THE quiet soul OR The Peace, and Tranquillity OF A christian's ESTATE Set Forth in TWO SERMONS. BY EDMUND ELYS Master of Arts, and Fellow of balliol-college in OXFORD. Qui non appetit hominibus placere, nec timet displicere, Multa perfruetur pace. TH. à KEMPIS. OXFORD, Printed by H. H. for Tho: Robinson, 1659. To the truly virtuous and Excellent LADY Mris HESTER NOYE. Madam, THose deep Discourses, which I have so often heard from you, upon the Subject of this Small Book, gave me the Occasion of Composing it: and therefore I thought it my Duty to Dedicate it unto You. In perusing it, you may Conceit, that these few Good Thoughts of mine return to You, as small brooks and rivulets, to the OCEAN, from whence they came: for seriously Madam, I shall ever acknowledge that one of the best ways I have found out to improve my understanding in spiritual Things, has been, the Contemplation of that truly Noble, and Christian Disposition, which the Giver of every Good, and Perfect Gift has Bestowed on You. Certainly those virtuous Persons, who have the happiness to be Acquainted with You, if they peruse this Discourse, will imagine it to be no other than Your CHARACTER: Considering what a rare thing that Temper of Mind is, which here I Describe (I Fancy) they would have thought me to have had loan Acquaintance with You, though I had not prefixed Your Name. You, Madam, are one of those very few in the world, who, by the strength of true, Sanctified Reason, are able to Apprehend firmly, and constantly these most important truths (which scape the Notice of the generality of men) That the things of the World are in themselves altogether Vanity, That GOD is All in All, &c. The Sun of righteousness thus Shining into Your soul, giving you a clear, and full demonstration of these truths, Scatters those Mists, and Clouds of False Hopes, and fears, Anxious Desires, and Foolish Imaginations, &c. which continually hang over the souls of those Persons, (which are by far the greatest part of the World) that are Earthly, and sensual; showing you that the only way to Set your heart at rest, is, to Acquiesce in the Enjoyment of GOD, which you have in part here; and in the Hopes of the fullness, and Consummation of it, which you shall have in Heaven hereafter. If I have put you to a Blush (for I know your Nature is such, that you still endeavour to Fly the Praises, your Actions (all for) I shall entreat you to consider that by what I have here spoken I did not Principally intend to Praise You, but to glorify your MAKER: for, what have you that you have not received? You know what use you are to make of being well spoken of: To thank GOD for the Grace he hath given you, and to Pray unto him for more. It may be you will wonder to see me in Print again, &c. contrary to the Advice of so many of my honoured Friends: but, seriously, Madam, to speak freely, I have weighed all the Reasons, that have been, or (I think) can be produced to dissuade me, and I find them too light to overbalance my Resolution in this design: wherein I am sure I can do no man any, harm: but in all probability shall do some good, in the Service of HIM, whose Favour is the only thing I would Absolutely Desire; whose Displeasure is the only thing I would Absolutely Avoid: neither shall I ever charge myself, as Guilty of Indiscretion, (which is the great Bugbear, which some men would Fright me withal from such undertakings) but when I find that, through the blindness of my Understanding, or the Violence, and Praecipitancy of my Affections, I have Fallen into the one, or have Missed the other. I shall not hold you with any longer discourse Farewell: And may the GOD of all Comfort Love and Embrace you; and wipe off all tears from your Eyes: may You and I, and all those, whom we are Bound to Pray for, Rest from our Labours, from all doubts, and fears, all trouble, and anguish, and disturbance of Spirit, in the bosom of the Father, through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. To the READER. Reader, MEthinks I hear thee say, as I have often heard others upon the like occasion. What need more Books on this Subject? have not such and such Learned men written on it already? and does this man think himself wiser, than any of them? To this I Answer, that I conceive the Use of such books may not only be to make us Know what we ought to do, but to Excite us to do according to our knowledge: to beget in the mind of the Reader New Acts of Understanding such truths, as he has already Received; that if his former Notions, (being weak, and remiss, & suddenly broken off by vain thoughts and Passions) have never had any powerful, and effectual Influence upon his Will (to engage him to a steadfast Resolution, and Constancy of Acting according to those truths) his latter may. To speak more closely: I suppose thou mayest have read several Treatises on this Subject, which I Treat of in these following Leaves penned (it may be) by men of more Learning than I shall ever attain unto, though I should Live more Lustres, than yet I have seen Years: and yet 'tis very possible that thou mayest gain more good to thy soul by these Lines of mine, than ever thou didst by theirs. (Suspend thy judgement a little: and do not presently pass thy Censure upon me, as Proud, and self-conceited) Two Reasons for this my Opinion (others I have which I shall not divulge) are these. First, 'Tis very possible that when thou readest this Discourse thy Mind may be more disposed, & Fitted to receive the matter therein delivered, than it was when thou didst read the discourses of other men upon the same Subject. Secondly, Through the whole Course of the Observations I have made (according to the time I have had to Exercise my Reason) of myself, and others; I have found that practical truths are more, or less taking according to the Expressions wherein they are set forth: As Persons are esteemed more, or less Handsome according to the Dresses, they go in▪ I do not here imply that my Expressions are Better, than others, but that, being not the same possibly they may be Better to Thee, that is, they may be more Suitable to thy Genius, & temper of Mind, & so the apter to insinuate into Thee, the matter they carry in them. I have nomore to say to thee then only to advise thee, that if thou intendest to peruse this short discourse, thou wouldst allow thyself more time for it, than the small Bulk thereof may seem to require. They that read such Discourses, as this, loosely, & cursorily, usually miss of the greatest part of the practical Sense, & meaning of the Words: which does, as it were, run beside, whilst they endeavour toe fast to pour it into their minds. Such kind of writings, which are intended for the Cure of our sinful Habits, the Sores, and Ulcers of the soul, are not only to be Read over, but to be fixed in our Hearts by Serious Meditation otherwise they will become useless unto us, and of none effect: As we are wont not only to Lay plasters to our Bodily Sores, but also to Bind them on, otherwise they would soon slip off from the Places Affected. If thou be'st one of those Envious, malicious, Uncharitable men, (whereof the World is so full) who hate any one that is not of the same Humour with themselves; and are ready always to brand those with the name of Hypocrites, and vainglorious Persons, that venture to be thus public: I assure thee, whosoever thou art, I am confident through the Grace of God, that I shall not be any otherwise Troubled with the apprehension of thy ill opinion of me (if it come to my knowledge) then only for this, that thy heart, being by Prejudice hardened against me, will be the less capable (for thy good) to receive any Impression from what I have written. What kind of man soever thou art, thou canst not be injured by My Writings, or I by Thy Censures. Farewell: and if thou be'st a Scholar, and conceitest thyself (as justly thou mayest) to Know more, than I can Teach thee, Remember that saying of SENECA. Stude; non ut plùs aliquid scias, sed ut meliùs. SERMON I. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek, and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Mat. 11.29. I Shall first explain the Expressions in my Text, and then I shall raise the Doctrine, which I shall Insist upon as the principal subject of my Discourse. Take my yoke upon you: that is, do the Commands I have imposed upon you: do the will of your Heavenly Father, which I came to discover unto you. And learn of me: i. e. And that you may know how to do it, take me for your Example. For I am meek, and lowly in heart: i. e. For I am, as you ought to be, loving and kind to MEN, and truly Humble, and submissive to GOD, And you shall find rest unto your souls. i. e. And in doing the Will of your God, which is Holy, Just, and Good; you shall find true Comfort, and satisfaction, and complacency of Mind: you shall cease from all that Labour and travel, which hitherto you have continually endured in seeking, and by wicked means endeavouring after True Contentment in the things of this World, which are all vanity and Vexation of Spirit. * Eccl. 1.14. From the Words thus opened unto you I shall draw forth this Doctrine: that True Faith in Christ (through which Christians are enabled by God to take Christ's Yoke upon them, &c. (I say) true Faith in Christ cures a Man of all spiritual Distempers, and gives him Ease: frees him from all Anguish, and Sorrow, and Tribulation of Mind, and furnishes him with a never failing stock of Pleasure, and Contentment. To be more strict and logical; I shall lay down the sense of my Doctrine in these words: True Faith enables a man to draw, true, solid Comfort (strong consolation) from all the Objects of his Thoughts: whatsoever a Wise man, a faithful, sincere Christian thinks of, he finds in it cause to Rejoice. Whithersoever His soul hath occasion to go, (if I may so express myself) she finds the Way beset, as it were, with Beds of Roses, very Pleasant, and Delightsome unto Her▪ according to that of Solomon, * Prov. 3.17. The ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Before I come to a punctual demonstration of the Truth of my Doctrine, to show you, that Rest and quiet of Mind, which a Good man, a True Believer continually enjoys, I shall premise some discourse of that Trouble and anguish, wherewith the Minds of Wicked, Unregenerate men are so grievously afflicted. You will have a more exact apprehension of the Rest of the GODLY, when you hear of the Labours of the WICKED. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Isa. 58.21. A wicked man can never have any peace, any rest in his soul. How can he have Peace, who is His own enemy. HIEROCLES says truly, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}: A Good man is only a Friend to Himself. The Mind of a wicked man is his Torment: His Thoughts Gnaw him, as worms the Bowels. Which way soever He looks upon himself, he Sees nothing but grief and Horror. When He looks back upon his Life Past, and considers what He hath been, his Conscience presently Vexes and Upbraids him; showing him the Vanity of the Pleasures he hath enjoyed, and the wickedness of the Actions he hath committed. When he considers the state and condition he is in at present, there suddenly arises in him a great deal of anguish and vexation of spirit from an apprehension of the emptiness, and dissatisfaction of all his Enjoyments. When he considers what he would be, and sends out his thoughts in the search of the best Means to accomplish his Desires, he is miserably distracted, and Divided against himself: his Conscience striving against his Affections, or his Affections one against another: one while his Lusts, his vile Affections furiously impel him to such and such a Course, because 'tis Pleasant, whilst his Conscience deters him from it because 'tis Wicked. Another while, having broke the Bonds of Conscience, he is again restrained by some Passion (or inordinate Affection) contrary to that by which his soul was first moved. Thus how oft does it happen, that a man is vehemently inclined by his sensual Desires to do those things, from which the Fear of Shame, or of temporal Punishment etc keeps him back? Thus how oft does it happen, that a man's Ambition urges him to those Dangers from which his cowardice deters him; or his Pride and rash desire to be accounted Magnificent, or the like, to those expenses from which his covetousness powerfully dissuades him. This or the like Distraction and incomposedness of Mind is the Lot of all the Wicked: whose Miserable Condition we may in short describe thus. The things which They so eagerly pursue and follow after, can never afford them any of that Satisfaction and Contentment, which they expect from them: and they miss the greatest part even of that Outward, Sensible Pleasure, which the Nature of their Enjoyments might afford; by reason of that Trouble and Dissatisfaction which they bring to some of their Affections, whilst they gratify others; or by reason of the Troubles they receive from their Displeased Consciences: which, if they cannot restrain Them from Rushing into SIN, Pursue them (as it were) and Overtake them in the Act, and deprive them of the greatest part of the Pleasure of it. I'll appeal to the Heart of any man here, that is Conscious to himself, that he is to be numbered among the Wicked, that he lives in any course of Known Sin, gives way to his Lusts and sensual Inclinations; I'll appeal, I say, to the Heart of any such man, and be tried by Him, whether I do not speak Truth: surely he knows it by woeful Experience. Whenever thou hast Offended Thy GOD, to satisfy the Importunity of any of thy Impetuous Lusts, hath not thy Conscience Dampt thy Flaming Spirit, cooled thy Courage, (as we use to speak) telling thee, that thou hast done Foolishly, telling thee of HELL and DEATH: and so Mixing thy Wine with Wormwood, turning thy Delight into Vexation of Spirit. Having thus briefly discovered unto you the Black and dismal Condition of the souls of the Wicked, which Sit in darkness, and in the Shadow of Death: I shall now endeavour to discover unto you the Pleasant and Comfortable Estate of those that are truly GODLY, who have the daystar arising in their Hearts, who through Faith in CHRIST, walk in the Light of God's Countenance, enjoy his Favour, who is KING of KINGS, and LORD of LORDS, The Father of Mercies, and GOD of all Comfort. That I may give you a more clear and manifest Discovery of this happiness of a True CHRISTIAN; I shall Point (as it were) (as those men use to do, that show you some Excellent Sight, to make your Notice the more accurate) at the principal Parts of it, Opening, and Demonstrating unto you this Proposition or Doctrine: [True Faith enables a man, &c.] in these three Particulars. First, True Faith in CHRIST inables a man to draw Comfort 1 From the Remembrance of what he hath been, of the Condition he hath formerly been in. 2. From the Apprehension of that which He is in at present. 3. From the Expectation of what He may be in for the future. Now these Three things, What a man hath been, What he is, and What he expects to be, are the principal, and most usual Objects of our Thoughts: therefore if I shall be able to show you, how a True, faithful CHRISTIAN may draw Matter of Comfort from all These, I suppose, you will easily apprehend how He may Comfort himself also in the Notice he takes of other things, as of all the works of PROVIDENCE, which he Sees in the affairs of the World, or the like: therefore I shall not extend my Discourse to any of them. Each of the Particulars which I have propounded unto myself to be insisted upon, as the Subject and groundwork of my Discourse, consists of Two Parts, our Condition being twofold, viz. of the Inner, and Outward Man: or (as the common words are) spiritual and temporal▪ At present I shall speak only of the Temper and Disposition of a christian's Spirit in reference to his spiritual Condition, Past, Present, and to Come. As for his temporal Condition, or the Estate of his Outward Man, I shall defer my Discourse of That, till some other Opportunity. The First thing that I am to show you is, That a True CHRISTIAN, one that hath taken CHRIST's Yoke upon him &c. can take Comfort, Find Rest unto his soul, in the Remembrance of his Life Past, whether it have been sinful or Holy. But here probably some of you may presently Object within yourselves against what I say, thus: How! Can a True CHRISTIAN take Comfort in the Remembrance of his sinful Estate? why? what then is meant by penitence, or Godly Sorrow? is not that the Sorrow which we conceive by the Remembrance of our Sins? In removing this Objection, I doubt not, but (by God's Assistance) I shall give you a full discovery of this Truth; That a CHRISTIAN can Comfort himself (through the Help of God's Spirit) even in the Remembrance of his sinful Estate. We grant, that when He thinks of His sinful Estate, as sinful, to wit, as it relates to GOD, as that Course of Life, wherein He did so often Dishonour the Name of the GOD that Made him; of JESUS, that redeemed him; and grieved the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, that Now Sanctifies Him: I say my Brethren, when a CHRISTIAN does This way look back upon his sinful Life, He cannot choose through Indignation against himself, but Rent his Heart, vex his Spirit, cherish and foment his own Sorrow, saying with David: * Psa: 38.18. I will be sorry for my Sin. But let us Observe, that This kind of Sorrowing is but as the taking of physic, 'tis not any Disease, or Settled Distemper of the Soul: I say, when We are thus pricked with the Sharp sense and feeling of our SINS, we are not Wounded, but Let Blood: and this spiritual Phlebotomy is that, which Cures us of our present, and Prevents future Maladies. To speak more plainly; This Godly Sorrow (as the * 2 Cor: 7.10. Apostle says) worketh Repentance: {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, worketh a Change of the Mind: altars the Temper and Constitution of the Inward Man; confirms a man in holiness, which is the Health and Strength of the soul, that hath formerly been Wicked, that is to say, that hath abounded with all manner of Infirmities, with all manner of Lusts, and Burnings, and inordinate Affections, which are (as it were) the fevers, and Agues, and Swellings, and tumors of the soul. And thus, My Brethren, though the Sorrow, which a True Christian, a faithful Servant of the Living GOD, conceives by the Remembrance of his sinful Life Past, be in itself very painful and Grievous, yet it worketh for him the greatest Ease and Comfort. It only Roots out of the Heart all carnal Joy, all False, Fading, worldly Comfort, to Plant in it joy Unspeakable, & The Comfort of the Holy Ghost. To fix this Truth in your minds, to confirm you in the Apprehension of it, I shall recite unto you that Saying of Our SAVIOUR: * Matt. 5.4. Blessed are they that Mourn, for they shall be Comforted. All that I have here said may be briefly summed up thus: the Thoughts, which a GODLY Man has, in the Remembrance of His Unregenerate Estate (though they do not Directly, yet they do) By Consequent Continually Afford Him abundance of Comfort: to wit (as in effect I said but now) by Fitting, and Preparing His Heart to Entertain the Holy Ghost, the only True COMFORTER. The more a man sorrows after a Godly sort (as the * 2 Cor. 7.11. Apostles expression is) the more Entertainment He gives to the Spirit of GOD, and receives the more Comfort from Him: As often this way, as â christian's Spitits fail him, GOD gives him a cordial, to Revive, and to Delight his soul. Having thus spoken of the Temper, and Disposition of a christian's Spirit in the Remembrance of His sinful Estate; in relation to GOD, that is, as that Course of Life, wherein He did so often Dishonour the Name of the GOD that Made Him: &c. I shall now show you how His Spirit is Affected, what kind of thoughts He hath, in the remembrance of it, as it relates to himself, as an Estate of Trouble of which he is eased, and of Danger which he hath Escaped. Now my Brethren, that a sinful Estate is Troublesome, and Unquiet, I have shown you from these words, There is no peace, &c. that 'tis also a Dangerous Estate, SINNERS being every moment in Danger of hell-fire I presume there is none here but will readily grant: And I suppose This also, That men rejoice in the Remembrance of the Troubles, and Dangers, they have Past, is so Obvious to every one's Apprehension, that to go about accurately, and Logically to Prove unto you, that a CHRISTIAN may draw Comfort, and Matter of Rejoying continually from the Remembrance of His sinful Condition, as Troublesome, and Dangerous, would be but to misspend so much time, being a vain, and mere formal Labour. Therefore I shall not show you this Truth so, as if you had never Seen it before (if I may so speak) but that you might View it again, & take more exact Notice of it: I shall so speak of it that I shall not seem, to Bring the Truth to you, but only, to make you turn the eyes of your understanding towards It, being Habitually in your minds already, though probably, the greatest part of you did never in any measure so firmly Apprehend it, so thoroughly think of it, as you ought to do. And here I cannot but make a farther digression, to speak a word against the Folly of some men, who Pretending much to Polite Reason, and Learning, account it a vain thing for Scholars to discourse of such truths, as are so Commonly confesed: As if those waters of Life, spiritual, and practical truths, might not lie many years together in a carnal man's Head, thoroughly Frozen as it were, and useless, till by the Hearing of some more powerful, Zealous, experimental Expressions of the same Truth's, his Affections be so Inflamed, as to Thaw, and dissolve them (if I may so speak) that they may Flow down continually upon the Heart, to Purge and Cleanse it from all filthiness, and Pollution; as that River did AUGEAS his Stable. I do not speak This for the Allusion's sake, as a strained conceit, but as That which I think Suitable to the experimental Notions of GODLY Men. And now I come to speak of the Comfort, a Christian hath when He reflects upon His Unregenerate Estate, as Troublesome and Dangerous: and this I shall do as briefly and pithily as I can. You know it is a common saying: Fessum Quies plurimùmjuvat. What a Comfortable thing is it for one that hath traveled hard to Repose himself, for one that is Weary to lie down, and take his Rest? How doth He rejoice, and Hug himself (as they say) in the Apprehension of His present Health, that hath been Recovered of a Long, and Grievous sickness? Why, thus it is with a sincere Convert, when He considers his Former Condition: His thoughts Representing unto him the spiritual Evils: which formerly he Laboured under, and opposing them to that Good and Pleasant Condition, which now He is in, make him the more Sensible of it, more to rejoice in it. The like Comfort we may conceive to be in the Heart of a true Believer, when he Looks back upon the Danger of his sinful Estate. When He considers that he was once in the highway to HELL, that Broad Way, &c. that He was once like to Perish for ever; His soul doth magnify the LORD, and his Spirit doth rejoice in God his Saviour. How does He delight himself upon This Consideration, in Acting his FAITH, in the Contemplation of The things that are not seen: HELL which he hath Escaped; and HEAVEN, which shortly He shall Inherit? through the strong Apprehensions he hath, that His SINS are Forgiven him, & c? With what alacrity and cheerfulness doth He Embrace the GOD, that Loved Him, the physician that Cured Him, the LORD that Saved Him? Such as these are the usual thoughts of one that is truly Converted, when he calls to mind the sinfulness of his Life Past: As in Hot and sunshine days, Swine are wont to Wallow in the Mire to Avoid the extremity of the Heat: So how long did I accustom myself to Wallow in all manner of uncleanness, (filthiness of the Flesh, and Spirit) wherein I never found any True Comfort, did only for the present alloy the Scorching Heat, and Violence of my inordinate Affections; being continually Troubled either with the solicitation and Urgency of them, or with some reflection upon the Base and filthy ways I took to satisfy them? How long did I accustom myself to drink poisonous Waters to Quench my Thirst: to do that which I knew to be evil, to Satisfiie the Importunity of my irregular Desires? Thus Missing my Way to True happiness, the more Hast I made towards it, the Farther still I went from it: The oftener I accomplished my Desires, the more Discontented I found myself, still Vexing My Spirit, to Please My Lusts. But Now, How Happy am I! Now GOD is my Portion: And what can I Desire more, having Him who is All in All? HIM I do Enjoy in some measure Here, and shall Enjoy HIM Fully & Perfectly hereafter in HEAVEN. Yea methinks I am in HEAVEN already: I find myself Above the World: I am Free from those Earthly Affections, wherein formerly I engaged My soul. I Envy no man's Honour: or Covet his Estate: or Hate his Person: or fear his Power: All that I would Avoid is SIN, All that I Desire is God: For ever Blessed be His SPIRIT, which hath thus Reformed me. I can say unto God with DAVID, * Psal. 73.25. Whom have I in Heaven, but Thee? And there is None upon Earth, that I Desire besides Thee. And now I am come to this Point: That a CHRISTIAN exceedingly rejoices in the Remembrance of His Life Past, if he have been Sanctified from the womb, if He have been Godly all his days. Here I shall not Use many words: the Subject I suppose to be so plain, that your Thoughts would Run on in it (that I may so speak) without any Interruption: if I should but show Them the Way, should but Mention it. I shall only endeavour to set forth this Truth, That the Remembrance of Time Spent in the Service of God is most Comfortable, and Pleasant, by This Similitude: As one that hath been Delivered out of many Dangers, Relieved in many Distresses, and made Rich and Great by some Eminent and Noble Person, Pleases himself in the thoughts of these Benefits, not only, as Enjoyed by himself, but as Received from such a Person, whose Love is no less Honourable, than such Obligations, as I mentioned, the Evidences of it bountiful: So one that hath been Godly from his Youth, when he remembers those many spiritual Troubles, and Dangers, from which his God, who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, hath continually preserved him, those many straits and distresses in which he hath relieved him: and how He hath made him Rich in Grace, &c. How exceedingly does he rejoice in the God of his Salvation, filling himself with Confidence, that he who hath continued his Loving kindness so long time, will be still unto him * Psal. 46.1. A very present help in Trouble. Suitable to the thoughts of such a man we may find many Expressions, in the book of psalms. * Psal. 74.12. God is my King of Old. * Psal. 119.52. I remembered thy Jugements of Old, O Lord, and have comforted myself. * Psal. 22.10. I was cast upon thee from the womb: Thou art my GOD from my mother's Belly. All that may be said upon this Subject may be summed up, and concluded in this▪ That for any one who hath been Godly all his days to Remember his life past, is, to call to mind the mercies of God, to reflect upon those Gifts and Graces, which God hath bestowed on him from time to time; to meditate on those Sacred Truths, which have been continually Held forth unto him by the Spirit of wisdom, as a Light to direct him in all the dark and Slippery passages of his life. And what is this but to look on the Tokens, and Read over the Letters, which have been sent him from his dearest and best Friend his Father, his God? And what delight & satisfaction think you, does he take in this? surely they only can rightly imagine that have had some Experience of it. Thus my Brethren, when a man calls to mind the time he hath spent in the Service of God, he doth, as it were, live over again his Holy, and Righteous, and therefore most Happy life. Vivere Bis, Vitâ posse Priore Frui. * Mart. Now come we to show you that a true Christian can take Comfort in the apprehension of his Present Condition, as to his Inward man, whether he be weak, or strong in Faith. If he be weak, and his Iniquities often prevail against him: than it is true, when he ruflects upon himself, and sees the Fiery darts of Satan sticking in his sides, his thoughts do not Directly bring him any Comfort, but (as I said but now upon another occasion) by consequent they do: that is to say, when he considers the weakness of his Faith, he cannot but be grieved▪ but when he reflects upon this consideration, considers that he does consider his spiritual weakness, and is thereupon Applying himself for help unto Christ, whose Grace is Sufficient for him, who would support him still, and keep him from Falling away totally, and finally, though his Faith should be ten thousand times Weaker than it is; in this he takes Comfort: And is ready to say with Saint Paul, * 2 Cor. 12.9. Most gladly will I glory in my Infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rest upon Me. Thus a Christian Comforts himself even in his weak Faith; not that he is weak, but that Christ's strength is made perfect, that is, manifests its sufficiciency, and perfection, in his weakness: not, that he is of himself so ready to Fall: but that through his own Vanity, and unsteadiness, he discerns the power of Christ, by which he Stands. Now let us consider a Christian strong in Faith, in whom there is scarce any Lust, that can make the least resistance against the soul, who can say with holy David, * Ps. 119.113. I hate vain Thoughts, but thy Law do I Love. Oh how comfortable are the thoughts of such a man unto him, when he considers his Estate? how Unspeakable is his Joy, when he reflects upon himself, and sees the Image of God, the Beauty of holiness in his own soul? When he considers that God hath granted him, that he hath so often prayed for: A clean Heart: That through Christ enabling him, he hath overcome all those temptations to sin, and uncleanness, which he sees to have Power over the Generality of Men: (The whole World, says the Apostle, lieth in wickedness. 1 John. 5.19. ) Upon such considerations as these, the soul of a Christian delights herself in Running unto God, as Little Children are wont to do to their Fathers to Hug, and Embrace him, and express all manner of Affection unto him, in such an Holy Passion as David was in, when he * Ps: 116.1 said, I love the LORD, because he hath Heard my voice, and my Supplications. I * Ps: 18.1. will Love Thee, O LORD, my Strength. Thus you see how a Christians Meditations concerning the State of his Inward Man, work Comfort for him continually, either by Discovering the Evils and perturbations of his soul, that they may be Removed: or by Representing those things, that are Good, and Excellent to Please and Delight him. And now I come to the last thing that I propounded to myself, to speak of at this time. That a Christian takes Comfort in the Expectation of any thing that may befall him for the future, as to his Inward Man: and that I shall briefly Demonstrate thus: Either he expects that he shall Fall into many Temptations, many spiritual Straits, and Distresses: if so he rejoices in the God of his Life, who is Able * Heb: 7.25. to Save him to the Uttermost, and * 1 Cor: 10.13. will with the Temptation also make a way to escape: Or else he expects that God will Lead him in a plain Path (as the Ps: 27.11. Psalmists expression is) that he shall have no more such Temptations; and Stops in His Christian Course, as hitherto he hath had: that those Lusts, which war against the soul, shall no more rise up against him: if so, he Sings his {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, and Triumphs over sin and Death, saying with Saint Paul, thanks be to God who giveth us the Victory through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. In a word: True Faith Roots all fear out of a Christians Heart, and turns all his expectation, into Hope (which is you know, the Comfortable Foresight of some future Good) even through the Strength of this persuasion, that as Saint Paul says) Rom: 8.28 All things work together for GOOD, to them that Love GOD: And also that himself is One of Them. SERMON II. Take my yoke upon you, &c. Mat. 11.29. IN my Last Sermon I told you that a true Christian through Faith takes Comfort in the Remembrance of what he hath been: and in the Apprehension of What He is: and in the Expectation of What He may be for the future, as to his Inward man: I shall now prove the same of him, as to his Outward man. And here I shall Insist longest upon the middle Proposition: to wit, That a Christian takes Comfort in the Apprehension of the temporal Condition he is in, what ever it be. I suppose the particular Notions employed in the Two other Propositions will be easily discovered from the Explication of This: Remembrance, and Expectation being nothing else (as all Scholars will soon grant) but a kind of apprehension: by the Former we Take back the Species, and Impresses of Things Past: by the Latter we Anticipate, and Take them beforehand. As for the First Proposition that I am to Handle, to wit, That a Christian takes Comfort in the Remembrance of what he hath been: I shall briefly demonstrate it; by showing you the original and Spring of that Comfort, which is, the Observation of the Love of GOD, Manifested unto him in a Way Suitable to the condition he hath been in: If he have been in Adversity; he considers, how by that GOD hath been pleased to make the WORID Bitter unto him, to Heighten his Appetite to spiritual Delights, to make him Long more earnestly to Taste, and See the goodness of GOD: or to make him meek and Humble: or some other way to Advance his soul towards Perfection, in Piety, and virtue by the Low Estate of his Outward Man. If he have been in Prosperity, he considers how by that God hath been pleased to Provoke him to Christian Magnanimity, and Magnificence, to make him instrumental for His Glory, in some Great and Eminent Acts of Charity, or to save him from Despondency, and faintness of Spirit, and such like Infirmities, which He knows most Incident to men in Adversity: Still Sanctifying unto him all * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Outward things, as Poverty, or Riches, Honours, or Disgraces, Health or sickness, to the Use of his soul: before Conversion, to Put Him out of the way to HELL: and after, to Bring Him on in the way to HEAVEN, And may we not here say with Holy DAVID * Ps. 107.43. Who so is wise, and will Observe these things: even they shall Understand the Loveing-kindness of the LORD. All that can be said in this place, may be briefly summed up thus: All things work together for Good to those that Love GOD: And the Observation that a CHRISTIAN takes of that real, spiritual Good, that GOD has Wrought for Him by His temporal Condition, whatever it has been, Affords Him infinitely more Comfort and Satisfaction, than any man can Declare or Conceive, but He that knows it by Experience. I am now come to the Second Proposition, that I intended to Handle in This Discourse: A CHRISTIAN takes Comfort in the Sense, & Apprehension of the Present Condition of His Outward Man, whether it be Prosperity, or Adversity: By Prosperity▪ I Understand that Estate, wherein He has the Enjoyment of His Health, of abundance of Riches, and Great Possessions, and is in Honour, and Reputation amongst all those, with whom He has to do. Adversity is the Want of These Things: if we Want All of Them, we are Wholly; if but some, Partly Miserable (I speak as to the Outward man.) That Christians take Comfort in their Prosperous Condition, I suppose to be a truth so plain and obvious, that I need not spend much time in the Demonstration of it. I shall only show you one principal Reason of the Comfort They take in their Outward Enjoyments: (Health, Goods, Good Name.) They look upon them as the means of performing in Deed, what every true Christian constantly Wills, That special Duty, Mat: 5.16. which Christ enjoins us; Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. This truth will be most evident, if we consider that the body is the Instrument of the soul: That, whereby we perform the Outward Operations of all our Faculties, whereby we Act before men, as Writing, or Talking, or Performing any other Action, whereby we discover to the World, what Temper and Disposition we are of: Now Health is the firmness, and soundness of this Instrument: and without it we cannot so well perform any Outward act of virtue: and if we do enjoy our Health, without Riches and Honours, There are many virtues, which we cannot so well Discover: for instance; How can a man show himself liberal, that hath nothing to Give to those that Need? How can a man discover his Humility, that hath no Honour, and Reputation in the World; that is so Low already, that he cannot show any condescension. Here then let us Observe, that 'tis the duty of every Christian to use all means possible, (in a Right way) that are truly Honest, to gain such Riches, and Honours as he knows himself able to Manage. And in the pursuit of them, never to be deterred by any fear of being accounted Covet●●● or Proud: whilst his own Conscience tells him, that he doth not endeavour after these Outward Things, that he may enjoy them, but God in them, using them to His Glory. And now I shall show you (by God's assistance) that a true faithful Christian takes Comfort also in his Adversity, when ever it pleases God to put him into such a Condition. That you may have a more clear, and distinct Notion of this Truth, I shall show you particularly, what Comfort and Satisfaction he takes in Poverty, sickness, Disgrace, or the loss of his Reputation. All temporal evils, or Afflictions being comprehended under one of these three Heads. As for the first, the main ground, and principle of that Comfort, which a Christians Heart is possessed of, when he reflects upon his Poverty, is, the thought of that safety which he enjoys from those spiritual Dangers, and Perplexities which Rich men are entangled in, by reason of those manifold Opportunities to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin, and allurements thereunto, which the abundance of their Worldly Possessions continually presents unto them. You know who said: 'Tis * Mat. 19.24. easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, then for a Rich man to enter into the kingdom of GOD. Here we may observe how the Great Ones of the World deceive themselves, in thinking they deserve to be admired, and had in such high esteem for their | Mistake me not I do not speak against the use of these things▪ but against those Persons, who are so mad as to set their Hearts on them. Brave clothes, Stately Houses, Rattling Coaches, &c. a true Christian that goes in Rags (though he gives them that outward respect which is due unto them by the laws, and Constitution of the Commonwealth wherein he lives) in his Heart pities them, and dispises their Worldly Height, and Glory: as That, which in his baptism he vowed to Forsake: to slight and contemn the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World. He sees himself by the Eye of Faith, to be in a Condition infinitely more High, and Noble, then theirs: though those Earthly Creatures, carnal minded Men: (whose discourse is only of Lands, and Livings, Dogs and Horses, Coaches and houses, Fine clothes, and Banquets, &c.) are no more able to discern it, than a Mole to Behold the Sun. To conclude this point: A poor man, that is truly Gracious, whose Heart is Rich towards GOD, looks upon himself, as one of Those that have an interest in that Blessing, which Our Saviour gave his Disciples: * Luke 6 20. Blessed be ye Poor, for yours is the kingdom of GOD: And in all those other large Promises, which the GOD of Truth hath made to Believers; which most commonly the Hearts of Christians Cleave unto so much the more closely, by how much the less they have of the Good Things of this Life to Allure, and Draw off their Thoughts. Now, my Brethren, how such Sweet, and Comfortable Words from Our Almighty Father, as the Holy Scriptures abound with all, being applied by Faith, will relieve the heart of any true Christian, whilst he labours under the heaviest sense of Outward Poverty; What Comfort, I say, what spiritual delight & Sweetness a poor CHRISTIAN (Driven into himself by the storms without: (if I may so express myself) Necessitated, as it were, to set his Faith on work to procure Comfort for him, whilst Without he finds nothing but Poverty, and distress: what spiritual Delight and sweetness such a man) may Suck out of these breasts of Consolations (as the Scripture expression is) think you, who are true Believers: Joy in the Holy Ghost: (in which (as in effect I said but now) commonly those Christians most abound, who possess least of the Things of the World.) No man can ever fully express; and none but such as you, can in any measure rightly conceive. I come now to show you, that sickness also affords matter of Comfort to any true Believer: This truth I might easily make appear unto you many ways: but (because I shall hasten to the Application, wherein I shall spend more time, then ordinary) I shall only mention one Reason of it. sickness, you know, naturally puts a man in mind of Death; and what can be more Comfortable to a sincere Christian than the thoughts of that? What can be more Comfortable to a Child of GOD, than the thoughts of that happy time, when he shall go Home to his Father; when he shall fully enjoy his Maker, and his Redeemer? To speak more at large: A sincere Christian (whose thoughts (his Heart being as it were, Set on Fire with Love to God) continually Fly upward, as sparks towards Heaven.) Usually when he feels any pain, presently considers the natural Frailty and Mortality of his Body, & thereupon his soul rejoices in this Hope, that shortly, when a Few * Iob. 14.1. days are past, She shall cast it off from her; as that, which so Clogs and Hinders her, and deprives her of that Vigour, and quickness, which she desires, in her spiritual Operations, in the Service of her Maker, which she is mainly, yea wholly intent upon. Now, Beloved, if Death be so Desirable to a true Christian; Judge ye what Comfort his sickness affords him, which continually supplies him with fresh thoughts, and strong Apprehensions of Mortality. And thus I have briefly demonstrated unto you, that a Christians Faith is able to extract Comfort out of those two things which are so terrible to the generality of Men: Poverty and sickness. I am now to show you how this Victorious Grace, by which we Overcome the World, softens unto us also that other Hard Thing, 1 John 5.4. DISGRACE, or the loss of our Good-Name, and Esteem amongst men, making the sourness of the world's carriage towards us, serve us, as it were for Sauce at the Feast of our Good Conscience. The heavyest Disgrace, or Infamy, which in this life a Child of GOD lies under, is occasioned by these, or the like means: A Report that he hath been guilty of some notorious baseness, and Impiety: or a Misconceit of his good Actions, which proceeding from such Principles, as carnal men (who are by far the greatest part of the World) are in no wise able to Apprehend, cannot but be Misconstrued: Hence it is that they nickname all his virtues: & endeavour to render him most Odious and Contemptible for those Actions, by which he knows himself chiefly to deserve Love, and Respect from all those that are truly Noble, and Heavenly-minded: Thus when a Christian shows himself Humble, how do the men of the World mistake him for a Sneaking, mean-spirited fellow? when Magnanimous for Proud, and self-conceited? If the Infamy a Christian suffers be occasioned by such a Report, as I mentioned but now, if it be true, he Comforts himself in it upon this account: that it is unto him a continual Memento to Repent, and bemoan himself for the Commission of that Sin; and to rejoice in GOD, by whose Spirit he is persuaded that his Sins are forgiven him: If the Report be false, the Abused Christian greatly rejoices in the Thoughts of that Grace which Restrained him from that Action, of which he is supposed to be Guilty, into which, if he had been left to himself, he might have Rushed, * Ier: 8.6. As the Horse Rusheth into the battle, being Naturally prone to every thing that is evil. Another Ground of the Comfort a Godly man takes in such a Case is, that he finds himself often stirred up to Pray unto GOD, saying with Holy DAVID, Hold up my goings in thy paths, * Ps. 17.5. that my Footsteps slip not, upon this consideration, that there are so many that would rejoice over him if he should but Fall. These and a thousand other occasions of Comfort do the Godly apprehend to Lighten their hearts, to delight their souls, whensoever they reflect upon those heavy Censures, Calumnies, and Revilings, with which they are continually Loaden. The more the World hates them, the stronger apprehensions they have of the Favour of GOD. He is their * Isaiah 4.6. Covert from storm and from rain: In him they Rest secure from the Stormy Wind of all those Ill Reports, Calumnies, and Reproaches, they hear continually raised against them; with such a kind of Delight, as a man hath, when he lies warm in his Bed, and hearkens to a Tempest. But now as for that Misconceit, which all the World hath of the Good Actions of Pious men; as for that Shame, which they must expect, as they are Christians constantly to suffer; for discovering their zeal for GOD, and their Fiery indignation against any Allowed wickedness amongst those with whom they converse, being usually accounted Phreneticke, hotheaded fellows; for contemning the things of the World, Childish, and Imprudent; for Disdaining to be guided by mere Example in any Course they take, Proud and Haughty; for separating themselves from vain Conversation, Singular, and Self-conceited. As for this, I say, it is so far from troubling those that are Christians indeed, that they exceedingly rejoice in it: remembering those words of their Saviour: * Mat. 5.11.12. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you. I shall now conclude this point: that a true Christian takes Comfort in the Apprehension of his Present Estate, showing you (to confirm you in the Apprehension of this most useful Truth) the general Cause, and wellhead of all those streams of Consolation, which continually flow into his soul, whensoever he reflects upon the condition he is in: here it is: he is assured through Faith, that The Great GOD, the Author and Disposer of all things, Loves him, and will love him for ever: and hereupon he assumes this confidence, that the condition he is in is that which at This Time is Best for Him. As for the last Proposition that I promised to demonstrate unto you, that a true Christian through Faith takes Comfort in the Expectation of any condition he may be in for the Future: I shall not need to spend many words on it, it appears so plain in what hath been already delivered: Expectation being a kind of Apprehension (as I said in the beginning of my Discourse.) All that may be said to manifest this truth unto you, may be comprehended in those few Lines with which I concluded my former Sermon on this Text: True Faith Roots all fear out of a Christians Heart, and turns all his Expectation into Hope, even through the strength of this persuasion: that All things work together for Good to them that love GOD: and also that himself is One of Them. I have now Finished the Doctrine I raised from this Text. That Faith enables a man to draw Comfort from all the objects of his Thoughts: Having shown you Particularly, how the faithful take Comfort in all things that concern themselves: from whence (as I said in the beginning of my Former Sermon) you may easily apprehend how they may also Comfort themselves in the Notice they take of other things, as of all those works of Providence, which they see in the affairs of the World &c. therefore I shall not extend my Discourse to any of them, but proceed to application. And here I shall speak first to the faithful, those that have taken CHRIST'S Yoke upon them, utterly renouncing the 2 Pet. 2.7. Filthy Conversation of the Wicked, those, who Mind Earthly things; absolutely resolving to walk with GOD, in true holiness, and righteousness all their days: And if at any time (being Overborne by some sudden and impetuous Temptations, as the Best of Christians often are) they Fall back into any uncleanness, not (like Swine in the mire) to Wallow in it, but to Repent, and to Cry unto God, their Father, to help them up, to * Acts. 15.9. purify their hearts by Faith, to wash, and Cleanse them by his Spirit, in the * 1 John 1.7. Blood of JESUS CHRIST His son. Then I shall speak to those that Go on in the ways of the Ungodly, those that * Ps: 66.18. Regard Iniquity in their Heart, those that do not absolutely resolve never to Allow themselves in any One known sin; Praying continually that God would so strengthen them by his Grace, that their Iniquities may not prevail against them, that if they have been Drunkards, they may be drunk no more; if they have been Wantons, they may be Wanton no more; if they have been * Gal. 5.26. Desirous of vain Glory, provoking, envying their Brethren, they may be such no more; if they have delighted themselves in Foolish Talking, or Jesting, * Eph: 5. 4· or that Elaborate Scurrility, and Witty malice, in which some men of Parts and Learning Exercise their Invention, (Than which what can be more Opposite to The Gal: 6.1. Spirit of meekness, to the calm, and Sweet Nature of the lamb, and the DOVE?) that they may do so no more: Briefly (to speak in the * Titus 2.12. Apostles words) that Denying ungodliness and worldly Lusts, they may live soberly, righteously, and godlily. Those that have not taken such a resolution (and such I fear are some of you) I must reckon amongst the Wicked. If therefore any of you are conscious to yourselves, that you are such, as here I have Described, Apply to yourselves I beseech you, for the good of your immortal souls, what I shall speak in the second place: but first (as I said but now) I shall speak to the faithful, &c. Beloved Brethren, You know by Experience the truth I have spoken. Ere since you took CHRIST'S Yoke upon you, have you not found Rest unto your souls? ere since you Bare that easy yoke, since your Hearts stood in * Ps. 119.101. awe of GOD's Word: Have you not found yourselves most Sweetly and Gently, and yet most Powerfully Restrained from Following the Track of your Lusts, and Extravagant Affections, from Breaking over the enclosures of a strict and holy Conversation, to * 1 Pet. 44. Run with the men of the world to the same excess of Riot. In a word; have you not found all your Christian thoughts in what Subject soever you have employed them, to work Comfort for your souls? Surely you have. good thoughts, are the beams of the SUN's OF righteousness, which Stream forth continually upon the Hearts of Christians to warm & Comfort them, and to cherish and to make to Grow, the Fruits of the Spirit. Well my Brethren, hath the Holy one of Israel, the Great and Glorious GOD, shown himself so gracious to you sinful Creatures, Dust and Ashes, worms and no men, as to send his Beloved SON into the World to die for you: by Faith in whose Blood, you rejoice in some measure, even in this Vale of tears, this miserable life; and shall shortly, even when a few days are past, be inhabitants of Heaven, see the Face of GOD, * Psal. 16.11. In whose presence there is fullness of joy, and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Well, my Brethren hath GOD Dealt so Bountifully with you, and will you not love him? will you not with all the Powers of your soul war against your Lusts, that you may be no more (as formerly you have been) what ever Temptations befall you) Lovers of Pleasures, more than Lovers of God. I beseech you, Brethren, by the Mercies of GOD, by all that sweetness, Love, and Favour of His towards you, that your souls have ever Tasted, That you would This Day, Renew your vows; Resolve afresh To Love the LORD, your God with All your Heart, That You may no more judge of Things, as the Vulgar do (amongst whom give me leave to reckon most of those that are commonly Accounted Great Scholars, or Fine Gentlemen) that you may not Esteem any Action Wise, Prudent, Noble, or any way praiseworthy, and becoming a Generous Spirit, but what is done To the Glory of God, 1 Cor. 10.31. in Defiance of the Wicked WORLD▪ And, on the other side, That you may Account nothing Base, Sordid, and Degenerous but what is Done (in Compliance with your own Lusts, or the vain Humours of other men) contrary to the Commands of that All-Glorious Majesty; to whom we Owe Homage for the Air we Breath, In Him we Live, and move, and have our being, Acts 17.28. And as for those Absurd fellows, who own the Name of CHRISTIANS, and yet Delight in scorning You, and call you Puritans, and I know not what. You must be so far from being Fierce, and Raging against Them, from thinking of Revenge, &c. that you must from the heart Pity them (as it may be they say, they Pity you, for your weakness, and imprudence, as they term your wisdom, and spiritual Understanding) you must, I say, heartily Pity such men, and Pray for Them, as Your Fellow Creatures, yea, as Your Brethren (in ADAM) who miserably expose Themselves to the Utmost Danger of Everlasting Destruction. Ah, poor souls! What madness, and Folly hath possessed Them! Do They say, they Believe, that there is an HEAVEN, and an HELL; and yet esteem those for a Ridiculous sort of people, Who, by what they Write, talk, or Do for the most part plainly Discover that their Mind is wholly Bent upon This, that They may Enter into the kingdom of GOD: poor souls; Simple Ones indeed! Do They say They Believe that the SON of the Living God? that Glorious Person, Shed His most precious Blood for You, and Them; and yet will not suffer You to Love Him, to talk of Him, and upon all Occasions, to Discover Your zeal for the Honour of his Name, without Taunts, and Flouts, Calumnies, and Reproaches! I shall only speak a word or two more to heighten your Commiseration of these foolish men, miserable Creatures; and then I shall proceed to the other Part of my Application. Dearly Beloved: when ever any of these fantastical Things, that walk in the vanity of their Minds, and Delight in nothing more than in Foolish Jesting, &c. Continually Scoffing or Railing at any one, in whom They Discover the Power of godliness, The true Light of CHRISTIANITY whilst They no more Understand it, being so Rare, and strange in these days of Sin and darkness, than a Dog doth the Light of the moon, which he Barks at; as they at this: I say my Brethren, when ever any of these men (If Things so irrational may be called Men) rail on you, and give out False Reports of you, or to your face scorn and deride you, let your Hearts Pity them considering that the time draws on apace when Their laughter shall be turned to mourning and their joy to heaviness. He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have Them in derision, Psal. 2.4. And what now remains but that I Exhort you, in the words of the Apostle, To rejoice evermore, 1 Thes. 5.16. Be Glad in the LORD, and rejoice ye Righteous, and shout for Joy all ye that are upright in Heart. And now I shall speak to you, who are Conscious to yourselves, that you have not taken Christ's Yoke upon you, that you still Do Wickedly, and talk Vanity. That the things you have, or aim at, are Vexation of Spirit, vain and Dissatisfactory, to your immortal souls, sure I am you will hardly deny. Nay (if you have but an historical belief of the word of God, as I presume you have) you cannot deny it when ever you reflect on your vain Conversation, and Consider your designs, mean and Low, being such as These; To make yourselves acceptable to some Merry Companions, Such it may be as have acquired, some civil Accomplishments, and human Learning.) that you may gain from them, the Name of Ingenious Men, &c. or to jeer and Grin at those, whom you malign and Envy or to Drink and Droll with your Cronies: or (and this you think most Prudent and Manly) To Get a great Estate in the World, that you may wear Brave clothes, and keep Company with the Best (as they say) (not to name your more Abominable Intentions, which are themselves Anxiety, and Labour; and the Effects of them horror, and Anguish) I say Sirs when you Consider the things you enjoy, or aim at (Pitiful mean things at best) are you not filled with Vexation of Spirit? do you not Abhor, as it were, and Loath yourselves, for the Guilt and Filth of your SINS, which you resolve still to wallow in? Base and Degenerate Creatures, who being Made after the Image of God, have made yourselves Earthly, and sensual! Well Sirs, you see that Sins are Troubles, and Sinners of all men most Miserable: even whilst They are in their proper Element; (that I may so speak) in this present World; but what will become of them (Wretches) when this Life is ended? (and sure I am our Last hour draws on apace) Could I but express the thousandth part of those everlasting pains, They shall then begin to feel (in HELL) it would make the most stifnecked Sinner in the world, to Bow, if he should Hear me. Ah! Sirs, is This true indeed, that if you take not Christ's Yoke upon you, that is, if you do not strongly and sincerely Resolve to break off from every Known Sin: you shall never find any Rest unto your souls. You shall be Everlastingly Miserable. Is this true I say, and will ye acknowledge it so to be, (as you must needs do, If you have so much as an historical belief of the Word of GOD, as I said but now,) And yet not Resolve no more to Allow yourselves in any Way of wickedness, &c. no more to Deride those, who having their Hearts possessed with the thoughts of Eternity, can in no wise suit themselves to your worldly Conversation: But having once found Rest in CHRIST; will no more return to that Labour and toil, which the Generality of Men, Continually undergo in the pursuit of that They call happiness? Now Sirs if you are no whit moved at what hath been spoke; but Stick close to your Beloved sins: though our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST (who is Over all, God blessed for ever) so lovingly invites you to Come over unto him, assuring you that The ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace, assuring you that if you take HIS YOKE upon you, it will not Gall your Necks, and be Troublesome unto you, but only restrain you (that you may Find rest to your souls) from Breaking over His enclosures, the Bounds of True Reason, and holiness, To Follow your Lusts, and exorbitant Affections, If you be not Moved at this, but Stand fast in the Way of Sinners, and will for ever remain Lovers of pleasures more than Lovers of GOD, of GOD, that made you, of GOD, who for your sakes sent his BELOVED son into the world, to be Mocked, Scourged, Crucified; AH Srs, If you are not Moved at This, nor ever will be, I must tell you in the Name of GOD you shall never find Rest unto your souls, you shall never taste one Dram of True Comfort, & sweetness of Spirit all your days; And when your days on the Earth which (as David saith) are as a Shadow, shall Vanish away, you shall certainly be Tormented with the devil and his angels; Yea, perhaps within a week or two (for how many Young Men have yourselves known in this place, that have been Healthy, and Dead within the compass of far less Time than that) I say Srs, within a week or two, you may be seized on, by some Disease or other, the Small Pox: or a fever, or a surfeit, or the like, and be Cutt off from the Land of the Living, and be turned into Hell, Consider this you that forget God: you that talk vanity. But now if any of you find yourselves Moved, at what you have Heard; (and what manner of Men are you if you do not,) if you find your Hard Hearts in the least measure Softened, I beseech you Srs, for your souls sakes for the GOD OF love's sake, Pray earnestly that the LORD would Perfect the Good work He hath begun in you, that he would Continually warm and Soften you, and Supple your hearts with the BLOOD OF Jesus CHRIST, that they may be Pliable to his will in All things, (to speak more plainly) that he would make you so Tenderly and Affectionately to Apprehend His Everlasting kindness towards you, that you may forever LOVE Him, and keep His commandments, that you may Live Precisely, walk with GOD, all your days, Despising the shame of the Wicked world, not fearing the Reproaches and Revilings of this Base and Filthy Generation. I shall hold you with no longer Discourse. If ye do these things HAPPY are ye. FINIS. ERRATA. Page 3. lin. 13. for A Good man is only a Friend to himself read A good man only is &c. Page 4. l. 16. for rash read vain. p. 15. l. 18. add Hoc est p. 32. l. 13. for SVN's read sun. As for the false Points the intelligent Reader may Correct them himself.