;
               That
               this
               Deceit
               may
               be
               more
               strong
               ,
               Men
               are
               apt
               to
               exceed
               in
               
               outward
               Observances
               ,
               or
               By-laws
               of
               their
               own
               :
               and
               this
               produceth
               Superstition
               ,
               either
               Negative
               ,
               in
               condemning
               some
               outward
               things
               which
               God
               never
               condemned
               ,
               as
               those
               Ordinances
               of
               Men
               which
               the
               Apostle
               speaketh
               of
               ,
               
                 Col.
                 2.
                 19.
                 
                 Touch
                 not
                 ,
                 taste
                 not
                 ,
                 handle
                 not
                 :
              
               Or
               positive
               ,
               in
               doing
               many
               things
               as
               Duties
               ,
               and
               crying
               them
               up
               as
               special
               Acts
               and
               Helps
               of
               Religion
               ,
               which
               God
               never
               instituted
               to
               that
               end
               and
               purpose
               ;
               Mark
               7.
               7
               ,
               8.
               
               
                 Teaching
                 for
                 Doctrines
                 the
                 Commandments
                 of
                 Men.
              
               The
               Spirit
               and
               Genius
               of
               Superstition
               lieth
               in
               this
               ;
               neglecting
               many
               things
               ▪
               which
               God
               commandeth
               ,
               but
               multipl●ing
               Bonds
               and
               Chains
               of
               their
               own
               making
               .
               Sacrifices
               enow
               !
               God
               shall
               have
               any
               thing
               for
               the
               Sin
               of
               their
               Souls
               ,
               Micah
               6.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               Thus
               these
               three
               great
               Evils
               ,
               Prophaneness
               ,
               Hypocrisy
               ,
               and
               Superstition
               ,
               do
               all
               grow
               upon
               the
               same
               Stem
               and
               Root
               .
               First
               ,
               Men
               must
               have
               an
               easy
               Religion
               ,
               where
               the
               Flesh
               is
               not
               crossed
               ,
               but
               no
               mortifying
               of
               Lusts
               ,
               no
               exercising
               our selves
               to
               Godliness
               .
               They
               can
               deny
               themselves
               in
               parting
               with
               a
               Sacrifice
               ,
               but
               the
               weighty
               things
               of
               Piety
               ,
               Justice
               ,
               and
               Mercy
               ,
               are
               neglected
               ;
               God
               shall
               have
               Prayers
               enow
               ;
               Hearing
               enough
               ,
               
               if
               the
               Humor
               and
               Temper
               of
               the
               Body
               will
               suit
               with
               it
               .
               They
               can
               fast
               and
               gash
               themselves
               like
               
               Baal's
               Priests
               ;
               whip
               their
               Bodies
               ,
               but
               spare
               their
               Sins
               ;
               but
               the
               Heart
               is
               not
               subdued
               to
               God.
               They
               can
               part
               with
               any
               thing
               better
               than
               their
               Lusts
               ,
               and
               disturb
               the
               present
               Ease
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               by
               attending
               on
               long
               and
               tedious
               Duties
               ,
               rather
               than
               any
               solid
               and
               serious
               Piety
               .
            
             
               II.
               The
               next
               Lesson
               which
               we
               learn
               is
               ,
               The
               Guise
               of
               Hypocrites
               ;
               for
               our
               Lord
               intimateth
               ,
               that
               these
               Pharisees
               had
               great
               need
               to
               learn
               the
               Importance
               of
               that
               Truth
               ,
               as
               being
               extreamly
               faulty
               ;
               
                 I
                 will
                 have
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 Sacrifice
                 .
              
            
             
               [
               1.
               ]
               The
               first
               thing
               notable
               in
               Hypocrites
               ,
               is
               a
               partial
               Zeal
               ;
               they
               have
               not
               an
               Uniform
               Conscience
               ,
               are
               very
               exact
               in
               some
               things
               ,
               but
               exceeding
               defective
               and
               faulty
               in
               others
               .
               The
               good
               Conscience
               is
               intire
               and
               universal
               :
               Heb.
               13.
               18.
               
               
                 We
                 trust
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 a
                 good
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 willing
                 to
                 live
                 honestly
                 .
              
               The
               sincere
               Purpose
               and
               Intention
               of
               his
               Heart
               ,
               was
               to
               direct
               his
               Life
               according
               to
               the
               Will
               of
               God
               in
               all
               things
               .
               Tho'
               every
               one
               hath
               his
               failings
               ,
               yet
               the
               Will
               and
               constant
               Endeavour
               
               of
               a
               sincere
               Heart
               ,
               is
               to
               govern
               himself
               universally
               according
               to
               the
               Will
               of
               God
               in
               all
               points
               of
               Duty
               ,
               whether
               they
               concern
               God
               or
               Man
               :
               as
               't
               is
               said
               of
               Zechary
               and
               Elizabeth
               ,
               Luke
               1.
               6.
               
               
                 That
                 they
                 walked
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Ordinances
                 and
                 Commandments
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 blameless
                 .
              
               The
               renewed
               Conscience
               doth
               approve
               all
               ;
               and
               the
               renewed
               Will
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Imperial
               Power
               in
               the
               Soul
               ,
               the
               first
               Mover
               and
               Principle
               of
               all
               Moral
               Actions
               ,
               is
               bent
               and
               inclined
               to
               obey
               all
               ;
               and
               the
               New
               Life
               is
               spent
               in
               striving
               to
               comply
               with
               all
               .
               But
               't
               is
               not
               so
               with
               Hypocrites
               ,
               they
               pick
               and
               chuse
               out
               the
               easiest
               part
               in
               Religion
               ,
               and
               lay
               out
               all
               their
               Zeal
               there
               ,
               but
               let
               other
               things
               go
               .
               In
               some
               Duties
               that
               are
               of
               easy
               digestion
               ,
               and
               nourish
               their
               Disease
               ,
               rather
               than
               cure
               their
               Soul
               ;
               none
               so
               zealous
               as
               they
               ,
               none
               so
               partial
               as
               they
               .
               Now
               a
               partial
               Zeal
               for
               small
               things
               ,
               with
               a
               plain
               neglect
               of
               the
               rest
               ,
               is
               direct
               Pharisaism
               ;
               all
               for
               Sacrifice
               ,
               nothing
               for
               Mercy
               .
               Therefore
               every
               one
               of
               us
               should
               take
               heed
               of
               halving
               and
               dividing
               with
               God
               :
               If
               we
               make
               Conscience
               of
               Piety
               ,
               let
               us
               also
               make
               Conscience
               of
               Justice
               ;
               if
               of
               Justice
               ,
               let
               us
               also
               make
               Conscience
               of
               Mercy
               .
               'T
               is
               harder
               to
               renounce
               one
               Sin
               
               wherein
               we
               delight
               ,
               than
               a
               greater
               which
               we
               do
               not
               equally
               affect
               .
               A
               Man
               is
               wedded
               to
               some
               special
               Lusts
               ,
               and
               is
               loth
               to
               hear
               of
               a
               divorce
               from
               them
               .
               We
               have
               our
               tender
               and
               sore
               places
               in
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               which
               we
               are
               loth
               should
               be
               touched
               .
               But
               if
               we
               be
               sincere
               with
               God
               ,
               we
               will
               keep
               our selves
               from
               all
               ,
               even
               from
               our
               own
               Iniquity
               ,
               Psal.
               18.
               23.
               such
               as
               is
               most
               incident
               to
               us
               by
               temper
               ,
               or
               custom
               of
               Life
               ,
               or
               course
               of
               our
               Interests
               ;
               to
               baulk
               or
               break
               with
               God
               ,
               out
               of
               private
               Reasons
               of
               Pleasure
               ,
               Honour
               ,
               or
               Profit
               ,
               or
               any
               corrupt
               Interest
               ,
               is
               to
               prefer
               these
               things
               before
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               set
               up
               another
               chief
               Good
               in
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               and
               to
               prefer
               it
               before
               his
               Favour
               .
               Thus
               in
               General
               .
            
             
               [
               2.
               ]
               They
               place
               all
               their
               Godliness
               and
               Righteousness
               in
               outward
               Observances
               ,
               or
               external
               Discipline
               ,
               and
               so
               their
               Religion
               is
               more
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Letter
               ,
               than
               in
               Heart
               and
               Spirit
               .
               As
               the
               Pharisees
               rested
               in
               outward
               Worship
               only
               ,
               or
               some
               external
               Rules
               ,
               without
               the
               inward
               and
               real
               Duties
               ,
               either
               of
               the
               First
               or
               Second
               Table
               .
               Mat.
               23.
               25.
               
               
                 They
                 cleanse
                 the
                 outside
                 of
                 the
                 Cup
                 and
                 Platter
                 ,
                 but
                 within
                 they
                 are
                 full
                 of
                 Extortion
                 
                 and
                 Excess
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Vers.
                 28.
                 
                 Ye
                 appear
                 outwardly
                 Righteous
                 unto
                 Men
                 ,
                 but
                 within
                 ye
                 are
                 full
                 of
                 Hypocrisy
                 and
                 Iniquity
                 .
              
               And
               every
               where
               they
               are
               represented
               as
               painted
               Tombs
               without
               ,
               but
               had
               much
               hidden
               Uncleanness
               and
               Corruption
               within
               .
               There
               was
               an
               outward
               formality
               and
               shew
               of
               Religion
               ,
               when
               they
               denied
               the
               Power
               thereof
               .
               They
               should
               join
               Obedience
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               Love
               to
               their
               Neighbour
               ,
               with
               their
               outward
               Sacrifices
               ;
               but
               these
               things
               were
               of
               little
               value
               and
               esteem
               with
               them
               .
               Now
               ,
               what
               Sacrifices
               were
               to
               them
               ,
               that
               External
               Ordinances
               are
               to
               us
               .
               And
               what
               their
               Rituals
               were
               ,
               the
               same
               is
               the
               Mode
               and
               Garb
               of
               Profession
               among
               us
               .
               And
               therefore
               External
               Profession
               ,
               or
               the
               performance
               of
               External
               Duties
               according
               to
               our
               way
               ,
               is
               not
               a
               sufficient
               Testimony
               of
               true
               Godliness
               :
               For
               Christ
               saith
               ,
               
                 Mat.
                 5.
                 20.
                 
                 Except
                 your
                 Righteousness
                 exceed
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 Scribes
                 and
                 Pharisees
                 ,
                 ye
                 shall
                 in
                 no
                 case
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               Their
               Righteousness
               was
               an
               out-side
               Righteousness
               ,
               without
               that
               inward
               Constitution
               of
               Soul
               which
               doth
               belong
               to
               a
               renewed
               Heart
               ,
               and
               yet
               carried
               on
               in
               such
               a
               way
               ,
               and
               applauded
               by
               Men
               ,
               that
               the
               Jews
               had
               a
               saying
               ,
               That
               if
               
               but
               two
               Men
               out
               of
               all
               the
               World
               went
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               the
               one
               should
               be
               a
               Scribe
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               a
               Pharisee
               .
               Oh
               Christians
               !
               't
               is
               one
               thing
               to
               approve
               our selves
               to
               God
               ,
               who
               searcheth
               the
               Heart
               ;
               and
               another
               thing
               to
               approve
               our selves
               to
               Men
               ,
               who
               look
               only
               to
               the
               out-side
               ,
               and
               f●ir
               appearance
               without
               .
               A
               renewed
               Heart
               ,
               that
               is
               unfeignedly
               set
               to
               please
               God
               in
               all
               things
               ,
               is
               more
               than
               all
               the
               Pomp
               of
               External
               Duties
               .
               And
               therefore
               we
               should
               study
               to
               give
               Evidence
               of
               this
               ,
               by
               making
               Conscience
               of
               Obedience
               ,
               as
               well
               inwardly
               as
               outwardly
               ,
               growing
               in
               Holiness
               all
               the
               days
               of
               our
               Lives
               .
               This
               will
               be
               comfortable
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               this
               will
               be
               approved
               of
               God
               hereafter
               ,
               even
               such
               an
               Holiness
               as
               is
               manifested
               in
               all
               the
               parts
               of
               our
               Conversation
               ,
               in
               outward
               Carriage
               and
               secret
               Practice
               ,
               common
               Affairs
               ,
               and
               religious
               Duties
               ;
               In
               the
               Worship
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               Charity
               ,
               and
               Justice
               to
               Men
               :
               Phil.
               3.
               3.
               
               
                 We
                 are
                 the
                 Circumcision
                 which
                 worship
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 no
                 confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh.
              
               When
               there
               is
               a
               serious
               Bent
               ,
               and
               the
               true
               spiritual
               Affections
               of
               a
               renewed
               Heart
               towards
               God
               and
               Man
               ;
               and
               we
               do
               not
               rest
               in
               outward
               Duties
               ,
               but
               are
               still
               growing
               
               in
               internal
               Grace
               ,
               Faith
               ,
               Hope
               ,
               and
               Love
               ,
               and
               are
               still
               purifying
               the
               Heart
               and
               Life
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               constantly
               glorify
               God
               ,
               and
               do
               good
               to
               Men.
               This
               is
               that
               which
               is
               over
               and
               above
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               the
               Scribes
               and
               Pharisees
               ;
               our
               Duty
               is
               to
               serve
               God
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               to
               bring
               the
               inward
               Man
               in
               subjection
               to
               him
               ,
               without
               which
               Externals
               are
               of
               little
               worth
               .
            
             
               [
               3.
               ]
               They
               were
               more
               in
               love
               with
               Ceremonies
               ,
               than
               with
               Substance
               :
               Sacrifices
               ,
               which
               belonged
               to
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               were
               in
               high
               esteem
               with
               them
               ;
               but
               Godliness
               ,
               Justice
               ,
               and
               Mercy
               ,
               were
               of
               little
               regard
               .
               And
               as
               outward
               things
               were
               preferred
               before
               Inward
               ,
               so
               the
               lesser
               things
               before
               the
               weighty
               :
               As
               to
               their
               Duties
               ,
               tithing
               Mint
               ,
               and
               Annise
               ,
               and
               Cummin
               ;
               but
               they
               have
               omitted
               the
               weightier
               Matters
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               Justice
               ,
               Mercy
               ,
               Faith.
               These
               ought
               ye
               to
               have
               done
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               leave
               the
               other
               undone
               ,
               Matth.
               23.
               23.
               
               Formality
               and
               Hypocrisy
               maketh
               Men
               wise
               about
               that
               which
               is
               least
               to
               purpose
               .
               They
               make
               a
               business
               about
               Ceremonies
               ,
               but
               neglect
               the
               Substance
               of
               Religion
               .
               They
               enlarged
               their
               Phylacteries
               ,
               which
               were
               Scroles
               
               of
               Parchment
               on
               which
               the
               Law
               was
               written
               ,
               but
               took
               no
               care
               of
               having
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               written
               upon
               their
               Hearts
               .
               Hypocrisy
               is
               an
               odd
               trifling
               Zeal
               ,
               which
               runneth
               out
               upon
               little
               things
               .
               So
               for
               avoiding
               Sin
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 23.
                 24.
                 
                 They
                 strain
                 at
                 a
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 and
                 swallow
                 a
                 Camel
                 :
              
               More
               scrupulous
               in
               a
               little
               Sin
               ,
               than
               a
               great
               ;
               in
               small
               Sins
               very
               scrupulous
               ,
               in
               greater
               Matters
               very
               adventurous
               .
               And
               because
               this
               is
               one
               of
               the
               main
               things
               here
               intended
               ,
               I
               shall
               give
               you
               Instances
               and
               Reasons
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Instances
               ;
               to
               prove
               that
               Hypocrites
               have
               such
               an
               odd
               Conscience
               ,
               that
               straineth
               greatly
               at
               a
               small
               Sin.
               We
               have
               them
               every
               where
               out
               of
               the
               Word
               of
               God.
               Herod's
               making
               Conscience
               of
               his
               Oath
               ,
               but
               not
               of
               shedding
               Innocent
               Blood.
               
                 The
                 King
                 was
                 sorry
                 :
                 nevertheless
                 for
                 his
                 Oath
                 's
                 sake
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Matth.
               14.
               9.
               he
               caused
               
                 Iohn
                 the
                 Baptist
              
               to
               be
               beheaded
               .
               A
               Sinner
               is
               holden
               in
               Bonds
               which
               he
               might
               lawfully
               break
               ;
               rather
               than
               Herod
               will
               break
               his
               rash
               Oath
               ,
               Iohn
               shall
               lose
               his
               Head.
               Of
               such
               an
               odd
               Complection
               is
               the
               Conscience
               of
               Carnal
               Men.
               So
               the
               Jews
               ,
               when
               Iudas
               laid
               down
               the
               hire
               of
               his
               Treason
               ,
               and
               cast
               the
               Mony
               at
               their
               
               feet
               ;
               Mat.
               29.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 lawful
              
               (
               said
               they
               )
               
                 to
                 put
                 it
                 into
                 the
                 Treasury
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 price
                 of
                 Blood.
              
               Pretending
               to
               be
               afraid
               to
               offend
               in
               the
               least
               things
               ,
               when
               they
               had
               offended
               in
               the
               greater
               .
               They
               bogled
               not
               at
               betraying
               Innocent
               Blood
               ,
               and
               yet
               they
               would
               not
               meddle
               with
               the
               Gain
               when
               it
               was
               thrown
               back
               to
               them
               .
               Another
               Instance
               of
               the
               like
               Conscience
               ,
               is
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 18.
                 28.
                 
                 Then
                 led
                 they
                 Iesus
                 front
              
               Caiaphas
               
                 into
                 the
                 Iudgment-Hall
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 was
                 early
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 themselves
                 went
                 not
                 into
                 the
                 Iudgment-Hall
                 ,
                 lest
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 defiled
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 eat
                 the
                 Passover
                 .
              
               They
               were
               careful
               to
               avoid
               legal
               Pollution
               ,
               and
               yet
               they
               were
               at
               the
               same
               time
               seeking
               the
               Life
               of
               the
               Lord
               of
               Glory
               .
               Just
               such
               another
               fit
               of
               Conscience
               cometh
               upon
               them
               a
               little
               after
               ;
               
                 Iohn
                 19.
                 31.
                 
                 They
                 went
                 to
              
               Pilate
               ,
               
                 and
                 desired
                 that
                 the
                 Bodies
                 might
                 not
                 hang
                 upon
                 the
                 Cross
                 on
                 the
                 Sabbath-day
                 ,
                 lest
                 their
                 great
                 Feast
                 should
                 be
                 defiled
                 .
              
               And
               thus
               you
               see
               ,
               that
               through
               Formality
               and
               Custom
               ,
               Men
               may
               be
               strictly
               bound
               in
               Conscience
               to
               perform
               the
               Duties
               of
               Ceremonial
               or
               External
               Worship
               ,
               whose
               Consciences
               notwithstanding
               never
               scruple
               to
               violate
               the
               most
               weighty
               Precepts
               of
               the
               Law.
               Just
               of
               this
               Nature
               was
               
               that
               solemn
               Case
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               Zech.
               7.
               1
               ,
               2.
               about
               the
               keeping
               of
               their
               Fasts
               ,
               when
               the
               Prophet
               telleth
               them
               they
               had
               higher
               Matters
               to
               mind
               ,
               the
               
                 executing
                 of
                 Iudgment
              
               ,
               and
               
                 shewing
                 Mercy
              
               ,
               and
               
                 breaking
                 off
                 their
                 Oppressions
              
               ,
               vers
               .
               10.
               
               The
               Lord
               would
               not
               answer
               their
               Cases
               about
               the
               Fasts
               :
               Some
               of
               which
               were
               needless
               and
               superfluous
               ;
               but
               would
               have
               them
               break
               off
               their
               known
               Sins
               .
               Hitherto
               may
               be
               reduced
               the
               Harlot
               in
               the
               Proverbs
               ,
               that
               inticed
               the
               young
               Man
               to
               Adultery
               ,
               and
               yet
               she
               had
               her
               Peace-Offerings
               :
               
                 I
                 have
                 Peace-Offerings
                 with
                 me
                 this
                 day
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               7.
               14.
               with
               the
               18
               th
               .
               Made
               Conscience
               of
               her
               Sac●ifices
               ,
               but
               not
               of
               her
               Honesty
               and
               Chastity
               .
               Yea
               ,
               also
               we
               may
               reckon
               to
               this
               rank
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               the
               Instance
               of
               Bathsheba
               .
               Even
               the
               Children
               of
               God
               have
               much
               Hypocrisy
               ,
               and
               an
               odd
               kind
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               when
               they
               give
               way
               to
               wilful
               and
               hainous
               Sin.
               The
               Passage
               is
               ,
               2
               Sam.
               11.
               4.
               
               David
               
                 took
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 committed
                 Adultery
                 with
                 her
                 ,
                 for
                 she
                 was
                 purified
                 from
                 her
                 Vncleanness
                 .
              
               That
               Uncleanness
               was
               Ceremonial
               only
               ;
               but
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               she
               was
               committing
               a
               Moral
               Uncleanness
               ,
               from
               which
               she
               was
               not
               so
               careful
               to
               keep
               her self
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
               
               the
               Consciences
               of
               Men
               being
               of
               such
               a
               make
               ,
               well
               might
               God
               say
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 have
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 Sacrifice
              
               ;
               Substance
               ,
               and
               not
               Ceremony
               .
               And
               we
               have
               all
               need
               to
               take
               heed
               to
               our selves
               ,
               that
               we
               do
               not
               boggle
               and
               startle
               at
               a
               Shadow
               ,
               when
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               we
               are
               stupid
               and
               sensless
               ,
               in
               Sins
               of
               another
               nature
               and
               deeper
               dye
               ;
               and
               preserve
               a
               tenderness
               in
               lesser
               things
               ,
               when
               we
               give
               way
               to
               Injustice
               and
               Oppression
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Reasons
               why
               Hypocrites
               never
               find
               their
               Consciences
               awake
               so
               much
               as
               in
               Matters
               Ceremonial
               ;
               I
               shall
               give
               these
               two
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Because
               these
               are
               of
               easiest
               digestion
               ,
               and
               will
               sooner
               satisfy
               the
               Conscience
               .
               Slight
               Duties
               suit
               best
               with
               an
               Heart
               that
               is
               unwilling
               to
               come
               under
               the
               Power
               of
               Religion
               .
               Conscience
               is
               like
               the
               Stomach
               ,
               which
               naturally
               desireth
               to
               fill
               its
               self
               ;
               and
               when
               it
               cannot
               digest
               solid
               Food
               ,
               it
               sucketh
               nothing
               but
               Wind.
               They
               that
               place
               their
               Confidence
               in
               their
               own
               Righteousness
               ,
               presently
               fly
               to
               their
               External
               Shows
               .
               The
               right
               stating
               of
               the
               Duties
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               according
               to
               their
               due
               weight
               ,
               would
               convince
               them
               of
               their
               Mistake
               :
               Therefore
               that
               the
               Ell
               may
               be
               no
               longer
               
               than
               the
               Cloth
               ,
               they
               confine
               their
               Obedience
               to
               External
               Observations
               ,
               and
               so
               make
               their
               Religion
               as
               commodious
               for
               themselves
               as
               they
               can
               .
               Adultery
               is
               nothing
               to
               eating
               Flesh
               in
               Lent
               ,
               or
               breaking
               some
               External
               Rule
               .
               The
               Apostle
               saith
               ,
               
                 going
                 about
                 to
                 establish
                 their
                 own
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 submitted
                 to
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               10.
               3.
               
               Not
               to
               the
               way
               of
               Solid
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               broken-hearted
               acceptance
               of
               Christ
               ,
               but
               an
               external
               appearance
               of
               Duty
               is
               most
               for
               their
               Interest
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               To
               put
               the
               better
               Pretence
               upon
               their
               vile
               Practices
               ,
               therefore
               they
               must
               have
               some
               External
               Ceremonies
               to
               countenance
               them
               .
               Thus
               the
               Pharisees
               ,
               to
               countenance
               their
               Oppressions
               ,
               
                 for
                 a
                 pretence
                 make
                 long
                 Prayers
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               23.
               14.
               
               That
               made
               them
               be
               trusted
               by
               the
               destitute
               Widows
               ,
               whom
               they
               deceived
               .
               As
               Iezebel
               would
               have
               the
               formality
               of
               a
               Fast
               ,
               for
               the
               better
               colour
               of
               her
               impiety
               in
               destroying
               Naboth
               .
               In
               days
               of
               Fasts
               ,
               they
               were
               wont
               to
               enquire
               after
               heinous
               Offenders
               ,
               to
               execute
               the
               Law
               upon
               them
               ,
               as
               you
               may
               see
               ,
               Numb
               .
               15.
               7
               ,
               8.
               and
               Psalm
               .
               106.
               30.
               so
               to
               stop
               God's
               Wrath.
               So
               some
               expound
               that
               ,
               
                 Ioel
                 1.
                 14.
                 
                 Sanctify
                 a
                 Fast
                 ,
                 
                 call
                 a
                 Solemn
                 Assembly
                 ,
                 gather
                 the
                 Elders
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               Call
               a
               Court
               who
               may
               enquire
               into
               Off●●ders●
               that
               they
               may
               be
               punished
               and
               reformed
               .
               So
               Iezebel
               calls
               a
               Fast
               ,
               for
               the
               be●ter
               〈◊〉
               of
               a
               Court
               ,
               to
               take
               cognizance
               of
               
               Naboth's
               Sin.
               
            
             
               [
               4.
               ]
               They
               make
               Conscience
               ,
               not
               only
               of
               Externals
               instituted
               by
               God
               ,
               but
               mostly
               of
               those
               that
               are
               devised
               by
               themselves
               .
               This
               very
               Abstinence
               from
               converse
               with
               Publicans
               ,
               was
               a
               thing
               not
               forbidden
               by
               the
               Law
               ,
               but
               an
               Institution
               of
               their
               own
               ;
               because
               of
               their
               frequent
               converse
               with
               Heathens
               ,
               they
               looked
               upon
               them
               as
               a
               polluted
               sort
               of
               Men
               ,
               and
               unworthy
               of
               their
               converse
               .
               So
               that
               this
               helpeth
               us
               to
               another
               Character
               of
               Hypocrites
               ,
               they
               are
               zealous
               for
               Humane
               Traditions
               ,
               but
               Transgressors
               of
               Divine
               Commands
               ,
               God's
               Precepts
               are
               little
               regarded
               ;
               and
               so
               prefer
               their
               own
               Institutions
               before
               the
               Laws
               of
               God.
               So
               ,
               
                 Mat.
                 15.
                 3.
                 
                 By
                 your
                 Traditions
                 ,
                 ye
                 transgress
                 the
                 Commands
                 of
                 God
                 :
              
               Namely
               ,
               by
               holding
               ,
               that
               if
               a
               Man
               had
               devoted
               his
               Estate
               to
               God
               ,
               he
               might
               chuse
               whether
               he
               would
               relieve
               his
               Parents
               .
               Men
               are
               mightily
               in
               love
               with
               their
               own
               Customs
               ,
               and
               place
               much
               Religion
               in
               Man's
               Injunctions
               ,
               and
               care
               not
               how
               they
               
               loosen
               or
               weaken
               the
               Obligation
               of
               God's
               Law
               by
               their
               Impositions
               .
               The
               Pharisees
               great
               Fault
               was
               ,
               they
               would
               outdo
               the
               Law
               in
               Externals
               ;
               and
               then
               when
               they
               had
               set
               their
               Post
               by
               God's
               Post
               ,
               they
               were
               more
               zealous
               for
               Man's
               Inventions
               ,
               than
               for
               God's
               Ordinances
               .
               And
               this
               Zeal
               is
               shewn
               ,
               either
               by
               imposing
               upon
               themselves
               ,
               or
               others
               .
               Imposing
               upon
               their
               own
               Consciences
               ,
               when
               they
               lie
               in
               Chains
               of
               their
               own
               making
               .
               On
               others
               ,
               when
               they
               make
               their
               own
               Practice
               ,
               the
               Rule
               of
               others
               .
               Mat.
               9.
               14.
               
               
                 The
                 Pharisees
                 fast
              
               ,
               John
               '
               
                 s
                 Disciples
                 fast
                 ,
                 thy
                 Disciples
                 fast
                 not
                 .
              
               To
               this
               Head
               we
               may
               reduce
               
               Saul's
               rash
               restraining
               the
               People
               by
               his
               Injunction
               and
               Oath
               ,
               1
               Sam.
               24.
               32.
               with
               vers
               .
               38.
               
               The
               People
               had
               gotten
               a
               great
               Victory
               ,
               and
               Saul
               out
               of
               his
               Hypocritical
               Zeal
               ,
               commandeth
               them
               to
               fast
               till
               Evening
               .
               Now
               what
               was
               the
               Issue
               ?
               The
               People
               through
               Faintness
               could
               not
               pursue
               the
               Enemy
               ;
               Ionathan
               that
               heard
               nothing
               of
               this
               Curse
               and
               Oath
               ,
               was
               in
               danger
               of
               his
               Life
               ;
               and
               the
               People
               being
               hunger-starv'd
               ,
               for
               greediness
               ,
               did
               eat
               the
               Flesh
               and
               the
               Blood
               together
               ,
               contrary
               to
               God's
               Law
               ,
               
                 Gen.
                 9.
                 4.
                 
                 Levit.
              
               17.
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               Mark
               there
               ,
               though
               Hunger
               could
               not
               force
               to
               
               transgress
               
               Saul's
               Commandment
               for
               fear
               of
               Death
               ,
               yet
               it
               forced
               them
               to
               break
               God's
               express
               Commandment
               ,
               in
               eating
               the
               Blood
               ,
               which
               was
               so
               expresly
               forbidden
               .
               And
               at
               Night
               ,
               when
               God
               answered
               him
               not
               ,
               Saul
               thought
               somewhat
               was
               in
               the
               Matter
               ,
               he
               goeth
               to
               ●ast
               Lots
               ,
               and
               the
               Lot
               had
               found
               out
               
                 Ionathan
                 .
                 Saul
              
               never
               thinketh
               of
               the
               breach
               of
               God's
               Law
               ;
               first
               by
               himself
               ,
               in
               imposing
               a
               rash
               and
               sinful
               Oath
               ;
               or
               of
               the
               Peoples
               sin
               ,
               in
               eating
               the
               Blood
               with
               the
               Flesh
               :
               and
               presume●h
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               the
               breach
               of
               that
               Oath
               which
               he
               had
               imposed
               ,
               and
               so
               like
               an
               Hypocrite
               ,
               preferreth
               his
               own
               groundless
               Command
               ,
               before
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               of
               punishing
               this
               with
               rigour
               ,
               when
               the
               other
               is
               never
               spoken
               of
               .
               I
               have
               brought
               this
               Story
               ,
               to
               shew
               you
               how
               zealous
               Men
               are
               for
               their
               own
               Impositions
               on
               themselves
               and
               others
               ,
               and
               how
               easily
               they
               can
               dispense
               with
               God's
               Laws
               ,
               to
               comply
               with
               their
               own
               .
               And
               how
               Drunkenness
               ,
               Whoredom
               ,
               and
               Fornication
               ,
               do
               not
               seem
               such
               odious
               Crimes
               ,
               as
               violating
               Man's
               Customs
               and
               Institutions
               ,
               and
               private
               Rules
               of
               their
               own
               .
            
             
               [
               5.
               ]
               Hypocrites
               have
               a
               Conceit
               of
               their
               own
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               a
               Disdain
               of
               
               others
               .
               This
               was
               the
               very
               Case
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               they
               were
               angry
               because
               Christ
               entred
               into
               the
               House
               of
               Matthew
               ,
               a
               Publican
               ,
               and
               did
               eat
               Meat
               there
               ,
               though
               he
               had
               converted
               him
               .
               And
               else-where
               't
               is
               made
               the
               Characteristick
               Note
               of
               the
               Pharisees
               ;
               Luke
               18.
               9.
               
               
                 They
                 trusted
                 in
                 themselves
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 despised
                 others
                 .
              
               Men
               that
               fly
               to
               Externals
               ,
               are
               soon
               puffed
               up
               ;
               and
               nothing
               humbleth
               so
               much
               as
               a
               sound
               sense
               of
               Religion
               ;
               and
               a
               solemn
               exercising
               our selves
               to
               Godliness
               ,
               maketh
               us
               see
               and
               loath
               our selves
               ,
               and
               pity
               o●hers
               .
               I
               find
               the
               Pharisees
               Enemies
               ever
               to
               the
               ●reeness
               of
               God's
               Grace
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               and
               the
               Work
               of
               Repentance
               .
               And
               that
               the
               bringing
               of
               poor
               Sinners
               to
               Salvation
               ,
               was
               the
               great
               eye-sore
               .
               They
               call
               Christ
               
                 a
                 ●ine-bibber
              
               ,
               and
               
                 a
                 Friend
                 of
                 Publicans
                 and
                 Sinners
                 ,
              
               because
               of
               his
               social
               and
               free
               ,
               but
               sanctified
               Converse
               with
               all
               sorts
               of
               Men
               ,
               Mat.
               11.
               18.
               
               He
               would
               not
               take
               such
               a
               strict
               form
               as
               Iohn
               did
               ,
               because
               he
               would
               not
               seem
               to
               justify
               their
               Pharisaical
               Rigors
               .
               So
               again
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 15.
                 2.
                 
                 This
                 Man
                 receiveth
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 eateth
                 with
                 them
                 :
              
               Because
               he
               went
               to
               them
               as
               a
               Physician
               to
               heal
               their
               Souls
               .
               Christ
               refused
               not
               familiarity
               with
               the
               poorest
               and
               worst
               ,
               as
               
               was
               needful
               for
               their
               Cure
               ,
               and
               would
               not
               observe
               the
               humour
               of
               proud
               Pharisaical
               Separation
               ,
               by
               the
               Parables
               of
               the
               
                 lost
                 Sheep
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 lost
                 Groat
              
               ,
               but
               confuteth
               it
               ;
               sheweth
               that
               this
               is
               the
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Elder
               Brother
               ,
               who
               envied
               the
               Prodigal's
               Return
               .
               And
               telleth
               them
               in
               another
               place
               ,
               that
               
                 Publicans
                 and
                 Harlots
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 before
                 them
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               21.
               30.
               pleadeth
               the
               Case
               of
               the
               Woman
               against
               Simon
               the
               Pharisee
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 7.
                 30.
                 
                 If
                 this
                 Man
                 had
                 been
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 known
                 who
                 and
                 what
                 manner
                 of
                 Woman
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 touched
                 him
                 .
                 Luke
              
               7.
               47.
               
               Christ
               telleth
               him
               ,
               
                 She
                 had
                 much
                 forgiven
                 her
                 ,
                 for
                 she
                 loved
                 much
                 .
              
               Well
               then
               ,
               a
               penitent
               broken
               hearted
               sense
               of
               our
               own
               being
               indebted
               to
               Grace
               ,
               and
               tender
               compassion
               towards
               others
               that
               yet
               go
               astray
               ,
               discovereth
               the
               true
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               But
               to
               stand
               aloof
               from
               others
               by
               a
               foolish
               singularity
               ;
               Isa.
               65.
               5.
               which
               say
               ,
               
                 Stand
                 by
                 thy self
                 ,
                 come
                 not
                 near
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 ●●lier
                 than
                 thou
                 .
              
               Some
               ,
               though
               impure
               and
               prophane
               ,
               counted
               all
               others
               unholy
               and
               unclean
               but
               themselves
               .
               This
               inclosing
               Spirit
               is
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Pharisaism
               .
               An
               outside
               strictness
               without
               that
               Faith
               ,
               Love
               ,
               Charity
               ,
               Meekness
               ,
               Usefulness
               ,
               and
               Humility
               ,
               
               which
               is
               the
               very
               Soul
               and
               Life
               of
               Christianity
               .
               Usually
               Gifts
               ,
               and
               outward
               strictness
               ,
               puff
               up
               Men
               with
               a
               vain
               conceit
               of
               their
               own
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               a
               censuring
               and
               despising
               others
               .
               This
               one
               Text
               sheweth
               us
               both
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Pharisaism
               ,
               and
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Christianity
               .
               The
               Pharisees
               who
               abounded
               in
               External
               Observances
               ,
               censured
               Christ
               for
               his
               free
               Converse
               ,
               disdained
               these
               penitent
               People
               whom
               he
               invited
               to
               a
               better
               Life
               .
               But
               now
               true
               Religion
               maketh
               Men
               humble
               and
               lowly
               in
               their
               own
               Eyes
               ,
               by
               acquainting
               them
               with
               the
               desert
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               their
               own
               Misery
               ;
               and
               maketh
               Men
               pitiful
               and
               compassionate
               towards
               others
               ,
               more
               ready
               to
               help
               than
               to
               censure
               them
               ,
               and
               to
               use
               all
               ways
               and
               means
               to
               do
               them
               good
               .
               But
               when
               Men
               would
               shine
               alone
               in
               the
               repute
               of
               Holiness
               ,
               they
               are
               envious
               to
               those
               who
               penitently
               return
               to
               their
               Duty
               ;
               as
               those
               Servants
               who
               had
               wrought
               all
               the
               day
               ,
               envied
               those
               that
               came
               in
               at
               the
               last
               hour
               ,
               Mat.
               22.
               12.
               or
               ,
               as
               the
               elder
               Brother
               envied
               the
               Prodigal
               ,
               or
               Simon
               the
               Pharisee
               repined
               at
               Mary
               Magdalen's
               observance
               of
               Christ.
               They
               esteem
               much
               of
               their
               own
               Works
               ,
               Merits
               ,
               Sufferings
               ,
               and
               Righteousness
               :
               O
               take
               heed
               of
               this
               Spirit
               !
            
             
             
               The
               use
               of
               this
               B●anch
               ,
               is
               to
               press
               us
               to
               regard
               Internals
               more
               than
               Externals
               ,
               and
               the
               Substantials
               more
               than
               the
               Ceremonials
               of
               Worship
               ,
               and
               a
               broken-hearted
               thankful
               sense
               of
               our
               Redeemer's
               Love
               ,
               before
               a
               Legal
               Righteousness
               .
               Inward
               Worship
               is
               Love
               ,
               Fear
               ,
               and
               Trust
               ;
               outward
               Worship
               is
               Prayer
               ,
               Praise
               ,
               Hearing
               ,
               Reading
               .
               Outward
               Worship
               is
               not
               a
               Duty
               at
               all
               times
               ,
               but
               inward
               Worship
               is
               a
               Duty
               at
               all
               times
               ;
               for
               we
               should
               always
               love
               God
               ,
               and
               delight
               in
               God
               ,
               and
               trust
               in
               God.
               Outward
               Worship
               may
               be
               omitted
               for
               a
               Work
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               and
               in
               case
               of
               invincible
               Necessities
               ;
               but
               inward
               Worship
               may
               never
               be
               omitted
               ,
               never
               dispensed
               with
               .
               We
               always
               owe
               Love
               and
               renewed
               Obedience
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               must
               depend
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               delight
               in
               him
               .
               Outward
               Worship
               may
               be
               counterfeited
               ,
               and
               External
               Worship
               ,
               without
               Holiness
               ,
               is
               highly
               displeasing
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               never
               pleasing
               ,
               but
               when
               't
               is
               in
               conjunction
               with
               it
               .
               Hypocrites
               may
               abound
               in
               Externals
               ,
               but
               Hypocrites
               will
               not
               delight
               themselves
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               nor
               heartily
               devote
               themselves
               to
               him
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               serve
               ,
               please
               ,
               and
               glorify
               him
               :
               the
               inward
               Graces
               cannot
               be
               
               counterfeited
               ,
               but
               the
               outward
               Expression
               may
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Be
               more
               careful
               of
               the
               Substantials
               ,
               than
               of
               the
               Ceremonials
               of
               Religion
               ;
               and
               to
               mind
               the
               Power
               of
               Godliness
               more
               than
               the
               Form.
               The
               Substantials
               of
               Religion
               are
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               and
               our
               Neighbour
               .
               The
               Circumstantials
               are
               those
               ways
               of
               Worship
               which
               God
               hath
               appointed
               ,
               whereby
               we
               are
               visibly
               to
               express
               our
               love
               to
               him
               .
               Now
               our
               main
               care
               should
               be
               ,
               in
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               to
               be
               intirely
               devoted
               and
               subject
               to
               God.
               That
               was
               
               Iob's
               Character
               ,
               
                 One
                 that
                 feared
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 eschewed
                 Evil
                 ,
              
               Job
               1.
               11.
               
               To
               do
               that
               we
               do
               out
               of
               love
               to
               him
               ;
               obeying
               his
               Laws
               as
               our
               Rule
               ,
               and
               depending
               upon
               his
               Rewards
               as
               our
               Happiness
               .
               And
               as
               to
               Men
               ,
               let
               us
               be
               faithful
               ,
               and
               walk
               holily
               in
               our
               Places
               ,
               Callings
               ,
               and
               Relations
               ,
               being
               just
               and
               kind
               unto
               all
               ,
               but
               having
               an
               exceeding
               dear
               love
               for
               our
               fellow-Saints
               and
               everlasting
               Companions
               .
               This
               is
               more
               pleasing
               to
               God
               than
               the
               costliest
               Sacrifices
               ,
               than
               all
               our
               Flocks
               and
               Herds
               ,
               or
               any
               outward
               thing
               that
               we
               do
               for
               him
               .
               I
               take
               notice
               of
               those
               words
               of
               God
               to
               Solomon
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               building
               him
               a
               magnificent
               Temple
               ,
               1
               Kings
               6.
               11
               ,
               12.
               
               
                 And
                 
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 came
                 to
              
               Solomon
               ,
               
                 saying
                 ,
                 Concerning
                 this
                 House
                 which
                 thou
                 art
                 building
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 wilt
                 walk
                 in
                 my
                 Statutes
                 ,
                 and
                 execute
                 my
                 Iudgments
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 all
                 my
                 Commandments
                 to
                 walk
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 then
                 will
                 I
                 perform
                 my
                 Word
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 spake
                 to
              
               David
               
                 thy
                 Father
              
               .
               God
               hath
               more
               respect
               to
               
               Solomon's
               faithful
               Obedience
               ,
               than
               to
               that
               glorious
               Building
               .
               So
               far
               do
               Morals
               exceed
               Ceremonials
               in
               Religion
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               you
               prefer
               a
               broken-hearted
               thankful
               sense
               of
               our
               Redeemer's
               Love
               ,
               before
               legal
               and
               conceited
               Righteousness
               of
               our
               own
               .
               Christ's
               love
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               is
               that
               which
               the
               Pharisees
               mainly
               stumbled
               at
               .
               An
               external
               shew
               and
               fair
               pretence
               of
               a
               good
               Life
               ,
               which
               had
               no
               bottom
               of
               Regeneration
               ,
               was
               the
               superficial
               Righteousness
               of
               the
               Pharisees
               .
               Nicodemus
               ,
               who
               had
               been
               of
               that
               Sect
               ,
               wondred
               when
               that
               was
               pressed
               upon
               him
               ,
               Iohn
               3.
               4
               ,
               5.
               an
               outward
               Conformity
               ,
               which
               was
               more
               in
               Shew
               than
               in
               Substance
               ,
               in
               Form
               and
               Fashion
               than
               in
               Power
               ,
               was
               their
               Religion
               ;
               abstaining
               from
               gross
               Sins
               ,
               as
               Murder
               and
               Adultery
               ,
               but
               not
               purifying
               the
               Heart
               from
               Lusts.
               Murder
               they
               made
               Conscience
               of
               ,
               but
               not
               of
               Envy
               ,
               Malice
               ,
               and
               Hatred
               :
               Theft
               ,
               but
               not
               Covetousness
               ,
               
               and
               close
               Extortion
               ;
               Adultery
               ,
               but
               not
               Wantonness
               ,
               or
               looking
               upon
               a
               Woman
               to
               lust
               after
               her
               ,
               as
               you
               may
               see
               at
               large
               Matth.
               5.
               
               Thus
               Christ
               presseth
               us
               to
               exceed
               the
               Pharisees
               ,
               who
               turned
               all
               Obedience
               into
               an
               empty
               Formality
               ;
               wherein
               they
               puffed
               up
               themselves
               as
               meer
               Men
               ,
               and
               so
               had
               never
               been
               at
               the
               Market
               of
               Free
               Grace
               ;
               all
               their
               Wares
               were
               their
               own
               ,
               and
               their
               Righteousness
               of
               their
               own
               spinning
               ,
               and
               therein
               stood
               upon
               their
               own
               Bottom
               ,
               without
               seeking
               the
               reconciling
               and
               renewing
               Grace
               of
               the
               Redeemer
               .
               Luke
               18.
               
               The
               proud
               Pharisee
               pleadeth
               his
               own
               Merits
               rather
               than
               God's
               Grace
               ,
               but
               the
               Publican
               pleaded
               Mercy
               .
               'T
               was
               long
               e're
               Paul
               was
               brought
               to
               count
               all
               but
               Dung
               and
               Dross
               for
               the
               Excellency
               of
               the
               Knowledg
               of
               Christ
               ,
               Phil.
               3.
               7
               ,
               8
               ,
               9.
               
               But
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               a
               Christian
               ,
               though
               he
               maketh
               progress
               in
               Holiness
               ,
               yet
               from
               first
               to
               last
               ,
               cherisheth
               a
               broken-hearted
               sense
               of
               his
               own
               Wants
               ,
               and
               a
               thankful
               remembrance
               of
               his
               Redeemer's
               Love
               ,
               who
               is
               all
               in
               all
               with
               him
               ,
               both
               for
               Justification
               and
               Sanctification
               .
               Before
               Pardon
               ,
               the
               Sinner
               is
               weakned
               and
               humbled
               with
               a
               sense
               of
               his
               lost
               Condition
               ,
               and
               then
               there
               is
               a
               constant
               watchfulness
               ,
               
               with
               Repentance
               and
               brokenness
               of
               Heart
               ,
               which
               followeth
               Pardon
               ;
               
                 loving
                 much
                 ,
                 because
                 much
                 is
                 forgiven
                 ,
              
               Luke
               7.
               47.
               
               And
               loathing
               himself
               in
               his
               own
               sight
               ,
               because
               of
               his
               vileness
               and
               sinfulness
               ,
               after
               God
               is
               reconciled
               to
               him
               ,
               Ezek.
               16.
               63.
               
               This
               is
               the
               frame
               of
               Heart
               which
               suiteth
               with
               the
               Gospel-state
               .
            
             
               III.
               I
               come
               to
               the
               third
               Thing
               ,
               the
               value
               of
               Mercy
               .
               I
               shall
               not
               speak
               of
               it
               at
               large
               ,
               but
               only
               with
               respect
               to
               this
               Scripture
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               'T
               is
               
                 better
                 than
                 Sacrifice
              
               .
               To
               sacrifice
               ,
               is
               to
               serve
               God
               ;
               but
               to
               shew
               Mercy
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               like
               God.
               Luke
               6.
               36.
               
               Be
               
                 ye
                 therefore
                 merciful
                 ,
                 as
                 your
                 Heavenly
                 Father
                 is
                 merciful
                 .
              
               Now
               Conformity
               to
               God
               is
               more
               noble
               ,
               than
               Subjection
               to
               God
               ;
               it
               hath
               more
               of
               Perfection
               and
               Blessedness
               in
               it
               especially
               ,
               than
               a
               particular
               external
               mode
               and
               way
               of
               subjection
               to
               God.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               As
               't
               is
               preferred
               before
               Sacrifice
               ,
               so
               't
               is
               preferred
               before
               the
               external
               Observation
               of
               the
               Sabbath
               .
               The
               Sabbath
               is
               the
               great
               Institution
               conducing
               to
               the
               enlivening
               of
               other
               Duties
               ;
               Mercy
               ,
               not
               only
               to
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men
               as
               here
               ,
               or
               Bodies
               of
               Men
               ,
               but
               Mercy
               to
               the
               Bodies
               of
               the
               
               to
               help
               a
               Beast
               out
               of
               a
               Pit
               ,
               is
               a
               Sabbath-days
               work
               ,
               Mat.
               12.
               11
               ,
               12.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               'T
               is
               more
               than
               Gospel-Externals
               of
               Worship
               .
               The
               Apostle
               had
               spoken
               of
               being
               
                 not
                 hearers
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 doers
                 also
                 ,
              
               Jam.
               1.
               25.
               
               Then
               saith
               ,
               Vers.
               27.
               
               
                 Pure
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 undefiled
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 To
                 visit
                 the
                 Fatherless
                 and
                 Widows
                 in
                 their
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 himself
                 unspotted
                 from
                 the
                 World.
              
               Is
               this
               Religion
               ,
               to
               come
               to
               Church
               to
               hear
               the
               strictest
               Preachers
               ?
               Doth
               the
               Apostle
               reckon
               this
               another
               part
               of
               Religion
               ?
               No
               ,
               but
               to
               
                 visit
                 the
                 Fatherless
                 and
                 Widows
              
               .
               They
               who
               are
               truly
               Religious
               ,
               have
               such
               a
               deep
               sense
               of
               God's
               Mercy
               to
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               changed
               into
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ,
               that
               they
               cannot
               but
               pity
               the
               miserable
               and
               afflicted
               .
               Now
               the
               Ordinances
               of
               the
               Gospel
               are
               rational
               ,
               not
               so
               carnal
               and
               servile
               as
               the
               Ordinances
               under
               the
               Law.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               'T
               is
               more
               excellent
               than
               all
               the
               Gifts
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               The
               Gifts
               of
               the
               Gospel
               were
               glorious
               Things
               ,
               Gifts
               of
               Tongues
               ,
               Gifts
               of
               Healing
               ,
               Gifts
               of
               Knowledg
               and
               Utterance
               ;
               1
               Cor.
               12.
               31.
               
               
                 Covet
                 earnestly
                 the
                 best
                 Gifts
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 I
                 shew
                 you
                 a
                 more
                 excellent
                 way
                 .
              
               What
               is
               that
               ?
               Love
               ,
               Charity
               ,
               Mercy
               .
               Though
               Abilities
               are
               excellent
               
               Things
               ,
               to
               be
               able
               to
               edify
               and
               instruct
               others
               ,
               yet
               no
               way
               to
               be
               compared
               with
               the
               Grace
               of
               Charity
               ,
               and
               the
               performing
               all
               our
               Duties
               to
               our
               Brethren
               out
               of
               love
               to
               God.
               
            
             
               5.
               
               I
               cannot
               say
               't
               is
               above
               the
               Graces
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Love
               to
               God
               ;
               yet
               this
               I
               can
               say
               ,
               that
               those
               Graces
               are
               not
               real
               ,
               unless
               accompanied
               with
               Charity
               :
               1
               John
               4.
               20.
               
               
                 If
                 a
                 Man
                 say
                 he
                 loveth
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 hateth
                 his
                 Brother
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 liar
                 :
                 for
                 if
                 a
                 Man
                 hateth
                 his
                 Brother
                 whom
                 he
                 hath
                 seen
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 he
                 love
                 God
                 whom
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 seen
                 ?
              
               He
               speaketh
               there
               of
               Love
               to
               Christ
               ,
               vers
               .
               19.
               
               
                 We
                 love
                 him
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 loved
                 us
                 first
                 .
              
               There
               may
               be
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               Hypocrisy
               in
               professing
               and
               pretending
               Love
               to
               Christ
               ;
               and
               so
               he
               doth
               certainly
               ,
               who
               doth
               malign
               and
               persecute
               Christians
               ,
               or
               not
               shew
               Mercy
               to
               them
               in
               their
               Distresses
               .
               We
               daily
               converse
               with
               Men
               ,
               meet
               with
               Objects
               of
               Charity
               ,
               whom
               we
               should
               pity
               ;
               but
               if
               we
               do
               not
               this
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               more
               easy
               ,
               we
               will
               not
               do
               that
               which
               is
               more
               difficult
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               'T
               is
               the
               Qualification
               of
               finding
               Mercy
               ;
               Mat.
               5.
               7.
               
               
                 `
                 Blessed
                 are
                 the
                 Merciful
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 shall
                 obtain
                 Mercy
                 .
              
               Compassion
               to
               other
               Mens
               Bodies
               and
               Souls
               ,
               gives
               
               this
               hope
               and
               confidence
               of
               finding
               Mercy
               with
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               all
               our
               Hope
               .
            
             
               
                 It
                 will
                 be
                 inquired
                 into
                 at
                 the
                 Day
                 of
                 Judgment
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               25.
               35
               ,
               36
               ,
               37
               ,
               38
               ,
               39
               ,
               40
               ,
               41.
               
               For
               I
               was
               an
               hungred
               ,
               and
               ye
               gave
               me
               Meat
               :
               I
               was
               thirsty
               ,
               and
               ye
               gave
               me
               Drink
               :
               I
               was
               a
               Stranger
               ,
               and
               ye
               took
               me
               in
               :
               Naked
               ,
               and
               ye
               clothed
               me
               :
               I
               was
               sick
               ,
               and
               ye
               visited
               me
               :
               I
               was
               in
               Prison
               ,
               and
               ye
               came
               unto
               me
               .
               Then
               shall
               the
               Righteous
               answer
               him
               ,
               saying
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               when
               saw
               we
               thee
               an
               hungred
               ,
               and
               fed
               thee
               ?
               or
               thirsty
               ,
               and
               gave
               thee
               Drink
               ?
               When
               saw
               we
               thee
               a
               Stranger
               ,
               and
               took
               thee
               in
               ?
               or
               naked
               ,
               and
               clothed
               thee
               ?
               Or
               when
               saw
               we
               thee
               sick
               ,
               or
               in
               Prison
               ,
               and
               came
               unto
               thee
               ?
               And
               the
               King
               shall
               answer
               ,
               and
               say
               unto
               them
               ,
               Verily
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               in
               as
               much
               as
               ye
               have
               done
               it
               unto
               one
               of
               the
               least
               of
               these
               my
               Brethren
               ,
               ye
               have
               done
               it
               unto
               me
               .
               Then
               shall
               he
               say
               also
               unto
               them
               on
               the
               left
               hand
               ,
               Depart
               from
               me
               ye
               cursed
               ,
               into
               everlasting
               Fire
               ,
               prepared
               for
               the
               Devil
               and
               his
               Angels
               .
            
             
               Oh
               then
               let
               us
               make
               Conscience
               of
               this
               Duty
               more
               than
               ever
               we
               have
               done
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               A
               DESCRIPTION
               of
               the
               True
               Circumcision
               .
            
             
               
                 PHIL.
                 3.
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 For
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 Circumcision
                 ,
                 which
                 worship
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoice
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 no
                 confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh.
                 
              
            
             
               AMong
               those
               that
               entertain
               thoughts
               of
               Religion
               ,
               there
               ever
               have
               been
               ,
               and
               will
               be
               ,
               many
               Contests
               ,
               who
               are
               the
               True
               Church
               and
               People
               of
               God
               :
               The
               Lazy
               place
               their
               Plea
               and
               Claim
               in
               External
               Observations
               .
               The
               Serious
               look
               to
               the
               Vitals
               and
               Heart
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               cannot
               satisfy
               themselves
               in
               an
               outward
               Form
               ,
               without
               the
               Life
               and
               Power
               :
               This
               was
               the
               very
               difference
               between
               the
               True
               Christians
               ,
               and
               a
               certain
               sort
               of
               Persons
               who
               took
               upon
               them
               to
               be
               the
               Circumcision
               .
               The
               Jews
               are
               often
               called
               the
               Circumcision
               ;
               Therefore
               Christ
               is
               said
               to
               be
               
                 a
                 Minister
                 of
                 the
                 Circumcision
              
               ,
               as
               being
               sent
               to
               the
               
               People
               that
               were
               to
               be
               Circumcised
               ,
               Rom.
               15.
               8.
               
               And
               Peter
               is
               called
               
                 the
                 Apostle
                 of
                 the
                 Circumcision
              
               ,
               Gal.
               2.
               7
               ,
               8.
               as
               being
               appointed
               to
               deal
               with
               that
               People
               .
               Now
               these
               Judaizing
               Christians
               ,
               who
               had
               a
               zeal
               for
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               did
               falsely
               boast
               themselves
               to
               be
               the
               only
               People
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               true
               Circumcision
               .
               This
               was
               the
               difference
               between
               them
               ;
               Who
               were
               to
               be
               accounted
               the
               true
               Circumcision
               ,
               the
               Jewish
               Zealots
               ,
               who
               placed
               their
               Justification
               in
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Law
               ;
               or
               those
               who
               adhered
               to
               Christ
               only
               ,
               and
               looked
               for
               the
               Mercy
               of
               God
               through
               him
               ?
               
                 We
                 are
                 the
                 Circumcision
              
               ,
               say
               they
               ,
               excluding
               the
               other
               and
               better
               sort
               of
               Christians
               :
               The
               one
               had
               the
               Form
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               the
               Effect
               and
               Power
               ;
               The
               one
               were
               circumcised
               outwardly
               ,
               the
               other
               spiritually
               .
               The
               Apostle
               judgeth
               for
               the
               latter
               ;
               the
               former
               were
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 The
                 Concision
              
               ;
               who
               instead
               of
               circumcising
               themselves
               ,
               did
               cut
               asunder
               the
               Church
               of
               God
               :
               But
               the
               sound
               Believers
               were
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               the
               
                 Circumcision
                 indeed
              
               ;
               as
               being
               circumcised
               by
               the
               Circumcision
               made
               without
               Hands
               ,
               in
               putting
               off
               the
               Body
               of
               the
               Sins
               of
               the
               Fl●sh
               by
               Christ
               ,
               C●ll
               .
               2.
               11.
               
               They
               were
               
               the
               true
               Children
               of
               Abraham
               ,
               who
               did
               indeed
               perform
               that
               for
               which
               Circumcision
               was
               intended
               :
               
                 For
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 Circumcision
                 ,
                 which
                 worship
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoice
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 no
                 confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh.
                 
              
            
             
               In
               the
               words
               we
               have
               a
               three-fold
               Description
               of
               the
               True
               Circumcision
               :
               How
               they
               stand
               affected
               ,
               To
               
                 God
                 ,
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Self
              
               .
            
             
               
                 I.
                 They
                 worship
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 They
                 rejoice
                 in
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 They
                 have
                 no
                 confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh.
                 
              
            
             
               I.
               They
               worship
               God
               in
               the
               Spirit
               .
               This
               Clause
               may
               be
               interpreted
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               In
               opposition
               to
               the
               Legal
               Ordinances
               :
               So
               't
               is
               taken
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 4.
                 23
                 ,
                 24.
                 
                 But
                 the
                 hour
                 cometh
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 is
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 true
                 Worshippers
                 shall
                 worship
                 the
                 Father
                 in
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Truth
                 :
                 For
                 the
                 Father
                 seeketh
                 such
                 to
                 worship
                 him
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 worship
                 him
                 ,
                 must
                 worship
                 him
                 in
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 Truth
                 .
              
               The
               Jewish
               Worship
               is
               in
               a
               sense
               called
               Carnal
               ;
               the
               Christian
               ,
               Spiritual
               :
               Heb.
               7.
               16.
               
               
                 A
                 Carnal
                 Commandment
              
               .
               
               Heb.
               9.
               10.
               
               
                 Carnal
                 Ordinances
                 imposed
                 on
                 them
                 till
                 the
                 Time
                 of
                 Reformation
                 .
              
               And
               Shadows
               ,
               Heb.
               10.
               1.
               
               Now
               the
               Lord
               would
               have
               a
               Spiritual
               Worship
               ,
               and
               the
               Truth
               of
               what
               was
               in
               these
               Shadows
               ,
               these
               external
               Forms
               ,
               he
               allowed
               (
               instituted
               in
               the
               Infancy
               of
               the
               Church
               )
               ;
               so
               that
               
                 they
                 worship
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
              
               is
               ,
               they
               have
               embraced
               the
               true
               Worship
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               serve
               God
               ,
               not
               by
               the
               Carnal
               Rites
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               but
               by
               the
               pure
               rational
               Worship
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               This
               is
               part
               of
               the
               sense
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               It
               implieth
               worshipping
               God
               with
               the
               inward
               and
               spiritual
               Affections
               of
               a
               renewed
               Heart
               :
               Heb.
               12.
               28.
               
               
                 Wherefore
                 ,
                 we
                 receiving
                 a
                 Kingdom
                 which
                 cannot
                 be
                 moved
                 ,
                 Let
                 us
                 have
                 Grace
                 ,
                 whereby
                 we
                 may
                 serve
                 God
                 acceptably
                 with
                 Reverence
                 and
                 Godly
                 Fear
                 .
              
               Worship
               flowing
               from
               Grace
               ,
               engaging
               the
               Heart
               in
               God's
               Service
               ,
               is
               that
               which
               God
               prizeth
               ;
               Therefore
               a
               Christian
               should
               not
               rest
               in
               an
               External
               Form
               :
               
                 God
                 is
                 my
                 Witness
                 ,
                 whom
                 I
                 serve
                 with
                 my
                 Spirit
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               1.
               9.
               
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               It
               doth
               also
               imply
               the
               Assistance
               ,
               and
               continual
               Influence
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ;
               
                 Ephes.
                 6.
                 18.
                 
                 Praying
                 always
                 with
                 all
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 supplication
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 and
                 
                 watching
                 thereunto
                 with
                 all
                 perseverance
                 ,
                 and
                 supplication
                 for
                 all
                 Saints
                 .
              
               And
               Iude
               ,
               v.
               20.
               
               
                 Praying
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               .
            
             
               The
               Doctrine
               is
               this
               :
            
             
               That
               a
               True
               Christian
               is
               known
               by
               his
               Worship
               ;
               or
               is
               one
               that
               doth
               worship
               God
               in
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
             
               Here
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   What
                   is
                   Worship
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   What
                   a
                   true
                   Christian
                   (
                   1.
                   )
                   doth
                   worship
                   ;
                   (
                   2.
                   )
                   Why
                   in
                   the
                   Spirit
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               What
               is
               Worship
               .
               'T
               is
               either
               Internal
               ,
               or
               External
               .
               The
               Internal
               consisteth
               in
               the
               Love
               and
               Reverence
               we
               owe
               to
               God.
               The
               External
               in
               those
               Offices
               and
               Duties
               by
               which
               our
               Honour
               and
               Respect
               to
               God
               is
               signified
               and
               expressed
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Internal
               .
               The
               Soul
               and
               Life
               of
               our
               Worship
               lieth
               in
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Reverence
               ,
               and
               delight
               in
               God
               above
               all
               other
               things
               .
               Psal.
               2.
               11.
               
               
                 Serve
                 the
                 Lord
                 with
                 Fear
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoice
                 with
                 Trembling
                 .
              
               Such
               a
               delight
               as
               will
               become
               the
               greatness
               and
               goodness
               of
               God.
               Worship
               hath
               its
               Rise
               and
               Foundation
               in
               the
               Heart
               of
               the
               Worshipper
               ;
               there
               it
               must
               begin
               :
               In
               our
               high
               thoughts
               
               and
               esteem
               of
               God
               ,
               especially
               two
               things
               ,
               Love
               and
               Trust.
               
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Love
               ;
               Deut.
               6.
               5.
               
               
                 Thou
                 shalt
                 love
                 the
                 Lord
                 thy
                 God
                 with
                 all
                 thy
                 Heart
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 thy
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 all
                 thy
                 Might
                 .
              
               We
               worship
               God
               ,
               when
               we
               give
               him
               such
               a
               Love
               as
               is
               Superlative
               and
               Transcendental
               ,
               far
               above
               the
               Love
               that
               we
               give
               to
               any
               other
               thing
               ,
               that
               so
               our
               respect
               to
               other
               things
               may
               s●oop
               ,
               and
               give
               way
               to
               our
               respect
               to
               God.
               
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               The
               other
               Affection
               whereby
               we
               express
               our
               esteem
               of
               God
               ,
               is
               Trust
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               other
               Foundation
               of
               Worship
               :
               Psal.
               62.
               8.
               
               
                 Trust
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 at
                 all
                 Times
                 ,
                 pour
                 out
                 your
                 Hearts
                 before
                 him
                 .
              
               Delightful
               adhesion
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               an
               intire
               dependance
               upon
               him
               ;
               if
               either
               fail
               ,
               or
               be
               intermitted
               ,
               our
               Worship
               faileth
               .
               If
               Delight
               ;
               Job
               27.
               10.
               
               
                 Will
                 he
                 delight
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ?
                 Will
                 he
                 always
                 call
                 upon
                 God
                 ?
              
               Isa.
               43.
               22.
               
               
                 But
                 thou
                 hast
                 not
                 called
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 O
              
               Jacob
               ;
               
                 but
                 thou
                 hast
                 been
                 weary
                 of
                 me
                 ,
                 O
              
               Israel
               .
               They
               that
               love
               God
               ,
               and
               delight
               in
               him
               ,
               cannot
               be
               long
               out
               of
               his
               company
               .
               They
               take
               all
               Opportunities
               and
               Occasions
               of
               being
               with
               God.
               So
               Dependance
               and
               Trust
               ;
               Heb.
               3.
               12.
               
               Take
               Brethren
               ,
               
                 lest
                 there
                 be
                 in
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 an
                 
                 evil
                 Heart
                 of
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 in
                 departing
                 from
                 the
                 Living
                 God.
              
               James
               1.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 Let
                 him
                 ask
                 in
                 Faith
                 ,
                 nothing
                 wavering
                 :
                 for
                 he
                 that
                 wavereth
                 ,
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 Wave
                 of
                 the
                 Sea
                 ,
                 driven
                 with
                 the
                 Wind
                 ,
                 and
                 tossed
                 .
                 For
                 let
                 not
                 that
                 Man
                 think
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 receive
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Dependance
               begets
               Observance
               ;
               They
               that
               distrust
               God's
               Promises
               ,
               will
               not
               long
               keep
               his
               Precepts
               :
               If
               we
               look
               for
               all
               from
               him
               ,
               we
               will
               often
               come
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               take
               all
               out
               of
               his
               hands
               :
               Be
               careful
               that
               we
               do
               not
               offend
               him
               ,
               and
               displease
               him
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               External
               .
               In
               those
               Offices
               and
               Duties
               by
               which
               our
               Honour
               and
               Respect
               to
               God
               is
               signified
               and
               expressed
               :
               As
               by
               Invocation
               ,
               Thanksgiving
               ,
               Praises
               ,
               Obedience
               ,
               God
               will
               be
               owned
               both
               in
               Heart
               and
               Life
               .
               In
               all
               these
               prescribed
               Duties
               by
               which
               our
               Affections
               towards
               him
               are
               acted
               .
               If
               God
               did
               not
               call
               for
               outward
               Worship
               ,
               why
               did
               he
               appoint
               the
               Ordinances
               of
               Preaching
               ,
               Praying
               ,
               singing
               Psalms
               ,
               Baptism
               ,
               and
               the
               Lord's
               Supper
               ?
               God
               that
               made
               the
               whole
               Man
               ,
               Body
               ,
               and
               Soul
               ,
               must
               be
               worshipped
               of
               the
               whole
               Man
               :
               Therefore
               ,
               besides
               the
               Inward
               Affections
               ,
               there
               must
               be
               External
               Actions
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               we
               are
               said
               to
               worship
               
               God
               ,
               either
               with
               respect
               to
               the
               Duties
               which
               are
               more
               directly
               to
               be
               performed
               to
               God
               ,
               or
               in
               our
               whole
               Conversation
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               With
               respect
               to
               the
               Duties
               which
               imply
               our
               solemn
               Converse
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               are
               more
               directly
               to
               be
               performed
               towards
               him
               ;
               such
               as
               the
               Word
               ,
               Prayer
               ,
               Praise
               ,
               Thanksgiving
               ,
               and
               Sacraments
               :
               Surely
               these
               must
               be
               attended
               upon
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               special
               Acts
               of
               Love
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               Trust
               in
               him
               :
               And
               these
               Duties
               are
               the
               ways
               wherein
               God
               hath
               promised
               to
               meet
               with
               his
               People
               ,
               and
               appointed
               us
               to
               expect
               his
               Grace
               :
               
                 Exod.
                 20.
                 24.
                 
                 In
                 all
                 places
                 where
                 I
                 record
                 my
                 Name
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 come
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 bless
                 thee
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               Mark
               4.
               24.
               
               'T
               is
               a
               Rule
               of
               Commerce
               between
               us
               and
               God
               ;
               
                 With
                 what
                 measure
                 ye
                 mete
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 measured
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 unto
                 you
                 that
                 hear
                 ,
                 shall
                 more
                 be
                 given
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               In
               our
               whole
               Conversation
               :
               Luke
               1.
               74
               ,
               75.
               
               
                 That
                 we
                 should
                 serve
                 him
                 without
                 Fear
                 ,
                 in
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 before
                 him
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 our
                 lives
                 .
              
               A
               Christian's
               Life
               is
               a
               constant
               Hymn
               to
               God
               ,
               or
               a
               continued
               Act
               of
               Worship
               :
               ever
               behaving
               himself
               as
               in
               the
               sight
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               directing
               all
               things
               as
               to
               his
               Glory
               :
               He
               
               turneth
               Second-Table
               Duties
               into
               First
               .
               James
               1.
               27.
               
               
                 Pure
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 undefiled
                 before
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 To
                 visit
                 the
                 Fatherless
                 and
                 Widows
                 in
                 their
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 keep
                 himself
                 unspotted
                 from
                 the
                 World.
              
               Heb.
               13.
               16.
               
               
                 To
                 do
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 communicate
                 ,
                 forget
                 not
                 ;
                 for
                 with
                 such
                 Sacrifices
                 God
                 is
                 well
                 pleased
                 .
              
               Ephes.
               5.
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               
                 Submitting
                 your selves
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God.
              
               Now
               a
               true
               Christian
               maketh
               Conscience
               of
               all
               this
               ,
               as
               of
               Internal
               Worship
               ,
               so
               External
               .
               As
               of
               Solemn
               and
               Sacred
               Acts
               ,
               so
               of
               a
               constant
               Awfulness
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               Secondly
               ;
               The
               Reasons
               .
            
             
               1
               st
               ,
               Why
               a
               true
               Christian
               doth
               worship
               God.
               
            
             
               2
               dly
               ,
               Why
               in
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
             
               1
               st
               ,
               For
               the
               Worship
               it self
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Because
               they
               have
               a
               deep
               sense
               of
               his
               Being
               and
               Excellency
               impressed
               upon
               their
               Hearts
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               His
               Being
               :
               These
               two
               Notions
               live
               and
               die
               together
               :
               That
               God
               is
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               ought
               to
               be
               worshipped
               and
               served
               ,
               Heb.
               11.
               6.
               
               The
               one
               immediately
               floweth
               from
               the
               other
               :
               The
               first
               Commandment
               is
               ,
               
                 Thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 no
                 other
                 Gods
                 
                 before
                 me
                 .
              
               The
               second
               ,
               
                 Thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 worship
                 a
                 graven
                 Image
                 :
              
               If
               〈…〉
               ,
               Worship
               is
               certainly
               〈…〉
               They
               that
               have
               no
               〈…〉
               they
               had
               no
               God.
               The
               Psalmist
               proveth
               At●●ism
               by
               that
               
                 Psal.
                 14.
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Fool
                 hath
                 said
                 〈…〉
                 Heart
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 God.
              
               And
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 4.
                 
                 They
                 call
                 not
                 upon
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               His
               Excellency
               :
               They
               have
               a
               cleare●
               sight
               of
               God
               than
               others
               have
               ,
               and
               are
               more
               acquainted
               with
               him
               than
               other●
               are
               ,
               and
               therefore
               are
               more
               prone
               to
               worship
               .
               When
               God
               had
               proclaimed
               his
               Name
               ,
               and
               manifested
               himself
               to
               Moses
               ,
               Exod.
               34.
               8.
               
               
                 He
                 made
                 haste
                 ,
                 and
                 bowed
                 himself
                 to
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 worshipped
                 :
              
               None
               so
               ready
               and
               forward
               .
               Psal.
               9.
               10.
               
               
                 They
                 that
                 know
                 thy
                 Name
                 ,
                 will
                 put
                 their
                 trust
                 in
                 thee
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               Because
               they
               have
               a
               Principle
               within
               them
               ,
               which
               inclineth
               them
               to
               God
               ▪
               Their
               Hearts
               are
               carried
               to
               him
               ,
               as
               light
               Bodies
               are
               carried
               upward
               .
               There
               is
               such
               a
               Grace
               as
               Godliness
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               6.
               and
               distinct
               in
               the
               Notion
               from
               Righteousness
               and
               Holiness
               .
               1
               Tim.
               6.
               11.
               
               
                 Follow
                 after
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 Godliness
              
               .
               2
               Pet.
               3.
               11.
               
               
                 What
                 manner
                 of
                 Persons
                 ought
                 we
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 all
                 Holy
                 Conversation
                 and
                 Godliness
                 ?
              
               What
               
               is
               the
               Notion
               then
               of
               it
               ?
               'T
               is
               
                 Tendentia
                 mentis
                 in
                 Deum
              
               .
               An
               Impression
               left
               upon
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               which
               causeth
               a
               bent
               and
               tendency
               towards
               God
               ,
               as
               the
               Fountain
               of
               their
               Mercies
               ,
               the
               Joy
               of
               their
               Souls
               ,
               and
               the
               Center
               of
               their
               Rest.
               There
               is
               such
               an
               Inclination
               ,
               in
               some
               stronger
               ,
               in
               others
               more
               remiss
               ;
               but
               in
               all
               that
               are
               made
               Partakers
               of
               a
               Divine
               Nature
               ,
               in
               some
               good
               Degree
               ,
               so
               as
               ordinarily
               to
               prevail
               over
               the
               Inclinations
               of
               the
               Flesh
               :
               As
               Holiness
               noteth
               purity
               of
               Life
               ,
               so
               Godliness
               an
               Inclination
               to
               God.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               Because
               of
               their
               Relations
               to
               God
               which
               they
               own
               :
               God
               pleadeth
               his
               Right
               ,
               Mal.
               1.
               6.
               
               
                 If
                 I
                 be
                 a
                 Father
                 ,
                 Where
                 is
                 mine
                 Honour
                 ?
                 If
                 I
                 be
                 a
                 Master
                 ,
                 Where
                 is
                 my
                 Fear
                 ?
              
               A
               Father
               must
               have
               Honour
               ,
               and
               a
               Master
               must
               have
               Fear
               ▪
               And
               God
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               common
               〈◊〉
               ,
               and
               〈◊〉
               Master
               of
               all
               ,
               must
               have
               both
               :
               A
               Worship
               and
               Honour
               in
               which
               ,
               Reverence
               and
               Fear
               ,
               is
               mixed
               with
               Love
               and
               Joy.
               Or
               as
               the
               owning
               of
               a
               King
               ,
               implyeth
               submission
               to
               his
               Government
               ;
               so
               the
               owning
               of
               a
               God
               ,
               Adoration
               ,
               and
               Worship
               .
            
             
               2
               dly
               .
               Why
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ?
            
             
               1.
               
               Because
               Worship
               without
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               is
               like
               a
               Body
               without
               the
               Soul
               ;
               't
               is
               but
               
               the
               Carcase
               of
               a
               Duty
               :
               The
               Heart
               must
               be
               the
               principal
               and
               chief
               Agent
               in
               this
               Business
               ;
               Mat.
               15.
               8.
               
               
                 This
                 People
                 draweth
                 nigh
                 to
                 me
                 with
                 their
                 Mouths
                 ,
                 and
                 honoureth
                 me
                 with
                 their
                 Lips
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 Hearts
                 are
                 far
                 from
                 me
                 .
              
               There
               is
               no
               Love
               to
               God
               ,
               rather
               an
               habitual
               aversion
               from
               him
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               External
               Worship
               is
               but
               a
               Means
               to
               the
               Internal
               ;
               as
               Prayer
               ,
               Hearing
               ,
               Reading
               ,
               Receiving
               ,
               tend
               to
               promote
               Love
               ,
               Trust
               ,
               Heavenly-mindedness
               ,
               Self-denial
               ,
               Mortification
               ,
               purity
               of
               Life
               and
               Conversation
               :
               Now
               as
               the
               Means
               are
               only
               valuable
               with
               respect
               to
               their
               End
               ,
               so
               are
               these
               Duties
               of
               Hearing
               ,
               Reading
               ,
               Singing
               .
               Diligence
               in
               the
               use
               of
               Means
               is
               good
               ,
               but
               those
               Acts
               that
               are
               conversant
               about
               the
               End
               are
               better
               ;
               such
               as
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               Delight
               and
               Trust
               in
               God
               ;
               for
               ,
               
                 Finis
                 est
                 nobilior
                 mediis
              
               :
               Nay
               ,
               amongst
               the
               Internal
               Acts
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               Means
               to
               one
               another
               ,
               so
               the
               nearer
               respect
               they
               have
               to
               the
               last
               End
               ,
               the
               more
               noble
               they
               are
               :
               As
               Faith
               is
               more
               noble
               than
               bare
               Knowledg
               ,
               because
               Knowledg
               tendeth
               to
               Faith
               ;
               Psalm
               .
               5.
               10.
               
               Love
               ,
               than
               Faith
               ;
               because
               Faith
               tendeth
               to
               Love
               :
               
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 6.
                 1
                 
                 Cor.
              
               13.
               13.
               
               Faith
               causeth
               Love
               ,
               and
               serveth
               as
               the
               Bellows
               to
               in-kindle
               
               this
               Holy
               Fire
               ;
               and
               in
               Love
               ,
               Desire
               maketh
               way
               for
               Delight
               ,
               as
               its
               noblest
               Act.
               And
               accordingly
               must
               all
               things
               be
               valued
               ,
               as
               they
               suit
               the
               great
               End
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               injoying
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               A
               Man
               doth
               not
               partake
               of
               the
               Gospel-Blessing
               ,
               till
               he
               doth
               serve
               God
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               till
               he
               be
               made
               partaker
               of
               the
               Regenerating
               Grace
               ,
               and
               actual
               Influence
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Of
               his
               Regenerating
               Grace
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 6.
                 
                 That
                 we
                 should
                 serve
                 in
                 newness
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 in
                 oldness
                 of
                 the
                 Letter
                 .
              
               New
               Life
               is
               the
               principal
               of
               Evangelical
               Obedience
               ;
               and
               when
               we
               are
               renewed
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               we
               walk
               in
               newness
               of
               Conversation
               .
               The
               Gospel
               is
               a
               Ministry
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               3.
               8.
               
               It
               not
               only
               requireth
               Duty
               ,
               but
               giveth
               Power
               to
               perform
               it
               .
               The
               Letter
               of
               the
               Law
               requireth
               ,
               but
               giveth
               no
               Principle
               or
               Inclination
               to
               do
               it
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               from
               Regenerating
               Grace
               ,
               or
               the
               Law
               written
               upon
               our
               Hearts
               .
               John
               3.
               6.
               
               
                 That
                 which
                 is
                 born
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 is
                 Spirit
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               suited
               ,
               inclined
               ,
               disposed
               ,
               fitted
               for
               a
               Spiritual
               Life
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               Actual
               Influence
               :
               He
               still
               worketh
               in
               us
               what
               is
               pleasing
               in
               God's
               sight
               .
               Helpeth
               to
               mortify
               Corruption
               ;
               Rom.
               8.
               
               13.
               
               
                 If
                 ye
                 through
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 do
                 mortify
                 the
                 Deeds
                 of
                 the
                 Body
                 ,
                 ye
                 shall
                 live
                 :
              
               To
               perfect
               Holiness
               ,
               Heb.
               13.
               21.
               that
               so
               we
               may
               serve
               God
               in
               all
               purity
               of
               Life
               .
               We
               cannot
               get
               ,
               nor
               keep
               ,
               nor
               act
               ,
               nor
               increase
               Grace
               of
               our selves
               ,
               if
               forsaken
               by
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Grace
               :
               The
               foulest
               Sins
               would
               become
               our
               Pleasure
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               unquestionable
               Duties
               our
               Burden
               :
               If
               he
               withdraw
               his
               quickning
               Influences
               ,
               you
               can
               do
               nothing
               .
            
             
               Vse
               1.
               
               It
               reproveth
               those
               that
               either
               do
               not
               worship
               God
               ,
               or
               by
               halves
               ,
               or
               not
               worship
               him
               in
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               It
               disproveth
               their
               Confidence
               that
               do
               not
               worship
               God
               :
               There
               are
               an
               irreligious
               sort
               of
               Men
               ,
               that
               neither
               call
               upon
               him
               in
               publick
               ,
               or
               in
               private
               ,
               in
               the
               Family
               ,
               or
               in
               the
               Closet
               ,
               but
               wholly
               forget
               the
               God
               that
               made
               them
               ,
               and
               at
               whose
               expence
               they
               are
               maintained
               and
               kept
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Let
               me
               reason
               with
               you
               as
               Men
               :
               Wherefore
               had
               you
               reasonable
               Souls
               ,
               but
               to
               praise
               ,
               and
               honour
               ,
               and
               glorify
               your
               Creator
               and
               Preserver
               ?
               If
               you
               believe
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ,
               why
               do
               you
               not
               call
               upon
               him
               ?
               The
               neglect
               of
               his
               Worship
               ,
               argueth
               
               a
               doubting
               of
               his
               Being
               :
               If
               there
               be
               such
               a
               supream
               Lord
               ,
               to
               whom
               you
               must
               one
               day
               give
               an
               account
               ;
               how
               dare
               you
               live
               without
               him
               in
               the
               World
               ?
               All
               the
               Creatures
               glorify
               him
               ,
               Psal.
               145.
               10.
               they
               passively
               ;
               but
               you
               have
               a
               Heart
               ,
               and
               a
               Tongue
               to
               glorify
               him
               actually
               :
               Man
               is
               the
               Mouth
               of
               the
               Creation
               ,
               to
               return
               to
               God
               the
               praise
               of
               all
               that
               Wisdom
               ,
               Glory
               ,
               and
               Power
               ,
               which
               is
               seen
               in
               the
               things
               that
               are
               made
               .
               Now
               you
               should
               make
               one
               among
               the
               Worshippers
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               Let
               me
               reason
               with
               you
               as
               Christians
               :
               Are
               you
               a
               Christian
               ,
               and
               have
               such
               Advantages
               to
               know
               more
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               will
               you
               be
               dumb
               ,
               and
               tongue-tied
               in
               his
               Praise
               ?
               Have
               you
               the
               discovery
               of
               the
               Wonders
               of
               his
               Love
               ,
               in
               your
               Redemption
               by
               Christ
               ,
               and
               do
               you
               see
               no
               cause
               to
               own
               and
               acknowledg
               him
               ?
               Have
               you
               no
               Necessities
               to
               bring
               to
               the
               Throne
               of
               Grace
               ?
               In
               Christianity
               ,
               you
               know
               his
               particular
               Providence
               ,
               and
               Redemption
               by
               Christ
               ;
               and
               should
               you
               eat
               ,
               and
               drink
               ,
               and
               trade
               ,
               and
               sleep
               ,
               and
               never
               think
               of
               God
               ?
               Have
               you
               no
               Pardon
               to
               sue
               out
               ,
               no
               Grace
               that
               you
               stand
               in
               need
               of
               ;
               that
               you
               should
               live
               like
               a
               brute
               Beat
               ?
               go
               on
               in
               
               the
               circle
               of
               Trade
               ,
               Business
               ,
               Comforts
               ,
               and
               never
               think
               of
               God!
               You
               profess
               you
               know
               him
               ,
               but
               in
               your
               Works
               you
               deny
               him
               ;
               and
               sin
               doubly
               ,
               both
               against
               the
               Light
               of
               Reason
               and
               Christianity
               .
               All
               that
               are
               not
               avowed
               Ath●ists
               ,
               must
               have
               some
               Worship
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               cutteth
               off
               their
               Con●idence
               ,
               that
               worship
               him
               by
               halves
               :
               They
               are
               of
               many
               sorts
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Some
               worship
               him
               in
               publick
               ,
               but
               never
               in
               private
               and
               secret
               ;
               though
               Christ
               hath
               given
               us
               direction
               to
               enter
               into
               our
               Closets
               ,
               Mat.
               6.
               6.
               
               And
               surely
               every
               Christian
               should
               make
               Conscience
               of
               secret
               Duties
               .
               There
               are
               many
               Disputes
               about
               praying
               in
               Families
               ;
               though
               those
               that
               take
               their
               daily
               Bread
               should
               seek
               God
               together
               :
               but
               there
               can
               be
               no
               dispute
               about
               praying
               in
               Secret
               ;
               for
               the
               Precept
               that
               requireth
               Prayer
               ,
               first
               falleth
               upon
               single
               Persons
               ,
               before
               it
               falleth
               upon
               Families
               and
               Churches
               ,
               1
               
                 Thess.
                 5.
                 17.
                 
                 Pray
                 without
                 ●easing
                 .
              
               This
               cannot
               concern
               Families
               and
               Churches
               ,
               they
               are
               done
               at
               stated
               times
               ,
               when
               they
               can
               conveniently
               meet
               ;
               but
               every
               Man
               in
               secret
               is
               to
               be
               often
               with
               God.
               Christ
               was
               often
               alone
               ,
               
                 Mark
                 1.
                 35.
                 
                 He
                 went
                 ●ut
                 into
                 a
                 solitary
                 
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 prayed
                 .
              
               Surely
               Christ
               had
               not
               such
               need
               to
               pray
               as
               we
               have
               ,
               nor
               such
               need
               of
               retirement
               ,
               his
               Love
               to
               God
               being
               always
               ●ervent
               ,
               and
               so
               in
               no
               danger
               of
               distraction
               :
               God
               poured
               out
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               that
               we
               might
               go
               apart
               ,
               and
               mourn
               over
               Soul-Distempers
               ,
               Zech.
               12.
               10
               ,
               11
               ,
               12
               ,
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               Now
               God's
               precious
               Gifts
               are
               not
               given
               in
               vain
               .
               So
               ,
               Acts
               10.
               2.
               
               Cornelius
               
                 prayed
                 to
                 God
                 alway
              
               .
               Therefore
               certainly
               secret
               Prayer
               is
               a
               necessary
               Duty
               of
               God's
               Worship
               to
               be
               observed
               by
               all
               that
               acknowledg
               God
               to
               be
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               World
               to
               be
               ruled
               by
               his
               Providence
               ,
               or
               themselves
               to
               have
               any
               need
               of
               his
               Grace
               and
               Pardon
               ,
               or
               hope
               for
               any
               thing
               from
               him
               in
               the
               World
               to
               come
               :
               Therefore
               if
               you
               have
               any
               sense
               of
               Religion
               ,
               or
               think
               you
               have
               any
               need
               of
               particular
               commerce
               with
               God
               ,
               you
               should
               make
               Conscience
               of
               secret
               Prayer
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               Others
               that
               make
               Conscience
               of
               External
               Worship
               ,
               Prayer
               ,
               Hearing
               ,
               Reading
               ,
               Singing
               of
               Psalms
               ;
               but
               not
               of
               Internal
               Worship
               ,
               Faith
               ,
               Love
               ,
               and
               Hope
               :
               The
               External
               Forms
               were
               appointed
               for
               the
               acting
               or
               increasing
               of
               Internal
               Grace
               ;
               and
               so
               they
               superficially
               are
               conversant
               about
               the
               Means
               ,
               and
               never
               mind
               the
               End
               ;
               
               External
               Worship
               is
               sensible
               ,
               and
               easily
               done
               ;
               but
               Internal
               Worship
               is
               difficult
               :
               External
               Worship
               may
               procure
               us
               esteem
               with
               Men
               ;
               but
               Internal
               ,
               Acceptance
               with
               God
               :
               External
               Worship
               satisfieth
               blind
               Conscience
               ,
               but
               doth
               not
               better
               the
               Heart
               :
               External
               Worship
               may
               puff
               us
               up
               with
               a
               vain
               Confidence
               ;
               but
               Internal
               Worship
               maketh
               us
               lament
               Spiritual
               Defects
               :
               We
               have
               not
               that
               purity
               of
               Heart
               ,
               that
               deep
               sense
               of
               the
               World
               to
               come
               ;
               that
               absolute
               dependance
               upon
               God
               ,
               which
               may
               quiet
               our
               Souls
               in
               all
               Exigencies
               .
               Surely
               they
               are
               better
               Christians
               that
               have
               the
               Effect
               of
               the
               Ordinances
               ,
               than
               they
               that
               have
               only
               the
               Formality
               of
               them
               .
               The
               External
               Duty
               may
               procure
               us
               toil
               and
               wearisomness
               to
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               but
               the
               Internal
               Worship
               bringeth
               us
               Comfort
               and
               Peace
               :
               The
               more
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Love
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               lively
               Hope
               of
               Eternal
               Life
               ,
               the
               more
               is
               the
               Soul
               comforted
               :
               Therefore
               if
               you
               will
               always
               lick
               the
               Glass
               ,
               and
               never
               taste
               the
               Hony
               ;
               go
               on
               in
               a
               Tract
               of
               Duties
               ,
               but
               you
               will
               have
               no
               comfort
               in
               them
               .
               In
               short
               ;
               They
               that
               go
               on
               in
               External
               Duties
               ,
               may
               be
               said
               in
               some
               sense
               to
               serve
               God
               ,
               but
               they
               do
               not
               seek
               after
               him
               :
               In
               pretence
               they
               make
               
               God
               the
               Object
               of
               their
               Worship
               ,
               for
               they
               do
               not
               worship
               an
               Idol
               ;
               but
               they
               do
               not
               make
               him
               the
               End
               of
               their
               Worship
               :
               A
               Man
               maketh
               God
               the
               End
               of
               ▪
               his
               Worship
               ,
               when
               he
               will
               not
               go
               away
               from
               God
               ,
               without
               God
               ;
               when
               he
               looketh
               to
               this
               ,
               that
               his
               delight
               in
               God
               be
               quickned
               ,
               his
               dependance
               upon
               God
               strengthned
               ,
               his
               hatred
               of
               Sin
               encreased
               ,
               and
               by
               every
               Address
               to
               God
               ,
               is
               made
               more
               like
               God.
               
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               It
               reproveth
               ,
               and
               disproveth
               those
               that
               put
               on
               a
               garb
               of
               Devotion
               ,
               when
               ministring
               before
               the
               Lord
               ,
               but
               are
               slight
               and
               vain
               in
               their
               ordinary
               Conversation
               :
               A
               Man
               should
               be
               in
               some
               measure
               such
               out
               of
               Duty
               ,
               as
               he
               giveth
               out
               himself
               to
               be
               in
               Duty
               ;
               For
               his
               whole
               Life
               should
               be
               ,
               as
               it
               were
               ,
               a
               continued
               Act
               of
               Worship
               .
               Prov.
               23.
               17.
               
               
                 Let
                 not
                 thy
                 Heart
                 envy
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 but
                 be
                 thou
                 in
                 the
                 Fear
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 long
                 .
              
               We
               should
               still
               live
               in
               a
               dependance
               upon
               God
               ,
               and
               in
               subjection
               to
               him
               :
               Psal.
               16.
               8.
               
               
                 I
                 have
                 set
                 the
                 Lord
                 always
                 before
                 me
                 :
                 He
                 is
                 at
                 my
                 right
                 hand
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 moved
                 .
              
               In
               Point
               of
               Reverence
               ,
               and
               in
               point
               of
               Dependance
               ,
               because
               we
               are
               in
               danger
               to
               miscarry
               ,
               both
               by
               the
               Delights
               of
               Sense
               ,
               and
               
               the
               Terrors
               of
               Sense
               :
               If
               a
               reverence
               of
               ,
               and
               a
               dependance
               on
               the
               great
               God
               ,
               do
               still
               possess
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               we
               shall
               carry
               our selves
               more
               soberly
               as
               to
               the
               Comforts
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               not
               be
               easily
               discouraged
               and
               daunted
               with
               the
               Fears
               of
               the
               World
               :
               This
               is
               our
               Preservative
               ,
               and
               maketh
               us
               true
               and
               faithful
               to
               our
               great
               End.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               Those
               that
               do
               not
               serve
               God
               in
               the
               Spirit
               .
               You
               should
               worship
               God
               so
               ,
               as
               it
               may
               look
               like
               Worship
               and
               Service
               performed
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               due
               to
               God.
               'T
               is
               Spiritual
               Worship
               God
               requireth
               ,
               and
               is
               ever
               pleased
               with
               all
               :
               He
               seeketh
               such
               to
               worship
               him
               ,
               as
               worship
               him
               in
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               in
               Truth
               ,
               Iohn
               4.
               23.
               
               And
               this
               is
               most
               agreeable
               to
               his
               Nature
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 4.
                 24.
                 
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 worship
                 him
                 ,
                 must
                 worship
                 him
                 in
                 Spirit
                 and
                 in
                 Truth
                 .
              
               When
               Hearts
               wander
               ,
               when
               Affections
               do
               not
               answer
               Expressions
               ,
               Is
               this
               like
               Service
               and
               Worship
               done
               to
               an
               All-seeing
               ,
               and
               All-knowing
               Spirit
               ?
               Is
               there
               any
               stamp
               of
               God
               upon
               the
               Duty
               ,
               of
               his
               Majesty
               ,
               Goodness
               ,
               and
               great
               Power
               ?
            
             
               Vse
               2.
               
               For
               the
               Comfort
               of
               good
               Christians
               :
               Here
               is
               their
               Carriage
               towards
               God
               briefly
               set
               down
               ;
               
                 They
                 worship
                 God
                 
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               A
               Christian
               is
               described
               by
               his
               proper
               Act
               ,
               Worship
               ;
               and
               by
               the
               pr●per
               Object
               thereof
               ,
               God
               ;
               and
               by
               the
               proper
               part
               and
               seat
               thereof
               ,
               
                 In
                 the
                 Spirit
              
               .
               Do
               you
               worship
               him
               with
               Reverence
               ,
               and
               with
               Delight
               and
               Affection
               ;
               with
               a
               Trust
               ,
               Hope
               ,
               and
               Confidence
               ?
            
             
               1.
               
               With
               Reverence
               .
               Considering
               God's
               Majesty
               ,
               and
               our
               own
               Vileness
               :
               The
               Majesty
               of
               God
               ;
               Mal.
               1.
               13.
               
               
                 For
                 I
                 am
                 a
                 great
                 King
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Hosts
                 .
              
               Slight
               Worship
               ,
               argueth
               lessening
               thoughts
               of
               God.
               Do
               you
               know
               to
               whom
               you
               speak
               !
               'T
               is
               a
               contempt
               of
               God
               ,
               if
               you
               think
               any
               thing
               will
               serve
               the
               turn
               ,
               you
               have
               mean
               thoughts
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               do
               not
               consider
               him
               as
               you
               ought
               to
               do
               :
               So
               our
               vileness
               ,
               
                 Gen.
                 18.
                 27.
                 
                 Who
                 am
                 I
                 ,
                 that
                 am
                 but
                 Dust
                 and
                 Ashes
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 speak
                 unto
                 God
                 ?
              
               Dust
               ,
               as
               to
               the
               business
               of
               his
               Original
               ,
               and
               Ashes
               by
               the
               desert
               of
               Sin
               :
               In
               our
               nearer
               Approaches
               to
               God
               ,
               thus
               should
               we
               think
               of
               our selves
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               With
               Delight
               and
               Affection
               ,
               as
               our
               reconciled
               Father
               in
               Christ.
               So
               ,
               he
               is
               to
               us
               ,
               as
               the
               Well-spring
               of
               all
               Grace
               and
               Goodness
               :
               The
               great
               Work
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               is
               to
               bring
               us
               to
               God
               ,
               as
               a
               Father
               ,
               Gal.
               4.
               6.
               
               God
               as
               a
               Judg
               ,
               by
               the
               Spirit
               
               of
               Bondage
               ,
               driveth
               us
               to
               Christ
               :
               But
               Christ
               ,
               by
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Adoption
               ,
               bringeth
               us
               back
               again
               to
               God
               as
               a
               Father
               .
               This
               is
               the
               Evangelical
               way
               of
               worshipping
               ,
               that
               in
               a
               Child-like
               manner
               we
               may
               come
               to
               God.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               With
               Trust
               ,
               Hope
               ,
               and
               Confidence
               .
               He
               knoweth
               all
               our
               Wants
               ,
               can
               relieve
               all
               our
               Necessities
               :
               Psal.
               57.
               2.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 cry
                 unto
                 God
                 most
                 high
                 ,
                 who
                 performeth
                 all
                 things
                 for
                 me
                 .
              
               Worship
               would
               be
               a
               cold
               Formality
               ,
               if
               we
               had
               to
               do
               with
               one
               that
               knew
               us
               not
               ,
               or
               had
               not
               Sufficiency
               and
               Power
               to
               help
               us
               :
               But
               God
               is
               Omniscient
               ,
               and
               All-sufficient
               ,
               and
               hath
               promised
               to
               hear
               and
               help
               us
               in
               our
               straits
               :
               He
               knoweth
               our
               Necessities
               ,
               when
               we
               know
               them
               not
               .
            
             
               II.
               We
               come
               now
               to
               the
               second
               Character
               ;
               
                 And
                 rejoice
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
              
               .
            
             
               Thence
               observe
               ;
            
             
               Doct.
               That
               the
               great
               Work
               of
               a
               Christian
               ,
               is
               a
               rejoicing
               in
               Christ
               Iesus
               ,
               or
               a
               thankful
               sense
               of
               our
               Redeemer's
               Mercy
               .
            
             
             
               In
               opening
               this
               Point
               ,
               I
               shall
               use
               this
               method
               .
            
             
               
                 1
                 st
                 ,
                 Shew
                 you
                 ,
                 What
                 is
                 this
                 rejoicing
                 in
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 2
                 dly
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 prove
                 ,
                 That
                 Christ
                 is
                 matter
                 of
                 true
                 Rejoicing
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Person
                 ,
                 Offices
                 ,
                 Benefits
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 dly
                 ,
                 That
                 Christians
                 are
                 not
                 sound
                 and
                 sincere
                 in
                 their
                 Profession
                 ,
                 unless
                 they
                 do
                 keep
                 up
                 this
                 Rejoicing
                 in
                 Christ.
                 
              
            
             
               1
               st
               ,
               What
               is
               this
               Rejoicing
               ?
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               :
               The
               Original
               word
               implieth
               such
               a
               degree
               of
               Joy
               ,
               as
               amounts
               to
               glorification
               or
               boasting
               ;
               or
               such
               an
               exultation
               of
               Mind
               ,
               as
               breaketh
               out
               into
               some
               sensible
               expression
               of
               it
               .
               There
               are
               in
               it
               three
               things
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               An
               apprehension
               of
               the
               Good
               and
               Benefit
               which
               we
               have
               by
               Christ
               ;
               For
               otherwise
               how
               can
               we
               rejoice
               and
               glory
               in
               Him
               ?
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               30
               ,
               31.
               
               
                 But
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 ye
                 are
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 who
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 made
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 Sanctification
                 ,
                 and
                 Redemption
                 ;
                 That
                 according
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 written
                 ,
                 He
                 that
                 glorieth
                 ,
                 
                 let
                 him
                 glory
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ;
               Christ
               is
               All.
               That
               our
               whole
               Rejoicing
               may
               be
               in
               him
               ,
               who
               hath
               enlightned
               us
               with
               the
               Knowledg
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               shewed
               us
               the
               way
               of
               Salvation
               ,
               and
               is
               the
               Author
               of
               our
               Justification
               and
               Sanctification
               ,
               and
               of
               our
               deliverance
               from
               all
               Calamities
               ,
               and
               from
               Death
               it self
               .
               These
               Benefits
               are
               the
               cause
               of
               our
               rejoicing
               ;
               namely
               ,
               the
               Promises
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               sealed
               by
               his
               Death
               ,
               and
               the
               Graces
               conveyed
               to
               us
               by
               his
               Spirit
               :
               We
               rejoice
               and
               glory
               in
               him
               ,
               as
               the
               only
               and
               all-sufficient
               Saviour
               .
               They
               that
               gloried
               in
               Circumcision
               ,
               gloried
               in
               their
               entrance
               into
               the
               Legal
               Covenant
               ;
               They
               became
               Debtors
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               but
               Christ
               hath
               rati●ied
               it
               in
               the
               New
               Covenant
               by
               his
               Blood
               ;
               therefore
               here
               is
               more
               abundant
               cause
               of
               rejoicing
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               Due
               Affections
               of
               Contentment
               ,
               Joy
               ,
               Love
               ,
               Exultation
               of
               Heart
               ,
               that
               followeth
               thereupon
               .
               A
               blessing
               our selves
               in
               our
               Portion
               ,
               that
               this
               great
               Happiness
               is
               fallen
               to
               our
               share
               ,
               offered
               to
               us
               at
               least
               ,
               if
               not
               possessed
               by
               us
               :
               The
               very
               Knowledg
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               breedeth
               Joy
               ,
               Acts
               8.
               8.
               
               
                 And
                 there
                 was
                 great
                 joy
                 in
                 that
                 City
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               upon
               the
               tendency
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               much
               more
               when
               we
               believe
               in
               
               Christ
               ,
               and
               embrace
               his
               Religion
               ,
               and
               resolve
               to
               become
               his
               Disciples
               .
               They
               received
               his
               Word
               gladly
               ,
               Acts
               2.
               41.
               
               His
               Doctrine
               must
               be
               welcomed
               with
               the
               Heart
               ,
               with
               all
               Love
               and
               Thankfulness
               :
               'T
               is
               said
               of
               the
               Jaylor
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 16.
                 34.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 rejoiced
                 ,
                 believing
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 House
                 .
              
               He
               was
               but
               newly
               recovered
               out
               of
               the
               Suburbs
               of
               Hell
               ,
               ready
               to
               kill
               himself
               but
               just
               before
               ;
               so
               that
               a
               Man
               would
               think
               ,
               't
               were
               easier
               to
               fetch
               Water
               out
               of
               a
               Flint
               ,
               or
               a
               spark
               of
               Fire
               out
               of
               the
               bottom
               of
               the
               Sea
               ,
               than
               to
               expect
               or
               find
               Joy
               in
               such
               an
               Heart
               ;
               yea
               ,
               though
               still
               in
               danger
               of
               Life
               ,
               for
               treating
               those
               as
               Guests
               ,
               whom
               he
               should
               have
               kept
               as
               Prisoners
               ;
               yet
               he
               rejoiced
               ,
               when
               acquainted
               with
               Salvation
               by
               Christ
               :
               More
               especially
               should
               we
               rejoice
               ,
               when
               the
               Comfort
               is
               sealed
               up
               to
               our
               Consciences
               :
               
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 11.
                 
                 Not
                 only
                 so
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 also
                 joy
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 through
                 our
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 now
                 received
                 the
                 Atonement
                 .
              
               The
               Eunuch
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               baptized
               ,
               
                 He
                 went
                 on
                 his
                 way
                 rejoicing
                 ,
              
               Acts
               8.
               39.
               
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               An
               expression
               of
               it
               ,
               by
               an
               open
               Profession
               of
               Christ's
               Name
               ,
               both
               in
               Word
               and
               Deed
               ,
               what-ever
               it
               costs
               us
               :
               They
               are
               said
               to
               rejoice
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ,
               
               who
               in
               those
               Times
               could
               profess
               his
               Name
               ,
               though
               with
               hazard
               and
               self-denial
               .
               As
               the
               Thessalonians
               ,
               who
               received
               the
               Word
               with
               much
               Affliction
               ,
               and
               much
               Assurance
               ,
               and
               Joy
               in
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               1
               Thess.
               1.
               6.
               
               And
               't
               is
               expressed
               by
               the
               Parable
               of
               the
               Man
               that
               found
               the
               true
               Treasure
               ,
               and
               for
               joy
               thereof
               ,
               sold
               all
               that
               he
               had
               to
               buy
               the
               Field
               ,
               Matth.
               13.
               44.
               
               They
               are
               willing
               to
               lose
               all
               other
               Contentments
               and
               Satisfactions
               for
               this
               ,
               Christ
               is
               enough
               .
               They
               needed
               this
               Joy
               to
               encourage
               them
               against
               the
               Tryals
               which
               they
               then
               underwent
               for
               Christ's
               sake
               ,
               and
               the
               Gospel's
               sake
               .
            
             
               2
               dly
               ,
               That
               Christ
               is
               matter
               of
               true
               Rejoicing
               ;
               for
               they
               are
               Fools
               that
               rejoice
               in
               Bawbles
               and
               Trifles
               .
               A
               Christian's
               Joy
               may
               be
               owned
               and
               justified
               .
               When
               Christ's
               Birth
               was
               celebrated
               by
               Angels
               ,
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 2.
                 10.
                 
                 Behold
                 ,
                 I
                 bring
                 you
                 glad
                 tydings
                 of
                 great
                 Ioy.
              
               Here
               is
               Joy
               ,
               and
               great
               Joy
               in
               Salvation
               by
               Christ
               :
               And
               Mary
               ,
               Luk
               1.
               46
               ,
               47.
               
               
                 My
                 Soul
                 doth
                 magnify
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Spirit
                 doth
                 rejoice
                 in
                 God
                 my
                 Saviour
                 .
              
               Surely
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               cause
               of
               Joy
               wanting
               in
               God
               ,
               and
               in
               God
               coming
               as
               a
               Saviour
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               In
               
               Christianity
               ,
               all
               is
               fitted
               to
               fill
               our
               Hearts
               with
               Delight
               and
               Joy.
               
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               wonderful
               Mysteries
               of
               our
               Redemption
               by
               Christ.
               Thereby
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               A
               way
               is
               found
               out
               for
               our
               Reconciliation
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               how
               that
               dreadful
               Controversy
               may
               be
               taken
               up
               ,
               and
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               may
               kiss
               each
               other
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               19.
               
               Surely
               this
               is
               glad
               Tidings
               of
               great
               Joy
               ,
               to
               self-condemned
               Sinners
               ,
               who
               stood
               always
               in
               fear
               of
               the
               Wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Flames
               of
               Hell
               :
               What
               Joy
               is
               it
               to
               a
               condemned
               Man
               ,
               that
               is
               ready
               every
               day
               to
               be
               taken
               away
               to
               Execution
               ,
               to
               hear
               that
               his
               Peace
               is
               made
               ,
               that
               Pardon
               may
               be
               had
               ,
               if
               he
               will
               seek
               it
               ,
               and
               sue
               it
               out
               ?
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               A
               distinct
               Relation
               of
               a
               defeat
               of
               the
               great
               Enemies
               of
               our
               Salvation
               ,
               Death
               ,
               Hell
               ,
               the
               Devil
               ,
               and
               the
               World
               :
               He
               hath
               not
               only
               made
               our
               Peace
               with
               the
               Father
               ,
               by
               the
               Blood
               of
               his
               Cross
               ,
               but
               vanquished
               our
               Spiritual
               Enemies
               ,
               and
               triumphed
               over
               them
               ,
               Col.
               2.
               14
               ,
               15.
               
               Long
               enough
               might
               we
               have
               lain
               in
               Prison
               ,
               before
               the
               utmost
               Farthing
               had
               been
               paid
               ,
               or
               done
               any
               thing
               to
               procure
               our
               deliverance
               ,
               if
               our
               compassionate
               Redeemer
               had
               not
               taken
               the
               Work
               in
               hand
               :
               
               had
               he
               turned
               us
               to
               any
               Creature
               ,
               we
               had
               been
               helpless
               .
               'T
               was
               he
               purchased
               Grace
               to
               overcome
               the
               Devil
               ,
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               that
               quickned
               you
               when
               you
               were
               dead
               in
               Sin
               ;
               that
               put
               Satan
               out
               of
               Office
               ,
               and
               delivered
               us
               from
               the
               present
               evil
               World
               ,
               Gal.
               1.
               4.
               
               And
               is
               not
               this
               matter
               of
               rejoicing
               to
               us
               ?
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               That
               hereby
               he
               hath
               not
               only
               abolished
               Death
               ,
               but
               brought
               Life
               ,
               and
               Resurrection
               to
               Life
               ,
               2
               Tim.
               1.
               10.
               
               By
               entring
               into
               that
               other
               World
               ,
               after
               his
               Sufferings
               ,
               He
               hath
               given
               us
               a
               visible
               Demonstration
               of
               the
               Reality
               of
               the
               World
               to
               come
               ,
               and
               in
               his
               Gospel
               discovered
               a
               Blessedness
               to
               us
               ,
               which
               satiateth
               the
               Heart
               of
               Man
               ,
               and
               salveth
               the
               great
               Sore
               of
               the
               whole
               Creation
               :
               If
               God
               had
               made
               nothing
               richer
               than
               the
               World
               ,
               the
               Heart
               of
               Man
               would
               have
               been
               as
               Leviathan
               in
               a
               little
               Pool
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               In
               the
               Promises
               of
               Christ
               ,
               there
               is
               matter
               of
               Joy.
               In
               the
               general
               ,
               God
               is
               your
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               's
               more
               than
               to
               have
               all
               the
               World
               to
               be
               yours
               ;
               compare
               Gen.
               17.
               7.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 establish
                 my
                 Covenant
                 between
                 me
                 and
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Seed
                 after
                 thee
                 in
                 their
                 Generations
                 ,
                 for
                 an
                 everlasting
                 Covenant
                 ;
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 God
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 
                 Seed
                 after
                 thee
                 .
              
               With
               
                 Psal.
                 144.
                 15.
                 
                 Happy
                 is
                 that
                 People
                 whose
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               We
               have
               an
               Eternal
               and
               Allsufficient
               God
               to
               live
               upon
               ,
               and
               from
               whom
               to
               derive
               our
               Joy
               and
               Comfort
               .
               A
               God
               infinite
               in
               Power
               ,
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               Goodness
               ,
               to
               be
               our
               Portion
               .
               And
               where
               is
               Matter
               of
               Joy
               and
               Comfort
               ,
               if
               not
               in
               God
               ?
               Behold
               the
               difference
               between
               Carnal
               Men
               and
               the
               Children
               of
               God
               ;
               The
               World
               is
               their
               Portion
               ,
               and
               God
               is
               ours
               ;
               and
               who
               is
               better
               provided
               for
               ?
               More
               especially
               we
               are
               told
               ,
               1
               
                 Tim.
                 4.
                 8.
                 
                 That
                 Godliness
                 hath
                 the
                 Promises
                 of
                 this
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 come
                 .
              
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               are
               laid
               at
               the
               Feet
               of
               Godliness
               ;
               what
               would
               you
               more●
               Surely
               we
               have
               full
               Consolation
               offered
               to
               us
               in
               the
               Promises
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               He
               can
               want
               nothing
               to
               his
               Comfort
               who●
               hath
               an
               Interest
               in
               them
               .
               To
               instance
               in
               the
               lowest
               Blessings
               ,
               those
               which
               concern
               this
               Life
               :
               God
               is
               our
               God
               ,
               that
               can
               cure
               all
               Diseases
               ,
               overcome
               all
               Enemies
               ,
               supply
               all
               Wants
               ,
               deliver
               in
               all
               Dangers
               ,
               and
               will
               do
               it
               so
               far
               as
               is
               for
               our
               good
               ;
               and
               desires
               of
               any
               thing
               beyond
               this
               ,
               are
               not
               to
               be
               satisfied
               ,
               but
               mortified
               ,
               Psal.
               84.
               11.
               
               But
               then
               for
               the
               more
               Excellent
               Promises
               of
               the
               New
               Covenant
               ,
               
               which
               concern
               another
               World
               ,
               such
               as
               the
               pardoning
               of
               our
               Sins
               ,
               the
               healing
               our
               Natures
               ,
               and
               the
               glorifying
               of
               our
               Persons
               ;
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               4.
               
               
                 Whereby
                 are
                 given
                 unto
                 us
                 exceeding
                 great
                 and
                 precious
                 Promises
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 these
                 you
                 might
                 be
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 ,
                 having
                 escaped
                 the
                 corruption
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 through
                 lust
                 .
              
               The
               pardon
               of
               all
               our
               Sins
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               great
               trouble
               and
               burden
               of
               the
               Creatures
               .
               Who
               will
               rejoice
               like
               the
               pardoned
               Sinner
               ,
               who
               is
               discharged
               of
               his
               Debt
               ,
               eased
               of
               his
               Burthen
               ,
               and
               hath
               his
               Filth
               covered
               ?
               Psal.
               32.
               1.
               
               
                 Blessed
                 is
                 the
                 Man
                 whose
                 Transgression
                 is
                 forgiven
                 ,
                 whose
                 Sin
                 i●
                 covered
                 .
              
               O
               the
               blessedness
               of
               the
               Man●
               He
               is
               like
               one
               fetched
               back
               from
               Execution
               .
               Then
               ,
               the
               taking
               away
               of
               the
               stony
               Heart
               ,
               and
               the
               giving
               of
               an
               Holy
               and
               Heavenly
               Heart
               .
               Oh
               what
               Matter
               of
               Joy
               is
               this
               !
               to
               have
               all
               things
               necessary
               to
               Life
               and
               Godliness
               :
               What
               's
               the
               trouble
               of
               a
               gracious
               Heart
               ,
               but
               the
               Relicts
               of
               Corruption
               ?
               
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 24.
                 
                 Paul
              
               groaneth
               sorely
               ,
               but
               yet
               blesseth
               God
               for
               his
               Hopes
               by
               Christ
               ;
               Vers.
               25.
               
               Renewing
               Grace
               is
               dearly
               bought
               ,
               and
               plentifully
               bestowed
               ,
               Titus
               3.
               5
               ,
               6.
               and
               graciously
               offered
               to
               those
               that
               will
               seek
               after
               it
               .
               Prov.
               1.
               23.
               
               
               
                 Turn
                 you
                 at
                 my
                 Reproof
                 ;
                 Behold
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 pour
                 out
                 my
                 Spirit
                 unto
                 you
                 .
              
               And
               this
               promise
               to
               be
               fulfilled
               by
               a
               Divine
               Power
               ;
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               3.
               
               Oh
               what
               a
               Comfort
               is
               the
               Redeemer's
               Grace
               ,
               to
               a
               Soul
               that
               hath
               been
               long
               exercised
               in
               subduing
               Sin
               !
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               it
               groans
               while
               't
               is
               a
               doing
               ,
               yet
               the
               very
               groans
               of
               the
               Sick
               ,
               shew
               that
               Life
               and
               Health
               is
               sweet
               :
               Healing
               ,
               renewing
               Grace
               maketh
               other
               Things
               sweet
               :
               as
               your
               whole
               Duty
               to
               God
               ;
               It
               maketh
               it
               become
               your
               Delight
               .
               But
               the
               great
               Promise
               is
               Eternal
               Life
               :
               1
               John
               2.
               25.
               
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Promise
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 us
                 ,
                 even
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 .
              
               That
               's
               a
               Matter
               of
               Joy
               indeed
               :
               What!
               to
               live
               for
               ever
               with
               God!
               the
               fore-thought
               of
               it
               reviveth
               us
               ;
               the
               fore-taste
               of
               it
               is
               a
               kind
               of
               Heaven
               upon
               Earth
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               8.
               
               The
               certain
               hope
               of
               it
               will
               swallow
               up
               all
               Grief
               and
               Sorrow
               ,
               Rom.
               5.
               2
               ,
               3.
               
               So
               that
               there
               is
               no
               question
               ,
               but
               that
               in
               the
               Promises
               of
               Christ
               ,
               there
               is
               Matter
               of
               great
               Joy.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               Enjoiments
               of
               Christianity
               are
               very
               pleasing
               :
               I
               add
               this
               to
               shew
               you
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               not
               all
               in
               expectation
               ,
               if
               we
               consider
               not
               only
               what
               we
               shall
               be
               ,
               but
               what
               we
               are
               .
               For
               the
               present
               ;
            
             
             
               (
               1.
               )
               We
               have
               peace
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 1.
                 
                 Mat.
                 11.
                 29.
                 
                 Phil.
              
               4.
               7.
               
               Rest
               for
               our
               Souls
               is
               anxiously
               sought
               after
               in
               other
               things
               ,
               but
               only
               found
               in
               Christ's
               Religion
               ,
               and
               living
               according
               to
               the
               Precepts
               and
               Institutions
               thereof
               .
               As
               
               Noah's
               Dove
               found
               not
               a
               place
               whereon
               to
               rest
               the
               sole
               of
               her
               Foot
               ;
               so
               we
               flutter
               up
               and
               down
               ,
               but
               never
               have
               any
               firm
               peace
               of
               Heart
               and
               Conscience
               ,
               till
               we
               submit
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               take
               his
               counsel
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               
                 A
                 sence
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
              
               ;
               Rom.
               5.
               5.
               
               Because
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               is
               shed
               abroad
               in
               our
               Hearts
               by
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               given
               unto
               us
               .
               And
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               2.
               3.
               
               If
               so
               be
               ye
               have
               tasted
               that
               the
               Lord
               is
               gracious
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               
                 God's
                 Presence
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Communion
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               1
               Iohn
               1.
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               And
               truly
               our
               Fellowship
               is
               with
               the
               Father
               ,
               and
               with
               his
               Son
               Iesus
               Christ
               ,
               that
               your
               Ioy
               may
               be
               full
               .
               And
               ,
               Iohn
               8.
               29.
               
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               Access
               to
               God
               ,
               with
               assurance
               of
               Welcome
               and
               Audience
               .
               John
               16.
               24.
               
               
                 Whatsoever
                 ye
                 ask
                 in
                 my
                 Name
                 ,
                 ye
                 shall
                 receive
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 Ioy
                 may
                 be
                 full
                 .
              
            
             
               (
               5.
               )
               The
               Fore-tastes
               of
               the
               Life
               to
               come
               ;
               Rom.
               8.
               23.
               and
               2
               Cor.
               3.
               5.
               
               So
               
               that
               all
               is
               to
               stir
               up
               this
               Delight
               and
               Joy
               in
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               Precepts
               of
               Christ
               shew
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               Matter
               of
               Rejoicing
               in
               him
               .
               What
               are
               the
               great
               Duties
               required
               ?
               To
               love
               God!
               Now
               what
               pain
               is
               it
               to
               delight
               in
               the
               Lord
               as
               our
               All-sufficient
               Portion
               ?
               To
               be
               mindful
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               meditate
               of
               his
               Excellencies
               and
               Benefits
               :
               Psal.
               104.
               34.
               
               
                 My
                 Meditation
                 of
                 him
                 shall
                 be
                 sweet
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 glad
                 in
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Is
               it
               any
               toilsome
               thing
               to
               come
               in
               a
               childish
               manner
               ,
               and
               unbosome
               our selves
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               beg
               the
               renewed
               Testimonies
               of
               his
               Love
               to
               us
               ,
               especially
               when
               set
               awork
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ?
               Gal.
               4.
               6.
               
               To
               believe
               in
               Christ
               ,
               't
               is
               difficult
               ;
               but
               pleasant
               to
               consider
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               as
               the
               suitable
               Remedy
               for
               the
               lapsed
               Estate
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               both
               as
               to
               his
               Work
               with
               God
               and
               us
               :
               Heb.
               3.
               1.
               
               He
               came
               to
               destroy
               Sin
               and
               Misery
               !
               When-ever
               we
               reflect
               upon
               Christ
               ,
               what
               do
               we
               find
               but
               ample
               grounds
               of
               Joy
               ?
               John
               14.
               1.
               
               
                 Let
                 not
                 your
                 Hearts
                 be
                 troubled
                 ;
                 ye
                 believe
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 believe
                 also
                 in
                 me
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               to
               get
               off
               our
               trouble
               ,
               consider
               ,
               we
               have
               an
               Alsufficient
               God
               ,
               and
               an
               Alsufficient
               Mediator
               .
               
                 Rom.
                 15.
                 13.
                 
                 Now
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Hope
                 fill
                 you
                 with
                 all
                 
                 Ioy
                 and
                 Peace
                 in
                 believing
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 may
                 abound
                 in
                 Hope
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
               Repentance
               requireth
               sorrow
               for
               Sin
               ,
               only
               as
               it
               tendeth
               to
               Joy
               and
               Comfort
               ,
               Matth.
               5.
               5.
               
               'T
               is
               a
               tormenting
               ,
               but
               a
               curing
               Sorrow
               .
               The
               Word
               of
               God
               taketh
               care
               ,
               that
               a
               Penitent
               ,
               who
               hath
               foully
               miscarried
               ,
               should
               not
               be
               swallowed
               up
               of
               over-much
               grief
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               2.
               7.
               
               In
               the
               general
               ,
               Repentance
               and
               Mortification
               are
               our
               Physick
               to
               expel
               the
               noxious
               Humours
               ,
               that
               would
               bring
               us
               ,
               not
               only
               to
               Death
               ,
               but
               to
               Damnation
               ;
               and
               to
               keep
               the
               Soul
               in
               due
               plight
               and
               health
               .
               And
               then
               for
               Self-Government
               ;
               We
               are
               to
               bridle
               our
               Passions
               and
               Appetites
               :
               Gal.
               5.
               24.
               
               
                 They
                 that
                 are
                 Christ's
                 ,
                 have
                 crucified
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Affections
                 and
                 Lusts.
              
               The
               bridling
               our
               Passions
               ,
               't
               is
               but
               forbidding
               us
               to
               be
               miserable
               ,
               and
               throw
               out
               every
               thing
               that
               would
               disquiet
               the
               Soul.
               Christ's
               great
               care
               was
               ,
               that
               the
               reasonable
               Creature
               might
               live
               in
               Peace
               ,
               and
               Holy
               Security
               ;
               therefore
               hath
               discharged
               our
               Cares
               ,
               and
               Sorrows
               ,
               and
               Fears
               :
               Our
               Cares
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               not
               distract
               our
               Minds
               :
               Phil.
               4.
               6.
               
               
                 Be
                 careful
                 for
                 nothing
              
               .
               And
               ,
               1
               
                 Pet.
                 5.
                 7.
                 
                 Cast
                 all
                 your
                 care
                 upon
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               These
               
               Prohibitions
               shew
               you
               the
               Goodness
               of
               Christ
               ;
               He
               hath
               made
               it
               unlawful
               for
               you
               to
               be
               troubled
               ,
               and
               to
               perplex
               your
               Minds
               with
               anxious
               and
               distrustful
               Thoughts
               .
               Oh!
               what
               pleasant
               Lives
               might
               we
               live
               ,
               if
               we
               could
               intirely
               cast
               our selves
               into
               the
               Arms
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               refer
               all
               things
               to
               the
               Wisdom
               and
               powerful
               Conduct
               of
               his
               Providence
               !
               The
               Scripture
               is
               as
               plentiful
               also
               in
               forbidding
               Sorrow
               ;
               1
               Thess.
               4.
               13.
               
               
                 Sorrow
                 not
                 as
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 without
                 Hope
                 .
              
               Dejection
               and
               anguish
               of
               Spirit
               is
               your
               Sin.
               So
               for
               Fear
               ;
               Isa.
               41.
               10.
               
               
                 Fear
                 not
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 with
                 thee
                 :
                 be
                 not
                 dismayed
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 thy
                 God.
              
               Heb.
               13.
               6.
               
               
                 So
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 boldly
                 say
                 ,
                 The
                 Lord
                 is
                 my
                 Helper
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 fear
                 what
                 Man
                 can
                 do
                 unto
                 me
                 .
              
               What
               should
               a
               Christian
               fear
               ?
               Dangers
               by
               the
               way
               ?
               God
               is
               his
               Helper
               :
               To
               be
               cast
               into
               Hell
               when
               he
               goeth
               out
               of
               the
               World
               ?
               Christ
               hath
               shewed
               him
               how
               to
               flee
               from
               Wrath
               to
               come
               :
               He
               feareth
               it
               with
               a
               Fear
               of
               Caution
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               shun
               it
               ;
               but
               not
               with
               a
               Fear
               of
               Perplexity
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               disquiet
               and
               perplex
               his
               Soul
               ,
               for
               Jesus
               hath
               delivered
               him
               from
               Wrath
               to
               come
               ,
               1
               Thess.
               1.
               10.
               
               Christianity
               is
               as
               contrary
               to
               Sadness
               and
               Misery
               ,
               as
               Life
               to
               Death
               ,
               and
               Light
               to
               
               Darkness
               :
               For
               the
               other
               ,
               the
               crucifying
               and
               bridling
               of
               our
               Lusts
               ,
               which
               carry
               us
               to
               the
               good
               things
               of
               this
               World
               ;
               why
               ,
               that
               is
               troublesome
               ,
               to
               be
               debarred
               of
               the
               Delights
               which
               Nature
               affects
               !
               But
               here
               are
               no
               rigorous
               Exactions
               ,
               but
               such
               as
               are
               agreeable
               to
               the
               reasonable
               Nature
               :
               Christ
               hath
               forbidden
               us
               no
               Pleasure
               ,
               but
               what
               may
               be
               a
               Sin
               ,
               or
               a
               Snare
               to
               us
               :
               He
               would
               not
               have
               Man
               to
               degenerate
               and
               turn
               Beast
               .
               All
               Christ's
               Restraints
               are
               but
               necessary
               Cautions
               for
               our
               safety
               :
               Is
               it
               burdensome
               to
               a
               Man
               to
               keep
               out
               of
               Danger
               's
               way
               ,
               and
               to
               avoid
               such
               things
               as
               are
               destructive
               to
               his
               Soul
               ?
               If
               a
               Friend
               will
               take
               out
               of
               our
               hands
               ,
               the
               Knife
               with
               which
               we
               would
               not
               only
               cut
               our
               Fingers
               ,
               but
               our
               Throats
               ;
               Is
               he
               to
               be
               blamed
               ?
               Or
               is
               he
               your
               Enemy
               ,
               who
               forbiddeth
               you
               to
               drink
               Poison
               ?
               Forbidden
               Fruit
               costs
               dear
               in
               the
               Issue
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               For
               those
               Duties
               which
               concern
               our
               Neighbour
               .
               To
               love
               all
               Men
               ;
               to
               do
               good
               to
               all
               Men
               ,
               't
               is
               a
               Blessed
               and
               God-like
               thing
               ,
               to
               be
               giving
               rather
               than
               receiving
               ,
               Acts
               20.
               35.
               
               The
               delight
               of
               doing
               good
               ,
               is
               much
               more
               than
               the
               cost
               ;
               't
               is
               to
               be
               as
               earthly
               Gods
               among
               our
               Neighbours
               .
               This
               Work
               rewardeth
               it
               
               self
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               such
               a
               contentment
               and
               satisfaction
               to
               our
               Minds
               .
               For
               Justice
               :
               To
               do
               ,
               as
               we
               would
               be
               done
               to
               ;
               what
               more
               pleasant
               ?
               We
               would
               have
               others
               bound
               by
               these
               Laws
               ,
               why
               not
               our selves
               ?
               'T
               is
               horrible
               to
               require
               one
               measure
               of
               dealing
               from
               them
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               use
               a
               quite
               contrary
               our selves
               !
               Would
               Men
               hate
               ,
               defraud
               ,
               oppress
               others
               ,
               and
               expect
               nothing
               but
               kind
               and
               righteous
               dealing
               from
               them
               ?
               this
               is
               a
               gross
               partiality
               :
               Therefore
               as
               our
               Interest
               calleth
               for
               Justice
               ,
               so
               doth
               our
               Conscience
               ;
               and
               it
               would
               be
               a
               trouble
               and
               an
               affront
               to
               Reason
               not
               to
               do
               it
               .
               So
               for
               Fidelity
               in
               our
               Relations
               :
               These
               things
               maintain
               order
               of
               Families
               ,
               and
               conduce
               to
               our
               safety
               and
               private
               peace
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               they
               belong
               to
               our
               Duty
               to
               God
               :
               So
               that
               on
               which
               side
               soever
               we
               look
               ,
               we
               see
               what
               Matter
               of
               Joy
               there
               is
               in
               Christ.
               
            
             
               I
               come
               now
               to
               shew
               you
               ,
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               The
               Reasons
               why
               Christians
               are
               not
               sacred
               and
               sincere
               in
               their
               Profession
               ,
               unless
               they
               keep
               up
               this
               rejoicing
               in
               Christ.
               
            
             
             
               1.
               
               We
               do
               not
               else
               give
               Christ
               his
               due
               Honour
               ,
               if
               we
               do
               not
               esteem
               him
               who
               is
               so
               excellent
               in
               himself
               ,
               and
               so
               beneficial
               to
               us
               ,
               even
               to
               a
               degree
               of
               Rejoycing
               :
               The
               magnifying
               of
               Christ
               was
               intended
               by
               God
               ,
               in
               the
               whole
               Business
               of
               our
               Redemption
               and
               Deliverance
               ,
               that
               we
               might
               esteem
               him
               ,
               delight
               in
               him
               ,
               count
               all
               things
               Dung
               and
               Dross
               ,
               that
               we
               might
               gain
               him
               :
               Now
               we
               do
               not
               comply
               with
               this
               End
               ,
               but
               have
               mean
               thoughts
               of
               his
               Grace
               ,
               if
               we
               be
               not
               affected
               with
               Joy
               at
               it
               .
            
             
               It
               argueth
               a
               double
               defect
               ;
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               That
               we
               are
               not
               sensible
               of
               our
               great
               misery
               without
               him
               .
            
             
               Nor
               ,
               (
               2.
               )
               affected
               with
               the
               great
               Love
               he
               hath
               shewed
               in
               our
               Deliverance
               ,
               and
               the
               Felicity
               accruing
               to
               us
               thereby
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               We
               are
               not
               duly
               sensible
               of
               our
               great
               Misery
               without
               him
               .
               Alas
               ,
               What
               could
               we
               have
               done
               ,
               without
               his
               Passion
               and
               Intercession
               ?
               If
               he
               had
               not
               died
               for
               Sinners
               ,
               What
               had
               you
               to
               answer
               to
               the
               T●rrors
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               the
               Accusations
               of
               your
               Consciences
               ,
               the
               Fears
               of
               Hell
               ,
               and
               approaching
               Damnation
               ?
               How
               could
               you
               look
               God
               in
               the
               Face
               ,
               or
               think
               one
               comfortable
               thought
               of
               him
               ?
               Had
               we
               wept
               
               out
               our
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               prayed
               out
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               and
               never
               committed
               Sin
               again
               ;
               this
               would
               not
               have
               made
               God
               satisfaction
               for
               Sin
               past
               :
               Paying
               new
               Debts
               ,
               doth
               not
               quit
               old
               Scores
               :
               Long
               enough
               might
               we
               have
               lain
               in
               our
               Blood
               ,
               e're
               we
               could
               have
               found
               out
               a
               Ransom
               which
               God
               would
               accept
               ;
               besides
               him
               there
               is
               no
               Saviour
               .
               And
               then
               for
               his
               Intercession
               :
               If
               he
               did
               not
               hide
               your
               nakedness
               ,
               and
               procure
               you
               a
               daily
               Pardon
               ,
               you
               would
               not
               be
               an
               hour
               longer
               out
               of
               Hell.
               If
               he
               did
               not
               bring
               you
               to
               God
               ,
               you
               could
               have
               no
               comfortable
               access
               to
               him
               :
               Your
               Prayer
               would
               be
               cast
               back
               as
               Dung
               in
               your
               Faces
               ,
               if
               the
               Merit
               of
               his
               Sacrifice
               did
               not
               make
               them
               accepted
               .
               And
               shall
               all
               this
               be
               told
               you
               ,
               and
               owned
               by
               you
               for
               Truth
               ;
               and
               will
               you
               not
               rejoice
               that
               God
               hath
               found
               a
               Ransom
               ,
               and
               provided
               an
               Intercessor
               for
               you
               ?
               Surely
               it
               cannot
               be
               imagined
               that
               you
               are
               sensible
               of
               your
               case
               ,
               if
               you
               be
               not
               thankful
               for
               your
               Remedy
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               You
               are
               not
               affected
               with
               the
               great
               Love
               which
               Christ
               hath
               shewed
               in
               your
               Deliverance
               ;
               nor
               the
               Felicity
               accruing
               to
               you
               thereby
               .
               'T
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 Ephes.
                 3.
                 19.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 may
                 know
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 
                 which
                 passeth
                 knowledg
                 .
              
               Before
               he
               had
               pressed
               them
               to
               make
               it
               their
               study
               to
               comprehend
               the
               heighth
               ,
               length
               ,
               and
               breadth
               ;
               and
               when
               they
               have
               all
               done
               ,
               the
               Love
               of
               Christ
               passeth
               Knowledg
               :
               Christ
               would
               pose
               Men
               and
               Angels
               with
               an
               heap
               of
               Wonders
               ,
               in
               delivering
               us
               from
               Misery
               and
               Sin.
               Now
               should
               not
               we
               rejoice
               and
               make
               our
               boast
               of
               this
               !
               Surely
               ,
               we
               vilify
               and
               bring
               down
               the
               price
               of
               these
               Wonders
               of
               Love
               ,
               if
               we
               entertain
               them
               with
               cold
               Thoughts
               ,
               and
               without
               some
               considerable
               Acts
               of
               Joy
               and
               Thankfulness
               .
               Shall
               Angels
               wonder
               ,
               and
               we
               the
               Parties
               interessed
               not
               rejoice
               !
               Certainly
               we
               are
               not
               affected
               with
               the
               great
               Felicity
               accruing
               to
               us
               .
               Felicity
               cannot
               be
               sought
               after
               without
               the
               highest
               Affections
               and
               Endeavours
               .
               Now
               if
               we
               can
               rejoice
               in
               Trifles
               ,
               and
               not
               rejoice
               in
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               ;
               How
               can
               we
               be
               said
               to
               mind
               these
               things
               ?
            
             
               2.
               
               A
               Man's
               Joy
               distinguisheth
               him
               .
               There
               is
               a
               seeking
               Joy
               ,
               and
               a
               complacential
               Joy.
               Psal.
               119.
               14.
               
               
                 I
                 have
                 rejoiced
                 in
                 the
                 Way
                 of
                 thy
                 Testimonies
                 ,
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 in
                 all
                 Riches
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               good
               to
               observe
               what
               it
               is
               that
               putteth
               Gladness
               into
               our
               Hearts
               :
               The
               Love
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               his
               Goodness
               in
               
               Christ.
               Every
               Man
               is
               discovered
               by
               his
               complacency
               ,
               or
               displiciency
               .
               Psalm
               .
               4.
               7.
               
               
                 Thou
                 hast
                 put
                 Gladness
                 into
                 my
                 Heart
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 that
                 their
                 Corn
                 and
                 their
                 Wine
                 increased
                 .
              
               Rom.
               8.
               5.
               
               
                 They
                 that
                 are
                 after
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 do
                 mind
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 the
                 Flesh
                 :
                 but
                 they
                 that
                 are
                 after
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               To
               rejoice
               in
               the
               Creatures
               ,
               as
               accommodating
               or
               pleasing
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               is
               the
               Joy
               of
               the
               Carnal
               :
               To
               rejoice
               in
               outward
               Ordinances
               and
               Privileges
               ,
               without
               other
               things
               ,
               is
               the
               Joy
               of
               the
               Hypocrite
               and
               common
               Professors
               .
               Let
               us
               carry
               it
               a
               little
               farther
               ;
               The
               Devils
               ,
               and
               Damned
               ,
               are
               out
               of
               all
               hope
               and
               possibility
               of
               Joy
               :
               The
               Angels
               ,
               and
               glorified
               Saints
               ,
               rejoice
               in
               the
               full
               fruition
               of
               God
               :
               There
               is
               
                 Gaudium
                 Viae
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Gaudium
                 Patriae
              
               ;
               there
               is
               the
               Joy
               of
               the
               Way
               ,
               and
               the
               Joy
               of
               our
               Home
               ,
               at
               our
               Journey
               's
               End.
               The
               latter
               is
               set
               forth
               Psal.
               16.
               11.
               
               
                 In
                 thy
                 presence
                 is
                 fulness
                 of
                 Ioy
                 ;
                 at
                 thy
                 right
                 Hand
                 are
                 Pleasures
                 for
                 evermore
                 .
              
               The
               other
               is
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               use
               of
               his
               healing
               and
               recovering
               Methods
               ,
               and
               the
               desires
               and
               hopes
               of
               the
               Glory
               to
               come
               .
               This
               is
               the
               Joy
               ,
               or
               well-pleasedness
               of
               mind
               ,
               which
               is
               proper
               to
               us
               in
               our
               Journey
               :
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               8.
               
               
                 In
                 whom
                 believing
                 ,
                 
                 ye
                 rejoice
                 with
                 Ioy
                 unspeakable
                 ,
                 and
                 full
                 of
                 Glory
                 .
              
               The
               Comfort
               of
               Travellers
               differeth
               from
               that
               which
               a
               Man
               hath
               in
               Heaven
               :
               'T
               is
               a
               Joy
               that
               he
               hath
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               going
               Home
               ;
               and
               therefore
               how
               should
               the
               serious
               Christian
               be
               described
               ,
               but
               by
               his
               rejoicing
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ?
            
             
               Vse
               1.
               
               To
               reprove
               those
               that
               cannot
               keep
               up
               their
               Rejoycing
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ,
               as
               soon
               as
               they
               are
               mated
               with
               any
               Calamity
               or
               Affliction
               in
               the
               World.
               Is
               not
               Grace
               better
               than
               any
               natural
               Comfort
               taken
               from
               us
               ?
               Heb.
               12.
               11.
               
               
                 No
                 chastning
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 seemeth
                 to
                 be
                 joyous
                 ,
                 but
                 grievous
                 ;
                 Nevertheless
                 ,
                 afterwards
                 it
                 yieldeth
                 the
                 peaceable
                 Fruit
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 unto
                 them
                 which
                 are
                 exercised
                 thereby
                 .
              
               Surely
               when
               we
               have
               such
               cause
               of
               rejoycing
               in
               Christ
               ,
               to
               be
               dejected
               with
               every
               little
               Adversity
               ,
               sheweth
               weak
               Faith.
               Have
               you
               Peace
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               Communion
               with
               him
               at
               every
               turn
               ?
               and
               shall
               a
               blasting
               of
               the
               Creature
               destroy
               all
               your
               Comfort
               ?
               Have
               you
               hope
               of
               Glory
               ,
               and
               cannot
               you
               bear
               a
               Disappointment
               in
               the
               World
               ?
               Are
               you
               assured
               of
               the
               Care
               of
               your
               Heavenly
               Father
               ,
               and
               his
               particular
               Providence
               over
               you
               ,
               and
               yet
               so
               full
               of
               
               grudging
               and
               repining
               Thoughts
               ,
               when
               he
               retrencheth
               you
               a
               little
               ,
               and
               blasteth
               your
               worldly
               Probabilities
               ?
               Surely
               it
               argueth
               too
               much
               addictedness
               to
               present
               Comforts
               ,
               and
               love
               of
               the
               ease
               of
               the
               Flesh
               !
               Have
               you
               a
               due
               sense
               of
               the
               World
               to
               come
               ,
               and
               that
               better
               ,
               and
               enduring
               Substance
               ;
               and
               yet
               complain
               so
               bitterly
               of
               Worldly
               Losses
               ?
               Have
               you
               a
               God
               in
               Covenant
               with
               you
               ,
               who
               hath
               engaged
               all
               his
               Love
               ,
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               Power
               ,
               to
               help
               you
               ,
               and
               to
               turn
               all
               things
               to
               your
               Good
               ?
               Rom.
               8.
               28.
               
               What
               though
               the
               tryal
               of
               your
               Faith
               and
               Patience
               be
               very
               sore
               ?
               Did
               you
               capitulate
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               bargain
               with
               him
               how
               much
               you
               would
               suffer
               the
               Flesh
               to
               be
               cros●ed
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               such
               sharp
               Afflictions
               you
               would
               be
               excused
               ,
               that
               your
               Gourd
               should
               not
               be
               altogether
               smitten
               and
               dried
               up
               ?
               You
               can
               bear
               any
               other
               Cross
               but
               this
               ;
               but
               was
               this
               excepted
               out
               of
               your
               Resignation
               ?
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               reproveth
               those
               that
               cherish
               a
               carnal
               Rejoicing
               .
               A
               Believer
               should
               rejoice
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               .
               Luke
               10.
               19
               ,
               20.
               
               
                 Behold
                 ,
                 I
                 give
                 unto
                 you
                 Power
                 to
                 tread
                 on
                 Serpents
                 ,
                 and
                 Scorpions
                 ,
                 and
                 over
                 all
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 the
                 Enemy
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               
                 Notwithstanding
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 rejoice
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Spirits
                 are
                 subject
                 unto
                 
                 you
                 :
                 but
                 rather
                 rejoice
                 ,
                 because
                 your
                 Names
                 are
                 written
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               Rejoice
               not
               in
               this
               ,
               that
               you
               are
               in
               Dignity
               and
               Honour
               ;
               This
               is
               not
               your
               Felicity
               ,
               nor
               the
               direct
               way
               to
               your
               Felicity
               ;
               the
               higher
               you
               climb
               ,
               your
               Station
               is
               the
               more
               dangerous
               :
               They
               are
               safer
               that
               stand
               on
               the
               Ground
               ,
               than
               those
               that
               are
               on
               a
               Pinacle
               :
               Rejoice
               not
               ,
               in
               that
               you
               have
               abundance
               of
               earthly
               Riches
               ,
               but
               that
               you
               have
               a
               taste
               of
               higher
               and
               better
               things
               :
               Be
               not
               affected
               so
               deeply
               with
               lower
               Mercies
               ,
               as
               to
               overlook
               the
               special
               Mercies
               that
               accompany
               Salvation
               :
               Rejoice
               not
               in
               this
               ,
               that
               you
               have
               convenient
               Habitations
               in
               this
               World
               ;
               but
               in
               that
               you
               have
               a
               Building
               of
               God
               ,
               an
               House
               not
               made
               with
               Hands
               ,
               Eternal
               in
               the
               Heavens
               :
               In
               that
               you
               have
               comely
               Bodies
               ,
               but
               that
               you
               have
               hopes
               of
               a
               better
               Resurrection
               ,
               
                 when
                 this
                 mortal
                 shall
                 put
                 on
                 Immortality
                 .
              
               Not
               in
               the
               Nobility
               of
               your
               Birth
               ,
               but
               that
               you
               are
               born
               of
               the
               Spirit
               .
               John
               1.
               12
               ,
               13.
               
               
                 To
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 received
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 them
                 gave
                 he
                 Power
                 to
                 become
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 on
                 his
                 Name
                 :
                 which
                 were
                 born
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 Blood
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 Man
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 God.
              
               Rejoice
               not
               in
               that
               you
               have
               
               great
               Friends
               to
               stand
               by
               you
               ;
               but
               that
               in
               the
               New
               Covenant
               you
               are
               made
               a
               Friend
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               Abraham
               was
               .
               Not
               in
               that
               you
               have
               costly
               Accommodations
               to
               please
               the
               Flesh
               :
               No
               ,
               this
               may
               be
               the
               bane
               of
               your
               Souls
               :
               Rom.
               8.
               13.
               
               
                 They
                 that
                 live
                 after
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 shall
                 die
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 16.
                 25.
                 
                 Son
                 ,
                 Remember
                 that
                 thou
                 in
                 thy
                 Life-time
                 receivedst
                 thy
                 good
                 things
                 .
                 (
                 Dives
              
               fared
               deliciously
               every
               day
               ,
               and
               Lazarus
               was
               full
               of
               Sores
               ,
               and
               desirous
               to
               be
               fed
               with
               the
               Crumbs
               which
               fell
               from
               the
               Rich
               Man's
               Table
               )
               :
               
                 Thou
                 hast
                 received
                 thy
                 good
                 Things
                 ,
                 and
              
               Lazarus
               
                 evil
                 Things
                 :
                 but
                 now
                 he
                 is
                 Comforted
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 art
                 Tormented
                 .
              
            
             
               Vse
               2.
               
               Is
               to
               incourage
               you
               to
               Rejoice
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               .
               Now
               because
               we
               are
               helpers
               of
               your
               Joy
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               24.
               
               And
               God
               is
               best
               pleased
               with
               this
               frame
               of
               Spirit
               ,
               1
               Thess.
               5.
               16.
               
               I
               shall
               resume
               the
               main
               Discourse
               ;
               And
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               Handle
               the
               Nature
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Shew
               you
               whether
               this
               Joy
               may
               be
               without
               Assurance
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Shew
               you
               the
               spiritual
               Profit
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               Helps
               or
               Means
               by
               which
               it
               is
               raised
               in
               us
               .
            
             
             
               1.
               
               
                 For
                 the
                 Nature
                 of
                 it
              
               .
               'T
               is
               an
               Act
               of
               Love
               ,
               begotten
               in
               us
               by
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               Love
               of
               Christ
               ,
               revealed
               in
               the
               Word
               ,
               and
               shed
               abroad
               in
               our
               Hearts
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ;
               whereby
               the
               Soul
               is
               more
               affected
               with
               delight
               in
               the
               Grace
               of
               the
               Redeemer
               ,
               than
               with
               all
               other
               things
               whatsoever
               .
            
             
               In
               which
               Description
               ,
               Observe
               ,
               1.
               
               'T
               is
               an
               Act
               of
               Love.
               The
               Acts
               of
               Love
               are
               two
               :
               Desire
               ,
               and
               Delight
               .
               They
               both
               agree
               in
               this
               ,
               That
               they
               are
               conversant
               about
               good
               ,
               and
               are
               founded
               in
               esteem
               :
               We
               think
               it
               good
               .
               They
               differ
               ,
               because
               Desire
               is
               the
               Motion
               and
               Exercise
               of
               Love
               ,
               and
               Delight
               the
               Quiet
               and
               Repose
               of
               it
               .
               Desire
               is
               expressed
               in
               that
               Speech
               ,
               
                 Psalm
                 .
                 63.
                 8.
                 
                 My
                 Soul
                 followeth
                 hard
                 after
                 thee
                 .
              
               A
               Believer
               cannot
               forbear
               to
               seek
               after
               God.
               Desire
               of
               Union
               ,
               keepeth
               us
               up
               in
               the
               pursuit
               of
               him
               .
               Delight
               is
               expressed
               in
               that
               form
               of
               Speech
               ,
               Psal.
               16.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 is
                 the
                 Portion
                 of
                 my
                 Inheritance
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Cup.
                 The
                 Lines
                 are
                 fallen
                 unto
                 me
                 in
                 a
                 pleasant
                 place
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 a
                 goodly
                 Heritage
                 .
              
               He
               hath
               all
               his
               Joy
               ,
               and
               Pleasure
               ,
               and
               Contentment
               in
               God.
               Desire
               ,
               supposeth
               some
               want
               or
               absence
               of
               the
               valued
               Object
               :
               Delight
               ,
               some
               kind
               of
               Enjoyment
               :
               Either
               he
               is
               ours
               ,
               or
               might
               be
               
               ours
               if
               we
               would
               our selves
               .
               For
               the
               Offer
               is
               cause
               of
               Joy
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               Injoyment
               .
               If
               our
               Desires
               have
               reached
               the
               lovely
               Object
               ,
               't
               is
               cause
               of
               Joy
               ;
               or
               if
               it
               be
               within
               our
               reach
               .
               As
               when
               Christ
               and
               his
               Benefits
               are
               offered
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               left
               upon
               our
               choice
               .
               And
               therefore
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               Jonah
               2.
               8.
               
               
                 They
                 that
                 observe
                 lying
                 Vanities
                 ,
                 forsake
                 their
                 own
                 Mercies
                 .
                 Their
                 own
                 ,
              
               though
               not
               possessed
               by
               them
               ,
               yet
               they
               are
               offered
               to
               them
               :
               They
               might
               have
               been
               their
               own
               ,
               if
               they
               did
               not
               exclude
               themselves
               :
               The
               Object
               is
               in
               a
               sort
               present
               ,
               and
               brought
               home
               to
               us
               in
               the
               Offers
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               'T
               is
               an
               Act
               of
               Love
               begotten
               in
               us
               ,
               by
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               Love
               of
               Christ
               :
               For
               Love
               only
               begetteth
               Love
               ;
               1
               
                 Iohn
                 4.
                 19.
                 
                 We
                 love
                 him
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 loved
                 us
                 first
                 .
              
               The
               Object
               of
               Love
               ,
               is
               Goodness
               :
               Now
               we
               love
               God
               in
               Christ
               ,
               for
               the
               Goodness
               that
               is
               in
               him
               ,
               the
               Goodness
               that
               floweth
               from
               him
               ,
               and
               the
               Goodness
               we
               expect
               from
               him
               ;
               all
               these
               attract
               our
               Love.
               
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               The
               Goodness
               that
               is
               in
               him
               ;
               Moral
               and
               Beneficial
               :
               Moral
               ,
               which
               is
               his
               Holiness
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 140.
                 
                 Thy
                 Word
                 is
                 very
                 pure
                 ,
                 therefore
                 thy
                 Servant
                 loveth
                 it
                 .
              
               If
               we
               Love
               his
               Law
               ,
               for
               the
               purity
               thereof
               ,
               
               then
               certainly
               we
               must
               love
               God
               ,
               how
               else
               can
               we
               study
               to
               imitate
               him
               ?
               for
               we
               imitate
               only
               that
               which
               we
               love
               ,
               and
               delight
               in
               as
               good
               .
               Then
               for
               his
               Beneficial
               Goodness
               ;
               Psal.
               100.
               5.
               
               
                 For
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 Good
                 ,
                 his
                 Mercy
                 is
                 everlasting
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 Truth
                 endureth
                 to
                 all
                 Generations
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               Psal.
               119.
               68.
               
               
                 Thou
                 art
                 Good
                 ,
                 and
                 dost
                 good
                 .
              
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               The
               Goodness
               that
               floweth
               from
               him
               :
               Not
               only
               in
               our
               Creation
               ,
               but
               our
               Redemption
               by
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               stupendous
               Instance
               of
               his
               Goodness
               to
               Man.
               Titus
               3.
               4.
               
               
                 After
                 the
                 kindness
                 and
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 our
                 Saviour
                 towards
                 Man
                 appeared
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               (
               In
               the
               Creation
               ,
               there
               was
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               in
               Redemption
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               That
               God
               found
               a
               Ransom
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               so
               great
               as
               his
               only
               begotten
               Son
               ;
               this
               was
               Love
               and
               Goodness
               indeed
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               The
               Goodness
               we
               expect
               from
               him
               ,
               both
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               next
               :
               Here
               ,
               Reconciliation
               ,
               and
               Remission
               of
               Sins
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               Blessing
               that
               doth
               much
               draw
               the
               Heart
               of
               Man
               to
               delight
               in
               Christ.
               
                 For
                 she
                 loved
                 much
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 much
                 was
                 forgiven
                 ,
              
               Luke
               7.
               47.
               
               We
               keep
               off
               from
               a
               condemning
               God
               ,
               but
               draw
               nigh
               to
               a
               pardoning
               God.
               Therefore
               the
               
               Apostle
               saith
               ,
               Heb.
               7.
               19.
               
               The
               bringing
               in
               of
               this
               better
               Hope
               by
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               doth
               cause
               us
               to
               draw
               nigh
               to
               God.
               Being
               at
               peace
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               reconciled
               to
               him
               ,
               we
               may
               have
               access
               with
               confidence
               ,
               and
               boldness
               ,
               to
               the
               Throne
               of
               Grace
               ,
               are
               no
               more
               at
               distance
               with
               God
               ,
               looking
               upon
               him
               as
               a
               consuming
               Fire
               .
               The
               Gospel
               giveth
               us
               liberty
               to
               come
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               expect
               the
               Mercy
               and
               Bounty
               of
               God
               ,
               through
               Jesus
               Christ.
               So
               in
               the
               next
               World
               Eternal
               Life
               and
               Glory
               ,
               which
               is
               our
               great
               Reward
               ,
               merited
               by
               Christ
               ;
               Mat.
               5.
               12.
               
               
                 Rejoice
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 exceeding
                 glad
                 ,
                 for
                 great
                 is
                 your
                 Reward
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               This
               is
               a
               solid
               ,
               lasting
               ,
               satisfying
               ,
               substantial
               Good.
               Worldly
               Joys
               are
               but
               seeming
               ,
               they
               appear
               and
               vanish
               in
               a
               moment
               ,
               every
               blast
               of
               Temptation
               scattereth
               them
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
               offers
               of
               Pardon
               ,
               and
               Life
               by
               Christ
               ,
               are
               the
               Matters
               of
               this
               Joy
               ,
               as
               they
               free
               us
               from
               the
               greatest
               Miseries
               ,
               and
               bring
               us
               to
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               the
               truest
               Happiness
               .
               If
               you
               ask
               me
               then
               ,
               Why
               is
               a
               Christian
               described
               rather
               by
               rejoicing
               in
               Christ
               ,
               than
               by
               rejoycing
               in
               the
               pardon
               of
               Sins
               ,
               and
               Eternal
               Blessedness
               ?
               I
               Answer
               ,
               Because
               Christ
               is
               the
               Author
               and
               Procurer
               of
               these
               things
               to
               us
               ;
               And
               by
               
               our
               Joy
               ,
               we
               express
               not
               only
               our
               esteem
               of
               these
               Benefits
               ,
               but
               our
               gratitude
               and
               thankfulness
               for
               the
               Mercy
               and
               Bounty
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               Love
               of
               our
               Redeemer
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               Description
               sheweth
               ,
               how
               the
               sence
               of
               this
               Goodness
               is
               begotten
               in
               us
               :
               The
               Love
               of
               Christ
               is
               revealed
               in
               the
               Word
               ,
               and
               shed
               abroad
               in
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ;
               And
               I
               add
               ,
               Believed
               by
               Faith
               ,
               and
               improved
               by
               Meditation
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               'T
               is
               revealed
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               or
               Word
               of
               Salvation
               which
               is
               sent
               to
               us
               .
               Therefore
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 13.
                 48.
                 
                 When
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 heard
                 this
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 glad
                 ,
                 and
                 glorified
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 were
                 ordained
                 to
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 ,
                 believed
                 .
              
               Surely
               the
               Mind
               of
               Man
               ,
               which
               is
               naturally
               discomforted
               ,
               and
               weakned
               ,
               and
               strangely
               haunted
               with
               Doubts
               and
               Fears
               about
               the
               pardon
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               Eternal
               Life
               ,
               is
               mightily
               revived
               and
               encouraged
               with
               these
               glad
               Tydings
               of
               this
               Salvation
               ,
               dispensed
               to
               us
               by
               a
               sure
               Covenant
               ,
               Heb.
               6.
               18.
               
               And
               if
               the
               Gentiles
               that
               heard
               these
               things
               were
               glad
               ,
               proportionably
               we
               should
               be
               glad
               ,
               for
               the
               Gospel
               should
               never
               be
               as
               stale
               News
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               or
               as
               a
               
               Jest
               often
               told
               :
               Our
               Necessities
               are
               as
               deep
               as
               theirs
               ,
               and
               the
               Covenant
               standeth
               as
               firm
               to
               us
               ,
               as
               it
               did
               to
               them
               :
               Therefore
               if
               we
               have
               the
               Heart
               of
               a
               guilty
               Man
               ,
               it
               should
               be
               as
               welcome
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               'T
               is
               shed
               abroad
               in
               our
               Hearts
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
               So
               much
               is
               asserted
               by
               the
               Apostle
               .
               Rom.
               5.
               5.
               
               
                 The
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 shed
                 abroad
                 in
                 our
                 Hearts
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 which
                 is
                 given
                 unto
                 us
                 .
              
               Our
               dry
               Reason
               cannot
               give
               such
               a
               lively
               sense
               of
               these
               Comforts
               ,
               as
               the
               Revelation
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
               And
               this
               is
               the
               difference
               between
               a
               believing
               by
               Tradition
               ,
               and
               believing
               by
               Inspiration
               .
               Believing
               by
               Tradition
               ,
               giveth
               us
               but
               cold
               thoughts
               of
               these
               Mysteries
               ;
               but
               believing
               by
               Inspiration
               ,
               warmeth
               the
               Heart
               ,
               and
               reviveth
               it
               with
               an
               unspeakable
               Joy
               ;
               and
               is
               called
               ,
               
                 tasting
                 the
                 good
                 Word
              
               ;
               which
               is
               the
               privilege
               of
               those
               who
               are
               enlightned
               by
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               Heb.
               6.
               4.
               
               And
               a
               tasting
               that
               the
               Lord
               is
               gracious
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               2.
               3.
               which
               much
               differeth
               from
               the
               common
               reflection
               upon
               those
               things
               which
               Flesh
               and
               Blood
               may
               give
               us
               ,
               or
               the
               bare
               reports
               of
               Men
               stir
               up
               in
               us
               .
               The
               Spirits
               light
               is
               lovely
               ,
               and
               ravisheth
               ,
               and
               tra●sporteth
               the
               Soul
               ;
               And
               where
               it
               is
               permanent
               ,
               and
               rooted
               ,
               it
               
               effectually
               changeth
               the
               Soul.
               Some●
               are
               altogether
               careless
               ,
               not
               affected
               at
               all
               with
               these
               things
               ,
               as
               the
               habituated
               worldly
               Sinner
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               2.
               14.
               
               They
               are
               folly
               to
               him
               .
               For
               Spiritual
               Things
               must
               be
               spiritually
               discerned
               :
               Some
               are
               to
               a
               degree
               affected
               by
               the
               common
               Work
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               Heb.
               6.
               4
               ,
               5
               ,
               6.
               but
               't
               is
               not
               rooted
               ,
               't
               is
               not
               predominate
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               control
               other
               Affections
               and
               Delights
               ;
               they
               have
               a
               rejoicing
               in
               the
               Offers
               of
               Pardon
               and
               Life
               ,
               but
               't
               is
               a
               Joy
               that
               leaveth
               some
               darling
               Sin
               still
               predominant
               .
               But
               there
               is
               a
               third
               sort
               ,
               that
               have
               such
               a
               taste
               of
               these
               things
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               renewed
               and
               changed
               by
               it
               ,
               Heb.
               3.
               6.
               
               Now
               then
               ,
               if
               you
               would
               have
               this
               rejoicing
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ,
               you
               must
               apply
               your selves
               to
               Christ
               ,
               in
               the
               use
               of
               the
               appointed
               means
               ,
               for
               the
               renewing
               of
               your
               Natures
               ;
               for
               Love
               and
               Delight
               are
               never
               forced
               ,
               nor
               will
               be
               drawn
               forth
               by
               bare
               Commands
               and
               Threatnings
               ,
               yea
               ,
               and
               not
               by
               the
               proposal
               of
               Promises
               ,
               though
               the
               Injoiments
               be
               never
               so
               great
               and
               glorious
               .
               This
               may
               a
               little
               stir
               us
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               the
               Matter
               of
               Joy
               ,
               but
               not
               the
               Cause
               of
               Joy.
               But
               this
               Joy
               ,
               proceedeth
               partly
               from
               the
               Inclination
               ,
               when
               the
               Heart
               is
               suited
               ,
               and
               partly
               from
               the
               attractive
               
               goodness
               of
               the
               Object
               :
               and
               both
               are
               powerfully
               done
               by
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               as
               the
               Heart
               is
               renewed
               ,
               and
               the
               Object
               is
               most
               effectually
               represented
               by
               him
               ,
               Ephes.
               1.
               17
               ,
               18.
               
               And
               this
               we
               must
               wait
               for
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               'T
               is
               received
               ,
               and
               believed
               by
               Faith.
               This
               is
               often
               told
               us
               in
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               1
               
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 18.
                 
                 In
                 whom
                 believing
                 ,
                 ye
                 rejoice
                 with
                 Ioy
                 unspeakable
                 ,
                 and
                 full
                 of
                 Glory
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 15.
                 13.
                 
                 The
                 God
                 of
                 Hope
                 fill
                 you
                 with
                 Ioy
                 and
                 Peace
                 in
                 believing
                 .
              
               We
               cannot
               be
               affected
               with
               the
               great
               Things
               Christ
               hath
               done
               and
               purchased
               for
               us
               ,
               till
               we
               believe
               them
               .
               There
               is
               in
               Faith
               ,
               three
               things
               ,
               
                 Assent
                 ,
                 Consent
              
               ,
               and
               Affiance
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Assent
               ,
               or
               a
               firm
               and
               certain
               belief
               of
               the
               Truth
               of
               the
               Gospel
               concerning
               Christ
               ,
               as
               the
               only
               sufficient
               Saviour
               ,
               by
               whom
               alone
               God
               will
               give
               us
               the
               pardon
               of
               Sins
               ,
               and
               Eternal
               Life
               .
               John
               4.
               42.
               
               
                 We
                 have
                 heard
                 him
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 indeed
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Saviour
                 of
                 the
                 World.
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 6.
                 69.
                 
                 We
                 believe
                 and
                 are
                 sure
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 that
                 Christ
                 ,
                 th●
                 Son
                 of
                 the
                 Living
                 God.
              
               When
               we
               are
               verily
               perswaded
               of
               this
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               of
               any
               thing
               that
               appeareth
               true
               to
               us
               ;
               this
               stirreth
               
               up
               Joy.
               Others
               have
               but
               an
               hear-say
               Knowledg
               ,
               not
               a
               Believing
               Assent
               .
               Surely
               Christ
               is
               a
               delectable
               Object
               ,
               what
               hindereth
               then
               ,
               but
               that
               we
               rejoice
               in
               him
               !
               Nothing
               but
               want
               of
               Faith
               :
               For
               if
               this
               be
               true
               ,
               we
               so
               Necessitous
               ,
               and
               he
               so
               Al-sufficient
               a
               Remedy
               ;
               why
               are
               we
               not
               so
               affected
               with
               these
               things
               ,
               as
               the
               worth
               of
               them
               doth
               deserve
               !
               Nothing
               can
               be
               rationally
               said
               ,
               but
               that
               we
               are
               not
               soundly
               perswaded
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               A
               Consent
               .
               This
               Grace
               is
               dispensed
               by
               a
               Convenant
               which
               bindeth
               mutually
               ;
               assureth
               us
               of
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               requireth
               Duty
               from
               us
               .
               Therefore
               ,
               an
               unfeigned
               Consent
               ,
               or
               a
               readiness
               to
               fulfil
               those
               terms
               expressed
               in
               the
               Promise
               ,
               is
               required
               of
               us
               ;
               or
               a
               resolution
               to
               repent
               and
               obey
               the
               Gospel
               .
               Christ
               hath
               Offices
               and
               Relations
               that
               imply
               our
               Comfort
               ;
               and
               other
               Offices
               and
               Relations
               which
               imply
               our
               Duty
               :
               Or
               rather
               ,
               the
               same
               do
               both
               ;
               He
               is
               our
               Teacher
               ,
               and
               King
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               our
               Priest
               ;
               and
               we
               must
               submit
               to
               be
               ruled
               and
               taught
               by
               him
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               depend
               upon
               the
               Merit
               of
               his
               Sacrifice
               and
               Intercession
               .
               Heb.
               5.
               9.
               
               
                 And
                 being
                 made
                 perfect
                 ,
                 he
                 became
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 Et●●nal
                 Salvation
                 to
                 all
                 them
                 that
                 obey
                 him
                 .
              
               And
               
               they
               are
               so
               taught
               the
               Truth
               that
               is
               in
               Jesus
               ,
               that
               they
               put
               off
               the
               Old
               Man
               ,
               and
               put
               on
               the
               New
               ,
               Ephes.
               4.
               20
               ,
               21.
               
               True
               Believers
               ,
               must
               be
               Scholars
               daily
               learning
               somewhat
               from
               Christ
               :
               yea
               ,
               his
               Priesthood
               implieth
               Duty
               ,
               Dependance
               ,
               humble
               Addresses
               .
               A
               broken-hearted
               coming
               to
               God
               by
               him
               :
               As
               his
               Kingship
               and
               Prophetical
               Office
               implieth
               privilege
               also
               .
               His
               defending
               and
               teaching
               us
               by
               his
               Spirit
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               There
               is
               Affiance
               :
               Which
               is
               a
               reposing
               of
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               or
               a
               relying
               upon
               God
               ,
               promising
               remission
               of
               Sins
               ,
               and
               Eternal
               Life
               for
               Christ's
               sake
               alone
               ;
               that
               he
               will
               be
               as
               good
               as
               his
               word
               ,
               while
               we
               diligently
               use
               the
               Means
               ordained
               to
               this
               end
               ,
               Rom.
               2.
               7.
               
               And
               this
               Confidence
               hath
               an
               influence
               upon
               this
               Joy
               ,
               Heb.
               3.
               6.
               or
               a
               delightful
               sense
               of
               our
               Redeemer's
               Grace
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               'T
               is
               improved
               by
               Meditation
               :
               For
               the
               greatest
               things
               do
               not
               work
               ,
               unless
               we
               think
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               work
               them
               into
               our
               Hearts
               .
               The
               natural
               way
               of
               Operation
               is
               ,
               That
               Object
               ●tir
               up
               Thoughts
               ,
               and
               Thoughts
               stir
               up
               Affections
               ;
               
                 Psal.
                 104.
                 34.
                 
                 My
                 meditation
                 of
                 him
                 shall
                 be
                 sweet
                 :
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 glad
                 in
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               The
               
               more
               frequent
               and
               serious
               Thoughts
               we
               have
               of
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               more
               deep
               and
               ponderous
               they
               are
               ,
               the
               more
               do
               they
               blow
               up
               this
               Holy
               Fire
               into
               a
               Flame
               .
               Now
               for
               this
               end
               was
               the
               Lord's
               Supper
               instituted
               ,
               where
               the
               whole
               Gospel
               is
               applied
               and
               sealed
               to
               us
               ,
               that
               this
               delight
               might
               be
               afresh
               acted
               and
               stirred
               in
               us
               at
               the
               Lord's
               Table
               ,
               while
               our
               minds
               are
               taken
               up
               in
               considering
               Christ
               the
               great
               Apostle
               and
               High
               Priest
               of
               our
               Confession
               ,
               Heb.
               3.
               1.
               
               Surely
               it
               should
               not
               be
               an
               idle
               and
               fruitless
               Contemplation
               ;
               it
               should
               stir
               up
               Love
               ,
               and
               what
               stirreth
               up
               Love
               ,
               stirreth
               up
               Delight
               .
               I
               come
               now
               to
               the
               last
               part
               of
               the
               Description
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               
                 The
                 particular
                 Affection
                 caused
                 by
                 this
                 sense
                 is
                 mentioned
                 :
              
               We
               delight
               in
               the
               Grace
               of
               the
               Redeemer
               ,
               more
               than
               in
               all
               other
               things
               whatsoever
               .
            
             
               Where
               ,
               1.
               
               Take
               noice
               of
               the
               Affection
               it self
               .
            
             
               Then
               ,
               2.
               
               The
               Degree
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Affection
               it self
               :
               
                 Which
                 is
                 Delight
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 well-pleasedness
                 of
                 Mind
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Grace
                 that
                 is
                 brought
                 to
                 us
                 by
                 the
                 Knowledg
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               This
               inlargeth
               the
               Heart
               ,
               and
               filleth
               it
               with
               a
               Sweetness
               and
               Contentment
               ;
               
               and
               the
               Vent
               of
               it
               is
               Praise
               ,
               for
               the
               Heart
               being
               inlarged
               ,
               cannot
               hold
               and
               contain
               it self
               :
               Psal.
               33.
               14.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 shew
                 forth
                 all
                 they
                 Praise
                 in
                 the
                 Gates
                 of
                 the
                 Daughter
                 of
                 Sion
                 :
                 I
                 will
                 rejoice
                 in
                 thy
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               Joy
               cannot
               be
               kept
               within
               doors
               ,
               it
               will
               break
               out
               in
               all
               suitable
               ways
               of
               Expression
               :
               The
               Heart
               doth
               first
               Rejoice
               ,
               and
               then
               the
               Tongue
               doth
               overflow
               :
               The
               Heart
               is
               filled
               with
               Joy
               ,
               and
               then
               the
               Tongue
               with
               Thanksgiving
               .
               So
               Psal.
               35.
               9.
               
               
                 My
                 Soul
                 shall
                 be
                 joyful
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 it
                 shall
                 rejoice
                 in
                 his
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               Nothing
               disposeth
               the
               Heart
               to
               praise
               so
               much
               ,
               as
               this
               Holy
               Joy.
               There
               is
               no
               true
               Thanksgiving
               ,
               if
               this
               be
               not
               at
               the
               bottom
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               For
               the
               Degree
               :
               The
               Heart
               doth
               delight
               in
               Christ
               above
               all
               other
               Things
               :
               As
               to
               the
               sensitive
               Expression
               ,
               in
               the
               lively
               stirring
               of
               Joy
               ,
               we
               may
               to
               appearance
               be
               more
               affected
               with
               outward
               Benefits
               ;
               because
               fleshly
               Objects
               do
               more
               work
               upon
               our
               fleshly
               senses
               ,
               as
               carrying
               a
               greater
               suitableness
               to
               them
               .
               Religion
               is
               a
               grave
               severe
               thing
               ,
               not
               seen
               so
               much
               in
               actual
               Transports
               ,
               as
               in
               the
               habitual
               complacency
               ,
               and
               well-pleasedness
               of
               the
               Mind
               :
               yet
               in
               sol●mn
               Duties
               ,
               th●re
               may
               be
               as
               
               great
               Ravishment
               of
               Soul
               ;
               Psalm
               .
               6.
               35.
               
               
                 My
                 Soul
                 shall
                 be
                 ravished
                 as
                 with
                 Marrow
                 and
                 Fatness
                 ;
                 and
                 my
                 Mouth
                 shall
                 praise
                 thee
                 with
                 joyful
                 Lips.
              
               When
               they
               feel
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               shed
               abroad
               in
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               they
               are
               in
               effect
               transported
               with
               it
               ,
               more
               than
               with
               all
               the
               Delicates
               and
               Banquets
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               cannot
               hold
               from
               praising
               God
               :
               But
               generally
               it
               must
               be
               measured
               by
               our
               solid
               complacency
               ,
               and
               judicious
               esteem
               :
               What
               we
               prize
               most
               ,
               and
               would
               least
               want
               ,
               and
               would
               not
               forgo
               for
               all
               other
               things
               ;
               so
               the
               Saints
               rejoice
               in
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               more
               than
               in
               any
               worldly
               Matter
               whatsoever
               .
               
                 Psalm
                 .
                 73.
                 25.
                 
                 Whom
                 have
                 I
                 in
                 Heaven
                 but
                 thee
                 ?
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 none
                 upon
                 Earth
                 that
                 I
                 desire
                 besides
                 thee
                 .
              
               Psal.
               119.
               14.
               
               
                 I
                 have
                 rejoiced
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 thy
                 Testimonies
                 ,
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 in
                 all
                 Riches
                 .
              
               Psal.
               4.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 There
                 be
                 many
                 that
                 say
                 ,
                 Who
                 will
                 shew
                 us
                 any
                 good
                 ?
                 Lord
                 lift
                 thou
                 up
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 thy
                 Countenance
                 upon
                 us
                 ;
                 That
                 hast
                 put
                 Gladness
                 in
                 my
                 Heart
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 that
                 their
                 Corn
                 and
                 their
                 Wine
                 increased
                 .
              
               Psalm
               .
               63.
               3.
               
               
                 Because
                 thy
                 loving
                 Kindness
                 is
                 better
                 than
                 Life
                 ,
                 my
                 Lips
                 shall
                 praise
                 thee
                 .
              
               This
               is
               that
               which
               they
               love
               most
               ,
               and
               keep
               best
               ,
               and
               are
               most
               loth
               to
               want
               .
               This
               is
               that
               which
               
               giveth
               a
               value
               to
               Life
               it self
               ;
               and
               without
               which
               ,
               that
               which
               is
               most
               precious
               and
               desirable
               ,
               is
               little
               or
               nothing
               worth
               ;
               and
               giveth
               them
               more
               comfort
               ,
               then
               what
               is
               most
               comfortable
               in
               this
               World
               ;
               and
               is
               the
               most
               chearful
               Employment
               for
               their
               Thoughts
               to
               think
               upon
               .
               This
               is
               delight
               in
               Christ.
               
            
             
               Q.
               Whether
               this
               may
               be
               had
               without
               Assurance
               ?
               And
               can
               those
               who
               are
               dark
               in
               their
               interest
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               know
               not
               whether
               they
               have
               any
               Grace
               or
               no
               ,
               rejoice
               in
               him
               ?
               To
               this
               I
               Answer
               ;
               Yes
               certainly
               :
               For
               there
               are
               general
               Grounds
               of
               rejoicing
               ;
               for
               the
               Gospel
               bringeth
               glad
               Tydings
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               as
               it
               offereth
               to
               them
               a
               way
               how
               to
               escape
               out
               of
               their
               misery
               ,
               and
               enter
               into
               the
               Peace
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               But
               more
               distinctly
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Scripture
               speaketh
               of
               a
               two-fold
               rejoicing
               in
               Christ
               ;
               Before
               Faith
               ,
               and
               After
               Faith.
               Before
               Faith
               is
               full
               grown
               ,
               and
               is
               but
               in
               the
               making
               ,
               as
               those
               ,
               Acts
               13.
               48.
               
               —
               
                 When
                 they
                 heard
                 this
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 glad
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               And
               he
               that
               had
               found
               the
               true
               Treasure
               ,
               for
               Joy
               thereof
               sold
               all
               that
               he
               had
               ,
               Matth.
               13.
               44.
               
               There
               was
               Joy
               before
               the
               thorow
               consent
               ,
               though
               introductive
               of
               it
               ,
               yet
               antecedent
               to
               it
               .
               
               And
               the
               reason
               is
               ,
               because
               God
               hath
               shewed
               them
               the
               way
               ,
               how
               to
               free
               themselves
               from
               Misery
               ,
               and
               to
               enjoy
               true
               Felicity
               and
               Happiness
               .
               Now
               if
               there
               may
               be
               a
               Joy
               before
               Faith
               ,
               certainly
               before
               Assurance
               .
               The
               very
               offer
               of
               a
               Remedy
               ,
               is
               comfortable
               when
               in
               misery
               .
               And
               then
               there
               is
               a
               Joy
               after
               Faith
               ;
               as
               Joy
               and
               Peace
               in
               Believing
               :
               when
               they
               take
               the
               course
               to
               get
               this
               Liberty
               and
               Deliverance
               by
               Christ
               ;
               yet
               this
               is
               Faith
               ,
               not
               Assurance
               .
               As
               a
               sick
               Man
               ,
               when
               he
               heareth
               of
               an
               able
               Physician
               ,
               who
               hath
               cured
               many
               of
               the
               same
               Disease
               wherewith
               he
               is
               oppressed
               ,
               he
               rejoiceth
               ,
               and
               conceiveth
               some
               hope
               that
               he
               may
               be
               cured
               also
               ;
               When
               he
               hath
               lighted
               upon
               this
               Physician
               ,
               and
               beginneth
               to
               make
               use
               of
               his
               Healing
               Medicines
               ,
               he
               is
               more
               glad
               ,
               and
               expecteth
               the
               Cure
               :
               But
               when
               he
               is
               perfectly
               recovered
               ,
               and
               feeleth
               it
               ,
               then
               he
               is
               glad
               indeed
               .
               So
               when
               a
               broken-hearted
               Creature
               heareth
               the
               glad
               Tidings
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               that
               Christ
               Jesus
               came
               into
               the
               World
               to
               save
               Sinners
               ;
               he
               rejoiceth
               that
               God
               hath
               found
               out
               such
               a
               Saviour
               to
               recover
               the
               lapsed
               Estate
               of
               Mankind
               :
               But
               when
               he
               submitteth
               to
               Christ's
               Healing
               Methods
               ,
               and
               trusts
               himself
               with
               his
               
               skill
               and
               fidelity
               ,
               he
               is
               more
               comforted
               ,
               and
               doth
               more
               intimately
               feel
               the
               benefit
               of
               this
               course
               in
               his
               own
               Soul
               ;
               but
               as
               he
               groweth
               more
               assured
               of
               his
               Health
               and
               Salvation
               ,
               his
               Comfort
               still
               increaseth
               ,
               and
               his
               Joy
               is
               more
               unspeakable
               and
               glorious
               :
               So
               that
               this
               Joy
               may
               be
               without
               assurance
               ,
               for
               the
               Causes
               of
               it
               at
               first
               ,
               are
               Knowledg
               and
               Faith.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               is
               a
               Joy
               that
               accompanieth
               seeking
               ,
               even
               before
               we
               attain
               what
               we
               seek
               after
               .
               Psal.
               105.
               3.
               
               
                 Let
                 the
                 Heart
                 of
                 them
                 rejoice
                 that
                 seek
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               There
               is
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               Contentment
               in
               this
               course
               ,
               though
               that
               complacential
               Joy
               ,
               which
               is
               our
               full
               Reward
               ,
               be
               yet
               reserved
               for
               us
               ;
               yet
               there
               is
               a
               Joy
               in
               seeking
               :
               Better
               be
               a
               Seeker
               ,
               than
               a
               Wanderer
               .
               This
               Blessed
               Saviour
               am
               I
               waiting
               upon
               !
               Though
               we
               have
               attained
               to
               little
               Communion
               with
               him
               ,
               yet
               't
               is
               a
               comfort
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               seeking
               farther
               measure
               :
               Delight
               and
               Joy
               keepeth
               up
               our
               endeavours
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               When
               our
               Right
               is
               cleared
               ,
               then
               we
               have
               more
               abundant
               Joy.
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               10
               ,
               11.
               
               
                 Wherefore
                 the
                 rather
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 give
                 diligence
                 to
                 make
                 your
                 Calling
                 and
                 Election
                 sure
                 ;
                 for
                 if
                 ye
                 do
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 never
                 fall
                 :
                 For
                 so
                 an
                 Entrance
                 shall
                 be
                 administred
                 to
                 
                 you
                 abundantly
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 Everlasting
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 and
                 Saviour
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               Some
               are
               afar
               off
               ,
               others
               not
               far
               from
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               :
               Others
               make
               an
               hard
               shift
               to
               go
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               through
               many
               Doubts
               and
               Fears
               ;
               some
               sail
               into
               the
               Haven
               of
               Glory
               with
               full
               Sails
               ,
               with
               much
               Joy
               and
               Peace
               of
               Soul.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               the
               Spiritual
               Profit
               of
               this
               Joy.
               
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               'T
               is
               such
               a
               Joy
               as
               doth
               enlarge
               our
               Heart
               in
               Duty
               ,
               and
               strengthens
               us
               in
               the
               way
               of
               God
               :
               Nehem.
               8.
               10.
               
               
                 The
                 Ioy
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 your
                 strength
                 .
              
               There
               is
               a
               natural
               deadness
               and
               dulness
               in
               Holy
               Duties
               ,
               which
               we
               often
               find
               in
               our selves
               ,
               which
               cometh
               to
               pass
               partly
               from
               the
               back-bias
               of
               Corruption
               ,
               weakning
               our
               Delight
               in
               God
               ;
               and
               partly
               from
               the
               remissness
               of
               our
               Will
               towards
               Spiritual
               and
               Heavenly
               Things
               :
               Now
               the
               most
               proper
               and
               kindly
               cure
               of
               it
               ,
               is
               this
               Delight
               and
               Rejoicing
               in
               Christ
               ;
               for
               a
               Man
               will
               readily
               do
               those
               things
               which
               he
               delighteth
               in
               ,
               though
               ●oilsom
               and
               difficult
               .
               Let
               the
               Heart
               be
               but
               affected
               with
               the
               Grace
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               our
               Joy
               will
               soon
               vent
               it self
               in
               a
               thankful
               and
               delightful
               Obedience
               ;
               1
               John
               5.
               3.
               
               
                 For
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 
                 keep
                 his
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Commandments
                 are
                 not
                 grievous
                 .
              
               Psalm
               .
               119.
               14.
               
               
                 I
                 have
                 rejoiced
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 thy
                 Testimonies
                 ,
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 in
                 all
                 Riches
                 .
              
               Psal.
               40.
               8.
               
               
                 I
                 delight
                 to
                 do
                 thy
                 Will
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 thy
                 Law
                 is
                 within
                 my
                 Heart
                 .
              
               The
               hardest
               Services
               are
               pleasant
               to
               one
               that
               delighteth
               in
               Christ
               ;
               they
               are
               sweetned
               by
               his
               Love
               ,
               and
               quickned
               ,
               and
               inlivened
               by
               the
               sense
               and
               esteem
               that
               we
               have
               of
               the
               Benefits
               he
               procureth
               for
               us
               .
               Shall
               we
               refuse
               to
               do
               any
               thing
               for
               such
               a
               compassionate
               Saviour
               ,
               who
               died
               for
               us
               ,
               to
               reconcile
               us
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               bring
               us
               to
               the
               everlasting
               fruition
               of
               him
               ?
               So
               that
               the
               Life
               of
               all
               Obedience
               dependeth
               on
               this
               Joy.
               
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               'T
               is
               our
               Cordial
               ,
               to
               fortify
               us
               against
               all
               the
               Calamities
               and
               Infelicities
               of
               the
               present
               World
               ,
               and
               maketh
               every
               bitter
               thing
               sweet
               to
               us
               ;
               whether
               they
               be
               the
               common
               Afflictions
               incident
               to
               Man
               ,
               or
               Persecutions
               for
               Righteousness-sake
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               For
               the
               common
               Afflictions
               :
               A
               Christian
               is
               never
               in
               a
               right
               Frame
               ,
               'till
               he
               hath
               learned
               Contentment
               in
               all
               Estates
               .
               That
               he
               doth
               not
               over-joy
               in
               worldly
               Comforts
               ,
               nor
               over-grieve
               for
               worldly
               Losses
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               3.
               
               But
               carrieth
               himself
               as
               one
               that
               is
               above
               the
               Hopes
               and
               Fears
               
               of
               the
               World
               :
               Now
               there
               are
               many
               Means
               to
               be
               used
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               get
               this
               humble
               and
               composed
               frame
               of
               Heart
               ;
               but
               the
               most
               constant
               and
               effectual
               care
               of
               worldly
               Sorrow
               ,
               is
               to
               keep
               our
               rejoycing
               in
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               satisfied
               with
               the
               Fruits
               of
               his
               Redemption
               :
               This
               ,
               like
               the
               Wood
               that
               was
               cast
               in
               at
               Marah
               ,
               to
               make
               the
               bitter
               Waters
               sweet
               ,
               doth
               sweeten
               our
               Troubles
               ,
               and
               supply
               our
               Wants
               ,
               and
               swallow
               up
               our
               Griefs
               and
               Infelicities
               ;
               for
               we
               have
               that
               in
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               better
               than
               the
               natural
               comfort
               taken
               from
               us
               :
               Hab.
               3.
               17
               ,
               18.
               
               
                 Although
                 the
                 Fig-tree
                 shall
                 not
                 blossom
                 ,
                 neither
                 shall
                 Fruit
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 Vines
                 ;
                 the
                 labour
                 of
                 the
                 Olive
                 shall
                 fail
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Fields
                 shall
                 yield
                 no
                 Meat
                 ;
                 the
                 Flock
                 shall
                 be
                 cut
                 off
                 from
                 the
                 Fold
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 no
                 Herd
                 in
                 the
                 Stalls
                 .
                 Yet
                 will
                 I
                 rejoice
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 I
                 will
                 joy
                 in
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 my
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               He
               supposeth
               not
               only
               some
               want
               ,
               but
               an
               utter
               destitution
               and
               desolation
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               yet
               his
               Heart
               was
               kept
               up
               by
               Joy
               in
               God.
               So
               elsewhere
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 12.
                 12.
                 
                 Rejoicing
                 in
                 Hope
                 ,
                 patient
                 in
                 Tribulation
                 ,
                 continuing
                 instant
                 in
                 Prayer
                 .
              
               The
               Comfort
               of
               Reconciliation
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Hopes
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               do
               most
               breed
               Patience
               in
               Afflictions
               :
               And
               
               certainly
               Joy
               is
               the
               best
               cure
               of
               Sorrow
               .
               
                 Contraria
                 contrariis
                 cura●tur
              
               .
               Now
               the
               Joy
               that
               must
               be
               opposed
               to
               worldly
               Sorrow
               ,
               is
               not
               Worldly
               ,
               but
               either
               Spiritual
               ,
               or
               Heavenly
               Joy.
               Spiritual
               in
               the
               present
               Fruits
               of
               Christ's
               Death
               ;
               
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 11.
                 
                 Now
                 no
                 chastening
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 seemeth
                 to
                 be
                 joyous
                 ,
                 but
                 grievous
                 :
                 nevertheless
                 ,
                 afterwards
                 it
                 yieldeth
                 the
                 peaceable
                 Fruit
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 unto
                 them
                 which
                 are
                 exercised
                 thereby
                 .
              
               Heavenly
               ;
               surely
               Eternal
               Joys
               will
               best
               vanquish
               Temporal
               Sorrows
               ;
               
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 2.
                 
                 Looking
                 unto
                 Iesus
                 the
                 Author
                 and
                 Finisher
                 of
                 our
                 Faith
                 ;
                 who
                 for
                 the
                 Ioy
                 that
                 was
                 set
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 endured
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 despising
                 the
                 shame
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 set
                 down
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Throne
                 of
                 God.
              
               This
               will
               enable
               us
               patiently
               and
               chearfully
               to
               bear
               all
               things
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 Persecutions
                 :
                 We
                 need
                 to
                 be
                 fortified
                 against
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 boldly
                 profess
                 our
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 fear
                 of
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 not
                 faint
                 under
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 bear
                 them
                 with
                 courage
                 and
                 constancy
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Fruit
                 of
                 this
                 rejoicing
                 in
                 Christ
                 ;
                 witness
                 these
                 Scriptures
                 ,
              
               Acts
               5.
               41.
               
               They
               went
               away
               rejoiceing
               ,
               that
               they
               were
               counted
               worthy
               to
               suffer
               shame
               for
               his
               Name
               .
               Heb.
               10.
               34.
               
               Ye
               took
               
               joyfully
               the
               spoiling
               of
               your
               Goods
               ,
               knowing
               in
               your selves
               ,
               that
               ye
               have
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               a
               better
               and
               an
               enduring
               Substance
               .
               So
               ,
               Mat.
               5.
               12.
               
               Rejoice
               ,
               and
               be
               exceeding
               glad
               ,
               for
               great
               is
               your
               Reward
               in
               Heaven
               ;
               for
               so
               persecuted
               they
               the
               Prophets
               which
               were
               before
               you
               .
               
                 And
                 in
                 many
                 other
                 places
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
              
               4.
               13.
               
               Rejoice
               ,
               in
               as
               much
               as
               ye
               are
               partakers
               of
               Christ's
               Sufferings
               ;
               that
               when
               his
               Glory
               shall
               be
               revealed
               ,
               ye
               may
               be
               glad
               also
               with
               an
               exceeding
               Ioy.
               And
               ,
               Iames
               1.
               4.
               
               Count
               it
               all
               Ioy
               ,
               when
               ye
               fall
               into
               divers
               Trials
               .
               
                 Surely
                 ,
                 Christ
                 and
                 Heaven
                 are
                 worth
                 something
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 Trials
                 do
                 in
                 part
                 shew
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 we
                 esteem
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 value
                 him
                 ,
                 above
                 any
                 Interest
                 of
                 ours
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               It
               doth
               draw
               off
               the
               Heart
               from
               the
               Delights
               of
               the
               Flesh
               :
               Not
               only
               
                 Contraria
                 contrariis
                 curantur
              
               ,
               but
               
                 similia
                 similibus
              
               .
               Carnal
               Pleasures
               put
               the
               Soul
               out
               of
               relish
               with
               better
               things
               ,
               and
               draw
               off
               the
               Heart
               from
               God.
               A
               fleshly
               Mind
               is
               easily
               blinded
               ,
               and
               inchanted
               with
               worldly
               Vanities
               .
               Therefore
               it
               concerneth
               us
               to
               check
               our
               Inclination
               to
               sense-pleasing
               and
               flesh-pleasing
               ,
               which
               is
               so
               natural
               to
               us
               .
               How
               shall
               it
               be
               cured
               ,
               but
               by
               seeking
               our
               Delight
               elsewhere
               ?
               Every
               Man
               
               must
               have
               some
               Oblation
               ,
               for
               Love
               cannot
               lie
               idle
               in
               the
               Soul
               ;
               either
               his
               Love
               is
               taken
               up
               with
               the
               Joys
               of
               Sense
               ,
               or
               the
               Joys
               of
               Faith
               ;
               with
               vain
               Pleasures
               ,
               or
               with
               chast
               and
               spiritual
               Delights
               :
               The
               one
               spoileth
               the
               taste
               of
               the
               other
               .
               A
               Spiritual
               Mind
               ,
               that
               is
               feasted
               with
               higher
               Delights
               ,
               cannot
               relish
               the
               Garlick
               ,
               and
               Onions
               ,
               and
               Flesh-pots
               of
               Egypt
               .
               Cant.
               1.
               4.
               
               
                 We
                 will
                 remember
                 thy
                 Loves
                 more
                 than
                 Wine
                 .
              
               And
               a
               brutish
               Heart
               ,
               that
               is
               wholly
               lost
               and
               sunk
               in
               these
               dreggy
               Contentments
               which
               gratify
               Sense
               ,
               valueth
               not
               the
               Favour
               of
               God
               ,
               thinketh
               it
               Canting
               to
               talk
               of
               Communion
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               the
               Joys
               of
               Hope
               to
               be
               fantastical
               Expressions
               :
               They
               love
               Pleasures
               more
               than
               God
               ,
               2
               Tim.
               3.
               4.
               
               Now
               if
               we
               would
               restrain
               and
               check
               this
               Inclination
               ,
               we
               should
               rejoice
               in
               Christ
               ,
               delight
               our
               Minds
               and
               Hearts
               in
               the
               remembrance
               of
               his
               Love
               and
               Benefits
               .
               What-ever
               Pleasure
               a
               Man
               doth
               find
               ,
               or
               imagine
               to
               find
               in
               sensual
               fleshly
               courses
               ,
               that
               and
               much
               more
               is
               to
               be
               had
               in
               Christ
               ;
               where
               we
               rejoice
               at
               a
               surer
               and
               more
               sincere
               rate
               ;
               Ephes.
               5.
               4.
               
               
                 Not
                 Iesting
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 giving
                 of
                 Thanks
                 .
              
               Carnal
               Mirth
               doth
               not
               so
               chear
               Worldlings
               ,
               as
               the
               remembrance
               of
               the
               Favours
               
               and
               Blessings
               we
               have
               by
               Christ.
               Keep
               the
               Heart
               thankful
               and
               sensible
               of
               God's
               Goodness
               ,
               and
               Christ's
               Love
               ,
               and
               you
               will
               not
               need
               vain
               Delights
               .
               So
               ,
               
                 Ephes.
                 5.
                 18.
                 
                 Be
                 not
                 drunk
                 with
                 Wine
                 wherein
                 is
                 Excess
                 ,
                 but
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               These
               are
               Motives
               and
               Marks
               also
               ,
               for
               by
               these
               three
               things
               you
               may
               know
               whether
               you
               have
               this
               Joy
               ,
               yea
               or
               no.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               Helps
               or
               Means
               by
               which
               this
               Joy
               is
               raised
               in
               us
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               A
               sense
               of
               Sin
               and
               Misery
               :
               This
               maketh
               you
               more
               sensible
               of
               the
               Mercy
               of
               the
               Deliverance
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               more
               affected
               with
               it
               :
               As
               the
               grievousness
               of
               a
               Disease
               ,
               maketh
               the
               recovery
               more
               delightful
               .
               The
               Law
               condemned
               you
               ,
               his
               Ransom
               must
               absolve
               you
               :
               Sin
               made
               you
               dead
               ,
               his
               Gra●e
               quickneth
               ,
               and
               puts
               Life
               into
               you
               .
               Always
               as
               our
               sense
               of
               Misery
               is
               ,
               so
               is
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               Recovery
               :
               if
               one
               be
               bitter
               ,
               the
               other
               is
               sweet
               .
               None
               prize
               and
               esteem
               Christ
               so
               much
               ,
               as
               the
               broken-hearted
               and
               burdened
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               An
               intire
               Con●idence
               of
               Christ
               :
               For
               so
               it
               followeth
               ,
               
                 Have
                 no
                 Confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh.
              
               If
               we
               have
               no
               Confidence
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               look
               for
               all
               from
               the
               Mercy
               and
               Bounty
               of
               God
               ,
               through
               
               Christ
               ,
               we
               shall
               prize
               him
               .
               1
               Pet.
               2.
               7.
               
               
                 Vnto
                 you
                 therefore
                 which
                 believe
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 precious
                 .
              
               Phil.
               3.
               8.
               
               
                 Yea
                 doubtless
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 count
                 all
                 things
                 but
                 loss
                 for
                 the
                 Excellency
                 of
                 the
                 Knowledg
                 of
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 my
                 Lord.
                 
              
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               A
               con●●ant
               use
               of
               the
               Means
               whereby
               this
               Joy
               may
               be
               fed
               and
               increased
               in
               us
               ;
               as
               the
               Word
               ,
               Sacraments
               ,
               and
               Prayer
               .
               The
               Word
               ;
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 102.
                 
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 departed
                 from
                 thy
                 Iudgments
                 ,
                 for
                 thou
                 hast
                 taught
                 me
                 .
              
               Then
               Prayer
               ;
               suing
               out
               of
               our
               Right
               .
               John
               11.
               24.
               
               
                 Ask
                 ,
                 and
                 ye
                 shall
                 receive
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 Ioy
                 may
                 be
                 full
                 .
              
               So
               for
               the
               Sacraments
               ;
               Baptism
               :
               Acts
               8.
               39.
               
               
                 When
                 they
                 were
                 come
                 up
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Water
                 ,
                 the
                 Spirit
                 caught
                 away
              
               Philip
               ;
               
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 Eunuch
                 saw
                 him
                 no
                 more
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 went
                 on
                 his
                 way
                 rejoicing
                 .
              
               The
               Lord's
               Supper
               ;
               it
               is
               our
               Spiritual
               Refection
               .
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               
                 Sincerity
                 of
                 Obedience
              
               :
               1
               Cor.
               5.
               8.
               
               Therefore
               let
               us
               keep
               the
               Feast
               ,
               not
               with
               old
               Leaven
               ,
               neither
               with
               the
               Leaven
               of
               Malice
               and
               Wickedness
               ;
               but
               with
               the
               unleavened
               Bread
               of
               Sincerity
               and
               Truth
               .
               
                 Practical
                 Delight
                 is
                 the
                 chiefest
                 above
                 that
                 of
                 Contemplation
                 ,
                 a
                 more
                 intimate
                 sense
                 .
              
            
             
             
               We
               come
               now
               to
               the
               last
               part
               of
               a
               Christian's
               Character
               :
               —
               
                 And
                 have
                 no
                 Confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh.
              
               To
               understand
               it
               ,
               consider
               there
               are
               two
               things
               called
               Flesh
               in
               Scripture
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               External
               Privileges
               belonging
               to
               the
               worldly
               Life
               ;
               such
               as
               Wealth
               ,
               Greatness
               ,
               and
               worldly
               Honour
               :
               Now
               to
               glory
               in
               these
               ,
               is
               to
               glory
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               and
               to
               trust
               in
               these
               ,
               is
               to
               trust
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               which
               should
               be
               far
               from
               Christians
               :
               Jer.
               9.
               23
               ,
               24.
               
               
                 Let
                 not
                 the
                 wise
                 Man
                 glory
                 in
                 his
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 mighty
                 Man
                 glory
                 in
                 his
                 Might
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 the
                 rich
                 Man
                 glory
                 in
                 his
                 Riches
                 ;
                 But
                 let
                 him
                 that
                 glorieth
                 ,
                 glory
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 knoweth
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Where
               the
               Prophet
               laboureth
               to
               beat
               them
               off
               from
               their
               vain
               Confidences
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               not
               rely
               upon
               their
               Power
               ,
               Policy
               ,
               and
               Wealth
               ;
               but
               a
               saving
               Knowledg
               of
               ,
               and
               Interest
               in
               God
               ,
               whose
               Goodness
               and
               Faithfulness
               could
               only
               secure
               them
               against
               all
               Evils
               ,
               and
               procure
               them
               all
               manner
               of
               Blessings
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               outward
               Duties
               and
               Performances
               of
               Religion
               ,
               especially
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               Moses
               :
               Those
               consisting
               in
               
               External
               Observances
               ,
               are
               called
               
                 Flesh
                 ;
                 And
                 to
                 have
                 confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
              
               is
               to
               place
               our
               Confidence
               in
               External
               Privileges
               and
               Duties
               .
               For
               the
               Apostle
               explaineth
               himself
               ,
               
                 Vers.
                 4.
                 
                 Though
                 I
                 might
                 also
                 have
                 Confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
                 :
                 if
                 any
                 other
                 Man
                 thinketh
                 he
                 may
                 have
                 confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 I
                 more
                 .
              
               He
               was
               not
               any
               whit
               inferior
               to
               any
               of
               the
               Judaizing
               Brethren
               in
               outward
               Privileges
               and
               Duties
               ;
               yea
               ,
               had
               greater
               cause
               of
               glorying
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               than
               any
               of
               the
               Pretenders
               among
               them
               .
               And
               then
               instances
               in
               his
               Jewish
               Privileges
               ,
               Circumcision
               ,
               his
               Family
               ,
               his
               Sect
               ,
               a
               Pharisee
               ;
               his
               Partial
               Obedience
               ,
               or
               External
               Righteousness
               ,
               
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 blameless
              
               .
               To
               rest
               on
               these
               things
               then
               ,
               for
               our
               Acceptance
               with
               God
               is
               ,
               
                 to
                 have
                 Confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh.
              
               And
               elsewhere
               he
               saith
               ,
               Gal.
               3.
               3.
               
               
                 Having
                 begun
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 are
                 ye
                 now
                 made
                 perfect
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh.
              
               When
               they
               reverted
               to
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Law.
               This
               is
               called
               Flesh
               ,
               because
               they
               consist
               in
               outward
               things
               :
               Corrupt
               Nature
               is
               pleased
               with
               such
               things
               ,
               and
               doth
               plead
               and
               stand
               for
               them
               .
            
             
               Doct.
               That
               a
               good
               Christian
               doth
               not
               place
               his
               Hope
               and
               Confidence
               of
               
               acceptance
               with
               God
               in
               External
               Privileges
               and
               Performances
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               first
               Character
               ,
               a
               Christian
               is
               described
               by
               his
               Worship
               ;
               in
               the
               second
               ,
               by
               his
               Joy
               ;
               in
               the
               third
               ,
               by
               his
               Confidence
               .
            
             
               In
               handling
               this
               Point
               ,
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               :
               
                 
                   1
                   st
                   ,
                   What
                   are
                   these
                   Externals
                   which
                   are
                   apt
                   to
                   tempt
                   Men
                   to
                   a
                   vain
                   Confidence
                   .
                
                 
                   2
                   dly
                   ,
                   That
                   naturally
                   Men
                   are
                   for
                   a
                   meer
                   external
                   way
                   of
                   serving
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   place
                   their
                   whole
                   Confidence
                   therein
                   .
                
                 
                   3
                   dly
                   ,
                   Why
                   a
                   good
                   Christian
                   should
                   have
                   no
                   Confidence
                   in
                   this
                   External
                   Conformity
                   to
                   God's
                   Law.
                   
                
              
            
             
               1
               st
               ,
               What
               are
               these
               Externals
               in
               Religion
               ,
               which
               are
               apt
               to
               tempt
               Men
               to
               a
               vain
               Confidence
               .
               They
               may
               be
               referred
               to
               two
               heads
               ,
               They
               are
               either
               commanded
               by
               God
               ,
               or
               invented
               by
               Man
               ▪
               God
               's
               Externals
               ,
               or
               Man's
               Externals
               .
            
             
             
               1.
               
               God's
               Externals
               :
               Such
               as
               he
               hath
               instituted
               and
               appointed
               ,
               either
               in
               the
               Law
               of
               Moses
               ,
               or
               in
               the
               Law
               of
               Christ.
               In
               the
               Law
               of
               Moses
               ;
               such
               as
               Circumcision
               ,
               with
               all
               the
               appendant
               Rites
               ;
               these
               are
               called
               ,
               
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 10.
                 
                 Carnal
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 imposed
                 on
                 them
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 Reformation
                 .
              
               These
               were
               to
               be
               observed
               ,
               while
               the
               Institution
               of
               them
               was
               in
               force
               ,
               and
               stood
               unrepealed
               ,
               which
               was
               done
               at
               the
               coming
               of
               Christ
               :
               Iohn
               4.
               23
               ,
               24.
               
               
                 The
                 hour
                 cometh
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 is
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 true
                 Worshippers
                 shall
                 worship
                 the
                 Father
                 in
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Truth
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 Father
                 seeketh
                 such
                 to
                 worship
                 him
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 worship
                 him
                 ,
                 must
                 worship
                 him
                 in
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Truth
                 .
              
               These
               made
               great
               trouble
               in
               the
               Infancy
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               for
               the
               Jews
               ,
               and
               Judaizing
               Christians
               were
               loth
               to
               depart
               from
               the
               Rituals
               under
               which
               they
               were
               bred
               and
               brought
               up
               .
               Though
               Christ
               fully
               evidenced
               his
               Commission
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               to
               repeal
               those
               Laws
               ,
               and
               his
               Apostles
               strongly
               pleaded
               the
               Ancient
               Prophecies
               which
               foretold
               it
               .
               But
               these
               are
               no
               more
               of
               concernment
               to
               us
               ,
               except
               to
               direct
               us
               how
               to
               behave
               our selves
               in
               like
               cases
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               There
               are
               Externals
               in
               the
               Law
               of
               Christ
               ;
               such
               as
               the
               Sacraments
               ,
               Baptism
               ,
               and
               the
               Lord's
               Supper
               ;
               Hearing
               of
               the
               Word
               ,
               External
               Prayer
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               .
               Now
               the
               Rule
               is
               ,
               that
               they
               must
               be
               used
               ,
               but
               the
               outward
               Act
               not
               rested
               in
               ,
               as
               a
               sufficient
               ground
               of
               our
               Acceptance
               with
               God
               ;
               used
               they
               must
               be
               in
               Faith
               and
               Obedience
               ,
               because
               God
               hath
               justified
               them
               under
               great
               Penalties
               :
               As
               Circumcision
               ,
               while
               the
               Command
               was
               in
               force
               ;
               
                 Gen.
                 17.
                 14.
                 
                 The
                 Man-child
                 ,
                 whose
                 Flesh
                 is
                 not
                 circumcised
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 cut
                 off
                 from
                 his
                 People
                 ;
                 He
                 hath
                 broken
                 my
                 Covenant
                 .
              
               So
               Baptism
               ;
               
                 Mark
                 16.
                 16.
                 
                 He
                 that
                 believeth
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 baptized
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 not
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 damned
                 .
              
               Not
               want
               ,
               but
               neglect
               or
               contempt
               .
               Therefore
               all
               these
               Duties
               must
               be
               used
               as
               Means
               of
               Salvation
               ,
               and
               as
               Expressions
               of
               the
               inward
               Truth
               of
               our
               Faith
               in
               God
               ,
               and
               Obedience
               to
               him
               ;
               (
               we
               must
               not
               cast
               off
               Ordinances
               )
               but
               yet
               they
               must
               not
               be
               rested
               in
               ,
               as
               sufficient
               Grounds
               of
               our
               Acceptance
               with
               God.
               While
               Circumcision
               was
               in
               force
               ,
               they
               relied
               on
               it
               ,
               as
               it
               distinguished
               them
               from
               other
               Nations
               ,
               as
               the
               genuine
               Seed
               of
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               so
               reckoned
               to
               be
               within
               the
               Covenant
               .
               
               But
               the
               Servants
               of
               God
               did
               always
               disprove
               this
               vain
               Confidence
               ;
               Rom.
               2.
               28
               ,
               29.
               
               
                 He
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 Iew
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 one
                 outwardly
                 ,
                 neither
                 is
                 that
                 Circumcision
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 outward
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
                 :
                 but
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 Iew
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 one
                 inwardly
                 ;
                 and
                 Circumcision
                 is
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Heart
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Letter
                 ,
                 whose
                 praise
                 is
                 not
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 God.
              
               They
               rejoiced
               in
               a
               shadow
               ,
               when
               they
               wanted
               the
               thing
               signified
               ;
               if
               there
               were
               no
               mortification
               of
               Sin
               ,
               or
               putting
               off
               the
               Body
               of
               the
               Sins
               of
               the
               Flesh.
               But
               not
               only
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               but
               the
               Prophet
               long
               before
               disproveth
               their
               vain
               Confidence
               .
               Jer.
               9.
               25
               ,
               26.
               
               
                 Behold
                 ,
                 the
                 days
                 come
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 will
                 punish
                 them
                 which
                 are
                 circumcised
                 with
                 the
                 uncircumcised
                 ,
              
               Egypt
               and
               Edom
               ,
               
                 with
                 the
                 Children
                 of
              
               Ammon
               and
               Moab
               ,
               
                 are
                 uncircumcised
                 in
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 House
                 of
              
               Israel
               
                 is
                 uncircumcised
                 in
                 Heart
              
               .
               God
               would
               proceed
               against
               wicked
               Persons
               and
               People
               ,
               circumcised
               as
               well
               as
               uncircumcised
               .
               Were
               those
               things
               spoken
               to
               them
               only
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               us
               also
               ?
               Surely
               all
               may
               learn
               from
               hence
               ,
               that
               by
               a
               bare
               submission
               to
               outward
               Rites
               ,
               we
               are
               not
               approved
               of
               God
               ,
               without
               minding
               the
               true
               Reformation
               of
               Heart
               and
               Life
               ,
               and
               expecting
               the
               Pardon
               of
               our
               
               Sins
               by
               Jesus
               Christ.
               You
               are
               baptized
               ;
               but
               are
               you
               washed
               from
               your
               Sins
               ?
               You
               hear
               the
               Word
               ;
               but
               is
               it
               the
               Power
               of
               God
               to
               your
               Salvation
               ?
               You
               frequent
               Sacraments
               ;
               but
               is
               the
               Conscience
               of
               the
               Bond
               of
               the
               Holy
               Oath
               ,
               into
               which
               you
               are
               entred
               ,
               upon
               your
               Hearts
               ?
               There
               is
               more
               required
               in
               Christianity
               ,
               than
               outward
               Profession
               ,
               whether
               in
               Word
               or
               Deed
               ;
               Namely
               ,
               the
               Conscience
               of
               your
               Dedication
               to
               God
               ;
               or
               else
               the
               Work
               doth
               not
               go
               deep
               enough
               :
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 13.
                 3.
                 
                 Though
                 I
                 bestow
                 all
                 my
                 Goods
                 to
                 feed
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 and
                 though
                 I
                 give
                 my
                 Body
                 to
                 be
                 burned
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 not
                 Charity
                 ,
                 it
                 profiteth
                 me
                 nothing
                 .
              
               You
               content
               your selves
               with
               your
               Tale
               ,
               and
               number
               of
               Duties
               ,
               praying
               Morning
               and
               Evening
               ,
               and
               reading
               so
               many
               Chapters
               :
               But
               where
               is
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               the
               Fruit
               of
               all
               that
               you
               do
               ?
               They
               that
               are
               given
               to
               Fasting
               ,
               think
               themselves
               very
               devout
               ,
               if
               they
               fast
               often
               ,
               be
               their
               Hearts
               never
               so
               full
               of
               rancour
               .
               Many
               huddle
               over
               many
               Prayers
               ,
               but
               they
               do
               not
               go
               from
               their
               Heavenly
               Father
               ,
               with
               an
               Heavenly
               Mind
               :
               They
               give
               Alms
               ,
               but
               live
               loosly
               :
               As
               Michal
               laid
               a
               Statue
               in
               
               David's
               Bed
               ,
               and
               covering
               it
               with
               
               David's
               Apparel
               ,
               made
               
               Saul's
               Messengers
               
               believe
               it
               was
               David
               himself
               sick
               in
               Bed
               :
               So
               many
               Persons
               cover
               themselves
               with
               certain
               External
               Actions
               belonging
               to
               Religion
               ,
               and
               the
               World
               believeth
               them
               truly
               sanctified
               and
               spiritual
               ,
               whenas
               indeed
               they
               are
               but
               Statues
               and
               Apparitions
               of
               Devotion
               to
               God.
               But
               this
               is
               but
               a
               vain
               shew
               ,
               a
               placing
               the
               Means
               ,
               instead
               of
               the
               End
               ;
               the
               Subordinate
               instead
               of
               the
               Ultimate
               End.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Man's
               Externals
               :
               Invented
               by
               themselves
               ,
               by
               Laws
               of
               their
               own
               ,
               and
               outward
               Observances
               of
               their
               own
               devising
               :
               Men's
               whole
               Religion
               running
               out
               into
               Externals
               ,
               they
               are
               not
               contented
               with
               the
               Forms
               of
               Worship
               instituted
               by
               God
               ,
               but
               add
               somewhat
               of
               their
               own
               ,
               and
               love
               to
               bind
               themselves
               in
               Chains
               of
               their
               own
               making
               :
               As
               the
               Jews
               not
               being
               perfect
               as
               appertaining
               to
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               by
               the
               use
               of
               the
               Instituted
               Ceremonies
               of
               Moses
               ,
               invented
               other
               things
               to
               make
               them
               more
               perfect
               .
            
             
               Now
               as
               to
               this
               ,
               I
               shall
               only
               observe
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               That
               as
               the
               out-side
               of
               Worship
               is
               most
               minded
               by
               a
               Carnal
               Christian
               ,
               so
               the
               in-side
               by
               a
               renewed
               Christian
               :
               
                 Mat.
                 15.
                 8.
                 
                 This
                 People
                 draweth
                 nigh
                 to
                 me
                 with
                 their
                 Mouth
                 ,
                 and
                 honoureth
                 me
                 with
                 their
                 
                 Lips
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 Heart
                 is
                 far
                 from
                 me
                 .
              
               Their
               Hearts
               are
               averse
               from
               God
               :
               The
               Carnal
               Christian
               is
               all
               for
               uncovering
               the
               Head
               ,
               and
               bowing
               the
               Knee
               ,
               but
               taketh
               no
               care
               of
               the
               Heart
               ;
               Isa.
               58.
               5.
               
               
                 Is
                 it
                 such
                 a
                 Fast
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 chosen
                 ?
                 A
                 day
                 for
                 a
                 Man
                 to
                 afflict
                 his
                 Soul
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 to
                 bow
                 down
                 his
                 Head
                 as
                 a
                 Bulrush
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 spread
                 Sack-cloth
                 and
                 Ashes
                 under
                 him
                 ?
                 wilt
                 thou
                 call
                 this
                 a
                 Fast
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 acceptable
                 day
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
              
               The
               Pharisees
               were
               zealous
               for
               washing
               before
               Meat
               ,
               as
               if
               it
               were
               an
               holy
               religious
               Act
               ,
               because
               it
               was
               one
               of
               their
               own
               Traditions
               ,
               Mat.
               15.
               2.
               
               But
               took
               no
               notice
               of
               inward
               Defilement
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               They
               are
               more
               zealous
               for
               Humane
               Inventions
               ,
               than
               Moral
               ,
               and
               commanded
               Duties
               ,
               Mat.
               15.
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               For
               the
               Rudiments
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               calleth
               them
               ,
               Col.
               2.
               10.
               than
               the
               unquestionable
               Ordinances
               of
               Christ.
               For
               a
               worldly
               Religion
               must
               be
               supported
               by
               worldly
               Means
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               I
               observe
               ,
               That
               the
               more
               external
               Pomp
               there
               is
               of
               Man's
               devising
               ,
               the
               less
               spiritual
               Truth
               ;
               for
               it
               gratifieth
               the
               natural
               Corruption
               ,
               which
               is
               all
               for
               the
               out-side
               :
               Some
               few
               Externals
               ,
               God
               intended
               for
               an
               Help
               ,
               but
               when
               Men
               will
               
               be
               adding
               ,
               they
               become
               a
               Burden
               and
               an
               Impediment
               .
               God
               did
               not
               abrogate
               his
               own
               Ceremonies
               ,
               for
               Men
               to
               appoint
               theirs
               .
            
             
               2
               dly
               .
               That
               naturally
               Men
               are
               meerly
               for
               an
               external
               way
               of
               serving
               God
               ,
               and
               place
               their
               Confidence
               therein
               .
            
             
               Here
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               ;
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   That
                   their
                   Hearts
                   are
                   set
                   upon
                   External
                   Worship
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   That
                   therein
                   they
                   place
                   all
                   their
                   Confidence
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               That
               naturally
               Mens
               Hearts
               are
               chiefly
               set
               upon
               External
               Services
               .
            
             
               And
               that
               (
               1.
               )
               out
               of
               laziness
               ;
               Externals
               being
               more
               easy
               than
               worshipping
               God
               in
               the
               Spirit
               .
               Matth.
               23.
               23.
               
               They
               tithe
               Mint
               ,
               and
               Annise
               ,
               and
               
                 Cummin
                 ,
                 but
                 omit
                 the
                 weightier
                 things
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 Iudgment
                 ,
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Faith.
              
               Conscience
               is
               like
               the
               Stomach
               ,
               which
               naturally
               desireth
               to
               fill
               it self
               ;
               and
               when
               it
               cannot
               digest
               solid
               Food
               ,
               filleth
               it self
               only
               with
               Wind.
               So
               here
               ,
               outward
               things
               are
               more
               easy
               ;
               but
               mortifying
               Sin
               ,
               and
               solid
               Godliness
               ,
               is
               more
               difficult
               ;
               this
               the
               natural
               Man
               cannot
               digest
               ,
               and
               therefore
               culleth
               out
               the
               easier
               
               and
               cheaper
               sort
               of
               Religion
               ,
               which
               puts
               him
               to
               no
               great
               trouble
               or
               self-denial
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               Out
               of
               their
               Indulgence
               to
               the
               Flesh
               :
               A
               Man
               can
               spare
               any
               thing
               better
               than
               his
               Lusts
               :
               His
               Estate
               ,
               the
               present
               ●ase
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               their
               Children
               ,
               any
               thing
               for
               the
               Sin
               of
               their
               Souls
               ,
               Micah
               6.
               6
               ,
               7
               ,
               8.
               
               The
               Question
               is
               not
               how
               to
               satisfy
               Justice
               ,
               but
               how
               to
               appease
               Conscience
               ,
               while
               they
               retain
               their
               Sins
               .
               They
               would
               buy
               out
               their
               Peace
               with
               vast
               Sums
               of
               Mony
               ,
               mangle
               their
               Flesh
               ,
               like
               the
               Priests
               of
               Baal
               ,
               to
               spare
               the
               Sin
               of
               their
               Souls
               ;
               do
               any
               thing
               ,
               endure
               any
               thing
               ,
               but
               the
               subd●ing
               the
               Heart
               to
               God
               :
               The
               sensual
               Nature
               of
               Man
               is
               such
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               loth
               to
               be
               crossed
               ;
               if
               he
               must
               be
               crossed
               ,
               only
               a
               little
               ,
               and
               but
               for
               a
               while
               ;
               and
               therefore
               affects
               an
               easy
               Religion
               ,
               where
               the
               Flesh
               is
               not
               crossed
               ,
               or
               but
               a
               little
               crossed
               .
               Now
               ,
               ●light
               Duties
               performed
               now
               and
               then
               ,
               do
               not
               much
               trouble
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               where
               there
               is
               no
               mortifying
               of
               Lus●s
               ,
               no
               〈◊〉
               Godliness
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               Out
               of
               Pride
               :
               Man
               is
               a
               proud
               Creature
               ,
               and
               would
               fain
               establish
               his
               own
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               have
               somewhat
               wherein
               to
               glory
               in
               himself
               ,
               Rom.
               10.
               3.
               
               A
               R●●●et
               Coat
               of
               our
               own
               ,
               is
               better
               than
               
               a
               silken
               Garment
               that
               is
               borrowed
               of
               another
               :
               Luke
               18.
               9.
               
               
                 Christ
                 spake
                 this
                 Parable
                 against
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 trusted
                 in
                 〈◊〉
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 Righteous
                 .
              
               There
               is
               such
               a
               disposition
               in
               Men
               ,
               that
               if
               by
               any
               means
               they
               can
               hold
               up
               a
               pretence
               of
               Righteousness
               of
               their
               own
               ,
               will
               not
               pray
               ,
               and
               wait
               ,
               and
               consecrate
               ,
               and
               devote
               themselves
               to
               God
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               attain
               his
               Righteousness
               ;
               if
               they
               have
               any
               thing
               to
               plead
               ,
               if
               they
               have
               a
               partial
               Righteousness
               ,
               if
               they
               be
               not
               to
               be
               numbred
               among
               the
               worst
               of
               men
               .
               Luke
               18.
               11.
               
               
                 The
                 Pharisee
                 stood
                 and
                 prayed
                 thus
                 with
                 himself
                 ,
                 God
                 I
                 thank
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 as
                 other
                 Men
                 are
                 ,
                 Extortioners
                 ,
                 Vnjust
                 ,
                 Adulterers
                 ,
                 or
                 even
                 as
                 this
                 Publican
                 .
              
               If
               they
               have
               an
               External
               Righteousness
               ,
               they
               will
               plead
               that
               ;
               
                 I
                 fast
                 twice
                 in
                 the
                 Week
                 ,
                 I
                 give
                 tithe
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 I
                 possess
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               A
               legal
               Spirit
               is
               natural
               to
               us
               :
               Though
               Men
               dare
               not
               pretend
               to
               an
               universal
               Conformity
               to
               the
               Law
               in
               a
               strict
               sense
               ;
               yet
               if
               they
               can
               make
               a
               shift
               to
               get
               any
               external
               Conformity
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               they
               are
               confident
               of
               Divine
               Acceptance
               :
               Yea
               ,
               so
               sot●ish
               is
               their
               Conscience
               ,
               that
               they
               will
               catch
               hold
               of
               any
               thing
               .
               Judg.
               17.
               13.
               
               
                 Now
                 I
                 know
                 God
                 will
                 bless
                 me
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 have
                 a
                 Levite
                 to
                 my
                 Priest
                 ,
              
               
               giving
               him
               Meat
               and
               Drink
               ,
               and
               about
               fifty
               Shillings
               
                 per
                 Annum
              
               .
               So
               willing
               are
               we
               to
               justify
               our selves
               ,
               by
               something
               in
               our selves
               ,
               or
               done
               by
               our selves
               :
               Therefore
               that
               the
               Ell
               may
               be
               no
               broader
               than
               the
               Cloth
               ,
               they
               devise
               a
               short
               Exposition
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               entertain
               a
               large
               Opinion
               of
               their
               own
               Righteousness
               .
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               There
               is
               another
               Reason
               ;
               Interest
               .
               External
               Forms
               of
               Religion
               ,
               draw
               an
               Interest
               after
               them
               :
               Therefore
               the
               Apostle
               saith
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 29.
                 
                 Whose
                 praise
                 is
                 not
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 God.
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Gal.
                 1.
                 10.
                 
                 If
                 I
                 yet
                 please
                 Men
                 ,
                 I
                 were
                 not
                 the
                 Servant
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               And
               
                 Rudiments
                 of
                 the
                 World
              
               ,
               Col.
               2.
               10.
               
               It
               maketh
               a
               Man
               to
               be
               applauded
               and
               countenanced
               by
               the
               World.
               Let
               a
               Man
               betake
               himself
               to
               such
               a
               Religion
               ,
               there
               are
               these
               which
               will
               back
               him
               ,
               and
               stand
               by
               him
               ;
               and
               their
               disfavour
               and
               displeasure
               he
               shall
               incur
               i●
               he
               forsake
               it
               :
               And
               where
               the
               false
               Worshippers
               are
               the
               prevailing
               Party
               ,
               he
               runneth
               great
               hazard
               ,
               by
               contradicting
               such
               Form
               and
               Opinions
               .
               Therefore
               the
               Heart
               of
               that
               Man
               that
               is
               set
               on
               Externals
               ,
               takes
               up
               with
               the
               Religion
               of
               his
               Country
               ,
               whether
               true
               or
               false
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               They
               place
               their
               Confidence
               therein
               .
               Every
               Man
               that
               hath
               a
               Conscience
               ,
               must
               have
               something
               to
               trust
               unto
               :
               Now
               what
               feedeth
               his
               Confidence
               ,
               but
               the
               Religion
               which
               he
               hath
               chosen
               ?
               There
               are
               two
               things
               which
               detain
               Men
               from
               God
               and
               Christ
               :
               Some
               false
               Imaginary
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               some
               Counterfeit
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               wherein
               they
               please
               themselves
               .
               The
               False
               Happiness
               is
               as
               their
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Counterfeit
               Righteousness
               is
               as
               their
               Christ
               and
               Mediator
               ;
               and
               so
               they
               are
               secure
               and
               sensless
               ;
               and
               'till
               God
               open
               their
               Eyes
               ,
               they
               neither
               seek
               after
               another
               Righteousness
               ,
               nor
               trouble
               themselves
               about
               the
               way
               whereby
               they
               may
               attain
               it
               .
               That
               Men
               set
               a
               false
               Happiness
               ,
               is
               evident
               ;
               for
               ever
               since
               Man
               fell
               from
               God
               ,
               he
               ran
               to
               the
               Creature
               ;
               Ier.
               2.
               13.
               
               Left
               the
               Fountain
               for
               the
               Cistern
               :
               And
               if
               we
               can
               make
               a
               shift
               to
               patch
               up
               a
               sorry
               Happiness
               apart
               from
               God
               ,
               we
               never
               care
               for
               him
               ,
               nor
               will
               not
               come
               at
               him
               ,
               Ier.
               2.
               31.
               
               Our
               Pleasure
               ,
               our
               Profit
               ,
               our
               Honour
               ,
               that
               is
               our
               God
               :
               And
               if
               we
               can
               enjoy
               these
               things
               without
               any
               rubs
               ,
               and
               checks
               ,
               we
               look
               no
               farther
               ,
               and
               will
               not
               seek
               our
               Happiness
               in
               an
               invisible
               God
               ,
               nor
               wait
               to
               injoy
               it
               in
               an
               invisible
               World.
               But
               the
               
               second
               Error
               is
               ,
               That
               there
               is
               something
               instead
               of
               Christ
               to
               us
               ,
               to
               keep
               the
               Conscience
               quiet
               .
               Our
               Happiness
               is
               to
               satisfy
               our
               D●sires
               ,
               our
               Righteousness
               to
               allay
               our
               Fears
               .
               Now
               here
               we
               run
               to
               a
               〈◊〉
               Religion
               ,
               or
               something
               External
               ,
               which
               is
               diversified
               according
               to
               〈…〉
               :
               Pagans
               to
               the
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               〈◊〉
               2.
               15.
               
               Jews
               ,
               to
               the
               Observances
               of
               the
               Law
               :
               Christians
               ,
               to
               Baptism
               ,
               outward
               〈◊〉
               ,
               or
               some
               strict
               Form
               without
               the
               Power
               ,
               under
               which
               we
               shelter
               our
               〈◊〉
               ,
               and
               by
               which
               we
               bolster
               up
               our
               Confidence
               ,
               till
               God
               convince
               us
               of
               our
               〈◊〉
               :
               And
               so
               Christ
               ,
               and
               his
               renewing
               and
               reconciling
               Grace
               is
               neglected
               〈…〉
               ;
               certainly
               not
               cordially
               accepted
               ,
               as
               our
               Rede●mer
               and
               Saviour
               .
            
             
               I
               come
               now
               to
               shew
               ,
            
             
               3
               dly
               ,
               Why
               a
               good
               Christian
               should
               have
               no
               Confidence
               in
               the
               Flesh.
               
            
             
               1
               Because
               till
               we
               are
               dead
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               we
               cannot
               live
               to
               God
               :
               Now
               to
               be
               dead
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               is
               nothing
               else
               but
               to
               have
               our
               Confidence
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               or
               External
               〈◊〉
               ,
               mortified
               .
               You
               hear
               often
               of
               〈◊〉
               dead
               to
               Sin
               ,
               and
               dead
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               you
               must
               be
               also
               dead
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               
               or
               otherwise
               you
               cannot
               〈◊〉
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               bring
               forth
               Fruit
               unto
               God
               :
               
                 Gal.
                 2.
                 19.
                 
                 For
                 I
                 through
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 am
                 dead
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 live
                 unto
                 God.
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 4.
                 
                 By
                 the
                 Body
                 of
                 Christ
                 ye
                 are
                 become
                 dead
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 may
                 be
                 married
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 him
                 who
                 is
                 raised
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 .
              
               We
               grow
               dead
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               when
               thereby
               we
               understand
               our
               sinful
               miserable
               Estate
               without
               Christ
               ,
               and
               how
               unable
               we
               are
               to
               help
               our selves
               :
               By
               the
               convincing
               Power
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               we
               know
               our
               Sins
               ;
               by
               the
               condemning
               Power
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               we
               know
               the
               misery
               and
               curse
               we
               are
               subject
               unto
               ;
               by
               the
               irritating
               Power
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               we
               find
               that
               the
               Righteousness
               which
               the
               Law
               requireth
               is
               not
               in
               us
               ,
               nor
               can
               it
               be
               found
               in
               us
               .
               Now
               in
               one
               of
               those
               places
               ,
               we
               are
               said
               by
               the
               Law
               ,
               to
               be
               dead
               to
               the
               Law
               ;
               and
               in
               the
               other
               ,
               by
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ.
               By
               the
               Law
               it self
               ,
               we
               are
               said
               to
               be
               dead
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               as
               it
               maketh
               us
               to
               despair
               of
               Righteousness
               by
               that
               Covenant
               :
               By
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               by
               the
               crucified
               Body
               ,
               or
               Death
               of
               Christ
               )
               ;
               so
               we
               are
               dead
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               invited
               to
               a
               better
               Hope
               ,
               or
               Covenant
               ,
               which
               Christ
               hath
               established
               by
               bearing
               our
               Sins
               on
               his
               Body
               
               on
               the
               Tree
               ,
               or
               enduring
               the
               Curse
               of
               the
               Law
               for
               us
               :
               Be
               it
               by
               the
               one
               ,
               or
               the
               other
               ,
               or
               both
               ;
               none
               will
               value
               the
               Grace
               of
               Christ
               till
               they
               be
               dead
               to
               the
               Law.
               Men
               will
               shift
               ,
               as
               long
               as
               they
               can
               patch
               up
               a
               sorry
               Righteousness
               of
               their
               own
               ,
               mingle
               Covenants
               ,
               turn
               one
               into
               another
               ,
               make
               one
               of
               both
               ,
               chop
               ,
               change
               ,
               mangle
               ,
               and
               cut
               short
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               ;
               do
               any
               thing
               ,
               rather
               than
               come
               upon
               their
               Knees
               ,
               and
               beg
               Terms
               of
               Grace
               in
               a
               serious
               and
               broken-hearted
               manner
               .
               None
               can
               partake
               of
               Christ
               ,
               but
               those
               that
               have
               their
               legal
               Confidence
               mortified
               ;
               who
               are
               first
               driven
               ,
               then
               drawn
               to
               him
               .
               None
               but
               they
               who
               are
               convinced
               of
               Sin
               ,
               ●ly
               to
               Christ
               for
               Righteousness
               ;
               none
               but
               they
               who
               are
               left
               obnoxious
               to
               Wrath
               ,
               and
               the
               Curse
               ,
               prize
               his
               delivering
               us
               from
               Wrath
               to
               come
               ;
               none
               but
               those
               who
               are
               made
               sensible
               of
               their
               impotency
               ,
               will
               seek
               after
               his
               Renewing
               Grace
               :
               But
               will
               still
               keep
               to
               their
               base
               shifts
               ,
               mingling
               and
               blending
               Covenants
               ;
               resting
               in
               a
               little
               Superficial
               Righteousness
               ,
               or
               half-Covenant
               of
               Works
               ,
               or
               mingling
               a
               little
               Grace
               with
               it
               ;
               are
               not
               brought
               in
               an
               humble
               ,
               penitent
               ,
               and
               broken-hearted
               manner
               ,
               to
               sue
               out
               their
               Pardon
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               
               Christ
               ;
               and
               so
               regularly
               to
               pass
               from
               Covenant
               to
               Covenant
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Superficial
               Righteousness
               doth
               not
               only
               keep
               Men
               from
               Christ
               ,
               but
               set
               them
               against
               Christ
               ,
               his
               Way
               ,
               his
               Servants
               ,
               and
               true
               Interest
               in
               the
               World
               :
               These
               were
               Dogs
               ,
               evil
               Workers
               ,
               to
               whom
               the
               Apostle
               opposeth
               the
               true
               Christians
               ;
               usually
               they
               that
               are
               for
               the
               Form
               ,
               oppose
               the
               Power
               .
               Gal.
               4.
               29.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 was
                 born
                 after
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 persecuted
                 him
                 that
                 was
                 born
                 after
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               They
               that
               have
               but
               the
               Form
               and
               Shadow
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               no
               more
               than
               the
               Power
               of
               Nature
               carrieth
               them
               unto
               ,
               will
               persecute
               those
               that
               have
               the
               Reality
               and
               Truth
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               renewing
               and
               reconciling
               Grace
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               :
               partly
               ,
               because
               the
               true
               Spiritual
               Worshippers
               ,
               by
               their
               serious
               Godliness
               ,
               disgrace
               and
               condemn
               those
               that
               lazily
               rest
               in
               an
               empty
               Form
               ;
               and
               therefore
               they
               cannot
               endure
               them
               .
               At
               the
               bottom
               of
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               they
               have
               an
               enmity
               and
               hatred
               against
               God
               ,
               and
               vent
               it
               on
               his
               People
               .
               1
               John
               3.
               12.
               
               
                 Not
                 as
              
               Cain
               ,
               
                 who
                 was
                 of
                 that
                 wicked
                 One
                 ,
                 and
                 slew
                 his
                 Brother
                 :
                 And
                 wherefore
                 slew
                 he
                 him
                 ?
                 Because
                 his
                 own
                 Works
                 were
                 Evil
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Brother
                 's
                 Righteous
                 .
              
               Partly
               ,
               Because
               there
               is
               in
               them
               a
               
               Spirit
               of
               Envy
               and
               Emulation
               :
               Both
               are
               Rivals
               for
               the
               Favour
               of
               God
               :
               The
               Spiritual
               Worshippers
               take
               the
               right
               way
               ,
               and
               the
               Formalists
               the
               wrong
               way
               to
               obtain
               it
               :
               The
               first
               are
               received
               ,
               the
               latter
               rejected
               :
               And
               they
               being
               at
               such
               great
               pains
               and
               costs
               in
               their
               wrong
               way
               ,
               cannot
               endure
               that
               any
               should
               be
               preferred
               before
               them
               ;
               witness
               Cain
               and
               Abel
               .
               Where
               carnal
               Confidence
               is
               ,
               there
               is
               bitterness
               of
               Spirit
               against
               sincerity
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Because
               they
               have
               so
               much
               to
               do
               with
               God
               :
               They
               that
               look
               to
               Men
               ,
               may
               rest
               in
               an
               outward
               appearance
               ;
               but
               one
               whose
               Business
               lieth
               mainly
               with
               God
               ,
               must
               look
               to
               the
               frame
               of
               his
               Heart
               ,
               that
               it
               be
               right
               set
               towards
               Holiness
               .
               Now
               this
               is
               the
               course
               of
               a
               thorow
               Christian
               :
               'T
               is
               God's
               Wrath
               that
               he
               feareth
               ,
               God's
               Favour
               ,
               that
               is
               his
               Life
               and
               Happiness
               ;
               God's
               Presence
               ,
               into
               which
               he
               often
               cometh
               ;
               God's
               Mercy
               ,
               from
               whom
               he
               expecteth
               his
               Reward
               ,
               and
               with
               God
               he
               hopeth
               to
               live
               for
               ever
               .
               Now
               bare
               Externals
               ar●
               of
               no
               account
               or
               worth
               with
               God.
               John
               4.
               24.
               
               
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 worship
                 him
                 ,
                 must
                 worship
                 him
                 in
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Truth
                 .
              
               1
               Sam.
               16.
               7.
               
               
                 But
                 the
                 Lord
                 said
                 unto
              
               Samuel
               ,
               
                 Look
                 not
                 on
                 
                 his
                 Counten●nce
                 ,
                 or
                 on
                 the
                 heighth
                 of
                 his
                 Stature
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 have
                 refused
                 him
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 seeth
                 not
                 as
                 Man
                 seeth
                 ,
                 for
                 Man
                 looketh
                 on
                 the
                 outward
                 Appearance
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 looketh
                 on
                 the
                 Heart
                 .
              
               Prov.
               16.
               2.
               
               
                 All
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 a
                 Man
                 are
                 clean
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Lord
                 weigheth
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               Men
               judg
               after
               the
               outward
               Appearance
               ,
               but
               God
               weigheth
               the
               Spirits
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Because
               of
               the
               Nature
               of
               Gospel-Worship
               ;
               which
               is
               simple
               ,
               spiritual
               ,
               and
               substantial
               ;
               therefore
               called
               Spirit
               often
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Law
               ;
               and
               the
               ministration
               of
               the
               Spirit
               unto
               Life
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               3.
               8.
               
               The
               Law
               is
               called
               Letter
               ,
               and
               the
               Gospel
               Spirit
               .
               Now
               for
               a
               Christian
               to
               turn
               the
               Ordinances
               of
               Christ
               into
               Flesh
               ,
               which
               were
               appointed
               to
               be
               the
               Ministration
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               this
               is
               to
               alter
               the
               nature
               of
               Things
               ,
               and
               turn
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               by
               which
               is
               all
               our
               Claim
               and
               Hope
               ,
               into
               a
               dead
               Letter
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               This
               Confidence
               should
               not
               be
               cherished
               by
               a
               Christian
               ,
               because
               it
               can
               bring
               no
               solid
               Peace
               to
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               for
               the
               present
               External
               Justificiaries
               are
               uncertain
               ;
               the
               Man
               that
               kept
               all
               these
               things
               from
               his
               youth
               ,
               saith
               ,
               
                 What
                 lack
                 I
                 yet
                 ?
                 Mat.
              
               19.
               20.
               
               He
               asketh
               as
               a
               Man
               unsatisfied
               ;
               
               for
               our
               Bondage
               doth
               not
               wear
               off
               with
               External
               Duties
               ,
               but
               is
               increased
               rather
               till
               we
               are
               justified
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               sanctified
               by
               his
               Spirit
               .
               But
               suppose
               it
               satisfieth
               blind
               Conscience
               for
               the
               present
               ,
               yet
               afterwards
               ,
               Men
               whose
               Hearts
               are
               not
               sound
               in
               God's
               Statutes
               ,
               fall
               into
               sad
               Complaints
               ,
               and
               are
               involved
               in
               a
               Maze
               and
               Labyrinth
               of
               Doubts
               and
               Troubles
               ,
               whence
               they
               know
               not
               how
               to
               extricate
               themselves
               :
               They
               have
               so
               much
               sense
               of
               Religion
               ,
               as
               ▪
               to
               understand
               their
               Duty
               ,
               and
               yet
               are
               so
               little
               brought
               under
               the
               Power
               of
               it
               ,
               as
               not
               to
               be
               able
               to
               make
               out
               their
               claim
               .
               But
               if
               this
               be
               not
               the
               case
               of
               all
               ;
               when
               the
               hour
               of
               death
               cometh
               ,
               we
               shall
               find
               all
               is
               but
               froth
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               5.
               56.
               
               If
               we
               have
               not
               minded
               the
               Redeemer's
               Grace
               ,
               his
               whole
               Grace
               ,
               the
               Imputation
               of
               his
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               the
               Regeneration
               of
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               lived
               in
               obedience
               to
               his
               sanctifying
               Motions
               ;
               Then
               we
               shall
               be
               filled
               with
               horror
               and
               amazement
               .
            
             
               The
               ,
               1.
               
               Use
               is
               Caution
               :
               Take
               heed
               of
               having
               Confidence
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               of
               placing
               Religion
               ,
               and
               valuing
               your
               Interest
               in
               God
               by
               External
               Observances
               ;
               but
               look
               
               to
               this
               ,
               That
               your
               Hearts
               be
               upright
               with
               God
               in
               the
               New
               Covenant
               .
               To
               this
               end
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Take
               heed
               of
               a
               false
               Happiness
               ;
               The
               Wisdom
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               which
               is
               natural
               to
               us
               ,
               doth
               incline
               us
               to
               it
               ,
               Iames
               3.
               15.
               doth
               only
               prompt
               us
               to
               Pleasure
               ,
               Profit
               ,
               and
               Honour
               :
               We
               set
               our
               Hearts
               on
               vain
               Delights
               ,
               and
               are
               wholly
               carried
               to
               them
               ,
               value
               our
               Happiness
               by
               them
               :
               Whilst
               we
               indulge
               this
               sensual
               Inclination
               ,
               the
               Soul
               careth
               not
               for
               God
               ,
               other
               things
               are
               set
               up
               instead
               of
               God.
               The
               Belly
               is
               God
               ,
               
                 Phil.
                 3.
                 10.
                 
                 Whose
                 God
                 is
                 their
                 Belly
                 .
              
               Mammon
               is
               their
               God
               ,
               Mat.
               6.
               24.
               
               And
               Honour
               ,
               and
               worldly
               Greatness
               ,
               is
               another
               Idol
               which
               Men
               set
               up
               ,
               while
               they
               value
               the
               praise
               of
               Men
               ,
               more
               than
               the
               praise
               of
               God
               ,
               Iohn
               12.
               42.
               
               Carnal
               Self-love
               maketh
               Idols
               ,
               and
               sets
               up
               other
               Gods
               instead
               of
               the
               True
               God
               :
               Now
               therefore
               make
               it
               your
               first
               Work
               to
               return
               to
               God
               as
               your
               Rightful
               Lord
               ,
               and
               Chief
               Happiness
               ,
               as
               your
               Soveraign
               Lord.
               If
               you
               make
               it
               your
               business
               and
               purpose
               to
               worship
               God
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               you
               will
               rejoice
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               have
               no
               Confidence
               in
               the
               Flesh.
               Spiritual
               Worship
               convinceth
               us
               of
               Defects
               ,
               and
               you
               will
               see
               a
               need
               of
               
               Christ's
               renewing
               and
               reconciling
               Grace
               ▪
               Our
               Treasure
               and
               Happiness
               is
               our
               God.
               Now
               therefore
               do
               you
               value
               your
               Happiness
               by
               the
               Favour
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               not
               by
               wo●ldly
               Things
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               In
               the
               next
               place
               ,
               Take
               heed
               of
               a
               Super●icial
               Righteousness
               :
               For
               this
               is
               plain
               Confidence
               in
               the
               Flesh.
               This
               maketh
               you
               sensless
               and
               ignorant
               of
               your
               Danger
               ,
               and
               careless
               of
               the
               means
               of
               your
               recovery
               ,
               and
               so
               your
               Conviction
               and
               Conversion
               is
               more
               difficult
               .
               And
               therefore
               Christ
               saith
               ,
               That
               Publicans
               and
               Harlo●s
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
               before
               Pharisees
               and
               Self-Justiciaries
               ,
               Mat.
               21.
               31.
               
               No
               Condition
               is
               more
               dangerous
               ,
               than
               to
               be
               poor
               ,
               and
               proud
               ;
               corrupt
               ,
               and
               yet
               conceited
               and
               confident
               .
               The
               most
               vicious
               are
               sooner
               wrought
               upon
               ,
               than
               those
               that
               please
               themselves
               in
               External
               Observances
               ,
               without
               real
               internal
               Holiness
               ,
               or
               change
               of
               Heart
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               Two-fold
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Outward
                 Ordinances
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Partial
                 Morality
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               Outward
               Ordinances
               .
               To
               rest
               in
               your
               attendance
               upon
               ,
               and
               use
               of
               these
               .
               Consider
               how
               displeased
               God
               was
               with
               those
               that
               submitted
               to
               Sacraments
               without
               
               Reformation
               ;
               1
               Cor.
               10.
               1
               ,
               2
               ,
               3
               ,
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               
                 With
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 God
                 was
                 not
                 well-pleased
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 were
                 overthrown
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
              
               ;
               Spiritual
               Meat
               ,
               and
               Spiritual
               Drink
               ,
               could
               not
               keep
               them
               from
               Destruction
               ;
               when
               they
               murmured
               ,
               when
               they
               fell
               from
               Christ
               to
               Idolatry
               ,
               when
               they
               lusted
               after
               Quails
               ,
               when
               they
               tempted
               Christ
               ;
               And
               will
               he
               be
               more
               favourable
               to
               you
               ?
               Oh!
               rest
               not
               then
               in
               the
               outward
               use
               of
               the
               Ordinances
               of
               Christ
               ;
               God
               may
               vouchsafe
               you
               this
               Favour
               ,
               and
               yet
               not
               be
               well-pleased
               with
               you
               .
               Many
               that
               have
               eaten
               and
               drunk
               in
               his
               Presence
               ,
               yet
               are
               finally
               rejected
               for
               their
               sins
               ,
               Luke
               13.
               26.
               
               Many
               prize
               the
               Seal
               ,
               yet
               tear
               the
               Bond
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               break
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               yet
               seem
               to
               value
               the
               Seal
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               have
               Confidence
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               in
               the
               bare
               external
               Performance
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Partial
               Morality
               :
               Those
               that
               live
               fairly
               ,
               and
               plausibly
               ,
               but
               want
               the
               true
               Principle
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
               ;
               the
               true
               Rule
               ,
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ;
               the
               true
               End
               ,
               the
               Glory
               of
               God
               :
               that
               are
               in
               with
               one
               Duty
               ,
               and
               out
               with
               another
               ;
               fail
               in
               their
               Duties
               to
               God
               or
               Men
               :
               Are
               much
               in
               Worship
               ,
               but
               defective
               in
               common
               Righteousness
               :
               
               Love
               Friends
               ,
               but
               cannot
               forgive
               Enemies
               :
               It
               may
               be
               they
               'l
               forgive
               Wrongs
               ,
               but
               make
               no
               Conscience
               of
               paying
               Debts
               .
               Now
               there
               are
               two
               Arguments
               against
               these
               ;
               these
               neither
               understand
               the
               Law
               ,
               nor
               the
               Gospel
               :
               Not
               the
               Law
               ,
               its
               Strictness
               ,
               Purity
               ,
               and
               Spiritual
               Exactness
               :
               Nor
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               offereth
               a
               Remedy
               only
               to
               the
               Penitent
               ;
               those
               who
               are
               deeply
               affected
               with
               the
               pollution
               of
               their
               Natures
               ,
               the
               Sins
               of
               their
               Lives
               ,
               and
               the
               Consequent
               Misery
               .
               But
               those
               that
               are
               puft
               up
               with
               a
               vain
               conceit
               of
               the
               goodness
               of
               their
               Estate
               ,
               without
               any
               brokenness
               of
               Heart
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               They
               are
               injurious
               to
               the
               Law
               :
               As
               they
               curtail
               it
               ,
               and
               reduce
               it
               to
               the
               External
               Work.
               Gal.
               4.
               20.
               
               Ye
               that
               desire
               to
               be
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               hear
               what
               the
               Law
               saith
               ;
               if
               you
               will
               stand
               to
               that
               Covenant
               ,
               Do
               you
               know
               what
               it
               is
               ?
               
                 The
                 Duty
                 is
                 impossible
              
               .
               Rom.
               8.
               3.
               
               
                 The
                 Penalty
                 is
                 intolerable
              
               :
               For
               
                 the
                 Law
                 worketh
                 Wrath
              
               ;
               and
               't
               is
               a
               Law
               of
               Sin
               and
               Death
               to
               the
               ●aln
               Creation
               :
               Rom.
               8.
               2.
               
               
                 The
                 Curse
                 is
                 very
                 dreadful
                 and
                 terrible
                 .
              
               Nothing
               more
               opposite
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               than
               this
               partial
               Righteousness
               .
               The
               Law
               well
               understood
               ,
               would
               humble
               them
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               This
               resting
               in
               a
               partial
               external
               Righteousness
               ,
               is
               also
               opposite
               to
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               inviteth
               us
               in
               a
               broken-hearted
               manner
               to
               accept
               Christ.
               He
               came
               to
               call
               Sinners
               ,
               not
               those
               who
               are
               Righteous
               in
               their
               own
               eyes
               ,
               Mat.
               9.
               13.
               
               'T
               is
               a
               Remedy
               for
               lost
               Sinners
               ,
               not
               for
               them
               that
               need
               no
               Repentance
               .
               
                 Luke
                 15.
                 7.
                 
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 That
                 likewise
                 Ioy
                 shall
                 be
                 in
                 Heaven
                 over
                 one
                 Sinner
                 that
                 repenteth
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 over
                 ninety
                 and
                 nine
                 just
                 Persons
                 that
                 need
                 no
                 repentance
                 .
              
               Nothing
               is
               more
               opposite
               to
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               than
               this
               Confidence
               in
               the
               Flesh.
               The
               Woman
               that
               was
               a
               Sinner
               ,
               was
               preferred
               before
               Simon
               a
               Pharisee
               ,
               Luke
               7.
               44.
               
               And
               the
               Self-condemning
               Publican
               ,
               before
               the
               Self-justifying
               Pharisee
               ,
               Luke
               18.
               13.
               
               The
               Penitent
               Adulteress
               ,
               before
               her
               Accusers
               ,
               Iohn
               8.
               7.
               
               The
               most
               despised
               Sinners
               ,
               repenting
               ,
               and
               believing
               in
               Christ
               ,
               find
               more
               Grace
               and
               Place
               with
               him
               ,
               than
               those
               that
               satisfy
               themselves
               with
               some
               External
               Conformities
               .
            
             
               A
               second
               Vse
               is
               by
               way
               of
               Examination
               :
               Are
               you
               of
               this
               Temper
               ,
               that
               you
               have
               no
               Confidence
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ?
            
             
             
               If
               you
               are
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               You
               are
               still
               kept
               humble
               ,
               and
               thankful
               :
               Humble
               ,
               with
               a
               sense
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               deserved
               Wrath
               ;
               confessing
               and
               forsaking
               your
               Sins
               ,
               and
               glorying
               in
               Christ
               only
               ,
               you
               are
               kept
               vile
               in
               your
               own
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               in
               an
               humble
               admiration
               of
               Grace
               ;
               Luke
               7.
               47.
               
               
                 Wherefore
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 Her
                 Sins
                 which
                 are
                 many
                 are
                 forgiven
                 her
                 ,
                 for
                 she
                 loved
                 much
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               She
               loved
               much
               ,
               because
               much
               was
               forgiven
               .
               When
               God
               is
               pacified
               ,
               yet
               you
               loath
               your selves
               .
               Ezek.
               16.
               63.
               
               
                 That
                 thou
                 mayest
                 remember
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 confounded
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 open
                 thy
                 Mouth
                 any
                 more
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 thy
                 shame
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 am
                 pacified
                 towards
                 thee
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 done
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 God.
              
               And
               you
               ascribe
               all
               to
               the
               Mercy
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Merit
               of
               Christ
               ;
               Blessing
               God
               for
               him
               ,
               and
               imploring
               Pardon
               for
               your
               best
               Duties
               ;
               our
               Righteousness
               being
               but
               as
               filthy
               Rags
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               A
               partial
               outside
               Obedience
               will
               not
               satisfy
               you
               .
               An
               Heart
               that
               findeth
               rest
               in
               empty
               formal
               Services
               ,
               certainly
               places
               Con●idence
               in
               the
               Flesh.
               They
               neither
               look
               after
               the
               change
               of
               their
               Natures
               ,
               nor
               their
               Reconciliation
               with
               God
               by
               
               Christ.
               They
               challenge
               God
               ;
               
                 Isa.
                 58.
                 3.
                 
                 Wherefore
                 have
                 we
                 fasted
                 ,
                 say
                 they
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 seest
                 not
                 ?
                 Wherefore
                 have
                 we
                 afflicted
                 our
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 takest
                 no
                 knowledg
                 ?
              
               And
               ,
               Luke
               18.
               12.
               
               
                 I
                 fast
                 twice
                 in
                 the
                 week
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 give
                 tithe
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 I
                 possess
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               Thankfulness
               ,
               or
               Gratitude
               ,
               sets
               you
               awork
               for
               God
               ,
               rather
               than
               a
               Legal
               Conscience
               .
               Duties
               are
               performed
               as
               a
               Thank-Offering
               ,
               rather
               than
               a
               Sin-Offering
               ,
               out
               of
               Love
               to
               God
               ,
               rather
               than
               Fear
               .
            
          
           
             
             
             
               What
               kind
               of
               PERFECTION
               Is
               attainable
               in
               this
               LIFE
               .
            
             
               
                 PHIL.
                 3.
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Let
                 therefore
                 ,
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 be
                 perfect
                 ,
                 be
                 thus
                 minded
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 in
                 anything
                 ye
                 be
                 otherwise
                 minded
                 ,
                 God
                 shall
                 reveal
                 even
                 this
                 unto
                 you
                 .
              
            
             
               THese
               words
               are
               inferred
               out
               of
               the
               foregoing
               Context
               ,
               as
               the
               illative
               Particle
               
                 [
                 therefore
              
               ]
               sheweth
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               words
               are
               two
               things
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               His
               Exhortation
               to
               the
               strong
               and
               grown
               Christian
               ,
               
                 Let
                 us
                 therefore
                 ,
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 be
                 perfect
                 ,
                 be
                 thus
                 minded
                 .
              
            
             
             
               2.
               
               His
               Condescension
               to
               the
               Weak
               ;
               And
               if
               in
               any
               thing
               ye
               be
               otherwise
               minded
               ,
               God
               shall
               reveal
               even
               this
               unto
               you
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               former
               Branch
               we
               have
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Term
               by
               which
               the
               strong
               Christian
               is
               expressed
               ,
               
                 As
                 many
                 as
                 be
                 perfect
              
               :
               He
               had
               said
               before
               of
               himself
               ,
               that
               he
               was
               not
               yet
               perfect
               ,
               vers
               .
               12.
               
               Yet
               now
               ,
               he
               supposeth
               it
               both
               of
               himself
               and
               others
               ,
               
                 Let
                 us
                 therefore
                 ,
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 be
                 perfect
                 .
              
               Therefore
               Perfection
               must
               be
               taken
               in
               a
               limited
               sense
               ,
               to
               avoid
               the
               seeming
               Contradiction
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Advice
               or
               Counsel
               given
               ,
               
                 be
                 thus
                 minded
              
               ;
               What
               is
               that
               ?
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 think
                 the
                 same
                 thing
                 with
                 me
                 :
              
               What
               that
               is
               ,
               must
               be
               known
               by
               the
               foregoing
               Context
               ,
               and
               may
               be
               gathered
               from
               the
               third
               Verse
               ,
               he
               had
               spoken
               of
               some
               false
               Teachers
               and
               judaizing
               Brethren
               ,
               who
               gave
               out
               themselves
               to
               be
               Patrons
               ,
               and
               Defenders
               of
               the
               Circumcision
               ,
               and
               other
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               as
               if
               these
               thing●
               did
               commend
               them
               to
               God
               :
               Now
               the
               Apostle
               reproveth
               them
               ,
               and
               saith
               they
               were
               not
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               the
               Circumcision
               ,
               but
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 the
                 Concision
              
               ,
               Destroyers
               and
               Renders
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               not
               the
               true
               
               People
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               were
               sometimes
               noted
               by
               the
               Term
               Circumcision
               :
               they
               are
               the
               Concision
               ,
               the
               Cutters
               and
               Dividers
               of
               the
               Church
               ;
               but
               we
               are
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               the
               true
               Circumcision
               ,
               
                 who
                 serve
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoice
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 no
                 confidence
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               who
               have
               no
               confidence
               in
               any
               superficial
               Righteousness
               ,
               but
               seek
               our
               Justification
               before
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               renovation
               of
               our
               Natures
               from
               Christ
               alone
               ;
               and
               serve
               God
               ,
               by
               exercising
               this
               Grace
               ,
               in
               Faith
               ,
               Love
               ,
               and
               Hope
               ;
               or
               who
               seek
               to
               Christ
               alone
               ,
               for
               his
               renewing
               and
               reconciling
               Grace
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               serve
               God
               in
               a
               spiritual
               Manner
               ,
               and
               so
               at
               length
               attain
               the
               promised
               Glory
               .
               Now
               this
               he
               proveth
               by
               his
               own
               Instance
               ,
               who
               had
               as
               much
               cause
               to
               glory
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               as
               any
               of
               them
               ,
               but
               suffered
               the
               loss
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               counted
               all
               things
               wherein
               they
               gloried
               ,
               and
               he
               might
               have
               gloried
               ,
               but
               loss
               and
               dung
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               obtain
               this
               Grace
               from
               Christ
               Jesus
               ;
               and
               at
               length
               ,
               after
               a
               diligent
               self-denying
               course
               of
               Service
               and
               Obedience
               ,
               be
               brought
               home
               to
               God.
               Now
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 As
                 many
                 as
                 be
                 perfect
              
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               mind
               this
               ,
               take
               care
               of
               this
               ,
               and
               do
               you
               ,
               with
               the
               loss
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               press
               to
               this
               .
            
             
             
               3.
               
               His
               Condescension
               to
               the
               Weak
               ,
               who
               were
               not
               satisfied
               with
               the
               abrogation
               of
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               though
               they
               had
               imbraced
               other
               Parts
               and
               Points
               of
               Christianity
               ;
               
                 And
                 if
                 in
                 any
                 thing
                 ye
                 be
                 otherwise
                 minded
                 ,
                 God
                 shall
                 reveal
                 even
                 this
                 to
                 you
                 .
              
               Here
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               Something
               is
               supposed
               ,
               that
               they
               should
               not
               be
               cut
               off
               from
               the
               rest
               of
               Christians
               ,
               either
               by
               the
               harsh
               Censures
               ,
               or
               rigorous
               dealing
               of
               the
               Strong
               ,
               or
               the
               pertinacious
               obstinacy
               of
               the
               Weak
               .
               The
               Perfect
               ,
               that
               have
               the
               Truth
               of
               their
               side
               ,
               must
               not
               condemn
               others
               ;
               nor
               the
               Weak
               must
               not
               condemn
               and
               censure
               them
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Something
               expressed
               :
               Or
               the
               Reason
               of
               this
               mutual
               Condescension
               and
               Forbearance
               ;
               if
               they
               be
               sincere
               ,
               and
               humble
               ,
               God
               will
               at
               length
               shew
               them
               the
               Truth
               .
            
             
               I
               begin
               with
               his
               Counsel
               to
               the
               Strong
               and
               Grown
               Christian
               ;
               and
               there
               I
               shall
               speak
               ,
               first
               of
               the
               Term
               by
               which
               they
               are
               expressed
               ;
               
                 Let
                 as
                 many
                 of
                 us
                 as
                 be
                 perfect
                 .
              
            
             
               Doct.
               That
               there
               is
               a
               kind
               of
               Perfection
               attainable
               in
               this
               Life
               .
            
             
             
               I
               shall
               ,
               first
               ,
               explain
               the
               Point
               by
               several
               Distinctions
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Prove
               that
               all
               Christians
               should
               endeavour
               to
               be
               perfect
               .
            
             
               For
               the
               first
               :
               There
               is
               a
               double
               Perfection
               ;
               
                 Perfectio
                 termini
                 &
                 praemii
                 :
                 &
                 perfectio
                 viae
                 seu
                 cognitionis
                 ,
                 &
                 sanctitatis
                 .
              
               A
               Perfection
               of
               the
               Reward
               ,
               and
               a
               Perfection
               of
               Grace
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Of
               the
               Reward
               which
               the
               Saints
               shall
               have
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               where
               they
               are
               freed
               from
               all
               sinful
               Weakness
               :
               1
               Cor.
               13.
               10.
               
               
                 When
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 perfect
                 shall
                 come
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 part
                 shall
                 be
                 done
                 away
                 .
              
               In
               Heaven
               there
               is
               perfect
               Felicity
               ,
               and
               exact
               Holiness
               ;
               then
               the
               Saints
               are
               glorious
               Saints
               indeed
               ,
               when
               they
               have
               neither
               spot
               ,
               nor
               wrinkle
               ,
               nor
               blemish
               ,
               nor
               any
               such
               thing
               ,
               Ephes.
               5.
               27.
               
               When
               
                 presented
                 faultless
                 before
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 his
                 Glory
                 ,
              
               Jude
               24.
               
               Now
               this
               we
               have
               not
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               but
               because
               this
               we
               expect
               in
               the
               other
               World
               ,
               we
               are
               to
               labour
               after
               the
               highest
               perfection
               in
               Holiness
               here
               ,
               because
               allowed
               Imperfection
               is
               a
               disesteem
               of
               Blessedness
               .
               Do
               we
               count
               Immaculate
               Purity
               and
               Perfection
               in
               Holiness
               ,
               
               to
               be
               our
               Blessedness
               hereafter
               ?
               and
               shall
               we
               shun
               it
               ,
               and
               fly
               from
               it
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               neglect
               it
               ,
               as
               if
               it
               were
               our
               Burden
               now
               ?
               No
               surely
               !
               
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 this
                 hope
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 purifieth
                 himself
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 is
                 pure
                 ,
              
               1
               John
               3.
               3.
               
               That
               looketh
               not
               for
               a
               Turkish
               Paradise
               ,
               but
               a
               Sinless
               Estate
               ,
               will
               endeavour
               it
               now
               ,
               get
               as
               much
               as
               he
               can
               of
               it
               now
               .
               When
               you
               cease
               to
               grow
               in
               Holiness
               ,
               you
               cease
               to
               go
               on
               any
               farther
               to
               Salvation
               ;
               you
               seem
               to
               be
               out
               of
               love
               with
               Heaven
               and
               Blessedness
               ,
               when
               your
               Desires
               and
               Endeavours
               are
               slaked
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Perfection
               of
               Grace
               and
               Holiness
               is
               such
               ,
               as
               the
               Saints
               may
               attain
               unto
               in
               this
               Life
               .
               Col.
               4.
               12.
               
               
                 That
                 ye
                 may
                 stand
                 perfect
                 and
                 compleat
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 God.
              
               So
               we
               are
               perfect
               ,
               when
               we
               want
               none
               of
               those
               things
               which
               are
               necessary
               to
               Salvation
               ,
               when
               we
               study
               to
               avoid
               all
               known
               Sin
               ,
               and
               address
               our selves
               to
               the
               practice
               of
               all
               known
               Duty
               ,
               serving
               God
               universally
               and
               intirely
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               There
               is
               Perfection
               Legal
               ,
               and
               Evangelical
               :
               Legal
               ,
               is
               unsinning
               Obedience
               ;
               Evangelical
               ,
               is
               sincere
               Obedience
               ;
               the
               one
               is
               ,
               where
               there
               is
               no
               Sin
               ;
               the
               other
               no
               Guile
               ,
               no
               allowed
               Guile
               .
               The
               one
               standeth
               in
               an
               exact
               conformity
               to
               God's
               
               Law
               ;
               
                 the
                 other
              
               ,
               in
               a
               sincere
               endeavour
               to
               fulfil
               it
               ;
               the
               one
               will
               endure
               the
               Ballance
               ,
               the
               other
               can
               only
               endure
               the
               Touchstone
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               legal
               Perfection
               is
               described
               ,
               Gal.
               3.
               10.
               
               
                 Cursed
                 is
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 continueth
                 not
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 this
                 Law
                 to
                 do
                 them
                 .
              
               A
               personal
               ,
               perpetual
               perfect
               Obedience
               !
               It
               supposeth
               a
               Man
               innocent
               ,
               it
               requireth
               that
               he
               should
               continue
               so
               ;
               for
               the
               least
               Offence
               ,
               according
               to
               that
               Covenant
               ,
               layeth
               us
               open
               to
               a
               Curse
               :
               As
               the
               Angels
               for
               one
               Sin
               once
               committed
               ,
               were
               turned
               out
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               Adam
               out
               of
               Paradise
               .
               The
               omitting
               of
               ought
               we
               are
               to
               perform
               ,
               the
               committing
               ought
               we
               are
               forbidden
               ,
               yea
               the
               least
               warping
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               swerving
               ,
               by
               an
               obliquity
               of
               Heart
               and
               Spirit
               ,
               maketh
               us
               guilty
               before
               God.
               Now
               this
               is
               become
               impossible
               ,
               through
               the
               weakness
               of
               our
               Flesh.
               Rom.
               8.
               3.
               
               Man
               is
               fallen
               already
               ,
               and
               hath
               mixed
               Principles
               in
               him
               ,
               and
               cannot
               be
               thus
               exact
               with
               God.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Evangelical
               :
               When
               the
               Heart
               is
               faithful
               with
               God
               ,
               fixedly
               bent
               and
               set
               to
               please
               him
               in
               all
               things
               .
               2
               Kings
               20.
               3.
               
               
                 Remember
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 walked
                 before
                 thee
                 in
                 Truth
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 a
                 perfect
                 Heart
                 .
              
               This
               may
               be
               pleaded
               
               in
               subordination
               to
               Christ's
               Righteousness
               ;
               this
               Perfection
               is
               consistent
               with
               Weakness
               .
               2
               Chron.
               15.
               17.
               
               
                 Nevertheless
                 ,
                 the
                 Heart
                 of
              
               Asa
               
                 was
                 perfect
                 all
                 his
                 days
              
               .
               And
               yet
               he
               is
               taxed
               with
               several
               Infirmities
               :
               This
               Perfection
               all
               must
               have
               ;
               1
               Chron.
               28.
               9.
               
               
                 And
                 thou
              
               ,
               Solomon
               
                 my
                 Son
                 ,
                 know
                 thou
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 thy
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 serve
                 him
                 with
                 a
                 perfect
                 Heart
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 willing
                 Mind
                 .
              
               What
               is
               done
               for
               God
               ,
               as
               it
               must
               be
               done
               
                 willingly
                 ,
                 readily
              
               ,
               not
               by
               constraint
               ,
               but
               the
               native
               Inclination
               of
               the
               Soul
               ;
               so
               perfectly
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               with
               all
               exactness
               possible
               .
               As
               some
               may
               do
               many
               things
               which
               are
               good
               ,
               but
               their
               Hearts
               are
               not
               perfect
               with
               God
               :
               2
               
                 Chron.
                 25.
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 did
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 right
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 with
                 a
                 perfect
                 Heart
                 .
              
               Not
               a
               sincere
               bent
               of
               Soul
               towards
               God
               alone
               ,
               when
               the
               Heart
               is
               divided
               between
               God
               and
               other
               things
               ,
               
                 Hosea
                 10.
                 2.
                 
                 Their
                 Heart
                 is
                 divided
                 .
              
               Jam.
               1.
               8.
               
               
                 A
                 double-minded
                 Man
                 is
                 unstable
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 ways
                 .
              
               An
               Heart
               against
               an
               Heart
               ;
               In
               point
               of
               Faith
               ,
               between
               God
               and
               other
               Confidences
               ;
               in
               point
               of
               Love
               ,
               between
               God
               and
               the
               Vanities
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               God's
               Interest
               ,
               is
               not
               chief
               ,
               nor
               do
               we
               love
               him
               above
               all
               things
               :
               In
               point
               of
               Obedience
               ,
               
               between
               pleasing
               God
               ,
               and
               pleasing
               Men
               ,
               and
               pleasing
               God
               and
               our
               own
               vain
               Fancies
               and
               Appetites
               ,
               honouring
               God
               ,
               and
               promoting
               our
               Worldly
               Ends
               ,
               you
               set
               up
               a
               Rival
               and
               Partner
               with
               God.
               Now
               this
               Perfection
               we
               must
               have
               ,
               or
               else
               not
               in
               a
               state
               of
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               There
               is
               a
               Perfection
               Absolute
               and
               Comparative
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               That
               is
               absolutely
               perfect
               ,
               to
               which
               nothing
               is
               wanting
               :
               This
               is
               in
               our
               Lord
               Christ
               ,
               who
               had
               the
               Spirit
               without
               measure
               ;
               this
               is
               in
               our
               Rule
               ,
               but
               not
               in
               them
               that
               follow
               the
               Rule
               ;
               Psal.
               18.
               30.
               
               
                 As
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 his
                 way
                 is
                 perfect
                 .
              
               But
               that
               absolute
               Perfection
               is
               not
               in
               any
               of
               the
               Saints
               here
               upon
               Earth
               ,
               I
               prove
               by
               these
               Arguments
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Where
               there
               are
               many
               Relicks
               of
               Flesh
               ,
               or
               carnal
               Nature
               left
               ,
               there
               a
               Man
               cannot
               be
               absolutely
               perfect
               ;
               but
               so
               't
               is
               with
               all
               the
               Godly
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               double
               warring-working
               Principle
               in
               them
               ;
               
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 17.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 Flesh
                 lusteth
                 against
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Spirit
                 against
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 are
                 contrary
                 the
                 one
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 ye
                 cannot
                 do
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 ye
                 would
                 .
              
               And
               't
               is
               actually
               confirmed
               in
               Paul
               ,
               witness
               his
               Groans
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 24.
                 
                 Oh
                 wretched
                 Man
                 
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 deliver
                 me
                 from
                 the
                 Body
                 of
                 this
                 Death
                 !
              
               Mark
               there
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               speaketh
               of
               himself
               ,
               not
               of
               another
               ;
               of
               himself
               ,
               in
               his
               present
               renewed
               Estate
               ,
               not
               of
               his
               past
               and
               unconverted
               Estate
               ,
               when
               a
               Pharisee
               .
               His
               past
               Estate
               he
               had
               spoken
               of
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 9.
                 
                 Sin
                 revived
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 died
              
               ;
               but
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 14.
                 
                 I
                 am
                 Carnal
                 :
              
               and
               
                 vers
                 .
                 15.
                 
                 That
                 which
                 I
                 do
                 ,
                 I
                 allow
                 not
                 ▪
              
               and
               
                 vers
                 .
                 18.
                 
                 How
                 to
                 perform
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 I
                 find
                 not
                 .
              
               Many
               things
               there
               said
               ,
               cannot
               agree
               to
               a
               Carnal
               Man
               :
               As
               for
               instance
               ,
               not
               allowing
               Sin
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 15.
                 
                 Hating
                 Sin
              
               in
               the
               same
               Verse
               .
               
                 What
                 I
                 hate
                 ,
                 that
                 do
                 I
                 ,
                 so
                 delight
                 in
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               vers
               .
               22.
               
               Again
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               double
               Man
               distinguished
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 17.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 I
                 ,
                 but
                 sin
                 that
                 dwelleth
                 in
                 me
                 .
              
               Again
               ,
               he
               distinguisheth
               between
               Him
               and
               his
               Flesh
               ,
               vers
               .
               18.
               
               So
               between
               an
               outward
               and
               inward
               Man
               ,
               vers
               .
               22
               ,
               23.
               
               Lastly
               ,
               He
               giveth
               thanks
               for
               deliverance
               by
               Christ
               ,
               all
               which
               are
               competent
               only
               to
               the
               Regenera●e
               .
               Now
               these
               things
               being
               so
               ,
               surely
               God's
               best
               Servants
               are
               not
               absolutely
               perfect
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               
                 There
                 are
                 none
                 but
                 sometimes
                 sin
                 .
                 1
                 Kings
              
               8.
               46.
               
               For
               there
               is
               no
               Man
               that
               sinneth
               not
               .
               And
               ,
               Eccles.
               7.
               20.
               
               There
               is
               
               not
               a
               just
               Man
               upon
               Earth
               ,
               that
               doth
               good
               ,
               and
               sinneth
               not
               .
               And
               ,
               Iames
               3.
               2.
               
               In
               many
               things
               we
               offend
               all
               .
               1
               John
               1.
               8.
               
               If
               we
               say
               we
               have
               no
               Sin
               ,
               we
               deceive
               our selves
               ,
               and
               the
               Truth
               is
               not
               in
               us
               .
               
                 Therefore
                 no
                 Man
                 so
                 perfect
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 without
                 all
                 Sin.
                 
              
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               There
               is
               none
               but
               need
               the
               Mercy
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               ought
               to
               pray
               for
               this
               Mercy
               for
               the
               Pardon
               of
               their
               daily
               Sins
               ,
               Mat.
               6.
               13.
               as
               we
               pray
               for
               daily
               Bread
               :
               This
               Petition
               our
               Lord
               directeth
               us
               to
               put
               up
               ,
               not
               for
               the
               Sins
               of
               others
               ,
               but
               our
               own
               .
               Now
               these
               Arguments
               prove
               that
               no
               Man
               hath
               a
               Righteousness
               that
               is
               perfect
               without
               Defects
               :
               The
               best
               of
               God's
               Children
               have
               innumerable
               Frailties
               which
               may
               humble
               them
               ,
               and
               which
               should
               be
               seriously
               laid
               to
               Heart
               ,
               and
               watched
               over
               ,
               every
               step
               of
               our
               way
               to
               Heaven
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               is
               a
               comparative
               Perfection
               :
               And
               that
               is
               Two-fold
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               When
               those
               who
               live
               under
               the
               Law
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               are
               compared
               with
               other
               Institutions
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               When
               the
               Professors
               of
               Christianity
               are
               compared
               among
               themselves
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               When
               the
               Professors
               of
               Christianity
               are
               compared
               with
               those
               that
               live
               under
               
               other
               Institutions
               .
               They
               that
               submit
               to
               Christ's
               Terms
               ,
               are
               said
               to
               be
               perfect
               ,
               because
               Christianity
               it self
               is
               a
               Perfection
               .
               For
               Instance
               ,
               take
               that
               one
               place
               ,
               (
               and
               the
               rather
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               wrest
               it
               out
               of
               the
               Hands
               of
               the
               Papists
               ,
               who
               distinguish
               between
               Evangelical
               Precepts
               of
               necessary
               Duty
               ,
               and
               Counsels
               of
               Perfection
               to
               establish
               Monkery
               and
               voluntary
               Poverty
               ,
               as
               a
               more
               perfect
               state
               of
               Life
               than
               that
               which
               the
               common
               sort
               of
               Christians
               live
               .
               )
               Their
               most
               colourable
               place
               is
               ,
               
                 Mat.
                 19.
                 21.
                 
                 Iesus
                 said
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 If
                 thou
                 wilt
                 be
                 perfect
                 ,
                 go
                 sell
                 all
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 poor
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 Treasure
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 and
                 follow
                 me
                 .
              
               Is
               not
               this
               a
               Counsel
               of
               Perfection
               ?
               doth
               not
               Christ
               call
               it
               so
               ?
               Or
               ,
               is
               every
               one
               bound
               to
               give
               all
               his
               Goods
               to
               the
               Poor
               ,
               and
               turn
               Monks
               or
               Anchorites
               ?
               No
               ,
               the
               meaning
               of
               the
               word
               ,
               
                 If
                 thou
                 wilt
                 be
                 perfect
              
               ,
               is
               no
               more
               but
               this
               ;
               if
               thou
               wilt
               ascend
               to
               that
               higher
               pitch
               and
               rule
               of
               living
               ,
               to
               which
               I
               come
               to
               raise
               Men
               ,
               if
               thou
               wilt
               be
               a
               Christian.
               The
               Perfection
               here
               spoken
               of
               ,
               is
               Christianity
               it self
               ,
               not
               an
               Heroick
               eminent
               degree
               of
               it
               :
               And
               the
               Condition
               here
               required
               ,
               is
               Matter
               of
               Command
               ,
               not
               Counsel
               ,
               only
               such
               as
               if
               
               we
               will
               not
               submit
               to
               ,
               we
               are
               not
               Christians
               ;
               for
               a
               Man
               that
               would
               have
               the
               Privileges
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               he
               must
               submit
               to
               the
               Duties
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               or
               the
               Conditions
               required
               by
               Christ
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               be
               a
               perfect
               thorow
               Christian.
               You
               will
               say
               ,
               Must
               we
               sell
               all
               ,
               and
               give
               to
               the
               Poor
               ,
               in
               contemplation
               of
               the
               Heavenly
               Reward
               ?
            
             
               Answ.
               1.
               
               Every
               Man
               is
               bound
               to
               bestow
               Goods
               ,
               Land
               ,
               and
               Life
               ,
               as
               God
               shall
               direct
               ,
               and
               part
               with
               all
               the
               Wealth
               in
               the
               World
               whensoever
               it
               is
               required
               of
               him
               .
               Now
               it
               may
               be
               required
               of
               us
               directly
               ,
               or
               by
               consequence
               :
               directly
               ,
               by
               an
               express
               Command
               ,
               such
               as
               this
               young
               Man
               had
               from
               Christ.
               And
               actually
               ,
               to
               sell
               our
               Estates
               ,
               and
               give
               to
               the
               Poor
               ,
               obligeth
               none
               ,
               unless
               we
               have
               such
               alike
               Command
               from
               Christ
               himself
               ,
               as
               this
               young
               rich
               Man
               had
               :
               By
               Consequence
               ,
               when
               we
               cannot
               obey
               any
               particular
               Precept
               of
               Christ
               ,
               without
               danger
               of
               being
               undone
               by
               it
               .
               And
               so
               it
               obligeth
               all
               Christ's
               Disciples
               to
               part
               with
               all
               ,
               rather
               than
               to
               break
               with
               Christ
               :
               for
               no
               Man
               is
               a
               Christian
               ,
               unless
               he
               selleth
               all
               for
               the
               Pearl
               of
               Price
               ,
               Mat.
               13.
               46.
               
               And
               our
               Lord
               telleth
               us
               ,
               that
               he
               that
               loveth
               any
               thing
               more
               than
               him
               ,
               is
               not
               worthy
               of
               him
               ,
               
               Mat.
               10.
               37.
               that
               is
               ,
               is
               no
               Christian
               ;
               so
               that
               if
               it
               be
               impossible
               to
               preserve
               our
               Fidelity
               and
               Obedience
               ,
               without
               parting
               with
               our
               Wealth
               ,
               we
               must
               impartially
               perform
               it
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               with
               loss
               of
               Estate
               and
               Life
               it self
               ;
               and
               if
               we
               do
               not
               resolve
               and
               undertake
               to
               do
               so
               ,
               we
               are
               no
               Christians
               ,
               and
               cannot
               be
               saved
               .
               In
               Baptism
               ,
               we
               vow
               to
               forsake
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               follow
               Christ
               ,
               when
               the
               World
               cometh
               in
               competition
               with
               him
               ;
               if
               in
               a
               time
               of
               trial
               we
               do
               not
               perform
               it
               ,
               we
               forfeit
               the
               Privileges
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               and
               all
               title
               to
               Blessedness
               .
               Therefore
               this
               Perfection
               is
               necessary
               for
               all
               Christians
               :
               you
               esteem
               ,
               prefer
               ,
               chuse
               Christ
               above
               all
               ,
               resolving
               ,
               what-ever
               it
               cost
               you
               to
               be
               faithful
               to
               him
               ;
               't
               is
               not
               an
               high
               and
               arbitrary
               Point
               in
               Christianity
               ,
               but
               a
               necessary
               Duty
               .
               You
               will
               say
               ,
               What
               can
               the
               strongest
               Christian
               do
               more
               ,
               than
               〈◊〉
               all
               ,
               than
               part
               with
               all
               ?
               Answer
               ,
               They
               can
               do
               it
               with
               far
               greater
               love
               ,
               readiness
               and
               joy
               ,
               than
               the
               weak
               Christian
               can
               〈◊〉
               The
               difference
               between
               Christians
               is
               no●
               in
               the
               thing
               done
               ,
               but
               the
               manner
               of
               doing
               :
               
                 Well
                 then
              
               ,
               this
               is
               to
               be
               perfect
               ,
               thus
               must
               you
               all
               be
               perfect
               ,
               for
               this
               Perfection
               is
               necessarily
               constitutive
               of
               sincerity
               ,
               you
               〈◊〉
               not
               true
               Christians
               without
               it
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               When
               compared
               with
               others
               of
               the
               same
               Profession
               .
               Believers
               are
               distinguished
               into
               Perfect
               and
               Imperfect
               .
               Tho'
               none
               can
               attain
               to
               absolute
               Perfection
               of
               Holiness
               ,
               yet
               there
               are
               several
               degrees
               of
               Grace
               ,
               and
               diversities
               of
               growth
               among
               Christians
               ,
               and
               the
               strong
               are
               said
               to
               be
               perfect
               in
               comparison
               of
               those
               weak
               Ones
               who
               are
               raw
               in
               Knowledg
               ,
               or
               feeble
               and
               impotent
               in
               the
               resistance
               of
               Sin.
               Thus
               the
               Perfect
               are
               opposed
               to
               the
               Babes
               in
               Christ
               ;
               as
               when
               he
               had
               spoken
               of
               our
               growing
               into
               a
               perfect
               Man
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ,
               he
               presently
               addeth
               ,
               
                 That
                 henceforth
                 we
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 Children
                 ,
              
               Ephes.
               4.
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               And
               elsewhere
               ,
               when
               he
               had
               spoken
               of
               the
               Perfect
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               2.
               6.
               who
               are
               skilful
               in
               spiritual
               Things
               ,
               he
               presently
               opposeth
               to
               them
               ,
               
                 the
                 Babes
                 in
                 Christ
              
               ,
               Chap.
               3.
               1.
               
               The
               same
               you
               may
               observe
               in
               Heb.
               5.
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 useth
                 Milk
                 ,
                 is
                 unskilful
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 Babe
                 .
                 But
                 strong
                 Meat
                 belongeth
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 of
                 full
                 age
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 perfect
                 ,
              
               as
               in
               the
               Margin
               .
               See
               also
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 20.
                 
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 be
                 not
                 Children
                 in
                 understanding
                 :
                 howbeit
                 ,
                 in
                 Malice
                 be
                 ye
                 Children
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 Vnderstanding
                 be
                 Men
                 ,
                 perfect
                 ,
              
               or
               of
               ripe
               Age.
               These
               ,
               and
               many
               other
               places
               ,
               shew
               the
               Notion
               of
               perfect
               ;
               
               't
               is
               not
               absolutely
               taken
               ,
               but
               comparatively
               :
               Those
               who
               well
               and
               throughly
               understand
               Christian
               Doctrine
               ,
               and
               are
               habituated
               to
               a
               course
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               and
               have
               a
               confirmed
               Faith
               and
               Love
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               this
               in
               Opposition
               to
               Novices
               ,
               and
               unexperienced
               Christians
               newly
               entred
               into
               Christ's
               School
               :
               Now
               thus
               we
               must
               be
               perfect
               ,
               not
               always
               Children
               .
               'T
               is
               a
               monstrous
               Thing
               ,
               after
               many
               Years
               growth
               to
               be
               a
               Babe
               still
               ,
               and
               an
               Infant
               still
               .
               This
               sense
               is
               of
               chief
               regard
               here
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               There
               is
               a
               Perfection
               of
               Parts
               ,
               and
               a
               Perfection
               of
               Degrees
               ;
               that
               's
               Growth
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Perfection
               of
               Parts
               is
               ,
               when
               we
               have
               all
               things
               that
               belong
               to
               a
               sincere
               Christian
               ,
               or
               to
               a
               state
               of
               Salvation
               :
               As
               living
               Creatures
               are
               perfect
               as
               soon
               as
               they
               are
               brought
               forth
               ,
               for
               they
               have
               all
               things
               belonging
               to
               that
               Creature
               ,
               't
               is
               not
               maimed
               or
               defective
               in
               any
               part
               ;
               thus
               an
               Infant
               is
               perfect
               the
               first
               day
               of
               his
               Birth
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               a
               Man
               of
               riper
               Age.
               Thus
               a
               Christian
               must
               have
               the
               perfection
               of
               Integrity
               ,
               all
               the
               parts
               which
               belong
               to
               a
               New
               Creature
               :
               Grace
               to
               enlighten
               the
               Mind
               ,
               bend
               and
               incline
               the
               Heart
               to
               God
               ,
               govern
               the
               Affections
               ,
               rule
               the
               Appetite
               ;
               one
               Grace
               added
               to
               another
               ,
               that
               the
               Christian
               may
               
               be
               intire
               and
               perfect
               ,
               and
               in
               no
               point
               lacking
               ,
               Iam.
               1.
               4.
               
               What
               is
               defective
               in
               parts
               ,
               cannot
               be
               supplied
               by
               any
               after-growth
               .
               A
               Christian
               cannot
               be
               perfect
               in
               Degrees
               ,
               unless
               he
               be
               perfect
               in
               parts
               ;
               leave
               out
               one
               necessary
               Grace
               ,
               and
               the
               new
               Creature
               is
               maimed
               ;
               some
               leave
               out
               Temperance
               ,
               others
               Patience
               ,
               others
               Love
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               2.
               5
               ,
               6
               ,
               7.
               
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               There
               is
               a
               Perfection
               of
               Degrees
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               when
               a
               thing
               is
               absolute
               and
               compleat
               ,
               and
               to
               which
               nothing
               is
               wanting
               ,
               and
               hath
               attained
               its
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               and
               highest
               pitch
               ;
               so
               we
               are
               only
               perfect
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               Heb.
               12.
               23.
               
               
                 The
                 Spirits
                 of
                 just
                 Men
                 made
                 perfect
                 .
              
               Those
               Spirits
               who
               are
               uncloathed
               and
               divested
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               in
               their
               mortal
               Life
               only
               they
               were
               upright
               ,
               but
               in
               their
               Heavenly
               Life
               perfect
               :
               Here
               they
               walked
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               endeavoured
               an
               Universal
               Obedience
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               so
               made
               capable
               ,
               but
               now
               live
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               are
               admitted
               into
               a
               nearer
               Communion
               with
               him
               than
               we
               Mortals
               are
               ;
               they
               are
               freed
               from
               all
               Sin
               and
               Temptation
               ,
               they
               are
               beyond
               growth
               :
               Corn
               doth
               not
               grow
               in
               the
               Garner
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               Field
               Well
               then
               ,
               though
               we
               be
               not
               perfect
               in
               Degrees
               ,
               yet
               we
               must
               all
               be
               perfect
               as
               to
               
               parts
               ,
               we
               must
               intirely
               resign
               our selves
               to
               God's
               use
               ,
               without
               allowing
               any
               part
               or
               corner
               of
               our
               Hearts
               to
               be
               possessed
               by
               any
               other
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Perfection
               is
               to
               be
               considered
               with
               respect
               ,
               1.
               to
               our
               Growth
               ,
               or
               ,
               2.
               our
               Consummation
               :
               Here
               't
               is
               only
               in
               sieri
               ,
               there
               in
               
                 facto
                 esse
              
               .
               Things
               are
               said
               to
               be
               done
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               begun
               to
               be
               done
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               17.
               
               And
               so
               they
               are
               said
               to
               be
               perfect
               ,
               who
               are
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Perfection
               ;
               he
               that
               is
               ,
               in
               his
               growing
               Estate
               ,
               increasing
               more
               unto
               Grace
               and
               Righteousness
               ,
               2
               
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 18.
                 
                 Beholding
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 Glass
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 are
                 changed
                 into
                 the
                 same
                 Image
                 .
              
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               16.
               
               
                 Though
                 the
                 outward
                 Man
                 perish
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 inward
                 Man
                 is
                 renewed
                 day
                 by
                 day
                 .
              
               They
               do
               seriously
               set
               upon
               the
               Work.
               Thus
               Perfection
               is
               taken
               ;
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               As
               to
               Means
               :
               The
               Ministry
               was
               appointed
               for
               
                 the
                 perfecting
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 Ephes.
              
               4.
               12.
               
               That
               they
               may
               be
               more
               enlightned
               ,
               and
               more
               sanctified
               ,
               more
               brought
               to
               the
               Knowledg
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               Obedience
               of
               his
               Will.
               There
               are
               Mean●
               appointed
               by
               God
               for
               the
               perfecting
               〈◊〉
               Grace
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               first
               working
               of
               〈◊〉
               in
               us
               ;
               1
               Thess.
               3.
               10.
               
               That
               
                 I
                 may
                 perfect
                 what
                 is
                 lacking
                 to
                 your
                 Faith.
                 
              
            
             
             
               (
               2.
               )
               As
               to
               the
               improvement
               of
               Means
               :
               2
               Cor.
               7.
               1.
               
               
                 Perfecting
                 Holiness
                 in
                 the
                 Fear
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               making
               progress
               in
               the
               Way
               of
               Grace
               towards
               Perfection
               ,
               when
               the
               Habit
               is
               more
               increased
               :
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               8.
               
               
                 For
                 if
                 these
                 things
                 be
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 abound
                 ,
                 they
                 make
                 you
                 that
                 ye
                 shall
                 neither
                 be
                 barren
                 nor
                 unfruitful
                 in
                 the
                 Knowledg
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               And
               Christian
               practice
               is
               more
               uniform
               .
               1
               
                 Thess.
                 4.
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 as
                 ye
                 have
                 received
                 of
                 us
                 how
                 ye
                 ought
                 to
                 walk
                 ,
                 and
                 please
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 ye
                 would
                 abound
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               not
               enough
               to
               have
               Grace
               ,
               but
               we
               must
               grow
               in
               Grace
               :
               Progress
               is
               always
               necessary
               ,
               though
               exact
               Perfection
               be
               not
               attained
               :
               So
               that
               then
               the
               Heart
               is
               perfect
               with
               God
               ,
               when
               you
               make
               it
               not
               a
               sleight
               purpose
               only
               ,
               but
               your
               constant
               endeavour
               to
               come
               up
               to
               your
               Pattern
               and
               Rule
               ,
               continually
               striving
               against
               Sin
               ,
               and
               aiming
               at
               an
               higher
               degree
               of
               Holiness
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Consummate
               :
               When
               after
               all
               the
               hazards
               of
               the
               present
               Life
               ,
               when
               at
               length
               we
               shall
               be
               presented
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               by
               Christ
               to
               God
               :
               Presented
               to
               Christ
               ;
               
                 Col.
                 1.
                 28.
                 
                 That
                 we
                 may
                 present
                 every
                 Man
                 perfect
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               fully
               compleat
               ,
               according
               to
               that
               Holiness
               required
               and
               exemplified
               by
               Christ
               :
               And
               by
               Christ
               
               to
               God
               ;
               Col.
               1.
               22.
               
               
                 To
                 present
                 you
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 unblameable
                 ,
                 and
                 irreproveable
                 in
                 his
                 sight
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               now
               come
               to
               the
               Reasons
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ;
               The
               Reasons
               why
               we
               must
               be
               perfect
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               not
               only
               sincere
               ,
               having
               all
               parts
               of
               a
               Christian
               ,
               but
               endeavour
               after
               the
               highest
               Perfection
               ;
               and
               for
               the
               present
               ,
               want
               nothing
               conducible
               nor
               necessary
               to
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               We
               have
               a
               perfect
               God
               ;
               
                 Matth.
                 5.
                 48.
                 
                 Be
                 ye
                 perfect
                 ,
                 as
                 your
                 Heavenly
                 Father
                 is
                 perfect
                 .
              
               God's
               Perfection
               is
               our
               Copy
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               〈◊〉
               ,
               and
               we
               are
               required
               to
               imitate
               him
               ;
               and
               therefore
               we
               must
               not
               set
               Bounds
               to
               our
               Holiness
               ,
               and
               say
               ,
               
                 Hith●rto
                 shalt
                 thou
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 farther
              
               ;
               when
               we
               are
               come
               never
               so
               far
               ,
               yet
               this
               is
               not
               like
               God.
               The
               force
               of
               this
               Rule
               is
               not
               taken
               off
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               limited
               to
               one
               Perfection
               in
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               in
               the
               Evangelist
               Luke
               ;
               for
               he
               readeth
               ,
               instead
               of
               being
               perfect
               as
               your
               Heavenly
               Father
               is
               perfect
               ,
               
                 Be
                 ye
                 merciful
                 ,
                 as
                 your
                 Heavenly
                 Father
                 is
                 merciful
                 ,
              
               Luke
               6.
               36.
               that
               is
               a
               special
               way
               of
               Christian
               Perfection
               ;
               but
               God's
               Children
               must
               aim
               at
               the
               Perfection
               
               of
               all
               Vertues
               .
               Not
               only
               love
               to
               Enemies
               ;
               as
               Mercy
               is
               one
               of
               the
               Divine
               Perfections
               which
               we
               ought
               to
               imitate
               ,
               so
               is
               Holiness
               ,
               Veracity
               ,
               and
               Wisdom
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               15
               ,
               16.
               
               Surely
               this
               direction
               was
               given
               in
               the
               Gospel
               to
               some
               purpose
               ,
               or
               not
               :
               if
               not
               ,
               then
               Christ
               spoke
               words
               in
               vain
               ;
               if
               to
               some
               purpose
               ,
               we
               are
               obliged
               to
               Perfection
               :
               though
               we
               cannot
               fully
               obtain
               it
               in
               this
               life
               ,
               we
               must
               still
               aim
               at
               more
               ,
               and
               come
               more
               near
               to
               it
               .
               And
               having
               God
               for
               our
               Patern
               ,
               we
               should
               always
               set
               him
               before
               our
               Eyes
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               represented
               to
               us
               in
               his
               Word
               ,
               and
               his
               Son
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               the
               express
               Image
               of
               his
               Person
               ,
               to
               be
               imitated
               by
               us
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               We
               have
               a
               perfect
               Rule
               ;
               
                 Psalm
                 .
                 19.
                 7.
                 
                 The
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 perfect
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               2
               
                 Tim.
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 The
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 Man
                 of
                 God
                 perfect
                 ,
                 throughly
                 furnished
                 to
                 every
                 good
                 Work.
              
               The
               strictness
               of
               the
               Law
               as
               a
               Rule
               ,
               is
               adopted
               into
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               into
               the
               very
               frame
               and
               constitution
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               so
               far
               bindeth
               ,
               as
               to
               allow
               no
               Weaknesses
               and
               Imperfections
               ,
               but
               that
               we
               must
               still
               bewail
               Failings
               ,
               and
               strive
               after
               the
               utmost
               conformity
               to
               it
               in
               all
               things
               .
               As
               we
               have
               a
               perfect
               Pattern
               ,
               so
               we
               have
               a
               Law
               still
               ,
               that
               
               is
               the
               perfect
               Rule
               of
               all
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               should
               endeavour
               to
               conform
               to
               it
               more
               and
               more
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               We
               have
               a
               perfect
               Redeemer
               :
               Col.
               2.
               10.
               
               
                 Ye
                 are
                 compleat
                 in
                 him
              
               .
               We
               have
               all
               things
               from
               him
               ,
               and
               in
               him
               ,
               necessary
               to
               Salvation
               .
               In
               our selves
               we
               are
               empty
               ,
               destitute
               of
               every
               thing
               which
               might
               commend
               us
               to
               God
               ,
               but
               there
               is
               a
               fulness
               in
               Christ
               to
               be
               communicated
               to
               all
               ,
               who
               sensible
               of
               their
               own
               emptiness
               ,
               do
               seriously
               apply
               themselves
               to
               him
               ;
               a
               perfect
               Wisdom
               ,
               a
               perfect
               Righteousness
               ,
               perfect
               Sanctification
               ,
               and
               supplies
               for
               ou●
               perfect
               Glory
               and
               Blessedness
               .
               He
               beginneth
               by
               his
               Spirit
               to
               renew
               our
               Natures
               ;
               and
               this
               Grace
               is
               still
               of
               the
               growing
               Hand
               ,
               till
               all
               be
               crowned
               in
               Glory
               ;
               there
               is
               a
               compleat
               Fulness
               in
               our
               Mediator
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               There
               is
               a
               perfect
               Reward
               ,
               or
               a
               perfect
               state
               of
               Glory
               ,
               in
               which
               there
               is
               nothing
               wanting
               ,
               either
               to
               Holiness
               or
               Happiness
               .
               The
               Scripture
               describeth
               it
               by
               our
               growing
               up
               into
               a
               perfect
               Man
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ,
               Ephes.
               4.
               13.
               
               We
               have
               our
               Infancy
               at
               our
               first
               Conversion
               ,
               when
               liable
               to
               childish
               Ignorance
               ,
               and
               many
               Infirmities
               :
               we
               have
               our
               youth
               and
               growing
               
               Age
               ,
               when
               making
               Progress
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Grace
               towards
               Perfection
               .
            
             
               And
               lastly
               ,
               We
               have
               our
               perfect
               manly
               Age
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               come
               to
               our
               full
               pitch
               ,
               when
               Grace
               is
               fully
               perfected
               in
               Glory
               .
               In
               Scripture
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               said
               of
               the
               fading
               and
               declining
               time
               of
               old
               Age.
               Oh!
               blessed
               will
               that
               time
               be
               ,
               when
               we
               shall
               be
               holy
               and
               undefiled
               ,
               above
               the
               reach
               of
               Temptations
               ;
               when
               Believers
               receive
               all
               immediatly
               from
               the
               Fountain
               of
               Holiness
               ,
               and
               are
               filled
               with
               the
               fulness
               of
               all
               Perfections
               ;
               And
               shall
               we
               that
               have
               such
               Hopes
               ,
               be
               lazy
               and
               negligent
               ?
               No
               ,
               we
               must
               press
               towards
               the
               Mark
               ,
               if
               we
               expect
               it
               as
               our
               Felicity
               ,
               we
               must
               prize
               it
               ,
               and
               seek
               after
               it
               ,
               and
               get
               more
               of
               it
               every
               day
               .
            
             
               Vse
               1.
               
               Is
               to
               press
               and
               exhort
               you
               ,
               to
               labour
               after
               Christian
               Perfection
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Motives
               .
               What
               you
               lost
               in
               Adam
               ,
               must
               be
               recovered
               in
               Christ
               ,
               or
               else
               you
               dishonour
               your
               Redeemer
               .
               Now
               we
               lost
               in
               Adam
               Innocency
               and
               perfect
               Holiness
               ,
               therefore
               you
               must
               seek
               to
               recover
               it
               by
               Christ
               ;
               for
               certainly
               Christ
               is
               more
               able
               to
               save
               ,
               than
               Adam
               to
               destroy
               ,
               Rom.
               5.
               17.
               
               The
               abundance
               of
               Grace
               ,
               and
               the
               
               Gift
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               came
               by
               Jesus
               Christ.
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               Christ
               doth
               his
               Work
               by
               Degrees
               ;
               but
               if
               we
               mind
               it
               not
               ,
               and
               lazily
               expect
               that
               he
               should
               make
               us
               perfect
               ,
               how
               will
               it
               ever
               be
               ?
               for
               God
               will
               not
               save
               us
               without
               us
               ;
               and
               as
               far
               as
               we
               hope
               for
               any
               thing
               ,
               we
               must
               endeavour
               after
               it
               ,
               for
               Christian
               Hope
               is
               not
               a
               devout
               Sloth
               ,
               but
               an
               incouragement
               to
               Diligence
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               We
               pray
               for
               Perfection
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               must
               endeavour
               after
               it
               ,
               otherwise
               our
               Prayers
               are
               a
               Mockery
               .
               We
               pray
               ,
               Mat.
               6.
               8.
               and
               1
               
                 Thess.
                 5.
                 23.
                 
                 The
                 God
                 of
                 Peace
                 sanctify
                 you
                 throughout
                 ,
                 even
                 your
                 whole
                 Body
                 ,
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               We
               pray
               for
               compleat
               Sanctification
               ,
               in
               hope
               to
               obtain
               it
               :
               Prayer
               is
               not
               for
               God's
               sake
               ,
               but
               ours
               ;
               a
               solemn
               binding
               our selves
               to
               use
               the
               means
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               obtain
               the
               Blessings
               that
               we
               ask
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               In
               our
               making
               Covenant
               ,
               we
               purpose
               to
               do
               the
               whole
               Will
               of
               God
               :
               now
               where
               there
               is
               a
               Purpose
               ,
               there
               must
               be
               an
               Endeavour
               ,
               and
               a
               Progress
               ,
               for
               otherwise
               't
               is
               not
               made
               with
               a
               true
               heart
               ,
               Heb.
               10.
               22.
               
               A
               Man
               may
               purpose
               Duty
               in
               a
               Pang
               ,
               which
               afterward
               he
               retracts
               in
               his
               Conversation
               and
               Practice
               ;
               he
               may
               wish
               
               for
               Perfection
               ,
               like
               it
               in
               the
               general
               ,
               not
               considering
               it
               as
               exclusive
               of
               his
               beloved
               Lusts
               ,
               but
               there
               he
               will
               be
               excused
               .
               Yea
               ,
               he
               may
               sincerely
               purpose
               it
               ,
               yet
               be
               faint
               and
               slack
               in
               his
               Endeavours
               .
               Therefore
               we
               need
               to
               be
               exhorted
               continually
               to
               be
               more
               earnest
               and
               diligent
               in
               Holiness
               ,
               to
               avoid
               
                 all
                 appearance
                 of
                 Evil
              
               ,
               1
               Thess.
               5.
               22.
               
               Not
               to
               allow
               our selves
               in
               the
               omission
               of
               any
               known
               Duty
               ,
               Iames
               4.
               13.
               or
               the
               commission
               of
               any
               known
               Sin
               ,
               though
               never
               so
               near
               and
               dear
               to
               us
               .
               Psal.
               18.
               23.
               
               
                 I
                 was
                 upright
                 before
                 thee
                 ;
                 and
                 kept
                 my self
                 from
                 mine
                 Iniquity
                 .
              
               Therefore
               unless
               we
               comply
               with
               these
               Exhortations
               ,
               and
               set
               our selves
               sincerely
               to
               do
               the
               whole
               Will
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               Challenge
               will
               be
               brought
               against
               us
               ,
               which
               was
               brought
               against
               the
               Church
               of
               
                 Sardis
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 found
                 thy
                 Works
                 perfect
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 Rev.
              
               3.
               2.
               
               Your
               Vows
               were
               good
               ,
               but
               your
               Practice
               is
               not
               answerable
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Consider
               the
               Comfort
               and
               Peace
               of
               that
               Man
               who
               doth
               more
               and
               more
               press
               towards
               Perfection
               :
               Psalm
               .
               37.
               37.
               
               
                 Mark
                 the
                 perfect
                 Man
                 ,
                 behold
                 the
                 Vpright
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 that
                 Man
                 is
                 Peace
                 .
              
               They
               have
               a
               sweet
               Life
               ,
               and
               an
               happy
               Close
               ,
               a
               tolerable
               passage
               through
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               a
               
               comfortable
               passage
               out
               of
               the
               World.
               
            
             
               For
               Means
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               See
               that
               the
               Work
               be
               begun
               ,
               for
               there
               must
               be
               converting
               Grace
               ,
               before
               there
               can
               be
               confirming
               Grace
               ,
               Life
               before
               there
               be
               Strength
               and
               Growth
               ,
               as
               there
               must
               be
               Fire
               before
               it
               can
               be
               blown
               up
               ;
               for
               what
               good
               will
               it
               do
               to
               blow
               a
               dead
               Coal
               ,
               to
               seek
               Strength
               before
               we
               have
               Life
               ?
               't
               is
               as
               if
               we
               should
               give
               Food
               or
               Physick
               to
               a
               dead
               Man.
               The
               Secure
               and
               Impenitent
               are
               not
               to
               be
               confirmed
               and
               strengthned
               ,
               but
               humbled
               and
               changed
               .
               We
               must
               first
               chuse
               God
               for
               our
               Portion
               ,
               before
               we
               can
               be
               exhorted
               to
               cleave
               to
               God
               ,
               Acts
               11.
               23.
               
               First
               ,
               the
               Perfection
               of
               Sincerity
               ,
               before
               the
               Perfection
               of
               Growth
               and
               Progress
               ,
               the
               Measures
               and
               Degrees
               following
               the
               real
               being
               of
               Grace
               in
               the
               Soul.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               If
               you
               would
               be
               perfect
               ,
               the
               radical
               Graces
               must
               be
               strengthned
               ,
               which
               are
               Faith
               ,
               Hope
               ,
               and
               Love
               ;
               strong
               Faith
               ,
               fervent
               Love
               ,
               lively
               Hope
               .
               Such
               a
               Faith
               as
               realizeth
               the
               unseen
               Glory
               ,
               and
               giveth
               such
               a
               deep
               sense
               of
               the
               World
               to
               come
               ,
               as
               that
               you
               are
               willing
               to
               venture
               all
               upon
               the
               Hopes
               of
               it
               ;
               such
               an
               Hope
               as
               sets
               the
               Heart
               upon
               Glory
               to
               come
               ,
               as
               present
               
               things
               do
               not
               greatly
               move
               us
               ;
               such
               a
               Love
               as
               levelleth
               all
               our
               Actions
               to
               God's
               Glory
               ,
               and
               our
               eternal
               enjoyment
               of
               him
               ,
               Iude
               20
               ,
               21.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               Use
               the
               Means
               with
               all
               Seriousness
               and
               good
               Conscience
               ,
               these
               conduce
               to
               perfect
               what
               is
               lacking
               to
               your
               Faith
               ,
               to
               root
               you
               ,
               ground
               you
               in
               Love
               ,
               confirm
               you
               in
               Hope
               ,
               that
               the
               Thoughts
               of
               Heaven
               may
               be
               more
               affecting
               and
               engaging
               .
               Now
               the
               principal
               Means
               are
               ,
               the
               Word
               ,
               and
               Sacraments
               ,
               and
               Prayer
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               In
               the
               Word
               you
               have
               Principles
               of
               Faith
               ,
               Obligations
               to
               Love
               ,
               and
               Arguments
               of
               Hope
               ;
               therefore
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               God
               buildeth
               us
               up
               by
               the
               Word
               of
               his
               Grace
               ,
               Acts
               20.
               32.
               
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               The
               Sacraments
               strengthen
               Faith
               ,
               Hope
               ,
               and
               Love
               ;
               as
               Signs
               and
               Seals
               of
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               ,
               through
               Jesus
               Christ
               in
               the
               new
               Covenant
               ,
               that
               so
               our
               Consolation
               may
               be
               more
               strong
               ,
               they
               strengthen
               our
               Faith
               and
               Hope
               ;
               as
               a
               Bond
               or
               a
               Vow
               :
               So
               they
               excite
               and
               engage
               our
               Love
               and
               Obedience
               ,
               we
               bind
               our selves
               to
               God
               anew
               ,
               to
               pursue
               our
               everlasting
               Hopes
               ,
               whatever
               they
               cost
               us
               .
               Our
               great
               Diseases
               are
               proneness
               to
               Evil
               ,
               and
               backwardness
               
               to
               Good
               ;
               we
               check
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               cherish
               the
               other
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               Prayer
               ;
               for
               't
               is
               God
               that
               perfects
               us
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               5.
               10.
               he
               must
               be
               sought
               to
               ,
               his
               Blessing
               maketh
               the
               means
               effectual
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Think
               much
               and
               often
               of
               your
               perfect
               Blessedness
               ,
               which
               you
               expect
               according
               to
               promise
               ;
               which
               will
               quicken
               and
               excite
               you
               to
               more
               diligence
               .
               There
               is
               a
               time
               coming
               ,
               when
               the
               Mind
               shall
               be
               filled
               with
               as
               much
               Light
               ,
               and
               the
               Heart
               with
               as
               much
               Love
               and
               Joy
               as
               the
               capacity
               of
               it
               is
               able
               to
               contain
               .
               There
               will
               be
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               A
               compleat
               Vision
               of
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               13.
               12.
               
               No
               desire
               of
               the
               Mind
               shall
               be
               unfilled
               or
               unsatisfied
               with
               the
               Knowledg
               of
               God
               in
               Christ.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               A
               compleat
               Possession
               and
               Fruition
               of
               God
               :
               Here
               ,
               we
               are
               in
               a
               waiting
               ,
               expecting
               ,
               longing
               Posture
               ;
               but
               there
               is
               a
               plenary
               Fruition
               ;
               we
               are
               filled
               up
               with
               all
               the
               Fulness
               of
               God
               ,
               Ephes.
               4.
               19.
               and
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               20.
               
               God
               is
               all
               in
               all
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               A
               compleat
               Similitude
               and
               Transformation
               in
               the
               Image
               of
               Christ
               ,
               1
               
                 Iohn
                 3.
                 2.
                 
                 Psal.
                 17.
                 15.
                 
                 Here
              
               Grace
               is
               mingled
               with
               Corruption
               ;
               we
               are
               like
               God
               by
               the
               
               first
               Fruits
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               but
               unlike
               him
               by
               the
               Remainders
               of
               Corruption
               ;
               But
               in
               Heaven
               we
               shall
               be
               wholly
               like
               him
               .
               Here
               we
               resemble
               Christ
               ,
               but
               we
               also
               resemble
               Adam
               ,
               yea
               ,
               and
               often
               shew
               forth
               more
               of
               Adam
               than
               Jesus
               :
               But
               there
               we
               only
               shew
               forth
               the
               Holiness
               and
               Purity
               of
               Christ
               ;
               His
               Image
               shineth
               in
               us
               without
               Spot
               and
               Blemish
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               A
               compleat
               Delectation
               arising
               from
               all
               the
               rest
               .
               The
               Vision
               ,
               Fruition
               ,
               and
               Likeness
               of
               God
               ,
               Psal.
               16.
               11.
               
               Those
               Delights
               are
               full
               and
               perpetual
               :
               Our
               great
               Business
               will
               be
               to
               love
               what
               we
               see
               ,
               and
               our
               great
               happiness
               to
               have
               what
               we
               love
               :
               This
               is
               our
               never-failing
               Delight
               ;
               we
               enter
               into
               our
               Master's
               Joy
               ,
               Mat.
               25.
               and
               1
               
                 Pet.
                 4.
                 13.
                 
                 That
                 when
                 his
                 Glory
                 shall
                 be
                 revealed
                 ,
                 ye
                 may
                 be
                 glad
                 with
                 an
                 exceeding
                 Ioy.
              
               The
               Lord
               hath
               reserved
               the
               fulness
               of
               his
               People's
               Joy
               ,
               until
               that
               time
               when
               Sorrow
               will
               be
               no
               more
               .
            
             
               Vse
               2.
               
               Are
               we
               perfect
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               grown
               Christians
               in
               the
               way
               to
               Perfection
               ?
            
             
               The
               Notes
               of
               it
               are
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               When
               there
               is
               such
               a
               base
               esteem
               of
               worldly
               Things
               ,
               that
               our
               Affections
               are
               weakned
               to
               them
               every
               day
               :
               One
               half
               of
               
               Religion
               ,
               is
               dying
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               as
               the
               other
               half
               is
               living
               to
               God
               ,
               the
               mortifying
               of
               Self-love
               ,
               and
               the
               strengthning
               and
               increasing
               our
               Love
               to
               God
               :
               Self-love
               is
               gratified
               by
               the
               Pleasures
               ,
               Honours
               ,
               and
               Profits
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               so
               love
               to
               God
               aimeth
               at
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               God
               ,
               when
               we
               get
               above
               the
               Hopes
               and
               Fears
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Delights
               of
               Sense
               ;
               
                 I
                 am
                 crucified
                 to
                 the
                 World
                 ,
              
               Gal.
               6.
               12.
               when
               
                 every
                 thing
                 is
                 loss
                 and
                 dung
                 for
                 Christ's
                 sake
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               When
               more
               unsatisfied
               with
               present
               Degrees
               of
               Holiness
               ,
               with
               a
               constant
               endeavour
               to
               grow
               better
               :
               Our
               maimed
               and
               defective
               Service
               ,
               is
               a
               real
               trouble
               to
               us
               :
               we
               bewail
               our
               Wants
               and
               Imperfections
               ;
               I
               cannot
               do
               what
               I
               would
               ;
               O●
               
                 wretched
                 Man
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 !
                 Who
                 shall
              
               deliv●●
               
                 me
                 from
                 the
                 Body
                 of
                 this
                 Death
                 ?
              
               'T
               is
               the
               grief
               and
               shame
               of
               your
               Hearts
               ,
               that
               yo●
               serve
               God
               no
               better
               ;
               you
               are
               still
               groaning
               ,
               longing
               ,
               striving
               after
               greater
               Perfection
               ;
               but
               when
               you
               allow
               your
               selve●
               in
               your
               Imperfections
               ,
               and
               digest
               Failing
               without
               remorse
               ,
               you
               are
               Weaklings
               i●
               Christianity
               .
               A
               true
               Christian
               desireth
               the
               highest
               degree
               of
               Holiness
               ,
               and
               to
               b●
               freed
               from
               every
               thing
               that
               is
               Sin
               ,
               canno●
               
               sit
               down
               contented
               with
               any
               low
               degree
               of
               Grace
               ;
               't
               is
               a
               trouble
               to
               him
               that
               he
               knoweth
               and
               loveth
               God
               no
               more
               ,
               and
               serveth
               him
               no
               better
               ;
               his
               smallest
               Sins
               are
               a
               greater
               burden
               to
               him
               ,
               than
               the
               greatest
               bodily
               Wants
               and
               Sufferings
               ,
               Rom.
               7.
               23
               ,
               24.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               Such
               are
               more
               swayed
               by
               Love
               than
               Fear
               :
               Weak
               Christians
               are
               most
               obedient
               ,
               when
               most
               in
               fear
               of
               Hell
               ;
               but
               the
               more
               we
               love
               the
               Lord
               our
               God
               with
               all
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               the
               more
               we
               advance
               towards
               our
               final
               Estate
               .
               At
               first
               our
               Pride
               and
               Sensuality
               beareth
               sway
               and
               rule
               in
               us
               ,
               and
               have
               no
               resistance
               ,
               but
               now
               and
               then
               some
               frightnings
               and
               uneffectual
               checks
               from
               the
               fears
               of
               Hell
               ,
               such
               they
               are
               not
               converted
               yet
               .
               And
               if
               the
               sense
               of
               Religion
               do
               more
               prevail
               upon
               us
               ,
               yet
               our
               Condition
               is
               more
               troublous
               than
               comfortable
               ,
               and
               all
               our
               business
               is
               ,
               to
               escape
               the
               everlasting
               Misery
               which
               we
               fear
               ,
               and
               so
               we
               may
               forsake
               the
               practice
               of
               those
               grosser
               Sins
               which
               breed
               our
               Fears
               ,
               or
               perform
               some
               Duties
               that
               may
               best
               fortify
               us
               against
               them
               ;
               but
               this
               Religion
               is
               animated
               by
               Fear
               alone
               ,
               without
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               Holiness
               ,
               that
               's
               only
               preparative
               to
               Religion
               ,
               near
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               
               God
               :
               But
               when
               really
               converted
               ,
               we
               have
               the
               Spirit
               of
               his
               Son
               inclining
               us
               to
               God
               as
               a
               Father
               ,
               Gal.
               4.
               6.
               
               But
               as
               yet
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Adoption
               produceth
               but
               weak
               Effects
               ,
               we
               differ
               little
               from
               a
               Servant
               ;
               'T
               is
               
                 perfect
                 Love
                 casteth
                 out
                 Fear
              
               ,
               1
               John
               4.
               18.
               
               When
               the
               Soul
               loveth
               God
               ,
               mindeth
               God
               ,
               and
               is
               inclined
               to
               the
               Ways
               of
               God
               ,
               delighteth
               in
               them
               as
               they
               lead
               to
               God
               ;
               then
               we
               are
               in
               a
               better
               progress
               ,
               and
               more
               prepared
               for
               our
               final
               Estate
               :
               His
               great
               Motive
               is
               Love
               ,
               his
               great
               End
               is
               perfect
               Love.
               For
               the
               present
               ,
               he
               would
               serve
               him
               better
               ,
               because
               he
               delighteth
               in
               his
               ways
               .
               
                 O
                 how
                 I
                 love
                 thy
                 Law
                 !
              
               Psalm
               .
               119.
               97.
               and
               
                 vers
                 .
                 140.
                 
                 Thy
                 Word
                 is
                 very
                 pure
                 ;
                 therefore
                 thy
                 Servant
                 loveth
                 it
                 .
              
               They
               are
               willing
               and
               ready
               for
               God
               ,
               these
               are
               throughly
               setled
               in
               a
               Christian
               Course
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               grown
               Christian
               is
               more
               humble
               ;
               he
               seeth
               more
               of
               his
               Defects
               than
               others
               do
               :
               Weak
               Christians
               are
               more
               liable
               to
               be
               puffed
               up
               ,
               than
               the
               wiser
               and
               stronger
               ;
               for
               the
               more
               Men
               increase
               in
               Grace
               ,
               whether
               Knowledg
               or
               Holiness
               ,
               the
               more
               they
               know
               their
               Emptiness
               ,
               Unmortifiedness
               ,
               and
               manifold
               Sins
               and
               Failings
               :
               The
               more
               they
               know
               of
               the
               Jealousy
               of
               God's
               Holiness
               ,
               of
               the
               Evil
               
               of
               Sin
               ,
               of
               the
               Strictness
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               have
               a
               deeper
               sense
               of
               their
               Obligations
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               have
               more
               experience
               of
               their
               own
               slippery
               Hearts
               :
               Sin
               is
               more
               a
               burden
               to
               them
               than
               ever
               they
               see
               ;
               they
               have
               more
               difficulties
               to
               grapple
               with
               ,
               and
               all
               this
               keepeth
               them
               humble
               and
               low
               in
               their
               own
               Eyes
               .
               All
               this
               is
               spoken
               to
               press
               you
               to
               look
               to
               this
               growth
               and
               progress
               ,
               which
               is
               our
               Perfection
               .
               By
               the
               way
               ,
               He
               that
               thinketh
               he
               hath
               Grace
               enough
               to
               be
               saved
               ,
               and
               careth
               for
               no
               more
               ,
               dealeth
               more
               niggardly
               with
               God
               than
               he
               would
               do
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               if
               a
               Man
               hath
               Bread
               enough
               to
               keep
               him
               from
               starving
               ,
               would
               he
               be
               content
               ?
               There
               is
               no
               Truth
               ,
               where
               no
               care
               of
               growth
               ;
               if
               our
               Condition
               be
               safe
               ,
               't
               is
               not
               sure
               to
               us
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               A
               Perswasive
               to
               Unity
               in
               Things
               Indifferent
               .
            
             
               
                 PHIL.
                 3.
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 —
                 As
                 many
                 as
                 be
                 perfect
                 ,
                 be
                 thus
                 minded
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 in
                 anything
                 ye
                 be
                 otherwise
                 minded
                 ,
                 God
                 shall
                 reveal
                 even
                 this
                 unto
                 you
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               Now
               come
               to
               the
               other
               part
               of
               the
               Text
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 As
                 many
                 as
                 be
                 perfect
                 ,
                 be
                 thus
                 minded
              
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               think
               the
               same
               thing
               with
               me
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               forsaking
               all
               other
               Confidences
               ,
               cleave
               to
               Christ
               alone
               whatever
               it
               cost
               you
               .
               Mind
               this
               ,
               take
               care
               of
               this
               ,
               be
               thus
               affected
               ;
               let
               us
               actually
               perform
               that
               to
               which
               Circumcision
               was
               designed
               ;
               let
               us
               worship
               God
               in
               a
               spiritual
               manner
               ,
               trusting
               Christ
               as
               the
               substance
               of
               all
               these
               Ceremonial
               Shadows
               ,
               depending
               
               upon
               him
               for
               his
               renewing
               and
               reconciling
               Grace
               ,
               and
               adhering
               to
               pure
               Christianity
               ,
               without
               mingling
               with
               it
               the
               Rudiments
               of
               Moses
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 If
                 in
                 any
                 thing
                 ye
                 be
                 otherwise
                 minded
                 ,
              
               know
               not
               the
               abolition
               of
               the
               Ceremonies
               through
               weakness
               of
               Faith
               ,
               or
               an
               affected
               Ignorance
               ;
               yet
               having
               knowledg
               of
               so
               many
               saving
               Truths
               ,
               we
               hope
               in
               time
               God
               will
               reclaim
               you
               from
               your
               Error
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               Here
               's
               a
               Difference
               or
               Dissent
               supposed
               ,
               
                 Thus
                 minded
              
               ,
               and
               
                 otherwise
                 minded
              
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 Lenity
                 expressed
                 towards
                 the
                 Dissenters
              
               ;
               If
               in
               any
               thing
               ye
               be
               otherwise
               minded
               ,
               God
               shall
               reveal
               even
               ●his
               to
               you
               .
            
             
               Doct.
               That
               when
               God's
               People
               are
               divided
               in
               Opinion
               ,
               all
               Lenity
               and
               mutual
               Forbearance
               should
               be
               used
               ,
               to
               prevent
               things
               from
               coming
               to
               an
               open
               Rupture
               .
            
             
               So
               sweet
               and
               mild
               was
               the
               Discipline
               in
               the
               Apostles
               days
               ,
               that
               he
               would
               not
               compel
               Men
               to
               do
               what-ever
               he
               or
               others
               did
               conceive
               to
               be
               Good
               ,
               or
               to
               forbear
               
               what
               they
               did
               conceive
               to
               be
               Evil
               ,
               but
               without
               force
               ,
               leave
               them
               to
               God's
               Direction
               and
               Illumination
               .
            
             
               Here
               let
               me
               shew
               you
               ,
            
             
               I.
               What
               Lenity
               and
               Forbearance
               should
               be
               used
               .
            
             
               II.
               The
               Reasons
               why
               Lenity
               and
               Forbearance
               should
               be
               used
               .
            
             
               I.
               What
               Lenity
               and
               Forbearance
               should
               be
               used
               .
               Let
               us
               state
               it
               in
               these
               Considerations
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               There
               may
               be
               ,
               and
               often
               are
               ,
               Differences
               of
               Opinion
               about
               lesser
               Things
               in
               the
               Church
               :
               Partly
               ,
               Because
               of
               the
               different
               degrees
               of
               Light.
               All
               Barks
               that
               sail
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               draw
               not
               alike
               depth
               of
               Water
               .
               And
               partly
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               remainders
               of
               Corruption
               in
               all
               .
               Inordinate
               Self-love
               is
               not
               in
               all
               alike
               broken
               and
               mortified
               ,
               and
               so
               their
               particular
               Interests
               have
               an
               influence
               upon
               their
               Opinions
               .
               And
               partly
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               accidental
               Prejudices
               of
               Education
               and
               Converse
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               When
               these
               Differences
               arise
               ,
               we
               should
               take
               care
               they
               come
               not
               to
               a
               Rupture
               and
               open
               Breach
               .
               This
               is
               the
               course
               the
               Apostle
               taketh
               here
               ,
               he
               doth
               not
               by
               and
               by
               despair
               of
               the
               Dissenters
               ,
               and
               reject
               
               them
               as
               Hereticks
               ,
               but
               beareth
               with
               them
               ,
               hoping
               in
               charity
               God
               will
               at
               length
               reveal
               their
               Error
               to
               them
               by
               the
               ministry
               of
               his
               Servants
               ,
               through
               the
               powerful
               Operation
               of
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               not
               suffer
               them
               to
               run
               on
               in
               dividing
               Courses
               from
               the
               rest
               of
               his
               People
               :
               So
               should
               we
               do
               in
               like
               cases
               ;
               partly
               ,
               because
               when
               these
               Differences
               of
               Opinion
               breed
               Divisions
               and
               Separations
               ,
               the
               Church
               is
               destroyed
               :
               Gal.
               5.
               15.
               
               
                 For
                 if
                 ye
                 bite
                 and
                 devour
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 take
                 heed
                 ye
                 be
                 not
                 consumed
                 one
                 of
                 another
                 .
              
               Backbitings
               ,
               Revilings
               ,
               and
               Reproaches
               ,
               make
               way
               for
               a
               total
               Vastation
               of
               the
               whole
               Church
               ,
               a
               ruin
               to
               both
               Parties
               :
               Partly
               ,
               because
               the
               whole
               is
               scandalized
               ;
               John
               17.
               21.
               
               
                 That
                 they
                 may
                 all
                 be
                 one
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 World
                 may
                 believe
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 sent
                 me
                 .
              
               Divisions
               in
               the
               Church
               ,
               breed
               Atheism
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               Partly
               ,
               because
               there
               are
               Enemies
               which
               watch
               for
               our
               halting
               ,
               and
               by
               our
               Divisions
               we
               are
               laid
               open
               to
               them
               .
               Our
               Lord
               and
               Master
               hath
               told
               us
               with
               his
               own
               Mouth
               ,
               That
               
                 a
                 Kingdom
                 divided
                 against
                 it self
                 ,
                 cannot
                 stand
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               12.
               35.
               
               Never
               was
               it
               so
               well
               with
               the
               People
               of
               God
               ,
               but
               besides
               their
               Divisions
               among
               themselves
               ,
               they
               had
               common
               Enemies
               :
               and
               
               Nazianzen
               calls
               them
               ,
               
                 Common
                 Reconcilers
              
               ,
               because
               they
               should
               ingage
               God's
               People
               to
               an
               unanimous
               opposition
               to
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Satan
               in
               the
               World.
               And
               partly
               ,
               because
               then
               mutual
               Means
               of
               Edification
               are
               hindred
               .
               As
               long
               as
               Charity
               and
               mutual
               Forbearance
               remaineth
               ,
               there
               is
               hope
               of
               doing
               good
               to
               one
               another
               ;
               but
               when
               Men
               break
               out
               into
               opposite
               Parties
               ,
               they
               are
               prejudiced
               against
               all
               that
               Light
               that
               they
               should
               receive
               one
               from
               another
               ,
               suspecting
               every
               Point
               as
               counsel
               from
               an
               Enemy
               :
               Gal.
               4.
               16.
               
               
                 Am
                 I
                 therefore
                 become
                 your
                 Enemy
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 tell
                 you
                 the
                 Truth
                 ?
              
               When
               Men
               are
               once
               ingaged
               in
               a
               way
               of
               Error
               ,
               whosoever
               is
               an
               Enemy
               to
               their
               Error
               ,
               is
               counted
               an
               Enemy
               to
               themselves
               .
               Y●a
               ,
               they
               can
               hardly
               bear
               that
               sound
               Doctrine
               which
               doth
               directly
               cross
               their
               Opinions
               ,
               but
               are
               apt
               to
               cavil
               at
               all
               that
               's
               said
               by
               a
               Dissenter
               .
               And
               partly
               ,
               because
               when
               Men
               give
               themselves
               up
               to
               separating
               and
               narrow
               Principles
               ,
               the
               Power
               of
               Godliness
               is
               lost
               ,
               and
               all
               their
               Zeal
               is
               laid
               out
               upon
               their
               petty
               and
               private
               Opinions
               ,
               and
               so
               Religion
               is
               turned
               into
               a
               disputacity
               .
               That
               's
               the
               Reason
               why
               the
               Apostle
               doth
               so
               often
               tell
               them
               ,
               
                 Gal.
                 6.
                 15.
                 
                 For
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 
                 neither
                 Circumcision
                 availeth
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 nor
                 Vncircumcision
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 new
                 Creature
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 6.
                 
                 For
                 in
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 neither
                 Circumcision
                 availeth
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 nor
                 Vncircumcision
                 ,
                 but
                 Faith
                 that
                 worketh
                 by
                 Love.
              
               And
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 7.
                 19.
                 
                 Circumcision
                 is
                 nothing
                 ,
                 and
                 Vncircumcision
                 is
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 keeping
                 the
                 Commandments
                 of
                 God.
              
               Observe
               it
               where
               you
               will
               ,
               and
               you
               shall
               find
               ,
               that
               Separation
               and
               Distance
               from
               the
               rest
               of
               Believers
               ,
               doth
               not
               befriend
               Godliness
               ,
               but
               undermine
               it
               .
               A
               Regiment
               fighting
               apart
               from
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               Army
               of
               Christ
               ,
               is
               always
               lost
               through
               their
               own
               peevishness
               ;
               at
               least
               ,
               they
               lose
               great
               Advantages
               of
               promoting
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               To
               prevent
               this
               open
               Rupture
               ,
               there
               must
               be
               all
               Lenity
               used
               ,
               and
               mutual
               Forbearance
               ;
               we
               must
               not
               rigorously
               obtrude
               our
               Conceits
               upon
               others
               ,
               either
               by
               Church-Power
               ,
               or
               private
               Censure
               ;
               it
               may
               be
               done
               either
               way
               :
               Sometimes
               by
               Church-Power
               ,
               especially
               when
               't
               is
               possessed
               or
               invaded
               by
               the
               more
               self-seeking
               sort
               of
               Christians
               :
               as
               we
               read
               in
               the
               Revelations
               ,
               of
               the
               Beast
               that
               pushed
               with
               the
               Horns
               of
               a
               Lamb
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               used
               Church-Power
               ,
               and
               under
               a
               pretence
               of
               Church-Constitution
               ,
               destroyed
               them
               that
               
               were
               truly
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ.
               And
               our
               Lord
               telleth
               us
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 16.
                 2.
                 
                 They
                 shall
                 put
                 you
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Synagogues
                 :
                 yea
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 cometh
                 ,
                 that
                 whosoever
                 killeth
                 you
                 ,
                 shall
                 think
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 God
                 good
                 service
                 .
              
               Putting
               them
               out
               of
               the
               Synagogues
               ,
               was
               an
               abuse
               of
               Ecclesiastical
               Power
               ;
               it
               may
               be
               so
               ,
               the
               Builders
               may
               refuse
               the
               Corner-Stone
               .
               On
               the
               other
               side
               ;
               private
               Censures
               may
               as
               much
               break
               the
               Law
               of
               Forbearance
               ,
               as
               publick
               Censures
               .
               When
               Inferiors
               promote
               their
               Differences
               with
               Turbulency
               ,
               Heat
               ,
               and
               Animosity
               ,
               and
               rend
               and
               tear
               all
               things
               ,
               yea
               themselves
               ,
               from
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               sober
               Christians
               ,
               censuring
               all
               that
               dissent
               from
               them
               ,
               as
               no
               Christians
               .
               There
               is
               such
               a
               Sin
               under
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               the
               gain-saying
               of
               Corah
               ,
               Jude
               11.
               
               The
               Sin
               of
               Corah
               is
               and
               may
               be
               committed
               in
               the
               New
               Testament
               .
               The
               Sin
               of
               Corah
               was
               invading
               an
               Office
               ,
               that
               no
               way
               belonged
               to
               him
               ;
               and
               censured
               his
               Superiors
               ,
               as
               if
               they
               took
               too
               much
               upon
               them
               ,
               because
               all
               the
               Lord's
               People
               were
               Holy
               ,
               and
               erected
               another
               Ministry
               in
               their
               stead
               :
               He
               being
               a
               Levite
               ,
               would
               do
               the
               Office
               of
               a
               Priest
               as
               well
               as
               Aaron
               ;
               and
               when
               summoned
               to
               appear
               before
               Moses
               ,
               said
               ,
               
                 We
                 will
                 not
                 
                 come
              
               ,
               Numb
               .
               16.
               11
               ,
               12.
               
               Now
               the
               Apostle
               saith
               ,
               in
               the
               perishing
               of
               Korah
               ,
               their
               own
               Doom
               was
               foretold
               .
               Again
               ,
               vers
               .
               19.
               
               These
               are
               they
               that
               separate
               themselves
               ,
               sensual
               ,
               not
               having
               the
               Spirit
               .
               Whence
               't
               is
               clear
               ,
               that
               private
               Men
               ,
               in
               their
               Sphere
               ,
               may
               rend
               the
               Church
               .
               And
               the
               Factions
               at
               Corinth
               proved
               it
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 12.
                 
                 I
                 am
                 of
              
               Paul
               ,
               
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 of
              
               Apollo
               ,
               
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 of
              
               Cephas
               ,
               
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 of
              
               Christ
               :
               As
               impailing
               and
               impropriating
               the
               common
               Salvation
               to
               themselves
               .
               Much
               milder
               was
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 2.
                 
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 theirs
                 and
                 ours
                 .
              
               Now
               what
               Remedy
               is
               there
               ,
               but
               Lenity
               and
               mutual
               Forbearance
               ?
               This
               I
               shall
               state
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               As
               to
               the
               matter
               of
               the
               strife
               .
               It
               must
               be
               considered
               ,
               that
               we
               must
               dispense
               this
               Forbearance
               as
               the
               Matter
               will
               bear
               .
               There
               are
               great
               Disputes
               about
               Toleration
               ,
               only
               let
               me
               tell
               you
               now
               ,
               that
               we
               speak
               not
               of
               the
               Toleration
               of
               the
               Magistrate
               ,
               but
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               what
               things
               are
               within
               the
               latitude
               of
               allowable
               Differences
               within
               the
               Church
               .
               The
               Magistrates
               Concessions
               may
               be
               larger
               ;
               for
               in
               supernatural
               Things
               ,
               such
               as
               Matters
               of
               Religion
               are
               ,
               he
               may
               bear
               with
               that
               which
               the
               Church
               ought
               not
               to
               bear
               with
               in
               
               them
               that
               have
               submitted
               to
               an
               higher
               Institution
               ,
               or
               in
               its
               own
               Members
               ,
               or
               rather
               private
               Christians
               one
               with
               another
               .
               But
               in
               this
               limited
               Forbearance
               ,
               there
               are
               Extreams
               ,
               and
               for
               want
               of
               right
               stating
               of
               things
               ,
               Men
               fight
               with
               their
               Friends
               in
               the
               dark
               ;
               some
               think
               all
               things
               should
               be
               suffered
               ;
               some
               nothing
               wherein
               to
               bear
               with
               our
               Brethren
               .
               The
               one
               sort
               of
               Christians
               is
               for
               imposing
               on
               their
               Brethren
               all
               things
               that
               have
               gotten
               the
               vogue
               and
               the
               favour
               of
               Authority
               ,
               and
               that
               not
               only
               on
               their
               Practice
               ,
               but
               their
               Judgments
               too
               :
               And
               this
               in
               Matters
               not
               fundamental
               or
               destructive
               to
               Faith
               or
               Worship
               ,
               but
               in
               things
               controversal
               or
               doubtful
               among
               godly
               and
               peaceable
               Men.
               But
               if
               it
               should
               not
               go
               so
               high
               ,
               contending
               about
               every
               Difference
               of
               Opinion
               ,
               and
               urging
               our
               Brethren
               with
               every
               thing
               we
               conceive
               to
               be
               right
               ,
               is
               a
               Breach
               of
               Christian
               Love
               ,
               and
               destroyeth
               the
               use
               of
               those
               differing
               Gifts
               which
               Christ
               hath
               given
               to
               the
               Church
               ,
               and
               crosseth
               his
               Mind
               in
               the
               frame
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               which
               are
               clear
               in
               Soul-saving
               Matters
               ,
               in
               other
               things
               ,
               especially
               Matters
               of
               Discipline
               and
               Order
               ,
               more
               dark
               and
               obscure
               .
               'T
               is
               also
               contrary
               to
               the
               mild
               and
               
               gentle
               Government
               of
               the
               Apostles
               ,
               who
               press
               in
               lesser
               Matters
               a
               Forbearance
               ;
               as
               Paul
               ,
               Rom.
               14.
               1.
               
               
                 The
                 weak
                 in
                 Faith
                 receive
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 to
                 doubtful
                 Disputations
              
               ;
               receive
               him
               ,
               own
               him
               ,
               but
               do
               not
               cast
               him
               out
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               nor
               trouble
               him
               for
               doubtful
               Things
               ,
               but
               let
               him
               come
               to
               himself
               ,
               for
               Men
               will
               sooner
               be
               led
               than
               drawn
               .
            
             
               The
               other
               Extream
               is
               ,
               of
               them
               that
               will
               have
               all
               things
               to
               be
               tolerated
               ,
               even
               Blasphemy
               and
               Fundamental
               Errors
               ,
               as
               if
               the
               Scriptures
               were
               uncertain
               in
               all
               things
               .
               No
               ,
               in
               Things
               absolutely
               necessary
               to
               Salvation
               ,
               't
               is
               clear
               ,
               open
               ,
               and
               plain
               ,
               
                 The
                 Law
                 is
                 a
                 Lamp
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Light
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               6.
               23.
               and
               Psal.
               119.
               105.
               
               And
               in
               such
               a
               case
               we
               are
               not
               
                 to
                 bid
                 him
                 God-speed
              
               ,
               2
               Epist.
               Iohn
               10.
               
               In
               such
               cases
               of
               damnable
               Heresy
               ,
               the
               Law
               of
               Christian
               Lenity
               holdeth
               not
               ;
               but
               if
               we
               agree
               in
               the
               principal
               Articles
               of
               Faith
               ,
               let
               us
               embrace
               one
               another
               with
               mutual
               Love
               ,
               though
               we
               differ
               from
               one
               another
               in
               variety
               of
               Rites
               and
               Ceremonies
               ,
               and
               Discipline
               Ecclesiastical
               ;
               if
               we
               agree
               in
               the
               Substantials
               of
               Worship
               ,
               let
               us
               go
               by
               the
               same
               Rule
               ,
               do
               the
               same
               Thing
               :
               Though
               in
               Circumstantials
               there
               be
               a
               difference
               ,
               these
               are
               Matters
               of
               
               lesser
               moment
               than
               Separation
               ,
               or
               the
               other
               division
               of
               the
               Church
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               As
               to
               the
               Persons
               contending
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               difference
               :
               The
               Apostle
               ,
               when
               he
               perswadeth
               this
               Lenity
               and
               mutual
               Forbearance
               ,
               excepts
               those
               that
               raise
               Troubles
               in
               the
               Church
               ,
               and
               distinguisheth
               between
               Erring
               Christians
               ,
               and
               their
               Factious
               Guides
               ;
               Vers.
               2.
               
               
                 Beware
                 of
                 Dogs
                 ,
                 beware
                 of
                 Evil
                 Workers
                 ,
                 beware
                 of
                 the
                 Concision
              
               ;
               the
               poor
               seduced
               Christians
               he
               would
               have
               to
               be
               pittied
               ;
               but
               the
               Renders
               and
               Cutters
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               he
               would
               have
               them
               beware
               of
               such
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               Forbearance
               it self
               ;
               't
               is
               not
               a
               Forbearance
               out
               of
               Necessity
               ,
               because
               we
               dare
               do
               no
               otherwise
               ,
               but
               voluntary
               choice
               out
               of
               Christian
               Pitty
               and
               Compassion
               ,
               knowing
               that
               we
               need
               as
               much
               Forbearance
               from
               God
               and
               others
               ,
               for
               we
               all
               have
               our
               Mistakes
               and
               Failings
               ;
               not
               a
               Forbearance
               out
               of
               Policy
               ,
               till
               we
               get
               opportunity
               to
               suppress
               others
               :
               The
               Sons
               of
               Zerviah
               are
               too
               hard
               for
               us
               ;
               God
               often
               layeth
               that
               restraint
               upon
               us
               by
               his
               Providence
               ;
               and
               't
               is
               well
               he
               doth
               :
               but
               it
               should
               be
               the
               restraint
               of
               Grace
               ,
               not
               a
               respect
               to
               our
               own
               ease
               ,
               lest
               we
               create
               trouble
               to
               our selves
               ,
               but
               upon
               Christian
               
               Reasons
               .
               No
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               sheweth
               you
               whence
               this
               Forbearance
               should
               come
               ;
               Ephes.
               4.
               2
               ,
               3.
               
               
                 With
                 all
                 lowliness
                 and
                 meekness
                 ,
                 and
                 long-suffering
                 ,
                 forbearing
                 one
                 another
                 in
                 Love
                 ;
                 endeavouring
                 to
                 keep
                 the
                 Vnity
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 in
                 the
                 Bond
                 of
                 Peace
                 .
              
            
             
               There
               are
               four
               Graces
               enforce
               it
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Lowliness
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               Grace
               and
               Vertue
               ,
               whereby
               a
               Man
               ,
               from
               the
               sense
               of
               his
               own
               Infirmities
               ,
               doth
               esteem
               but
               meanly
               and
               soberly
               of
               himself
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               is
               his
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               Meekness
               ,
               whereby
               we
               are
               rendred
               tractable
               ,
               gentle
               ,
               affable
               ,
               and
               easy
               to
               be
               intreated
               and
               conversed
               withal
               ,
               Iam.
               3.
               17.
               
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               Long-suffering
               ,
               which
               is
               nothing
               but
               Meekness
               extended
               or
               continued
               ,
               and
               not
               interrupted
               by
               length
               of
               Time
               ,
               or
               multiplication
               of
               Offences
               .
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               Love
               to
               our
               Christian
               Brother
               or
               Neighbour
               ,
               whereby
               our
               Hearts
               are
               inclined
               ,
               or
               well-disposed
               towards
               them
               for
               their
               good
               .
               
                 Love
                 covereth
                 a
                 multitude
                 of
                 Sins
                 ,
              
               1
               Pet.
               4.
               8.
               
               Maketh
               us
               bear
               with
               many
               things
               in
               the
               Person
               loved
               :
               1
               Cor.
               13.
               4.
               
               
                 Charity
                 suffereth
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 kind
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Vers.
                 7.
                 
                 Beareth
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 hopeth
                 all
                 things
                 .
              
               This
               is
               the
               Forbearance
               we
               press
               ,
               a
               Forbearance
               
               out
               of
               Meekness
               ,
               and
               Humility
               ,
               and
               Love
               for
               Christ's
               sake
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               In
               this
               Forbearance
               ,
               both
               strong
               and
               weak
               have
               their
               part
               ,
               and
               are
               much
               concerned
               ,
               as
               having
               either
               of
               them
               much
               to
               do
               herein
               .
               Which
               that
               we
               may
               clear
               to
               you
               ,
               let
               us
               consider
               ,
            
             
               1
               st
               .
               What
               they
               are
               not
               to
               do
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Not
               to
               leave
               the
               Truth
               ,
               or
               to
               do
               any
               thing
               against
               it
               :
               No
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               saith
               ,
               
                 Let
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 be
                 perfect
                 ,
                 be
                 thus
                 minded
              
               ;
               not
               change
               Truth
               for
               Error
               .
               Strings
               in
               Tune
               must
               not
               be
               brought
               down
               to
               strings
               out
               of
               Tune
               ,
               but
               they
               brought
               up
               to
               them
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Not
               to
               connive
               at
               their
               Sin
               or
               Error
               ,
               for
               that
               is
               not
               Love
               but
               Hatred
               ;
               Levit.
               19.
               17.
               
               
                 Thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 hate
                 thy
                 Brother
                 in
                 thine
                 Heart
                 ;
                 thou
                 shalt
                 in
                 any
                 wise
                 rebuke
                 thy
                 Neighbour
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 suffer
                 Sin
                 upon
                 him
                 .
              
               To
               let
               him
               go
               unconvinced
               ,
               is
               to
               harden
               him
               ;
               2
               Thess.
               3.
               15.
               
               
                 Yet
                 count
                 him
                 not
                 as
                 an
                 Enemy
                 ,
                 but
                 admonish
                 him
                 as
                 ●
                 Brother
                 .
              
               The
               Sins
               of
               others
               must
               not
               be
               le●
               alone
               ,
               under
               the
               pretence
               of
               Forbearance
               ;
               and
               there
               must
               be
               no
               neglect
               of
               Means
               to
               reclaim
               them
               from
               their
               Sin
               ,
               but
               meekly
               we
               are
               to
               hold
               our
               Light
               to
               them
               ,
               and
               use
               
               all
               Holy
               Means
               of
               convincing
               and
               satisfying
               their
               Judgments
               .
            
             
               2
               dly
               .
               What
               they
               are
               to
               do
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Strong
               are
               not
               to
               deal
               rigorously
               with
               the
               Weak
               ,
               nor
               insult
               over
               them
               ,
               nor
               pursue
               them
               with
               Censures
               ,
               but
               wait
               till
               God
               declare
               the
               Truth
               un●o
               them
               ,
               and
               must
               promote
               their
               Conviction
               with
               all
               gentleness
               and
               condescension
               .
               We
               are
               to
               feed
               Christ's
               Lambs
               as
               well
               as
               his
               Sheep
               ,
               and
               for
               both
               we
               need
               Love
               ,
               Iohn
               21.
               15
               ,
               16.
               
               Among
               the
               Flock
               of
               Christ
               ,
               there
               are
               variety
               of
               Tempers
               and
               Degrees
               of
               Strength
               ,
               both
               Lambs
               and
               Sheep
               ,
               we
               must
               imitate
               our
               Lord
               :
               
                 Isa.
                 40.
                 11.
                 
                 He
                 shall
                 feed
                 his
                 Flock
                 like
                 a
                 Shepherd
                 ;
                 he
                 shall
                 gather
                 the
                 Lambs
                 with
                 his
                 Arms
                 ,
                 and
                 carry
                 them
                 in
                 his
                 Bosom
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 gently
                 lead
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 with
                 young
                 .
              
               We
               should
               condescend
               to
               the
               weak
               and
               feeble
               Ones
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               consider
               what
               the
               strong
               and
               confirmed
               can
               bear
               :
               though
               we
               cannot
               love
               their
               Weakness
               ,
               yet
               we
               must
               love
               the
               Weak
               ,
               and
               bear
               with
               the
               Infirmities
               of
               the
               Weak
               ,
               not
               break
               the
               bruised
               Reed
               .
               Infants
               must
               not
               be
               turned
               out
               of
               the
               Family
               ,
               because
               they
               cry
               ,
               and
               are
               unquiet
               and
               troublesome
               ;
               though
               they
               be
               peevish
               
               and
               froward
               ,
               yet
               we
               must
               bear
               it
               with
               gentleness
               and
               patience
               ,
               as
               we
               do
               the
               frowardness
               of
               the
               Sick
               ;
               if
               they
               revile
               ,
               we
               must
               not
               revile
               again
               ,
               but
               must
               seek
               gently
               to
               reduce
               them
               ,
               notwithstanding
               all
               their
               Censures
               ;
               to
               entertain
               them
               with
               contempt
               ,
               is
               to
               prejudice
               them
               quite
               against
               all
               Instruction
               .
               Iob
               would
               not
               despise
               the
               Cause
               of
               his
               Man-servant
               ,
               or
               Maid-servant
               ,
               when
               they
               contended
               with
               him
               ,
               Iob
               31.
               13.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Weak
               .
               But
               who
               will
               own
               this
               Title
               and
               Appellation
               ?
               Because
               in
               Controversies
               of
               Religion
               ,
               all
               seem
               to
               stand
               upon
               the
               same
               Level
               ,
               and
               another
               differeth
               from
               me
               ,
               as
               much
               as
               I
               do
               from
               him
               ;
               their
               Opinion
               is
               as
               far
               from
               mine
               ,
               as
               mine
               from
               theirs
               ;
               who
               then
               shall
               be
               accounted
               weak
               ?
            
             
               I
               Answer
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               Our
               Rule
               is
               plain
               ;
               and
               as
               it
               distinguisheth
               Error
               from
               Truth
               ,
               so
               Weakness
               and
               partial
               Christianity
               from
               that
               which
               is
               more
               perfect
               and
               thorough
               .
               Besides
               ,
               't
               is
               clear
               ,
               some
               have
               not
               the
               Gifts
               of
               Knowledg
               and
               Experience
               that
               others
               have
               ,
               nor
               such
               advantages
               of
               Education
               and
               Study
               ,
               and
               helps
               of
               knowing
               the
               Truth
               ;
               and
               though
               they
               are
               not
               to
               captivate
               
               their
               Understandings
               to
               the
               Dictates
               of
               others
               ,
               yet
               they
               should
               search
               ,
               and
               search
               again
               and
               again
               ,
               and
               have
               double
               Light
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               by
               the
               seeming
               Evidence
               of
               Truth
               forced
               to
               differ
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Christianity
               teacheth
               us
               to
               think
               meanly
               of
               our selves
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               be
               wise
               in
               our
               own
               Conceits
               ;
               Phil.
               2.
               3.
               
               
                 In
                 lowliness
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 let
                 each
                 esteem
                 others
                 better
                 than
                 themselves
              
               ;
               at
               least
               ,
               we
               should
               have
               such
               a
               sense
               of
               our
               Imperfections
               ,
               as
               to
               make
               us
               tractable
               and
               teachable
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               If
               you
               will
               not
               own
               your selves
               Weak
               ,
               do
               the
               part
               of
               the
               Strong
               meekly
               ,
               hold
               forth
               your
               Light
               ,
               produce
               your
               Reasons
               to
               convince
               others
               ;
               but
               if
               you
               have
               nothing
               to
               produce
               but
               your
               Obstinacy
               and
               Ignorance
               ,
               surely
               you
               are
               not
               only
               a
               weak
               ,
               but
               a
               perverse
               Brother
               .
               But
               what
               are
               the
               Weak
               to
               do
               ?
               not
               to
               rend
               and
               cut
               off
               themselves
               from
               the
               rest
               of
               Christians
               ,
               or
               be
               strange
               to
               them
               upon
               every
               lesser
               dissent
               ,
               nor
               to
               raise
               Troubles
               by
               your
               Censures
               ,
               but
               to
               be
               humble
               ,
               teachable
               ,
               diligent
               in
               the
               use
               of
               Means
               ,
               to
               lay
               aside
               obstinate
               Prejudices
               ,
               to
               examine
               how
               it
               cometh
               to
               pass
               that
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               Godly
               and
               you
               differ
               ;
               to
               leave
               room
               still
               for
               the
               discovery
               of
               God's
               Mind
               ,
               where
               your
               
               Grounds
               are
               not
               clear
               and
               certain
               ,
               and
               to
               count
               it
               no
               shame
               to
               retract
               that
               former
               practice
               which
               a
               future
               Conviction
               disproveth
               .
            
             
               II.
               The
               Reasons
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               From
               the
               Necessity
               ,
               Excellency
               ,
               and
               Utility
               of
               Union
               :
               What
               more
               clear
               in
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               than
               that
               Christians
               should
               endeavour
               to
               be
               united
               .
               Christ
               prayed
               for
               it
               ,
               
                 Ioh.
                 17.
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 That
                 they
                 all
                 may
                 be
                 One
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 One
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 One
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 perfect
                 in
                 One.
              
               And
               the
               Apostle
               enforceth
               it
               ,
               by
               the
               most
               vehement
               Intreaties
               that
               can
               be
               used
               .
               Phil.
               2.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               
                 If
                 therefore
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 Consolation
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 Comfort
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 Fellowship
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 Bowels
                 of
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 fulfil
                 ye
                 my
                 Ioy
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 be
                 like-minded
                 ,
                 having
                 the
                 same
                 Love
                 ,
                 being
                 of
                 one
                 Accord
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 one
                 Mind
                 .
              
               Who
               can
               withstand
               such
               an
               adjuration
               and
               powerful
               beseechings
               as
               these
               ?
               that
               if
               ever
               they
               found
               any
               comfort
               by
               his
               Ministry
               ,
               and
               ever
               had
               any
               Hope
               by
               Christ
               ,
               ever
               any
               Influence
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               ever
               any
               Pity
               and
               Compassion
               over
               Souls
               ,
               that
               they
               would
               look
               after
               Unity
               in
               Judgment
               ,
               Love
               ,
               and
               Affection
               ,
               and
               lay
               aside
               their
               Differences
               ,
               and
               Carnal
               
               Emulations
               ?
               Again
               ,
               they
               caution
               us
               against
               those
               that
               cause
               Divisions
               ;
               Rom.
               16.
               17
               ,
               18.
               
               
                 Now
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 mark
                 them
                 which
                 cause
                 Divisions
                 and
                 Offences
                 ,
                 contrary
                 to
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 which
                 ye
                 have
                 learned
                 ,
                 and
                 avoid
                 them
                 ;
                 for
                 they
                 that
                 are
                 such
                 ,
                 serve
                 not
                 our
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 own
                 Belly
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 good
                 Words
                 ,
                 and
                 fair
                 Speeches
                 ,
                 deceive
                 the
                 Hearts
                 of
                 the
                 Simple
                 .
              
               They
               press
               Unity
               upon
               us
               by
               very
               cogent
               Arguments
               ,
               that
               carry
               the
               highest
               Reason
               with
               them
               ;
               Ephes.
               4.
               4
               ,
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               
                 There
                 is
                 one
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 ye
                 are
                 called
                 in
                 one
                 Hope
                 of
                 your
                 Calling
                 ,
                 one
                 Lord
                 ,
                 one
                 Faith
                 ,
                 one
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 one
                 God
                 and
                 Father
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 above
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 through
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 you
                 all
                 .
              
            
             
               Seven
               uniting
               Considerations
               are
               there
               heaped
               up
               together
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               There
               is
               one
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               whereof
               all
               are
               Members
               .
               The
               whole
               Church
               maketh
               but
               one
               Body
               knit
               by
               Faith
               to
               Christ
               their
               Head
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               Bond
               of
               Love
               among
               themselves
               ;
               and
               the
               meanest
               Christian
               is
               a
               Member
               in
               this
               Body
               .
               Now
               't
               is
               unnatural
               ,
               if
               the
               Members
               of
               the
               same
               Body
               should
               tear
               and
               destroy
               one
               another
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               should
               
               be
               rent
               and
               torn
               ;
               and
               wo
               be
               to
               them
               by
               whom
               it
               is
               so
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               This
               Body
               is
               animated
               by
               one
               Spirit
               ,
               that
               if
               any
               be
               a
               Member
               of
               this
               Body
               ,
               it
               's
               necessary
               that
               he
               have
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               abiding
               in
               him
               ,
               to
               renew
               and
               quicken
               him
               .
               Now
               this
               one
               and
               the
               self-same
               Spirit
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               calleth
               him
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               12.
               13.
               worketh
               in
               all
               the
               Saints
               ;
               if
               his
               Gifts
               be
               various
               ,
               they
               proceed
               from
               the
               same
               Author
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               variously
               dispensed
               to
               preserve
               Society
               and
               Communion
               ,
               that
               one
               may
               not
               say
               to
               another
               ,
               
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 thee
                 .
              
               However
               ,
               there
               is
               but
               one
               new
               Nature
               in
               all
               the
               Sancti●ied
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               One
               Hope
               of
               Glory
               .
               We
               are
               all
               joint
               Heirs
               of
               the
               same
               Kingdom
               ,
               we
               all
               expect
               one
               End
               and
               Happiness
               ,
               where
               we
               shall
               meet
               and
               live
               together
               for
               ever
               .
               Now
               those
               that
               shall
               meet
               and
               live
               together
               in
               Glory
               hereafter
               ,
               should
               live
               together
               in
               Peace
               and
               Concord
               here
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               There
               is
               one
               Lord
               ,
               one
               Mediator
               and
               Blessed
               Saviour
               .
               Now
               shall
               the
               Servants
               of
               one
               Master
               fall
               at
               odds
               with
               themselves
               ,
               neglect
               their
               Master's
               Work
               committed
               to
               them
               ,
               beat
               their
               fellow-Servants
               ,
               and
               eat
               and
               drink
               with
               the
               Drunken
               ?
            
             
             
               5.
               
               One
               Faith
               ;
               
                 Fides
                 quae
                 creditur
              
               ,
               he
               meaneth
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               Faith
               in
               the
               Gospel
               .
               We
               agree
               in
               the
               same
               Fundamental
               Truths
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               the
               only
               Object
               of
               saving-Faith
               ,
               and
               shall
               we
               strive
               about
               Things
               of
               less
               Importance
               and
               Moment
               ?
               there
               is
               but
               one
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Seed
               of
               our
               New
               Birth
               ,
               the
               Rule
               of
               our
               Faith
               and
               Lives
               ,
               the
               Foundation
               of
               our
               Hope
               ,
               the
               Food
               of
               our
               Souls
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               One
               Baptism
               ,
               that
               is
               the
               same
               New
               Covenant
               ,
               sealed
               and
               confirmed
               by
               Baptism
               ;
               and
               when
               our
               Father's
               Testament
               is
               clear
               ,
               do
               we
               quarrel
               about
               petty
               and
               mean
               Things
               ?
            
             
               7.
               
               One
               God
               and
               Father
               of
               all
               ,
               who
               is
               above
               all
               ,
               and
               through
               all
               ,
               and
               in
               you
               all
               .
               We
               have
               one
               common
               God
               and
               Father
               ,
               whose
               Eminency
               is
               above
               all
               Creatures
               ,
               whose
               presence
               and
               powerful
               Providence
               runneth
               through
               all
               Creatures
               ;
               but
               his
               special
               Presence
               ,
               by
               the
               gracious
               Operations
               of
               his
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               is
               in
               the
               Regenerate
               .
               Surely
               this
               is
               a
               strong
               Bond
               of
               Union
               ,
               to
               be
               one
               in
               God
               ,
               he
               is
               the
               common
               Father
               of
               all
               Believers
               ,
               through
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Some
               are
               Weak
               ,
               some
               Strong
               ,
               some
               Rich
               ,
               some
               Poor
               ,
               but
               they
               have
               all
               an
               equal
               Interest
               in
               God.
               Now
               for
               
               us
               ,
               who
               are
               so
               many
               ways
               one
               ,
               to
               be
               rent
               in
               pieces
               ;
               How
               sad
               is
               that
               !
               All
               these
               places
               ,
               and
               many
               more
               ,
               shew
               how
               every
               Christian
               should
               ,
               as
               far
               as
               't
               is
               possible
               ,
               be
               an
               esteemer
               and
               promoter
               of
               Unity
               among
               Brethren
               ,
               and
               not
               only
               make
               Conscience
               of
               Purity
               ,
               but
               of
               Unity
               also
               ,
               which
               next
               to
               Purity
               ,
               is
               the
               great
               Badg
               of
               Christianity
               .
            
             
               2
               dly
               .
               From
               the
               consideration
               of
               our
               mutual
               Frailties
               ,
               who
               have
               all
               in
               part
               a
               corrupt
               Will
               ,
               guided
               by
               a
               blind
               Mind
               .
               Now
               as
               the
               Apostle
               saith
               of
               the
               High
               Priest
               ,
               who
               is
               taken
               from
               Men
               ,
               Heb.
               5.
               2.
               
               That
               
                 he
                 is
                 one
                 that
                 can
                 have
                 compassion
                 of
                 the
                 Ignorant
                 ,
                 and
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 compassed
                 about
                 with
                 Infirmities
                 .
              
               This
               should
               be
               verified
               in
               every
               one
               of
               us
               ;
               one
               Sinner
               ought
               to
               have
               compassion
               of
               another
               ;
               the
               word
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               can
               reasonably
               bear
               with
               the
               ignorance
               of
               Brethren
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               common
               Relation
               .
               
                 Gal.
                 6.
                 1.
                 
                 Ye
                 which
                 are
                 Spiritual
                 ,
                 restore
                 him
                 with
                 meekness
                 ;
                 so
                 him
                 that
                 is
                 weak
                 ,
                 receive
                 ,
              
               Rom
               ,
               14.
               1.
               
               The
               Apostles
               being
               immediately
               inspired
               ,
               were
               more
               infallible
               than
               we
               are
               .
            
             
             
               Oh
               ,
               do
               but
               consider
               what
               we
               were
               ,
               and
               what
               we
               are
               ;
               
                 For
                 we
                 our selves
                 were
                 sometimes
                 foolish
                 and
                 disobedient
                 ,
              
               Titus
               3.
               3.
               
               Did
               not
               we
               all
               sit
               in
               Darkness
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               shadow
               of
               Death
               ?
               Were
               we
               not
               all
               ignorant
               of
               the
               Ways
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Things
               which
               belong
               to
               our
               Peace
               ?
               Hath
               God
               meerly
               by
               his
               Grace
               brought
               us
               to
               the
               knowledg
               of
               his
               Truth
               ,
               and
               shall
               we
               contemn
               and
               disdain
               our
               weak
               Brother
               ?
               or
               insult
               over
               him
               ,
               and
               determine
               and
               judg
               rashly
               of
               him
               ?
               
                 Who
                 maketh
                 thee
                 to
                 differ
                 ?
                 1
                 Cor.
              
               4.
               7.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               What
               we
               are
               :
               weak
               Creatures
               ,
               not
               infallible
               ;
               now
               after
               we
               are
               light
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               we
               have
               our
               Errors
               in
               Knowledg
               and
               Practice
               ,
               some
               more
               ,
               some
               less
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               degree
               of
               our
               growth
               ;
               Psal.
               19.
               12.
               
               God
               revealeth
               to
               his
               Saints
               all
               necessary
               Truth
               ,
               but
               not
               every
               particular
               Truth
               ,
               out
               of
               wise
               Dispensation
               .
            
             
               3
               dly
               .
               From
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               probability
               of
               Divine
               Illumination
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               This
               Illumination
               cometh
               from
               God
               only
               .
               'T
               is
               he
               that
               powerfully
               revealeth
               it
               ,
               and
               setleth
               the
               Heart
               in
               the
               belief
               of
               it
               ,
               Acts
               16.
               4.
               
               And
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 I
                 
                 have
                 planted
                 ,
              
               Apollos
               
                 watered
                 ,
                 but
                 God
                 gave
                 the
                 increase
                 .
              
               The
               best
               Means
               may
               be
               disappointed
               ,
               till
               God
               cooperate
               with
               them
               ;
               let
               us
               then
               with
               patience
               use
               the
               Means
               ,
               and
               refer
               the
               Issue
               to
               God
               ;
               2
               
                 Tim.
                 2.
                 25.
                 
                 In
                 meekness
                 instructing
                 those
                 that
                 oppose
                 themselves
                 ,
                 if
                 peradventure
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 them
                 Repentance
                 unto
                 Life
                 .
              
               If
               we
               seek
               to
               force
               Men
               to
               our
               Opinion
               ,
               before
               Men
               are
               convinced
               ,
               that
               is
               a
               tyranny
               which
               will
               do
               little
               good
               ;
               it
               may
               make
               Hypocrites
               ,
               but
               it
               will
               never
               make
               real
               Converts
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               This
               Illumination
               is
               given
               by
               God
               by
               degrees
               :
               The
               Apostle
               prayeth
               for
               the
               converted
               Ephesians
               ,
               That
               
                 God
                 would
                 give
                 them
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Revelation
                 ,
              
               Ephes.
               1.
               17.
               
               They
               had
               it
               before
               ,
               but
               he
               meaneth
               a
               greater
               measure
               .
               Therefore
               weak
               Christians
               are
               not
               to
               be
               discouraged
               ,
               though
               they
               see
               not
               as
               far
               as
               others
               ;
               some
               see
               more
               ,
               some
               less
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               state
               and
               condition
               wherein
               God
               will
               imploy
               them
               .
               Some
               need
               more
               Light
               than
               others
               ,
               as
               Ministers
               more
               than
               People
               ,
               Governors
               more
               than
               Inferiors
               ;
               but
               all
               have
               sufficient
               :
               some
               at
               first
               see
               Men
               walking
               like
               Trees
               ,
               Mark
               8.
               24
               ,
               25.
               but
               afterwards
               the
               Light
               groweth
               more
               clear
               
               and
               more
               distinct
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               he
               doth
               not
               reveal
               his
               Mind
               to
               his
               Children
               all
               alike
               ,
               nor
               all
               at
               once
               ,
               but
               here
               a
               little
               ,
               and
               there
               a
               little
               ,
               as
               narrow-mouth'd
               Vessels
               can
               take
               it
               in
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Those
               who
               are
               not
               for
               the
               present
               ,
               may
               be
               afterwards
               instructed
               in
               the
               Truth
               .
               The
               Apostle
               proceedeth
               in
               the
               hopes
               of
               that
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               Upon
               the
               Supposition
               ,
               That
               they
               were
               already
               converted
               to
               the
               Christian
               Faith
               ,
               and
               were
               sincere
               in
               the
               Belief
               and
               Profession
               of
               it
               .
               Those
               that
               belong
               to
               God
               ,
               will
               one
               time
               or
               other
               be
               enlightned
               in
               the
               knowledg
               of
               all
               necessary
               Truths
               ;
               
                 For
                 God
                 that
                 hath
                 begun
                 a
                 good
                 Work
                 ,
                 will
                 perfect
                 it
                 ,
              
               Phil.
               1.
               6.
               
               If
               the
               Saints
               at
               first
               Conversion
               ,
               when
               they
               were
               called
               from
               Darkness
               to
               Light
               ,
               did
               not
               hinder
               Illumination
               then
               ,
               and
               the
               knowledg
               of
               those
               many
               Soul-saving
               Truths
               which
               God
               revealed
               to
               them
               then
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               recover
               them
               from
               a
               partial
               Error
               ,
               we
               may
               presume
               that
               God
               will
               give
               them
               a
               farther
               understanding
               of
               the
               Way
               of
               Salvation
               ,
               though
               now
               under
               some
               Error
               ;
               as
               Aquila
               and
               Priscilla
               expounded
               to
               Apollos
               the
               Way
               of
               God
               more
               perfectly
               ,
               Acts
               18.
               26.
               
            
             
             
               2.
               
               Upon
               the
               Supposition
               that
               they
               were
               humble
               and
               tractable
               ;
               
                 Psal.
                 25.
                 9.
                 
                 The
                 Meek
                 he
                 will
                 guide
                 in
                 Iudgment
                 ,
                 the
                 Meek
                 he
                 will
                 teach
                 his
                 Way
                 .
              
               They
               lie
               open
               to
               Information
               ;
               but
               if
               Men
               be
               puffed
               up
               with
               Self-conceits
               ,
               there
               is
               more
               hopes
               of
               a
               Carnal
               Fool
               than
               of
               them
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               a
               sensual
               and
               brutish
               Man.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               they
               will
               not
               neglect
               any
               means
               of
               Study
               and
               Prayer
               :
               Study
               ;
               For
               we
               must
               dig
               for
               Knowledg
               as
               for
               Silver
               ,
               Prov.
               2.
               4.
               not
               only
               cry
               for
               it
               ,
               but
               dig
               for
               it
               in
               the
               Mines
               of
               Knowledg
               ;
               common
               and
               obvious
               Apprehensions
               lead
               us
               into
               Error
               .
               And
               then
               Prayer
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 18.
                 
                 Lord
                 open
                 mine
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 see
                 wondrous
                 Things
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 Law.
              
               God
               must
               take
               away
               the
               Vail
               .
               Now
               then
               upon
               prayer
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               applying
               themselves
               to
               the
               use
               of
               Holy
               Means
               ,
               God
               will
               shew
               them
               they
               are
               deceived
               .
               If
               you
               Study
               and
               not
               Pray
               ;
               't
               is
               just
               with
               God
               to
               leave
               you
               to
               your
               Prejudices
               ;
               if
               you
               pray
               ,
               and
               neglect
               Means
               ,
               you
               must
               not
               think
               that
               God
               will
               extraordinarily
               inspire
               you
               ,
               for
               he
               revealeth
               Truth
               by
               his
               Blessing
               on
               ordinary
               Means
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Upon
               suspicion
               that
               they
               continue
               in
               the
               Communion
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               
                 Ephes.
                 
                 4.
                 15.
                 
                 Speaking
                 the
                 Truth
                 in
                 love
                 .
              
               While
               we
               keep
               Unity
               ,
               and
               keep
               Love
               ,
               others
               have
               greater
               hopes
               to
               convince
               ,
               they
               to
               be
               convinced
               ;
               and
               so
               both
               ,
               while
               they
               divide
               not
               ,
               by
               this
               mutual
               Condescension
               ,
               may
               the
               better
               wait
               for
               this
               Illumination
               ;
               but
               in
               their
               Separation
               ,
               their
               Errors
               are
               confirmed
               while
               they
               hear
               but
               one
               side
               ,
               nothing
               to
               undeceive
               them
               ,
               but
               all
               to
               root
               them
               in
               their
               Errors
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               He
               supposeth
               that
               they
               walked
               orderly
               according
               to
               their
               Light.
               Now
               if
               God
               hath
               begun
               to
               enlighten
               them
               in
               other
               things
               ,
               he
               will
               discover
               more
               Truths
               to
               them
               ,
               Iohn
               7.
               17.
               
               Upon
               the
               whole
               ,
               deal
               tenderly
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               tolerate
               them
               ,
               till
               they
               be
               taught
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               6.
               
               As
               to
               the
               Nature
               of
               his
               Confidence
               ,
               
                 God
                 shall
                 reveal
              
               .
               There
               is
               a
               two-fold
               Confidence
               ,
               a
               Confidence
               of
               Faith
               grounded
               on
               a
               Promise
               ,
               and
               a
               Confidence
               of
               Charity
               grounded
               on
               Appearance
               and
               Probability
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               13.
               7.
               
               We
               hope
               the
               best
               ,
               though
               the
               Event
               doth
               not
               always
               follow
               ,
               the
               former
               is
               on
               the
               fore-mentioned
               Grounds
               ,
               the
               latter
               on
               Appearance
               .
               The
               Appearance
               of
               them
               ;
               so
               ,
               
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 10.
                 
                 I
                 have
                 confidence
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 otherwise
                 minded
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 
                 that
                 troubleth
                 you
                 ,
                 shall
                 bear
                 his
                 Iudgment
                 whoever
                 be
                 be
                 .
              
               This
               Confidence
               was
               grounded
               on
               Charity
               ,
               that
               through
               the
               Lord's
               Grace
               they
               should
               be
               reclaimed
               from
               their
               Error
               ,
               and
               brought
               to
               imbrace
               the
               Truth
               .
               We
               are
               not
               to
               despair
               of
               the
               recovery
               of
               any
               ,
               but
               in
               charity
               to
               hope
               the
               best
               of
               all
               Men
               ,
               as
               long
               as
               they
               are
               cureable
               .
               Thus
               for
               the
               third
               Reason
               .
            
             
               4
               th
               Reason
               ,
               from
               the
               temper
               of
               those
               that
               are
               perfect
               .
               A
               grounded
               Christian
               beareth
               with
               the
               Infirmities
               he
               seeth
               in
               others
               ,
               and
               pitieth
               and
               helpeth
               them
               ,
               and
               prayeth
               for
               them
               more
               than
               the
               Weak
               ,
               who
               are
               usually
               most
               censorious
               ,
               and
               addicted
               to
               the
               Interest
               of
               their
               Party
               and
               Faction
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               make
               a
               bustle
               about
               Opinions
               ,
               rather
               than
               solid
               Godliness
               :
               but
               the
               grown
               Christian
               is
               most
               under
               the
               Power
               of
               Love
               ,
               and
               an
               heavenly
               Mind
               ,
               and
               so
               loveth
               God
               and
               his
               Neighbour
               ,
               is
               most
               sensible
               of
               his
               own
               Frailty
               ,
               hath
               a
               greater
               Zeal
               for
               the
               welfare
               of
               his
               Church
               and
               Interest
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               seeth
               further
               than
               others
               do
               .
            
             
             
               Vse
               is
               ,
               to
               press
               us
               to
               this
               Lenity
               and
               Forbearance
               to
               one
               another
               .
            
             
               
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 take
                 these
                 Considerations
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Consider
                 in
                 how
                 many
                 Things
                 we
                 agree
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 how
                 few
                 we
                 differ
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 three-fold
                 Unity
                 ,
                 in
                 Mind
                 ,
                 and
                 Heart
                 ,
                 and
                 Scope
                 .
              
               
                 
                   In
                   Mind
                   :
                   Rom.
                
                 15.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 Now
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Patience
                 and
                 Consolation
                 ,
                 grant
                 that
                 you
                 be
                 like
                 minded
                 one
                 towards
                 another
                 ;
                 that
                 ye
                 ●●ay
                 with
                 one
                 Mind
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 Mouth
                 ,
                 glorify
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 
                   In
                   Heart
                   :
                   Acts
                
                 4.
                 32.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 believed
                 ,
                 were
                 of
                 one
                 Heart
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 one
                 Soul.
                 
              
               
                 As
                 to
                 the
                 Scope
                 :
                 Rom.
                 15.
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 Now
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Way
                 ,
                 'T
                 is
                 either
                 the
                 general
                 way
                 of
                 Faith
                 and
                 Holiness
                 ;
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 are
                 of
                 one
                 mind
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Substantials
                 of
                 Faith
                 and
                 Worship
                 ;
                 
                   Ier.
                   32.
                   30.
                   
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   them
                   one
                   Heart
                   ,
                   and
                   one
                   Way
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   fear
                   me
                   for
                   ever
                   .
                
                 But
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 different
                 practice
                 as
                 to
                 some
                 lesser
                 things
                 ;
                 Should
                 we
                 for
                 these
                 break
                 with
                 one
                 another
                 ?
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 Take
                 more
                 notice
                 of
                 their
                 Graces
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 their
                 Infirmities
                 ;
                 Is
                 there
                 no
                 good
                 ●hing
                 found
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 Rev.
                 2.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   But
                   this
                   thou
                   hast
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   hatest
                   the
                   Deeds
                   of
                   the
                   Nicolaitans
                   .
                
                 See
                 also
                 vers
                 .
                 2.
                 and
                 5.
                 he
                 beginneth
                 and
                 endeth
                 with
                 their
                 Commendation
                 ,
                 though
                 in
                 the
                 middle
                 of
                 the
                 Epistle
                 he
                 reproveth
                 them
                 for
                 their
                 Decay
                 .
                 He
                 taketh
                 more
                 notice
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 right
                 ,
                 than
                 what
                 is
                 wrong
                 :
                 We
                 reflect
                 upon
                 the
                 Evil
                 of
                 every
                 Party
                 ,
                 but
                 do
                 not
                 consider
                 the
                 Good.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Remember
                 how
                 open
                 the
                 Enforcements
                 to
                 Love
                 and
                 Unity
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 much
                 the
                 Grounds
                 of
                 Separation
                 lie
                 in
                 the
                 dark
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 in
                 a
                 doubtful
                 Case
                 ,
                 but
                 Union
                 is
                 the
                 safest
                 part
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Think
                 of
                 God's
                 Love
                 and
                 Forbearance
                 towards
                 us
                 ,
                 before
                 we
                 received
                 the
                 Light
                 of
                 his
                 Truth
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 brought
                 to
                 the
                 Obedience
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 ;
                 as
                 God
                 dealt
                 with
                 the
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 so
                 with
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 us
                 ;
                 Acts
                 13.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   He
                   suffered
                   their
                   Manners
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                
                 ;
                 If
                 we
                 had
                 been
                 dealt
                 with
                 rigorously
                 ,
                 we
                 had
                 been
                 cut
                 off
                 from
                 the
                 number
                 of
                 God's
                 People
                 ,
                 had
                 such
                 Stumbling-blocks
                 and
                 Prejudices
                 laid
                 in
                 our
                 way
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 never
                 have
                 been
                 converted
                 to
                 God.
                 
              
               
               
                 5.
                 
                 This
                 Forbearance
                 cannot
                 in
                 Reason
                 be
                 expected
                 from
                 others
                 to
                 our selves
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 not
                 ready
                 to
                 repay
                 it
                 to
                 others
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 Man
                 which
                 hath
                 not
                 Infirmities
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 which
                 call
                 for
                 Forbearance
                 ,
                 Iam
                 3.
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 general
                 ,
                 Every
                 Man
                 is
                 obliged
                 to
                 do
                 as
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 done
                 unto
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 7.
                 12.
                 
                 So
                 in
                 particular
                 ,
                 He
                 is
                 reproved
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 his
                 own
                 Debt
                 forgiven
                 him
                 ,
                 yet
                 took
                 his
                 Fellow-Servant
                 by
                 the
                 Throat
                 ,
                 and
                 shewed
                 him
                 no
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 18.
                 28.
                 
                 We
                 have
                 all
                 our
                 Failings
                 and
                 Mistakes
                 ;
                 usually
                 God
                 punisheth
                 Censures
                 with
                 Censures
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 7.
                 1.
                 
                 Injuries
                 with
                 Injuries
                 .
                 Paul
                 that
                 stoned
                 Stephen
                 ,
                 was
                 himself
                 stoned
                 at
                 Lystra
                 .
                 So
                 he
                 punisheth
                 Separations
                 with
                 Separations
                 :
                 they
                 are
                 endless
                 ;
                 as
                 Circles
                 in
                 the
                 Water
                 beget
                 one
                 another
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 Consider
                 how
                 dangerous
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 reject
                 any
                 whom
                 Christ
                 will
                 own
                 for
                 his
                 :
                 Will
                 Christ
                 admit
                 him
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 you
                 think
                 him
                 unfit
                 for
                 your
                 Communion
                 here
                 upon
                 Earth
                 ?
                 Despise
                 not
                 the
                 weak
                 Brother
                 ,
                 for
                 God
                 hath
                 received
                 him
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 14.
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 Gentile
                 Believer
                 must
                 not
                 despise
                 the
                 s●rupulous
                 Jewish
                 Believer
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 Communion
                 the
                 Gentile
                 Christian
                 :
                 if
                 God
                 hath
                 admitted
                 
                 him
                 into
                 his
                 Family
                 ,
                 shall
                 we
                 exclude
                 him
                 ?
                 So
                 ,
                 
                   Matth.
                   18.
                   6.
                   
                   Whosoever
                   shall
                   offend
                   one
                   of
                   these
                   little
                   Ones
                   which
                   believe
                   in
                   me
                   ,
                   it
                   were
                   better
                   that
                   a
                   Milstone
                   were
                   hanged
                   about
                   his
                   Neck
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   he
                   were
                   cast
                   into
                   the
                   Sea.
                
                 Now
                 what
                 greater
                 Offence
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 cast
                 them
                 off
                 from
                 the
                 Privileges
                 of
                 the
                 Christian
                 Church
                 ,
                 either
                 by
                 publick
                 or
                 private
                 Censures
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 causless
                 or
                 unwarrantable
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 no
                 way
                 grounded
                 on
                 necessary
                 Things
                 ?
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 As
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 on
                 our
                 part
                 give
                 Offence
                 ,
                 or
                 occasion
                 the
                 Divisions
                 ,
                 so
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 take
                 Offence
                 when
                 't
                 is
                 given
                 by
                 others
                 ;
                 for
                 Charity
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 provoketh
                 not
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 easily
                 provoked
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 13.
                 5.
                 
                 So
                 likewise
                 if
                 a
                 Rent
                 be
                 made
                 by
                 others
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 do
                 what
                 we
                 can
                 to
                 heal
                 it
                 ;
                 if
                 an
                 angry
                 Brother
                 call
                 us
                 Bastard
                 ,
                 yet
                 let
                 us
                 own
                 him
                 as
                 a
                 Brother
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 the
                 Family
                 ;
                 for
                 ,
                 
                   Blessed
                   are
                   the
                   Peace-makers
                   ,
                   Matth.
                
                 5.
                 9.
                 
                 The
                 World
                 censureth
                 us
                 for
                 Complyers
                 ,
                 and
                 Dawbers
                 ;
                 but
                 God
                 counteth
                 us
                 his
                 genuine
                 and
                 true
                 Children
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 Our
                 endeavours
                 after
                 Unity
                 among
                 the
                 Professors
                 of
                 Christians
                 ,
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 earnest
                 and
                 constant
                 ,
                 Ephes.
                 4.
                 3.
                 
                 Endeavouring
                 
                   to
                   keep
                   the
                   Vnity
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   in
                   
                   the
                   Bond
                   of
                   Peace
                   .
                
                 I
                 add
                 this
                 ,
                 partly
                 ,
                 because
                 many
                 make
                 fair
                 Pretences
                 of
                 Peace
                 and
                 Union
                 ,
                 which
                 their
                 Practice
                 contradicteth
                 ;
                 all
                 cry
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Divisions
                 ,
                 but
                 every
                 one
                 keepeth
                 them
                 up
                 :
                 And
                 partly
                 ,
                 because
                 when
                 't
                 is
                 endeavoured
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 find
                 Difficulties
                 and
                 Disappointments
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 rest
                 in
                 some
                 careless
                 Endeavours
                 ,
                 nor
                 grow
                 weary
                 ,
                 tho
                 we
                 meet
                 not
                 with
                 present
                 success
                 :
                 And
                 partly
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Instruments
                 of
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 Good
                 ,
                 are
                 usually
                 sacrificed
                 to
                 th●
                 Wrath
                 of
                 both
                 Parties
                 .
                 We
                 must
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 digest
                 Affronts
                 ,
                 Reproaches
                 ,
                 Censures
                 ,
                 and
                 Injuries
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 them
                 that
                 hate
                 us
                 ,
                 2
                 
                   Cor.
                   12.
                   15.
                   
                   Though
                   the
                   more
                   abundantly
                   I
                   love
                   you
                   ,
                   the
                   less
                   I
                   am
                   beloved
                   of
                   you
                   .
                
              
            
          
           
             
             
             
               Not
               to
               be
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               the
               ready
               way
               to
               Blessedness
               .
            
             
               
                 MAT.
                 11.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 blessed
                 is
                 he
                 whosoever
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 offended
                 in
                 me
                 .
              
            
             
               THese
               words
               are
               the
               conclusion
               of
               Christ's
               Answer
               to
               
               Iohn's
               Disciples
               ,
               who
               were
               sent
               from
               him
               in
               Prison
               ,
               to
               inquire
               if
               Christ
               were
               the
               True
               Messiah
               ,
               or
               they
               must
               look
               for
               another
               .
               This
               Message
               was
               not
               sent
               for
               his
               own
               Satisfaction
               ,
               but
               theirs
               ;
               not
               his
               own
               ,
               for
               he
               had
               before
               openly
               owned
               Christ
               as
               such
               ,
               Iohn
               1.
               29.
               
               But
               theirs
               ,
               they
               are
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               out
               of
               respect
               to
               their
               Master
               .
               For
               Answer
               ,
               Christ
               referreth
               them
               to
               his
               Works
               ,
               whether
               they
               were
               not
               such
               as
               the
               Prophets
               foretold
               were
               to
               be
               performed
               by
               the
               Messiah
               .
            
             
             
               Two
               things
               he
               urgeth
               .
            
             
               
                 First
                 ,
                 His
                 Miracles
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 His
                 Preaching
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
            
             
               First
               ,
               His
               Miracles
               .
               
                 The
                 Blind
                 receive
                 their
                 sight
                 ,
                 the
                 Lame
                 walk
                 ,
                 the
                 Lepers
                 are
                 cleansed
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Deaf
                 hear
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Dead
                 are
                 raised
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Poor
                 have
                 the
                 Gospel
                 preached
                 to
                 them
              
               ;
               This
               was
               foretold
               ,
               Isa.
               35.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               
                 Then
                 the
                 Eyes
                 of
                 the
                 Blind
                 shall
                 be
                 open
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Ears
                 of
                 the
                 Deaf
                 shall
                 be
                 unstopped
                 :
                 Then
                 shall
                 the
                 Lame
                 leap
                 as
                 an
                 Hart
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Tongue
                 of
                 the
                 Dumb
                 shall
                 sing
                 .
              
               And
               then
               for
               his
               setting
               afoot
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               compare
               Isa.
               61.
               1.
               with
               Luke
               4.
               18.
               
               Isa.
               61.
               1.
               
               
                 The
                 Spirit
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 God
                 is
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 anointed
                 me
                 to
                 preach
                 good
                 Tydings
                 unto
                 the
                 Meek
                 :
                 He
                 hath
                 sent
                 me
                 to
                 bind
                 up
                 the
                 broken-hearted
                 ,
                 to
                 proclaim
                 Liberty
                 to
                 the
                 Captives
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 opening
                 the
                 Prison
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 bound
                 .
              
               Luk.
               4.
               18.
               
               
                 The
                 Spirit
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 hath
                 anointed
                 me
                 to
                 preach
                 the
                 Gospel
                 to
                 the
                 Poor
                 ;
                 He
                 hath
                 sent
                 me
                 to
                 heal
                 the
                 broken-hearted
                 ,
                 to
                 preach
                 deliverance
                 to
                 the
                 Captives
                 ,
                 and
                 rec●vering
                 of
                 sight
                 to
                 the
                 
                 Blind
                 ;
                 to
                 set
                 at
                 liberty
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 bruised
                 ;
                 to
                 preach
                 the
                 acceptable
                 Year
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 4.
                 21.
                 
                 This
                 day
                 is
                 this
                 Scripture
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 your
                 Ears
                 .
              
               This
               is
               here
               expressed
               ,
               
                 The
                 Poor
                 have
                 the
                 Gospel
                 preached
                 to
                 them
                 :
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               The
               Poor
               are
               Evangelized
               ;
               have
               not
               only
               the
               Promises
               of
               the
               Gospel
               offered
               to
               them
               ,
               but
               the
               impression
               and
               power
               of
               it
               is
               left
               upon
               their
               Hearts
               :
               By
               the
               Poor
               ,
               may
               be
               meant
               the
               humble-minded
               ,
               or
               Persons
               of
               the
               meanest
               and
               lowest
               Condition
               :
               
                 The
                 humble-minded
              
               ,
               or
               such
               as
               were
               affected
               with
               their
               Sin
               and
               Misery
               .
               The
               Proud
               resist
               ,
               and
               stand
               out
               against
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               but
               the
               broken-hearted
               ,
               thankfully
               accepted
               glad
               Tidings
               of
               this
               Salvation
               .
               The
               Messiah
               was
               to
               preach
               to
               the
               Poor
               ,
               Luke
               4.
               18.
               
               But
               in
               Isa.
               61.
               1.
               
               't
               is
               the
               Meek
               .
               The
               Gospel
               doth
               affect
               the
               poor
               needy
               Soul
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               put
               a
               stamp
               of
               Grace
               upon
               it
               .
               They
               that
               are
               sensible
               of
               their
               Sin
               and
               Misery
               ,
               are
               the
               proper
               Objects
               of
               this
               Dispensation
               :
               or
               else
               it
               may
               be
               meant
               of
               
                 Persons
                 of
                 the
                 meanest
                 and
                 lowest
                 condition
                 .
              
               The
               Christian
               Church
               was
               made
               up
               of
               such
               at
               first
               ;
               James
               2.
               5.
               
               
                 Hearken
                 my
                 beloved
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 Hath
                 not
                 God
                 chosen
                 the
                 po●r
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 rich
                 in
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Heirs
                 of
                 
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 love
                 him
                 ?
              
               And
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 26.
                 
                 For
                 ye
                 see
                 your
                 Calling
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 how
                 that
                 not
                 many
                 wise
                 Men
                 after
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 not
                 many
                 mighty
                 ,
                 not
                 many
                 noble
                 are
                 called
                 .
              
               Christ
               did
               not
               then
               call
               the
               Eminent
               and
               Great
               ,
               but
               the
               obscure
               and
               despised
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               lest
               Religion
               should
               seem
               to
               owe
               its
               growth
               and
               progress
               ,
               rather
               to
               the
               Power
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               than
               to
               the
               Evidence
               of
               the
               Truth
               .
               Now
               these
               are
               said
               to
               be
               Evangelized
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               have
               a
               good
               share
               in
               the
               blessed
               Message
               ,
               they
               above
               others
               being
               wrought
               upon
               and
               affected
               with
               it
               .
               To
               be
               Evangelized
               ,
               implyeth
               Grace
               on
               God's
               part
               ,
               and
               on
               theirs
               ,
               a
               willing
               reception
               of
               the
               Impression
               of
               it
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               be
               changed
               by
               it
               .
               The
               Poor
               are
               all
               to
               be
               gospelled
               ;
               those
               whose
               Poverty
               is
               sanctified
               ,
               to
               make
               way
               for
               brokenness
               of
               Heart
               ;
               which
               is
               not
               said
               to
               exclude
               the
               Rich
               from
               all
               Benefit
               ,
               some
               were
               called
               then
               ,
               though
               not
               many
               .
               Grace
               where
               it
               prevails
               in
               the
               Heart
               ,
               puts
               Rich
               and
               Poor
               on
               the
               same
               level
               .
               It
               humbleth
               the
               Rich
               ,
               and
               exalteth
               the
               Poor
               ,
               Iam.
               1.
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               It
               teacheth
               the
               one
               to
               abound
               ,
               the
               other
               to
               be
               abased
               ,
               Phil.
               4.
               12.
               
               Poverty
               and
               Riches
               do
               as
               they
               are
               used
               .
               Now
               ,
               
               saith
               Christ
               ,
               tell
               Iohn
               the
               things
               that
               ye
               hear
               and
               see
               ;
               let
               him
               expound
               the
               Characters
               of
               the
               Messiah
               as
               they
               lie
               in
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ;
               and
               if
               they
               be
               verified
               in
               me
               ,
               see
               what
               Application
               and
               Inference
               you
               ought
               to
               make
               :
               Therefore
               he
               dismisseth
               them
               with
               this
               Conclusion
               ;
               
                 And
                 blessed
                 is
                 he
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 offended
                 in
                 me
                 .
              
            
             
               In
               which
               words
               observe
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Privilege
               ;
               
                 And
                 blessed
                 is
                 he
              
               :
               't
               is
               meant
               of
               our
               Supream
               Blessedness
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Qualification
               ;
               
                 Whosoever
                 is
                 not
                 offended
                 in
                 me
                 .
              
               Where
               observe
               ,
               1.
               
               'T
               is
               Negatively
               expressed
               ;
               
                 Not
                 offended
              
               .
               2.
               
               There
               is
               an
               universal
               Negative
               ;
               
                 Whosoever
                 is
                 not
              
               .
               But
               are
               all
               those
               who
               are
               not
               offended
               at
               Christ
               ,
               saved
               ?
               I
               answer
               ,
               No
               ,
               you
               must
               look
               upon
               this
               Conclusion
               ,
               as
               annexed
               to
               the
               last
               clause
               of
               the
               former
               Verse
               ,
               —
               
                 The
                 Poor
                 have
                 the
                 Gospel
                 preached
                 unto
                 them
                 :
                 And
                 blessed
                 is
                 he
                 whosoever
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 offended
                 in
                 me
                 .
              
               To
               be
               offended
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               scandalized
               ,
               or
               kept
               from
               owning
               Christ
               as
               the
               True
               Messiah
               :
               All
               are
               happy
               and
               blessed
               ,
               so
               far
               as
               they
               are
               Evangelized
               ;
               and
               miserable
               ,
               so
               far
               as
               Scandalized
               .
               When
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               is
               brought
               to
               us
               ,
               nothing
               can
               bar
               us
               
               from
               entring
               into
               it
               ,
               but
               our
               being
               offended
               in
               Christ.
               But
               if
               we
               be
               not
               scandalized
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               hinder
               our
               being
               Evangelized
               ,
               Then
               we
               are
               in
               a
               happy
               and
               blessed
               Condition
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               blessed
               so
               far
               ,
               as
               the
               impediment
               of
               our
               Blessedness
               is
               removed
               ;
               and
               indeed
               ,
               that
               is
               all
               the
               blessedness
               we
               can
               attain
               unto
               in
               this
               Life
               .
               Thus
               Blessedness
               is
               ascribed
               to
               pardon
               of
               Sins
               ,
               Psal.
               32.
               1.
               because
               that
               taketh
               away
               the
               legal
               Impediment
               .
               Blessedness
               is
               ascribed
               to
               Sanctification
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 1.
                 
                 Blessed
                 are
                 the
                 undefiled
                 in
                 the
                 Way
              
               ;
               because
               that
               removeth
               the
               moral
               Incapacity
               ,
               and
               so
               is
               a
               forerunner
               of
               Eternal
               Happiness
               :
               And
               here
               't
               is
               ascribed
               ,
               to
               not
               being
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               when
               he
               is
               sufficiently
               revealed
               to
               us
               ,
               as
               it
               removeth
               the
               Impediment
               of
               our
               Faith
               ,
               which
               is
               always
               some
               offence
               and
               dislike
               that
               we
               take
               at
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               Ways
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               The
               Point
               that
               I
               shall
               insist
               on
               ,
               is
               this
               ;
            
             
               That
               whosoever
               being
               invited
               to
               embrace
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               is
               not
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               is
               in
               the
               ready
               way
               to
               true
               Blessedness
               .
            
             
             
               In
               the
               prosecution
               of
               this
               Point
               ,
               I
               shall
               use
               this
               method
               :
               
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   To
                   shew
                   you
                   what
                   it
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   offended
                   in
                   Christ.
                   
                
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   Upon
                   what
                   Occasions
                   Men
                   were
                   then
                   offended
                   .
                
                 
                   Thirdly
                   ,
                   Whether
                   this
                   Sin
                   were
                   proper
                   to
                   that
                   Age
                   only
                   ,
                   or
                   we
                   may
                   now
                   be
                   guilty
                   .
                
                 
                   Fourthly
                   ,
                   I
                   shall
                   shew
                   you
                   the
                   Kinds
                   of
                   this
                   Sin.
                   
                
                 
                   Fifthly
                   ,
                   How
                   it
                   is
                   true
                   ,
                   that
                   those
                   which
                   escape
                   this
                   Sin
                   ,
                   are
                   in
                   the
                   ready
                   way
                   to
                   Salvation
                   .
                
              
            
             
               First
               ,
               What
               it
               is
               to
               be
               offended
               in
               Christ.
               
            
             
               I
               Answer
               ,
               To
               be
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               offended
               because
               of
               Christ.
               Something
               in
               him
               which
               we
               dislike
               ,
               which
               is
               an
               hindrance
               to
               our
               receiving
               and
               owning
               him
               in
               that
               quality
               wherein
               he
               appeared
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               offereth
               himself
               to
               us
               :
               namely
               ,
               as
               our
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               in
               the
               natural
               sense
               of
               it
               ,
               signifieth
               either
               any
               obstacle
               or
               hindrance
               laid
               in
               a
               Man's
               way
               ,
               by
               which
               the
               
               Passenger
               is
               detained
               or
               stopped
               :
               Peculiarly
               it
               is
               put
               for
               those
               sharp
               Stakes
               which
               they
               were
               wont
               to
               stick
               in
               the
               Ground
               in
               the
               ancient
               way
               of
               warring
               ,
               to
               wound
               the
               Feet
               and
               Legs
               of
               their
               Enemies
               in
               their
               pursuit
               of
               them
               ;
               against
               which
               they
               used
               greaves
               of
               Brass
               ;
               most
               usually
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               signifieth
               a
               Stone
               or
               Block
               in
               the
               way
               ,
               at
               which
               a
               Man
               is
               apt
               to
               stumble
               and
               fall
               .
               So
               ,
               1
               
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 8.
                 
                 Vnto
                 them
                 which
                 believe
                 ,
                 Christ
                 is
                 precious
                 ;
                 but
                 a
                 Stone
                 of
                 stumbling
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Rock
                 of
                 offence
                 ,
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 stumble
                 thereat
                 .
              
               A
               Rock
               with
               respect
               to
               those
               that
               travel
               by
               Sea
               ;
               a
               Stone
               of
               stumbling
               ,
               with
               respect
               to
               those
               that
               travel
               by
               Land
               :
               so
               't
               is
               used
               here
               ,
               
                 Who
                 are
                 not
                 scandalized
                 at
                 Christ.
              
               In
               this
               Expression
               ,
               there
               is
               something
               expressed
               ,
               and
               something
               supposed
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               It
               supposeth
               some
               Offer
               and
               Revelation
               made
               to
               us
               ;
               that
               Grace
               is
               brought
               ●ome
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               Salvation
               offered
               to
               us
               :
               Jews
               ,
               and
               professing
               Christians
               ,
               are
               more
               properly
               said
               to
               be
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               than
               Heathens
               who
               never
               heard
               ,
               nor
               sought
               after
               him
               ;
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               23.
               
               
                 We
                 preach
                 Christ
                 crucified
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Iews
                 a
                 stumbling-block
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Greeks
                 ,
                 foolishness
                 .
              
               They
               stumble
               ,
               who
               being
               invited
               to
               come
               to
               
               him
               ,
               dislike
               and
               are
               displeased
               with
               something
               in
               him
               ;
               or
               being
               on
               their
               way
               ,
               are
               upon
               some
               occasion
               and
               temptations
               ,
               laid
               aside
               and
               prejudiced
               ;
               and
               either
               stumble
               or
               fall
               in
               the
               way
               undertaken
               by
               them
               ,
               or
               have
               no
               heart
               to
               go
               forward
               ,
               but
               either
               directly
               retire
               or
               saint
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               expresseth
               or
               implieth
               such
               an
               Offence
               ,
               that
               either
               they
               are
               kept
               off
               from
               Christ
               ,
               or
               else
               drawn
               away
               from
               him
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Some
               are
               kept
               off
               by
               their
               Carnal
               Prejudices
               ,
               or
               offence
               they
               take
               at
               somewhat
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               so
               continue
               in
               their
               unbelief
               ;
               thus
               Christ
               is
               said
               to
               be
               a
               Rock
               of
               Offence
               to
               the
               Disobedient
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               2.
               8.
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               impenitent
               and
               unbelieving
               World
               ,
               who
               out
               of
               indulgence
               to
               their
               Lusts
               ,
               slight
               an
               offered
               Saviour
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Others
               are
               drawn
               from
               him
               :
               as
               those
               that
               had
               carnal
               Expectation
               when
               they
               were
               disappointed
               ;
               Joh.
               6.
               6.
               
               
                 From
                 that
                 time
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 Disciples
                 went
                 back
                 ,
                 and
                 walked
                 no
                 more
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               This
               is
               the
               Offence
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               either
               discouraged
               from
               ,
               or
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               Godliness
               .
            
             
               I
               now
               come
               to
               shew
               you
               ,
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Upon
               what
               Occasions
               were
               Men
               then
               offended
               in
               Christ
               :
               They
               were
               
               displeased
               with
               his
               Person
               ,
               Sufferings
               ,
               Doctrine
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               His
               Person
               :
               They
               were
               somewhat
               alarm'd
               with
               his
               Miracles
               ,
               and
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               his
               gracious
               Speeches
               ;
               but
               how
               to
               reconcile
               this
               with
               the
               meanness
               of
               his
               Person
               ,
               they
               were
               at
               a
               loss
               ;
               sometimes
               his
               birth
               and
               breeding
               were
               a
               distaste
               to
               them
               ;
               Matth.
               13.
               55
               ,
               56.
               
               
                 Is
                 not
                 this
                 the
                 Carpenter's
                 Son
                 ?
                 is
                 not
                 his
                 Mother
                 called
              
               Mary
               ?
               
                 and
                 his
                 Brethren
              
               ,
               James
               ,
               Joses
               ,
               Simon
               ,
               Judas
               ?
               
                 And
                 his
                 Sisters
                 ,
                 are
                 they
                 not
                 all
                 with
                 us
                 ?
                 Whence
                 then
                 hath
                 this
                 Man
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 ?
                 And
                 they
                 were
                 offended
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               So
               ,
               
                 Mark
                 6.
                 3.
                 
                 Is
                 not
                 this
                 the
                 Carpenter
                 ,
              
               brought
               up
               in
               the
               same
               Trade
               with
               Ioseph
               ?
               Thus
               upon
               the
               consideration
               of
               his
               mean
               and
               known
               beginning
               ,
               they
               forsook
               him
               .
               Sometimes
               they
               quarrelled
               at
               his
               Country
               ,
               not
               where
               he
               was
               born
               ,
               but
               bred
               :
               He
               was
               born
               in
               Bethlehem
               ,
               but
               bred
               in
               Nazareth
               ,
               which
               was
               in
               Galilee
               :
               And
               Galilee
               ,
               as
               they
               conceived
               ,
               was
               looked
               upon
               by
               God
               ,
               as
               a
               mean
               and
               despicable
               place
               ;
               John
               7.
               52.
               
               
                 Art
                 thou
                 of
              
               Galilee
               ,
               (
               speaking
               to
               
                 Nicodemus
                 )
                 search
                 and
                 look
                 ,
                 for
                 out
                 of
              
               Galilee
               
                 ariseth
                 no
                 Prophet
              
               :
               This
               was
               the
               common
               conceit
               ,
               for
               Iona
               was
               of
               that
               Country
               .
               
               So
               ,
               Iohn
               7.
               41.
               
               When
               some
               said
               ,
               This
               is
               the
               Christ
               ;
               others
               said
               ,
               Shall
               Christ
               come
               out
               of
               Galilee
               ?
               that
               Country
               was
               under
               ●
               reproach
               :
               Nay
               ,
               a
               good
               Man
               was
               possessed
               with
               this
               prejudice
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 1.
                 46.
                 
                 Can
                 any
                 good
                 thing
                 come
                 out
                 of
              
               Nazareth
               ?
               And
               Philip
               
                 saith
                 ,
                 Come
                 and
                 see
              
               .
               Trial
               would
               make
               him
               of
               another
               Mind
               .
               But
               many
               good
               People
               are
               led
               away
               with
               common
               prejudice
               ,
               and
               so
               over-look
               Things
               and
               Persons
               of
               the
               chiefest
               regard
               ,
               &c.
               
               Sometimes
               they
               were
               offended
               at
               the
               meanness
               of
               his
               Followers
               ;
               
                 Iohn
                 7.
                 48.
                 
                 Have
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 Rulers
                 and
                 Pharisees
                 believed
                 in
                 him
                 ?
                 But
                 this
                 People
                 that
                 knoweth
                 not
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 are
                 cursed
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Rabble
               are
               ready
               to
               follow
               any
               false
               Teacher
               ;
               and
               such
               ones
               follow
               him
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               They
               were
               offended
               at
               his
               Doctrine
               ,
               the
               Mysteriousness
               of
               it
               ;
               as
               when
               he
               had
               spoken
               of
               eating
               his
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               drinking
               his
               Blood
               ,
               they
               could
               not
               tell
               what
               to
               make
               of
               it
               .
               If
               it
               signified
               any
               thing
               ,
               it
               signified
               his
               Death
               ,
               and
               that
               was
               a
               Point
               not
               to
               be
               touched
               upon
               in
               the
               hearing
               of
               them
               ,
               that
               expected
               a
               glorious
               pompous
               Messiah
               ,
               that
               should
               subjugate
               other
               Nations
               to
               them
               .
               Therefore
               Christ
               saith
               ,
               
                 Doth
                 this
                 offend
                 you
              
               ?
               John
               6.
               61.
               
               Yea
               ,
               
               the
               Offence
               was
               so
               great
               ,
               that
               
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 Disciples
                 went
                 backward
                 ,
                 and
                 walked
                 no
                 more
                 with
                 him
                 ,
              
               verse
               66.
               
               Sometimes
               they
               were
               offended
               at
               the
               Holiness
               of
               it
               ;
               as
               when
               he
               pressed
               the
               Pharisees
               ,
               who
               were
               altogether
               for
               external
               Observances
               ,
               to
               look
               af●er
               an
               i●ward
               Cleansing
               .
               Mat.
               15.
               12.
               
               
                 Knowest
                 thou
                 not
                 that
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 were
                 offended
                 after
                 they
                 heard
                 this
                 saying
                 ?
              
               This
               was
               a
               great
               distaste
               to
               them
               ,
               to
               hear
               that
               a
               Man
               is
               defiled
               by
               Sin
               ,
               and
               not
               at
               all
               by
               Meats
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               washing
               of
               the
               Heart
               is
               the
               chief
               thing
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 The
                 great
                 stumbling-block
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 was
                 his
                 Sufferings
                 :
                 This
                 offended
                 Good
                 and
                 Bad
                 ;
                 The
                 Good
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               26.
               31.
               
               All
               of
               you
               shall
               be
               offended
               because
               of
               me
               this
               night
               :
               For
               it
               is
               written
               ,
               I
               will
               smi●e
               the
               Shepherd
               ,
               and
               the
               Sheep
               of
               the
               Flock
               shall
               be
               scattered
               abroad
               .
               And
               Peter
               saith
               ,
               Though
               all
               Men
               shall
               be
               offended
               because
               of
               thee
               ,
               yet
               will
               I
               never
               be
               offended
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 33.
                 
                 The
                 Bad
                 :
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 great
                 Stumbling-block
                 to
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
              
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               23.
               
               We
               preach
               Christ
               crucified
               ,
               unto
               the
               Iews
               a
               stumbling-block
               .
               
                 By
                 this
                 they
                 f●d
                 their
                 obstinacy
                 and
                 prejudice
                 ;
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 believe
                 that
                 he
                 that
                 was
                 crucified
                 as
                 a
                 Malefactor
                 ,
                 
                 was
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Saviour
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               Was
               it
               not
               proper
               to
               that
               Age
               only
               ?
               I
               Answer
               :
               No
               ,
               We
               also
               may
               be
               prejudiced
               and
               guilty
               of
               this
               Sin
               ,
               of
               being
               offended
               in
               Christ.
               You
               will
               say
               ,
               What
               danger
               is
               there
               of
               that
               now
               ,
               since
               Christ
               is
               publickly
               owned
               ,
               and
               Christianity
               in
               fashion
               ,
               and
               the
               World
               run
               into
               the
               Church
               ?
            
             
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               ;
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   That
                   there
                   is
                   danger
                   still
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   What
                   is
                   likely
                   to
                   offend
                   since
                   Christ's
                   Exaltation
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               There
               is
               danger
               still
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Because
               though
               the
               Name
               of
               Christ
               be
               had
               in
               honour
               ,
               yet
               the
               stricter
               profession
               and
               practice
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               is
               under
               reproach
               ;
               and
               the
               nominal
               ,
               hateth
               the
               serious
               Christian
               ;
               tho
               both
               own
               the
               same
               Bible
               ,
               believe
               the
               same
               Creed
               ,
               and
               are
               baptized
               with
               one
               and
               the
               same
               Baptism
               ,
               into
               the
               same
               Profession
               :
               Those
               that
               are
               false
               to
               their
               Religion
               ,
               will
               m●lign
               and
               scorn
               those
               that
               are
               true
               to
               it
               ,
               and
               live
               up
               to
               the
               Power
               of
               it
               :
               As
               there
               is
               no
               commerce
               between
               the
               Living
               and
               the
               Dead
               ,
               so
               no
               true
               friendship
               between
               
               the
               Carnal
               and
               the
               Heavenly
               .
               Among
               the
               out-side
               Christians
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               matter
               of
               Reproach
               to
               be
               serious
               and
               diligent
               ;
               and
               they
               that
               are
               so
               ,
               will
               be
               accounted
               more
               precise
               and
               nice
               ,
               than
               wise
               .
               No
               wonder
               if
               they
               slight
               you
               ,
               who
               first
               slight
               God
               ,
               and
               Christ
               ,
               and
               their
               own
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               It
               may
               happen
               ,
               that
               the
               stricter
               sort
               of
               Christians
               ,
               are
               the
               poorer
               sort
               ;
               and
               such
               as
               carry
               no
               great
               port
               and
               appearance
               in
               the
               World
               :
               And
               so
               ,
               though
               they
               be
               precious
               in
               the
               Eyes
               of
               God
               ,
               yet
               they
               may
               be
               despised
               by
               Men.
               Strictness
               of
               Religion
               is
               many
               times
               looked
               upon
               by
               some
               ,
               as
               too
               mean
               a
               thing
               for
               Persons
               of
               their
               Rank
               and
               Quality
               ;
               and
               so
               whilst
               the
               Poor
               receive
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               they
               ,
               to
               keep
               up
               their
               greatness
               ,
               go
               the
               broad
               way
               to
               Hell
               ;
               these
               are
               offended
               in
               Christ.
               In
               
               Salvian's
               Time
               ;
               
                 Quantus
                 in
                 Christiano
                 populo
                 honor
                 Christi
                 est
                 ,
                 ubi
                 religio
                 ignobilem
                 facit
                 :
                 Coguntur
                 esse
                 mali
                 neviles
                 habeantur
                 .
              
               Religion
               makes
               them
               base
               ,
               and
               Men
               are
               compelled
               to
               be
               evil
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               not
               be
               scorned
               and
               disgraced
               .
               Now
               we
               should
               resolve
               to
               be
               more
               vile
               for
               God
               ,
               1
               Sam.
               6.
               22.
               
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               Though
               Men
               be
               not
               distasted
               against
               Christianity
               in
               whole
               ,
               yet
               in
               part
               :
               
               though
               they
               be
               not
               offended
               in
               Christ
               altogether
               ,
               yet
               they
               take
               offence
               at
               some
               of
               his
               ways
               ,
               wherein
               his
               Glory
               and
               Interest
               is
               concerned
               .
               In
               the
               Age
               that
               we
               live
               in
               ,
               many
               of
               those
               things
               that
               f●ll
               within
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               compass
               of
               our
               Duty
               ,
               may
               be
               under
               a
               cloud
               and
               disesteem
               :
               Now
               they
               that
               have
               received
               light
               about
               these
               things
               ,
               should
               not
               be
               offended
               ,
               though
               the
               generality
               of
               the
               World
               decry
               and
               oppose
               them
               .
               Christ
               gets
               up
               by
               degrees
               ;
               and
               where
               the
               Main
               of
               Religion
               is
               received
               ,
               yet
               all
               the
               parts
               and
               branches
               of
               it
               are
               not
               received
               ,
               which
               must
               be
               required
               in
               their
               place
               ;
               and
               though
               we
               are
               not
               always
               bound
               to
               the
               positive
               profession
               of
               lesser
               things
               ,
               yet
               we
               are
               bound
               negatively
               ;
               we
               must
               do
               nothing
               against
               the
               Truth
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               13.
               8.
               
               We
               must
               not
               renounce
               a
               Truth
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               run
               down
               by
               vulgar
               Prejudice
               ,
               but
               in
               all
               meekness
               of
               Wisdom
               own
               the
               better
               way
               :
               Such
               constancy
               of
               mind
               is
               expected
               from
               a
               good
               Man
               ,
               who
               consults
               with
               Conscience
               ,
               rather
               than
               Interest
               .
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               The
               World
               may
               not
               be
               able
               to
               bear
               the
               owning
               of
               these
               Truths
               ;
               and
               therefore
               those
               who
               set
               them
               afoot
               ,
               may
               be
               disgraced
               ,
               afflicted
               ,
               and
               reproachfully
               
               used
               ;
               but
               the
               knowledg
               of
               an
               hated
               Truth
               ,
               is
               a
               greater
               Argument
               of
               God's
               Favour
               ,
               than
               the
               prosperity
               of
               the
               World.
               Prov.
               3.
               32.
               
               
                 Envy
                 thou
                 not
                 the
                 Oppressor
                 ,
                 and
                 chuse
                 none
                 of
                 his
                 ways
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Froward
                 is
                 an
                 abomination
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 Secret
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 Righteo●s
                 .
              
            
             
               (
               5.
               )
               There
               is
               no
               Man
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               if
               he
               run
               up
               his
               refusal
               of
               Christ
               ,
               or
               his
               impenitency
               and
               unbelief
               to
               its
               proper
               Principle
               ,
               he
               will
               find
               it
               to
               be
               some
               offence
               or
               dislike
               ;
               either
               because
               of
               the
               inward
               constitution
               of
               his
               Mind
               ,
               or
               the
               external
               state
               of
               Religion
               in
               the
               World
               :
               Either
               he
               cannot
               bring
               his
               Heart
               to
               suit
               with
               the
               strictness
               ,
               purity
               ,
               and
               self-denial
               of
               Christ's
               Religion
               ,
               or
               Christ's
               Religion
               to
               suit
               with
               his
               Heart
               :
               As
               the
               young
               Man
               ,
               Mark
               10.
               22.
               
               
                 He
                 was
                 sad
                 at
                 that
                 saying
                 ,
                 and
                 went
                 away
                 grieved
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 had
                 great
                 Possessions
                 .
              
               Or
               else
               if
               both
               suit
               ,
               the
               World
               liketh
               not
               the
               Match
               ;
               so
               that
               it
               cometh
               to
               this
               Point
               ,
               That
               he
               must
               be
               an
               Enemy
               to
               God
               ,
               or
               the
               World
               :
               James
               4.
               4.
               
               
                 Ye
                 Adulterers
                 ,
                 and
                 Adulteresses
                 ,
                 know
                 ye
                 not
                 that
                 the
                 friendship
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 is
                 enmity
                 with
                 God
                 ?
                 Whosoever
                 therefore
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 Friend
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Enemy
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
             
               2.
               
               What
               is
               likely
               to
               offend
               ,
               since
               Christ's
               exaltation
               of
               his
               Person
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               his
               Religion
               in
               the
               Word
               ?
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               The
               many
               Calamities
               which
               attend
               the
               Profession
               of
               it
               :
               Iohn
               ,
               who
               was
               his
               forerunner
               ,
               was
               now
               in
               Prison
               when
               Christ
               spake
               these
               words
               ;
               and
               Christ
               foretelleth
               grievous
               Troubles
               and
               Afflictions
               ;
               Mat.
               24.
               10.
               
               —
               
                 And
                 then
                 many
                 shall
                 be
                 offended
                 .
              
               And
               he
               foretelleth
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               not
               be
               offended
               :
               John
               16.
               1.
               
               
                 These
                 things
                 have
                 I
                 spoken
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 offended
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               scandalized
               by
               the
               Hazards
               which
               attend
               Christ's
               Service
               ,
               or
               take
               occasion
               to
               alienate
               themselves
               from
               him
               ,
               yet
               all
               will
               not
               do
               ;
               Mat.
               13.
               21.
               
               
                 When
                 Persecution
                 ariseth
                 for
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 by
                 and
                 by
                 he
                 is
                 offended
                 .
              
               A
               Man
               is
               offended
               ,
               when
               he
               findeth
               that
               which
               he
               did
               not
               look
               for
               .
               Many
               promise
               themselves
               ease
               and
               peace
               in
               Christianity
               ;
               and
               when
               it
               falleth
               out
               otherwise
               ,
               they
               dislike
               what
               they
               formerly
               seemed
               to
               prize
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               They
               may
               take
               offence
               at
               Christ's
               Doctrine
               ;
               at
               the
               Purity
               ,
               the
               Self-denial
               ,
               the
               Simplicity
               ;
               the
               Mysteriousness
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Purity
               of
               it
               :
               To
               Holy
               Men
               ,
               this
               is
               an
               Argument
               of
               Love
               ;
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 140.
                 
                 Thy
                 Word
                 is
                 very
                 pure
                 ,
                 therefore
                 thy
                 
                 Servant
                 loveth
                 it
                 .
              
               But
               to
               the
               Carnal
               ,
               of
               dislike
               and
               offence
               ;
               John
               3.
               20.
               
               
                 Every
                 one
                 that
                 doth
                 evil
                 ,
                 hateth
                 the
                 Light
                 ;
                 neither
                 cometh
                 he
                 to
                 the
                 Light
                 ,
                 lest
                 his
                 Deeds
                 should
                 be
                 reproved
                 .
              
               They
               have
               somewhat
               to
               conceal
               ,
               somewhat
               which
               they
               are
               loth
               to
               part
               with
               .
               And
               so
               ,
               lest
               they
               should
               be
               found
               faulty
               ,
               and
               engaged
               to
               reform
               themselves
               ;
               they
               cannot
               endure
               the
               Light
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               are
               offended
               at
               Christ's
               strict
               Doctrine
               ,
               as
               sore
               Eyes
               are
               at
               the
               brightness
               of
               the
               Sun
               :
               This
               Light
               is
               not
               only
               shining
               ,
               but
               scorching
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Mortification
               ,
               and
               Self-denial
               of
               it
               .
               Mortification
               respects
               our
               Lusts
               ,
               and
               Self-denial
               our
               Interest
               :
               Our
               Worldly
               Interests
               are
               the
               Baits
               of
               our
               Carnal
               Desires
               or
               Lusts
               :
               Now
               to
               crucify
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               or
               deny
               the
               World
               ,
               are
               both
               distastful
               to
               Flesh
               and
               Blood.
               And
               therefore
               they
               are
               apt
               to
               say
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
                 an
                 hard
                 saying
              
               .
               And
               what
               strange
               Doctrine
               is
               this
               ?
               1
               Pet.
               4.
               4.
               
               
                 They
                 think
                 it
                 strange
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 run
                 not
                 with
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 excess
                 of
                 riot
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               matter
               of
               great
               admiration
               ,
               that
               others
               should
               abandon
               their
               course
               of
               Life
               .
               The
               sweetness
               of
               Christ's
               Service
               ,
               is
               wholly
               hidden
               from
               them
               ;
               therefore
               they
               hate
               that
               Religion
               which
               they
               do
               
               profess
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               are
               serious
               in
               it
               :
               They
               think
               strange
               God
               should
               plant
               desires
               in
               them
               ,
               which
               he
               would
               not
               have
               to
               be
               satisfied
               :
               But
               they
               do
               not
               distinguish
               between
               what
               Nature
               craveth
               ,
               and
               Corruption
               lusteth
               after
               :
               That
               the
               inordinacy
               is
               from
               themselves
               ;
               and
               therefore
               have
               a
               secret
               dislike
               of
               Christ
               in
               their
               Souls
               ,
               because
               they
               would
               do
               what
               they
               list
               ,
               not
               what
               they
               ought
               .
               They
               would
               not
               be
               fettered
               by
               any
               of
               his
               Laws
               ,
               or
               look
               upon
               that
               Fruit
               as
               forbidden
               ,
               which
               corrupt
               Nature
               hath
               a
               longing
               unto
               ,
               as
               if
               all
               necessary
               restraint
               were
               a
               kind
               of
               Prison
               to
               them
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               simplicity
               and
               plainness
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               void
               of
               humane
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               excellency
               of
               words
               .
               It
               is
               a
               plain
               thing
               ,
               teaching
               the
               way
               how
               Sinners
               may
               return
               to
               God
               and
               Blessedness
               .
               This
               Doctrine
               is
               clad
               in
               the
               simple
               attire
               of
               a
               vulgar
               stile
               ;
               and
               this
               was
               the
               offence
               of
               the
               Gentiles
               ,
               who
               would
               be
               gratified
               with
               Eloquence
               and
               profound
               Knowledg
               :
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 22.
                 
                 The
                 Iews
                 require
                 a
                 Sign
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Greeks
                 seek
                 after
                 Wisdom
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Jews
               who
               were
               trained
               up
               in
               extraordinary
               Dispensations
               ,
               they
               would
               have
               Miracles
               and
               Prodigies
               from
               Heaven
               :
               The
               Gentiles
               look
               for
               profound
               Philosophy
               in
               
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               scorn
               it
               ,
               because
               they
               find
               it
               not
               there
               :
               Their
               offence
               was
               ,
               because
               they
               found
               not
               matter
               of
               Dispute
               ,
               but
               Practice
               ;
               for
               they
               were
               altogether
               bred
               up
               in
               the
               uncertain
               Debates
               of
               their
               Philosophers
               :
               But
               little
               did
               these
               mind
               that
               there
               was
               a
               sublimity
               of
               Wisdom
               in
               this
               plain
               Doctrine
               ,
               (
               1
               Cor.
               2.
               6.
               
               
                 We
                 speak
                 wisdom
                 among
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 perfect
                 ;
                 yet
                 not
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
              
               &c.
               )
               as
               discovering
               the
               true
               way
               of
               easing
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               the
               nature
               of
               true
               Happiness
               ;
               which
               were
               the
               two
               things
               about
               which
               the
               wisest
               and
               profoundest
               of
               them
               spent
               all
               their
               Thoughts
               and
               Speculations
               :
               Nor
               did
               they
               mind
               this
               ,
               That
               Laws
               would
               lose
               their
               Authority
               ,
               if
               not
               delivered
               in
               a
               plain
               stile
               ;
               nor
               would
               our
               Duty
               so
               clearly
               be
               stated
               by
               Man's
               Reason
               ,
               as
               by
               God's
               Authority
               .
               When
               it
               is
               to
               be
               found
               out
               by
               Man's
               Reason
               ,
               it
               is
               left
               more
               to
               the
               uncertainty
               of
               Dispute
               .
               Bare
               Nature
               is
               an
               hard
               Book
               to
               study
               in
               ,
               nor
               are
               the
               Lessons
               of
               it
               so
               easily
               found
               out
               .
               While
               the
               wise
               Men
               of
               the
               World
               were
               debating
               about
               Felicity
               and
               Happiness
               ;
               Practical
               Godliness
               died
               upon
               their
               Hands
               ,
               and
               Men
               strove
               rather
               to
               be
               witty
               than
               good
               ,
               and
               so
               delivered
               things
               more
               coldly
               ,
               and
               
               not
               with
               that
               Life
               ,
               and
               Power
               ,
               and
               Authority
               ,
               for
               the
               reclaiming
               and
               reducing
               Man
               to
               his
               Duty
               to
               God.
               Like
               the
               curious
               Wits
               of
               our
               Age
               ,
               who
               delight
               to
               speak
               finely
               ,
               rather
               than
               successfully
               in
               the
               Matters
               of
               Religion
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               Mysteriousness
               of
               it
               ,
               above
               all
               natural
               Reason
               .
               The
               Devil
               playeth
               on
               all
               hands
               ;
               sometimes
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Gospel
               is
               too
               plain
               ,
               sometimes
               too
               mystical
               .
               It
               cannot
               enter
               into
               their
               Hearts
               to
               conceive
               how
               God
               should
               be
               distinguished
               into
               three
               Persons
               ;
               how
               God
               should
               become
               Man
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               :
               and
               therefore
               scoffing
               Atheists
               ,
               such
               as
               are
               rife
               in
               the
               latter
               days
               ,
               question
               all
               :
               And
               having
               lost
               the
               Light
               of
               their
               Reason
               ,
               yet
               retain
               the
               pride
               of
               their
               Reason
               ,
               and
               are
               objecting
               all
               the
               Difficulties
               they
               can
               think
               of
               ,
               against
               the
               Truth
               of
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               are
               apt
               to
               say
               as
               Nichodemus
               ,
               John
               3.
               9.
               
               
                 How
                 can
                 these
                 things
                 be
              
               ?
               Till
               they
               see
               a
               Reason
               for
               every
               thing
               ,
               they
               will
               not
               own
               it
               .
               Indeed
               ,
               we
               must
               see
               á
               Reason
               why
               we
               believe
               every
               thing
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               ,
               Divine
               Revelation
               contained
               in
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ;
               but
               we
               cannot
               always
               see
               a
               reason
               of
               every
               thing
               which
               we
               do
               believe
               ,
               for
               many
               things
               are
               Mysteries
               ,
               and
               we
               receive
               
               them
               as
               we
               do
               Pills
               ,
               not
               chew
               ,
               but
               swallow
               them
               ;
               we
               take
               them
               upon
               the
               Credit
               of
               the
               Revealer
               :
               to
               chew
               ,
               produceth
               a
               loathsome
               ejection
               ,
               to
               swallow
               an
               wholsome
               Remedy
               .
               Believing
               in
               the
               common
               Notion
               of
               it
               ,
               is
               a
               receiving
               a
               Truth
               upon
               the
               trust
               of
               another
               :
               So
               it
               differeth
               from
               knowing
               ,
               for
               then
               we
               reason
               of
               our selves
               ;
               and
               Divine
               Faith
               is
               a
               receiving
               such
               things
               as
               God
               hath
               revealed
               ,
               because
               he
               hath
               revealed
               them
               :
               Then
               our
               first
               enquiry
               is
               ,
               Whether
               these
               things
               be
               so
               or
               so
               ?
               not
               how
               they
               can
               be
               so
               ?
               Therefore
               we
               begin
               at
               the
               wrong
               end
               ,
               if
               we
               enquire
               first
               ,
               How
               can
               this
               be
               ?
               In
               many
               cases
               ,
               
                 constat
                 de
                 re
              
               ,
               the
               thing
               is
               evident
               in
               Scripture
               ;
               but
               ,
               
                 non
                 constat
                 de
                 modo
              
               ,
               how
               it
               can
               be
               ,
               is
               beyond
               our
               reach
               .
               Now
               when
               we
               should
               believe
               ,
               we
               dispute
               ,
               and
               cavil
               rather
               than
               enquire
               .
               If
               any
               thing
               be
               not
               plainly
               revealed
               by
               God
               ,
               you
               may
               reject
               it
               without
               sin
               ;
               but
               if
               it
               be
               ,
               you
               must
               not
               contradict
               all
               that
               you
               cannot
               comprehend
               ;
               The
               Trinity
               of
               the
               Persons
               ,
               in
               the
               Unity
               of
               the
               Divine
               Essence
               ;
               or
               how
               a
               Virgin
               should
               conceive
               ;
               o●
               how
               a
               God
               can
               become
               Man
               :
               'T
               is
               sufficient
               that
               all
               this
               is
               revealed
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               carrieth
               its
               own
               Evidence
               in
               its
               
               Forehead
               ,
               and
               shineth
               by
               its
               own
               Light
               ,
               and
               hath
               the
               Seal
               and
               Stamp
               of
               God
               upon
               it
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               to
               believe
               ,
               is
               not
               to
               receive
               a
               thing
               in
               its
               own
               Evidence
               ,
               but
               upon
               the
               credit
               of
               the
               Testifier
               :
               If
               you
               will
               not
               credit
               it
               ,
               unless
               the
               thing
               be
               evident
               in
               it self
               ,
               you
               do
               not
               believe
               Christ
               ,
               but
               your
               own
               Reason
               ;
               and
               instead
               of
               being
               thankful
               for
               the
               Revelation
               ,
               you
               quarrel
               with
               his
               Truth
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               somewhat
               above
               your
               Capacity
               :
               you
               should
               captivate
               your
               Understandings
               to
               the
               Obedience
               of
               Christ
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               10.
               5.
               
            
             
               I
               now
               come
               to
               shew
               you
               ;
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               The
               Kinds
               of
               this
               Sin
               ,
               of
               being
               offended
               in
               Christ.
               Three
               Distinctions
               I
               shall
               give
               you
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               There
               is
               an
               Offence
               with
               Contempt
               ,
               and
               an
               Offence
               with
               Discouragement
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Offence
               with
               Contempt
               ,
               is
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               prejudiced
               against
               ,
               or
               turn
               from
               the
               Faith
               ;
               either
               never
               embrace
               it
               ,
               or
               quite
               forsake
               it
               .
               Contempt
               produceth
               Unbelief
               and
               Disobedience
               :
               They
               are
               so
               given
               over
               to
               their
               sinful
               Courses
               ,
               that
               they
               cannot
               be
               perswaded
               to
               relinquish
               them
               ;
               John
               3.
               19.
               
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 condemnation
                 ,
                 that
                 Light
                 is
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 that
                 Men
                 love
                 Darkness
                 rather
                 than
                 Light
                 ,
                 because
                 their
                 Deeds
                 are
                 Evil.
              
               Nothing
               will
               gain
               them
               to
               submit
               to
               Christ's
               healing
               Methods
               ,
               they
               think
               he
               seeketh
               their
               Loss
               and
               Hurt
               ,
               rather
               than
               their
               Benefit
               ,
               because
               he
               would
               reclaim
               them
               from
               their
               Lusts.
               These
               reject
               all
               Admonitions
               ,
               and
               remain
               obstinate
               &
               impenitent
               in
               their
               Sins
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Offence
               with
               Discouragement
               :
               When
               Men
               are
               staggered
               in
               their
               Hope
               and
               Obedience
               :
               Troubles
               are
               distastful
               to
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               which
               seeketh
               its
               own
               ease
               :
               Some
               are
               discouraged
               in
               a
               greater
               ,
               some
               in
               a
               lesser
               degree
               ;
               Heb.
               12.
               3.
               
               —
               
                 Lest
                 ●e
                 wax
                 weary
                 ,
                 and
                 faint
                 in
                 your
                 minds
                 .
              
               Weariness
               is
               a
               lesser
               degree
               of
               deficiency
               ,
               Faintness
               a
               greater
               .
               These
               Terms
               are
               translated
               from
               the
               Body
               to
               the
               Mind
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               is
               an
               Offence
               of
               Ignorance
               ,
               and
               an
               Offence
               of
               Malice
               and
               Opposition
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Offence
               of
               Ignorance
               and
               Weakness
               :
               When
               Men
               are
               carried
               with
               a
               blind
               Zeal
               .
               —
               
                 I
                 verily
                 thought
                 that
                 I
                 ought
                 to
                 do
                 many
                 things
                 against
                 Iesus
                 of
              
               Nazareth
               ,
               saith
               Paul
               ,
               Acts
               26.
               9.
               
               Men
               of
               a
               superstitious
               Conscience
               ,
               are
               like
               a
               blind
               Horse
               full
               of
               Mettle
               ,
               but
               ever
               and
               anon
               stumbling
               .
               But
               this
               is
               more
               pardonable
               ,
               1
               
                 Tim.
                 
                 1.
                 13.
                 
                 Who
                 was
                 before
                 a
                 Blasphemer
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Persecutor
                 ,
                 and
                 Injurious
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 obtained
                 ,
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 did
                 it
                 ignorantly
                 in
                 unbelief
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               is
               the
               Offence
               of
               Malice
               and
               Opposition
               ,
               when
               Men
               err
               ,
               not
               only
               in
               their
               Minds
               ,
               but
               in
               their
               Hearts
               ;
               do
               not
               know
               ,
               and
               do
               not
               desire
               to
               know
               ;
               they
               would
               not
               know
               what
               they
               know
               ,
               and
               are
               willingly
               ignorant
               ;
               
                 Nolentes
                 audire
                 ,
                 quod
                 auditum
                 damnare
                 non
                 possunt
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               
                 Tertul.
                 in
                 Apol.
              
               They
               have
               not
               a
               mind
               to
               know
               ,
               that
               which
               they
               have
               not
               a
               mind
               to
               do
               .
               They
               would
               not
               know
               the
               Truth
               ,
               because
               they
               have
               a
               mind
               to
               hate
               it
               ;
               this
               is
               spoken
               of
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 13.
                 45.
                 
                 They
                 were
                 filled
                 with
                 Envy
                 ,
                 and
                 spake
                 against
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 were
                 spoken
                 by
              
               Paul
               ,
               contradicting
               and
               blaspheming
               :
               This
               is
               malice
               ;
               Men
               first
               hate
               ,
               then
               persecute
               and
               oppose
               the
               Truth
               .
               Conviction
               choak'd
               with
               Prejudices
               ,
               breaketh
               out
               into
               rage
               against
               that
               way
               they
               were
               convinced
               of
               ,
               or
               the
               Light
               of
               which
               they
               cannot
               rationally
               withstand
               :
               Herod
               taketh
               offence
               against
               Iohn
               Baptist
               ,
               whom
               he
               formerly
               liked
               ,
               and
               then
               beheadeth
               him
               .
               Light
               resisted
               ,
               or
               not
               kindly
               used
               ,
               maketh
               a
               Man
               turn
               Devil
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               the
               more
               deface
               all
               feelings
               
               of
               Conscience
               :
               This
               is
               the
               malignity
               of
               Revolters
               ,
               Hosea
               5.
               5.
               they
               will
               hear
               nothing
               to
               the
               contrary
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               There
               is
               a
               Total
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               a
               Partial
               Offence
               :
               The
               Total
               Offence
               is
               ,
               when
               Men
               will
               give
               Christ
               no
               place
               in
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               but
               remain
               in
               their
               Infidelity
               ;
               John
               8.
               24.
               
               
                 Because
                 ye
                 believe
                 not
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 he
                 ,
                 ye
                 shall
                 die
                 in
                 your
                 sins
                 .
              
               When
               they
               will
               take
               no
               warning
               ,
               they
               shall
               perish
               for
               despising
               the
               Remedy
               .
               The
               Partial
               Offence
               is
               ,
               when
               they
               do
               not
               receive
               all
               of
               Christ
               ,
               though
               they
               may
               be
               sound
               in
               the
               Main
               :
               these
               are
               those
               that
               the
               Apopostle
               speaks
               of
               ,
               
                 That
                 they
                 are
                 saved
                 as
                 by
                 Fire
                 ,
              
               2
               Cor.
               3.
               18.
               
               Some
               Doctrine
               or
               Practice
               wherein
               they
               allow
               themselves
               ,
               may
               prove
               false
               and
               unchristian
               ;
               yet
               the
               Man
               may
               be
               mercifully
               dealt
               with
               by
               Christ
               ,
               and
               freed
               from
               having
               his
               Portion
               with
               Unbelievers
               ;
               yet
               it
               goeth
               hard
               with
               him
               :
               as
               one
               involved
               in
               a
               common
               Fire
               hardly
               escapeth
               out
               of
               it
               ,
               their
               Salvation
               is
               more
               difficult
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               every
               one
               is
               more
               happy
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               less
               apt
               to
               be
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ;
               but
               they
               are
               most
               unhappy
               ,
               that
               are
               most
               offended
               in
               him
               .
            
             
             
               I
               now
               come
               to
               shew
               you
               ,
            
             
               Fifthly
               ,
               How
               it
               is
               true
               ,
               that
               those
               that
               escape
               this
               Sin
               ,
               are
               in
               the
               ready
               way
               to
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               To
               this
               I
               answer
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Negative
               includeth
               the
               Positive
               ,
               and
               must
               be
               thus
               explained
               :
               He
               that
               is
               not
               offended
               ,
               but
               evangelized
               ,
               hath
               the
               Power
               and
               Vertue
               of
               the
               Gospel
               stamped
               upon
               his
               Heart
               .
               
                 Blessed
                 is
                 he
              
               !
               Among
               them
               that
               are
               offended
               ,
               some
               forsake
               and
               fall
               off
               from
               Christ
               ,
               others
               never
               come
               at
               him
               :
               But
               these
               believe
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               be
               changed
               and
               converted
               .
               Nothing
               hindereth
               them
               ,
               when
               Christ
               hath
               gained
               their
               liking
               and
               esteem
               ;
               for
               this
               esteem
               that
               we
               speak
               of
               now
               ,
               is
               not
               a
               simple
               speculative
               Approbation
               ;
               (
               for
               that
               may
               be
               ,
               and
               no
               change
               follow
               ;
               Rom.
               2.
               18.
               
               
                 Thou
                 approvest
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 excellent
                 )
              
               ;
               but
               a
               practical
               comparative
               approbation
               ,
               all
               things
               considered
               ,
               Christ
               is
               best
               for
               their
               turns
               :
               always
               a
               change
               followeth
               this
               esteem
               ;
               Phil.
               3.
               8.
               
               
                 I
                 count
                 all
                 things
                 but
                 loss
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 knowledg
                 of
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 my
                 Lord.
              
               And
               till
               we
               have
               this
               esteem
               ,
               there
               is
               some
               secret
               Offence
               
               that
               we
               take
               at
               Christ
               ,
               either
               at
               his
               Person
               ,
               Doctrine
               ,
               Precepts
               ,
               or
               the
               bad
               entertainment
               they
               have
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               for
               the
               contrarie●y
               of
               our
               Affections
               ,
               Christ
               and
               we
               do
               not
               close
               with
               full
               complacency
               and
               delight
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               This
               esteem
               produceth
               an
               uniform
               Obedience
               :
               For
               they
               that
               thus
               esteem
               Christ
               ,
               will
               study
               to
               please
               him
               :
               Delight
               in
               our
               Master
               ,
               breedeth
               delight
               in
               our
               Work
               :
               Col.
               1.
               10.
               
               
                 That
                 ye
                 might
                 walk
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 unto
                 all
                 pleasing
                 ,
                 being
                 fruitful
                 in
                 every
                 good
                 Work
                 ,
                 and
                 increasing
                 in
                 the
                 Knowledg
                 of
                 God.
              
               And
               ,
               1
               
                 Thess.
                 2.
                 12.
                 
                 That
                 ye
                 would
                 walk
                 worthy
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 called
                 you
                 unto
                 his
                 Kingdom
                 and
                 Glory
                 .
              
               The
               only
               way
               to
               know
               whether
               we
               be
               more
               or
               less
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               is
               to
               compare
               our
               Conversation
               and
               Practice
               with
               his
               Precepts
               :
               His
               Benefits
               commend
               themselves
               to
               our
               Affections
               ,
               his
               Precepts
               to
               our
               Consciences
               ;
               the
               one
               sweeten
               the
               other
               .
               We
               have
               such
               a
               good
               Master
               ,
               we
               can
               never
               do
               enough
               for
               him
               .
               If
               we
               like
               Christ
               ,
               nothing
               will
               be
               grievous
               that
               he
               giveth
               us
               in
               charge
               ;
               1
               John
               5.
               3.
               
               —
               
                 His
                 Commandments
                 are
                 not
                 grievous
              
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               When
               we
               are
               not
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               we
               are
               the
               better
               fortified
               against
               
               Temptations
               to
               Apostacy
               :
               They
               are
               of
               three
               sorts
               ;
               
                 Errors
                 ,
                 Scandals
                 ,
                 Persecutions
              
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Errors
               :
               Many
               are
               drawn
               away
               with
               vain
               Pretences
               ,
               
                 But
                 we
                 have
                 an
                 unction
                 from
                 the
                 Holy
                 One
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 all
                 things
                 ,
              
               John
               2.
               20.
               
               But
               they
               are
               an
               offence
               ,
               not
               only
               of
               Seduction
               ,
               but
               Contristation
               
                 Rom.
                 16.
                 17.
                 
                 Mark
                 them
                 which
                 cause
                 Errors
                 and
                 Offenses
                 ,
                 contrary
                 to
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 which
                 ye
                 have
                 learned
                 ,
                 and
                 avid
                 them
              
               ;
               these
               are
               Wens
               of
               Christ's
               Mystical
               Body
               ,
               not
               Parts
               .
               Errors
               in
               the
               Church
               ,
               breed
               Atheism
               in
               the
               World.
               Many
               question
               the
               Ways
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               give
               over
               all
               Religion
               ;
               because
               there
               are
               so
               many
               Differences
               and
               Sects
               ,
               therefore
               they
               think
               nothing
               certain
               .
               Certainly
               God
               saw
               this
               Discipline
               to
               be
               fittest
               for
               his
               People
               ;
               he
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               
                 there
                 must
                 be
                 Errors
              
               ;
               he
               would
               not
               have
               us
               to
               take
               up
               Religion
               upon
               trust
               ,
               without
               the
               pains
               of
               Study
               and
               Prayer
               .
               Lazy
               Men
               would
               fain
               give
               Laws
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               teach
               God
               how
               to
               govern
               the
               Affairs
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               they
               would
               have
               all
               things
               clear
               and
               plain
               ,
               that
               there
               should
               be
               no
               doubt
               about
               it
               .
               But
               the
               Lord
               in
               his
               wise
               Providence
               seeth
               it
               fit
               to
               permit
               these
               things
               ,
               
                 That
                 they
                 which
                 
                 are
                 approved
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 manifest
                 .
              
               To
               excuse
               the
               trouble
               of
               a
               Search
               ,
               Study
               ,
               and
               Prayer
               ,
               Men
               would
               have
               all
               things
               agreed
               ,
               else
               they
               take
               offence
               at
               Religion
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               one
               means
               to
               draw
               them
               off
               ,
               even
               after
               profession
               .
               The
               Canonists
               say
               ,
               
                 Non
                 fuisset
                 discretus
                 Dominus
                 Deus
                 ,
                 nisi
                 unum
                 consti●uerit
                 Vniversalem
                 Iudicem
                 .
              
               This
               was
               their
               Blasphemy
               ,
               that
               God
               were
               not
               discreet
               and
               wise
               ,
               unless
               he
               had
               appointed
               one
               Universal
               and
               Infallible
               Interpreter
               .
               This
               is
               Mens
               natural
               thoughts
               ;
               the
               Jews
               say
               ,
               That
               Christ
               was
               not
               the
               True
               Messiah
               :
               Why
               ?
               Because
               if
               he
               had
               been
               ,
               he
               would
               not
               have
               come
               in
               such
               a
               way
               as
               to
               leave
               any
               of
               his
               Country-men
               in
               doubt
               ;
               but
               would
               so
               plainly
               have
               discovered
               himself
               ,
               that
               all
               might
               know
               him
               :
               So
               many
               think
               Religion
               is
               but
               a
               Fancy
               ,
               and
               so
               fall
               off
               to
               Atheism
               and
               Sceptieism
               at
               last
               ,
               and
               irresolution
               in
               Religion
               ,
               because
               there
               are
               so
               many
               Sects
               and
               Divisions
               ,
               and
               all
               upholding
               it
               with
               plausible
               pretences
               .
               And
               to
               excuse
               Laziness
               or
               Prejudice
               ,
               Men
               pretend
               want
               of
               certainty
               :
               But
               God's
               Word
               is
               plain
               to
               all
               that
               will
               do
               his
               Will
               ,
               Iohn
               7.
               17.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               scandalous
               a●d
               ●vil
               Practices
               of
               Professors
               :
               These
               do
               not
               only
               infect
               but
               
               offend
               many
               ,
               and
               cause
               them
               to
               stumble
               at
               Religion
               ,
               or
               fall
               into
               a
               dislike
               of
               the
               Way
               of
               Salvation
               .
               Scandal
               is
               far
               more
               dangerous
               than
               Persecution
               :
               In
               Persecution
               ,
               though
               many
               be
               discouraged
               ,
               yet
               others
               are
               gained
               to
               a
               liking
               of
               Religion
               :
               There
               are
               many
               that
               have
               been
               gained
               by
               the
               patience
               ,
               courage
               ,
               and
               constancy
               of
               the
               Martyrs
               ,
               but
               never
               any
               were
               gained
               by
               the
               scandalous
               falls
               of
               Professors
               :
               Persecutions
               do
               only
               work
               upon
               our
               Heart
               ,
               which
               may
               be
               allayed
               by
               proposal
               of
               the
               Crown
               of
               Life
               :
               But
               by
               scandalous
               Actions
               ,
               how
               many
               settle
               into
               a
               resolved
               hardness
               of
               Heart
               ?
               In
               Crosses
               and
               Persecutions
               ,
               many
               Men
               may
               have
               a
               secret
               liking
               of
               the
               Truth
               ,
               and
               a
               purpose
               to
               own
               it
               in
               better
               times
               :
               But
               by
               this
               kind
               of
               scandal
               ,
               Men
               grow
               into
               an
               open
               and
               professed
               dislike
               thereof
               .
               In
               Persecutions
               ,
               there
               is
               not
               a
               dislike
               of
               Religion
               it self
               ,
               but
               of
               the
               hard
               terms
               upon
               which
               it
               must
               be
               received
               :
               But
               by
               Scandals
               ,
               Men
               dislike
               Religion
               it self
               ,
               and
               nourish
               a
               base
               and
               vile
               Opinion
               thereof
               in
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               and
               so
               they
               grow
               loose
               and
               fall
               off
               .
               And
               this
               mischief
               doth
               not
               only
               prevail
               with
               the
               lighter
               sort
               of
               Christians
               ,
               but
               many
               times
               those
               which
               have
               had
               some
               taste
               ,
               it
               makes
               
               them
               fly
               off
               exceedingly
               ;
               Matth.
               18.
               7.
               
               There
               will
               be
               Offences
               ,
               
                 but
                 wo
                 unto
                 them
                 by
                 whom
                 they
                 come
                 .
              
               Christ
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               all
               will
               not
               walk
               up
               to
               the
               Religion
               they
               own
               :
               But
               a
               Man
               that
               is
               not
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               will
               not
               be
               offended
               at
               the
               Disorders
               of
               those
               that
               profess
               his
               Way
               :
               1
               
                 Ioh.
                 2.
                 10.
                 
                 He
                 that
                 loveth
                 his
                 Brother
                 ,
                 abideth
                 in
                 the
                 Light
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 occasion
                 of
                 stumbling
                 in
                 ●im
                 .
              
               All
               things
               that
               offend
               ,
               will
               not
               be
               taken
               away
               till
               the
               Reapers
               come
               :
               Matth.
               13.
               41.
               
               
                 The
                 Son
                 of
                 Man
                 shall
                 send
                 forth
                 his
                 Angels
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 shall
                 gather
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 Kingdom
                 all
                 things
                 that
                 offend
                 ,
                 and
                 them
                 which
                 do
                 iniquity
                 .
              
               In
               the
               mean
               time
               ,
               he
               that
               loveth
               Christ
               ,
               and
               loveth
               his
               Brother
               ,
               dareth
               not
               reason
               from
               some
               to
               all
               ,
               from
               Persons
               to
               the
               Religion
               :
               for
               Religion
               is
               not
               to
               be
               judged
               by
               the
               Persons
               that
               profess
               it
               ,
               but
               the
               Persons
               by
               the
               Religion
               .
               These
               things
               must
               ever
               be
               distinguished
               ,
               the
               Rule
               and
               the
               Practice
               ,
               the
               Form
               and
               the
               Power
               :
               The
               Form
               ,
               Manner
               ,
               or
               Model
               of
               Truth
               ,
               may
               be
               compleat
               ,
               though
               the
               virtue
               of
               this
               Religion
               doth
               not
               prevail
               over
               all
               those
               that
               come
               under
               the
               profession
               of
               it
               .
               'T
               is
               against
               all
               Reason
               ,
               that
               the
               excellency
               of
               Christ
               should
               stand
               to
               the
               courtesy
               of
               
               Man's
               Obedience
               :
               The
               Art
               is
               not
               to
               be
               judged
               by
               the
               bungling
               of
               the
               Artist
               .
               And
               then
               for
               the
               other
               ,
               The
               Love
               of
               the
               Brethren
               will
               not
               permit
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               should
               judg
               of
               all
               the
               rest
               by
               a
               few
               ,
               and
               those
               the
               worser
               part
               :
               This
               is
               ,
               as
               if
               a
               Man
               should
               judg
               of
               a
               Street
               by
               the
               Sink
               or
               Kennel
               ,
               or
               throw
               away
               the
               whole
               cluster
               or
               bunch
               of
               Grapes
               ,
               for
               one
               or
               two
               rotten
               ones
               .
               Shall
               the
               Apostles
               be
               judged
               of
               by
               Iudas
               ?
               or
               the
               good
               Angels
               by
               the
               Bad
               ?
               or
               
               Abraham's
               Family
               by
               Ishmael
               ?
               If
               some
               make
               shipwrack
               of
               a
               good
               Conscience
               ,
               others
               keep
               up
               the
               Honour
               and
               Majesty
               of
               Religion
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               they
               disgrace
               it
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               troublesome
               Poverty
               ,
               and
               mean
               outside
               of
               those
               that
               profess
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               their
               many
               Troubles
               and
               Calamities
               :
               As
               in
               Christ's
               time
               ,
               the
               Grandees
               and
               learned
               Rabbies
               ,
               did
               not
               own
               Christ.
               
                 Have
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 or
                 Rulers
                 believed
                 in
                 him
                 ?
              
               That
               is
               ,
               Persons
               of
               eminency
               and
               place
               .
               Celsus
               the
               Heathen
               maketh
               the
               Objection
               ,
               Should
               a
               few
               Mariners
               ,
               (
               meaning
               Fisher-men
               )
               prescribe
               to
               the
               World
               ?
               But
               God
               never
               intended
               that
               Truth
               should
               be
               known
               by
               Pomp
               ,
               nor
               condemned
               ,
               or
               disallowed
               for
               Troubles
               that
               accompany
               
               it
               :
               The
               drift
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               is
               to
               take
               us
               off
               from
               the
               hopes
               and
               fears
               of
               the
               present
               World
               ;
               therefore
               he
               that
               liketh
               Christ
               and
               his
               Promises
               ,
               is
               not
               likely
               to
               be
               separated
               from
               him
               by
               Persecution
               ,
               Rom.
               8.
               
               ●7
               .
               He
               is
               held
               to
               him
               ,
               not
               only
               by
               the
               Head
               ,
               but
               by
               the
               Heart
               .
            
             
               Now
               the
               use
               that
               we
               should
               make
               of
               this
               ,
               is
               Caution
               :
               Take
               heed
               of
               being
               offended
               in
               Christ.
               
            
             
               I
               shall
               ,
               1.
               shew
               you
               who
               are
               in
               danger
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               the
               hainousness
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               What
               we
               should
               do
               to
               avoid
               it
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Who
               are
               in
               danger
               of
               it
               ?
               I
               Answer
               ;
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               All
               such
               as
               are
               hardned
               in
               malice
               and
               opposition
               ,
               against
               those
               that
               profess
               Godliness
               ;
               and
               have
               a
               male
               Talent
               against
               Strictness
               ,
               and
               are
               glad
               when
               it
               meeteth
               with
               any
               trouble
               or
               disgrace
               :
               The
               clearest
               Evidence
               will
               not
               convince
               these
               Men.
               Such
               were
               the
               froward
               obstinate
               Jews
               ,
               who
               were
               hardned
               ,
               and
               believed
               not
               ,
               but
               spake
               evil
               of
               that
               way
               ,
               Acts
               19.
               9.
               
               Again
               ,
               There
               are
               some
               that
               are
               more
               moderate
               ,
               
               but
               are
               discouraged
               in
               their
               first
               attempts
               of
               a
               godly
               Life
               ,
               and
               so
               give
               over
               through
               despondency
               .
               The
               Bullock
               is
               most
               unruly
               at
               the
               first
               yoaking
               :
               The
               Fire
               at
               first
               kindling
               casts
               forth
               most
               smoke
               ;
               this
               they
               cannot
               bear
               ,
               therefore
               give
               it
               over
               as
               hopeless
               .
               And
               then
               partly
               ,
               the
               insincere
               ,
               whose
               League
               with
               their
               Lusts
               was
               never
               dissolved
               .
               And
               again
               ,
               weak
               Christians
               ,
               who
               are
               not
               fortified
               and
               rooted
               in
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Faith
               and
               Hope
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               the
               hainousness
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               'T
               is
               unreasonable
               ;
               whatsoever
               hindreth
               any
               Man
               from
               coming
               to
               Christ
               ,
               or
               embracing
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               't
               is
               an
               Offence
               not
               given
               ,
               but
               taken
               .
               There
               is
               nothing
               in
               Christ
               to
               make
               us
               stumble
               ,
               and
               be
               offended
               at
               him
               ;
               Jer.
               2.
               5.
               
               
                 What
                 Iniquity
                 have
                 your
                 Fathers
                 found
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 gone
                 far
                 from
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 walked
                 after
                 Vanity
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 become
                 vain
                 ?
              
               But
               every
               thing
               that
               may
               draw
               our
               desire
               or
               delight
               towards
               him
               ;
               yet
               by
               Mens
               blindness
               and
               ignorance
               ,
               't
               is
               very
               frequent
               ;
               Luke
               19.
               42.
               
               
                 They
                 do
                 not
                 know
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 belong
                 to
                 their
                 peace
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 their
                 day
                 .
              
            
             
             
               (
               2.
               )
               'T
               is
               very
               natural
               ;
               we
               are
               apt
               to
               set
               stumbling-blocks
               in
               our
               own
               way
               ,
               and
               matter
               of
               offence
               before
               our
               own
               feet
               .
               And
               take
               up
               every
               obvious
               pretence
               to
               excuse
               our selves
               to
               our selves
               ,
               from
               hearkning
               to
               the
               Offers
               of
               the
               Gospel
               :
               Flesh
               and
               Blood
               will
               stumble
               in
               God's
               plainest
               ways
               ;
               Hosea
               14.
               9.
               
               
                 The
                 ways
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 are
                 right
                 ;
                 the
                 Iust
                 shall
                 walk
                 therein
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Transgressors
                 shall
                 fall
                 in
                 them
                 .
              
               They
               will
               count
               every
               Mole-hill
               a
               Mountain
               ,
               and
               offended
               at
               every
               thing
               which
               concerneth
               God
               ,
               and
               their
               Duty
               and
               Obedience
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 A
                 prejudicate
                 Opinion
                 and
                 Malice
                 is
                 always
                 apt
                 to
                 pick
                 quarrels
                 at
                 Truth
                 and
                 Goodness
                 ;
                 Acts
              
               17.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               The
               Iews
               which
               believed
               not
               ,
               moved
               with
               Envy
               ,
               took
               unto
               them
               certain
               lude
               Fellows
               of
               the
               baser
               sort
               ,
               and
               gathered
               a
               Company
               ,
               and
               set
               all
               the
               City
               on
               an
               uproar
               ,
               and
               assaulted
               the
               House
               of
               Jason
               ,
               and
               sought
               to
               bring
               them
               out
               to
               the
               People
               :
               and
               when
               they
               found
               them
               not
               ,
               they
               drew
               Jason
               ,
               and
               certain
               Brethren
               ,
               unto
               the
               Rulers
               of
               the
               City
               ,
               crying
               ,
               These
               which
               have
               turned
               the
               World
               upside
               down
               ,
               are
               come
               hither
               also
               .
               So
               ,
               Chap.
               18.
               6.
               
               They
               opposed
               themselves
               ,
               and
               blasphemed
               .
            
             
             
               4.
               
               'T
               is
               a
               dangerous
               Sin
               :
               If
               we
               continue
               to
               be
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               Christ
               will
               be
               offended
               at
               us
               at
               the
               last
               day
               .
               We
               get
               nothing
               by
               dashing
               against
               the
               Corner-Stone
               ,
               we
               hurt
               not
               Christ
               ,
               but
               our selves
               .
               
                 Mat.
                 21.
                 44.
                 
                 Whosoever
                 shall
                 fall
                 on
                 this
                 Stone
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 broken
                 :
                 but
                 on
                 whomsoever
                 it
                 shall
                 fall
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 grind
                 him
                 to
                 pouder
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               What
               shall
               we
               do
               to
               avoid
               it
               ?
            
             
               1.
               
               Get
               a
               clear
               Understanding
               ,
               or
               a
               Zeal
               according
               to
               Knowledg
               ;
               Rom.
               10.
               2.
               and
               
                 Iohn
                 9.
                 39.
                 
                 For
                 judgment
                 I
                 am
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 which
                 see
                 not
                 ,
                 might
                 see
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 which
                 see
                 ,
                 might
                 be
                 made
                 blind
                 .
              
               This
               will
               be
               the
               effect
               of
               my
               coming
               ,
               that
               the
               Ignorant
               will
               be
               enlightned
               ,
               and
               learned
               Men
               will
               not
               see
               the
               things
               before
               their
               eyes
               ;
               they
               were
               hardned
               and
               left
               to
               their
               own
               prejudices
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Get
               a
               good
               measure
               to
               mete
               things
               withal
               .
               The
               Jews
               were
               offended
               in
               Christ
               ,
               because
               they
               were
               leavened
               with
               a
               notion
               of
               a
               pompous
               Messiah
               ;
               and
               so
               judged
               of
               all
               things
               concerning
               Christ
               ,
               as
               they
               suited
               with
               that
               conceit
               :
               So
               
                 Iohn
                 7.
                 24.
                 
                 Iudg
                 not
                 according
                 to
                 appearance
                 ,
                 but
                 judg
                 righteous
                 Iudgment
                 .
              
               We
               judg
               according
               to
               appearance
               ,
               but
               judg
               not
               
               righteous
               Judgment
               :
               This
               is
               no
               good
               measure
               ,
               but
               an
               Idol
               of
               our
               Hearts
               .
               Many
               are
               in
               an
               evil
               way
               ,
               but
               yet
               want
               not
               their
               pretences
               :
               As
               the
               Tradition
               of
               the
               Elders
               ,
               Matth.
               19.
               2.
               
               And
               Succession
               ,
               Iohn
               8.
               33.
               
               The
               Novelty
               of
               Christ's
               Doctrine
               ;
               
                 Mark
                 1.
                 27.
                 
                 What
                 new
                 Doctrine
                 is
                 this
                 ?
              
               The
               vile
               abject
               condition
               of
               Christ
               and
               his
               Disciples
               :
               They
               never
               enter
               into
               the
               merits
               of
               the
               Cause
               ,
               but
               determine
               it
               by
               prejudicate
               Opinions
               :
               A
               good
               measure
               therefore
               is
               necessary
               ;
               there
               is
               
                 mensura
                 mensurans
              
               ,
               and
               
                 mensura
                 mensurata
              
               ,
               a
               measure
               measuring
               ,
               and
               the
               measure
               that
               is
               measured
               ;
               the
               measure
               that
               is
               measured
               ,
               is
               an
               upright
               unbiassed
               Mind
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Labour
               to
               get
               a
               mortified
               Heart
               :
               They
               are
               most
               apt
               to
               be
               scandalized
               ,
               that
               have
               a
               carnal
               biass
               upon
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               a
               contrariety
               of
               affections
               to
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 16.
                 14.
                 
                 Iohn
              
               5.
               44.
               and
               Iohn
               12.
               42
               ,
               43.
               who
               are
               leavened
               with
               covetousness
               ,
               jealousy
               of
               reputation
               ,
               fear
               of
               disgrace
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Get
               a
               fervent
               Love
               :
               Psal.
               119.
               165.
               
               
                 Great
                 peace
                 have
                 they
                 which
                 love
                 thy
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 nothing
                 shall
                 offend
                 them
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               want
               of
               a
               true
               and
               hearty
               love
               that
               maketh
               us
               so
               easy
               and
               apt
               to
               take
               offence
               .
            
             
             
               A
               secoud
               use
               that
               we
               make
               of
               it
               is
               this
               ,
               Be
               sure
               to
               take
               heed
               of
               Prejudices
               against
               practical
               Godliness
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Some
               take
               prejudice
               against
               the
               necessity
               of
               Regeneration
               :
               But
               surely
               there
               is
               a
               necessity
               of
               fitting
               us
               anew
               to
               the
               use
               and
               end
               for
               which
               we
               were
               made
               :
               For
               the
               Vse
               ,
               see
               Ephes.
               2.
               10.
               and
               for
               the
               End
               ,
               Iohn
               3.
               from
               the
               third
               to
               the
               fifth
               verse
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Another
               prejudice
               is
               ,
               the
               difficulty
               of
               a
               godly
               life
               ,
               Mat.
               19.
               25.
               
               With
               Men
               it
               is
               impossible
               ,
               but
               with
               God
               all
               things
               are
               possible
               ;
               use
               will
               make
               it
               easy
               ;
               at
               first
               it
               is
               most
               hard
               and
               tedious
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Another
               Prejudice
               ,
               is
               the
               Persecutions
               which
               attend
               it
               :
               God
               will
               have
               his
               Servants
               and
               Graces
               tried
               .
               They
               that
               go
               to
               Sea
               ,
               must
               look
               for
               Wind
               and
               Waves
               ;
               but
               in
               the
               Haven
               we
               shall
               have
               rest
               :
               In
               Heaven
               we
               shall
               injoy
               full
               and
               eternal
               rest
               .
            
          
           
             
             
             
               Wisdom
               is
               justified
               Of
               her
               CHILDREN
               .
            
             
               
                 MAT.
                 11.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
              
               
                 
                   For
                   John
                   came
                   neither
                   eating
                   nor
                   drinking
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   say
                   ,
                   He
                   hath
                   a
                   Devil
                   .
                
                 
                   The
                   Son
                   of
                   Man
                   came
                   eating
                   and
                   drinking
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   say
                   ,
                   Behold
                   ,
                   a
                   Man
                   gluttonous
                   ,
                   a
                   Friend
                   of
                   Publicans
                   and
                   Sinners
                   :
                   but
                   Wisdom
                   is
                   justified
                   of
                   her
                   Children
                   .
                
              
            
             
               IN
               this
               Context
               ,
               Christ
               had
               likened
               the
               People
               of
               the
               Generation
               in
               which
               he
               lived
               ,
               to
               Boys
               playing
               in
               the
               Streets
               ,
               and
               personating
               (
               as
               Children
               are
               given
               to
               imitate
               what
               they
               have
               seen
               in
               Elder
               Persons
               )
               sometimes
               Festivities
               ,
               
               acting
               the
               part
               of
               a
               Musician
               ,
               but
               their
               Fellows
               danced
               not
               ;
               Sometimes
               Funerals
               ,
               acting
               the
               part
               of
               the
               Mourning
               Women
               who
               were
               to
               weep
               for
               the
               dead
               ,
               cry
               ,
               Ah
               ,
               my
               Brother
               !
               but
               they
               upbraided
               their
               Fellows
               ,
               that
               they
               would
               do
               nothing
               as
               they
               should
               ,
               neither
               follow
               them
               in
               their
               Mirth
               ,
               nor
               sadness
               .
               So
               the
               people
               of
               that
               Generation
               ,
               whatsoever
               Messages
               God
               sent
               unto
               them
               ,
               they
               accepted
               them
               not
               and
               obeyed
               them
               not
               .
               Some
               great
               Exceptions
               they
               had
               still
               to
               the
               Messengers
               employed
               :
               one
               kind
               of
               Exception
               they
               have
               to
               Iohn
               ,
               and
               the
               quite
               contrary
               to
               Iesus
               ;
               and
               so
               they
               are
               not
               pleased
               ,
               neither
               full
               nor
               fasting
               ,
               as
               we
               say
               .
               Their
               censure
               of
               Iohn
               was
               ,
               That
               he
               was
               an
               Hypocondriack
               ,
               or
               a
               frantick
               Fellow
               ;
               the
               Devil
               was
               in
               him
               ,
               that
               he
               was
               so
               austere
               .
               But
               Christ
               ,
               that
               was
               gentle
               and
               affable
               ,
               they
               censure
               him
               as
               a
               loose
               Person
               ,
               or
               favorer
               of
               such
               .
               
                 For
                 Iohn
                 came
                 neither
                 eating
                 and
                 drinking
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 He
                 hath
                 a
                 Devil
                 :
                 The
                 Son
                 of
                 Man
                 came
                 eating
                 and
                 drinking
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 a
                 Man
                 gluttonous
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Friend
                 of
                 Publicans
                 and
                 Sinners
                 :
                 But
                 Wisdom
                 is
                 justified
                 of
                 her
                 Children
                 .
              
            
             
             
               In
               the
               words
               ,
               three
               Things
               are
               observable
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 different
                 Form
                 and
                 Course
                 of
                 Life
                 wherein
                 Iohn
                 and
                 Christ
                 appeared
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Their
                 Censures
                 both
                 of
                 Iohn
                 and
                 Iesus
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 receiving
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 by
                 the
                 unprejudiced
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               different
               Course
               of
               Life
               wherein
               Iohn
               and
               Christ
               appeared
               :
               
                 Iohn
                 came
                 neither
                 eating
                 ,
                 nor
                 drinking
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               lived
               in
               a
               strict
               austere
               Course
               of
               Life
               ,
               not
               after
               the
               ordinary
               Diet
               of
               Men
               ;
               for
               we
               read
               he
               had
               his
               Raiment
               of
               Camels
               Hair
               ,
               and
               a
               leathern
               Girdle
               about
               his
               Loins
               ,
               and
               his
               Meat
               was
               Locusts
               and
               wild
               Hony
               :
               But
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               came
               eating
               and
               drinking
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               using
               the
               ordinary
               Diet
               of
               Men
               ,
               and
               eating
               promiscuously
               with
               all
               company
               ,
               in
               a
               more
               free
               use
               of
               the
               Creatures
               ,
               taking
               the
               fare
               as
               he
               found
               it
               ,
               and
               conversing
               with
               all
               sorts
               of
               Men
               in
               a
               familar
               Course
               of
               Life
               :
               Sometimes
               with
               Publicans
               ,
               as
               Zacheus
               :
               sometimes
               with
               Pharisees
               ,
               as
               Simon
               ,
               Luke
               7.
               
               He
               observed
               
               no
               such
               abstinency
               ,
               but
               ate
               Meats
               indifferently
               :
               sometimes
               he
               had
               nothing
               but
               barely
               Bread
               and
               Water
               ;
               sometimes
               he
               was
               at
               Feasts
               ,
               and
               using
               Wine
               ,
               and
               conversed
               with
               Men
               indifferently
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Their
               Censures
               both
               of
               Iohn
               ,
               and
               Iesus
               :
               John
               
                 hath
                 a
                 Devil
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               is
               a
               Person
               possessed
               ,
               out
               of
               his
               wits
               :
               For
               the
               Jews
               ascribed
               all
               Distempers
               to
               the
               Devil
               .
               And
               of
               Christ
               ,
               their
               censure
               was
               ,
               
                 That
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 Glutton
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Friend
                 of
                 Publicans
                 and
                 Sinners
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               reciving
               of
               the
               Gospel
               by
               the
               unprejudiced
               ;
               
                 But
                 Wisdom
                 is
                 justified
                 of
                 her
                 Children
                 .
              
               This
               last
               clause
               ,
               needeth
               opening
               ;
               that
               we
               may
               know
               what
               is
               Wisdom
               ,
               who
               are
               her
               Children
               ,
               and
               how
               they
               justify
               it
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               By
               Wisdom
               is
               meant
               ,
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               called
               elsewhere
               ,
               The
               Counsel
               of
               God
               ;
               as
               appeareth
               by
               the
               parallel
               place
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 7.
                 29
                 ,
                 30.
                 
                 And
                 all
                 the
                 People
                 that
                 heard
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Publicans
                 ,
                 justified
                 God
                 ,
                 being
                 baptized
                 with
                 the
                 Baptism
                 of
              
               John
               :
               
                 But
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 and
                 Lawyers
                 rejected
                 the
                 Counsel
                 of
                 God
                 against
                 themselves
                 .
              
               The
               Gospel
               is
               called
               Wisdom
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               the
               result
               of
               God's
               eternal
               Wisdom
               .
               The
               Doctrine
               of
               Christ
               Crucified
               ,
               
               is
               called
               ,
               
                 The
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               22.
               
               And
               again
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 7.
                 
                 The
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 Mystery
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Children
               of
               Wisdom
               ,
               are
               the
               Professors
               of
               it
               :
               'T
               is
               an
               Hebraism
               ;
               
                 As
                 Children
                 of
              
               Corath
               ;
               
                 Children
                 of
                 Light
                 ;
                 Children
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
              
               &c.
               the
               Professors
               ,
               and
               Followers
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               Wisdom
               hath
               her
               Children
               ;
               all
               are
               not
               alike
               indisposed
               ,
               some
               are
               begotten
               to
               God
               by
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               Grace
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Justified
               .
               As
               this
               is
               opposed
               to
               Crimination
               ;
               so
               to
               justify
               ,
               is
               the
               work
               of
               an
               Advocate
               .
               As
               it
               is
               opposed
               to
               Condemnation
               ,
               so
               't
               is
               the
               work
               of
               a
               Judg.
               Wisdom's
               Children
               will
               bear
               witness
               to
               their
               Faith
               ,
               or
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               God
               by
               their
               Profession
               ,
               and
               Godly
               Life
               ,
               and
               ready
               Obedience
               :
               And
               exalt
               it
               as
               much
               as
               others
               decry
               it
               ,
               and
               every
               way
               manifest
               that
               they
               hold
               it
               for
               good
               and
               right
               .
            
             
               Many
               Points
               might
               be
               observed
               hence
               :
               As
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 That
                 God
                 sendeth
                 forth
                 his
                 Servants
                 with
                 divers
                 dispositions
                 :
              
               Some
               more
               austere
               in
               Life
               ,
               others
               more
               social
               in
               their
               Carriage
               :
               some
               sad
               and
               mournful
               ,
               others
               chearful
               
               and
               pleasant
               :
               some
               more
               thundring
               in
               Doctrine
               ,
               others
               more
               gently
               inducing
               people
               to
               Repentance
               .
               Since
               God
               maketh
               use
               of
               variety
               of
               Gifts
               and
               Tempers
               ;
               Let
               us
               observe
               this
               Wisdom
               ,
               not
               bring
               all
               to
               the
               Law
               of
               some
               admired
               Instance
               and
               Example
               :
               As
               there
               is
               a
               difference
               of
               Stomachs
               ,
               some
               for
               Meats
               baked
               ,
               or
               roasted
               ,
               others
               for
               boiled
               ;
               so
               God
               fits
               his
               Servants
               severally
               to
               do
               good
               ,
               as
               the
               Persons
               they
               are
               to
               treat
               with
               need
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 That
                 Men
                 are
                 qualified
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 dispensation
                 wherein
                 God
                 useth
                 them
                 :
                 Iohn
                 ,
              
               as
               a
               Preacher
               of
               Repentance
               ,
               was
               austere
               :
               Christ
               ,
               as
               a
               giver
               of
               Pardon
               ,
               mild
               and
               affable
               :
               Iohn
               was
               to
               come
               in
               the
               Spirit
               and
               Power
               of
               Elias
               ;
               and
               therefore
               to
               imitate
               him
               in
               his
               Course
               of
               Life
               :
               He
               was
               sent
               forth
               to
               raise
               and
               awaken
               a
               sleepy
               World
               ,
               besotted
               in
               security
               :
               But
               Christ
               who
               was
               to
               come
               with
               the
               glad
               Tydings
               of
               Salvation
               ,
               and
               to
               call
               Sinners
               to
               Grace
               and
               Pardon
               ,
               chose
               to
               appear
               in
               a
               meek
               ,
               sweet
               ,
               and
               social
               way
               of
               converse
               ,
               that
               his
               Benignity
               in
               drawing
               the
               most
               grievous
               Sinners
               to
               himself
               ,
               might
               thereby
               be
               manifested
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 That
                 Men
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 complain
                 ,
                 quarrel
                 ,
                 and
                 except
                 against
                 what
                 is
                 done
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 whatsoever
                 Methods
                 are
                 used
                 to
                 reduce
                 them
                 to
                 a
                 sence
                 of
                 their
                 Duty
                 .
              
               Both
               Iohn
               and
               Jesus
               were
               sent
               by
               God
               ,
               but
               Men
               have
               ever
               somewhat
               to
               say
               :
               Iohn
               is
               too
               rough
               and
               austere
               ;
               and
               Christ
               too
               sociable
               ,
               and
               familiar
               with
               Sinners
               :
               They
               dislike
               the
               Severity
               of
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               the
               free
               Converse
               of
               the
               other
               .
               So
               in
               other
               Cases
               ,
               old
               Men
               ,
               they
               say
               ,
               dote
               ;
               young
               Men
               are
               too
               rash
               :
               some
               they
               find
               fault
               with
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               so
               facil
               and
               easy
               ;
               with
               others
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               obscure
               and
               deep
               :
               People
               are
               always
               unsatisfied
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               That
               neither
               the
               Severity
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               nor
               the
               glad
               Tydings
               of
               Salvation
               ,
               will
               of
               themselves
               work
               upon
               Men
               ,
               unless
               God
               set
               in
               by
               his
               Spirit
               :
               
                 For
                 both
                 the
                 Dispensation
                 of
                 Iohn
                 and
                 Jesus
                 was
                 without
                 its
                 effect
                 .
              
            
             
               5.
               
               
                 Though
                 some
                 obstinately
                 refuse
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 yet
                 others
                 accept
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 accordingly
                 :
              
               Wisdom
               hath
               her
               Children
               ,
               who
               justify
               and
               defend
               her
               ways
               as
               much
               as
               others
               impugn
               and
               oppose
               them
               ,
               Acts
               17.
               34.
               
               God
               seldom
               lighteth
               a
               Candle
               ,
               but
               he
               hath
               some
               lost
               Groat
               to
               seek
               .
            
             
               All
               these
               Points
               might
               be
               profitably
               insisted
               on
               :
               But
               I
               shall
               make
               use
               of
               this
               Text
               ,
               to
               give
               you
               this
               Observation
               .
            
             
             
               That
               Iesus
               Christ
               ,
               when
               he
               came
               to
               set
               up
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               did
               not
               tie
               himself
               to
               a
               Wilderness-life
               of
               austerity
               in
               total
               abstinence
               from
               common
               Meat
               and
               Wine
               ,
               as
               John
               the
               Baptist
               did
               ,
               and
               as
               they
               thought
               that
               he
               that
               professed
               extraordinary
               Sanctity
               should
               have
               done
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               prosecution
               of
               this
               Point
               ,
               I
               shall
               use
               this
               Method
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 I
                 shall
                 shew
                 you
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 Censures
                 of
                 the
                 two
                 Things
                 disliked
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 were
                 not
                 just
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Give
                 you
                 the
                 Reasons
                 why
                 he
                 lived
                 ,
                 and
                 chose
                 this
                 form
                 and
                 sort
                 of
                 Life
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 profitable
                 Observations
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 build
                 thereon
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               That
               the
               Censures
               of
               the
               two
               things
               disliked
               in
               Christ
               ,
               were
               not
               just
               .
               The
               two
               things
               disliked
               in
               Christ
               were
               ;
               
                 
                   (
                   1.
                   )
                   His
                   Diet.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   2.
                   )
                   His
                   Company
                   .
                
              
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               His
               Diet
               :
               
                 He
                 came
                 eating
                 and
                 drinking
              
               :
               He
               did
               eat
               and
               drink
               as
               other
               Men
               ,
               but
               with
               great
               piety
               ,
               and
               with
               
               great
               temperance
               and
               soberity
               .
               His
               Piety
               was
               remarkable
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 6.
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 Iesus
                 took
                 the
                 Loaves
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 given
                 Thanks
                 ,
                 he
                 distributed
                 them
                 among
                 the
                 Disciples
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               vers
               .
               23.
               —
               
                 Nigh
                 unto
                 the
                 place
                 were
                 they
                 had
                 eaten
                 Bread
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 Lord
                 gave
                 Thanks
                 .
              
               All
               our
               Refreshments
               should
               be
               sanctified
               ;
               They
               are
               great
               Mercies
               ,
               though
               ordinary
               :
               They
               come
               down
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               direct
               us
               to
               seek
               the
               Blessing
               thence
               ,
               from
               whence
               we
               have
               the
               Comforts
               themselves
               :
               Though
               we
               have
               but
               slender
               provisions
               ,
               we
               should
               be
               thankful
               :
               Christ
               gave
               Thanks
               for
               five
               Barley
               Loaves
               and
               two
               Fishes
               .
               Mark
               ,
               here
               he
               doth
               not
               mention
               the
               Miracle
               ,
               but
               the
               Thanksgiving
               .
               Christ
               had
               expressed
               himself
               in
               such
               a
               way
               ,
               as
               made
               deep
               Impression
               on
               the
               standers-by
               ,
               and
               would
               fully
               convince
               us
               ,
               that
               the
               blessing
               of
               all
               Injoyments
               is
               in
               God's
               Hand
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               His
               Temperance
               and
               Sobriety
               is
               observable
               ;
               Five
               Barley
               Loaves
               ,
               and
               two
               Fishes
               were
               carried
               about
               ,
               as
               the
               standing
               Provision
               for
               Himself
               and
               Family
               ,
               Luke
               9.
               13.
               
               Christ's
               Provision
               is
               such
               as
               may
               teach
               sobriety
               and
               contentment
               with
               a
               mean
               condition
               unto
               all
               :
               At
               another
               time
               he
               beggeth
               a
               draught
               of
               Water
               
               to
               quench
               his
               Thirst
               ,
               Iohn
               4.
               7.
               
               And
               therefore
               the
               Exceptions
               against
               his
               Diet
               were
               not
               just
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Against
               his
               Company
               :
               They
               accused
               him
               of
               eating
               with
               Publicans
               and
               Sinners
               ,
               in
               the
               Text.
               So
               
                 Luke
                 15.
                 2.
                 
                 This
                 Man
                 receiveth
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 eateth
                 with
                 them
                 :
              
               Because
               he
               went
               to
               them
               as
               a
               Physician
               to
               heal
               their
               Souls
               ,
               Luke
               5.
               30.
               
               He
               conversed
               with
               the
               meanest
               ,
               and
               refused
               not
               familiarity
               with
               the
               poorest
               and
               worst
               ,
               as
               was
               needful
               for
               their
               Cure.
               The
               Pharisees
               thought
               it
               to
               be
               against
               all
               Decorum
               ,
               that
               he
               would
               spake
               and
               converse
               with
               all
               sorts
               of
               People
               ,
               Publicans
               and
               Harlots
               not
               excepted
               :
               But
               Christ
               coming
               to
               save
               all
               sorts
               of
               People
               ,
               it
               was
               necessary
               that
               he
               should
               Converse
               with
               all
               sorts
               of
               People
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Reasons
               why
               he
               lived
               ,
               and
               chose
               this
               sort
               of
               Life
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Because
               he
               would
               not
               place
               Religion
               in
               outward
               Austerities
               and
               Observances
               :
               Men
               superstitiously
               appoint
               to
               themselves
               unnecessary
               Tasks
               ,
               and
               ,
               forbid
               themselves
               many
               lawful
               Things
               ,
               and
               this
               they
               call
               by
               the
               name
               of
               Holiness
               .
               When
               Satan
               who
               is
               usually
               a
               Libertine
               ,
               pretendeth
               
               to
               be
               a
               Saint
               ;
               He
               will
               be
               stricter
               than
               Christ
               Himself
               :
               As
               the
               Pharisees
               were
               in
               the
               choice
               of
               their
               Company
               and
               outward
               Observances
               .
               Christ
               foresaw
               this
               Spirit
               would
               be
               working
               in
               the
               World
               :
               
                 Touch
                 not
                 ,
                 taste
                 not
                 ,
                 handle
                 not
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 Commandments
                 and
                 Doctrines
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
              
               Col.
               2.
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               That
               Men
               were
               apt
               to
               place
               Religion
               in
               a
               simple
               abstinence
               from
               the
               common
               Comforts
               of
               Life
               ,
               under
               a
               pretence
               of
               more
               than
               ordinary
               mortification
               :
               neither
               eat
               ,
               nor
               taste
               ,
               nor
               touch
               :
               over-doing
               in
               Externals
               ,
               is
               usually
               an
               undoing
               in
               Religion
               :
               The
               
               Quaker's
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               the
               Monkish
               Spirit
               ,
               is
               an
               Apochryphal
               and
               bastard
               sort
               of
               Holiness
               ,
               a
               Spirit
               that
               suiteth
               not
               with
               the
               Temper
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               the
               example
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Christ
               would
               live
               a
               strict
               ,
               but
               sociable
               and
               charitable
               Life
               ,
               and
               did
               not
               observe
               the
               Laws
               of
               proud
               Pharisaical
               separation
               ,
               but
               spent
               his
               time
               in
               doing
               good
               ,
               and
               healing
               all
               manner
               of
               bodily
               Diseases
               ,
               and
               instructing
               the
               Souls
               of
               Men
               upon
               all
               occasions
               :
               There
               is
               a
               disposition
               in
               Men
               by
               a
               foolish
               singularity
               ,
               to
               stand
               aloof
               from
               others
               :
               The
               Prophet
               toucheth
               it
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 65.
                 5.
                 
                 They
                 said
                 ,
                 Stand
                 by
                 thy self
                 ,
                 
                 come
                 not
                 near
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 holier
                 than
                 thou
                 .
              
               Some
               then
               ,
               though
               impure
               and
               prophane
               ,
               would
               seem
               holier
               than
               others
               ,
               and
               counted
               all
               unclean
               and
               polluted
               besides
               themselves
               :
               This
               Spirit
               rested
               in
               the
               Pharisees
               in
               Christ's
               time
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 5.
                 30.
                 
                 The
                 Scribes
                 and
                 Pharisees
                 murmured
                 against
                 his
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 Why
                 do
                 you
                 eat
                 and
                 drink
                 with
                 Publicans
                 and
                 Sinners
                 ?
              
               So
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 7.
                 39.
                 
                 If
                 this
                 Man
                 had
                 been
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 known
                 who
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 manner
                 of
                 Woman
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 toucheth
                 him
                 ;
                 for
                 she
                 is
                 a
                 Sinner
                 .
              
               And
               afterwards
               the
               whole
               People
               of
               the
               Jews
               were
               possessed
               with
               this
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               would
               not
               endure
               that
               any
               should
               converse
               with
               the
               Gentiles
               ,
               as
               fearing
               to
               be
               defiled
               by
               them
               .
               Now
               Jesus
               Christ
               would
               not
               countenance
               this
               inclosing
               Spirit
               ;
               coming
               to
               do
               good
               to
               all
               ,
               he
               would
               converse
               with
               all
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Jesus
               Christ
               coming
               into
               the
               World
               as
               to
               redeem
               us
               to
               God
               ,
               so
               to
               set
               us
               an
               example
               ,
               would
               take
               up
               that
               course
               of
               Life
               which
               was
               most
               imitable
               by
               all
               sorts
               of
               Persons
               ,
               and
               calculated
               as
               for
               the
               Honour
               of
               God
               ,
               so
               for
               the
               Benefit
               of
               Humane
               Society
               .
               He
               intended
               his
               Religion
               ,
               not
               only
               for
               Recluses
               and
               Votaries
               ,
               but
               for
               Men
               of
               all
               Conditions
               ,
               Professions
               ,
               
               and
               Employments
               :
               and
               therefore
               would
               not
               fright
               us
               from
               Religion
               by
               affected
               Austerities
               ,
               but
               invite
               us
               to
               it
               by
               a
               sanctified
               converse
               with
               all
               kind
               of
               Companies
               :
               And
               no
               Man
               now
               can
               excuse
               himself
               ,
               saying
               ,
               That
               he
               cannot
               imitate
               the
               form
               of
               Christ's
               Living
               ,
               since
               it
               is
               competent
               to
               all
               kind
               of
               Persons
               ,
               even
               those
               who
               are
               not
               shut
               up
               ,
               but
               whose
               Callings
               ingage
               them
               to
               be
               abroad
               in
               the
               World
               :
               For
               't
               is
               Religion
               that
               puts
               us
               upon
               the
               discharge
               of
               all
               Duties
               to
               God
               and
               Man
               :
               The
               sum
               of
               it
               is
               comprised
               in
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               above
               all
               ,
               and
               our
               Neighbour
               as
               our selves
               .
               We
               love
               all
               ,
               even
               Enemies
               ,
               with
               that
               common
               Love
               which
               is
               due
               to
               Humanity
               ;
               and
               all
               that
               fear
               God
               with
               a
               special
               Love.
               Now
               this
               may
               be
               exercised
               in
               the
               Shop
               ,
               better
               than
               in
               the
               Cloyster
               and
               solitudes
               ;
               and
               where-ever
               we
               go
               ,
               we
               may
               go
               about
               doing
               good
               :
               And
               this
               may
               be
               done
               by
               all
               sorts
               of
               Persons
               ,
               Princes
               ,
               and
               Peasants
               ,
               Noble-men
               or
               Tradesmen
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               Ministers
               and
               People
               of
               a
               more
               retired
               Life
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Coming
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               to
               set
               up
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
               it
               was
               sit
               his
               Form
               of
               Life
               should
               suit
               with
               the
               Nature
               of
               that
               Kingdom
               .
               Iohn
               Baptist
               telleth
               them
               ,
               
               
                 The
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 at
                 hand
              
               ;
               and
               Christ
               himself
               ,
               That
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               was
               come
               ,
               and
               was
               among
               them
               .
               Now
               what
               is
               the
               nature
               of
               this
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ?
               The
               Apostle
               telleth
               you
               ,
               that
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 14.
                 17.
                 
                 The
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 standeth
                 not
                 in
                 Meat
                 and
                 Drink
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Peace
                 ,
                 and
                 Ioy
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
               There
               are
               two
               expositions
               of
               that
               place
               ,
               and
               both
               equally
               probable
               ;
               the
               one
               more
               general
               ,
               the
               other
               more
               limited
               and
               restrained
               to
               the
               Context
               :
               More
               general
               ,
               That
               Righteousness
               is
               taken
               for
               all
               new
               Obedience
               ,
               and
               Peace
               for
               peace
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               resulting
               from
               the
               rectitude
               of
               our
               Actions
               ;
               and
               joy
               in
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               for
               that
               supernatural
               comfort
               which
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               puts
               into
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               by
               reflecting
               upon
               our
               Privileges
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               Hopes
               of
               the
               World
               to
               come
               .
               Now
               Christianity
               consists
               not
               in
               eating
               ,
               or
               not
               eating
               such
               or
               such
               Meats
               ,
               or
               such
               kind
               of
               Observances
               ,
               but
               in
               solid
               Godliness
               ,
               or
               in
               the
               practice
               of
               Christian
               Graces
               and
               Vertues
               .
               The
               more
               limited
               sense
               is
               ,
               That
               by
               Righteousness
               is
               meant
               just
               dealings
               ;
               by
               Peace
               ,
               a
               peaceable
               ,
               harmless
               ,
               inoffensive
               sort
               of
               living
               ;
               by
               Joy
               in
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               a
               delight
               to
               do
               good
               to
               
               one
               another
               ;
               to
               advance
               and
               build
               up
               one
               another
               in
               Godliness
               ,
               not
               dividing
               ,
               hating
               ,
               excommunicating
               ,
               censuring
               one
               another
               for
               lesser
               Things
               and
               meer
               Rituals
               ,
               but
               pleasing
               our
               Neighbour
               to
               edification
               ,
               Rom.
               15.
               2.
               and
               1
               Cor.
               10.
               31
               ,
               32
               ,
               33.
               
               
                 Whether
                 ye
                 eat
                 or
                 drink
                 ,
                 or
                 whatsoever
                 ye
                 do
                 ,
                 do
                 all
                 to
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 give
                 no
                 offence
                 ,
                 neither
                 to
                 Iews
                 nor
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 even
                 as
                 I
                 please
                 all
                 men
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 not
                 seeking
                 my
                 own
                 profit
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 profit
                 of
                 many
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 saved
                 .
              
               This
               meek
               ,
               holy
               ,
               charitable
               converse
               to
               the
               Glory
               of
               God
               ,
               without
               offence
               and
               scandal
               ,
               is
               that
               which
               promoteth
               God's
               Kingdom
               :
               And
               this
               would
               Christ
               teach
               us
               in
               his
               own
               form
               and
               course
               of
               Life
               ,
               conversing
               in
               a
               sanctified
               manner
               with
               all
               sorts
               of
               Persons
               to
               their
               profit
               and
               benefit
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               Because
               Christ
               would
               not
               gratify
               Humane
               Wisdom
               :
               As
               he
               would
               not
               gratify
               Sense
               ,
               by
               chusing
               a
               pompous
               Life
               ;
               so
               he
               would
               not
               gratify
               Humane
               Wisdom
               ,
               by
               chusing
               an
               austere
               Life
               .
               There
               are
               two
               sorts
               of
               Men
               in
               the
               World
               who
               are
               not
               of
               God
               ;
               the
               Men
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Saints
               of
               this
               World.
               The
               Men
               of
               the
               World
               are
               brutish
               Sensualists
               ,
               who
               are
               all
               
               for
               Pomp
               and
               Glory
               ,
               Christ
               would
               not
               gratify
               these
               ,
               but
               came
               meek
               and
               poor
               ,
               to
               teach
               us
               Humility
               ,
               Self-denial
               ,
               and
               Contentation
               ;
               Mat.
               11.
               29.
               
               
                 Learn
                 of
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 meek
                 and
                 lowly
                 in
                 heart
                 .
              
               He
               did
               not
               bustle
               in
               the
               World
               for
               Respect
               and
               Honour
               :
               His
               Complaints
               of
               his
               Enemies
               ,
               and
               his
               Answers
               to
               them
               ,
               were
               full
               of
               Meekness
               ,
               and
               stood
               not
               to
               abase
               himself
               for
               the
               Father's
               Glory
               and
               Mens
               Good
               :
               so
               he
               did
               not
               gratify
               the
               Men
               of
               the
               World.
               The
               Saints
               of
               this
               World
               are
               such
               as
               are
               strict
               in
               outward
               Observances
               ,
               in
               eating
               or
               not
               eating
               ,
               in
               marrying
               or
               not
               marrying
               ,
               in
               forbearing
               such
               Company
               ,
               in
               such
               a
               number
               and
               tale
               of
               Devotions
               ;
               in
               abstaining
               from
               such
               lawful
               things
               :
               These
               things
               the
               Apostle
               saith
               
                 have
                 a
                 shew
                 of
                 Wisdom
              
               ,
               Col.
               2.
               23.
               
               The
               World
               is
               mightily
               taken
               with
               bodily
               Exercise
               ,
               and
               outward
               Strictness
               :
               As
               the
               Men
               of
               the
               World
               love
               to
               pamper
               the
               Body
               ,
               so
               the
               Saints
               of
               this
               World
               needlesly
               afflict
               and
               dishonour
               the
               Body
               :
               This
               hath
               a
               shew
               ,
               and
               nothing
               but
               a
               shew
               ;
               but
               Christ
               would
               not
               gratify
               these
               neither
               ;
               he
               used
               a
               free
               ,
               but
               an
               holy
               Life
               ,
               and
               so
               was
               censured
               and
               traduced
               as
               a
               Wine-bibber
               and
               a
               Glutton
               ,
               to
               teach
               his
               Followers
               to
               be
               contented
               to
               be
               judged
               
               according
               to
               Men
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               live
               to
               God
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               4.
               6.
               
               He
               came
               to
               preach
               ,
               and
               to
               give
               inward
               Regeneration
               and
               Renovation
               .
               To
               shew
               the
               proper
               way
               of
               Mortification
               ,
               which
               is
               not
               by
               a
               severity
               of
               Life
               ,
               but
               by
               deadning
               the
               mind
               to
               the
               esteem
               of
               the
               World.
               That
               kind
               of
               Life
               which
               consists
               in
               outward
               Rigors
               ,
               hath
               some
               honour
               and
               reputation
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               maketh
               a
               fair
               shew
               in
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               but
               he
               would
               teach
               us
               the
               Life
               which
               consists
               in
               Faith
               ,
               Holiness
               ,
               Sobriety
               ,
               Humility
               of
               Mind
               ,
               Charity
               ,
               Obedience
               to
               God
               ,
               Joy
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               comfort
               of
               the
               Promises
               ,
               which
               the
               World
               liketh
               not
               so
               well
               ;
               outward
               and
               rigorous
               Observances
               are
               more
               plausible
               ,
               but
               the
               Power
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               and
               a
               true
               sense
               of
               the
               World
               to
               come
               ,
               the
               World
               hateth
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               To
               shew
               us
               the
               true
               nature
               of
               Mortification
               ,
               which
               consists
               not
               in
               a
               bare
               abstinence
               ,
               and
               shameful
               retreat
               from
               Temptations
               ,
               but
               in
               a
               Spirit
               fortified
               against
               them
               :
               not
               in
               a
               monkish
               discontent
               with
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               an
               holy
               contempt
               of
               it
               when
               we
               most
               freely
               use
               it
               .
               And
               in
               bridling
               and
               governing
               the
               Appetite
               and
               Desire
               ,
               rather
               than
               in
               scrupulous
               refraining
               from
               the
               Object
               it self
               .
               In
               an
               using
               of
               the
               
               World
               ,
               but
               not
               abusing
               of
               it
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               31.
               
               Not
               so
               much
               scrupling
               the
               Comforts
               of
               the
               present
               Life
               ,
               as
               a
               valuing
               and
               esteeming
               the
               Comforts
               of
               a
               better
               Life
               ;
               prising
               more
               the
               Christian
               Vow
               ,
               than
               any
               by-Laws
               of
               our
               own
               .
               The
               Apostle
               telleth
               us
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               4.
               8.
               
               That
               bodily
               Exercise
               profiteth
               little
               ,
               but
               Godliness
               is
               profitable
               to
               all
               things
               .
               Abstinence
               from
               daily
               Meats
               ,
               Wines
               ,
               Marriage
               ,
               is
               an
               act
               of
               Self-denial
               ,
               but
               a
               very
               small
               one
               ;
               for
               all
               the
               good
               it
               doth
               ,
               is
               to
               tame
               the
               Members
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               and
               its
               external
               Motions
               and
               Actions
               ,
               without
               sanctifying
               the
               Heart
               and
               inward
               part
               ,
               as
               a
               lively
               Faith
               ,
               Fear
               and
               Love
               of
               God
               doth
               .
               The
               profit
               of
               bodily
               Exercise
               ,
               is
               little
               in
               comparison
               of
               inward
               Piety
               ,
               which
               is
               necessary
               to
               a
               comfortable
               Life
               here
               ,
               and
               a
               blessed
               hereafter
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               The
               Observations
               which
               we
               may
               build
               thereon
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               We
               may
               observe
               the
               Humanity
               ,
               Goodness
               ,
               and
               Kindness
               of
               that
               Religion
               which
               we
               do
               profess
               ,
               both
               with
               respect
               to
               our selves
               and
               others
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Our Selves
               .
               Man
               consists
               of
               a
               Body
               and
               a
               Soul
               ,
               and
               hath
               respects
               for
               either
               ,
               else
               he
               were
               unnatural
               :
               The
               Body
               indeed
               
               we
               are
               apt
               to
               overprize
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               need
               not
               ●●●pur
               but
               a
               Bridle
               for
               our
               Affections
               to
               the
               bodily
               life
               .
               And
               therefore
               Religion
               ,
               in
               the
               Precepts
               of
               it
               ,
               interposeth
               by
               way
               of
               restraint
               ,
               rather
               than
               exhortation
               ;
               Titus
               2.
               12.
               
               
                 That
                 we
                 should
                 live
                 soberly
              
               ,
               &c.
               And
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 13.
                 14.
                 
                 Make
                 no
                 provision
                 for
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 to
                 fulfil
                 the
                 Lusts
                 thereof
                 .
              
               Do
               not
               cherish
               carnal
               Desires
               .
               The
               Apostle
               telleth
               you
               ,
               
                 No
                 Man
                 ever
                 yet
                 hated
                 his
                 own
                 Flesh
                 ,
              
               Ephes.
               5.
               29.
               
                 but
                 nourisheth
                 and
                 cherisheth
                 it
              
               .
               Our
               usual
               fault
               is
               ,
               an
               excessive
               pampering
               of
               the
               Flesh
               :
               Some
               have
               hated
               their
               own
               Souls
               ,
               at
               least
               by
               consequence
               and
               interpretation
               ;
               therefore
               we
               dare
               not
               let
               loose
               the
               Reins
               ,
               and
               give
               either
               incouragement
               or
               allowance
               to
               Men
               to
               indulge
               their
               carnal
               Desires
               ;
               yet
               to
               avoid
               prejudice
               ,
               we
               must
               grant
               what
               may
               be
               granted
               :
               for
               Men
               are
               apt
               to
               think
               that
               Religion
               is
               a
               sower
               thing
               ,
               and
               abridges
               them
               of
               all
               the
               Comforts
               of
               their
               lives
               .
               No
               ,
               besides
               the
               rich
               Comforts
               it
               provideth
               for
               the
               Soul
               ,
               it
               alloweth
               and
               forbiddeth
               not
               so
               much
               sensitive
               pleasure
               ,
               as
               tendeth
               to
               the
               holiness
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               and
               furthereth
               us
               in
               God's
               Service
               :
               It
               rebuk●th
               and
               forbiddeth
               nothing
               but
               what
               really
               may
               be
               a
               Snare
               to
               us
               :
               It
               considereth
               
               all
               things
               ,
               Meats
               ,
               Drinks
               ,
               Marriage
               ,
               Wealth
               ,
               Honours
               ,
               and
               Dig●●ties
               of
               the
               present
               World
               ,
               as
               they
               have
               respect
               to
               God
               and
               a
               better
               World
               ,
               and
               as
               they
               help
               and
               hinder
               us
               in
               the
               pleasing
               God
               ,
               and
               seeking
               Immortality
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               With
               respect
               to
               others
               .
               The
               Spirit
               of
               our
               Religion
               may
               be
               known
               by
               the
               Example
               of
               our
               dearest
               Lord
               :
               'T
               is
               not
               a
               proud
               disdainful
               Spirit
               that
               refuseth
               the
               company
               of
               the
               meanest
               and
               worst
               ,
               so
               we
               may
               do
               them
               good
               :
               He
               came
               to
               save
               Sinners
               ,
               and
               conversed
               with
               Sinners
               :
               He
               came
               to
               redress
               the
               miseries
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               and
               went
               up
               and
               down
               doing
               good
               ;
               tho
               his
               familiarities
               were
               with
               the
               most
               godly
               ,
               yet
               he
               disdained
               not
               the
               company
               of
               others
               :
               And
               surely
               his
               Religion
               ,
               where
               it
               prevaileth
               in
               the
               Hearts
               of
               any
               ,
               it
               causes
               them
               not
               only
               to
               deal
               justly
               with
               all
               ,
               but
               to
               love
               all
               ,
               all
               Mankind
               ,
               with
               a
               love
               of
               Benevolence
               ;
               it
               maketh
               us
               to
               long
               for
               the
               good
               of
               their
               Souls
               ,
               and
               desirous
               also
               to
               do
               good
               to
               the
               Bodies
               of
               those
               that
               are
               in
               need
               .
               'T
               is
               said
               indeed
               ,
               
                 Prov.
                 29.
                 27.
                 
                 An
                 unjust
                 Man
                 is
                 an
                 abomination
                 to
                 the
                 just
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 upright
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 abomination
                 to
                 the
                 wicked
                 .
              
               But
               we
               must
               distinguish
               of
               the
               hatred
               of
               Abomination
               ,
               
               and
               the
               hatred
               of
               Enmity
               :
               We
               hate
               our
               sinful
               Neighbour
               ,
               as
               we
               must
               our selves
               much
               more
               ,
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               love
               of
               Complacency
               ,
               but
               not
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               love
               of
               Benevolence
               ;
               so
               we
               must
               neither
               hate
               our selves
               ,
               nor
               our
               Neighbour
               ,
               no
               nor
               our
               Enemy
               .
               The
               business
               of
               your
               lives
               must
               be
               ,
               to
               do
               good
               to
               all
               ,
               especially
               to
               the
               Houshold
               of
               Faith
               :
               God's
               Natural
               Image
               is
               on
               all
               Men
               ,
               his
               Spiritual
               Image
               on
               his
               Saints
               :
               and
               we
               must
               love
               God
               in
               all
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               especially
               in
               his
               Children
               .
               This
               is
               true
               Religion
               ,
               consecrated
               by
               our
               Lord's
               Example
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               We
               may
               observe
               ,
               That
               an
               External
               Holiness
               ,
               which
               consisteth
               in
               an
               outside
               strictness
               ,
               without
               that
               Faith
               ,
               Love
               ,
               Charity
               ,
               Hope
               ,
               usefulness
               and
               activity
               which
               is
               the
               very
               soul
               and
               life
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               usually
               puffeth
               up
               Men
               with
               a
               vain
               conceit
               of
               their
               own
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               a
               censuring
               and
               a
               despising
               of
               others
               .
               This
               Text
               sheweth
               us
               both
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Pharisaism
               ,
               and
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Christianity
               .
               The
               Pharisees
               who
               abounded
               in
               outward
               Observances
               ,
               censured
               Christ
               for
               his
               free
               Converses
               ,
               and
               disdained
               those
               Sinners
               whom
               he
               invited
               to
               a
               better
               life
               ,
               Luke
               18.
               
               9
               ,
               10
               ,
               11
               ,
               12.
               
               And
               they
               were
               ignorant
               of
               true
               Wisdom
               ,
               which
               is
               justified
               ,
               embraced
               ,
               and
               received
               by
               all
               her
               Children
               .
               Learn
               then
               ,
               that
               an
               unruly
               ,
               fierce
               ,
               censorious
               Spirit
               ,
               which
               is
               only
               born
               up
               by
               external
               advantages
               ,
               is
               not
               the
               right
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               True
               Religion
               maketh
               men
               humble
               and
               low
               in
               their
               own
               eyes
               ,
               acquainteth
               them
               with
               their
               Desert
               ,
               Sin
               ,
               and
               Misery
               ,
               and
               maketh
               them
               pitiful
               and
               compassionate
               to
               others
               ,
               and
               more
               ready
               to
               help
               them
               ,
               than
               to
               censure
               them
               ,
               and
               to
               use
               all
               ways
               and
               means
               to
               do
               them
               good
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               The
               main
               Observation
               is
               this
               ,
               That
               a
               free
               Life
               ,
               guided
               by
               an
               holy
               Wisdom
               ,
               is
               the
               most
               sanctified
               Life
               ,
               and
               bringeth
               most
               honour
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               is
               most
               useful
               to
               others
               .
            
             
               Here
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               Wherein
               lieth
               this
               free
               life
               guided
               by
               holy
               Wisdom
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               How
               it
               is
               the
               most
               sanctified
               life
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Wherein
               lieth
               this
               free
               life
               guided
               by
               holy
               Wisdom
               .
               'T
               is
               said
               of
               Enoch
               ,
               Gen.
               5.
               22.
               
               
                 That
                 he
                 walked
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 begat
                 Sons
                 and
                 Daughters
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               dedicated
               himself
               to
               God's
               Service
               ,
               and
               lived
               in
               
               most
               strict
               Holiness
               .
               And
               there
               you
               see
               the
               use
               of
               a
               conjugal
               life
               in
               its
               purity
               ,
               may
               stand
               with
               the
               strictest
               Rules
               of
               Holiness
               .
               So
               for
               worldly
               Affairs
               ,
               when
               the
               course
               of
               our
               calling
               ingageth
               us
               in
               them
               ,
               't
               is
               not
               using
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               over-using
               is
               the
               fault
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               31.
               
               So
               for
               the
               Comforts
               of
               this
               life
               :
               Psal.
               62.
               10.
               
               
                 If
                 Riches
                 encrease
                 ,
                 set
                 not
                 your
                 heart
                 upon
                 them
                 .
              
               The
               business
               is
               not
               to
               withdraw
               them
               away
               ,
               but
               to
               withdraw
               the
               Affection
               .
               So
               for
               the
               lawful
               Delights
               ;
               there
               are
               two
               extreams
               ,
               clogging
               and
               retrenching
               our
               liberty
               with
               outward
               burdensome
               Observances
               ,
               or
               abusing
               our
               liberty
               to
               wantonness
               ;
               Gal.
               5.
               13.
               
               
                 Ye
                 are
                 called
                 to
                 liberty
                 ,
                 only
                 use
                 not
                 your
                 liberty
                 as
                 an
                 occasion
                 to
                 the
                 Flesh.
              
               Corrupt
               Nature
               venteth
               it self
               both
               ways
               ,
               either
               by
               superstitious
               rigors
               ,
               or
               by
               breaking
               all
               Bonds
               ,
               and
               inlarging
               it self
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               licentiousness
               of
               the
               Flesh.
               Meat
               ,
               Drink
               ,
               Apparel
               ,
               are
               in
               their
               own
               nature
               indifferent
               ,
               neither
               must
               Superstition
               work
               upom
               them
               ,
               nor
               Profaneness
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               mean
               between
               both
               lieth
               Godliness
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               How
               it
               is
               the
               most
               sanctified
               life
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Partly
               because
               it
               suiteth
               with
               the
               Example
               of
               Christ
               :
               He
               came
               as
               to
               expiate
               
               our
               Offences
               ,
               so
               to
               give
               us
               an
               Exsample
               ;
               1
               Pet.
               2.
               21.
               
               
                 Leaving
                 us
                 an
                 Example
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 follow
                 his
                 steps
                 :
              
               and
               ,
               1
               
                 Iohn
                 2.
                 6.
                 walk
                 as
                 he
                 walked
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               high
               presumption
               to
               aim
               at
               an
               imitation
               of
               Christ
               in
               those
               acts
               of
               his
               ,
               which
               he
               did
               for
               satisfying
               the
               Father's
               Justice
               ,
               or
               proving
               his
               D●ity
               ;
               yea
               ,
               't
               is
               impossible
               to
               imitate
               him
               in
               those
               :
               yet
               in
               Actions
               moral
               ,
               we
               are
               bound
               to
               imitate
               him
               ,
               and
               in
               Actions
               indifferent
               ,
               not
               to
               suffer
               our
               Liberty
               to
               be
               str●ightned
               ,
               but
               to
               govern
               Circumstances
               according
               to
               that
               holy
               Wisdom
               .
               Christ
               retired
               not
               from
               the
               society
               of
               Men
               ,
               but
               used
               the
               greatest
               freedom
               in
               an
               holy
               way
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Because
               there
               is
               more
               true
               Grace
               in
               being
               dead
               to
               the
               Temptation
               ,
               than
               to
               retreat
               from
               the
               Temptation
               .
               A
               Christian
               is
               not
               to
               go
               out
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               neither
               by
               a
               voluntary
               Death
               ,
               Iohn
               17.
               15.
               nor
               by
               an
               unnecessary
               sequestration
               of
               our selves
               from
               Business
               ,
               and
               the
               Affairs
               which
               God
               calleth
               us
               to
               :
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               20.
               
               
                 Let
                 every
                 Man
                 abide
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Calling
                 wherein
                 he
                 was
                 called
                 .
              
               But
               to
               be
               crucified
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               Gal.
               6.
               14.
               that's
               Grace
               to
               withdraw
               our
               Hearts
               from
               the
               World
               ,
               while
               we
               converse
               in
               it
               ,
               and
               with
               it
               .
               
               Many
               real
               Christians
               ,
               when
               they
               hear
               us
               press
               Mortification
               ,
               and
               deadness
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               think
               they
               must
               leave
               their
               Callings
               ,
               or
               abate
               of
               their
               necessary
               activity
               in
               their
               Callings
               .
               Alas
               ,
               in
               the
               Shop
               a
               Man
               may●keep
               himself
               unspotted
               from
               the
               World
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               in
               the
               Closet
               ;
               in
               a
               Court
               as
               well
               in
               a
               Cell
               .
               We
               read
               of
               Saints
               in
               
               Nero's
               Houshold
               ,
               Phil.
               4.
               22.
               he
               was
               a
               great
               Persecutor
               ,
               yet
               some
               Saints
               could
               live
               there
               within
               his
               Gates
               :
               There
               were
               some
               Professors
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               So
               
                 Rev.
                 2.
                 13.
                 
                 I
                 know
                 thy
                 Works
                 ,
                 and
                 where
                 thou
                 dwellest
                 ,
                 even
                 where
                 Satan's
                 seat
                 is
                 ;
                 and
                 thou
                 holdest
                 fast
                 my
                 Name
                 ,
                 and
                 hast
                 not
                 denied
                 my
                 Faith
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 those
                 days
                 wherein
              
               Antipas
               
                 was
                 my
                 faithful
                 Martyr
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 slain
                 among
                 you
                 where
                 Satan
                 dwelleth
                 .
              
               In
               the
               sorest
               and
               thickest
               of
               temptations
               ,
               a
               Christian
               may
               maintain
               his
               Integrity
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               our
               way
               to
               Heaven
               lieth
               through
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               tho
               if
               I
               be
               left
               to
               my
               choice
               ,
               I
               should
               chuse
               that
               course
               of
               life
               in
               which
               there
               are
               least
               Temptations
               ;
               yet
               when
               God
               ,
               by
               the
               posture
               of
               our
               temporal
               Interests
               ,
               or
               the
               course
               of
               our
               Education
               ,
               or
               the
               nature
               of
               my
               Employment
               ,
               and
               usefulness
               ,
               hath
               determined
               me
               to
               a
               life
               more
               incident
               to
               a
               throng
               of
               
               Temptations
               ,
               I
               may
               the
               better
               venture
               upon
               them
               ,
               and
               must
               not
               leave
               my
               Service
               for
               supposed
               Snares
               .
               Affectation
               of
               privacy
               ,
               may
               be
               a
               slothful
               retreat
               from
               publick
               Business
               ▪
               and
               't
               is
               more
               glorious
               to
               beat
               an
               Enemy
               ,
               than
               to
               fly
               from
               him
               ;
               and
               Grace
               is
               seen
               in
               overcoming
               ,
               rather
               than
               in
               shunning
               Difficulties
               .
            
             
               Well
               then
               ,
               learn
               from
               the
               whole
               ,
               That
               true
               Mortification
               consists
               in
               a
               change
               of
               the
               frame
               of
               Heart
               ,
               in
               a
               resolution
               against
               the
               baits
               of
               sense
               ,
               rather
               than
               removing
               our
               presence
               from
               them
               :
               in
               being
               not
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               tho
               we
               are
               in
               the
               World
               :
               not
               in
               casting
               away
               our
               injoyments
               ,
               but
               in
               an
               equal
               mind
               in
               all
               Conditions
               ,
               Iames
               1.
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               That
               to
               be
               poor
               in
               Abundance
               ,
               humble
               in
               high
               Places
               ,
               temperate
               and
               godly
               in
               the
               freest
               course
               of
               life
               ,
               is
               to
               imitate
               the
               life
               of
               Christ.
               That
               then
               we
               are
               properly
               mortified
               ,
               when
               our
               esteem
               ,
               value
               ,
               and
               affection
               ,
               is
               mortified
               .
               That
               Grace
               sheweth
               it self
               more
               in
               choice
               ,
               than
               in
               necessity
               .
               In
               an
               abstinence
               from
               the
               delights
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               when
               we
               have
               them
               ,
               rather
               than
               when
               we
               want
               them
               :
               that
               we
               may
               follow
               our
               business
               ,
               and
               yet
               be
               godly
               ;
               that
               the
               overcharging
               
               of
               the
               Heart
               is
               the
               great
               Evil
               that
               we
               should
               beware
               of
               ;
               that
               we
               may
               use
               Company
               ,
               but
               not
               to
               partake
               of
               their
               Sins
               ;
               yea
               to
               make
               them
               better
               ,
               and
               to
               purify
               them
               by
               our
               example
               .
            
             
               I
               now
               proceed
               to
               the
               last
               Clause
               ;
            
             
               —
               But
               Wisdom
               is
               justified
               of
               her
               Children
               .
            
             
               We
               have
               observed
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   The
                   different
                   form
                   and
                   course
                   of
                   life
                   wherein
                   Iohn
                   and
                   Jesus
                   appeared
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Their
                   Censures
                   of
                   both
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   The
                   receiving
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   by
                   the
                   Unprejudiced
                   .
                
              
            
             
               In
               this
               last
               observe
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               exceptive
               Particle
               
                 [
                 But
                 ]
              
               ;
               tho
               undeserved
               Censures
               are
               cast
               upon
               the
               Ways
               of
               God
               ,
               yet
               at
               length
               there
               is
               a
               Wisdom
               found
               in
               them
               .
               Ignorant
               Men
               mistake
               them
               ,
               carnal
               Men
               slight
               them
               ,
               the
               Prophane
               snuff
               at
               them
               ;
               few
               or
               none
               entertain
               them
               with
               that
               respect
               they
               ought
               to
               do
               ,
               yet
               this
               Wisdom
               will
               not
               want
               Advocates
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               The
               thing
               spoken
               of
               ,
               Wisdom
               .
               By
               Wisdom
               is
               meant
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               called
               elsewhere
               the
               Counsel
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               appeareth
               by
               the
               parallel
               place
               ,
               Luke
               7.
               29
               ,
               30.
               
               
                 And
                 all
                 the
                 People
                 that
                 heard
                 him
                 ,
                 justified
                 God
                 ,
                 being
                 baptized
                 with
                 the
                 Baptism
                 of
              
               John.
               
                 But
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 and
                 Lawyers
                 rejected
                 the
                 Counsel
                 of
                 God
                 against
                 themselves
                 .
              
               The
               Gospel
               method
               of
               Salvation
               ,
               is
               there
               called
               the
               Counsel
               of
               God
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               the
               Counsel
               he
               giveth
               Men
               for
               their
               good
               ;
               as
               here
               Wisdom
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               the
               result
               of
               God's
               eternal
               Wisdom
               and
               Decrees
               .
               And
               elsewhere
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               Christ
               crucified
               ,
               is
               called
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               God.
               And
               again
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 7.
                 
                 The
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 Mystery
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               What
               is
               said
               of
               it
               ,
               or
               how
               it
               is
               used
               ;
               't
               is
               justified
               .
               Justification
               is
               a
               R●lative
               word
               ;
               as
               't
               is
               opposed
               to
               Crimination
               ,
               so
               to
               justify
               is
               the
               work
               of
               an
               Advocate
               ;
               as
               to
               Condemnation
               ,
               so
               't
               is
               the
               work
               of
               a
               Judg.
               The
               Children
               of
               Wisdom
               discharge
               both
               parts
               ,
               chiefly
               the
               first
               ;
               they
               bear
               witness
               to
               ●heir
               Faith
               ,
               or
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               God
               concerning
               Salvation
               by
               Christ
               ;
               by
               their
               Profession
               ,
               and
               godly
               Life
               ,
               and
               ready
               Obedience
               ;
               and
               exalt
               it
               so
               much
               as
               others
               decry
               it
               ,
               and
               every
               way
               manifest
               
               they
               hold
               it
               for
               good
               and
               right
               ;
               only
               this
               pleading
               is
               real
               ,
               not
               by
               Word
               but
               Deed
               ;
               
                 Sapientia
                 non
                 quaerit
                 vocis
                 testimonium
                 sed
                 operam
                 ,
              
               saith
               Hierom.
               Divine
               Wisdom
               is
               justified
               more
               by
               Works
               ,
               than
               by
               a
               verbal
               Plea.
               Wisdom's
               Children
               hear
               her
               Instructions
               ,
               follow
               her
               Directions
               and
               Institutes
               ;
               and
               with
               diligence
               observe
               the
               way
               of
               Salvation
               prescribed
               by
               God
               ,
               tho
               others
               slight
               it
               ,
               and
               so
               justify
               it
               against
               the
               Exceptions
               and
               Reproaches
               of
               the
               carnal
               World.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               Of
               whom
               ;
               
                 Of
                 her
                 Children
              
               .
               The
               Children
               of
               Wisdom
               are
               the
               Professors
               of
               it
               ;
               those
               who
               are
               begotten
               by
               God
               ,
               by
               the
               Word
               of
               Truth
               ,
               Iames
               1.
               18.
               and
               are
               willing
               to
               attain
               the
               end
               ,
               by
               the
               ways
               and
               means
               wherein
               God
               affordeth
               it
               :
               These
               are
               Wisdom's
               Children
               ,
               begotten
               ,
               bred
               up
               ,
               and
               instructed
               by
               her
               ;
               't
               is
               an
               Hebraism
               ,
               as
               Children
               of
               Corah
               ,
               Children
               of
               Light
               ,
               Children
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               ;
               the
               Professors
               and
               Followers
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               The
               Point
               that
               I
               shall
               insist
               on
               is
               this
               ;
            
             
               That
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               God
               ,
               leading
               Men
               to
               Salvation
               ,
               in
               the
               ways
               and
               means
               pointed
               
               out
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               is
               and
               should
               be
               justified
               of
               all
               the
               sincere
               Professors
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               In
               managing
               this
               Point
               ,
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               ,
               
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   What
                   is
                   the
                   Wisdom
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   Salvation
                   prescribed
                   by
                   the
                   Gospel
                   .
                
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   That
                   this
                   Wisdom
                   is
                   despised
                   ,
                   slighted
                   ,
                   and
                   contradicted
                   by
                   the
                   carnal
                   World
                   ;
                   and
                   why
                   ?
                
                 
                   Thirdly
                   ,
                   How
                   ,
                   and
                   why
                   it
                   must
                   be
                   justified
                   by
                   the
                   sincere
                   Professors
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   .
                
              
            
             
               First
               ,
               What
               is
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               God
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Salvation
               prescribed
               by
               the
               Gospel
               .
               The
               sum
               of
               the
               Gospel
               is
               this
               ,
               That
               all
               th●se
               who
               by
               true
               Repentance
               and
               Faith
               ,
               do
               forsake
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Devil
               ,
               and
               give
               up
               themselves
               to
               God
               the
               Father
               ,
               Son
               ,
               and
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               as
               their
               Creator
               ,
               Redeemer
               ,
               and
               Sanctifier
               ,
               shall
               find
               God
               as
               a
               Father
               ,
               taking
               them
               for
               his
               reconciled
               Children
               ,
               and
               for
               Christ's
               sake
               pardoning
               their
               Sins
               ,
               and
               by
               his
               Spirit
               giving
               them
               his
               Grace
               ;
               
               and
               if
               they
               persevere
               in
               this
               course
               ,
               will
               finally
               glorify
               them
               ,
               and
               bestow
               upon
               them
               everlasting
               Happiness
               ;
               but
               will
               condemn
               the
               Unbelievers
               ,
               Impenitent
               ,
               and
               Ungodly
               ,
               to
               everlasting
               punishment
               .
               That
               this
               is
               the
               sum
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               appeareth
               by
               
                 Mark
                 16.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 Go
                 ,
                 preach
                 the
                 Gospel
                 to
                 every
                 Creature
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 believeth
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 baptized
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 not
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 damned
                 .
              
               Where
               you
               have
               all
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               laid
               before
               you
               in
               one
               short
               view
               and
               prospect
               .
               It
               concerneth
               either
               the
               End
               ,
               or
               the
               Means
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               End.
               The
               Apostle
               telleth
               you
               ,
               That
               God
               hath
               brought
               Life
               and
               Immortality
               to
               light
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               2
               Tim.
               1.
               10.
               or
               clearly
               discovered
               an
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               a
               misery
               in
               the
               World
               to
               come
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Means
               .
               He
               hath
               pointed
               out
               a
               sure
               way
               for
               obtaining
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               avoiding
               the
               other
               .
               As
               to
               the
               Means
               ,
               Christian
               Religion
               is
               considerable
               ,
               either
               as
               to
               the
               entrance
               ,
               or
               the
               progress
               of
               it
               .
               Our
               Lord
               telleth
               us
               ,
               
                 Mat.
                 7.
                 14.
                 
                 Streight
                 is
                 the
                 Gate
                 ,
                 and
                 narrow
                 is
                 the
                 Way
                 which
                 leadeth
                 unto
                 Life
                 .
              
               He
               speaketh
               of
               a
               Gate
               ,
               and
               a
               Way
               :
               The
               Gate
               ,
               noteth
               the
               Entrance
               ,
               the
               Way
               ,
               the
               Progress
               therein
               .
               In
               other
               Scriptures
               we
               read
               of
               making
               Covenant
               
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               keeping
               Covenant
               with
               God
               :
               The
               Covenant
               must
               not
               only
               be
               made
               ,
               but
               kept
               .
               So
               again
               we
               read
               of
               Dedication
               and
               Use
               :
               of
               devotedness
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               faithfulness
               to
               him
               ;
               of
               our
               Purpose
               and
               Progress
               ,
               Choice
               and
               Course
               ;
               all
               which
               expressions
               tend
               to
               the
               same
               effect
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               As
               to
               the
               way
               of
               entring
               into
               Covenant
               with
               God
               ;
               there
               is
               required
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               True
               Repentance
               and
               Faith.
               Repentance
               towards
               God
               ,
               and
               Faith
               in
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               Acts
               20.
               21.
               
               Repentance
               respects
               God
               as
               our
               End
               ,
               and
               Faith
               respects
               Christ
               as
               Mediator
               ,
               as
               the
               only
               way
               of
               returning
               to
               God
               ,
               from
               whom
               we
               have
               strayed
               by
               our
               own
               folly
               and
               sin
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               
               In
               the
               exercise
               of
               this
               Repentance
               and
               Faith
               ,
               there
               must
               be
               a
               forsaking
               the
               Devil
               ,
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               a
               giving
               up
               our selves
               to
               God
               the
               Father
               ,
               Son
               ,
               and
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               as
               our
               Creator
               ,
               Redeemer
               ,
               and
               Sanctifier
               .
               For
               the
               former
               ,
               there
               are
               three
               great
               Enemies
               to
               God
               and
               us
               ,
               the
               Devil
               ,
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               reckoned
               up
               
                 Ephes.
                 2.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 In
                 time
                 past
                 y●
                 walked
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 Prince
                 of
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 the
                 Air
                 ,
                 
                 the
                 Spirit
                 that
                 now
                 worketh
                 in
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 disobedience
                 :
                 Among
                 whom
                 also
                 we
                 all
                 had
                 our
                 conversation
                 in
                 times
                 past
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 lusts
                 of
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 fulfilling
                 the
                 desires
                 of
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Mind
                 .
              
               There
               all
               your
               Enemies
               appear
               abreast
               ;
               the
               Devil
               as
               the
               grand
               Deceiver
               ,
               and
               principle
               of
               all
               wickedness
               .
               The
               World
               with
               its
               Pleasures
               ,
               Honours
               ,
               and
               Profits
               ,
               as
               the
               Bait
               by
               which
               the
               Devil
               would
               deceive
               us
               ,
               and
               steal
               away
               our
               Hearts
               from
               God
               ,
               and
               divert
               us
               from
               looking
               after
               the
               one
               thing
               necessary
               .
               The
               Flesh
               ,
               as
               the
               corrupt
               inclination
               in
               us
               ,
               which
               entertaineth
               and
               closeth
               with
               these
               Temptations
               ,
               to
               the
               neglect
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               wrong
               of
               our
               own
               Souls
               ;
               this
               is
               importunate
               to
               be
               pleased
               ,
               and
               is
               the
               proper
               internal
               cause
               of
               all
               our
               mischief
               ;
               for
               every
               Man
               is
               enticed
               and
               drawn
               away
               by
               his
               own
               Lusts.
               Now
               these
               must
               be
               renounced
               ,
               before
               we
               can
               return
               to
               God
               by
               Jesus
               Christ
               :
               for
               ,
               as
               Ioshua
               told
               the
               Israelites
               ,
               so
               must
               we
               say
               to
               all
               of
               you
               ,
               
                 Iosh.
                 24.
                 23.
                 
                 Put
                 away
                 the
                 strange
                 Gods
                 which
                 are
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 incline
                 your
                 Heart
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 God
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               There
               must
               be
               a
               renouncing
               of
               our
               Idols
               ,
               before
               our
               Hearts
               can
               incline
               unto
               the
               true
               God
               :
               We
               must
               be
               turned
               from
               
               Satan
               to
               God
               ,
               Acts
               20.
               18.
               
               And
               the
               World
               must
               be
               renounced
               ,
               
                 Titus
                 2.
                 12.
                 
                 Denying
                 all
                 ungodliness
                 and
                 worldly
                 Lusts.
              
               And
               we
               must
               not
               look
               upon
               our selves
               as
               Debtors
               to
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               to
               fulfil
               the
               Lusts
               thereof
               ,
               Rom.
               8.
               10.
               
               God
               will
               have
               no
               Copartners
               and
               Competitors
               in
               our
               Hearts
               .
            
             
               And
               then
               the
               second
               part
               in
               exercising
               of
               our
               Faith
               and
               Repentance
               ,
               is
               giving
               up
               our selves
               to
               God
               the
               Father
               ,
               Son
               ,
               and
               Spirit
               ,
               as
               our
               Creator
               ,
               Redeemer
               ,
               and
               Sanctifier
               :
               And
               therefore
               in
               Baptism
               ,
               which
               is
               our
               first
               entrance
               and
               initiation
               into
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               ,
               we
               are
               baptized
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Father
               ,
               Son
               ,
               and
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               Mat.
               28.
               19.
               which
               implieth
               a
               dedication
               ,
               and
               giving
               up
               our selves
               to
               them
               ,
               according
               to
               their
               personal
               Relations
               .
               To
               the
               Father
               ,
               as
               our
               Creator
               ,
               to
               love
               him
               ,
               obey
               him
               ,
               and
               depend
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               be
               happy
               in
               his
               love
               as
               dear
               Children
               .
               To
               Christ
               as
               our
               Redeemer
               ,
               to
               free
               us
               from
               the
               guilt
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               the
               wrath
               of
               God.
               To
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               ,
               to
               guide
               and
               sanctify
               us
               ,
               and
               comfort
               us
               ,
               with
               the
               sense
               of
               our
               present
               interest
               in
               God's
               Love
               ,
               and
               the
               hopes
               of
               future
               Glory
               .
            
             
             
               Secondly
               ,
               As
               to
               our
               Progress
               and
               Perseverance
               ,
               which
               is
               our
               walking
               in
               the
               narrow
               way
               :
               Three
               things
               are
               required
               .
               And
               that
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               As
               to
               the
               Enemies
               of
               God
               and
               our
               Souls
               .
               As
               there
               is
               a
               renouncing
               required
               at
               first
               ,
               so
               at
               length
               there
               is
               requisite
               an
               overcoming
               ,
               the
               Devil
               ,
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               Rev.
               2.
               7.
               
               
                 To
                 him
                 that
                 overcometh
                 ,
                 will
                 I
                 give
                 to
                 eat
                 of
                 the
                 Tree
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 the
                 Paradise
                 of
                 God.
              
               We
               overcome
               the
               Devil
               ,
               when
               we
               keep
               up
               our
               Resistance
               ,
               and
               stand
               out
               against
               his
               Batteries
               and
               Assaults
               ;
               1
               Pet.
               5.
               8
               ,
               9.
               
               
                 Be
                 sober
                 ,
                 be
                 vigilant
                 ,
                 because
                 your
                 Adversary
                 the
                 Devil
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 roaring
                 Lion
                 ,
                 walketh
                 about
                 ,
                 seeking
                 whom
                 he
                 may
                 devour
                 .
                 Whom
                 resist
                 stedfast
                 in
                 the
                 Faith.
              
               We
               overcome
               the
               World
               ,
               when
               the
               terrors
               and
               allurements
               of
               it
               have
               less
               force
               and
               influence
               upon
               us
               ;
               1
               John
               5.
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               
                 Whatsoever
                 is
                 born
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 overcometh
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Victory
                 that
                 overcometh
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 even
                 our
                 Faith.
                 Who
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 overcometh
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 that
                 Iesus
                 is
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ?
              
               and
               ,
               
                 Gal.
                 6.
                 14.
                 
                 But
                 God
                 forbid
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 glory
                 ,
                 save
                 in
                 the
                 Cross
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 the
                 World
                 
                 is
                 crucified
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 unto
                 the
                 World.
              
               We
               overcome
               and
               subdue
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               when
               
                 we
                 have
                 crucified
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Affections
                 and
                 Lusts
                 ,
              
               Gal.
               5.
               24.
               
               When
               we
               get
               the
               mastery
               over
               the
               passions
               and
               affections
               thereof
               :
               and
               tho
               we
               be
               sometimes
               foiled
               ,
               yet
               the
               drift
               and
               bent
               of
               our
               lives
               is
               for
               God
               ,
               and
               our
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               As
               to
               God
               ,
               to
               whom
               we
               have
               devoted
               our selves
               .
               We
               must
               love
               him
               above
               all
               ,
               and
               not
               put
               him
               off
               with
               what
               the
               Flesh
               can
               spare
               ,
               or
               the
               World
               will
               allow
               ,
               or
               the
               Devil
               will
               suffer
               us
               to
               go
               on
               contentedly
               with
               ;
               but
               we
               must
               serve
               him
               sincerely
               ,
               in
               Holiness
               and
               Righteousness
               all
               our
               days
               ,
               Luke
               1.
               75.
               
               The
               love
               and
               patient
               service
               of
               our
               Creator
               ,
               is
               our
               great
               and
               daily
               work
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               As
               to
               our
               End.
               We
               must
               live
               in
               the
               hope
               of
               the
               coming
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               our
               everlasting
               Glory
               ,
               
                 Titus
                 2.
                 13.
                 
                 Looking
                 for
                 that
                 blessed
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 glorious
                 appearing
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Saviour
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               And
               Iude
               ,
               vers
               .
               21.
               
               
                 Keep
                 your selves
                 in
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 looking
                 for
                 the
                 Mercy
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 unto
                 eternal
                 Life
                 .
              
               Well
               then
               ,
               as
               we
               did
               at
               first
               thankfully
               accept
               of
               our
               recovery
               by
               Christ
               ,
               and
               did
               at
               first
               renounce
               the
               Devil
               ,
               
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               consented
               to
               follow
               his
               direction
               ,
               and
               use
               his
               means
               in
               order
               to
               our
               final
               Happiness
               ,
               so
               we
               must
               still
               persevere
               in
               this
               mind
               and
               resolution
               ,
               till
               our
               Glory
               come
               in
               hand
               .
               This
               is
               God's
               Wisdom
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Let
               us
               now
               see
               how
               this
               Counsel
               of
               God
               is
               entertained
               by
               the
               carnal
               World
               ;
               't
               is
               there
               despised
               ,
               slighted
               ,
               and
               contradicted
               .
               The
               World
               is
               a
               distracted
               World
               ;
               some
               neglect
               God's
               Counsel
               ,
               and
               never
               lay
               it
               to
               heart
               ;
               
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 How
                 shall
                 we
                 escape
                 if
                 we
                 neglect
                 so
                 great
                 Salvation
                 ?
              
               and
               
                 Mat.
                 22.
                 5.
                 
                 But
                 they
                 made
                 light
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 went
                 their
                 ways
                 ,
                 one
                 to
                 his
                 Farm
                 ,
                 another
                 to
                 his
                 Merchandize
                 .
              
               Some
               laugh
               at
               these
               things
               ,
               and
               make
               an
               holy
               and
               heavenly
               life
               the
               matter
               of
               their
               scorn
               and
               derision
               .
               Luke
               16.
               14.
               
               
                 The
                 Pharisees
                 also
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 covetous
                 ,
                 heard
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 derided
                 him
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               Acts
               17.
               32.
               
               —
               
                 Some
                 mocked
                 ;
                 and
                 others
                 said
                 ,
                 We
                 will
                 hear
                 thee
                 again
                 of
                 this
                 matter
                 —
                 Howbeit
                 ,
                 certain
                 Men
                 clave
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 believed
                 .
              
               There
               are
               others
               who
               fasten
               odious
               reproaches
               on
               the
               godly
               .
               And
               tho
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               be
               so
               holy
               and
               innocent
               in
               its
               design
               ,
               so
               agreeable
               to
               the
               nature
               of
               
               God
               and
               Man
               ,
               so
               well
               contrived
               to
               remedy
               our
               Miseries
               ,
               and
               to
               secure
               our
               true
               and
               proper
               Happiness
               ;
               yet
               the
               strictness
               of
               it
               is
               distasted
               by
               the
               World
               :
               By
               the
               prophane
               ,
               who
               have
               nothing
               to
               excuse
               their
               wickedness
               ,
               't
               is
               counted
               hypocrisy
               ;
               
                 As
                 deceivers
                 ,
                 yet
                 true
              
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               6.
               8.
               because
               they
               cannot
               condemn
               the
               Life
               ,
               they
               judg
               the
               Heart
               :
               By
               them
               who
               affect
               the
               Vanities
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               have
               a
               passionate
               love
               for
               the
               Pleasures
               and
               Honours
               thereof
               ;
               because
               the
               generality
               of
               the
               World
               are
               of
               that
               mind
               ,
               they
               brand
               it
               with
               the
               imputation
               of
               foolish
               singularity
               .
               And
               the
               Carnal
               Politicians
               ,
               because
               it
               was
               never
               yet
               so
               well
               with
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               some
               things
               which
               God
               requireth
               are
               discountenanced
               ,
               they
               tax
               it
               of
               disobedience
               ,
               and
               they
               counted
               Paul
               as
               a
               mover
               of
               Sedition
               ,
               Acts
               25.
               5.
               
               And
               because
               the
               Operations
               of
               Grace
               are
               above
               the
               Line
               of
               Nature
               ,
               others
               tax
               it
               of
               Fanaticism
               and
               Enthusiasm
               :
               Atheists
               who
               are
               all
               for
               demonstrations
               of
               sense
               ,
               sight
               ,
               and
               present
               things
               ,
               because
               Christianity
               mainly
               inviteth
               to
               things
               Spiritual
               and
               Heavenly
               ,
               and
               to
               live
               upon
               the
               hopes
               of
               an
               unseen
               World
               that
               is
               yet
               to
               come
               ,
               they
               judg
               it
               to
               be
               a
               foppery
               ,
               or
               meer
               imposture
               ,
               
               or
               needless
               superstition
               .
               Though
               both
               the
               Hopes
               and
               Precepts
               of
               Religion
               carry
               a
               marvellous
               complyance
               with
               right-reason
               ,
               yet
               none
               of
               these
               things
               move
               them
               .
               Lastly
               ,
               There
               are
               others
               that
               malign
               ,
               oppose
               and
               oppugn
               Holiness
               .
               There
               is
               an
               everlasting
               enmity
               between
               the
               two
               Seeds
               ;
               as
               between
               the
               Wolf
               and
               the
               Lamb
               ,
               the
               Raven
               and
               the
               Dove
               ;
               the
               World
               will
               love
               its
               own
               ,
               and
               hate
               those
               that
               go
               a
               contrary
               course
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 15.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 he
                 that
                 was
                 born
                 after
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 persecuted
                 him
                 that
                 was
                 born
                 after
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 even
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 now
                 ,
              
               Gal.
               4.
               29.
               and
               so
               it
               will
               be
               to
               the
               end
               of
               the
               World.
               When
               the
               Powers
               of
               the
               World
               give
               any
               rest
               ,
               yet
               the
               carnal
               Seed
               will
               be
               mocking
               and
               scoffing
               ,
               and
               bringing
               God's
               holy
               Ways
               into
               contempt
               ,
               branding
               them
               with
               Censures
               and
               Calumnies
               .
               The
               Reasons
               of
               this
               ,
               are
               partly
               because
               Men
               are
               drunk
               with
               the
               delusions
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               so
               cannot
               judg
               of
               Spiritual
               Things
               ;
               partly
               to
               excuse
               themselves
               .
               Men
               will
               be
               quarreling
               at
               Religion
               ,
               when
               they
               have
               no
               mind
               to
               practise
               it
               ;
               and
               dispute
               away
               Duties
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               unwilling
               to
               perform
               them
               :
               Partly
               ,
               they
               take
               occasion
               from
               the
               failings
               of
               God's
               People
               ,
               tho
               there
               is
               no
               reason
               why
               they
               should
               do
               so
               .
               An
               Art
               
               should
               not
               be
               condemned
               for
               the
               workman's
               want
               of
               skill
               ;
               but
               they
               do
               so
               .
               If
               Christians
               be
               serious
               to
               any
               degree
               of
               sadness
               ,
               then
               Religion
               is
               counted
               an
               uncomfortable
               thi●g
               ,
               it
               mopeth
               them
               .
               If
               there
               be
               any
               differences
               among
               God's
               People
               ,
               because
               of
               their
               several
               degrees
               of
               light
               ,
               oh
               then
               there
               are
               so
               many
               Sects
               ,
               and
               Factions
               ,
               and
               Controversies
               about
               Religion
               ,
               they
               suspect
               all
               ,
               and
               are
               true
               to
               none
               .
               If
               any
               creep
               into
               the
               Holy
               Profession
               ,
               and
               pallute
               it
               with
               their
               Scandals
               ,
               then
               all
               strictness
               in
               Religion
               is
               but
               a
               pretence
               and
               imposture
               .
               If
               Men
               be
               strict
               ,
               and
               would
               avoid
               every
               ordinary
               failing
               incident
               to
               Mankind
               ,
               then
               they
               are
               more
               nice
               than
               wise
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               preciseness
               and
               indiscretion
               .
               'T
               were
               endless
               to
               rake
               in
               this
               Puddle
               ,
               and
               to
               reckon
               up
               all
               the
               Cavils
               and
               Exceptions
               which
               naughty
               Men
               commense
               against
               the
               Ways
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               How
               ,
               and
               Why
               it
               must
               be
               justified
               by
               the
               sincere
               Professors
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               How.
               
            
             
               I
               answer
               ;
               three
               ways
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               It
               must
               be
               approved
               and
               received
               by
               themselves
               .
               'T
               is
               Wisdom's
               Children
               
               that
               can
               only
               justify
               Wisdom
               ;
               they
               that
               have
               entertained
               it
               ,
               felt
               the
               power
               and
               force
               of
               it
               in
               their
               own
               hearts
               :
               yea
               ,
               their
               very
               receiving
               is
               a
               justifying
               ;
               they
               shew
               the
               clamourings
               of
               the
               World
               do
               not
               move
               them
               :
               Therefore
               it
               must
               be
               approved
               by
               us
               ,
               before
               it
               can
               be
               recommended
               to
               others
               ;
               and
               approved
               ,
               not
               speculatively
               only
               ,
               but
               practically
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               resolve
               to
               follow
               after
               Salvation
               in
               this
               way
               .
               Speculatively
               ,
               they
               may
               approve
               it
               that
               have
               but
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               Rom.
               2.
               18
               ,
               and
               20
               verses
               ;
               a
               form
               of
               Knowledg
               ,
               and
               dishonour
               it
               in
               their
               practices
               ,
               as
               vers
               .
               23
               ,
               24.
               
               Men
               may
               justify
               Religion
               in
               word
               ,
               by
               a
               bare
               naked
               approbation
               ,
               and
               soundly
               vindicate
               it
               from
               the
               Cavils
               and
               Exceptions
               of
               Men.
               But
               godly
               Men
               have
               eyes
               to
               see
               the
               beauty
               and
               excellency
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               have
               sincerely
               accepted
               it
               ;
               
                 Acts
                 2.
                 41.
                 
                 They
                 received
                 the
                 Word
                 gladly
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               good
               news
               to
               a
               poor
               guilty
               Conscience
               ,
               to
               hear
               of
               a
               pardoning
               God
               ,
               and
               a
               merciful
               and
               faithful
               Redeemer
               ;
               the
               promise
               of
               eternal
               Life
               ,
               and
               a
               sure
               way
               had
               to
               come
               to
               it
               .
               They
               are
               said
               to
               justify
               God
               ,
               that
               accepted
               his
               Counsel
               ,
               Luke
               7.
               29
               ,
               30.
               
               The
               Hearts
               of
               God's
               Children
               are
               thorowly
               possessed
               with
               the
               reality
               ,
               excellency
               ,
               
               and
               blessedness
               of
               this
               Religion
               ;
               they
               know
               and
               believe
               the
               infinite
               consequence
               of
               these
               things
               :
               Their
               Faith
               is
               a
               kind
               of
               justifying
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 3.
                 33.
                 
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 received
                 his
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 hath
                 set
                 to
                 his
                 Seal
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 true
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               must
               be
               professed
               and
               owned
               ,
               when
               it
               is
               vilified
               ,
               and
               in
               contempt
               and
               disgrace
               in
               the
               World.
               We
               must
               stand
               to
               Christ
               and
               his
               ways
               ,
               tho
               we
               stand
               alone
               ;
               as
               Elijah
               ,
               1
               Kings
               19.
               10.
               and
               not
               be
               ashamed
               of
               Holiness
               ,
               notwithstanding
               trouble
               and
               contradiction
               .
               Christ
               will
               be
               confessed
               before
               Men
               ,
               and
               will
               be
               ashamed
               before
               God
               and
               Angels
               ,
               of
               them
               who
               are
               ashamed
               of
               him
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               refuse
               to
               own
               Him
               ,
               and
               his
               Ways
               ,
               and
               Truths
               ,
               only
               because
               they
               are
               despised
               ,
               and
               contradicted
               ,
               and
               discountenanced
               in
               the
               World.
               Pleading
               for
               Religion
               is
               one
               of
               the
               professing
               Acts
               ,
               2
               
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 13.
                 
                 We
                 having
                 the
                 same
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 written
                 ,
                 I
                 believed
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 have
                 I
                 spoken
                 :
                 We
                 also
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 speak
                 .
              
               As
               David
               when
               sore
               afflicted
               ,
               did
               confess
               and
               avow
               his
               confidence
               in
               God
               ;
               so
               we
               heartily
               believing
               and
               approving
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               must
               make
               a
               bold
               profession
               of
               it
               .
               The
               Sacraments
               were
               ordained
               for
               
               this
               purpose
               ,
               for
               badges
               of
               Profession
               .
               Baptism
               is
               a
               visible
               entring
               into
               Covenant
               with
               God
               ;
               Mark
               16.
               16.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 believeth
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 baptized
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 not
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 damned
                 .
              
               Where
               not
               only
               Belief
               is
               required
               ,
               but
               open
               Profession
               .
               Baptism
               is
               a
               Badg
               and
               a
               Bond
               ;
               a
               Badg
               to
               distinguish
               the
               worshippers
               of
               Christ
               from
               others
               ,
               and
               a
               Bond
               to
               bind
               us
               to
               open
               profession
               of
               the
               Name
               of
               Christ.
               The
               Lord's
               Supper
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               profession
               of
               Communion
               ;
               1
               Cor.
               10.
               16.
               
               
                 The
                 Cup
                 of
                 Blessing
                 which
                 we
                 bless
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 the
                 Communion
                 of
                 the
                 Blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
                 The
                 Bread
                 which
                 we
                 break
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 the
                 communion
                 of
                 the
                 Body
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
              
               and
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 18.
                 
                 Are
                 not
                 they
                 which
                 eat
                 of
                 the
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 Altar
                 ?
              
               They
               that
               did
               any
               part
               of
               the
               Sacrifices
               ,
               did
               eat
               and
               drink
               with
               God
               at
               the
               Altar
               .
               And
               ,
               ver
               .
               20
               ,
               21.
               —
               
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 that
                 ye
                 should
                 have
                 fellowship
                 with
                 Devils
                 .
                 Ye
                 cannot
                 drink
                 the
                 Cup
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Cup
                 of
                 Devils
                 :
                 ye
                 cannot
                 be
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 Lord's
                 Table
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Table
                 of
                 Devils
                 .
              
               Professing
               communicating
               with
               Christ
               ,
               is
               not
               consistent
               with
               professing
               communicating
               with
               Devils
               .
               So
               Prayer
               and
               Praise
               is
               a
               part
               of
               Confessing
               ;
               
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 10.
                 
                 With
                 the
                 Heart
                 Man
                 beliveth
                 unto
                 
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 Mouth
                 Confession
                 is
                 made
                 unto
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               The
               first
               is
               proved
               
                 vers
                 .
                 11.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 Scripture
                 saith
                 ,
                 Whosoever
                 believeth
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 ashamed
                 .
              
               The
               second
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 13.
                 
                 For
                 whosoever
                 shall
                 call
                 upon
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 .
              
               Calling
               upon
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               in
               Prayer
               and
               Praise
               ;
               'T
               is
               an
               open
               professing
               Act
               ,
               by
               which
               we
               own
               God
               in
               Christ
               for
               our
               God.
               So
               the
               assembling
               our selves
               together
               for
               publick
               Worship
               ,
               is
               a
               part
               of
               this
               Profession
               ,
               and
               must
               not
               be
               omitted
               for
               fear
               .
               Heb.
               10.
               23
               ,
               with
               25.
               
               
                 Let
                 us
                 hold
                 fast
                 the
                 profession
                 of
                 our
                 Faith
                 without
                 wavering
                 .
              
               How
               ?
               vers
               .
               25.
               
               
                 Not
                 forsaking
                 the
                 assembling
                 of
                 our selves
                 together
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 some
                 is
                 .
              
               These
               Assemblies
               were
               instituted
               for
               publick
               converse
               with
               God
               ,
               testifying
               their
               Union
               and
               Agreement
               in
               the
               same
               Faith
               and
               Worship
               :
               Indeed
               ,
               in
               lesser
               Truths
               ,
               that
               fall
               within
               the
               latitude
               of
               allowable
               differences
               in
               the
               Church
               ,
               Profession
               is
               not
               always
               a
               Duty
               ,
               for
               in
               some
               cases
               we
               may
               have
               Faith
               to
               our selves
               :
               But
               a
               denying
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               being
               ashamed
               of
               him
               ,
               is
               always
               a
               sin
               .
               When
               called
               to
               give
               an
               account
               ,
               we
               are
               with
               boldness
               to
               own
               our
               Profession
               ;
               Acts
               4.
               10.
               
               
                 Be
                 it
                 known
                 unto
                 you
                 all
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 of
              
               Nazareth
               ,
               
                 whom
                 ye
                 crucified
                 ,
                 whom
                 God
                 raised
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 ,
                 even
                 by
                 him
                 doth
                 this
                 Man
                 stand
                 here
                 before
                 you
                 whole
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               Dan.
               3.
               17
               ,
               18.
               
               
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 our
                 God
                 whom
                 we
                 serve
                 ,
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 deliver
                 us
                 from
                 the
                 burning
                 fiery
                 Furnace
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 deliver
                 us
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 hand
                 ,
                 O
                 King.
                 But
                 if
                 not
                 ,
                 be
                 it
                 known
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 O
                 King
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 will
                 not
                 serve
                 thy
                 Gods
                 ,
                 nor
                 worship
                 the
                 golden
                 Image
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 set
                 up
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               This
               Profession
               must
               be
               honoured
               ,
               and
               recommended
               to
               others
               ,
               by
               an
               holy
               Conversation
               .
               But
               now
               what
               kind
               of
               conversation
               honoureth
               Religion
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Such
               as
               is
               carried
               on
               with
               diligence
               and
               seriousness
               :
               As
               Noah
               ,
               Heb.
               11.
               7.
               
               
                 By
                 Faith
              
               Noah
               
                 being
                 warned
                 of
                 God
                 of
                 things
                 not
                 seen
                 as
                 yet
                 ,
                 moved
                 with
                 fear
                 ,
                 prepared
                 an
                 Ark
                 to
                 the
                 saving
                 of
                 his
                 House
                 ;
                 by
                 the
                 which
                 he
                 condemned
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 became
                 Heir
                 of
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 which
                 is
                 by
                 Faith.
              
               They
               behaved
               themselves
               ,
               as
               those
               that
               in
               earnest
               believed
               a
               Flood
               ,
               when
               they
               made
               such
               thorow
               preparation
               ,
               which
               was
               a
               just
               reproof
               to
               the
               security
               and
               incredulity
               of
               the
               carnal
               World.
               Wh●n
               we
               do
               ,
               as
               we
               say
               in
               good
               earnest
               ,
               make
               preparation
               for
               
               another
               World
               ,
               otherwise
               Religion
               is
               but
               suspected
               as
               a
               vain
               pretense
               ,
               and
               empty
               talk
               .
               Then
               we
               look
               after
               Heaven
               indeed
               ,
               then
               we
               believe
               it
               ,
               when
               we
               do
               the
               things
               that
               belief
               bindeth
               us
               unto
               .
               A
               carnal
               Man
               that
               is
               all
               talk
               and
               no
               practice
               ,
               he
               doth
               not
               Religion
               so
               much
               honour
               in
               his
               words
               ,
               as
               he
               doth
               dishonour
               it
               in
               his
               works
               .
               He
               liveth
               down
               his
               Profession
               ,
               while
               he
               seemeth
               to
               cry
               it
               up
               ,
               
                 Titus
                 1.
                 16.
                 
                 They
                 profess
                 that
                 they
                 know
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 works
                 they
                 deny
                 him
                 ,
                 being
                 abominable
                 ,
                 and
                 disobedient
                 ,
                 and
                 unto
                 every
                 good
                 work
                 reprobate
                 .
              
               Contrary
               motions
               are
               an
               implicite
               denial
               of
               the
               Faith
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               5.
               8.
               
               But
               laziness
               and
               negligence
               do
               also
               foment
               and
               breed
               Atheism
               ;
               and
               we
               carry
               on
               the
               life
               of
               Godliness
               coldly
               and
               faintly
               ,
               and
               so
               our
               Conversations
               ,
               which
               should
               be
               a
               confirmation
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               prove
               a
               confutation
               rather
               .
               Those
               that
               are
               Disciples
               in
               Name
               only
               ,
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               cometh
               to
               them
               in
               Word
               only
               .
               The
               careless
               Practicer
               is
               as
               bad
               as
               he
               that
               is
               haunted
               with
               actual
               doubts
               about
               the
               Truth
               of
               Christianity
               .
               The
               troubled
               Doubter
               mindeth
               his
               business
               ,
               but
               these
               never
               regard
               it
               ,
               and
               do
               in
               effect
               say
               ,
               That
               Christ
               and
               his
               Salvation
               is
               not
               worth
               the
               looking
               after
               .
               As
               
               't
               is
               said
               of
               the
               Israelites
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 106.
                 24.
                 
                 They
                 despised
                 the
                 good
                 Land
                 ,
                 they
                 believed
                 not
                 his
                 Word
                 .
              
               Those
               that
               resolved
               to
               give
               over
               the
               pursuit
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               are
               said
               to
               doubt
               of
               his
               Promise
               .
               So
               they
               that
               neglect
               Salvation
               ,
               do
               not
               believe
               the
               truth
               of
               it
               ,
               Heb.
               2.
               3
               ,
               4.
               and
               tho
               they
               talk
               high
               ,
               they
               secretly
               propagate
               their
               infidelity
               .
               The
               strength
               of
               our
               Faith
               should
               appear
               by
               the
               diligence
               of
               our
               Lives
               ,
               the
               seriousness
               of
               our
               Endeavours
               ,
               and
               the
               fervor
               of
               our
               Duties
               .
               Practices
               do
               more
               express
               the
               Image
               of
               our
               Minds
               than
               Words
               .
               The
               Faith
               that
               issueth
               out
               into
               Works
               ,
               doth
               most
               commend
               it self
               to
               others
               ;
               2
               Thess.
               1.
               11
               ,
               12.
               
               
                 That
                 you
                 may
                 fulfil
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 Faith
                 with
                 Power
                 ;
                 that
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 may
                 be
                 glorified
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               Then
               is
               Christ
               glorified
               ,
               when
               you
               live
               answerably
               to
               your
               Profession
               ,
               and
               do
               by
               the
               Power
               of
               God
               carry
               on
               an
               Holy
               Life
               upon
               the
               incouragements
               of
               the
               Promises
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Such
               as
               is
               governed
               by
               the
               respects
               of
               the
               other
               World.
               When
               we
               are
               patient
               and
               joyful
               under
               the
               Cross
               ,
               and
               full
               of
               hope
               and
               comfort
               in
               great
               straits
               ,
               and
               delight
               in
               our
               Work
               ,
               which
               the
               World
               hateth
               and
               discountenanceth
               ,
               and
               hope
               
               against
               Hope
               ,
               and
               live
               in
               the
               Promises
               ;
               Psal.
               119.
               111.
               
               
                 Thy
                 Testimonies
                 have
                 I
                 taken
                 as
                 an
                 Heritage
                 for
                 ever
                 :
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 rejoicing
                 of
                 my
                 heart
                 .
              
               Then
               we
               justify
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               commend
               our
               Faith
               to
               others
               .
               God
               was
               angry
               with
               Moses
               and
               Aaron
               ;
               Numb
               .
               20.
               12.
               
               
                 Because
                 ye
                 believed
                 not
                 ,
                 to
                 sanctify
                 me
                 in
                 the
                 Eyes
                 of
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
              
               We
               are
               not
               only
               firmly
               to
               believe
               our selves
               ,
               but
               to
               sanctify
               him
               in
               the
               eyes
               of
               others
               ;
               and
               that
               is
               done
               by
               the
               labour
               of
               our
               Faith
               ,
               the
               patience
               of
               our
               Hope
               ,
               our
               joyfulness
               and
               delight
               in
               God
               ,
               when
               we
               have
               but
               little
               in
               hand
               ,
               and
               the
               readiness
               of
               our
               Obedience
               ,
               even
               under
               deep
               Sufferings
               .
               When
               the
               Thessalonians
               had
               received
               the
               Word
               in
               much
               Assurance
               and
               〈…〉
               ,
               and
               much
               joy
               in
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ;
               The
               Apostle
               telleth
               ,
               1
               Thess.
               1.
               5
               ,
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 They
                 were
                 ●●samples
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 believed
                 in
              
               Achaia
               and
               Mac●donia
               ,
               
                 and
                 from
                 them
                 sounded
                 out
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 other
                 places
                 .
              
               Thus
               we
               propagate
               our
               Faith
               ,
               and
               commend
               the
               Truth
               of
               God
               to
               others
               .
               The
               Life
               of
               Faith
               is
               a
               glorious
               Thing
               ,
               but
               the
               Life
               of
               Sense
               or
               Reason
               hath
               no
               glory
               in
               it
               ,
               or
               a
               Life
               carried
               on
               meerly
               upon
               external
               Probabilities
               .
               When
               we
               can
               contemn
               this
               World
               ,
               both
               the
               good
               and
               evil
               
               things
               of
               it
               ,
               in
               hopes
               of
               a
               better
               ,
               and
               part
               with
               all
               that
               is
               dear
               to
               ●s
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               upon
               the
               Conscience
               of
               our
               Duty
               ,
               then
               we
               justify
               Wisdom
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               By
               an
               exact
               purity
               and
               holiness
               ,
               or
               a
               full
               conformity
               to
               all
               God's
               Precepts
               and
               Institutes
               ,
               and
               by
               a
               faithful
               discharging
               all
               Duties
               to
               God
               and
               Men.
               Every
               true
               Christian
               should
               be
               a
               transcript
               of
               his
               Religion
               ;
               2
               Cor.
               3.
               3.
               
               
                 Ye
                 are
                 manifestly
                 declared
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Epistle
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 written
                 not
                 with
                 Ink
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               An
               Epistle
               is
               that
               wherein
               a
               Man
               hath
               written
               his
               Mind
               ;
               our
               Conversations
               should
               be
               Religion
               exemplified
               ,
               a
               real
               Sermon
               ,
               
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 16.
                 
                 Holding
                 forth
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 Life
                 .
              
               The
               Wax
               hath
               an
               impression
               and
               stamp
               left
               upon
               it
               ,
               according
               to
               what
               is
               engraven
               upon
               the
               Seal
               .
               Then
               we
               honour
               Religion
               ,
               when
               the
               impression
               and
               print
               of
               it
               is
               left
               upon
               our
               Hearts
               and
               Lives
               ,
               and
               we
               are
               cast
               into
               this
               Mould
               .
               More
               particularly
               ,
               Duties
               of
               Relations
               ,
               which
               are
               visible
               ,
               and
               easily
               observed
               ,
               justify
               and
               honour
               Religion
               ;
               Titus
               2.
               10.
               and
               1
               Pet.
               2.
               15.
               
               
                 So
                 is
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 with
                 well-doing
                 ye
                 may
                 put
                 to
                 silence
                 the
                 ignorance
                 of
                 foolish
                 Men.
              
               These
               conduce
               to
               the
               good
               of
               humane
               Societies
               ,
               are
               most
               regarded
               ,
               
               and
               make
               the
               ways
               of
               God
               amiable
               .
               Thus
               how
               Wisdom
               is
               to
               be
               justified
               .
            
             
               I
               now
               come
               to
               shew
               you
               ,
            
             
               2.
               
               Why.
               
            
             
               1.
               
               Because
               of
               the
               charge
               that
               is
               put
               upon
               us
               to
               testify
               for
               God
               ,
               and
               justify
               his
               Ways
               ;
               Isa.
               43.
               10.
               
               
                 Ye
                 are
                 my
                 Witnesses
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               They
               that
               are
               most
               acquainted
               with
               God
               ,
               can
               most
               witness
               for
               him
               .
               So
               Wisdom's
               Children
               can
               most
               justify
               Her.
               They
               are
               acquainted
               with
               her
               Promises
               and
               Precepts
               ,
               and
               have
               experience
               of
               the
               virtue
               and
               power
               of
               them
               ,
               in
               comforting
               and
               changing
               the
               Heart
               .
               A
               report
               of
               a
               report
               ,
               is
               a
               cold
               thing
               ;
               they
               that
               have
               felt
               somewhat
               in
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               that
               which
               they
               have
               seen
               and
               felt
               ,
               they
               can
               speak
               of
               .
               The
               World
               needeth
               some
               Witnesses
               for
               God
               ,
               some
               Testimony
               and
               preparative
               inducement
               to
               invite
               them
               to
               embrace
               the
               ways
               of
               God.
               Miracles
               served
               for
               that
               use
               heretofore
               ;
               Acts
               5.
               32.
               
               
                 And
                 we
                 are
                 his
                 witnesses
                 of
                 those
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 is
                 also
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 whom
                 God
                 hath
                 given
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 obey
                 him
                 .
              
               And
               in
               the
               place
               of
               Miracles
               ,
               there
               succeeded
               good
               conversation
               ,
               or
               the
               wonderful
               effects
               of
               his
               Spirit
               .
               Grace
               in
               the
               Heart
               and
               Lives
               of
               his
               Children
               ;
               this
               is
               apt
               to
               beget
               wonder
               ,
               as
               
               Miracles
               did
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               4.
               4.
               
               When
               they
               can
               renounce
               the
               Lusts
               which
               most
               are
               mastered
               by
               ,
               and
               grow
               dead
               to
               worldly
               Interests
               ,
               live
               in
               the
               World
               above
               the
               World
               ,
               in
               the
               Flesh
               contrary
               to
               the
               Flesh.
               A
               Miracle
               strikes
               a
               little
               wonderment
               at
               first
               ,
               but
               this
               sinketh
               and
               soaketh
               to
               the
               Heart
               .
               When
               Men
               are
               so
               strictly
               Holy
               ,
               so
               ravishingly
               Heavenly
               ,
               and
               bear
               up
               upon
               the
               hopes
               and
               incouragements
               of
               the
               other
               World
               ,
               and
               are
               so
               conscientious
               in
               all
               Duties
               to
               God
               and
               Man
               ,
               you
               shew
               that
               Religion
               is
               not
               a
               Notion
               ,
               or
               an
               Imagination
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Wisdom
               deserveth
               to
               be
               justified
               by
               us
               .
               What
               is
               there
               in
               all
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               ,
               but
               what
               is
               justifiable
               ,
               or
               that
               we
               should
               be
               ashamed
               of
               ?
               Is
               it
               the
               hopes
               of
               it
               ?
               The
               hopes
               of
               it
               are
               such
               as
               are
               fit
               to
               be
               propounded
               to
               Man
               ,
               sought
               after
               by
               all
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               no
               where
               discovered
               with
               such
               certainty
               and
               distinctness
               as
               in
               the
               Gospel
               .
               Nothing
               doth
               resine
               and
               en●ble
               the
               Heart
               so
               much
               as
               these
               hopes
               ;
               the
               heavenly
               Spirit
               ,
               that
               can
               support
               it self
               with
               the
               hopes
               of
               an
               unseen
               Glory
               ,
               is
               the
               only
               true
               sublime
               Spirit
               :
               an
               earthly
               Spirit
               ,
               is
               a
               base
               Spirit
               ,
               so
               a
               sensual
               ,
               the
               dregs
               of
               Mankind
               .
               Amongst
               Men
               ,
               the
               ambitious
               ,
               
               who
               aspire
               to
               Crowns
               and
               Kingdoms
               ,
               and
               aim
               at
               perpetual
               Fame
               by
               their
               Heroick
               Virtues
               and
               Exploits
               ,
               are
               judged
               Persons
               of
               far
               greater
               Gallantry
               ,
               than
               covetous
               Muckworms
               or
               brutish
               Epicures
               ;
               yet
               they
               are
               poor
               base
               spirited
               People
               in
               their
               highest
               Thoughts
               and
               Designs
               ,
               to
               that
               noble
               and
               divine
               Spirit
               which
               worketh
               in
               the
               breast
               of
               those
               who
               sincerely
               and
               heartily
               seek
               Heavenly
               Things
               .
               For
               what
               is
               the
               honour
               of
               the
               World
               to
               approbation
               with
               God
               ?
               temporal
               Trifles
               to
               an
               everlasting
               Kingdom
               ?
               Is
               it
               the
               way
               and
               means
               ,
               the
               first
               ,
               the
               terms
               of
               setling
               our
               Souls
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Faith
               and
               Repentance
               ?
               What
               more
               Rational
               ?
               Should
               we
               return
               to
               our
               Creator's
               Service
               without
               acknowledging
               our
               Offence
               in
               straying
               or
               humbling
               our selves
               for
               our
               Errors
               ,
               and
               purposing
               for
               the
               future
               to
               live
               in
               his
               Love
               and
               Obedience
               ?
               Or
               can
               we
               expect
               Mercy
               without
               returning
               ?
               Reason
               will
               say
               ,
               our
               case
               is
               not
               compassionable
               :
               Or
               should
               God
               quit
               ▪
               his
               Law
               without
               satisfaction
               ?
               Or
               should
               we
               not
               own
               our
               Benefactor
               ,
               the
               〈◊〉
               satisfying
               ?
               certainly
               there
               is
               〈…〉
               reasonable
               ?
               So
               also
               for
               new
               〈◊〉
               .
               Therefore
               Wisdom
               deserveth
               〈…〉
               by
               us
               .
            
             
             
               3.
               
               Those
               that
               condemn
               Wisdom
               ,
               yet
               do
               in
               some
               measure
               at
               the
               same
               time
               justify
               it
               .
               They
               condemn
               it
               with
               their
               Tongues
               ,
               but
               justify
               it
               with
               their
               Consciences
               :
               They
               hate
               and
               fear
               strictness
               ;
               Mark
               6.
               20.
               
               Herod
               feared
               John
               ,
               
                 because
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 just
                 Man
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 observed
                 him
                 .
              
               They
               sco●f
               at
               it
               with
               their
               Tongues
               ,
               but
               have
               a
               fear
               of
               it
               in
               their
               Consciences
               :
               They
               revile
               at
               it
               while
               they
               live
               ,
               but
               what
               mind
               are
               they
               of
               when
               they
               come
               to
               die
               ?
               Then
               all
               will
               speak
               well
               of
               an
               holy
               Life
               ,
               and
               the
               strictest
               obedience
               to
               the
               Laws
               of
               God
               ;
               Numb
               .
               23.
               10.
               
               
                 Let
                 me
                 die
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 my
                 last
                 end
                 be
                 like
                 his
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 8.
                 
                 Give
                 us
                 of
                 your
                 Oil
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 Lamps
                 are
                 gone
                 out
                 .
              
               Oh
               that
               they
               had
               a
               little
               of
               that
               holiness
               and
               strictness
               which
               they
               sco●fed
               at
               ,
               whilst
               they
               were
               pursuing
               their
               Lusts
               !
               How
               will
               they
               desire
               to
               die
               ?
               As
               carnal
               and
               careless
               Sinners
               ,
               or
               as
               morti●ied
               Saints
               ?
               They
               approve
               it
               in
               Thes●
               ,
               and
               condemn
               it
               in
               Hypothesi
               .
               All
               the
               opposers
               and
               scoffers
               at
               Godliness
               ,
               within
               the
               Pale
               of
               the
               visible
               Church
               ,
               have
               the
               same
               Bible
               ,
               Baptism
               ,
               Creed
               ,
               and
               pretend
               to
               believe
               in
               the
               same
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               which
               they
               own
               with
               those
               whom
               they
               oppose
               :
               All
               the
               difference
               is
               ,
               the
               one
               are
               
               real
               Christians
               ,
               the
               other
               are
               nominal
               ;
               some
               profess
               at
               large
               ,
               others
               practise
               what
               they
               profess
               ;
               the
               one
               have
               a
               Religion
               to
               talk
               of
               ,
               the
               other
               to
               live
               by
               ;
               they
               approve
               it
               in
               the
               Form
               ,
               but
               hate
               it
               in
               the
               Power
               .
               A
               Picture
               of
               Christ
               that
               is
               drawn
               by
               a
               Painter
               they
               like
               ,
               and
               the
               forbidden
               Image
               of
               God
               made
               by
               a
               Carver
               ,
               they
               will
               reverence
               and
               honour
               ,
               and
               be
               zealous
               for
               ;
               but
               the
               Image
               of
               God
               framed
               by
               the
               Spirit
               in
               the
               Hearts
               of
               the
               Faithful
               ,
               and
               described
               in
               the
               lives
               of
               the
               heavenly
               and
               the
               sanctified
               ,
               this
               they
               scorn
               and
               scoff
               at
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               If
               we
               do
               not
               justify
               Religion
               ,
               we
               justify
               the
               World.
               It
               must
               needs
               be
               so
               ,
               for
               these
               two
               are
               opposites
               ,
               the
               carnal
               World
               ,
               and
               Wisdom
               :
               the
               carnal
               World
               must
               be
               condemned
               ,
               and
               Religion
               justified
               ;
               or
               Religion
               will
               be
               condemned
               ,
               and
               the
               World
               justified
               .
               Some
               condemn
               the
               World
               ,
               
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 7.
                 
                 By
                 Faith
              
               Noah
               
                 being
                 warned
                 of
                 God
                 of
                 things
                 not
                 seen
                 as
                 yet
                 ,
                 moved
                 with
                 fear
                 ,
                 prepared
                 an
                 Ark
                 to
                 the
                 saving
                 of
                 his
                 House
                 ;
                 by
                 the
                 which
                 he
                 condemned
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 became
                 Heir
                 of
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 which
                 is
                 by
                 Faith.
              
               Some
               justifie
               the
               World
               ,
               as
               Israel
               justified
               Sodom
               ,
               Ezek.
               16.
               51.
               
               
                 But
                 thou
                 hast
                 multiplied
                 thy
                 
                 Abominations
                 more
                 than
                 they
                 ,
                 and
                 hast
                 justified
                 thy
                 Sisters
                 in
                 all
                 thine
                 Abominations
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 done
                 .
              
               Their
               Sin
               seemeth
               more
               excusable
               ;
               you
               either
               upbraid
               their
               security
               and
               carelesness
               ,
               or
               countenance
               it
               by
               your
               own
               practice
               ;
               your
               seriousness
               is
               a
               real
               rebuke
               to
               the
               carnal
               World
               :
               your
               working
               out
               your
               Salvation
               in
               fear
               and
               trembling
               ,
               upbraideth
               their
               security
               and
               carelesness
               ;
               your
               rejoicing
               in
               God
               ,
               condemneth
               their
               carnal
               delight
               .
               When
               you
               are
               troubled
               about
               a
               vain
               Thought
               ,
               and
               are
               watchful
               against
               a
               light
               Word
               ,
               you
               condemn
               them
               for
               their
               loosness
               ,
               and
               wallowing
               in
               all
               silthiness
               :
               but
               if
               not
               ,
               you
               justify
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               harden
               the
               Wicked
               in
               their
               Prejudices
               ,
               and
               cause
               them
               to
               hold
               up
               their
               course
               with
               the
               greater
               pretence
               .
               When
               you
               are
               wrathful
               ,
               proud
               ,
               sensual
               ,
               turbulent
               ,
               self-seeking
               ,
               you
               are
               an
               occasion
               of
               stumbling
               unto
               them
               .
               Cyprian
               in
               his
               Book
               
                 de
                 duplici
                 Martyro
              
               ,
               bringeth
               in
               the
               Heathens
               thus
               speaking
               ,
               
                 Ecce
                 qui
                 jac●ant
                 se
                 Redemptos
                 à
                 Tyra●●idae
                 Sathanae
                 ,
                 qui
                 pr●●dicant
                 se
                 mortuos
                 mundo
                 ,
                 nihilo
                 minus
                 vincuntur
                 à
                 cupi●itatibus
                 suis
                 ,
                 quam
                 nos
                 quos
                 dicunt
                 ,
                 teneri
                 sub
                 Regno
                 Sathan●e
                 ,
                 quid
                 prodest
                 illis
                 Baptismus
                 ,
                 quid
                 prodest
                 Spiritus
                 Sanctus
                 ,
                 cujus
                 arbitrio
                 dicunt
                 se
                 Temperari
                 ?
                 
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 Behold
                 those
                 that
                 boast
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 redeemed
                 from
                 the
                 tyranny
                 of
                 the
                 Devil
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 dead
                 to
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 crucified
                 the
                 Flesh
                 :
                 They
                 are
                 overcome
                 by
                 their
                 base
                 and
                 bru●ish
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 account
                 to
                 be
                 still
                 under
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 the
                 Devil
                 .
                 What
                 doth
                 their
                 Baptism
                 profit
                 them
                 ?
                 what
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 whose
                 direction
                 they
                 profess
                 to
                 live
                 by
                 ?
                 Why
                 should
                 we
                 trouble
                 our selves
                 about
                 changing
                 our
                 course
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 as
                 good
                 as
                 theirs
                 .
              
               So
               in
               
               Salvian's
               time
               ,
               the
               Heathens
               were
               wont
               to
               upbraid
               the
               Christians
               thus
               ;
               
                 Vbi
                 est
                 ●atholica
                 Lex
                 quam
                 credunt
                 ?
                 Vbi
                 sunt
                 pietatis
                 ,
                 &
                 castitatis
                 exempla
                 quae
                 discunt
                 ?
                 Evangelia
                 legunt
                 &
                 impudi●u●t
                 Apostolos
                 audiant
                 ,
                 &
                 ine●riantur
                 ,
                 Cristum
                 s●quuntur
                 ,
                 &
                 capiunt
                 ?
              
               &c.
               
               
                 They
                 talk
                 of
                 an
                 Holy
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 are
                 unjust
                 ,
                 unclean
                 ,
                 wrathful
                 ,
                 cove●ous
                 ;
                 of
                 a
                 meek
                 patient
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 are
                 rapacious
                 and
                 violent
                 ;
                 of
                 Holy
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 are
                 impure
                 in
                 their
                 conversations
                 .
              
               Our
               Author
               goeth
               on
               thus
               ,
               
                 Sancta
                 à
                 Christianis
                 fierent
                 ;
                 si
                 Sancta
                 Christus
                 docuisset
                 ,
                 aestimari
                 à
                 〈◊〉
                 potest
                 is●e
                 qui
                 colitur
                 ,
                 quomodo
                 bonus
                 Magister
                 ,
                 ●ujus
                 tum
                 malos
                 esse
                 videmus
                 Discipulos
                 ?
              
               
               
                 If
                 their
                 Christ
                 were
                 an
                 holy
                 meek
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 better
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               And
               as
               carnal
               Men
               now
               speak
               .
               
                 For
                 all
                 their
                 Godliness
                 and
                 Religion
                 that
                 they
                 talk
                 of
                 ,
                 our
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 dealings
                 ,
                 are
                 as
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 honest
                 ,
                 and
                 justifiable
                 as
                 theirs
                 .
              
               Thus
               the
               wicked
               are
               justified
               in
               their
               way
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               Christ
               will
               one
               day
               justify
               all
               his
               sincere
               Followers
               before
               Men
               ,
               and
               Angels
               ,
               and
               Devils
               .
               Luke
               12.
               8.
               
               
                 Whosoever
                 shall
                 confess
                 me
                 ,
                 him
                 shall
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 Man
                 confess
                 before
                 the
                 Angels
                 of
                 God.
              
               Let
               us
               justify
               his
               ways
               ,
               and
               he
               will
               justify
               us
               ,
               and
               our
               Faith
               at
               length
               shall
               be
               found
               to
               Praise
               ,
               and
               Glory
               ,
               and
               Honour
               .
               Christ
               will
               then
               wipe
               off
               all
               the
               Aspertions
               which
               be
               cast
               upon
               the
               Children
               of
               Wisdom
               for
               Godliness-sake
               ,
               as
               Faction
               ,
               Pride
               ,
               Singularity
               ,
               Hypocrisy
               ;
               and
               that
               which
               was
               branded
               with
               such
               ignominious
               Titles
               ,
               will
               then
               be
               found
               to
               be
               the
               very
               Wisdom
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               6.
               
               Because
               of
               the
               necessity
               of
               justifying
               Wisdom
               ,
               in
               the
               times
               we
               live
               in
               ;
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               2
               
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 3.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 last
                 Time
                 there
                 shall
                 come
                 Scoffers
                 ,
                 and
                 Mockers
                 ,
                 walking
                 after
                 their
                 own
                 Lusts.
              
               The
               last
               days
               shall
               be
               full
               of
               these
               prophane
               Scoffers
               .
               While
               
               Truths
               were
               new
               ,
               and
               the
               exercises
               of
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               lovely
               ,
               there
               was
               great
               concord
               and
               seriousness
               amongst
               the
               Professors
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               then
               prophane
               Scoffers
               were
               rare
               and
               unfrequent
               .
               Before
               Mens
               senses
               were
               benummed
               with
               the
               customary
               use
               of
               Religious
               Duties
               ,
               the
               Notions
               of
               God
               were
               fresh
               and
               lively
               upon
               their
               Hearts
               ;
               but
               afterwards
               when
               the
               Profession
               of
               Christianity
               grew
               into
               a
               form
               and
               national
               Interest
               ,
               and
               Men
               were
               rather
               made
               Christians
               by
               the
               chance
               of
               their
               Birth
               ,
               than
               choice
               and
               rational
               Convictions
               ;
               then
               the
               Church
               was
               much
               pestered
               with
               this
               kind
               of
               Cattel
               ;
               especially
               now
               are
               they
               rise
               among
               us
               ,
               who
               live
               in
               the
               dregs
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               when
               Men
               are
               grown
               weary
               of
               the
               Name
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               ancient
               severity
               and
               strictness
               is
               much
               lost
               ,
               and
               the
               memory
               of
               those
               Miracles
               ,
               and
               wonder●ul
               Effects
               by
               which
               our
               Religion
               was
               confirmed
               ,
               is
               almost
               worn
               out
               ,
               or
               else
               questioned
               by
               Men
               of
               subtile
               Wits
               ,
               and
               a
               prostituted
               Conscience
               .
               Therefore
               now
               Mockers
               ,
               and
               Men
               of
               atheistical
               Spirits
               swarm
               every
               where
               ,
               and
               it
               concerneth
               Wisdom's
               Children
               to
               justify
               it
               ,
               and
               to
               maintain
               its
               former
               Vigor
               and
               Power
               .
            
             
             
               The
               Vse
               that
               we
               may
               make
               is
               double
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               To
               the
               Enemies
               of
               Wisdom
               .
               Judg
               not
               of
               an
               Holy
               Life
               ,
               and
               those
               that
               profess
               it
               at
               a
               distance
               and
               by
               hear-say
               ,
               but
               try
               .
               We
               are
               not
               afraid
               to
               come
               to
               the
               Bar
               with
               our
               Enemies
               ;
               John
               7.
               24.
               
               
                 Iudg
                 not
                 according
                 to
                 appearance
                 ,
                 but
                 judg
                 Righteous
                 Iudgment
                 .
              
               If
               Men
               would
               not
               be
               blinded
               with
               visible
               Appearance
               ,
               and
               the
               Mask
               of
               Passiou
               ,
               Prejudice
               ,
               and
               Interest
               ,
               and
               condemn
               the
               People
               of
               God
               as
               they
               are
               represented
               in
               a
               false
               Mirror
               ;
               judg
               and
               spare
               not
               ,
               and
               where
               you
               ●ind
               the
               true
               Spirit
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               take
               all
               leave
               ,
               we
               desire
               no
               other
               Trial
               ;
               but
               speak
               not
               against
               things
               you
               know
               not
               .
               Try
               ,
               and
               judg
               as
               you
               find
               ,
               where
               is
               the
               deepest
               sense
               of
               the
               other
               World
               ,
               where
               the
               most
               careful
               preparation
               to
               get
               thither
               ;
               the
               joy
               of
               Faith
               ,
               the
               love
               of
               Holiness
               .
               If
               Christianity
               will
               allow
               that
               worldly
               Pomp
               ,
               that
               vanity
               and
               liberty
               which
               others
               take
               ,
               then
               judg
               the
               Servants
               of
               the
               Lord
               as
               guilty
               of
               a
               foolish
               niceness
               ,
               preciseness
               ,
               and
               singularity
               ;
               but
               if
               we
               be
               baptized
               into
               these
               things
               ,
               and
               unquestionably
               and
               indispensibly
               bound
               to
               them
               ,
               either
               renounce
               your
               Baptism
               ,
               or
               forbear
               your
               Censures
               ,
               or
               rather
               chuse
               this
               clear
               and
               
               pure
               way
               to
               everlasting
               Glory
               .
               If
               you
               will
               not
               stand
               to
               God's
               Word
               ,
               stand
               to
               your
               own
               sober
               Moods
               .
               We
               will
               make
               you
               your selves
               Judges
               ,
               when
               you
               are
               serious
               and
               best
               able
               to
               judg
               of
               things
               ,
               not
               in
               you
               Passion
               ,
               when
               Lusts
               are
               stirring
               .
               When
               you
               are
               entring
               the
               Confines
               of
               Eternity
               ,
               when
               Conscience
               is
               likely
               to
               speak
               truth
               to
               you
               ,
               you
               will
               wish
               then
               you
               were
               one
               of
               those
               poor
               godly
               Men
               ,
               whom
               now
               you
               count
               proud
               ,
               humorous
               ,
               and
               factious
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               To
               the
               Children
               of
               VVisdom
               .
               Do
               not
               scandalize
               the
               Holy
               VVays
               of
               God
               ,
               but
               justify
               them
               ;
               be
               neither
               ashamed
               of
               them
               ,
               nor
               a
               shame
               to
               them
               :
               Till
               the
               ancient
               strictness
               be
               revived
               ,
               VVisdom
               will
               never
               be
               justified
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               The
               faithful
               Followers
               of
               Chirst
               must
               expect
               Troubles
               in
               this
               World.
               
            
             
               
                 LUKE
                 9.
                 57
                 ,
                 58
                 ,
                 59
                 ,
                 60
                 ,
                 61
                 ,
                 62.
                 
              
               
                 
                   And
                   it
                   came
                   to
                   pass
                   ,
                   that
                   as
                   they
                   went
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   ,
                   a
                   certain
                   Man
                   said
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   follow
                   thee
                   whithersoever
                   thou
                   goest
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   Iesus
                   said
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   Foxes
                   have
                   Holes
                   ,
                   and
                   Birds
                   of
                   the
                   Air
                   have
                   Nests
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   Man
                   hath
                   not
                   where
                   to
                   lay
                   ●●s
                   Head.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   he
                   said
                   unto
                   another
                   ,
                   Follow
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   said
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   suffer
                   me
                   first
                   to
                   go
                   and
                   bury
                   my
                   Father
                   .
                
                 
                   Iesus
                   said
                   unto
                   them
                   ,
                   Let
                   the
                   Dead
                   〈◊〉
                   their
                   Dead
                   ;
                   but
                   go
                   thou
                   and
                   prea●●
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   another
                   also
                   said
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   foll●●
                   
                   thee
                   :
                   but
                   let
                   me
                   first
                   go
                   bid
                   them
                   farewel
                   which
                   are
                   at
                   home
                   at
                   my
                   House
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   Iesus
                   said
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   No
                   Man
                   having
                   put
                   his
                   Hand
                   to
                   the
                   Plough
                   ,
                   and
                   looking
                   back
                   ,
                   is
                   fit
                   for
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
            
             
               HERE
               are
               three
               Stories
               put
               together
               by
               the
               Evangelist
               ,
               to
               teach
               us
               in
               what
               manner
               we
               should
               address
               our selves
               to
               follow
               Christ.
               
            
             
               The
               first
               is
               of
               a
               Scribe
               ,
               that
               came
               uncalled
               ,
               but
               his
               Heart
               was
               not
               right
               with
               God
               ,
               having
               a
               temporal
               biass
               upon
               it
               .
            
             
               The
               second
               is
               of
               one
               called
               ,
               vers
               .
               59.
               
               Christ
               saith
               ,
               
                 Follow
                 me
              
               .
               But
               he
               would
               first
               cherish
               ,
               then
               bury
               his
               dying
               Father
               .
               But
               Christ
               would
               have
               no
               delays
               ,
               but
               presently
               sets
               him
               about
               his
               Ministry
               and
               Service
               in
               the
               Gospel
               .
               This
               upon
               the
               Authority
               of
               
                 Clemens
                 Alexandrinus
              
               ,
               who
               received
               it
               upon
               Ancient
               Tradition
               ,
               is
               supposed
               to
               be
               Philip.
               
            
             
               A
               third
               offereth
               himself
               to
               follow
               Christ
               ;
               but
               first
               he
               would
               take
               his
               farewel
               at
               home
               ,
               and
               compose
               Matters
               in
               his
               Family
               .
               But
               when
               we
               set
               our
               Faces
               Godward
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               looking
               back
               .
               There
               must
               be
               
               no
               more
               consulting
               with
               Flesh
               and
               Blood
               ;
               The
               Divine
               Instinct
               must
               be
               obeyed
               speedily
               ,
               and
               wholly
               ,
               and
               Christ
               followed
               without
               Reserves
               and
               Conditions
               .
            
             
               Of
               these
               in
               their
               order
               .
            
             
               
                 I
                 begin
                 with
                 the
                 First
              
               .
               And
               it
               came
               to
               pass
               ,
               as
               they
               went
               on
               the
               way
               ,
               a
               certain
               Man
               said
               unto
               him
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               I
               will
               follow
               thee
               whithersoever
               thou
               goest
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               In
               which
               words
               observe
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 The
                 Time.
              
               It
               came
               to
               pass
               ,
               as
               they
               went
               on
               the
               way
               ,
               a
               certain
               Man
               said
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 A
                 Resolution
                 professed
              
               .
               Lord
               ,
               I
               will
               follow
               thee
               whithersoever
               thou
               goest
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 Christ's
                 Reply
              
               .
               And
               Iesus
               said
               unto
               him
               ,
               Foxes
               have
               Holes
               ,
               and
               the
               Birds
               of
               the
               Air
               have
               Nests
               ;
               but
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               hath
               not
               where
               to
               lay
               his
               head
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Time.
               In
               Matth.
               8.
               19.
               
               'T
               is
               when
               Christ
               had
               a
               mind
               to
               retire
               ,
               and
               had
               declared
               his
               purpose
               to
               go
               into
               the
               Desert
               .
               In
               Luke
               ,
               when
               he
               stedfastly
               set
               his
               Face
               to
               go
               to
               Ierusalem
               :
               Both
               may
               agree
               ;
               the
               one
               more
               immediatly
               ,
               the
               other
               more
               remotely
               ;
               first
               to
               the
               Desert
               ,
               
               then
               to
               Ierusalem
               .
               About
               that
               time
               ,
               a
               certain
               Man
               seeing
               Christ
               about
               to
               remove
               from
               the
               place
               where
               he
               then
               was
               ,
               offereth
               himself
               to
               be
               one
               of
               his
               Disciples
               .
               This
               certain
               Man
               is
               by
               St.
               Matthew
               said
               to
               be
               a
               Scribe
               .
               Men
               of
               that
               Rank
               and
               Order
               ,
               had
               usually
               a
               Male
               Talent
               against
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               are
               frequently
               coupled
               with
               the
               Pharisees
               ,
               Men
               covetous
               ,
               and
               of
               a
               bitter
               Spirit
               .
               This
               Man
               seeing
               Christ
               did
               great
               Miracles
               ,
               and
               hoping
               that
               he
               would
               set
               up
               a
               Temporal
               Kingdom
               ,
               he
               puts
               in
               for
               a
               place
               betimes
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               share
               in
               the
               Honours
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Here
               is
               a
               Resolution
               professed
               ;
               
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 follow
                 thee
                 whithersoever
                 thou
                 goest
                 .
              
               Where
               take
               notice
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Of
               the
               ready
               forwardness
               of
               the
               Scribe
               :
               He
               was
               not
               called
               by
               Christ
               ,
               but
               offered
               himself
               of
               his
               own
               accord
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               Observe
               the
               largeness
               of
               the
               Offer
               ,
               and
               unboundedness
               of
               it
               ,
               Whithersoever
               ;
               as
               indeed
               it
               is
               our
               Duty
               to
               follow
               Christ
               through
               thick
               and
               thin
               .
               In
               the
               Revelations
               ,
               Christ's
               unde●iled
               Company
               are
               described
               to
               be
               such
               as
               follow
               the
               Lamb
               whithersoever
               he
               goeth
               ,
               Rev.
               14.
               4.
               
               That
               is
               ,
               obeyed
               him
               ,
               though
               to
               
               their
               great
               peril
               and
               loss
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
               here
               is
               readiness
               ,
               here
               is
               largeness
               ;
               it
               is
               well
               if
               all
               be
               sincere
               .
               Therefore
               let
               us
               see
               ,
            
             
               3.
               
               Christ's
               Answer
               and
               Reply
               :
               
                 And
                 Iesus
                 said
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 Foxes
                 have
                 Holes
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Birds
                 of
                 the
                 Air
                 have
                 Nests
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 Man
                 hath
                 not
                 where
                 to
                 lay
                 his
                 Head.
              
               By
               the
               tenour
               of
               Christ's
               Answer
               ,
               you
               may
               know
               what
               ails
               him
               ,
               and
               on
               what
               Foot
               he
               limped
               ;
               For
               this
               is
               spoken
               either
               by
               way
               of
               preparation
               ,
               to
               enable
               him
               to
               keep
               his
               Resolution
               ,
               or
               rather
               by
               way
               of
               probation
               ,
               to
               try
               the
               truth
               and
               strength
               of
               it
               ,
               whether
               it
               were
               sincere
               and
               sound
               ,
               yea
               or
               no
               :
               As
               the
               young
               Man
               was
               tried
               ;
               Mark
               10.
               21.
               
               
                 One
                 thing
                 thou
                 lackest
                 ,
                 go
                 thy
                 way
                 ,
                 sell
                 whatsoever
                 thou
                 hast
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 to
                 the
                 poor
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 Treasure
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 and
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 up
                 thy
                 Cross
                 and
                 follow
                 me
                 :
              
               But
               he
               went
               away
               sad
               at
               that
               saying
               .
               So
               here
               ,
               we
               hear
               no
               more
               of
               this
               Scribe
               ;
               our
               Lord
               knew
               how
               to
               discover
               Hypocrites
               .
               Two
               things
               were
               defective
               in
               this
               Resolution
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               'T
               was
               suddain
               and
               rash
               ,
               not
               weighing
               the
               Difficulties
               .
               They
               that
               rashly
               leap
               into
               a
               Profession
               ,
               usually
               fall
               back
               at
               
               first
               trial
               .
               Therefore
               we
               must
               sit
               down
               and
               count
               the
               Charges
               ,
               Luke
               14.
               28.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               was
               a
               carnal
               Aim
               in
               it
               .
               He
               minded
               his
               own
               Profit
               and
               Honour
               :
               Therefore
               Christ
               in
               effect
               telleth
               him
               ,
               you
               had
               best
               consider
               what
               you
               do
               ,
               for
               following
               of
               me
               ,
               will
               be
               far
               from
               advancing
               any
               temporal
               Interest
               of
               yours
               .
               The
               Scribe
               was
               leavened
               with
               a
               Conceit
               of
               a
               worldly
               Kingdom
               ,
               and
               had
               an
               Eye
               to
               some
               Temporal
               Advantage
               :
               Therefore
               Christ
               telleth
               him
               plainly
               ,
               There
               was
               no
               worldly
               Ease
               and
               Riches
               to
               be
               expected
               from
               him
               :
               And
               so
               ,
               
                 Non
                 repulit
                 valentem
                 ;
                 sed
                 fingentem
                 prodidit
              
               ;
               
                 He
                 did
                 not
                 discourage
                 a
                 willing
                 Follower
                 ,
                 but
                 discover
                 a
                 worldly
                 Hypocrite
                 ,
              
               saith
               Chrysologus
               .
            
             
               The
               Doctrine
               we
               learn
               from
               hence
               is
               this
               ;
            
             
               They
               that
               will
               sincerely
               follow
               Christ
               ,
               must
               not
               look
               for
               any
               great
               Matters
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               rather
               prepare
               themselves
               to
               run
               all
               hazards
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               evident
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               From
               Christ's
               own
               Example
               .
               And
               the
               same
               Mind
               should
               be
               in
               all
               his
               Followers
               ;
               
               John
               17.
               16.
               
               
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 World.
              
               Our
               estranging
               of
               our
               Hearts
               from
               the
               World
               ,
               is
               an
               evidence
               of
               our
               conformity
               to
               Christ.
               Christ
               passed
               through
               the
               World
               to
               sanctify
               it
               as
               a
               Place
               of
               Service
               ;
               but
               his
               constant
               Residence
               was
               not
               here
               ,
               to
               ●ix
               it
               as
               a
               Place
               of
               Rest
               :
               And
               all
               that
               are
               Christ's
               ,
               are
               alike
               affected
               .
               We
               pass
               through
               as
               Strangers
               ,
               but
               are
               not
               at
               home
               as
               Inhabitants
               or
               Dwellers
               ;
               and
               if
               we
               have
               little
               of
               the
               World's
               Favour
               ,
               't
               is
               enough
               if
               any
               degree
               of
               Service
               for
               God.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               From
               the
               Nature
               of
               his
               Kingdom
               .
               His
               Kingdom
               is
               not
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               Iohn
               18.
               3
               ,
               6.
               
               'T
               is
               not
               a
               Kingdom
               of
               Pomp
               ,
               but
               a
               Kingdom
               of
               Patience
               .
               Here
               we
               suffer
               with
               Christ
               ,
               hereafter
               we
               reign
               with
               him
               .
               The
               Comforts
               are
               not
               earthly
               ,
               or
               the
               good
               Things
               of
               this
               World
               ;
               but
               heavenly
               ,
               the
               good
               Things
               of
               the
               World
               to
               come
               .
               This
               was
               the
               Scribes
               Mistake
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               From
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Christ.
               His
               Spirit
               is
               given
               us
               ,
               to
               draw
               us
               off
               from
               this
               World
               to
               that
               which
               is
               to
               come
               .
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 12.
                 
                 Now
                 we
                 have
                 not
                 received
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Spirit
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 know
                 the
                 Things
                 which
                 are
                 given
                 us
                 of
                 God.
              
               The
               Spirit
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               is
               
               that
               which
               possesseth
               and
               governeth
               worldly
               Men
               ,
               and
               inclineth
               them
               to
               a
               worldly
               Happiness
               ;
               this
               is
               in
               all
               Men
               naturally
               :
               Corrupt
               Nature
               doth
               sufficiently
               prompt
               and
               incline
               Men
               to
               look
               after
               the
               Honours
               ,
               and
               Pleasures
               ,
               and
               Profits
               of
               this
               World.
               Iames
               3.
               15.
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               when
               he
               would
               describe
               the
               Wisdom
               which
               is
               not
               from
               above
               ,
               he
               saith
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               
                 earthly
                 ,
                 sensual
                 ,
                 devillish
              
               ;
               this
               Wisdom
               cometh
               not
               from
               above
               .
               Present
               Things
               are
               known
               by
               Sense
               ,
               and
               known
               easily
               ,
               and
               known
               by
               all
               .
               But
               there
               is
               a
               Divine
               Spirit
               put
               into
               Christians
               ,
               which
               inclineth
               them
               to
               Things
               to
               come
               ,
               and
               worketh
               Graces
               suitable
               :
               Some
               of
               which
               give
               us
               a
               sight
               of
               the
               Truth
               of
               those
               Things
               ,
               as
               Faith
               ;
               some
               ,
               a
               Taste
               or
               an
               Esteem
               of
               them
               ,
               as
               Love
               ;
               some
               an
               earnest
               Desire
               ,
               as
               Hope
               :
               This
               Spirit
               cometh
               from
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               Ephes.
               1.
               17
               ,
               18.
               
               And
               without
               these
               Graces
               we
               can
               have
               no
               sight
               nor
               desire
               of
               heavenly
               Things
               .
               1
               Cor.
               2.
               14.
               
               
                 The
                 natural
                 Man
                 receiveth
                 not
                 the
                 Things
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 Foolishness
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 he
                 know
                 them
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 spiritually
                 discerned
                 .
              
               They
               think
               't
               is
               folly
               to
               hazard
               present
               Conveniencies
               for
               future
               Rewards
               ;
               and
               the
               truest
               Wisdom
               to
               live
               in
               Ease
               ,
               
               Plenty
               ,
               and
               Honour
               .
               On
               the
               contrary
               ,
               the
               Divine
               Spirit
               convinceth
               us
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               such
               Business
               of
               Importance
               ,
               as
               looking
               after
               eternal
               Life
               :
               That
               all
               the
               gay
               Things
               of
               Sense
               are
               but
               so
               many
               Maygames
               to
               Heavens
               Happiness
               ;
               the
               terrible
               Things
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               are
               but
               as
               a
               Flea-biting
               to
               Hell-Torments
               ;
               and
               the
               Pudder
               and
               Business
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               as
               a
               little
               childish
               Sport
               ,
               in
               comparison
               of
               working
               out
               our
               Salvation
               with
               fear
               and
               trembling
               .
               This
               Spirit
               helpeth
               us
               to
               overcome
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               grow
               dead
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               alive
               to
               God
               ;
               to
               look
               for
               no
               great
               things
               here
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               World
               to
               come
               .
               This
               Spirit
               is
               that
               which
               we
               should
               all
               labour
               after
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               From
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Christ.
               'T
               is
               one
               thing
               implied
               in
               the
               Gospel-Covenant
               ,
               when
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               sets
               down
               the
               Terms
               ,
               Mat.
               16.
               24.
               he
               saith
               ,
               
                 If
                 any
                 Man
                 will
                 come
                 after
                 me
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 deny
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 up
                 his
                 Cross
                 ,
                 and
                 follow
                 me
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               we
               must
               so
               believe
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               be
               persuaded
               of
               the
               Truth
               of
               his
               heavenly
               Doctrine
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               willing
               to
               deny
               our
               Wit
               and
               Will
               ,
               natural
               Interests
               and
               Affections
               ,
               and
               to
               lose
               all
               ,
               rather
               than
               lose
               our
               Souls
               ,
               or
               miss
               of
               the
               Happiness
               he
               
               offereth
               us
               .
               Nay
               ,
               taking
               up
               the
               Cross
               is
               so
               considerable
               a
               part
               of
               our
               Resignation
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Trust
               in
               him
               ,
               that
               in
               Luke
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 chap.
                 9.
                 23.
                 
                 Let
                 him
                 take
                 up
                 his
                 Cross
                 daily
                 :
              
               How
               daily
               ?
               There
               are
               fair
               Days
               as
               well
               as
               foul
               ,
               and
               the
               face
               of
               Heaven
               doth
               not
               always
               look
               sad
               and
               lowring
               .
               What
               is
               the
               meaning
               then
               of
               that
               ,
               
                 Let
                 him
                 take
                 up
                 his
                 Cross
                 daily
                 ?
              
               I
               answer
               ;
               First
               ,
               it
               must
               be
               meant
               of
               daily
               Expectation
               .
               The
               first
               day
               that
               we
               begin
               to
               think
               of
               being
               serious
               Christians
               ,
               we
               must
               reckon
               of
               the
               Cross
               ,
               we
               know
               not
               how
               soon
               it
               may
               come
               .
               If
               God
               seeth
               fit
               to
               spare
               you
               ,
               yet
               you
               must
               be
               prepared
               for
               it
               ;
               Stand
               ready
               ,
               as
               Porters
               in
               the
               Streets
               ,
               to
               take
               up
               the
               Burden
               which
               you
               must
               carry
               .
               Daily
               inure
               your
               thoughts
               to
               the
               Cross
               ,
               that
               the
               grievousness
               and
               bitterness
               of
               it
               may
               be
               somewhat
               allay'd
               .
               St.
               Paul
               saith
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 21.
                 13.
                 
                 I
                 am
                 ready
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 bound
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 die
                 at
              
               Jerusalem
               ,
               
                 for
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               Ephes.
               6.
               15.
               one
               great
               Piece
               of
               the
               spiritual
               Armor
               is
               ,
               the
               
                 Preparation
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Peace
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               1
               
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 15.
                 
                 Be
                 ready
                 always
                 to
                 give
                 an
                 Answer
                 to
                 every
                 Man
                 that
                 asketh
                 a
                 Reason
                 of
                 the
                 Hope
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 with
                 meekness
                 and
                 fear
                 .
              
               Be
               ready
               in
               point
               of
               Courage
               .
               Now
               this
               
               is
               necessary
               ,
               because
               we
               are
               so
               apt
               to
               promise
               great
               things
               to
               our selves
               ,
               and
               indulge
               the
               Security
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               by
               putting
               off
               the
               Thoughts
               of
               the
               Cross.
               But
               Evils
               familiarized
               are
               the
               less
               burdensom
               ,
               and
               by
               renewing
               our
               Resolution
               daily
               ,
               we
               are
               the
               more
               fortified
               .
               Secondly
               ,
               to
               shew
               the
               Continuance
               of
               our
               Conflicts
               ,
               as
               if
               every
               day
               there
               were
               some
               new
               Exercise
               for
               our
               Faith
               and
               Patience
               .
               We
               are
               not
               to
               prescribe
               to
               God
               ,
               how
               long
               he
               shall
               afflict
               us
               ,
               nor
               with
               how
               much
               Affliction
               he
               shall
               exercise
               us
               ;
               No
               ,
               tho
               it
               were
               all
               the
               days
               of
               our
               Lives
               ,
               we
               must
               be
               content
               :
               'T
               is
               but
               a
               Moment
               to
               Eternity
               .
               We
               must
               take
               up
               our
               Cross
               ,
               till
               God
               remove
               it
               .
               Some
               promise
               fair
               ,
               to
               be
               contented
               with
               a
               naked
               Christ
               ,
               tho
               they
               run
               all
               Hazards
               ,
               because
               they
               hope
               God
               will
               not
               take
               them
               at
               their
               Words
               ;
               but
               as
               soon
               as
               the
               Cross
               cometh
               ,
               wriggle
               ,
               shift
               ,
               and
               distinguish
               themselves
               out
               of
               their
               Duty
               ;
               or
               else
               if
               it
               be
               long
               ,
               and
               frequently
               return
               ,
               quite
               tire
               and
               are
               faint
               .
               So
               that
               
                 Take
                 it
                 up
                 daily
              
               ,
               is
               as
               much
               as
               ,
               
                 Let
                 Patience
                 have
                 its
                 perfect
                 Work.
                 Iames
              
               1.
               4.
               
               If
               day
               after
               day
               we
               must
               be
               troubled
               ,
               we
               must
               be
               content
               to
               be
               troubled
               .
               If
               God
               send
               it
               daily
               ,
               we
               must
               take
               it
               up
               daily
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
               in
               the
               New
               Covenant
               
               we
               undertook
               this
               :
               the
               New
               Covenant
               doth
               comprize
               this
               as
               a
               clear
               branch
               and
               part
               of
               it
               .
               Christ
               telleth
               us
               the
               worst
               at
               first
               ;
               the
               Devil
               sheweth
               us
               the
               Bait
               ,
               but
               hideth
               the
               Hook.
               The
               World
               useth
               to
               invite
               its
               Followers
               with
               promises
               of
               Honour
               and
               Riches
               ;
               but
               Christ
               telleth
               us
               of
               the
               Cross
               ,
               and
               that
               partly
               to
               discourage
               H●pocrites
               ,
               who
               cheapen
               and
               taste
               ,
               but
               will
               not
               buy
               ;
               and
               also
               to
               prepare
               sound
               Believers
               for
               the
               Nature
               and
               Temper
               of
               his
               Kingdom
               ,
               which
               lieth
               in
               another
               World.
               But
               here
               by
               the
               way
               we
               are
               to
               und●rgo
               several
               Trials
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               should
               be
               arm●d
               with
               a
               mind
               to
               ●ndure
               them
               ,
               whether
               they
               come
               or
               no
               ▪
               God
               never
               intended
               〈◊〉
               should
               be
               〈…〉
            
             
               〈…〉
               Many
               think
               they
               〈…〉
               be
               good
               Christians
               ,
               y●t
               live
               a
               Life
               of
               〈◊〉
               and
               ●ase
               ,
               and
               pleasure
               ,
               free
               from
               
               all
               trouble
               and
               molestation
               .
               This
               is
               all
               one
               as
               if
               a
               Souldier
               going
               to
               the
               Wars
               ,
               should
               promise
               himself
               a
               continual
               Peace
               or
               Truce
               with
               the
               Enemy
               :
               Or
               as
               if
               a
               Mariner
               ,
               undertaking
               a
               long
               Voyage
               ,
               should
               only
               think
               of
               fair
               Weather
               ,
               and
               a
               calm
               Sea
               ,
               without
               Waves
               and
               Storms
               ;
               so
               irrational
               is
               it
               for
               a
               Christian
               to
               look
               for
               nothing
               but
               Rest
               and
               Peace
               here
               upon
               Earth
               .
               No
               ,
               a
               Christia●
               had
               need
               think
               of
               this
               to
               a
               double
               end
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               be
               a
               mortified
               and
               a
               resolute
               Man
               :
               If
               he
               be
               not
               mortified
               and
               dead
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               he
               can
               never
               undergo
               the
               variety
               of
               Conditions
               which
               his
               Religion
               will
               expose
               him
               unto
               ;
               and
               say
               with
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               Phil.
               4.
               12
               ,
               13.
               
               
                 I
                 can
                 do
                 all
                 things
                 through
                 Christ
                 which
                 strengthneth
                 me
                 .
                 Notwithstanding
                 ,
                 ye
                 have
                 well
                 done
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 did
                 communicate
                 with
                 my
                 affliction
                 .
              
               And
               there
               is
               usually
               in
               us
               a
               propensity
               and
               inclination
               ,
               either
               to
               Honours
               ,
               Riches
               ,
               or
               Pleasures
               .
               And
               the
               Devil
               will
               work
               upon
               that
               weakness
               ;
               Heb.
               12.
               13.
               
               That
               which
               is
               lame
               ,
               is
               soon
               turned
               out
               of
               the
               way
               .
               If
               we
               have
               any
               weak
               part
               in
               our
               Souls
               ,
               there
               the
               Assault
               will
               be
               most
               strong
               and
               ●ierce
               .
               A
               Garrison
               that
               looketh
               to
               be
               besieged
               ,
               will
               take
               care
               to
               fortify
               the
               weak
               places
               ,
               where
               there
               
               is
               any
               suspicion
               of
               an
               Attaque
               :
               So
               should
               a
               Christian
               mortify
               every
               corrupt
               inclination
               ,
               lest
               it
               betray
               him
               ,
               be
               it
               love
               of
               Honour
               ,
               Pleasure
               ,
               or
               Profit
               .
               He
               had
               need
               be
               also
               a
               well-resolved
               Man
               ,
               well
               shod
               with
               the
               preparation
               of
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Peace
               ,
               or
               else
               in
               hard
               way
               he
               will
               soon
               founder
               and
               halt
               .
               If
               you
               be
               Christians
               indeed
               ,
               you
               will
               soon
               see
               the
               necessity
               of
               it
               .
               Pure
               Nature
               it self
               is
               against
               bearing
               the
               Cross
               :
               Christ
               shewed
               the
               innocent
               Aff●ctions
               of
               humane
               Nature
               in
               his
               own
               Person
               :
               it
               recoiled
               a
               little
               at
               the
               thought
               of
               the
               dreadful
               Cup
               ;
               Heb.
               5.
               7.
               
               
                 Who
                 in
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 h●s
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 offered
                 up
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Supplication
                 ,
                 with
                 strong
                 crying
                 and
                 tears
                 ,
                 unto
                 him
                 that
                 was
                 able
                 to
                 save
                 him
                 from
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 heard
                 in
                 that
                 he
                 feared
                 .
              
               And
               to
               us
               't
               is
               much
               more
               grievous
               to
               suffer
               .
               
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 11.
                 
                 Now
                 no
                 chastning
                 for
                 the
                 prese●●
                 s●emeth
                 to
                 be
                 joyous
                 ,
                 but
                 grievous
                 :
                 nevertheless
                 ,
                 afterward
                 it
                 yieldeth
                 the
                 peaceable
                 Fruit
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 unto
                 them
                 which
                 are
                 ex●rcised
                 thereby
                 .
              
               But
               corrupt
               Nature
               will
               certainly
               draw
               back
               ,
               unless
               we
               be
               armed
               with
               great
               resolution
               ;
               for
               after
               we
               have
               launched
               out
               into
               the
               deep
               with
               Christ
               ,
               we
               shall
               be
               ready
               to
               run
               〈◊〉
               again
               upon
               every
               Storm
               ,
               unless
               we
               
               be
               resolved
               :
               therefore
               you
               need
               to
               think
               of
               the
               Cross
               to
               breed
               this
               resolution
               .
               If
               Christians
               be
               not
               mortified
               ,
               they
               trip
               up
               their
               own
               Heels
               :
               if
               they
               be
               not
               resolved
               and
               prepared
               for
               all
               Weathers
               ,
               they
               take
               up
               Religion
               ,
               rather
               as
               a
               Walk
               for
               Recreation
               ,
               than
               as
               a
               Journey
               or
               serious
               Passage
               to
               Heaven
               .
               Therefore
               we
               must
               all
               of
               us
               prepare
               for
               Sufferings
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               looking
               for
               no
               great
               matters
               here
               .
               We
               must
               expect
               Persecutions
               ,
               Crosses
               ,
               Losses
               ,
               Wants
               ,
               Defamation
               ,
               Injuries
               :
               and
               we
               must
               get
               that
               Furniture
               of
               heart
               and
               mind
               ,
               which
               may
               support
               and
               comfort
               us
               in
               such
               a
               day
               of
               tryal
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               informeth
               us
               what
               Fools
               they
               are
               ,
               that
               take
               up
               Religion
               upon
               a
               carnal
               design
               of
               Ease
               and
               Plenty
               ,
               and
               will
               follow
               Christ
               to
               grow
               rich
               in
               the
               World
               :
               As
               this
               Scribe
               thought
               to
               make
               a
               Market
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               
                 Simon
                 Magus
              
               did
               ,
               Acts
               8.
               19
               ,
               20.
               
               He
               thought
               to
               make
               a
               gain
               by
               the
               Power
               of
               Miracles
               .
               There
               are
               Conveniences
               which
               Religion
               affordeth
               in
               peaceable
               Times
               ;
               but
               the
               very
               Profession
               ,
               at
               other
               Times
               ,
               will
               ingage
               us
               in
               great
               Troubles
               :
               And
               therefore
               Men
               do
               but
               make
               way
               for
               the
               shame
               of
               a
               Change
               ,
               and
               
               other
               Mischiefs
               ,
               that
               hope
               for
               Temporal
               Commodities
               by
               the
               Profession
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               There
               are
               few
               that
               are
               willing
               to
               follow
               a
               naked
               Christ
               ,
               upon
               unseen
               incouragements
               ;
               but
               this
               must
               be
               ,
               for
               they
               that
               aim
               to
               seek
               the
               World
               in
               and
               by
               their
               Religion
               ,
               are
               disclaimed
               by
               our
               Lord
               as
               unfit
               to
               be
               his
               Servants
               :
               and
               indeed
               sorry
               Servants
               they
               are
               ,
               who
               cannot
               live
               without
               Honour
               ,
               Ease
               ,
               and
               Plenty
               ;
               therefore
               turn
               and
               wind
               to
               shift
               the
               Cross
               ,
               put
               many
               a
               fallacy
               upon
               their
               own
               Souls
               .
               Gal.
               6.
               12.
               
               
                 As
                 many
                 as
                 desire
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 fair
                 shew
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 compel
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 circumcised
                 only
                 ,
                 lest
                 they
                 should
                 suffer
                 persecution
                 for
                 the
                 Cross
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               If
               that
               be
               their
               only
               Motive
               ,
               they
               are
               apt
               to
               desert
               or
               pervert
               Christ's
               Cause
               .
               Again
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               telleth
               us
               of
               some
               ,
               
                 who
                 are
                 Enemies
                 to
                 the
                 Cross
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 whose
                 God
                 is
                 their
                 Belly
                 ,
                 who
                 mind
                 earthly
                 Things
                 ,
              
               Phil.
               3.
               18
               ,
               19.
               
               Men
               that
               have
               no
               love
               to
               God
               ,
               but
               only
               serve
               their
               fleshly
               Appetites
               ,
               and
               look
               no
               higher
               than
               Honours
               ,
               Riches
               ,
               Pleasures
               ,
               and
               applause
               with
               Men
               ,
               will
               never
               be
               faithful
               to
               Christ
               :
               They
               are
               such
               as
               study
               to
               save
               themselves
               ,
               not
               from
               Sin
               ,
               but
               from
               Danger
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               accommodate
               themselves
               to
               every
               Interest
               :
               As
               
               the
               Men
               of
               Keilah
               dealt
               with
               David
               ,
               entertained
               him
               for
               a
               while
               ;
               But
               when
               Saul
               pursued
               him
               ,
               were
               resolved
               to
               betray
               him
               :
               They
               would
               come
               into
               no
               danger
               for
               
               David's
               sake
               .
               So
               they
               deal
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Religion
               .
               They
               profess
               Christ's
               Name
               ,
               but
               will
               suffer
               nothing
               for
               him
               :
               If
               they
               may
               injoy
               Him
               ,
               and
               his
               Ways
               with
               peace
               and
               quietness
               ,
               and
               conveniency
               ,
               and
               commodity
               to
               themselves
               ,
               well
               and
               good
               ;
               But
               if
               Troubles
               arise
               for
               the
               Gospel's
               sake
               ,
               immediatly
               they
               fall
               off
               ;
               not
               only
               these
               Summer-Friends
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               but
               the
               most
               ,
               yea
               the
               best
               ,
               have
               a
               secret
               lothness
               and
               unwillingness
               to
               condescend
               to
               a
               condition
               of
               Trouble
               or
               Distress
               .
               This
               is
               a
               Point
               of
               hard
               digestion
               ,
               and
               most
               Stomachs
               will
               not
               bear
               it
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               It
               informs
               us
               what
               an
               unlikely
               design
               they
               have
               in
               hand
               ,
               who
               would
               bring
               the
               World
               and
               Christ
               fairly
               to
               agree
               ,
               or
               reconcile
               their
               worldly
               Advantages
               ,
               and
               the
               Profession
               of
               the
               Gospel
               :
               And
               when
               they
               cannot
               frame
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               their
               Conveniences
               to
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               do
               fashion
               the
               Gospel
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               carnal
               courses
               of
               it
               .
               'T
               is
               pity
               these
               Men
               had
               not
               
               been
               of
               the
               Lord's
               Council
               ,
               when
               he
               first
               contrived
               and
               preached
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               have
               helped
               him
               to
               some
               discreet
               and
               middle
               courses
               ,
               that
               might
               have
               served
               turn
               for
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               too
               .
               But
               do
               they
               what
               they
               will
               ,
               or
               can
               ,
               the
               Way
               is
               narrow
               that
               leadeth
               to
               Life
               ;
               and
               they
               must
               take
               Christ's
               Yoke
               upon
               them
               ,
               if
               they
               would
               find
               rest
               for
               their
               Souls
               .
               They
               will
               find
               that
               pure
               and
               strict
               Religion
               will
               be
               unpleasing
               to
               the
               Ungodly
               and
               the
               Carnal
               ;
               that
               the
               Enmity
               between
               the
               two
               Seeds
               will
               remain
               ,
               and
               the
               Flesh
               and
               the
               World
               must
               not
               always
               be
               pleased
               :
               that
               there
               is
               more
               danger
               of
               the
               World
               smiling
               ,
               than
               frowning
               .
               As
               to
               the
               Church
               in
               general
               ,
               (
               in
               
               Constantine's
               Time
               )
               
                 Ecclesia
                 facta
                 est
                 opibus
                 major
                 ,
                 virtutibus
                 minor
                 :
              
               so
               to
               Believers
               in
               particular
               ,
               that
               the
               Heart
               is
               corrupted
               by
               the
               Love
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               Men
               never
               grow
               so
               dull
               and
               careless
               of
               their
               Souls
               ,
               as
               when
               they
               have
               most
               of
               the
               World
               at
               will.
               And
               that
               we
               are
               more
               awakened
               ,
               and
               have
               a
               more
               lively
               sense
               of
               Eternal
               Life
               ,
               when
               under
               the
               Cross
               ,
               than
               when
               we
               live
               in
               the
               greatest
               ease
               and
               pomp
               .
               That
               Christ
               permitteth
               Troubles
               ,
               not
               for
               want
               of
               love
               to
               his
               People
               ,
               or
               want
               of
               Power
               to
               secure
               
               their
               peace
               ,
               but
               for
               holy
               and
               wise
               ends
               to
               promote
               their
               good
               .
            
             
               Vse
               2.
               
               Is
               Instruction
               .
               When
               you
               come
               to
               enter
               into
               Covenant
               with
               Christ
               ,
               consider
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               Christ
               knoweth
               what
               Motives
               do
               induce
               you
               ;
               John
               2.
               25.
               
               
                 He
                 needeth
                 not
                 that
                 any
                 should
                 testifie
                 of
                 Man
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 knoweth
                 what
                 is
                 in
                 Man.
              
               Some
               believed
               ,
               but
               Jesus
               committed
               not
               himself
               unto
               them
               :
               He
               knoweth
               whether
               there
               be
               a
               real
               bent
               ,
               or
               carnal
               biass
               upon
               the
               Heart
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               If
               the
               Heart
               be
               false
               in
               making
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               it
               will
               never
               hold
               good
               :
               An
               error
               in
               the
               first
               Concoction
               ,
               will
               never
               be
               mended
               in
               the
               second
               ;
               Deut.
               5.
               29.
               
               
                 O
                 that
                 there
                 were
                 such
                 an
                 heart
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 would
                 fear
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 my
                 Commandments
                 always
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 well
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 their
                 Children
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               So
               ,
               Mat.
               13.
               21.
               
               The
               stony
               Ground
               received
               the
               Word
               with
               joy
               ;
               
                 Yet
                 hath
                 he
                 not
                 root
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 but
                 dureth
                 but
                 for
                 a
                 while
                 ;
                 for
                 when
                 Tribulation
                 or
                 Persecution
                 ariseth
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 by
                 and
                 by
                 he
                 is
                 offended
                 .
              
               Some
               temporal
               thing
               sitteth
               too
               near
               ,
               and
               close
               to
               the
               Heart
               :
               you
               are
               never
               upright
               
               with
               God
               ,
               till
               a
               Relation
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               a
               Right
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               do
               incomparably
               weigh
               down
               all
               temporal
               Troubles
               ;
               and
               you
               can
               rejoice
               more
               in
               the
               Testimonies
               of
               God
               ,
               fatherly
               Love
               ,
               and
               right
               to
               eternal
               Life
               ,
               than
               in
               outward
               things
               ;
               Psalm
               .
               4.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 There
                 be
                 many
                 that
                 say
                 ,
                 Who
                 will
                 shew
                 us
                 any
                 good
                 ?
                 Lord
                 lift
                 thou
                 up
                 the
                 Light
                 of
                 thy
                 Countenance
                 upon
                 us
                 .
                 Thou
                 hast
                 put
                 gladness
                 in
                 my
                 heart
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 that
                 their
                 Corn
                 and
                 their
                 Wine
                 increased
                 .
                 David
              
               speaks
               in
               his
               own
               Name
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               all
               those
               that
               were
               alike
               minded
               with
               himself
               .
               And
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 10.
                 20.
                 
                 Notwithstanding
                 in
                 this
                 rejoice
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Spirits
                 are
                 subject
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 rejoice
                 because
                 your
                 Names
                 are
                 written
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               Christ
               cannot
               but
               take
               it
               ill
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               so
               delicate
               and
               tender
               of
               our
               Interests
               ,
               and
               so
               impatient
               under
               the
               Cross
               ;
               when
               he
               endured
               so
               willingly
               such
               great
               things
               for
               our
               sakes
               :
               we
               cannot
               lose
               for
               him
               ,
               so
               much
               as
               he
               hath
               done
               for
               us
               ;
               and
               if
               he
               had
               been
               unwilling
               to
               suffer
               for
               us
               ,
               what
               had
               been
               our
               state
               and
               condition
               to
               all
               Eternity
               ?
               we
               should
               have
               suffered
               eternal
               Misery
               .
               If
               you
               would
               not
               have
               Christ
               of
               another
               mind
               ,
               why
               
               will
               you
               be
               of
               another
               mind
               ?
               1
               
                 Pet.
                 4.
                 1.
                 
                 Forasmuch
                 then
                 as
                 Christ
                 hath
                 suffered
                 for
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 arm
                 your selves
                 likewise
                 with
                 the
                 same
                 mind
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 suffered
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 hath
                 ceased
                 from
                 Sin.
                 
              
            
             
               4.
               
               If
               you
               be
               not
               dead
               to
               the
               things
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               you
               are
               not
               acquainted
               with
               the
               Virtue
               and
               Power
               of
               Christ's
               Cross
               ,
               and
               have
               not
               a
               true
               sense
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               cannot
               glory
               in
               it
               as
               the
               most
               excellent
               Profession
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               Gal.
               6.
               14.
               
               
                 God
                 forbid
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 glory
                 ,
                 save
                 in
                 the
                 Cross
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 the
                 World
                 is
                 crucified
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 unto
                 the
                 World.
              
               You
               are
               in
               a
               dangerous
               temptation
               to
               Atheism
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               We
               are
               gainers
               by
               Christ
               ,
               if
               we
               part
               with
               all
               the
               World
               for
               his
               sake
               ,
               Mark
               10.
               29
               ,
               30.
               
               Therefore
               no
               loss
               should
               seem
               too
               great
               in
               obeying
               his
               Will.
               Certainly
               a
               Man
               cannot
               be
               a
               loser
               by
               God.
               
            
             
               6.
               
               All
               worldly
               things
               were
               confiscated
               by
               the
               fall
               ,
               and
               we
               can
               have
               no
               spiritual
               right
               to
               them
               ,
               'till
               we
               receive
               a
               new
               grant
               by
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               Heir
               of
               all
               things
               .
               
                 Dominium
                 Politicum
                 ,
                 fundatur
                 in
                 providen●ia
                 Evangelicum
                 in
                 gratia
                 .
              
               1
               Cor.
               3.
               23.
               
               
                 All
                 things
                 are
                 yours
                 ,
                 because
                 you
                 are
                 Christ's
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 is
                 God's
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               4.
               3.
               
               
               
                 God
                 hath
                 made
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 received
                 with
                 thanksgiving
                 of
                 them
                 which
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 the
                 Truth
                 .
              
               So
               that
               what
               we
               enjoy
               ,
               is
               by
               the
               meer
               favour
               of
               the
               Redeemer
               ,
               and
               should
               be
               parted
               with
               again
               when
               he
               calleth
               for
               it
               .
            
             
               Thus
               much
               for
               the
               first
               Point
               .
            
             
               A
               second
               Doctrine
               or
               Point
               here
               offered
               is
               ,
            
             
               The
               great
               Poverty
               of
               our
               Lord
               Iesus
               Christ.
               
            
             
               Beasts
               and
               Fowls
               have
               places
               to
               shelter
               themselves
               in
               ,
               but
               Christ
               had
               no
               certain
               place
               of
               residence
               ,
               or
               dwelling
               wherein
               to
               rest
               .
               He
               doth
               not
               say
               ,
               Kings
               have
               Palaces
               ,
               but
               I
               have
               none
               ;
               rich
               Men
               have
               Houses
               and
               Lands
               ,
               but
               I
               have
               none
               :
               But
               he
               saith
               ,
               
                 Foxes
                 have
                 Holes
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Birds
                 of
                 the
                 Air
                 have
                 Nests
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 Man
                 hath
                 not
                 where
                 to
                 lay
                 his
                 head
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               Reasons
               of
               this
               ,
               are
               these
               following
               .
            
             
             
               1.
               
               To
               increase
               the
               value
               and
               merit
               of
               his
               Satisfaction
               .
               Our
               Sins
               did
               deserve
               this
               ,
               his
               whole
               Humiliation
               ,
               and
               every
               degree
               of
               it
               ;
               and
               Christ
               was
               content
               to
               suffer
               it
               for
               the
               ransom
               of
               our
               Souls
               .
               'T
               is
               clear
               this
               ,
               that
               all
               his
               condescention
               conduced
               to
               make
               up
               the
               Remedy
               more
               full
               :
               and
               't
               is
               evident
               by
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               that
               it
               giveth
               us
               a
               right
               to
               a
               larger
               allowance
               of
               Grace
               ;
               2
               Cor.
               8.
               9.
               
               
                 For
                 ye
                 know
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 he
                 was
                 rich
                 ,
                 yet
                 for
                 your
                 sakes
                 he
                 became
                 poor
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 through
                 his
                 poverty
                 might
                 become
                 rich
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               Christ
               came
               to
               offer
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               the
               good
               things
               of
               the
               other
               World
               ,
               and
               to
               draw
               Mens
               minds
               and
               hearts
               thither
               .
               And
               therefore
               that
               he
               might
               appear
               a
               fit
               Teacher
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               by
               his
               own
               Example
               ,
               he
               taught
               us
               contempt
               of
               outward
               things
               .
               If
               he
               had
               preached
               up
               heavenly-mindedness
               ,
               and
               lived
               himself
               in
               pomp
               and
               fulness
               ,
               the
               People
               would
               not
               have
               regarded
               his
               words
               .
               
                 Alexander
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 Army
                 grew
                 sluggish
                 ,
                 because
                 laden
                 with
                 the
                 spoils
                 of
                 their
                 Enemies
                 ;
                 to
                 free
                 them
                 from
                 this
                 encumbrance
                 ,
                 commanded
                 all
                 his
                 own
                 
                 Carriages
                 to
                 be
                 set
                 on
                 fire
                 ;
                 that
                 when
                 they
                 saw
                 the
                 King
                 himself
                 devote
                 his
                 rich
                 Treasures
                 to
                 the
                 flame
                 ,
                 they
                 might
                 not
                 murmur
                 if
                 their
                 Mite
                 and
                 Pittance
                 were
                 consumed
                 also
                 .
              
               So
               if
               Christ
               had
               taught
               us
               contempt
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               had
               not
               given
               us
               an
               instance
               of
               it
               in
               his
               Person
               ,
               his
               Doctrine
               had
               been
               less
               powerful
               and
               effectual
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               To
               season
               and
               sanctify
               a
               mean
               estate
               and
               degree
               of
               Life
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               called
               to
               it
               by
               God's
               Providence
               .
               Christ's
               own
               poverty
               teacheth
               us
               to
               bear
               a
               mean
               condition
               well
               ;
               Mat.
               18.
               25.
               
               
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 for
                 a
                 Disciple
                 that
                 he
                 be
                 as
                 his
                 Master
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Servant
                 as
                 his
                 Lord.
                 Vriah
              
               would
               not
               give
               way
               to
               any
               softness
               ,
               while
               Ioab
               his
               General
               was
               in
               the
               Field
               ;
               2
               Sam.
               11.
               11.
               
               
                 The
                 Ark
                 ,
                 and
                 Israel
                 ,
                 are
                 in
                 Tents
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Lord
              
               Joab
               ,
               
                 and
                 the
                 Servants
                 of
                 my
                 Lord
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 open
                 fields
                 ;
                 Shall
                 I
                 go
                 into
                 my
                 House
                 ,
                 and
                 eat
                 ,
                 and
                 drink
                 ?
                 &c.
              
               We
               must
               be
               contented
               to
               fare
               as
               Christ
               did
               ,
               we
               cannot
               be
               poorer
               than
               Christ
               as
               poor
               as
               we
               are
               ;
               for
               the
               poorest
               have
               some
               place
               of
               shelter
               ,
               but
               he
               had
               none
               whereon
               to
               lay
               his
               head
               .
            
             
             
               1.
               
               Let
               this
               then
               enforce
               the
               former
               Lesson
               ,
               and
               teach
               us
               contempt
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Riches
               and
               Greatness
               thereof
               .
               'T
               is
               some
               Argument
               that
               the
               vilest
               are
               capable
               thereof
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               most
               generous
               and
               best
               deserving
               ,
               and
               oftner
               it
               hapneth
               to
               be
               so
               .
               But
               this
               is
               the
               Argument
               of
               Arguments
               ,
               That
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               ,
               when
               he
               came
               to
               instruct
               the
               World
               by
               his
               Example
               ,
               he
               was
               not
               one
               of
               the
               Rich
               and
               Voluptuous
               ,
               but
               chose
               a
               mean
               estate
               ,
               as
               most
               conducible
               to
               his
               ends
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               If
               you
               be
               rich
               ,
               yet
               be
               poor
               in
               Spirit
               ;
               Mat.
               5.
               3.
               
               
                 Blessed
                 are
                 the
                 poor
                 in
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 for
                 theirs
                 is
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               Let
               us
               possess
               all
               things
               as
               if
               we
               possessed
               them
               not
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               31.
               
               And
               so
               ,
               Iames
               1.
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               
                 Let
                 the
                 Brother
                 of
                 low
                 degree
                 rejoice
                 in
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 exalted
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 rich
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 made
                 low
                 ,
                 because
                 as
                 the
                 flower
                 of
                 the
                 Grass
                 he
                 shall
                 pass
                 away
                 .
              
               We
               should
               be
               as
               having
               nothing
               ,
               sitting
               loose
               from
               earthly
               things
               ,
               considering
               that
               shortly
               we
               shall
               be
               as
               poor
               as
               the
               poorest
               ,
               for
               we
               can
               carry
               nothing
               away
               with
               us
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Let
               us
               prepare
               our selves
               to
               entertain
               Poverty
               ;
               and
               if
               it
               be
               already
               come
               upon
               us
               ,
               and
               God
               hath
               reduced
               us
               to
               a
               mean
               inferior
               Life
               ;
               let
               us
               have
               our
               hearts
               
               reconciled
               and
               suited
               to
               a
               low
               estate
               ,
               so
               it
               may
               be
               an
               help
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               so
               we
               may
               have
               the
               true
               Riches
               ,
               and
               may
               learn
               to
               live
               by
               Faith
               ,
               though
               God
               feedeth
               us
               from
               Hand
               to
               Mouth
               ;
               so
               we
               may
               imitate
               Christ
               ,
               and
               follow
               him
               into
               Glory
               ,
               it
               is
               enough
               for
               us
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               No
               excuse
               against
               a
               speedy
               obeying
               Christ's
               Call.
               
            
             
               WE
               have
               done
               with
               the
               first
               instance
               of
               a
               Scribe
               that
               came
               uncalled
               ,
               we
               come
               now
               to
               another
               :
               this
               Man
               offereth
               not
               himself
               ,
               but
               is
               called
               by
               Christ.
               
                 And
                 he
                 said
                 unto
                 another
                 ,
                 Follow
                 me
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               He
               was
               already
               a
               Disciple
               at
               large
               ;
               for
               in
               Matthew
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 Chap.
                 8.
                 21.
                 
                 Another
                 of
                 his
                 Disciples
                 said
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 Suffer
                 me
                 first
                 to
                 go
                 any
                 bury
                 my
                 Father
                 .
              
               He
               was
               now
               called
               to
               a
               nearer
               and
               constant
               attendance
               on
               Christ.
               
                 Clemens
                 Alexandrinus
              
               ,
               from
               an
               ancient
               Tradition
               ,
               telleth
               us
               ,
               this
               was
               Philip.
               But
               before
               he
               complied
               with
               this
               Call
               ,
               he
               desireth
               a
               little
               delay
               and
               respit
               ,
               'till
               his
               aged
               Father
               were
               dead
               and
               buried
               ;
               whether
               his
               Father
               were
               already
               dead
               ,
               and
               he
               would
               do
               this
               last
               
               Office
               to
               see
               him
               decently
               interred
               ;
               or
               whether
               his
               Father
               were
               yet
               living
               ,
               but
               not
               likely
               long
               to
               continue
               ,
               and
               he
               would
               attend
               him
               till
               his
               Death
               and
               Funeral
               ,
               and
               then
               follow
               Christ
               as
               Theophilact
               thinketh
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               much
               material
               .
               Clear
               it
               is
               ,
               he
               putteth
               off
               the
               matter
               with
               an
               excuse
               ;
               even
               the
               Elect
               do
               not
               at
               first
               so
               readily
               obey
               the
               Heavenly
               Calling
               ;
               some
               of
               them
               may
               put
               off
               Christ
               ,
               but
               when
               he
               intendeth
               to
               have
               them
               ,
               he
               will
               not
               be
               put
               off
               so
               ,
               the
               importunity
               of
               his
               Grace
               overcoming
               their
               unwillingness
               .
            
             
               But
               what
               was
               Christ's
               Answer
               ?
               
                 L●●
                 the
                 Dead
                 bury
                 their
                 Dead
                 ▪
                 but
                 go
                 thou
                 and
                 preach
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               leave
               that
               Office
               to
               others
               ,
               who
               are
               not
               designed
               for
               this
               Divine
               and
               Holy
               Employment
               .
               It
               seemeth
               ha●d
               to
               many
               ,
               that
               Christ
               should
               ●eny
               him
               to
               do
               this
               little
               Office
               of
               Love
               to
               his
               Father
               ;
               and
               they
               know
               not
               the
               meaning
               of
               that
               expression
               ,
               
                 Let
                 the
                 Dead
                 bury
                 their
                 Dead
                 .
              
               Therefore
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Let
                   us
                   open
                   the
                   Expression
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Shew
                   you
                   what
                   Christ
                   teacheth
                   us
                   by
                   this
                   Refusal
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               For
               the
               Expression
               .
               It
               may
               be
               used
               either
               Proverbially
               ,
               or
               Allusively
               .
               Proverbially
               ;
               Let
               one
               dead
               Man
               bury
               another
               ;
               
               that
               is
               ,
               let
               them
               lie
               unburied
               ,
               rather
               than
               my
               Service
               be
               neglected
               ;
               or
               ,
               there
               will
               not
               want
               others
               that
               will
               remove
               the
               dead
               out
               of
               their
               sight
               :
               and
               't
               is
               our
               Wisdom
               to
               let
               go
               things
               unnecessary
               ,
               and
               mind
               the
               main
               .
               Or
               else
               it
               is
               used
               Allusively
               ,
               to
               the
               Law
               of
               the
               Nazarites
               ,
               and
               the
               Priests
               of
               the
               Old
               Testament
               .
               The
               Law
               of
               the
               Nazarites
               is
               in
               Numb
               .
               6.
               6
               ,
               7
               ,
               8.
               
               
                 All
                 the
                 days
                 that
                 he
                 separateth
                 himself
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 come
                 at
                 no
                 dead
                 Body
                 .
                 He
                 shall
                 not
                 make
                 himself
                 unclean
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 Mother
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 Brother
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 Sister
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 die
                 :
                 because
                 the
                 consecration
                 of
                 his
                 God
                 is
                 upon
                 his
                 Head.
                 All
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 his
                 separation
                 he
                 is
                 holy
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               must
               rather
               follow
               his
               Vow
               ,
               in
               honouring
               the
               Lord
               ,
               than
               to
               follow
               natural
               Duty
               ,
               in
               honouring
               his
               dead
               Parents
               .
               Now
               those
               whom
               Christ
               called
               especially
               to
               follow
               him
               ,
               were
               consecrated
               to
               that
               service
               ,
               as
               the
               Nazarite
               unto
               the
               Lord
               ,
               during
               the
               days
               of
               his
               separation
               .
               And
               as
               they
               might
               not
               meddle
               even
               with
               the
               interment
               of
               their
               Parents
               ,
               so
               this
               excuse
               was
               frivolous
               .
               Or
               else
               the
               Allusion
               might
               be
               to
               the
               High
               Priests
               ,
               of
               whom
               we
               read
               ,
               
                 Deut.
                 33.
                 9.
                 
                 Who
                 said
                 to
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Mother
                 ,
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 seen
                 
                 him
                 ;
                 neither
                 did
                 he
                 acknowledg
                 his
                 ●Brethren
                 ,
                 nor
                 know
                 his
                 own
                 Children
                 .
              
               Some
               think
               this
               hath
               reference
               to
               the
               Levites
               Fact
               ,
               who
               being
               commanded
               by
               Moses
               ,
               killed
               every
               Man
               his
               Brother
               ,
               Neighbour
               ,
               Friend
               ,
               and
               Son
               ,
               that
               had
               sinned
               in
               making
               or
               worshipping
               the
               Golden
               Calf
               ,
               Exod.
               32.
               26
               ,
               —
               29.
               
               Rather
               't
               is
               meant
               of
               the
               Priests
               continual
               Duty
               ,
               who
               by
               the
               Law
               ,
               if
               his
               Father
               ,
               Mother
               ,
               Brother
               ,
               or
               Child
               did
               die
               ,
               he
               might
               not
               mourn
               for
               them
               ,
               but
               carry
               himself
               as
               if
               he
               did
               not
               respect
               or
               know
               them
               ;
               for
               God
               would
               have
               them
               more
               regard
               their
               Function
               or
               Duty
               in
               his
               Service
               ,
               than
               any
               natural
               Affection
               whatsoever
               :
               The
               Law
               is
               ,
               Levit.
               21.
               11
               ,
               12.
               
               
                 He
                 shall
                 not
                 go
                 in
                 to
                 any
                 dead
                 Body
                 ,
                 nor
                 de●ile
                 himself
                 for
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 Mother
                 ;
                 neither
                 shall
                 he
                 go
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Sanctuary
                 ,
                 nor
                 prophane
                 the
                 Sanctuary
                 of
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Crown
                 of
                 the
                 anointing
                 Oil
                 of
                 his
                 God
                 is
                 upon
                 him
                 .
              
               Now
               Christ
               alludeth
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               to
               shew
               the
               urgency
               of
               this
               present
               service
               and
               imploiment
               to
               which
               he
               was
               consecrated
               :
               and
               the
               burial
               of
               the
               Dead
               might
               be
               left
               to
               Persons
               less
               sacred
               ,
               or
               more
               at
               leisure
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Reasons
               of
               Christ's
               refulsal
               .
               Christ
               would
               shew
               hereby
               ,
               1.
               
               That
               all
               
               Humane
               Offices
               and
               Duties
               ,
               must
               give
               place
               to
               the
               Duty
               we
               owe
               to
               God.
               Duty
               to
               Parents
               must
               be
               observed
               ,
               but
               Duty
               to
               God
               must
               be
               preferred
               before
               that
               ,
               or
               any
               thing
               whatsoever
               .
               A
               Truth
               justified
               by
               Christ's
               own
               Example
               .
               He
               began
               betimes
               ,
               at
               twelve
               years
               old
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               disputing
               with
               the
               Doctors
               ,
               and
               his
               Parents
               sought
               for
               him
               ;
               Luke
               2.
               49.
               
               
                 He
                 said
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 How
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 you
                 sought
                 me
                 ?
                 Wist
                 you
                 not
                 that
                 I
                 must
                 be
                 about
                 my
                 Father's
                 business
                 ?
              
               So
               ,
               Mat.
               12.
               47
               ,
               48.
               
               When
               his
               Mother
               and
               Kindred
               waited
               for
               him
               ,
               desiring
               to
               speak
               with
               him
               ,
               
                 He
                 answered
                 and
                 said
                 unto
                 him
                 that
                 told
                 him
                 ,
                 Who
                 is
                 my
                 Mother
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 are
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ?
              
               Obedience
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               declaring
               his
               Father's
               Will
               ,
               was
               dearer
               to
               him
               than
               all
               Relations
               .
               Natural
               and
               secular
               respects
               swayed
               not
               with
               him
               ,
               in
               comparison
               of
               gaining
               Pro●elites
               to
               Heaven
               ;
               his
               Mother's
               Conference
               with
               him
               ,
               was
               nothing
               to
               his
               Father's
               Service
               ,
               and
               teaching
               the
               People
               a
               more
               acceptable
               Work
               ,
               than
               paying
               a
               civility
               to
               his
               natural
               Relations
               :
               So
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 2.
                 4.
                 
                 Woman
                 ,
                 what
                 have
                 I
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 thee
                 ?
                 mine
                 hour
                 is
                 not
                 yet
                 come
                 .
              
               His
               Office
               to
               which
               he
               was
               sent
               by
               God
               ,
               was
               a
               matter
               in
               which
               she
               ,
               though
               his
               earthly
               Parent
               ,
               
               was
               not
               to
               interpose
               ,
               God's
               Work
               must
               be
               done
               in
               God's
               own
               Way
               ,
               Time
               ,
               and
               Method
               :
               God
               hath
               greater
               authority
               over
               you
               ,
               than
               all
               the
               Men
               in
               the
               World.
               2.
               
               He
               would
               teach
               us
               hereby
               that
               the
               Ministry
               requires
               the
               whole
               Man
               ,
               even
               sometimes
               the
               omission
               of
               necessary
               Works
               ,
               much
               more
               superfluous
               ;
               
                 Give
                 thy self
                 wholly
                 to
                 these
                 things
                 ,
              
               1
               Tim.
               4.
               15.
               
            
             
               The
               words
               are
               now
               explained
               ;
               The
               practical
               Notes
               are
               these
               two
               ;
               
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   That
                   nothing
                   in
                   the
                   World
                   is
                   a
                   matter
                   of
                   such
                   great
                   weight
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   sufficient
                   excuse
                   for
                   not
                   following
                   of
                   Christ.
                   
                
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   That
                   those
                   who
                   are
                   called
                   to
                   follow
                   Christ
                   ,
                   should
                   follow
                   him
                   speedily
                   ,
                   without
                   interposing
                   any
                   delays
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 the
                 first
                 Point
              
               ;
               That
               nothing
               in
               the
               World
               is
               a
               matter
               of
               such
               great
               weight
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               a
               sufficient
               excuse
               for
               not
               following
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               I
               will
               illustrate
               it
               by
               these
               Considerations
               .
            
             
             
               1.
               
               
                 There
                 are
                 two
                 sorts
                 of
                 Men
                 ;
                 Some
                 understand
                 not
                 their
                 Lord's
                 Will
                 ,
                 others
                 have
                 no
                 mind
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 ,
              
               Luke
               12.
               47
               ,
               48.
               
               Some
               understand
               not
               the
               Terms
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               they
               think
               to
               have
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               Pleasures
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               the
               World
               too
               .
               But
               there
               are
               others
               who
               understand
               Christ's
               Terms
               ,
               but
               are
               loth
               to
               become
               Christ's
               Disciples
               ;
               they
               know
               their
               Master's
               Will
               ,
               but
               they
               do
               not
               prepare
               themselves
               to
               do
               it
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               they
               do
               not
               presently
               set
               upon
               the
               Work
               ,
               but
               make
               so
               many
               delays
               ,
               that
               it
               plainly
               appeareth
               that
               they
               are
               loth
               to
               yield
               to
               Christ's
               Terms
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               turn
               their
               backs
               upon
               the
               Vanities
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               renounce
               their
               most
               pleasing
               Sins
               ,
               and
               to
               take
               the
               Word
               for
               their
               Rule
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               for
               their
               Guide
               ,
               and
               eternal
               Life
               for
               their
               Felicity
               and
               Happiness
               ;
               to
               such
               we
               now
               speak
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 They
                 that
                 have
                 no
                 mind
                 to
                 follow
                 Christ
                 ,
                 put
                 off
                 the
                 Matter
                 with
                 dilatory
                 shifts
                 and
                 excuses
                 .
              
               To
               refuse
               altogether
               is
               more
               hainous
               ,
               and
               therefore
               they
               shift
               it
               off
               for
               a
               time
               ;
               
                 Non
                 vacat
              
               is
               the
               pretence
               ,
               I
               am
               not
               at
               leisure
               ;
               
                 Non
                 placet
              
               ,
               I
               like
               it
               not
               ,
               is
               the
               real
               interpretation
               ,
               disposition
               ,
               and
               inclination
               of
               their
               Hearts
               ;
               for
               Excuses
               are
               always
               a
               sign
               of
               an
               unwilling
               
               and
               backward
               Heart
               .
               When
               they
               should
               serve
               God
               ,
               there
               is
               still
               something
               in
               the
               way
               ,
               some
               danger
               ,
               or
               some
               difficulty
               which
               they
               are
               loth
               to
               encounter
               with
               :
               As
               ,
               
                 Prov.
                 26.
                 13.
                 
                 The
                 slothful
                 Man
                 saith
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 Lion
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 Lion
                 in
                 the
                 streets
                 .
                 Palestine
              
               was
               a
               Land
               infested
               with
               Lions
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               many
               Desarts
               and
               Thickets
               that
               were
               in
               it
               ;
               but
               being
               well
               peopled
               ,
               they
               did
               rarely
               appear
               .
               Now
               the
               Sluggard
               taketh
               this
               pretence
               from
               thence
               ;
               if
               his
               Business
               lay
               in
               the
               Fields
               ,
               there
               was
               a
               Lion
               in
               the
               way
               ;
               if
               his
               Business
               lay
               in
               the
               Towns
               and
               Cities
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               Lion
               in
               the
               streets
               :
               as
               sometimes
               ,
               though
               but
               rarely
               ,
               they
               came
               into
               places
               inhabited
               ,
               and
               of
               great
               resort
               .
               Now
               if
               he
               should
               go
               about
               his
               Business
               too
               early
               ,
               he
               might
               meet
               with
               a
               Lion
               in
               his
               range
               and
               walk
               ,
               before
               they
               were
               retired
               into
               their
               Dens
               .
               Thus
               do
               Men
               alarm
               themselves
               with
               their
               own
               foolish
               fears
               ,
               to
               excuse
               their
               idleness
               and
               negligence
               .
               So
               again
               ,
               
                 Prov.
                 15.
                 19.
                 
                 The
                 way
                 of
                 the
                 slothful
                 ,
                 is
                 as
                 an
                 hedg
                 of
                 thorns
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 the
                 Righteous
                 is
                 made
                 plain
                 .
              
               They
               imagine
               difficulties
               ,
               and
               intollerable
               hardships
               in
               a
               course
               of
               Godliness
               ;
               but
               't
               is
               their
               cowardise
               ,
               and
               pusilanimous
               negligence
               ,
               which
               
               maketh
               the
               Ways
               of
               God
               seem
               hard
               :
               they
               are
               all
               comfortable
               ,
               plain
               ,
               and
               easy
               ,
               to
               the
               pure
               and
               upright
               Heart
               ,
               and
               willing
               Mind
               .
               Come
               we
               to
               the
               New
               Testament
               ;
               
                 Luke
                 14.
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 They
                 all
                 with
                 one
                 consent
                 began
                 to
                 make
                 excuse
                 :
                 The
                 first
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 bought
                 me
                 a
                 piece
                 of
                 Ground
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 must
                 go
                 to
                 see
                 it
                 ;
                 I
                 pray
                 thee
                 have
                 me
                 excused
                 .
                 And
                 another
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 bought
                 five
                 yoke
                 of
                 Oxen
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 go
                 to
                 prove
                 them
                 :
                 I
                 pray
                 thee
                 have
                 me
                 excused
                 .
                 And
                 another
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 married
                 a
                 Wife
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 come
                 .
              
               The
               meaning
               is
               ,
               Many
               were
               invited
               to
               everlasting
               Happiness
               ,
               but
               they
               preferred
               their
               designs
               of
               worldly
               advantages
               .
               Mark
               ,
               they
               do
               not
               absolutely
               deny
               ,
               but
               make
               excuse
               .
               Excuses
               are
               the
               fruit
               of
               the
               quarrel
               between
               Conviction
               and
               Corruption
               .
               They
               are
               convinced
               of
               better
               things
               ,
               but
               being
               prepossessed
               and
               biassed
               with
               worldly
               Inclinations
               ,
               they
               dare
               not
               fully
               yield
               ,
               nor
               flatly
               deny
               ;
               therefore
               they
               chose
               a
               middle
               course
               ,
               to
               make
               excuses
               .
               Doing
               is
               safe
               ,
               or
               preparing
               our selves
               to
               do
               ;
               but
               excusing
               is
               but
               a
               patch
               upon
               a
               filthy
               sore
               ,
               or
               a
               poor
               covering
               of
               Fig-leagues
               ,
               for
               a
               naughty
               Heart
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 The
                 usual
                 excuses
                 which
                 Sinners
                 may
                 ,
                 and
                 usually
                 do
                 allege
                 ,
                 are
                 these
                 four
                 .
              
               The
               
               Difficulty
               of
               Religion
               .
               The
               danger
               that
               attendeth
               it
               .
               Want
               of
               Time.
               And
               that
               they
               have
               no
               power
               or
               strength
               to
               do
               good
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               For
               the
               first
               ;
               'T
               is
               troublesome
               and
               tedious
               to
               Flesh
               and
               Blood
               to
               be
               held
               to
               so
               much
               Duty
               ,
               and
               to
               wean
               our
               Hearts
               from
               things
               we
               so
               dearly
               love
               ;
               and
               the
               World
               thinketh
               that
               we
               are
               too
               nice
               and
               precise
               to
               urge
               Men
               to
               such
               a
               strict
               and
               holy
               and
               heavenly
               Life
               ,
               and
               less
               ado
               will
               serve
               the
               turn
               .
            
             
               To
               this
               I
               answer
               ▪
            
             
               〈…〉
               
                 deligent
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 may
                 be
                 found
                 of
                 him
                 in
                 peace
                 without
                 spot
                 and
                 blameless
                 .
              
               And
               therefore
               if
               you
               cannot
               deny
               the
               ease
               and
               sloth
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               you
               are
               wholly
               unfit
               for
               the
               Work
               of
               Godliness
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               This
               Diligence
               is
               no
               more
               than
               needeth
               ,
               whatever
               the
               carnal
               World
               thinketh
               ,
               who
               leave
               the
               Boat
               to
               the
               Stream
               ,
               and
               hope
               to
               be
               accepted
               with
               God
               ,
               for
               a
               few
               cold
               and
               drowsy
               Devotions
               ,
               or
               some
               superficial
               Righteousness
               .
               A
               Painter-stainer
               ,
               will
               think
               a
               Painter-limner
               too
               curious
               ,
               because
               his
               own
               work
               is
               
               but
               a
               little
               daubing
               .
               The
               broad
               way
               pleaseth
               the
               World
               best
               ,
               but
               the
               narrow
               way
               leadeth
               to
               Life
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               This
               Diligence
               may
               be
               well
               afforded
               ,
               considering
               that
               eternal
               Life
               and
               Death
               is
               in
               the
               case
               .
               Life
               :
               Will
               you
               stop
               a
               Journey
               for
               your
               Lives
               ,
               because
               't
               is
               a
               little
               tedious
               ?
               or
               there
               is
               Dirt
               in
               the
               way
               ,
               or
               the
               Wind
               bloweth
               on
               you
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               ?
               Since
               't
               is
               for
               God
               and
               Heaven
               ,
               we
               should
               not
               grudg
               at
               a
               little
               labour
               ;
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 58.
                 
                 Therefore
                 be
                 ye
                 stedfast
                 ,
                 unmoveable
                 ,
                 always
                 abounding
                 in
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 forasmuch
                 as
                 ye
                 know
                 that
                 your
                 labour
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 vain
                 in
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               There
               is
               also
               Death
               in
               the
               case
               .
               Now
               which
               is
               better
               ,
               To
               take
               a
               little
               profitable
               pains
               in
               Godliness
               ,
               or
               to
               endure
               everlasting
               Torments
               ?
               to
               save
               a
               little
               labour
               or
               diligence
               in
               the
               holy
               Life
               ,
               and
               run
               the
               hazard
               of
               being
               miserable
               for
               ever
               ?
               Which
               is
               worst
               ,
               the
               trouble
               of
               Physick
               ,
               or
               the
               danger
               of
               a
               mortal
               Disease
               ?
            
             
               2.
               
               Another
               Excuse
               is
               ,
               the
               Danger
               which
               attendeth
               it
               .
               It
               may
               expose
               you
               to
               great
               Troubles
               to
               own
               God
               and
               Religion
               heartily
               :
               And
               if
               there
               be
               Peace
               abroad
               ,
               and
               Magistrates
               countenan●●
               Religion
               ,
               yet
               many
               times
               at
               home
               a
               Man's
               greatest
               Foes
               
               may
               be
               those
               of
               his
               own
               Houshold
               ,
               Mat.
               10.
               36.
               
               But
               for
               the
               pleasing
               or
               displeasing
               of
               your
               Relations
               ,
               you
               must
               not
               neglect
               your
               Duty
               to
               God
               ;
               as
               Ierom
               to
               
                 Helidorus
                 ;
                 Per
                 calcatum
                 perge
                 Patrem
              
               ;
               If
               thy
               Father
               lie
               in
               the
               way
               ,
               tread
               upon
               his
               Bowels
               rather
               than
               not
               come
               unto
               Christ.
               Our
               Lord
               hath
               expresly
               told
               us
               ,
               
                 Mat.
                 10.
                 37.
                 
                 He
                 that
                 loveth
                 Father
                 or
                 Mother
                 more
                 than
                 me
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 worthy
                 of
                 me
                 .
              
               Neither
               favour
               nor
               disfavour
               of
               our
               Friends
               ,
               is
               a
               just
               lett
               or
               impediment
               to
               our
               Duty
               :
               The
               Advantages
               we
               can
               ,
               or
               are
               likely
               to
               receive
               from
               Parents
               ,
               are
               not
               worthy
               to
               be
               compared
               with
               those
               we
               expect
               from
               God
               ;
               nor
               is
               their
               Authority
               over
               us
               so
               great
               as
               God's
               is
               ;
               Luke
               14.
               26.
               
               
                 If
                 any
                 Man
                 come
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 hate
                 not
                 his
                 Father
                 or
                 Mother
                 ,
                 and
                 Wife
                 ,
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Brethren
                 and
                 Sisters
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 Life
                 also
                 ,
                 he
                 cannot
                 be
                 my
                 Disciple
                 .
              
               Though
               Christianity
               doth
               not
               discharge
               us
               from
               obedience
               to
               Parents
               ,
               yet
               the
               higher
               Duty
               must
               be
               preferred
               ,
               namely
               obedience
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               loving
               less
               is
               hating
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Another
               excuse
               is
               ,
               I
               have
               no
               time
               to
               mind
               Soul-affairs
               .
               My
               distractions
               in
               the
               World
               are
               so
               great
               ,
               and
               my
               course
               of
               life
               is
               such
               ,
               that
               I
               have
               no
               leisure
               .
               I
               answer
               ,
               
               Will
               you
               neglect
               God
               and
               Salvation
               ,
               because
               you
               have
               worldly
               things
               to
               mind
               ?
               Whatever
               your
               business
               be
               ,
               you
               have
               a
               time
               to
               eat
               ,
               and
               drink
               ,
               and
               sleep
               ;
               and
               have
               you
               no
               time
               to
               be
               saved
               ?
               Better
               incroach
               upon
               other
               things
               ,
               than
               that
               Religion
               should
               be
               cast
               to
               the
               Walls
               ,
               or
               justled
               out
               of
               your
               thoughts
               .
               David
               was
               a
               King
               ,
               and
               he
               had
               more
               distracting
               cares
               than
               most
               of
               us
               have
               ,
               or
               can
               have
               ;
               yet
               he
               saith
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 147
                 ,
                 148.
                 
                 I
                 prevented
                 the
                 dawning
                 of
                 the
                 Morning
                 ;
                 and
                 cried
                 ,
                 I
                 hoped
                 in
                 thy
                 Word
                 .
                 Mine
                 Eyes
                 prevent
                 the
                 Night-watches
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 meditate
                 in
                 thy
                 Word
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               v.
               164.
               
               
                 S●ven
                 times
                 a
                 day
                 do
                 I
                 praise
                 thee
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 thy
                 Righteous
                 Iudgments
                 .
              
               Do
               you
               spend
               no
               time
               in
               idleness
               ▪
               vain
               talking
               ,
               and
               carnal
               sports
               ?
               and
               might
               not
               this
               be
               better
               employed
               about
               heavenly
               things
               ?
               Ephes.
               5.
               15
               ,
               16.
               
               
                 See
                 then
                 that
                 ●e
                 walk
                 circumspectly
                 ,
                 not
                 as
                 Fools
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 Wise
                 ,
                 redeeming
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 days
                 ar●
                 evil
                 .
                 Vitam
                 non
                 accipimus
                 brevem
                 ,
                 sed
                 fecimus
                 ,
                 nec
                 inopes
                 temporis
                 ,
                 sed
                 prodigi
                 sumus
                 .
              
               God
               hath
               not
               s●t
               you
               about
               Work
               that
               he
               alloweth
               you
               no
               time
               for
               ;
               but
               we
               waste
               our
               time
               ,
               and
               then
               God
               is
               straitned
               .
               Many
               poorer
               than
               you
               
               have
               time
               ,
               because
               they
               have
               an
               heart
               and
               will
               to
               improve
               it
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               I
               have
               no
               power
               or
               strength
               to
               do
               good
               ;
               And
               what
               will
               you
               have
               us
               do
               ?
               This
               is
               the
               excuse
               of
               the
               idle
               and
               naughty
               Servant
               ;
               Mat.
               25.
               24.
               
               
                 I
                 knew
                 that
                 thou
                 wert
                 an
                 hard
                 Man
                 ,
                 reaping
                 where
                 thou
                 hast
                 not
                 sowen
                 ,
                 and
                 gathering
                 where
                 thou
                 hast
                 not
                 strawed
                 .
              
               God
               sets
               you
               about
               work
               ,
               but
               giveth
               you
               no
               strength
               ,
               is
               your
               ●xcuse
               :
               but
               certainly
               you
               can
               do
               more
               than
               you
               do
               ,
               but
               you
               will
               not
               make
               trial
               .
               God
               may
               be
               more
               ready
               with
               the
               assistances
               of
               his
               Grace
               thau
               you
               can
               imagine
               .
               The
               tired
               Man
               may
               complain
               of
               the
               length
               of
               the
               way
               ,
               but
               not
               the
               lazy
               ,
               who
               will
               not
               stir
               a
               foot
               .
               If
               you
               did
               make
               trial
               ,
               you
               would
               not
               complain
               of
               God
               ,
               but
               your selves
               ,
               and
               beg
               Grace
               more
               f●●lingly
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               you
               are
               not
               able
               ,
               because
               you
               are
               not
               willing
               .
               And
               your
               impotency
               is
               increased
               by
               evil
               habits
               contracted
               ,
               and
               long
               custom
               in
               Sin.
               
            
             
               I
               now
               proceed
               to
               the
               fourth
               Consideration
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               None
               of
               these
               Excuses
               are
               sufficient
               for
               not
               following
               of
               Christ.
               
                 And
                 that
              
               ,
            
             
             
               1.
               
               Because
               of
               his
               Authority
               .
               Who
               requireth
               this
               Duty
               from
               us
               ,
               or
               imposeth
               it
               on
               us
               ?
               'T
               is
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               to
               whose
               Sentence
               we
               must
               stand
               or
               fall
               .
               When
               he
               biddeth
               us
               follow
               him
               ,
               and
               follow
               him
               speedily
               ;
               to
               excuse
               our selves
               ,
               is
               to
               countermand
               and
               contradict
               his
               Authority
               :
               'T
               is
               flat
               disobedience
               ,
               though
               we
               do
               not
               deny
               the
               Duty
               ,
               but
               only
               shift
               off
               and
               excuse
               our
               present
               complyance
               .
               For
               he
               is
               as
               peremptory
               for
               the
               Time
               and
               Season
               ,
               as
               for
               the
               Duty
               .
               
                 Now
                 while
                 't
                 is
                 called
                 to
                 day
                 ,
                 harden
                 not
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
              
               Heb.
               3.
               7
               ,
               8.
               
               God
               standeth
               upon
               his
               Authority
               ,
               and
               will
               have
               a
               present
               Answer
               .
               If
               he
               say
               ,
               To
               day
               ,
               't
               is
               flat
               disobedience
               for
               us
               to
               say
               ,
               To
               morrow
               ;
               or
               suffer
               me
               ●irst
               to
               do
               this
               and
               that
               business
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               appeareth
               from
               his
               Charge
               to
               his
               Messengers
               .
               Nothing
               can
               take
               off
               a
               Minister
               of
               the
               Gospel
               from
               seeking
               the
               Conversion
               and
               Salvation
               of
               Souls
               .
               We
               cannot
               plead
               any
               thing
               to
               exempt
               us
               from
               this
               Work
               :
               to
               plead
               that
               the
               Peoples
               hearts
               are
               hard
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               Work
               is
               difficult
               and
               full
               of
               danger
               ,
               will
               not
               serve
               the
               turn
               ;
               no
               ,
               
                 Their
                 Blood
                 will
                 I
                 require
                 at
                 thy
                 hands
                 .
              
               Therefore
               all
               excuses
               set
               aside
               ,
               we
               must
               address
               our selves
               to
               our
               work
               .
               
               Acts
               20.
               23
               ,
               24.
               
               Paul
               went
               bound
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ;
               and
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               had
               told
               him
               ,
               that
               in
               every
               City
               Bonds
               and
               Afflictions
               did
               abide
               and
               wait
               for
               him
               :
               But
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 None
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 move
                 me
                 ,
                 neither
                 count
                 I
                 my
                 Life
                 dear
                 to
                 my self
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 I
                 may
                 finish
                 my
                 course
                 with
                 joy
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Ministry
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 received
                 of
                 my
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 to
                 testify
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God.
              
               He
               was
               willing
               and
               ready
               to
               endure
               what
               should
               befal
               him
               at
               Ierusalem
               ,
               and
               reckoned
               nothing
               of
               it
               ,
               nor
               of
               loss
               of
               Life
               ,
               if
               he
               might
               successfully
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               serve
               Christ
               faithfully
               in
               the
               Office
               of
               the
               Ministry
               .
               If
               nothing
               be
               an
               excuse
               to
               us
               ,
               can
               any
               thing
               be
               an
               excuse
               to
               you
               ?
               Should
               your
               Souls
               be
               nearer
               and
               dearer
               to
               us
               than
               to
               your selves
               ?
            
             
               3.
               
               It
               appeareth
               from
               the
               matter
               of
               the
               Duty
               imposed
               on
               you
               :
               If
               you
               consider
               ,
               the
               Excellency
               ,
               and
               the
               Nececessity
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               To
               begin
               first
               ,
               the
               Excellency
               .
               All
               Ex●uses
               against
               Obedience
               to
               God's
               Call
               ,
               are
               〈◊〉
               from
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               things
               〈…〉
               in
               the
               World.
               Now
               there
               is
               no
               〈…〉
               between
               the
               things
               of
               the
               〈…〉
               following
               Christ's
               Counsel
               ,
               〈…〉
               ●verlastingly
               happ●
               .
               The
               
               Question
               will
               soon
               be
               reduced
               to
               this
               ,
               Which
               is
               most
               to
               be
               regarded
               ,
               God
               or
               the
               Creature
               ,
               the
               Body
               or
               the
               Soul
               ,
               Eternity
               or
               Time
               ?
               The
               Excuses
               are
               for
               the
               Body
               ,
               for
               Time
               ,
               for
               the
               Creature
               ;
               but
               the
               Injunctions
               of
               Duty
               are
               for
               God
               ,
               for
               the
               Soul
               ,
               and
               for
               Eternity
               .
               Sense
               saith
               ,
               Favour
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               Faith
               saith
               ,
               Save
               thy
               Soul
               :
               The
               one
               is
               of
               everlasting
               Consequence
               ,
               and
               conduceth
               to
               an
               happiness
               that
               hath
               no
               end
               ;
               the
               other
               only
               for
               a
               time
               .
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               18.
               
               
                 While
                 we
                 look
                 not
                 at
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 seen
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 seen
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 seen
                 ,
                 are
                 temporal
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
                 are
                 eternal
                 .
              
               One
               turn
               of
               the
               Hand
               of
               God
               ,
               separateth
               the
               neglected
               Soul
               from
               the
               pampered
               Body
               :
               And
               then
               whose
               are
               all
               these
               things
               ?
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Necessity
               ;
               that
               we
               may
               please
               God
               ,
               and
               enjoy
               him
               for
               ever
               .
               We
               can
               never
               plead
               for
               a
               necessity
               of
               sinning
               ,
               for
               a
               Man
               is
               never
               driven
               to
               those
               streights
               ,
               whether
               he
               shall
               sin
               more
               or
               less
               ;
               but
               sometimes
               Duties
               come
               in
               competition
               ,
               Duty
               to
               a
               Father
               ,
               and
               a
               special
               injunction
               of
               Christ's
               to
               follow
               him
               :
               One
               must
               be
               subordinated
               to
               the
               other
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               necessary
               must
               take
               place
               ;
               the
               less
               give
               
               place
               to
               the
               greater
               .
               Now
               this
               is
               much
               more
               true
               of
               those
               things
               which
               are
               usually
               pleaded
               by
               way
               of
               hesistancy
               ,
               or
               as
               a
               bar
               to
               our
               Duty
               ;
               as
               our
               worldly
               and
               carnal
               satisfactions
               .
               But
               you
               will
               say
               ,
               We
               must
               avoid
               poverty
               and
               shame
               .
               But
               it
               is
               more
               necessary
               to
               avoid
               damnation
               .
               Not
               to
               preserve
               our
               temporal
               Interests
               ,
               but
               to
               seek
               after
               eternal
               Life
               ;
               Luke
               10.
               42.
               
               
                 One
                 thing
                 is
                 necessary
              
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               It
               appeareth
               from
               the
               nature
               of
               the
               Work.
               To
               follow
               Christ
               ,
               is
               not
               to
               give
               to
               him
               as
               much
               as
               the
               Flesh
               can
               spare
               ,
               but
               wholly
               to
               devote
               your selves
               to
               his
               Service
               ,
               to
               sell
               all
               for
               the
               Pearl
               of
               great
               price
               ,
               Mat.
               13.
               46.
               
               And
               you
               are
               obliged
               to
               walk
               so
               ,
               that
               all
               may
               give
               way
               to
               the
               Glory
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Service
               of
               your
               Redeemer
               .
               If
               he
               will
               imploy
               us
               thus
               and
               thus
               ,
               we
               must
               not
               contradict
               it
               ,
               or
               please
               any
               thing
               by
               way
               of
               excuse
               .
            
             
               Vse
               .
               Do
               not
               neglect
               your
               Duty
               for
               vain
               Excus●s
               .
               The
               excusing
               humour
               is
               very
               rife
               ,
               and
               very
               prejudicial
               to
               us
               ,
               for
               the
               Sluggard
               hath
               an
               high
               conceit
               of
               his
               own
               Allegations
               :
               Prov.
               26.
               16.
               
               
                 The
                 Sluggard
                 is
                 wiser
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 conceit
                 ,
                 than
                 seven
              
               Men
               
                 that
                 can
                 r●nder
                 a
                 reason
              
               .
               In
               the
               Eastern
               
               Countries
               their
               Counsel
               usually
               consisted
               of
               seven
               ;
               as
               we
               read
               of
               the
               seven
               Princes
               of
               Media
               and
               Persia
               ,
               Esther
               1.
               14.
               
               Therefore
               let
               us
               a
               little
               disprove
               this
               vain
               conceit
               .
               The
               Sluggard
               thinketh
               himself
               so
               wise
               ,
               that
               all
               others
               are
               but
               giddy
               and
               ●raisy-brain'd
               People
               ,
               that
               are
               too
               nice
               and
               scrupulous
               ,
               and
               make
               more
               ado
               with
               Religion
               than
               needeth
               :
               But
               can
               a
               Man
               do
               too
               much
               for
               God
               and
               Heaven
               ?
               1
               Thess.
               2.
               12.
               
               The
               Sluggard
               thinketh
               't
               is
               a
               venture
               ,
               and
               he
               may
               venture
               on
               one
               side
               as
               well
               as
               the
               other
               ;
               but
               't
               is
               a
               thousand
               to
               one
               against
               him
               in
               the
               eye
               of
               Reason
               ,
               put
               aside
               Faith
               :
               in
               doubtful
               Cases
               ,
               the
               surest
               way
               is
               to
               be
               taken
               .
               But
               to
               draw
               it
               to
               a
               more
               certain
               determination
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Nothing
               is
               a
               reasonable
               excuse
               which
               God's
               Word
               disproveth
               :
               for
               the
               Scriptures
               were
               penned
               to
               discover
               the
               vain
               Sophisms
               which
               are
               in
               the
               Hearts
               of
               Men.
               
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 12.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 quick
                 and
                 powerful
                 ,
                 and
                 sharper
                 than
                 any
                 two-edged
                 Sword
                 ,
                 piercing
                 even
                 to
                 the
                 dividing
                 asunder
                 of
                 Soul
                 and
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Ioints
                 and
                 Marrow
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 a
                 discerner
                 of
                 the
                 Thoughts
                 and
                 Intents
                 of
                 the
                 Heart
                 .
              
               To
               discover
               the
               Affections
               of
               a
               sensual
               Heart
               ,
               however
               palliated
               with
               the
               pretences
               of
               a
               crafty
               
               Understanding
               .
               Certainly
               our
               private
               Conceits
               must
               not
               be
               lifted
               up
               against
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               God
               ,
               nor
               can
               a
               Creature
               be
               justified
               in
               going
               against
               his
               Maker's
               Will.
               Nothing
               can
               be
               Reason
               ,
               which
               the
               God
               of
               Wisdom
               contradicts
               and
               calleth
               Folly
               ;
               Jer.
               8.
               9.
               
               
                 Lo
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 rejected
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 Wisdom
                 is
                 in
                 them
                 ?
              
            
             
               2.
               
               Nothing
               can
               be
               pleaded
               as
               a
               reasonable
               Excuse
               ,
               which
               your
               Consciences
               are
               not
               satisfied
               is
               Reason
               .
               Men
               consult
               with
               their
               Affections
               ,
               rather
               than
               with
               their
               Consciences
               .
               Conscience
               would
               draw
               other
               Conclusions
               ,
               therefore
               our
               Excuses
               are
               usually
               our
               Aggravations
               :
               
                 Luk.
                 19.
                 22.
                 
                 Out
                 of
                 thy
                 own
                 mouth
                 will
                 I
                 judg
                 thee
                 ,
                 thou
                 wicked
                 Servant
                 .
              
               The
               Master
               expected
               increase
               ,
               therefore
               he
               should
               have
               done
               what
               he
               could
               ;
               Job
               15.
               6.
               
               
                 Thine
                 own
                 Mouth
                 condemneth
                 thee
                 ;
                 —
                 yea
                 ,
                 thine
                 own
                 Lips
                 testify
                 against
                 thee
                 .
              
               That
               's
               the
               strongest
               Conviction
               which
               ariseth
               from
               a
               Man
               's
               own
               Bosom
               ;
               that
               's
               the
               reason
               why
               there
               are
               so
               many
               Appeals
               to
               Conscience
               in
               Scripture
               ;
               1
               Cor.
               10.
               15.
               
               
                 I
                 speak
                 as
                 to
                 wise
                 Men
                 ,
                 judg
                 ye
                 what
                 I
                 say
                 .
              
               Your
               own
               Hearts
               tell
               you
               ,
               ye
               ought
               to
               be
               better
               ;
               to
               mind
               God
               more
               ,
               and
               the
               World
               less
               ;
               
               to
               be
               more
               serious
               in
               preparing
               for
               your
               eternal
               estate
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Nothing
               can
               be
               a
               reasonable
               Excuse
               which
               reflects
               upon
               God
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               had
               made
               an
               hard
               Law
               which
               none
               can
               keep
               ;
               especially
               if
               urged
               against
               the
               Law
               of
               Grace
               :
               This
               is
               to
               say
               ,
               the
               Ways
               of
               God
               are
               not
               equal
               ;
               therefore
               there
               can
               be
               no
               excuse
               for
               the
               total
               omission
               of
               necessary
               Duties
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               No
               Excuse
               can
               be
               reasonable
               ,
               but
               what
               you
               dare
               plead
               at
               the
               Bar
               of
               Christ
               :
               for
               that
               is
               Reason
               ,
               which
               will
               go
               for
               Reason
               at
               last
               .
               Then
               the
               weight
               of
               all
               Pleas
               will
               be
               considered
               ,
               and
               all
               negligent
               Persons
               that
               have
               not
               improved
               the
               Light
               of
               Nature
               ,
               or
               have
               not
               obeyed
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               will
               be
               left
               without
               excuse
               .
               What
               doth
               it
               avail
               Prisoners
               to
               set
               up
               a
               Mock-Sessions
               among
               themselves
               to
               acquit
               one
               ,
               and
               condemn
               another
               ?
               He
               is
               in
               a
               good
               condition
               that
               shall
               be
               excused
               in
               the
               last
               Judgment
               ,
               and
               in
               a
               bad
               condition
               that
               shall
               be
               condemned
               then
               .
            
             
               I
               now
               proceed
               to
               the
               second
               Point
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               
                 That
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 called
                 to
                 follow
                 Christ
                 ,
                 should
                 follow
                 him
                 speedily
                 ,
                 without
                 interposing
                 any
                 delays
                 .
              
            
             
             
               Consider
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               Ready
               Obedience
               ,
               is
               a
               good
               evidence
               of
               a
               sound
               Impression
               of
               Grace
               left
               upon
               our
               Hearts
               .
               There
               is
               slighter
               Conviction
               ,
               which
               breedeth
               a
               sense
               of
               our
               Duty
               ,
               but
               doth
               not
               so
               strongly
               urge
               us
               to
               the
               performance
               of
               it
               .
               And
               there
               is
               a
               more
               sound
               Conviction
               ,
               which
               is
               accompanied
               with
               a
               prevailing
               efficacy
               ,
               and
               then
               all
               Excuses
               and
               Delays
               are
               laid
               aside
               ,
               and
               Men
               kindly
               comply
               with
               God's
               Call.
               
                 Cant.
                 1.
                 4.
                 
                 Draw
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 run
                 after
                 thee
                 ,
                 Run
              
               ;
               It
               noteth
               an
               earnest
               and
               speedy
               motion
               ;
               the
               Fruit
               of
               the
               powerful
               attraction
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ;
               Mat.
               4.
               20.
               
               
                 They
                 straightway
                 left
                 their
                 N●ts
                 ,
                 and
                 followed
                 him
                 .
              
               The
               scoffing
               atheistical
               World
               ,
               thinketh
               it
               easiness
               and
               fond
               credulity
               :
               but
               it
               argu●th
               a
               sound
               Impression
               .
               The
               impulsions
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               work
               in
               an
               instant
               ,
               for
               they
               carry
               their
               own
               evidence
               with
               them
               :
               
                 Gal.
                 1.
                 11.
                 
                 Immediatly
                 I
                 consulted
                 not
                 with
                 Flesh
                 and
                 Blood.
                 In
                 Divinis
                 ,
                 non
                 est
                 deliberandum
                 .
              
               When
               our
               Call
               is
               clear
               ,
               there
               needeth
               no
               debate
               or
               demurring
               upon
               the
               Matter
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Work
               goeth
               on
               the
               more
               kindly
               ,
               when
               we
               speedily
               obey
               the
               sanctifying
               motions
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               the
               present
               influence
               
               and
               impulsion
               of
               his
               Grace
               .
               You
               have
               not
               such
               an
               advantage
               of
               a
               warm
               conviction
               afterward
               :
               When
               the
               Waters
               are
               stirred
               ,
               then
               we
               must
               put
               in
               for
               a
               cure
               ,
               Iohn
               5.
               4.
               
               To
               adjourn
               and
               put
               it
               off
               as
               Foelix
               did
               ,
               Acts
               24.
               15.
               doth
               damp
               and
               cool
               the
               Work
               ,
               you
               quench
               this
               holy
               Fire
               ;
               or
               to
               stand
               hucking
               with
               God
               ,
               as
               Pharaoh
               did
               ,
               the
               Work
               dieth
               on
               your
               hand
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               There
               is
               hazard
               in
               delaying
               and
               putting
               off
               such
               a
               business
               of
               concernment
               ,
               as
               Conversion
               to
               God.
               Certainly
               this
               is
               a
               business
               of
               the
               greatest
               concernment
               ,
               and
               the
               greatest
               Work
               should
               be
               first
               thought
               of
               :
               [
               Mat.
               6.
               33.
               
               
                 Seek
                 first
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 thereof
                 .
                 ]
              
               and
               most
               thought
               of
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 27.
                 4.
                 
                 One
                 thing
                 have
                 I
                 desired
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 I
                 seek
                 after
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 dwell
                 in
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Now
               if
               we
               delay
               ,
               it
               is
               left
               upon
               great
               hazards
               .
               Life
               is
               uncertain
               ,
               for
               you
               know
               not
               what
               a
               day
               may
               bring
               forth
               ;
               Prov.
               27.
               1.
               
               
                 Boast
                 not
                 thy
                 s●lf
                 of
                 to
                 morrow
                 ;
                 for
                 thou
                 knowest
                 not
                 what
                 a
                 day
                 may
                 bring
                 forth
                 .
              
               If
               God
               had
               given
               leave
               ,
               (
               as
               Princes
               sometimes
               in
               a
               Proclamation
               ,
               for
               all
               to
               come
               in
               within
               a
               certain
               day
               )
               ;
               so
               if
               God
               had
               said
               ,
               Whosoever
               doth
               not
               repent
               till
               thirty
               of
               forty
               
               Years
               be
               out
               ,
               there
               were
               no
               great
               hazard
               till
               the
               time
               were
               expired
               ;
               we
               might
               entertain
               Sin
               a
               little
               while
               longer
               :
               But
               we
               know
               not
               the
               day
               of
               our
               death
               ,
               therefore
               we
               should
               get
               God
               to
               bless
               us
               er'e
               we
               die
               .
               A
               new
               Call
               is
               uncertain
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               6.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               It
               may
               be
               he
               will
               treat
               with
               us
               no
               more
               in
               such
               a
               warm
               and
               affectionate
               manner
               .
               If
               he
               call
               ,
               yet
               not
               vouchsafe
               such
               assistances
               of
               his
               Grace
               ,
               if
               peradventure
               God
               will
               give
               them
               repentance
               unto
               Life
               ,
               2
               Tim.
               2.
               25.
               
               'T
               is
               an
               hazard
               or
               uncertain
               ,
               if
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               will
               put
               another
               thought
               of
               turning
               into
               your
               hearts
               ,
               when
               former
               Grace
               is
               despised
               .
               Isa.
               55.
               6.
               
               
                 Call
                 upon
                 the
                 Lord
                 while
                 he
                 is
                 near
                 ,
                 and
                 seek
                 him
                 while
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 found
                 .
              
            
             
               4.
               
               Consider
               the
               mischiefs
               of
               delaying
               ;
               every
               day
               we
               contract
               a
               greater
               indisposition
               of
               embracing
               God's
               Call.
               We
               complain
               now
               't
               is
               hard
               :
               if
               it
               be
               hard
               to
               day
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               harder
               to
               morrow
               ,
               when
               God
               is
               more
               provoked
               ,
               and
               Sin
               more
               strengthned
               ,
               Ier.
               13.
               23.
               
               Yea
               ,
               it
               may
               be
               ,
               our
               natural
               Faculties
               are
               decayed
               ,
               the
               vigor
               of
               our
               Youth
               exhausted
               .
               When
               the
               tackling
               is
               spoiled
               ,
               and
               the
               Ship
               rotten
               ,
               it
               is
               an
               ill
               time
               to
               put
               to
               Sea.
               
                 Eccles.
                 12.
                 1.
                 
                 Remember
                 now
                 thy
                 Creator
                 in
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 
                 thy
                 Youth
                 .
              
               And
               besides
               ,
               consider
               the
               suspicion
               that
               is
               upon
               a
               late
               Repentance
               .
               The
               most
               prophane
               would
               have
               God
               for
               their
               portion
               at
               last
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               The
               Reasons
               for
               delay
               are
               inconsiderable
               .
               Suppose
               it
               be
               our
               satisfaction
               in
               our
               present
               estate
               .
               The
               Pleasures
               of
               Sin
               are
               sweet
               ,
               and
               we
               are
               loth
               to
               forgo
               them
               ;
               but
               those
               Pleasures
               must
               one
               day
               be
               renounced
               ,
               or
               you
               are
               for
               ever
               miserable
               ;
               Why
               not
               now
               ?
               Sin
               will
               be
               as
               sweet
               to
               the
               carnal
               Appetite
               hereafter
               as
               now
               it
               is
               ;
               and
               Salvation
               is
               dispensed
               upon
               the
               same
               terms
               ;
               you
               cannot
               be
               saved
               hereafter
               with
               less
               ado
               ,
               or
               bring
               down
               Christ
               and
               Heaven
               to
               a
               lower
               rate
               .
               If
               this
               be
               a
               Reason
               now
               ,
               it
               will
               for
               ever
               lie
               as
               a
               Reason
               against
               Christ
               ,
               and
               against
               Conversion
               .
               The
               Laws
               of
               Christianity
               are
               unalterable
               ,
               always
               the
               same
               ,
               and
               your
               Hearts
               not
               like
               to
               be
               better
               .
               Or
               is
               it
               ,
               That
               you
               are
               willing
               now
               ,
               but
               you
               have
               no
               leasure
               ;
               when
               such
               encumbrances
               are
               over
               ,
               you
               shall
               get
               your
               Hearts
               into
               a
               better
               posture
               !
               Oh
               no
               ,
               't
               is
               hypocrisy
               to
               think
               you
               are
               willing
               ,
               when
               you
               delay
               .
               Nothing
               now
               hindreth
               ,
               but
               a
               want
               of
               Will
               ;
               and
               when
               God
               treateth
               with
               thee
               about
               thine
               eternal
               Peace
               ,
               it
               is
               the
               best
               time
               ;
               but
               God
               
               always
               cometh
               to
               the
               Sinner
               unseasonably
               in
               his
               own
               account
               .
               But
               consider
               ,
               it
               was
               the
               Devil
               that
               said
               ,
               
                 Mat.
                 8.
                 29.
                 
                 Art
                 thou
                 come
                 hither
                 to
                 torment
                 us
                 before
                 the
                 time
                 ?
              
            
             
               The
               Vse
               is
               ,
               1.
               
               To
               reprove
               that
               dallying
               with
               God
               in
               the
               Work
               of
               Conversion
               ,
               which
               is
               so
               common
               and
               so
               natural
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               The
               Causes
               of
               it
               are
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               Unbelief
               ,
               or
               want
               of
               a
               due
               sense
               and
               sight
               of
               things
               to
               come
               .
               If
               Men
               were
               perswaded
               of
               eternal
               Life
               ,
               and
               eternal
               Death
               ;
               they
               would
               not
               stand
               hovering
               between
               Heaven
               and
               Hell
               ,
               but
               presently
               engage
               their
               Hearts
               to
               draw
               nigh
               to
               God
               :
               But
               we
               cannot
               see
               afar
               off
               ;
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               9.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 lacketh
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 is
                 blind
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 see
                 afar
                 off
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               Another
               cause
               is
               Security
               .
               They
               do
               not
               take
               these
               things
               into
               their
               serious
               thoughts
               .
               Faith
               sheweth
               't
               is
               sure
               ,
               and
               Consideration
               bringeth
               it
               near
               ;
               
                 Amos
                 6.
                 3.
                 
                 Ye
                 put
                 far
                 away
                 the
                 evil
                 day
                 .
              
               Things
               at
               a
               distance
               do
               not
               move
               us
               .
               We
               should
               pray
               ,
               and
               preach
               ,
               and
               practise
               ,
               as
               if
               Death
               were
               at
               our
               backs
               .
               And
               remember
               ,
               that
               
               all
               our
               Security
               dependeth
               upon
               the
               slender
               Thread
               of
               a
               frail
               Life
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Another
               cause
               is
               ,
               Aversness
               of
               Heart
               ,
               they
               have
               no
               mind
               to
               these
               things
               ;
               
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 7.
                 
                 The
                 carnal
                 Mind
                 is
                 enmity
                 against
                 God.
              
               The
               Heart
               is
               inclined
               to
               worldly
               Vanities
               ,
               set
               against
               God
               and
               Godliness
               .
               Now
               let
               us
               consider
               the
               hainousness
               of
               this
               Sin.
               'T
               is
               ingratitude
               and
               unthankfulness
               for
               God's
               eternal
               Love
               ;
               
                 Psal.
                 103.
                 17.
                 
                 The
                 Mercy
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 from
                 everlasting
                 to
                 everlasting
                 upon
                 them
                 that
                 fear
                 him
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               also
               disingenuity
               ;
               we
               would
               be
               heard
               presently
               ;
               Psal.
               102.
               2.
               
               
                 Lord
                 ,
                 hear
                 me
                 speedily
              
               .
               To
               day
               is
               the
               season
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               to
               morrow
               of
               Duty
               .
               We
               are
               always
               in
               haste
               ,
               would
               have
               the
               Lord
               to
               tarry
               for
               our
               sinful
               leisure
               ,
               when
               we
               will
               not
               tarry
               his
               holy
               leisure
               .
               'T
               is
               also
               base
               Self-love
               ,
               we
               can
               be
               content
               to
               dishonour
               God
               longer
               ,
               provided
               at
               length
               we
               may
               be
               saved
               .
               Lastly
               ,
               It
               is
               great
               injustice
               to
               keep
               God
               out
               of
               his
               Right
               ,
               he
               hath
               been
               long
               enough
               kept
               out
               of
               his
               Right
               already
               ;
               1
               Pet.
               4.
               3.
               
               
                 The
                 time
                 past
                 of
                 our
                 Life
                 may
                 suffice
                 to
                 have
                 wrought
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 .
              
               Therefore
               let
               us
               no
               longer
               delay
               ,
               but
               speedily
               address
               our selves
               to
               entertain
               the
               Motions
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               Looking
               back
               ,
               ill
               becomes
               those
               that
               have
               set
               their
               face
               Heavenward
               .
            
             
               WE
               are
               now
               come
               to
               the
               third
               Instance
               ,
               wherein
               we
               are
               instructed
               how
               to
               avoid
               Miscarriages
               in
               following
               Christ.
               
            
             
               The
               first
               Instance
               teaches
               us
               to
               beware
               of
               hasty
               and
               hypocritical
               Profession
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Fruit
               of
               Resolution
               without
               Deliberation
               ,
               or
               sitting
               down
               and
               counting
               the
               Charges
               ;
               this
               was
               the
               fault
               of
               the
               Scribe
               .
            
             
               The
               second
               Instance
               cautioneth
               us
               against
               dilatory
               Shifts
               and
               Excuses
               .
               The
               most
               necessary
               Business
               must
               not
               be
               put
               off
               upon
               any
               pretence
               whatsoever
               .
            
             
               The
               third
               Instance
               forbiddeth
               all
               thoughts
               of
               compounding
               ,
               or
               hopes
               to
               have
               Christ
               and
               the
               World
               too
               .
               As
               this
               Man
               hoped
               first
               to
               secure
               his
               worldly
               Interest
               ,
               and
               then
               to
               follow
               Christ
               at
               leisure
               .
               Whether
               this
               Man
               were
               called
               ,
               or
               uncalled
               ,
               it
               appeareth
               not
               .
               'T
               is
               only
               said
               in
               the
               Text
               
                 [
                 Another
                 also
                 said
                 ]
              
               ;
               the
               middle
               
               Person
               was
               only
               called
               by
               Christ
               ;
               the
               other
               two
               offered
               themselves
               .
               The
               first
               was
               forward
               upon
               a
               mistaken
               Ground
               ,
               to
               share
               the
               Honours
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               the
               Messiah
               ,
               which
               he
               supposed
               to
               be
               Temporal
               .
               This
               last
               offereth
               himself
               ,
               but
               his
               Heart
               was
               not
               sufficiently
               loosned
               from
               the
               World.
               From
               both
               we
               see
               ,
               That
               
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 him
                 that
                 willeth
                 ,
                 nor
                 in
                 him
                 that
                 runneth
                 ,
                 but
                 God
                 that
                 sheweth
                 Mercy
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               7.
               16.
               
               For
               neither
               of
               those
               that
               offered
               themselves
               are
               accepted
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               words
               you
               may
               observe
               ;
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   His
                   Request
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Christ's
                   Answer
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               His
               Request
               .
               This
               third
               offereth
               himself
               to
               be
               a
               Disciple
               of
               Christ
               ;
               but
               with
               an
               Exception
               ,
               That
               he
               might
               take
               his
               farewel
               at
               home
               ,
               and
               dispose
               of
               his
               Estate
               there
               ,
               and
               so
               secure
               his
               wordly
               Interests
               .
               —
               
                 I
                 will
                 follow
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 let
                 me
                 bid
                 those
                 farewel
                 which
                 are
                 at
                 home
                 in
                 my
                 House
                 .
              
               You
               will
               say
               ,
               what
               harm
               is
               in
               this
               Request
               ?
               Elijah
               granted
               it
               to
               ●lisha
               ,
               1
               Kings
               19.
               21.
               
               When
               he
               had
               laid
               his
               Mantle
               on
               him
               ,
               thereby
               investing
               him
               in
               the
               Office
               of
               a
               
               Prophet
               .
               Elisha
               said
               ,
               
                 Let
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 pray
                 thee
                 ,
                 go
                 and
                 kiss
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Mother
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 I
                 will
                 follow
                 thee
                 .
              
               Which
               the
               Prophet
               grant●th
               ,
               and
               gave
               way
               to
               Elisha
               to
               go
               home
               and
               salute
               his
               Friends
               .
            
             
               I
               Answer
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Evangelical
               Ministry
               exceedeth
               the
               Prophetical
               ,
               both
               as
               to
               Excellency
               and
               Necessity
               ,
               and
               must
               be
               gone
               about
               speedily
               without
               any
               delay
               .
               The
               Harvest
               was
               great
               ,
               and
               such
               an
               extraordinary
               Work
               was
               not
               to
               be
               delayed
               nor
               interrupted
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               If
               two
               Men
               do
               the
               same
               thing
               ,
               it
               followeth
               not
               ,
               that
               they
               do
               it
               with
               the
               same
               mind
               .
               Things
               may
               be
               the
               same
               ,
               as
               to
               the
               substance
               or
               matter
               of
               the
               Action
               ,
               yet
               Circumstances
               may
               be
               different
               .
               Christ
               knew
               this
               Man's
               Heart
               ,
               and
               could
               interpret
               the
               meaning
               of
               his
               desire
               to
               go
               home
               first
               .
               He
               might
               make
               it
               a
               pretence
               to
               depart
               clean
               away
               from
               Christ.
               We
               cannot
               distinguish
               between
               the
               look
               of
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               the
               look
               of
               Lot.
               One
               is
               allowed
               ,
               the
               other
               forbidden
               .
               Abraham
               is
               allowed
               to
               look
               towards
               Sodom
               ,
               Gen.
               19.
               28.
               
               And
               Abraham
               
                 got
                 up
                 early
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 ,
                 and
                 looked
                 towards
              
               Sodom
               ,
               
                 and
                 beh●ld
                 the
                 smoke
                 of
                 the
                 Country
                 went
                 up
                 as
                 the
                 
                 smoke
                 of
                 a
                 ●urnace
                 .
              
               Yet
               Lot
               and
               his
               Family
               are
               forbidden
               to
               look
               that
               way
               ;
               Gen.
               19.
               17.
               
               
                 Look
                 not
                 ●ehind
                 thee
              
               .
               We
               cannot
               distinguish
               between
               the
               laughter
               of
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               the
               laughter
               of
               Sarah
               ;
               Gen.
               17.
               17.
               
               And
               Abraham
               
                 ●ell
                 upon
                 his
                 face
                 ,
                 and
                 laughed
                 ,
                 and
                 said
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 Shall
                 a
                 Child
                 be
                 born
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 is
                 an
                 hundred
                 years
                 old
                 ?
                 And
                 shall
              
               Sarah
               
                 that
                 is
                 ninety
                 years
                 old
                 ,
                 ●ear
                 ?
              
               Now
               compare
               Gen.
               18.
               12.
               
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               And
               Sarah
               
                 laughed
                 within
                 her self
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 After
                 I
                 am
                 waxed
                 old
                 ,
                 shall
                 I
                 have
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 my
                 Lord
                 also
                 being
                 old
                 ?
              
               Yet
               she
               is
               reproved
               ,
               
                 For
                 the
                 Lord
                 said
                 ,
                 Wherefore
                 did
              
               Sarah
               l●ugh
               ?
               The
               one
               was
               Joy
               and
               Reverence
               ,
               the
               other
               Unbelief
               and
               Contempt
               .
               We
               cannot
               distinguish
               between
               the
               Virgin
               Mary's
               Question
               ,
               
                 Luk.
                 1.
                 34.
                 
                 How
                 can
                 this
                 be
                 ?
              
               and
               the
               Question
               of
               Zachary
               ,
               Iohn's
               Father
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 1.
                 18.
                 
                 How
                 shall
                 I
                 know
                 this
                 ,
                 ●or
                 I
                 am
                 an
                 old
                 Man
                 ?
                 Mary
              
               was
               not
               reproved
               ,
               but
               he
               was
               struck
               dumb
               for
               that
               Spe●ch
               :
               But
               though
               we
               cannot
               distinguish
               ,
               God
               ,
               that
               knoweth
               the
               secrets
               of
               all
               hearts
               ,
               can
               distinguish
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Those
               that
               followed
               Christ
               on
               these
               extraordinary
               Calls
               ,
               were
               to
               leave
               all
               things
               they
               had
               ,
               without
               any
               farther
               care
               about
               them
               ;
               Matth.
               10.
               21.
               
               
                 S●ll
                 all
                 that
              
               
               t●ou
               hast
               ,
               and
               follow
               me
               ,
               and
               thou
               sha●t
               have
               Treasure
               in
               Heaven
               .
               So
               ,
               Mat.
               4.
               19
               ,
               20.
               
               He
               s●ith
               unto
               them
               ,
               Follow
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               make
               you
               Fishers
               of
               Men
               ;
               and
               they
               straitway
               left
               their
               Nets
               and
               followed
               him
               .
               So
               ,
               Matth.
               9.
               9.
               
               As
               Iesus
               passed
               forth
               from
               thence
               ,
               he
               saw
               a
               Man
               named
               Matthew
               ,
               sitting
               at
               the
               receipt
               of
               custom
               ;
               and
               he
               saith
               unto
               him
               ,
               Follow
               me
               .
               And
               he
               arose
               and
               followed
               him
               .
               
                 Therefore
                 it
                 was
                 preposterous
                 for
                 this
                 Man
                 to
                 desire
                 to
                 go
                 home
                 ,
                 to
                 order
                 and
                 dispose
                 of
                 his
                 Estate
                 and
                 Family
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 complied
                 with
                 his
                 Call.
                 
              
            
             
               4.
               
               In
               Resolution
               ,
               Estimation
               ,
               and
               Vow
               .
               The
               same
               is
               required
               of
               all
               Christians
               ,
               when
               Christ's
               Work
               calleth
               for
               it
               .
               
                 Luke
                 14.
                 33.
                 
                 So
                 likewise
                 whosoever
                 he
                 be
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 forsaketh
                 not
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 ,
                 he
                 cannot
                 be
                 my
                 Disciple
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               Christ's
               Answer
               .
               Which
               consists
               of
               a
               Similitude
               ,
               and
               its
               Interpretation
               joined
               together
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Metaphor
               or
               Similitude
               :
               Taken
               from
               Ploughmen
               ,
               who
               cannot
               make
               streight
               Furrows
               if
               they
               look
               back
               :
               So
               to
               look
               back
               ,
               after
               we
               have
               undertaken
               Christ's
               Yoke
               and
               Service
               ,
               rendreth
               us
               unfit
               for
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God.
               Putting
               
               our
               hands
               to
               the
               Plough
               ,
               is
               to
               undertake
               Christ's
               Work
               ,
               or
               to
               resolve
               to
               be
               his
               Disciples
               .
               Looking
               back
               ,
               noteth
               an
               hankring
               of
               Mind
               a●ter
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               also
               a
               return
               to
               the
               worldly
               Life
               .
               For
               ,
               first
               ,
               we
               look
               back
               ,
               and
               then
               we
               go
               back
               :
               First
               ,
               we
               have
               an
               over-valuing
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               then
               we
               return
               to
               the
               worldly
               Life
               .
            
             
               Doct.
               That
               looking
               back
               will
               not
               become
               those
               who
               have
               set
               their
               faces
               Heavenward
               .
            
             
               We
               have
               an
               Instance
               in
               the
               Text
               of
               a
               Man
               which
               pretended
               to
               follow
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               to
               set
               our
               Faces
               Heavenward
               ,
               (
               for
               we
               follow
               Christ
               ,
               first
               in
               Labour
               and
               Patience
               ,
               and
               then
               into
               Glory
               )
               :
               But
               he
               would
               look
               back
               ,
               and
               had
               many
               thoughts
               of
               what
               he
               had
               left
               at
               home
               :
               And
               he
               is
               pronounced
               un●it
               for
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               be
               a
               Disciple
               of
               Christ.
               And
               we
               have
               another
               Instance
               recommended
               to
               our
               Observation
               by
               our
               Lord
               himself
               .
               Luke
               17.
               32.
               
               Remember
               Lot'●
               Wi●e
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               remember
               her
               Sin
               ,
               and
               remember
               her
               Punishment
               :
               Both
               are
               taken
               notice
               of
               ,
               
                 Gen.
                 19.
                 17.
                 
                 But
                 his
                 Wi●e
                 looked
                 
                 back
                 from
                 be●ind
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 she
                 became
                 a
              
               〈…〉
               .
               There
               was
               a
               hankring
               of
               mind
               after
               what
               she
               had
               le●t
               in
               Sodom
               :
               She
               looked
               back
               ,
               because
               she
               had
               l●ft
               her
               〈…〉
            
             
               In
               〈…〉
               shew
               you
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Upon
                   what
                   〈◊〉
                   we
                   may
                   be
                   said
                   to
                   look
                   〈◊〉
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   〈…〉
                   those
                   that
                   ●●ve
                   put
                   their
                   〈◊〉
                   to
                   the
                   Plough
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               Upon
               what
               Occasio●s
               we
               may
               be
               〈◊〉
               to
               look
               back
               .
               A
               double
               pair
               I
               shall
               mention
               .
            
             
               The
               first
               sort
               of
               those
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               That
               pretend
               to
               follow
               Christ
               ,
               and
               yet
               their
               Hearts
               ha●ker
               after
               the
               World
               ;
               
               the
               Cares
               ,
               Pleasures
               ,
               and
               vain
               Pomp
               thereof
               .
               Certainly
               all
               that
               would
               follow
               Christ
               ,
               must
               renounce
               their
               worldly
               Affections
               and
               Inclinations
               ,
               or
               else
               they
               can
               make
               no
               work
               of
               Christianity
               .
               I
               prove
               it
               from
               the
               Nature
               of
               Conversion
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               turning
               from
               the
               Creature
               to
               God
               ,
               from
               self
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               from
               Sin
               to
               Holiness
               .
               The
               first
               is
               proper
               to
               our
               ●ase
               :
               As
               our
               degeneration
               was
               a
               falling
               from
               God
               to
               the
               Creature
               ,
               Ier.
               2.
               13.
               so
               our
               Regeneration
               is
               a
               turning
               from
               the
               Creature
               to
               God.
               If
               we
               leave
               the
               World
               unwillingly
               ,
               our
               dedication
               will
               soon
               come
               to
               nothing
               ,
               for
               then
               our
               Hearts
               are
               false
               with
               God
               in
               the
               very
               making
               of
               the
               Covenant
               .
               If
               we
               engaged
               our
               s●lves
               to
               God
               ,
               before
               the
               ●leshly
               Mind
               and
               Interest
               were
               never
               well
               conquered
               ;
               as
               we
               w●r●
               not
               well
               loosned
               from
               the
               World
               ,
               so
               not
               ●irmly
               ingaged
               to
               God
               ;
               and
               therefore
               when
               our
               Interest
               requires
               it
               ,
               we
               shall
               soon
               fors●ke
               God.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               When
               Men
               are
               discouraged
               in
               his
               Service
               by
               Troubles
               and
               Difficulties
               ;
               and
               so
               after
               a
               forward
               Profession
               ,
               all
               cometh
               to
               nothing
               .
               Heb.
               10.
               38.
               
               
                 If
                 any
                 M●n
                 draw
                 back
                 ,
                 my
                 Soul
                 shall
                 have
                 no
                 pleasure
                 in
              
               〈◊〉
               .
               The
               former
               is
               looking
               back
               ,
               and
               
               this
               is
               drawing
               back
               .
               The
               one
               ariseth
               out
               of
               the
               other
               ;
               all
               their
               former
               Zeal
               and
               Courage
               is
               lost
               ,
               they
               are
               affrighted
               and
               driven
               out
               of
               th●ir
               Profession
               ,
               and
               relapse
               into
               the
               Errors
               they
               have
               escaped
               :
               This
               is
               the
               first
               ●air
               .
               Once
               more
               ;
               The
               other
               pair
               i●
               this
               ;
            
             
               There
               is
               a
               looking
               back
               with
               respect
               to
               〈◊〉
               ;
               And
               a
               looking
               back
               with
               r●sp●ct
               to
               Vivification
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Wi●h
               respect
               to
               Mortification
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               first
               part
               of
               Conversion
               .
               So
               we
               must
               not
               look
               back
               ,
               or
               mind
               any
               thing
               behind
               us
               ,
               which
               may
               turn
               us
               back
               and
               stop
               us
               in
               our
               course
               .
               The
               World
               and
               the
               Flesh
               are
               the
               things
               behind
               us
               ;
               we
               turned
               our
               back
               upon
               them
               in
               Conversion
               when
               we
               turn●d
               to
               God.
               Grace
               〈…〉
               deny
               Ungodlin●ss
               and
               〈…〉
               ,
               T●tus
               2.
               12.
               
               It
               is
               the
               〈…〉
               doth
               call
               back
               our
               Thoughts
               ,
               〈…〉
               our
               Affections
               .
               The
               World
               that
               is
               an
               Enemy
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               our
               Religion
               ,
               Iames
               4.
               4.
               
               Therefore
               the
               World
               must
               be
               renounced
               ,
               and
               we
               must
               grow
               dead
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               alive
               to
               God
               :
               There
               is
               no
               halting
               between
               both
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               With
               respect
               to
               Vivification
               ,
               or
               progress
               in
               the
               Duties
               of
               the
               Holy
               and
               Heavenly
               Life
               .
               So
               the
               Apostle
               telleth
               us
               ,
               Phil.
               3.
               13.
               
               
                 But
                 this
                 one
                 thing
                 I
                 do
                 ,
                 forgetting
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 behind
                 ,
                 and
                 reaching
                 forth
                 unto
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 before
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Farther
               progress
               in
               Holiness
               ,
               is
               the
               one
               thing
               that
               we
               should
               mind
               ,
               and
               that
               above
               all
               other
               things
               .
               This
               is
               the
               
                 unum
                 necessarium
              
               ,
               Luke
               10.
               42.
               
               The
               Primum
               ,
               or
               Principium
               ;
               the
               one
               thing
               ,
               that
               is
               the
               main
               thing
               .
               Psal.
               27.
               4.
               
               
                 One
                 thing
                 have
                 I
                 desired
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 I
                 seek
                 after
                 .
              
               But
               how
               should
               we
               mind
               it
               ?
               Not
               looking
               to
               the
               things
               which
               are
               behind
               ,
               but
               looking
               to
               the
               things
               which
               are
               before
               .
               The
               things
               behind
               ,
               are
               our
               imperfect
               beginnings
               ,
               or
               so
               much
               of
               the
               race
               as
               we
               have
               overcome
               and
               got
               through
               .
               'T
               is
               the
               Sluggard's
               trick
               ,
               to
               consider
               how
               much
               of
               the
               Journey
               is
               past
               ,
               or
               how
               far
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               Racers
               are
               behind
               him
               .
               But
               he
               that
               sets
               heartily
               to
               his
               Business
               ,
               considers
               how
               much
               is
               before
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               get
               through
               the
               remainder
               of
               his
               Race
               ,
               and
               so
               obtain
               the
               Prize
               .
               The
               Things
               which
               are
               before
               us
               ,
               are
               God
               ,
               and
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               the
               remaining
               Duties
               of
               the
               Holy
               Life
               .
               These
               we
               should
               mind
               ,
               and
               not
               look
               back
               ,
               as
               satisfying
               
               our selves
               with
               what
               we
               have
               attained
               to
               already
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               How
               ill
               it
               becometh
               those
               that
               have
               put
               their
               hands
               to
               the
               Spiritual
               Plough
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               In
               respect
               of
               the
               Covenant
               into
               which
               they
               enter
               ,
               or
               the
               manner
               of
               entrance
               into
               it
               ;
               which
               is
               by
               a
               fixed
               ,
               unbounded
               resignation
               of
               themselves
               unto
               God.
               Till
               this
               be
               done
               ,
               we
               are
               but
               half
               Christians
               :
               As
               suppose
               we
               desire
               Privileges
               ,
               would
               have
               God
               to
               be
               our
               God
               ,
               but
               neglect
               Duties
               ,
               and
               are
               loth
               to
               become
               his
               People
               ;
               or
               ,
               suppose
               we
               see
               a
               necessity
               of
               that
               ,
               and
               so
               are
               in
               some
               measure
               willing
               to
               give
               up
               our selves
               to
               him
               :
               yet
               if
               our
               resolution
               be
               not
               ●ixed
               ,
               or
               be
               not
               unbounded
               without
               reserves
               ,
               and
               against
               all
               reserves
               ,
               the
               Covenant
               is
               not
               condescended
               unto
               ;
               we
               do
               nothing
               ,
               unless
               we
               do
               that
               which
               is
               farther
               required
               of
               us
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               If
               it
               be
               not
               fixed
               ,
               but
               wavering
               ,
               we
               do
               but
               treat
               ,
               we
               do
               not
               conclude
               and
               come
               to
               a
               full
               agre●ment
               with
               God.
               Acts
               11.
               23.
               
               
                 He
                 exhorted
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 with
                 full
                 purpose
                 of
                 Heart
                 they
                 would
                 cleave
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
              
               It
               implieth
               such
               a
               resolution
               as
               carrieth
               the
               force
               of
               a
               Principle
               .
               Agrippa
               was
               almost
               
               a
               Christian
               ,
               had
               some
               in●mouring
               and
               uncertain
               Inclinations
               ;
               Acts
               26.
               28.
               
               
                 Almost
                 thou
                 perswadest
                 me
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Christian.
              
               Christ
               is
               resolved
               to
               stick
               to
               his
               Servants
               ,
               and
               therefore
               he
               expects
               that
               they
               should
               be
               resolved
               to
               stick
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               If
               it
               be
               not
               unbounded
               ,
               reserving
               nothing
               ,
               but
               leaving
               all
               to
               Christ
               ,
               to
               be
               disposed
               of
               at
               his
               Will.
               Except
               but
               one
               thing
               ,
               and
               the
               Covenant
               is
               not
               fully
               concluded
               ,
               it
               sticketh
               at
               that
               Article
               :
               't
               is
               but
               hucking
               with
               God
               ,
               not
               agreeing
               with
               God
               :
               Resolving
               with
               reserves
               is
               no
               resolution
               at
               all
               .
               ●Tis
               but
               dealing
               like
               Ananias
               and
               Sapp●ir●
               ,
               giving
               something
               ,
               and
               keeping
               back
               the
               rest
               ,
               Acts
               5.
               
               Christ
               will
               have
               no
               Disciples
               which
               will
               not
               part
               with
               all
               .
               Nothing
               must
               be
               reserved
               ,
               neither
               Credit
               ,
               nor
               Life
               ,
               nor
               Estate
               ,
               Luke
               14.
               28.
               
               Now
               none
               of
               this
               can
               be
               as
               long
               as
               you
               look
               back
               ,
               or
               allow
               that
               ,
               that
               will
               tempt
               you
               to
               look
               back
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               till
               you
               be
               throughly
               loosned
               from
               the
               World
               ;
               for
               whilst
               the
               Heart
               cleaveth
               to
               any
               earthly
               thing
               ,
               your
               resolution
               is
               unfixed
               :
               They
               that
               only
               take
               Christ
               upon
               liking
               ,
               will
               soon
               be
               tempted
               to
               mislike
               him
               and
               his
               ways
               ;
               And
               your
               resolution
               is
               not
               unbounded
               ,
               whilst
               you
               set
               upon
               the
               Profession
               
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               yet
               keep
               the
               World
               ,
               or
               something
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               your
               Heart
               will
               ever
               and
               anon
               be
               seeking
               occasions
               to
               withdraw
               ;
               for
               you
               were
               false
               at
               heart
               at
               your
               first
               setting
               out
               ,
               and
               treacherous
               in
               the
               very
               making
               of
               your
               Covenant
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               With
               respect
               to
               the
               Duties
               of
               Christianity
               ;
               or
               that
               part
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               which
               concerneth
               your
               Obedience
               to
               him
               .
               You
               are
               never
               ●it
               for
               these
               ,
               while
               the
               Heart
               cleaveth
               to
               earthly
               things
               ;
               and
               you
               are
               still
               hankring
               after
               the
               World.
               
            
             
               A
               threefold
               Defect
               there
               will
               be
               in
               our
               Duties
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 They
                 will
                 be
                 unpleasant
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 They
                 will
                 be
                 inconstant
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Imperfect
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 degree
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 want
                 sincerity
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               Your
               Duty
               will
               be
               unpleasant
               to
               you
               ,
               so
               far
               as
               you
               are
               wordly
               and
               carnal
               ;
               so
               that
               you
               can
               never
               yield
               ch●arful
               and
               ready
               obedience
               to
               God.
               Certain
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               we
               must
               serve
               God
               ,
               and
               serve
               him
               with
               delight
               ;
               his
               Commandments
               should
               be
               kept
               ,
               and
               they
               should
               not
               be
               grievous
               to
               us
               ,
               1
               Ioh.
               5.
               3.
               
               Now
               what
               is
               the
               great
               Impediment
               ?
               Worldly
               Lusts
               are
               not
               throughly
               purged
               out
               of
               the
               heart
               ;
               for
               presently
               he
               addeth
               this
               reason
               ,
               
                 For
                 whatsoever
                 
                 is
                 born
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 overcometh
                 the
                 World.
              
               'T
               is
               an
               hard
               Heart
               maketh
               our
               work
               hard
               ;
               and
               the
               Heart
               is
               hard
               and
               unperswadable
               ,
               when
               our
               Affections
               are
               ingaged
               elsewhere
               .
               The
               readiness
               of
               our
               Obedience
               dependeth
               on
               the
               fervency
               of
               our
               Love
               ;
               the
               fervency
               of
               our
               Love
               ,
               on
               our
               victory
               over
               the
               World
               ;
               our
               victory
               over
               the
               World
               ,
               on
               the
               strength
               of
               our
               Faith
               ;
               the
               strength
               of
               our
               Faith
               ,
               on
               the
               certainty
               we
               have
               of
               the
               principal
               Object
               of
               our
               Faith
               ;
               the
               principal
               Object
               of
               our
               Faith
               is
               ,
               That
               Jesus
               is
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               whose
               Counsel
               we
               must
               take
               ,
               if
               we
               will
               be
               happy
               .
               And
               the
               evidence
               of
               that
               Principle
               ,
               is
               the
               double
               Testimony
               or
               Attestation
               given
               to
               him
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               or
               in
               the
               Heart
               of
               a
               Believer
               .
               Once
               settle
               in
               that
               ,
               that
               you
               can
               intirely
               trust
               your selves
               ,
               and
               all
               your
               Interests
               ,
               in
               the
               hands
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               all
               Duties
               will
               be
               easy
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               You
               will
               be
               inconstant
               in
               it
               ,
               and
               apt
               to
               be
               ens●ared
               again
               ,
               when
               you
               meet
               with
               Occasions
               and
               Temptations
               that
               suit
               with
               your
               Heart's
               Lusts.
               As
               the
               Israelites
               were
               drawn
               out
               of
               Egypt
               against
               their
               Wills.
               The
               Flesh●pots
               of
               Egypt
               were
               still
               in
               their
               minds
               ,
               and
               therefore
               were
               ready
               to
               make
               themselves
               a
               Captain
               ,
               and
               return
               again
               ,
               
               Numb
               .
               14.
               4.
               and
               
                 Iames
                 1.
                 8.
                 
                 A
                 double-minded
                 Man
                 is
                 unstable
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 ways
                 .
              
               Nothing
               will
               hold
               an
               unwilling
               Heart
               ;
               Demas
               had
               not
               quitted
               this
               hankring
               mind
               after
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               therefore
               it
               prevented
               him
               doing
               his
               Duty
               .
               2
               Tim.
               4.
               10.
               
               Demas
               
                 hath
                 forsaken
                 me
                 ,
                 having
                 loved
                 this
                 present
                 World.
              
               He
               left
               the
               Work
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               to
               mind
               his
               own
               privat
               Affairs
               .
               The
               love
               of
               Riches
               ,
               Pleasure
               ,
               Ease
               ,
               and
               Safety
               ,
               if
               they
               be
               not
               thorowly
               renounced
               ,
               will
               tempt
               us
               to
               a
               like
               revolt
               and
               neglect
               of
               God.
               Therefore
               to
               prevent
               it
               ,
               when
               we
               first
               put
               our
               hands
               to
               the
               Plough
               ,
               we
               must
               resolve
               to
               renounce
               the
               World.
               Psal.
               45.
               10.
               
               —
               
                 Forget
                 also
                 thine
                 own
                 People
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Father's
                 House
                 .
              
               Look
               back
               no
               more
               ;
               as
               long
               as
               we
               are
               intangled
               in
               our
               Lusts
               and
               Inticements
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               we
               are
               unmeet
               to
               serve
               God.
               Paul
               counted
               those
               things
               that
               were
               gain
               to
               him
               ,
               to
               be
               loss
               for
               Christ
               ,
               
                 Philip.
                 3.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 Yea
                 doubtless
                 and
                 I
                 count
                 all
                 things
                 but
                 loss
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 Knowledg
                 of
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 my
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 whom
                 I
                 have
                 suffered
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 count
                 them
                 but
                 Dung
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 win
                 Christ.
                 Paul
              
               repented
               not
               of
               his
               Choice
               ,
               but
               sheweth
               his
               perseverance
               in
               the
               contempt
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               
                 I
                 
                 have
                 counted
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 count
                 .
              
               He
               seeth
               no
               cause
               to
               recede
               from
               his
               Choice
               .
               Many
               affect
               Novelties
               ,
               are
               transported
               at
               their
               first
               Change
               ,
               but
               repent
               at
               leisure
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               We
               are
               imperfect
               in
               it
               ;
               I
               mean
               ,
               to
               such
               a
               degree
               ,
               as
               to
               want
               sincerity
               ,
               for
               they
               bring
               nothing
               to
               perfection
               ,
               Luke
               8.
               14.
               
               Their
               Fruit
               never
               groweth
               ripe
               ,
               or
               sound
               ;
               for
               Religion
               is
               an
               underling
               .
               Some
               good
               Inclinations
               they
               have
               to
               heavenly
               things
               ,
               but
               their
               worldly
               Affections
               are
               greater
               ,
               and
               overtop
               them
               so
               ,
               that
               though
               they
               do
               not
               plainly
               revolt
               from
               their
               Profession
               ,
               yet
               their
               Duties
               want
               that
               Life
               and
               Power
               which
               is
               necessary
               ;
               so
               that
               they
               bring
               little
               honour
               to
               Christ
               by
               being
               Christians
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               In
               respect
               of
               the
               hurt
               that
               cometh
               from
               their
               looking
               back
               ;
               both
               to
               themselves
               ,
               and
               to
               Religion
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               To
               themselves
               .
               2
               Pet.
               2.
               20
               ,
               21.
               
               
                 For
                 if
                 after
                 they
                 have
                 escaped
                 the
                 Pollutions
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 knowledg
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 and
                 Saviour
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 again
                 intangled
                 therein
                 ,
                 their
                 latter
                 end
                 is
                 worse
                 with
                 them
                 than
                 their
                 beginning
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 better
                 for
                 them
                 not
                 to
                 have
                 known
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 than
                 after
                 they
                 have
                 known
                 it
                 ,
                 
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 the
                 Holy
                 Commandment
                 delivered
                 to
                 them
                 .
              
               Many
               have
               so
               much
               of
               the
               knowledg
               of
               Christ
               ,
               as
               to
               cleanse
               their
               external
               Conversation
               .
               But
               Sin
               and
               the
               World
               were
               never
               so
               effectually
               cast
               out
               ,
               but
               they
               are
               in
               secret
               League
               with
               them
               still
               ;
               and
               therefore
               they
               are
               first
               intangled
               ,
               and
               then
               overcome
               ;
               first
               enticed
               by
               some
               Pleasure
               or
               Profit
               ,
               and
               then
               carried
               away
               with
               the
               Temptation
               .
               But
               what
               cometh
               of
               this
               ?
               
                 Their
                 lattar
                 end
                 is
                 worse
                 than
                 their
                 beginning
                 .
              
               Their
               Sin
               is
               gre●ter
               ,
               since
               they
               sin
               against
               Light
               and
               Taste
               ;
               their
               Judgment
               is
               greater
               ,
               both
               Spiritual
               and
               Eternal
               .
               As
               God
               giveth
               them
               over
               to
               brutish
               Lusts
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               Power
               of
               Satan
               .
               And
               this
               will
               be
               a
               cutting
               thought
               to
               them
               to
               all
               Eternity
               ,
               to
               remember
               how
               they
               lost
               their
               acquaintance
               with
               ,
               and
               benefit
               by
               Christ
               ,
               by
               looking
               back
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               deserting
               that
               good
               way
               wherein
               they
               found
               so
               much
               sweetness
               in
               Christ.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Mischief
               which
               is
               done
               to
               Religion
               .
               They
               wonderfully
               dishonour
               God
               ,
               and
               bring
               contempt
               upon
               the
               Ways
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               when
               after
               they
               have
               made
               trial
               of
               it
               ,
               they
               prefer
               Sin
               before
               it
               ;
               as
               if
               God
               had
               wearied
               them
               ,
               Mich.
               6.
               3.
               
               Therefore
               't
               is
               just
               with
               God
               to
               vindicate
               
               his
               Honour
               .
               And
               Satan
               ,
               after
               he
               seemeth
               to
               be
               for
               a
               while
               rejected
               ,
               taketh
               a
               more
               durable
               possession
               of
               them
               ,
               Luke
               11.
               26.
               
               O
               think
               of
               this
               often
               !
               to
               look
               back
               after
               we
               seemed
               to
               escape
               ,
               doth
               involve
               us
               in
               the
               greater
               Sin
               and
               Misery
               :
               Better
               never
               to
               have
               yielded
               to
               God
               so
               far
               ,
               than
               to
               retract
               at
               last
               ;
               partly
               ,
               because
               their
               Sins
               are
               Sins
               against
               Knowledg
               .
               
                 Luk.
                 12.
                 47.
                 
                 That
                 Servant
                 which
                 knew
                 his
                 Lord's
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 prepared
                 not
                 himself
                 ,
                 neither
                 did
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 Will
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 beaten
                 with
                 many
                 stripes
                 .
              
               Partly
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               unthankful
               for
               so
               much
               deliverance
               by
               the
               knowledg
               of
               Christ
               as
               they
               received
               ;
               and
               that
               's
               an
               hainous
               aggravation
               of
               their
               Offence
               .
               Partly
               ,
               because
               their
               Sin
               is
               Treachery
               ,
               and
               breach
               of
               Vows
               ;
               for
               they
               turned
               the
               back
               upon
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Allurements
               thereof
               ,
               when
               they
               consented
               to
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               resolved
               to
               follow
               Christ
               in
               all
               Conditions
               ,
               till
               he
               should
               bring
               them
               into
               a
               place
               of
               Rest
               and
               Safety
               .
               Partly
               ,
               because
               they
               sin
               against
               Experience
               ,
               after
               they
               have
               had
               some
               relish
               and
               taste
               of
               better
               things
               ,
               Heb.
               6.
               4.
               
               Partly
               ,
               because
               their
               Conversion
               again
               is
               the
               more
               difficult
               ,
               the
               Devil
               having
               a
               greater
               hold
               of
               them
               ,
               Mat.
               12.
               44.
               
            
             
             
               4.
               
               With
               respect
               to
               the
               disproportion
               that
               is
               between
               the
               things
               that
               tempt
               us
               to
               look
               back
               ,
               and
               those
               things
               that
               are
               set
               before
               us
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               things
               that
               tempt
               us
               to
               look
               back
               ,
               are
               the
               Pleasures
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               the
               Profits
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               both
               are
               but
               a
               tempory
               injoyment
               ;
               
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 25.
                 
                 The
                 Pleasures
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 but
                 for
                 a
                 Season
                 .
              
               The
               pleasures
               of
               Sin
               are
               base
               and
               brutish
               ,
               which
               captivate
               and
               bring
               a
               slavery
               on
               the
               Soul
               ,
               Titus
               3.
               3.
               
               The
               enjoiments
               of
               the
               World
               cannot
               last
               long
               ;
               your
               gust
               and
               relish
               of
               them
               ,
               within
               a
               little
               while
               will
               be
               gone
               ,
               1
               Iohn
               2.
               17.
               yet
               these
               are
               the
               things
               that
               tempt
               you
               to
               forget
               and
               draw
               you
               off
               from
               God
               :
               And
               will
               you
               marry
               your
               Souls
               again
               to
               those
               Sins
               from
               which
               they
               were
               once
               divorced
               ,
               and
               for
               such
               paltry
               Vanities
               repent
               of
               your
               Obedience
               to
               God
               ,
               even
               after
               you
               have
               made
               trial
               of
               him
               ?
               Are
               these
               things
               grown
               better
               ,
               or
               God
               grown
               worse
               ,
               that
               you
               should
               turn
               your
               Hearts
               from
               him
               to
               them
               ?
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               things
               that
               are
               before
               you
               ,
               are
               God
               ,
               and
               Heaven
               ;
               Reconciliation
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               everlasting
               Fruition
               of
               him
               in
               Glory
               .
            
             
             
               1.
               
               Reconciliation
               with
               God
               ,
               with
               the
               consequent
               Benefits
               ;
               Communion
               with
               God
               now
               ,
               Peace
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               the
               Gift
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               the
               Hopes
               of
               Glory
               .
               If
               there
               were
               no
               more
               than
               these
               ,
               Shall
               we
               look
               back
               ?
               Can
               we
               find
               better
               things
               in
               the
               World
               ?
               Alas
               !
               there
               is
               nothing
               here
               ,
               but
               Fears
               and
               Snares
               ,
               a
               vexatious
               Uncertainty
               ,
               and
               polluting
               Injoyments
               ,
               such
               as
               may
               easily
               make
               us
               worse
               ,
               but
               cannot
               make
               us
               better
               .
               What
               is
               this
               ,
               but
               to
               forsake
               the
               cold
               flowing
               Waters
               for
               a
               dirty
               Puddle
               ?
               Ier.
               18.
               14.
               
               Our
               own
               Mercies
               for
               lying
               Vanities
               ,
               Ionah
               2.
               8.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               everlasting
               Fruition
               of
               him
               in
               Glory
               .
               Shall
               we
               look
               back
               that
               are
               striving
               for
               a
               Crown
               of
               endless
               Glory
               ,
               as
               if
               we
               were
               weary
               of
               the
               pursuit
               ,
               and
               give
               it
               over
               as
               an
               hopeless
               or
               fruitless
               Business
               ?
               If
               Christ
               will
               lead
               us
               to
               this
               Glory
               ,
               let
               us
               follow
               him
               ,
               and
               go
               on
               in
               what
               is
               well
               begun
               without
               looking
               back
               .
               Never
               let
               us
               leave
               a
               Crown
               of
               Glory
               ,
               for
               a
               Crown
               of
               Thorns
               .
            
             
               Vse
               1.
               
               Is
               for
               Instruction
               ,
               to
               teach
               us
               what
               to
               do
               if
               we
               would
               set
               about
               the
               strict
               practice
               of
               Religion
               .
            
             
             
               1.
               
               See
               that
               your
               worldly
               Love
               be
               well
               mortified
               :
               For
               till
               you
               be
               dead
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               God
               cannot
               recover
               his
               Interest
               in
               your
               Souls
               ,
               nor
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               be
               set
               up
               there
               with
               any
               Life
               and
               Power
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               4.
               see
               also
               1
               Iohn
               2.
               15.
               and
               1
               Iohn
               5.
               4.
               
               Till
               this
               be
               done
               ,
               God
               and
               Glory
               cannot
               be
               your
               ultimate
               End
               ,
               nor
               the
               main
               design
               of
               your
               Life
               ;
               for
               the
               World
               will
               turn
               your
               Hearts
               another
               way
               ,
               and
               will
               have
               the
               principal
               ruling
               and
               disposing
               of
               your
               Lives
               :
               The
               World
               will
               have
               that
               Love
               ,
               Trust
               ,
               Care
               ,
               and
               Service
               ,
               that
               belongeth
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               be
               a
               great
               hindrance
               to
               you
               in
               the
               way
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               you
               will
               never
               have
               peace
               .
               The
               World
               doth
               first
               delude
               you
               ,
               and
               then
               disquiet
               you
               .
               And
               if
               you
               cleave
               to
               it
               as
               your
               Portion
               ,
               you
               must
               look
               for
               no
               more
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
               mortified
               it
               must
               be
               ;
               For
               how
               can
               you
               renounce
               the
               World
               as
               an
               Enemy
               ,
               if
               your
               Hearts
               be
               not
               weaned
               from
               it
               so
               far
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               a
               more
               indifferent
               thing
               to
               you
               to
               have
               it
               ,
               or
               want
               it
               ,
               and
               that
               you
               be
               not
               so
               eager
               for
               it
               ,
               or
               so
               careful
               about
               it
               ?
            
             
               2.
               
               Let
               not
               the
               World
               steal
               into
               your
               Hearts
               again
               ,
               nor
               se●m
               so
               sweet
               to
               you
               ,
               ●or
               th●n
               you
               are
               under
               a
               temptation
               ;
               't
               is
               
               our
               remaining-Folly
               ,
               and
               backsliding-Nature
               ,
               that
               is
               ever
               looking
               to
               the
               World
               which
               we
               have
               forsaken
               .
               Now
               when
               you
               find
               this
               ,
               whenever
               the
               World
               hath
               insinuated
               into
               your
               Affections
               ,
               and
               chilled
               and
               cooled
               them
               to
               God
               and
               Heaven
               ,
               see
               that
               the
               Distemper
               be
               presently
               expelled
               ;
               pray
               ,
               as
               David
               ,
               Psal.
               119.
               36.
               
               
                 Incline
                 my
                 Heart
                 unto
                 thy
                 Testimonies
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 unto
                 Covetousness
                 .
              
               Be
               sure
               to
               be
               more
               fruitful
               in
               good
               Works
               ;
               Luke
               11.
               41.
               
               
                 Give
                 Alms
                 of
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 behold
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 clean
                 unto
                 you
                 .
              
               We
               renounced
               the
               World
               in
               our
               Baptismal
               Vow
               ,
               we
               overcame
               the
               World
               in
               our
               whole
               after-course
               .
               'T
               is
               not
               so
               got
               out
               of
               any
               ,
               but
               that
               we
               still
               need
               an
               holy
               jealousy
               and
               watchfulness
               over
               our selves
               .
               Now
               that
               we
               may
               do
               both
               of
               these
               ,
               I
               shall
               give
               you
               some
               Directions
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Fix
               your
               End
               and
               Scope
               ,
               which
               is
               to
               be
               everlastingly
               happy
               in
               the
               injoyment
               of
               God
               :
               The
               more
               you
               do
               so
               ,
               the
               less
               in
               danger
               you
               will
               be
               of
               looking
               back
               .
               We
               are
               often
               pressed
               to
               lay
               up
               Treasures
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               Mat.
               6.
               20.
               
               And
               ,
               as
               those
               that
               are
               risen
               with
               Christ
               ,
               to
               seek
               the
               things
               which
               are
               above
               ,
               Col.
               3.
               1.
               
               Our
               Lord
               himself
               saith
               to
               the
               young
               Man
               ,
               Mark
               10.
               
               21.
               
               
                 Go
                 ,
                 sell
                 all
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 to
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 Treasures
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               If
               our
               Life
               and
               Business
               be
               for
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               your
               mind
               be
               kept
               intent
               on
               the
               greater
               Matters
               of
               Everlasting
               Life
               ,
               nothing
               will
               divert
               you
               therefrom
               ;
               you
               will
               almost
               be
               ready
               to
               forget
               Earth
               ,
               because
               you
               have
               higher
               and
               better
               things
               to
               mind
               .
               'T
               is
               not
               barely
               thinking
               of
               the
               Troubles
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               or
               confessing
               its
               Vanities
               ,
               will
               cure
               your
               Distempers
               ,
               but
               the
               true
               sight
               of
               a
               better
               Happiness
               .
               A
               little
               in
               hand
               is
               better
               ,
               you
               will
               think
               ,
               than
               uncertain
               Hopes
               ;
               but
               a
               sound
               Belief
               ,
               
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 substance
                 of
                 things
                 hoped
                 for
                 ,
                 the
                 evidence
                 of
                 things
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
              
               that
               openeth
               Heaven
               to
               you
               ,
               and
               will
               soon
               make
               you
               of
               another
               mind
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Intirely
               trust
               your self
               ,
               and
               all
               your
               Concernmen●s
               in
               the
               Hand
               of
               God.
               Christ
               expected
               from
               all
               those
               whom
               he
               called
               in
               an
               extraordinary
               manner
               ,
               that
               they
               should
               leave
               all
               without
               any
               thought
               or
               solicitude
               about
               it
               ,
               trusting
               in
               him
               not
               only
               for
               their
               ●ternal
               Reward
               ,
               but
               for
               their
               Provision
               and
               Protection
               by
               the
               way
               during
               their
               service
               .
               And
               the
               same
               in
               effect
               is
               required
               of
               all
               Christians
               ,
               not
               to
               leave
               our
               Estates
               ,
               or
               neglect
               our
               Calling
               ;
               but
               
               renouncing
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               resolving
               to
               take
               such
               a
               lot
               in
               good
               part
               ,
               as
               he
               shall
               carve
               out
               to
               them
               .
               All
               that
               enter
               into
               Covenant
               with
               God
               ,
               must
               believe
               him
               to
               be
               God
               All-sufficient
               ,
               Gen.
               17.
               1.
               
               The
               Apostle
               when
               he
               diswadeth
               from
               Worldliness
               ,
               he
               produceth
               a
               promise
               of
               God's
               not
               forsaking
               us
               ,
               and
               leaving
               us
               utterly
               destitute
               ;
               Heb.
               13.
               5.
               
               
                 Let
                 your
                 Conversation
                 be
                 without
                 Covetousness
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 content
                 with
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 never
                 leave
                 thee
                 ,
                 nor
                 forsake
                 thee
                 .
              
               On
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               certainly
               't
               is
               Unbelief
               that
               is
               the
               cause
               of
               Apostacy
               ,
               or
               falling
               back
               from
               God
               ;
               Heb.
               3.
               12.
               
               
                 Take
                 heed
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 lest
                 there
                 be
                 in
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 an
                 evil
                 Heart
                 of
                 Vnbelief
                 ,
                 in
                 departing
                 from
                 the
                 living
                 God.
              
               Certainly
               when
               we
               have
               resigned
               up
               our selves
               to
               Christ
               to
               do
               his
               Work
               ,
               we
               may
               trust
               him
               boldly
               ,
               and
               serve
               him
               chearfully
               ,
               we
               need
               not
               look
               back
               to
               shift
               for
               our selves
               .
               If
               you
               are
               willing
               to
               be
               his
               People
               ,
               he
               will
               be
               your
               God
               ,
               and
               your
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               then
               you
               may
               conclude
               ,
               
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 even
                 our
                 God
                 shall
                 bless
                 us
                 ,
              
               Psalm
               .
               67.
               6.
               
               He
               will
               not
               be
               wanting
               to
               those
               that
               unreservedly
               yield
               up
               themselves
               to
               his
               Obedience
               .
            
             
             
               3.
               
               Consider
               that
               they
               are
               deluded
               Hypocrites
               ,
               that
               will
               meddle
               no
               farther
               with
               Religion
               ,
               than
               they
               can
               reconcile
               it
               with
               their
               worldly
               Happiness
               :
               What-ever
               glorious
               Notions
               they
               have
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               pretences
               of
               admiring
               free
               Grace
               ;
               't
               is
               Self-denial
               that
               Christ
               calleth
               for
               ;
               and
               taking
               up
               our
               Cross
               ,
               is
               the
               first
               Lesson
               in
               his
               School
               .
               And
               true
               Conversion
               is
               a
               turning
               from
               the
               Creature
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               beginneth
               in
               Mortification
               ;
               and
               Baptism
               implieth
               a
               renunciation
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Flesh.
               Therefore
               those
               that
               will
               save
               their
               wordly
               State
               ,
               and
               launch
               out
               no
               farther
               in
               the
               Cause
               of
               Religion
               ,
               than
               they
               may
               easily
               get
               ashore
               again
               when
               a
               storm
               cometh
               ;
               and
               love
               and
               serve
               God
               no
               farther
               than
               will
               stand
               with
               the
               contentment
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               and
               divide
               their
               Hearts
               between
               God
               and
               the
               World
               ,
               give
               God
               but
               half
               ,
               and
               the
               worst
               half
               ;
               surely
               these
               were
               never
               sincere
               with
               God.
               'T
               is
               an
               impossible
               Design
               they
               drive
               on
               ,
               to
               serve
               
                 two
                 Masters
              
               ,
               Mat.
               6.
               24.
               
               You
               must
               let
               go
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Glory
               ,
               if
               you
               be
               so
               earnest
               after
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               so
               indulgent
               to
               the
               Flesh.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               Consider
               how
               much
               't
               is
               your
               business
               to
               observe
               what
               maketh
               you
               fit
               ,
               or
               
               unfit
               for
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God.
               The
               aptitude
               or
               inaptitude
               of
               means
               is
               to
               be
               judged
               with
               respect
               to
               the
               end
               ;
               as
               they
               help
               or
               hinder
               the
               attainment
               of
               your
               great
               End
               :
               For
               ,
               
                 Finis
                 ,
                 est
                 mensura
                 mediorum
              
               :
               Mat.
               6.
               22.
               
               
                 The
                 Light
                 of
                 the
                 Body
                 is
                 the
                 Eye
                 ;
                 If
                 therefore
                 thine
                 Eye
                 be
                 single
                 ,
                 thy
                 whole
                 Body
                 shall
                 be
                 full
                 of
                 Light.
              
               Now
               our
               great
               end
               ,
               is
               to
               enjoy
               God
               for
               ever
               .
               And
               what
               fitteth
               you
               for
               this
               ,
               looking
               back
               ,
               or
               keeping
               the
               Heart
               in
               Heaven
               ?
               Experience
               will
               shew
               .
               The
               observant
               and
               watchful
               Christian
               will
               soon
               find
               where
               his
               great
               hindrance
               lieth
               .
               How
               much
               he
               findeth
               his
               Heart
               down
               by
               minding
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               how
               he
               needeth
               to
               wind
               it
               up
               again
               ,
               by
               Faith
               and
               Love
               :
               Psal.
               25.
               1.
               
               
                 Vnto
                 thee
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 do
                 I
                 lift
                 up
                 my
                 Soul.
              
               The
               World
               is
               the
               great
               Impediment
               that
               keepeth
               him
               from
               God
               ,
               and
               indisposeth
               him
               for
               his
               Service
               ;
               dampeth
               his
               Love
               ,
               and
               quencheth
               his
               Zeal
               ,
               and
               abateth
               his
               Diligence
               ;
               he
               will
               soon
               find
               how
               much
               more
               he
               might
               do
               for
               God
               ,
               if
               he
               could
               draw
               off
               his
               Heart
               more
               from
               those
               inferior
               Objects
               :
               This
               is
               the
               weight
               that
               presseth
               us
               down
               ,
               and
               maketh
               us
               so
               cold
               and
               cursory
               in
               God's
               Service
               .
            
             
             
               5.
               
               Consider
               ,
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               here
               is
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ;
               which
               is
               double
               ;
               The
               Kingdom
               of
               Grace
               ,
               and
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Glory
               .
               The
               one
               is
               called
               ,
               
                 The
                 Kingdom
                 and
                 Patience
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               Rev.
               1.
               9.
               
               The
               other
               is
               called
               ,
               
                 His
                 Kingdom
                 and
                 Glory
              
               ,
               1
               Thess.
               2.
               12.
               
               By
               the
               first
               ,
               we
               are
               prepared
               for
               the
               second
               ;
               and
               the
               second
               is
               the
               great
               Incouragement
               .
               Now
               they
               that
               look
               back
               ,
               are
               unfit
               for
               either
               ;
               the
               Duties
               of
               Christians
               ,
               or
               the
               Reward
               of
               Christians
               ;
               he
               slincheth
               from
               his
               Duty
               here
               ,
               and
               shall
               be
               shut
               out
               of
               Heaven
               at
               last
               :
               2
               Thess.
               1.
               5.
               
               —
               
                 That
                 ye
                 may
                 be
                 counted
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 ye
                 also
                 suffer
                 .
              
               They
               are
               only
               counted
               worthy
               ,
               who
               constantly
               and
               patiently
               look
               for
               it
               ,
               and
               venture
               something
               on
               it
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               Consider
               the
               great
               loss
               you
               will
               incur
               by
               looking
               back
               after
               you
               have
               put
               your
               hand
               to
               the
               Plough
               .
               You
               will
               lose
               all
               that
               you
               have
               wrought
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               you
               have
               suffered
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               What
               you
               have
               wrought
               ;
               2
               
                 Ep.
                 Iohn
                 8.
                 
                 Look
                 to
                 your selves
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 lose
                 not
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 ye
                 have
                 wrought
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 ye
                 receive
                 a
                 full
                 Reward
                 .
              
               You
               forfeit
               the
               Reward
               of
               your
               good
               Beginnings
               .
               A
               
               partial
               Reward
               they
               may
               have
               in
               this
               Life
               ,
               while
               they
               continue
               their
               well-doing
               ,
               (
               for
               no
               Man
               is
               a
               loser
               by
               God
               )
               ;
               but
               not
               a
               Compleat
               and
               full
               Reward
               till
               the
               Life
               to
               come
               .
               Some
               overflowings
               of
               God's
               Temporal
               Bounty
               they
               may
               have
               ,
               but
               not
               the
               Crown
               of
               Life
               and
               Glory
               .
               So
               ,
               
                 Ezek.
                 18.
                 24.
                 
                 All
                 his
                 Righteousness
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 mentioned
                 .
              
               All
               is
               obliterated
               ,
               and
               forgotten
               ,
               and
               made
               void
               ,
               as
               to
               any
               Interest
               in
               the
               great
               Reward
               .
               This
               was
               represented
               in
               the
               Type
               of
               the
               Nazarite
               ,
               Numb
               .
               6.
               12.
               
               
                 The
                 days
                 that
                 were
                 before
                 shall
                 be
                 lost
                 ,
                 because
                 his
                 separation
                 was
                 defiled
                 .
              
               He
               was
               to
               begin
               all
               anew
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               All
               that
               you
               have
               suffered
               ;
               as
               a
               Man
               may
               make
               some
               petty
               losses
               for
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Gal.
               3.
               4.
               
               
                 Have
                 ye
                 suffered
                 so
                 many
                 things
                 in
                 vain
                 ?
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 yet
                 in
                 vain
                 .
              
               This
               maketh
               all
               the
               cost
               and
               expence
               that
               you
               have
               been
               at
               ,
               to
               be
               to
               no
               purpose
               .
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
             
               THE
               Nature
               and
               Excellency
               OF
               
                 Saving
                 Faith.
              
               IN
               TWO
               SERMONS
               .
               FROM
               Heb.
               10.
               39.
               
               &
               1
               
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 4.
                 
                 To
                 which
                 is
                 added
                 ,
              
               A
               Wedding
               Sermon
               ,
               On
               Gen.
               2.
               22.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
             
               THE
               EXCELLENCY
               OF
               Saving
               Faith.
               
            
             
               
                 HEB.
                 10.
                 39.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 draw
                 back
                 unto
                 Perdition
                 ;
                 but
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 saving
                 of
                 the
                 Soul.
                 
              
            
             
               IN
               the
               Verse
               immediatly
               preceding
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               dreadful
               Doom
               pronounced
               on
               Apostates
               ,
               that
               God
               will
               take
               no
               pleasure
               in
               them
               .
               Now
               lest
               they
               should
               be
               much
               afrighted
               with
               the
               terror
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               suppose
               that
               he
               had
               too
               hard
               an
               Opinion
               of
               them
               ,
               he
               sheweth
               ,
               That
               tho
               he
               did
               warn
               them
               ,
               he
               did
               not
               suspect
               them
               ,
               presuming
               other
               things
               of
               them
               according
               to
               their
               Profession
               .
               
                 But
                 we
                 are
                 
                 not
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 draw
                 back
                 unto
                 Perdition
                 ;
                 but
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 to
                 the
                 saving
                 of
                 the
                 Soul.
                 
              
            
             
               In
               the
               words
               two
               things
               are
               observable
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 denial
                 of
                 the
                 suspicion
                 of
                 their
                 Apostacy
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 An
                 Assertion
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 and
                 Constancy
                 of
                 their
                 Faith.
                 
              
            
             
               That
               Clause
               I
               shall
               insist
               upon
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               Where
               ,
               first
               take
               notice
               of
               their
               Faith
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               Secondly
               ,
               Their
               Perseverance
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               The
               word
               signifieth
               their
               purchasing
               ,
               acquiring
               ,
               obtaining
               ,
               finding
               the
               Soul
               ;
               meaning
               thereby
               ,
               that
               though
               they
               lost
               other
               things
               ,
               they
               did
               not
               lose
               their
               Souls
               .
            
             
               Doct.
               That
               a
               true
               and
               sound
               Faith
               ,
               will
               cause
               us
               to
               save
               the
               Soul
               ,
               though
               with
               the
               loss
               of
               other
               things
               .
            
             
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               5.
               
               
                 Ye
                 are
                 kept
                 by
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 through
                 Faith
                 unto
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               the
               Power
               of
               God
               indeed
               that
               keepeth
               :
               
               He
               that
               reserveth
               Heaven
               for
               us
               ,
               reserveth
               and
               keepeth
               us
               for
               Heaven
               .
               But
               by
               what
               Instrument
               or
               Means
               ?
               By
               Faith
               ;
               to
               depend
               upon
               an
               Invisible
               God
               ,
               for
               an
               Happiness
               that
               lieth
               in
               an
               invisible
               World
               ;
               when
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               he
               permitteth
               us
               to
               be
               harrased
               with
               Difficulties
               and
               Troubles
               ,
               requireth
               Faith
               :
               And
               by
               Faith
               alone
               can
               the
               Heart
               be
               upheld
               ,
               till
               we
               obtain
               this
               Salvation
               .
               So
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 9.
                 
                 Receiving
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 your
                 Faith
                 ,
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               Faith
               maketh
               us
               row
               against
               the
               stream
               of
               Flesh
               and
               Blood
               ,
               and
               deny
               its
               Cravings
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               obtain
               eternal
               Salvation
               at
               length
               .
               The
               Flesh
               is
               for
               sparing
               and
               favouring
               the
               Body
               ;
               but
               Faith
               is
               for
               saving
               the
               Soul
               :
               That
               's
               the
               End
               and
               Aim
               of
               Faith.
               
            
             
               To
               make
               this
               evident
               to
               you
               ;
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   I
                   shall
                   prove
                   ,
                   That
                   all
                   other
                   things
                   must
                   be
                   hazarded
                   for
                   the
                   saving
                   of
                   the
                   Soul.
                   
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   That
                   nothing
                   will
                   make
                   us
                   hazard
                   all
                   things
                   for
                   the
                   purchasing
                   or
                   acquiring
                   the
                   Salvation
                   of
                   the
                   Soul
                   but
                   only
                   Faith.
                   
                
              
            
             
             
               1.
               
               That
               all
               other
               things
               must
               be
               hazarded
               for
               the
               saving
               of
               the
               Soul.
               
                 Mat.
                 10.
                 39.
                 
                 He
                 that
                 findeth
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 shall
                 lose
                 it
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 loseth
                 his
                 Life
                 for
                 my
                 sake
                 ,
                 shall
                 find
                 it
                 .
              
               So
               't
               is
               repeated
               again
               upon
               the
               occasion
               of
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               Self-denial
               ,
               Mat.
               ●6
               .
               25
               ,
               26.
               
               The
               saving
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               is
               more
               than
               the
               getting
               ,
               and
               keeping
               ,
               or
               having
               of
               all
               the
               World.
               For
               the
               World
               concerneth
               only
               the
               Body
               ,
               and
               bodily
               Life
               ;
               but
               the
               saving
               of
               Soul
               concerneth
               Eternal
               Life
               .
               If
               Life
               be
               lost
               Temporally
               ,
               't
               is
               secured
               to
               Eternity
               ,
               when
               we
               shall
               have
               a
               Life
               which
               no
               Man
               can
               take
               from
               us
               .
               And
               the
               Case
               standeth
               thus
               ,
               That
               either
               we
               must
               bring
               Eternal
               Perdition
               upon
               our selves
               ,
               or
               else
               obtain
               Eternal
               Salvation
               .
               They
               that
               are
               thrifty
               of
               Life
               bodily
               ,
               and
               the
               Comforts
               and
               Interests
               of
               it
               ,
               are
               certainly
               prodigal
               of
               their
               Salvation
               .
               But
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ;
               If
               we
               are
               willing
               to
               venture
               Life
               Temporal
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Interests
               thereof
               ,
               for
               the
               saving
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               we
               make
               a
               good
               Bargain
               ;
               That
               which
               is
               left
               for
               a
               while
               ,
               is
               preserved
               to
               us
               for
               for
               ever
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               so
               much
               as
               God
               is
               to
               be
               preferred
               before
               the
               Creature
               ,
               Heaven
               before
               the
               World
               ,
               the
               Soul
               before
               the
               Body
               ,
               Eternity
               before
               Time
               ,
               so
               much
               
               doth
               it
               concern
               us
               to
               have
               the
               better
               part
               safe
               .
               And
               as
               Men
               in
               a
               great
               Fire
               ,
               and
               general
               Conflagration
               ,
               will
               hazard
               their
               Lumber
               to
               preserve
               their
               Treasure
               ,
               their
               Mony
               ,
               or
               their
               Jewels
               :
               So
               should
               we
               take
               care
               ,
               that
               if
               we
               must
               lose
               one
               or
               other
               ,
               that
               the
               better
               part
               be
               out
               of
               hazard
               :
               And
               what-ever
               we
               lose
               by
               the
               way
               ,
               we
               may
               be
               sure
               to
               come
               well
               to
               the
               end
               of
               our
               Journey
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               nothing
               will
               make
               us
               hazard
               all
               things
               ,
               for
               the
               purchasing
               ,
               or
               acquiring
               the
               Salvation
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               but
               only
               Faith.
               The
               Flesh
               is
               importunate
               to
               be
               pleased
               :
               Sense
               saith
               to
               us
               ,
               Favour
               thy self
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               spare
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               But
               Faith
               saith
               ,
               Save
               thy
               Soul.
               Faith
               ,
               which
               apprehendeth
               things
               future
               and
               invisible
               ,
               will
               teach
               us
               to
               value
               all
               things
               according
               to
               their
               worth
               ,
               and
               to
               lose
               some
               present
               satisfaction
               ,
               for
               that
               future
               and
               eternal
               Gain
               which
               the
               Promises
               of
               God
               do
               offer
               to
               us
               .
               Now
               Faith
               doth
               this
               two
               ways
               ;
               By
               convincing
               us
               of
               the
               Worth
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               Truth
               of
               things
               promised
               by
               God
               through
               Christ.
               The
               Apostle
               when
               he
               bloweth
               his
               Trumpet
               ,
               and
               summoneth
               our
               reverence
               ,
               and
               attentive
               regard
               to
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               in
               that
               Preface
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               15.
               he
               
               saith
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 faithful
                 saying
                 ,
                 and
                 worthy
                 of
                 all
                 acceptation
                 ,
                 that
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 came
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 save
                 Sinners
                 .
              
               Salvation
               by
               Christ
               is
               worthy
               to
               be
               regarded
               above
               all
               things
               :
               And
               if
               it
               be
               true
               ,
               all
               things
               should
               give
               place
               unto
               it
               .
               Now
               Faith
               convinceth
               us
               of
               the
               Worth
               and
               Truth
               ,
               and
               maketh
               us
               to
               take
               the
               thing
               promised
               for
               all
               our
               Treasure
               and
               Happiness
               ;
               and
               the
               Promise
               it self
               ,
               or
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               for
               our
               whole
               security
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               It
               maketh
               us
               to
               take
               the
               thing
               promised
               ,
               for
               all
               our
               Treasure
               and
               Happiness
               ;
               Mat.
               6.
               19
               ,
               20
               ,
               21.
               
               
                 Lay
                 not
                 up
                 for
                 your selves
                 Treasures
                 upon
                 Earth
                 ,
                 where
                 Moth
                 and
                 Rust
                 doth
                 corrupt
                 ,
                 and
                 where
                 Thieves
                 break
                 through
                 and
                 steal
                 .
                 But
                 lay
                 up
                 for
                 your selves
                 Treasure
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 where
                 neither
                 Moth
                 nor
                 Rust
                 doth
                 corrupt
                 ,
                 nor
                 Thieves
                 break
                 through
                 and
                 steal
                 .
                 For
                 where
                 your
                 Treasure
                 is
                 ,
                 there
                 your
                 Heart
                 will
                 be
                 also
                 .
              
               It
               highly
               concerneth
               us
               to
               consider
               what
               we
               make
               our
               Treasure
               .
               Worldly
               things
               are
               subject
               to
               many
               Accidents
               ,
               and
               dese●ve
               not
               our
               love
               nor
               esteem
               ;
               only
               heavenly
               things
               deserve
               to
               be
               our
               Treasure
               .
               If
               our
               Hearts
               be
               set
               upon
               these
               things
               ,
               't
               is
               a
               sign
               we
               value
               what
               Christ
               hath
               offered
               .
               So
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               
               18.
               
               
                 While
                 we
                 look
                 not
                 at
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 seen
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 seen
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 seen
                 ,
                 are
                 Temporal
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
                 are
                 Eternal
                 .
              
               We
               make
               these
               things
               our
               End
               ,
               aud
               Scope
               ,
               and
               Happiness
               .
               'T
               is
               easy
               to
               prove
               the
               worth
               of
               these
               things
               in
               the
               general
               ,
               as
               't
               is
               easy
               to
               prove
               that
               Eternity
               is
               better
               than
               Time
               ;
               that
               things
               incorruptible
               ,
               are
               better
               than
               those
               which
               are
               subject
               to
               corruption
               :
               That
               things
               exempted
               from
               Casualty
               ,
               are
               better
               than
               those
               things
               which
               are
               liable
               to
               Casualty
               ,
               and
               are
               not
               out
               of
               the
               reach
               of
               Robbery
               and
               Violence
               .
               But
               to
               Creatures
               wedded
               to
               sense
               and
               present
               enjoyment
               ,
               't
               is
               difficult
               and
               hard
               to
               cause
               them
               to
               set
               their
               Hearts
               in
               another
               World
               ,
               and
               to
               lay
               up
               their
               Hopes
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               to
               part
               with
               all
               things
               which
               they
               see
               and
               love
               ,
               and
               find
               comfortable
               to
               their
               Senses
               ,
               for
               that
               God
               and
               Glory
               which
               they
               never
               saw
               .
               This
               is
               the
               Business
               of
               Faith
               ,
               or
               the
               Work
               of
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Illumination
               changing
               their
               Hearts
               and
               Minds
               .
               This
               general
               Truth
               all
               will
               determine
               ,
               as
               that
               things
               Eternal
               ,
               are
               better
               than
               things
               Temporal
               .
               But
               we
               undervalue
               these
               gracious
               Promises
               ,
               whose
               accomplishment
               must
               with
               patience
               
               be
               expected
               ,
               whilst
               their
               future
               Goodness
               cometh
               in
               actual
               competition
               with
               these
               bodily
               Delights
               which
               we
               must
               forgo
               ,
               and
               those
               grievous
               bodily
               Afflictions
               which
               we
               must
               endure
               out
               of
               sincere
               respect
               to
               Christ
               and
               his
               Ways
               .
               Therefore
               before
               there
               can
               be
               any
               true
               self-denial
               ,
               Faith
               must
               incline
               us
               to
               this
               offered
               Benefit
               ,
               as
               our
               true
               Treasure
               and
               Happiness
               ,
               whatever
               we
               forgo
               ,
               or
               undergo
               to
               attain
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               For
               the
               truth
               of
               it
               ,
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               must
               be
               our
               whole
               security
               ,
               as
               being
               enough
               to
               support
               our
               Hearts
               in
               waiting
               for
               it
               ,
               however
               God
               cover
               himself
               with
               Frowns
               ,
               and
               an
               appearance
               of
               Anger
               ,
               in
               those
               Afflictions
               which
               befal
               us
               in
               the
               way
               thither
               .
               The
               Word
               of
               God
               is
               all
               in
               all
               to
               his
               People
               :
               
                 Thy
                 Testimonies
                 have
                 I
                 taken
                 as
                 my
                 Heritage
                 for
                 ever
                 :
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 rejoicing
                 of
                 my
                 Soul
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               119.
               111.
               
               If
               a
               Man
               hath
               little
               ready
               Mony
               ,
               yet
               if
               he
               have
               an
               Heritage
               to
               live
               upon
               ,
               or
               sure
               Bonds
               ,
               he
               is
               well
               ●paid
               :
               So
               is
               a
               Believer
               rich
               in
               Promises
               ;
               which
               being
               the
               Promises
               of
               the
               Almighty
               and
               Immutable
               God
               ,
               and
               built
               upon
               the
               everlasting
               Merit
               of
               Christ
               ,
               are
               as
               good
               to
               him
               as
               Performances
               ,
               and
               therefore
               cause
               joy
               in
               some
               Proportion
               as
               if
               the
               things
               were
               in
               
               hand
               ;
               Heb.
               11.
               13.
               
               
                 These
                 all
                 died
                 in
                 Faith
                 ,
                 not
                 having
                 received
                 the
                 Promises
                 ,
                 but
                 having
                 seen
                 then
                 afar
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 perswaded
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 embraced
                 them
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Psalm
                 .
                 56.
                 4.
                 
                 In
                 God
                 will
                 I
                 praise
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 in
                 God
                 have
                 I
                 put
                 my
                 trust
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 fear
                 what
                 Man
                 can
                 do
                 unto
                 me
                 .
              
               Faith
               resteth
               upon
               God's
               Word
               ,
               who
               is
               able
               to
               save
               to
               the
               uttermost
               all
               that
               come
               to
               him
               by
               Christ.
               
            
             
               1.
               
               Vse
               
                 is
                 Information
                 concerning
                 a
                 weighty
                 Truth
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 what
                 the
                 Faith
                 is
                 by
                 which
                 the
                 Just
                 do
                 live
                 .
              
               'T
               is
               such
               a
               trust
               or
               confidence
               in
               God's
               Promises
               of
               eternal
               Life
               through
               Iesus
               Christ
               ,
               as
               that
               we
               forsake
               all
               other
               hopes
               and
               happiness
               whatsoever
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               obtain
               it
               .
            
             
               To
               make
               good
               this
               Description
               to
               you
               ,
               let
               me
               observe
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               That
               Faith
               looketh
               mainly
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               or
               the
               saving
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               as
               the
               prime
               Benefit
               offered
               to
               us
               by
               Jesus
               Christ.
               For
               all
               attend
               to
               this
               ;
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               16.
               
               
                 For
                 a
                 Pattern
                 to
                 them
                 who
                 should
                 hereafter
                 believe
                 on
                 him
                 to
                 life
                 everlasting
                 .
              
               This
               was
               that
               they
               chiefly
               aimed
               at
               ,
               and
               therefore
               called
               
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 our
                 Faith
              
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               9.
               
               For
               this
               end
               were
               the
               Scriptures
               written
               ;
               John
               20.
               31.
               
               
                 These
                 things
                 are
                 written
                 that
                 
                 ye
                 might
                 believe
                 ,
                 that
                 Iesus
                 is
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 believing
                 ye
                 might
                 have
                 Life
                 through
                 his
                 Name
                 .
              
               The
               Scriptures
               are
               writ●en
               ,
               to
               direct
               us
               to
               know
               Christ
               aright
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               Kernel
               and
               Marrow
               of
               all
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               great
               Subject
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               and
               that
               the
               chief
               Benefit
               we
               have
               by
               him
               ,
               is
               eternal
               Life
               ,
               by
               which
               all
               our
               Pains
               and
               losses
               for
               Christ
               are
               recompenced
               ,
               and
               from
               whence
               we
               fetch
               our
               Comfort
               all
               along
               during
               the
               course
               of
               our
               Pilgrimage
               ,
               and
               upon
               the
               hopes
               of
               which
               the
               Life
               of
               Grace
               is
               carried
               on
               ,
               and
               the
               Temptations
               of
               Sense
               are
               defeated
               ;
               so
               that
               this
               is
               the
               main
               Blessing
               which
               Faith
               aimeth
               at
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               the
               sure
               grounds
               which
               Faith
               goeth
               upon
               ,
               is
               God's
               Promise
               through
               Jesus
               Christ
               ;
               and
               so
               it
               implieth
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               That
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ,
               who
               is
               a
               Rewarder
               of
               them
               that
               diligently
               seek
               him
               :
               for
               the
               Apostle
               pursuing
               this
               Discourse
               ,
               telleth
               us
               ,
               Heb.
               11.
               6.
               
               That
               a
               Man
               must
               believe
               God's
               Being
               and
               Bounty
               ,
               before
               he
               can
               do
               any
               thing
               to
               the
               purpose
               for
               him
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               That
               this
               God
               hath
               revealed
               himself
               in
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               as
               willing
               to
               accept
               poor
               Creatures
               who
               refuse
               not
               his
               New
               
               Covenant
               and
               remedying-Grace
               ,
               to
               Pardon
               ,
               and
               Life
               .
               For
               the
               guilty
               Creature
               would
               stand
               at
               a
               distance
               ,
               and
               not
               receive
               his
               Offers
               with
               any
               comfort
               and
               Satisfaction
               ,
               had
               not
               God
               been
               in
               Christ
               reconciling
               the
               World
               to
               himself
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               19.
               
               But
               now
               they
               may
               be
               invited
               to
               come
               to
               him
               with
               hope
               ,
               vers
               .
               20.
               
               And
               his
               gracious
               Promises
               standing
               upon
               such
               a
               bottom
               and
               foundation
               ,
               are
               the
               sooner
               believed
               ;
               2
               Cor.
               1.
               20.
               
               
                 For
                 the
                 Promises
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 in
                 him
                 Yea
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 him
                 Amen
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 us
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Promises
               of
               God
               propounded
               in
               Christ's
               Name
               ,
               are
               undoubtedly
               true
               ;
               they
               are
               not
               Yea
               and
               Nay
               ,
               but
               Yea
               ,
               and
               Amen
               :
               They
               do
               not
               say
               Yea
               to
               Day
               ,
               and
               Nay
               to
               Morrow
               ;
               but
               always
               Yea
               so
               it
               is
               ,
               and
               Amen
               ,
               so
               it
               shall
               be
               ;
               because
               they
               stand
               upon
               an
               immutable
               Foundation
               ,
               the
               everlasting
               Merit
               and
               Redemption
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               It
               implieth
               ,
               That
               the
               Scriptures
               which
               contain
               these
               Offers
               and
               Promises
               ,
               are
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               :
               For
               though
               God's
               Veracity
               be
               unquestionable
               ,
               how
               shall
               we
               know
               that
               we
               have
               his
               Word
               ;
               't
               is
               laid
               at
               Pledg
               with
               us
               in
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               Declaration
               of
               the
               Mind
               of
               the
               Eternal
               God.
               The
               Promises
               are
               a
               part
               of
               
               those
               Sacred
               Scriptures
               which
               were
               written
               by
               the
               inspiration
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               sealed
               with
               a
               multitude
               of
               Miracles
               ,
               and
               bare
               the
               very
               Image
               and
               Superscription
               of
               God
               ,
               (
               as
               every
               thing
               which
               hath
               past
               his
               Hand
               ,
               hath
               his
               Signature
               upon
               it
               ,
               even
               to
               a
               Gnat
               or
               Pile
               of
               Grass
               )
               and
               have
               been
               received
               and
               preserved
               by
               the
               Church
               ,
               as
               the
               certain
               Oracles
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               blessed
               by
               him
               throughout
               all
               Generations
               ,
               and
               Successions
               of
               Ages
               ,
               to
               the
               convincing
               ,
               converting
               ,
               sanctifying
               ,
               and
               comforting
               of
               many
               Souls
               :
               And
               carry
               their
               own
               Light
               ,
               Evidence
               ,
               and
               Recommendation
               to
               the
               Consciences
               of
               all
               those
               who
               are
               not
               strangely
               perverted
               by
               their
               brutish
               Lusts
               ,
               and
               blinded
               by
               their
               worldly
               Affections
               :
               For
               the
               Apostle
               saith
               ,
               
                 By
                 the
                 manifestation
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
                 commending
                 our selves
                 to
                 every
                 Man's
                 Conscience
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 our
                 Gospel
                 be
                 hid
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 hid
                 to
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 lost
                 :
                 The
                 God
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 having
                 blinded
                 their
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 lest
                 the
                 Light
                 of
                 the
                 glorious
                 Gospel
                 should
                 shine
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
              
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               2
               ,
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               Upon
               these
               grounds
               doth
               Faith
               proceed
               ,
               which
               I
               have
               mentioned
               the
               more
               distinctly
               ,
               that
               you
               might
               know
               how
               to
               excite
               Faith
               ;
               for
               besides
               praying
               
               for
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Wisdom
               and
               Illumination
               to
               open
               our
               Eyes
               ,
               we
               must
               use
               the
               means
               ,
               both
               as
               rational
               Creatures
               ,
               and
               new
               Creatures
               .
               And
               what
               Means
               are
               more
               effectual
               than
               those
               mentioned
               ?
            
             
               1.
               
               Is
               there
               not
               a
               God
               ?
               If
               there
               be
               not
               a
               God
               ,
               How
               did
               we
               come
               to
               be
               ?
               Thou
               wer
               't
               not
               made
               by
               chance
               ;
               And
               when
               thou
               wer
               't
               not
               ,
               thou
               couldst
               not
               make
               thy self
               .
               Look
               upon
               thy
               Body
               ,
               so
               curiously
               framed
               ,
               Whose
               workmanship
               could
               this
               be
               ,
               but
               of
               a
               Wise
               God
               ?
               Upon
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               Whose
               Image
               and
               Superscription
               doth
               it
               bear
               ?
               
                 Give
                 unto
                 Caesar
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 Caesar's
                 ,
                 and
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 God's
                 .
              
               Nay
               ,
               look
               upward
               ,
               downward
               ,
               within
               thee
               ,
               without
               thee
               ,
               what
               dost
               thou
               see
               ,
               hear
               ,
               and
               feel
               ,
               but
               the
               Products
               and
               Effects
               of
               an
               eternal
               Power
               ,
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               Goodness
               ?
               Thou
               canst
               not
               open
               thine
               Eyes
               ,
               but
               the
               Heavens
               are
               ready
               to
               say
               to
               thy
               Conscience
               ,
               Man
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ,
               an
               in●inite
               eternal
               Being
               ,
               who
               made
               us
               ,
               and
               all
               things
               else
               .
            
             
               Now
               for
               the
               second
               :
               Hath
               not
               this
               God
               revealed
               himself
               gracious
               in
               Christ
               ?
               Nature
               declareth
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ;
               and
               Scripture
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               a
               Christ.
               As
               there
               
               is
               one
               God
               ,
               the
               first
               Cause
               of
               all
               ,
               infinitely
               powerful
               ,
               wise
               ,
               and
               good
               ;
               therefore
               't
               is
               but
               reasonable
               that
               he
               should
               be
               served
               ,
               and
               according
               to
               his
               own
               Will.
               But
               we
               have
               faulted
               in
               our
               Duty
               to
               our
               Creator
               ,
               and
               therefore
               are
               in
               dread
               of
               his
               Justice
               .
               Certainly
               reasonable
               Creatures
               have
               immortal
               Souls
               ,
               and
               so
               die
               not
               as
               the
               Beasts
               ;
               therefore
               there
               is
               no
               true
               Happiness
               in
               these
               things
               wherein
               Men
               ordinarily
               seek
               it
               .
               Is
               it
               not
               then
               a
               blessed
               discovery
               ,
               that
               God
               hath
               brought
               Light
               and
               Immortality
               to
               light
               by
               Jesus
               Christ
               ;
               that
               he
               sent
               him
               into
               the
               World
               to
               be
               a
               Propitiation
               ,
               and
               to
               satisfy
               his
               Justice
               ,
               and
               to
               redeem
               us
               from
               our
               guilty
               Fears
               ?
               And
               shall
               we
               neglect
               this
               great
               Salvation
               brought
               to
               us
               by
               Jesus
               Christ
               ?
               or
               coldly
               seek
               after
               it
               ?
               Surely
               God
               is
               willing
               to
               be
               reconciled
               to
               Man
               ,
               or
               〈◊〉
               he
               would
               presently
               have
               plunged
               〈◊〉
               into
               our
               ●ternal
               Estate
               ,
               as
               he
               did
               the
               Angels
               upon
               their
               first
               sinning
               :
               But
               he
               wai●eth
               ,
               and
               beareth
               with
               many
               〈◊〉
               ;
               he
               beseecheth
               us
               ,
               and
               prayeth
               〈◊〉
               to
               be
               reconciled
               .
               
                 And
                 how
                 shall
                 we
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 neglect
                 so
                 great
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 whi●h
                 w●s
                 first
                 spoken
                 by
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 conf●●m●d
                 unto
                 us
                 by
                 them
                 that
                 heard
                 ●im
                 ;
                 God
                 also
                 bearing
                 them
                 witness
                 ,
                 both
                 
                 with
                 Signs
                 and
                 Wonders
                 ,
                 and
                 divers
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 and
                 Gifts
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Will
                 ?
              
               Heb.
               2.
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               Would
               Holy
               Men
               cheat
               the
               World
               with
               an
               Imposture
               ?
               or
               would
               God
               be
               accessory
               in
               lending
               his
               Power
               to
               do
               such
               marvellous
               things
               ?
               It
               cannot
               be
               .
            
             
               And
               then
               for
               the
               third
               :
               Is
               not
               this
               a
               part
               of
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               Holy
               Men
               have
               written
               to
               consign
               it
               to
               the
               use
               of
               the
               Church
               in
               all
               Ages
               ?
               1
               
                 Iohn
                 2.
                 45.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 Promise
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 us
                 ,
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 .
              
               Is
               not
               this
               God's
               Promise
               ?
               And
               will
               not
               God
               be
               mindful
               and
               regardful
               of
               his
               Word
               ?
               He
               was
               wont
               to
               be
               tender
               of
               it
               .
               Psal.
               138.
               2.
               
               
                 Thou
                 hast
                 magnified
                 thy
                 Word
                 above
                 all
                 thy
                 Name
                 :
              
               above
               all
               that
               is
               named
               ,
               or
               famed
               ,
               or
               spoken
               and
               believed
               of
               God.
               His
               Truth
               and
               Trustiness
               is
               most
               conspicuous
               .
               In
               the
               New
               Covenant
               he
               hath
               given
               his
               solemn
               Oath
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               his
               Word
               ,
               that
               the
               Heirs
               of
               Promise
               might
               have
               strong
               Consolation
               ,
               Heb.
               6.
               18.
               
               What
               is
               the
               matter
               that
               my
               belief
               of
               these
               things
               is
               so
               cold
               and
               ineffectual
               ?
               If
               this
               be
               God's
               Promise
               ,
               and
               he
               hath
               put
               in
               no
               exception
               against
               me
               ,
               to
               exclude
               me
               from
               the
               benefit
               of
               this
               Promise
               ,
               What
               is
               the
               reason
               why
               I
               can
               no
               more
               incourage
               
               my self
               in
               the
               Lord
               to
               seek
               after
               this
               Salvation
               ;
               but
               am
               disturbed
               so
               often
               by
               distracting
               Fears
               and
               Cares
               ,
               and
               so
               easily
               misled
               by
               vain
               Delights
               .
               Thus
               should
               we
               excite
               our
               Faith.
               
            
             
               But
               I
               digress
               too
               long
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               Nature
               of
               this
               Faith
               ,
               I
               express
               by
               a
               Trust
               and
               Confidence
               .
               There
               is
               in
               Faith
               an
               Assent
               ,
               which
               is
               sufficient
               when
               the
               Object
               requireth
               no
               more
               .
               As
               there
               are
               some
               speculative
               Principles
               which
               are
               meerly
               to
               be
               believed
               ,
               as
               they
               lead
               on
               to
               other
               things
               ,
               Heb.
               11.
               3.
               there
               an
               intellectual
               Assent
               sufficeth
               .
               But
               there
               are
               other
               things
               which
               are
               propounded
               ,
               not
               only
               as
               true
               ,
               but
               good
               :
               There
               ,
               not
               only
               an
               intellectual
               Assent
               is
               required
               ,
               but
               a
               practical
               Assent
               ,
               or
               such
               as
               is
               joyned
               with
               Consent
               and
               Affiance
               .
               As
               suppose
               when
               Christ
               promiseth
               Eternal
               Life
               to
               the
               serious
               Christian
               ,
               or
               mortified
               Believer
               :
               There
               must
               be
               not
               only
               an
               assent
               ,
               or
               a
               believing
               that
               this
               proposal
               and
               offer
               is
               Christ's
               ,
               and
               that
               it
               is
               true
               ;
               But
               there
               must
               be
               a
               consent
               ,
               to
               chuse
               it
               for
               my
               Portion
               and
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               then
               a
               confidence
               and
               dependance
               upon
               Christ
               for
               it
               ,
               though
               it
               lie
               
               out
               of
               sight
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               I
               be
               exercised
               with
               sundry
               Difficulties
               and
               Temptations
               .
               Trust
               is
               not
               a
               bare
               Opinion
               of
               Christ's
               Fidelity
               ,
               but
               a
               dependance
               upon
               his
               Word
               .
               I
               do
               believe
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               there
               is
               a
               Christ
               ,
               I
               do
               well
               ;
               I
               do
               believe
               that
               this
               God
               in
               Christ
               ,
               hath
               brought
               Life
               and
               Immortality
               to
               light
               ,
               I
               do
               well
               still
               ,
               but
               I
               must
               do
               more
               ;
               I
               believe
               that
               he
               hath
               assured
               his
               Disciples
               and
               Followers
               ,
               That
               if
               they
               continue
               faithful
               with
               him
               ,
               they
               shall
               have
               eternal
               Life
               :
               John
               5.
               29.
               
               
                 Verily
                 ,
                 verily
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 He
                 that
                 heareth
                 my
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 believeth
                 on
                 him
                 that
                 sent
                 me
                 ,
                 hath
                 everlasting
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 come
                 into
                 condemnation
                 .
              
               I
               know
               that
               Christ
               hath
               fidelity
               and
               sufficiency
               enough
               to
               make
               good
               his
               Word
               .
               This
               is
               well
               ,
               but
               I
               must
               go
               farther
               ,
               that
               is
               to
               say
               ,
               I
               must
               chuse
               this
               eternal
               Life
               that
               is
               offered
               to
               me
               ,
               for
               my
               felicity
               and
               portion
               ,
               this
               is
               Consent
               ;
               and
               I
               must
               continue
               with
               patience
               in
               well-doing
               ,
               depending
               upon
               his
               faithful
               Word
               whilst
               I
               am
               in
               the
               pursuit
               of
               it
               ,
               this
               is
               Trust
               or
               Confidence
               .
               As
               this
               World
               is
               Vanity
               ,
               and
               hath
               nothing
               in
               it
               worthy
               to
               be
               compared
               with
               the
               Hopes
               which
               Christ
               hath
               given
               me
               of
               a
               better
               Life
               ,
               so
               I
               chuse
               it
               for
               my
               Happiness
               .
               But
               
               as
               I
               judg
               him
               faithful
               that
               hath
               promised
               ,
               and
               depend
               upon
               him
               that
               he
               will
               make
               good
               his
               Word
               ,
               though
               this
               Happiness
               be
               future
               ,
               and
               lieth
               in
               another
               ,
               an
               unseen
               ,
               an
               unknown
               World
               ,
               to
               which
               there
               is
               no
               coming
               but
               by
               Faith
               ,
               this
               is
               the
               Trust
               ,
               and
               by
               that
               Name
               it
               is
               often
               expressed
               in
               Scripture
               .
               'T
               is
               nothing
               else
               but
               a
               sure
               and
               comfortable
               dependance
               upon
               God
               through
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               in
               the
               way
               of
               well-doing
               for
               the
               Gift
               of
               eternal
               Life
               .
               Psalm
               .
               112.
               7.
               
               
                 His
                 Heart
                 is
                 fixed
                 ,
                 trusting
                 in
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               So
               ,
               
                 Isa.
                 26.
                 3.
                 
                 Thou
                 keepest
                 him
                 in
                 perfect
                 peace
                 ,
                 whose
                 mind
                 is
                 stayed
                 on
                 thee
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 trusteth
                 in
                 thee
                 .
              
               The
               New
               Testament
               also
               useth
               this
               term
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               3.
               4.
               
               
                 Such
                 trust
                 have
                 we
                 through
                 Christ
                 to
                 Godward
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               1
               
                 Tim.
                 4.
                 10.
                 
                 For
                 therefore
                 we
                 both
                 labour
                 ,
                 and
                 suffer
                 reproach
                 ,
                 because
                 we
                 trust
                 in
                 the
                 living
                 God.
              
               Well
               then
               ,
               this
               Trust
               is
               more
               than
               an
               Assent
               ,
               or
               bare
               Perswasion
               of
               the
               mind
               that
               the
               Promises
               are
               true
               ;
               yea
               ,
               't
               is
               more
               than
               a
               motion
               of
               the
               Will
               towards
               them
               as
               good
               and
               satisfying
               ;
               for
               it
               noteth
               a
               quiet
               repose
               of
               the
               Heart
               ,
               on
               the
               fidelity
               and
               mercy
               of
               God
               in
               Christ
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               give
               this
               Blessedness
               ,
               if
               we
               do
               in
               the
               first
               place
               seek
               after
               it
               .
               The
               more
               we
               cherish
               
               this
               Confidence
               ,
               the
               more
               sure
               we
               are
               of
               our
               Interest
               ,
               both
               in
               Christ
               and
               the
               Promise
               ;
               Heb.
               3.
               6.
               
               
                 Whose
                 House
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 hold
                 fast
                 our
                 Confidence
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoicing
                 of
                 Hope
                 firm
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               vers
               .
               14.
               
               
                 We
                 are
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 hold
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 our
                 Confidence
                 stedfast
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               Heb.
               10.
               35.
               
               a
               little
               before
               the
               Text
               ,
               
                 Cast
                 not
                 away
                 your
                 Confidence
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
                 great
                 recompence
                 of
                 reward
                 .
              
               In
               all
               which
               places
               ,
               Confidence
               noteth
               our
               resolute
               ingaging
               in
               the
               heavenly
               Life
               ,
               because
               we
               depend
               upon
               Christ's
               Rewards
               in
               another
               World.
               In
               our
               passage
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               we
               meet
               with
               manifold
               Temptations
               ,
               we
               are
               assaulted
               both
               on
               the
               right
               hand
               ,
               and
               on
               the
               left
               ,
               with
               the
               terrors
               of
               sense
               ,
               which
               are
               a
               discouragement
               to
               us
               ;
               and
               the
               delights
               of
               sense
               ,
               which
               are
               a
               snare
               to
               us
               .
               Confidence
               or
               Trust
               ,
               fortifieth
               us
               against
               both
               these
               Temptations
               ,
               the
               Difficulties
               ,
               Dangers
               ,
               and
               Sufferings
               ,
               which
               we
               meet
               with
               in
               our
               passage
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               yea
               tho
               it
               should
               be
               death
               it self
               :
               for
               Faith
               seeth
               the
               end
               glorious
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               Salvation
               of
               our
               Souls
               is
               sure
               and
               near
               ,
               if
               we
               continue
               faithful
               with
               Christ.
               On
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               Affiance
               or
               Trust
               draweth
               the
               Heart
               to
               
               better
               things
               ,
               and
               we
               can
               easily
               want
               or
               miss
               the
               Contentments
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               the
               pomp
               ,
               and
               ease
               ,
               and
               pleasure
               of
               the
               present
               Life
               ,
               because
               our
               Hearts
               are
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               we
               have
               more
               excellent
               things
               in
               view
               and
               pursuit
               .
               This
               breedeth
               a
               weanedness
               from
               the
               Baits
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               a
               rejection
               and
               contempt
               of
               what
               would
               take
               us
               off
               from
               the
               pursuit
               of
               eternal
               Life
               :
               1
               Cor.
               9.
               26
               ,
               27.
               
               
                 I
                 run
                 not
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 uncertain
                 .
              
               As
               if
               he
               had
               said
               ,
               I
               am
               confident
               ,
               therefore
               I
               am
               mortified
               to
               the
               World.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               immediate
               Fruit
               and
               Effect
               of
               it
               ,
               is
               a
               forsaking
               all
               other
               Hopes
               and
               Happiness
               for
               Christ's
               sake
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               Blessedness
               which
               he
               offereth
               .
               That
               forsaking
               all
               belongeth
               to
               this
               Affiance
               and
               Trust
               ,
               is
               plain
               ,
               because
               I
               can
               neither
               trust
               God
               ,
               nor
               be
               true
               to
               him
               ,
               till
               I
               can
               venture
               all
               my
               Happiness
               upon
               this
               security
               .
               And
               if
               God
               calleth
               me
               to
               it
               ,
               actually
               forsake
               all
               upon
               these
               Hopes
               .
               This
               will
               appear
               to
               you
               by
               these
               Arguments
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               By
               the
               Doctrinal
               Descriptions
               of
               the
               Gospel-Faith
               .
               Our
               Lord
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               that
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               is
               like
               a
               Merchant-man
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 13.
                 45
                 ,
                 46.
                 
                 The
                 
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 is
                 like
                 unto
                 a
                 Merchant-man
                 ,
                 seeking
                 goodly
                 Pearls
                 ;
                 who
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 found
                 one
                 Pearl
                 of
                 great
                 price
                 ,
                 went
                 and
                 sold
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 ,
                 and
                 bought
                 it
                 .
              
               And
               certainly
               he
               knew
               the
               Nature
               of
               that
               Faith
               better
               than
               we
               do
               .
               Many
               cheapen
               the
               Pearl
               of
               Price
               ,
               but
               they
               do
               not
               go
               through
               with
               the
               Bargain
               ,
               because
               they
               do
               not
               fell
               all
               to
               purchase
               it
               .
               No
               ,
               you
               must
               have
               such
               a
               sense
               of
               the
               Excellency
               and
               truth
               of
               Salvation
               by
               Christ
               ,
               that
               you
               must
               chuse
               it
               ,
               and
               let
               go
               all
               that
               is
               inconsistent
               with
               this
               Choice
               and
               Trust.
               You
               must
               be
               resolved
               to
               let
               go
               all
               your
               sinful
               Pleasures
               ,
               Profit
               ,
               and
               Reputation
               ,
               and
               your
               Life
               it self
               ,
               rather
               than
               forfeit
               these
               Hopes
               .
               So
               ,
               
                 Luke
                 14.
                 26.
                 
                 If
                 any
                 Man
                 come
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 hate
                 not
                 Father
                 and
                 Mother
                 ,
                 and
                 Wife
                 ,
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 and
                 Sisters
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 Life
                 ,
                 he
                 cannot
                 be
                 my
                 Disciple
                 .
              
               So
               ,
               Vers.
               33.
               
               
                 Whosoever
                 he
                 be
                 ,
                 that
                 forsaketh
                 not
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 ,
                 cannot
                 be
                 my
                 Disciple
                 .
              
               After
               such
               express
               declararions
               of
               the
               Will
               of
               Christ
               ,
               why
               should
               we
               think
               of
               going
               to
               Heaven
               at
               a
               cheaper
               rate
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               Covenant
               will
               be
               modelled
               ,
               and
               brought
               down
               to
               our
               Humours
               ?
               Christ's
               Service
               will
               bring
               Trouble
               with
               it
               .
               All
               that
               is
               precious
               
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               must
               be
               renounced
               ,
               or
               else
               we
               shall
               not
               be
               able
               to
               hold
               out
               .
               The
               same
               is
               inferred
               out
               of
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               Self-denial
               ,
               Matth.
               16.
               24.
               
               'T
               is
               the
               immediate
               Fruit
               ,
               yea
               ,
               the
               principal
               Act
               of
               our
               Trust
               ;
               for
               if
               God
               be
               trusted
               ,
               as
               our
               F●licity
               ,
               he
               must
               be
               loved
               above
               all
               ,
               and
               all
               things
               must
               give
               way
               to
               God.
               The
               same
               is
               inferred
               out
               of
               the
               Baptismal
               Covenant
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               renouncing
               the
               Devil
               ,
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               a
               giving
               up
               our selves
               to
               Father
               ,
               Son
               ,
               and
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               as
               our
               God.
               This
               Renouncing
               ,
               implieth
               a
               venturing
               of
               all
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               obtain
               this
               Blessedness
               ,
               or
               eternal
               Life
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               By
               all
               the
               extraordinary
               Calls
               ,
               and
               Trials
               ,
               that
               are
               propounded
               as
               a
               Pattern
               to
               us
               .
               Faith
               was
               ever
               a
               venturing
               all
               ,
               and
               a
               forsaking
               all
               ,
               upon
               the
               belief
               of
               God's
               Veracity
               .
               Let
               us
               see
               
               Noah's
               Faith
               ;
               
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 7.
                 
                 By
                 Faith
              
               Noah
               
                 being
                 warned
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 concerning
                 things
                 not
                 seen
                 as
                 yet
                 ,
                 prepared
                 an
                 Ark
                 for
                 the
                 saving
                 of
                 his
                 House
                 .
              
               That
               warning
               that
               God
               gave
               him
               of
               the
               Flood
               ,
               was
               extraordinary
               ,
               but
               they
               were
               
                 of
                 things
                 not
                 seen
                 as
                 yet
              
               ;
               whilst
               these
               things
               were
               in
               the
               mind
               of
               God
               ,
               no
               Man
               or
               Angel
               could
               know
               them
               ;
               and
               after
               God
               revealed
               them
               ,
               there
               was
               nothing
               but
               his
               
               bare
               word
               for
               it
               .
               But
               Noah
               believed
               ;
               And
               what
               then
               ?
               At
               God's
               prescription
               ,
               with
               vast
               expence
               ,
               he
               prepareth
               an
               Ark
               ,
               and
               that
               was
               selling
               all
               .
               He
               was
               of
               a
               vast
               Estate
               ,
               or
               else
               he
               could
               not
               have
               prepared
               such
               a
               Fabrick
               ,
               so
               many
               Years
               in
               building
               ,
               and
               so
               furnished
               ;
               but
               this
               was
               the
               prescribed
               means
               to
               save
               his
               Houshold
               .
               In
               the
               next
               place
               ,
               let
               us
               consider
               
               Abraham's
               Trial
               ,
               who
               was
               the
               
                 Father
                 of
                 the
                 Faithful
              
               .
               His
               first
               trial
               was
               ,
               
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 8.
                 
                 By
                 Faith
              
               Abraham
               
                 when
                 we
                 was
                 called
                 to
                 go
                 out
                 to
                 a
                 place
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 should
                 afterwards
                 receive
                 for
                 an
                 Inheritance
                 ,
                 obeyed
                 ,
                 not
                 knowing
                 whither
                 he
                 went.
              
               Here
               was
               trusting
               ,
               and
               venturing
               all
               upon
               God's
               Call.
               He
               forsook
               his
               Kindred
               ,
               and
               Father's
               House
               ,
               and
               All
               ,
               to
               seek
               an
               Abode
               he
               knew
               not
               where
               .
               Therefore
               we
               must
               forsake
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               all
               things
               therein
               ,
               yea
               ,
               Life
               it self
               ,
               having
               our
               Thoughts
               and
               Affections
               fixed
               on
               Heaven
               .
               There
               must
               be
               a
               total
               resignation
               of
               Heart
               and
               Will
               to
               God.
               We
               owe
               God
               blind
               Obedience
               .
               To
               fors●ke
               our
               Country
               ,
               Kindred
               ,
               Friends
               ,
               Inheritance
               ,
               is
               a
               sore
               Trial
               ;
               yet
               this
               was
               done
               by
               him
               ,
               and
               must
               be
               done
               by
               all
               that
               will
               be
               saved
               ;
               We
               must
               deny
               our selves
               ,
               take
               up
               our
               Cross
               ,
               and
               forsake
               
               Father
               and
               Mother
               ,
               Wife
               and
               Children
               ,
               all
               Relations
               .
               All
               this
               he
               did
               ,
               for
               a
               Land
               which
               he
               neither
               knew
               where
               it
               was
               ,
               nor
               the
               way
               to
               it
               .
               Our
               God
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               He
               will
               bring
               us
               into
               the
               Heavenly
               Canaan
               .
               His
               second
               trial
               you
               have
               recorded
               ,
               Vers.
               17.
               
               
                 By
                 Faith
              
               Abraham
               
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 tried
                 ,
                 offered
                 up
              
               Isaac
               ;
               
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 received
                 the
                 Promises
                 ,
                 offered
                 up
                 his
                 only
                 Son.
              
               God
               would
               try
               Abraham
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               be
               an
               Example
               of
               Faith
               to
               all
               future
               Generations
               ,
               whether
               Abraham
               loved
               God
               ,
               or
               his
               Son
               Isaac
               more
               .
               But
               he
               did
               not
               shrink
               upon
               Trial
               ;
               he
               offered
               him
               up
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               in
               his
               Heart
               he
               had
               parted
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               given
               him
               wholly
               unto
               God
               ,
               and
               made
               all
               ready
               for
               the
               Offering
               ,
               being
               assured
               of
               God's
               fidelity
               ;
               even
               Isaac
               ,
               upon
               whom
               the
               Promises
               were
               setled
               ,
               must
               be
               offered
               ;
               Children
               ,
               dear
               Children
               ,
               every
               thing
               must
               be
               given
               up
               to
               God.
               In
               the
               next
               place
               ,
               Consider
               we
               the
               Israelites
               in
               the
               Red
               Sea
               ;
               Heb.
               11.
               29.
               
               
                 By
                 Faith
                 they
                 passed
                 through
                 the
                 Red
                 Sea
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 dry
                 Land.
              
               God
               commands
               Moses
               ,
               when
               in
               straits
               ,
               to
               strike
               the
               Sea
               with
               his
               Rod
               ,
               and
               Israel
               to
               pass
               forward
               ,
               and
               expect
               the
               Salvation
               of
               God
               ,
               promising
               to
               deliver
               them
               .
               They
               did
               so
               ,
               and
               the
               Sea
               was
               divided
               ,
               and
               the
               Waters
               
               stood
               like
               Walls
               and
               Mountains
               ,
               as
               if
               they
               had
               been
               congealed
               and
               turned
               to
               Ice
               ;
               and
               the
               bottom
               ,
               which
               never
               saw
               Sun
               before
               ,
               is
               made
               like
               firm
               Ground
               ,
               without
               Mud
               and
               Quick-sands
               .
               Thus
               intirely
               will
               God
               be
               trusted
               by
               his
               People
               ,
               and
               they
               must
               put
               their
               All
               into
               his
               hands
               .
               If
               God
               will
               have
               it
               so
               ,
               Faith
               must
               find
               a
               way
               through
               the
               great
               Deep
               .
               No
               Dangers
               so
               great
               that
               we
               must
               decline
               .
               Come
               we
               now
               to
               the
               New
               Testament
               ;
               Christ's
               trial
               of
               the
               young
               Man
               :
               
                 Iesus
                 said
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 Go
                 thy
                 way
                 ,
                 sell
                 all
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 to
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 Treasure
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
              
               Mark
               10.
               21.
               
               But
               he
               could
               not
               venture
               on
               Christ's
               Command
               ,
               and
               went
               away
               sad
               .
               The
               Promise
               of
               Eternal
               Life
               ,
               and
               Treasure
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               could
               not
               part
               the
               young
               Man
               and
               his
               great
               Estate
               ,
               and
               therefore
               he
               continued
               uncapable
               of
               eternal
               Bliss
               .
               This
               young
               Man
               is
               set
               forth
               in
               the
               Gospel
               as
               a
               warning
               to
               others
               .
               So
               in
               
               Peter's
               Trial
               ,
               Mat.
               1●
               .
               29
               ,
               30.
               
               If
               Christ
               bid
               Peter
               come
               to
               him
               upon
               the
               Waters
               ,
               Peter
               must
               come
               though
               the
               storm
               continueth
               ,
               and
               he
               be
               ready
               to
               sink
               at
               every
               step
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               By
               all
               the
               Instances
               of
               Faith
               ,
               in
               the
               ordinary
               and
               common
               case
               of
               Salvation
               .
               
               Moses
               had
               Faith
               ,
               therefore
               he
               forsook
               all
               Honours
               ,
               Pleasures
               ,
               and
               Treasures
               ,
               for
               he
               trusted
               God
               ,
               and
               waited
               for
               the
               recompence
               of
               Reward
               ,
               Heb.
               11.
               24
               ,
               25
               ,
               26.
               
               'T
               is
               endless
               in
               instancing
               in
               all
               :
               Take
               these
               ,
               
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 34.
                 
                 Ye
                 took
                 joyfully
                 the
                 spoiling
                 of
                 your
                 Goods
                 ,
                 knowing
                 in
                 your selves
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 have
                 a
                 better
                 and
                 more
                 enduring
                 substance
                 .
              
               They
               were
               not
               ●iscouraged
               ,
               but
               took
               this
               Rapine
               joyfully
               ,
               which
               argued
               a
               lively
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               a
               sincere
               love
               to
               h●●
               .
               It
               goeth
               〈◊〉
               to
               the
               Hearts
               of
               Worldling●
               to
               part
               with
               these
               things
               ,
               but
               they
               valued
               Christ
               as
               infinitely
               m●●e
               〈◊〉
               than
               all
               the
               Wealth
               of
               the
               Wor●d
               .
               If
               they
               lost
               their
               Goods
               ,
               yet
               if
               they
               lost
               not
               Christ
               ,
               they
               were
               happy
               enough
               ;
               for
               then
               they
               still
               kept
               the
               Title
               to
               the
               enduring
               Substance
               .
               Thus
               you
               see
               what
               is
               Faith
               ;
               
                 Such
                 a
                 trusting
                 in
                 God
                 for
                 eternal
                 Life
                 ,
                 as
                 maketh
                 us
                 willing
                 to
                 forsake
                 all
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 be
                 unfaithful
                 to
                 Christ.
              
               Others
               may
               delude
               you
               ,
               inchant
               your
               Souls
               asleep
               with
               fine
               strains
               of
               ill-understood
               and
               abused
               Grace
               .
               But
               if
               you
               would
               not
               be
               deceived
               ,
               take
               the
               Faith
               and
               Christianity
               of
               Christ's
               Recommendation
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Faith
               now
               described
               .
               Are
               we
               in
               the
               place
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               we
               can
               
               make
               Heaven
               narrower
               or
               broader
               for
               you
               ?
               Surely
               't
               is
               Grace
               ,
               rich
               Grace
               that
               God
               will
               pardon
               us
               ,
               and
               call
               us
               to
               eternal
               Life
               by
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Now
               if
               you
               will
               have
               it
               ,
               you
               must
               believe
               to
               the
               Salvation
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               so
               believe
               ,
               as
               to
               quit
               all
               other
               things
               to
               obtain
               it
               .
            
             
               Vse
               2.
               
               Is
               for
               Examination
               .
               Let
               us
               examine
               our
               Spiritual
               Condition
               ,
               whether
               it
               be
               good
               or
               bad
               ;
               whether
               our
               Faith
               be
               sincere
               ,
               our
               Profession
               real
               ;
               whether
               we
               tend
               to
               Perdition
               ,
               or
               to
               Salvation
               ;
               whether
               we
               believe
               to
               the
               saving
               of
               the
               Soul
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               if
               we
               care
               not
               what
               we
               lose
               ,
               so
               we
               may
               obtain
               the
               heavenly
               Inheritance
               .
               Have
               you
               such
               a
               trust
               ,
               as
               that
               you
               can
               venture
               the
               loss
               of
               something
               which
               is
               dear
               to
               you
               for
               this
               Trust
               ;
               yea
               ,
               not
               only
               something
               ,
               but
               all
               things
               ?
               Certainly
               we
               have
               not
               a
               true
               belief
               of
               the
               promise
               of
               eternal
               Life
               ,
               if
               we
               can
               venture
               nothing
               upon
               it
               ,
               hazard
               nothing
               for
               it
               .
               Now
               we
               venture
               things
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               God's
               Promise
               ,
               four
               ways
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 In
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 Mortification
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 Self-denial
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 In
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 Charity
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 In
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 submission
                 to
                 Providence
                 .
              
            
             
             
               1.
               
               In
               a
               way
               of
               Mortification
               .
               Denying
               our selves
               the
               sinful
               Pleasures
               of
               the
               Senses
               .
               Our
               Sins
               were
               never
               worth
               the
               keeping
               ;
               these
               must
               always
               be
               parted
               with
               ,
               other
               things
               but
               at
               times
               ;
               therefore
               I
               can
               venture
               but
               little
               upon
               the
               security
               of
               eternal
               Life
               ,
               if
               I
               cannot
               deny
               my
               fleshly
               and
               worldly
               Lusts
               ,
               and
               a
               little
               vain
               Pleasure
               ,
               for
               that
               fulness
               of
               Joy
               which
               is
               at
               God's
               right
               hand
               for
               evermore
               .
               I
               have
               God's
               Word
               for
               it
               ,
               that
               if
               I
               mortify
               the
               Deeds
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               I
               shall
               live
               ,
               Rom.
               8.
               13.
               
               'T
               is
               yet
               hard
               to
               abjure
               accustomed
               Delights
               ;
               and
               to
               Hearts
               pleasantly
               set
               ,
               the
               strictness
               of
               an
               holy
               Life
               seemeth
               grim
               and
               severe
               ;
               but
               a
               Believer
               that
               hath
               a
               prospect
               into
               Eternity
               ,
               knoweth
               that
               't
               is
               better
               to
               deny
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               than
               to
               displease
               God
               ;
               To
               take
               a
               little
               pains
               in
               rectifying
               our
               disordered
               Hearts
               ,
               and
               distempered
               Souls
               ,
               than
               to
               endure
               pains
               for
               evermore
               .
               And
               that
               a
               little
               momentany
               Delight
               is
               bought
               too
               dear
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               bought
               with
               the
               loss
               of
               eternal
               Joys
               .
               No
               ,
               let
               me
               lose
               my
               Lusts
               ,
               rather
               than
               lose
               my
               Soul
               ,
               saith
               he
               .
               Every
               Man's
               Heart
               cleaveth
               to
               those
               things
               which
               he
               judgeth
               best
               ;
               and
               the
               more
               it
               cleaveth
               to
               better
               things
               ,
               the
               more
               't
               is
               withdrawn
               from
               other
               things
               .
               Therefore
               
               Faith
               shewing
               us
               the
               truth
               and
               worth
               of
               heavenly
               Things
               ,
               and
               taking
               God's
               Word
               for
               its
               security
               ;
               it
               mastereth
               our
               Desires
               and
               carnal
               Affections
               .
               'T
               is
               
                 the
                 Stranger
                 and
                 Pilgrim
              
               (
               whose
               Mind
               is
               perswaded
               of
               things
               to
               come
               ,
               and
               whose
               Heart
               is
               set
               upon
               them
               )
               
                 that
                 abstaineth
                 from
                 fleshly
                 Lusts
              
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               2.
               11.
               
               Upon
               the
               assurance
               of
               God's
               Word
               ,
               he
               is
               taking
               his
               journey
               into
               another
               World
               :
               Tho
               the
               Flesh
               will
               rebel
               ,
               yet
               he
               counterballanceth
               the
               Good
               and
               Evil
               which
               the
               Flesh
               proposeth
               ;
               with
               the
               Good
               and
               Evil
               of
               the
               other
               World
               ,
               which
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               proposeth
               ;
               and
               so
               learneth
               more
               and
               more
               to
               contemn
               the
               pleasures
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               curb
               his
               unruly
               Passions
               .
               
                 Mortify
                 your
                 Members
                 upon
                 Earth
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 Life
                 is
                 hid
                 with
                 Christ
                 in
                 God
                 ,
              
               Col.
               3.
               3
               ,
               ●5
               .
               And
               they
               that
               look
               for
               a
               Life
               of
               Glory
               hereafter
               ,
               will
               chuse
               a
               Life
               of
               Purity
               here
               upon
               Earth
               .
               'T
               is
               the
               Unbeliever
               findeth
               such
               an
               impotency
               in
               resisting
               present
               Temptations
               ;
               he
               hath
               not
               any
               sense
               ,
               or
               not
               a
               deep
               sense
               of
               the
               World
               to
               come
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               In
               a
               way
               of
               Self-denial
               .
               What
               can
               you
               venture
               and
               forgo
               that
               way
               upon
               the
               security
               of
               God's
               Promise
               ?
               Mortification
               concerneth
               our
               Lusts
               ,
               and
               Self-denial
               our
               Interests
               .
               What
               Interest
               can
               you
               venture
               
               upon
               the
               warrant
               of
               the
               Promise
               ?
               Christ
               saith
               ,
               
                 He
                 that
                 denieth
                 me
                 before
                 Men
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 deny
                 him
                 before
                 my
                 Father
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
              
               Luke
               12.
               9.
               
               And
               again
               ,
               
                 Whosoever
                 shall
                 save
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 shall
                 lose
                 it
                 ,
              
               &c.
               Luke
               9.
               24.
               
               And
               once
               more
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 26.
                 
                 Whosoever
                 shall
                 be
                 ashamed
                 of
                 me
                 and
                 my
                 words
                 ,
                 of
                 him
                 shall
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 Man
                 be
                 ashamed
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 cometh
                 in
                 his
                 Glory
                 .
              
               Now
               urge
               the
               Soul
               with
               the
               Promises
               ;
               Am
               I
               willing
               to
               hazard
               my
               temporal
               Conveniencies
               for
               the
               enduring
               Substance
               ?
               to
               incur
               shame
               and
               blame
               with
               Men
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               be
               faithful
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               own
               his
               Interest
               in
               the
               World
               ?
               and
               do
               I
               so
               when
               it
               actually
               cometh
               to
               a
               trial
               ?
               The
               Heart
               is
               deceitful
               ,
               and
               a
               Temptation
               in
               Conceit
               and
               Imagination
               ,
               is
               nothing
               to
               a
               Temptation
               in
               Act
               and
               Deed
               :
               Therefore
               when
               your
               Resolutions
               are
               assaulted
               by
               Temptations
               of
               any
               considerable
               strength
               ,
               Do
               you
               acquit
               your self
               with
               good
               fidelity
               ?
               Can
               you
               trust
               God
               ,
               when
               he
               trieth
               your
               Trust
               in
               some
               necessary
               Point
               of
               Confession
               ,
               which
               may
               expose
               you
               to
               some
               loss
               ,
               shame
               ,
               and
               hazard
               in
               the
               World
               ?
            
             
               3.
               
               In
               a
               way
               of
               Charity
               ,
               and
               doing
               good
               with
               your
               Estates
               .
               That
               Religion
               is
               worth
               nothing
               that
               costs
               nothing
               ;
               and
               
               when
               all
               is
               laid
               out
               upon
               Pomp
               and
               Pleasure
               ,
               and
               worldly
               Ends
               ,
               as
               the
               advancing
               of
               your
               Families
               and
               Relations
               ;
               and
               little
               or
               nothing
               for
               God
               ,
               upon
               the
               security
               of
               his
               Promise
               ,
               or
               only
               so
               much
               as
               the
               Flesh
               can
               spare
               ,
               to
               hide
               your
               self-pleasing
               and
               self-seeking
               in
               other
               things
               .
               Can
               you
               practise
               upon
               that
               Promise
               ,
               and
               try
               your
               Faith
               ;
               Luke
               12.
               33.
               
               
                 Sell
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 Alms
                 ;
                 provide
                 your selves
                 Bags
                 that
                 wax
                 not
                 old
                 ,
                 a
                 Treasure
                 in
                 the
                 Heavens
                 that
                 faileth
                 not
                 .
              
               What
               have
               you
               ventured
               in
               this
               kind
               ?
               Do
               you
               believe
               ,
               that
               
                 he
                 that
                 giveth
                 to
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 lendeth
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
              
               and
               that
               he
               will
               be
               your
               Pay-master
               ?
               Do
               you
               look
               upon
               no
               Estate
               so
               sure
               ,
               as
               that
               which
               is
               trusted
               in
               Christ's
               Hands
               ?
               and
               are
               you
               content
               to
               be
               at
               some
               considerable
               cost
               for
               Eternal
               Life
               ?
               Most
               Men
               love
               a
               cheap
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               the
               Flesh
               ingrosseth
               all
               .
               Faith
               gets
               little
               from
               them
               to
               be
               laid
               out
               for
               God.
               Do
               not
               these
               Men
               run
               a
               fearful
               hazard
               ?
               And
               while
               they
               are
               so
               over-careful
               to
               preserve
               their
               Estates
               to
               themselves
               and
               Families
               ,
               Do
               they
               believe
               to
               the
               saving
               of
               their
               Souls
               ?
               Or
               if
               they
               do
               not
               preserve
               their
               Estates
               ,
               but
               waste
               them
               ,
               and
               are
               at
               great
               costs
               for
               their
               Lusts
               ,
               they
               do
               nothing
               considerably
               ,
               
               or
               proportionably
               for
               God
               ;
               this
               is
               saving
               to
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               they
               shall
               of
               the
               Flesh
               reap
               Corruption
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               In
               a
               way
               of
               submission
               to
               Providence
               .
               Whether
               you
               will
               or
               no
               ,
               you
               are
               at
               God's
               disposal
               ,
               and
               cannot
               shift
               your selves
               out
               of
               his
               Hands
               ,
               either
               here
               ,
               or
               hereafter
               :
               But
               yet
               't
               is
               a
               part
               of
               your
               Duty
               voluntarily
               to
               surrender
               your selves
               ,
               to
               be
               disposed
               of
               ,
               and
               ordered
               by
               God
               according
               to
               his
               pleasure
               ,
               to
               be
               content
               to
               be
               ,
               what
               he
               will
               have
               you
               to
               be
               ,
               and
               to
               do
               what
               he
               will
               have
               you
               to
               do
               and
               suffer
               ,
               is
               included
               in
               selling
               all
               .
               You
               must
               submit
               to
               be
               at
               God's
               finding
               ,
               which
               is
               that
               poverty
               of
               Spirit
               spoken
               of
               ,
               
                 Mat.
                 5.
                 3.
                 
                 Blessed
                 are
                 the
                 poor
                 in
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               Such
               whose
               Minds
               and
               Spirits
               are
               subdued
               ,
               and
               brought
               under
               Obedience
               to
               God
               ;
               you
               must
               be
               content
               to
               injoy
               what
               God
               will
               have
               you
               to
               injoy
               ,
               and
               to
               want
               what
               he
               will
               have
               you
               want
               ,
               and
               to
               lose
               what
               he
               will
               have
               you
               lose
               .
               2
               Sam.
               15.
               26
               ,
               27.
               and
               
                 Iob
                 1.
                 21.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 gave
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 taken
                 away
                 ,
                 blessed
                 be
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Many
               seem
               to
               resign
               all
               ,
               Goods
               ,
               Life
               ,
               and
               All
               ,
               to
               the
               Will
               of
               God.
               But
               't
               is
               because
               they
               secretly
               think
               in
               their
               Hearts
               ,
               that
               God
               will
               never
               put
               them
               to
               
               the
               trial
               ,
               or
               take
               from
               them
               what
               they
               resign
               to
               him
               ;
               but
               they
               are
               not
               prepared
               for
               a
               submission
               to
               all
               Events
               .
               Like
               those
               that
               make
               large
               Promises
               to
               others
               ,
               when
               they
               think
               they
               will
               not
               take
               them
               at
               their
               words
               .
               So
               their
               Hearts
               secretly
               except
               ,
               and
               reserve
               much
               of
               that
               they
               resign
               to
               God.
               But
               this
               is
               false-dealing
               ,
               and
               is
               shewn
               in
               part
               ,
               in
               murmuring
               when
               God
               taketh
               any
               thing
               from
               us
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 1
                 PET.
                 1.
                 9.
                 
              
               
                 Receiving
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 your
                 Faith
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 .
              
            
             
               THE
               Apostle
               here
               giveth
               a
               reason
               why
               Believers
               rejoice
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               Afflictions
               ;
               they
               are
               qualified
               thereby
               to
               receive
               Salvation
               ;
               yea
               ,
               in
               part
               have
               it
               already
               ;
               
                 Receiving
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 your
                 Faith
                 ,
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 .
              
            
             
               In
               which
               words
               observe
               ;
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   
                     The
                     Benefit
                  
                   .
                   The
                   Salvation
                   of
                   our
                   Souls
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   The
                   Grace
                   which
                   quali●ieth
                   us
                   for
                   that
                   Benefit
                   .
                   Faith.
                   
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   The
                   respect
                   between
                   the
                   Benefit
                   and
                   the
                   Grace
                   ,
                   't
                   is
                   
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                  
                   ,
                   the
                   End
                   ,
                   or
                   Reward
                   .
                
              
            
             
             
               1.
               
               The
               Benefit
               .
               Which
               may
               be
               considered
               as
               consummated
               ,
               or
               as
               begun
               .
               And
               accordingly
               the
               word
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               must
               be
               interpreted
               :
               If
               you
               consider
               it
               as
               to
               Consummation
               ,
               and
               actual
               Possession
               ,
               so
               we
               receive
               it
               at
               Death
               ,
               when
               our
               Self-denying
               Obedience
               is
               ended
               :
               And
               for
               the
               present
               we
               are
               said
               to
               receive
               it
               ,
               because
               we
               are
               sure
               to
               receive
               it
               at
               the
               close
               of
               our
               days
               .
               We
               believe
               now
               that
               we
               shall
               at
               length
               have
               it
               ,
               and
               therefore
               rejoice
               with
               Joy
               unspeakable
               and
               full
               of
               Glory
               .
               2.
               
               If
               you
               consider
               it
               with
               respect
               to
               Inchoation
               ,
               or
               begun
               Possession
               .
               We
               have
               an
               undoubted
               Right
               now
               ,
               and
               some
               beginnings
               of
               it
               in
               the
               Consolations
               of
               the
               Spirit
               .
               Now
               we
               receive
               it
               in
               the
               Promises
               ,
               we
               receive
               it
               in
               the
               first
               Fruits
               ,
               which
               are
               some
               forerunning
               Beams
               of
               the
               day-light
               of
               eternal
               Glory
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Grace
               which
               qualifieth
               ,
               and
               giveth
               us
               a
               Title
               to
               this
               Benefit
               ,
               is
               Faith.
               The
               word
               Faith
               is
               taken
               in
               Scripture
               sometimes
               for
               
                 fides
                 quae
                 creditur
              
               ,
               sometimes
               for
               
                 fides
                 quâ
                 creditur
              
               ,
               for
               the
               Doctrine
               ,
               or
               Grace
               of
               Faith.
               The
               first
               Acceptation
               will
               make
               a
               good
               sense
               here
               ,
               namely
               ,
               that
               the
               whole
               Tenor
               of
               Christian
               Doctrine
               ,
               leadeth
               us
               to
               the
               expectation
               of
               ,
               and
               diligent
               
               pursute
               after
               eternal
               Salvation
               :
               'T
               is
               the
               whole
               drift
               of
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               .
               But
               I
               take
               it
               rather
               for
               the
               Grace
               .
               This
               is
               the
               prime
               Benefit
               which
               Faith
               aimeth
               at
               ,
               as
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               by
               and
               by
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               Respect
               between
               Faith
               and
               Salvation
               .
               'T
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               the
               End
               ;
               or
               the
               word
               signifieth
               the
               Fruit
               ,
               and
               the
               Reward
               .
               As
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               is
               taken
               for
               an
               End
               and
               Scope
               ,
               the
               Scripture
               favoureth
               that
               Notion
               :
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 I
                 press
                 towards
                 the
                 Mark
                 or
                 Scope
                 ,
              
               Phil.
               3.
               14.
               
               And
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               18.
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               the
               Salvation
               of
               our
               Souls
               is
               the
               prime
               Benefit
               which
               Faith
               is
               not
               only
               allowed
               ,
               but
               required
               to
               aim
               at
               .
               A
               Believer
               levelleth
               and
               directeth
               all
               his
               Actions
               to
               this
               end
               ,
               that
               at
               length
               he
               may
               obtain
               eternal
               Life
               .
               Sometimes
               't
               is
               put
               for
               the
               Fruit
               or
               Reward
               ;
               
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 22.
                 
                 Being
                 made
                 free
                 from
                 Sin
                 ,
                 and
                 become
                 Servants
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 ye
                 have
                 your
                 Fruit
                 unto
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 end
                 everlasting
                 Life
                 .
              
               The
               issue
               of
               all
               ,
               the
               final
               result
               was
               your
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               The
               Point
               that
               I
               shall
               in●ist
               on
               is
               this
               ;
            
             
               Doct.
               That
               the
               End
               and
               Reward
               of
               Faith
               ,
               is
               the
               Salvation
               of
               our
               Souls
               .
            
             
             
               I
               shall
               open
               the
               Point
               ,
               by
               explicating
               three
               Questions
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 is
                 this
                 Salvation
                 of
                 our
                 Souls
                 ?
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 What
                 Right
                 the
                 Believer
                 hath
                 to
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 What
                 is
                 that
                 saving-Faith
                 which
                 giveth
                 us
                 a
                 Title
                 to
                 it
                 ?
                 The
                 last
                 is
                 most
                 important
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               What
               is
               the
               Salvation
               of
               the
               Soul
               ?
               'T
               is
               not
               meant
               of
               temporal
               Deliverance
               ,
               or
               an
               escape
               from
               Danger
               ,
               as
               some
               would
               affix
               that
               sense
               upon
               it
               ,
               but
               of
               eternal
               Life
               ,
               or
               our
               happy
               Estate
               in
               Heaven
               :
               This
               belongeth
               to
               our
               whole
               Man
               ,
               the
               Body
               as
               well
               as
               the
               Soul
               ;
               but
               the
               Soul
               is
               the
               chief
               part
               of
               Man
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               is
               first
               glorified
               .
               When
               Men
               come
               first
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               first
               the
               Body
               is
               framed
               ,
               and
               then
               the
               Soul
               cometh
               after
               :
               As
               we
               see
               in
               the
               Creation
               of
               Adam
               ,
               first
               his
               Body
               was
               organized
               ,
               and
               then
               God
               breathed
               into
               him
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Life
               .
               And
               we
               see
               it
               in
               common
               Generation
               ,
               when
               the
               Body
               is
               first
               framed
               in
               the
               Womb
               ,
               then
               't
               is
               quickned
               by
               a
               living
               Soul.
               This
               lower
               Region
               of
               the
               World
               is
               properly
               the
               place
               of
               Bodies
               ,
               therefore
               Reason
               requires
               that
               the
               
               Body
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               Citizen
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               should
               first
               be
               framed
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               be
               a
               receptacle
               for
               the
               Soul
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               stranger
               ,
               and
               cometh
               from
               the
               Region
               of
               Spirits
               that
               is
               above
               .
               But
               when
               we
               must
               remove
               into
               these
               heavenly
               Habitations
               ,
               then
               't
               is
               quite
               otherwise
               ;
               for
               then
               the
               Soul
               as
               a
               Native
               of
               that
               place
               ,
               is
               presently
               admitted
               ,
               but
               the
               Body
               as
               a
               stranger
               ,
               is
               forced
               to
               recide
               in
               the
               Grave
               till
               the
               Day
               of
               Judgment
               ;
               and
               then
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               our
               Bodies
               also
               are
               admitted
               into
               Heaven
               :
               This
               is
               the
               ordinary
               Law
               for
               all
               private
               Persons
               .
               Christ
               indeed
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               Head
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               and
               the
               Prince
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               is
               to
               come
               ,
               his
               Body
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               his
               humane
               Spirit
               ,
               was
               made
               a
               Denizon
               of
               Heaven
               as
               soon
               as
               he
               ascended
               :
               He
               entred
               into
               Heaven
               ,
               not
               as
               a
               private
               Citizen
               ,
               but
               as
               King
               and
               Lord
               of
               the
               Heavenly
               Jerusalem
               ;
               and
               therefore
               carried
               both
               Body
               and
               Soul
               along
               with
               him
               .
               But
               as
               to
               us
               ,
               first
               the
               Soul
               goeth
               there
               ,
               as
               into
               his
               ancient
               Seat
               ,
               and
               proper
               Habitation
               ,
               and
               afterwards
               the
               Body
               followeth
               .
            
             
               Well
               then
               ,
               1.
               at
               Death
               our
               Souls
               go
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               enter
               into
               a
               state
               of
               Happiness
               ;
               Phil.
               1.
               23.
               
               
                 I
                 desire
                 to
                 be
                 dissolved
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 with
                 Christ.
              
               The
               Soul
               is
               not
               annihilated
               after
               Death
               ,
               nor
               doth
               it
               sleep
               till
               the
               Resurrection
               ,
               nor
               is
               it
               detained
               by
               the
               way
               from
               immediate
               passing
               into
               Glory
               :
               but
               if
               it
               be
               the
               Soul
               of
               a
               Believer
               ,
               as
               soon
               as
               it
               is
               loosed
               from
               the
               Body
               ,
               it
               is
               with
               Christ
               ;
               Luke
               23.
               43.
               
               
                 Verily
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 to
                 day
                 shalt
                 thou
                 be
                 with
                 me
                 in
                 Paradise
                 .
              
               He
               asked
               to
               be
               remembred
               when
               Christ
               came
               into
               his
               Kingdom
               ;
               and
               Christ
               assureth
               him
               of
               a
               reception
               there
               that
               day
               as
               soon
               as
               he
               should
               expire
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               In
               due
               time
               the
               Body
               is
               raised
               and
               united
               to
               the
               Soul
               ;
               and
               then
               
                 Christ
                 will
                 be
                 glorified
                 in
                 his
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 admired
                 in
                 all
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 ,
              
               2
               Thess.
               1.
               10.
               
               Such
               glory
               and
               honour
               will
               be
               put
               upon
               those
               who
               are
               but
               newly
               crept
               out
               of
               Dust
               and
               Rottenness
               ;
               the
               Saints
               themselves
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Spectators
               ,
               shall
               wonder
               at
               it
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               There
               is
               another
               Period
               in
               this
               Happiness
               ;
               Our
               everlasting
               habitation
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               near
               unto
               the
               Throne
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               presence
               of
               his
               Glory
               ;
               John
               14.
               2.
               
               
                 In
                 my
                 Father's
                 House
                 are
                 many
                 Mansions
                 .
              
               There
               we
               shall
               also
               have
               the
               company
               of
               Angels
               ,
               and
               blessed
               Spirits
               ,
               and
               make
               up
               one
               Society
               with
               them
               ;
               
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 23.
                 
                 To
                 the
                 general
                 Assembly
                 and
                 Church
                 of
                 
                 the
                 first
                 Born
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 written
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 God
                 the
                 Iudg
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 Spirits
                 of
                 just
                 Men
                 made
                 perfect
                 .
              
               This
               is
               the
               sum
               of
               the
               Salvation
               which
               we
               expect
               ,
               or
               our
               everlasting
               Happiness
               with
               God
               in
               Heaven
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               What
               is
               the
               Right
               of
               Believers
               ,
               or
               the
               Interest
               of
               Faith
               in
               this
               great
               Benefit
               ?
            
             
               I
               Anser
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               It
               doth
               not
               merit
               this
               Reward
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               not
               a
               Reward
               of
               due
               Debt
               ,
               by
               virtue
               of
               any
               intrinsick
               Righteousness
               in
               us
               ,
               or
               any
               thing
               that
               we
               can
               do
               and
               suffer
               ;
               but
               of
               mere
               Grace
               and
               Favour
               ;
               
                 Ephes.
                 2.
                 8.
                 
                 For
                 by
                 Grace
                 ye
                 are
                 saved
                 through
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 not
                 of
                 your selves
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 God.
              
               The
               Apostle
               is
               very
               tender
               of
               the
               Honour
               of
               Grace
               ,
               and
               the
               Interest
               of
               Grace
               in
               our
               Salvation
               .
               From
               the
               first
               step
               to
               the
               last
               period
               ,
               all
               is
               of
               Grace
               ,
               and
               this
               Glory
               of
               his
               free
               Grace
               ,
               God
               must
               not
               be
               robbed
               of
               ,
               neither
               in
               whole
               nor
               in
               part
               .
               We
               have
               all
               from
               his
               Elective
               Love
               ,
               we
               have
               all
               from
               the
               Merit
               and
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               all
               from
               the
               almighty
               Operation
               of
               the
               sanctifying
               Spirit
               .
               Faith
               it self
               is
               a
               Gift
               and
               Fruit
               of
               
               God's
               Grace
               in
               us
               .
               
                 To
                 you
                 't
                 is
                 given
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
              
               Phil.
               1.
               29.
               
               Therefore
               surely
               't
               is
               God's
               free
               Grace
               ,
               Favour
               ,
               and
               Good-will
               ,
               which
               doth
               freely
               bestow
               that
               Salvation
               on
               the
               Elect
               ,
               which
               Christ
               by
               his
               Merit
               hath
               purchased
               ;
               and
               that
               very
               Faith
               by
               which
               we
               apply
               and
               make
               out
               our
               actual
               Claim
               and
               Title
               ,
               is
               wrought
               in
               us
               by
               the
               Spirit
               ;
               so
               that
               there
               is
               nothing
               in
               the
               Persons
               to
               whom
               all
               this
               is
               given
               ,
               to
               induce
               God
               to
               confer
               so
               great
               Benefit
               on
               us
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Tho
               it
               be
               an
               undeserved
               Favour
               ,
               upon
               which
               our
               Works
               have
               no
               meritorious
               Influence
               ,
               yet
               Believers
               have
               an
               undoubted
               Right
               by
               the
               Grant
               and
               Promise
               of
               God
               ,
               wherein
               they
               may
               comfort
               themselves
               ,
               and
               which
               they
               may
               plead
               before
               God.
               John
               3.
               16.
               
               
                 God
                 so
                 loved
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 gave
                 his
                 only
                 begotten
                 Son
                 ,
                 that
                 whosoever
                 believeth
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 should
                 not
                 perish
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 Life
                 Everlastingly
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 5.
                 24.
                 
                 Verily
                 ,
                 verily
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 He
                 that
                 heareth
                 my
                 words
                 ,
                 and
                 believeth
                 in
                 him
                 that
                 sent
                 me
                 ,
                 hath
                 everlasting
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 come
                 into
                 condemnation
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 passed
                 from
                 Death
                 to
                 Life
                 .
              
               And
               in
               many
               places
               ,
               where
               the
               Believer
               is
               qualified
               as
               the
               Heir
               of
               Glory
               .
               He
               that
               entertaineth
               Christ's
               Doctrine
               ,
               
               and
               receiveth
               and
               owneth
               him
               as
               the
               True
               Messiah
               and
               Saviour
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               dependeth
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               obeyeth
               him
               ,
               this
               Man
               hath
               a
               full
               right
               and
               new
               Covenant-Title
               to
               eternal
               Life
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               He
               hath
               not
               only
               a
               new
               Covenant-Right
               ,
               but
               a
               begun
               Possession
               .
               We
               have
               some
               small
               Beginnings
               ,
               Earnests
               ,
               and
               Foretastes
               of
               it
               in
               this
               ;
               partly
               in
               the
               Graces
               ,
               partly
               in
               the
               Comforts
               of
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               In
               the
               Graces
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               .
               For
               Salvation
               is
               begun
               in
               our
               new
               Birth
               ,
               Titus
               3.
               5.
               
               And
               therefore
               Sanctifying
               Grace
               is
               called
               Immortal
               ,
               or
               
                 incorruptible
                 Seed
              
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               23.
               
               There
               is
               an
               eternal
               Principle
               put
               into
               them
               ,
               which
               carrieth
               them
               to
               eternal
               Ends.
               The
               Life
               is
               begun
               in
               all
               that
               shall
               be
               saved
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               still
               working
               towards
               its
               final
               Perfection
               .
               The
               Apostle
               telleth
               us
               ,
               That
               
                 he
                 that
                 hateth
                 his
                 Brother
                 ,
                 hath
                 not
                 eternal
                 Life
                 abiding
                 in
                 him
                 ,
              
               1
               Joh.
               3.
               15.
               
               Whereby
               he
               implieth
               ,
               That
               he
               that
               loveth
               his
               Brother
               ,
               or
               hath
               any
               saving
               Grace
               ,
               he
               hath
               eternal
               Life
               begun
               in
               him
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               As
               to
               Comforts
               ,
               so
               they
               have
               some
               foretastes
               of
               that
               sweetness
               which
               is
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               by
               the
               Life
               and
               Exercise
               of
               
               Faith
               ,
               which
               is
               followed
               with
               Peace
               and
               Joy
               ,
               Rom.
               15.
               13.
               
               Or
               in
               their
               approaches
               to
               God
               in
               the
               Word
               and
               Prayer
               ,
               where
               Cod
               most
               familiarly
               manifests
               himself
               unto
               his
               People
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               3.
               or
               upon
               some
               apprehensions
               of
               his
               favour
               ,
               or
               the
               exercise
               of
               Hope
               and
               Love
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               8.
               
               By
               these
               or
               the
               like
               ways
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               giveth
               us
               the
               foretaste
               .
               Surely
               such
               an
               Author
               ,
               such
               an
               Object
               ,
               must
               needs
               put
               ravishing
               and
               heavenly
               Joy
               into
               the
               Heart
               of
               a
               Believer
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               They
               are
               also
               made
               meet
               to
               partake
               of
               the
               heavenly
               Inheritance
               ,
               Col.
               1.
               12.
               
               There
               is
               
                 Ius
                 Haereditarium
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Ius
                 Aptitudinale
              
               .
               The
               difference
               is
               ,
               as
               between
               an
               Heir
               grown
               ,
               and
               in
               his
               nonage
               ,
               when
               a
               Child
               in
               the
               Cradle
               .
               As
               their
               Natures
               are
               more
               renewed
               and
               purified
               ,
               and
               their
               Souls
               weaned
               from
               the
               delights
               of
               sense
               ,
               they
               are
               changed
               into
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               What
               is
               that
               saving-Faith
               which
               giveth
               us
               a
               title
               to
               it
               ?
               This
               deserveth
               to
               be
               cleared
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               not
               deceive
               our selves
               with
               a
               false
               claim
               .
            
             
             
               Saving-Faith
               is
               such
               a
               believing
               in
               Christ
               ,
               for
               reconciliation
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               everlasting
               Fruition
               of
               him
               in
               Glory
               ;
               as
               maketh
               us
               to
               forsake
               all
               things
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               and
               give
               up
               our selves
               to
               the
               conduct
               of
               the
               Word
               and
               Spirit
               for
               the
               obtaining
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               general
               Nature
               of
               it
               I
               express
               by
               believing
               .
               There
               is
               in
               it
               ,
               
                 Assent
                 ,
                 Consent
              
               ,
               and
               A●●iance
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Assent
               .
               That
               leadeth
               on
               the
               rest
               ,
               when
               we
               believe
               the
               Truth
               of
               God's
               Word
               ,
               Acts
               24.
               14
               ,
               15.
               especially
               those
               practical
               Truths
               which
               do
               most
               nearly
               concern
               our
               recovery
               to
               God
               ;
               as
               concerning
               Man's
               Sin
               and
               Misery
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               broken
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               are
               obnoxious
               to
               his
               Justice
               ,
               and
               have
               deserved
               punishment
               for
               our
               Sins
               ,
               Rom.
               3.
               23.
               
               And
               concerning
               Christ
               ,
               his
               Person
               and
               Office
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               came
               from
               God
               ,
               to
               bring
               home
               Sinners
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               what
               he
               hath
               done
               to
               reconcile
               us
               to
               him
               ;
               1
               Pet.
               3.
               18.
               
               
                 For
                 Christ
                 also
                 hath
                 once
                 suffered
                 for
                 our
                 Sins
                 ,
                 the
                 Iust
                 for
                 the
                 Vnjust
                 ;
                 (
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 bring
                 us
                 to
                 God
                 )
                 being
                 put
                 to
                 death
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 but
                 quickned
                 
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               And
               also
               concerning
               your
               Duty
               and
               Happiness
               ,
               the
               End
               and
               the
               Way
               :
               There
               is
               no
               other
               End
               and
               Happiness
               but
               God
               ,
               no
               other
               Way
               but
               the
               Mediator
               ,
               and
               the
               Means
               appointed
               by
               him
               ,
               Iohn
               14.
               6.
               
               Now
               these
               and
               such-like
               Truths
               must
               be
               believed
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               in
               the
               sense
               we
               are
               now
               upon
               ,
               assented
               unto
               as
               faithful
               Sayings
               ,
               and
               worthy
               of
               all
               acceptation
               and
               regard
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               is
               a
               Consent
               in
               Faith
               ,
               whether
               you
               apply
               it
               to
               the
               Word
               ,
               or
               Christ.
               If
               Christ
               be
               propounded
               as
               the
               Object
               of
               it
               ,
               't
               is
               called
               a
               receiving
               ,
               
                 Iohn
                 1.
                 12.
                 
                 But
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 received
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 them
                 gave
                 he
                 power
                 to
                 become
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
                 :
              
               So
               the
               word
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 2.
                 41.
                 
                 They
                 gladly
                 received
                 his
                 Word
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               embraced
               the
               Gospel-Covenant
               ,
               being
               really
               affected
               with
               what
               he
               had
               spoken
               ,
               concerning
               their
               Sin
               ,
               and
               their
               Duty
               .
               Without
               this
               ,
               the
               Assent
               is
               but
               Intellectual
               and
               Speculative
               ,
               not
               Practical
               .
               An
               Opinion
               ,
               not
               an
               Act
               ,
               or
               Motion
               of
               the
               new
               Nature
               :
               I
               am
               to
               receive
               the
               Christ
               offered
               ,
               to
               embrace
               the
               Covenant
               propounded
               .
               To
               accept
               of
               the
               Blessings
               offered
               for
               my
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               to
               resolve
               upon
               the
               Duties
               required
               as
               my
               Work.
               This
               is
               Consent
               ,
               or
               an
               
               hearty
               accepting
               of
               Christ
               ,
               or
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               offered
               to
               us
               in
               his
               Name
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               There
               is
               Affiance
               ,
               Trust
               ,
               Dependance
               ,
               or
               Confidence
               ;
               which
               is
               a
               quiet
               repose
               of
               Heart
               in
               the
               Mercy
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               Fidelity
               of
               Christ
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               give
               me
               Pardon
               and
               Life
               ,
               if
               I
               seek
               after
               it
               in
               the
               way
               that
               he
               hath
               appointed
               .
               This
               cometh
               in
               upon
               the
               former
               ;
               for
               when
               I
               consent
               to
               seek
               my
               happiness
               in
               God
               ,
               through
               Christ
               ,
               I
               depend
               upon
               the
               security
               of
               his
               Word
               ,
               that
               so
               doing
               I
               shall
               obtain
               it
               .
               This
               intitleth
               us
               to
               the
               Reward
               ;
               
                 Heb.
                 3.
                 6.
                 
                 Whose
                 House
                 we
                 are
                 if
                 we
                 hold
                 fast
                 the
                 Confidence
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoicing
                 of
                 Hope
                 firm
                 unto
                 the
                 End.
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Vers.
                 14.
                 
                 For
                 we
                 are
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 hold
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 our
                 Confidence
                 stedfast
                 unto
                 the
                 End.
              
               And
               ,
               
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 35.
                 
                 Cast
                 not
                 away
                 your
                 Confidence
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
                 great
                 recompence
                 of
                 Reward
                 .
              
               The
               Happiness
               which
               Christ
               promiseth
               us
               ,
               is
               spiritual
               ;
               and
               for
               the
               most
               part
               future
               ,
               an
               lieth
               in
               an
               unseen
               and
               unknown
               World
               ;
               but
               whilst
               we
               are
               ingaged
               in
               the
               pursuit
               of
               it
               ,
               we
               must
               depend
               upon
               his
               ●aithful
               Word
               :
               That
               must
               be
               security
               enough
               to
               us
               ,
               to
               engage
               us
               to
               continue
               with
               patience
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               manifold
               Temptations
               ,
               till
               we
               obtain
               what
               
               he
               offereth
               to
               us
               .
               These
               three
               must
               be
               often
               renewed
               ;
               
                 Assent
                 ,
                 Consent
              
               ,
               and
               Affiance
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               'T
               is
               a
               believing
               in
               Christ.
               I
               make
               Christ
               the
               special
               Object
               of
               this
               Belief
               ,
               not
               as
               exclusive
               of
               the
               Father
               ,
               or
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               but
               because
               of
               the
               peculiar
               reference
               which
               this
               Grace
               hath
               to
               the
               Mediator
               in
               this
               New
               and
               Gospel-Dispensation
               ,
               which
               was
               appointed
               for
               the
               Remedy
               of
               the
               collapsed
               estate
               of
               Mankind
               .
               So
               ,
               
                 Acts
                 20.
                 21.
                 
                 Repentance
                 towards
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Faith
                 in
                 our
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               He
               speaks
               of
               Repentance
               as
               respecting
               God
               ,
               and
               Faith
               as
               respecting
               Christ.
               These
               are
               the
               two
               recovering
               Graces
               ;
               Repentance
               is
               necessary
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               Duty
               we
               owe
               to
               our
               Creator
               and
               supream
               Lord
               ;
               and
               Faith
               respects
               our
               Redeemer
               ,
               who
               principally
               undertook
               our
               recovery
               to
               God.
               Christ
               is
               believed
               in
               ,
               in
               order
               to
               the
               Salvation
               of
               our
               Souls
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 Because
                 he
                 purchased
                 and
                 procured
                 this
                 Salvation
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 Mediator
                 of
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 .
                 Heb.
              
               9.
               5.
               
               He
               is
               the
               Mediator
               of
               the
               New
               Testament
               ,
               that
               by
               means
               of
               Death
               for
               the
               Redemption
               of
               the
               Transgressions
               that
               were
               under
               the
               first
               Covenant
               ,
               
               they
               which
               are
               called
               ,
               might
               receive
               the
               Promise
               of
               the
               eternal
               Inheritance
               .
               
                 By
                 the
                 intervention
                 of
                 his
                 Death
                 ,
                 Sins
                 are
                 expiated
                 ,
                 that
                 penitent
                 Believers
                 might
                 have
                 everlasting
                 Life
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               Because
               't
               is
               by
               him
               promised
               ,
               or
               in
               his
               Name
               .
               1
               John
               2.
               25.
               
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 Promise
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 us
                 ,
                 even
                 eternal
                 Life
                 .
              
               Christ's
               great
               Business
               ,
               as
               a
               Prophet
               ,
               is
               to
               discover
               with
               certainty
               and
               clearness
               ,
               such
               a
               blessed
               Estate
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               be
               commodious
               for
               our
               acceptance
               ,
               laid
               at
               our
               doors
               if
               we
               will
               take
               it
               ,
               well
               and
               good
               :
               He
               is
               Amen
               ,
               the
               faithful
               Witness
               ,
               Rev.
               3.
               14.
               who
               came
               with
               a
               Commission
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               to
               assure
               the
               World
               of
               it
               :
               and
               to
               confirm
               his
               Message
               ,
               he
               wrought
               Miracles
               ,
               died
               ,
               and
               rose
               again
               ,
               and
               entred
               into
               that
               Happiness
               which
               he
               spake
               of
               ,
               that
               our
               Faith
               and
               Hope
               might
               be
               in
               God
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               1.
               21.
               
               Guilty
               Man
               is
               fallen
               under
               the
               Power
               and
               Fear
               of
               Death
               ,
               and
               strangely
               haunted
               with
               Doubts
               about
               the
               other
               World.
               Now
               he
               that
               came
               to
               save
               us
               and
               heal
               us
               ,
               did
               himself
               in
               our
               Nature
               rise
               from
               the
               Dead
               ,
               and
               ascend
               into
               Heaven
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               give
               a
               visible
               demonstration
               ,
               both
               of
               the
               Resurrection
               and
               Life
               to
               come
               ,
               which
               he
               hath
               
               promised
               to
               us
               .
               And
               when
               he
               sent
               abroad
               Messengers
               in
               his
               Name
               ,
               to
               assure
               the
               World
               of
               it
               ,
               their
               Testimony
               was
               accompanied
               with
               divers
               Signs
               ,
               and
               Wonders
               ,
               and
               Gifts
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               Heb.
               2.
               3
               ,
               4.
               that
               the
               stupid
               World
               might
               be
               alarum'd
               to
               regard
               the
               offer
               ,
               and
               by
               this
               Evidence
               be
               assured
               of
               the
               Truth
               of
               it
               ;
               therefore
               still
               't
               is
               a
               believing
               in
               Christ.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               Because
               as
               King
               he
               doth
               administer
               and
               dispense
               the
               Blessings
               of
               the
               New
               Covenant
               ;
               and
               among
               them
               ,
               as
               the
               Chief
               and
               Principal
               ,
               this
               Salvation
               unto
               all
               those
               who
               are
               qualified
               :
               And
               therefore
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 Heb.
                 5.
                 9.
                 
                 Being
                 made
                 perfect
                 through
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 become
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 eternal
                 Salvation
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 obey
                 him
                 .
              
               Every
               Effect
               must
               have
               some
               Cause
               ;
               and
               this
               noble
               and
               glorious
               Effect
               of
               eternal
               Salvation
               ,
               could
               have
               no
               other
               Cause
               but
               Christ
               :
               and
               he
               as
               perfected
               and
               consecrated
               ,
               is
               the
               Author
               and
               efficient
               Cause
               of
               it
               :
               for
               as
               King
               ,
               he
               sendeth
               down
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               to
               reveal
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               work
               Faith
               in
               the
               Hearts
               of
               Men
               ,
               to
               qualify
               them
               for
               Pardon
               and
               Salvation
               ;
               and
               all
               those
               that
               sue
               for
               Pardon
               and
               Salvation
               in
               his
               Name
               ,
               by
               the
               Plea
               of
               his
               Blood
               before
               the
               Throne
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               promise
               
               obedience
               to
               his
               Laws
               and
               Institutes
               ,
               he
               actually
               bestoweth
               Pardon
               ,
               and
               eternal
               Salvation
               upon
               them
               .
               There
               be
               many
               other
               ministerial
               ,
               and
               adjutant
               Causes
               ,
               which
               conduce
               to
               this
               effect
               ;
               But
               he
               is
               the
               Principal
               ;
               and
               the
               word
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               signifieth
               a
               Cause
               in
               general
               ,
               is
               fitly
               by
               our
               Translation
               termed
               ,
               the
               Author
               of
               eternal
               Salvation
               :
               So
               that
               still
               you
               see
               a
               new
               Reason
               why
               saving-Faith
               should
               be
               described
               to
               be
               a
               believing
               in
               Christ.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               prime
               Benefits
               which
               Faith
               respecteth
               ,
               I
               make
               to
               be
               two
               .
               Reconciliation
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               everlasting
               Fruition
               of
               him
               in
               Glory
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Reconciliation
               is
               necessarily
               eyed
               and
               regarded
               by
               the
               guilty
               Soul.
               
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Because
               there
               hath
               been
               a
               breach
               ,
               by
               which
               we
               have
               lost
               God's
               Favour
               and
               Happiness
               .
               We
               have
               to
               do
               with
               a
               God
               whose
               Nature
               ingageth
               him
               to
               hate
               Sin
               ,
               and
               whose
               Justice
               ingageth
               him
               to
               Punish
               it
               :
               And
               before
               we
               can
               be
               induced
               to
               treat
               with
               him
               ,
               such
               a
               Reconciliation
               is
               necessary
               for
               all
               Mankind
               ,
               as
               that
               he
               should
               be
               willing
               to
               deal
               with
               them
               upon
               the
               term
               of
               a
               New
               Covenant
               ,
               wherein
               Pardon
               and
               Life
               might
               be
               offered
               to
               penitent
               Believers
               .
               
               This
               Reconciliation
               is
               spoken
               of
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               19.
               
               
                 God
                 was
                 in
                 Christ
                 reconciling
                 the
                 World
                 unto
                 himself
                 ,
                 not
                 imputing
                 their
                 Trespasses
                 ;
                 and
                 hath
                 committed
                 unto
                 us
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 Reconciliation
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               upon
               the
               sufficiency
               of
               Christ's
               Sacrifice
               ,
               Ransom
               ,
               and
               Satisfaction
               ;
               there
               was
               so
               much
               done
               towards
               an
               actual
               Reconciliation
               with
               God
               ,
               that
               he
               offered
               a
               conditional
               Covenant
               to
               as
               many
               as
               were
               willing
               to
               enter
               into
               his
               Peace
               .
               He
               provided
               a
               sufficient
               Remedy
               for
               the
               Pardon
               of
               Sin
               ,
               if
               Men
               would
               as
               heartily
               accept
               of
               it
               ,
               as
               it
               was
               freely
               given
               them
               .
               And
               the
               Office
               of
               Ambassadors
               was
               appointed
               ,
               to
               beseech
               Men
               so
               to
               do
               .
               And
               unless
               this
               had
               been
               done
               ,
               a
               guilty
               Soul
               could
               never
               be
               brought
               to
               love
               an
               holy
               ,
               sin-hating
               God
               ,
               ingaged
               by
               Justice
               to
               damn
               the
               Sinner
               :
               But
               it
               must
               be
               a
               loving
               reconciled
               God
               that
               is
               willing
               to
               forgive
               ,
               that
               can
               be
               propounded
               as
               an
               Object
               of
               Faith
               and
               Love
               ,
               or
               as
               an
               amiable
               God
               to
               us
               .
               Psalm
               .
               130.
               4.
               
               
                 There
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 mayest
                 be
                 feared
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               Reconciliation
               is
               necessarily
               eyed
               by
               the
               penitent
               Believer
               ,
               because
               this
               Reconciliation
               and
               Recovery
               by
               Christ
               ,
               consists
               
               both
               in
               the
               Pardon
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               the
               Gift
               of
               the
               Sanctifying
               Spirit
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               One
               branch
               of
               the
               actual
               restitution
               of
               God's
               Favour
               to
               us
               ,
               is
               the
               Pardon
               of
               Sins
               ;
               without
               which
               we
               are
               not
               capable
               of
               Life
               and
               Happiness
               ,
               Ephes.
               7.
               
               The
               possible
               conditional-Reconciliation
               ,
               consists
               in
               the
               offer
               of
               Pardon
               ,
               and
               the
               actual
               Reconciliation
               ,
               in
               the
               actual
               pardon
               and
               forgiveness
               of
               our
               Transgressions
               ;
               and
               then
               the
               Man
               beginneth
               to
               be
               in
               a
               blessed
               Estate
               ,
               Psal.
               32.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               other
               Branch
               is
               the
               Gift
               of
               the
               Sanctifying
               Spirit
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               great
               Testimony
               and
               Pledg
               of
               his
               Love
               ;
               then
               is
               our
               Pardon
               executed
               ,
               or
               actually
               applied
               to
               us
               :
               And
               we
               receive
               the
               Attonement
               ,
               Rom.
               5.
               11.
               
               And
               ,
               2
               
                 Cor
                 5.
                 8.
                 
                 All
                 things
                 are
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 reconciled
                 us
                 to
                 himself
                 by
                 Iesus
                 C●rist
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               all
               thi●gs
               which
               belong
               to
               the
               New
               Creature
               ,
               vers
               .
               17.
               
               And
               that
               's
               the
               Reason
               why
               God
               is
               said
               to
               sanctify
               as
               a
               God
               of
               Peace
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               as
               reconciled
               to
               us
               in
               Christ
               ;
               see
               1
               
                 Thess.
                 5.
                 23.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 very
                 God
                 of
                 Peace
                 sanctify
                 you
                 wholly
                 :
              
               and
               Heb.
               13.
               20
               ,
               21.
               
               
                 Now
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Peace
                 ,
                 that
                 brought
                 again
                 from
                 the
                 Dead
                 our
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 that
                 great
                 
                 Shepherd
                 of
                 the
                 Sheep
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 Blood
                 of
                 the
                 Everlasting
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 make
                 you
                 perfect
                 in
                 every
                 good
                 Work
                 ,
                 to
                 do
                 his
                 Will
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               And
               in
               all
               God's
               internal
               Government
               with
               the
               Saints
               ,
               he
               sheweth
               his
               pleasure
               or
               displeasure
               with
               the
               Saints
               ,
               by
               giving
               ,
               or
               withholding
               and
               withdrawing
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               as
               it
               were
               easy
               to
               prove
               to
               you
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
               you
               see
               the
               Reasons
               why
               in
               believing
               in
               Christ
               ,
               we
               reflect
               the
               Eye
               of
               our
               Faith
               on
               Reconciliation
               ,
               as
               the
               prime
               initial
               Benefit
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               next
               great
               consummating
               Benefit
               is
               ,
               the
               everlasting
               Fruition
               of
               God
               in
               Glory
               :
               For
               Christ's
               Office
               is
               to
               recover
               us
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               bring
               us
               to
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               never
               fully
               and
               compleatly
               done
               till
               we
               come
               to
               Heaven
               .
               Therefore
               the
               saving
               of
               the
               Soul
               is
               the
               prime
               Benefit
               offered
               to
               us
               by
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               to
               which
               all
               other
               tend
               .
               As
               Justification
               ,
               and
               Sanctification
               ,
               and
               by
               which
               all
               our
               Pains
               and
               Losses
               for
               Christ
               are
               recompenced
               ,
               and
               from
               which
               we
               fetch
               our
               comfort
               all
               along
               the
               course
               of
               our
               Pilgrimage
               ,
               and
               upon
               the
               Hopes
               of
               which
               the
               Life
               of
               Grace
               is
               carried
               on
               ,
               and
               the
               Temptations
               of
               sense
               are
               defeated
               .
               So
               that
               this
               is
               the
               main
               Bl●ssing
               which
               Faith
               
               aimeth
               at
               ;
               see
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               1
               
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 16.
                 
                 For
                 a
                 Pattern
                 to
                 them
                 who
                 should
                 hereafter
                 believe
                 on
                 him
                 to
                 everlasting
                 Life
                 .
              
               Wherefore
               do
               Men
               believe
               in
               Christ
               ,
               but
               for
               this
               end
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               obtain
               everlasting
               Life
               ?
               Wherefore
               were
               the
               Scriptures
               written
               ?
               John
               20.
               31.
               
               
                 These
                 things
                 are
                 written
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 might
                 believe
                 that
                 Iesus
                 is
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 believing
                 ,
                 ye
                 might
                 have
                 Life
                 through
                 his
                 Name
                 .
              
               The
               Scriptures
               are
               written
               ,
               th●●
               we
               might
               know
               Christ
               aright
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               ●ernel
               and
               Marrow
               of
               them
               ;
               and
               the
               chief
               Benefit
               we
               have
               by
               him
               ,
               is
               Life
               ,
               or
               the
               Salvation
               of
               our
               Souls
               ;
               and
               therefore
               well
               may
               it
               be
               called
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               
                 The
                 End
                 of
                 our
                 Faith.
              
               
            
             
               4.
               
               In
               the
               next
               place
               ,
               I
               add
               the
               immediate
               Acts
               and
               Effects
               of
               it
               :
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Such
                   as
                   maketh
                   us
                   to
                   forsake
                   all
                   things
                   in
                   this
                   World.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   ,
                   2.
                   give
                   up
                   our selves
                   to
                   the
                   Conduct
                   of
                   the
                   Word
                   and
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   obtaining
                   this
                   Happiness
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               To
               forsake
               all
               things
               in
               this
               World.
               As
               soon
               as
               we
               address
               our selves
               seriously
               
               to
               believe
               ,
               we
               turn
               our
               backs
               upon
               them
               ,
               namely
               ,
               upon
               the
               Pleasures
               ,
               and
               Honours
               ,
               and
               Profits
               of
               this
               World.
               We
               forsake
               them
               in
               Vow
               and
               Resolution
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               converted
               and
               begin
               to
               believe
               ;
               for
               Conversion
               is
               a
               turning
               from
               the
               Creature
               to
               God.
               As
               soon
               as
               we
               〈◊〉
               believe
               ,
               and
               hope
               for
               the
               Fruition
               of
               God
               in
               Glory
               ,
               as
               purchased
               and
               promised
               by
               Christ
               ,
               our
               hearts
               are
               weaned
               and
               withdrawn
               from
               the
               false
               Happiness
               ,
               not
               perfectly
               ,
               but
               yet
               sincerely
               ;
               and
               we
               actually
               renounce
               and
               forsake
               them
               at
               the
               call
               of
               God's
               Providence
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               inconsistent
               with
               our
               fidelity
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               hopes
               of
               that
               Happiness
               which
               his
               Promises
               offer
               to
               us
               .
               Now
               that
               our
               Faith
               must
               be
               expressed
               by
               forsaking
               all
               ,
               yea
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               essential
               to
               Faith
               ;
               and
               nothing
               else
               is
               saving-Faith
               but
               this
               ,
               as
               appeareth
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               By
               the
               Doctrinal
               Descriptions
               of
               it
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               (
               which
               I
               shall
               describe
               to
               you
               according
               to
               my
               usual
               method
               )
               ;
               our
               Lord
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               
                 That
                 the
                 Kingd●m
                 of
                 Heaven
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 Merchant
                 man
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               13.
               45
               ,
               46.
               
                 seeking
                 goodly
                 Pearls
                 .
                 Who
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 found
                 one
                 Pearl
                 of
                 great
                 Price
                 ,
                 he
                 went
                 and
                 sold
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 and
                 bought
                 it
                 .
              
               And
               surely
               he
               knew
               the
               Nature
               of
               Faith
               
               better
               than
               we
               do
               .
               Many
               cheapen
               the
               Pearl
               of
               Pri●e
               ,
               but
               they
               do
               not
               go
               through
               with
               the
               ●●●gain
               ,
               because
               they
               do
               not
               sell
               all
               to
               purchase
               i●
               .
               Faith
               implieth
               such
               a
               sense
               of
               the
               Excellency
               and
               Truth
               of
               Salva●ion
               by
               Christ
               ,
               that
               you
               must
               chuse
               it
               ,
               and
               let
               go
               all
               which
               is
               inconsistent
               with
               this
               Choice
               and
               Trust.
               All
               your
               sinful
               Pleasures
               Profit
               ,
               Reputation
               ,
               and
               Life
               it self
               ,
               rather
               than
               forfeit
               these
               Hopes
               :
               Luke
               14.
               26.
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 any
                 Man
                 come
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 hate
                 not
                 Father
                 and
                 Mother
                 ,
                 and
                 Brother
                 and
                 〈…〉
                 Disciple
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 Life
                 ,
                 he
                 cannot
                 〈…〉
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 33.
                 
                 Whosoeve●
                 〈…〉
                 that
                 forsaketh
                 not
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 ,
                 he
                 cannot
                 be
                 my
                 Disciple
                 .
              
               After
               such
               express
               Declarations
               of
               the
               Will
               of
               Christ
               ,
               why
               should
               we
               think
               of
               going
               to
               Heaven
               at
               a
               ch●●per
               rate
               ?
               Christ
               must
               be
               preferred
               above
               all
               that
               is
               nearest
               or
               dearest
               ,
               or
               else
               he
               will
               not
               be
               for
               our
               turn
               ,
               nor
               we
               for
               his
               .
               The
               same
               is
               inferred
               out
               of
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               Self-denial
               ;
               Mat.
               16.
               24.
               
               
                 If
                 any
                 Man
                 will
                 come
                 after
                 me
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 deny
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 up
                 his
                 Cross
                 and
                 follow
                 me
                 .
              
               For
               Self-denial
               hath
               a
               greater
               Relation
               to
               Faith
               ,
               and
               is
               nearer
               of
               kin
               to
               Faith
               than
               the
               World
               imagineth
               ,
               't
               is
               the
               immediate
               Fruit
               of
               our
               Trust.
               If
               God
               be
               trusted
               
               as
               our
               supream
               Felicity
               ,
               he
               must
               be
               loved
               above
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               all
               things
               must
               give
               way
               to
               God.
               If
               Christ
               be
               trusted
               as
               the
               way
               to
               the
               Father
               ,
               all
               things
               must
               be
               counted
               dung
               and
               loss
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               gain
               Christ
               ,
               Phil.
               3.
               8.
               
               The
               same
               is
               inferred
               out
               of
               the
               Baptismal
               Covenant
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               renouncing
               the
               Devil
               ,
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               a
               chusing
               Father
               ,
               Son
               ,
               and
               Holy
               Ghost
               for
               our
               God
               ;
               if
               there
               be
               a
               chusing
               ,
               there
               must
               be
               a
               renouncing
               .
               The
               Devil
               by
               the
               World
               ,
               tempts
               our
               Flesh
               from
               the
               Christian
               Hope
               ;
               therefore
               Idols
               must
               be
               renounced
               ,
               before
               we
               can
               have
               the
               True
               God
               for
               our
               God
               :
               
                 Iosh.
                 24.
                 23.
                 
                 Put
                 away
                 the
                 strange
                 Gods
                 which
                 are
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 incline
                 your
                 Heart
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 God
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
              
               Naturally
               our
               God
               is
               our
               Belly
               ,
               while
               Carnal
               ,
               
                 Phil.
                 3.
                 19.
                 
                 Mammon
              
               is
               our
               God
               ,
               Mat.
               6.
               24.
               
               The
               Devil
               is
               our
               God
               ,
               Col.
               1.
               13.
               
               And
               ,
               Ephes.
               2.
               2
               ,
               3.
               
               
                 Wherein
                 in
                 times
                 past
                 ye
                 walked
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Prince
                 of
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 the
                 Air
                 ,
                 the
                 Spirit
                 that
                 now
                 worketh
                 in
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 Disobedience
                 .
                 Among
                 whom
                 also
                 we
                 all
                 had
                 our
                 Conversation
                 in
                 times
                 past
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Lusts
                 of
                 our
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 fulfilling
                 the
                 Desires
                 of
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Mind
                 ;
                 and
                 were
                 by
                 Nature
                 the
                 
                 Children
                 of
                 Wrath
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 others
                 .
              
               Besides
               ,
               the
               Nature
               of
               the
               thing
               ,
               Baptism
               implieth
               this
               Renunciation
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               3.
               21.
               
               And
               this
               Renunciation
               is
               nothing
               else
               but
               a
               forsaking
               all
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               have
               eternal
               Life
               by
               Christ.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               appeareth
               ;
               by
               Reasons
               .
            
             
               For
               (
               1.
               )
               Faith
               cannot
               be
               without
               this
               forsaking
               ;
            
             
               Nor
               ,
               (
               2.
               )
               this
               forsaking
               without
               Faith.
               
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               Faith
               cannot
               be
               without
               this
               forsaking
               .
               For
               Faith
               implieth
               a
               sight
               of
               the
               Truth
               and
               Worth
               of
               those
               blessed
               Things
               which
               are
               to
               come
               ,
               and
               so
               to
               take
               the
               Thing
               promised
               for
               our
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               the
               promise
               for
               our
               Security
               .
               1.
               
               There
               is
               no
               true
               sound
               Faith
               ,
               till
               we
               take
               the
               everlasting
               Fruition
               of
               God
               in
               Glory
               for
               our
               whole
               Felicity
               ,
               till
               our
               Hearts
               be
               set
               upon
               it
               ,
               and
               we
               do
               desire
               it
               ,
               intend
               it
               ,
               wait
               for
               it
               ,
               as
               the
               chief
               Good
               and
               Blessedness
               .
               The
               upright
               Heart
               is
               known
               by
               its
               Treasure
               ;
               Mat.
               6.
               20
               ,
               21.
               
               
                 Lay
                 up
                 Treasure
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 for
                 where
                 your
                 Treasure
                 is
                 ,
                 there
                 your
                 Heart
                 will
                 be
                 also
                 .
              
               Now
               if
               this
               be
               so
               ,
               other
               things
               will
               be
               lessened
               ,
               all
               other
               Hopes
               and
               Happiness
               is
               nothing
               worth
               ;
               and
               will
               appear
               so
               ,
               if
               compared
               with
               this
               better
               part
               ,
               with
               what
               we
               account
               our
               
               Treasure
               ;
               you
               will
               see
               all
               this
               World
               is
               Vanity
               ,
               and
               hath
               nothing
               in
               it
               worthy
               to
               be
               compared
               with
               the
               Salvation
               of
               our
               Souls
               .
               2.
               
               There
               is
               no
               true
               Faith
               ,
               where
               the
               Word
               and
               Promise
               of
               God
               is
               not
               taken
               for
               our
               Security
               ,
               so
               as
               our
               Trust
               in
               his
               Word
               ,
               may
               quiet
               and
               embolden
               us
               against
               Temptations
               ,
               and
               give
               us
               stronger
               Consolation
               than
               all
               the
               visible
               things
               on
               Earth
               ,
               Psalm
               .
               119.
               111.
               and
               Heb.
               6.
               18.
               
               We
               should
               do
               more
               ,
               and
               go
               farther
               upon
               such
               a
               Promise
               ,
               than
               for
               all
               that
               Man
               can
               give
               unto
               us
               .
               Earthly
               Pleasures
               and
               Possessions
               should
               be
               small
               things
               in
               regard
               of
               the
               Promise
               of
               God.
               This
               should
               make
               us
               row
               against
               the
               stream
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               cross
               its
               desires
               and
               appetites
               ,
               and
               deny
               the
               Conveniencies
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               all
               because
               we
               have
               God's
               Promise
               of
               better
               things
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               This
               forsaking
               cannot
               be
               without
               Faith
               ;
               because
               the
               Flesh
               is
               importunate
               to
               be
               pleased
               with
               present
               Satisfactions
               ,
               and
               loth
               to
               part
               with
               things
               which
               we
               see
               and
               love
               ,
               for
               that
               God
               and
               Glory
               which
               we
               never
               saw
               ;
               to
               quit
               what
               is
               present
               ,
               for
               what
               is
               future
               ,
               and
               with
               patience
               to
               be
               expected
               .
               The
               Flesh
               is
               for
               pleasing
               the
               Body
               ,
               but
               Faith
               is
               for
               saving
               the
               
               Soul
               ,
               Heb.
               10.
               39.
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               :
               Purchasing
               the
               Soul
               with
               the
               loss
               of
               other
               things
               .
               So
               that
               this
               is
               Faith
               ,
               nothing
               but
               Faith
               ,
               and
               other
               Faith
               is
               not
               true
               and
               sound
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               maketh
               us
               to
               give
               up
               our selves
               to
               the
               conduct
               of
               the
               Word
               and
               Spirit
               for
               obtaining
               this
               Happiness
               .
               I
               add
               this
               ,
               because
               the
               Word
               is
               our
               Rule
               ,
               Gal.
               6.
               
               ●6
               .
               and
               the
               Spirit
               our
               Guide
               ,
               Rom.
               8.
               14.
               
               And
               Faith
               is
               not
               only
               an
               apprehension
               of
               Privileges
               ,
               but
               〈…〉
               of
               Subjection
               :
               And
               the
               sound
               Believer
               devoteth
               himself
               to
               the
               Love
               ,
               Fear
               ,
               Service
               ,
               and
               Ob●dience
               of
               God.
               2
               Cor.
               8.
               8.
               
               
                 They
                 first
                 gave
                 up
                 themselves
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 〈◊〉
                 by
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 God
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               the
               Apostles
               as
               Christ's
               Messengers
               ,
               to
               be
               directed
               in
               the
               Way
               to
               Heaven
               :
               Psal.
               119.
               38.
               
               
                 Stablish
                 thy
                 Word
                 unto
                 thy
                 Servant
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 devoted
                 to
                 thy
                 fear
                 .
              
               This
               now
               is
               saving-Faith
               .
            
             
               The
               Vse
               is
               ,
               to
               exhort
               you
               to
               believe
               to
               the
               saving
               of
               the
               Soul.
               
            
             
               To
               this
               end
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               Because
               Faith
               is
               the
               Gift
               of
               God
               ,
               beg
               
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 that
                 
                 your
                 Eyes
                 may
                 be
                 opened
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 see
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 Hope
                 of
                 his
                 Calling
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 the
                 Riches
                 of
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 his
                 Inheritance
                 in
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
              
               &c.
               Ephes.
               1.
               17
               ,
               18.
               
               That
               you
               may
               be
               convinced
               of
               the
               truth
               and
               worth
               of
               the
               Blessedness
               promised
               ,
               and
               know
               and
               see
               it
               ,
               not
               by
               a
               traditional
               Report
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               lively
               Light
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               such
               as
               may
               affect
               and
               engage
               your
               Hearts
               .
               Naturally
               we
               are
               purblind
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               9.
               have
               no
               accute
               discerning
               ,
               but
               in
               Back
               and
               Belly
               Concernments
               .
               We
               know
               what
               is
               noxious
               or
               comfortable
               to
               the
               present
               Life
               ,
               pleasing
               or
               displeasing
               to
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               but
               are
               little
               affected
               with
               the
               danger
               of
               perishing
               for
               ever
               ,
               the
               need
               of
               Christ
               ,
               or
               the
               worth
               of
               Salvation
               :
               and
               till
               God
               make
               a
               change
               ,
               how
               slight
               and
               sensual
               are
               we
               !
            
             
               2.
               
               Think
               often
               and
               seriously
               how
               much
               the
               saving
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               is
               better
               than
               the
               saving
               ,
               or
               getting
               ,
               or
               keeping
               all
               the
               World.
               Matth.
               16.
               26.
               
               
                 What
                 will
                 it
                 profit
                 a
                 Man
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 gain
                 the
                 whole
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 lose
                 his
                 own
                 Soul
                 ?
              
               So
               much
               as
               God
               is
               to
               be
               preferred
               before
               the
               Creature
               ,
               Heaven
               before
               the
               World
               ,
               Eternity
               before
               Time
               ,
               the
               Soul
               before
               the
               Body
               ;
               so
               much
               must
               this
               Business
               of
               saving
               the
               
               Soul
               have
               the
               preheminence
               ,
               and
               be
               preferred
               before
               the
               Interests
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               and
               the
               bodily
               Life
               .
               But
               alas
               !
               what
               poor
               things
               divert
               us
               from
               this
               Happiness
               ;
               the
               satisfying
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               the
               pleasures
               of
               Sin
               for
               a
               season
               ;
               a
               little
               Ease
               ,
               or
               Profit
               ,
               or
               vain-Glory
               ;
               this
               is
               all
               for
               which
               we
               slight
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               our
               own
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Put
               your selves
               into
               the
               way
               of
               Salvation
               ,
               by
               s●eking
               Reconciliation
               with
               God
               by
               Christ.
               You
               are
               invited
               in
               the
               universal
               conditional
               Offer
               ,
               Iohn
               3.
               16.
               
               'T
               is
               offered
               to
               all
               that
               will
               repent
               and
               believe
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               no
               exception
               put
               in
               against
               you
               to
               exclude
               you
               ;
               Why
               then
               will
               you
               exclude
               your self
               ?
               Therefore
               come
               forward
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               God
               will
               help
               you
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Mind
               often
               the
               genuine
               Effect
               of
               the
               True
               Faith.
               It
               makes
               you
               forsake
               all
               ,
               that
               you
               may
               be
               obedient
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               resolved
               upon
               it
               .
            
             
               Therefore
               consider
               ,
               1.
               the
               Necessity
               of
               it
               :
               You
               can
               neither
               trust
               God
               ,
               nor
               be
               true
               to
               him
               ,
               till
               your
               Heart
               be
               loosened
               from
               the
               Pleasures
               ,
               and
               Profits
               ,
               and
               Honours
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               you
               can
               venture
               all
               upon
               the
               security
               of
               his
               Promise
               ,
               other
               Hopes
               and
               Happiness
               will
               divert
               us
               
               from
               the
               true
               Happiness
               ;
               and
               the
               good
               feed
               will
               be
               choaked
               by
               the
               cares
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               and
               voluptuous
               Living
               ,
               that
               you
               can
               bring
               nothing
               to
               perfection
               .
               Either
               you
               will
               turn
               aside
               by
               open
               Defection
               or
               Apostacy
               ,
               or
               else
               be
               a
               Dwarf
               and
               Cripple
               in
               Religion
               all
               your
               days
               ;
               either
               in
               Mortification
               ,
               in
               denying
               the
               sinful
               Pleasures
               of
               the
               Senses
               ,
               you
               will
               slight
               the
               fulness
               of
               Joy
               at
               God's
               right
               Hand
               ,
               for
               a
               little
               vain
               Pleasure
               ;
               which
               when
               't
               is
               gone
               ,
               't
               is
               as
               a
               thing
               of
               nought
               .
               'T
               is
               the
               Pilg●im
               abstaineth
               from
               fleshly
               Lusts
               :
               He
               that
               run●eth
               not
               as
               uncertain
               ,
               that
               keepeth
               down
               his
               Body
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               9.
               26
               ,
               27.
               or
               in
               a
               way
               of
               Self-denial
               ,
               run
               few
               hazards
               for
               Christ
               :
               It
               may
               be
               they
               may
               make
               some
               petty
               losses
               ,
               but
               do
               not
               sell
               all
               for
               the
               Pearl
               of
               great
               Price
               :
               Or
               ,
               in
               a
               way
               of
               Charity
               ;
               How
               else
               can
               you
               lend
               to
               the
               Lord
               upon
               his
               Bond
               ,
               or
               the
               security
               of
               his
               Promise
               ;
               Prov.
               19.
               17.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 pity
                 on
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 lendeth
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 given
                 ,
                 will
                 he
                 pay
                 him
                 again
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 Consider
                 the
                 Profit
                 .
                 Whatever
                 a
                 Believer
                 los●th
                 by
                 the
                 Way
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 sure
                 to
                 have
                 it
                 at
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 his
                 Journey
              
               ;
               Mat.
               
               19.
               28.
               
               Iesus
               said
               unto
               them
               ,
               Verily
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               that
               ye
               which
               have
               followed
               me
               in
               the
               Regeneration
               ,
               when
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               shall
               sit
               in
               the
               Throne
               of
               his
               Glory
               ,
               ye
               also
               shall
               sit
               upon
               twelve
               Thrones
               ,
               judging
               the
               twelve
               Tribes
               of
               Israel
               .
               
                 You
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 losers
                 by
                 God
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
             
               A
               Wedding
               SERMON
               .
            
             
               
                 GEN.
                 2.
                 22.
                 
              
               
                 —
                 And
                 brought
                 her
                 unto
                 the
                 Man.
                 
              
            
             
               THE
               words
               belong
               to
               the
               Story
               of
               the
               first
               Marriage
               that
               ever
               was
               celebrated
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               between
               the
               first
               Man
               ,
               and
               the
               first
               Woman
               ;
               a
               Marriage
               made
               by
               God
               himself
               in
               Paradise
               ;
               who
               ,
               when
               he
               built
               the
               Rib
               taken
               from
               Adam
               into
               a
               Woman
               ,
               from
               a
               Builder
               ,
               becometh
               her
               Bringer
               ,
               
                 He
                 brought
                 her
                 unto
                 the
                 Man
                 ,
              
               saith
               the
               Text.
               
            
             
               God's
               bringing
               Eve
               to
               Adam
               ,
               implieth
               five
               things
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               His
               Permission
               ,
               Allowance
               ,
               and
               Grant
               ;
               for
               that
               Adam
               might
               thankfully
               acknowledg
               the
               Benefit
               ,
               as
               coming
               from
               God.
               God
               himself
               brought
               her
               ,
               whether
               
               in
               a
               visi●le
               shape
               ,
               as
               prefiguring
               Christ's
               Incarnation
               ,
               and
               with
               what
               Ceremony
               he
               brought
               her
               ,
               since
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               hath
               not
               expressed
               it
               ,
               I
               shall
               not
               now
               enquire
               ;
               it
               is
               enough
               that
               God
               brought
               her
               to
               give
               her
               to
               him
               as
               his
               inseparable
               Companion
               and
               meet-Helper
               .
               This
               bringing
               was
               the
               full
               bestowing
               her
               upon
               him
               ,
               that
               they
               should
               live
               together
               as
               Man
               and
               Wife
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               His
               Institution
               and
               Appointment
               of
               Marriage
               ,
               as
               the
               means
               of
               propagating
               Manki●d
               .
               God's
               adduxit
               is
               by
               our
               Saviour's
               Interpretation
               ,
               conjunxit
               ;
               Mark
               19.
               6.
               
               
                 Those
                 whom
                 God
                 hath
                 joined
                 together
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Otherwise
               what
               need
               this
               bringing
               ,
               for
               she
               was
               created
               just
               by
               him
               in
               Paradise
               ,
               when
               Adam
               was
               fallen
               into
               a
               deep
               sleep
               ;
               not
               in
               another
               place
               ,
               which
               sheweth
               that
               
                 Marriage
                 is
                 an
                 honourable
                 Estate
              
               .
               God
               was
               the
               first
               Author
               of
               it
               ,
               his
               Act
               hath
               the
               force
               of
               an
               Institution
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               For
               the
               greater
               solemnity
               ,
               and
               comely
               order
               of
               Marriage
               .
               Adam
               did
               not
               take
               her
               of
               his
               own
               head
               ,
               but
               God
               brought
               her
               to
               him
               ;
               when
               we
               dispose
               of
               our selves
               at
               our
               own
               Wills
               and
               Pleasures
               ,
               being
               led
               thereunto
               by
               our
               own
               choice
               ,
               without
               consulting
               with
               God
               ;
               
               or
               upon
               carnal
               Reasons
               ,
               without
               the
               conduct
               of
               God's
               Providence
               ,
               we
               transgress
               the
               Order
               which
               God
               hath
               set
               in
               the
               first
               Precedent
               of
               Marriage
               ;
               and
               cannot
               expect
               that
               our
               coming
               together
               should
               be
               comfortable
               .
               Much
               more
               doth
               it
               condemn
               the
               unnatural
               filthiness
               of
               Whoredom
               ,
               whereby
               Men
               and
               Women
               join
               and
               mingle
               themselves
               together
               without
               God
               ,
               the
               Devil
               and
               their
               inordinate
               Lusts
               leading
               them
               .
               God
               would
               not
               put
               Adam
               and
               Eve
               together
               without
               some
               regard
               ,
               as
               he
               did
               the
               brutish
               and
               unreasonable
               Creatures
               ;
               but
               doth
               solemnly
               ,
               as
               it
               were
               ,
               bring
               the
               Manness
               by
               the
               hand
               to
               the
               Man
               ,
               and
               deliver
               her
               into
               his
               hands
               ,
               having
               a
               more
               honourable
               regard
               and
               care
               of
               them
               :
               God
               cannot
               abide
               that
               brutish
               coming
               together
               as
               the
               Horses
               do
               ,
               neighing
               ,
               in
               the
               rage
               of
               unbridled
               Lusts
               ,
               upon
               their
               Mates
               ,
               Ier.
               5.
               8.
               
               No
               ,
               Adam
               stayeth
               till
               she
               is
               brought
               to
               him
               .
               This
               Honour
               and
               special
               Favour
               God
               vouchsafeth
               Mankind
               above
               all
               other
               Creatures
               ;
               he
               himself
               ,
               in
               his
               own
               Person
               ,
               maketh
               the
               Match
               ,
               and
               bringeth
               them
               together
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               To
               dispense
               his
               Blessing
               to
               them
               .
               The
               Woman
               was
               created
               on
               the
               sixth
               day
               ,
               as
               appeareth
               Gen.
               1.
               and
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               
               that
               
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 created
                 them
                 Male
                 and
                 Female
                 ,
                 he
                 blessed
                 them
                 ,
              
               vers
               .
               28.
               
               He
               doth
               inlarge
               things
               here
               ,
               and
               explaineth
               what
               there
               he
               had
               touched
               briefly
               ;
               when
               he
               had
               made
               the
               Woman
               ,
               he
               brought
               her
               to
               the
               Man
               ,
               and
               blessed
               them
               both
               together
               ;
               shewing
               thereby
               ,
               that
               when
               any
               enter
               into
               this
               Estate
               ,
               they
               should
               take
               God's
               Blessing
               along
               with
               them
               ;
               upon
               whose
               Favour
               ,
               the
               comfort
               of
               this
               Relation
               doth
               wholly
               depend
               .
               Those
               whom
               God
               bringeth
               into
               it
               ,
               are
               likely
               to
               fare
               best
               ;
               and
               they
               that
               resign
               themselves
               up
               into
               his
               hands
               ,
               to
               be
               disposed
               of
               by
               him
               ,
               surely
               take
               the
               readiest
               way
               to
               obtain
               the
               Happiness
               they
               expect
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               For
               a
               Pattern
               of
               Providence
               in
               all
               after-Times
               .
               It
               is
               worth
               the
               observing
               ,
               that
               Christ
               reasoning
               against
               Poligamy
               ,
               from
               vers
               .
               24.
               compared
               with
               Mat.
               19.
               
               God
               having
               abundance
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               as
               the
               Prophet
               speaks
               ,
               Mal.
               2.
               15.
               brought
               the
               Woman
               to
               one
               Man
               ,
               tho
               there
               was
               more
               cause
               of
               giving
               Adam
               many
               Wives
               ,
               for
               the
               speedier
               peopling
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               than
               there
               could
               be
               to
               any
               of
               his
               Posterity
               .
               As
               Christ
               observeth
               the
               number
               ,
               so
               we
               may
               observe
               the
               thing
               it self
               ,
               it
               is
               God's
               Work
               still
               to
               give
               every
               one
               his
               
               Marriage-Companion
               ;
               he
               bringeth
               the
               Woman
               to
               the
               Husband
               ,
               and
               every
               Husband
               to
               his
               Wife
               ,
               that
               meet
               as
               they
               ought
               to
               do
               .
               His
               Providence
               doth
               mightily
               and
               evidently
               govern
               all
               Circumstances
               that
               concern
               this
               Affair
               ,
               as
               we
               shall
               shew
               you
               by
               and
               by
               .
            
             
               The
               Point
               which
               I
               shall
               insist
               on
               ,
               is
               this
               .
            
             
               Doct.
               That
               Marriages
               are
               then
               holily
               entred
               into
               ,
               when
               the
               Parties
               take
               one
               another
               out
               of
               God's
               hands
               .
            
             
               
                 I.
                 I
                 will
                 shew
                 you
                 in
                 what
                 sense
                 they
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 take
                 one
                 another
                 out
                 of
                 God's
                 hands
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 Why
                 this
                 is
                 so
                 necessary
                 to
                 be
                 ob●observed
                 .
              
            
             
               I.
               For
               the
               first
               ;
               They
               take
               one
               another
               out
               of
               God's
               hands
               ,
               Two
               ways
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 When
                 his
                 Directions
                 are
                 observed
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 When
                 his
                 Providence
                 is
                 owned
                 and
                 acknowledged
                 .
              
            
             
             
               1.
               
               When
               his
               Directions
               in
               his
               Word
               are
               observed
               .
               And
               so
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               As
               to
               the
               choice
               of
               Parties
               .
               When
               a
               Man
               seeketh
               out
               a
               Help-meet
               for
               himself
               ,
               he
               should
               in
               the
               first
               place
               seek
               out
               a
               Help-meet
               for
               himself
               in
               the
               best
               things
               ;
               for
               in
               all
               our
               deliberate
               and
               serious
               Consultations
               ,
               Religion
               must
               have
               the
               first
               place
               .
               Mat.
               6.
               37.
               
               
                 Seek
                 ye
                 first
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 thereof
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               A
               Man
               's
               chief
               End
               should
               be
               discovered
               in
               all
               his
               Actions
               ,
               as
               it
               must
               guide
               me
               in
               my
               Meat
               ,
               and
               Drink
               ,
               and
               Recreations
               ,
               and
               the
               ordinary
               Refreshments
               of
               the
               natural
               Life
               ,
               or
               else
               I
               do
               not
               act
               as
               a
               Christian
               :
               So
               much
               more
               in
               my
               most
               important
               and
               serious
               Affairs
               ,
               such
               as
               Marriage
               is
               ,
               and
               upon
               which
               my
               Content
               and
               Welfare
               so
               much
               dependeth
               .
               Certainly
               he
               that
               would
               take
               God's
               Blessing
               along
               with
               him
               ,
               should
               make
               choice
               in
               God's
               Family
               of
               one
               ,
               with
               whom
               he
               may
               converse
               as
               an
               Heir
               with
               him
               of
               the
               Grace
               of
               Life
               .
               A
               Christian
               ,
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               is
               at
               liberty
               to
               marry
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               but
               only
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               39.
               he
               is
               at
               liberty
               to
               rejoice
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               Lord
               ;
               to
               eat
               ,
               and
               drink
               ,
               and
               trade
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               Lord
               ;
               so
               to
               marry
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               Lord.
               Religion
               must
               
               appear
               uppermost
               in
               all
               his
               Actions
               ,
               and
               guide
               him
               throughout
               .
               The
               Mischiefs
               that
               have
               come
               by
               a
               carnal
               Choice
               ,
               should
               be
               sufficient
               warning
               to
               Christians
               .
               
                 Gen.
                 6.
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
                 went
                 in
                 unto
                 the
                 Daughters
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 took
                 them
                 VVives
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 were
                 fair
                 :
              
               they
               were
               swayed
               by
               carnal
               Motives
               ,
               (
               or
               because
               Rich
               ,
               or
               nobly
               descended
               ,
               it
               is
               all
               one
               )
               :
               And
               what
               was
               the
               issue
               of
               it
               ?
               there
               came
               of
               them
               a
               mungrel
               Race
               of
               Giants
               ,
               that
               rose
               up
               against
               God
               and
               his
               Interest
               in
               the
               World.
               Many
               times
               by
               a
               carnal
               choice
               ,
               all
               the
               good
               that
               is
               gotten
               into
               a
               Family
               is
               eaten
               out
               ,
               and
               within
               a
               little
               while
               Religion
               is
               cast
               out
               of
               doors
               .
               
                 Psal.
                 105.
                 35.
                 
                 They
                 were
                 mingled
                 among
                 the
                 Heathen
                 ,
                 and
                 learned
                 their
                 Works
                 .
              
               Nehem.
               13.
               25
               ,
               26.
               
               
                 I
                 contended
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 them
                 swear
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 Ye
                 shall
                 not
                 give
                 your
                 Daughters
                 to
                 their
                 Sons
                 ,
                 nor
                 take
                 their
                 Daughters
                 to
                 your
                 Sons
                 .
              
               2
               Kings
               8.
               18.
               
               
                 He
                 walked
                 in
                 the
                 Ways
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Daughter
                 of
              
               Ahab
               
                 was
                 his
                 Wife
                 .
                 Valens
              
               the
               Emperor
               married
               with
               an
               Arrian
               Lady
               ,
               and
               so
               was
               ensnared
               so
               far
               ,
               as
               to
               become
               a
               Persecutor
               of
               the
               Orthodox
               .
               The
               Wife
               of
               the
               Bosom
               hath
               great
               advantages
               ,
               either
               to
               the
               perverting
               ,
               or
               the
               converting
               a
               
               Man's
               Heart
               to
               God
               :
               or
               else
               if
               they
               should
               not
               prevail
               so
               far
               ,
               What
               dissonancy
               and
               jarrings
               are
               there
               in
               a
               Family
               ,
               when
               People
               are
               unequally
               yoked
               ,
               the
               Wife
               and
               Husband
               drawing
               several
               ways
               ?
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               As
               to
               consent
               of
               Parents
               .
               God
               here
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               as
               the
               common
               Parent
               ,
               taketh
               himself
               to
               have
               the
               greatest
               hand
               in
               the
               bestowing
               of
               his
               own
               Children
               ;
               He
               
                 brought
                 her
                 unto
                 the
                 Man
              
               ;
               and
               ordinary
               Parents
               are
               his
               Deputies
               ,
               which
               must
               bring
               and
               give
               us
               in
               Marriage
               ,
               especially
               when
               young
               ,
               and
               under
               their
               Power
               .
               The
               Scripture
               is
               express
               for
               this
               ,
               
                 Exod.
                 22.
                 17.
                 
                 If
                 her
                 Father
                 wholly
                 refuse
                 to
                 give
                 her
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               1
               Cor.
               17.
               28.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 giveth
                 her
                 in
                 Marriage
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               As
               to
               the
               manner
               of
               procuring
               it
               ;
               that
               they
               labour
               to
               gain
               one
               another
               by
               warrantable
               ,
               yea
               ,
               r●ligious
               Ways
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               l●y
               the
               Foundation
               of
               this
               Relation
               in
               the
               Fear
               of
               God
               ;
               not
               by
               stealth
               ,
               or
               carnal
               Allurements
               ,
               or
               violent
               Importunities
               ,
               or
               deceitful
               Proposals
               ,
               but
               by
               such
               ways
               and
               means
               as
               will
               become
               the
               gravity
               of
               Religion
               ,
               that
               weanedness
               and
               sobriety
               that
               should
               be
               in
               the
               Hearts
               of
               Believers
               ;
               that
               deliberation
               which
               a
               business
               of
               such
               weight
               calls
               for
               ,
               and
               that
               Reverence
               
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               Justice
               that
               we
               owe
               to
               all
               ;
               that
               seriousness
               of
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               that
               respect
               to
               the
               Glory
               of
               God
               ,
               with
               which
               all
               such
               Actions
               should
               be
               underken
               .
               Col.
               3.
               17.
               
               
                 Whatsoever
                 we
                 do
                 ,
                 in
                 Word
                 or
                 in
                 Deed
                 ,
                 do
                 all
                 in
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 giving
                 thanks
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 Father
                 by
                 him
                 .
              
               When
               this
               is
               observed
               ,
               we
               are
               said
               to
               take
               one
               another
               out
               of
               God's
               Hands
               .
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               Especially
               clearing
               up
               our
               Right
               and
               Title
               by
               Christ.
               Meats
               ,
               Drinks
               ,
               Marriage
               ,
               they
               are
               all
               sanctified
               by
               the
               Word
               and
               Prayer
               ,
               and
               appointed
               to
               be
               received
               by
               thanksgiving
               of
               them
               that
               believe
               and
               receive
               the
               Truth
               ;
               1
               Tim.
               4.
               3
               ,
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               There
               is
               a
               two-fold
               Right
               ,
               
                 Dominium
                 Politicum
                 &
                 Evangelicum
                 .
                 Dominium
                 Politicum
                 fundatur
                 in
                 Providentiâ
                 .
                 Evangelicum
                 in
                 Gratiâ
                 .
              
               Political
               Right
               is
               founded
               in
               God's
               Providence
               ,
               Evangelical
               Right
               in
               Grace
               .
               We
               have
               a
               Civil
               Right
               to
               all
               that
               cometh
               to
               us
               by
               honest
               Labour
               ,
               lawful
               Purchace
               or
               Inheritance
               ,
               and
               fair
               and
               comely
               Means
               used
               ;
               which
               giveth
               us
               a
               Right
               ,
               not
               only
               before
               Men
               ,
               but
               before
               God
               ;
               not
               by
               virtue
               of
               their
               Laws
               ,
               but
               his
               Grant.
               By
               a
               Providential-Right
               ,
               all
               wicked
               Men
               possess
               all
               outward
               things
               ,
               
               which
               they
               enjoy
               as
               the
               Fruits
               and
               Gifts
               of
               his
               common
               Bounty
               ,
               it
               is
               their
               Portion
               ;
               Psalm
               .
               17.
               14.
               
               Whatever
               falleth
               to
               their
               share
               in
               the
               course
               of
               God's
               Providence
               ,
               they
               are
               not
               Usurpers
               meerly
               for
               possessing
               what
               they
               have
               ,
               but
               for
               abusing
               what
               they
               have
               .
               They
               have
               not
               only
               a
               civil
               Right
               to
               prevent
               the
               Incroachments
               of
               others
               ,
               by
               the
               Laws
               of
               Men
               ,
               but
               a
               providential
               Right
               before
               God
               ,
               and
               are
               not
               simply
               responsible
               for
               the
               Possession
               ,
               but
               the
               Use.
               But
               then
               there
               is
               an
               Evangelical
               or
               New-Covenant
               Right
               .
               So
               Believers
               have
               a
               Right
               to
               their
               Creature-Comforts
               by
               God's
               special
               Conveyance
               ,
               that
               sweetneth
               every
               Mercy
               ,
               that
               it
               comes
               wrapt
               in
               the
               Bowels
               of
               Christ.
               The
               little
               which
               the
               Righteous
               hath
               ,
               is
               better
               than
               the
               Treasures
               of
               many
               wicked
               ;
               as
               the
               mean
               fair
               of
               a
               poor
               Subject
               ,
               is
               better
               than
               the
               Dainties
               of
               a
               condemned
               Traitor
               .
               And
               this
               we
               have
               by
               Christ
               ,
               as
               the
               Heir
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               we
               by
               him
               ,
               1
               
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 latter
                 end
              
               .
               So
               all
               those
               things
               do
               belong
               to
               them
               that
               believe
               ,
               as
               Gifts
               of
               his
               fatherly
               Love
               and
               Goodness
               to
               us
               in
               Christ
               ;
               as
               we
               take
               our
               Bread
               out
               of
               Christ's
               hands
               ,
               so
               we
               must
               be
               married
               to
               Christ
               ,
               before
               married
               to
               one
               another
               ;
               the
               Marriage-Covenant
               
               should
               be
               begun
               and
               concluded
               between
               Christ
               and
               you
               .
            
             
               (
               5.
               )
               For
               the
               End
               ;
               the
               general
               and
               last
               End
               of
               this
               ,
               as
               of
               every
               Action
               ,
               must
               be
               God's
               Glory
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               10.
               31.
               and
               Col.
               3.
               17.
               
               A
               Christian's
               Second-Table
               Duties
               ,
               and
               First-Table
               Duties
               ,
               should
               have
               on
               them
               holiness
               to
               the
               Lord.
               All
               the
               Vessels
               of
               Ierusalem
               must
               have
               God's
               Impress
               .
               More
               particularly
               our
               increase
               in
               Godliness
               ,
               and
               the
               propagation
               of
               the
               Holy
               Seed
               ,
               must
               be
               aimed
               at
               .
               Where
               one
               Person
               is
               a
               Believer
               ,
               much
               more
               where
               both
               ,
               they
               beget
               Sons
               and
               Daughters
               to
               God
               ;
               
                 But
                 now
                 are
                 they
                 holy
              
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               14.
               
               But
               those
               out
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               beget
               Sons
               and
               Daughters
               to
               Men
               ,
               merely
               to
               people
               the
               World.
               
               Seth's
               Children
               are
               called
               
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               Gen.
               6.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               In
               the
               careful
               Education
               of
               Children
               ,
               the
               Church
               is
               upheld
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               When
               his
               Providence
               is
               owned
               and
               acknowledged
               .
               It
               is
               the
               Duty
               of
               them
               that
               fear
               God
               ,
               to
               own
               him
               upon
               all
               Occasions
               ,
               especially
               in
               such
               a
               Business
               .
               Heathens
               would
               not
               begin
               such
               a
               Business
               without
               a
               Sacrifice
               .
               There
               is
               a
               special
               Providence
               about
               Marriages
               .
               God
               claimeth
               
               the
               Power
               of
               Match-making
               to
               himself
               ,
               more
               than
               he
               doth
               of
               ordering
               any
               other
               Affairs
               of
               Men
               :
               Prov.
               19.
               14.
               
               
                 Riches
                 and
                 Honours
                 are
                 an
                 Inheritance
                 from
                 our
                 Fathers
                 ;
                 but
                 a
                 good
                 Wife
                 is
                 from
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Inheritances
               pass
               by
               the
               Laws
               of
               Men
               ,
               though
               not
               without
               the
               intervention
               of
               God's
               Providence
               ,
               who
               determineth
               to
               every
               Man
               the
               time
               of
               his
               Service
               ,
               and
               the
               bounds
               of
               his
               Habitation
               ,
               where
               every
               Man
               shall
               live
               ,
               and
               what
               he
               shall
               enjoy
               .
               The
               Land
               of
               Canaan
               was
               divided
               by
               Lot
               ;
               but
               Marriage
               is
               by
               the
               special
               Destination
               of
               his
               Providence
               ,
               either
               for
               a
               Punishment
               to
               Men
               ,
               or
               for
               a
               Comfort
               and
               a
               Blessing
               .
               Here
               Providence
               is
               more
               immediate
               ,
               by
               its
               influence
               upon
               the
               Hearts
               of
               Men
               ;
               here
               Providence
               is
               more
               strange
               and
               remarkable
               ,
               in
               casting
               all
               Circumstances
               and
               Passages
               that
               did
               concern
               it
               .
               Estates
               fall
               to
               us
               by
               more
               easy
               and
               obvious
               Means
               ;
               and
               therefore
               though
               nothing
               be
               exempted
               from
               the
               Dominion
               of
               Providence
               ;
               yet
               a
               good
               Wife
               is
               especially
               said
               to
               be
               of
               the
               Lord.
               So
               also
               ,
               
                 Prov.
                 18.
                 22.
                 
                 Whoso
                 findeth
                 a
                 Wife
                 ,
                 findeth
                 a
                 good
                 Thing
                 ,
                 and
                 obtaineth
                 favour
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               A
               Wife
               ,
               that
               is
               a
               Wife
               indeed
               ,
               one
               that
               deserveth
               that
               Name
               :
               he
               that
               findeth
               her
               ,
               
               it
               is
               a
               chance
               to
               him
               ,
               but
               an
               ordered
               thing
               by
               God
               ;
               he
               hath
               not
               only
               experience
               of
               God's
               Care
               ,
               but
               his
               Goodness
               and
               Free-grace
               to
               him
               in
               that
               particular
               .
               Well
               then
               ,
               God
               must
               be
               owned
               ,
               sought
               ,
               glorified
               in
               this
               particular
               .
               The
               Husband
               in
               the
               Catalogue
               and
               Inventory
               of
               his
               Mercies
               ,
               must
               not
               forget
               to
               bless
               God
               for
               this
               ,
               and
               the
               Wife
               for
               the
               Husband
               ;
               the
               Lord
               was
               gracious
               in
               providing
               for
               me
               a
               good
               Companion
               ;
               I
               obtained
               favour
               from
               the
               Lord.
               God
               is
               concerned
               in
               this
               whole
               Affair
               ,
               he
               brought
               the
               Woman
               to
               the
               Man
               ;
               he
               giveth
               the
               Portion
               ,
               which
               is
               not
               so
               much
               the
               Dowry
               given
               by
               the
               Parents
               ,
               which
               is
               little
               worth
               ,
               unless
               his
               Blessing
               be
               added
               with
               it
               ,
               as
               all
               the
               Graces
               and
               Abilities
               by
               which
               all
               married
               Persons
               are
               made
               helpful
               one
               to
               another
               .
               He
               giveth
               the
               Children
               ,
               
                 Psalm
                 .
                 127.
                 3.
                 
                 Lo
                 ,
                 Children
                 are
                 an
                 Heritage
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ;
               Their
               Conception
               and
               Formation
               in
               the
               Womb
               is
               from
               God.
               Parents
               know
               not
               whether
               it
               be
               Male
               or
               Female
               ,
               beautiful
               or
               deformed
               :
               They
               know
               not
               the
               number
               of
               the
               Bones
               ,
               and
               Veins
               and
               Arteries
               .
               He
               giveth
               them
               Life
               ;
               a
               Sentence
               of
               Death
               way-layeth
               them
               as
               soon
               as
               they
               come
               into
               the
               World.
               He
               giveth
               them
               Comfort
               ;
               there
               
               is
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               Pride
               ,
               and
               Arrogancy
               ,
               and
               Self-willedness
               in
               all
               the
               Sons
               and
               Daughters
               of
               Adam
               ,
               which
               makes
               them
               uncomfortable
               in
               their
               Relations
               .
               A
               Wife
               would
               soon
               prove
               a
               Iezabel
               ,
               and
               not
               an
               Abigail
               ;
               and
               a
               Husband
               a
               Nabal
               ,
               and
               not
               a
               David
               ,
               by
               Satan's
               Malice
               ,
               and
               our
               own
               Corruption
               ;
               an
               Help
               would
               soon
               become
               a
               Snare
               .
               They
               that
               would
               perform
               the
               Duties
               of
               this
               Relation
               ,
               need
               strongly
               to
               be
               supported
               with
               the
               Assistance
               of
               God's
               Spirit
               .
               
                 Finally
                 ,
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 be
                 strong
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 his
                 Might
                 ,
              
               Ephes.
               6.
               10.
               
               So
               that
               since
               God
               giveth
               all
               ,
               surely
               his
               Providence
               must
               be
               owned
               and
               acknowledged
               ;
               and
               you
               ought
               to
               say
               ,
               This
               is
               the
               Wife
               God
               hath
               chosen
               for
               me
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               the
               Husband
               God
               hath
               chosen
               for
               me
               .
            
             
               II.
               Why
               is
               this
               so
               nec●ss●ry
               a
               Duty
               .
               It
               doth
               in
               a
               great
               measure
               appear
               ,
               from
               what
               is
               said
               already
               .
               But
               farther
               ;
            
             
               1.
               
               It
               will
               be
               a
               great
               engagement
               upon
               us
               ,
               to
               give
               God
               all
               the
               Glory
               of
               the
               Comfort
               we
               have
               in
               such
               a
               Relation
               ,
               when
               you
               do
               more
               sensibly
               and
               explicitly
               take
               one
               another
               out
               of
               God's
               Hands
               .
               
               We
               are
               apt
               to
               look
               to
               second
               Causes
               ;
               he
               that
               sendeth
               the
               Present
               is
               the
               giver
               ,
               not
               he
               that
               bringeth
               it
               to
               us
               .
               The
               Romans
               were
               wont
               once
               a
               Year
               to
               cast
               Garlands
               into
               their
               Fountains
               ,
               by
               that
               superstition
               owning
               the
               benefit
               they
               had
               by
               them
               .
               However
               it
               hath
               a
               good
               Moral
               to
               us
               in
               the
               Bosom
               of
               it
               ,
               that
               we
               should
               own
               the
               Fountain
               of
               our
               Blessings
               ,
               and
               not
               ascribe
               them
               to
               our
               own
               Wisdom
               and
               Foresight
               ,
               but
               the
               Grace
               and
               Favour
               of
               God
               ;
               who
               in
               the
               meer
               Lottery
               and
               Chance
               of
               humane
               Affairs
               ,
               was
               pleased
               to
               chuse
               so
               well
               for
               us
               .
               Iacob
               owned
               his
               Fountain
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               become
               two
               Bands
               ,
               Gen.
               32.
               10.
               
               So
               should
               we
               ;
               of
               him
               ,
               through
               him
               ,
               to
               him
               ,
               do
               mutually
               infer
               one
               another
               .
               What
               we
               have
               from
               God
               ,
               must
               be
               used
               for
               God.
               God
               is
               very
               jealous
               that
               we
               will
               not
               look
               to
               the
               Original
               and
               first
               cause
               of
               our
               Mercies
               .
               Hos.
               2.
               8.
               
               
                 She
                 did
                 not
                 know
                 that
                 I
                 gave
                 her
                 Corn
                 ,
                 and
                 Wine
                 ,
                 and
                 Oil
                 ;
                 and
                 multiplied
                 her
                 Silver
                 and
                 Gold
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 will
                 I
                 return
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 away
                 my
                 Corn
                 ,
                 and
                 Wine
                 ,
                 and
                 Oil
                 ,
                 and
                 Flax
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               It
               is
               the
               way
               to
               lose
               our
               Comforts
               ,
               when
               we
               do
               not
               own
               and
               acknowledg
               God's
               Hand
               in
               them
               .
               We
               are
               drowned
               in
               sense
               ,
               inured
               and
               accustomed
               to
               second
               Causes
               ;
               so
               
               that
               God's
               Hand
               is
               invisible
               and
               little
               regarded
               ,
               we
               know
               it
               not
               ,
               or
               heed
               it
               not
               .
               Now
               that
               we
               may
               look
               up
               and
               own
               the
               first
               Cause
               ,
               and
               give
               him
               his
               due
               Honour
               ,
               it
               is
               good
               to
               have
               explicit
               and
               actual
               thoughts
               in
               the
               receiving
               of
               our
               Mercies
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               take
               them
               out
               of
               God's
               Hand
               ;
               to
               draw
               aside
               the
               Vail
               and
               Covering
               of
               the
               Creature
               ,
               that
               you
               may
               remember
               the
               Giver
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               we
               may
               carry
               our selves
               more
               holily
               in
               our
               Relations
               ,
               it
               is
               good
               to
               see
               God's
               Hand
               in
               them
               .
               Every
               Relation
               is
               a
               new
               Talent
               wherewith
               God
               intrusteth
               us
               to
               trade
               for
               his
               Glory
               ;
               and
               to
               that
               end
               we
               must
               make
               Conscience
               to
               use
               it
               .
               In
               Mat.
               25.
               the
               Master
               delivered
               to
               every
               one
               his
               Goods
               apart
               ,
               and
               they
               that
               had
               the
               Benefit
               ,
               received
               the
               Charge
               .
               We
               are
               often
               pressed
               to
               do
               things
               ,
               as
               in
               and
               to
               the
               Lord
               upon
               religious
               and
               gracious
               Reasons
               .
               It
               hath
               been
               the
               credit
               of
               Religion
               ,
               
                 Dent
                 tales
                 Mercatores
                 ,
                 tales
                 Maritos
                 ,
                 tales
                 Exactores
                 fisci
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Let
               History
               shew
               such
               Husbands
               ,
               such
               Wives
               ,
               &c.
               
               The
               Christian
               Religion
               maketh
               a
               Man
               conscientiously
               careful
               and
               tender
               of
               his
               Duty
               to
               Man
               ;
               not
               from
               a
               natural
               Principle
               ,
               or
               from
               our
               own
               Ease
               ,
               Peace
               ,
               and
               Credit
               ,
               
               but
               from
               the
               Conscience
               of
               our
               Duty
               to
               God.
               Now
               it
               must
               not
               lose
               this
               Credit
               by
               you
               .
               God
               puts
               us
               into
               Relations
               ,
               to
               see
               how
               we
               will
               glorify
               him
               in
               them
               ;
               there
               is
               something
               more
               required
               of
               you
               then
               as
               single
               Christians
               .
               God
               that
               puts
               a
               Man
               into
               the
               Ministry
               ,
               requireth
               that
               he
               should
               honour
               him
               ,
               not
               only
               as
               a
               Christian
               ,
               but
               as
               a
               Minister
               .
               And
               God
               that
               calleth
               a
               Man
               into
               Magistracy
               ,
               requireth
               that
               he
               should
               honour
               him
               as
               a
               Magistrate
               .
               So
               to
               be
               a
               Master
               of
               a
               Family
               ,
               and
               a
               Wife
               or
               Husband
               ,
               there
               is
               another
               Talent
               to
               be
               accounted
               for
               .
               An
               Ambassador
               that
               is
               sent
               into
               a
               Foreign
               Country
               about
               special
               Business
               ,
               must
               give
               an
               account
               ,
               not
               only
               as
               a
               Traveller
               ,
               but
               as
               an
               Ambassor
               ,
               of
               the
               Business
               he
               was
               intrusted
               with
               .
               God
               will
               have
               honour
               by
               you
               as
               a
               Wife
               ,
               or
               as
               a
               Husband
               ;
               you
               have
               a
               new
               opportunity
               to
               make
               Religion
               amiable
               ,
               that
               the
               unbelieving
               World
               may
               see
               how
               profitable
               the
               heavenly
               Life
               is
               to
               humane
               Society
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               we
               may
               more
               patiently
               bear
               the
               Crosses
               incident
               to
               this
               state
               of
               Life
               ,
               if
               God
               call
               us
               to
               them
               .
               They
               that
               launch
               forth
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               sail
               in
               a
               troublesome
               and
               tempestuous
               Sea
               ,
               and
               cannot
               expect
               
               but
               to
               meet
               with
               a
               Storm
               before
               they
               come
               to
               the
               end
               of
               their
               Voyage
               .
               The
               married
               Life
               hath
               its
               Comforts
               ,
               and
               also
               its
               Encumbrances
               and
               Sorrows
               .
               Now
               it
               will
               sweeten
               all
               our
               Crosses
               incident
               to
               this
               Condition
               ,
               when
               we
               remember
               we
               did
               not
               rashly
               enter
               into
               it
               by
               our
               own
               choice
               ,
               but
               were
               led
               by
               the
               fair
               directure
               and
               fair
               invitation
               of
               God's
               Providence
               ,
               we
               need
               not
               much
               be
               troubled
               at
               what
               overtaketh
               us
               in
               the
               way
               of
               our
               Duty
               ,
               and
               the
               Relations
               to
               which
               we
               are
               called
               ;
               that
               Hand
               that
               sent
               the
               Trouble
               ,
               will
               sanctify
               it
               ;
               or
               he
               will
               over-rule
               things
               so
               ,
               that
               they
               shall
               work
               for
               our
               good
               .
               If
               God
               call
               us
               into
               this
               Estate
               ,
               ●he
               will
               support
               us
               in
               it
               .
               It
               is
               a
               great
               satisfaction
               to
               you
               ,
               that
               you
               are
               acting
               that
               part
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               which
               God
               would
               have
               you
               act
               ;
               that
               you
               can
               say
               ,
               I
               am
               there
               where
               God
               hath
               set
               me
               ,
               and
               therefore
               will
               bear
               the
               Troubles
               that
               attend
               that
               state
               and
               condition
               of
               Life
               .
               If
               a
               Man
               run
               on
               his
               own
               Head
               ,
               and
               Inconveniences
               arise
               ,
               they
               are
               more
               uncomfortably
               born
               .
               It
               is
               true
               ,
               that
               God
               doth
               fetch
               off
               his
               People
               from
               the
               Afflictions
               they
               have
               brought
               upon
               themselves
               by
               their
               Sin
               and
               Folly
               ,
               such
               is
               the
               indulgence
               of
               his
               Grace
               ;
               yet
               
               those
               Sufferings
               are
               the
               more
               uncomfortable
               that
               take
               us
               out
               of
               the
               way
               of
               our
               Duty
               ;
               and
               God
               hath
               undertaken
               only
               to
               keep
               us
               in
               all
               our
               Ways
               ,
               but
               not
               out
               of
               our
               Duty
               ,
               Psalm
               .
               91.
               11.
               
               The
               Promises
               are
               not
               to
               foster
               Men
               in
               their
               running
               after
               Folly
               ,
               but
               to
               encourage
               them
               in
               their
               several
               Callings
               ,
               and
               state
               of
               Life
               wherein
               God
               hath
               set
               them
               ;
               there
               we
               may
               abide
               with
               comfort
               ,
               and
               expectation
               either
               of
               God's
               Blessing
               ,
               or
               his
               Support
               .
               We
               tempt
               God
               ,
               when
               we
               venture
               upon
               a
               state
               of
               Life
               which
               he
               hath
               not
               called
               us
               to
               ,
               and
               have
               not
               his
               Warrant
               ;
               but
               when
               it
               is
               not
               good
               for
               us
               to
               be
               alone
               ,
               and
               the
               Lord
               sends
               an
               help-meet
               for
               us
               ,
               he
               will
               not
               forsake
               us
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               We
               may
               with
               the
               more
               confidence
               apply
               our
               s●lves
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               depend
               on
               him
               for
               a
               Blessing
               upon
               a
               Wife
               of
               God's
               chusing
               ,
               or
               an
               Husband
               of
               God's
               chusing
               .
               We
               have
               access
               to
               the
               Throne
               of
               Grace
               with
               more
               hope
               ,
               because
               we
               have
               given
               up
               our selves
               to
               his
               Direction
               .
               
                 Prov.
                 3.
                 6.
                 
                 In
                 all
                 thy
                 ways
                 acknowledg
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 direct
                 thy
                 Paths
                 .
              
               God
               will
               order
               things
               for
               the
               best
               ,
               when
               we
               do
               not
               lead
               ,
               but
               follow
               him
               ,
               we
               still
               co●s●lt
               with
               God
               ,
               
               and
               dare
               not
               undertake
               any
               thing
               ,
               but
               what
               is
               agreeable
               to
               his
               Will.
               And
               will
               God
               mislead
               us
               ,
               and
               direct
               us
               amiss
               ;
               or
               turn
               us
               into
               a
               by-way
               ,
               or
               crooked-path
               ?
               It
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 Psal.
                 37.
                 23
                 ,
                 24.
                 
                 The
                 Steps
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 Man
                 are
                 ordered
                 by
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 he
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Lord
               )
               
                 delighteth
                 in
                 his
                 way
                 ;
                 though
                 he
                 fall
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 utterly
                 cast
                 down
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 upholdeth
                 him
                 with
                 his
                 hand
                 .
              
               It
               is
               a
               blessed
               thing
               to
               be
               under
               God's
               Conduct
               ,
               to
               be
               led
               on
               ,
               or
               led
               off
               by
               so
               wise
               ,
               and
               powerful
               ,
               and
               alsufficient
               a
               Guide
               ;
               for
               such
               ,
               he
               delights
               to
               do
               them
               good
               ,
               and
               taketh
               pleasure
               in
               his
               Resolutions
               ,
               to
               prosper
               them
               .
               Sometimes
               they
               shall
               have
               a
               taste
               of
               the
               Evils
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               they
               shall
               not
               be
               ruined
               by
               them
               :
               They
               may
               fall
               ,
               but
               they
               shall
               not
               be
               dashed
               in
               pieces
               ;
               it
               is
               an
               Allusion
               to
               a
               Vessel
               that
               gets
               a
               knock
               ,
               but
               is
               not
               broken
               by
               the
               fall
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               It
               is
               an
               help
               to
               make
               us
               more
               ready
               to
               part
               with
               one
               another
               when
               God
               willeth
               it
               .
               All
               temporal
               things
               ,
               we
               receive
               them
               from
               God
               ,
               upon
               this
               condition
               ,
               to
               yield
               them
               up
               to
               God
               again
               ,
               when
               he
               calls
               for
               them
               .
               The
               Law
               concerning
               all
               created
               Injoyments
               ,
               is
               ,
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 giveth
                 ,
                 the
                 
                 Lord
                 taketh
                 ,
              
               Job
               1.
               21.
               
               We
               make
               a
               Snare
               for
               our selves
               ,
               and
               receive
               them
               not
               in
               a
               right
               Notion
               ,
               if
               we
               do
               not
               receive
               them
               as
               mortal
               and
               perishing
               Comforts
               ,
               which
               God
               may
               demand
               at
               pleasure
               ,
               and
               so
               keep
               the
               Soul
               loose
               ,
               and
               in
               a
               posture
               of
               submission
               ,
               if
               God
               should
               cross
               us
               ,
               and
               disappoint
               us
               in
               them
               .
               Thus
               must
               we
               use
               all
               outward
               Comforts
               with
               that
               weanedness
               and
               moderation
               ,
               as
               to
               Children
               ,
               Estates
               ,
               and
               all
               temporal
               Blessings
               ,
               &c.
               that
               will
               become
               a
               sense
               of
               the
               frailty
               that
               is
               in
               them
               ,
               and
               the
               wheelings
               and
               turnings
               of
               an
               uncertain
               World.
               It
               is
               the
               Apostle's
               Direction
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               31.
               
               The
               time
               is
               short
               ,
               it
               remains
               that
               those
               that
               have
               Wives
               ,
               be
               as
               though
               they
               had
               none
               ;
               not
               as
               to
               be
               defective
               in
               our
               Love
               to
               them
               ,
               and
               care
               over
               them
               ;
               no
               ,
               there
               is
               rather
               to
               be
               an
               excess
               ,
               than
               a
               defect
               here
               ;
               
                 Prov.
                 5.
                 19.
                 
                 Be
                 thou
                 ravish'd
                 always
                 with
                 her
                 Love.
              
               But
               as
               to
               a
               preparation
               of
               Heart
               ,
               to
               keep
               or
               lose
               ,
               if
               God
               should
               see
               fit
               ,
               to
               be
               contented
               to
               part
               with
               a
               dear
               Yoke-fellow
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               with
               an
               humble
               Submission
               and
               acquiescence
               ,
               when
               God's
               Will
               is
               declared
               ;
               and
               somewhat
               of
               this
               must
               be
               mingled
               with
               all
               our
               rejoicings
               ,
               
               some
               thoughts
               of
               the
               Vanity
               of
               the
               Creature
               .
               Leavened
               Bread
               was
               to
               be
               eaten
               with
               the
               Thank-offerings
               in
               the
               Feast
               of
               Tabernacles
               ,
               when
               the
               Barns
               were
               full
               .
               
                 Man
                 at
                 his
                 best
                 estate
                 is
                 Vanity
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               39.
               5.
               
               Now
               to
               help
               us
               to
               do
               this
               ,
               it
               is
               good
               to
               consider
               ,
               he
               that
               hath
               the
               right
               to
               give
               ,
               hath
               also
               the
               right
               of
               taking
               away
               ;
               and
               as
               you
               must
               not
               be
               overjoyed
               with
               the
               receiving
               ,
               so
               not
               be
               over-sad
               with
               parting
               .
            
             
               
                 APPLICATION
                 .
              
               
                 Vse
                 1.
                 
                 Let
                 us
                 seek
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 earnest
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 when
                 any
                 such
                 matter
                 is
                 in
                 hand
                 .
                 Marriages
                 ,
                 we
                 say
                 ,
                 are
                 made
                 in
                 Heaven
                 b●fore
                 they
                 are
                 made
                 on
                 Earth
                 .
                 
                   `
                   Pagans
                
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 awe
                 of
                 Religion
                 was
                 extinguished
                 ,
                 would
                 begin
                 with
                 their
                 Gods
                 in
                 any
                 weighty
                 Enterprize
                 .
                 
                   A
                   Iove
                   principium
                
                 ,
                 was
                 an
                 honest
                 Principle
                 among
                 the
                 Heathens
                 .
                 Laban
                 consults
                 with
                 his
                 
                   Teraphim
                   ;
                   Balak
                
                 sendeth
                 for
                 Balaam
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 Counsel
                 .
                 Heathens
                 had
                 their
                 Sybills
                 and
                 Oracles
                 at
                 Delphos
                 .
                 So
                 far
                 as
                 any
                 Nation
                 was
                 touched
                 with
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 a
                 Divine
                 Power
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 never
                 venture
                 
                 upon
                 any
                 weighty
                 thing
                 ,
                 without
                 asking
                 the
                 Leave
                 or
                 the
                 Blessing
                 of
                 what
                 they
                 supposed
                 to
                 be
                 God.
                 So
                 for
                 God's
                 Children
                 it
                 was
                 their
                 constant
                 practice
                 ,
                 they
                 du●st
                 not
                 resolve
                 upon
                 any
                 course
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 had
                 asked
                 counsel
                 of
                 God.
                 David
                 always
                 ran
                 to
                 the
                 Oracle
                 of
                 the
                 Ephod
                 ;
                 
                   Shall
                   I
                   go
                   up
                   to
                   Hebron
                   ?
                   Iacob
                
                 in
                 his
                 journey
                 ,
                 would
                 neither
                 go
                 to
                 Laban
                 ,
                 nor
                 come
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 Warrant
                 .
                 Iehoshaphat
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 business
                 of
                 
                   Ramoth
                   Gilead
                
                 was
                 afoot
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 lead
                 forth
                 the
                 Captains
                 of
                 the
                 Army
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 sends
                 for
                 the
                 Prophets
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 1
                 
                   Kings
                   22.
                   45.
                   
                   Enquire
                   ,
                   I
                   pray
                   thee
                   ,
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   this
                   day
                   .
                
                 So
                 ,
                 Iudg.
                 1●1
                 .
                 
                   Who
                   shall
                   go
                   up
                   and
                   fight
                   against
                   the
                   Canaanites
                   ?
                
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 contempt
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 laying
                 him
                 aside
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 dare
                 undertake
                 any
                 thing
                 without
                 his
                 Leave
                 ,
                 Counsel
                 ,
                 and
                 Blessing
                 ;
                 and
                 these
                 are
                 the
                 things
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 seek
                 in
                 Prayer
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 His
                 Leave
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 absolute
                 Lord
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 :
                 and
                 whatsoever
                 is
                 possessed
                 by
                 any
                 Creature
                 ,
                 is
                 by
                 his
                 Indulgence
                 .
                 Whatever
                 store
                 and
                 plenty
                 we
                 have
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
                 teach●●h
                 us
                 to
                 b●g
                 our
                 allo●●nce
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 leave
                 to
                 use
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 is
                 necessary
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 portion
                 of
                 every
                 day
                 ;
                 
                   Give
                   us
                   ,
                   
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                  
                   ,
                   this
                   day
                   our
                   daily
                   Bread.
                
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 piece
                 of
                 Religious
                 Manners●
                 to
                 acknowledg
                 God's
                 Right
                 and
                 Soveraignty
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 robbery
                 to
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 a
                 Man's
                 goods
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 waste
                 them
                 and
                 consume
                 them
                 without
                 his
                 leave
                 .
                 All
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 or
                 use
                 is
                 God's
                 ,
                 who
                 reserveth
                 the
                 Propriety
                 of
                 all
                 to
                 himself
                 .
                 In
                 distributing
                 to
                 the
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 he
                 never
                 intended
                 to
                 divest
                 himself
                 of
                 his
                 Right
                 .
                 As
                 an
                 Husbandman
                 ,
                 by
                 sowing
                 his
                 Corn
                 in
                 the
                 Field
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 dispossessed
                 of
                 a
                 Right
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 God
                 hath
                 Domini●m
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 Dispensationem
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Comforts
                 that
                 belong
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 Life
                 is
                 his
                 ;
                 Man
                 is
                 a
                 ●ustos
                 ,
                 a
                 Guardian
                 of
                 it
                 for
                 God.
                 Gold
                 and
                 Silver
                 is
                 his
                 ;
                 Man
                 is
                 a
                 Steward
                 to
                 improve
                 it
                 for
                 God.
                 Adam
                 had
                 no
                 interest
                 in
                 Eve
                 ,
                 till
                 God
                 brought
                 her
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 bestowed
                 her
                 on
                 him
                 .
                 Every
                 one
                 of
                 us
                 must
                 get
                 a
                 grant
                 of
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 ;
                 the
                 Lord
                 he
                 poss●sseth
                 the
                 House
                 that
                 we
                 dwell
                 in
                 ,
                 the
                 Cloaths
                 we
                 wear
                 ,
                 the
                 Food
                 we
                 eat
                 :
                 And
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 have
                 a
                 License
                 from
                 
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 his
                 Leave
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 have
                 given
                 David
                 the
                 Wives
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 into
                 his
                 Bosom
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 His
                 Counsel
                 and
                 Direction
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 case
                 is
                 doubtful
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 thoughts
                 are
                 uncertain
                 .
                 Prov.
                 3.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Lean
                   not
                   to
                   thy
                   own
                   Vnderstanding
                   .
                
                 We
                 scarce
                 know
                 Duties
                 ,
                 certainly
                 we
                 cannot
                 foresee
                 Events
                 ;
                 therefore
                 a
                 Man
                 that
                 maketh
                 his
                 Bosom
                 his
                 Oracle
                 ,
                 his
                 Wit
                 his
                 Counsellor
                 ,
                 will
                 chuse
                 a
                 Mischief
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 instead
                 of
                 a
                 Comfort
                 and
                 a
                 Blessing
                 .
                 Therefore
                 we
                 ought
                 chiefly
                 ,
                 and
                 first
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 to
                 consult
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 seek
                 his
                 Direction
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 seeth
                 the
                 Heart
                 ,
                 and
                 foreseeth
                 Events
                 .
                 We
                 can
                 only
                 look
                 upon
                 what
                 is
                 present
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 upon
                 the
                 outward
                 appearance
                 :
                 Therefore
                 God
                 can
                 best
                 direct
                 us
                 in
                 our
                 choice
                 ,
                 he
                 knoweth
                 the
                 fittest
                 Matches
                 and
                 Consorts
                 for
                 every
                 one
                 ;
                 who
                 hath
                 a
                 prospect
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 in
                 one
                 moment
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 one
                 act
                 of
                 the
                 Understanding
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 can
                 best
                 dispose
                 of
                 Humane
                 Affairs
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 profit
                 and
                 comfort
                 of
                 the
                 Creature
                 .
                 Jer.
                 10.
                 23.
                 
                 
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   I
                   know
                   that
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   Man
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   himself
                   ;
                   nor
                   is
                   it
                   in
                   the
                   Sons
                   of
                   Men
                   to
                   direct
                   their
                   steps
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 order
                 their
                 Affairs
                 
                 so
                 as
                 they
                 may
                 have
                 felicity
                 and
                 comfort
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 So
                 ,
                 
                   Prov.
                   20.
                   24.
                   
                   Man's
                   goings
                   are
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ;
                   how
                   can
                   a
                   Man
                   then
                   understand
                   his
                   own
                   way
                   ?
                
                 We
                 cannot
                 foresee
                 the
                 Event
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 expedient
                 ,
                 what
                 not
                 .
                 Man
                 would
                 fain
                 work
                 out
                 his
                 Happiness
                 like
                 a
                 Spider
                 ,
                 climb
                 up
                 by
                 a
                 Thread
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 spinning
                 .
                 But
                 alas
                 !
                 all
                 our
                 Devices
                 and
                 fine
                 Contrivances
                 are
                 gone
                 with
                 the
                 turn
                 of
                 a
                 B●som
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 his
                 own
                 Carver
                 ,
                 seldom
                 carveth
                 out
                 a
                 good
                 Portion
                 to
                 himself
                 :
                 They
                 intrench
                 upon
                 God's
                 Prerogative
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 the
                 Work
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 hands
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 no
                 wonder
                 if
                 their
                 Wisdom
                 be
                 turned
                 into
                 Folly.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 We
                 ask
                 his
                 Blessing
                 .
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 only
                 foresee
                 the
                 Event
                 ,
                 but
                 order
                 it
                 ;
                 by
                 his
                 Wisdom
                 he
                 foreseeth
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 his
                 powerful
                 Providence
                 he
                 bringeth
                 it
                 to
                 pass
                 .
                 Therefore
                 God
                 that
                 hath
                 the
                 disposal
                 of
                 all
                 Events
                 ,
                 when
                 our
                 D●rection
                 is
                 over
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 sought
                 unto
                 for
                 a
                 Blessing
                 ;
                 for
                 every
                 Comfort
                 cometh
                 the
                 sooner
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 ●ought
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ;
                 and
                 whatever
                 God's
                 Purposes
                 be
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 our
                 Duty
                 .
                 Jer.
                 29.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 
                   I
                   know
                   the
                   thoughts
                   that
                   I
                   think
                   towards
                   you
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   thoughts
                   
                   of
                   Peace
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   of
                   Evil
                   ,
                   to
                   give
                   you
                   an
                   expected
                   End.
                   Then
                   shall
                   ye
                   call
                   upon
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   ye
                   shall
                   go
                   and
                   pray
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   hearken
                   unto
                   you
                   .
                
                 Ezek.
                 36.
                 37.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   for
                   this
                   be
                   enquired
                   of
                   by
                   the
                   House
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                   to
                   do
                   it
                   for
                   them
                   .
                
                 So
                 in
                 this
                 Case
                 ,
                 we
                 read
                 ,
                 Iohn
                 2.
                 2.
                 
                 When
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 Marriage
                 in
                 Canaan
                 of
                 Galilee
                 ,
                 both
                 Jesus
                 was
                 called
                 and
                 his
                 Disciples
                 to
                 the
                 Marriage
                 .
                 Married
                 Persons
                 do
                 need
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 should
                 seek
                 Christ's
                 Presence
                 to
                 their
                 Marriage
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 vouchsafe
                 his
                 Presence
                 and
                 Countenance
                 :
                 Be
                 sure
                 to
                 invite
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 him
                 along
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 strengthen
                 you
                 by
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 dispose
                 all
                 Providences
                 about
                 you
                 for
                 your
                 Comfort
                 .
                 He
                 puts
                 the
                 greatest
                 honour
                 upon
                 the
                 Marriage
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 doth
                 enable
                 you
                 to
                 carry
                 your selves
                 graciously
                 in
                 that
                 Relation
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 God's
                 Glory
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 hath
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 all
                 Providences
                 put
                 into
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 all
                 Grace
                 .
              
               
                 Vse
                 2.
                 
                 Is
                 Advice
                 to
                 Persons
                 that
                 are
                 entring
                 into
                 this
                 Relation
                 .
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Negatively
                   .
                   See
                   that
                   God
                   be
                   no
                   loser
                   by
                   the
                   Marriage
                   .
                
                 
                   
                   2.
                   
                   Positively
                   .
                   Be
                   sure
                   that
                   God
                   be
                   a
                   gainer
                   .
                
              
               
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 two
                 Proffers
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 make
                 to
                 you
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Negatively
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 God
                 be
                 a
                 loser
                 ;
                 He
                 never
                 intended
                 to
                 give
                 you
                 Gifts
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 wrong
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 ;
              
               
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 If
                 he
                 be
                 not
                 the
                 only
                 One
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 lovely
                 one
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 .
                 God
                 must
                 not
                 have
                 an
                 Image
                 of
                 Jealousy
                 set
                 up
                 ;
                 He
                 must
                 still
                 be
                 owned
                 as
                 the
                 chiefest
                 Good.
                 A
                 Wife
                 is
                 the
                 Delight
                 of
                 the
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 the
                 Idol
                 of
                 the
                 Heart
                 :
                 Still
                 you
                 must
                 be
                 sure
                 that
                 his
                 Place
                 be
                 not
                 invaded
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Psal.
                   73.
                   25.
                   
                   Whom
                   have
                   I
                   in
                   Heaven
                   but
                   thee
                   ?
                   and
                   whom
                   do
                   I
                   desire
                   on
                   Earth
                   in
                   comparison
                   of
                   thee
                   ?
                
                 Carnal
                 Complacency
                 must
                 not
                 weaken
                 your
                 Delight
                 in
                 God
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 apt
                 to
                 do
                 so
                 .
                 The
                 excuse
                 of
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 was
                 invited
                 to
                 the
                 Marriage-feast
                 ,
                 was
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   married
                   a
                   Wife
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   cannot
                   come
                   ,
                   Ma●th
                   .
                
                 22.
                 
                 Sur●ly
                 Christ
                 would
                 teach
                 us
                 thereby
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 Relation
                 may
                 become
                 a
                 Snare
                 ,
                 and
                 encroach
                 upon
                 the
                 Prerogatives
                 
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 justled
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Heart
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 intrusion
                 of
                 some
                 earthly
                 Comfort
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 If
                 you
                 be
                 diverted
                 from
                 the
                 earnest
                 pursuit
                 of
                 heavenly
                 Things
                 ,
                 either
                 by
                 carnal
                 Complacency
                 ,
                 or
                 distracting
                 Cares
                 ,
                 and
                 worldly
                 Encumbrances
                 .
                 There
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 shall
                 
                   neither
                   Marry
                   ,
                   nor
                   be
                   given
                   in
                   Marriage
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 20.
                 35.
                 
                 And
                 that
                 is
                 our
                 happiest
                 time
                 ;
                 present
                 Contentments
                 must
                 not
                 weaken
                 the
                 lively
                 expectation
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 steal
                 away
                 the
                 Heart
                 into
                 a
                 mindlesness
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Would
                 God
                 bring
                 you
                 to
                 one
                 another
                 ?
                 think
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 turn
                 off
                 your
                 Thoughts
                 and
                 Hopes
                 for
                 this
                 blessed
                 Time
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 All
                 in
                 All
                 ?
                 No
                 ,
                 your
                 Comforts
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 in
                 your
                 Pilgrimage
                 ,
                 must
                 not
                 hinder
                 your
                 delight
                 in
                 your
                 Comforts
                 at
                 Home
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 your
                 Country
                 :
                 this
                 would
                 be
                 like
                 a
                 great
                 Heir
                 in
                 Travel
                 ,
                 that
                 should
                 gussle
                 in
                 an
                 Ale-house
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 think
                 of
                 returning
                 to
                 his
                 Inheritance
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 God
                 would
                 be
                 a
                 loser
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 be
                 less
                 resolute
                 in
                 owning
                 God's
                 Truth
                 ,
                 than
                 you
                 were
                 before
                 .
                 Oh
                 take
                 heed
                 of
                 daubing
                 in
                 Religion
                 !
                 we
                 must
                 hate
                 all
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Luke
                 14.
                 26.
                 
                 We
                 must
                 be
                 as
                 true
                 
                 still
                 to
                 make
                 good
                 our
                 Ingagement
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 Wife
                 and
                 Children
                 must
                 be
                 undervalued
                 for
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 put
                 to
                 the
                 trial
                 ,
                 whether
                 we
                 will
                 cleave
                 to
                 them
                 or
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 our
                 choice
                 Husband
                 .
                 The
                 Bond
                 of
                 Religion
                 is
                 above
                 all
                 Bonds
                 ;
                 all
                 Bonds
                 between
                 Husband
                 and
                 Wife
                 ,
                 Father
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 end
                 in
                 Death
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 Bond
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 Eternal
                 ;
                 your
                 Children
                 will
                 not
                 lose
                 by
                 your
                 faithfulness
                 to
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Positively
                 .
                 Let
                 God
                 be
                 a
                 gainer
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 By
                 your
                 daily
                 praises
                 and
                 blessing
                 God
                 for
                 his
                 Providence
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 brought
                 you
                 into
                 this
                 Relation
                 .
                 
                   I
                   obtained
                   favour
                   from
                   the
                   Lord.
                   
                
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 
                   By
                   living
                   to
                   God
                   in
                   this
                   Relation
                   ,
                   performing
                   the
                   Duties
                   thereof
                   ,
                   so
                   as
                   your
                   converse
                   may
                   be
                   some
                   lively
                   resemblance
                   of
                   the
                   Communion
                   between
                   Christ
                   and
                   his
                   Church
                
                 ;
                 Ephes.
                 5.
                 25
                 ,
                 26
                 ,
                 27
                 ,
                 28
                 ,
                 29
                 ,
                 30.
                 
                 Husbands
                 ,
                 love
                 your
                 Wives
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 Christ
                 also
                 loved
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 gave
                 himself
                 for
                 it
                 :
                 That
                 he
                 might
                 sanctify
                 and
                 cleanse
                 it
                 with
                 the
                 washing
                 of
                 Water
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 ;
                 That
                 he
                 might
                 present
                 it
                 to
                 himself
                 a
                 glorious
                 Church
                 ,
                 not
                 having
                 spot
                 or
                 wrinkle
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 :
                 but
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 blemish
                 .
                 So
                 ought
                 Men
                 to
                 love
                 their
                 Wives
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 own
                 Bodies
                 :
                 he
                 that
                 loveth
                 his
                 Wife
                 ,
                 loveth
                 himself
                 .
                 For
                 no
                 Man
                 ever
                 yet
                 hated
                 his
                 own
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 but
                 nourisheth
                 and
                 cherisheth
                 it
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 the
                 Lord
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 For
                 we
                 are
                 Members
                 of
                 his
                 Body
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 Bones
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 By
                 being
                 mutual
                 helps
                 to
                 one
                 another
                 in
                 the
                 best
                 things
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 advancement
                 of
                 Piety
                 and
                 Godliness
                 .
                 The
                 love
                 of
                 Christ
                 doth
                 not
                 only
                 enforce
                 the
                 Husband's
                 Duty
                 as
                 an
                 Argument
                 ,
                 but
                 points
                 forth
                 the
                 right
                 manner
                 of
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 Pattern
                 :
                 Christ's
                 Love
                 ,
                 is
                 sanctifying
                 Love
                 ;
                 so
                 should
                 theirs
                 be
                 ,
                 such
                 a
                 Love
                 as
                 sheweth
                 it self
                 by
                 sincere
                 and
                 real
                 endeavours
                 ,
                 to
                 bring
                 about
                 one
                 anothers
                 spiritual
                 and
                 eternal
                 Good.
                 Love
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   Heirs
                   together
                   of
                   the
                   Grace
                   of
                   Life
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 7.
                 
              
               
                 FINIS
                 .