RELIGIOUS MEDITATIONS ON Ecclesiastes, Chap. 12. Vers. 13, 14. Let us hear the Conclusion of the whole matter, Fear God and keep his Commandments: for this is the whole Duty Man. For God shall bring every work into Judgement, with every Secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. I will Meditate in thy Precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy Statutes: I will not forget thy word.— Oh how I love thy Law! it is my Meditation all the day. Psal 119. Vers. 15, 16.97. LONDON: Printed in the Year, 1699. DEDICATION. TO THE Piously affected Young Man. My Beloved Friend, AS it hath pleased the God of Infinite Mercy to incline our heart to seek after him in our tender years, and to give us a clear perception of those things which pertains to Eternal Life and Salvation, so hath be also, (Glory to his Name in the Highest!) given us cause to testify to the truth of that promise, Pro. 8.17. Those that seek me early shall find me. And altho' secular concerns may sometimes be ready to prevail, yet in retired and serene Speculations of mind, the vanity of all created objects is discerned, and the Soul meeting with nothing of Satisfaction here below, Soars aloft to a Supreme being, its proper centre and place of rest; from whence is beheld the World, with all its fullness, as only filth and dregs, and unworthy for an Immortal Soul, to be wholly employed in: In such contemplations being exercised, amidsts various occasions for thoughts of another kind, I have many times been fully sensible of the blindness that is over the Hearts of Men, who are preferring transitory and earthly Goods, to real and durable Riches, and that are seeking more earnestly for Treasure here below, Matth. 6.19, 20.33. than to lay it up in Heaven, where Moth or Rust cannot corrupt, nor Thief break through and Steal; and desires have been raised to obey the precepts of Jesus, who said, First seek the Kingdom of Heaven and the Righteousness thereof, etc. And that such desires may be strengthened and encouraged let us wait upon the Lord, let us trust and repose all our confidence in him, and he will provide for all our wants, all our necessities of what relation soever shall be supplied, and we shall be upheld through all occasions of falling, that we may pass through: But Oh that we may not presume to think of security by a God that we do not know, let us feel after him, in whom we live, move, and have our being; Acts 17.22.31. he is not far from any, altho' they may be wholly Ignorant of it: But he is imperceptable to the Carnal in Heart, they are wholly strangers to him, he beholds them a far off: But let us meditate on his Laws, that we may be partakers of his Blessings, and let us be low and humble, that we may inherit his Glory, Prov. 3.34, 35 who scorneth the scornful, and giveth Grace unto the lowly in Heart. To the improvement of my received Talon, are these following Meditations produced; and I expose them to public view; not to be taken for a Methodical comment, or learned exposition: For as I am too young, and uncapable (were there occasion) for such a Work, so am I Old enough to see, that too many of the Books, abroad in the World, of such a kind, prove more to the confusion than confirmation of the Readers, especially when they treat of places hard to be understood. But those comprehensive words that I make the Subject of my thoughts; Eccles. 12.13, 14. as it is one of the most full, so 'tis of the most easy and intelligable places of Scripture, which I chose to exercise my private Meditations on; not designing (at the first) that they should appear in this public manner: And if any, remote from God should hereby he induced to approach the throne of his Grace, and return from the evil of their ways, then shall I think the Publication hereof to be done in a happy Hour: But if it be so unsuccessful, as to work no such effect, yet my comfort is, that it has been a greater benefit to myself, than it can be a hurt to any. And that thou (Pious Reader) maye'st be further encouraged, I present thee with these following metucally expressed Cogitations. Contemn the World, its Glory all desise, It is too base for noble minds to prize; How vain and empty is its three fold Treasure, Comprised in Honour, Profit and in Pleasure? We know such Honour's base, and such esteem Is set, not as we are, but as we seem; 'tis like a new Blown, but a fading flower, Of small continuance, and of smaller power; It gives no real content, no lasting peace, But as a blast of Wind doth puff and cease; If leaned upon, 'tis but a broken reed; And only doth our crazy fancies feed. But not our Souls, they must have food Divine. That's suiting to their 〈◊〉, else they pine. And then for profit; how can we obtain, A real, sufficient, and a solid gain; That will to such a lasting profit ●end, As will not fail to be, a comfort in the end. This lower Region will not yield, I'm sure, One grain of gain that always can endure; We know such Earthly pe●●'s esteemed for Wealth. That can't afford our crazy Body's Health; Much less can all its combined force prevail, To yield content, when final fears assail. The troubled Soul, which rowls in sorrow now. And from its high flown Seat, in forced to bow▪ To th' pale attacques of Death, whose mighty power, No strength of Riches can defer an hour. But Pleasure's limits seem of most extent, As to afford a joy without relent; And People's minds are wrapped so far therein, As not to deem the worse of 'em Sin; So swimming in this Sea of vain delight, Are plunged into that dark and dismal night. Of an Eternal Woe, a just reward To those that think their Souls not worthy of regard But Oh let's fly the cause of such neglect, That so we mayn't be cursed by its sad effect. And with an Elevated Soul aspire, Above these mean delights to something higher, That, to a Soul inflamed with Celestial fire, Seems worthy of pursuit, and of a great desire? And as one glimpse thereof, does Elevate the Soul, In what an ecstasy will all our Spirits roll; When that most dazzling Glory shall appear, To Principate our joy, and end our fear? Then shall we sound eternal Hymns and Lays, Of Anthems, Songs, and never ending Praise, Unto our great Creator, whom we must Admire at in his Love, to make of Dust Poor Creatures; and at last to make 'em blest, By the enjoyment of an Everlasting rest. By John Moss, Jun. Aetat. Anno 19/20. Baldock, Hertford-shire, the 20th of April, 1699. RELIGIOUS MEDITATIONS, On Eccles. Ch. 12. Ve. 13, 14. THE Wise Preacher, 1 Kings 3.9.13.10.23.4.30. 2 Chron. 1.10.12. Eccles. 12.9.10. whose Supplication was for Wisdom, which the Lord not only granted, but added thereto both Riches and Honour, so that he excelled all the Kings of the Earth; after he had sought out, and set in order many Proverbs, and acceptable Words, even Words of Truth; after he had surveyed the Universe of Knowledge, 1 Kings 4.33. Eccles. 7.20, 21. the Nature of all living Creatures, of Herbs and Plants, in a singular manner; and in short, had attained to the highest degree of knowledge, gives this positive Sentence on it, Eccles. 12.8.12. All Vanity of Vanity, all is Vanity: And having in this sure and certain sense Admonished, that of making many Books there is no end, and that much Study is a weariness of the Flesh, he winds up his search and scrutiny, his study and writing, with a most profound and comprehensive Exhortation, Fear God, Keep his Commandments, to which as a most urgent motive, he adjoins, For God shall bring into Judgement every Work. A solid consideration of which has so wrought on the minds of some, that have been Transported with desires of humane Learning, that not being insensible of an account to be rendered for every secret thing, much more for every action, they have been willing to abandon all inordinate inclinatons thereunto, animated by Love of vain applause, all studies and scrutinies, that may in the least Impede their harkening to the Voice of Wisdom, which is pathetically expressed in the words of Solomon's conclusion; which I make the subject of my thoughts and wrighting at this time; and indeed so deep, grave, and earnest is the same, that to a Soul disentangled from Worldly cogitations, and in whom any good desires are begotten, no other considerations will receive so willing an Entertainment: insomuch as it contains the most serious, sensible, judicious, and last words of the most knowing and understanding of Mortals; whose Wisdom, than herein, in all his writings never more appeared. With such attentive thoughts I will endeavour (Dei gratiâ) a firmer impression, by making cursory remarks upon it. Let us hear, I exhort you to it, I can't compel, neither do I desire it, but as one that hath obtained favour of the Lord, Eccles. 47.22. that has been partaker, not only of his mercies, but of his Judgements also, 2 Sam. 7.12.16. Psa. 89.30.36. and a● the first are comfortable but the last terrible, so I would entreat you in that Love and good will, enkindled in me by a spark from Heaven by embracing the one to avoid the other; I have tasted of both, and have seen Mercy prevailing over Judgement: Further (may the Preacher say) I have been a Man furnished with the most complete body of knowledge, Wisd. 7.87.21. accomplished with a deep skill in all kind of science, it has been all unvailed to me; Nature and Art have I viewed the one in the clearest discoveries of its hidden secrets, the other in a most subtle preception of its highest perfections: Knowledge has veiled its bonnet to me, and lies couching at my Feet; Understanding hath been my constant colleague and Wisdom never departed from me: I have surveyed all the whole creation, its Nature and use; the secret influences of the Heavens with the sympathy of Terrestrials, the whole Kingdom of Nature hath been subject to me, Animals and Vegetives, the dispositions of Men and all other living Creatures, their divers constitutions, and the occult and Magical powers of Herbs and Plants, from the Hyssop to the lofty Cedar, I have scrutinised, together with the Nature of Pearls, and Precious Stones, yea, the whole mineral Kingdom: yet further (hear the excellant Preacher) I was King of a mighty Nation, 1 Kings 4.24.34.10.23, 24 2 Chron. 9.22.26. before nor after me none can compare to my Grandeur, Riches and Honour encompassed me about, the height of worldly greatness was my Possession; Kings did me homage, and Foreign Princes bowed unto me, and paid me reverence: I had multitudes of Chariots and Horsemen, Men Servants and Maid Servants, and what soever my Heart desired: I builded me Houses and a glorious Temple, excelling in curious Art, my Wisdom directed me in it moreover the Fame of my Wisdom reached to the further parts of the World, 1 Kings. 6.7. Eccles. 2.4.8. which gained me an Honourable reverence of all; Eccles. 1.16. then communing with my own Heart, I said, Lo I am come to great Estate, and have gotten me more Wisdom than all that have been before me in Jerusalem, yea, my Heart hath had great experience of Wisdom and Knowledge; wherefore let me be esteemed as a competent Judge of all enjoyments, insomuch that I know and have tried them all: Let Earthly Kings have respect to the Counsel of their most wise Predecessor, that knew the Glory, the Pleasure, and the content of a Kingdom, he that was skilled in the economy of a Politic Body, a mighty and unresisted Monarch, to whom the craft of State and Councils was not concealed; He devests himself of all, derogates from the Royalty of the World, and says, Let us hear; In a tender, Familiar, and low manner of expression, some would think below the Dignity of a King. But no doubt the Wisdom which inspired his Soul, saw occasion for such an humble stile; and that all might be prevailed upon by this his most sensible admonition, he is willing to conjoin with them in this needful Duty: Let us hear, we that are endowed with Wisdom, that are anxious in acquiring understanding, that are solicitous in seeking humane Knowledge; I have been expert therein, and from thence assure yea, that this is the greatest Wisdom; and further, that yourselves, if not now, will have cause to confess unto it; For a time will come, wherein you will be sensible of the deficiency of all your vain conceits, 1 Cor. 3.19, 20. when the Wisdom of the Wise will be turned into Foolishness, and all the Crafty shall be confounded. Let us hear (says the King) we that are Potentates in the Earth, to whom is committed something of an Earthly Power, I have been great and mighty, yea far exceeding any of you, the Dominion of my Government was largely extended, and I was not only Ruler of many but of my own self, I was endued with Wisdom, Divine and Humane in the highest perfection that Man can possess; and must declare, that your Policy and Stately Craft, as 'tis far inferior to true Wisdom, so some higher degree of Knowledge is requisite to a truly knowing King; I know the intrigues of Government, having from my Youth been exercised therein, having dispensed Laws and Statutes from the dictates of an Heavenly Wisdom, and having had a perfect understanding in all regal affairs: From whence I counsel ye to hear the result of all my Wisdom, and fear not to give ear to my advice, it proceeds from Knowledge, Wisdom, and Love unfeigned, and will not fail to prove beneficial, if obeyed; if an experienced Counsellor may be regarded, if an honest Politician can gain any credit, let me have some attention, (says the King of Jsrael.) Again, Let us hear, we that have large possessions, that be Rich in the Earth, we that are filled with Worldly enjoyments, that as it were, have the World at our beck, we that are at ease in our pleasure, that command the World with our Wealth, we that flatter ourselves with hopes of perpetual bliss, and some of us that think this false Joy will never come to an end, be ye advised and consider; 1 Kin. 10.17. I have had most boundless possessions, and made Silver as plentiful as stones in the street, yet I see the vanity of all these empty enjoyments, how short they be in yielding true and lasting Peace; Can they so have done, I should have been blessed above all, but now rest sensible of the insufficiency and uncertainty of them, Riches make themselves wings, and fly away, they canno● deliver in a day of Trouble; therefore let them be no longer as strong hold in your imagination's neither take them for the upholder of a lasting Peace, for I know how little safety can be reposed in them and further, 1 Tim. 6.7.10. that they are more o●ten Snares by which Men are entangled, than they be useful or conducing to their good: Let such thoughts and considerations (say the Preacher) incline ye to say with me; Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, etc. Eccles. 12.1. Our excellent Preacher having in the precedent part of the Chapter, given some tender admonition to the younger People, none concludes to all, with so full a compendium of Humane duty, as nothing in such a relation is excluded wherein appeared, not only hi● great and spacious Knowledge, bu● also his reformed apprehension of the future estate of Men, as well ●s a sensible demonstration of his ●esubmition to his great Creator, against whom he had transgressed, by his subjection to the Power of concupiscence: But this (as 'tis believed) being of a posteriour edition, proves him a partaker of the promised respite of affliction justly ●aid upon him; I will for this afflict the Seed of David, but not for ever, I will chastise him in Judgement, 2 Sam. 12 16. Psal. 89.30.36. but my loving kindness shall not be taken away: and therefore I doubt not, but he by resignation and repentance, was blest with a restoration of his unparalleled Wisdom; because the meekness, humility, and charity comprised herein, seems no other than the ejaculation of a Spirituallized Man, the effect of divine mercy alone; to which also must be imputed the efficient cause of all attention to this conclusion of the whole matter, which is to Fear God, and keep his Commandments A Reverend and Holy Fear, an entire and Godly awe, a meek and submissive dread of Spirit, is required Fear God, keep his commands let no Worldly considerations, let no mean and Earthly cogitations be restrictive, but remember, that the great and most excellent Creator, whose presence fills Heaven and Earth, 1 Kings 8.27. 2 Chron. 2.6.6.18. the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him; of Justice is worthy to be feared, reverenced and submitted to: He is the Fountain of all our good, from whom all our mercies flow, whose Loving Kindness never fails, whose Truth and Goodness sustains the World, whose secret and most wise providence orders and disposes of all. Vacat exiguis rebus adesse nostr● Jovi Curat noster Deus & sui & alieni. He is not only a far off, but a God near at hand to support the weak, and to comfort the afflicted, to give Joy for Mourning, Isa. 61.3. the garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness, Beauty for Ashes, Peace and Tranquillity for trouble and sorrow of mind: 2 Chron. 6.18. He is an omnipresent being, nothing can be hid from his Eyes, he beholds the secret actions of all, the private deceits of Men be not unknown unto him, the dark workers of Iniquity cannot conceal themselves: He is most boundless in power, all Nations are but as the dust in the balance in his Hand, Isa. 40. ●2. 17. he that by his powerful Wisdom produced this worldly frame into a being, can by the same consume it into nothing; let the Wisdom of this World deny its production out of nothing, let it be employed in searching for Prima materia and causa Vniversalis; We know that our God is Omnipotent, that as he was able out of nothing to constitute all things, so can he reduce all things into nothing again; the fallen Wisdom of Man, Arestotle. not apprehending divine Wisdom, conceived the world Eternal, and shall we render ourselves as weak by dis-believing the omnipotency of our great Creator: Oh! no, but let us with cheerful Hearts yield honour and reverence to his Glorious Name, who, as all have plentifully received of his favours and mercies, so requires a faithful and grateful acknowledgement thereof, by fearing him, and obeying his commands, whereby is performed (through the assistance of divine Grace) that only acceptable Sacrifice of pure and hearty Obedience: First, by fearing is rendered our private worship and adoration of God, and Secondly, by obeying him, or an active observance of his righteous Law, our duty in respect to our Neighbours, which is to love them as ourselves, Rom. 13 9, 10. Gal. 5.14 herein is contained (as saith the Preacher) the whole duty of Man. But seeing our sad experience gives us to know the great aversion there is lodged in our hearts to the desires of, and much more seeking after our good, which is to fear God and keep his Commands; how carfully then should we seek for the means of extirpating this so powerful an inclination to evil, and declination from any thing that may be in the least conducing to our chiefest good, and of attaining to such a frame and estate of mind, as that we may be in a capacity to perform the duties required of us. May we not sorrowfully remember how that our first Father Adam, the masterpiece of the whole Creation, an Epitome of the World, in whom was centred an Abreviation of all things, and who was constituted Lord of all the Creatures, Gen. 1.26, 27. as being endued with Righteousness, Knowledge, and true Holiness; yet, by Transgression to the Righteous Law of God, by disobeying his Holy precepts, Gen. 3. Rom. 8.20. 2 Cor. 11.3. Eccles. 25, 24. by reason of vain hope by harkening to the Allurements of the Woman, by yielding to the Seducements of the Serpent, and by Eating of the prohibited Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of go d and evil, Gen. 3.14, to the end. became deprived of his serene and pure Felicity, lost the gracious benefit of a sweet and immediate communion with his Maker, together with his Sovereignty over the whole Creation: Rom. 5.12. Yea, Sin, and death by Sin, entered the world thereby, and the faculties of his soul being infected and depraved, Darkness and Corruption seized his guilty Conscience, the pure Image of the Deity was defaced, its passions and affections perverted, Gen. 6.5. and the punishment of death, which sore-threatned his Rebellion in these terms. Gen 2 17. In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die, was justly inflicted on him: Whereby, as he fell from that dignity he was placed in, Ephes. 4.24. from that Righteousness, Knowledge, and true Holiness he was Primitively endued with, in disobedience to God, Col. 3.10. listened to Satanical delusions, and from thence Polluted, Tainted, and Defiled that pure, integer and Divine Nature, which God had Inspired him with; So all his Posterity partaking of that corrupt Seed and Nature, became disabled from succeeding him in those blessed Privileges he enjoyed in his State of Integrity, and not only so, Isa. 64.5. but also subject to the dismal effect and consequences of that corruption, which are death, and disability to perform the primary end of Man's Creation: Rom. 5.12. Wherefore, saith St. Paul, as by one Man Sin entered the World, and Death by Sin, so Death passed upon all Men, for that all have Sinned; He likewise proved that all under Sin: And again, Rom. 3.9 Rom. 5.18.19. Therefore as by the offence of one, Judgement came upon all Men to condemnation; For as by one Man's disobedience, many were made Sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made Righteous. Thus the cause of that Natural alienation from, and repugnance to any thing of good is easily discovered. Adam became alienated in his mind, and in like manner all his posterity, by reason of wicked works, and uncapable to render a due Reverence, Honour and Glory to the great Creator. But the condemnation is not because Adam sinned, therefore as a Punishment due to that particular Sin, all his posterity, save a few peculiarly respected, shall be punished: The Text says, Death passed upon all, for that all have Sinned, Which leads me to meditate on, First, The the cause of this universal deluge of Death; Secondly, The means of restoration to such a condition, as to be capable of fulfilling our duties to God and Man. Then first, The cause that Death has come upon all, being already in a great measure evinced, I yet further prosecute to see more clearly the manner of it, which will more evidently discover the reason of those innate inclinations to evil, which naturally sway our minds. As by one Man (saith the Scripture before hinted) Sin entered the World, and Death by Sin, Rom. 5.12. so Death passed upon all Men, for that all have Sinned: here 'tis manifest, that Sin entr'd the World by Adam's transgression, and Death was the consequence unto him, even a dying from God; and the reason that Death came upon all his Progeny, Rom. 6.23. is because all have Sinned, and the reason that all have Sinned is, because they partook of, Psal. 51.5. and are conceived in, that Seed and Nature of fallen Adam, which was of alienation from any thing of good, so that all the natural affections are deviating from God and good; all are by Nature Children of wrath and propense to evil, and consequently all have Sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, Rom. 3.23.9. and become the Objects of his wrath, 8.7. and so in a condition incapable to glorify their maker; which leads me to think of. Secondly, the means of restoration. As our Protoparent, by a transgression so damnable, as not only deserving his own destruction, Gen. 3.17. but the Earth was justly cursed for it, did incur his Maker's wrath, and was punished by deduction of his former felicity, and a corporal Death (which some are ready to think he had else been never cursed with) but more greivously, by the danger of an eternal woe, which was made the inevitable effect of unrepented Sin; and as his posterity, by Sinning, tho' not after the same similitude, Rom. 5.14. are justly exposed to the same Misery, and liable to undergo it; So the Lord in infinite compassion to the Works of his Hands, and in order to restore the whole Creation into that Glorious Liberty which Adam before his fall enjoyed, Rom. 8.21. provided a means to be reconciled to poor, lost, and miserable Souls, that do nothing naturally but offend their Maker, and whose Sins and enormities are so encensive to divine Justice, that nothing but an immense mercy can expiate: A promise was made in love to Mankind, even inexpressible, in odium to the Serpent, who had almost ruined the Masterpiece of God's Handy Work, and a just Damnation to fallen Lucifer, and all his followers, who not content with the station which God had set them in, aspired to a greater place, and so for them, as a Punishment for their presumptuous Pride, are chains of darkness for ever reserved; which was, Gen. 3.15. the Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpent's Head. Man was captivated by, Ephes. 2.1, 2, 3. and became subject to the Prince of the power of the Air, who rules in the Hearts of the Children of disobedience, and worthy of an eternal deprivation from all bliss: But the promise was given forth, a redemption from the power of Satan, and a restoration to the lost felicity, Righteousness, Knowledge and true Holiness; and moreover (to the Glory of the alwise Creator and Redeemer, be it said) Man was upon performing his part in the Covenant, entitled to an inheritance of a never ending Joy: The assurance and earnest of which may cause all to Magnify, Praise, Honour, and for ever adore that most imense clemency of God; as will the Condemnation to eternal woe, cause a most deplorable reflection to those Souls that have wilfully slighted the means of Celestial Bliss, 1 Pet. 3.18. which is the mercy of God in Jesus Christ, the Son of his Love, the Seed of the Woman, who as he was God became also Man, making a complete Saviour, 1 John 2.2. Heb. 9.28. and laid down his Life for Sinners, and became a propitiation for them, even for all that believe in his Name, he procured for them a pardon by his Death, and Salvation by his Life, as 'tis said, reconciled by his Death, Rom. 5.10. Ephes. 1.4. Rom. 8.29, 30. 2 Tim. 1.9. 1 Pet. 1.18. and saved by his Life. The Creator foreseeing all things that should come to pass in time, fore-provided a Saviour for those Creatures which were the principal part of his Workmanship, even for all Mankind; the mystery of this contrivance Natural Reason cannot fathom, for as the Scripture testifies, 1 Cor 2.14. the Natural Man perceives not the things of God, neither indeed can he, for they are Spiritualy discerned, so no carnal comprehension can conceive or dive into this mystical redemption. In Adam all die, 1 Cor. 15.22. in Christ all are made alive; in the original nature, the nature of fallen Adam, Ephes. 2.1. all the Children of men are Dead, in reference to the things of God: As a corporal Death deprives of the use of all the outward senses, the sight is lost, notwithstanding the Eyes remain; so hearing and the other senses are taken away, altho' their proper organs are remaining: So is it with respect to the Soul of Man, 'tis depraved in its senses, having Eyes it sees not, having Ears it doth not hear, and tho' 'tis Life to the Body, yet it lives not, because resting in Adam (where all die) and under subjection to the principle of disobedience: 'Tis a most noble truth, that as the Soul of man animates the Body, so the Spirit of God gives Life to the Soul, the Soul is Life to the Body, and the Holy Spirit quickens the Soul; and as the Body without the Soul is Dead, and unable to perform any office, so is the Soul of man not enlivened by the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 15 45, 47. the quickening Spirit, the Lord from Heaven, Dead and unable to perform its office to God, which is to fear and obey him. To retreive and remedy this disability of the Soul, is the Son of God manifest, 1 John 3.5.8. even to destroy the works of the Devil, which have filled the Soul, and bruised the heel of the Woman's Seed, to bring it from under captivity to Sin and Satan, Rom. 8.21. into the Glorious Liberty of the Sons of God; which is incomprehensible to the carnal in Heart, which the Natural and unrenewed man cannot perceive, but to the Spiritually minded man, to the Heavenly attracted Soul, to the Soul inflamed with a Celestial love, with aspiring desires, with noble and heroic affections, how con●enting! how ravishing! how sweetly consolating! is the sensible enjoyment of a restoration to this Glorious Liberty, to this unconceivable joy, peculiar to the redeemed Souls, when the morning Stars sing together, and all the Sons of God, adopted Children, pure, peaceable, and reconciled in Herrt and Soul, do sing for Joy! So that 'tis not for the carnal mind to pry into these Divine secrets, which are disclosed to none but the Spiritually inclined, to those whose affections are set on things above, whose conversation is in Heaven, Mat. 6.21. whose treasures and hearts are there; these alone shall not only know the means, but feel the power of redemption, the Blood of Jesus to purge their Consciences from dead works, Heb. 9.14. to serve the living God; these will know that they must die unto, Sin and live unto Righteousness; 1 Pet. 2.24.3.18. that the Redeemer came to deliver them from this present evil World; and that they are saved according to his mercy, Gal. 1.4. Tit. 3.5, 6, 7. by the washing of Regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, that being Justified by his Grace, they may be made heirs of eternal Life. Further, that they must not live to themselves, 1 Cor. 5.15. Ephes. 5.25.26. but to him, which died for them, that he might sanctify and cleanse them with the washing of Water by the Word, to present them to his Father, Holy and without Blemish; that he might redeem them from all Iniquity, Tit. ● 23, 2● and purify to himself a peculiar people, Zealous of good works: And that, Love, Peace, Ephes 5.22. Joy, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance, against which there is no Law, may abound amongst them; and wherein they that are Christ's, having Crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts do live and walk. Now wouldst thou know the means of redemption, and wouldst thou be blest with the same; harken and hear, and thy soul shall Live: Thou (haste been, or still) art by Nature a Child of Wrath, and thy affections are joined to Earthly things, to Transitory and Perishing objects, that disagree to the pure Nature of thy soul; but above all, that capital Lust of Pride, which, as 'twas most prevalent in the first Man Adam, takes up the greatest part of thy heart; so that (not being yet acquainted with that power of Jesus, which redeems from sin) thou art Exalted and Puffed up in thy Fleshly mind, which covets after this world, and thereby art become wholly estranged from any good; to thee in this desperate condition, Mat. 11.28, 29, 30 does the Son of God cry, Come unto me, learn of me, I am meek, and lowly in heart, and if thou wilt be humble, I'll teach thee of my ways, my Doctrine shall be as the Diew, it shall inspire Life into thy soul; (man lives not by Bread alone, Mat. 4.4. but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God: Joh. 6.48.63. ) the words that I speak unto thee, they are Spirit, Mt ●. 18.11. and they are Life; I am come to seek, and to save; I am come to abase the Proud, and to exalt the Humble in soul; he that exalts himself shall be abased, but he that abases himself will I exalt; Take my Yoke upon thee, saith Jesus, for thou'lt soon find it easy, and my burden to be light; and follow me in the way of self-denial, and of Regeneration; tho' thou art Blind I will restore thy sight, tho' thou art Darkness I'll make thee light; nay, tho' thou art dead, I will give thee Life: It shall come to pass, that the Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God, and those that hear, shall live: Oh blessed promise! God is speaking from Heaven by his Son, who is Infusing Life, even his own Spirit, into the Souls, and making it to live: Then, the Dead cannot praise thee, neither can they that go down to the grave, celebrate thy Name; but the living, the living can praise thee, and magnify thy Glorious Name, who hast redeemed them by thy mighty Power, from Death and destruction, from Sin and Satan, by thy precious Blood, by thy virifying Life, by that word of eternal Life, by which the World was made, Man was created, and Man is redeemed again, through whom to the alwise, and almighty, Creator be sounded never ending Anthems, and Hallelujahs, Glory and everlasting Praise, Amen. Thus is the redeemed Soul engaged to fear and obey the great restorer of breaches, and of paths to walk in, John 13.15. who as he left an example for us to follow his steps, not assuming Glory to himself, but submitting in all things to his Father's will, and at length laid down his Life for his greatest enemies, so, 1 Pet. 2.21. must we thereby learn to walk in self denial and newness of Life, in meekness and in humiliation, in submission and pure obedience to the internal revelation of the Divine word, which teaches to love enemies, to do good to them which hate us, to bless them that curse and despitefully use us; Heb. 12.1, 2, 3. and to take him for our pattern, who endured the Cross and despised the shame, for the joy that was set before him, who being without Sin, bore the punishment due for Sin, that Man might Sin no more, but be restored by means of that Grace which came by Jesus, Joh. 1.17. to such a state of Righteousness and perfection, as to be enabled to fear and obey the great and merciful Creator, and thereby obtain the unmerited reward of an eternal joy, overcoming the strength of Satan through the power of God, to him that overcomes (saith Jesus) will I grant to sit with me in my Father's Throne, Rev. ●. 21. and blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, ●2. 1● and may enter in through the gates into the City of God, the new Jerusalem, the Mother of the faithful who are breathing, Rev. 10.6.22.12. how long! Lord, how long! for him who said, behold I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his works shall be. Is it so? hath the God of infinite mercy engaged and incited us to fear and obey him by such consolatory promises, such Heavenly inducements! and has he deterred us from rebelling and committing evil against him, by dreadful and fearful threaten, even eternal woe, and never ceasing torture; how vigilant, how diligent, how considerate should the Rich Man be! he would be ready to say, I have been undeservedly blest by a supreme Hand, I have unworthely reccived of the blessings of Heaven, my temporal Goods are increased, and worldly enjoyments are heaped upon me, shall I forget the hand that conferred them, shall I ingratefully neglect to glorify him, that has thus dignified me? Oh, no; But rather, I thank thee O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, I was needy, thou hast supplied my wants, I was in distress, and thou hast relieved me, I am less than the least of thy mercies, I will not fail to magnify thy Name; not by my own industry, so much as by thy blessing, does the world lend me its aid; by thy favour, not my worth, who have so much displeased thee, are Earthly Goods beneficial to me; I will not be puffed up with what thou hast given me to glorify thee with, but will endeavour so to use these temporal blessings as to answer the end for which I was possesed of them, and will learn to make all considerations tend to thy Honour, who hast been thus merciful to me. And thus will the wise Man say; I am naturally endued with profound Sagacity, with a deep and penetrating Judgement, with a sound intellect, and with a sharp and piercing fancy, for what end am I so qualified, is it to employ myself in search of such knowledge, which not only bereaves me of my fleeting time, but will also fail to be any profit in the end; shall I exercise my wit in such matters that will show I am void of Wisdom? or shall I make use of my rational intellect no better, than to fall short of a divine understanding! Oh no, but rather, the great God has made me capable to do him eminent service; I am naturally fitted to receive such spiritual gifts that may qualify me for a Servant to his heritage; I will therefore submit and bend to him, who will yet further furnish me with more Noble parts; for I remember the holy Man saith, Psal. 111.10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, a good understanding have they that depart from Evil; I therefore learn to be humble and not puffed up, as knowing 'tis but Earthly Wisdom which exalts itself, and will supplicate the Lord for Wisdom of a Celestial Nature, that will make me wise to Salvation, which will sanctify my natural reason, and make my innate genus inclinable to obey its Heavenly dictates; I have no reason to be proud of my natural abilities, as knowing I cannot attain to be for ever happy thereby, I cannot conceive sufficiently of God by the exercise of my own conceptions, the natural Man perceives not the things of God, neither can he, 1 Cor. 2.14. for they are Spiritually discerned; So that I crave wisdom from above which will let me know, that I should else have thought myself intelligent, when I neither knew myself, nor the means of doing so, much less to have been endued with such a knowledge, as will be Life eternal to my never dying Soul, Joh. 17.3. which is to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. And if the Voluptous were not less careful to satisfy their Spiritual wants, than to provide for their corporal pleasures, there would appear some acknowledgements of a supreme favour to them; insomuch as health, strength, and sufficient necessaries are so plentifully afforded, and in penitential tears they would be ready to cry out. How have we abused the manifold mercies of God, turning into laciveousness and luxury those enjoyments which, we have cause to fear, may be greatly wanting to us, as a punishment for our profuse and riotous courses; we are now sensible that a divine Majesty is offended, that our profane lives have rendered us the objects of God's displeasure; and that if his mercy doth not exceed our almost innumerable Sins, we must to all eternity remain the monuments of his wrath and sore displeasure: God is mercifully pleased to allow us the use of those necessaries, and that in a plentiful manner, which others more worthy are deprived of; but now is his love yet further manifested, in given us to see the misery which will inevitably follow those unrepented Sins, and not only so, but in given us hearts to bewail our former vicious courses, and to praise him, whose blessings inwardly and outwardly have been largely extended to us. And as the Lord in mercy hath dispensed an appearance, and gift of Divine Grace, to every particular Soul, Tit. 2.11.12. in order to teach the denial of all ungodliness and worldly lasts, and to live Righteously, Soberly, and Godly in this present World. So, if there was not wanting a diligent attention to its Heavenly instructions, how great alteration would appear in the world; that whereas unrighteousness, profaneness and impiety are daily presented under a profession of Religion, then would their opposite virtues be a means to draw down the favour of Heaven upon Men; as the contrary are its dreadful Judgements, and by a due Adhesion, in every individual Soul, to the manifestation of this inward teacher, John 1.4, 5. which shines in the dark hearts of Men, tho' they comprehend or conceive it not; would a sense be raised of their misery in an unreformed state; and desires and breathe be begotten, Mat. 11.28.30. to come unto Christ as heavy laden, that he may give them rest; and learn of him who is meek and lowly in heart, that they find peace to their Souls: Then they will not only know, but have power also, to perform that which is required of all, even to Fear God and keep his Commandments, which is the whole duty of Man. And then they will not stand in need of humane doctrine; they will have a teacher near unto them, unto which they do well to take heed (as St. Peter saith) as to a light which shines in a dark place, 2 Pet. 1.19. etc. They'll know their duty and, more than so, they will not be slack to render it in all respects, both to God by living to his Glory, and to their Neighbours by dwelling in Love and Charity with them. For as nothing less than such a Life will bespeak them the servants of God, so nothing more is wanting: 'tis their whole duty, comprehensive of Faith, Righteousness, Charity; and all good works, the Fruits of the Spirit, the fulfilling of the Law, one tittle of which shall not pass away, or be made void; the loving of God with all the heart, and their Neighbours as themselves, and the effect and product of the Ministry of Jesus Christ, Acts 26.18. which proposes a conversion from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, and from a corrupt and repugnant, to a clean and regenerate mind, as its principal scope, whereby the Gospel, the Power, and Cross of Jesus, will be embraced, effectual, and easy to be boar; and the consequence, glad tidings, reformation, and Peace to the Soul, witnessed and enjoyed: which is the end of all, and the crown of all: I have fought a good fight, saith the Holy Man, 2 Tim. 4.8. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness. Oh the comfort! the joy! and cause of rejoicing! has that Man which so lives in this world, as to answer his end! He that offereth Praise, glorifieth me, Psal. 50.23. and to him that ordereth his Conversation aright, will I show the Salvation of God. Oh that Men would be persuaded to consider that, God shall bring into Judgement, every Work, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil; surely then there would be something of a concern after this manner: If it be so (as 'tis most certain) that the great Judge of the World takes such a strict observance of all my Actions, be they never so Secret, nay, of all my most hidden thoughts, as that he will one day cause me to give an account of them all; For every Idle word shall Men give an account in the day of Judgement: How am I engaged to be circumspect and watchful? in all things, not only in actions that have reference to Men, and in my words, but also in my thoughts and cogitations, which none but an all-seeing God can charge with matter of evil: In a sense of his all-knowing Power, and of my own impotency, I'll beg of him to give me Grace so to Live in this world, as that I may not, by reason of my neglect, be debarred of those joys in the world to come; and further, I am sensible upon a most serious and retired examination, that 'tis by, and through the illumination of a Divine Light, that I see the evil of my ways, and the misery ensuing such an unlimited course of Life; I am therefore willing to deny myself, and take up a Daily Cross, that I may know the work of Reformation and Regeneration, the way to the Kingdom, wrought; Joh. 3.3. Unless a Man be Born again he cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven; And in the first Place, the Fountain of all Defilements and Corruptions being in my Heart, Mat. 15.18.20. I'll cry with the Psalmist, Create in me a new Heart, O Lord, and renew a right Spirit within me; for unless the inside be clean, the outside will not be so; whilst the principle of hatred and envy is predominant in me, 'tis impossible I should bring forth works of Love and Charity; and whilst I am under the power of the Devil, 1 Joh. 3. doing his works, I can by no means be the servant of God; I cannot serve two Masters, if the power of Satan bear rule in me, I can be no subject of Jesus; I cannot have right to call him Lord; Luke 6.46. for I begin to be sensible that not he, who says, Lord, Lord, but that does his will, is a Servant to him, and of the Justice of that rebuke, why call ye me Lord, and do not the things which I command ye: And when I feel the visitation of the love of God to my Soul, 2 Cor. 4.6. opening the Eyes of my understanding, then shall I see how wretched and miserable I am; as also, the exclency of the Glory of God, who hath for that end caused his Light to appear; now and not till now, do I perceive the vanity of all Created things, and my Soul is effused with breathe to the Lord, to give me a further revelation of his will, and to create a conformity in my depraved Heart to the same; whereby I shall see an absolute necessity of sober and serious consideration of all my do; and the power of Jesus, prevailing in my Soul, I doubt not of ability to resist all temptations, and to walk, not as a Fool, in my former vicious lewdness, but as one that is awakened from the sleep of Sin, and raised from the grave of Iniquity, to redeem the time which I have spent in such an enormous manner as declares, I neither endeavoured to answer the end of my coming into the World, nor was sensible, of the necessity of the same. When such thoughts and considerations have possessed the Hearts of Men, they'll remember that as there is no way to avoid or escape the Judgement of God, so also, that he will execute his Just and righteous decrees upon all without partiality or respect of Persons, Rom. 2.6.11. as 'tis said, God will render to every Man according to his works, to those that by a patiented continuance in well doing, seek for Glory, Honour, and Immortality, Eternal Life, but to those that are contentious, and do not obey the Truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every Soul of Man that doth evil, upon the Jew first, and also upon the Gentile. but Glory, Honour, and Peace, to every Soul of Man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile, for there is no respect of Persons with God. Then none should presume to think, that by virtue of any Personal predestination, they shall, if evil doers, be exempted from the Sentence of, go ye cursed: For 'tis apparent, that as the Lord is no respecter of Persons, so will he bring into Judgement the works of every Man. And in vain will it be for any to plead at the Judgement Day after this manner. Lord, let me into thy Kingdom, whom thou Elected'st before the foundation of the World, not by my foreseen Holiness, but in thy mere pleasure alone, as thou didst for the same reason, reject the greatest number in the World, and as 'twas thy pleasure and mercy to make me one of thy Elect, so wholly confiding therein, I looked to be taken for a faithful Servant, because thou art a faithful Master, and so took no care to perform any thing of Service unto thee, as believing, that the Blood of thy Son being shed for me, there was no need of any thing for me to do; so that whatsoever Fruits of Piety and Holiness should through thy power be produced by me, would be of no regard: Therefore relying upon thee, trusting in thee, and believing that thou wouldst not look upon me as I am in a state of uncleanness and corruption, but through Christ, as I am in him, I cast myself upon thee, and trust wholly in the merit's of a crucified Saviour, who came into the World to save Sinners: But to such an exclamation, what will the Righteous God reply? Surely he will not say, I have chosen you respectively in my good will and pleasure, that you may Glorify me World without end, and have ordained to Destruction, the greatest part of your fellow Creatures, not by reason they are worse, or you more worthy, but that they may Glorify me in Hell and you in Heaven; and as I have mercy on you, so will avenge myself on them that have in the Loins of Adam Sinned against me: Mat. 25.12.41. But he will say in that day, to those that have not feared and obeyed him; Depart from me, ye workers of Iniquity, I know ye not, with what confidence can you look for admittance into my Kingdom, when you know yourselves unworthy and unfit for such a Glorious place, Rev. 21, 27. where no unclean thing can enter, or nothing that is defiled? how can you expect that I should hear your Cries, when you would not hear mine no, no. Prov. 1.24.30. Because I have called and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded: But ye have set at nought all my Counsel and would hear none of my reproof. I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh, when your fear cometh as desolation, and your Destruction cometh as a Whirlwind, when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then (dismal and terrible will it be at that time) shall they call upon me but I will not answer, they shall seek me early but they shall not find me. (And mark the just occasion of it) For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would hear none of my counsel and despised all my reproof. Thus will the Righteous God plead with the workers of Iniquity, who are covering themselves, Isa. 30.1. and not with the Spirit of the Lord, that presume to say, we are covered with the Righteousness of the Lamb, justified by the Blood of Christ: when they are inwardly ravening Wolves, corrupted and in a state of abomination, and have not come so far (nay have not Faith to believe they ever can be able) as to know the Blood of Christ to purge their corrupt and defiled Consciences from dead works, performed without a renewed Heart, to serve the living God in pure and hearty obedience to all his holy Laws. Such are ready to forget, or at least done't solidly think that they must be called before the Judgement seat of God, there to give an exact and strict account of the deeds done in the Body, 2 Cor. 5.10. and to receive a reward according to them; for every secret Action, for every hidden Thought, must they reckon. And all that cannot stand this fiery Trial, must be consumed by it: Therefore came the word of the Lord to the Prophet after this manner, Isa. 33.13, 16. Hear ye that are a far off, what I have done, and ye that are near acknowledge my might: The Sinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulness hath surprised the Hypocrites, who among us shall dwell with the devouring Fire? who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting Burn? He that walketh Righteously and speaketh uprightly— He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munition of Rocks, Bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure. Oh the Blessed estate of the Righteous! who is it will not cry? Oh that I might die the death of the Righteous, Oh that my latter end may be like unto his! He shall lay down his Head in Peace, and nothing shall make him afraid; in a peaceable and quiet Conscience shall he leave the world, no terrors of Soul shall assail him: But in a certain assurance of endless Peace, his Soul is sweetly resigned to the will of his merciful God; he takes his leave of the world without reluctance or trouble in Spirit, and why so? Oh who can declare that comfort and sweet consolation that he feels to abound in his Soul! He is ready to launch forth into that boundless Ocean of never ending joy, Rev. 7. where the Wicked cease from troubling, and all sorrow is done away! Such a Man overcomes that unwillingness to die, which is inherent to our Nature, and how so? He is sure that when his Earthly Tabernacle is dissolved, 2 Cor. 5.1. there's an Habitation provided for him, eternally in the Heavens; for this he groans earnestly, and desires to be clothed with, that Mortality may be swallowed up of Life; 1 Cor. 15.55. then can he say, Oh Death where is thy sting! Oh Grave where is thy Victory! whilst he is at home in the Body, is absent from the Lord, from the full and boundless enjoyment of his Love, and Light; and walking by Faith, not by sight, is willing to be absent from the Body, and present with the Lord. But with the Wicked it is not so, he has spent his days in contempt to the Lord, in despite to his holy Laws, but the time of his departure is at hand, and now he gins to remember, how he hath provoked a just and merciful God, who would have had mercy upon him, and would have reclaimed him from the evil of his ways; but he slighted his Visitations, set at nought his counsel, would none of his reproof, persevered in his impious courses, and did not consider his latter end, wherefore has terror and torture already seized his Soul, the Judgements of a Righteous God begin to take hold upon him, now his Conscience more than a Thousand witnesses, doth condemn him and God who is greater doth condemn him also: Now he feels an Hell upon Earth, that once had his Heaven here! Now he that had as much of Heaven as he desired, hath more of Hell than he can bear! now he gins that work of repentance, which here should have had end! Now he cries for a longer time, that has so greivously spent his own! now I'll part with all to have peace to my tormented Soul, that would not once part with the least of my pleasures for it; But ah, remember, thou in thy Life time, Luke 16.25. how did the Lord strive to do thee good? how many years did he call unto thee, before he gave thee over to a reprobate mind? he called and thou wouldst not hear, now he will not hear thy woeful cries, but will execute his terrible Judgements upon thee; and none shall be able to deliver: Destruction comes as a Whirlwind desolation and misery surrounds on every side! now the sight of his Friends, that once rejoiced, help to aggravate the grief of his Soul, he spent his time in jollitry with them, and forgot the Lord his maker, and now he sorrowfully warns them, that as he must to all Eternity be cursed with an inevitable woe, so must they beware, Luke 16.28. lest they come into this place of Torment! now Hell is no longer feigned to deter him, but dismally felt to damn him! now Religion is no longer a Po●i●ick design, but the neglect proves perpetual Damnation! now there's an overruling God, that will bring all into Judgement, for he feels the weight thereof, sinking his Soul down into everlasting pangs! now he that enjoyed the unbovaded pleasures of this world, is enjoined to bear the never ended plagues of another. The thoughts of which, may lay us low and humble, and cause us to seek him that will secure us from such a deplorable condition, of which too many are insensible, but ('tis to be feared) will undergo at last: What else can the Wicked look for, but the fearful Judgements of a revenging Fire? which will burn up all the proud, and workers of Iniquity, they shall be all as stubble in this terrible day of the Lord: Mal. 4.1, 2. But to you that fear my name (behold the repeated promises of joy to them that fear God) shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing under his wings, etc. And we know that he is risen according to his promise, and by the brightness of his appearance hath dissipated the darkness of our Hearts, and discovered the corruption of them, and by the virtue of this his arising, is healing administered to our diseased Souls, he hath cured us of our Infirmities, and made us strong in the Lord and in the power of his might; So that we who have embraced him in this Spiritual appearance, are enabled to run the way of his Commandment with great delight: having opened to him who brings refreshment with him, Spiritual food and nourishment will sup with him (hath he ●●●mis'd) and he with me; Rev. 3.20. and we encouraged in this our travel, to 〈◊〉 on our course and keep our Fait● because we are assured, that a crow● of Righteousness, 2 Tim. 4.8. will the Lord to Righteous Judge give to all the that love his appearing: And w● can without presumption (glory 〈◊〉 God in the highest) bear an experimental testimony to the words 〈◊〉 the Holy Psalmist. Psalm. 1.1, 2, 3. Blessed is the Man that walket● not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of Sinner nor sitteth in the seat of the Scornful But his delight is in the Law of t●● Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night; And he shall 〈◊〉 like a Tree planted by the River's 〈◊〉 water, that bringeth forth his Fru●● in his Season; his Leaf also shall n●● whither; and whatsoever he doth shall Prosper. THE END.