THE REWARD of the WISE: AND THE Fruitful Christians FUTURE BLESSEDNESS.  
OPENED At the late Funeral of that Piously Wise and Faithful, Fruitful Servant of God and of our Lord Jesus, Mr. Thomas Moor of Whittlesey, Interred at the Church in Coleman-Street July 8. 1672.  
By John Horn of Lin-Regis in the County of Norfolk.  Who is as the Wise man, and who knoweth the Interpretation of a thing? a man's Wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness (or strength) of his face shall be changed, Eccles. 8.1. The Wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the promotion of Fools, Prov. 3.35. The Fruit of the Righteous is a Tree of Life, and he that winneth Souls is Wise, Prov. 11.30. Qui in Ecclesiae regnum parando constabiliendoque fidel●…●●navarint operam, pro modo fructus quem attu●…erunt in vineâ Domini glori & h●…nore coronabuntur in regno coelesti. Eras. in Lucae, 19 
London, Printed for Benjamin Southwood at the St●… next to Sergeants' Inn in Chancery-Lane. 1672.   

TO THE READER. ESPECIALLY, Those of mine, or the Deceaseds Friends and Acquaintance.  
Christian Readers, Brethren and Friends;  
IN this Discourse, here presented to thee thou hast the commendations the heavenly Wisdom, the Original, ●…ountain and Author of which is Christ ●…imself, & God in him by his holy Spirit ●…nd the useful●… 〈◊〉 advantage of which unconceivable 〈◊〉 what set before thee, ●…ith the acts 〈◊〉 exercises of it 〈…〉 rend in us, the way to attain it, and how to use it, and what the reward and recompense of those that obtain and rightly improve it for the glorifying of God, and good of their Neighbou●… things than which what can be of so great concernment to thee? or what is there 〈◊〉 the whole Scripture more commended 〈◊〉 thy choice and industry? For the pr●… of Wisdom is above Rubies, and 〈◊〉 thou canst desire is not to be compa●… with her. This is that, that makes 〈◊〉 that have it differ, both from the br●… creatures, and from all other men, 〈◊〉 being destitute thereof, are both in 〈◊〉 and death in far worse condition 〈◊〉 state than they: For without know●… the soul is not good now, Prov. 19 〈◊〉 and dying without wisdom it perish 〈◊〉 for ever, Job 4.20, 21. Whereas 〈◊〉 that attain it, and use it as is here 〈◊〉 rected, reap thereby immortality 〈◊〉 eternal glory: where these things 〈◊〉 neglected, what do men but trifle a●● their times in vanity, bring their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an end unprofitably, and in the issue ●…e down in everlasting misery? For ●…ther they pursue after and please themselves with the counterfeit of wisdom, the wisdom of this World, and Science falsely so called, which having the name of wisdom, gulls and cheats abundance, as as if it were the thing itself (like as the Romish Harlot doth with her having the name of the Church) because men find, or fancy some secret content and pleasure therein to their animal soul at present, and it procures some respect and lustre with men, which at Death at furthest is extinct and vanisheth as to any benefit to the Soul departed; or else the honours of this world they otherwise court, or its riches or pleasures, which at the present finds them business with care and toil to get or keep them, and at length leaves them to lie down in poverty, and sorrow, and contempt with God, and all his Holy ones for ever: from all which evil the Heavenly Wisdom will preserve its Friends and Followers, and fill them with the true riches and pleasures, and advance them to the highest and enduring Honours. Such are the contents of this ensuing Treatise, with other matters intermixed tending to excite thee to the study and practice of Piety and Godliness; a Treatise occasioned by the Death and Burial of the eminently wise and pious man, Mr. Thomas Moor of Whittlesey in the Isle of Ely. To the preaching whereof (as to most of its contents) and so to the writing hereof occasioned thereby, I may seem in a sort to have been somewhat signally designed and directed of God; considering by how unexpected, but yet gracious, providences I was excited and encouraged to go up to London, where for some time he had lain sick, or dying: how opportunely, I with my honest companion (Mr. Thomas Gonvile, whose unthought of coming and company gave me such encouragement) arrived there to be there at his end; the way made for my preaching, and beside all those, how after a whole days thoughtfulness, and some part of 〈◊〉 ensuing nights, about what Text to ●…each that might suit the occasion. After I had committed the matter to God's direction, and myself to rest, upon my awaking He brought this Text I ●…reated on suddenly to my mind: than which I think the whole Bible affords not ●…ne more suitable to the person and occasion. As if God by all these things would signify, that He would not have 〈◊〉 faithful, diligent and useful a servant of his, as the Deceased was, to go 〈◊〉 his Grave in silence and obscurity; but ●…hat some instructions should be given to ●…hers, as he had oft instructed others, ●…nd that from a Text that might best ●…it his worth, and the account God made ●…f him. But why God was pleased to ●…rder this service to so unworthy and un 〈◊〉 a one for it as I, I cannot say, but 〈◊〉 it pleased him, and I take it as a favour ●●om him, and honour to me, that I ●…ight, who was none of the least enga●…d for his love and helpfulness to me, perform this office for him, of whom i●… may be said, that his name (among the justs) shall be had in everlasting remembrance: However 〈…〉 found such fare as many his betters, 〈◊〉 Christ himself, and his holy Apostles, and Prophets. Of Christ himself we find the people of the world had this account; Some said he is a good man, others said nay, but he deceiveth the people Joh. 7.12. Yea and many of his disciples taking offence, Went back an●… walked no more with him, Joh. 6.66 Such was this man's repute and far wit●… men also. They that knew him, an●… were acquainted with him, knew that 〈◊〉 was a good man; and so he was also reputed by many that had less acquaintan●… and intimacy with him. But some th●… like no Religion, or none beyond the common imposed Form, might be too read to reproach him, because more religio●… than they liked on: Yea and some men Zeal for their opinions about Electio●… and Reprobation, so as to reject as 〈◊〉 error the extent of Christ's Death to all ●…en; not unlike the men of the straitest ●…ect of Religion among the Jews, who were Christ's fiercest opposers, accounted Him a Decived person, and a Deceiver of others. And how should they do otherwise, while they judge themselves the only Orthodox!  he was a great Assertor and Opener of the extent of Christ's Death, and of the grace of God in Christ, toward the world of Mankind, and jumped not with them in their frame of thoughts, about Gods Electing and Rejecting: yea and asserted and urged the sufficiency in that Grace of God towards all men in the hearty belief, knowledge, and obedience of it, for producing in men, all that is necessary to their Salvation; laying that as the bottom doctrine from whence all others rightly flow, and receive light for the right understanding and improvement of them: yea both Promises, Threaten, Instructions, Reproofs, the Doctrines of Repentance from Dead Works, Faith towards God, Baptisms, and laying on of Hands, the Resurrection, and eternal Judgment●… Election and Reprobation, and what not; This, this (as to the Jews, Christ himself) was the great stumbling block to those zealous ones, who took up uncout●… notions of the world of the Elect, and bring as sorry proofs for it, as one I see lately that grounds his conceit upon Romans 4.13. as if the world that Abraham was the heir of, must needs be the Elect; not minding that the same Promise the Apostle there implies was made to his Seed also: and if his seed be the Elect (as doubtless they are, being Christ and all that are his, Galat. 3.16, 29.) then the Apostle should say that God promised Abraham and the Elect, that h●… (and so they) shall be Heirs of the Elect; or that the Father should be heir of hi●… Children, whereas Children use to be rather the heirs of their Fathers. Surely 1 Cor. 3.22. Revel. 21.6, 7. migh●… suggest a better interpretation thereof Others accused his want of Human Learning, and of Ordination by the Bi●…s, But wisdom is justified of her ●…ildren, Matt. 11.19. What he ●…ned and understood, or apprehended from the Scriptures, he soberly and ●…ceably propounded, both in word and ●…ting, to the great helpfulness of ma●…n understanding, and furtherance in ●…y. He separated not from the Nati●…l Church, though he could not sub●…be to all enjoined in it, nor was able, said, to read and pray together; and ●…refore being a public Preacher in ●…ittlesey, in which the Right Ho●…able Earl of Portland offered to have ●…ured his continuance if he had pleased, ●…g well persuaded of his uprightness 〈◊〉 abilities, he chose rather to lay it ●…n, and afterward demeaned himself ●…h all peaceableness, hearing weekly ●…established Minister, and being pre●… at their service, for he was not for ●…ing up the tares until the Harvest, ●…rary to the Lords command, Mat●…w 13.30. out of zeal to have his field now perfectly pure. In his you●… times being acquainted with Revere●… Mr. Cotton of Boston, and Mr. Pe●… of Hingham, he sucked in some Noti●… from the former, about Sons and Serva●… of God, which he held fast a long ti●… as may be seen by his Book styled, T●… Universality of God's Love to M●… kind; which yet after further light 〈◊〉 sight he let go, as his after writ●… (especially that large and excellent T●…tise entitled, An express Declarat●… of the Testimony of Christ; and 〈◊〉 short Tract of Election, at the clo●… his Treatise about the Person of C●… do evidence. For neither did he rec●… in light all at once, The path of●… just is as the shining light that shi●… more and more unto the perfect Prov. 4.18. St. Augustine ha●… retractions, and He his second and thoughts. Sometimes the reveren●… have of persons proves a snare: therefore its good (even towards hi●… and all others) to observe the Ap●… counsel, To try all things, and hold ●…t that that is good, 1 Thes. 5.21. ●…e Spouse found not her beloved till 〈◊〉 was a little past the Watchmen, ●…nt. 3.4. And if the holy Apostles ●…ew in part, and prophesied in part, ●…an scarcely be expected that they who ●…ow them should perfectly comprehend that that they so knew and prophecy 〈◊〉 without mistaking them in any thing. 〈◊〉 a Proverb, Bernardus non videt ●…nia: the best men have also their ●…lings and imperfections, the acutest ●…t may mistake in something. It's good ●…accept of all helps by good men but means that we may see with our own ●…s, not only with theirs as resolving 〈◊〉 Faith into their persuasions or say●…s, because of our esteem of them, with 〈◊〉 a Berean examination of them by the ●…ly Scriptures. He had a good, clear, ●…inguishing faculty, between things ●…t differ, through their confounding ●…ereof men often mistake: yet where 〈◊〉 conjectured he had his mistakes too as well as others, as in somethings of th●… Scripture Chronology, and about th●… time of the Jews Return and Conversion which he greatly longed to have seen. I know not where we may find infallib●…lity but in Christ and his holy Spirit, a●… the Prophets, and Apostles guided a●… acted thereby in the Holy Scriptures. Ma●… useful Treatises he wrote & published b●… sides these above mentioned, as about t●… precious Blood of Christ, about the spec●… Love of Christ to Believers, about 〈◊〉 Liberty and Bondage of man's Will, ab●… Prayer, about the spiritual Salt, an excellent Soliloquy and Meditation, & besides divers Manuscripts left, some which (as that pretty large 〈◊〉 ab●… Antichrist) I hope may after some ti●… be made public. And as he was ha●… in the Offspring of his heart and bra●… so very happy too he was in the Offspring of his body with reference to his Son, 〈◊〉 only Son that I ever knew he had, a 〈◊〉 of his own name; who ran so swif●… that he got the start of him, for be 〈…〉 Spirit, and labouring might 〈…〉, he spent his weak body 〈…〉 viee, and went to Heaven ●…ur years and almost five months before ●…m: 〈…〉 mightily set to propagate ●…e Der●…onstrations of God's love to man●…nd, and therein men's Salvation; ●…hose works also praised him, and still ●…aise him in the gates: indeed his Son's 〈◊〉 early setting had more of judgement in 〈◊〉 to the surviving; because his years ●…ight have been more hopefully conti●…ed: and had he lived to his Father's ●…ars, he might have been of far greater sefulness, especially when his Father ●…as gone, who came to his Grave in a ●…od old Age, being entered upon his ●…ghtieth year, when being spent with ●…uch Meditation, Writing, and other ●…xercise in the studies of Wisdom, and ●…eeting with some matters of grief and ●…ouble, he fell into some distempers in ●…s Head, somewhat of a Lethargick ●…ture, of which he had had some sym●…omes and shorter fits once or twice some years before, which now after some t●… or three months' continuance put an e●… to his life. But what shall we say, G●… himself for mine iniquities, and the i●… iquities of my Brethren hath done it 〈◊〉 deprive us both of the Son and Fathe●… and against Him there lies no just co●…plaint for any thing done by him. T●… Lord is righteous in all his ways, a●… holy in all his works, Psal. 145.1. Their judgement is with the Lord, a●… their work and reward with th●… God; what remains but that we humble ourselves, and put our mouths 〈◊〉 the dust, if so be there may be hope th●… God, though he hath sore broken us, m●… turn again, and have compassion, a●… defer his judgements, that the contem●… of his Words and Servants have expos●… us to, that they come not in our tim●… upon us, or upon these Nations. I us search and try our ways and tu●… from those iniquities which have provoked God in wrath to make such †breaches† upon us, endeavouring by all the hel●… ●…n and by them, or any other ways afforded that we may obtain the Salvation ●…hat is in Christ Jesus with eternal ●…lory. To further you in which I pre●…nt this Mite of mine unto you, and ●…all be glad if it contribute any thing to ●…ur heavenly advantage. I cannot ●…mmend it for its worth as composed by ●…e, but such as I have I herein offer up to ●…ods service and your helpfulness, beseech●…g him to pardon its defects or mistakes, 〈◊〉 accept of it graciously & praying you to ●…ake good use of it. Nor can I say that I ●…elivered all this in the Tabernacle that 〈◊〉 contained in this Treatise. For neither ●…ould my body (tired with the Lords●…ays exercise elsewhere; it being but ●…e day before this Funeral) nor the time ●…lotted permit me to do that: though I ●…as I thought sufficiently tedious both ●…r myself, and for my Auditory: The ●…eads of it were there delivered and ●…mewhat enlarged upon, though some of ●…hem here more largely spoken to: the ●…articulars under the second Proposition, though then generally spoken to, yet a●… here more particularly enumerated, th●… reasons of both added; as also all th●… Application from the third Use, or th●… first branch of the Uses under the seco●… bracnh of the Text (than only propoun●…ed briefly) to the last of all, and som●…thing also to that time giving me mo●… advantage now for considering the ma●…ter further, and for setting down wh●… I thought expedient. And now I leav●… it to your perusal, only begging Go●… mercy towards me and blessing with 〈◊〉 and entreating your candour towar●… and prayers for  
Lin Regis. At my house. August 13. 1672. Your unworthies●… Friend and Brothe●… in the Christian fai●… Jo. Horn.   

TO Mrs. ANNE WEST OF FOX-HALL IN Lambeth. ●…race and Peace through the knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus. ●…ND SISTER,  
SInce you are pleased, our of your love to the Deceased, and to the mat●…s herein contained, by your benign and friendly hand to do the office of a Midwife to this my conception, to help to bring it into this World, which otherwise had either proved, as to that abortive, or stuck longer in th●… Birth; I think it but meet and reasonable that your name also be put upon its front: and that your love both to the Truth, & t●… the Deceased for the truth's sake should be therein acknowledged God give his blessing with it, tha●… you, and many others may hav●… good thereby, and that I ma●… not labour in vain, and by you help●… bring forth this fruit there of for trouble, but for edification and benefit to many; and that the seed you have sow●… thereabouts, may also bring forth fruit upon your account in ●…he day of the Lord Jesus Christ, ●…hat so you may never have cause ●…o repent you of it. And the Lord recompense all your love ●…nd labour of love to the De●…eased (as also I wish and desire for that very kind and loving Friend and Brother to him, at whose house he died, Mr. R. John●…on, and all other his Friends) ●…nto your bosoms, and fill you, ●…nd all that name the Name of Christ with an abundance of his ●…pirit, and of the fruits of his ●…ghteousness; that you and they ●…ay, in the Heavenly and glorious Kingdom hereafter Shine as ●…e brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever and ever. So desireth and prayeth for you and them,  
Sister, Your Friend and Servant for Jesus sake. Jo. Horn At my House in Lin Regis August 13. 1672.   

To my much Honoured Friend Francis Underwood Esq of Thorney-Abbey, Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.  
Honoured Sir,  
ALthough I have not of late years used to prefix any Dedicatory Epistles 〈◊〉 the Discourses I have made pu●…lick, yet when I think of your ●…eater nighness and kindness to, ●…nd interest in our Deceased Friend and Brother, and your ●…xemplary love to him, I cannot but judge it meet and right in behalf of myself, and mine, and the Deceased Friends, to testify our good resentment both of your love to the truth, and to the Deceased for the truth's sake, by such a public acknowledgement thereof, trusting that your interest in him being so dear above others, of, or near to your rank, none will quarre●… with me that I single you out above them in this matter. I writ not this to flatter you, but to thank you, and to excite you to have such further remembrance of your deceased Friend, as never to forgo or neglect those good instructions and helps you have received frequently from him, or rather from God by him. I know it was great grief to you to part with ●…m, and that he died at so great distance from you, (as your solid, ●…ous, and loving Letter to him, 〈◊〉 have prevented it, if it might ●…ve been, doth testify) and that ●…u will now have a very great ●…nt of him, more than most o●…ers though some in Whittlesey 〈◊〉 much or more than you possibly) ●…nd therefore you with them (and ●…hat I write to you, I am willing ●…ey should share in also need the ●…ore comfort and consolation. I ●…re presume to believe that He ●…as a watchful & a good shepherd 〈◊〉 his capacity over you, and his ●…ve was great to you, and though ●…od may afford you other helpers, ●…t I fear you will scarcely meet with another Mr. Moor among them all to be like him to you Well Sir, we have not lost him al●… there is much of his spirit yet le●… behind him in his Writings, the●… you may converse with though 〈◊〉 be gone, and it's not long befo●… you and I shall be in no more cap●…city to converse with any bo●… here, before you and I must 〈◊〉 after him, and I hope to him, a●… to Jesus Christ the Lord and S●…viour both of us and of him: an●… therefore let us redeem time, an●… improve it well, that we may 〈◊〉 found in peace of God in Christ And its well for us that thoug●… God hath taken away this and th●… other under Shepherds from us ●…s yet The great Shepherd and ●…ishop of our Souls, that loved ●…s so, as that he laid down his life ●…r us, though He was dead, yet ●…e lives, and lives for evermore 〈◊〉 take care of his flock and fa●…ily, who being so Great can take are of it all, and of every one of it, ●…ll over the World; yea and be●…ng both so Good and so Eternal, ●…ill not fail it, though others do ●…ither through unfaithfulness, or ●…s not permitted to continue by ●…eason of death. He is as great ●…n Goodness, Mercy and Faithfulness, as in Authority, Power, ●…nd Sufficiency to help and save us, and therefore He will not fail, nor be discouraged till he set judgement in the earth, and bri●… every one of his faithful flock a●… followers to the enjoyment of 〈◊〉 everlasting Heavenly Pasture To him therefore lifting up 〈◊〉 eyes and hearts, let us take co●…rage, making use of what He ha●… left us by himself, and by 〈◊〉 Spirit in his thereby made) bo●… Apostles and Prophets, yea a●… of what he affords, or hath l●… with us of any his faithful Pasto●… or Teachers. Let us only ta●… heed to follow his instruction hearing his voice, and fear no●… but we shall do well in the iss●… and conclusion. My Love an●… Service to yourself, Lady, an●… Family. And the God of peac●… that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant (made in Him with us, through and according to which He will also raise from the dead the under-shepherds departed in the faith of Him, and all His faithful Flock in his due time, ●…o endless Glory and Happiness, He) make you and us all perfect ●…n every good Work to do his Will: Working in us that which ●…s wellpleasing in his sight, ●…hrough Jesus Christ, To whom be Glory for ever and ever, Amen. Even in all that he doth and orders to, and about us at all times; To Him committing you and yours, I am Sir  
Your obliged Friend and Servant in wha●… I may and canJohn Horn Lin-Regis, Aug. 13. 1672.   

THE REWARD OF THE WISE: AND ●…he future felicity of the fruitful faithful Labourers in God's work and service.  Dan. 12.3. 
●…d they that be wise shall shine as the ●…ightness of the Firmament: and they that turn many to Righteousness, as the Stars for ever and ever.  
OUr Lord Jesus (for so I understand him to be, whose appearance is scribed in Chap. 10. either as in himself, as the spiritual Being, that was afterwards to be incarnate and made flesh; as represented by an holy Angel) hav●… in Chap. 11. showed and made known his holy and beloved Prophet Daniel, ma●… of those great transactions that should 〈◊〉 out in the World; especially as relating the people of the Jews, or Church of G●… under the Grecian and Roman Monarch●… declares in this Chapter what help G●… would afford to his people, in the grea●… overspreading of the power of their adversary's: and the good end that should be them. And so he saith, ver. 1. And at 〈◊〉 t●●e (namely when the Adversary shall p●… the Tabernacles of his Palace between 〈◊〉 Seas in the glorious holy mountain, or mou●…tain of delight of holiness) shall Michael st●… up, (even Christ, for by that name is he certainly called, Rev. 12.7.) the great Pri●… (the Prince of the Kings of the earth, Re●…lat. 1.5.) that standeth for the children of 〈◊〉 people, (either for the people of the Jews, a●… their posterity, Daniel being a Jew; or●… also for the Church of God made up Jews and Gentiles, and by faith in Chri●… made the seed of Abraham, and heirs accordi●… to promise, Gal. 3. 26-29. the partition wa●… being broken down by Jesus Christ Eph●…sians 2.15.) this great Prince shall, all th●… ●…e stand up: which may be understood ●…her of Christ's appearing in the flesh, and ●…ough sufferings entering upon his glory ●…d therein exercising his power in behalf 〈◊〉 his Church: or else rather of his glori●…s appearing or standing up at last in the ●…urches greatest exigence to give it deli●…rance. And there shall be a time of trouble, ●…ch as never was since there was a Nation, ●…en to that same time: which time of so ●…eat trouble may be the time of the De●…uction of Jerusalem by Titus, and of the ●…esolations and troubles following upon the ●…ewish Nation and People; especially if by ●…e standing up of Michael, we understand ●…e appearance of Christ in the flesh, and his ●●ing exalted through sufferings unto glory, ●…nd abiding therein, and in the exercise of ●…is power for his people's help: For our Saviour seems to apply this saying to that very time of trouble in Matt. 24.21. where, speaking of the troubles that should be in Judea, and in and about Jerusalem, he saith, Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to that time, no nor ever shall be: where we must either by No, nor ever shall be understand that he means there shall never be such a time of trouble again in that Nation; or else if we understand stand it universally, that must of necess●… the time here spoken of, this being s●… time as there was never before since th●… was a Nation. But if we confine our S●…ours expression to that Nation, and u●…stand him here to speak of the World versally, or of the Church in its larger pacity, than we may also understand 〈◊〉 He may point out some such time of gr●… trouble to the World, or to the Chu●… rather from it, towards the end of the tim●… or immediately before Christ's appearing glory, and so standing up for his peop●… as there never was the like before in a age: As the time of the slaying of 〈◊〉 Witnesses by the Beasts rising out of the botto●…less pit, and of their dead bodies lying sl●… Rev. 11. 7-10. and of the gathering togeth●… of the Kings of the earth to the battle of 〈◊〉 great day of God Almighty, Rev. 19.14. ma●… probably be, though in the conclusion th●… Saints shall have joy, and the adversari●… destruction, as is there employed. And so 〈◊〉 is said and signified here, when he adde●… And at that time thy people shall be delivered every one that shall be found written in the Book namely, all they that shall be appointed o●… God thereunto, or shall be truly righteous and fearers of God: this is the fruit and benefit of michael's, or Christ's standing up ●…hem, both to intercede with God in ●…ven for them, and to secure them from ●…out of Heaven. And this is the great ●…er of hope and consolation to the ●…rch and people of God, that whatever ●…ersaries rise up against them, and how ●…oever they prevail, and whatever sad ●…s of trouble come upon them, yet they 〈◊〉 a great Prince, greater than all their ●…ersaries, even the Lord Jesus to stand ●…or their help; therefore they may hold ●…heir way, and hold fast the profession ●…eir faith with courage and confidence ●… conditions▪ only necessary it is that give diligence to be found in Christ, so that our names be found written in ●…en, even in the Book of Life; for no 〈◊〉 shall fail of deliverance, Luke 10 20. ●…p. 5.9. He adds  
●…ers. 2. And many of them that sleep in the 〈◊〉 of the earth shall awake, some (or these) ●…erlasting life; and some (or those) to shame ●…erlasting contempt. It is the manner ●…e Prophets of times to speak briefly and ●…isely of the things of Christ and his ●…gdom, so as to couple his first and se●…d appearance and the things of each to●…er, or so as following presently one ●…n another, as in Isa. 9.4, 5, 6, 7. Jer. 23.5, ●…d elsewhere: and so here, though the standing up of Michael may take in a●… time of his appearing in the flesh, standing up to reign in his glory at the●… hand of God, as all that time he is sa●… stand for an Ensign to the Gentiles, or risen to rule over the Gentiles, or Nations, ah 11.10. Rom. 15.12. yet here he m●… on's the things that shall accompany glorious appearance and Kingdom: when He shall descend with a shout, and sound of a Trumpet, and voice of the 〈◊〉 angel of God, the dead in Christ shall rise 〈◊〉 which shall be many of them that sle●… the dust of the earth, 1 Thes. 4.15, 16. not only shall they arise, but also all the shall be raised by him: for so our Sa●… himself assures us, saying, Joh. 5.28, 29▪ hour is coming, in which all that are in graves shall hear the voice of the Son of and shall come forth; they that have done●… to the resurrection of life: and they that 〈◊〉 done evil, to the resurrection of damn●… And indeed Christ having died, and the●… given himself a ransom for all, hath 〈◊〉 lished death thereby for all, even that d●… that by one man's offence came in upon the first death; so as none shall perish ever therein, but be raised up therefro●… for as by Man came death, so by Man the surrection of the dead; for as in Adam all Christ shall all be made alive, 1 Tim. 2.6. ●…r. 5.14, 15. 2 Tim. 1.10. 1 Cor. 15.21. and so the word sany is sometimes for All; 
* Ponit aliquando Scriptura pro omnibus multos. Sicut Abraae dictum est, Patrem muliarum genti●… posui te: cui tamen ali●… loc●…. In semine, inquit, tu●… benedicentur omnes gentes. August. de ●…ivitat. Dei. l. 20. c. 23.  and u●…o signify the nu●…ousness of the ●…le sum of what ●…efers to, so the ●…y thousands of ●…el contains all ●…ir thousands, Numb. 10.30. and the ●…ny that were dead through the offence of one, 〈◊〉 All men, and so the many made Sinners ●…ough one man's disobedience, Rom. 5. 15-19. ●…d the Many Christ gave himself a ransom 〈◊〉, are All men. Matt. 20.28. with 1 Tim. ●…4-6. though all men not acting alike to●…ard him who did so great an Act of grace (Heb. 2.9.) towards and for them, and ha●…ng thereby obtained the sovereign Lord●…ip over all, as Mediator and Immanuel, God ●…ith us, is also the light of the world, the true ●…ght lighting every man coming into the world. The Saviour of all men, especially of them that ●…elieve: and that looking down upon all the ●…nhabitants of the earth, fashioneth their hearts ●…like, or together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: but doing some well and what is right in his sight, and others that which is evil and wicked before him, they shall not have the same state after the surrection: but some (they that have 〈◊〉 good) shall awake and rise to everlasting 〈◊〉 and some (they that have done evil in rejec●… and refusing obedience to God and 〈◊〉 Saviour) to shame and everlasting conte●… or to the resurrection of damnation. 〈◊〉 (than saith the Text) they that be wise 〈◊〉 shine as the brightness of the Firmament: 〈◊〉 they that turn many to righteousness, a●… Stars for ever and ever. Wherein we 〈◊〉 a particular and special account given way of divine prediction, or promise, the future happiness of some kind of per●… in a double Proposition: viz.  
1. They that be wise (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or 〈◊〉 instruct and make wise) shall shine as 〈◊〉 brightness of the Firmament.  
2. They that turn many to righteous●… (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that justify, or make righte●… many) shall shine as the Stars for ever a●… ever.  
In either of them we have the Subject and the Predicate; the persons of, or concerning whom something is asserted prophetically, and the thing asserted of the●…. The subject in the former is the wise, or the●… that being wise themselves do also instruc●… others, and make them wise: Therefore in the Margin it is read the Teachers. Tha●…  
●…ch is asserted of them is, that they shall ●…e as the brightness of the Firmament, The ●…ect in the second is, they that turn many ●…ghteousness, or make many just; and that ●…ch is asserted of them, is that they shall 〈◊〉 as the Stars for ever and ever: for the ●…d (shall shine) is common to them both, 〈◊〉 that is, 1. the matter promised or pre●…ed: the other expressions show  
〈◊〉. The manner of their shining: and so 〈◊〉 Proposition hath its distinct expression way of Metaphorical illustration  
〈◊〉. They that be wise— as the brightness the Firmament. 2. They that turn many ●…ighteousness— as the Stars.  
〈◊〉. The duration of either, for ever and ●…r; which belongs to both, though ex●…sly joined to the latter: to these things, 〈◊〉 by way of Explication, and so, I said ●…e is a promise or prediction of the excel●…t future state of some: for those say, 〈◊〉 that be wise, and they that turn many to ●…teousness, have a certain partitive force: 〈◊〉 intimate, that all are not wise, all turn 〈◊〉 many to righteousness. All as in the first ●…am, as made of God, were wise and ●…teous in him, I say as in their root and ●…ginal: and all in him and from him as ●…en are alike miserable, and void of wis●…n and righteousness: There is no difference, for all have sinned, and come short the glory of God: and therefore also Th●… is none righteous, no not one; there is none th●… understandeth, none that seeketh after G●… Rom. 3.10, 11, 19, 23. and therefore a●… all shall die, and must have died with wisdom too, (Job 4.21.) had not Christ d●… for all, and having abolished death, obta●…ed life, and immortality, and the fullness power and spirit to bring forth light a judgement unto men; but now he hav●… done so, men may be, and some are, m●… wise to Salvation: yea and being 〈◊〉 themselves, may be (and some are) in●…ments of bringing others to be wise a●… and the like we may say of men's be●… righteous, or attaining to righteousne●… and being instruments of making oth●… righteous. And we are to mind here, th●… the wisdom here spoken of is not natu●… or political wisdom, the wisdom of t●… world, that men are apt to boast of, a●… lift up themselves by, for there is no 〈◊〉 thing promised of God, or predicted a●… foretold to be the portion of such as a endued with that wisdom, and are w●… according thereunto; No, the holy Gh●… testifies otherwise of such, when he sait●… I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bri●… to naught the understanding of the prude●… ●…here is the wife! Where is the Scribe! Where 〈◊〉 the disputer of this world? Hath not God ●…ade foolish the wisdom of the world? 1 Cor. 〈◊〉 19, 20. and in ver. 2●…. Ye see your calling ●…ethren, how that not many wise men after 〈◊〉 flesh— but God hath chosen the foolish things 〈◊〉 this world to confound the wise, ver. 27. ●…hencein ch. 3.18. he says, Let no man deceive ●…mself. If any man among you seemeth to be ●…ise in this world, let him become a fool, that ●…e may be wise: for the wisdom of this ●…orld is foolishness with God: for it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. ●…nd again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of ●…he wise that they are vain, ver. 19, 20. But he wise men here are such as are spiritually and truly wise, wise with the wisdom of God, that is, heavenly- wise to Sabvation. And this wisdom men may attain more generally to: though not all but some do actually attain it, by and through Jesus Christ; who, as He is the wisdom of God, so He came forth from God, suffered and died for our Sins, that he might take out of the way, that which stood against us, and being ascended, and having received the fullness of the Holy Spirit (which is the spirit of wisdom knowledge, understanding, etc.) doth use means with men to make them wise. So as it is no defect or fault of his that men are not generally made wise him: For wisdom (He who is the wisdo●… of God) cries without and utters her voic●… the streets, she crieth in the chief place of 〈◊〉 course, in the opening of the gates, in the 〈◊〉 she uttereth her words: yea she stands in 〈◊〉 top of high places, by the ways in the place●… the paths: she cryeth at the gates; at the e●… of the City, at the coming in at the do●… She takes all occasions and advantages all places and times to call to men, and off her help to them to make them wise to S●…vation: as it is said, To you, O men, I c●… and my voice is to the sons of men. O ye sim●… understand wisdom, and ye fools be ye of 〈◊〉 understanding heart. She saith not, O y●… simple make yourselves wise, and O y●… fools give, or make to yourselves an understanding heart: but as one that knows the insufficiency in men to do such things fo●… themselves, and as one graciously ready, as well as able, to work such things in them, she speaks to men to accept and admit of what she is ready to give them: and so 〈◊〉 follows: Hear, for I will speak of exce●…l●… things, and the opening of my lips is 〈◊〉 things— receive my Instruction and not Silver, and Knowledge rather than choice Gold. H●… instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not, P●…verbs 1.20, 21. and 8.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 〈◊〉  
But now though Christ calls thus ge●…ally and indefinitely to men, speaking to both in and by his works of Creation and ●…vidence, and by his law and doctrine ●…en forth to us, Psal. 19.1, 27. (though 〈◊〉 to all alike doth He afford the means of ●…wledg, nor in all ages and places, a like ●…ness and richness thereof; but distributes ●…se things variously according to his plea●…e, accordingly expecting and requiring ●…in of them) yet men do not alike enter●… his calls and counsels: no not under the ●…e voice and means of conveying it to 〈◊〉 But some hear, and embrace him, and 〈◊〉 made wise: others refuse and reject 〈◊〉 and his words, and remain brutish, or ●…er become more brutish than by nature ●…y were; Satan obtaining more power ●…r them, and God being provoked ●…ough loath and often long first before he ●…moved to it) leaving them to him, to ●…d the eyes of their minds, and darken 〈◊〉 infatuate them. And this is the true ●…se of the difference among men, why ●…e attain to wisdom, others not. To this ●…pose speaks our Saviour to his Disciples, ●…en they came and asked Him why He ●…ke to the people in Parables. To you, ●…h He, namely to you my Disciples, It is ●…n to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not gi●… for (as rendering the reason of that differen●… whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and shall have more abundance (that is to him 〈◊〉 hath received Gods preventing grace some measure, and retains, or improve●… or to take 
* Qui non contsmpsit gratiam Dei: sed jam aliquantulum saltem in ea profecit. Beza in locum.  Be●… Exposition, that hath not 〈◊〉 temned the G●… of God, but 〈◊〉 somewhat at least profited in it; God give more of it. The secret of the Lord is them that fear him, and He will show the●… Covenant, Psal. 25.14.) but whosoever not (that is, contemns, receives not, o●… not to have, or retain it, as Rom. 1.28.) him shall be taken away, even that he hath: 〈◊〉 the means of giving, and capacity of ceiving what is tendered to him.) Ther●… speak I to them in Parables, because they 〈◊〉 see not (are careless and regardless of 〈◊〉 I show them, and cause them in some●… sure to see: refusing to take notice the●… and hearing they hear not (they attend 〈◊〉 neither do they understand. And in th●… fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith hearing ye shall hear & shall not understan●… seeing ye shall see and shall not perceive 〈◊〉 was first their sin in refusing; being by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 judgement turned into a punishment to ●…m, and why?) for this people's heart is ●…xed gross (it was not so always, but by ●…dening it they have made it so, and by grease it is become so, Zech. 7.11, 12) And 〈◊〉 ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes ●…e they closed, (or, winked with, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) ●…st they should at any time see with their eyes, 〈◊〉 hear with their ears, and understand with 〈◊〉 hearts and be converted, and I should heal 〈◊〉: that is, they have rebelled against 〈◊〉 in the means afforded and endeavours ●…chsafed of God to make them wise, con●…t and heal them: that being rendered as evident character of a rebellious person, people, To have eyes to see, and yet refuse ●…e, and ears to hear, and yet refuse to hear, ●…ech. 12.2. I would have healed them 〈◊〉 if Christ should have said, and as is 〈◊〉 of Babylon, Jer. 51.9.) but they would 〈◊〉 be healed: They hold fast deceit; they use to return, Jer. 8.5. This is the condem●…ion, that light is come into the world, but 〈◊〉 love darkness rather than light, because ●…r deeds were evil: for every one that doth ●…solvedly & of choice doth) evil, hateth the ●…t; neither cometh to the light, lost his ●…ds should be reproved, or discovered, Joh. 3. ●… 20. and so men's wilfulness is the true 〈◊〉 proper cause of their woe; and is rendered by God himself as the true rea●… of men's perishing without wisdom, knowledge, when He swears that as He li●… He hath no pleasure (none at all, neither se●… nor open) in the death of the wicked, bu●… there that he turn and live: and there●… calls and expostulates with them, Tu●… turn ye, why will ye die, O house of Israel zech. 33.11 But now to his Disciple●… adds, But blessed are your eyes, for they and your ears, for they hear: As the rea●… still why it was given to them to know mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, 〈◊〉 they winked not with, or closed their 〈◊〉 nor stopped their ears, as the obstinate 〈◊〉 rebellious ones, Zech. 7.11, 12. But 〈◊〉 trariwise they see and heard, they le●… and received the light vouchsafed, and discoveries it made, and the voice truth brought to them, and what it s●… fied, and therefore they were blessed, dued with greater capacity of seeing 〈◊〉 hearing, more understanding and inla●… meant in spirit, Matt. 13.11, 12, 13, 14, 16. like to which also was that answer ven by Christ to Judas, when he asked h●… Why he would manifest himself to them, 〈◊〉 not to the world, the refusers and rejec●… of him, Joh. 14.22, 23, 24, If any man●… me (saith he) he will keep my words; and  
●…ther will love him, and we will come unto 〈◊〉, and make our abode with him. He that ●…eth me not, keepeth not my say, etc. To ●…em that turn at his reproofs, He pours out 〈◊〉 Spirit, and makes known his words, but 〈◊〉 them that set at naught his counsels, and ●…ll none of his reproofs, he doth not so, nor ●…e they in a fit posture for it; yea such a carriage provokes him to give them up to their 〈◊〉 lusts, and let them walk after their own ●…e●…sels, Prov. 1.23, 24, 25. Psa 81.10, 11, 12. 〈◊〉 that both men's first complying with, or ●…t complying with the light and truth ●…herewith God by Christ prevents them, is ●…e exercise of their voluntary choice, not ●…e necessity or excellency of their natures, ●…th are mercifully prevented by Grace: ●…r God fashions their hearts alike before he ●…nsiders their works to approve the one, or ●…ndemn, or be angry with the other, ●…sal. 33.15. He that chooseth to comply 〈◊〉 the grace that prevents him, chuse●…●…t of himself, nor hath any liberty thereto ●…t as Grace prevents, strengthens, and in●…ines him thereto: but yet Grace works ●…t so, as not to leave him a capacity of ●…hoise or refusal, but gives him the capacity 〈◊〉 choose, excites him thereto, and directs ●…d strengthens him therein; and he volun●…rily obeying it, is approved, commended, followed with more grace, and made wis●… to Salvation; and useful for the good 〈◊〉 others: though this last according to God free pleasure more absolutely: who distributes his gifts for usefulness, differently 〈◊〉 those that are made spiritual ones, as he see good, as is plainly asserted, 1 Cor. 12.7, 8. To one is given by the Spirit the word of w●…dome, to another the word of knowledge, by 〈◊〉 same Spirit, to another the working of Mir●…cles, etc. But all these worketh one and the s●… same Spirit, dividing to every man severally 〈◊〉 He will. The others rejection is not 〈◊〉 want of, or from any defect in preventing grace, for wisdom calls and stretches out ●…hand, that is, puts forth her power for helpfulness, and in the day of Salvation is succo●…ing them also that they might hear, and obe●… and choose the fear of the Lord, Prov. 1.22, 23, 24, 25. 2 Cor. 6.1, 2. and would gather th●… also, Matt. 23.37. but it proceeds from th●… mere voluntary choice of the Will, or So●… in them, choosing to retain its Idol, lust, 〈◊〉 way of iniquity. It's true, before the gra●… of God prevents and works, men natural●… and necessarily do evil, and follow af●… vanity. But that's not the thing for which God is angry, and provoked to deny, 〈◊〉 withhold his grace: for notwithstanding th●… He prevents them: Yea that is matter 〈◊〉 pity and commiseration to Him, to see men naturally under such a power and necessity of evil: but men's rejections are condemned ●…s they are their voluntary and unnecessiated choises of evil after grace preventing ●…hem counsels and excite them to do better: ●…hence, This is the condemnation, that Light 〈◊〉 come into the world, and men love darkness ●…ather than light, because their deeds are evil, ●…oh. 3.19. And Because I called and ye re●…used, I stretched out my hand (saith wisdom) ●…nd no man regarded. Ye have set at nought all ●…y counsels, and would none of my reproofs, I also will laugh at your calamity, and mock when ●…our fear cometh— Then they shall call upon ●…e, but I will not answer; they shall seek me ●…arly, but shall not find me. For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord— therefore shall they eat the fruit of their ●…wn way, and be filled with their own devices, Prov. 1.24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31. What our ●…aviour saith to the Jews refusing him ●…nd his words, being in a sense and measure more generally true: viz. If I had ●…ot come and spoken to them, they had not had ●…in: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me, hateth my Father also (and so generally he that hateth the way and means of Gods conveying his divine light and power as such, hates him that so conveys it) If I had not done among them th●… works that no other man did, they had not ha●… sin: but now they have both seen and hated b●… me and my Father, John 15.22, 23, 24. Ye●… though we say that some men attain to wi●…dome through their voluntary complying with the grace of God preventing them, and others fail thereof through their wilful r●…fusings of that grace which prevents them which had it been complied with, would also have made them wise: yet we alway●… reserve to God (as is meet) his own Sovereign liberty and freedom of preventing the one or other with more or less; affor●…ing more or less clear means, or discoveries of his truth in and by those means; exe●…cising longer or less patience towards the●… or taking more ordinary or extraordina●… courses with them: For as sometimes 〈◊〉 makes some Sinners examples of his Se●●rity, for admonishing others and exciting them to Repentance, who were not le●… Sinners than those whom He makes examples; Luke ●…3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. So He may a●… sometimes doth make some, as bad as 〈◊〉 there's, examples or special instances of h●… mercy, for the moving others to seek me●…cy of Him, and encouraging them to ho●… for it from Him in their seeking it, 1 Tim. 13.15, 16.  
Now of those that are made wise, it is said, They shall shine, etc. Where we may further inquire;  
1. What these wise men are, and where 〈◊〉 their wisdom stands, or is evidenced.  
2. What is imported in its being said, They shall shine as the brightnefs of the firmament.  
1. These wise men we have seen, are such ●…s are made so through the Grace of God, ●…ringing Salvation to them, closed and complied with by them, with a wisdom ●…hat no man hath by and of himself, or by ●…is own mere strength and industry, but by ●…he Grace of God in Christ Jesus: by which as any man is in closing with and ●…beying it made in Christ: so being thereby ●…rought to and made in him, Christ is made 〈◊〉 God to him wisdom, righteousness, etc. 〈◊〉 Cor. 1.30. the Author and Fountain of ●…avenly and true wisdom to him. In which wisdom, and so in those that are made wise thereby, there are, among other ●…ings, these chief observable, viz.  
1. A right understanding and judgement ●…f things. Naturally men, in and of themselses and as walking in the principles of ●…e world, are blind and darkened in their understandings, especially as having re●…sed the tenders of wisdom, Satan gets power over them to blind them, 2 Cor. 4. 4●… the Gentiles that receive not the Grace 〈◊〉 God, have their understandings darkened, b●…ing alienated from the life of God, through th●… ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness (or hardness) of their hearts: but the●… having learned Christ, and having heard hi●… and been taught by him as the truth is in Jesu●… are enabled and helped to put away lying knowing and understanding the truth Ephes. 4.17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25. Men gen●…rally as in and of themselves, and as wal●…ing after the course of this world, are br●…tish and foolish, void of all right judgement and understanding; Surely every man by 〈◊〉 own knowledge is brutish, every founder is co●…founded, Jer. 10.14. There is none that 〈◊〉 derstandeth, none that seeketh after God, R●…man. 3.11. But God sent his only begotte●… Son into the world, and hath put his Spirit upon him, that He might be the light of the world, and bring forth judgement to the Ge●…tiles, and having given him a light to the pe●…ple (the Jews, or professed Church) and 〈◊〉 the Gentiles, hath appointed him therein 〈◊〉 be for salvation (his salvation or way of ●…aving men) to the ends of the earth, that wh●… ever believes on, and follows him, might 〈◊〉 walk in darkness, but have the light of life, Isaah 42.1. and 49.6. with Acts 13.46, 47●… John 8.12. and 12.46. and to those that behold and listen to him, he brings forth ●…udgment into truth, or into victory over all ●…he errors of the world that was in their minds, and over all their corrupt passions, ●…usts and affections; giving them to understand the truth, and to discern between the right and wrong, good and evil; that they might choose the good and live: and so in his might they see light, they see where their true interest is; where peace and safety, felicity and happiness are to be met with by them, viz. that it lies not in their having the riches, honours, or pleasures of this life, or world; nor in having the science and knowledge of many things, or in being morally just among men, and approved of them; nor in living long here in health and quietness, or the like; but in having the love, favour, and approvement of the great God, the Maker and Creator of all things, and in the being blessed and accepted of him, and enjoying him for our portion: and they see the way to this peace, the way by which they may obtain this love and favour, acceptance and approbation with God; that it is by coming to, believing on, and abiding in Christ. He being the Way, the Truth, and the Life, so as None can come to the Father, but by him, for it is through his Blood, We have access to the Father by his Spirit, which Spirit He in and with this Heavenly Doctrine administers and gives forth to those that yield up themselves according there unto, to obey and serve him, Joh. 14.6, 7. Ephes. 2.18. Acts 5.32. Prov. 1.23. 〈◊〉 that in this wisdom is a right discerning of, and these wise ones know and perceiv●… their true Interest, both as to the end wherein their happiness stands, and as to the Way to attain that End; yea and thei●… want and need of both, the emptiness i●… themselves, and in all other things to reliev●… and help them: for seeking God they know●… all things, Prov. 28.5. In knowing Christ and him crucified they know God, the only true God, and his infinite excellencies, his power, wisdom, and goodness for helping and saving us men, and for overthrowing the power, policy, and malicious contrivances of all his and our enemies; his truth and faithfulness for making good his Words and Promises, his hatred of sin and wickedness, love of purity and holiness, etc. and they know themselves, their own sinfulness, death, poverty, brutishness, and misery, the emptiness and falseness in their own wisdom, righteousness, strength, etc. the vanity of the world, the right end and use of all things, whom God approves, chooses and specially loves, whom he hates ●…nd rejects, and what not that) concerns ●…heir happiness? judging that one (even Christ) died for all, they judge also that all were ●…ead at Law: and that He died for all, that ●…ey who live should not hencefrrth live to themselves, but to him that died for them, and is ●…sen again; and so they know (in some measure) their engagements to Christ, and to God in Christ: yea they know no man after 〈◊〉 Flesh (themselves or others) but if any ●…an be in Christ that he is a new Creature; old ●…ings passed away, and all things become new, ●…nd that all things are of God, 2 Cor. 5.14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Other men, as to these things, 〈◊〉 fools, and walk in darkness, Eccles. 2.14. ●…ey neither know aright their own misery, ●…or what it is will do them good: they have 〈◊〉 learned that Precept of the Heathen, 〈◊〉 teipsum, to know themselves: much 〈◊〉 do thy know God, and him whom he hath 〈◊〉, Jesus Christ: there is no judgement in their ●…ings, Isa. 59.8. they take a Cloud for Ju 〈◊〉, as is the Proverb: they worship some 〈◊〉 instead of God: this world with its ●…easures, honours, riches, or some such thing, 〈◊〉 their summum bonum, their greatest good, 〈◊〉 spring of good to be enjoyed by them, 〈◊〉 their apprehensions: Or if they have ●…ard of and believe a God, and that the happiness of the Soul stands in his favour and blessing; yet they know not the way how to obtain that, and enjoy him for their portion; but seek and think to please him with their own or other men's inventions even with doing those things that he hath forbidden, choosing the things which he delight not in, yea which his Soul abhors, Isa. 66. 4●… having false imaginations and conceptions o●… him; as some think to pacify him and hi●… anger, by making Groves, Altars, and 〈◊〉 mages, and offering up corrupt Sacrifices yea some have thought to please him and obtain his favour, by slaying and sacrificing their Sons and Daughters to him; ye●… sometimes to Idols and Devils instead of him Mic. 6.6, 7. Jer. 19.4, 5. Isa. 17.8. Psal. 106.36, 37, 38. others by establishing their own righteousness according to the Law, and so by their own goodness, even the deeds of the Law, whereby no man living can be justified; a man's own righteousness being a bed too short whereupon he cannot stretch himself, a covering too sca●… wherein he cannot wrap himself, Isa. 28.20 Thus the Jews sought after righteousness, b●… obtained it not, because they sought not b●… faith, in believing God's testimony; but 〈◊〉 it were by the works of the Law, and submitte●… not to the righteousness of God, even to Christ who is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes, Rom. 9.31, 32. and 10.3, 4. with 3.20. Gal. 3.10. Psa. 143.2. and so some not believing Jesus Christ the Son of God to be the Saviour of the world, and to have died and given himself a ransom for all, and to be the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (though fully and plainly attested of God in the testimony of the holy Scriptures) but through their ignorance how to make those sayings according to their plain import agree with other say of Scripture, which they rightly understand not: or having an high esteem (some of them) of such holy and precious men, as they believe them to be (and possibly in the main some such may be, or have been, God not imputing their ignorances' and mistakes) that have found out some uncouth ways of interpreting those plain say, to elude the evident voice of them (as that by All is meant only some of all sorts, by Every one, every one that believes, and by the world and whole world, only all the Elect, whereas the Scriptures speak of the Elect, as a party taken and chosen out of the world, and so no part of it, but distinct from it, as in Joh. 15.16.19.) they hinder themselves and others from the right and clear understanding and perception of that love and pity of God to man, that as reac●…ing and including them, would be powerful to reconcile them to God and save them being believed and perceived by them, Titus 2.11, 12, 13. and 3.4, 5. 1 Joh. 4.14.19. and put themselves and others upon other by-courses to find out that Christ die●… for them, and that they have good ground to believe on and hope in him; and so the●… run to the Law, or Works, or endeavour to lay a row of frames and good qualitie●… below him to lay him upon, not having him for the bottom foundation; for while they think Christ died only for the Elect they also necessarily think they must know their Election, before they can know that He died for them, and so that they have any right to come to, or believe on him: and so oftentimes it happens that some conceiting themselves to be better framed that others, think with the Pharisees they are more beholden to God than they; despi●…sing them, and trusting in themselves that they be righteous and his Elect ones: and others not able to find any such goodness or betterness in themselves, as may persuade them that God loves them better, o●… hath elected them, are ready to distract themselves, or run to desperation: and indeed how should any works or frames, not proceeding from and begotten by the first appearance of God's love in Christ to men, but preceding the perception thereof, be good evidences of their Election which is in Christ Jesus, and not before or out of him? Surely whereas the Apostles say they were after the appearance of the love and pity of God to mankind, saved by his mercy, those may rather say they were so far saved before, as to know their Election, or else for their believing on Christ as a Saviour appointed of God for them, they have no foundation, and what a pother they put themselves and others into about knowing the rightness of their frames too is wonderful, so that as the Wise man saith, 
* Though I do not judge so rashly as to conclude either all of the one apprehension wise, nor all of the other, in these points, to be fools, or wicked.  The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because be knoweth not how to go to the City, Eccl. 10.15. While he who is the way to it, and the gate for admission, and the openness of it for all men as sinners and enemies and lost one's in themselves (though in respect of the parting with all in entering it, and the persecutions or trials thereupon attending it is straight) and that Grace of God towards all mankind displayed in him, which being believed and minded, engages, moves, and strengthens to enter, it is rejected of them But they (that are truly in Christ) and wis●… in Him, so far as in Him, understand all things in a measure, though not all as yet to perfection. But from this right judgement proceeds also, and is found in these wis●… men:  
2. A renewing of the mind, Ephes. 4.23 Rom. 12.2. Naturally and according to the course of this world, while men's understandings are dark and void of judgement and discretion, the mind is full of vanity air and emptiness, exercised about things that cannot profit, save or do good, because vain, Loving vanity, and following after leasings, Psal. 4.2. Ephes. 4.17, 18. Yea no●… only Vanity, but wicked works possess it Col. 1.21. The minding of the flesh, Rom. 8.7. and of earthly things, Phil. 3.19. setting the mind on things below, savouring and nursing on them are mentioned as things that men ignorant of the truth are guilty of, Co●… los. 3.2. Men of corrupt minds are they that are destitute of the truth, 1 Tim. 6.5. even as Children & Fools mind Babbles, Toys, Butterflies Trifles, and the like; while understanding men are exercised in considering weightie●… and more useful matters: even so the foolish unrenewed mind being destitute of the ●…rinciples of truth, for want of understanding and credit given to them, is taken up with sensual, earthy and worldly vanities, ●…eglecting and not taking good heed to ●…hat is of greatest worth and concernment ●…o the Souls happiness; like to that foolish ●…mperour that busied himself with catching ●…lies, while others were busy to catch away is Empire; so fares it with fools or evil ●…ersons (which are all one in Scripture language) they are busy in minding the riches, ●…onours, or pleasures of this life, Sciences falsely so called, or notions of truths, crot●…hets and conceits, elegancy of phrase and ●…peech, and such things, while remaining ●…gnorant of the truth, and not setting their minds to the things of eternal life, Satan ●…atches away their Souls, and eternal life from them, even while they set not their ●…earts to seek and get the knowledge of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to obey his heavenly calls and counsels, and walk in the exercise and practise of these things that are wellpleasing in his sight. But they that are truly wise persons, are renewed, in some measure, in the spirit of their minds; so as their hearts and affections are taken with, and their minds are exercised about the things which they see in the light of the Gospel of God to be excellent and glorious, they are minding the Spirit and th●… things thereof, which is life and peace their hearts being through the force an●… power of the light shining into their heart turned from darkness to light, and from t●… power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of their Sins, and inheritan●… among the sanctified by the faith of Jesus, Romans 8.7. Acts 26.18. thus it is said, T●… heart of him that hath understanding (that hath received and retains a right judgement, and so is truly wise) seeketh knowledge Prov. 15.14. Wise men see such an excellency in wisdom, as they mind how 〈◊〉 obtain it, such an excellency in the knowled●… of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and 〈◊〉 in the enjoyment of God and his favour through him, as all other things are far below them in their esteems, and so in th●… exercise of their minds and thoughts abo●… them. Yea they are loss and dross with the●… in comparison of those rich Jewels, and tha●… Pearl of great price discerned by them, Ph●… lip. 3.9. perceiving their own want of tho●… heavenly things, as well as the worth an●… advantage of them it draws their mind from all other matters, to think of and desire after them: and indeed, as we in●…mated above, this is one part of a righ●… judgement to understand ourselves: th●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. He that is wise in his own eyes, there is more hope of a fool (a mere ignorant person) than of him, Prov. 26.12. The Angel of the Church of Laodicea that thought himself rich and increased with goods, and that he wanted nothing, and knew not ●…hat he was wretched, miserable, poor, blind ●…nd naked, little minded the getting the ●…rue riches, the Gold tried in the fire; and the ●…rue covering for our nakedness; the white ●…ayment of the righteousness that is of God by ●…he faith of Jesus, Rev. 3.16 17, 18. The full soul loathes the honey comb, but to the empty soul, that seethe its own emptiness and feels its ●…ants,) every bitter thing is sweet, Prov. 27.7. This is the right judgement in the truly wise, 〈◊〉 judge of God, that He is infinitely full and ●…l-sufficient: of Christ, that He is infinitely excellent and precious, and God in Him, ●…finitly good, loving, and gracious; but 〈◊〉 ourselves and of all other things, that ●…e and they are empty, vain, and unsatif●…ing creatures, and therefore their mind 〈◊〉 on these things, how they may be partak●…s of the fullness in God in Christ, and as ●…ey receive thereof, how to live to, and ●…lorifie him, and show forth his virtues ●…nd praises to others also, for their Salvati●…n; being lowly minded of and concerning themselves and their own things, but admiring and thinking highly of the things of Christ; yea and both these are joined with  
3. A right choice. The wise man doth not only see the good, and discern between it and the evil: but he also chooseth the good and refuseth the evil. He not only seeht and thinks that the instruction of wisdom i●… better than Silver, and that knowledge i●… better than choice gold: but he also receive●… instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, Prov. 8.10. He not only seethe that the knowledge of Christ Jesus is Pearl of great price, to be preferred far above all things else: but with the wise merchant he lais hold of it and makes it his or with the Apostle Panl, cowts all things 〈◊〉 loss and dung, that he may win Christ, Philip. 3.8, 9 Matt. 13.45. A fool or simp●… person not discerning between things, th●… worth of the one, and worthlesness in th●… other, chooses by some outward show 〈◊〉 appearance, fancy or affection, pleasa●… taste or delightfulness to the senses. He receives Silver and not instruction, and Go●… rather than the heavenly knowledge: b●… cause he knows not the worth thereof. H●… is for the Barley corn with the dung-h●… Cock in the Fable, or for the mire and di●… with the Swine, rather than for the Pea and Jewel. Heavenly things suit not his ●…alate, they are far above, out of his sight 〈◊〉 as he discerns not either their true beauty, or real magnitude: they seem to him as ●…e Stars do to our sight, of far lesser quan●…ty and magnitude than the Hills and fountains of the earth: Wisdom is too high 〈◊〉 a fool, Prov. 24.7. The natural man re●…ives not the things of the Spirit. He makes ●…t them the matters of his choice, For ●…y are foolishness unto him, neither can he ●…ow them, because they are spiritually discern 〈◊〉. But he that is spiritual, the truly wise ●…an, discerneth all things, 1 Cor. 2.14, 15. ●…d therefore he also chooseth judiciously, ●…th as to the end and means. He makes ●…d and Christ his ultimate and highest ●…d, his chief desire and good. He halts 〈◊〉 between God and Baal, but saith of the ●…rd, He is my Rock, my Fortress; my God, him will I trust, Psal. 91.2. And he chooses ●…d his hold on the direct ways and means the enjoyment of God. He saith, One ●…g have I desired of the Lord, that I will 〈◊〉 after, that I may dwell in the house of the ●…rd all the days of my life; to behold the ●…uty (or delight) of the Lord, and to inquire his holy Temple. He knows God is to be ●…nd in his own house: in Christ Je 〈◊〉; and in, or among them that are united in heart and spirit with him; his true, and truly holy Church: and therefore he choose acquaintance with them, and resolves ther●… to seek after and wait for him. He know●… his dwelling place is in Zion; and therefore he sets his face thitherward, and chooses th●… way thereto to walk therein, thus Dav●… saith also, I have chosen the way of truth: th●… judgements have I set before me; I have stu●… unto thy testimonies, etc. and thy testimoni●… have I taken as an heritage for ever; for th●… are the joy and the rejoicing of my heart, Psa●… 119.30, 31, 111. A simple man, or sin●… fool, may sometimes see and be convinc●… in his judgement, that there is a betterne●… in the love and favour of God, and in t●… knowledge of Christ Jesus than in oth●… things: a betterness in wisdom than in 〈◊〉 the riches and pleasures of this world; b●… yet because there is an easiness in the acq●…ring these; or a present sensual delight be found in them, whereas in the way the other, there is something of difficu●… and appearing danger, and a remoteness the good in them from the present se●… sight, or feeling; The way narrow, and gate straight that leads to life; whereas ways of flesh and world are broad, and gates to those enjoyments wide and ea●… therefore he chooseth the worse part: ●…her to gratify his sense and sensual lust ●…nd appetite, than to take pains to obtain ●…hose far better spiritual enjoyments, like ●…at wicked Queen that cried out; 
Video meliora, proboque, deterior●… sequor.  
I see and do approve the better things,  
Fellow the worse if it pleasure brings.   
Thus it is with men in whom judgement ●…th not the victory, but lust, and passion, ●…nd appetite; but the wise man, in whom ●…dgment is brought forth into truth, and hath ●…e victory, he firmly and fixedly chooseth 〈◊〉 b●…st things, and rejects the worse. And wise man is known more by his choice ●…an by his voice: other men, wicked men ●…d fools, may say well, but they will not ●…use to themselves judgement, or the thing at is good, they lay not hold on eternal 〈◊〉, and the instruction that leads to it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 choose that tends to and will end 〈◊〉 their destruction; hating wisdom, and ●…ving death, Prov. 8.36. But the wise man ●…th other wise: And then from this pro●…eds also, or with it follows  
4. A seasonable and diligent endeavour ●●r the good that he chooses and minds, ●…d that is to be chosen by him. I say, 〈◊〉 A seasonable endeavour: for the Wise ●…ns heart discerns both time and judgement, Eccles. 8.5. both the time when, and th●… way and manner how to attain his end. H●… takes hold of time by the foretop. The wi●… Son gathers in the Summer, while there 〈◊〉 both good to be gathered, and convenie●… season for gathering it. He redeems the tim●… or opportunity, and doth not suffer it to b●… gotten from him, or kept from his improv●…ment, as fools do, Ephes. 5.16. The foo●… or son that causeth shame, sleeps in the Ha●… vest time, when other men that are wise, a●… at work, and taking care to provide again●… the winter, Prov. 10.5. For the fool discern●… not the time or season, Luc. 12.56. H●… knows not the time of his visitation, and the●… fore lets it slip, Luk. 19.41, 43. The Sto●… in the heaven, the Turtle, Crane and Swall●… are wiser than he; for they know their 〈◊〉 pointed times, and observe the time of th●… coming: but the foolish man knows not the ju●…ment of the Lord, however much he boa●… of wit, and parts, and wisdom; 〈◊〉 cause the Word of the Lord is rejected by his and there is no true wisdom in him, Jer. 8.7, with 5.3, 4. And great is the misery of m●… in this respect, that they know not the ti●… and judgement that appertains to every co●… cernment; and so are snared in ane vil tim●… when it falls suddenly upon them; as fish's th●… are taken in an evil net, and as birds that a●… taken in a snare, and they are not ware of it, ●…cles. 8.5, 6. and 9.12. Matt. 24.48, 49, ●…, 51. The fool is a sluggard, and folds his ●…nds together to sleep, and cries, yet a little ●…p, yet a little slumber, till his time and op●…rtunity for getting good be gone: till ●…verty come upon him like one that travaileth, ●…d want like an armed man, Prov. 6.10, 11. ●…t the wise man knows and lays hold of ●…e opportune time, which is accounted a ●…int of highest prudence. In tempore venire, ●…nd so it may be said, in tempore facienda ●…cere) omnium rerum est primum: to come in ●…ne, or to do things in season, especially ●…ose great things of the Souls eternal wel●…re, is the chiefest thing of all. For how ●…d is it and will be to overslip that time, ●…d then to begin to seek and knock for ●…trance, when the door is shut, and men ●…ced to stand without, and hear it said ●…om within to them, Depart from me, I ●…ow you not, ye workers of iniquity, what ●…eart can conceive, or tongue express? but ●…rely it will be most dismally and dreadfully ●…d: as our Saviour signifies, when he saith, ●…here shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, ●…uk. 13.25, 26, 27, 28. As it is also signi●…ed by Him in the Parable of the Virgins: ●…here the foolish Virgins neglecting the ●…oper time of furnishing their vessels with Oil, and then setting on it when too lat●… and not before, found no entrance with th●… Bridegroom, but were excluded, Mat. 25, 〈◊〉 9, 10, 11, 12. But these that are truly wis●… they know and lay hold on the opportunity and therein also use  
2. A diligent endeavour in the right a●… best ways to attain their purpose; for knowing the worth of the heavenly commoditie●… and the uncertainty of the time of their co●…tinuance, in a capacity of seeking and ge●…ting them (for they know and mind th●… in the grave, and state of death, to which th●… are going, there is no work or devise, no wis●… doom, or knowledge, Eccles. 9.10. and th●… their Life is but a vapour, that appears a litt●… while and is gone, and vanisheth away; so 〈◊〉 there is no boasting of the morrow, none knowing what will be on the morrow, or what a d●… will bring forth, Jam. 4.14. Prov. 27.1. and knowing also the exceeding folly a●… misery of failing of, and losing them, the therefore give diligence while they ha●… time. With the Spider (or Stellio) they ta●… hold with their hands, and therefore are in 〈◊〉 Kings Palaces, Prov. 30.28. they labour f●… the meat that perisheth not, but endures to eve●… lasting life, John 6.27. they so run as th●… may obtain: beating down the body, and bringing it into subjection to the spirit, 1 Cor. ●… 24.27. They give diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end, and to make their calling and election sure, or firm, Heb. 6.11, 12. 2 Pet. 1.10. They hear counsel, and receive instruction, that they may be wise in the latter end, Prov. 19.20. They fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life, 1 Tim. 6.12. they ask, they seek, they knock, Matthew 7.7, 8. They buy the truth and will not sell it: parting with whatever must be let go, that they may obtain it, Prov. 23.23. They think nothing so good or excellent, or so worthy their affecting and retaining, as that for the sake thereof the truth of God and Christ, and the infinite benefits of it, the knowledge of Christ Jesus, and the winning of him, should be neglected and waved, Phil. 3.7, 8, 9 They therefore put away whatever will not consist with their obtaining and retaining those better matters; like the wise man that hath found a field, wherein he knows there is a treasure hid, they dig and search till they meet with and obtain God's Kingdom and his righteousness: and like the Wise Merchant, that seeking goodly Pearls, found a Pearl of great price, and sold all he had, the goodliest too, to buy that pearl of great price and worth, Mat. 13.44, 45, 46. They cut off right hand or foot, where they offend, and pluck out the right eye, and cast them away too, rather than to lose the Kingdom of Heaven, and fall into Hell fire, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, Mark 9.44, 45-48. They receive Gods words and lay up his commandments within them (receive not only informations for their knowing things, but Gods and Christ's commands in things to be done also) so as they incline their ear to wisdom, and apply their hearts to understanding; yea, they cry for, or after knowledge, and lift up their voice for understanding: they seek for it as for Silver, and dig for it as for hidden treasures, Pro. 2.1, 2, 3, 4. and 10.14. Yea they take not offence at, but receive and turn at wisdom's reproofs, and follow her counsels whatever they be, or whithersoever they lead; taking the Kingdom of God, as it were by violence, because they know the necessity and worth of it, Prov. 3.23. and 15.5.31, 32. Matt. 11.12. They hear wisdom's voice, watching at her gates, and waiting daily and diligently at the posts of her doors, knowing that so they shall find her: and finding her, they shall find life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord, Prov. 8.33, 34, 35. Yea and knowing that two are better than one; and a threefold cord is not easily broken, they join in company with those that fear God, and go forth by bands with the Locusts, Prov. 30.27. Eccles. 4.9, 12. Psal. 119.63. Matth. 3.10. Psal. 133. 14. Yea further, in this Wisdom and these wise men there is  
5. Cautelousness and circumspection, their Eyes are in their head, Eccles. 2.14, and they understand their way, and ponder and consider the path of their feet, that all their ways may be established; not believing with and as the simple ones, every word, or closing with all that hath a fair appearance in the flesh, or outside; but being wary, they look well to their going, Prov. 14.8.15. with 4.26. they walk circumspectly and exactly, looking to themselves, because they know the world is full of deceit and deceivers: and Satan can transform himself into an Angel of light, and his messengers into Ministers of righteousness, Ephes. 5.16. Joh. 2.7, 8. 2. Cor. 11.13, 14. They believe not every spirit, nor follow every Preacher, that hath a form of godliness, nor are led by the speciousness of their carriages, their zeal, noise and brave appearances in the flesh, or outside performances of religious actions; but they try the spirits, whether they be of God or not: and to that purpose they make use of God's touchstone, his Law and Testimony, from which they will not start, or be waved by any pretending Apostleship from God, or appearing like Angels in their gifts, parts, speech, or carriages towards and a●…gst men: they mark whither men's doctrines confess Christ come in the flesh, and lead to and build only on him, as the full, all-sufficient and only foundation of our hopes: and whither they speak the Language of the holy Apostles and Prophets, Isa. 8.20. Gall. 1.8, 9 1 John 4.1, 2, 3, 6. They understand the voice of their Shepherd and strangers therefrom they will not hear or follow, John 10.4, 5. They know that in believing on, cleaving to, and abiding in him, there is sure and certain safety; and out of him nothing but danger of destruction, and therefore by no pretences will be drawn from him: They understand that at what time God speaks to, or concerning, a Nation, or concerning a Kingdom, to build or to plant it, yet if that Nation or Kingdom do evil in his sight, and obey not his voice, He is at liberty, for all his former speaking, or promise to harden and reject it, and will repent of the good wherewith He said He would benefit it, Jer. 18.9, 10. And when he saith to a righteous man (as He doth to none not truly and acceptably righteous) thou shalt surely live, yet if that righteous man trust in his righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall not 〈◊〉 remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath done, he shall die, Eze. 33.13. and therefore as he is not discouraged from repentance by any threaten against any sinful acts or ways that run in absolute forms: so neither is he emboldened to sin against God, because of any promises to the righteous in absolute forms: nor will therefore be drawn to cast himself from the Pinnacle of the Temple, presuming and being confident that the Angels of God shall preserve him from harm, because it is said to such as make God their refuge, and the most high their habitation, that his Angels shall bear them up in their hands, and keep them in all their ways, that they dash not their foot against a stone, Psal. 91. 9-11, 12. Mat. 4.5, 6. The wise man feareth and departeth from evil. He knows his standing is by faith, and that in waiting upon God, and keeping his way, he shall be exalted out of all low ebbs that befall him, to inherit the land: that in Christ Jesus only are all the promises of God yea, and in him Amen, to the praise and glory of God: so as in abiding in him and his doctrine they shall surely be met with and enjoyed; but in departing from, and wand'ring out of him, they are departed from him too, and he should become as a bird wandered out of his place, and therefore he fears to embrace such Scripture-less say; as Once in Christ, and ever in him: That no sin can unson a Son of God; whom God loves once, he loves for ever; if such a person sin never so much, or never so often, he cannot perish, but must be pardoned, cleansed, and saved: and therefore no need for such as are once justified of God can fear sinning against Him, as a thing that deprives him of heaven and happiness. He fears to suck in such Principles as may betray his Soul in a temptation, and so to give any admission to sin and wickedness, knowing that God spared not the Angels that sinned, nor his people which He brought out of Egypt, but afterward destroyed them that believed not: nor the natural branches, or seed of Abraham, though elected of God, and in Covenant with him as his first born people. He is not high minded because of any grace bestowed upon or wrought in him, but fears to offend, or to follow after any principle or counsel leading him thereto: knowing that though God's goodness is towards and upon him; yet the continuance of it to him is no otherwise assured than in his abiding in Christ, keeping his Commandments, and so continuing in his goodness, Prov. 14.16. Psal. 37.34. 2 Corinth. 1.20. Romans 11.20, 21, 22, 23. John 15.9, 10. 1 Cor. 9.27. with 10.1, 3. 10, 11. But the fool rageth and is confident, or he goeth on, transgresseth, and is angry with them that would put him in fear 〈◊〉 any harm that may befall him; and is bold and confident: confident that he stands so sure he can never be moved. He can never fall away totally and finally, though he hearken to the enticements of Sin and Satan, and follow his desire and inclination to satisfy his lust and affection: for why? He is elected, He is in Christ, a Son of God: Sin he may, and suffer he may, but all shall be for his advantage at last, and work for his good: even his presumptuous sinnings and sufferings for them too, and he can never perish; therefore he goeth on, and whereas He that feareth always is blessed; this bold, presumptuous and confident fool falls into mischief, Prov. 14.16. and 28.14.  
6. A foresight of dangers, with a prudent, provident care to prevent them: and this also because his Eyes are in his Head, and he makes use of them to look before him; even to what is yet to come. And he hath so good a fight through the spirit of wisdom given him, in and through the faith of Christ, and showing him things to come, as that he sees things afar off, and what others see not; even the end of ways, and events, and issues of courses, good or evil, before they be come upon men. He sees the effects in the causes, and the fruit in the root, and in the nature of the stock and juice it springs from: whereas the foo●… and evil man seethe not things till they b●… come, or just upon them: for he wants th●… eye of Faith, or which the Faith or Gospe●… of Christ received gives; and he hath no●… or uses not that heavenly prospective-glas●… which makes evident things not otherwise seen; and shows the things that are far of in their true magnitude, as if they wer●… near hand: thus it's said, The prudent ma●… forseeth the evil and hideth himself: the spir●… tually wise and good man seethe it before 〈◊〉 be come into other men's sight or view, o●… before it be upon him; and he seethe th●… place of refuge, where he may be safe from it, and escape its dint, and thither betake himself, and there hides himself, that 〈◊〉 find him not out. He knows that in Chri●… Jesus there is salvation and deliveran●… from all that is evil and may hurt him fro●… the World or Devil, and that in repentin●… (if gone astray from him) returning to, an●… believing on him, and obeying his Wor●… and Doctrine, and abiding therein, h●… shall not perish, under whatever may happen to or in the world, but he shall hav●… everlasting life: and therefore he betake himself to him, his counsels, and instruct●…ons, and follows them, trusting to h●… Promises, and so he is safe and hidden; but the simple pass on, and are punished, they transgress and go beyond the bounds God hath set them, they abide not in the Doctrine of Christ, to believe and obey that; and seeing no evil come upon them, nor any appearance of it, they go on, on, on, in their deceitful ways till the sad issue of them come upon them; they cry peace, peace, hoping for, and promising themselves safety and security till punishment befalls them, till sudden destruction comes upon them as Travail upon a Woman with Child, and they shall not escape it, Prov. 22.3. & 27.12. 1 Thes. 5.2, 3. But the Wise, with the prudent and provident Ant, they foresee a Winter before ●…t be arrived, while yet the Summer and Harvest last, and the Sun shines warm upon them, and they provide against it come: provide their meat in the Summer, and gather their food in the Harvest. Prov. 6.7, 8. & 30.25. They know that though no Wild-Beast be yet upon them, yet many such there are; many evil spirits, and evil men full of Craft, Power and Cruelty, and that they are not 〈◊〉 themselves able to encounter with them, and make their party good against them, they being a feeble folk in themselves, and therefore preparing against the worst, they, with the Coneys make their houses and habitati●…ns in the rock; they make the Lord their refuge, the most High their habitation. Pro. 30.26. Ps. 91.9. They know that though the light be sweet, & its a pleasant thing for the eye to see the Sun, yet the time of darkness will come too, and that though a man may live many days & rejoice in them all, yet the days of darkness will, or may, be many, because all that cometh is vanity; and therefore they remember God their Creator in the days of their youth, or choice, before the evil days come, and those years draw near in which they shall say they have no plea●…ure in them. Eccles. 11.7, 8. & 12.1. knowing and minding that in the world, the followers of Christ must have tribulation, and are liable to many trials and temptations, and that they are often (and may be so to themselves) deep and heavy, and of long continuance: They, with the wise Virgins, are careful to furnish their Vessels with Oil, before they give rest to their Souls; that so if long trials come upon them, and Christ defer his coming to help and deliver them (figured out in the Parable by the Bridegrooms staying till midnight) yet their Lamps may burn, and shine, and not go out: that is, they mind the word of God, and knowledge of Christ, and treasure it up within them; laying up in store a good foundation therein against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life: They meditate the Law and Doctrine of the Lord day and night, and walk therein, that they may have such hope and trust in the Lord, as to be made like the tree planted by the water's side, and that spreads out her roots by the Rivers, that is not careful in the year of drought, sees not, or is not hurt by any evil, nor ceases from bearing fruit, etc. Mat. 25.1, 4, 7, 10. Jer. 17.7, 8. and so they lay up knowledge and keep it within them. Prov. 10.14. & 14.33. & 22.18. and yet so as they make use of it too, to shine as Lamps by it, and give light to others; and so there is in them also.  
7. A right use making of their knowledge, as it is said, the lips of the righteous feed many. Pro. 10.21. & the tongue of the righteous useth knowledge aright. Prov. 15.2. for as they keep knowledge, Prov. 5.2. so they disperse it too, Prov. 15.7. and so they use it not for pride and ostentation to puff up themselves with it, or do hurt by it to others, as fools & sinners do, increasing therethrough their own guilt & punishment, but to do good to & instruct others: & so they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Teachers, as the Margin reads it, or such as make others wise; that is, are Instruments of it in the hand of God. As it is also said, The wise in heart (they thai with the hart believe the Gospel unto righteousness) shall be ●…alled prudent; and the sweetness of the lips ●…ncreaseth learning (with the mouth confession is made to salvation.) For understanding is a well spring of life (both to himself and others) to him that hath it; Whereas, the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth (or maketh wise) his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as honey comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones, of them namely that hear and duly receive them. Prov. 16.21, 22, 23, 24. Rom. 10.10. and so we may take in here that other reading, The Teachers or Instructers shall shine, etc. but then we must couple in the former reading with it, and understand it of such Teachers as are also themselves wise in the points spoken to and explicated: such as do first hear and obey the word themselves, and are doers of the truth they teach to others; for it is not every one that saith Lord, Lord, that is the wise man; for many shall say in that day to Christ, Lord, Lord have we not Prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out Devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? to whom He shall say, Depart from me ye that work iniquity. Therefore our Saviour likens him that hears his say and doth them, to a wise man, that built his house upon a rock: and when the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blue, and beat upon that house it fell not, because it was founded upon 〈◊〉 Rock, Whereas, the hearer of them and th●… not doer (the prating fool, that receives not commandments to obey and do them) is like a foolish man that built his house without a foundation (or upon the sands) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blue, and beat upon that house, and it fell (and so the prating fool shall fall) and great the fall of it, Matt. 7. 21-27. Prov. 10.8. But he that heareth himself speaketh constantly Prov. 21.28.  
And indeed this instruction may be signified in the diversity of construction of this word, rendered wise and Teachers: viz. That they that would be (or are) Teachers of others, should be wise themselves, (i.e.) Men of understanding &, fearers of God, (none others being wise in the Scripture language: thence the righteous are opposed to fools, Prover. 14.9.) Art thou a master in Israel, saith our Saviour to Nicodemus, & knowest not these things, John 3.10. implying, that Masters, or Teachers in Israel, should not be strangers to the matters of regeneration, whereof he had been there speaking: Verily, verily I say unto thee, We (namely Christ and his faithful servants) speak what we know: and testify what we have seen, ver. 11. It is noted of our Saviour, that He did and taught, Act. 1.1. and so he would have others also do: Whosoever (saith He) shall do and teach, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven, Matth. 5.19. such are the subject of God's promises here, the truly wise, for the foolish (though prating fools) shall not stand in God's sight. He hates (as to fellowship w●…th him, or as to admission of them to nighness to him) all the workers of iniquity, Psal. 5.5. But the wise shall inherit glory, Prov. 3.35. which is the sum and substance of what is here asserted, when he saith, They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament: and that is  
2. The Second thing in, or part of, the Proposition, that that makes it up a full Proposition or Observation, and therein we come to inquire what is imported in its being said, They shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament. Wherein I shall here only speak of its general import, leaving the Metaphorical resemblance till afterward: and so it's to be noted that he saith not they do shine; but in the future, they shall: which future may either refer to all the time of Michael's standing up, as it may signify the whole day of Christ's manifestation, and of the Gospel preaching him, according to the revelation of the mystery, and so indeed as our Saviour himself was the light of the world, while a Preacher in it, Joh. 9.5. So he calls John Baptist a burning and a shining light, John 5.35. and his Disciples, the light of the world, Matth. 5.14. and the Angels of the seven Churches are called seven Stars, Rev. 1.20. and both He and the Apostle would have the believers of his Doctrine, and the Preachers thereof to shine as lights unto others, holding forth the word of life, Matt. 5.16. Phil. 1.1. with 2.16. or else it rather refers to the time to come: When Christ shall be revealed from Heaven, and come with all his Saints: and they that here believed on him, and served him, and suffered with him, shall appear with him in glory, 1 Thes. 3.13. Coll. 3.4. the time of the resurrection mentioned in the verse. before; or of the end of the world: and this appears more properly to be the time spoken of, because of what we find from our Saviour to that purpose, in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares; where our Saviour saith, that in the end of the world, the Son of man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all (seandals, or) things that offend, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire, where shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth; and adds, Then (at that time) shall the righteous (the truly wise) shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear, Mat. 13.40, 41, 42, 43. Indeed here, and now in this world and time, though they be and shine as lights, yet they are beclouded and obscured very much with reproaches, put to shame and ignominy among men, and that by the greatest persons of, and such are in most repute for wisdom and learning with them, and have a great lustre and splendour therethrough in the earth; even as our Lord himself, the bright and morning Star, and the Sun of righteousness was vilified and set at naught by the Master bvilders, the chief Priests, Scribes, and Pharisees, and Rulers of the people, they that thought themselves righteous and very wise, and were reputed the most eminent and religious persons among others, men of the straitest Sect of Religion, that had a great deal of zeal and devotion, a great appearance of piety and religion, and whom the eyes of men were therefore generally upon, as appears by that saying, John 7.48. Have any of the Rulers, or of the Pharisees believed on him? These covered him over with reproaches, calling him a Wine-bibber, and a gluttonous man, a friend of Publicans and Sinners, Matthew 11.19. A Samaritan, and one that had a Devil, Joh. 8.48. One that deceived the people, John 7.12. that He cast out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils, Mat. 12.24. yea that he was Beel zebub himself, Matt. 10.25. as if he had been a Devil incarnate instead of God manifested in the flesh, a Blasphemer, Joh. 10.33, 36. Matt. 26.65. a Teacher of sedition, and an enemy to Cesar, Luke 23.2. John 19.12. and as He foretold that it should be with his Followers, that they should be reproached, and have their names cast out as evil doers, so it befell and befalls them also, and that too, from men appearingly pious and religious, that make a great show and flourish in the flesh, and would be esteemed the only Masters in Religion; the most zealous and Orthodox: by such oftimes the truly wise are reputed among the foolish, and the followers of Christ numbered, as He was, with the transgressors, suspected and accused of error or heresy, false doctrine, or bad living, because not consenting with their Rabbiships in all their Dogmas, or not conforming to them in all their scrupulosities or fuperstitions: Such sometimes are accounted fanatics, Schismatics, Arminians, Pelagians, and branded with names as hateful as that of Samaritan was to the Jews and Pharisees. So as it is not easy to discern who are the lights in truth to be followed, or walked with by us; in respect whereof partly, they are also called Gods hidden ones, Psal. 83.3. But then at that great day they shall appear; for God will bring forth their righoeousness as the light, and their judgement as the noon day. Psal. 37.6. Then Zions' righteousness shall go forth as brightness, and their salvation as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see their righteousness and all Kings their glory. Isa. 62.1, 2. Especially such as being endued with wisdom themselves, do also improve it for others good, so as they make others also wise and righteous as follows. For I shall wave the farther enlargement to this, and the use to be made of it, till I have taken in the second Proposition or Assertion also, they both agreeing in the substance of their predicates or matters asserted, and only differing in the manner and way of illustration. And so it follows.  
2. Propos. They that turn many to righteousness, (justify or make righteous many) shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever. Wherein are divers things employed. As,  
1. That men are naturally in and of themselves void of or without righteousness, as it is said, there is none righteous. No, not one. Either as to the primitive, original righteousness, in which God made us at first; or as to the righteousness of (or after) the Law) for all have sinned and are come short of the glory of God. Rom. 3.10, 23. yea that men are averse from righteousness; out of the way of or towards it; their backs upon it as it ●…re; as those that are going from it, or farther and farther off it. So much is employed in the phrase of turning them to righteousness. Which word, turning, though not formally in the Original Text here, yet is found in Luke 1.17. Acts 26.18. and in other places; and so the Scripture expressly affirms of all men in their natural unconverted state; yea of those also that are under the Law, and are seeking and endeavouring after righteousness according to the Law; that they are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable, there is none that doth good; no not one. Destruction and misery are in all their ways, and the way of peace they have not known. Rom. 3. 12-17.19.  
2. That there is a righteousness for men to be turned to; or a way for those that are not, to be made righteous: both as righteousness signifies freedom and discharge from the guilt of sin and condemnation by the Law for it: and as it signifies a conformity to the mind of God, and title and right thence to God's Blessing and Promises. For,  
1. There is a righteousness wrought and prepared of God for us in both respects in Christ Jesus; called therefore the righteousness of God, and not our own. Phil. 3.8, 9 a righteousness without the Law; not commanded us in, nor to be attained of us by the Law, in observing and acting after that (for the Law neither required Christ to suffer and die for us, nor us to get him to do so) but yet is witnessed to by the Law and Prophets: even the righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ unto (or for all (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) and upon all that believe. A righteousness freely prepared of God in Christ, and wrought by Christ for, and declared and manifested in the Gospel (which is the faith) of Christ unto all, as that that is free for all, and God would have all submit to, and come and partake of: but comes upon all that believe, so as they have benefit of it. This is Christ himself in a sort as delivered up for our offences, and raised again from the dead for our justification: That hath given himself the ransom for all men from that first death and judgement they were fallen under; and being raised again is the Propitiation, the abiding covering Sacrifice (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) for the sins of the whole world: so as there is in him a plenteous Redemption, a power and sufficiency for the forgiveness of the sins of the whole world: a covering plaster and hiding of sins for all the world: and this intended on God's part, as a Medicine or Propitiation for the whole world; so as that forgiveness of sins is with him therein for them all, as in a public Fountain or Treasury where they may have it in a due repairing thither for it. Yea, and during the day of his grace and patience, their sins are so far covered, as that they are preserved thereby from actually perishing, his patience is afforded that they might repent, to the end that in coming to him they might receive forgiveness of sins; yea and title to God's Promises and the blessings thereof; and be made righteous and conformable to him in themselves (such is the virtue in him) and so fitted and made meet for their enjoyment. And this comes upon all that believe (that giving hearty credit to the Gospel, are brought in, to depend on God in and by Christ; yielding up themselves to him, to listen to, and be guided and ordered by him) so as that they become actually justified therereby, both acquitted of all their sins and interested in all Gods Promises by virtue of him, who also makes and will make them more and more comformable to God's mind in all righteous frames and conversation. As it is said. Be it known unto you, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins. That as a thing prepared and made ready in him for all, and to be received by men in their being turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Acts 26.18. And in him (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses. Acts 13.38.39. Through his name whosoever believes shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10.43. And so being justified by his grace are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Tit. 3.7. And He will sanctify and cleanse them by the washing of water in the Word; so as to present them to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that they may be holy and without blemish. Ephes. 5.26, 27. Thus is Christ the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believes: so as to make them just and righteous in God's sight. Rom. 10.34. 1 Cor. 1.30. and thence his name is The Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23.6. This is that righteousness of his which he hath openly declared, revealed or showed in the Gospel. In the sight of the Heathen. The Salvation prepared before the face of all people. Psal. 98.2. Luke 2.30. As also,  
2. There is a righteous frame and disposition of Soul, and a righteous demeanour, conversation and walking proposed to us in the Scriptures of truth, in the word and doctrine of the Gospel, to be followed after by us in the receiving of and walking in Christ Jesus; which the grace of God that brings Salvation (or is saving) to all men teacheth, Tit. 2.11, 12. 1 Tim. 6.11. and All Scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable to instruct and direct us in, and promote in us, 2 Tim. 3.15, 16.  
3. That men may be turned to this righteousness from their unrighteous state and practices: or they may be made partakers and practisers thereof. It is true, no man can of himself turn himself thereto; or make himself righteous therewith. This also is of God; who as he made his Son who knew no sin, sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him: so also sent his Son to bless us in turning every one of us from our iniquities. Acts 3.26. and hath put his spirit upon him that he might bring forth judgement to us. By whom he hath also given forth his Law and Doctrine which is a ministration of the spirit, (and so is perfect converting the soul, Psal. 19.7.) and of righteousness. 2 Cor. 3.8, 9 The Gospel, or preaching, of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth: yea and the word of faith by which seriously heard and minded the heart is persuaded to believe, Rom. 1.16. & 10.8.17. Isa. 55.3. With this our Lord Jesus sent his Servants to open the eyes of the blind, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, Acts 26.18. True it is that all have not this Law and Doctrine of God alike clearly, nor some at all declared to them, but even there the goodness or kindness of God as otherwise evidenced, is leading them to repentance; to which also his chastisements provokes them. And though they cannot by those less clear means attain to that understanding and abundance of consolation as men may by the clearer means the Law and Doctrine of God as audibly and distinctly made known (at least ordinarily and without miracle) yet they that by such means fear God and work righteousness, or keep the righteousness of the Law, their uncircumcision is counted circumcision, and God through and by means of Christ accepts them, Acts 10.34. Rom. 2.4, 5, 26, 27. But the choice way and means that God useth for conversion and turning of men to himself, is the preaching of the Gospel. That being a preaching of repentance and remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ, Luke 24.46, 47. and therein Christ is set forth a Prince and a Saviour, giving repentance and forgiveness of sins, Acts 5.31. though so as yet men are therefore required to listen to him, and in hearing to receive the grace he gives for turning them, so as to repent and be converted that God may blot out their sins and forgive them, Acts 3.19. Yea he now by and with the Gospel preached to all Nations, commands all men every where to repent, Acts 17.30. whereunto his Spirit is not straitened, or shortened, but so administered that his words do good to him that walks uprightly, that doth not willingly and stubbornly decline the force of them; winking with the eye, that he might not see, and hardening the heart, that he might not understand, and be converted; but singly yields up to the power working therewith, Mic. 2.7. Matt. 13. 12-15. Acts 28.26, 27.  
4. That he makes use of Men and their Ministry or Service, even such as he hath endued with wisdom and capacity thereto, by holding forth that word, law, and doctrine, and walking therein blamelessly, to be means or instruments for converting men and bringing them to righteousness; by bringing them to Christ Jesus to know, believe on, and obey him. And such as are made wise and gracious themselves by that blessed word He commissionates and commands them to call others to Christ, that they might be made wise and righteous also in and by him. So He gave the word, and great was the company of publishers of it, Psal. 68.11. and Christ being ascended on high, gave gifts to men. And He gave some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, or Gospel-preachers, some Pastors and Teachers, furnishing them with gifts, and appointing them in the exercise of those gifts to instruct others that are ignorant in the knowledge of Christ, and thereby endeavour their conversion unto God, Eph. 4. 8-11. and so to make them Disciples to Christ, and so wise and righteous persons, Matt. 28.18, 19, 20. Mark 16.15, 16. He hath set them as the salt of the earth, and light of the world, to be useful and profitable to others, to draw them in also to glorify God, Mat. 5.13, 14, 15, 16. Yea, The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every one to profit withal, 1 Cor. 12.7. and No man lights any candle to put it under a bushel, or under a bed, but to set it on a Candlestick, that it may give light to all that come into the house, Matt. 5.15. Every one that hears (that in any measure udderstands and is obedient to the truth of the Gospel) hath commission and command from Christ to call others to him, endeavouring their coming to him, that they may be made righteous. Let him that heareth say, Come. Rev. 22.17. Christ commissionates neither all, nor only University Scholars, and those that are learned in the Arts and Sciences to be his Ministers, Preachers of his Gospel, and inviters of men to Him; and so instruments of turning them to righteousness, and makers of them righteous. If they hear not his Call themselves, and be not subject and obedient to Him, He commissionates them not to be his Preachers, nor accepts their service, how learned soever otherwise they be. For to the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes, or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee? Psal. 50.16, 17. But whoso hears, yea whither man or woman, learned or unlearned in worldly Sciences, they are bid to say, Come: and they may do it, so they keep (as all must) within their bounds, and go not beyond the proportion of Faith that they have received, or behave not themselves disorderly. A Woman indeed is not permitted to speak in the Church, or Congregation, nor to usurp authority over the man; but otherwise if they have the gift, they may pray or prophecy, 1 Cor. 14.24. and 11.5. 1 Tim. 2.11, 12 and be Teachers of good things, Tit. 2.3. and by their good conversaion may endeavour to win in their husbands that believe not the word, 1 Pet. 3.1. the woman of Samaria was a good instrument by calling her neighbours to bring them to know Christ, Joh. 4. and not only Aquila, but Priscilla too instructed Apollo's, and helped to bring him to a perfecter understanding in the way of the Lord, Acts 18.24, 25, 26. and we read in the Church History of a woman that was very instrumental in converting a Nation. Every man as he hath received the gift of God may minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God, 1 Pet. 4.10. (though every one may not be an Elder or Officer in or over a Church, but such as are chosen orderl thereto) doing all things orderly, decently, and so as in charity, and for edification, 1 Cor. 14.26 40. and 16.14. He that had but one Talon, should have traded with it; and put it to use for his Lord's advantage, and ought not to have wrapped it up in a Napkin, or hide it in the earth; and for his not doing so, he met with that terrible Sentence; Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I strewed not: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the Exchangers— Take therefore the Talon from him— and cast ye the unprofitable Servant into utter darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, Matt. 25.26, 27, 28, 30.  
5. That where men are faithful in holding forth the word and truth of God, and walk thereafter, and so to their abilities and capacities are seeking the glory of God and the good of Souls, there God is and will be with them, and bless them, Mat●… 28.18, 19, 20. the Disciplies going forth, and doing, and observing what Christ commanded them, he promiseth, Lo I am with you always to the end of the world. So the Lord by the Prophet Jeremy, saith, If they had stood in my counsel, and caused my people to hear my words, than they should have turned them from their evil ways, and from the evil of their do. Jer. 23.22. The diligent hand here too makes rich, Prov. 10.4. while Paul plants and Apollo waters, God gives increase, 1 Cor. 3.6, 7. If men refuse to come to Christ to be converted and gathered to him, and to God in, and by him, whom his servants would gather to him; their labour in that case shall not be in vain, they shall be accepted of God, and reckoned as gatherers of many, or turners of them to God, because they did faithfully endeavour it: even as Abraham in the Scripture is reputed to have offered up his Son Isaac, though he was not actually sacrificed, or slain, (God by his Angel interposing) because he was really willing and ready to have offered him up, and intended it, Genes. 22. with Heb. 11.17, 18. And our Lord Jesus when he complained that He had laboured in vain and spent his strength in vain, and for naught, because when he would have gathered Israel, Israel would not be, or were not gathered, comforts himself in this, that his judgement was with the Lord, and his work or reward with his God. Isa. 49.4. That is, God would judge him and reward him according to his faithfulness, and hearty endeavour after others good, as fully as if they had received the good he desired. Thence he adds, that though Israel be not gathered, yet should he be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and his God would be his strength. Yea, and make him successful to others; not only to raise up the Tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved (or desolations) of Israel, but also to be, a light to the Gentiles, and to be his Salvation to the ends of the earth. verse 5, 6.  
And truly that we may also note, that often times when the labour of his servants prove unsuccessful with some, he directs them to others with whom they find success: as in the Parables of the marriage Dinner, and of the great Supper; when the labour of the servants in calling the forebidden Guests proved unsuccessful, they setting light by the Feast and making excuses why they would not, or could not come; they were ordered to others, to call and bring them in, with whom their endeavours took such place, that the Feast & house was filled with Guests, Mat. 22.1, 2-9, 10. Luke 14.16, 17-23. And when the Apostle Paul, labouring with the Jews to convince and turn them in to God, found them unbelieving and obstinate: God sent him to the Gentiles that would hear, and many of them were converted by him. Acts 13.46, 47, 48, and 28. 25-28. Yea many, in many places were brought in by his, and his fellow lobourors Ministry, as appears in many chapters of the book of the Acts. God often going forth with his Servants so as to prevail upon people's hearts. So he went forth with Peter and the Apostles at Jerusalem, so as many thousands were converted by them. Acts 2.41, 47. & 4.4. & 5.14. & 21.20. Yea, and with those that were not Apostles: and, for aught we find mentioned of them, no ordained persons, by any humane ordination. Those that were scattered abroad by reason of the persecution that arose about Stephen, went and Preached the word every where, and the hand of the Lord was with them, so as a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 8.1, 4. & 11.19, 20, 21. So doth God own and accompany the faithful diligent endeavours of his Servants. He that received five Talents, and traded diligently with them, and he that received but two did likewise, both of them were so blessed of God in their trading, as to double their stock: that so no man might be discouraged from diligence by the less measure of his received furniture or gifts. Yea, and doubtless had he that had but one Talon, traded with it, and been faithful and diligent to improve it, he should have been so blessed therein, as to have brought in an acceptable increase; perhaps two or three more, Mat. 25.16, 17.  
6. That where men in their faithful and diligent improvement of their Talents, are made instruments of converting men (Ministers by whom they believe as God gives to any or every one, 1 Cor. 3.5.) there he attributes the event and the effect to them, though but instruments, as if they were the Authors and Producers thereof. So here, they that instruct many, and are succeeded with their conversion, are said to turn many to righteousness, or to make many righteous; though the power was of God and not of them, and the praise to be given to him; without whose power and blessing they had done nothing, much less effected any good by their doing. So the effect is sometimes attributed to the Instrumental cause, sometimes to the Principal. As the Axe is said to hue or cut down a Tree, though of itself it can perform no action; but the man that useth it may more properly be said to hue or cut down with or by it. Thus our Saviour oftimes ascribed his cures to the faith of the persons cured, because therethrough they received the benefit which they that believed not could not receive; not coming to him for it, or being judged unworthy of it, Mat. 9.22. Mark 5.34. & 10.52. Luke 7.50. & 8.48. & 17.19. & 18.42. with Mat. 13.58. Mark 6.5, 6. And so the Apostle saith to Timothy, Take heed to thyself and to the Doctrine; continue in them; for in so doing, thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Attributing his own and others men's Salvation to him in his faithful diligence in his work and office, which supremely was to be ascribed to God only, and his grace in Christ Jesus, 1 Tim. 4.16. After the same race or manner doth he here speak of making others wise (as the former word may be rendered) and of turning to righteousness, justifying or making just many. But as these things are all here employed, so it is here plainly and sully expressed and said;  
7. And lastly, That they that turn many to righteousness (or make many righteous) they shall shine as the Stars, for ever and ever. That's the full proposition here asserted. That is;  
1. In the short and sum of it, they shall be gloriously rewarded for the good therein done by them; their work shall be with the Lord, so as he will highly recompense it or reward it with glory. Yea, both they that are wise themselves, and those also more especially that are instrumental causes, by their faithful endeavours of making others wife and righteous; especially they that make many so, shall be rewarded gloriously, or with great glory, in the resurrection of the just. (and so we shall carry them both on together as I said above) and this because;  
Rea. 1. God is not unrighteous to forget their labour after wisdom, and especially therein, their love to his name. He having of his great goodness made precious promises of rewards unto such, Heb. 6.10. with 2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18. & 7.1. Mal. 3.17. & 4.2, 3. He is faithful and cannot, nor will forget his word, or go back from his Covenant confirmed and ratifyed in, and by the blood of his only Son, but will make it good and perform it to the utmost, Heb. 10.23. with Isa. 51.6. For the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old as a Garment: but my salvation (saith he) shall be for ever, and my righecousness shall not be abolished. And He hath promised to accept and reward gloriously such persons as are themselves wise, and causes of others being so, and that being themselves just and righteous, are causes of righteousness to others, (Psal. 91.14, 15, 16. Isa. 62.1, 2, 3.) Because  
Reas. 2. He is a lover of wisdom and righteousness. He is himself the only wise God, Rom. 16.27. Judas 25. and the just and righteous Lord, Zeph. 3.5. and wisdom and righteousness are of, and from him, Prov. 2.6. Psal 4.1. beams issuing forth from or generated by him, and his influxes, and therefore loved of him; or rather they are the beams and influences of his blessed and beloved Son, our Lord Jesus, the wisdom of God and his tighteousness, or just and righteous one; and therefore they are lovely too, and delighted in by him, so as to render lovely and delightful to him those that are in, so as to be made wise and righteous by them. As it is said, A wise Son maketh a glad Father, Prov. 10.1. And my Son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine, yea my reins shall rejoice when thy lips speak right things, Prov. 23.15, 16. And, My Son be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reprorcheth me, Prov. 27.11. comparing those passages with Chap. 3.11, 12. Heb. 12.5, 6, 7, 8. whereas the foolish may not stand in his sight. He hateth all the workers of iniquity, Psal. 5.4, 5. The righteous Lord loveth righteousness, and the righteous: his countenance doth behold the just, Psal. 11.7. and 146.8. Yea, because also  
Reas. 3. He loveth mankind, and desires man's welfare and happiness, Would have all men saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth, that being good and acceptable in his sight. He would not that any perish, but all come to repentance; to which purpose he hath interposed his only Son, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom, or price of redemption for all, the one and only Mediator of God and man; therefore he would have all men wise and righteous, that they might be happy, 1 Tim. 2.3, 4, 5, 6. 2 Peter 3.9. He would rather that the wicked turn and live, than go on in sin and die, and perish: therefore also he loves those that are so wise, as to take the course to be happy, as Men loving their Children like it mainly when they see they do well, and take the course to live happily; and therefore also He loves and likes them mainly, who being wise themselves make it their business, (by holding forth his Word and Doctrine, and setting before them the love and goodness of God, and the great things he hath done for them, and invites them too, their need thereof, and the misery that will come upon them, if neglecting them, etc.) to do their endeavour to convert others to righteousness, and bring them to be just and good, that they may be happy. For seeing he loves man, and desires his welfare, nothing can be more acceptable to him, than to endeavour to promote man's happiness. And indeed he hath therefore so highly loved, honoured, and glorified his Son Jesus Christ, as man, because He in obedience to Him and love to us, laid down his life for us; as he saith Himself: Therefore my Father loveth me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again, Joh. 10.17. And because he humbled himself to Death, the Death of the Cross for us, that so he might therethrough be the Saviour of us, The Author of eternal Salvation to all that obey him, and bring many sons to glory; therefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a Name above every name, that every knee should bow to Him, and every tongue confess to him, that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, Phil. 2.7, 8, 9, 10, 11. with Heb. 2.10. and 5.9. so as He is the brightness of his glory, and in the fullness of his power and glory for evermore. And as any one in listening to and believing on Him, becomes a follower and disciple of Him, and walks in his steps, making it his business, according to his capacity, to do good to others, and win them in to him, and so to righteousness; so God loves and approves of them the more, and will conform them to his blessed Son, and give them fellowship with him in his Kingdom and Glory. Yea they that come nearest him in likeness of love, and charity, and good-doing to others here, shall doubtless be nearest to him in glory hereafter. God so loves man, that he likes and approves it, and will reward it, when men so love one another, as to do good to one another in outward and bodily matters. He that is (good of, or) hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed: for he giveth of his bread to the poor, Proverbs 22.9. and He that hath pity on the poor, dareth to the Lord, and what he hath given will he pay him again, Chap. 19.17. especially they that out of love to Christ and them relieve his Members and Brethren, though but with outward bodily reliefs, for they shall hear that heavenly Sentence, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit ye the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, Matt. 25.34, 35, 36. Oh how much more than shall they be rewarded that have hazarded their lives, and spent their time & strength to do good to the Souls of others; to turn them in to Christ, to the making them righteous, and so his friends and brethren; and preserving them from hell and destruction! Surely the wise (and wisemakers) shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament: and they that turn many to righteousness (or make many righteous) as the stars for ever and ever: they shall be glorious, abundantly glorious: that's the substance of what is asserted here of them, and signified in both the Metaphors used for illustration, and in what is added thereto; wherein we have also,  
2. The manner of their being glorified, or rather the exceeding great measure of it. We may speak to both the Metaphors together, as to what is common to both first; and then take notice of something peculiar and special, in which there is some difference,  
1. Common to both, namely to the ●…rightness of the Firmament, and to the ●…tars, is that they are; 1. High above us, ●…nd so it may denote and signify, that both ●…he wise, and they that turn many to God, ●…hall be highly honoured and glorified: even ●…s Christ, the great turner of many to God, ●…e perfect one in wisdom and maker of ●…ise men, is highly glorified above all, so 〈◊〉 He is far above all Principalities and Po●…ers, Thrones and Dominions, and every name ●…at is named both in this world, and in that to ●…me, Ephes. 1.20, 21. Angels, Principali●… and Authorities being made subject to ●…im, 1 Pet. 3.22. And all things put under his feet. He being glorified with Gods own self, even with that glory He had with him before the world was, Heb. 2.8. John 17.5. and therein exalted, extolled and made very high, Isaiah 52.13. So also they that here are wise, and means and instruments of making others so, and they that in their endeavours turn many to righteousness, shall be highly glorified, God will exalt and honour them, and set them on high, because they have known and glorified his Name, Psal. 91.14, 15, 16. Yea their glory shall be as high above all the glory of this earth, as the Heavens are higher than the earth; and the stars above our common lights and torches, and that i●… exceeding high, as it is said, Is not God i●… the height of heaven, and behold the height o●… the Stars how high they are, Job 22.12. an●… yet as high as the Heavens are above the earth so great is his mercy (or kindness) toward the●… that fear him, Psal. 103.11. Their glor●… shall be above the reach of men, either 〈◊〉 give to them, or take from them. Ah●… suerus having promoted Haman, and set h●… feat above all the Princes that were wi●… him, yet could pull him down thence, a●… command him to the gallows. But the gl●…ry of the Saints shall be above the reach 〈◊〉 either Men or Devils to pull them do●… from.  
Pure and unmixed bodies, and their splen●…our or glory in which they shine, is pure ●…nd elear; there is no fuliginous, smoky, ●…isty matter mixed with the Firmament, specially the brightness of the Firmament, ●…nd the glorious Stars: neither is there any ●…ixture of man's invention and endeavour 〈◊〉 their splendour, or shine, as in the shin●…ngs or brightness of fires, or candles, and ●…orches here below: even so also shall the ●…lory and splendour of the Saints and holy ●…en, the truly wise and such as have turn●…d many to righteousness, be a pure and ●…nmixed glory and splendour; nothing of ●…orldly casualties, changes, or vicissitudes ●…all it be obnoxious to; neither shall there ●…e any thing so weak, as that that is of man's ●…aming and devising put upon them; as ●…ow there is put upon the sons of the glory ●…f this world; human wreaths and crowns, ●…tles, dignities, robes, and the like: But ●…l shall be there, and upon them divine ●…nd heavenly, pure and unmixed, the new ●…erusalem, the Bride, the Lamb's wife shall ●…ave on her the glory of God: and her light, ●…lendor, or lustre, shall be like that of a stone ●…ost precious, like a Jasper- stone, (in part ●…e representation of the glorious God upon is throne, Rev. 4.3.) clear as Crystal, Re●…elat. 21.11.  
3. Most manifest and conspicuous, such is the brightness of the Firmament, and the Stars above; they may be seen by their own light, at the greatest distance and remoteness: even a man, as it were, with half an eye may see their shining splendour; so as the brightness of candles and torches at a great distance cannot be seen: even so the glory of the wise and faithful ones that are instruments of turning many to Christ, it shall be most bright and manifest, it shall be seen and beheld of all: for when Christ shall appear in glory, they shall also appear in glory with him, Coll. 3.4. Therefore that time and state is called, the manifestation of the Sons of God, when they shall all be seen and known, who and how excellent they are, Rom. 8.19.21. then men that could see no glory in and upon the servants and fearers of God, nor no profit accrueing to men by his fear and service; but said, It is in vain to serve God, and what profit to keep his ordinances, and walk mournfully before him, and that call the proud happy, shall tack about, and turn, and gaze upon the strange change that shall be then, and discern plainly between the righteous and the wicked; the wise man that is truly and spiritually so, and the fool; him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not. For then the day of the Lord shall burn like an oven, and all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, so as it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto them that fear the Lord, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing under his wings: So as to render them bright and conspicuous also. Yea, than the righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father: So as their glory cannot possibly be any longer hid, Matt. 13.43. Mal. 3.14, 15, 17. & 4.2. Now the life of the Saints and holy men of God is hid with Christ in God: but then Christ their life appearing, it shall appear also to be very glorious; when He shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe; their glory shall be so great, clear and wonderful, and so discerned to be by all, Coll. 3.3, 4. 2 Thes. 1.10. And then the sons of them that hated them shall come bending to them, and all they that despised them, and looked upon them as poor, piteous, sorry people, shall bow down themselves at the soles of their feet, and call them the City of the Lord; the Zion of the holy one of Israel: and whereas they were forsaken and hated, God will make them an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations, Isai. 60.14, 15. and that leads to the next thing, They shall be as the brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars.  
4. Perpetually and everlastingly glorious. The Firmament and Stars are not subject to those decays, and expiring, and extinguishments as to their lustre and glory, as our inferior lights, Candles, Torches, and the like, which may either be blown out, and so lose their shine, or will of themselves in short time expire and go out, as suffering a consumption and defect of the matter that feeds their light and shine: but though by reason of the Clouds intervening, or the earth in their daily revolutions, in their turning about it, or by reason of the brighter glory of the Sun, their brightness or shining lustre is not always seen by us; yet they are always alike bright and glorious in themselves. And yet because of that intermission of their shining unto us, by reason of those things above mentioned, the Holy Ghost might, to supply that defect, add here that expression (which may be understood to appertain to both clauses) viz. That they shall shine for ever and ever. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. a hidden, unknown time, and still beyond that, even for ever and ever: their glory shall be like the glory of God that shall shine upon them everlasting, Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away, Isai. 35.10 and 51.11. They shall be an eternal excellency for the Lord shall be their everlasting light, and the days of their mourning shall be ended, Isaiah 60.15, 19, 20. The glory of this world passeth away, and men's shining lustre like the lamp of the wicked goeth out, their honour shall not descend to the grave after them, Psal. 59.17. 1 John 2.17. but God will give these an everlasting name, honour and renown, so as they shall be had in everlasting remembrance, Isa. 56.5. Psal. 112.6. For the mercy and kindness, (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children, to such as keep his Covenant, and think upon his Commandments to do them, Psal. 103.17, 18.  
5. Indeed both the brightness of the Firmament and the shining of the Stars are inferior to that of the Sun: and so the Holy Ghost may signify in his use of those Similitudes, that their glory spoken of shall be inferior to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ the Sun of righteousness, and indeed its meet that He in all things and for ever should have the pre-eminence, & be glorified in ●…ll their glory, as they also are made glorious by partaking of his: as the Philosophers tell us, that the Firmament and Stars derive their shining lustre and splendour from the Sun, and from its light and lustre: So to be sure all the Saints and holy ones shall do so from Christ, not shining in any splendour, in such sense their own, as not to have or derive it from him. And yet inasmuch as our Saviour useth the Metaphor of the Sun to set forth the greatness of the then shining glory of the righteous, Matth. 13.43. it may signify to us also, that the Mystery of God, and the great and glorious thoughts and purposes of his heart towards his servants and people was not made out so sully and clearly in former times to and by the holy Prophets, as they are now in these last days by the coming, and appearing, and in the Doctrine and Discoveries of the Lord Jesus by himself and his Apostles, Ephs. 3.5. We have the things of God more fully made known in these last days than in those former times, God reserving this honour to the appearance and ministry of his bleffed Son. As the way into the Holiest was not y●… made manifest, while the first Tabernacle wa●… standing: So neither was the glory of it or that was to be thence revealed, so fully signified and declared, Heb 9.8.  
2. As to what is peculiar of difference in these two Metaphors or Similitudes, the brightness of the firmament and the Stars I shall only observe, that the Stars are the more glorious ornaments of the Firmament, and exceed the brightness of the Firmament barely, or where there is no Star. And so to that in saying that they are wise, or instruct, shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the Stars. We may note, that he doth signify both  
1. That there shall be different degrees of glory given as rewards to the fearers and servant of God: as is also signified by the Apostle in saying, He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly, and he that soweth liberally shall reap liberally, 2 Cor. 9.6. And our Saviour implies the like in his answer to the two Sons of Zebedee and their Mother, desiring that they might sit one at his right hand, and the other at his left hand in his Kingdom: for He tells them among other things, that ●…o sit at his right hand and at his left in his Kingdom (that is, to be near to Him) is not his to give, but to them for whom it is prepared ●…f his Father, as implying that it is so prepared for some, but not for all his Disciples, Matth. 20. 21-23. Mark 10.40. as also it is employed in that of Zechary 12.8. ●…s the words may be construed and understood, where he saith, He that is feeble among them, shall in that day be as David: and the house of David shall be as God, as the Angel of God before him: and in that of the Apostle, that as one Star differeth from another Star in glory: So also shall be the Resurrection of the dead, 1 Cor. 15.41, 42.  
2. That the greatest Glory shall be given to them that are most abundant in doing good; for they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament, but that is less than the Stars; like to which they shall shine that turn many to righteousness; which is more than simply the being wise, yea or instructing or making others wise: for so they may do that turn not many to righteousness: this also is confirmed by the former proofs, particularly that of 2 Cor. 9.6. and is evidenced in the Parables of the talents and pounds, where he that by trading with his pound got ten pounds is rewarded got with rule over ten Cities; when he that had got but five, is rewarded with ruling but over five, Luke 19. 17-19. for God shall render in the judgement to every man according as his works shall be, to them that do work good shall he reward glory, honour and peace, but yet so as to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile, for there is no respect of persons, but there is of works, with God, Rom. 2.6 10.11. which renders it a thing not in vain to be more diligent and industrious in the way and work of the Lord, but good to abound therein, which would be bootless and in vain, if men being believers on Christ in the main, should be equally rewarded for doing little good, as if they, or others that did more. Indeed when there is a heart to do more, and the reason of not doing more is merely want of matter or capacity for doing more, there the reward of them that do less, as to the matter done or administered by them, may be as much or more than of them that have done more as to the matter done, having ability to have done still more or better than they did; as in the case of the poor woman casting in her two mites, which was all that she had, into the Treasury, accepted by our Saviour as doing more than all they that out of their superfluity had cast into it, though much more in quantity than she had, Mark 12.41, 42, 43, 44. as also in the Parable of the Labourers, where they that wrought but one hour, not being called in sooner, and as it may seem more referring themselves to the good pleasure of their Lord for their wages and reward, and less capitulating with him than those that came sooner, had equal reward with them, Matthew 20. 1-9 15. But where men have capacities and abilities proportionable, and do not equally proportionably to them, the more faithful, diligent, and bountiful shall have the greater reward. And so it's a good encouragement to greater diligence and abundance in the service of God and Christ, knowing it shall not be in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor. 15.58. and yet so as puts no discouragement upon any that have hearts set to do more, but have less talents or abililities. But that belongs to the use of these points, to which (having been so large in Explication) we now come at length; even to  

Application.  
Applicat. 1. And first what hath been said on the first point, may serve  
Use 1. To commend to us the study of Wisdom, or a diligent endeavour after it, as that which will be of greatest advantage to us; for seeing they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament in and after the Resurrection, well may we say with Solomon, How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding, rather to be chosen than Silver, Pro. 16.16. It is true that much Silver and Gold will make men glitter here; but it is in things without them; their gay , and gaudy garnishings of them, their houses, household stuff, horses, and suchlike matter; but alas the glory and shine they give them, is as much below that of the wise man here promised and predicted, as the glory or shine of the Glow worm is below that of the brightness of the Firmament. Gold and Silver, Riches profit not in the day of wrath, from which wisdom will make us wise to Salvation, giving us that righteousness which delivers from Death. Prov. 11.4. A good Name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving kindness rather than Silver and Gold, Prov. 22.1. But it is not Silver and Gold that will without wisdom give us a good name, much less loving favour with the Lord: but wisdom will give us them; for Riches and Honour are with her, yea durable riches and righteousness, and whoso finds her, finds life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord, Prov. 8.18, 34, 35. Wisdom is that that will make a man's face to shine, and change the boldness (or strongth) of his countenance, Eccles. 8.1. truly it puts a lustre upon faces, or appearances now. Stephen who was a man endued with the Holy Spirit, and therethrough with such wisdom, as all his learned Adversaries were not able to resist, even when he came to answer his adversaries accusations for his life, in the presence of the Greatest Council in Jerusalem, All that sat in Council looking steadfastly on him saw his face, as it had been the face of an Angel, Acts 6. 8-10-15. with 7.1. Oh what will it do when he shall appear with Christ in glory? Men may be rich, and have riches, and yet leave little fame or glory behind them when they are gone; no nor have any great matter of lustre while in possession of them. How pitifully did Croesus or Crassus look to a judicious eye, and so Nabal and Haman; but much more in the eye of God and his holy ones, in comparison of Saint Paul, or Peter, or Stephen, yea or any the least in God's Kingdom? Yea men may be rich and infamous, do so unworthily as to foil all their heights and enjoyments in the world by their foolish and sordid actions, as that rich man Nabal did, Whose name was Nabal and folly was with him: truly many have gotten greater fame, and shone more among men both in their life time and after death by their wisdom, though but poor and mean persons, than those that have been very wealthy being void of wisdom; as not only many Prophets and Apostles, but even many Heathens, that are yet famous for their wisdom and learning, though but a worldly and perishing wisdom: as far below the heavenly wisdom, as a rush light is below the brightness of the Firmament; and therefore that that will give them no lustre in the Resurrection. Surely solomon's wisdom made him shine more than all the riches and honour of his Kingdom, others have been as rich as he, but none so wise: nor did his Riches so much as his great Wisdom draw the Queen of Sheba to come so far to see him: and yet his folly in loving strange women, how much did it take off the lustre of his wisdom! How much more gloriously would he have shone, had he been so wise as to have shunned that folly: and he prefers even a poor and wise child before an old and foolish King that will no more be admonished, for this out of prison may come to reign, when he other, though born in his Kingdom, may become poor, Eccles. 4.13, 14. especially being wise with the wisdom of God, which is the wisdom here commended, as endring them that are wise therewith so ●…orious hereafter: even Christ the wisdom ●…f God as known of us and believed on by ●…s, in knowing him we shall know all things ●…ghtly: and have our hearts and minds ●…ghtly framed so as to fear God and keep ●…s commandments, and the fear of the Lord, at is wisdom, even the beginning (or principal matter of it the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) and to de●…rt from evil, that is understanding, Job 28.28. Prov. 1.7. and 9.10. Psal. 111.10. that's the wisdom, the praise whereof is so set forth in the Scriptures, that makes them happy that gets her, and that find the understanding and knowledge of her: The merchandise whereof is better than the merchaudise of Silver, and the gain whereof is better than fine Gold, that is more precious than Rubies, and so excellent, that all the things that a man can desire are not to be compared to her. In her right hand is length of days, and in her left hand riches and honour: her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her happy is every one that retaineth her, Prov. 3.13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. For they that be wise with this wisdom shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament for ever and eve●… Other wisdom worldly and humane literature may make a man shine for a time nay sometime through many ages, lik●… some candles and torches that have the thiefs, as they call them, in them, the strong scents and stinking smokes belonging to them, as in the heathen Poets and Philosophers, and divers Heathen-Christian may be seen. But it's this heavenly wisdo●… only that will advance a man on high, a●… make him shine most purely, brightly, a●… above the reach of envy, and for ever 〈◊〉 the world to come. And therefore the wise having such happiness entailed upon them, as may render it evident and easy to be believed that Wisdom is the principal thing, Proverbs 4.7. It may in the next place  
Use 2. Exhort us all to get wisdom, get understanding; yea above all things & with all get to get this understanding, that we may be made of the number and company of these wise men, who shall obtain such excellent glory, such a happy portion. And surely it's not a thing impossible to get this wisdom, for then the Holy Ghost would not exhort us to go about it: let there be but an earnest and hearty endeavour after it, according to God's directions given us thereabout, and God that is ready to give it, yea that gives liberally to all and upbraids not, will give it to us, James 1.5. Labour we then for that meat that endureth to everlasting life, which the Son of man will give unto us so labouring for it, for him hath God even the Father sealed, John 6.27. Fools and Scorners and all are called to it, to look after it, and promise is made of God, that ●…n obeying his Calls and Counsels thereabout, they shall have it given them. To ●…hat end that we might have it, did God ●…end his only begotten Son, his Word and Wisdom, both to take out of the way that which hindered its communication to us, and having done that, to be the author and giver of it: and to that end hath he put his Spirit upon him, that he might bring forth judgement to us, though barbarous and brutish Gentiles naturally, and thereby make us wise to Salvation: and He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with Him freely give us all things, and so this wisdom also, Rom. 8.32. Yea and Christ came forth from God to that purpose, to set on foot the preaching of that word wherethrough that heavenly wisdom may be obtained: and being ascended up on high, and having received of the Father the promise of the Spirit, even the spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the spirit of Counsel●… and Might, the spirit of Knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. He hath given forth this Spirit also, and thereby made known the heavenly word, wherethrough this excellent wisdom is conveyed, and may be received, and all that we may be made wise: so that it is not to be despaired of, no not by the most simple and foolish, but hopefully and believingly to be sought for and endeavoured after by us. In and for worldly matters and earthy advantages men may possibly weary themselves in the very fires for nought, and labour in vain and to no purpose; but looking after this we shall neither labour in vain, for God hath not said to the House of Jacob seek ye me in vain; He the Lord speaks righteousness, and declares things that are right: and He hath said, Ask and ye shall receive, Seek and ye shall find, Knock and it shall be opened unto you, with reference to this Heavenly commodity, For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened, Isai. 45.14. Mat. 7.7, 8. Nor being obtained, shall we ever repent the labour and diligence we use for getting it, it is of that infinite price, worth and benefit, as the Honey is good, and the Honeycomb is sweet to the taste, so shall the knowledge of Wisdom be unto thy Soul: when thou hast found it, than there shall be a reward, and thine expectation shall not be cut off, Prov. 24.13, 14. Yea, Man knoweth not the price thereof, it cannot be valued with the Gold of Ophir, the precious Onyx, or the Saphire: the Gold and Crystal cannot equal it, and the exchange of it shall not be for Jewels (or vessels) of fine Gold; no mention shall be made of Coral, or of Pearl, for the price of Wisdom is above Rubies. The Topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, neither shall it be valued with the ●…ure Gold, Job 28.13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19  
Quest. But (as there follows) where shall this Wisdom be found! and where is the place of Understanding. How shall we come by it! or what shall we do to obtain it?  
Answ. I might say while it is yet a day of Grace, as the wise Virgins said unto the foolish, Go ye to them that sell, and buy for yourselves, Matt. 25.9.  
1. Go to them that sell, that is, to Jesus Chri●…, and to God in Christ, and to his Holy Spirit, in and among his people, o●… Church, his house or Temple: for Wisdom hath built her house, and hewed out her seven Pillars, and there she hath killed her Sacrifice mingled her Wine, and furnished her Table and she sends out her maids (or servants) with whom she and her spirit also go forth to ca●… persons in thither: and she saith to the simp●… turn in hither, and to them that have no understanding, Come, eat of my bread, and drink 〈◊〉 the wine that I have mingled, Prov. 9. 15, 6. Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, etc. Isa. 55. 〈◊〉 and Blessed is he that heareth her words, wat●…ing at her gates, and waiting at the posts of ●…doors: for whoso finds her finds life, and 〈◊〉 obtain favour of the Lord, Prov. 8.33, 34, 3●… But take heed of other posts, Go not to ●…thel, nor enter into Gilgal, etc. Amos 5. 〈◊〉 Seek by the faith and in the Doctrine a●… Ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, a●… not as it were by the works of the Law, or by other men's precepts or devises, Rom. 9.31, 32. Isai. 29.13. Matt. 15.8, 9  
Quest. But how shall we know which is God's house, his Church and beloved People? For many lay claim to that name and titly. The Church of Rome tells us she only is the true Church, the house of God, and God and Christ and the Holy Spirit; and this heavenly Wisdom is only in and with her, and so to be sought for there only; other Societies say they are the holy and only Church, and the truth and true wisdom only with them. How shall we know whither to go?  
Ans. Search the Scriptures: God hath ●…aused them to be written for our instruction ●…n righteousness, and they are they that testify ●…f Christ, and therein also set forth and de●…cribe to us his true Church: and all that ●…retend to the name of the Church acknowledge, that those Scriptures are to be received as truth by us, which we have among ●…s, being the Scriptures of God, in which ●…e have God's testimony, which is sure and ●…ill not deceive us; but makes wise even ●…e simple ones, that attend to it, and to God 〈◊〉 and by it, and they tell us that they are the Church of God, or children of it, that keep the ●…mmandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, Rev. 12.17. And truly by them the Church of Rome above all the rest is discovered to be that Strumpet and Harlot that magnifies herself as the only Queen or Lady, but loves not Christ, but gives his honour to graven Images, and such like devises of their own, to his Mother after the flesh, and other deceased Saints, and keeps not, but expugnes God's commandments, as the Second Commandment against making graven Images, and worshipping and bowing down to them; and the Commandment of Christ, that all his Disciples should drink of the Cup in the Supper of the Lord, they notoriously cast by, obtruding upon men her inventions and institutions for Articles of Faith; as the Pope's Supremacy and infallibility, Transubstantiation, Purgatory, and many other matters, & strictly enjoining her own commands, while she cast●… by Christ's: Yea she above all makes herself drunk with the blood of the Saints an●… Martyrs of Jesus. So that the way to tru●… wisdom is to decline and come out of tha●… filthy Babylon. The Reformed Churches a●… to their bulk are visible enough, but ha●… their tares overspreading them too mu●… too, and their divisions and fractions; 〈◊〉 that in a manner we may take up that co●…plaint of the Prophet Micah in respect 〈◊〉 true and thorough Members of the Catholic Church. Woe is me, for I am as when they have gathered the Summer fruits, as the grape glean of the Vintage, there is no Cluster to eat. Scarce a pure Church or greater Society of all sound Christians in every respect. But yet we may find such as to the main Fundamentals of the Faith hold and maintain them; and so far as any do so and put not upon us Doctrines and Practices inconsistent with them, we may so far own and join with them. And amongst such Churches we may by the light of God's Word, taken heed to by us, meet with here and there two or three or more doubtless, with whom we may have more intimate Fellowship and Communion in the Name of Christ: Who hath promised His presence in any so small a company of those that indeed confess and fear him, Matt. 18.20. So that if we cannot find a whole Nation of hearty Believers and real Members of Christ, nor a whole Countrcy or City: Yet if we find but any smaller company of such as take heed to the Word of God, and give up themselves to worship God in Christ, and walk in their conversations according thereunto, we need not be at a loss for finding God and Christ among them, to to give us Wisdom and Understanding in the knowledge of himself, and with such we may walk without needless breaches or separatings from the National Church, or owning and outwardly acknowledging the truth, though mixed with Tares, Mat. 13.28, 29. As David though not renting from the National Church of Israel (though not faultless, Neh. 8.17.) yet was also companion more intimately of all such as feared God, and of them that keep his precepts, Psal. 119.63. and resolved to praise God both in the Congregation more generally, and in the Assembly of the upright, Psal 111.1. even as those that feared God in Malachies time, without renting or dividing from their public Assemblies, spoke often one to another with God's good approvement, Mal. 3.16, 17. yea and so our Saviour practised, and his Disciples. As for such as question the lawfulness of National Churches, they seem to have forgotten the Scriptures that tell us, That Christ shall call a Nation that he knew not, and Nations that knew not him, shall run unto him, Isai. 55.5. and that Christ sent his Apostles to disciple all Nations, who surely therefore might disciple or church whole Nations, as they were found complying with them, Matt. 28.18, 19, 20. But were our case such as sometimes Elias supposed his to have been (as thank God it is not) that we knew none not corrupted in faith, and practice from the word of God; yet if we accordingly as God is preventing us with light and truth, and by his spirit is therein enlightening and moving at our hearts (as we shown in the beginning of this discourse, that wisdom is preventing men generally with her calls and counsels) do yield up our hearts to God, and (as our Saviour saith) do his will in what He makes clear and evident to us to be his will. He will further instruct and teach us of his mind, and we shall know the doctrines proposed to us whether they be of God or of men, John 7.17. and walking in the light as God gives it forth to us, and is in it, we shall not fail to be of the true Church, and to partake of the prayers and grace of it through Christ, though we may be at some loss where to find it, or the members of it. Come we then to the testimony of God, and close we with the light and truth He therein and thereby manifests unto us, and we shall be in the way to get this wisdom: for the testimony of God is sure, when men's pretensions and boastings that they are the Church may deceive us, The entrance ●…f God's word giveth light, and it giveth understanding too, so as to make wise the simple, Psal. 19.7. and 119.130. so as to Salvation; of which some mistakes through infirmity & weakness of sight shall not deprive us. But withal Go to them that sell; Go to God in and by Christ Jesus in the operation & guidance of his holy Spirit, by earnest Prayer and Supplication; as it is said, If any man lack wisdom, let him ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him, but let him ask in faith, nothing doubting, Jam. 1.5, 6. Ask ye, and ye shall receive; for every one that asketh receiveth, Matt. 7.7, 8. Thus the Spouse addressed herself to her Beloved, Tell thou me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, and where thou causest thy flock to rest at noon, Cant. 1.7. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, Chap. 2.5. and Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions harken to thy voice, cause me to hear it, Chap. 8.13. and Solomon, or the wisdom of God by him, joins together the minding and receiving God's word, and praying or crying to God, in Prov. 2. 1-3.5. My Son, if tho●… wilt receive my words, and hid my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thin●… car unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding: yea if thou criest after knowledg●… and liftest up thy voice (namely to God) fo●… understanding— Then shalt thou understan●… the fear of the Lord (the beginning or principal point of wisdom Cham 1.7. and 9.10.) and find the knowledge of God, for the Lord giveth wisdom (it is the Lords to give, therefore needful to look and repair to him for it, and He doth give it, therefore there is good encouragement to seek and ask it of him.) Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. But yet in and with this going to God and Christ for it, both in taking heed to his Word, and calling on his Name for it. We must also  
2. Buy it. Go and buy of them that sell. So the Holy Ghost counsels us to, Prov. 23.23. Buy the truth and sell it not, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding: Buy it however, whatever it may cost thee; but sell it not upon any terms whatsoever, for the greatest gain or advantage that may be tendered to thee: And again, Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and ye that have no money, come, buy and eat, buy wine and milk without money, and without price, Isaiah 55.1. and again saith our Lord Jesus, I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayst be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear, Revel. 3.18. which are but the same with this heavenly Wisdom with its fruits and benefits.  
Quest. But seeing those are invited to buy that have no money, and to buy without money or price, that is money-worth, what must we pay or give for it? or how can we be said to buy it?  
Answ. It is called a buying, because as in buying there is a parting with something that we may acquire a right to, or interest in or possession of another thing, even of the thing that we buy: So here there must be a letting go something, though it be not truly money, or any thing truly , much less any thing that may for its real worth be valuable with this heavenly Wisdom (the price whereof is above Rubies, so as it cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, the precious Onyx, or the Saphir,) yet it is what we are apt to prise at a high rate: yea many do so highly prise it, as that they will rather go without wisdom, than part with it: and that ihat is in general, whatsoever is by wisdom reproved, and whatsoever the heart cannot attend to wisdom to receive and walk thereafter, except neglected and parted with by it; as it is said, Turn at my reproofs, (namely from all your Sins and Idols, from every false way that I discover to be so, as I discover it, and from loving or cleaving to any thing, so as to cause a neglect of me, and of obedience to say.) And 〈◊〉 will pour out my spirit to you, I will make known my words, Pro. 23. as particularly to instance in some things, or Heads of things.  
1. We must part with and let go our love of honour and applause with men, and the leaning and relying on them, their learning, wisdom, power, multitude, and be willing to suffer the loss of that esteem that we have, or might have with them; yea and to incur their hatred, reproaches, or injuries, as they may be occasioned by our cleaving to and walking in the truth: this was one thing the not parting with which hindered the Jews from closing with Christ, and so having the wisdom of God: they received honour one of another, and contented not themselves with, or looked not after that honour that came from God only. How can ye believe, that so do, saith our Saviour, Joh. 5.44. yea this hindered many who in their hearts were convinced of the truth of Christ from attaining the wisdom that is by it, that they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God, Joh. 12.43. they minded what the Rulers and Pharisees did, and hung upon them that misled them, for direction, Joh. 7.47, 48, 49. And so now if we love the praise and honour of men that are great and learned, and make 〈◊〉 great noise and show of their zeal and strictness as the Pharisees did, and would as they, be reputed the only wise, religious and orthodox persons, we shall mistake and do amiss. If we prefer any man's seeming, yea or real zeal and devotion, or fame for piety or learning, and value their approvement, so as that we will be waved from God's testimony thereby, and them that cleave thereto, though but a few, and despised as our Saviour's Disciples were, we shall deprive ourselves of wisdom. Yea, our Saviour tells us if we Come to him, and hate not (comparatively & as in competition with him) our Fathers▪ Mothers, Brethren, Sisters, Wives, Children, yea and our own lives also, we cannot be his Disciples, that is, we cannot be good Scholars and proficients in his School, so as to attain to be made wise and truly understanding persons, Luke 14.26. He that loves Father or Mother more than him is not worthy of him, and he that loveth Son or Daughter more than him, is not worthy of him, Matt. 10.37.  
2. We must part with all high thoughts and conceits of our own knowing, understanding, or sufficiency in ourselves, for that will cut off our legs as it were, and take us off from travailing after and seeking for this heavenly wisdom; for that wil●… make us lukewarm in our desires and endeavours after it, and take us off from buying it, as it did the Angel of the Church of Laodicea, who saying in his heart, that He was rich, and increased with goods and wanted nothing, not knowing his own wretchedness and misery, poverty, blindness and nakedness, grew therethrough so luke warm, that Christ threatened to spew him out of his mouth, as some nauseous humour, Rev. 3.16, 17. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit, there is more hope of a fool (even of a mere fool's being made wise) than of such an one, Prov. 26.12. thence Woe to the wise in their own eyes, and the prudent in their own sight, Isai. 5 21. for they think they know, when they know not any thing as they ought to know, 1 Cor. 8.2. and so grow scornful of such counsel and instructions as are needful for them, to bring them to know and to be wise indeed; so as they are ready with the Pharisees to say, Are we blind also, John 9.40. for the Scorner loveth not one that reproveth him, neither will he go unto the wise, though it be He that heareth reproof getteth understanding, and he that hateth reproof is brutish, Prov. 15.12.32. and 12.1. and so though ●…he seek for wisdom, he findeth it not in his way and manner of seeking it, Prov. 14.6. for God scorns the scorners, but gives grace to the lowly, Prov. 3.34. this self-conceit and ●…leaning to our own wisdom and understanding, which makes us swerve, and carries from attending to God's word, and its instructions, and those that bring them to us so as not to listen to or be guided thereby must needs therefore be parted with by us, if ever we will be wise; as it is said, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes, fear the Lord and departed from evil, Prov. 3.5, 6.7. And if any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become (own and acknowledge himself to be) a fool that he may be wise, 1 Cor. 3.18. Naaman the Syrian thinking himself wise enough, so as he could fore-understand how the Prophet must deal with him for healing his leprosy, was put into a rage and passion through his scornfulness, and turned away from the means of healing which the Prophet directed him to, so as he had miss of healing doubtless, how or which way soever else he had sought it, had he not upon the wise advice and persuasion of his servant laid down that high thought and scornfulness of the Prophet's counsel and submitted himself thereto, 2 Kings 5. 10-14. read the relation there. And see how dangerous a thing it is to lean to our own thoughts, a●… the conceits of our own knowing, and th●… scorning contrary counsel that seems ridiculous to us, and how good it is to hear the good counsel of God and his holy servants, and receive their instructions, as what tends to make us wise in the latter end, Prov. 19.20. the leaning to and retaining these two evils, their own imaginations and the authority of their Fathers and Masters, so as to forsake God's law and disobey his voice was the occasion of God's heavy judgement upon the land of Israel; See to this purpose Jer. 9.12, 13, 14. It's good with David to hate thoughts and love God's law, Psal. 119.113.  
3. We must also part with and let go evil company and counsellors, such as cause us to err from the way of wisdom and knowledge; for He that walks with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed, Prov. 17.20. Thence wisdom calling the simple and them that have no understanding to come to her house and partake of her provision which is fit and virtuous to give them understanding, saith, Forsake the foolish and live, and go in the way of understanding, Prov. 9.5, 6. as implying that there is no living nor walking in the way of understanding while foolish persons are our companions, and delighted in by us. And by the foolish are meant all that are ignorant of, or disobedient to the grace of God, however otherwise learned or wife they may seem to be to themselves or others. As those that have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge; that being ignorant of God's righteousness go about to establish their own righteousness (and make that stand in God's sight, or make it a sufficient stay or support; the ground of their hope and foundation of their confidence towards God) and submit not to the righteousness of God, even Christ the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth, Rom. 10.2, 3, 4. as well as also other grosser transgressors. Thence the holy Spirit also pronounces them happy that walk not in the counsel o●… the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, no●… sit down in the seat of scorners, but their deligh●… is in the Law of the Lord, and therein their exercise night and day. Psal. 1.1, 2. implyin●… that men cannot exercise themselves in th●… Law or Doctrine of the Lord, and deligh●… themselves therein so as to attain the blesse●…ness of being made wise thereby; excep●… they avoid the counsels of ungodly person●… the ways of sinners, the seat or teaching 〈◊〉 the scorners. Solomon also instructing in th●… book of the Proverbs, men in the way wisdom, which he highly commends to 〈◊〉 and wills us above all things to get; giv●… this as one of his first instructions: My so●… if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. My s●●walk not thou in the way with them, refrain ●…hy foot from their paths, Prov. 1.10, 15. and when he had said, Hear thou my son, and ●…e wise, and guide thy heart in the way, then ●…e immediately adds, as necessary thereto, ●…e not among Winebibbers, among riotous ea●…ers of flesh; for the glutton and the drunkard ●…all come to poverty, Prov. 23.19, 20. as also 〈◊〉 ch. 22.34. he exhorts to make no friendship ●…ith an angry man, nor go with a furious man. ●…nd else where, to go from the presence of a ●…lish man when we perceive not in him the lip ●…knowledge, ch. 14.7. and to cease to hear ●…e instructions that cause to err from the words 〈◊〉 knowledge, ch. 19.27. And when the Apo●…e would have the Corinthians not receive ●…e grace of God in vain but be enlarged in ●…eir hearts towards God and his Servants, ●…d to what is good; he warns them that ●…ey be not yoked unequally with unbelievers ●…hey being such persons as from whom no ●…od or spiritual profit such as that of wis●…me▪ is to be expected) but to come out ●…m among them, and be separate, and not touch 〈◊〉 unclean thing, and so God would receive ●…m and be a Father to them, and they should to him for sons and daughters, 2 Cor. 6.1. 〈◊〉 .17, 18.  
4. We must part with our love of Ease and Pleasures, put away Slothfulness and Daintiness: for slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger, and not be filled with that wisdom whose fruits do satisfy, Prov. 19.15. Wisdom is not attained to but through diligence, and therefore we must put away slothfulness, love o●… ease, pleasures and such things. Thence Wisdom instructing us how we may attai●… her of God, requires, besides a hearing 〈◊〉 her, a watching daily at her gates, and wai●…ing at the posts of her doors, Prov. 8.33, 34 And besides the inclining the ear, and applyi●… our hearts unto her say, and calling to G●… for her; that we seek for her as men seek silve●… and dig for her as for hidden treasures, Pro●… 2.4. And surely men that love silver, a●… seek for it are industrious, and not sloth●… in business: and did a man know there i●… treasure hid in a place where he might ha●… opportunity of digging for it, and wh●… digging diligently he should find it; oh h●… diligent would he be at it, early and late he find it! Thus the Apostle exhorting 〈◊〉 Hebrews to give diligence so to know Ch●… and God as to be filled with, or attain to full assurance of hope, to the end he ad●… Be not slothful, but followers of those who thr●… faith and patience inherit the Promises. Heb●… 11, 12. Dij laboribus omnia vendunt, say Heathens; that is, the Gods sell all things to men for their labours; as if that was all the price they require for them. And there is some truth in it in reference to the only true God. The price for which he sells to us as from us wisdom and its great fruits and benefits is a hearty love to it and an industrious labouring to obtain it working (as the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endures to eternal life, Which the Son of Man will (if we so do especially) certainly give us, for him hath God even the Father sealed, set apart and authorised to that purpose, John 6.27. the hand of the diligent here also maketh rich, and beareth rule when he that dealeth with a slack, hand becometh poor, and the slathful shall be under tribute, Prov. 10.4. & 12.24.  
5. We must part with whatsoever way and practice is in itself sinful, and contrary to the Law and Doctrine, Will and Commandment of God. Thus David, who was made wiser than his enemies, and got more un●…erstanding than his teachers, & than the anti●…ts, because he meditated in Gods Testimonies, ●…nd kept his Precepts and Commandments, ●…ells us, that He refrained his foot from every ●…il way, that he might keep God's word and 〈◊〉 get still more wisdom therethrough, Psal. 19.98, 99, 100, 101. For indeed wisdom (as is said, Wisd. 1.4.) will not enter into a wicked or malicious soul, nor where the body is subject to sin, for it is a pure, most holy influence from the most holy God, and loveth not that which is filthy and unclean. Thence the fear of the Lord is said to be the beginning thereof, because by it we depart from evil, pride, arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth doth wisdom hate, Prov. 8.13. Therefore if we would be truly wise, cleanse we ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1. Laying aside all filthiness & superfluity of naughtiness, receive with meekness the ingraffed word (the fountain of Wisdom, Eccles. 1.5.) which is able to save the soul, Jams 1.21. And to add but one more,  
6. Lastly, in a word; We must Deny ou●…selves, take up our Cross and follow Christ and therein forsake all that we have: else w●… cannot be Christ's Disciples and obtain thi●… heavenly gift, Mat. 16.24. Luke 14. 33●… We must deny and forsake all our ow●… things, casting them away as loss and du●… for the excellency of the knowledge of ou●… Lord Jesus (the true wisdom) as all o●… own fleshly privileges and rejoicings, 〈◊〉 to the knowing ourselves after them wh●… there our fleshly birth, or humane parts, 〈◊〉 lations to such good and excellent perso●… admission to God's Church and Ordinances; so as not taking up content that we have them. Yea our own righteousness after the Law and our own best self attainments, our wisdom, carnal or fleshly understanding, with all our own desires and designs to g●…t ourselves, or keep to ourselves the honours, riches and pleasures of this world, as any of them stand cross to, or are inconsistent with (as often or usually they are) the getting, the knowledge of Christ, laying down all ourselves conceits, interests and purposes at his foot, we must only and above all things attend to know him, and his grace and gracious mind and will concerning us, and follow on after him, therein patiently bearing and enduring what ever thing cross to our said interests, desires or designs befall us in the way of his truth and righteousness, and so doing we shall not fail of being truly and indeed wise, and doing wisely to Salvation, for Good and upright is the Lord, therefore He (preventingly) teaches sinners in the way, the meek he will (by his following grace) guide in judgement, the meek (that hear his reproofs and rebukes, and take all well, and yet yield up themselves to him, to learn of him and follow him) will he teach his way. Yea, What man is he that feareth the Lord! him will he teach the way that he should go, his soul shall dwell at ease— The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and He will show them his Covenant, Psal. 25.11, 12, 13, 14. Thus doing we shall be made wise and obtain the happiness here spoken of, viz. to shine as the brightness of the Firmament, especially if also (as wisdom will lead us to, and direct us in that also) we make it our business to make others wise by instructing them, and to turn others to righteousness; with reference to which branch as also to the other reading of the word translated wise.  
2. In the second place what hath been noted thereto, we may further apply it sundry ways, as  
Use 3. 1. To exhort and provoke such as have wisdom, and are in any measure furnished with the heavenly talents, to be diligent and faithfully in improving them and laying them out for the good of others also, endeavouring to their capacities, and in the places God hath set them, and according to the instructions of his truth, to make others wise and righteous, in turning them from their sins, errors and disobedience to the wisdom of the just one; and to be earnest, diligent, and servant herein as they have opportunity, knowing that their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord, but they shall receive a good reward: They shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever, 1 Cor. 15.58. and this is a point of wisdom also; For the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise, Prov. 11.30.  
Quest. But what should we do, or what course shall we take, that we may turn others to righteousness, and make them truly wise?  
Answ. I might say shortly from the words of our Saviour to his Disciples and Apostles;  
1. Let us retain the Salt in ourselves and ●…ts favour that we have received of God in ●…nd by Christ; for Christ's Disciples are the ●…alt of the earth, to purge corruption from them, and render them savoury unto God: But if the salt hath lost its savour wherewith ●…hall it be salted, it's thenceforth good for no●…hing, Matt. 5.13, 14. Mark 9.5. that is, ●…et us have and hold fast the word of Christ, and the wisdom therein contained ●…nd conveyed to us, with its reproofs ●…f instructions, so as we ourselves may be ●…ept in an awful fear and reverence of God, ●…nd be sweet and clean in our speech and ●…arriage in the world and toward it: that ●…e savouring the grace of God ourselves, ●…nd retaining the savour of it in our own ●…earts, may be made savoury to others; Letting no corrupt communication come out of our mouths, but such as is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers, Ephes. 4.29. which in another Epistle is, Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, with the fear of God, and so what is of a cleansing nature, reproving the false hopes, confidences, and carriages of the world, or of such as do amiss among our brethren) that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man, Coll. 4.6. for evil communications corrupt good manners, 1 Cor. 15.33. but a wholesome tongue is a tree of●…life, that brings forth what's food for those that are whole and sound, and leaves that will hea●… the Nations, or Gentiles that are disceased Prov. 15.4. Ezech. 47.12. Rev. 22.2. Bu●… for this let the Reader view, if he have it the Treatise of our deceased Brother upo●… this subject.  
2. Let our Light so shine before men, th●… they may see our good works, and glorify our F●…ther which is in Heaven. For the Disciple of Christ are also the Light of the world, an●… this light of God and Christ, whereby the are made lights, is put into them, that b●…ing made lights by is, they might not b●… put, or put their light under a bushel, but 〈◊〉 a candlestick, so exercising and holding 〈◊〉 forth, that it may give light to all that come i●… the house, Matt. 5.15, 16. And this light they may and aught, to their abilities, to let shine two ways, or in a twofold letting it out, viz.  
1. In word, in holding forth the word of Life: so the Apostle exhorts and directs the Philippians with their Bishops and Deacons; and not only (though principally) the Bishops and Deacons are concerned therein, Philip. 1.1. and 2.15, 16. Shine ye (saith he) as lights in the world: Holding forth the word of life, that's the way (as if he should say) in which ye are to and may shine as lights: not that every Believer is fitted to be a public Preacher in some Congregation; but what they believe in, and with their hearts unto righteousness they may and ought also to confess with their mouth unto Salvation as they have opportunity and ability thereunto. And such as are gifted with profitable gifts of wisdom, knowledge and understanding may and ought soberly and orderly to exercise them too for the good of others. For all that have the gift, May prophe●…yone by one, that all may learn and all may be comforted, Rom. 10.10. 1 Cor. 14.31. 1 Pet. 4.10. and all that hear (as we noted before may, nay are commissionated to say come, Rev. 22.17. and may show forth the virtues and praises of him that hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light; being a chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy Nation, a peculiar People, or purchased to that purpose. 1 Pet. 2.9.  
But here is to be minded, that if we would do good to others, make them wise and turn them to righteousness, we must hold forth the Word of life, and show forth the virtues and praises of the Lord. Confess with our mouth the word of faith believed in the heart to righteousness: not do as foolish people, the workers of iniquity, who all boast themselves, or as the word signifies, speak of, or forth themselves, Psal. 94.4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the workers of iniquity speak themselves, talk of their own righteousness, paoclaim every man his own goodness, Prov. 20.6. which they that do are there opposed to the faithful friend to God, Christ or the souls of men; which He saith, Who shall find? as implying that they are not found amongst the self-proclaimers, that preach themselves and not Jesus the Lord, as the Apostles did, 2 Cor. 4.5. and cry up themselves, The Church, the Church, the persons to be adored, believed, depended on, as it is said of the corrupt Israel that made mention of the God of Israel not in truth nor in righteousness, they call themselves of the Holy City, Isa. 48.1, 2, call themselves the (or of the) Holy Catholic Church, and tell stories to men of their Perfection? religiousness, attainments; like the Whore that saith, I sit a Queen, and I shall be a Lady for ever, Isa. 47.7. Rev. 18.7. No, the way to turn many to righteousness and make them truly wise is to show forth God's praises, to make mention of his loving kindness, to do as he who said; My mouth shall show forth thy rightheousnes, and thy salvation all the day, for I know not its numbers. I will go in the strength ●…f the Lord God, and I will make mention of ●…hy righteousness, of thine only: not of mine and thine together, Psal. 71.15, 16. That is, Preach, confess and make mention of the Gospel of Christ, which is, the power of God to ●…alvation to every one that believeth: for there●…n is the righteousness of God revealed from ●…aith to faith, as it is written, the just shall ●…ve by faith, Rom. 1.16, 17. and this accor●…ing both to the appointment of the Lord of ●…ld, who established a testimony in Jacob, and ●…pointed a law in Israel, in which he command●…d the Fathers, to sh●…w to their Children, the ●…eneration to come, the praises of the Lord, his ●…rength and the wonderful works that he hath ●…ne, to the end that they might set their hope 〈◊〉 God and not forget his works, and not be as ●…eir Fathers, a stubborn and rebellious gene●…tion, Psal. 78.4, 5, 7, 8. and to his own practice too, who having done marvellou●… things, his own right hand and his holy arm having gotten himself the victory in his great●… combat with and against Satan, and all the principalities and powers of darkness. He hath made known his salvation (his resurrection from the dead, and the salvation therethrough obtained for us, and his Gospel which is the salvation of God that the Gentile heard, Acts 28, 28.) his righteousness (not ours, but as he is ours, the Lor●… our Righteousness, Jer 23.6.) hath he open●… shown (or revealed, Rom. 3.22.) in th●… sight of the Heathen, not preaching something first to make them Jews & Proselytes Converts to God, & then when they cease●… to be heathen show them his righteousness as the false Apostles way was. And this h●… commanded to his Disciples and Apostl●… after him to do, not to go preach the law 〈◊〉 works, but go preach the Gospel to every cre●…ture or in the whole Creation, Mark 16. 1●… preaching repentance and forgiveness of s●… (not in Moses but) in his Name (in ope●…ning his name, and so upon account of wh●… He hath done and is become for men, a●… in his Authority and Power requiring it a●… that) among all Nations, beginning at Jerus●…lem, the People and City that had m●… deeply sinned, dying their hands in blood the Prophets and just men, yea and of the Lord himself, Luke 29.46, 47. And so the spirit of Prophecy instructed and required of men in the days past: saying, Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon (or proclaim) his Name, make known (not yours but) His deeds among the people. Sing unto him. Sing Psalms unto him. Talk ye all of his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name. And again; Sing unto the Lord all ye earth. Show forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glo●…y (his Son the brightness of his glory) among the Heathens, his marvellous works among all Nations. For great is the Lord and greatly ●…o be praised. He also is to be feared above all Gods, 1 Chron. 16.8, 9, 10, 23, 24, 25. Psal. 96.1, 2, 3. & 105.1, 2, 3. And so it was foreprophecyed. One generation shall waise thy works to another, and shall declare ●…hy mighty Acts. I will speak of the glorious ho●…our of thy Majesty: and of thy wondrous works (things or words) they (others) ●…hall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious, full of compassion, slow ●…o anger, and great of mercy. The Lord is good 〈◊〉 all, and his tender mercy over (or upon) all ●…is works Psal. 145. 4-10. And surely Christ ●…eing made to us of God, wisdom, righteous●…ess, etc. The way to make men wife and righteous is to turn them to him, that they may be made in him; which, though it be the work of God, yet it's a work that he doth by his Law or Doctrine that goeth forth from Zion; the preaching of the Gospel, Acts 26.18. or confessing his name, which He therefore hath made known unto men, and put into their hearts that they might thereby be made instruments of converting others to him: as he hath also chosen them to put his name upon them, and to declare it, that the residue of men might thereby be moved and have advantage to seek after God, Acts 15.16, 17. With God's Law o●… Doctrine then (which is perfect converting the soul) such as know it, and have fitness in any measure for it, are to endeavour to convert others to God by Jesus Christ, setting him forth to and before all and every man as they have opportunity and capacity, as the only righteousness are salvation of God, prepared for them a●… and every one, Luke 2.30, 31. Isa. 49.6. Rom. 3.21, 22. the righteousness of God 〈◊〉 (or for) all, and upon all that believe. An●… so declare his mighty works to that purpose t●… them, which he hath done for all and ever one, as the holy Apostle did; who tells u●… He died for all, and gave himself a ransom fo●… all, and tasted death by the grace of God for ever very one, so as through his one righteousness the free gift is to (or for its) all men to justification of life, that he is the propitiation for our sins, (even for ours who have him our Advocate to make good our cause with God, as He is and doth for all that believe on him) but not ours only but also for the whole worlds, 2 Cor. 4.44, 15. 1 Tim. 2.6. Heb. 2.9. 1 John 2.1, 2. and this without such Ifs, or corrupt additions as are the product of men's ignorance, or unbelief of God's Testimony, and dependence upon one another's Wisdom, seeking honour one of another, or loving the praise of men more than the praise that comes from God only, viz. those glosses and additions of all the Elect, every one of the believers, and the world of the Elect, etc. Whereas the Scriptures every where distinguish the Elect from the world, and do not call them by the name of the world. Alas! how should men be turned unto righteousness, unless they see that there is a perfect righteousness that is worthy to be turned to, made ready for them, and to be turned to by them, a righteousness wherein and wherewith they may be righteous? or (which comes to the same) how shall men be made righteous, if not made in Christ, or brought in to believe on and submit to him, there being no other way to righteousness for them: that that is of or after the Law, as attained to or attainable by sinful fallen man, being rejected of God And how shall men be made in Christ, if they see no excellency and preciousness in him, and preparation of him for them? if they be borne in hand that God sent him but for here and there one, they know not who, and they must infallibly be brought in, yea they cannot hinder themselves of it; and if not so, they must perish notwithstanding all endeavours after salvation? who that hath and useth the exercise of his reason, will look after him upon such motives as that Doctrine contains? and not rather take his course till he cannnt choose but come into him, as thinking otherwise or till then, all his labour will be needless & in vain? And what abouts are men fain to go, & courses take they to bring men to righteousness, through their not knowing or believing Christ to be the Saviour of the world, the Saviour of all men, and especially of them that believe, while they put them upon the Law and legal humblings and works and operations preceding the knowledge of Christ and the good foundation laid in him, to be as evidences or grounds of conceiving and believing that they are of the Elect, for whom only they imagine and say that Christ died! and oh what wretched mistakes are those men guilty of, and how destitute are they of the truth, that durst call the very manifest expressions of the Holy Apostles Errors and Blasphemies! But God's way of holding forth light to men to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, ●…s to preach Gospel to them, to let them know that they being all Sinners against God, and liable to his wrath, ungodly and enemies, He in the greatness of his mercy, to keep them from perdition sent his own and only begotten Son into the world to be their Saviour, and that he might be so, He delivered him up to Death for their offences that were upon them, and raised him again for their justification; and hath exalted and glorified him, and filled him with all His fullness, that they inlistening to and obeying him might be saved and made happy by him. To such purpose is that Word of reconciliation put into the Apostles, or committed to them, 2 Cor. 5.18, 19-21. That God was in Christ reconciing the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, but made him that knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him: wherewith agrees the Doctrine preached by our Saviour to Nicodemus to regenerate him, viz. That as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth on Him might not perish, but have eternal life: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him, might not perish, but have everlasting life: For God sent not his Son into the World, to condemn the World, but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned. He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God, and this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, etc. John 3.14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 like to which is the message sent to the bidden Guests in the Parable, Matt. 22.4. Go te●● them that are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my Dinner, my oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready, Come ye to the Marriage. Whence we may (as also from 2 Cor. 5.19, 20, 21. Prov. 9. 15, 6.) observe that there are two main Heads, or branches of the preaching to be preached to men to turn them to God, or to righteousness, o●… of what is to be said to them, and the orde●… to be observed in saying them, viz.  
1. The Declaration of the Love and Grace of God in Christ to Sinners, and what He hath done and prepared for them for their welfare and happiness; as that He hath  
1. Prepared a Dinner for them, a Feast for all people, Isa. 25.6. For entertaining them, and making them happy, and this in Christ Jesus, as it is said, This is the record that God hath given of his Son, that God hath given us (even us mankind the same us that he commands to believe, 1 Joh. 3.27.) eternal life, and this life is in his Son, 1 Joh. 5.21.  
2. To that purpose made his Son flesh, and delivered him up to Death for us, for our Sins, and raised him for our Justification; as it is said, This is the Gospel that we preached to you, viz. how first of all (or among the first things) Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He risen again the third day according to the Scriptures, 2 Cor. 15.3, 4. This is the meaning of those expressions in the Parable. My oxen and my fatlings are killed, my choice things are sacrificed for you, and their flesh thereby are become meat for you, my Son who answered to all the Sacrifices of the Law, being delivered up to death for you, is become fit matter of nourishment for your souls; wherein is signified the greatness and freeness of the love and charity of the heart of God towards us, in not sparing his own dearly beloved Son, but delivering him up for us all, and that when we were yet without strength, ungodly, sinners, and enemies, that he might be as a feast for us, matter of hope and encouragement to confidence in God for us, Rom. 5.6, 7, 8, 10. and 8.32. Seeing also  
3. That all things are ready, the fullness and every way sufficiency and perfect compleatness of the grace in Christ for us, both as to the end and as to the way, both as to the giving us full safety and satisfaction in the enjoyment, and as to the provision for making us fit and meet to enjoy that end; the end is eternal life, an everlasting Kingdom and Glory: and this is ready in Christ for us, and to fit us for them; forgiveness of Sins, washing and Sanctification, the Holy Spirit to renew us, and work all our works in us, and the whole work of God in and upon us in Souls and Bodies; and in a word all things pertaining to life and godliness are treasured up in him for us, and He also and God in and by him ready to impart them to us, nothing wanting in or with him, only men wanting as to the accepting; but to move to that here is,  
2. A gracious loving invitation and provocation of men to accept of the grace of God set before them, and made ready for them, and to accept it to purpose, so as they may not fail of the enjoyment thereof; Come to the Marriage, Come eat of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled: forsake the foolish, and live, and go in the way of understanding, Prov. 9.5, 6. Be ye reconciled unto God; yea, we beseech you in Christ's stead, as if God did beseech you by us. Be you reconciled, etc. 2 Cor. 5.20. Wherein we have  
1. An evident signification that it is the blessed, gracious good will and loving mind of God, that men, any or every man, to whom the call comes, should be partakers of this provision, The simple and such as have no understanding He would have to come and eat; Every one that thirsteth, and he that hath no money, nothing good or  in himself, such as are not graciously thirsting for Christ, but are laying out money for that that is not bread, and labouring for that that satisfies not: Yea, He would have the wicked forsake their ways, and the unrighteous their thoughts, and turn to him, and He will be gracious to them, and abundantly pardon them, Isai. 55.1, 2, 7. The poor, the halt, the maimed, and those in the highways and hedges, the worst of men he would have them come to the Supper prepared by him, Luk. 14.21, 23. He would not that any should perish, but that all come to repentance, 2 Peter 3.9. Would have all men saved and come to the knowledge (or acknowledgement) of the truth, 1 Tim. 2.4. Hath no pleasure at all in the death of the wicked; but rather that they should turn to him in his Son and live, Ezechiel 33.11. and 18.23. 32. and to that end He calls and invites them from the rising of the Sun, to the going down of the same, Psal. 50.1, 2. All the ends of the earth, Isaiah 45.22. and waits with long patience upon them, Rom. 2.4, 5. 2 Pet. 3. 9-15. even to Jezabel he gave space to repent of her evil deeds, Ren. 2.21. for Christ stands at the door, of men's hearts, and knocks, and if any man hear his voice, and open to him, He will come in and sup with him, etc. Rev. 3.20. yea and therefore he sends and calls again and again to men, Matt. 22.3, 4. and 22.37. and is angry with men for refusing to come, Matt. 22.7. Prov. 1.24, 25, 26, etc.  
2. That there is a necessity of coming to and believing on Christ for the enjoyment of this grace and glory prepared in him, because  
1. It is all treasured up in Christ for us, so as not to be enjoyed or received but in and with Christ. How shall not he with Christ (not apart from or without Christ) freely give us all things, Rom. 8.32. This life is in his Son; He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son, hath not life, 1 Joh. 5.11, 12. The Feast is prepared in Wisdoms house, and she and her servants go forth to call men to it in the house, but do not carry it out of the house to them to be eaten in the streets, Prov. 9. 15, 6. for men may not have forgiveness of Sins, the Holy Spirit, the grace and blessing of God in their own sinful ways, because Christ hath died for them; but for those things they must forsake the foolish, and leave their own ways, and come in to him and his ways, For  
2. God is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness, evil may not dwell with him, fools may not stand in his sight; he hates (as to fellowship with them) all the workers of iniquity, Psal. 5.4, 5. No unclean thing or unrighteous thing or person therefore, may enter into or inherit his his Kingdom, 1 Cor. 6.9. Rev. 21.27. and therefore there is a necessity, that we be washed, sanctified, justifiied, made wise and righteous, which we cannot be but by turning to God in and by Jesus Christ, believing on and obeying him.  
3. It was God's end in sending his Son, and Christ's in giving himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Not that he might justify and save us, and make us happy in our sins and uncleaness, cleanness, Tit. 2, 13, 14. He died for all, that they that live should not henceforth live to themselves, but to him that died for them and risen again, 2 Cor. 5.15.  
4. Neglecting and refusing to come to Christ, to believe on and follow him, therefore men must needs perish in their sins and uncleaness. For  
1. All things in this life and world will fail, being vain and momentany. All flesh is grass, and the goodliness thereof as the flower of grass, 1 Pet. 1.24. The world passeth away, and the fashion and lust (or desire) of it, 1 Joh. 2.17. 1 Cor. 7.31. and all our own wisdom is bruitishness and folly, with an enmity to God, and he will destroy it, Jer. 10.14. 1 Cor. 1.19. & 3.19, 20. and all our righteousnesses and goodness, though after the Law, but as a menstruous rag, so as we cannot live in, or be justified by and on account of it, Isa. 64.6. Rom. 3.20. Gal. 3.10. nothing but Christ will preserve us from perishing, Acts 4.11.12.  
2. Yea mens neglects of and rejections of God's Grace and great Salvation, provokes his heavy anger and displeasure, which will kindle a fire that will never be quenched, but will for ever burn upon them, Mat. 22.7. Mark 9. 44-48. Heb. 2.3. & 10.26.29. & 12.25.  
Such things are to be talked of, proposed to and urged upon men, sometimes one and sometimes another of these things to convert them to righteousness: as also the discovery to men of what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God as to what he would have them do and practise in their believing on Christ, that they may please him, and have the fellowship of his spirit and his blessing. And so what God and Christ require of them, and his grace obliges them to do, or deny or to forbear. With the manifold encouragements to obedience, and heartnings thereto against all temptations, persecutions and whatever other discouragements, in proposing Gods precious promises and gracious readiness in Christ to pardon sins and accept of weak, if upright, endeavours, and the like, as the Scriptures abundantly evidence: to which it would be too long to speak here particularly. Such things are to be held forth by believers in holding forth the word of life in shining as lights among men. Which they are to do also,  
2. In their works and conversation: As the Apostle also implies, when he saith; Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that ye may be blameless and harmless (or fincere) the Sons of God. Without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation; among whom ye shine (or shine ye) as lights. Namely, in so walking and demeaning yourselves. Both these ways Levy is said to have exercised himself in, in his turning many away from iniquity, Mal. 2.6. The Law of truth (as the Gospel is called the Word of truth, Ephes. 1.13.) was in his mouth: and iniquity was not found in his lips. There is the first thing. And then the second follows, viz. He walked with me in peace and equity, and turned many from iniquity. And indeed they that will not be won by the word, may sometimes be won to the word by a good Conversation, as is employed, 1 Pet. 3.1. For herein also we may show forth the virtues of Christ, and God in him: while we as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts, and have our Conversation honest among the Gentiles (the uncircumcised in heart) a Conversation that becomes and is answerable to the Gospel of Christ: an holy, humble, charitable, courteous, upright and blameless Conversation. So as that whereas they are apt to speak evil of us, as of evil doers, they may glorify God (by occasion of the good works that they shall behold in and from us) in the day of visitation, 1 Pet. 2.9, 11, 12. which our Saviour also evidently implies in his exhortation to his Disciples, aforementioned in Mat. 5.16. When he saith, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works (walk so well and blameless before them in your holding forth the word of life, that your works may testify of you, and evidence the force and power of the truth believed, and grace received and declared by you, so as men may behold them) and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. For this way also we may declare or show forth his salvation: even show forth in ourselves, as evidences of it, the saving virtue that is in the Gospel, and Grace believed by us; that the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to Salvation (even to save men from their sins in the power and pollution of them; yea and from the clogging force in sins guilt in the conscience ●…ausing deadness or sadness) to every one ●…hat believeth, whither Jew or Gentile. And ●…erein we may show forth his righteousness; namely, that god is upright, faithful and ●…nd true in what he saith and promises; while according to his promises, we receive ●…is blessings in and upon us, to the filling us with the fruits of his righteousness, making ●…s apt to every good work, and cheerful ●…nd hopeful in God under all evils of adversity, Psal. 92.13, 14, 15. And also while we exemplify in ourselves before men the righteous ways and practices which God would have men walk in. And indeed without this all our profession or preaching is rendered vain and ineffectual exceedingly, and instead of glorifying God, as He is and will be in trees of righteousness of his planting, Isa. 61.3. God is dishonoured among men by such as talking of and professing his love and grace do walk otherwise: witness what the Apostle saith in Rom. 2.17 24. Behold thou art called a Jew and restest in the Law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and (tryest the things that differ or) approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the Law, and art confident that thou thyself art 〈◊〉 guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which has the form of knowledge, and of the truth in the Law. Thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself! thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest Idols, dost thou commit Sacrilege? thou that makest thy boast of the Law, through breaking the Law dishonourest thou Gods for the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. Let us take heed we be not such lights, or such vain boasters and talkers of light and truth, and of the Gospel of Christ: but yield we up ourselves to the grace of God and its teachings, and walk we in the spirit in all goodness, righteousness and truth; and so let us endeavour where God hath given any furniture and fitness for it according to what God hath given us, to seek and promote the good of others. With both these forementioned particulars, adding and joining earnest, and faithful, and fervent prayers, and supplications to God, that He would be merciful to us and bless us, and make his face ●…o shine upon us, that so his way may be known upon earth, and his saving health among all Nations, etc. Psal. 67.1, 2. as knowing that all our success in all our work and service for him, and endeavours with men, depends upon his grace and blessing: without which, they that labour to build the house of God & convert souls to Righteousness will be ●…ut labour in vain, Ps. 127.1. Thus we find Christ ●…ur Lord rising early and going apart to pray ●…o God before he went to teach the people, Mark 1.35, 38. and so let us endeavour to ●…o make others wise, and to turn many to ●…ighteousness, considering also that it is ●…ere farther employed, and that this may serve,  
Use 4. 2. To inform us, That this the ●…nd of Gods giving the knowledge of himself, and grace in Christ to us with any gifts more or less for usefulness, that we should live to him therein, and seek his honour, glory and interest in endeavouring the good of others, not living to ourselves or minding our own thing only, no not only the good of our own souls, much less inferior worldly advantages, but that we should look upon others, and seek their good also. No saying to our brethren, as Cain to Abel●… Am I my Brother's keeper? but letting the sam●… mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus; wh●… being in the form of God and thinking it no robbery to be equal with him, yet so looked up on our needs and miseries as to abase and empty himself and take upon himself the form of a servant and the fashion of a man, yea and therein also to humble himself and become o●… bedient to the death, the death of the Cros●… that he might ransom and redeem us from the death and judgement that was upon us and become our Saviour: that He might lif●… the poor out of the dust, and take the needy from the dunghill and set them upon the Throne with Princes: even the Princes of his people, Phil. 2.5, 6, 7, 8. Psal. 113.6, 7, 8. especially those that are stronger and more gifted. And mo●● especially yet if also called to Office and Ministry among others, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and look after that tha●… is lost, not pleasing themselves, but every one seek his Neighbours good, and how to please him for his edification and salvation, seeking first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness: both that they may be more and more subject to his Kingdom and Government, and filled with the fruits and benefits of it, and to that purpose with his righteousness: without which, there is no inheriting his his Kingdom. As also to promote his Kingdom, enlarge his Church, bring in more souls, and souls more and more into it. And to that purpose show forth and seek the manifestations and discoveries of his righteousness both in word and conversation, as is before noted. Not first to seek ourselves; no not necessaries for our life, food and raiment, much less great matters in this world, honours and preferments, riches, pleasures, and the like, Rom. 15.1, 2, 3. Mat. 6.22.23. Luke 12.30, 31, 32. Yea they that have but one Talon, we may see, it's God's mind and Christ's that they trade for him with it, in seeking to bring an increase to him: that's evidently declared to be his mind, in the judgement awarded upon him that neglected to improve his one Talon. And that it is pleasing to God that we endeavour the good of others, and their salvation with our own, is in this also plainly made manifest, in that they that instruct and make wise others and turn many to righteousness, shall receive such honour at the hands of God, as to shine as the brightness of the firmament and as the stars for ever and ever. Yea this also may serve,  
Use 5.3. To inform us what is the right use and improvement that we should make of those advantages and means of grace that God affords us in sending wise men and prophets, and holy men among us, who instruct us and hold forth the light of the knowledge of God and of his ways among us, in word or conversation, or both: As also when his grace therein is received effectually & to purpose, and not in vain by us. Viz. That that is the end of God in such vouchsafements to us, and the use and improvement which we are to make thereof, that we be made wise and righteous thereby. And so far is the grace of God received to purpose by us, as it hath that effect in us, and we become thereby wise and righteous, are turned from our iniquities and brought into and made partakers of the divine nature and virtues of Christ Jesus. Therefore we are not to rest content that we have Gods servants, words and ordinances with and among us: or that we get by them some light into our understandings, so far as to fill us with notions of truth, and to make us able to talk and make profession of it. There is great difference between such a knowing as may but puff us up and make us proud, and true wisdom and righteousness, the more we have of opportunities and means of knowledge; yea and the more knowledge we get thereby of what is good and true, and what is Gods will concerning us, and the more profession we make thereof, the more or greater fools are we, if we be not brought into subjection to Christ and his gracious government thereby, and if we be not made just and righteous therethrough. Yea the more unrighteous are we towards God and men and our own souls, if having more of such means and knowledge, we are not yet therethrough brought into subjection and obedience to Christ, so as to love Him above all, and denying ourselves, with all ungodliness and worldly lusts, to ●…ive soberly, righteously, and godly, and ●…o to him in this present world. He that knows his masters will and doth it not, shall be ●…eaten with many stripes; for to whomsoever ●…uch is given, of him shall be much required; ●…nd to whom men have committed much, of him ●…hey will ask the more, Luk. 12.47, 48. Christ was not sent of God, neither came he into ●…he world, nor hath he sent forth his Spirit, ●…nd fitted and furnished servants of his, and sent them into the world, and given forth his Word and Doctrine, and the light of his sons and servants holy conversation to such end that we might only have our brains filled with better and righter speculations, or our tongues tipped with finer and righter language, and that we should bow to him with our knees, and honour him with our lips, and cry Lord, Lord, and jangle, and wrangle, and make a noise, bustle, and bluster in the world about opinions and forms of worship, while still we remain in heart and life covetous, proud, ambitious, vainglorious, unjust and wicked. But his great end in all this, and the great end we are to pursue in the enjoyment of them all, and the use we are to make of them was, and is, our being redeemed from all iniquity, and purified, to be to Christ a peculiar people, zealous of good works, Tit. 2.14. Oh let us look diligently, that we neither fail of the grace of God, nor receive it in vain; but so as we may have it so effectually in our hearts prevailing with us, and bringing forth its fruits in us, that we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear, be●… made wise to Salvation, a righteous people, a●… branch of Gods planting, the work of his hands, that He may be glorified, Isai. 60.21.  
3. This also with reference to both it's, branches,  
Use 6. May administer divers reproofs as;  
1. To such as neglect Wisdom and Righteousness, and regard them not, that seek other things, but seek not the Lord, that call and cry and lift up their voices for vanities, and that that will not profit them, for perishing pleasures, riches, or honours, but content themselves to be without wisdom and understanding, seek not God's Kingdom and his Righteousness, have a will to be rich, and through the love of money fall into a temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown them in destruction and perdition, and pierce their souls through with many sorrows, but flee from Wisdom and her calls, counsels, instructions, and repro●…, shunning the light thereof, because their deeds are evil: and follow not after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, that they might lay hold on eternal life, 1 Tim. 6.9, 10, 11, 12. Who not believing that they are the truly wise, that fear and serve God in the faith of Christ Jesus, nor that they shall shine so gloriously in the issue, and as the reward of their wise do, therefore say to God, Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thee, or of thy ways, preferring riches before righteousness, wine and women and the ways of wickedness before wisdom, heavenly understanding and righteousness; their farms and oxen before the heavenly Marriage-feast, husks with swine before the substantial bread of life, laying out their money for that that is not bread, and their labour for that that satisfieth not; when they might (but will not) eat that that is good, and let their souls delight themselves in fatness, these are fools indeed; and shame and contempt will be their promotion, Prov. 1.7. and 3.35. When they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament, then shall these lie down in everlasting darkness, and be an abhorring to all flesh, Isaiah 50.11. and 66.24. especially those that have had the greatest opportunities and advantages for getting wisdom, and for being justified and made righteous, and yet foolishly and wickedly have neglected and despised them, Hebr. 2.3. that have a price put into their hands to get wisdom, but they have no hearts to it, Prov. 17.16. Indeed had Christ never been sent of God, or come into the world, or had he never died for them and risen again, or had he by no means, or God through him, ordered any light or truth to them, so as it might be known or discerned by them, or given them no capacity to see, hear or receive it, their case might deserve more pity and excuse. God that winked at the times of ignorance, would certainly (comparatively at least) overlook their remediless ignorance and brutishness; but now that things are otherwise, the light is come into the world, Christ hath given himself the ransom for all, and the the testimony in due or proper times, and is the light that lighteneth every man coming into the world, and what is to be known of God is manifest in or among men, for God hath showed it them, and they close their eyes, and refuse to see, and like not to have, or retain, God in their knowledge; yea professing themselves to be wise, and neglecting what comes to make them wise, become fools, and their foolish heart is darkened, they have therefore no excuse; but the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against them, for all their ungodliness and unrighteousness, because they withhold the truth in unrighteousness, 1 Tim. 2.4, 6. John 1.9. and 3.19. Rom. 1.18, 19, 20, 21, 22-28. Truly this is the case among the heathens: But how much more inexcusable must we Christians needs be, who have the Scriptures of the Law and Prophets among us; yea the Preach and do of Christ and his Apostles, & in all a clear discovery of the mind and will of God, and of his love and grace to us, and the highest means and advantages given us for attaining to wisdom, and being made just and righteous, but put them from us, or receive the Grace of God herein in vain. Oh how great is the folly, and how sad will be the state of such among us! Folly and madness to neglect and slight what they might have of such worth, as to advance them to greater glory than all the glory of the earth, or world, even to shine as the brightness of the Firmament. But much more folly by neglecting that, to incur endless obscurity, and disgrace, and everlasting misery! If men are accounted fools (and well may be oftimes) who having opportunities and advantages to attain to glory and dignity among men, do sloathfully, cowardly or otherwise neglect them, how much more shall they who might attain to heavenly glory, and care not for it, nor will look after it? upon which account also  
2. Here is reproof to such as being somewhat acquainted with God, and his grace, & truth, and having received some furniture and fitness for being useful to others, ye●… with the slothful and wicked servant refuse to improve their talon, know how to do good to others, but have no heart to it mind their own things only, but neglect th●… things that are Christ's, Philip. 2.21. Seek what to eat, and what to drink, and wherewith to be clothed, but seek not the advancement of God's Kingdom or its increase, nor the glorifying of God's righteousness to men that they might be saved. Whither through covetousness and desire after the getting and keeping of the world, they cannot look after God's glory, or their own, and others good: or through sloathfulness and loathness to undergo hardship, and the difficulties and services requisite to be performed by them, or through fearfulness and unbelief thinking the work and service of the Lord too dangerous, and Him no certain or sufficient protector of his servants (and this often goeth with the other: The slothful man saith there is a Lion in the way: I shall be slain in the Streets, Prov. 22.13.) fearing what men may do unto them more than him that can cast body and soul into hell fire, and so conceal the words of the Holy one, ●…er hid them so within a bushel, that they ●…are not sown abroad in God's field to bring forth an increase. Have received light but smother it, and will not suffer it to shine forth, and therefore set it not on a Candlestick, but hid it under●… bed or a bushel, or the like: Or through want of Charity to, and ●…are or desire of their neighbours good. And ●…ruly if he that having the world's good seethe his Brother have need and administereth not to him, but shuts up the bowels of his compassion from him, is injurious to God and men, and hath not the love of God well abiding in him, 1 John 3.17. How much more worthily may it be said of such as having that which is far better than all this world's good, the knowledge of God and his truth, wherewith to help men to heaven, by instructing them in and unto wisdom and righteousness, and see their brethren and neighbours have need thereof, and yet shut up the bowels of their compassions against them, and leave them for want of instruction and vision to die and perish; how dwelleth the love of God in such men? And oh what a reproof may this be to many Pastors or Ministers, such as the Prophets have cried out against, that feed themselves, but feed not (but starve) the Flock? that either have not knowledge o●… mission from God, and yet run and speak but not out of his mouth (of whom more by and by) or that having the words of God to speak to them, withhold them and speak them not: Yea and such as causelessly leave and desert their Flocks, or neglect their opportunities of teaching men knowledge, and of turning them to righteousness: such a●… that Shephard, that Idol Shephard, tha●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shepherd of no worth, spoken of in Zech. 11.13. that leaves the Flock. Surely the loss of the great glory here set before the faithful and diligent servants of God, the loss of shining as the brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever and ever, might sufficiently awaken men from such neglect of their duty: But much more if withal the woe and misery contrary hereto threatened to such, and allotted for their portion be considered, it might alarm us all to take heed of these evils, both that judgement threatened and predicted by our Saviour. Take that Talon from him— and cast ye that unprofitable servant into outer darkness, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, Mat. 25.24, 25, 28, 30. and that Woe in the Prophet Zechary pronounced, Woe to the Idol Shepherd (or Shepherd of no value, Idolised and worshipped perhaps of men, but of no worth in himself, and as to his way and practise) that leaves the Sheep or Flock: (the Hireling that seeing the Wolf come, shifts for himself, but leaves the Sheep to the danger of him; or that for any cause whatsoever, voluntarily deserts and leaves the care of men's souls committed to him) A Sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye, his arm shall be utterly dried up (He shall lose his force, power and virtue for doing good) and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. He shall lose all right understanding; or shall be bound as it were hand and foot and cast into outer darkness, where his eye shall see no light. A sad & heavy sentence is either of them, and such as might awaken us to consider our ways and be fervent in spirit serving the Lord with all diligence; seeking to do all the good we can to others. Yea and to take the best advantages that Providence affords, and that we may lay hold of for doing good to all, or as many as may be. Like the Apostle that pleased not himself, but pleased all men in all things, not seeking his own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved, 1 Cor. 10.33. the more the better: For they that turn many to righteousness have the more excellent promise; that they shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever. They therefore are faulty, and foolishly defective to themselves and their own good; who for any fleshly or worldly considerations of ease, honour, greater profits here, or the like, content themselves to do good to a few, when they are in a capacity and may have opportunities to do good to many more. It was the great blessing promised of God to Abraham, that he should be the Father of many Nations, Gen. 17.4. Rom. 4.17, 18. And the glory of Christ, that through his sufferings, He brings many sons to glory, Heb. 2.10. And David, when God went so forth with him in his reproving and instructing men, that Many said, who will show us God? Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, tells us that God put more gladness thereby into his heart, than in the time that their Corn and Wine increased, Psal. 4.6, 7. The servant that with his pound well employed gained ten pounds, was made Ruler over ten Cities, when he that gained but five with his pound was made Ruler but of five Cities, Luke 19.17, 19  
3. But if they that neglect to do what good they can are faulty and to be reproved; hence what shall we say then to such, as not only do not what good they can or might, to make others wise and righteous, but even do their endeavours to hinder men from wisdom and righteousness, or to turn them therefrom? surely such are far more exceedingly faulty. And if they that make others wise or instruct them thereto, shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament in the judgement, and they that turn many to righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever; then they that hinder or pervert men from being wise or righteous, shall rise to shame and everlasting contempt, as was said of some, verse 2. And here divers sorts of persons fall under sore reproofs, as to say;  
1. They that by force and violence endeavour to hinder men, or do drive them from being wise or righteous: they that make Laws and Edicts against and so (in prosecuting them, or otherwise) persecute men for righteousness sake, forcing men to forbear those ways by which they might attain wisdom and righteousness, or in which they might practise them; and compelling men to practise unrighteous matters. Such as walk in pharoh's course, who would not let the people have liberty to wait upon and worship God, but put other burdens upon them to take up all their time, that they might not have leisure for that; whither Masters of Families, parents or higher powers, Ezod. 5.17, 18. Or do like Jeroboam, set up devises of their own, and compel all men to conform thereto; and thrust out those who would more rightly serve God, 2 Chron. 11.14.15. & 13.9. with 1 King. 12.28, 31, 32, etc. Or like Ahab and Jezabel, that threw down God's Altars and killed his Prophets. Or like Nabuchadnezzar, who threatened the fiery Furnace to them that would not do unrighteously in bowing down to, and worshipping his Image, Dan 3.5, 6. Or like the Princes and Precedents of Babylon under Darius, that procured a Law to forbid the practice of God's worship also for a time upon pain of being cast into the Den of Lions, and prosecuted it against Daniel for not observing it, Dan. 6. Or like the Jews and Pharisees, who made a Law to put out of their Synagogues any that would confess Jesus to be the Chpist, John 9.22. & 12.42. Or the Council that afterwards upon severe penalties, forbade the Apostles to preach in his name, punishing those that do wisely and righteously according to God, and those that endeavour to bring others to do so likewise, Acts 4.18, 21. & 5.28, 40. Or like the Beast, or the false Prophet, that setting up an Image or form of Religion of their own devising, compel all to submit to ●…t, and cause the refusers to be killed. And such as will not some way or other acknowledge and submit to their unjust do, that they shall neither buy nor sell, trade nor traffic, Rev. 13.15, 17. these are greatly faulty in so doing; As we find the Apostle Paul divers times aggravates his own sin of this nature, whilst a Pharisee and ignorant of Christ; judging himself for it, the chief of Sinners, the least of the Saints, unworthy the ●…ame of an Apostle, etc. Because he, through ●…he ignorance of his unbelief, practised after this sort to persecute and be injurious to the Church of God. Persecuting them to death, and delivering them both men and women into Prisons, punishing them oft in every Synagogue, and compelling them to blaspheme. And being exceedingly mad against them, he persecuted them into strange Cities, Acts 22.4. & 26.10, 11. with 1 Tim. 1.13, 14, 15. Eph. 3.8. 1 Cor. 15.10, 11. Oh then how great is their guilt and sin that wickedly and wilfully against light and knowledge do such matters? how sad their case! and how heavy and dreadful will be their judgement! They that forbidden men to speak to others that they may be saved, and persecute them that do so, because forbidden by them, and take away by such acts and ways of force from men the Key of knowledge, the Gospel Doctrine, and neither enter into the Kingdom of God themselves, nor suffer those that would. Upon such, wrath comes to the utmost, not doing it in a●… false zeal, so as to be excused in a measure by their mistake and ignorance, Mat. 23.13. 1 Thes. 2.16. 1 Tim. 1.13. But of that last mentioned charge, others besides such persecutors may also be guilty. As,  
2. They that being Teachers, of or Preachers to the people, seduce them from the truth, and not only do not preach it, but preach against it and traduce it. Thus did the Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites, and the Lawyers too, Luke 11.46.52. Lading men with heavy burdens, and grievous to be born, worse than pharoh's Taskmasters, while they put them upon getting such and such holy frames and lives, such brokenness, godly sorrow, love and the like, to be the grounds of their knowing Gods love to them (as indeed are good and needful in their way and place) but withhold from them and preach against that discovery of the grace of God towards them, as and while sinners and ungodly that should truly and genuintly effect them, putting men upon getting them, that they may be the foundation of their believing, that the Gospel of the grace of God appertains to them, or which is the same, that Christ was sent and died, and gave himself a ransom for them, and God would have them saved: which indeed are but the effects of those things first known and believed. For it is the appearance of the love and grace of God to man, that is the spring from whence all right frames and works do flow, and by that they are taught, Tit. 2.11, 12. & 3.4, 5. But truly, while men teach others that Christ died but for a few, they know not who, a secret number known only to God, and they must all by an irresistible power be infallibly and necessarily brought in to God; and for all the rest, Christ having not died, they must necessarily perish. What do they but lay snares for men to render them careless of righteousness, and of the knowledge of God, and to reason as some do, that if they be of the Elect, they must needs be saved and cannot miscarry, let them live at the present, as debavehedly as they will or can: and if otherwise, what will all their seeking after God and breaking off from their sins avail them? They can be but hypocrites and reprobates, do what they can. If it be said, but the Elect may make themselves obnoxious to greater punishments here by sinning, and the Reprobates by endeavouring to be good, lessen their future punishments. From their own Principals mistaking and perverting that that is right, they that are skilled in their Doctrine, may retort that to the Elect all things shall work together for good, and their greater unrighteousness shall but the more commend the righteousness of God: and the Reprobate shall have no less punishment than God hath decreed to them inevitably. And so they that preach to men a necessity that those that are once brought truly to believe, must abide in the love of God without any such If, as Christ puts upon his Disciples, when he saith, If ye keep my Commandments ye shall continue in my love, John 15.10. But they will go higher than our Saviour, and say, tush: away with these Ifs here, ye shall keep Christ's Commandments and continue in his Love. Or if ye break them (as at other times they will grant, for they read that David and St. Peter did so) yet ye must be brought in again, so as ye cannot possibly fail of Salvation, and all those sins also shall work together for your good: what do they but strengthen the hand of Satan, and corruption in cases of temptation, to prevail with such as have high persuasions that they are Elect and true Believers, to presume to sin and do unrighteousness, as that, that in the issue shall not hurt them, nay shall work to their advantage also? And while men make it doubtful in their Preaching whether Christ be a Saviour for them, or hath died for them or not, what do they but hinder them from seeing all those strong engagements to believe on him, and submit to him, which that persuasion, as the Scripture holds it forth, engages them with? It is true such Preachers and Professors often say, If Christ died for ●…ll men, than men may live as they list, for they that Christ died for must be saved, and cannot perish: but this saying of theirs is ●…oubly vicious. For 1. If Christ's dying for men, and men's being persuaded of it, be a ground of licentiousness, than men should do ill to be persuaded that Christ died for them, or that they are of the Elect; for by their own reasoning, Such as are elected, or judge themselves so, may live licentiously, and as they list, yea are in great danger so to do (though they may do it without danger) seeing without doubt Christ died for them. But 2. That's a falsehood, that all must be saved from the second Death for whom Christ died (and that's the death we are now to seek to be saved from, and the being saved from which, men mean of, whe●… they talk of being saved.) The Apostle signify the contrary, Rom. 14.15. 2 Pet. 2. 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 8.11. Heb. 10. 26-29. Yea, and di●… they know and mind what the Apostle Jud●… implies in that saying, that he put the Believers in remembrance, though they once knew 〈◊〉 how that the Lord having saved the people 〈◊〉 of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that 〈◊〉lieved not, Judas 5. they would judge otherwise: for though all that Christ died 〈◊〉 (that is all men) are, and shall be saved 〈◊〉 of that first Death and Judgement in whi●● Christ found all involved: yet such as 〈◊〉 fuse to hearken to and follow him, call●… them, and offering to conduct them to 〈◊〉 promised inheritance, and to cleanse 〈◊〉 prepare them for that He might bring the●… to his Heavenly Kingdom, they shall be destroyed by Him in the Second Death; even as those that were saved out of Egypt, and afterward believed not on him, that having saved them, called them and went before them to lead and bring them to Canaan, perished in the Wilderness. And both what Christ hath done for them in love to them, in dying for them and purchasing them into his own dispose and Lordship, from under the jurisdiction of Satan, from his having right and power to dispose of them, and in his therethrough becoming ●…eir Saviour to save them from the second ●…eath, and bring them to happiness: as ●…so the possibility and danger of perishing, ●●y the certainty of it, yet, except they ●●ne to believe on and follow after Christ, they be known and believed, will strongly ●…gage and oblige men to submit to and ●…lieve on him, which obligations by the rementioned doctrines are taken away 〈◊〉 men: Yea, seeing He died for all, that 〈◊〉 that live might thenceforth live to him, 〈◊〉 Cor. 5.15. What do men by denying his ●…ath to have been for all men, but lay a ●…ndation for men to deny to live to Him, that they have cause so to do, till they can persuaded that he died for them? But ●…all not insist further upon the harmfulness of that Antisciptural and Antiapostolica●… doctrine, which I hope all sober men begi●… to be ashamed of; only some hot violen●… persons, who too much like the Scribes an●… Pharisees, challenge all right judgement 〈◊〉 themselves, and compass Sea and Land 〈◊〉 make Proselytes, but so as not to bring the●… indeed to Christ for righteousness, but rath●… to a righteousness before Christ, that the might with or by that come to Christ in 〈◊〉 way of their conceiving, are too much guil●… of retaining such principles, and speak 〈◊〉 proachfully of what is expressed in the G●…spel say, as if they contained blasph●… my, or gross error in them: For who cause I am thus large, and insist thus mu●… upon it, and for them that are in danger be harmed by them. But there be men 〈◊〉 divers other bad principles also, that hind or pervert men from righteousness. Su●… as either deny the Person of Christ, or 〈◊〉 Satisfactoriness of his Death and Suffering or the Resurrection of his personal Bod●… and its Ascension into Heaven, or the wo●… of his Mediation there, or his return ag●… inglory Personally, from thence, to ju●… the quick and dead, or the Resurrection Men in their bodily beings, or the eter●… Judgement, but turn these into Allegor●… and things already done in themselv●… which are dangerous and destructive principles, Heresies of damnation, or damnable Heresies, denying the Lord that bought even them that hold them, and bring upon them swift destruction, 2 Pet. 2.1. errors of the same stamp with what the Apostle notes of Himeneus and Philetus, who concerning the truth erred, and said the resurrection was passed already, destroying or overthrowing the faith of some, 2 Tim. 2.17, 18. As also the Mockers that say, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the Fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation, 2 Pet. 3.3, 4. These also cause some to fall from their own steadfastness, or endanger it, ver. 17. Yea and the Great whore that corrupts the earth with her abominations and fornications, is a grand enemy to men's being righteous, while they hold the truth in unrighteousness, or rather some of those that are her members oppugn 〈◊〉, and they that do not so, yet corrupt it by preaching other Doctrines, as of necessary ●…oncernment to be believed with it, that ●…re underminers of it; as when they press ●…he necessity of the belief of their devised ●…rticles and Imaginations, and teach men ●…o give the glory of Christ, and of God in ●…im, to creatures dead and living, and make 〈◊〉 necessary to men's Salvation, to hold their Faith and Worship of a sinful and fallible man, yea of the Man of Sin, pretending his infallibility, contrary to evident instances to the contrary, yea and who in a word, Comes after the manner of Satan, with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish: while 〈…〉 himself in the Temple of God (or the 〈◊〉) and shows himself that he is God, may order, altar o●… do in the Worship of God what himself pleaseth, and withal persecutes to death, those within his reach 〈◊〉 subscribe not t●… his usurpations, but as so doing, he an●… his abettors fall under the former Head 〈◊〉 reproof.  
3. They also who by their lives an●… practices, counsels and examples, debau●… or stumble men from the ways of wisdom and righteousness; they that entice to Si●… and counsel to Atheistical, Idolatrous, loo●… or vicious principles and practices, such 〈◊〉 those ungodly ones mentioned, Psal. 1. Prov. 1.10, 11. such as Ahabs house was Ahaziah, 2 Chron. 22.3, 4. and by th●… evil examples (especially being Maste●… Magistrates, or men of place) draw in othe●… with, or after them, to do foolishly and 〈◊〉 righteously, running together into the sa●… excess of riot, of which sort there are abundance every where in the world. 〈◊〉 especially such as being Teachers, Prophesis to men of wine and strong drink, Mic. 2.11. and preach for licentious liberty and practise it; so as it may be said of them, what the Lord, by Jeremiah, said of the Prophets and Priests of Samaria and Jerusalem, that they are profane, and cause his people to err, committing adultery, and walking in lies, strengthening the hands of evil doers, so as that none doth return from his wickedness; yea so as from them profaneness, or hypocrisy, is gone forth into all the land, Jer. 23.11, 13, 14, 15. Yea and all such as professing to know God, do in their works deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and to every good work reprobate, bunglers or void of judgement, Tit. 1.16. these above all are perilous, and make the times perilous, when having a form of Godliness (and the greater their Form, the more perilous, if) they deny the power of it; either in denying that Grace of God in Christ held forth in the Gospel, rendering it the power of God to Salvation (which belongs to the first sort spoken to under the Second Head of this Use of Reproof,) or (which is here intended) denying the efficacy and operation of the Grace of God, as to the obeying and walking in it, being under the profession and form of godliness, lovers of themselves, covetous, proud, boasters, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankeful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, or make-bates, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3, 4. the holding the truth with such unrighteousness doth greatly hinder men's being turned to righteousness by it; for it occasions men rather to blaspheme the name of God, or speak evil of his doctrine, while they see those that Preach or Profess it to live so badly, as was noted from Romans. 2.17.24. Denying in practice and conversation, the Lord that bought them, they cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of, while they walk in pernicious, or (as some read it lascivious) ways, 2 Pet. 2.1, 2. or else leads those that own the truth with them to rest in the notion of it with them as they do, and walk with them in like unrighteousness; which still adds to the scandals and stumbling blocks laid in the way of others, causing them to decline the way of truth, and either to turn Atheists and Profane, or turn to some false ways of Religion, where there appears more strictness of carriage, and blamelesness of conversation, which migh●… be found also with, and among Pharasees Phil. 3.6. where men make a fair show i●… the flesh, but are corrupt from a solid and single rejoicing in the Cross of Christ, Galat. 6. 12-14. For both all the specious works and do of those that are of corrupt principles, perverting men from the truth, and all the best and truest speakings of those that join therewith a corrupt and vicious life, fall under this reproof, as being ways wherein men may hinder men's turning to Righteousness, and lay rubs in the way of them that sincerely endeavour to do that service. And all these, whosoever they be, great or small, zealous or profane, that are guilty of any of these ways in the several branches of this Use mentioned, fall under sharp reproof, especially this last sort, who deny the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and turn the Grace of God and his Gospel into an occasion of sinning, even into wantonness, for to such, especially being Teachers of others, the Apostles instead of glorious shining as the Stars for ever and ever, threatens, as to wandering Stars, the blackness of darkness (as that that is reserved to them) for ever Judas 12. 2 Pet. 2.17. and therefore this especially is to be taken heed of, as being that to which that of the Lord in Ezech. 20.39. belongs: As for you, go ye and serve every one his Idols, even hereafter, if ye will not hearken unto me, saith the Lord, but pollute ye my holy Name no more with your gifts and with your Idols: and that of our Saviour too, in Matt. 18.7, 8, 9 It must needs be that offences come: but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh, for whoso offends one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea. Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee, it is better for thee having but one eye to enter into life, rather than having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire. And surely if things as dear and needful to us as our hands, or feet, or eyes are rather to be parted with by us, than that by offending with them we should lose our souls, much more should we part with any fancy or fashion, garb or garment, way or practice of vanity, rather than by offending and hindering the souls of others, thereby to incur such punishment, though all of these ways reproved, deprive of happiness and glory, and expose to heavy misery and judgement, the neglect of wisdom and righteousness, the being backward or neglecting to do good to others, and to make them, what in us lies, wise and righteous; and most of all, the hindering men from turning to, or calling them out of the right way, and so turning them from righteousness in any wise or manner. Yet this last mentioned way of iniquity exposeth to the heavyest. But truly as David, when he had been asserting the goodness of the Lord, and that All his ways are mercy and truth, to them that keep his Covenant and his Testimonies, presently adds, as finding defect therein in himself. For thy Namesake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, for it (thy name, as well as my iniquity) is great, Psal. 25.10, 11. And when he had been propounding the blessedness of him that Considers the poor, how God would pity and help him in his afflictions, presently adds; I said Lord be merciful unto me. Heal my soul for I have sinned against thee, Psal. 41.1, 2 3, 4. So may I, considering the happiness of the wise, and of those that turn many to righteousness, and the faultiness of those here reproved, reflecting upon myself, and finding shortness and guilt in most of these ways reproved, cry out too, Lord be merciful to me, heal my soul for I also in many of these ways have sinned against thee, and against the souls of others also. But  
Use 7. 2. This also in both its branches may afford great good motive and encouragement to those that are wise themselves in the wisdom of Christ, or diligently seeking after it, and those that are faithfully and diligently endeavouring to improve what wisdom and other furniture they have received from God for the good of others, that they might be made wise and righteous in Christ Jesus, to go on and hold fast their wisdom, and their exercise of it to so good an end. Seeing here they have an assurance given them by Jesus Christ and his holy spirit, that they that so do, shall be glorious with him at the last; which may bear them up against all the discouragements they may meet with here in the way, as from their being here hid and obscure, thrust into corners, taken no notice of, or made no account of, among their Neighbours. Yea, or from their being here reproached, vilified and rendered odious, as Christ himself and many of his followers: both holy Prophets, holy Apostles, and other holy men have been in their several Ages. No cause from these things to be discouraged, but to hold on their way, as it is said. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands, shall be stronger and stronger, Job. 17.9. And as it is said by our Saviour: Let him that is righteous be righteous still, and he that is holy (devoted, separated and given up to serve God and Christ, in seeking the glory of his name, and the good of others) let him be holy still. And behold, I come quickly, and will render to every man according as his works shall be, Rev. 2.11, 12. That is, to them that by patiented continuance in well doing seek after glory, honour & immortality, eternal life, Rom. 2.7. This consideration is ofttimes propounded by Christ himself, as when he saith: He that shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father in Heaven, and before the Angels of God, Mat. 10.32. Luke 12.8. And, No man that hath left Father or Mother, House or Land, etc. for my sake and the Gospels (to serve me and it, as well as also to know me and it) but he shall receive an hundred fold here in this life— and in the world to come eternal life, Mark 10.29, 30. And so in each of the seven Epistles to the seven Churches in Asia, Rev. 2, 3. This the Apostles too propounded both to themselves and to others. To themselves; We believe, therefore we speak, knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus, and present us with you. For which cause we faint not. But though our outward man perish, our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light afflictions which are but for a moment (attending us namely in our seeking after, and serving the Lord, getting and walking in wisdom) Worketh for us a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen, etc. 2 Cor. 4.14, 16, 17, 18. And to others, when he saith; So run that ye may obtain, and every man that striveth for masteries is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible Crown, but we an incorruptible, etc. 1 Cor. 9.24, 25. And this is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him, 2 Tim. 2.11, 12. Oh what have men often done and endured, and with how great patience and unweariedness for a little glory? that they might get a name and praise with men, and be glorified of them; and shine, as it were, in their achieved glories and renowns? Witness that great Alexander that in twelve years' space ran over almost all the world with undaunted courage, encountering with and vanquishing wondrous difficulties, for glory sake. And Julius Caesar, Pompey and many others. But alas! What is all the glory of this world in comparison of the glory to be revealed on the Saints of God at the appearance of Jesus Christ! of which the Apostle tells us; that it's a weighty and an eternal glory: and that he reckoned that all the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with it, Rom. 8.18. Surely if the hope of a little uncertain gain carrieth the Merchant, Husbandman and other Tradesmen oftentimes through great dangers and unwearied labours and difficulties: and the hope of a little honour and glory among men, hath often, and yet doth carry out soldiers to exceeding great and tedious hazards, what should not the hope of so great glory as this, To shine as the brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever and ever, carry us out to, in travelling for wisdom, and for doing good to all we can, and all the good we can, that we may be instruments of their salvation? Seeing we have the promise of God, both of his presence and helpfulness with us in all our labours and dangers to assist and strengthen us: and of his rewarding our labours also and crowning them in the issue, with so great glory and happiness. Neither of which promises are engaged to those others in their adventures; but they run at uncertainties, and upon only fallible probabilities.  
Use 8. And Lastly, How may what hath been said and considered from this Scripture, occasion gladness (with sadness) to us in respect of this our Deceased Brother, Mr. Thomas Moor; the occasion of our meeting here and treating on this Text of Scripture? than which I could not think there was any in the whole Bible more applicable to him, and pertinent to our present business.  
1. In respect of himself, we have undoubted cause and ground from this Text, of great comfort and gladness; as being thence persuaded that it is and shall be well with him, though dead in the body, and brought hither to be Interred; no doubt but he shall arise among the just, and such as shall have this Scripture fulfilled upon them: for that he was a wise man, and endued with a great portion of Divine wisdom and Heavenly understanding, all that knew him and his parts, and gifts, and way of life may testify: and his many pious and religious Treatises, both in Print and Manuscript left behind him, will witness for him. Indeed He had not University Learning to furnish him or to know himself by; but what He had, was the more immediately or remarkably from God, in and by a diligent Study and practise of the holy Scriptures and their good instructions, and converse with Godly persons: to which, from his youth, God by his Grace excited and stirred him up, and in which he mightily assisted and blessed him. And indeed God hath not tied himself, nor us up to the Universities for their Learning, for his giving, or our receiving Heavenly wisdom: But wherever men apply their hearts unto it, and mind its instructions in those means of attaining it that he affords them, and walking in what He gives, wait and call upon him for it, He is ready and faithful to give it, as He hath said, If any of you lack wisdom, let him (he saith not go to the Universities, but) ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberally (or singly, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) and uphraideth not, and it shall be given him, Jam. 1.5. though in the measure of it, he gives not to all alike. He is a free Agent and gives for gifts and usefulness to others more or less, as he pleases: but always so much to the faithful, diligent seekers, as shall suffice for their Salvation, and usually contribute something also to others usefulness; but Gifts for understanding Scriptures, and prophesying thence, or speaking to others edification, exhortation, and comfort, He gives not to all, but where, ●…nd as He pleaseth: and to other oftimes besides, if not as sweetly and fully as (yea ●…nd more than) to many (if not any) that ●…re brought up in those places. Such too usually knowing themselves by, and priding themselves in such their fleshly privileges God (that will have no flesh glory in his presince therefore) stains the pride of that glorying too, and makes choice of Babes and suckling to reveal his wisdom, and its mysteries too, when he passes by the otherwise learned wise and prudent, choosing the foolish thing of this world to confound the wise, and wea●… things to confound the mighty, and things tha●… are not (or are naught set by) to bring t●… nought things that are, that no flesh may glory in his presence, 1 Cor. 1.27, 28, 29. as the that have those fleshy Privileges and accomplishments are too apt to do: as is to visible even in them also that are in some good measure endued with his grace; w●… may see therefore that God hath chose many of his most useful servants (thoug●… not all) from low and mean places, an●… conditions. So David was chosen from th●… sheepfolds, and taken from following the ewgreat with young, to be both an excellent Prophet, and a worthy and potent King, Psal. 7.70, 71. Marry a virgin of low estate, to have the honour of being Mother to our Lord Luke 1.48. Christ himself, according to th●… flesh, was a stone of stumbling to the pro●… Religionists, the Jews, Scribes and Pharisees who stumbled at his meaness, and at 〈◊〉 Cross and Sufferings, which themselv●… contrived in a sort, and occasioned to him cause He was the supposed Son of a Car●…ter, and a Mechanic: for he himself ●…ay appear wrought of that trade, Mark 〈◊〉. Is not this the Carpenter (say they) the of Mary, etc. and he was brought up ●…h those his mean Parents, and was not ●…ught up at the Schools, whence the Jews ●…vailed, saying, How knoweth this man let●… (or learning) having never learned, ●…. 7.15. and the company of his Disci●… and Followers were not of the persons ●…pute for learning; for they said of them, ●…h any of the Rulers, or of the Pharisees be●…d on him, but this people (meaning his ●…iples) that know not the law, are accur●… Joh. 7.47, 48, 49. And so the Apostles know what they were divers of them ●…ermen, Toll-gatherers, Tent-makers, etc. 〈◊〉 choosing to put his treasure into earthen ●…s, that the power might be of (and so the 〈◊〉 to) God, and not the men, 2 Cor. 4.7. 〈◊〉 that God hath changed his way in 〈◊〉 last days, and altering his purpose and ●…ution for destroying the wisdom of the 〈◊〉 and bringing to naught the understanding 〈◊〉 prudent, and making foolish the wisdom is world, 1 Cor. 1.19, 20. designs now ●…tifie the flesh, and lift it up in his pre●… and tie up his choice of instruments for his glory to men that may vaunt themselves of, and congratulate one another their fleshly accomplishments (as if wisdom of the flesh and world would 〈◊〉 illustrate the Cross of Christ, and its ve●… that was wont heretofore to obscure it but a Scriptureless tradition, and a 〈◊〉 ceit I fear, of men fleshly minded, and 〈◊〉 speak as they would have it, because circumcised in heart, and they have learned to worship God in the spirit, rejoi●… Christ Jesus, and to have no confidence i●… flesh, Phil. 3.3. Surely men in having the●… of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord (and th●… fore the giver to whom He will) of G●… with respect of persons, in this sense too, 〈◊〉 to say to the learned Academics, and g●…ly read Scholars, Sat thou here in a 〈◊〉 place, and have thou high respect and e●… in our hearts, while they say to those are taught of God, and fitted by his 〈◊〉 in the meditation of his word only, for fullness therein, because not so educa●… Stand thou there, or sit here at my foot-st●… a lower place and esteem, are judges of thoughts, being partial in themselves, as 〈◊〉 as they that put such difference be●… the goodly apparel, gold ring, or gay clo●… and the vile, or mean raiment, or the pe●… that were in them: and they are liab●… to less reproof than they; for though learning is a gift of God, as well as riches, and ●…o be received with thankfulness, and may 〈◊〉 very profitably used in his service, as ●…hey also may; yet men are as apt to abuse that, and lift up themselves therein, as they ●…re riches, and it may as well and truly be ●…d, Do not learned men and the wise in such ●…sdom, oppress the truth, pervert, corrupt and ●…il the souls of men, as it is said, Do not ●…ich men oppress you? and of both, Do they ●…ot blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called? But let both the one and the other ●…e commended where they do well, and ●…ulted where otherwise: but let not the ●…ts of God, where ever given, be over●…oked, or not thankfully acknowledged. I ●…ow it is not every one that is apt to lift 〈◊〉 himself, and thinks himself fit to be a ●…acher of others, that is therefore so. There are both of the learned and unlearned ●●t run before they be sent of God, or approved by him in their errand. But of this ●…amp was not this our deceased Brother, ●…aving much of the presence of God with 〈◊〉, and blessing of God upon him in his ●…mistration. So as we may say truly of 〈◊〉, the other Branch of the Text also, that ●…de turned many to righteousness, many choice ●…nd precious Christians, excellently endowed with understanding, experiences o●… of God's goodness, gifts of Prayer, and heavenly virtues were the fruits of his Labours. Many that are gone before him 〈◊〉 God, and some that are yet remaining 〈◊〉 earth, whose lives and whose wor●… praise them. For indeed he had a goo●… understanding in the grace of God, and 〈◊〉 the righteousness which is by Faith of Jesus Christ, which he much opened to, and 〈◊〉 culcated upon his Hearers; and so he mi●… be properly said by setting them befo●… men, to turn them to behold and mind a●… embrace them, and so to be made just 〈◊〉 righteous. Some in this City of Lon●… were Seals of his Ministry, but many 〈◊〉 in the Countries where he lived, and wh●… he was more conversant; as in Cambridge shire, Norfolk, the Isle of Ely, Lince●… shire and thereabouts. Many that h●… blessed God that ever they knew him, a who yet do: so that we may with comfort a●… confidence leave him here in the earth, an assured hope and expectation of his ●…ing raised up again to everlasting life: a that then he shall among them that be 〈◊〉 shine as the brightness of the Firmament, a among those that turn many to righteous●… as the Stars for ever and ever. For ind●… he did not only hold forth good Doctr●… the Doctrine of the Grace of God to men, but did also walk humbly and holily among and toward men: Preaching in his practice as well as in his doctrine: Though we do not make him more than a man, a good and an useful man, having learned with St. Augustine to give that honour only to the holy Scriptures, called Canonical, to be the absolute rule of our faith and life. We look upon his Life as that which had its failings and passions as other good men's, and read his Writings, and heard his Discourses as we would other holy men's, with our senses exercised to compare them with the Holy Scriptures, and (as was his frequent expression prefixed before divers of his Treatises in their Epistles) to bring things to the Testimony, and receive what agrees therewith, and if any thing swarve therefrom, or want confirmation thereby to let it alone or reject it, for we have learned of our Lord to call no man Master of our faith but himself, the only absolutely perfect Pattern of Life, and Teacher of Truth: though we have also learned of his Apostle to have all in honour for their works sake that faithfully and skilfully instruct us into, and provoke us to hold fast that which our Lord hath taught us, 1 Thes. 5.12, 13. I know many, and those that account themselves and were accounted the strictest Religionists, censured him for his Doctrine and Practices; and was not our Lord himself so, and by such manner of persons? For his Doctrine, because he held the Death of Christ to have been for all men, and the Grace in Him to be treasured up in Him for all men, as what is free for them; and dissented from those of Mr. calvin's mind in his apprehensions of Election and Reprobation: but they that censured him upon that score, bewray their own ignorance, or unbelief of God's testimony in the Scriptures, and unaquaintedness with the manner of its speaking, and are of those that call some bodies else their Rabbis than Jesus Christ; and follow other Guides rather than his holy Apostles, crying up this or that supposed holy man, more than them and their plain say. For his practice: some as accounting him a Sect-Master, or a maker of a Schism, but they that so did, did not well know him: For his work it was not to divide men from the Church of England, in which he walked and worshipped, though not in all things approving, yet not for lesser dissatisfactions renting from it. Upon which account many others of the zealous parties more censured his practice. But I think he followed therein, the way and practise of the holy Prophets and Apostles: who though reproving the Errors and Faults in the Jewish Church, or those that called themselves of it, yea and approving and practising the Assembling and Speaking together of such as feared God, besides the public Assembling of the professed Church, Mal. 3.16. Psal. 111.1. & 119.63. Mark 1.21. 39 & 2.1, 2. Luke 10.38, 39 Acts 3.1. & 4.23. & 12.5, 12. yet made not a separation therefrom, till, or otherwise than they might be thrust out by them, Isa. 66.5. Well, we shall leave him to his righteous Judge, who seethe not as men see, nor judgeth after their Judgement; With whom his work we trust is accepted, and of whom we hope he shall be rewarded with this great happiness, To shine as the brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever and ever. In which comfort concerning him, we here leave him. Though yet notwithstanding this cause of Gladness concerning him.  
2. In respect of ourselves, we have great cause of sadness, for that God hath deprived us of him & of his farther helpfulness and usefulness among us, and that too, in the midst of his farther endeavours of it. Both as we may reflect upon our unthankfulness for, and want of making due improvement of so good an Instrument of good to us, and so great a gift of God's grace and mercy as he was, as what might provoke God to take him from us, and to take him away too so as he did, both at such a distance, where few of his Acquaintance could have the opportunity of visiting him: and especially in such a manner, as by suffering such a feebleness to befall him, as took away the benefit of his speaking audibly to us, during the continuance of his sickness (if I may call it a sickness) which though long. He being weak many weeks, yet in all that time he spoke little so as to be well-understood a whole Sentence together, only now and then a Sentence. But those about him perceived that he spoke oftentimes about Christ or the Resurrection, and the hope of the glory to come, and was much in Prayer to God even to his end. Surely God might take him away in such a manner for correction and reproof to the living, as if he should signify therein, that because we made not sufficient account and use of what he had so much and oft spoke in his life-time, we should have little from him audibly in his dying. Which though it might be imputed partly to his age and spentness, being just entered upon his eightieth year, and having spent his natural strength much in his continual writing, meditation and exercise, and partly to the distemper that fell upon his head and nerves and rendered him listless, drowsy and in a measure Lethargic or Appoplectick, as I conceive. Yet seeing God doth often order that they that serve him much in their life time, express much of him too in their death in an edifyable manner to others. And he could, had he pleased, have ordered such strength and livelyness to him also therein. Therefore it is better for us, taking it out of God's hand as a reproof of our unprofitableness, to make that use of it for the future, to improve the mercy's God gives us while we have them: as our Saviour admonished the the Jews, when he said, Yet a little while I am with you, and then I go to him that sent me. Ye shall seek me and shall not find me, and where I am thither ye cannot come, John 7.33, 34. & 8.21. to the end they might attend to him and make good use of him and his presence while yet with them, and where they might find and come to him, and so might walk in the light, while yet the light was with them, John 12.35, 36. and not as the Poet observed to be the common practice of men, Presentem virtutem odio habere, absentem quaerere invidi. Horat. 'Slight present good, out of envy of it, and then when it is withdrawn seek for it when it cannot be had. Surely it's matter of lamentation for the Church and World to be deprived of any useful persons in them. As also cause of sadness we have, as the taking away such, may presage judgements approaching upon us, as is often found, and as is employed in Isa. 57.1, 2. The righteous man perisheth (namely from among men) and not man layeth it to heart. And men of mercy (or kindness) are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken from the evil (either the evil that is already predominant, as Lot from the evil that vexed his righteous soul, or as we read it, the evil to come, as Lot also was, and Noah when taken into the Ark, from the approaching deluge) He shall enter into peace, etc. In respect of him therefore we have cause of gladness, as our Saviour said to his Disciples, John 14.28. But in respect of ourselves, cause to grieve. And God grant that that of our Saviour when the women wept for him when he went to his death, may not be applicable to us, Weep for you selves and for your Children, for behold the days come in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore, and the paps that never gave suck, &c, Luke 23, 28, 29. Well, what of judgement and correction to us there is in it, it is good for us to bear, Searching and trying our ways, and turning again to the Lord, who in divers such strokes and breaches made upon us, hath been smiting us. Blessing him that we enjoyed him so long, and that he lived to fill up so fully the number of his years; in which respect there is the less of judgement, I conceive, in his being now taken away. And whereas we can now have no farther usefulness of him by any personal care of, or service among us, let us, bewailing our unprofitableness under what we have had, have the more regard to his Relics. I mean those good and useful Books and Writings (the best and truest Relics of the Saints to be made much of by the surviving) lest behind him. In and by which we may yet be minded of the sum and substance of what he spoke to us, and hear him as it were yet instructing us and reap the labours of his spirit for us, Luke 16.29. 2 Pet. 1.15. And let it be also our care (as being in this his Death and Burial aptly minded thereof, and provoked thereto) so to number our days as to apply our hearts unto the heavenly Wisdom. So as we following after the knowledge thereof and walking therein we may be accepted of God also, and be accounted worthy to have our lot and portion among those that be wise, who shall shine as the brightness of the Firmanant in the Kingdom of God; and if it may be that we also may be instruments of turning many unto righteousness, that we may shine then too as the Stars for ever and ever. Amen.   
Blessed be God for his unspeakable gift.  
THE END.   



A DOUBLE ACROSTIC.  
Thy Race is Run, and  
Having thy work done,  
Oh may we too do  
Merit we can't, but)  
At Christ's appearance.  
Shall rise again, and  
Thou full happily  
Home t' Heaven didst ply.  
Ours, so as we may  
Mercy find that day  
At that day when we  
Shall judged by him be.  
More. more such useful  
Once was the Prayer of  
Old Master Power 'twas  
Rome's and Geneva's  
Even when thou'dst showed their  
Moors to us God send,  
One who did attend  
Of old Bullinbrook)  
Rocks when thou'dst shook  
Errors by God's Book.  
So be it, may we  
Either with us, or  
Neither the Learned  
In many places  
On whom like gifts were  
Rarer endowments  
Say, for few there be  
Else where, like to thee.  
Nor Unlearned can  
Instance such a man,  
Of God's grace so showed  
Richer parts bestowed.    

〈◊〉 Epitaph on Mr. Tho. Moor Sen.  

HEre lies a man wrapped up in dust,  
Whose better part's in heaven we trust  
●…he who through Grace with diligence  
●…tain'd to great experience.  
●…d was with heavenly gifts indu'de  
●…ove the common multitude  
●…undantly. Yea few there were,  
●…ny, in God's truth more clear.  
〈◊〉 many wisely did instruct,  
●…nvert to righteousness, conduct  
●…ways of Truth and Piety:  
●…herein himself did live and die.  
●…d therefore though (as all else must)  
〈◊〉 now be laid in clay and dust;  
〈◊〉 at the coming of the Lord  
〈◊〉 make good what He in his Word  
●…th promised. He shall, no doubt,  
●…m thence to glory be raised out;  
●…d then, in brightness as the sky  
●…ll shine, and as the Stars on high.  
●…h gain hath godliness: So good  
God to such as here have stood  
●…his good counsels; and have chose  
●…th Christ above all things to clo●…  
●…ving their sins his truth to 〈…〉  
〈◊〉 minding seek the things 〈…〉  
〈◊〉 such as read these 〈…〉  
〈◊〉 Faith and pure C●… 〈…〉  
To follow after Christ, believing  
God will be faithful, none deceiving  
Who trust to his good Word: and so  
Let's choose in such good ways to go  
As this deceased Friend, and all  
Whom holy men the Scriptures call.  
For there's no glory may compare  
With theirs who truly godly are.  
John Horn.    

Another.  

Here lies a Father, Friend, and Brother,  
Where's he can show me such another!  
Learned, not i'th' learning of the School  
But in that which who wants are fools.  
His preaching, writing, walking-one,  
His hands did not belly his tongue.  
Christ in whom's all; in all be blest,  
And having done his work's at rest.  
B●…    

Thomas Moor. 
 Anagr. O harm to some.  

A Help he was to many Souls, who  
His heavenly teaching had their hea●…  
〈…〉 unto Christ; in whom they met  
〈…〉 ●…enly peace, and blessed safety 〈◊〉  
〈…〉 in's such a sense  
〈…〉 as a rock of offence  
●…o such as his good counsels did reject,  
●…ot suffering them to have their due effect.  
●…or better not to have God's grace set forth,  
●…han to reject or count it little worth.  
●…nd o to some his death's harm who deprived  
●…f what advantage by him while he lived  
●…hey had in God's good ways, are likely now  
●…heir former love thereto away to throw.  
●…ea to the countries 'tis more generally  
●…harm where good men live, for them to die.  
●…r good men's worth and usefulness is oft  
〈◊〉 such like names as these in Scriptures taught  
●…ch treasures, jewels, lights o'th'world, or stars,  
●…ods grain, earth's salt, and sometimes its pillars.  
●…oss of which O what a harm 'twould be!  
●…ightless heaven, or grainless earth to see!  
〈◊〉 lose our jewels or rich treasures, and  
●…ose pillars whereon our choice buildings stand!  
●…d yet no less Churches or world's less when  
●…d takes away therefrom his godly men.  
●…n such in Sodom had its safety been,  
●…r had Jerusalem such sorrow●… seen  
●…t for the want of such. O then to some  
●…eat harm by such men's death doth use to come.  
While of their good instructions when th●… li●…  
And of their good examples they're depriv●… 〈◊〉  
And profit of their often fervent prayer,  
O what a harm'ts to some who can decla●…    

Another Anagr. 
 Thomas Moor O home a storm, or 
 Thomas Moor O home to arms.  

WHen God's about upon the world b●…  
A storm of wrath, some sad destructive th●…  
Because of their refusals of his grace,  
While his good words find in their heart's p●●  
O then it is his often wont to take  
Home to himself those who do conscie●…  
Sin to avoid, and follow what is good:  
So Noah God took home before the Flo●…  
Into an Ark of safety; and just Lot  
To Zoar, that with Sodom he might no●…  
By fire and brimstone be from heaven st●…  
So good Josiah from a people void  
Of goodness he by death did first take ho●…  
Before on Judah his fierce wrath did co●…  
And on Jerusalem; the like we find  
In Jeroboams child, when God did mind  
Upon his wicked house ruin to bring,  
He took him first by death, cause some g●… thing  
●…him was found: yea oft men merciful  
Isa. 57.1.  
〈◊〉 love from harms approaching doth he pull.  
●…herefore we a storm suspect may, when  
●…e see him home to take such godly men  
this our friend deceased was, whose name  
●…epresented in this Anagram.  
〈◊〉 well we may cry out, O Home when we  
●…orm approaching nigh upon us see.  
●…k Papists, cry to Protestants O Home.  
〈◊〉 the lap of Mother Church; to Rome!  
●…f some storm were suddenly to fall  
●…hich would at unawares destroy us all.  
〈◊〉 God himself doth on the contrary  
●…haste you home to Zion loudly cry:  
〈◊〉 she's our Mother, thence that divine law  
●…herefrom we first our heavenly breath did draw.  
〈◊〉 oh at how great distance live all they  
●…m thence who to Rome's city go astray!  
●…sk the way to Zion, that way let  
●…r faces, and not towards Rome, be set.  
●…ence we did first proceed, inquire the way  
〈◊〉 which to that pure truth return we may  
〈◊〉 saith and practice, which from thence did come  
●…ither to shun a storm, O haste we home  
●…cutting whirlwind (thence we're told) on all  
●…he heads of wicked men with pain will fall  
Jer. 30.23.  
O home to God ye sinners therefore fly,  
That ye may shun approaching misery.  
For why! that dreadful storm doth stron●… s●…  
Of fire and brimstone, even of death & H●…  
O might this voice throughout these Isla●… ri●…  
And reach from meanest beggar to the K●…  
All to repentance, all excite before  
A storm of wrath, the judgement of wh●…  
Upon us fall, lest Death and Hell o'ertake  
And do for ever miserable make us.  
O England, home to God, thou heavily  
Hast sinned against his holy Majesty.  
Thou divers sad blasts hast already felt  
Wars, Pestilence, decay of Trade have d●…  
Within thy borders, besides divers more  
Dismal presages of ensuing woe  
If thou repent'st not, yet thou worse o●… gr●…  
O home lest thee a storm quite overthrow,  
Patience may stay God's hand a while, 〈◊〉  
If thou sin on ' stroy thee at length He w●…  
O London, home, the heavens on thee dofro●…  
Both pestilence and fire have brought 〈◊〉 do●…  
And yet thou lift'st thy head aloft again,  
Though all thy filthiness doth still remai●…  
Unpurged from thee, nay is't not increased?  
〈◊〉 home to God, make haste, repent thee, lest  
〈◊〉 sad a storm from heaven upon thee blow,  
〈◊〉 may thy stately buildings quite overthrow.  
●…is name to thee O Home the rather calls,  
●…ecause it lies interred within thy wall.  
〈◊〉 Home ye servants of the Lord who ere  
●…e straggling in this world, and seeking there  
〈◊〉 satiate your souls, a storm will break  
●…our hopes in pieces, if you don't betake  
●…ou home to God, & cleave to him more fast,  
〈◊〉 home a storm is threatened, a strong blast.  
〈◊〉 home to arms, to stand upon your guard,  
〈◊〉 on God's armour lest ye be quite marred,  
●…st to Gods anger ye expose you so  
〈◊〉 to yourselves to cause exceeding wo.  
〈◊〉 let us all attend the heavenly charms  
●…f our dear Saviour. Home to his Arms  
●…etake us quickly: So we safe shall be  
●…om all that's evil, and destruction flee.  
Jo. Horn.    

Thomas Moor, 
 Anagr. O arm those more.  

LOrd thou hast weakened now our strength,  
It will be proved so:  
〈◊〉 we return not now at length  
For help where shall we go?  
〈◊〉 thou go'st further on to break  
Our companies, what will  
Become of such as yet are weak  
And very ignorant still!  
Even for thy Name those are increased  
With many a bitter foe.  
And many helpers now are ceased  
With thy strength Arm those more.  
Thou sayest if our iniquities  
We do acknowledge so  
As that we clear thy contraries  
In walking as our foe,  
Thou wilt remember for us then  
Thy mercies great of old:  
And plant us as thou didst when  
Thou brought'st us to thy fold.  
We have, as did our Fathers-fore,  
Proved plants degenerate:  
And like thy Vine such grapes we bore  
As thou couldst not but hate.  
Lord purge us for thy holy Name  
From every bitter root:  
Break us not further for the same  
In mercy do not do it.  
O magnify it in this way,  
Though we have grieved thee:  
And with thy Children, Lord, we pray  
Let us still numbered be.  
O arm those-mo, who are most tried,  
They need thy help chief;  
With fresh strength let them be supplied  
Thy Word now verify.  
O arm those more who weak are made,  
By taking such away;  
Be thou, O Lord, their present aid,  
And in their stead a stay.  
O arm those more who yet have space  
To gather strength and to go on  
That they may now go mend their pace  
And hold out till their race be run.  
Arm us all more for to persist  
Till we thy will have fully done,  
That at the last we may be blest  
Even when thou send'st again thy Son.  
F. Brigge.    

An Elegy upon the Death of Mr. Tho. Moor Sen. by the same.  

OUr former cry may be renewed,  
For God renewed hath his stroke:  
We are not more increased, but fewed:  
With greater breach He hath us broke.  
O pass it not with lightness o'er  
Though this was gathered in his season:  
There is not such another Moor,  
Then to lament we have great reason.  
The ancient and the honourable  
Do fail; they are removed away.  
Is not our case then deplorable  
When none but babes to be our stay!  
And is't not almost come to this!  
O Lord how have we thee offended!  
In whom iniquity none is,  
But all thy ways to be commended!  
Thou righteous art, thy judgements true,  
Yet give us leave with thee to plead:  
Oh execute not what is due,  
Thy heavy wrath we well may dread.  
Wilt thou this way encourage such  
As with their tongue think to prevail?  
While thou afflictest very much  
The poor that ready are to quail?  
With taunts men ready are to fright,  
Or with their flatteries to allure,  
Foundations being out of sight  
A mountain they present secure.  
What can the righteous do, say they,  
Now their upholders are destroyed?  
All will come down: they are our prey,  
Our snares and baits they can't avoid.  
But these did not build us upon  
Themselves, to Christ as surely laid  
The standing good foundation,  
They us directed for our aid.  
He is the holy Temple where  
God is, and with respect to whom  
His chastisements now ordered are,  
And so shall be the wickeds doom.  
Let us likewise now in our Grief  
Direct to him our earnest prayer,  
To send unto us some relief,  
And this our grcevous Breach repair.  
The Father who out lived the Son,  
Is in like manner taken hence:  
He who hath turned many a one  
To God from sin and ignorance  
But Death him always shall not keep,  
Nor yet his glorious splendour hid,  
When he is raised out of sleep  
His shining brightness shall abide.    


An Acrostic by the same hand,  
The breach before was much to be bewailed  
His taking from us, that was filled with skill  
On all occasions, and who never failed  
Minding men daily of Gods holy will.  
And have we not a fresh occasion now  
Since that presented to lament afresh!  
May we not fear God with a further blo  
Our hearts will humble for our stupidness  
O Let us hast ourselves to humble then  
Returning to the Lord, acting like men  
Ere he come over with his blow again.  
Surely God is beginning for to rise  
Even up from off his Mercy-seat,  
No greater sign is set before our eyes  
In holy Writ, than gather'ng thus his whea  
O when he takes his precious Grain away,  
Ruin is threatened unto them that stay.    

An Epitaph by the same.  

HEre breathless lies our Brother dear,  
Who spent his breath to make us hear  
The joyful sound our hearts to cheer.   

But of how few was it believed!  
Nay by our deafness we him grieved,  
A●● he by death is now reprieved.   

Death put an end unto his pain,  
Which while he lived he did sustain,  
And is to him an endless gain.   

In service he did oft go forth,  
Setting before us Christ's great worth,  
But God with us showed himself wroth.   

Which he of times hath done before,  
But in this stroke He wounded Moor:  
The wound to us was very sore.   

Oh may it now be laid to heart,  
That with our Idols we may part,  
Before we feel a further smart.   

So may we meet with in the end  
The good God doth by all intent,  
And be made happy with our Friend.  
But we awhile must bid Adieu  
And bide the sorrows that ensue  
The Death of him, like whom there's few,  
Which few the Lord continue still  
To publish his most blessed will,  
Till they their numbered years fulfil.    

An Anagram upon the name of his Honoured Friend Tho. Moor Son. by Thom. Goddrick.  
O man 'tis love; 
Homo, amor est. or, Homo est amor.   
The man is love.  

1. The man is love; this is too much to say  
Of any man but one: though some may be  
Conformed so farto him through grace this day,  
That much of's image men in them may see.  
Who Being with his Father always one  
Is truly love, even Jesus Christ alone.   

2. God manifested in the flesh is love,  
In Him thereto is nothing contrary.  
He is the light that shineth from above,  
In Him's no darkness, nor obscurity;  
O man, its love as it in him doth shine  
That thou shouldst mind, to it thy heart incline.   

3. Tongues, Prophecy, and knowledge, bounty, faith  
With constancy to death continued in,  
If Love be wanting (so the Scripture saith)  
Advanceth nothing, doth nor profit win:  
Nor Circumcision, nor its contrary  
Avails, but faith which works by Charity.   

4. Love's the fulfilling of the holy Law,  
What it to God, what it to man doth bind us,  
That worship, service, reverence and awe  
Which is our Maker's due, as it doth mind us.  
To love the Lord with all the soul & heart  
Comprehends all, includeth every part.   

5. Love to our Neighbour never worketh ill,  
What's due to him it therefore comprehendeth.  
Our Lord to us the substance of his will  
In those two words alone, briefly commendeth,  
On which the weight and stress of what was said  
By Moses and the Prophets both is laid.   

6. The man whose name you see prefixed here  
Was exercised in showing forth God's love  
In its extent, making it to appear  
That charity descendeth from above.  
That men in knowing God might somewhat be  
In love & mercy perfected as he.   

7. The Scriptures only made him wise to be  
An instrument of winning souls, and sure  
(without the help of vain philosophy)  
Through faith in Christ their virtue doth endure  
Throughly to perfect and to furnish us  
To each good work, This man was furnished thus.   

8. Who more than half the age of man assayed  
By word and pen the mists to drive away  
Which do obscure the true foundation laid  
By God, for men to build on in this day:  
That men might neither slight, not yet mis-place  
The precious cornerstone, that gift of grace  
Who hold forth truth in its simplicity  
Unveil the love which men's traditions hid  
Turn many to God's righteousness, and by  
His special favour ever shall abide,  
Even as the brightness of the firmament,  
And shine as stars in glory permanent.     

READER, my absence from the Press ●…ath occasioned these following Erratas, which thou art hereby desired to mend: As also the Learned Reader may easily discern ●…me Hebrew Letters in p. 84. l. 26. & 122. l. 15. ●…rossly mistaken, which I leave to his inge●…uity to mend.  
PAge 14. line 30. read that which was. p. 25. l. 20. for thy r. they. p. 30. l. 21. for nursing r. musing. p. 34. l. 7. ●…seeth. p. 37. l. 20. r. that that. p. 43. l. 1. r. Mat. 18.20. l. 18. ●…or. Joh. 2. r. 2 Joh. p. 25. l. 26. deal him. p. 46. l. 7. for can. r. 〈◊〉. l. 18. for deprives r. can deprive. p. 60. l. 22. d. 〈◊〉. p. 66. l. 〈◊〉 8. r. understand. p. 68 l. 18. r. orderly. p. 7. l. 28. r. and did. p. 73. l. 12. r. other. l. 7. for race r. rate. p. 76. l. 27. for to r. too p. 81. l. 1. set the figure 2 before pure. p. 85. l. 9 r. Psal. 49. p. 88 l. 20. d. got. p. 97. l. 11. for Isa. 45.14. r. 45.19. p. 102. 〈◊〉. 3. for or r. as. l. 10. r. kept. p. 105. l. 13. for to r. too. p. 106. 〈◊〉. 19 d. that. l. 29. r. my say. p. 124. l. 10. r. Gentiles. p. 125. l. 2. for Luk. 29. r. 24. p. 127. l. 8. for 2 Cor. 44. r. 2 Cor. 6.14. p. 136. l. 15. for an r. and. & at folly d. Comma. p. 140. 〈◊〉. 18. for has r. haste. p. 141. d. be. l. 29. r. this i●…. p. 142. l. 6. 〈◊〉. things. p. 155. l. 5. for God r. good.