A DISSUASIVE FROM Conformity to the World. AS ALSO GOD'S Severity AGAINST Impenitent SINNERS. WITH A Farewell SERMON Lately Preached to a Congregation in London. By HENRY STUBS Minister of the Gospel. Psalm 141. 5. Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him retrove me, it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head; for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamity. London, Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock signior and junior, at the Sign of the Three Bibles in Popes-head Alley, 1675. TO THE Professors OF THIS AGE. DO you not know that you ought to be followers of God, and Christ, and the Saints, Ephes. 5. 1. Matth. 16. 24. Heb. 6. 12. and not the multitude, Exod. 23. 2. not the world, Rom. 12. 2. And dare you yet to set up them to be your patterns, and to follow their examples, who are not at all esteemed in the Church? I speak it to your shame, Is there not a Holy Christ to be your Pattern, and a Holy Word to be your Rule; but Professors of Religion must needs be as the irreligious of the world, taking example from them, who will take no example from Christ? Now therefore there is utterly a fault amongst you, because you conform so much to this world, contrary to that express prohibition, Rom. 12. 2. Be not conformed to this world; and because you have so much fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; contrary to that word, Eph. 5. 11. Why are ye not rather Reprovers of the world, and condemners of it, as Noah was, Heb. 11. 7. By your walking as Christ walked, 1 John 2. 6. and according to Rule? Gal. 6. 16. Why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be derided and despised? Know you not that the world you conform to lies in wickedness? 1 John 5. 19 And that the unrighteous world shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? 1 Cor. 6. 9 you know it. And you know also that Eyes are upon you, observers you have many, God, Angels, and Men; you had need look well to your ways: you have a Rule to talk and walk by. 'Tis not for you to say, we will be as the Heathen, Ezek. 20. 32. we will be as others, contrary to Eph. 4. 17. Which forbids you to walk as others, in the vanity of your minds: Remember the words of Christ to his Disciples, Luke 22. 26. ye shall not be so: You must walk as Christ walked He has left you an example, 1 Pet. 2. 21. If you shall walk as others, you will by so doing give great occasion to the enemies of God to Blaspheme, 2 Sam. 12. 14. And be stumbling blocks to the world: and if offences come by you unto the world, woe unto you, Matth. 18. 7. Remember David, and what God told him, The child that is born to thee shall surely die; verily the name of God is blasphemed among the profane through you; Rom. 2. 24. You should adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things; mark In all things, Tit. 2. 10. and be very tender of the name of God and his doctrine, that it be not blasphemed through you, 1 Tim. 6. 〈◊〉. If it be, be sure God will be as good as his word, Amos 3. 2. You only have I known, therefore I will punish you Christ has somewhat against you already, because you have left your first love. Remember therefore from whence you are fallen, and repent, and do your first works, or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of its place, except you repent, Rev. 2. 4, 5. Would I could say of you as it follows, vers. 6. with a little alteration, But this you have, that you hate conformity to the world which Christ also hateth. Brethren, be ye followers of Christ, and mark them which walk so, as that ye have Christ for an ensample. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their back and belly, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things, Phil. 3. 17, 18, 19 But let your conversation be in Heaven, as was Paul's and the Saints at Phillippi, Phil. 3. 20. Seek you the things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth; for you profess yourselves to be dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, shall appear, then shall you appear with him in Glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; Col. 3. 2, 3, 4, 5. I beseech you by the mercies of God, the meekness of Christ, and by your appearing before his judgement seat; hear counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise at length, Prov. 19 20. If you will not hear counsel and receive instruction, read Jer. 6. 8. and consider and tremble. That you may is the prayer of one who wisheth above all things that your souls may prosper, and be adorned as your bodies do and are. NONCONFORMITY TO THIS WORLD. Rom. 12. 2. And be not conformed to this world. IN this and the foregoing verse we have an exhortation to holiness, branched out into three particulars. 1. That we present our bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. 2. And not be conformed to this world. 3. But to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. I beseech you: though I might be bold in Christ to enjoin you, yet for love sake, I rather beseech you, pray and entreat you. Therefore, seeing you have received so much mercy from God through Christ. Brethren, being all the Children of God through faith in Christ. Gal. 3. 26. By the mercies of God, bestowed on you. God's mercy is one, but the effects and fruits of it are many; Election, Redemption, Justification. That you present your Bodies; not your Souls only, but your Bodies also: God will have the Body conformed to his will, and not to the world, as well as the Soul; for the Body is for the Lord, for the service of the Lord, and the Lord for the Body, 1 Cor. 6. 13. Our Bodies being his, and bought with a price, 1 Cor. 16. 19, 20. Our Bodies being the members of Christ, 1 Cor. 6. 15. and therefore also must we glorify God with our Bodies, 1 Cor. 6. 20. The Apostle praying for the Thessalonians, prays that their Bodies, as well as their Souls, might be sanctified, 1 Thes. 5. 23. I note this the rather, because many think they may do what they will with, and make what use they will of their Bodies; but they are greatly deceived, for the Body is not for Fornication, 1 Cor. 6. 15. no not for Ostentation, to make a show with it. Read, Rom. 6. 13, 19 That you present them; 1. That you offer and consecrate them to God as a Sacrifice of thankfulness; as Heb. 13. 35. A living sacrifice, dead indeed unto sin, but alive to God, Rom. 6. 11. being quickened by his spirit, that we might not live to ourselves, but to him who died for us, 2 Cor. 5. 15. Holy, not regarding, but hating iniquity in our hearts; for if iniquity be regarded, we cannot be accepted: Psalm 66. 18. Acceptable to God, well pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 2. 5. through faith in him, without which we cannot please God, Heb. 11. 6. Which is your reasonable service. 1. Your service of God, which consists not in the offering up of unreasonable Beasts, as heretofore, but in the offering up of your reasonable selves. Or, Your service, which is agreeable to the Rules of true Reason. And be not conformed: 1. Take not upon you the form or fashion of this wicked world, make not the Manners and Pleasures of worldly men your rule to walk by. But be ye transformed, changed, altered. 1. More and more. By the renewing of your mind, understanding, will and affections. That ye may prove. 1. Discern, understand. 2. Approve. 3. Give proof by a Godly life that you do understand and approve. That good, acceptable and perfect will of God. 1. Good, which teacheth, and leadeth to that which is good, and makes good. 2. Acceptable, nothing being acceptable to God but what is according to his will. 3. Perfect, comprehending all things necessary to salvation, 2 Tim. 3. 16. These words, And be not conformed to this world, are a Dehortation: Wherein, 1. The Persons Dehorting, Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, one that well understood the mind of his Lord and Master, and would give nothing in charge but what he had received, 1 Cor. 11. 23. 2. The Persons Dehorted, The believing Romans, beloved of God, called to be Saints, Rom. 1. 7. Yea, eminent Saints, Rom. 1. 18. Such as had obeyed from the heart, Rom. 6. 17. 3. The thing they are Dehorted from, viz. Conformity to this world, which you, who are Saints, and called to the Kingdom and Glory of God, should look upon with contempt, and trample under foot. 4. The Mode of the Dehortation, 'tis in a beseeching way; I beseech you. 5. The Motive; By the mercies of God. Doct. 'Tis the will of the most holy God, that they who are called to be Saints should not conform to sinners. They that are called out of the world must not be conformed to this world. I shall show you, 1. What is meant by the World. 2. What meant by conformed. 3. What of the World must not be conformed unto. 4. That it is so. 5. Why. 6. The Use. First, What is meant by the World? By the world understand The Men of the world, Psal. 17. 14. Worldly minded Men and Women, who have their hearts, inheritance, and happiness here, their portion in this life. The wicked of the world, Joh. 14. 17. These are called the World, 1. Because they are ruled by the God of this world, 2 Cor. 4. 4. Eph. 2. 2. 2. Because they have received only the spirit of the world, that spirit which teacheth worldly things, and placeth its happiness in worldly things, 1 Cor. 2. 12. 3. Because they are satisfied and contented with the things of this world, Psal. 4. 6. & 17. 14. Phil. 3. 19 4. Because they are the major part of world. Secondly, What meant by Conformed? By conforming to the world understand, fashioning ourselves according to it; resembling the world, and being like to it; making the men of the world our Pattern, our Example, and Copy to write after. When we approve, imitate and follow the sinful fashions and practices of this world, than we conform to it. Now, not to be Conformed to this world, is not to approve, not to imitate, not to follow the sinful, vain, foolish fashions and practices of this world. Not to put on their form and shape in our behaviour. Thirdly, What of the world it is wherein we must not be conformed unto it. 1. Not in that wickedness the world lies in, 1 Joh. 5. 19 Not in that unrighteousness it is filled with: a Catalogue whereof is set down, Rom. 1. 29, 30, 31. Not in those works of darkness it delights in, Rom. 13. 12, 13. Not in those works of the flesh, set down Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. Not in the walk of the Gentiles, Ephes. 4. 17, 18, 19 1 Pet. 4. 3. Not in its lustings, 1 Joh. 2. 16. We must not be conformed 〈…〉 in it's sinful Customs, Dispositions, Practices. We must not be conformed to the practice of worldly men, in Natural, Civil, and Religious actions. We must not eat and drink as they do, for they feed themselves without fear; Judas 12. We must not buy and sell as they do, for therein they walk not by that rule Mat. 7. 12. We must not carry ourselves in Religious matters as they do. We must not hear as they do, for they hear without preparation before hearing, Attention at hearing. Affection at hearing. Application at hearing. Practise after hearing. See Ezek. 33. 31. We must not pray as they do: For 1. They make light of Prayer, Job 21. 15. 2. They Pray with the lip only, and not with the heart, Isa. 29. 13. Mat. 15. 18. 3. They continue not in Prayer, they grow weary. 4. They think to be heard for their much speaking, Matth. 6. 7. 5. They turn away their ear from heari● 〈…〉 whom they Pray, Prov. 28. 9 6. They aim amiss in Prayer, Jam. 4. 3. We must not come to the Lords Table as they do, for they come unpreparedly. Nor observe Sabbaths as they do, for they trifle them away. Nor sing Psalms as they do, for they sing not with the heart, but voice only. Nor fast as they do, for they abstain only from food, not from sin. Fourthly, That it is so, That Saints must not conform to sinners. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil, Exod. 23. 2. After the doing of the Land of Egypt and Canaan shall ye not do, neither shall ye walk in their ordinances: Levit. 18. 3. Thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of the Nations: Deut. 18. 9 Walk not in the way of sinners, refrain thy foot from their path: Prov. 1. 15. Enter not into the path of the wicked, go not in the way of evil men: Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away: Prov. 4. 14, 15. If sinners entice thee, consent thou not: Prov. 1. 10. Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the Heathen: Jer. 10. 2. Though Israel play the Harlot, yet let not Judah offend: Host 4. 15. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind: Ephes. 4. 17. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them: Ephes. 5. 11. Ye are children of the light, and of the day; not of the night, nor of darkness: Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober: 1 Thes. 5. 5, 6. The Kings of the Gentiles do so and so● But ye shall not be so: Luke 22. 25, 26. St. Peter speaks of some Converts that would not run with the world in their sinful fashions and courses, though they were wondered at and evil spoken of therefore; 1 Pet. 4 4. Fifthly, Why. 1. From the World. 2. From themselves. 3. From Christ. 4. From the things themselves wherein conformity to the world is practised. First, From this World. 1. Because Satan is the God and Prince of it, 2 Cor. 4. 4. Joh. 12. 31. & 14. 13. & 16. 11. 2. Because 'tis an evil world, Gal. 1. 4. and lies in wickedness, 1 John 5. 19 See its description, Psal. 36. 1, to 5. & Rom. 3. 11, etc. & 8. 7. Ephes. 4. 18, 19 3. Because this evil world must give account, even for those things wherein we are so prone to follow it, 1 Pet. 4. 5. 4. Because the end of it is destruction, Phil. 3. 19 You would not suffer with it, and will you sin with it? Secondly, From themselves, who by profession are Saints, Christians. 1. Because they are not of the world, but are called out of it; Joh. 15. 19 God hath separated you from others to be his own peculiar; Levit. 20. 24. Exod. 19 5. Hence, for this cause, as well as others, 'twas that God was displeased with his people of old, for desiring a King, that they might be like the Nations, 1 Sam. 8. 5. viz. Because God hath severed them from other people that they should be his: Levit. 20. 26. 2. Because they have better Principles, than the world has, viz. 1 Tim. 1. 5. A pure Heart, Good Conscience, Faith unfeigned, They have Christ in them, as a principle of their life, Gal. 2. 20. And the spirit of God, 1 John 4. 4. 1 Cor. 2. 12. The Principles of the world are, An impure Heart, A bad Conscience, Real unbelief. Yea Satan, Ephes. 2. 2. 1 Pet. 〈◊〉 4. and the spirit of the world, 1 Cor. 2. 12. Now is not this a good reason why the people of God should not conform to this world? for should they of better principles conform to them of worse? should they that have a pure Heart, good Conscience, and Faith unfeigned, conform to those that have an impure Heart, a bad Conscience, and real Unbelief? Should they who have Christ and the Spirit of God in them, conform to them who have Satan and the Spirit of the world in them? 3. Because they have better patterns to conform to, than the world is, viz. 1. God, 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. 2. Christ, Col. 2. 6. 1 John 2. 6. 3. Saints, Heb. 6. 12. Phil. 3. 17. Mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample: So as ye have the servants of Christ, not the world for your example. 4. Angels and glorified Saints. We must study so to do the will of God on Earth, as 'tis done in Heaven: Matth. 6. 10. Now, judge in your own Consciences, should they who have such excellent patterns, conform to the pattern of a base world? 4. Because they are bound by their Baptism to the contrary, viz. To renounce the world, the pomps and vanities thereof, and not to follow, or to be led by it. Now should we do that which is a breach of our Baptismal Covenant. 5. Because you that are Saints are born to great matters, even to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, etc. 1 Pet. 1. 3, 4. and should you, persons that are new born to so great an estate, should you please yourselves in a conformity to the poor things of this world? 6. Because you are grown up to maturity, to years of discretion; so that it is time for you to put away childish things: Whilst you were Children 'twas more tolerable, but now that you are grown up to be men, to be so childish and foolish is intolerable. See 1 Cor. 13. 11. 7. Because you are more excellent than your neighbour, Prov. 12. 26. and therefore must not conform to them. For shall the more noble conform to the more ignoble? Ye are God's treasure, Psal. 135. 4. And shall God's treasure conform to the refuse of this world? You are Priests of God, 1 Pet. 2. 9 And shall the Priests of God conform to common people? The Priests of old were not to touch any unclean thing. 8. Because you have not so learned Christ, Ephes. 4. 20. q. d. The Doctrine of Christ in which you are instructed, and which you have learned, requires another manner of life from you, then that which the Gentiles lead, therefore you should not imitate them. Christ hath taught you otherwise, The grace of God which bringeth salvation, teacheth you to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live Righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world; and not to conform to its unrighteous, intemperate and ungodly life, Tit. 2. 11. 9 Because you are now within sight of home, your Father's house; and your salvation is nearer, and therefore must cast off the works of darkness, and walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting, drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying: As the world does. Rom. 13. 11, 12. Your thoughts should now be so taken up and pleased with what you have in view, the great things which are to come, and so near to come, that all the toys and trifles this world is so much pleased with, should be looked upon by you with disdain. 10. Because you shall now very speedily be separated from this world, and distinguished from it, and delivered from that wrath which they shall suffer for ever and for ever; and will you conform to them now, in those things for which they shall suffer the vengeance of eternal fire? would you have your souls gathered hereafter with those you conform to here, and whose fashions you have learned here? David would not, Psal. 26. 9 Thirdly, From Christ. 1. Because Christ designedly gave himself to deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God and our Father, Gal. 1. 4. To what he gave himself, see Isa. 50. 6. & 52. 14. His back to smiters, his checks to them that plucked off the hair, his face to shame and spitting. Consider this you proud men and women, whose Backs, Faces, Heads, Necks, Breasts, and Arms, show the pride of your Hearts. Did Christ give himself to suffer all this, that he might separate and deliver you from conformity to this world? And is not this a good Reason why you should not conform unto it, in hair, habit, and nakedness. 2. Because Christ and his Kingdom is not of this world. 1. Christ is not of it, Joh. 8. 23. 2. His Kingdom is not of it, Joh. 18. 36. Not only in respect of the subjects, but in opposition to worldly Kingdoms, which come with external pomp and observation. But Christ's Kingdom is not so, Luke 17. 20, 21. Fourthly, From the things themselves wherein conformity to the world is practised. 1. Because these things are not of the Father, but of the Devil, and the world, 1 Joh. 2. 16. 2. Because the love of these will not consist with the love of God, 1 Joh. 2. 15. 3. Because these things pass away, 1 Cor. 7. 31. 1 Joh. 2. 17. Sixthly, The Use. 1. Of Information. Then the best are prone to conformity to this world, so far as they are carnal; what need else of this Prohibition, Be not conformed to this world. Even Joseph was found guilty of conformity to Pharaohs Courtiers in swearing by the life of Pharaoh, Gen. 42. 15, 16. 2. Use of Reproof, Of such as profess themselves to be Saints, and to be called to fellowship with Christ, and yet have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; who profess themselves to be called out of the world, and yet conform unto it; who profess themselves to be Saints, and yet live like sinners. God finds fault with this, and is much displeased that his people should learn the works of the Heathen, Psal. 106. 35. And think you it doth not displease him that we should learn the fashions of the world, and serve their Idols, Psal. 106. 36. Do not they whose fashions you learn, make Idols of their Hair, Skin, and Habit? and will you serve their Idols? Pray God they prove not a snare unto you. Read, 1 King. 14. 24. 2 King. 17. 33. 2 Chron. 13. 9 & 25. 14, 15. May we not well say to such as conform to this world, as Jehu the Prophet said to Jehosaphat, 2 Chron. 19 2. should you conform to the ungodly, and love and like the practices of them that hate the Lord! Pray God wrath may not come upon you for this. Hezekiah a good man was proud of his fine things, 2 Chron. 32. 25, 26. with 2 King. 20. 13. but wrath came upon him for it. Read, Ezek. 23. 26. 3. Use of Examination. Do not we conform to this world? even we who in some things are Non-conformists? Do not many, who in some things separate from the world, in other things conform unto it? Do not many that separate from their worship, conform to their works? Have not many fellowship with the world in the unfruitful works of darkness, that will have no fellowship with them in worship? The world is for rioting, drunkenness, chambering and wantonness, strife and envying, Rom. 13. 13. Would Professors were not so too? The world is for lasciviousness, lusts, excess of Wine, revel, banquet, 1 Pet. 4. 3. Would Professors were not so too? All that is in the world, is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, 1 Joh. 2. 16. Now I beseech you let's deal truly with ourselves, do not we conform to this world in these? In lusting after Pleasure, Profit, and Preferment; are not▪ these in too great account with us? Do not we love, desire, and seek after these? Would you that are Professors could wash your hands from voluptuousness, covetousness, pride and vain glory. Take a view of the world, and then take a view of yourselves, and then judge whether you do not conform unto it. The world is, Atheistical, without God in the world, Psal. 14. 1. Eph. 2. 12. Are not we so too, or very near it? See Isa. 49. 14. & 51. 13. Psal. 77. 9 Blasphemous, Psal. 74. 18. And are not we guilty of this too much? See Rom. 2. 24. Covetous, 2 Pet. 2. 14. And are not Professors so too? Judas a Professor, and Demas a Professor were so; 2 Tim. 4. 10. Defrauding, Rom. 1. 29. And do not Professors the same? See 1 Cor. 6. 8. Envious, Gal. 5. 21. And are not Professors so too? See 1 Cor. 3. 3. Fearful of suffering for religion; of these read, Rev. 21. 8. And are not Professors so too? See Matth. 13. 21. Even Peter was too fearful. God-distrusting, Psal. 20. 7. Jer. 17. 5. And are not Professors so too? See Isa. 31. 1. Haughty, Rom. 1. 30. And are not Professors so too? See 2 Tim. 3▪ 2, with 5. Did not the Disciples of Christ affect superiority? Idle, Slothful, Ezek. 16. 49. And are not Professors so too? 2 Thes. 3. 11. 1 Tim. 3. 13. Matth. 25. 26. Kain-like, Brother hating; 1 Joh. 3. 13. Prov. 29. 27. Joh. 15. 18, 19 And are not Professors so too? See Judas 11. Lukewarm, Indifferent, 1 King. 18. 21. And are not Professors so too? See Rev. 3. 16. Murmuring, 2 King. 6. 33. Rev. 16. 10, 11. Isa. 8. 31. And are not Professors so too? See 1 Cor. 10. 10. Negligent, neglects duty to God and man. 1. To God, Psal. 14. 4. 2. To man, Ezek. 16. 5. And are not Professors so too? Offence-giving, Matth. 18. 7. Do not Professors do so too? They did in Paul's time, Rom. 14. Passionate, froward, ●retful; as Nabal, 1 Sam. 25. 17. Are not Professors so too? See Jonah 4. 9 Quarrelsome, Contentious; Are not Professors so too? See 1 Cor. 1. 11. & 6. 7. Revengeful; Are not Professors so too? See Luke 9 54. Secure, like Laish, Judg. 18. 7. Are not Professors so too? See Jer. 8. 6, 7. Host 7. 9 Treacherous; Are not Professors so too? Mic. 7. 4, 5. Uncharitable; Mat. 25. 42, 43. Are not Professors so too? See Jam. 2. 15, 16. Job. 3. 17 Wavering, unbelieving; Joh. 5. 38. & 10. 26. Joh. 12. 39, 47. And are not Professors so too? See Joh. 6. 60, 64, 66. Yea, see Luke 24. 25. Joh. 20. 25. 4. Use of Dehortation. Be not conformed to this world. That I may the better dissuade you from conformity to this world, I shall show you, 1. What they are called to whom you are beseeched not to conform. 2. What those things are called wherein you are desired not to conform. 3. What you yourselves are called, who are dissuaded from conformity to this world. 4. How God is affected and carries towards this world which you are beseeched not to conform to. 5. How the world is affected and carries towards you who are dissuaded from this conformity. First, What they are called, to whom you are beseeched not to conform. They are called, 1. Men of this world, Psal. 17. 14 whose portion is in this life. Now shall those who have God to be their portion, Psal. 16. 5. conform to these? 2. The Children of this world, Luke 16. 8. who are well pleased with the rattles, toys and trifles of this world. Now shall those who are born of God, to an inheritance incorruptible, etc. 1 Pet. 1. 3. conform to these? 3. The Disputers of this world: The enquirers of this age, so the Dutch, 1 Cor. 1. 20. Now shall those who have the Scriptures to search. Joh. 5. 39 conform to these? 4. The Fornicators of this world, 1 Cor. 5. 10. Now shall the chaste Virgins of Christ, 2 Cor. 11. 2. conform to these? 5. The Friends of this world, Jam. 4. 4. who are the enemies of God. Now shall the Friends of God, Joh. 15. 14, 15. conform to these? 6. The Rich in this world, who are apt to be high minded, 1 Tim. 6. 17. Now shall the Humble and Contrite, with whom the high and lofty One vouchsafes to dwell, Isa. 57 15. conform to these? Secondly, What those things are called wherein you are desired not to conform to this world. 1. The darkness of this world, Eph. 6. 12. Now shall they that are light in the Lord, Eph. 5. 8. conform to the world in its darkness? 2. The Wisdom of this world, 1 Cor. 2. 6. & 3. 9 which descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish, James 3. 15. Now shall a wise man endued with wisdom from above, Jam. 3. 13, 17. conform to this earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom of the world? 3. The Cares of this world, Mat. 13. 22. Now shall they who have a Father in Heaven, who knoweth their needs, and careth for them, Mat. 6. 32. 1 Pet. 5. 7. care as the world doth? 4. The Course of this world, Eph. 2. 2. Now shall they who are called out of the world, and now are not of the world, Joh. 15. 19 and whom the world hates, run the course of this world? 5. The Fashion of this world which passeth away, 1 Cor. 7. 31. Now shall they who have in Heaven a better and more enduring substance, Heb. 10. 34. fall in love with the fashions of this world? 6. The lusts of men, 1 Pet. 4. 2. Now shall they who have God's law written in their hearts, Heb. 8. 10. live according to the lusts of men? Thirdly, What you yourselves are called, who are dissuaded from conformity to this world. 1. Adopted Sons, Gal. 4. 5. Sons and Daughters, 2 Cor. 6. 18. Others, the ungodly, men of the world are called Bastards, Heb. 12. 8. Now shall the Sons and Daughters of God conform to the Bastards of this world? 2. Alive to God, Rom. 6. 11. Others are dead in sin, Ephes. 2. 1. Luke 15. 32. Now shall they who are a live to God, conform to those who are dead in sin? I say as Paul in a like case, 1 Cor. 6. 15. God forbid. 3. Believers, Act. 5. 14. The men of the world are called unbelievers, 2 Cor. 6. 14. Now shall Believers conform to, and yoke with unbelievers? God forbid. 4. Blessed of the Lord, Gen. 26. 29. Psal. 115. 15. The wicked are the Cursed of the Lord, Psal. 37. 22. Now shall the Blessed of the Lord, conform to the Curfed of the Lord? God forbid. 5. Children of God, 1 Joh. 3. 10. The wicked are called Children of the Devil, 1 Joh. 3. 10. Now shall the Children of God conform to the Children of the Devil? God forbid. 6. Children of Light, Luk. 16. 8. 1 Thes. 5. 5. The men of the world are called Children of Darkness, 1 Thes. 5. 5. Now shall the Children of Light conform to the Children of Darkness? God forbid. 7. Children of wisdom, Matth. 11. 19 The wicked are called sottish Children, that have no understanding, Jer. 4. 22. Now shall the Children of wisdom conform to the sots of this world? God forbid. 8. Children of the free woman, Gal. 4. 30, 31. The wicked are called the Children of the bond woman, Ibid. Now shall the Children of the free woman conform to the Children of the bond? God forbid. 9 Children of Zion, Psal. 149. 2. Babylon also has Children, for she is the Mother of Harlots and abominations, Rev. 17. 15. Now shall the Children of Zion conform to the Children of Babylon? God forbid. 10. Children of the Highest, Luke 6. 35. Who dwells in the high and holy place, Isa. 57 15. The wicked are called the Children of this world, Luke 16. 8. and Inhabiters of the Earth, Rev. 12. 12. Now shall the Children of the Highest conform to the Children of this low world? God forbid. 11. Christians, Act. 11. 26. Some crucify him afresh, Heb. 6. 6. as they do who reckon of him and reject him, as the Jews did who crucified him. Now shall Christians conform to the crucifiers of Christ? God forbid. 12. Christ's Brother, Sister, and Mother, Matth. 12. 50. The wicked are Aliens from the Church of Christ, and strangers from the Covenants of Promise, Ephes. 2. 12. Now shall Christ's Brother, Sister, and Mother, conform to strangers? God forbid. 13. Crown of glory, Royal Diadem, Isa. 62. 3. The wicked are Christ's footstool, Psal. 110. 1. Now shall Crowns of glory, and Royal Diadems conform to foot-stools? God forbid. 14. Devout, Act. 2. 5. Act. 10 2. The wicked are without God, Eph. 2. 12. Now shall the Devout conform to those who are without God in the world? God forbid. 15. Discreet, who guide their affairs with discretion, Psal. 112. 5. The wicked are void of counsel, Deut. 32. 28. and ofttimes their counsels, such as they are, are carried Headlong, Job 5. 13. Now shall they who do or should guide their affairs with discretion, conform to those who are void of counsel, or whole counsel is carried headlong? God forbid. 16. Elect of God, Col. 3. 12. The wicked are rejected of God, Jer. 6. 30. Now shall the Elected of God, conform to the rejected of God? God forbid. 17. Espoused of Christ, 2 Cor. 11. 2. Host 2. 19 The wicked are called Adulterers and Adulteresses, Jam. 4. 4. Now shall the Espoused of Christ conform to the Adulterers and Adulteresses of this world? God forbid. 18. Friends of Christ, Joh. 15. 14, 15. The wicked are called his Enemies, Luke 19 27. Now shall the Friends of Christ, conform to the Enemies of Christ? God forbid. 19 Faithful servants, Matth. 24. 45. & 25. 23. The wicked are called Slothful servants, Matth. 25. 26. Now shall Faithful servants conform to Slothful servants? God forbid. 20. Good, Matth. 12. 35. The wicked are called Evil, ibid. and naught, Prov. 6. 12. Now shall the Good conform to the Evil? God forbid. 21. Godly, Psal. 12. 1. The wicked are called Ungodly, Psal. 1. 4. Now shall the Godly conform to the Ungodly? God forbid. 22. Gold, Job 23. 10. The wicked are likened to Dross, Psal. 119. 119. Now shall God's Gold conform to the Dross of this world? God forbid. 23. Happy, Psal. 144. 15. The wicked are Miserable, Rev. 3. 17. Now shall the Happy conform to the Miserable? God forbid. 24. Heavenly, Having their conversation in Heaven, Phil. 3. 20. The wicked are Earthly, minding Earthly things, Phil. 3. 19 Men of the Earth, Psal. 10. 18. Now shall the Heavenly conform to the Earthly? God forbid. 25. Household of God, Eph. 2. 19 And Household of faith, Gal. 6. 10. The wicked are the Household of Satan, 2 Cor. 4. 4. The Devil's workhouse, Ephes. 2. 2. Now shall the Household of God conform to the Household of Satan? God forbid. 26. Jewels, Gods Jewels, Mal. 3. 17. The wicked are Worthless, Prov. 10. 20. Now shall Jewels of great price, conform to the Worthless things of this world? God forbid. 27. Innocent, Job 4. 7. Jer. 19 4. The wicked are Hurtful, Briars and Thorns, Isa. 27. 4. Now shall the Innocent conform to the Hurtful? God forbid. 28. Kings and Priests, Rev. 1. 6. The wicked are called Common and Unclean, Act. 10. 28. Now shall Kings and Priests conform to the Common and Unclean? God forbid. 29. Lambs, Joh. 21. 15. Isa. 40. 11. The wicked are Lions, Wolves, Mat. 10. 16. Now shall Sheep and Lambs conform to Lions and Wolves? God forbid. 30. Lord's Freemen, 1 Cor. 7. 22. The wicked are Satan's bondmen, 2 Tim. 2. 28. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 31. Meek of the Earth, Zeph. 2. 3. Psal. 149. 4. The wicked are Raging waves of the Sea foaming out their own shame, Judas 13. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 32. Members of Christ, 1 Cor. 6. 15. Eph. 5. 30. Some wicked are Members of an Harlot, ibid. Limbs of Satan. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 33. Men of Wisdom, Micah 6. 9 The wicked are Mad, Eccles. 9 3. Act. 26. 11. Not themselves, Luke 15. 17. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 34. Merciful, Matth. 5. 7. Psal. 37. 26. The wicked are Unmerciful and cruel, Matth. 25. 42, 43. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 35. Mourners, Matth. 5. 4. The wicked are all for Mirth, carnal Mirth, Isa. 22. 13. Amos 6. 5, 6. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 36. New creatures, 2 Cor. 5. 17. The wicked are Old in sin; of some 'tis said they were Old in Adulteries, Ezek. 23. 43. Corrupt nature in them is called the Old man, Ephes. 4. 22. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 37. Old Disciples, so some are called, Act. 21. 16. And Fathers, 1 Joh. 2. 13. Some are Young, raw, unexperienced Professors. And shall Old Disciples conform to th●se? God forbid. 38 Obedient, Rom. 6. 17. The wicked are called Disobedient, Tit. 1. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 9 Now shall, etc. God forbid. 39 Precious, Jer. 15. 19 Isa. 43. 4. Excellent, Psal. 16. 3. Precious So●s of Zion, Lam. 4. 2. The wicked are Vile, Jer. 15. 19 The wicked are called Vile persons, Psal. 15. 4. Dan. 11. 21. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 40. Quiet, Psal. 35. 20. according to the injunction given, 1 Thes. 4. 11. The wicked are unquiet like the troubled Sea which cannot rest, Isa. 57 20. Given to change, Prov 24. 21. And busy Bodies in other men's matters, 1. Pet. 4. 15. 2 Thes. 3. 11. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 41. Righteous, Matth. 13. 13. Isa. 3. 10. Matth. 25. 46. The wicked are Unrighteous, 1 Cor. 6. 9 Enemies of Righteousness, Act. 3. 10. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 42. Redeemed of the Lord, Isa. 62. 12. The wicked are Forsaken, left in Bondage, ibid. And Reprobate Silver, rejected of God, Jer. 6. 30. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 43. Sanctified in Christ, 1 Cor. 1. 2. Saints, Saints of the most High, Dan. 7. 25, 27. The Holy people, Isa. 62. 12. A Holy Nation, 1. Pet. 2. 9 The wicked are Unholy and Profane, 1. Tim. 1. 9 2 Tim. 3. 2. Bruit beasts, 2 Pet. 2. 12. Swine, Matth. 7. 6. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 44. servants of the most high God, Dan, 3. 26. Act. 16. 17. The wicked are the Servants of Sin, Rom. 6. 17. and of divers Lusts, Tit. 3. 3. And shall, etc. God forbid. 45. Spiritual men, 1 Cor. 2. 15. The wicked, Natural men, 1 Cor. 2. 14. And shall, etc. God forbid. 46 Springs, a Fountain sealed, Cant. 4. 12. The wicked are Wells without Water, 2 Pet. 2 17. And shall, etc. God forbid. 47. Treasure, yea Gods peculiar Treasure, Psal. 135. 4. The wicked are called Dross, Psal. 119. 119. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 48. Trees planted by the water side which bring forth fruit, Psal. 1. 3. The wicked are Trees without fruit, twice dead, etc. jude 12. And shall, etc. God forbid. 49. Temples of God, wherein God, Christ, and his Spirit dwells. 1. God, 1 Joh. 4. 12. 13, 15. 2. Christ, Ephes. 3. 17. 3. The Spirit, Rom. 8. 11. The wicked are the Synagogue of Satan, Rev. 2. 9 & 3. 9 wherein the Devil rules, Eph. 2. 2. And shall, etc. God forbid. 50. Vessels of Gold and Silver, 2 Tim. 2. 20. The wicked are called Vessels of Wood and Earth, ibid. And shall, etc. God forbid. 51. Vines, Noble Vines, Jer. 2. 21. The wicked are called Degenerate Plants, ibid. And shall, etc. God forbid. 52. Undefiled, Psal. 119. 1. Pure in heart, Matth. 5. The wicked are filthy, Rev. 22. 11. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 53. Wheat▪ Matth. 3. 12. The wicked are Chaff, Matth. 3. 12. Zeph. 2. 2. and Tares, Matth. 13. 38. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 54. Wise in Heart, Prov. 10. 8. The wicked are Prating fools, Prov. 10. 8. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 55. Wise Virgins, Matth. 25. 2, 3, 4. The wicked called foolish Virgins, ibid. Now shall, etc. God forbid. 56. Workmanship of God, Ephes. 2. 10. The wicked are the workmanship of the Devil, John 8. 44. Now shall, etc. God forbid. Fourthly, How God is affected and carries towards this world, which you are beseeched not to conform to. 1. His soul hates them, Psal. 11. 5. 2. He is angry with them every day, Psal. 7. 11. 3. He resisteth them, Jam. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 5. 4. He hides his face from them, and will not hear them▪ Isa. 59 2. Jer. 14. 12. 5. He puts them away like dross, Psal. 119. 119. 6. He will consume them, Jer. 14. 12. Rain saares, Fire and Brimstone upon them, Psal. 11. 6. Destroy them, Psal. 145. 20. Turn them into Hell, Psal. 9 16. Now will you who profess yourselves to be the people of God, and to be beloved of God, conform to those whom God's soul hates; with whom he is angry every day; whom he resisteth, etc. Will you conform to those towards whom he thus carries himself? God forbid. Fifthly, How the world carries, and is affected towards you who are dissuaded from this conformity. 1. They hate and abhor you, Joh. 15. 19 Prov. 29. 27. according to that ancient sentence, Gen. 3. 15. 2. They scorn you, Psal. 44. 13. & 79. 4. Job 30. 1. 3. They scoff at you, Gen. 21. 9 Lam. 1. 7. 4. They make songs upon you, Job 30. 9, 10. 5. They speak evil of you, 1 Pet. 4. 4. 6. They separate from you, and will not conform to you in God's ways. And will you conform to these? what to those that hate you, scorn you, scoff at you, make songs upon you, speak evil of you, and separate from you in God's ways? Will you conform to these in the Devil's ways? God forbid. O sirs let them return to you, but do not you return to them, jer. 15. 19 Three sorts make up this evil World: The Voluptuous. Covetous. Proud. Be not conformed to either, 1. I beseech you by the mercies of God be not conformed to the voluptuous of this world. There are that, Attire, Adorn, dress and habit themselves to draw the Eyes of others to behold them, after the example of Tamar, Gen. 38. 14. who put off her widow's garment, and put on something the better to allure her Father in Law. See Prov. 6. 10. But I beseech you who make profession of Religion, by the mercies of God, be not conformed to such. There are that, Burn in lust one toward another, men with men, working that which is unseemly, Rom. 1. 27. abusing themselves with mankind, 1 Cor. 6. 9 These shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. Wherefore I beseech you by the mercies of God, be not conformed to these. There are that, Cast their Eyes on beautiful objects, after the example of Joseph's Mistress, Gen. 39 7. But I beseech you by the mercies of God be not conformed to such. Feed not your Eyes with such objects. Give not your eyes leave to look, for that may prove very dangerous. As 'tis said in another case, Remember Lots wise; So I say in this, Remember David, what his looking on a beautiful woman cost him, 2 Sam. 11. 2. with Psal. 51. And Samson, ●udg. 14. 1, 2. & 16. 1. what his looks cost him: Yea and our Grandmother Eve, what looking on the forbidden fruit cost her, Gen. 3. 6. Pray therefore as David, Psal. 119. 37. Turn away mine ●yes from beholding vanity. And do as Job, chap. 31. 1. Make a covenant with your eyes. There are that, Drink waters out of their own Cesterns, as they are allowed, Prov. 5. 15. but they Drink immoderately, and unseasonably out of their own, 1 Cor. 7. 5. and only to please themselves, not that they may be the fitter to serve God thereby. But I beseech you by the mercies of God be not conformed to these. There are that, Eat and drink too much; too much for their Health, Estates, Reason, Work, and Employment. For their Health, impairing that thereby, Prov. 23. 29. For their Estates, wasting them thereby, Prov. 23. 20, 21. For their Reason, weakening that thereby. For their Work and Employment, hindering that thereby. These must look for woe and sorrow, Read Prov. 23. 29. to end, & 1 Cor. 6. 9 Wherefore I beseech you that make profession, by the mercies of God, be not conformed to such. There are that, Frequent Stage-plays. There are that, Gaze on wanton Pictures, which provokes to lust. See Ezek. 23. 14, to 18. Harken to wanton Songs and Ballads. Idle out their time. This was Sodoms sin, Ezek. 16. 49. And david's too, when Joab was besieging Rabath, 2 Sam. 11. 12. and an occasion of his uncleanness. Other evils of it see, Prov. 19 15. Eccles. 10. 18. Wherefore I beseech you be not conformed to these. Keep company with suspected persons, contrary to the charge, Prov. 5. 8, 9, 10, 11. Remove thy way far from her, and come not near the door of her house. But I beseech you that make profession be not conformed to these; but do as Joseph, Gen. 39 10. who would not be with his Mistress. There are that, Love Pleasures more than God, 2 Tim. 3. 4. such shall be poor, Prov. 21. 12. Wherefore be not conformed to these. But seeing some Pleasures and Recreations are lawful, wherein does the world offend in and about them? Answer, They offend in and about them in respect of the Matter, Time, and End of them. First, In respect of the Matter. The world makes that the matter of Sport and Recreation, which should be the matter of Devotion and Humiliation. 1. That which should be the matter of Devotion, as Scripture, Lots. First, Scripture phrase and story. This is a taking of God's name i● vain, which God will not suffer to go unpunished, Exod. 20. To have the Scripture is a rich mercy, Psal. 147. 19, 20. Rom. 3. 1, 2. & 9 4. Wherefore I beseech you by this mercy of God, be not conformed to the world in sporting yourselves with Scripture. Secondly, Lots. A lot is a Religious ordinance of God, because it is an appealing to Divine providence, what ever the matter be about which 'tis conversant, Prov. 16. 33. And therefore that distinction of▪ Lots into Religious, Civil, and Indifferent, will not salve the business, as some Divines think; All lots being Religious as they are an appealing to Divine providence. Quest. If the Question should be asked whither Card-playing, and Dice-playing be a sin? Answ. I answer, That as Carding and Dicing are commonly used, it is sin; and I think I have good ground so to answer; for as 'tis commonly used, 'tis a swerving from Scripture rules. To Instance in some known Rules. First, Whatsoever is not of faith is sin, Rom. 14. 23. Now will any say that Carding and Dicing as commonly used is done in faith, with assurance that it is pleasing to God in Christ. Secondly, Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him, Col. 3. 17. Now who can say that Carding and Dicing as commonly used is thus done. Thirdly, Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever else ye do, do all to the glory of God, 1 Cor. 10. 31. Now do you think in your Consciences that Carding and Dicing, as commonly used, is done to the glory of God? Fourthly, In every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, Phil. 4. 6. Now is it thus used, and if not, is it according to the rule? Fifthly, Give no offence to Jew or Gentile, or the Church of God, 1 Cor. 10. 32. Is no offence given by it? Sixthly, Whatsoever is of Good report think of and do, Phil. 4. 8. Is Carding and Dicing of good report? Seventhly, Abstain from all appearance of e●il, 1 Thes. 5. 22. Sure Carding and Dicing hath the appearance of evil. Eighthly, Avoid all occasions of sin, Prov. 23. 21. & 4. 14, 15. & 58. Doubtless 'tis the occasion of much sin. Ninthly, Thou shalt not covet any thing that is thy neighbours, Exod. 20. 17. Now as commonly used, sure there is covering in it. Tenthly, Thou shalt not go beyond or defraud thy Brother in any matter, 1 Thes. 4. 6. As 'tis commonly used, 'tis a breach of this Rule also. Secondly, That which should be the matter of Humiliation, the world makes matter of Sport and Recreation, viz. Sin, and the Judgements of God. First, Sin: As, 1. men's living without a calling, to make sport. 2. Mens wearing women's apparel. 3. Mens playing the fool and acting to make sport, as if they had no understanding. Thus to do is sin, and sin is matter of sorrow and humiliation; and to take pleasure in that which is matter of sorrow, must needs be sin. Secondly, The Judgements of God: As, 1. Foolishness and madness, 1 Sam. 21. 14, 15. 2. The enmity between the creatures caused by man's sin. Now to take pleasure in these, is to take pleasure in those things which are matter of sorrow and humiliation. Now I beseech you that are professors, by the mercies of God, be not you conformed to the world in these things. Thus you see the world offends in and about Pleasures and Recreations, in respect of the Matter. 2. The world offends in and about them in respect of Time, too much being spent in and about them, viz. whole days and nights, contrary to Ephes. 5. 16. 3. In respect of the End, God's glory not being aimed at, as it should be in every thing, 1 Cor. 10. 31. There are that, Mince as they go, Isa. 3. 16. so as to be taken notice of, and to take carnal affections: See Matth. 14. 6. But I beseech you that profess Religion be not conformed to such. Neigh after others Wives, Jer. 5. 8. & 13. 27. This is abomination, Ezek 22. 11. And such persons God will judge Heb. 13. 4. Wherefore I beseech you be not conformed to such. Open their feet to them that passeth by, Ezek 16. 25. yea their Breasts, which is more tempting. This King James called opening the shop windows, as if they had a mind to sell. But be not conformed to such. Powder, Patch, and Paint; after the example of Jezabel, 2 King. 9 30. and those jer. 4. 30. Ezek. 23. 40. But God threatens ●o send stench instead of sweet smell, Isa. 3. 24. Therefore be not conformed to such. Practice or are present at Dance, condemned, job 21. 11, 12. Isa. 3. 16. Matth. 14. 6. Be not conformed to such. There are that, Quit all shame and modesty, like those, jer. 3. 3. But I beseech you Professors, by the mercies of God, be not conformed to them. Read ill Books, Playbooks, etc. words and, matters which corrupt good manners, 1 Cor. 15. 33. and is not convenient, Eph. 5. 4. See the Rule● Ephes. 4. 29. And be not conformed 〈◊〉 〈…〉 h. Seek mixed Wine, Prov. 23. 30. Tarry long at the Wine, Prov. 23. 30. But I beseech you be not conformed to these. Use their Christian liberty for occasion to the flesh, Gal. 4. 13. That take occasion from the doctrine of Christian liberty, to become licentious; using their liberty as a cloak of naughtiness, 1 Pet. 2. 16. But be not conformed to such. Wander or walk too much in Fields or Streets, after the example of Dina, Gen. 34. 2. and the strange woman, Prov. 7. 12. But I beseech you Professors, by the mercies of God, be not conformed to such. Let such as have temptations to Incontinence, or unclean practices, consider these Scriptures. Prov. 2. 18, 19 & 5. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, to 14. & 6. 26, 32, 33. & 7. 21. to the end. & 22. 14. & 23. 27. & 29. 3. Eccles. 7. 26. 1 Cor. 5. 9 & 6. 9, 10. Rev. 21. 8. & 22. 15. No whoremonger, nor unclean person hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God, Ephes. 5. 5. Wherefore let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the ●●●ldren of disobedience, Ephes. 5. 6. Diswasives from sensual pleasures. 1. They war against the soul, 1 Pet. 2. 11. 2. They hinder the knowledge of the truth, 2 Tim. 3. 6, 7. 3. They eat out all pleasure in and love of God, 2 Tim. 3. 4. 4. They choke the seed of the word, Luke 8. 14. 5. They keep from coming to the great Supper, Luke 14. 20. 6. They take away the heart from all that is good, Host 4. 11. 7. They are but for a season, Heb. 11. 25. 8. They end in sorrow, Prov. 21. 17. & 14. 3. Adam's pleasurable eating forbidden fruit, ended in ejection out of Paradise. Esau's broth, ended in the loss of his birthright. Jonathans' honey, in the hazard of his life. Judas his sop, in the Devils entering into him. Babylon's golden cup, in her downfall. 9 They are madness and folly, Eccles. 1. 17. & 2. 2. 10. The love of them speaks the power of godliness wanting, 2 Tim. 3. 5. Wherefore I again beseech you, be not conformed to this world in the loving of sensual pleasures. I wish you such a sight as Moses had of the heavenly recompense, and then I am sure you would love them no more than he did, Heb. 11. 25, 26. Secondly, Conform not to the Covetous world. You read of Covetous practices, 2 Pet. 21. 14. I beseech you, by the mercies of God, be not conformed to the world in them. This Dehortation to you that make profession of Religion, is not without need; For, 1. Professors have been deeply guilty of covetousness; as Ezekiel's hearers, Ezek. 33. 31, 32. The Scribes and Pharisees who fasted oft, prayed long, and gave much alms, Matth. 23. 14: Judas. 2. Christ warns his own Disciples against it, Luke 12. 15. & 21. 34. 3. Saint John writes to those that were Fathers in Christ's School, to take heed of it, 1 Joh. 2. 15. And have you not need to be dehorted from it? Sure you have. I shall therefore in a beseeching way apply myself unto you. There are some that, 1. Abound in wealth, have abundance of all good things, and want nothing, and yet have not power to eat thereof, Eccles. 6. 1, 2. But are cruel to themselves, denying themselves meat, drink, apparel, rest and sleep; and cruel to their families, denying them things convenient. These sure are a part of the covetous world; And I beseech you by the mercies of God, be not conformed to them. 2. Build by unrighteousness and wrong, Jer. 22. 13. wherein see the latter part of the vers. and Jam. 5. 4. But I beseech you, etc. be not conformed to these. 3. Cumber themselves about the many things of the world, so that they cannot spare time for the service of God in the closet or family, Luke 10. 41. These also are part of this covetous world; And I beseech you by the mercies of God be not conformed to them. 4. Devise covetous things and practices, Isa. 32. 7. 2 Pet. 2. 14. But I beseech, etc. be not conformed to these. 5. Deal falsely, Jer. 8. 10. using false words, lying to get gain, which is, etc. Prov. 12. 22. And false weights, which are abomination to the Lord, Prov. 11. 1. & 20. 23. And false oaths which God hates, Zech. 8. 17. And false accusation, a way of getting which some take. 'Tis like Zacheus was guilty of it, for saith he, Luke 19 8. If, etc. 6. Whose Eyes and Heart are not but for their covetousness, and for oppression and violence to do it, watching opportunities; as when men are in distress and necessity, they work upon men's necessities, to get what bargains they please, Jer. 22. 17. But I beseech you, etc. be not conformed to those. 7. Forget to do good, and communicate; though charged not to forget it, Heb. 13. 16. or if they do any thing this way, 'tis sparingly, grudgingly; contrary to the charge, 2 Cor. 9, 6, 7. Too like him, 1 Sam. 25. 10, 11, 36. Forsake the poor, Job 20. 19 But I beseech you, etc. be not conformed to these. Do any forget to sow their Land, at Seed time? 8. Some are Given to covetousness, Jer. 6. 13. Greedy of gain, Prov. 1. 19 1 Tim. 3. 3. Are immoderate in their desires after riches, thirsting like the horseleech; Ever crying give, give, Prov. 30. 15. And in their Joy and Grief also. In their Joy, in the enjoying of them, as He, Luke 12. 19 In their Grief, in parting with them, as that young man, Matth. 19 21, 22. But I beseech you, etc. be not conformed to these. 9 Hard men, reaping where they have not sown, and gathering where they have not strawed; Matth. 25. 24. But I beseech you, etc. be not conformable to these. 10. Join house to house, Isa. 5. 8. 11. Keep bad company to get gain, Prov. 1. 14, 15, 16. contrary to the counsel of the Holy Ghost: here and Prov. 4. 14, 15. Some plead they shall have no Trade unless they do so. But I beseech you, etc. be not conformable to these. 12. Lad themselves with thick clay or mire, burden, pollute, and entangle themselves, in taking, raking, and ransacking for riches, Habak. 2. 6. Some lad their Carts so much, that they either stick, or break all. But I beseech you, etc. be not you conformed. 13. Make Gold their hope, Job 31. 24. Their strong City, Prov. 10. 15. Trusting in their abundance, Psalm 52. 7. Contrary to the charge, 1 Tim. 6. 17. and to their ruin, Prov. 11. 28. Therefore I beseech you, etc. 14. Mind earthly things, Phil. 3. 19 Heavenly things are not in all their thoughts. But I beseech you, etc. be not conformable, etc. 15. Never are satisfied. Though he have neither Child nor Brother, etc. Yet there is no end of his labour, nor is his eye satisfied with riches, Eccles. 4. 8. But I beseech you, etc. be not conformed, etc. 16. Over reach, go beyond, and defraud one another in dealing and barganing; this is prohibited, 1 Thes. 4. 6. Therefore I beseech you, etc. be not conformed to these. 17. Plead Poverty, deb. s and family expenses, when any thing is desired or required for a pious, charitable or righteous use, though there be enough for pleasure and pride. But I, etc. be not conformable, etc. 18. Are Querulous, complainers, Jud. 16. never content with their condition, with what they have; contrary to the charge given us, Heb. 13. 5. But I beseech you, etc. be not conformable, etc. 19 Run greedily after the error of Baalam, for reward, Jud. 11. Adulterating or corrupting the doctrine of Truth for filthy lucre; unlike to Paul, 2 Cor. 2. 17. But I, etc. be not conformable, etc. 20. Speak mostly of the world, 1 Joh. 4. 5. And of the earth, Joh. 3. 31. whose language is, who will show us any good, Psal. 4. 6. Who will show us how we may get goods and riches? But I beseech, etc. be not conformable, etc. 21. Serve Mammon, Matth. 6. 24. But I, etc. be not, etc. 22. Study gain more than godliness, being godly only for the sake of gain, 1 Tim. 6. 5. But I, etc. be not, etc. 23. Turn aside after lucre, 1 Sam. 8. 3. Contrary to the charge, Deut. 16. 19 Take away the right from the poor, Isa. 10. 1, 2. But I beseech, etc. be not you, etc. 24. Venture the salvation of their Souls for this present world, as Demas did, 2 Tim. 4. 10. But I, etc. be not, etc. 25. Wish the Sabbath over, that they may be getting something of the world, Amos 8. 4, 5, 6. But I, etc. be not, etc. 26. Will be rich, 1 Tim. 6. 9, 10. though they fall into, etc. But I, etc. be not, etc. Diswasives from conformity to this Covetous world. 1. They that do, and are covetous like the world, are hated, abhorred of God, Psal. 10. 3. 2. Sorely threatened, Isa. 5. 8. Isa. 10. 1. 2. Job 20. 15, 19, 20. & 27. 16, 17, 18. 3. The word will do you no good whiles such, Matth. 13. 22. Ezek. 33. 31. Mark. 4 18, 19 4. You are in God's account Idolater, Col. 3. 5. Eph. 5. 5. 5. You will be troublers of your house, Prov. 15. 27. 6. No sin will be strained at, if you give way to be covetous, for covetousness is the root of all evil, 1 Tim. 6. 10. Thou mayst be a Judas, Matth. 26. 15. A● Ananias, Act. 5. 2. 7. Thy heart is in danger to be hardened; covetous men seldom repent, Jer. 2. 31. 1 Thes. 2. 5. 8. Saints must have no fellowship with you, 1 Cor. 5. 11. 9 You must not go to heaven, 1 Cor. 6. 10. Thirdly, Conform not to this Proud world. Corrupt and sinful man is a proud Creature, Proud all over. Proud, First, In speech, Psal. 12. 4. Speaking proudly. 1. Against God, Daen. 7. 25. Rev. 13. 6. and with Pharaoh saying, who is the Lord? 2. Against his People, Psal. 31. 18. Speaking grievous things proudly against them. Secondly, In heart, Psal. 101. 5. Isa. 9 9 Prov. 21. 4. stout, stiff, unyielding. These are abomination to the Lord, Prov. 16. 5. Thirdly, In spirit, high minded, Eccl. 7. 8. Fourthly, In look, Prov. 16. 17. & 21. 4. Fifthly, In gesture, Isa. 3. 16. Sixthly, In deed, Psal. 31. 23. Exod. 18. 11. Be not conformed to the world herein. This Dehortation is not without need to you Professors. The Best have been and are prone to it 1. joseph's Brethren, Gen. 37. 8. 2. Aaron and Miriam, Num. 12. 1, 2 3. David, 2 Sam. 24. 1 2, 4. 4. Uzzia, 2 Chron. 26. 16, 19 5. Hezekiab, 2 Chron. 32. 25. 6. The Apostles of Christ, Mark 9 34. There are that, Affect high places, uppermost rooms in th● Synagogues, Matth. 23. 6. Christ's own Disciples were contending about this, Matth. 18. 1. & 20. 21, 22. Luke 22. 24, 25, 26. Contrary to the charge, Gal. 5. 26. But I beseech you that Profess religion, by the mercies of God, be not conformed to these. Bo●st themselves, Isa. 37. 12, 13. & 10. 8, to 12. Psal. 10. 3. Amos 6. 13. Dan. 4. 30. Luke 12. 18; 19 Contrary to Prov. 27. 1, 2. Some Boast of their Will, the Arminian●▪ Some of their Reason, the Socinians. Some of their Revelations, the Anabaptists. Some of Perfection and Sufferings, the Quakers. Some of Traditions and Miracles, the Papists. Some of Gifts and Privileges, Rom. 2. 17, etc. Joh. 8. 33, 41. But I beseech you, etc. Build with hewn stone, when, etc. Isa. 9 9, 10. q. d. That are so far from Repenting when corrected, that they harden their hearts more and more; So Mal. 1. 4. But I beseech you, etc. Covet to be seen of men in what they do, Matth. 23. 5. Contrary to Matth. 6. 1, 2, 3; 5. But I beseech you, etc. Displeased with the Praise of others, Matth. 21. 15. Despise others, Luke 18. 9 But I beseech you, etc. Establish their own Righteousness, Rom. 10. 3. Luke 18. 9 But I beseech you, etc. Fortify themselves in the Rocks, etc. Obad. 3. 4. Flatter themselves with outward advantages and accommodations. But I beseech you, etc. Give not God the glory, but themselves, Act. 12. 23. but consider his end. And your duty Is●l. 115. 1. Wherefore I beseech you, etc. Haughty scorners who deal in proud wrath, Prov. 21. 24. Casting aside admonitions, with disdain and contempt. But I beseech you, etc. Hearts listed up because of their Riches, etc. 2 Chron. 32. 25, 27. Contrary to the caution, Deut. 8. 13. The uprightness of such hearts may be questioned, Habak. 2. 4. Wherefore I beseech you, etc. Intrude into things they have not seen, Col. 2. 18. Either, 1. In the Scriptures. 2. With their bodily Eyes. 3. By the Light of sound Reason. Yet venture upon it, as they upon the worshipping of Angels. But I beseech you, etc. Korahs' that set themselves against God's messengers, Numb. 16. 3. But I, etc. Lean to their own understandings. Contrary to the Rule, Prov. 3. 5, 7. Paul would have such to become fools that they might be wise, 1 Cor. 3. 18. Wherefore I beseech you, etc. Lovers of praise and applause, Mat. 23. 7. Lovers of pre-eminence, 3 Ep. Joh. 9 Lofty high lookers, Prov. 30. 13. Such was not David, Psal. 131. 1. nor would he suffer such, Psal. 101. 5. But I beseech you, etc. Magnify themselves, Luke 18. 11, 12. Contrary to Phil. 2. 3. But I beseech you, etc. Never think to be moved, like her, viz. Babylon, Isa. 47. 7. Good men too prone to this; as David, Psal. 30. 6. and Job, chap. 29. 18, 19 Wherefore I beseech you, etc. Offended with those that are not at their beck and command, Num. 22 37. But I beseech you, etc. Offer violence to the Lords Prophets, 2 King. 1. 9, 11. But I beseech you, etc. Persecute the poor, Psal. 10. 2. Hiding snares for them, Psal. 140. 5. Puffed up by their fleshly mind; 1. Unsanctified mind: 2. Gifts of the mind, as Wit, Knowledge, Eloquence, Memory, Col. 2. 18. Pure in their own eyes, Prov. 30. 11. Isa. 65. 5. But I beseech you, etc. Quarrel and contend, ever stirring up strife, Prov. 28. 25. But I beseech you, etc. Reject the Lord as Pharaoh, Exod. 5. 2. and those, Luke 19 14. Rise up against his people, Psal. 124. 2, 5. But I beseech you, etc. Seek and search their own glory; contrary to Prov. 25. 27. Show their fine things, 2 King. 20. 13. Smite the Lords Prophets, 2 Chron. 18. 23. That Scorn and contemn, Psal. 123. 4. But I beseech you, etc. Think of themselves more highly than they ought. Think themselves to be something when they are nothing, Gal. 6. 3. Contrary to Rom. 12. 3. Trust in their Treasures, Jer. 49. 4. But I beseech you, etc. Usurp the Priest's office; as 2 Chron. 26. 16. But I beseech you, etc. Walk with stretched out necks, Isa. 3. 16. Will not seek after God, Psal. 10. 4. But I beseech you, etc. Hear and give ear, and be not proud; for the Lord hath spoken, Jer. 13. 15. what, see v. 9, etc. Therefore give glory to God. 1. Acknowledge his judgements and threats to be Righteous, and heartily turn to God; otherwise God will mar your pride. dissuasives from Pride. First, It's not alone, it has very bad companions: As, 1. Naughtiness of heart, 1 Sam. 17. 28. 2. A froward mouth; Prov. 8. 13. 3. Idleness, Ezek. 16. 49. 4. Unmercifulness, Ezek. 16. 49. 5. Contention, Prov. 13. 10. 6. Hardened mind, Dan. 5. 20. 7. An evil eye, Mark 7. 22. 8. Blasphemy, Mark 7. 22. More, see Prov. 6. 17, etc. Secondly, God knows them afar off, has no respect for them, will have no communion with them, Psal. 138. 6. Thirdly, God hates and abominates pride, Prov. 6. 16, 17. & 16. 5. Fourthly, The proud err from God's commandments, and are cursed, Psal. 119. 21. Fifthly, God resisteth them, Jam. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 5. God's resistance supposes man's assault, and did ever any harden themselves against God and prosper? Job 9 4. What, will you strive with your Maker? woe to such, Isa. 45. 9 Sirs, Sirs, see Ezek. 22. 14. God will do to them that which he asks Job whither he could do, Job 40. 11, 12. God is able to abase them, Dan. 4. 37. And will be above them, Exod. 18. 17. And bring them down, Psal. 18. 27. And low, Prov. 29. 23. To destruction, Prov. 16. 18. & 15. 25. See also, Isa. 2. 11, to 18. Beloved, would I could fright you from this cursed pride! What shall I say to you? It turned, Angels into Devils. Sodom into Ashes. Pharaoh into the Deep. Haman off the Gallows. Nebuchadnezar a grazing with Beasts. Achitophel out of the World. Because Pride of Hair and Habit abounds, I shall close this Discourse with some dissuasives from it. 1. Are not our clothes Memorials of our sin and shame? Before our first Parents had sinned, they were both naked and were not ashamed, Gen. 2. 25. But when they had sinned, they were ashamed, and sewed fig-leaves together to cover their nakedness, Gen. 3. 7. But God made them coats of skins, ver. 21. 2. Are they not all Borrowed things? and that from poor despicable Creatures, your servants? As, Woollen from the Sheep. Linen from the Earth. Cotten from the Trees. Silks and Velvets from the Worms. Hats from Beavers and other poor Creatures. Hair from I know not whom. Now suppose a man to have many Servants, and he borrows a Hat of one, a Coat or Cloak of another, and Shoes and Stockings of another, etc. and then goes strutting up and down the Streets in these borrowed things, what would you think of him? 3. Are not your clothes, for the materials of them, much base than yourselves? And will you be proud of what is inferior to yourselves? 4. What are your Bodies which you thus dress up and adorn? Are they not vile, loathsome, stinking, foul, diseased bodies, which must die and turn to corruption? 5. Do clothes commend you to God, or to wise and sober men? Nay, only to men of vain minds they commend you. 6. Does not dressing, decking and adorning of ourselves in such a way as is usual, discover the vanity of our own minds? 7. Are not such dress, etc. Temptations, snares, enticements and occasions of sin to others? 8. Is not much of our Clothing waste and lost, and so a slighting of Christ's counsel, Joh. 6. 12. If the Disciples of Christ had indignation at the pouring of Ointment on the Head of Christ; and if they said, To what purpose is this waste? Matth. 26. 8. How much more may Christ say, when he looks on the Heads, Necks, and Backs, and Feet of many Professors; To what purpose is this waste? Might not the money given for these things have been saved and given to the poor? Matth. 26. 9 9 Do not many poor want that which you put on for Pride? 10. What will you do in the day when God shall come to deal with you, and reckon with you about your layings out upon your Pride? and Conscience shall witness against you: So much laid out upon my proud lust. For strange and needless apparel twenty pound, but for naked poor not twenty shillings. For costly new fashioned lace, as one says, ten pound, but for food for the hungry not ten shillings. For dress and trim three, four, or five pounds, but for sick poor not five shillings. For toys and fancies twenty shillings, but for the relief of the needy not twenty pence. For hair I know not what, but for a pious or charitable use not any thing considerable. To take you off from Conformity to this world, give me leave to expostulate with you. I shall do it for memory sake Alphabetically: Alluding to Gods expostulating with them, Isa. 58. 5, 6. Is this, This conformity to the world, Is this, To Abstain from fleshly lusts, which, etc. Or is this your abstaining, etc. as you are earnestly beseeched, 1 Pet. 2. 11, 12. To Abstain from all appearance of evil; as we are charged, 1 Thes. 5. 22. Or is this your abstaining from, etc. And so your abstaining, etc. in all the following expostulations. 1. To Bring the body in subjection, as Paul's practice was, 1 Cor. 9 27. 2. To bring forth fruits meet for repentance, as we must if we will escape the wrath to come, Matth. 3. 7, 8. And those from 2 Cor. 7. 11. Is this to have indignation against ourselves, to be zealous, to take revenge upon ourselves? what work would indignation, zeal, and revenge, make upon your Heads, Faces, Necks, and Backs, if you had these. 3. To be blameless as the Sons of God without rebuke, etc. Phil. 2. 15. 2. To Crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts, as they that are Christ's have, Gal. 5. 24. 3. Is this to Condemn the world, as Noah did, Heb. 11. 7. Nay is it not to commend the world, and say you do well to be Proud, Covetous, Wanton, etc. Is this to be converted, and become as little Children? What to strive for state, to seek for pre-eminence over one another; to be greatest, highest, bravest, finest? A little Child does not so. Even the Disciples of Christ were too worldly, minding worldly greatness and pre-eminence; which moved them to put the question, Matth. 18. 1. Who is to be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? 1. The Church; they dreamt of a worldly pompous state of it; for Mar. 9 34. they had disputed among themselves which should be greatest. See Act. 1. 6. Matth. 20. 21, 24. And Christ's answer, ver. 25, to 29. Now is this Conformity to the world, to be turned from Pride, etc. Without which, Christ says, we shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Matth. 18. 1, 2, 3, 4. 4. Is this to be consumed with zeal, because God's words are forgotten, Psal. 119. 139. Is this to deny ourselves; as they who will be Christ's Disciples must do, Matth 16. 24. Is this to Enter in at the strait gate, and to strive so to do as we are counselled by Christ, Luke 13. 24. To be Examples as we are bound to be, specially Ministers, 1 Tim. 6. 11. & 4. 12. 1 Pet. 5. 3. To Escape the corruption that i● i● the world through lust, 2 Pet. 1. 4. Is this to Follow Christ our pattern, w 〈…〉 hath left us an example that we should f●●low his steps, 1 Pet. 2. 21. See Matt 〈…〉 16. 24. 1 Joh. 2. 6. Is this to learn of Christ? Matth. 11. 29. Is this to be as God is in this world? 1 Joh. 4. 17. To Glorify God with our bodies? as we are bound by the price paid for us, 1 Cor. 6. 20. Is this to Humble ourselves under God's mighty hand? as we are directed by God himself in order to our exaltation, 1 Pet. 5. 6. Is this to Judge ourselves? as we must if we will not be judged and condemned with the world, 1 Cor. 11. 31, 32. Is this to Keep ourselves from our iniquity? as we must do if we will approve ourselves upright, Psal. 18. 23. Is this to Lay to heart the afflictions of Joseph? who many of them are clothed with rags: See Amos 6. 4, 5, 6. Is this to Mourn for the sins of the time, as those that are marked out for deliverance in a common calamity, do? See Ezek. 9 4. Is this, Not to lift up our souls to vanity? as they that will ascend into God's holy hill, and stand in his holy place, must not: Psal. 24. 3, 4. Is this to Note those that obey not the Gospel, and to have no company with them, that they may be ashamed? 2 Thes. 3. 14. Nay is it not to harden them in their sinful ways and fashions? Is this to Order our steps in God's word, as David prayed he might? Psal. 119. 133. And so to Order our conversations aright as they must do who will see the salvation of God, Psal. 50. 23. Is this to Put off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts? Eph. 4. 22. And to Put on the new man, which after God, is created in Righteousness and true holiness? Eph. 4. 24. Is this to Put off your ornaments from you, that God may know what to do unto you? Exod. 33. 5. Is this to Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God; as you are by the mercies of God beseeched to do? Rom. 12. 1. Is this your Quenching the fiery darts of Satan? Eph. 6. Now Sirs, as St. Paul tells the Corinthians, concerning their manner of communicating, This is not to eat the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11. 20. So let me tell you concerning your conformity to this world, This is not to Abstain from, etc. This is not to Bring your Bodies in subjection. This is not to be Converted. This, etc. in all the rest of the Letters. And as he says, vers. 22, 23. What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which I have delivered unto you. That you who are called out of this world, which is the Devil's Chapel, into the Church, which is the house of the living God; should not be conformed to this world. But should Abstain from, etc. Bring your Bodies into subjection, etc. Is this your reproving your unfruitful works of darkness? as you are required, Ephes. 5. 11. Levit. 19 17. Redeeming of time, to spend so many hours in making provision for the flesh? Time is to be Redeemed, not trifled away, Eph. 5. 16. Is this your Striving against sin, as your duty is to do? Heb. 12. 4. Your Shining as lights, etc. Phil. 2. 15. To be Transformed by the renewing of your minds? Rom. 12. 2. No, for 'tis set in opposition to being conformed to this world. Is this your Using the world as not abusing it? 1 Cor. 7. 31. Is this your Walking worthy of your high, holy, and Heavenly calling? as you are required, Eph. 4. 1. Winning others by your conversation? 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2, 4, 5. Working out your salvation with fear and trembling? Phil. 2. 12. Being without offence? etc. Phil. 1. 10. Nay, Is not this your conformity to the world; Is not this, 1. To justify the worl●? Ezek. 16. 51, 52. 2. Is not this to be a comfort to the wicked world? Ezek. 16. 54. 3. Is this not to harden them in their sinful course? Their pride, etc. 4. Is not this to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness? forbidden, E●hes. 5. 11. 5. Is not this to take the members of Christ, and to make them the members of a harlot? 1 Cor. 6. 16. 6. Is not this to learn the works of the Heathen, and to serve their Idols, Psal. 106. 35, 36. which may prove a snare. 7. Is not this to give offence, contrary to 1 Cor. 10. 32. And to be an occasion of stumbling, which Gods people should not be, 1 Joh. 2. 10. 8. Is not this to call men on Earth, our Father, Master? See Matth. 23. 9 Helps against conformity to this world. First, Understand well wherein you are not to conform to this world. Sure not in any thing which is a swerving from the Rule, the written word of God. Not in any thing which is a transgression of a known Law. Take some instances of known Rules. 1. Abstain from all appearances of evil, 1 Thes. 5. 22. This is one Rule. Now in any thing that is or has the appearance of evil, we must not conform to the world. 2. Avoid all occasions of evil of sin, to ourselves or others. All Snares, Traps and Temptati 〈…〉 s to ourselves or others to sin; Prov. 23. 31 & 4. 14, 15. & 5. 8. Now in any thing which is an occasion of sin to ourselves or others, we must not conform to the world. 3. Give no offence, etc. 1 Cor. 10. 32. Phil. 1. 10. 1 Joh. 2. 10. 4. Those things think upon and do which are of good report, Phil. 4. 8. and this you must have a care of lest you fall into reproach, and the snare of the Devil; 1 Tim. 3 7. Now those things which are not of good report, we must not conform to the world in. 5. Do all in the name of Christ, Col. 4. 17. giving thanks, etc. Now if the world do any thing which cannot be said to be done in the name of Christ, therein you are not to conform to the world. 6. Follow others as they follow Christ, 1 Cor. 11. 1. Now in those things wherein the world does not follow Christ, we are not to conform to them. 5. Whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you the same to them, Matth. 7. 12. Now if the world do those things to others which they would not have done to themselves, therein we must not conform to them. 8. Let all things be done for edifying, 1 Cor. 14. 26. In Knowledge, Faith, Love, and holy Obedience. Now if the world do any thing that tends to building up of others in Unholiness, and Disobedience, Pride and Wantonness; we must not conform to the world therein, for all must be done to edifying. 9 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, Phil. 2. 3. Now if the world do, etc. 10. Look not every man on his own, but on the things of others, Phil. 2. 4. Now if the world be all for itself, with the neglect of others, we must not therein conform to the world. 11. Redeem the time because the days are evil, Eph. 5. 16. Now if the world trifle away time, on Lords days and other days, we must not therein conform to the world. 12. Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever else ye do, do all to the glory of God, 1 Cor. 10. 31. Now if the world do that which can have no tendency to the glory of God, we must not conform to the world therein. Secondly, Be convinced that 'tis a sin to be conformed to this world in such matters before mentioned; God's prohibition makes it a sin, Rom. 12. 2. When a man is sure a thing is sinful, he will resist it the more easily; but if he be in doubt whether it be sin or no, he will the more easily venture upon it, to commit it. The Devil's business is to make men believe that sin is not sin, that they may commit it. For this end he raiseth up one Prophet or another, to say as to Ahab, Go up and prosper; or to say, There is no hurt in this; or to dispute for it, or practise it himself, and then the Devil has gotten ground. For when a thing is come to be a Controversy, and some that are Wise and Learned, Holy and Religious, are on one side, and some of another; Then the Hypocrite, as one says, hath a cloak for his sin, and a Dose of Opium for his Conscience. Thirdly, Get the fear of the Lord, this will restrain from sin, Neh. 5. 15. Fourthly, Make a covenant with your eyes, Gaze not on the fashions of others; See Ezek. 23. 16. Fifthly, Set upon the work of mortification, look upon it as a duty of absolute necessity, Col. 3. 5. Rom. 8. 13. Sixthly, Get to be crucified to the world; and for this end make use of the Cross of Christ, Gal. 6. 14. Seventhly, Have your conversations in Heaven, and your affections on things above, Phil. 3. Col. 3. Mind things not seen. Eighthly, Set God always before you, Psal. 16 8. Gen. 17. 1. Ninthly, Think much of death and judgement, and what thoughts you will then have of conformity to this world. And now in Conclusion let me again beseech you, Be not conformed to this world. I beseech you by the mercies of God, be not conformed to, etc. And by me God himself beseeches you, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Now suppose a Mother should beseech her Child, By the Womb that bore him. By the Paps that gave him suck. By the Knees that dandled him. And by all her care of and kindness to him: what would you think of him, if he should not in a lawful thing yield unto her? would you not think him to be of a flinty heart? In like manner when God by his Ministers shall beseech you by the multitude of his tender mercies; whereby, 1. He begat you to a lively hope of an Inheritance incorruptible, etc. 1 Pet. 1. 3, 4. 2. He hath quickened us together with Christ, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Eph. 2. 4, 5, 6. 3. He hath pardoned us, Psal. 78. 38. 4. He hath called us, 2 Tim. 1. 9 5. Justified us, Rom. 3. 6. Adopted us, 1 Joh. 3. 7. He hath renewed and saved us, Tit. 3. 5. What stony hearts have they that will not yield when God thus beseeches by his mercies bestowed on them? Hear me you Professors, let me expostulate. 1. Why Sirs shall God lose and miss of the main end of bestowing his mercies on you? Our obedience is the main end of his bestowing mercies on us. See Psal. 130. 4. Luke 1. 73, 74. Psalm 105. 39 to end. 2. Is it not to you that God applies himself in this beseeching way, even to you who have received mercy to be begotten again, quickened, pardoned, called, renewed and saved? 'tis to you he comes and beseeches by all his mercies, be not conformed to this world. Others that have not received these mercies, he cannot beseech by them. 3. Had others received the mercies you have, and being beseeched by them, would they not, think you, be persuaded? 4. Will you hazard and endanger yourselves by conforming to, and keeping company with the men of this world? Jehosaphat did so, 1 Chron. 19 1, 2. and wrath was upon him therefore. Josiah did so, 2 King. 23. 29. His forwardness to pleasure the King of Assiria cost him his life. The Israelites conformed to Egypt in Idolatry, Exod. 32. 1, 2, 3. And God's wrath waxes hot against them, v. 10. And to the Moabites in Adultery, Numb. 25. 1, 2. and the anger of the Lord was kindled against them. If you live after the manner of wicked men, you are like to be judged after their manner, Ezek. 23. 4, 5. If the Assyrian or others will persecute after the manner of Egypt, they shall be punished after the manner of Egypt, Isa. 10. 24, 26. 5. Doth not God find fault with doing after the manner of others? See 2 King. 17. 33. 2 Chron. 13. 9 6. Is not that which is highly esteemed among men, abominable in the sight of God? Luke 16. 15. That course of life which is most contrary to the fashions of the world, is most commendable and acceptable to God. The further we go from the world in our speech, gesture, attire, works, and actions, the nearer we come to true Godliness, Jam. 1. 27. GOD'S severity against MAN for Iniquity. Ezek. 24. 13, 14. In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee. I the Lord have spoken it, etc. HAth he said it, and shall he not do it? Hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numb. 23. 19 Did he not make it good against the Jews, his own peculiar people? 2 King. 25. begin. Jer. 39 1, etc. Jer. 52. 4, And if God spared not them, the natural branches, Rom. 11. 21. will he spare us? Take heed England, Take heed London, lest he also spare not thee: If God have brought evil upon the City, which was called by his name, should ye be utterly unpunished? ye shall not be unpunished: See Jer. 25. 29. If they whose judgement was not to drink of the cup, who might rather have expected favour, than you. If these have assuredly drunk, are you those that shall go altogether unpunished? you shall not go unpunished, but shall surely drink: See Jer. 49. 12. Nay if God spared not the Angels, nor a whole world, will he spare us, 2 Pet. 2. 4. I would hope, that God will not make a full end of us, but will correct us in measure, yet sure he will not leave us wholly unpunished, Jer. 46. 28. But if there be lewdness in our filthiness, and we will not be purged, God will cause his fury not only to creep, but to rest upon us as it has done upon others. In these two verses (not to speak of the context, for time will not give leave) we have a heavy judgement threatened, with the cause and certainty of it. 1. The judgement threatened, Thou shalt not be purged, etc. Till, etc. 2. The cause of it, In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I would have purged thee, and thou wast not purged. 3. The certainty of it, I the Lord have spoken it, etc. In thy filthiness, In thy sin which is filthiness: Sin so called, 2 Cor. 7. 1. In thy Idolatry, Covetousness, Pride, Profaneness, Hypocrisy, Oppression. Is lewdness, obstinacy (for she would not be purged from it) and rejoicing, Jer. 11. 15. Because I have purged thee, I have sought to purge thee, by Admonitions. Exhortations. Counsels. threatenings. Reproofs. Corrections. And thou wast not ●urged, All labour was in vain and fruitless: As for the word of the Lord they would not hearken to it, Jer. 44. 16. Zech. 7. 12. Thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more: Thou shalt be Warned, Exhorted, Counselled, Threatened, Reproved no more; but shall be left to perish in thy sins, as desperate and incurable. Till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee: Till I have satiated, satisfied my wrath, and eased myself of my adversaries, and avenged me of mine enemies, Isa. 1. 24. Till I have purged them in Hell fire says one, which will be ever doing, but never be done. Doct. God will at last cause his fury to rest upon a people that will not be purged from their filthiness. God will, and this will of his is, 1. Most just; Because God has offered them mercy and they would none of it. Thus, A Subject commits high Treason against his Prince, for which he is condemned: His Prince out of pity sends him a pardon, which he rejects, tears and tramples under foot. If the Prince resolve this man shall die for it, is not his resolution just? See Ezra 9 33. Dan. 9 14. Lam. 1. 18. 2. Most unchangeable, for Numb. 23. 19 At last; He is not hasty, but slow to anger. He being God and not man, Host 11. 9 can bear long, and does, yet will not always, but at last will punish, Isa. 42. 14. & 65. 6. and here in the Text. 'Cause his Fury, Anger, Indignation, Wrath. Fury is an anger never at rest till it has taken revenge. To Rest, to Abide; Fury has come and gone, judgements have come and gone, have been sent and called back again, laid on and taken off, for a considerable time; but at last they shall rest. Upon a people, though professing, and called by the name of the Lord; though known and formerly saved by the Lord. That will not; I say, will not, because the Highest does so often lay the blame there, Jer. 6. 16. Their will was against purging, they loved their filthiness: They loved to wander, Jer. 14 10. & 5. 31. & 11. 15. When thou dost evil then thou rejoycest. See Jer. 18. 12. Be purged from their filthiness. By any means, whether fair or foul, whether Warnings, Exhortations, Counsels, Threats, Reproofs, Sabbaths, Sacrifices, Mercies, Judgements. Whose Filth, Scum, Rust, remains. Their Filth, notwithstanding all the Floods they have been in. Their S●um and Dross notwithstanding all the Fires they have been in. Their Rust notwithstanding all the Filings they have had. I might heap Scriptures for proof hereof, but I shall confine myself to this Prophet, Ez●k. 5. 13. & 9 8, 9, 10. & 16. 42, 43. & 21. 17. You may read, Deut. 29. 20. 2 Chron. 36. 15, with 17. Jer. 7. 20. & 11. 14▪ & 13. 14. & 14. 12. & 18. 11, 12. Psal. 7. 12. & 50. 21, 22. & 68 21. Reason. God's Honour, Holiness, Justice and Truth, requires it. 1. God's Honour, If God spare such, it will be thought that he favours them, Psalm 50. 21. Mat. 2. 17. 2. His Holiness, Habak. 1. 13. 3. His Justice, Zeph. 3. 5. Psal. 11, ult. Justice must render to every one according to etc. 4. His Truth. See Jer. 4. 28. Use 1. Sad then is the case of such as will not be purged from their filthiness. Is it not sad when God will cause his fury to rest upon them, when he is so resolved as you see, v. 14. This People, in the Text, might think, and so possibly may you, God would not be so severe, as the Prophet had told them; They might say or think, Jeremiah this is but your saying, and you may speak it out of Humour and Discontent. Nay says God, I the Lord have spoken it; I Jehovah who can and will give being and life to my threats, to what I have spoken. They might say, but saying and doing are two things, It may never come to pass though God has spoken it. Nay says God, it shall come to pass, as certainly as I have spoken it. They might say, you threaten us with Nebuchadnezar; but Nebuchadnezar and his Forces are but men, and may fail, and never be able to perform their enterprise. But says God, I will do it, and I am not Man, but God. They might say, but sure God will not lay waste Jerusalem his own City, where his Temple and Worship is. To this God answers, True. But thy scum is in thee, and thy filthiness, and in thy filthiness is lewdness, obstinacy, therefore I will not go back from my word of threatening. Thou dost not retract, and therefore I will not. Thou hast gone backward, Jer. 15. 6▪ therefore I will not go back. See also Jer▪ 4. 28. They might say, but God is pitiful, and his compassions fail not. But says God, I will not pity, n● spare, nor have mercy, Jer. 13. 14. They might say, but God will repent of the evil threatened; according to Jer. 18 8. Ezek. 20. 8. 9, 13, 14, 17, 22. No says God, neither will I repen●; you repent not, therefore I will not repent: See Jer. 15. 6. They might say then, surely God will deal hardly with us. No says God, I deal justly, according to thy ways I will judge thee. What then is there no avoiding of this fury? No; They shall not be able to escape, Jer. 11. 11. Evil shall hunt you, Psal. 140. 11. And find you out, Numb. 32. 23. As the blood hound the Thief, as sure as he sets his foot on the ground. Nor no resisting? No; Can stubble resist fire. Why then, I hope, I shall be able to bear it. No, It will be intolerable, Ezek. 22. 14. Can thy heart endure? No. Why then, I hope, it will have an end. No neither, if you die in your filthiness, it shall rest upon you; 'Twill be everlasting fire and burning, Isa. 33. 14. Why then, I hope, if it will have no end, it will be long before it have a beginning. No, It may have a beginning before you are aware. 'Tis to be feared that your iniquities are near full and ripe, for we are come to that pass now, 1. That, I think, we are shameless in sinning; and if so, see Jer. 3. 3. & 6. 15. 2. Graceless in Profession, and Lukewarm in Religion; and if so, see 2 Tim. 3. 1, to 6. Rev. 3. 15, 16. & 2. 4, 5. Amos 8. 5, 11, 12. 3. Regardless of Christ, nay abusive of Christ's Gospel and Ministers; and if so, see Matth. 21. 35, 36, 38, 41. Luke 13. 34, 35. 2 Chron. 36. 16. 1 King. 18. 4. with 19 14. 2 Chron. 11. 14. 4. Fruitless under the means of grace; and if so, see Matth. 21. 43. Luke 13. 6, to 10. Act. 13. 45, 46. Isa. 5. begin. Heb. 6. 6. 5. Incorrigible under the rod; and if so, see Isa. 9 13, 14. Amos 4. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. 6. Fearless of punishment; as they, Jer. 17. 15. that said, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now. And as they that said, Isa. 5. 19 Let him make speed and hasten his work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it. And this is but according to what was foretold by our Saviour, Luke 17. 26, 27. And as it was in the days of No; so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, etc. till the flood came. And by St. Peter, 2 Pet. 3. 3. There shall come in the last day's scoffers, walking after their own lusts (and sure they are come) Saying, Where is the promise of his coming? Things continue as they were. But when we put far away the evil day, Amos 6. 3. and say peace and safety, Then sudden destruction cometh, as Travel upon a woman with child, and we shall not escape, 1 Thes. 5. 3. God will punish the men that are settled upon the Lees, That say in their Hearts, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil; Zeph. 1. 12. God grant our goods may not become a booty; God grant our houses may not become a desolation; God grant that they who have built houses, may inhabit them; and that they who have planted vineyards, may drink the wine thereof But sure if in our filthiness there shall be lewdness, if we shall continue unpurged, notwithstanding all the means used for our purging: The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly: That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness; A day of the trumpet and alarm, against the fenced Cities, and against the high Towers God will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord, and their blood shall be poured out as the dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their Silve nor their Gold shall be able to deliver them is the day of God's wrath; but the whole La 〈…〉 shall be devoured, by the fire of his jealous 〈…〉 for he shall make even a speedy riddance of a 〈…〉 them that dwell in the Land, Zeph. 1. 13, 14▪ 15, 16, 17, 18. This is the rejoicing City that dwelled carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, a 〈…〉 there is none beside me: how is she become 〈◊〉 desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in 〈…〉 every one that passeth by her, shall hiss an● wag the hand; Zeph. 2. 15. This is spoken of Nineveh, ver. 13. And if we sin as Nineveh did, may not we expect to suffer as she suffered. Yet I fear we have many that say as Babylon, I shall be a Lady for ever, Isa. 47. 7. Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thy heart, I am, and none else besides me, I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of Children. Therefore shall evil come upon thee, thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee, thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly which thou shalt not know, Isa. 47. 11. Rise up ye woman that are at ease: hear my voice ye careless daughters, give ear unto my speech. Many days and years shall ye be troubled ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come. Tremble ye women that are at ease: be troubled ye careless ones, strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth on your loins. Because the Palaces shall be forsaken, the multitude of the City shall be left, the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild Asses, a pasture of flocks; Isa. 32. 9, 10, 11, 14. See also Jer. 5. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 These are terrible threats, but who trembles at the reading or hearing of them? The people in Ezra's time trembled at the words of the God of Israel, Ezra 9 4. Josiah when he heard the words of the Law against Jerusalem and the inhabitants thereof, rend his clothes and wept, 2 Chron. 34. 19, 27. Habakkuk hears God's speech and is afraid, chap. 3. 2. Yea, his belly trembled; his lips quivered; rottenness entered into his bones. chap. 3. 16. variety of expressions are used by him, to show how sensible he was of God's threatened judgements. But oh I fear we are past feeling. Jeremy also cries out, Jer. 4. 19 M 〈…〉 bowels; Nay B●ls●●zz●r Trembled D 〈…〉 5. 5. 6. when he saw the hand writing 〈◊〉 the wall; but we see and read what 〈◊〉 written against us, and ne●er Tremble. And Felix trembled when he heard Pa 〈…〉 reasoning of righteousness, temperance, a●●●udgment to come, Act. 25. 24. But ho● often are you reasoned with about the 〈…〉 things, and never tremble? The Devils tremble, Jam. 2. 19 an● cannot we? Oh our Atheism and infidelity! our not fearing Gods threatening in his word, is a manifest token of it. The God of glory thundereth in the Heavens, and thou tremblest; but when 〈◊〉 thunders in the Scripture, thou tremble 〈…〉 not: Hear how he thunders, Nahum 1▪ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10. Pray take your Bible and read this Scripture before yo● read any further. The Lion roars and the Beasts tremble▪ But God roars, threatens most terribly Amos 3. 8. but who fears? A storm, a tempest, will make you 〈…〉 tremble; and will not that storm, th' 〈…〉 tempest threatened, Psal. 11. 6. make thee tremble? Upon the wicked (and art n 〈…〉 thou wicked) he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cu●. Well, Sirs, God would have purged us, and we would not be purged; what then remains, But a certain fearful looking for of judgement, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries, H b. 10. 27. 1. Hath not God warned and told thee of the evil and danger of thy sinful course? thou canst not say as Paul, Act. 23. 5. I wist not. I wist not that sin was so great an evil, that it had so much filth and fire in it. You cannot say I did not know that sin, that pride, worldliness, rioting, drunkenness, chambering, wantonness, str●fe, envying, were transgressions of the holy, just, and good Law of God, and provocations of him to your own and others hurt: you cannot say you knew not this. 2. Hath not God begged and beseeched you to abstain from these fleshly lusts which war against your souls, 1 Pet. 2. 11. 3. Hath not God reproved you, and said to you, as to them, Judg. 2. 2. Why have you done this? 4. Hath not God threatened you, That except you repent you shall perish, Luke 13. 3, 5. And told you, That if you live after the flesh you shall die, Rom. 8. 13. 5. Hath not God corrected and afflicted you, and may we not complain as the Prophet, Jer. 5. 3. O Lord, thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved: thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock, they have refused to return. See also, Dan. 9 13, 14. 6. Hath not God said to you as to him, Joh. 5. 14. Sin no more lest a worse thing come unto you. And told you, That if ye will not be reform by those things, that have come upon you, but will walk contrary to him; that he will then walk contrary to you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins; Levit. 26. 23, 24. 7. Hath not God after all this said, Return unto me, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you; for I am merciful, and will not keep anger for ever; Jer. 3. 1, 7, 12. Hath he not said, W●sh ye, make ye 〈…〉 an, etc. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as s●ow, Isa. 1 16, 18. 8. Hath not God sworn that he desires not your death; Saying, As I live, I have ●o pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that he turn from his way and live, Ezek. 33. 11. 9 Hath not God after this expostulated with you, and said, Turn ye, Turn ye, why will ye die? Ezek. 33. 11. and Jer. 13. 27. Wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be? 10. Hath he not waited to be gracious to thee, Isa. 13. 18. Hath he not been long-suffering to you ward, not willing that you should perish, but that you should come to repentance, 2 Pet. 3. 9 And now sinner, tell me, would not God have purged thee: and if thou wouldst not, If thou wouldst not take warning, when warning was given thee; nor be prevailed with to abstain from fleshly lusts, when thou wast beseeched; nor be reform when thou wast reproved; nor return when thou wast smitten; nor regard when expostulated with; nor come to repentance when so long waited for: May not God say to thee, as to the woman, Gen. 3. 13. What is this that thou hast done? and as to Adam, Gen. 3. 11. Hast thou ●aten of the Tree, whereof I commanded that thou shouldst not eat? So, sinner what is this that thou hast done? Hast thou set at nought all my counsel, and wouldst thou none of my reproof? Prov. 1. 25. Oh what is this that thou hast done? Dost thou know what thou hast done? Canst thou conceive the dishonour thou hast brought to God, and the misery thou hast brought upon thyself, and the hurt thou hast done to Church and State? Art thou not in danger of the resting of God's fury upon thee; when God's anger is kindled but a little, you are in danger of perishing, Psal. 2. 12. In what case then will you be, when his fury shall rest upon you. And God will watch to bring it upon you, Jer. 44. 27. Behold I will watch over them for evil, and not for good; as one that purposely watcheth and lieth in wait to do mischief, Psal. 56 6. God has been woe 〈…〉 when provoked, to watch over people, to pluck up and break down, Jer. 31. 28. And Daniel, chap. 9 13, 14▪ confesses, that because God had p 〈…〉 shed them, and they had not made their prayer before the Lord their God, that they might ●urn from their iniquities and understand the truth; therefore the Lord 〈◊〉 watched upon the evil, and brought it upon them. And he gives the reason, For the Lord our God is righteous in all his works, for we obeyed not his voice. Use 2. If all this be so, then consider we▪ ourselves, Are we purged from our filthiness? Is England? Is London? Are we? Is our s●um gone out? Our rust gotten off? Our filth done away? Our dross separated from us? Our chaff scattered and burnt? 2. Let me ask you a few Questions. 1. Have you been convinced of your natural and contracted filthiness? Si●s were you clean born, shaped in holiness? Read, joh 14. 4. Psal. 51. 5. and see whether you were or no. Have you lived without defiling yourselves? See Psal. 14. 3. Mark 7. 23. What were your Hearts, and Hands? If you cannot tell, See Jer. 4. 14. Jam. 〈◊〉. 8. Mark 7. 21, 22, 23. What were your Heads, Ears, Eyes, and Tongues? If you be ignorant, s 〈…〉 John 13. 9 Act. 7. 51. Jer. 6. 10. 2 Pe●. 2. 14. Matth. 5. 28. James 3. 6. Ephes 4. 29. I fear many are not yet convinced of their filthiness; and if so, sure not yet purged from it. Some will not believe that to be filthiness which God says is so; All that is in the world is either the lust of the eye, etc. 1 John 2. 16▪ and these are not of the pure and holy God, but of the dirty sinful world which lies in wickedness. 1. The lust of the Eye; covetousness, which you call by another name▪ viz. Good Husbandry, is filthiness, 1 Peter 〈◊〉. 2. 2. The lust of the Flesh; rioting, drunkenn 〈…〉▪ chambering, wantonness; which you call Good Fellowship, Courtship, Courteousness: This is filthiness, but you ●o not know it, or will not know it; for your better information, see 1 Thes. 4. 7. Ephes. 5. 3, 4. Ro●. 13. 13. 3. Pride of Life; this also is filthiness, though you call it fineness, neatness, comeliness: But see what God calls it, Isa. 4. 4. He calls it filth, ordure, or excrements, the word imports all; all such filth, or excrement, as come● forth from the body, either upward, as Isa. 28. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 22. or downward, as Deut. 23. 14. Ezek 4. 12. The filth of the Daughters of Zion; whose pride, vanity, wantonness, and other excesses, had no small hand in pulling down Gods judgements. See Isa. 3. 16, 17. had it been the Daughters of Moab, Numb. 25. 1. or the Daughters of the Philistines, Judg. 14. 1, 2. that had been so filthy it would not have provoked so much; their filth would not have stunk so bad, nor have been so loathsome in the sight of God. But for the Daughters of Zion, and the Daughters of Jerusalem, and the Daughters of Israel and Judah, of Professors, to be so filthily proud, provoked greatly. Had it been only the Daughters of men, Gen. 6. 2. or the Daughters of a strange god, Mal. 2. 11. or the Daughters of the uncircumcised, 2 San. 1. 20. it had not been so much; but for the Daughters of God, Deut 32. 19 to go thus, and do thus, and 〈◊〉 thus, he could not bear it. Their gates, and garbs, and courses, and carriages, that they prided themselves in, and accounted their bravery, Isa. 3. 18. were filth; and such as made them odious, loathsome, and abominable in God's eye; saith one whose Judgement; I think, is not to be contemned, ●ataker in loc. And see, saith he, the contrary required, 1 Tim. 2. 9, 10. 1 Pet. 3. 3, 4. So that I believe, that which you call fineness now, will be found to be filthiness another day; that which you call 〈…〉 nery, will be found to be filthery. Those fine Heads, Fine Faces, Fine Necks, Fine Back and Breast, Fine Arms and Shoulders, Will be found, I believe, to be Filthy, Heads, Faces, Necks, Backs and Breasts, Arms and Shoulders. Wherefore let me be speak you, as Daniel did N●buchadnezar, Dan. 4. 27. Wherefore O fine Dames, let my counsel be acceptable to you; Break off your pride by humility, and your shamelesness by shamefacedness. And get ye quickly to the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, Zech. 13. 1. and wash yourselves. Say to Christ, as Peter, when Christ told him, If he washed not his feet he should have no part in me: O Lord, said he, not my feet only, but my hands and head also. You have need to say, not my feet only, but my face, neck, back, breast, arms and shoulders also. Quest. 2. Has the Word, the pure Word of God, (so called, Psal. 12. 6. Psalm 119. 140.) been instrumental in your purging, Psal. 119. 9 Psal. 17. 4. Joh. 17. 17. Quest. 3. Has time been spent about it? Have you had your washing, scouring and purging days for your Souls, as you-have had for the cleaning of your clothes, Brass and Pewter, and for preservation of the health of your Bodies. Some wash their Linen once a month, and scour their Vessels once a quarter, and purge their Body's Spring and Fall. Deal truly, what time have you set a part for the washing and purging of your Heads, Hearts, and Hands? Have you your monthly, quarterly, and half-yearly washing and purging days for your Souls? Will not Linen, Brass and Pewter Vessels be made clean, nor Bodies be purged without allowing time? And will Hearts and Souls be purged from their filthiness without allowing time? Quest. 4. Has pains been taken about it? Has this purging of yourselves cost you Prayers and Tears before 'twas done? That which is foul will not be made clean without painstaking. Naaman was at the pains of taking a long journey, to be cleansed from his Leprosy, 2 King. 5. Quest. 5. Have you made your application to Christ about your cleansing and purging, as once Naaman did to the Prophet, 2 King. 5. 1. Naaman knew himself to be a Leper. 2. Naaman hearing of a Prophet that could cure him, comes to him, 2 King. 5. 3, 9 to his door. 3. Receives direction what to do for his Cure, and though averse at first to use that means, yet upon his servants entreaties, resolves to make trial of the means, 2 King. 5. 13, 14. 4. He does and practices accordingly, goes down into the River and dips himself seven times therein, 2 King. 5. 14. 5. He returns, being Cured, to show his thankfulness, 2 King. 5. 15. and to testify his great respect to the Prophet, as the instrument of his Cure; as did the tenth Leper, Luke 17. 15. 6. He acknowledges the God of Israel to be the only true God, and his cure to be wrought by him, 2 King. 5. 15. 7. He resolves upon the worshipping and serving of the true God, renouncing all other gods, 2 King. 5. 17. In like manner, 1. Have you known yourselves to be leprous and unclean; and said as Isaiah, chap. 6. 5. 2. Having heard of Christ, and the efficacy of his blood to cleanse you, have you come to his door and waited for direction, what to do that you might be cleansed? Have you waited daily at the posts of his doors? Prov. 8. 34. Have you sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word, Luke 10. 39 as Mary did? 3. Having heard counsel and direction what to do to be Cured, viz. To go into the Jordan of Christ's blood, and to bathe yourselves therein; Have you resolved, upon the entreaties of God's Ministers, who are are your servants, 2 Cor. 4. 5. to make trial of this Jordan? and with Esther, to go into King Jesus, come of it what will: Saying, I will go in, and if I perish, I perish, Esth. 4. 16. And have you resolved with the prodigal, Luke 15. To go unto Christ the everlasting father, Isa. 9 4. Have you done accordingly? Have you dipped yourselves in this bloody Jordan seven times? Have you-gone into King Jesus, as Esther into King Ahasueru●? And as the Prodigal, to his Father? Have you been at the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness? Zech. 13. 1. Have you rested upon this blood of Christ which cleanseth from all sin, 1 Joh. 1. 7. for your cleansing, and expected it according to the promise? Ez●k 36. 25. 5. Do you find your hearts stirred up to be thankful, for this Jordan of Chri●ts blood, and the blessings we have thereby? Can you do as Peter and Paul? as Peter, 1 Pet. 1. 3. as Paul, Ephes. 1. 3. 6. Do you give Christ the glory of being the alone fountain for cleansing, and acknowledge all your cleansing to be from him; There being no salvation from the filthiness of sin in any other? Act. 4. 12. 7. Do you resolve upon serving God in righteousness and holiness all your days, As they that are delivered from their filthiness are bound to do? Luke 1. 74, 75. Quest. 6. Are you careful to keep yourselves clean? Do you shun all defilements by persons or things? Is it your care to keep yourself unspotted, as pure Religion binds you to do? Jam. 1. 27. Do you hate the garment spotted by the flesh? Judas 23. And abstain from all appearance of evil, 1 Thes. 5. 22. Quest. 7. Are you companions of those that are purged? David, Psal. 119. 63. was a companion of all them that feared God, and of them that kept his precepts. Are you so too? David's delight was in them, Psal. 16. 3. Is your delight in them too? Birds of a Feather will flock together. Use 3. Of Exhortation, If it be so as you have heard, then continue no longer in your filthiness. Wash ye, make ye clean, lay a part all filthiness and supersivity of naughtiness, James 1. 21. Cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, 2 Cor. 7. 1. Cast it away, and say unto it, get thee hence, Isa. 30. 2. Motives. 1. 'Tis filthiness; Will a man continue in filth, in dirt and mire: In the filth of the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life? 2. God would that you should be purged; for, First, He calls upon you, wash, as you have heard. Secondly, God has prepared a fountain to wash in, Zech. 13. 1. Thirdly, God expostulates with you about it, Jer. 13. 27. Wilt thou not be made clean? Fourthly, God thinks it long, till you be purged, Jer. 4. 14. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within th●e? And Jerem. 13. 27. When shall it once be? 3. When you are purged, washed, God will take delight in you, and have fellowship with you, Isa. 1. 16, 18. Means. 1. Take the glass of the Law, and view yourselves therein, that will show you your filthiness: I had not known sin but by the Law, said Paul, Rom. 7. 7. 2. Know the power of God's anger, Psal. 90. 11. you may see it in his terrible threats, and the judgements which he executeth, Psal. 9 16. 3. Assent to the truths of God's threatenings. Say often to thy own soul, it will be as God hath said: Fury will rest, settle upon me, if I continue unpurged from my filthiness. 4. Confess your natural and contracted filthiness, as did David, Psal. 51. 5. and then see, 1. John 1. 9 5. Pray, purge me, wash me, cleanse me, Create in me a clean heart, as David did Psal. 51. 6. Above all getting, get faith, for 'tis faith that purifies the heart, Act. 15. 9 First, Hear for it, for it comes by hearing, Rom. 10. Secondly, Give God no rest till he has given it you. 7. Act faith in the cleansing blood of Christ: It cleanseth away all sin, being sprinkled and applied, 1 John 1. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Go to the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, Zech. 13. 1. Say to thine own soul. 1. I am filthy, even filthiness; My mind and conscience is d filled, Tit. 1. 15. I am a person of u clean lips, Isa. 6. 5. for how can he be clean who is born of a woman? Job 25. 4. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Job 14. 4. Behold I am shapen in iniquity, and in sia did my mother conceive me, Psal. 51. 5. Besides, How aboninable and filthy am I, who have drank iniquity like water? Job 15. 16. Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom. 7. 24. 1. The body of sin, Rom. 6. 6. called a body, because it hath many members, Col. 3. 5. A body of death, because it tends to death, and threaten▪ death. 2. Say to thy own soul, Christ's blood was shed to cleanse from this filthiness of sin. And that, First, By Gods own appointment, Act. 2. 23. 1 Pet. 1. 20. Secondly, For this very purpose, Zech. 13. 1. 1 Joh. 3. 5, 8. Isa. 53. 5. 3. Say to thy own soul, Jesus Christ in the Ministry and preaching of the Gospel, has been evidently set forth crucified before mine eyes, Gal. 3. 1. God has set him forth to be a propitiation threugh 〈…〉 i'th' in his blood, Rom. 3. 25. Not only in his eternal counsel, and afterward in the execution of the same in the fullness of time, but by the preaching of the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1. 10, 11. & 1 Pet. 1. 20. He was manifested in these last times for us, not only in respect of his incarnation, but in respect of the Revelation of him in the preaching of the Gospel, since his Incarnation: So also God hath set him forth to be a Bath to wash us from our filthiness, Rev. 1. 5. 4. Say to thy soul, This blood of Christ is precious blood. 1 Pet. 1. 19 powerful and effcacious to effect that for which 'twas shed, viz. The cleansing away of sin. Though the blood of Bulls and Goats could not take away sin, yet this precious blood of the Lamb of God can; See Heb. 10. 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 5. Say to thyself, This blood of Christ is the only Bath, for the soul; There's no other fountain, no other name, no way else to be cleansed, Act. 4. 12. 1 Tim. 2. 5. 6. Say to thy own soul, I must wash in this Bath or else be for ever unclean, and unpurged, and so never enter into Heaven; F●r there shall in no wise enter in any thing that defileth, Rev. 21. 27. But God's wrath and fury will rest and abide upon me for ever, Joh. 3. 36. 7. Say to thy own soul, I am invited to bath in this blood of Christ, to apply it by faith, for my cleansing: 'Tis offered to me, Isa. 55. 1. Act. 10. 43. To him give all the Prophet's witness, that through his Name, whosoever believeth on him shall receive remission of sins: And Rev. 22. 17. Whosoever will, let him take of this water of life freely. 8. Say to thy own soul, I am commanded to accept of the offer, to bath in this fountain, to rest on Christ for cleansing; To look unto him to be saved from my filthiness, Isa. 45 22. So that, as soul as I am, it will be no presumption in me to come and wash in this Jordan: Christ calls me, Matth. 11. 28. Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden with dirt and filth. Say to thy own soul, I am promised by him who is true and faithful; Even the true God, and eternal life, 1 John 5. 20. That if I come to him for cleansing, I shall in no wise be cast out, refused, John 6. 37. Why then should I not obey this command, and believe and rest on Christ for my cleansing? 10. Yet once more, that you may act faith in the blood of Christ for cleansing; say to thy own soul, was not I baptised for the remission of sins, Act. 2. 38. Repent and be baptised, in the name of Christ, for the remission of sins: 1. For assurance that your sins are forgiven you for Christ's sake: So Act. 22. 16. Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins (according to the Du●ch Annotations) For a sign And seal that thy sins are washed away, by the blood and spirit of Christ. To improve thy Baptism in order to thy cleansing, 1. Say to thyself, Does not water in Baptism signify and seal by Divine Institution? Is it not an ordinance of Jesus Christ? Matth. 28. 18, 19, 20. 2. Say to thyself, Does not water in Baptism signify and seal the cleansing blood of Christ, and our justification and sanctification thereby? Knowest then not O my soul, that they who are baptised into Jesus Christ, are baptised into his death? Rom. 6. 3. 1. To partake of the benefits of his death. 3. Say to thyself, was not this water applied to me? and that, in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? 4. Was it not applied to me in a solemn way, in the presence of the holy Trinity, with a declaration of the institution of Baptism by Christ, and with prayer to God in the name of Christ, that his blood represented by the water might cleanse me. 5. Say to thyself, Is not my Baptism my bond, obliging me to apply that blood of Christ to my soul, which was represented by the water which was applied to my body? 6. Say again Have I applied it, and am I cleanfed from my filthiness? 7. If not, say to thy soul, Is not my case as bad as the case of unbaptized Infidels? See Jer. 9 25, 26. 8. And if so, say to thy soul, How can my conscience be quiet, and let me alone in such a case? Wherefore lay a charge upon thyself, to believe, to receive, and rest upon Christ for cleansing, as he is offered in the Gospel. Say, Believe O my soul, go to the fountain, wilt thou die in thy filth, and under the fury of the Almighty God? GOD'S Severity against MAN for Iniquity. Isa. 65. 6. Behold, it is written before me: I will rot keep silence, but will recompense, even 〈…〉 compence into their boson. BEhold, observe, take notice of it; It is written before me: It is written: First, What? Secondly, Where? First, What? Your iniquities, vers. 7. Sin, Jer. 17. 1. Your rejecting Christ. Secondly, Where? In God's book; we enter in books such matters as we would not have forgotten. Thus Ezra 4. 15, 19 & 6. 2. Esth. 6. 1. So God also has books of remembrance, not only of what, 1. Is done for him, Mal. 3. 16. Psal. 56. 8. 2. But against him, Deut. 32. 34. Host 7. 2. The meaning is, God keeps it in mind as well as if it were booked down. Before me; It lieth before my face, that it may not be forgotten. q. d. Their wicked doings are upon record with me, and this record always lies open before my face. They did it, Isa. 65. 3. to my face, or in my sight, as Deut. 31. 29. Psalm 51. 4 and it remains still before him. I will not keep silence; i. e. I will no longer forbear as I have hitherto done. But will recompense, even recompense into their bosom; or will repay, yea repay into their lap. 1. Certainly, undoubtedly; therefore is the threat doubled, to put it out of doubt. 2. Abundantly, largely, as repaying into their bosom or lap signifies; he will recompense and repay them, not by tail, measure, or weight; but by pouring forth into the receivers lap without any regard how much. Doct. Though God delay the execution of vengeance for some time, yet at length he will undoubtedly and abundantly pour out his wrath upon impenitent sinners. First, God delays to execute vengeance for a time. Secondly, At length he will take vengeance. 1. God delays for a time to take vengeance, Psal. 50. 21. Isa. 42. 14. Thus God did bear long with the old world, 1 Pet. 3. 20. He will avenge at last though he bear long, Luke 18. 7. After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth, Mat. 25. 19 Though God keep silence for a time, yet he will speak at last. See Habak. 2. 3. Reasons. Negatively, Not because God is slack, as we are too apt to conceive, Psal. 51. ●1. No, not as if God were slack, backward through weakness, forgetfulness or fickleness and inconstancy, 2 Pet. 3. 9 They are not slack that are long ere they come, but they that come not at the due and appointed time. Now God never stays beyond that time, Heb. 10. 37. Habak. 2. 3. So then this is not the Reason: but, Affirmatively, 1. Because God is long-suffering, 2 ●et. 3. 9 willing that we should have time and means to repent, and so not perish. See Rom. 2. 4. 2. To leave sinners at last without excuse, as Prov. 5. 11, 12, 13. 3. Because he has an eternity wherein to be revenged on them. 2. At length God will take vengeance, etc. He will do it, Psal. 50. 21, 22. Isa. 42. 14. Ezek. 24. 13, 14. Consider we a little, First, Who it is that will recompense? Secondly, How he will do it. Thirdly, When. Fourthly, Why. First, Who it is? He to whom it belongeth, and who claims a propriety in it; Deut. 32. 35. Rom. 12. 19 Who this is? See Jer. 32. 18, 19 Nah. 1. 2. Jer. 51. 56. Secondly, He will do it, 1. Abundantly, plentifully, Psal. 79. 12. Sevenfold, seven times more, and seven times more, Levit. 26. 23, 24. He pours it out, Nah. 1. 6. 2. Terribly, Joel 2. 11, 31. Isa. 2. 19 What terrible things did he do by the Red Sea? Psal. 116. 22. See Nah. 1. 6. So terribly that the ears of those that hear shall tingle, 1 Sam. 3. 11. 2 King. 21. 12. Jer. 19 3. Shall have his ears stricken with horror and astonishment, at the report of it, though he see it not. See also, Psalm 119. 53, 120. Ezek 21. 7. Thirdly, Certainly, surely, Jer. 51. 56. and therefore is the threat, 1. Doubled in the Text, and Isa. 59 18. 2. Sworn to; God swears he will do it, Dent. 32. 40, 41. 3. Written down, Exod. 17. 14. & 34. 27. Or thus, God will do it: For, 1. He has said it. 2. Said it again and again in the Text, Ezek. 24. 14. 3. Sworn it, Deur. 32. 40, 41. 4. Set his hand to it, written it, Exod. 34. 27. 5. Sealed it, Deut. 32. 34. Thirdly, When? In due time, Deut. 32. 34, 35. Joel 3. 13. When 〈◊〉 is ripe, Gen. 15. 16. Their iniquities were, Execrable Idolatry. Grievous Oppression. Prodigious Lust. These were not yet full, not at their growth. Sin comes to it by degrees, Jer. 51. 13. Dan. 8. 23. Matth. 23. 32. Fourthly, Why? Because God's Holiness, Justice, Truth, and Honour requires it. 1. His Holiness; Which is such, that he cannot away with iniquity, Hab. 1. 13. See Isa. 1. 13. 2. His Justice; He must render to every one according to his doings, how else can he be just, Rom. 2. 6, 9 Jerem. 32. 19 3. His Truth, and Oath requires it; he hath said it, and doubled it; and sworn it, and caused it to be written, as you have heard. 4. His Honour; See Mal. 2. 17. 5. Their enmity to God and his people requires it, Psal. 83. 1, to 6. 6. God's Sovereignty over all requires it, Psalm 83. 18. with the foregoing verses. Use. First, Of Admonition. 1. Be not hardened in your sins, because sentence is not presently executed; See Eccles. 8. 11. For God, you hear, will punish at length. 2. Be not mockers and scoffers as they, 2 Pet. 3. 4. For God will punish at length. Nor like them, Isa. 5. 19 ●er. 17. 15. Psal. 14. 1. But let such read, Isa. 22. 13. 14. Secondly, Use of Exhortation. 1. Fear and tremble sinners, for God will punish at length if you persist. Be affected as David was, Psal. 119. 53, 120. He thought God was to be feared, Psal. 76 7. God will, In general, Avenge himself of you, Isa. 1. 14. Abase you, Job 40. 11. Dan. 4. 37. Affright you, Deut. 28. 66, 67. Break you with a rod of iron, Psal. 2. 9 Cast you off, 1 Chron. 28. 9 Cut off all your horns, Psal. 75. 10. 'Cause your Children to behave themselves proudly, Isa. 3. 5. Destroy and devour you at once, Isa. 42. 14. Execute vengeance on you in anger, and f 〈…〉 ry, Micah 5. 15. Ezek. 25. 17. Fill your faces with shame, Psal. 83. 16. Give your substance and treasures to the spoil, Jer. 17. 3. Heap mischief on you, Deut. 32. 23. Impoverish you, Judg. 6. 6. Jer. 5. 17. Psal. 106. 43. Margin. Keep wrath for you, Nah. 1. 2. Led you forth with the workers of iniquity, Psal. 125. 5. Make you si●k in smiting you, Micah 6. 13. Not acquit you, Nah. 1. 3. Not spare you, Deut. 29. 20. Ordain arrows against you, Psal. 7. 13. Overthrow you house, Prov. 14. 11. Prepare Instruments of death for you, Psal. 7. 13. Pour out wrath upon you, Psal. 79. 6. Punish you seven times more, Levit. 26. Persecute you with his storm, Psal. 83. 15. Quench you as tow or flax, or the wick of a candle, by casting it into the water, Isa. 43. 17. Rain upon you fire, etc. Psal. 11. 6. Separate you unto evil, Deut. 29. 21. S●●te you with a scab, Isa. 3. 17. T●ke away your bravery, Isa. 3. 18. Tear you in pieces, Psal. 50. 22. V 〈…〉 x you in his, etc. Psal. 2. 6. W●●ste you in the sight of passers by; Ezek 5. 14. Isa. 5. 6. W 〈…〉 e your mountains and hills, and dry up your herbs, rivers, and pools, Isa. 42. 15. 2. Prepare to meet the Lord, Amos 4. 12. 1. By serious consideration, Hag. 1. 5. Psalm 119. 59 Psálm 50. 22. Jerem. 8. 6. 2. By sincere confession of your sins, Jer. 3. 12, 13. 3. By deep humiliation, 2 Chron. 33. 12, 13. 4. By quiet submission, Judg. 10. 15. Levit. 26. 41. 5. By earnest supplication, Judg. 10. 15. 2 Chron. 33. 13. Job 11. 13. 6. By believing, application to God by Christ, Dan. 9 17. Eph. 1. 6. Allude to Act. 12. 20. See Zech. 1. 12, to 18. 7. By thorough reformation, Ezr. 7. 10. 2 Chron. 27. 6. Judg. 10. 16. 8. By firm resolution to cleave to the Lord for the future; Covenanting so to do, 1 Chron. 29. 18. Nehem. 9 38. Otherwise▪ if you take not this course, though you▪ be professors, worshippers, and servants of God in profession; if you be no more, nor no better, what has befallen other professors, may befall you. You may be, Afflicted, Psal. 94. 5. Abborred greatly, Psal. 78. 59 & 106, 40. Appointed to dy●, Psal. 79. 11. Your Blood may be shed like water, Psalm. 79. 2. Broken in pieces, Psal. 94. 5. Cast off and put to shame, Psal. 44. 9 Cut down and burnt with fire, Psalms 80. 16. Your Days may be consumed in vanity, and your years in trouble, Psalm 78. 33. Devoured, and your dwelling place laid waste, Psalm 79. 7. Enemy's may laugh at you, Psal. 80. 16. Familiar friends may lift up their heel against you, Psal. 41. 9 Fowls of Heaven, and beasts of the field may feed upon your flesh, Psal. 79. 2. God may be angry against your prayer, Psal. 80. 4. and forsake your Tabernacle, Psal. 88 60, 61. and be wroth with them, Psal. 78. 62, 21, 31. Your Hedge may be broken dawn, Psalm 80. 12. Haters of you may rule over you, Psalm 106. 41. Jealousy of God may burn like fire against you, Psal. 79. 5. Killed all the day long, Psal. 44. 22. Low brought, Psalm 80. 8. Made a byword to your neighbour, Psalm 80. 6. A byword and shaking of the head, Psalm 44. 14. None may bury you, Psalm 79. 3. Oppressors may seek after your soul, Psalm 54. 3. Punished severely, Amos 3. 2. Your Priests may fall by the sword, Psalm 78. 64. Scattered, Psalm 44. 11. Scorned and derided by them about you, Psal. 44. 13. Tears may be given you to drink in great measure, Psal. 80. 5. Vile accounted, etc. Lam. 3. 45. Even as a scum, 1 Cor. 4. 13. Wild beasts and boars out of the wood may waste you, etc. Psal. 80. 13. Seeing this is so, will you take the course prescribed, that if possible none of these things may come upon you; or if they should, that your eternal estate may be secured. First, What can you object against it? 1. Is it not the course that God hath prescribed. That it is, has been proved before; therefore you can't object, 'tis not required; you cannot say, Who hath required this; for you have heard that God does. 2. Is there any unreasonableness or unrighteousness in the prescribing of it? Can you object against it as being unreasonable and unrighteous? nay is it not most reasonable and righteous, that having sinned and provoked God, you should consider, confess, humble, etc. 3. Is it not that course that others with success have used? as Nineveh, and 2 Chron. 12. 7, 12. Can you object, and say, others have taken this course to no purpose? ahab's external humiliation was not without some success? The judgement was deferred upon it, 1 King. 21. 29. 4. Have not others perished for want of taking this course: See 2 Chron. 36. 12. of Zed●ki● to 18. Dan. 5. 22, to 29. of Bel●hazar. Can you now object, and say, others have neglected this course and done well enough? Thus you see you cannot object against this course. Secondly, Can you think of a better, a safer course? Can you, or you, or you, etc. speak if you can; by your silence I take it for granted that you cannot. Thirdly, If you cannot, are you resolved upon this? To consider, confess, etc. Fourthly, If you be not resolved on this course as yet; must I dismiss you unresolved and desperate as they, Jer. 44. will you say as they, ver. 16. & 18. 12. FINIS. GOD'S Gracious Presence, THE SAINTS Great Privilege. 2 Thes. 3. 16. Now the Lord of Peace, himself give you Peace always, by all means. The Lord be with you all. YOU have Peace (Blessed be God) long may it last; it is not like to be long-lived, unless God work wonderfully. Application therefore should be made to him, that he who is the God of Peace would be pleased to give it always, and by all means. The close of the Verse is that which I intent to say something unto, as the Lord shall enable me. The Lord be with you All. This is Paul's Valediction to the Thessalonians, and shall be mine to you. In this Valediction you have, 1. Paul's wish and desire, the Lord be with you. 2. The extent of it, The Lord be with you All. He leaves out none of them, he wisheth well to them all; and that which he wisheth is the Presence of the Lord with them, All their welfare standing therein. The Lord, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost; we must not leave out any of the Three, for we cannot be without the Presence of any one of them; nor can you have the Presence of the one without the Presence of the other, for these three are one, and where One is All are. Of the Fathers, and of the Sons, and of the Holy Ghosts coming to be with his People. You read Joh. 14. Jesus said, if a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. O for faith to believe this! that the Father and the Son will come and make their abode with such. Whosoever goes from you, you may be sure the Father and Son will come, if you love him and keep his words, See verse 23. And for the coming of the Holy Ghost See Joh. 15. 16. I will pray the Father, saith Christ (Here's a praying friend, and praying friends we use to say are our best friends) and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth, verse 17. That he may abide with you for ever, mark that; when he comes, he will not be like a wayfaring man that comes for a night, and then is gone, but he will abide for ever: when I came down from Heaven, I came with a purpose to return again, when I had done my work here, but this Comforter, my Spirit, shall abide with you for ever. Well then the Lord be with you, the Father Son and Holy Spirit be with you, the eternal Jehovah, who hath his being of himself, and gives being to all things else, even the being of performance to his promises; This Lord be with you, Be with your whole man, This Lord be with your Bodies, This Lord be with your Souls, This Lord be with every part of your Bodies, and with every Power of your Souls. The Apostle in his former epistle, praying for these Thessalonians. 1 Thes. 5. 23. Prays thus, The very God of Peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole Spirit, and Soul and Body be preserved blameless, unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. So then the Apostle would have the Lord ●o be with their whole man, not with a part of it, not with their Souls and Spirits only, or Bodies only, but with their Spirit Soul and Body: and the same Apostle praying for Timothy, prays, The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy Spirit, 2 Tim. 4. 22. It matters not who are absent, so Christ be present; his presence is more, than the presence of the nearest and dearest relations. The Lord be with you all, not only with a part of you, I know not which of you to leave out of my Prayers: For you all have need of God's presence, whether you be Saints or Sinners. If Sinners, you have need of the Lord to be with you, to convince you and convert you. And as for those that are Saints, I know none that have so much grace that they need no more, the Lord therefore be with them, to establish, confirm, and increase grace in them; the Lord be with you at all times. If God be absent at any time, we know not what to do. Some of you have had experience, that when God hath withdrawn never so little, your case hath been bad enough. The Lord be with you in all places. We can be secure and safe in no place without his presence. The Lord be with you in all conditions, in all estates; for if you be in the most prosperous estate, you cannot tell how to be without God. Jehosaphat thought so, 2. Chron. 20. 12. In the fullness of a man's sufficiency he may be in straits. Job 20. 22. You cannot be any where, in any estate, a minute without him. You believe it to be a Truth, that in him you live, move, and have your being, Act. 17. 28. not naturally only, but spiritually too. The Lord therefore be with you at all times, in all conditions, in sickness and in health, in peace and in trouble, in all Adversity and in all Prosperity. The Lord be with you with all kind of Aids, Helps, and Assistances, variety of Aids and Assistances we need. This is the sense and meaning of this vale dictory Prayer, the Lord be with you all. The observation that I shall commend to you, is this, Doct. God with us is a privilege greatly to be desired, and much to be prayed for. The Apostle makes this Prayer for the Thessalonians whom he dearly loved, who were his hope and joy, and Crown of Rejoicing, 1 Thes. 2. 19 Could he have thought of a greater mercy, he would have wished it to them. In speaking to this great Truth, I shall show, 1. That there is a presence of God with his people. 2. That this presence of God is a great privilege. 3. That this great privilege is much to be desired and prayed for. 4. The reasons of it. 5. And after this apply it. 1. There is a presence of God with his people. I speak not of the general presence of God, whereby he is not far from every one of us, Act. 17. 27. For in him we live, move, and have our being: v. 28. not only as we had our being from him at first, but we have our being in him, as the Beam has its Being in the Sun. Of this presence of God you read Psal. 139. from which there is no fleeing, v. 7. he is every where, v. 8, 9, I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord, Jer. 23. 24. and Isa. 66. 1. Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is my Throne, and the Earth my foot stool. This general presence of God, if seriously considered, and believingly apprehended, would be of great use. But 'tis the special presence of God that I am to speak to, his favourable and gracious presence, such as that wished and desired by Aaron and his Sons of old, Num. 6. 24, 25, 26. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, the Lord lift up his Countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. This blessing is saith Ainsworth, expounded by the Apostle 2 Cor. 13. 14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Thus the first branch of the blessing v. 24. The Lord bless thee and keep thee, implieth the love of the Father. The second branch v. 25. The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, implieth the grace of the Son. And the third branch, The Lord lift up his Countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, implieth the communion with the Holy Ghost. Now this Loving, Gracious, Communicative presence of Jehovah, Father Son a 〈…〉 Holy Ghost, is that Presence of the Lord which is so great a privilege, and so much to be desired. The Lord's presence with us to bless us, with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Eph. 1. 3. And to keep us from evil, Joh. 17. 15. And to make his face shine upon us, that we may be saved. Psal. 80. 3. 7, 19 And to be gracious to us through Christ Jesus, Eph. 2. 7. And to lift up his countenance upon us, that Gladness may be in our hearts. Psal. 4. 8. And to give us peace, that peace which passeth all understanding, and that which may guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4. 7. This, this is the presence of God which is so desirable, and of which I am to treat. That there is such a presence of God with his people, appears thus. 1. God Asserts it. 2. Promises it. 3. Hath evidenced it. 4. God's people have acknowledged it. 1. God Asserts that there is such a presence of His with his people. Isa. 41. 10. Fear thou not, saith God, for I am with thee. And Ezek. 48. 35. The name of the City from that day shall be, The Lord is there. 2. God hath promised it, Ezek. 26. 11, 12. I will set my Tabernacle among you, and my Soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. 3. God hath evidenced it, by Preservations, Assistances, Deliverances and Su●cesses vouchsafed to his people. What a mighty, Gracious, pardoning presence o● God, was with Moses and the Children of Israel, in bringing them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the Wilderness into Canaan. Read the story of it in the Book of Exodus, especially the Song of Moses, Exod. 15. What a presence of God was with David, Spiriting, Prospering and Preserving him, when hunted like a Partridge upon the Mountains: Whence was it that he was not Caught? there were Skilful Hunters, yet he escaped the Snare, for the Lord was with him. What a mighty presence of God was there with Daniel! He will pray, that he will, though he be torn in pieces for it. He will not cease to make his Supplications to God three times a day, though there were a Law made against it. Daniel would not fail to be with God, and God would not fail to be with Daniel. What! would Daniel be with God to the Hazard of his life? Yes. And was not God with him for his Preservation? Daniel is cast into the Den of Lions: Was he torn or hurt by them? No, The Lions were muzzled, their Mouths were shut, God shut them, Dan. 6. 22. My God, saith Daniel, hath sent his Angel, and hath shut the Lion's mouths that they shall not hurt me. Though men will not be obedient, yet Lions will: touch not my Servant Daniel, saith God to the Lions, and they are as quiet as Lambs. Touch not mine anointed, saith God to men, and do my Prophets no harm: yet men will not obey. What a presence of God was there with those three noble Jews when threatened, if they would not bow, they should burn! They will bow to none but God, Dan 3. 17, 18. They will not lose their interest in God, to gain an Interest in the greatest. Then the King commanded that they should be bound and cast into the Fiery Furnace, v. 20. being cast into it, the Fire burned their executioners, and the bonds wherewith they were bound, but had no Power on their Bodies, nor was there a Hair of their Head singed, neither were their Coats changed, nor had the smell of Fire passed on them, Dan. 3. 27. and how came this to pass? God was with them. What a presence of God had Paul with him? At my first Answer, saith he, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me, I pray God that it may not be laid to their Charge: notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion, 2 Tim. 4. 16, 17. What a presence of God was there with those that had trial of cruel Mockings and Scourge, of Bonds and Imprisonments, of Stoning, and Sawing asunder, of wandering, Wants, Afflictions and Torments, and yet accepted not deliverance upon unwarrantable terms. Heb. 11. 35, 36, 37. 4. This presence of God hath been acknowledged by his People. Behold, saith Abijah to Jeroboam and all Israel, God himself is with us for our Captain: ye be a great multitude, and there be with you golden Calves which Jeroboam hath made you for Gods, you have Idol Gods with you; but God himself is with us, 2 Chron. 13. 8. 12. This presence of God was also acknowledged by Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32. 8, Speaking of Sennacherib and his Army, with him is an Arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our Battles. God was with them, not as an idle Spectator, but as a Powerful Assister and Helper. It was also acknowledged by Jeremy. The Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one, herefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail, they shall be greatly a●amed, ●er. 20. 11. And by the Church, Psal. 46. 7. The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our Refuge. So Isa. 8. 10. Take counsel together, saith the Lord by the Prophet to the Adversaries of the people, and it shall come to nought, for God is with us. The Lord is on my side, I will not fear what can man do unto me. Psal. 118. 6, 7. you see how great a truth this is, that there is a special presence of God with his people. God asserts it, promiseth it, evidenceth it, and his people have acknowledged it. The next thing I premised to show you, is that 2. This presence of God with his people is a great privilege, 'tis a token of sin ding grace in his sight, Exod. 33. 16. And it God be with us, 1. He is with us as a father with his children, 2 Cor. 6. 18. 2. As a Husband with his Wife. Isa. 54. 5. Jer. 31. 32. 3. As one friend with another. Isa. 41. 8. 4. As a Shepherd with his flock, Psal. 23. 1. 5. As a Captain with his company. Behold God himself is with us for our Captain, 2 Chron. 13. 12. When Joshua was by Jericho, there stood a man over against him, with his Sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua said unto him, art thou for us or for our Adversaries? And he said, Nay, but as Captain of the Host of the Lord an I now come, Josh. 5. 13, 14. 6. As the Lord of Hosts, as a General with his Armies. The Lord of Hosts is with us, Psal. 46. 7. The Lord of Armies, of all the Armies of Heaven and Earth, and Hell too. Devils are subject unto him, Luk. 10. 17. The Devil could do nothing against Job, till he had commission from this Lord of Hosts, Job. 1. 12. and 2. 6. A Legion of Devils could not resist Christ's word of Command, Mark. 5. 8, 9 nor could they enter into the Swine without commission, v. 12, 13. O for faith to believe what we read and hear● What do we lose for want of the exercise of faith. You have it may be the habit of faith, but if it comes not forth into act, you have no the Comfort of it. 7. If God be with us, He is with us as a King with his Subjects. Num. 23. 21. The shout of a King is among them: He is styled the King of Jacob, Isa. 41. 21. The King of Israel, Isa. 44. 6. and the King of Saints, Rev. 15. 3. And this King is a great King, Mal. 1. 14. An everlasting King, Jer. 10. 10. and King of Kings, Rev. 19 16. and Prince of the Kings of th● Earth, Rev. 1. 5. By whom King's Reign, and in whose hand is their breath and life. Now to have God with us as a Father, as a Husband, as a Friend, as a Shepherd, as a Captain, as a Lord of Hosts, and as a King of Kings, must needs be a great privilege. 8. Once more, if God be with us, He is with us as God in Covenant with us, to do all that for us which belongs to a God in Covenant to do. The Lord his God is with him, Num. 23. 21. So The Lord our God is with us to help us. 2 Chron. 32. 8. How sweet and comfortable are these Monosyllables His, and Our. The Lord His God, The Lord Our God is with us. That God with us, is a very great privilege, will further appear, if we consider for what ends, intents and purposes, he is presen. For what ends I shall show you, 1. In general. 2. In particular. 1. In general, God is present with his people to bless them, Gen. 26. 24. I am with thee said God to Isaac, and will bless thee. To deal well with them. God tells Jacob that he would be with him, Gen. 31. 3. and afterwards when Jacob pleads this promise, he thus interprets it, O God of my Father Abraham, and God of my Father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, I will deal well with thee, Gen. 32. 9 Now to have God with us, and to deal well with us, sure is no mean privilege. 2. In particular, God is with his people for these gracious ends and purposes. 1. To hear their prayers. Notable is that place Deut. 4. 7. For what Nation is there so great who hath God so nigh them, as the Lord our God is, in all things that we call upon him for. God is with us to hear our Prayers and Complaints, to grant our suits, and to do whatsoever we shall according to his will desire of him. 1 Joh. 5. 14. What have you for God to do? God is ready to do it if you desire it. 2. To guide and lead us. The Lord was with the people of Israel. Num. 14. 14. and went before them by day in a Pillar of a Cloud to lead them the way, and by night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light, to go by day and night. Exod. 13. 21. God is the same God that he was then, and his presence is as much with his people now, as it was then, though he go not before them in such visible Tokens, now, as then. I will, says God Psal. 32. 8. Instruct th●e, a●d teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee. God is with us to direct, and guide us, to show us the way and make it plain. All the journeyings of Isr●el were ordered by God. 'tis very remarkable what you read concerning their Travels, Num. 9 17. to the end of the Chapter, according to the command of God they journied, and rested. 3. God is with his people to give them rest. He knows they are in a World full of Trouble, and that in the World they shall have Tribulation, and that it cannot be avoided. Joh. 16. 33. He knows, that they will be injured, oppressed, and persecuted, and therefore will be with them to give them rest. My presence shall go with thee, said God to Moses Exod. 33. 14. and I will give thee Rest. Now thou art Travelling, journeying and wandering up and down, but I will give thee rest. 4. To provide for them, to observe what they want, and to provide it; if they want food, or water, to provide it; or if they want Raiment, to provide it. As the Father is with his Children, and as the Nurse is with the Infant, so the Lord is with his people. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, Psal. 23. 1. He hath pasture enough for his Sheep, He makes them lie down in green Pastures, he leads them by the still waters: yea though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death, saith David Psal. 23. I will not fear, for thou art with me. Sirs, who lays the Cloth, who spreads the Table, who sends in provision? Thou preparest a Table before me, Psal. 23. 6. God provides, and if their be none else to do it, he can command Ravens to do it. See 1 Kings. 14. 4, 6. If provision cannot be had in an Ordinary, he will send it in an extraordinary way. He clavae the Rock in the Wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great Depths. Psal. 78. 15. He commanded the Clouds of the wind, and gave them bread and flesh also. Psal. 78. 23, 24, 26, 27. So that they lacked nothing. Deut. 2. 7. 5. God is with his people to preserve them from Trouble, if it be best. But it may be better to be in Trouble then out of it. A Prison may be better than a Palace, Restraint may be better than Liberty, Sickness better than Health, and Poverty better than Plenty. Prosperity may s●ay, Pro. 1. 32. Adversity may profit. Heb. 12. 10. And preserve. The Lord is with us to deliver from trouble, if it be best to be preserved from it. The Lord is in the midst of his people, Psal. 46. 5. therefore they shall not be moved. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, there is no Divination against Israel. Num. 23. 23. I am with thee, says God to Paul, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee, Act. 18. 10. As birds flying, so will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem, defending also he will deliver it, and passing over he will preserve it. Isa. 41. 5. What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Rom. 8. 31. If evil be coming, he prevents it. G●deon thought if God had been with them evil could have not befallen them. O my Lord, saith he, If the Lord be with us, why is all this be fallen us? Judg. 6. 13. We live in the midst of dangers, in the midst of Snares, in every place evil attends us. It's a wonder that we are preserved: If God were not with us, how much evil would daily befall us! 6. God is with his people to save from harm in trouble, if it come, to save from burning in the Fire, and from drowning in the Water. Isa. 43. 2. Remember Daniel saved from hurt in the Lion's Den, and the Three Princes saved from hurt in the Fiery-Furnace, and Jonah from hurt in the Whale's Belly, because God was with them. 7. God is with his people to disappoint enemies when they Associate themselves, and take counsel together, laying their Heads together, and laying their Counsels deep, that none may see them, yet than God is with his people to blast the plots of their enemies. Isa. 8. 10. Associate yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces, take counsel together, and it shall come to nought, speak the word, and it shall not stand, for God is with us. 8. God is with his people to overthrowtheir enemies when they pursue them, and will not be stopped, when they take up Pharaoh-like Resolutions. Exod. 15. 9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my lust shall be satisfied upon them, I will draw my Sword, and my hand shall destroy them. Here was Resolution enough: But pray mark what follows, v. 10. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the Sea covered them, they sank as lead in the mighty Waters. Thus the Lord overthrew them. Exod. 14. 27. I will be with thee, said God to Gideon, Judg. 6. 16. And thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. So God tells David 2 Sam. 7. 9 I was with thee whithersoever thou goest, and have cut off all thy enemies out of thy sight. What a promise is that, Isa. 59 26. I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet Wine, and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am with the●, thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob. 9 The Lord is with his people to deliver them out of trouble in due time. Thus God was with Jeremy when he sent him, and enemies threatened him, I will be with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee, Jer. 15. 20. We are troubled on every side, saith the Apostle, but not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken. No, God was with them. 2 Cor. 4. 8, 9 God was with Joseph and delivered him out of all his Afflictions, Act. 7. 9 10. according to that promise, Psal. 91. 15. I will be with him in trouble, and deliver him. 10. God is with his people to assist and strengthen them in their work. Act. 10. 38. It is said, our Lord Jesus Christ went about doing good, the Lord being with him. Fear not, saith the Lord, Isa. 41. 10. for I am with thee, I will strengthen thee, yea I will keep thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righteousness. Again v. 13. I will help thee, and again, v. 14. I will help thee. 11. The Lord is with his people to comfort them. Thy R●d and thy Staff they comfort me. God's Rod, like Aaron's, blossometh, and like Jonathans' hath honey at the end of it. Psal. 43. 4. In all our Tribulation God is present to comfort u●. 2 Cor. 1. 4. O for faith to believe it! 12. To Animate and hearten them against fears. Fear not, for I am with thee, Isa. 41. 10. Fear not, when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, Isa. 43. 1, 2. Be strong and of good courage, said God to Joshua, for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Josh. 1. 9 Be strong O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord, and be strong O Joshua, and be strong all ye people, saith the Lord, and work, for I am with you the Lord of Hosts. Hag. 2. 4. Joshua and Caleb, to hearten and encourage the people, Num. 14. 9 to go up against their enemies, thus bespeaks them, The Lord is with us, fear them not. So Moses tells the same people, If thou shalt say in thy heart, these Nations are more than I, how can I dispossess them? Deut. 7. 17. Thou shalt not be affrighted at them, saith he v. 21. For the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible. And again, Deut. 20. 1. When thou goest out to Battle against thine enemies, and seest Horses and Chariots and a People more than thou, be not afraid of them, for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt. Once more Moses encourageth the people and Joshua. Deut. 31. 6, 8. The Lord, he it is that doth go before thee, he will be with thee, he will not fail thee nor for sake thee, fear not, neither be dismayed. 13. God is with his people sometimes to make them greater and greater, as he was with David. 1 Chron. 11. 9 So David waxed greater and greater; for the Lord of Hosts was with him. But what if we wax not greater and greater in the World, if we wax greater and greater in Goodness, in knowledge, faith and other graces, will it not be much better? and this we shall do if God be with us. 14. God is with his people to Correct them. But you will say perhaps, Is it a privilege to be corrected? A greater privilege it may be then all the rest. Sirs, such is our State here that we need correction: We are Sanctified but in part. We have Dross, and Dirt, and Rust, and Filth in and about us, God knoweth. If you had no Dross, you would need no Fire. If you had no Dirt, you would need no washing. If no Rust, you would need no File, and if no Chaff you would need no Flail. If no Folly, you would need no Rod. But seeing you have Dross, Dirt, Rust and Chaff not a little, Is it not best for the Gold to be refined, and best for the Dirt and Filth to be washed out, and for the Chaff to be fanned away, and for the Rust to be scoured off? And if so, is i● not a privilege to be Corrected? Correction is our melting, washing, fanning, ●iling. If the Child offend in the Father's absence's, he escapes a scouring; but if the Father be at home he will not think to scape so. If we offend, and be faulty, God is with us to Correct us. And he will correct; yet as a Father, in measure; He will stay his rough Wind in the day of his East Wind. Isa. 27. 8. Fear thou not O Jacob my servant, saith the Lord, for I am with thee, I will not make a full end of thee, as of others, but correct thee in measure, yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished. Jer. 46. 28. and 30. 11. David blessed God for his Correction. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word, Psal. 119. 67. and v. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy Statutes. and v. 75. I know O Lord that thy Judgements are righ●, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 15. God is with his people to incline their hearts to himself to walk in his ways. 1 King. 8. 57, 58. The Lord our God is with us; let him not leave us, nor forsake us, that we may incline our hearts unto him to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments. 16. To enable them to finish work begun. The Lord God, even my God will be with thee, said David to his Son Solomon, he will not fail thee nor forsake thee, un●il thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. 1 Chron. 28. 20. 17. To give wisdom and understanding. David prays, The Lord be with thee my Son, and give wisdom and understanding, 1 Chron. 22. 11, 12. and to give him a wise behaviour, David behaved himself wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. 1 Sam. 18. 14. 18. God is with his people to effect difficult undertake. Moses thought that going to Pharaoh, and bringing the Children of Israel out of Egypt, was a work too great and difficult for him, and therefore desired to be excused, saying, who am I that I should take such a work in hand. Exod. 3. 11. I am not eloquent, I am of slow speech, and of a slow tongue, Exod. 4. 10. 'tis no matter for that saith God; go and I will be with thy mouth, and I will teach ●hee what thou shalt say, Exod. 4. 12. Certainly I will be with thee, Exod. 3. 12. And thou shalt bring them out of Egypt. And Joshua should bring them into Canaan, as hard a work as it was, for God will be with him. Deut. 31. 23. 19 To hold them. I am continually with thee, thou hast holden me by thy right hand, Psal. 73. 23. thou hast holden me fast, so Ainsworth, and kept me from falling, so Isa. 41. 10. I am with thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. God is with us to hold us by our right hand with his right hand; this is a great privilege, seeing God is greater than all, and none is able to pluck them out of his hand. Joh. 10. 29. He is with us to keep us by his Power through faith unto salvation, 1 Pet. 1. 5. 20. God is with his people to separate them and others. Exod. 33. 16. To make a difference between them that serve him, and them that serve him not. Mal. 3. 18. and 4. 1. 2, 3. See an instance, Dan. 3. 22, 23. In those that were cast into the fiery Furnace, and those that cast them in. See also to this purpose, Exod. 11. 7. &. 10. 23. &. 9 26. &. 8. 22. 23. When some are separated to evil, Deut. 29. 21. God is with his people to separate them unto good. 3. I come now to the third General, to show that this privilege of God's gracious presence is much to be desired and prayed for. Paul desired it for these Thessalonians. 2 Thes. 3. 16 And for Timothy, 2 Tim. 4. 22. Moses desired it for himself, and the people, Exod. 13. 15. &. 34. 9 If I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord I pray thee go amongst us. So did Jabez, 2 Chron. 4. 10. Jabez called on God saying, Oh that thou wouldst bless me, and that thine hand might be with me. David also desired it for Solomon. 1 Chron. 22. 11, 16. My Son, the Lord be with thee. v. 11. Arise and be doing, and the Lord be with thee, v. 16. Jonathan also prays thus for David. The Lord be with thee, 1 Sam. 20. 12. And thus prays Solomon for himself, ●nd for his people, 1 King. 8. 57 The Lord our God be with us, let him not leave us, nor forsake us, that we may incline our ●earts unto him to walk in all his ways. 4. Now for the ground and reasons of this Doctrine, why God's presence is so much to be desired and prayed for. 1. Rea. Because God is so excellent and admirable in all Perfections. There is nothing wanting in God, God is All. How excellent is that name of his, Exod. 34. 6. The Lord, the Lord God, Merciful and Gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin. Again Mic. 7. 18. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage: he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 2. Rea. Because he is so suitable to our condition, therefore is his presence so much to be desired. We are in misery, we are unworthy, we are weak, and yet provoking; And doth God suit with such? with such as are in misery? yes, for he is merciful: and with such as are unworthy? yes, for he is gracious: and with the weak? yes, for he is strong. Doth he suit with such as are provoking too? yes, for he is long suffering, and with backsliders? yes, for he is a God that healeth backslidings. And doth he suit with such as have neither money nor price? yes, He will love them freely. Surely mercy and misery do well agree, and so doth graciousness and unworthiness, strength and weakness. Now hence it is, because no person or thing in all the World suits so well with our condition as God doth, that his presence is so much to be desired and prayed for. 3. Rea. Because God is so useful for us, therefore his presence is so much to be desired. What say you to a portion, is not that of use? What say you to an Inheritance, is not that of use? What say you to the Light, is not that of use? What say you to a shield in Battle, is not that of use? What say you to a shelter in a Storm 〈◊〉 not that of use? What say you to a Refuge, a Rock, a Tower, when you are pursued, is not that of use? God is all this: The Lord is my Portion saith my soul, Lam. 3. 24. The Lora is their Inheritance. Ezek. 44. 28. Psal. 16. 5. The Lord is my Light. Psal. 27. 1. The Lord is a Sun and a Shield. Psal. 84. 11. The God of Jacob is ou● Refuge. Psal. 46. 11. The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my Strength in whom I will trust, my Buckler, the horn of my salvation, and my high Tower. Psal. 18. 2. Now, no wonder, the presence of God is so desirable, because he is so excellent and so suitable a good and so useful for us. 4. Rea. Because God is so lasting a good. There are many things that may 〈◊〉 well with us, and be very useful to us, but they may be of little continuance, they may he short lived. Husbands & Wives whom God hath so suited, that none could possibly be suited better must part. Husband's do not live for ever with their Wives, and Parents do not live for ever with their Children, nor one friend with another. But God is a lasting good. The everlasti 〈…〉 g God. Isa. 40. 28. Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard, 〈…〉 at the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the e●ds of the Earth fainteth not, neither is weary. 5. Reas. Because all other good will do us no good without him. The Creature, nay all the Creatures are but Ciphers without him. The Creature is not Bread, you mistake if you think so, why do you spend money for that which is not Bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? ●sa. 55. 2. The Creatures name is vanity, vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Eccles. 1. 2. The 〈…〉 is a thing of nought. Amos. 6. 13 〈…〉 It is not. Prov. 23. 5. Wilt thou 〈…〉 thine eyes upon that which is not. Sirs, how many things is there, that have been in your possession, of which you must now say they are not: My Wife is not, my Husband is not, my Father is not, my Mother is not. But will it ever be said God is not? Christ is not? The Holy Spirit is not? No, no. Hence 'tis also that the presence of God is so much to be desired above all other things; because all other things will do us no good without him. Jehosaphat a Prince, a potent Prince, whose Militia was Eleven hundred and threescore thousand, besides what he had in Garrisons, 2 Chron. 17. 12, etc. 'Tis said, he waxed great exceedingly; yet says he, 2 Chron. 20. 12. We have no might, neither know we what to do. but our eyes are unto thee. This he speaks in reference to God, without whom indeed they had no might at all. He looked upon all the Forces he had, as nothing without God. And so are Riches, and so are Relations: Alas! they are nothing without God. Reas. 6 Because God alone is enough, he is enough without any thing else. God needs not the Creature to supply us, to support us, to refresh, revive and comfort us; He needs not the Creature to direct or counsel us. It pleaseth him to make use of the Creature, and to afford it most times; but if he deny it, he can do it without the Creature. It was an excellent saying of that Martyr, If you take away my food, God will 't 〈…〉 e away my hunger. Truly Sirs God hath made a little serve the turn many times, when others with their much have been in want. In the midst of their sufficiency they have been in straits, Job 20. 22. Remember that of Habakkuk, I wish the same frame of heart to you that he had, Habak. 3. 17, 18. Although the figtree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail; and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no heard in the stalls: (How then would he be able to live!) yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. When there is no meat in the fields or stalls; there is yet a God in Heaven: and he knows how 'tis with us, and that we have need of these things, Matth. 6. 32. and if the Father know that his child wants bread, he shall not want it long, if his Father be able to relieve him; what ever you want, if you want not faith, it will be well enough: O for the skill of living by faith! It is nothing with thee to help, says Asa, in his prayer to God, whether with many, or with them that have no power: 2 Chron. 14. 11. God with us is more than all besides, 2 Chron. 32. 7, 8. I come now to the Application, If the Gracious presence of God be so great a privilege, and therefore so much to be desired. Then hence be Informed, 1. Happy are they that have God graciously present with them. Take your Bible and read, Deut. 4. 7. & 33. 29. 2 Sam. 7. 23. Leu. 26. 11, 12. Happy the Congregations and Habitations that have this Name, The Lord is there, Ezek. 48. 35. and that may be called the Throne of God, Jer. 3. 17. This is matter of rejoicing, Sing and rejoice O daughters of Zion, for lo I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord, Zech. 2. 10, 11. See also Rev. 21. 3. 2. Miserable are they with whom God is not, that want his gracious presence. How was Saul distressed for want of God's presence, 1 Sam. 28. 15, 16. woe, woe to such from whom God departs, Host 9 12. Use 2. Is God with us so great a privilege, and so much to be desired? Then examine, Is God with us? Are we privileged with his presence? To know, take these signs of God's gracious presence. First, A praying frame of heart is a sign of God's favourable presence. God is a God hearing Prayer, Psal. 65. 2. and prepares the heart to pray where ever he is, Psal. 10. 17. and pour's out a spirit of prayer, Z●ch. 12. 10. Jerem. 31. 9 which spirit helps our Infirmities, and prays in us, Rom. 8. 26. God sets them with whom he is, a praying. 1. In all places, in the closet and family, yea and in the field, Ruth 2. 4. The Lord be with you, said Boaz, to his Reapers in the field. 2. At all times, in the Evening and Morning, at Noon, and at Midnight, Psal. 55. 17. & 119. 62. God was with Moses, David and Daniel, and they pray; with Jabez, and he prays; 1 Chron. 4. 10. with Ephraim, Jerem. 31. 18. and he prays; with Paul, and he prays; Act. 9 11. and when with us, we shall pray also; Psal. 91. 15. Secondly, A penitent frame of heart; where God is, there is weeping and mourning for sinning against him. How wer● Joseph's guilty brethren troubled at h 〈…〉 presence, Gen. 45. 3. So shall guilty w● be at the presence of God, we shall lo●k on him whom we have pierced, and mou●●; Z●ch. 12. 10. & J●r. 31. 9, 18, 19 where you have an instance of a mourning frame of heart, when God vouchsafed his presence. Thirdly, An humble frame of heart; God dwells with such, and none but such, sa. 57 15. Fourthly, An obedient frame of heart inclined to God, to walk in all his ways. If the Lord our God be with us, he will incline our hearts to keep his Testimonies, 1 Kings 8. 57, 58. Where he comes, he puts his spiri● into them, and causeth them to walk in his Statutes, Ezek. 36. 27. See Joh. 8. 29. Fifthly, Strength in the Soul, Psal. 138. 3. whom God is with, he strengthens; Isa. 41. 10. both to do and suffer; to do business, and bear burdens, Psalms 55. 22. Sixthly, Warm affections, heat and life in the service of God; whilst Christ was with, and talked with his Disciples, their hearts burned within them, Luke 24. 32. Seventhly, A spirit stirred up to promote the worship, and service of God. I am with you saith the Lord, Hag. 1. 13. And the Lord stirred up their spirits, and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts their God, v. 14. Eighthly, Preservation from evil, from the evil of sin especially. Oh that thou wouldst be with me, and keep me from evil; was the request of Jabez, 1 Chr●. 4. 10. where God is he delivers from every evil work, 1 Tim. 4. 18. Ninthly, Victory over enemies; Surely, I will be with thee, saith God to Gideon, Judg. 6. 16. and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. If God be with us, enemies will be subdued, 1 Chron. 22. 18. world f●esh and Devil too will be subdued; Through the spirit, the deeds of the flesh will be mortified, Rom. 8. 13. Tenthly, Profiting by afflictions, H●b▪ 12. 10. Eleventhly, Fruitfulness, under means of grace: If the spirit come and blow upon our garden, the spices thereof will flow out; Cant. 4. 16. If Christ be in us, and abide in us, we shall bring forth much fruit, Joh. 15. 5. Twelfthly, Fixedness, unmoveableness from God, and his truth: God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; Psal. 46. 5. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved; Psal. 16. 8. Because he is with us, the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against us. Christ our Samson (as one says) hath flung them off their Hinges. We shall not be greatly moved, Psal. 62. 2. Use 3. Of Exhortation. Sirs, get God to be with you. God's gracious Presence is the principal thing, therefore with all thy getting, get it. Gold in the purse or coffer will not stead or avail you, like God with you. God answers more than money. Wealth when gotten, moth and rust may corrupt it, Thiefs may break through and steal it. But God is out of the reach of all, there is no fear or danger of losing him, when once you have gotten him: He therefore is worth the getting. Some have found by experience that such and such things have not been worth their getting, not worth their sitting up late, and rising betimes for them, not worth their running and riding and venturing for them. How earnest have some been to be possessed of, and to enjoy such and such persons and things, and having obtained them, have they not found them by wofui experience, not worth the cost and pains laid out for them? But God will over and above make amends for what is laid out for him. A shadow is not worth the following, but substance is. Chaff is not worth heaping up, but Corn is. Dross is not worth the seeking, but Gold is, and God much more than Gold. And farther, you may seek the Creature, and never be able to get it: You may seek, and not find: You may wish, O that I had wealth, and yet never have it, and O that I had credit and repute in the World, and possibly never have it. But who ever sought God and found him not? who ever sought the presence of God; and was denied it? shall any Soul, ever have cause to say, Lord I did desire thy presence, but could not have it; I did choose to have thee with me, rather than to have all the World with me, and yet I could not have thee with me? Do you think there will ever be cause for such a Reflection upon God, the God of love? shall it ever be said, this poor Soul would have had the presence of God, but God would not afford it? O no! shall any person be ever able to say, I would have had God to be my God, and to be with me as a Father, Friend, and Husband, but he would not? or shall ever any person be able to say, I would have had Jesus Christ, to be with me as a Prophet, Priest and King, but he would not? I would have had him to be my mediator, Advocate, Surety and Saviour, but he would not; I would have had his righteousness imputed to me, and his Spirit imparted to me, but could not have it? or shall any person be ever able to say, I would have had the holy Spirit to be with me, to convince me of my sin and misery, to enlighten me in the knowledge of Christ and to renew my will, and to persuade and enable me to embrace Christ Jesus freely offered to me, but he would not be with me to do any of those things for me; no, for then how should God be the faithful God, as he is styled, Deut. 7. 9 Isa. 49. 7. 1 Cor. 1. 9 &. 10. 13. 2 Thes. 3. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 13. Heb. 10. 23. &. 11. 11. And a faithful Creator, 1 Pet. 4. 19 If we confess our sins he is faithful (because he hath promised) to forgive them 1 Joh. 1. 9 So if we ask, seek and knock, he is faithful to give, to be found, and to open: If we desire his presence, he is faithful to afford it. He that hath promised, Jer. 29. 13. that we shall find him when we shall search for him with all our heart, is faithful to perform it. And how should Jesus Christ be a merciful and faithful high Priest? as he is styled. Heb. 2. 17. And how should the holy Ghost be the Spirit of truth? as he is called, Joh. 14. 17. But I fear God will have cause to say of many, I would have been with you, but you regarded not my presence; you said to me depart, Joh. 21. 14. I would have been your God, but you would none of me, Psal. 8●. 11. I would have been your Portion, but you made light of me; I would have been a Father and a Friend to you, and a Husband too, but you would not carry yourselves like Children to me, nor friendly to me, nor Spouse-ike to me. And Christ I fear, will have cause to say of many, I would have been with you as a prophet to teach you, but you desired not the knowledge of my ways. Joh. 21. 14. I would have been with you as a Priest to have offered 〈◊〉 incense with your Prayers, and to have made your spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God, but you would not yray, nor offer up any spiritual sacrifice unto God: You would not come unto me, Joh. 5. 40. nor unto God by me. I would have covered you with my righteousness, but you would not put it on; you went about to establish your own righteousness, and would not submit to Gods, Rom. 10. 3. I would have given my spirit, but you would not receive it, you would needs quench, grieve, and resist it. Act. 7. 51. I would have been with you as a King, but you would not that I should Reign over you, Luke 19 14. And the Holy Spirit I fear will have cause to say, I would have convinced you of sin and misery, but you would not see, but would flatter yourselves, that you were rich and increased with goods and wanted nothing, Rev. 3. 17. I would have enlightened your minds in the knowledge of Christ, and you shut your eyes, and loved darkness rather than light, Joh. 3. 19 I would have renewed your wills, but you would have your own wills, and would choose your own ways, Isa. 66. 3. and delight in your Abominations. I would have persuaded you to embrace Christ Jesus freely offered to you in the Gospel, but you would not receive him, Joh. 1. 15. I would have persuaded you to rejoice in Christ Jesus, but you would rejoice in a thing of nought, Amos 6 13. What further shall I say to move and persuade you to get God to be with you; to get God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost to be with you? (for there is a presence of each; Of the Father, 2 Cor. 6. 16. John 14. 23. Of the Son, Matth. 28. 20. John 14. 23. And of the Holy Ghost, John 14. 6, 17.) 1. Enemy's will be with you whether you will or no: You have many enemies, and therefore need one friend. Do not think your warfare will be at an end while you live here. Assure yourselves you will be set upon, and if you have not a God with you, you will certainly be overcome, you will be snared and taken, and carried away captive. First, The Devil is with you, and he is with you as a roaring Lion, 1 Pet. 5. 18. ready to tear you in pieces, and none but God can deliver you: What will you do when the Devil is with you, if God be not with you to help you? Whither will the Devil drive you, if God do not stop him? If God do not stand in the way, and hedge up the way with thorns? How did the Swine run when the Devil did enter into them, they stopped not till they were choked and drowned in the Sea. What work will the Devil make, if God be not with us to deliver us? What work did he make with our first Parents, Gen. 3. 1. and with David, 1 Chron. 21. 1. and with Judas, John 13. 2, 27. Such work will he make with us if God be not with us. Therefore what ever you do, get God to be with you: Secondly, The world is with you, and 'tis a bewitching, ensnaring, and mischeiving world? They that follow after mischief, draw nigh, Psal. 119. 150. and when they draw nigh, what will you do if God be not nigh too. The world was with Demas, and for want of God's presence with him, what work it made with him you may see, 2 Tim. 4. 10. It made him apostatise. It was also with the young man in the Gospel, and what work it made with him, see, Matth. 19 22. It made him turn his back upon Christ and eternal life. It was with Gehazi, and what work it made with him, see 2 King. 5. 22. It made him tell lie upon lie: and all this for want of God's presence with them. The world with its three great Commanders, the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, was with Joseph, and Moses; and set upon them, but could not harm them, because God was with them. The lust of the flesh, viz. carnal pleasure, could not harm Joseph because God was with them, Gen. 39 8, 9 The lust of the eye, and the pride of life, could not harm Moses, because God was with him, 〈◊〉 Heb. 11. 24, 25, 26, 27. Thirdly, Corrupt nature, that great evil is always present with you, Rom. 7. 21. World and Devil could not harm us were it not for this. This made Paul cry out, Oh wretched man, Rom. 7. 24. Had it not been for Jesus Christ, he had been overcome by it. 2. Motive, God is ready at a call to be with you, Psal. 50. 15. Call upon me and I will deliver thee. As ready to be with you, as Jonathan's Armor-bearer was to be with him, 1 Sam. 14. 7. Behold, saith he to Jonathan, I am with thee according to thy heart: So will God say much more, if thou desire it, Behold I am with thee according to thy hearts desire; As ready to be with you in your war with the world, sin and the Devil, as ever Jehosaphat was to be with Ahab in his war▪ with the King of Syria: I am as thou art, said Jehosaphat to Ahab, and I will be with thee in the war, 2 Chron. 18. 3. So will God say to thee, if thou say to high, as Ahab said to Jehosaphat; wilt thou go with me to Ramoth Gilead? So if thou say to God, Lord wilt thou go with me against the world, flesh, and Devil. The Lord will answer, I am as thou art in this matter, and I will be with thee in this war; and if he be with us▪ he will go forth as a mighty man, he will stir up jealousy like a man of war, he will cry yea roar, he will prevail against his enemies, Isa. 42. 13. And as ready as the people were to be with Ezra in the Reformation; Arise, say they to him, be of good courage and do it, Ezr. 10. 4. we also will be with thee. So saith God to you, Arise, Resist the Devil; 1 Pe●. 5. 9 S●rive against sin, Heb. 12. 4. Be of good courage and do it, I also will be with you. This readiness of God to be with you, methinks should strongly persuade you to desire and endeavour his presence. Motive 3. Lovers and friends may be far off; My lovers and my friends stand ●●oof off from my sore, and my kinsmen stand a far off, Psal. 38. 11. I looked on my right hand, and behold there was no man that would know me; Refuge failed me, no man cared for my soul, Psal. 142. 4. No man stood with me, but all men forsook me, said Paul; 2 Tim. 4. 16. Now sirs, when all shall forsake you, if you shall not be able to say with Paul, the Lord stands by me, what will you do? So when Refuge shall fail you, if you shall not be able to say with David, The Lord is my Refuge, Psal. 142. 5. what will you do? Motive 4. In the absence or want of some Creatures, you comfort yourselves with the presence of others. You comfort yourselves with the presence of friends and relations in the want of other things; and you say, though this be gone, and that be gone, though this be lost, and that be lost and taken away, yet my Husband is with me, or my Father is with me, or my Brother and Sister are with me. Thus you comfort yourselves in the want of some things, with the presence of some other. How much more will it be a comfort to be able to say, Though this and that be wanting, yet God is with me; Though Father and Mother be not with me, yet God is with me; Though Brother and Sister be gone from me, yet God is with me. This, this will be the comfort. Motive 5. Nothing will be done acceptably without this gracious presence of God, Joh. 15. 5. No duty or service that you can perform. Motive 6. Nothing will succeed and prosper well without it, neither Temporals nor Spirituals, but all prospers with it. 1. Temporals, see an instance in Potiphars Possessions, what he had in his house, in his field; all prospered upon the account of God's presence with Joseph, Gen. 39 2, 3, 5. Another instance you have in Laban's goods, Gods promise to be with Jacob, see Gen. 28. 15. I am with thee, I will not leave thee. Now Laban says, Gen. 30. 27. I have learned by experience, that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake. God with us makes all to prosper, Deut. 2. 7. The Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hands, these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee, thou hast lacked nothing. Go, do all that is in thy heart, said Nathan to David, 2 Sam. 7. 3. For the Lord is with thee, q. d. Go and prosper for the Lord is with thee. Motive 7. God with us will make men afraid of us, and willing to comply and be at peace with us: We read 1 Sam. 18. 12. that Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him. Abimilech, Ahuzza, and Phicol, come to Isaac, and desire to make a league, agreement, and covenant with him; and they render this as the Reason, We saw certainly that the Lord was with thee, 1 Sam. 26. 28. See also Isa. 45. 14. Motive 8. God with us makes enemies and opposers to fall before us, Josh. 1. 5. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee; I will be with thee. Motive 9 God with us makes others to fall to us. When Israel saw that God was with Asa, they fell to him in great abundance 2 Chron. 15. 9 Quest. But what is to be done that we may have God to be with us? What direction can you give us? Answ. Take these. 1. Pray the Lord earnestly to be with you. Pray as Solomon, 1 King. 8. 57 The Lord our God be with us, let him not leave us nor forsake us: and as Jeremiah in the name of the Church, Jer. 14. 9 We are called by thy name, leave us not. And as the Apostle in the Text, The Lord be with you; So do you pray for yourselves, The Lord be with me. When you go about any Natural, Civil, or Religious action, say, The Lord be with me. When you go to your Table, there's a snare; and when to the Shop, there's a snare; and when to your Beds, there's a snare; therefore whensoever you go to your Table, Shop, or Bed, pray, The Lord be with me. There are snares every where, and therefore every where you have need to pray, The Lord be with me. Desire God's presence, and you shall not be denied it. Name the Person if you can that ever was denied God's presence, if he prayed for it? 'Tis true, God may seem to be absent, but he is really present with his, when seemingly absent: He is but behind the curtain, on the other side of the wall. How near may the Mother be, when the Child thinks her lost, and falls a crying? And all this while the Mother is but in the next room. Thus it is between God and his People; Christ withdraws from his Spouse, yet is really present; for by virtue of his presence she seeks after him till she has found him; if he had not been present, she could not have sought him: for if he draw not, there is no running after him. Draw me, and we will run after thee, Cant. 1. 4. Pray then for the presence of God, let God see that you will not be satisfied without him: How unsatisfied are some without Persons and Things? They must enjoy such a Person, such a Thing, or they cannot be satisfied: They cannot live, they shall die without them. Let God see that you cannot live without his presence. If you long for it, you shall not long be without it. 2. Harken to the voice of them, that give you Counsel for your real good. Harken unto my voice, said Jethro to Moses, Exod. 18. 19 I will give thee Counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be instructed, says God, Jer. 6. 8. Lest my Soul depart from thee. 3. Be with God. If you be with him, he will not fail to draw nigh to you: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, Jam. 4. 8. The Lord is with you, whilst you are with him, 2 Chron. 15. 2. Be much with God then. Be with him in your thoughts: let your hearts and affections be with him. When you awake be still with him, Psal. 139. 18. When you arise, be with him; when you go to duty be with him, and draw night to him with your hearts, as well as your lips. When you go about your work and business, be with him; when you go forth, and when you return, be still with him. Be with the Lord continually, set him at your right hand, and fear not: you shall then find him with you, holding your right hand, Psal. 73. 23. Nevertheless, I am continually with thee, thou hast holden me by my right hand. When you eat, do not eat without thoughts of God that feeds you; when you put on your clothes, be not without thoughts of God that Clotheth you; when you are in company, and when you are alone, still be with him. This is the way to have God be with you. Be much with God. You know, 'tis no difficult thing to be with those that are a thousand miles from us. Cannot the Wife be with her Husband in her affections and desires though he be beyond the Sea? and cannot the Father be with the Child that is many miles distant from him? And why cannot we be thus with God? Be with God also in his Ordinances and appointments, In them he will meet you, and speak unto you, Exod. 29. 42. &. 30. 36. There you shall find him, Prov. 8. 34, 35. Watch daily therefore at his Gates: Wait at the Posts of the Doors. Whilst you are with him, he will be with you. Whilst you carry yourselves, as in his presence, fearing serving and honouring him, he will be with you. Well then, be with God. 1. Wake with him, Psal. 139. 8. 2. Walk with him, as Enoch and Noah did. 3. Work with him. 'Tis said that Jonathan wrought with God, 1 Sam. 14. 45. And Ministers are workers together with God, 2 Cor. 6. 1. And all of us must work with him: Work out your salvation with fear etc. for it is God that worketh in you, to will and to do, Philip. 2. 12, 13. He worketh all our works in us, Isa. 26. 12. Sat not still therefore when he works. 4 War with God, the Lamb wars, Rev. 17. 14. And they that are called and chosen, and faithful, they war with him: they side with him, and take his part. He that is not with me, is against me, saith Christ Mat. 12. 30. With these God will side, and will take part with them. Psal. 118. 6, 7. Direct. 4. Love God and keep his Commandments, and then I can promise you his presence. Sirs, would you have his company, whom you have no love for? would you have him, whom you do not love to come unto you? Love him, and he will come, else he will be at a distance from you: and show your love to him by keeping his Commandments, than he will come and make his abode with you, Joh. 14. 23. If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our abode with him. What a promise did God make to Jeroboam by Abijah the Prophet, 1 King. 11, 38. If thou wilt hearken to all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that which is right in my sight, I will be with thee. He that feareth God, and worketh Righteousness, is accepted with him, Act. 10. 35 Such God will meet in grace and mercy, Isa. 64. 5. Jacob went on his way, the way that God had commanded him, and the Angels of God met him, Gen. 32. 1. Direct. 5. If you would have God to be with you, keep yourselves Clean: Do not defile and pollute yourselves with sin, which is the greatest filthiness. It is sin that sets God at a distance from you. 'Tis your iniquities that separate between you and your God, Isa. 59 2. Stand in awe therefore, and sin not, Psal. 4. 4. A Law was given, of Old, to God's people, that when ever they did ease themselves abroad they should turn about, and with a Paddle cover that which came from them, that no filthiness might be seen among them, Deut. 23. 13 The Reason is given, v. 14. For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of the Camp, therefore shall thy Camp be holy, that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee. This outward cleanness here required, was to teach them their duty to God and their Neighbour. Chiefly to God, that in regard of his presence among them, they ought to keep themselves clean from all spiritual pollutions. Next to their Neighbour, that they ought to do nothing that might offend or annoy him. Sirs, God is of purer eyes then to behold evil, and cannot look upon iniquity without detestation, Habak. 1. 13. You yourselves turn away from filthy Creatures; and will not God much more turn away from filthy sinners? When God sees filthy Pride, and filthy Lucre, filthy Rioting, and filthy Drunkenness, filthy Chambering, and filthy Wantonness, filthy Strife, and filthy Envying, these works of Darkness, Rom. 13. 12, 13. God he turns away; For what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Cor. 6. 14. God will not be with us, unless we destroy sin, that accursed thing. See Josh. 7. 11, 12. The throne of iniquity shall have no fellowship with him, Psal. 94. 20. Let not sin be with you; if you would have God to be with you, keep a strict watch against sin. And when at any time you do sin, (for there is no man that sinneth not) turn back and cover it, that God may not behold it: set faith and repentance a work immediately, and cover thy sin with the righteousness of Christ, and the waters of godly sorrow: Let faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance towards God be thy paddle to cover that filthiness of sin which comes from thee: so shall you have the presence of God with you. Direct. 6. Please God. That's the way to have God with you. He that hath sent me is with me (saith our Saviour) The Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please him; John 8. 29. I do the works of him that sent me; John 9 4. I am ever about my Father's business; Luke 2. 49. and therefore the Father hath not left me alone. Nor will he leave us alone, but will be nigh unto us in all that we call upon him for; if we do those things that are pleasing in his sight; 1 John 3. 22. Quest. How shall we do to please God? Answ. Get out of the flesh; for we are in it, Rom. 7. 5. as a man in the water covered over head and ears with it; or as a man in bonds, Act. 8. 23. and snares, 2 Tim. 2. 26. fast bound and hampered in them. Now they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Rom. 8. 8. They that are in their natural estate, still remaining such as they were by Adam's fall, and such as they were born into the World, without any change of Nature, Heart or Life, cannot please God. If the Powers of their Souls and parts of their Bodies be still the same, if their understandings be as dark as ever, if their wills be as stubborn as ever, if their affections be as carnal and earthly as ever; If their Eyes, Ears, Tongues, Hands, and Feet be as forward to sin as ever, they cannot please God: If therefore you would please God, you must not rest satisfied in that Estate wherein you were Born, and wherein you were Bred, and wherein you have Li●ed. You must get out of the flesh, out of your Natural estate. You must be born again, and be renewed. You must be quite another person, and be able to say, I am not I. I was darkness, but now I am light in the Lord, Ephes. 5. 8. I was dead, but now I am quickened, Ephes. 2. 1. I was such and such, but now I am washed, 1 Cor. 6. 11. You must put off the Old man, and put on the new, Ephes. 4. 22, 23. You must put off bad, and put on better, if you will please God, Col. 3. 8, 9, 10. Old things must pass away, and all things must become new, 2 Cor. 5. 17. You must be new Creatures, else you cannot be God-pleasers. 2. Get into Christ. We are accepted only in the beloved, Ephes. 1. 6. 'Tis in Christ that God is pleased with any, Mat. 3. 17. Accept of Christ for your Prophet, Priest and King▪ and God will accept of you for his Children, Spouse, Friends. Direct. 3. Prise Christ and use him. 1. Prize Christ. Leave all and cleave to him, See Psal. 45. 10, 11. Christ's Spouse must shave her head, pair her Nails, and bewail her Father and Mother: 1. Her Natural inbred evils and corruptions for Christ's sake, and then she will please, See Deut. 21. 11, 12, 13. You must part with your Hair and Nails, and Father's House, if you will so please Christ as to be his Spouse. You must rejoice in Christ, and have no confidence in the flesh, Phil. 3. 3. and say as, Isa. 45. 24. In the Lord I have righteousness and strength, if you will please God. Count all things but Loss and Dung in comparison of Christ. Phil. 3. 8. If Christ be not precious in your Eyes, you will be but vile in Gods; but if Christ be prized, God will be pleased. Sell all you have, and buy this Pearl. Mat. 13. 46 This will please God. 2. Use Christ. It hath pleased the Father, that in him all fullness should dwell Col. 1. 19 for our use. that of his fullness we might receive what we want, Job. 1. 16. Seeing God has made Christ for use, you cannot please God unless you make use of Christ. The Ark by Noah was made for use, and so was the Brazen Serpent by Moses; had neither been made use of, God would not have been well pleased. To make use of Christ for the end and purposes for which God has made him, is the way to please him. God has made Christ unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption, 1 Cor. 1. 30. Now to go to Christ to be cured of our folly, to be cleared from our guilt, to be cleansed from our filth, to be redeemed out of bondage, is the way to please God; but if Christ be made light of, and not made use of, God will be displeased not a little, Matth. 22. 5, 7. Christ is meat and d 〈…〉 rk, John 6. 55. feed on him by Faith; Christ is raiment, put him on, Rom. 13. 14. Christ is the foundation, 1 Cor. 3. 11. build upon him; Christ is the Rock, 1 Cor. 10. 4. secure yourselves in the cles●s of it, Cant. 2. 14. Christ is the Fountain opened for sin, and for uncleanness, Zech. 13. 1. wath yourselves in it. Christ is the true Light, John 8 12. come to it, and follow it. Christ is an Apple tree, Cant. 2. 3. sit under the shadow of it with delight, and eat of the fruit thereof. This will please God to see his Son so much honoured by being so much used, John 12. 26. Direct. 4. Live by Faith, Habak. 2. 4. Walk by faith and not by sight, 2 Cor. 5. 7. Look to the things not seen, 2 Cor. 4. 18. This will please God. Enoch had this Testimony, that he pleased God, Heb. 11. 5. and 'twas by faith, for Heb. 11. 6. without faith 'tis impossible to please God. Act faith in the power of God, as Abraham did, Rom. 4. 21. Heb. 11. 19 and in the faithfulness of God, as Sarah did, Heb. 11. 11. This will please God. Be fully persuaded that what God hath promised, he is able and faithful to perform; This will please God. Trust in God at all times, Psal. 62. 8. Cast your burden upon him, Psal. 55. 22. Thy care on him, 1 Pet. 5. 7. Be careful for nothing, Phil. 4. 6. but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; This will please God. See what a blessing God has promised to such, Jer. 17. 7. 8. Direct. 5. Labour to be like God and Christ, if you would please him: for liking, is founded in likeness; and complacency, in conformity: What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? or what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Cor. 6. 14. Be ye holy as God is holy▪ 1 Pet. 1. 16. and merciful as he is, Luke 6▪ 36. Direct. 6. Be not like the world. Come out from among them, and I will receive you, and be so well pleased with you, that I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, 2 Cor. 6. 17, 18. Come thou, and all thy house, says God to Noah, Gen. 7. 1. into the Ark, I am well pleased with thee, and I will take care of thee, and gives this for the Reason; For thee have I seen righteous in this generation, called by St. Peter, The world of the ungodly, 2 Pet. 2. 5. This Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, Gen. 6. 8. God saved him, 2 Pet. 2. 5. To be blameless and harmless without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation; and to shine as lights among them, this will please God, Phil. 2. 15. Walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds, Eph. 4. 17. Sleep not as do others, 1 Thes. 5. 6. Conform not to this world, Rom. 12. 2. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, Eph. 5. 11. This will be acceptable to the Lord. What care God took of Lot, who was righteous, in wicked Sodom, see Gen. 19 16, 22. Dir. 7. Be mourners for your own sins, and the sins of others. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, wounded for sin; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise, but accept, Psal. 51. 17. God will restore comfort to his mourners, Isa. 57 18. These mourners in Zion, and for Zion, Isa. 61. 3. & 66. 10. who mourn for the desolation of Zion, and for their own sins and the sins of others, as the procuring causes thereof, these are the persons that please God, so that he takes double care of them in evil times, Ezek. 9 4, 6▪ and pronounces them blessed, and promises that they shall be comforted, Mat. 5. 4. Dir. 8. Walk uprightly, order your conversation aright, without guile and hypocrisy; in simplicity and godly sincerity have your conversations, doing all your duties, to please God, and not for by-respects: With this God will be so well pleased, that he will be to you a Sun and a Shield, that he will give you Grace and Glory, that he will withhold no good thing from you, Psal. 84. 11. Prov. 2. 7. He will show you his salvation, Psal. 50. 23. God will give him a prospect of heaven here, and hereafter a full fruition of it; and no w●●der, for you are his delight, Prov. 11. 20. Such as are upright in their way are his delight: and what will not a man do for such in whom he delights? Read Esther 6. 6. Dir. 9 Make the Christian Sabbath your delight; be glad and rejoice in it. This will so please the Lord, that he will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth; yea, upon the heights of heaven, where thou shalt keep an everlasting Sabbath; and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your Father; not only with the good things of the earthly Canaan, but with the good things of the heavenly, of which the earthly was a type; with heavenly Manna, such food as eye hath not seen, ear heard, or mouth of natural man ever tasted. This you may build upon, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, Isa. 58. 13, 14. If you keep the Sabbath, and choose the things that please God, Isa. 56. 4. God will be so well pleased, as to give you, 1. A place in his House: v. 5. And a doorkeepers place in God's house is worth the having, Psal. 84. 10. A place in God's house, is that one thing which David was so earnest for, Psal. 27. 4. 2. A Name better than of sons and daughters of Princes; even prerogative royal, that heavenly honour to be the sons and daughters of God, 2 Cor. 6. 18. John 1. 12. And so to be called. 1 John 3 1. To have both the comfort and the credit of it; for if sons, than heirs, Rom. 8. 16, 17. 3. And make them joyful in his house of Prayer, ver. 7. By their free access unto him, and good success in all their suits. 4. And accept their sacrifices, ver. 7. Their sacrifices of Prayer, Praise, Alms and Obedience, shall be accepted through Christ, who is the true Altar that sanctifieth all that is offered on it, Heb. 13. 10, 15. Rev. 3. 4. Dir. 10. Watch at Wisdoms gates daily; wait at the posts of her doors, Prov. 8. 34, 35. And there you▪ shall find life, Isa. 55. 3. And obtain the favour of God, which is better than life. There the Lord will meet you, and bless you, Exod. 20. 24. There he will teach you, Isa. 2. 3. And there he will accept you, Ezek. 20. 40. There you give him your loves, Cant. 7. 12. And there he will give you his Loves. If he sup with you, you shall sup with him, Rev. 3. 20. There you may get Faith more precious than Gold, Rom. 10. 17. There you may have a call to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Thes. 2. 14. Dir. 11. Pray continually. This pleases God. The prayer of the upright is his delight, Prov. 15. 8. 'Tis sweet unto him, Cant. 2. 14. He will be nigh to them that call upon him in truth, Psal. 145. 18. Daniel's praying pleased God; as appears by the event. Prayers come up for a me norial before God, Acts 10. 4. God is so well pleased with prayer, that he will never turn it away, Psal. 66. 20. Dir. 12. Meditate on God's Law day and night. Show thy love to God and it thereby, as David did, Psal. 119. 97. O how I love thy Law, it is my meditation all the day. Let it be yours also, and God will make you like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, and whose leaf shall not wither, and whatsoever you do shall prosper, Psal. 1. 2, 3. Dir. 13. Worship God in spirit and in truth: Sure this is pleasing to him; for the Father seeketh such to worship him, Joh, 4. 23. He is greatly delighted with such worship. God loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob, Psal. 87. 2. The gates of Zion, the place of his worship, which he had chosen to dwell in, more than all the Towns and Cities else which he had given Jacob to dwell in. 'Tis not all worship that God is so delighted with; some worship is an abomination to him. God complains of those that draw nigh to him with their mouths, when their hearts are far from him, Isa. 29. 13. Mat. 15. 8. 'Tis the heart God calls for, Prov. 23. 26. and truth in the inward parts, that God desires, Psal. 51. 6. 'Tis worship in spirit and truth that pleases God. Dir. 14. Love God heartily, and seek him early. God loves them that love him, Prov. 8. 17. and will show it, John 14. 21, 23. He that hath my Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him, and we will come and make our abode with him. Obedience to this first and great command of loving God, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices, Mark 12. 33. Therefore for certain it pleases God. Delight thyself in the Lord, and he will give thee the desires of thy heart, Psal. 37. 4. And let the desire of thy soul be to his name, and to the remembrance of him. With thy spirit seek him early, Isa. 26. 8, 9 and he will be found of thee, Jer. 29. 13. Dir. 15. Fear God greatly, as Obadiah did, 1 Kings 18. 3. On such the Sun of righteousness will shine, Mal. 4. 2. The Lord will fulfil the desires of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them, Psal. 145. 19 Dir. 16. Choose to suffer rather than to sin. This was Moses' choice, Heb. 11. 25. rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. This pleaseth God highly. Those three servants of the most high God, Dan. 3. who did choose to burn to ashes, rather than to bow to an Image, God was so well pleased with, that he restrained the fire from burning of them. Daniel chooses to be torn to pieces, rather than not to pray, Dan. 6. and God was so well pleased with his choice, that he shuts the mouths of the Lions, that they hurt him not, v. 22. God also was so well' pleased with the Martyr's choice of sufferings rather than of sinning, that he so wrought for many of them; that they felt little or no pain. Baynam; one of our English Martyrs, in the midst of flames, with arms and legs half consumed, uttered these words; O ye Papists! behold, ye look for miracles; here now ye may see a miracle: for in this fire I feel no more pain, then if I were in a Bed of Down; but it is to me as a Bed of Roses. Dir. 17. Get a meek and a quiet spirit: This is in the sight of God an ornament of great price, 1 Pet. 3. 4. But a froward heart is an abomination to God, Prov. 11. 20. Moses had this commendation, that he was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth, Numb. 12. 3. God takes his part, and appears for him, Num. 12. 2, 4. Moses. is deaf and dumb, but God hears and calls suddenly about the wrong done to Moses. And what a good end did God make with patient Job? Jam. 5. 11. Dir. 18. Be zealous, hot, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, Rom. 12. 11. God cannot away with lukewarmness: lukewarm Laodicea he loathes, Rev. 3. 16. but zealous Phineas he loves, Num. 25. 11, 12, 13. Psal. 106. 30. Be fervent in prayer, swift to hear, strict in the observation of the Sabbath; be strong in faith, weep bitterly for sin. This heat in duty, will please God. Do justly. This pleases God, Mic. 6. 8. more than thousands of Rams. To do judgement and justice, to judge the cause of the poor and needy, is the way to have it be well with us, Jer. 22. 15, 16. The just and rtghteous God hates injustice, Zech. 8. 17. Doing justice and judgement, is the way of the Lord, Gen. 18. 19 And sure he is well pleased with those that walk in his way. Dir. 20. Love mercy. This also pleases God. To do good and communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifice God is well pleased, Heb. 13. 16. 'Tis an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God, Phil. 4. 18. Christ is so well pleased with it, that he takes it as done to himself, Mat. 25. 34, 35, 36. And the contrary, showing no mercy, he takes so ill, that he threatens, Jam. 2. 13. He shall have judgement without mercy, that hath showed no mercy. Dir. 21. Walk humbly. To such an one God will look, Isa. 66. 2. yea, God will dwell with the humble, and revive the humble, Isa. 57 15. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble, Jam. 4. 6. And if he give them grace, sure he will give them glory. Dir. 22. Be fruitful in every good work. This pleases God. The earth that brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God, Heb. 6. 7. I am come into my Garden, my Sister, my Spouse: Now there is such pleasant fruit there, I cannot keep away. He is so well pleased with the fruit he finds, that he gathers, eats and drinks, Cant. 5. 1. A fruitful Vine pleaseth the Dresser. A fruitful Tree the Planter. A fruitful Field the Husbandman. And a fruitful Christian pleaseth God much more. Dir. 23. Be thankful. This pleaseth the Lord, Psal. 69. 30, 31. I will praise the name of the Lord with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. v. 30. This also shall please the Lord better than an Ox or Bullock that hath horns and hoofs. v. 31. This rendering the Calves of our lips, Host 14. 2. is very pleasing to God, when offered up by Christ. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his Name, Heb. 13. 15. He that offereth praise, glorifieth me, says God, Psal 50. Always provided that the praise be cordial and real, as well as oral; provided that there be estimation of benefits, and retribution for them, as well as recognition of them. And now beloved, I must take my leave of you, and what more or better can I wish or desire for you then this gracious presence of God. The Lord be with you all. The Lord be with you little children, and incline your hearts to learn Solomon's lesson which his father taught him, 1 Chron. 28. 9 viz. To know the God of your Fathers, and to serve him with a perfect heart, and a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts, if you seek him, he will be found of you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever: and for this end, The Lord be with you, and incline your hearts whilst you are Children, to know, as Timothy did from a Child, the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, 2 Tim. 3. 15. and persuade you to continue in the things which you have learned, and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them, 2 Tim. 3. 14. The Lord be with you young men, and incline your hearts to remember your Creator in the days of your youth, as you are commanded, Eccles. 12. 1. and to be kind to him in your youth, Jer. 2. 2. that he may another day say to you, I remember the kindness of your youth. The Lord be with you to be the guide of your youth, Jer. 3. 4. and to teach you from your youth, as he did David, Psal. 71. 17. The Lord be with you, that you may with Obadiah fear the Lord from your youth, 1 King. 18. 12. and that you may flee youthful lusts, as you are commanded, 2 Tim. 2. 22. The Lord be with you, and be your hope and trust from your youth, as he was david's, Psal. 71. 5. and make you sober minded, as you are exhorted to be, Tit. 2. 6. The Lord be with you, and cause you to grow up as plants in your youth, Psal. 144. 12. That you may never complain, as Job chap. 13. 26. Thou hast made me possess the sins of my youth. And that you may not be forced to pray as David, Remember not against me the sins of my youth, Psal. 25. 7. nor lie down in shame because of the sins of your youth, as they, Jer. 3. 25. and that in your age, you may not find your bones full of the sins of your youth, Job 20. 11. The Lord be with you Aged men, to make you sober, grave, temperate, to make you sound in the faith, sound in charity, in patience, as you are taught to be, Tit. 2. 2. The Lord be with you young women, to make you such as you are taught to be, Tit. 2. 4. viz. Sober, and to love your Husbands, and your children, and to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to your own Husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed, and that your Husbands beholding your chaste conversation coupled with fear, may be won by it, 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2. The Lord be with you and deliver you from all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions, and make you careful to preserve your own and your neighbour's chastity in heart, speech, and behaviour. This prayer for you is not without need; too much unchaste behaviour is to be seen in our Congregations. I cannot think that the exposing of your naked backs and breasts to the view of all, can consist with chastity of heart. I wish that some or other would do that office for you, that Shem and Japhet did for their father, Gen. 9 23. and cast at least a Scarf or Handkerchief over your naked necks, backs and breasts. The Lord be with you aged women, that you may be such as you are required to be, Tit. 2. 3. That you may be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, Teachers of good things. The Lord be with you widows, to cause you to trust in God, as 'tis your duty, Jer. 49. 11. and continue in prayer and supplications night and day, 1 Tim. 5. 5. The Lord be with you Parents, That you may bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Ephes. 6. 4. and that you may not provoke them to anger lest they be discouraged, Col. 3. 21. The Lord be with you Children, that you may obey your Parents in the Lord, and honour them, that it may be well with you, and that you may live long in the earth, Ephes. 6. 1, 2, 3. The Lord be with you Masters, that you may give unto your Servants, that which is just and equal, Col. 4. 1. and forbear threatening, knowing that your Master also is in Heaven, neither is there respect of persons with him, Ephes. 6. 9 The Lord be with you Servants, that you may be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto Christ, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, Ephes. 6. 5, 6. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the Inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ, Col. 3. 24. Yea, the Lord be with you, that you may be subject not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward: for this is thankworthy, if for conscience towards God, you endure grief, suffering wrong fully; and acceptable with God, if when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, 1 Pet. 2. 18, 19, 20. The Lord be with you Husbands, that you may love your wives, and not be bitter against them, Col. 3. 19 And that you may dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto them, as unto the weaker vessels, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered, 1 Pet. 3. 7. The Lord be with you wives, that you may be in subjection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word, they may be won by your conversation, while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear; and that your adorninng may not be with outward adorning, of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of Gold, or of putting on of apparel, but that it may be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price, 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4. The Lord be with you poor: (and my request for you is double.) 1. That you may be poor in spirit, and so blessed, that yours may be the kingdom of heaven, Mat. 5. 3. 2. That you may be rich in faith, Jam. 2. 5. by which God has promised the just shall live, Hab. 2. 4. The Lord be with you Rich, that you may not be highminded, nor trust in uncertain Riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy, 1 Tim. 6. 17. The Lord be with you, that you may do good, that you may be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, that you may lay up in store for yourselves, a good foundation, against the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life, 1 Tim. 6. 18, 19 The Lord be with you young Disciples, that having put your hands to the plough you may not look back, lest you prove not fit for the kingdom of God, Luk. 9 92. The Lord be with you old Disciples, that you may bring forth much good fruit, and be fat and flourishing, Psal. 62. 14. The Lord be with you All, to deal well with you, To hear your Prayers, To direct your steps, To give you rest, To provide you necessaries, To protect your persons, To prevent trouble, or to deliver out of it. To assist in work, To support under burdens, To disappoint enemies, To Animate against fear, To comfort in tribulation, To correct if need be, To incline your hearts to God, To give you wisdom, To help you to finish your works, and to effect difficult undertake, To hold you by your right hand, To put a difference between you, and toose that serve him not. The Lord be with you All, 1. With All of All of you. 1. With your Hearts. 1. To circumcise them, Deut. 30. 6. 2. To write his Law in them, Heb. 8. 10. 3. To new make them, Ezek. 36. 26. 4. To soften them, Ezek. 36. 26. 5. To strengthen them, Psal. 31. 24. acchrding to his promise. 6. To unite them, Psal. 86. 11. 7. To enlarge them, Psal. 119. 32. 8. To incline them to him and his Testimonies, 1 King. 8. 58. Psal. 119. 36. 9 To create them clean, Psal. 51. 10. 10. To put gladness into them, Psal. 4 〈…〉. 2. With your heads, 1. To lift them up, Psal. 3. 3. 2. To make them waters, Jer. 9 1. 3. With your eyes, 1. To open them that you may behold wondrous things out of God's Law, Psal. 119. 18. 2. To turn them away from beholding vanity, Psal. 119. 37. 4. With your ears, 1. To open them, Psal. 40. 6. 2. To cause them to hear the word behind them, Isa. 30. 21. 5. With your mouths. 1. To satisfy them with good things, Psal. 103. 5. 2. That a deceitful tongue may not be found in them, Zeph. 3. 13. 6. With your hands, To hold them, Isa. 41. 13. & 42. 6. 7. With your feet, To keep them, 1 Sam. 1. 9 1. The Lord be with you All, 2. At all times. 1. In the Morning, when you awake that you may awake with God, Psal. 139. 18. Psal. 55. 17. 2. At noon, when you go to meat, Psal. 55. 17. 3. At evening, when you go to bed, Psal. 55. 17. This was David's practice: Evening, and Morning, and at Noon will I pray and cry aloud, and not in vain, for it follows, and he shall hear my voice. 4. The Lord be with you even at midnight, and in the night watches, that even then you may meditate on God's word and give thanks after the example of David, Psal. 119. 62. & 63. 6. 119. 148. 5. On the week days, that you may do your work, and all your work on them, as you are Commanded, Exod. 20. 9 6. On the Lord's day, that you may keep it holy, and call it a delight. The holy of the Lord, Honourable; not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, Isa. 58. 13, 14. The Lord be with you All, 3. In All places. In the closet, in the family. In the shop, in the field, In Bed, at Board. In the Closet, to make you serious. In the family, to make you profitable. In the shop, to awe you. In the field, to preserve you. In bed, to refresh you. At Board, to satisfy you. The Lord be with you All. 4. In all estates and conditions, in adversity and prosperity, in sickness and health, in poverty, and Riches. In Adversity, that you may consider, Eccles. 7. 14. In prosperity, that you may rejoice, Eccles. 7. 14. In sickness, to make your bed, Psal. 41. 3. In health, to make you thankful, Psal. 103. 3. In poverty, to make you contented, Heb. 13. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 8. In Riches, to make you lowly minded, Trusters' in God, rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, 1 Tim. 6. 17, 18. The Lord be with you All, 5. In all duties of Religion and holy Ordinances, in praying, reading, hearing, meditating, conferring, instructing, admonishing, exhorting, reproving, comforting. In praying, that you may pray fervently, Jam. 5. 16, 17. In reading, that you may read understandingly, Act. 8. 30. In hearing, that you may hear believingly, Heb. 4. 2. In meditating, that you may have soul-satisfaction, Psal. 6●. 5, 6. In conferring, that you do it with affection. In instructing, that you may do it convincingly. In admonishing, that you may do it compassionately, Judas 22. In exhorting, that you may do it earnestly, Heb. 10. 24. In reproving that you may do it wisely. In comforting, that you may do it mercifully. In observing, the Sabbath, that you may observe it more strictly. In receiving the Supper, that you may receive it more worthily. In fasting, that you may do it soul-afflictingly, soul-chasteningly, Levit. 23. 32. Psal. 69. 10. and life-reformingly. The Lord be with you All, 6. In all your Civil Employments and lawful undertake, that in All you do you may make God's word your Rule, God's glory your end, and the credit of the Gospel and Christian Religion your Care. The Lord be with you, In your Trading and dealing, that you may do as you would be done unto, Ma●. 7. 12. In buying and selling, that you may set God before you, buying and selling as in his presence, Psal. 16. 8. In working and sitting still, that you may be heavenly minded, Phil. 3. 20. In your journeying, and travelling, that you may be preserved and prospered, Gen. 24. 21. Finally Beloved, The Lord be with you to sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the c●min● of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen▪ and Amen. FINIS. A Catalogue OF Books Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock, at the Sign of the Three Bibles. in Popes-head Alley. TWelve Books Published by Mr. Thomas Brooks. 1. Precious Remedies against Satan's devices. 2. Heaven upon Earth. 3. The Unsearchable Riches of Christ. 4. Apples of Gold. 5. String of Pearls. 6. The Male Christian. 7. An Ark for God's Noah's. 9 The Privey Key of Heaven. 10. A Heavenly Cordial. 11. A Cabinet of choice Jewels. 12. Lotions Lamentations. Mr. C●ll●my's Godly Man's Ark. Christ's Communion with his Church militant, by Nicholas Lock●er. Sin the Plague of Plagues, by Ralph Venning. The Accurate Accountant, or London Merchant, being Instructions for keeping Merchants. Accounts, by Thomas Brown Accountant. Shortwriting, The most Easy, Exact, Lineal, and speedy Method that hath ever yet been obtained, by Thomas Metcalf. Also a Book, called a Schoolmaster to it, explaining the Rules thereof. A Copy Book of the Newest and most useful Hands. Bridges Remains, being 8. Choice Sermon's, by that Reverend Divine Mr. William Bridge, heretofore Minister at Yarmouth. A Discourse of Christ's coming, by Theophilus Gale. King James▪ his Counterblast to Tobacco. A Brief Description of New York. The Shepherd's Legacy, or forty years' Experience of the Wether. Venning's Remains, or Christ's School, consisting of four Classis of Christians, viz. Babes, Children, Youngmen, and Fathers; being the substance of many Sermons, by Ralph Verning: Prepared for the Press by himself before his Death. A Dissuasive from Conformity to the World; as also God's severity against Impenitent Sinners; with a Farewell Sermon, by Henry Stu●s Minister of the Gospel.