The Way to Blessedness, Treatise · Part 4

The Way to Blessedness · Treatise · Part 4

p. 174Psalme I. Verse iiij. The ungodly are not so, but as the chaffe which the winde driveth away.

TRue is it, that one contrary will not a little illustrate another; In colours, when blacke and white; in our estate when miserie and felicitie are compared together, their proper nature will more evidently appeare to any who will heedfully obserue it. Therefore when in the former verses the Spirit had set out the godly, both in their course and successe: in these verses he describes the condition of the wicked, that so both their estates may more cleerely bee discerned by those, who will with any diligent eye consider it: ayming both to this end, that as the happinesse of the one might allure and winne us to the same practice, so the miserie of the other might affright and driue us from the evill way. This misery of ungodly men is liuely pourtrayed, and set out to the eye from the contrary; and 1. By negation of all that blessednesse mentioned in the former verses, in which the godly are instated by the Lord, even in this p. 175present life: 2. By a contrary curse; and that curse expressed 1. by a comparison of chaffe, 2. by the consequent and conclusion of all wicked courses in the 5. verse.

The negatiue argument propounding the contrary estate of wicked persons, includes all these Propositions.

1. The Spirit and Prophet affirmeth, that a wicked and ungodly man is not blessed.

2. The same Spirit concludeth, that a wicked man is not a planted and watered tree.

3. The Prophet testifieth, that ungodly persons are not as a fruitfull tree, ever flourishing.

4. The Lord by the Prophet assures us, that an ungodly man shall not prosper in all his wayes.

The first then is this;

1PropositionThe Spirit and Prophet affirmeth, that a wicked and ungodly man is not blessed.

The words hauehave before beene opened sufficiently, and the meaning of them is briefly this; Whosoever delights not, nor meditates in the word, but rather with pleasure followes the counsell of ungodly persons, walking in their disobedience and scorning; neither is, nor can be happy in this estate.

Proofe.The proofe is evident, and frequently confirmed: there is no peace saith the Lord to the wicked, Esay 48. 22. and againe 57. 21. And the curse continually applied to them in Scripture.

Grounds.The grounds are: 1. the justice of God, who cannot by any meanes cleere the guilty, 34. 7. The Lord is knowne by the judgement which hee executeth, the wicked is snared in the worke of his owne hands; Psal. 9. 16. 17. VponUpon the wicked God shall raine snares, stormes, and tempests. Psalme 11. 6.

2. The very nature of blessednesse; for blessednesse is p. 176that estate wherin we enjoy good without evil, or at least a measure of good out-weighing evill: but wickednesse considered of it selfe, without the punishment due to it, is to a man such an evill as weighs downe any good hee possesseth in this life: as being most cont…ary to his nature in which he was created, and to his end unto which he was ordained.

1Instruction.Learne here 1. That the happinesse of man consisteth not in the fruition of any one, or all outward blessings; nay some inward, and some spirituall also may be cast in to a wicked man, and hee still continue most wretched: Should riches, honour, power, glory, pleasure, bee all heaped upon one man, in that measure his owne heart desired, should wisedome, courage, health, strength, beautie, and other such endowments of body and mind be added to the other, nay the word, Sacraments, and some illightnings &c. bee adjoyned, all these could not make up this blessed estate, nor seat this man in a throne of happinesse: necessarily this followes; for all these things may belong to a man drown'd in sinne and hellish wickednes, who contemnes and hates the word of God, and God himselfe, and therefore cannot bee blessed. But because this truth doth not easily sinke into flesh and blood, it will be needfull as well by evident testimonie of God to confirme it, as by reason also and experience to settle it in our mindes.

First therefore God testifieth of these things, that they are not worthy our rejoycing.Ier. 9. 23. 24.Jer 9:23Jer 9:24 Let not the rich man rejoyce in his riches, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wise man in his wisedome, but let him that rejoyceth rejoyce in this, that hee under standeth and knoweth mee: where purposely the Lord chuseth out such blessings, as being of all naturall things most excellent, comprehend the rest. By riches (which are most embraced by earthly men) he intends all the goods of estate: in strength all bodily; in wisedome all gifts of the mind are included: yet in all these p. 177we may not rejoyce or glorie, but only in the knowledge of God. Many spirituall gifts may also be annexed to the former, as some knowledge, some kinde of faith, baptisme, whereby we are entred into the Church, yet all these meeting in one man cannot giuegive him this happines. Simon Magus beleeved, was baptized, Acts 8. 13.23.Acts 8:13Acts 8:23yet still was drowned in the very gall of bitternesse. No testimonie can bee of more or equall force then that of Salomon, whom God purposely called out from the sonnes of men, as the foreman of all the Iurie, to giuegive in his verdite concerning this truth. He was the wisest that ever lived, the Commaunder and Soveraigne of a great Kingdome, wonderfully rich, gaue his heart to pleasure, joy, and all outward blessings,Eccles. 2.3.Eccl 2:3 till he might finde out that good of man. Now after he had passed through all outward good things, and had tasted the uttermost sweetnesse of them, the Lord brings him forth as the most able Iudge and witnesse, and by his mouth giues us to understand, and leaues it upon record to all ages, that they are all vanitie and vexation of spirit: and that the feare of God, and walking in his commandements is the All of man. Eccles. 2. 17. and 12. 13.

Certainely, if any outward thing could make blessed, then as that woman in the Gospell, Blessed were it to bee the Mother of him, who is the Father of all: to beare him, who beares up all things by his mighty word; to nurse him, who nourisheth every creature. But even of this the wisedome of God a…firmes,Luke 11.28.Luke 11:28 that they rather are blessed, who heare the word of God and keepe it: on which words rightly builds that holy Father Augustin;De sanct. virgin. cap. 3. Mary therefore was more blessed by receiving the faith of Christ, then conceiving the flesh of Christ: her motherly neerenesse had nothing profited, unlesse sh…e had more happily borne Christ in her heart, then in her wombe. And againe;In Iohan. tract. 10. My mother whom you call happy, is therefore happie, because shee kept the word of God, not because the Word in her was made flesh.

p. 178Now as the Lord himselfe is a witnesse beyond all contradiction; so even reason it selfe (especially as it is setled upon confessed grounds of the word) will further convince our understanding, and inforce our judgement to witnesse this truth.

For first, whereas it is knowne and acknowledged by all, that because the soule is immortall, and the body mortall, there must bee a double life of man, one present while the body and soule are conjoyned, another to come after that separation: whereof the former is short, a span, a vapour, appearing for a moment; the o…her lasting and everlasting: and againe, that both of these hauehave certaine peculiar blessings annexed, which make that estate comfortable and pleasant; it cannot be denied but that these fading things perishing in the use, can by no meanes helpe us in that other estate, which is for ever: and howsoever they may bee some poore comforts and refreshings to this momentarie life, yet to that other they are altogether dead. Now as wee neither doe, nor can account that man rich, who dwels in a faire house, but yet a Farme; hath much cattell, money, and goods, but another mans; and at the yeares end must bee turned out naked without a ragge to his backe: so all these temporall blessings cannot make us happy, because howsoever we hauehave a short use of them, yet it is manifest that as we came in, so shall we goe out of the world naked, and stript of all earthly goods: and not onelyonly the things themselues,Psal. 146.4…Ps 146:4 but all our thoughts about them peris… utterly.

Secondly; Those things cannot of themselues blesse us, which unlesse they are blessed by some other, fill us with curses and bring us to destruction. But thus is it with all these,1 Tim. 4. 4.5.1 Tim 4:41 Tim 4:5 they are sanctified by the word and by prayer: and againe,Tit. 1. 15.Titus 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but nothing pure to them that are d…filed and unbeleeving. Eccles. 5.12.Eccl 5:12Doe not wee see by experience …hat riches turne to the hurt of the owner; see also Prov. 1.19… Consider it exemplified in that wicked p. 179Ahab, and Naboths vineyard 1 King. 21. Thus also honour to those who by want of grace dishonour God, is a burden which presseth them body and soule to utter ruine, as wee see in Ieroboam and all his Successours. So we finde that strength, beautie, health worke to the destruction of the owners by intemperance, wantonesse, murthers, oppressions: nay even wisedome it se…e in Achitophel wrought to the ruine of himselfe and many others.

Lastly; Those things cannot make a man happy, which neither are any part of our supreame good, nor yet singly or joyntly of themselues any helpers to advance him to that highest good, unto which he is created. But all these things are no other. For first they are all desired for some farther end, and no man doth or can rest in them: and the highest good is the divine and glorious conformitie to God, which is not helped forward by any of these. Earthly riches are commonly snares to inveagle and entice us from him; but of themselues neither they, nor any such as th…y, helpe us to enjoy him: onelyonly as they are sanctified by grace and over-ruled by it, they giuegive some opportunitie to expresse our louelove to him in his Saints.1 Cor. 1. 20.1 Cor 1:20 Even our wisedome in this case is folly and enmitie, and must bee utterly cast out,Rom. 8.7.Rom 8:7 and wee become fooles, 1 Cor. 3. 18.1 Cor 3:18before wee can enter into this estate. Thus both God himselfe, and our reason also will readily testifie unto us, that there is no happinesse in any outward blessing.

22. Learne we here what is the most and onelyonly accursed, odious thing, which makes a man miserable. There is nothing but sinne and wickednesse which can bring the curse and miserie upon man. Sinne is the breach of Gods Law:Gal. 3. 10.Gal 3:10 and cursed is every man which continueth not in all things which are written in the booke of the Law to doe them. And whereas miserie consists in the deprivation of good things, and pressure of evill, evident is it, p. 180that sinne of it selfe is a meere privation of all true good belonging to man, and the greatest evill that is or can bee to him. For that good of man, which enobles him aboue the common ranke of ordinary creatures, is holinesse and righteousnesse, that image of God in which we were created: now sinne is the privation of holinesse, as darkenes of light. Doe but consider what is the excellence of man exalting him aboue other creatures. Other creatures hauehave strength and continuance, as stones; some hauehave life, as trees; some a soule, sense, and motion, as beasts; some singular understanding and knowledge, as Devils: yet a man may excell them all: if his excellencie stood in strength and durance, the very stones went beyond him: if in life, many trees would justly claime prioritie: if in sense, dogges, eagles, apes, yea spiders were more eminent; if in understanding, he were inferiour and worse then those cursed spirits, the worst of creatures: yet the faithfull apparantly excell all these; there is nothing therfore but holinesse whereby he out-goes other creatures. Now sinne is the privation of this holinesse; nay not only a meere privation, (as darkenesse of light) but a de…truction, as ruine, of an house, or death, of life. Againe, sinne it selfe is the greatest evill, the most filthy and detestable evill of all the world: the abominable thing which God hates Ier. 44. 4. continually therefore compared by God to things most abhorred; to clutterd bloud, to mire and mud, to a vomite: so loathsome, that if it were possible fully to eye the filthinesse of it, it would infinitely, amaze and affright us. Certainely when in our measure we are enabled by the Spirit with open eyes to behold it, we loath and abhorre it, and our selues for it, Ezek. 36. 31. Iob 42. 6.

But in nothing may wee more cleerely perceiue the horrour of sinne, then in that comparison so often us…d by the Spirit, where this spirituall death is resembled to the bodily,Rom. …. 24. and called the body of death. For looke as a p. 181living body graced with fit proportions, and naturall colours,Rom. 7.24.Rom 7:24 full of spirit, is an amiable and louely object to a bodily eye, which yet when the soule is departed, and hath beene some little time in the graue, is a lothsome fight, so that they, who before doted on it, now tremble to behold it: so where the blessed Spirit quickens the soule of man, and fils it with the life and beautie of God, how glorious how ravishing is this sight to a spirituall eye? but when the spirit of man lies dead in sinne, buried in lust, what can it differ from a Devill incarnate? neither is it only in it selfe very evill, but a fountain streaming forth all manner of evils. First, it remoues all good things; as 1. the fountaine of all good, God himselfe: 2. all those blessings which flow from him: as temporall Ier. 5.25. Esay 24. 5.Esay 59.2.Isa 59:2 spirituall as was evident before, yea eternall Rom. 3. 23. Secondly it heapes on us all evill, death of the body and all the sorrowes which attend it. Rom. 5.12 Lam. 3. 39. But in nothing more evidently appeares the cursed and filthy nature of sinne, then in the infection of it, and meanes to purge it: the contagion of it spread into the whole generation of man, and one sinne committed by one hath brought forth a world of sinne and sinfull men, that the very foundations and originalls of mans generation are uncleane, and make every one uncleane that toucheth them; it defiles our very prayers & maketh them odious. Pro. 15. 8. and 28.9. and turnes a Saint, nay an Angell into a Devill. Againe no other meanes to purge it but the blood of Christ, Levit. 15.Lev 15and that applied by no other hand but of the Spirit.

But some will say … sinfull men neither see nor feele any such miserie: they liue merrily and in all jollitie.

That they neither see nor feele is it any marvaile: for first they hauehave no eyes to see: Deut. 29. 4. nor sense to feele Ephe. 4. 19. 2. To a corrupted tast sinne is as a sweete poyson, pleasant in the mouth, but in the stomack deadly: it is as riotous spending, which is not felt instantly, p. 182but with delight; yet in time presseth, and breaketh our backs with debt. 3. As those herbes of Sardi which killed with laughing: so sinne doth not onelyonly with griefe and torment bring men to destruction, but with mirth and dancing. Lastly, in a naturall heart sinne is in its natiue countrey, and naturall place; now a stranger is soone observed, but natiues seldome regarded: nothing is burthen some in its owne place: a little water in a vessell will soone wearie us, but a whole River when we are in the midst of it, and under it, is no load. But if wee obserue the faithfull, we shall soone perceiue, that although very little of this sinfull filthinesse remaine in them (in comparison of others) y…t doe they see it with much griefe, and feele it with extreme loathing: as Psal. 38. 3. 4. 5.

33. Every wicked man is a most cursed creature, and a miserable wretch. Thus truth as it evidently appeares from the text, and that which hath beene spoken of it, so it will more cleerely shine in many other evident testimonies and grounds drawne from the word of God, and our reason.

1 Pet. 2. 14.1 Pet 2:14Thus are they called the children of the curse, and the children of wrath: Ephe. 2.3.Eph 2:3Read Deut. 28. from the 15. verse to the end.Rom. 3.16.Rom 3:16 Revel. 3. 17. Destruction and calamitie is in their wayes.

For our reason, as it confesseth there is a soule, so can it not deny, but that the losse of it, though with the gaine of a world is a great miserie. Now every wicked man wilfully looseth his soule, and casteth it into utter perdition:Rom. 6.23.Rom 6:23 for the reward of sinne is death. 2. What estate can bee more miserable and cursed, then to bee delivered up to the power of such an enemy, who mortally hates us, and with all his might seekes our utter destruction: But every sinfull man is in the possession of Satan, to be kept in chaines of darknesse to everlasting perdition:Ephe. 2. 2.Eph 2:2 he rules in them, and wholy swayes and carries them with greedinesse p. 183to torment of body and soule without end or intermission. Nay even without the word, our reason will acknowledge the wicked man, the onelyonly miserable man; For even Heathens hauehave concluded, that no man can bee happy before his death, and how should a wicked man bee happy after death? Even the best of his life is spent in vanitie and much vexation of spirit, and is continually subject to many other evils, so especially to the feare of death: his greatest pleasures are soone loathsome, and (as the Bee) hony in the thigh, a sting in the taile: Doth hee fill himselfe with choice of dainties and rich wine? it breedes head-ach, cruditie in the stomacke, and at length scorning the greatest rarities. Is he seated high? the more is he subject to all blasts of envie, of those that are under him, and lightnings of those that are aboue him. Is hee rich? what misery to get it? what feare to lose it? what griefe to forgoe it? To conclude; If a wicked man bee poore and bare in this life, no man will say he is happy: if hee be rich and liues in pleasures, so much more obnoxious is he to all misery: the losse of all such things being certaine, and the time uncertaine when we shall loose them.

Object.But their condition seemeth altogether contrary.

Answ.1. It doth not seeme so to those who with the light of the Sanctuary looke upon th…m Psal. 73. 17.Ps 73:17no not to the eye of reason, for naturall men hauehave seene, and confest their miserie. 2. Things are not alwayes as they seeme. A man noble in birth, great in possessions, brauely attended, and faring highly, but guiltie of treason, may seeme a happy man to a foole, but wise and understanding men know well that he is in a miserable condition.

2Reproofe.1. Now then if thou find this folly in thee, so common among men, to seeke and esteeme earthly things as those chiefe blessings in which consisteth our happinesse, checke and chide it, and thy selfe for entertaining it: Surely if Christian r…ligion had not taught men their folly, p. 184and spirituall wisedome made them see their errour, yet the common understanding of a reasonable creature, and the mistresse of fooles, (as some call experience) would discover how vaine and senselesse is their opinion and practice. For how should that giuegive us rest, which is never at a stay in it selfe, but ever ebbing and flowing? How happens it that when these things increase, thou findest thy selfe no happier then before? why dost thou call him (and miscallest him not) a miserable man, who by base sparing treasures up abundance of earthly riches? Oh that wee would open our eyes! Are not our hearts held with strong witcherie while wee thus dote? The Apostle affirmes them bewitched,Gal. 3. 1.Gal 3:1 who forsake the Gospell to follow the Law: But is not he farre deeper in this errour, who forsakes God for Mammon, Christ for the world, and in the meane time profe…seth himselfe a Christian? The Ethike and Ethnike Philosopher fitly describes the nature of these things, when he compares them to instruments and tooles of an Artificer: which, if they are too little are of no use, if too big are a burthen. Certainly it is not in vaine that the Wiseman prayeth as well against riches, as povertie, for he plainly discerned, that without sanctifying grace, povertie doth not more easily driue to unlawfull courses, to impatience and stealing, then doe riches to pride, presumption, and securitie. Even Heathens taught onelyonly in the schoole of nature, shall condemne Christians; for I never heard of a learned Heathen, no not the Epicure, who shamed not to place his happinesse in things meere earthly.

But some will say; God forbid, that we should seate our happinesse on earth, or any thing on earth: nay wee know well that there is no happines but in heaven with Christ, Colos. 3.3.Col 3:3for our life is hid with Christ in God.

Now if our actions did answer our words, all were well: But if this were true, how is it that all our cares and endeavours with so full a streame empty themselues into this world, and so little of our labour, or rather none p. 185at all runnes this way? If Christ be our life, why is not our heart with him? to louelove him, desire him, and long for him? how is it possible we should be coldly affected to those meanes which bring us to him, and knit our soules in union with him? men will ride & run through ill wayes & weather to Faires and Markets, wher they hauehave any hope, though no assurance, to meete with a good bargaine: but is there in them any such earnestnesse in matters concerning their eternall life? God hath appointed his Sabboths as Faires and Market-dayes,Esay 55.1.Isa 55:1 and proclaimes them: Hoe every one, come, and buy, you that hauehave no silver, &c. here is assurance of spirituall profit, but men will not steppe out of doores to it.Esay 30.9.Isa 30:9 Are they not then lying children? open dissemblers with God and men, when they will be called Christians, professe their life is with Christ, and that here (as all the Saints) they are but strangers, and sojourners? Know assuredly, that hee which is indeed a member of Christ, thirsts & longs for him with great vehemence: Psal. 84. 2.Ps 84:2and therefore longs for his Ordinances, and is even faint for them. And as the faithfull desire him, so doe they waite and seeke for him in his wayes. Esay 26. 8 9.Isa 26:8Remember then, that neither this estimation, nor pursuit of temporall things which wee see ordinarily in the world, can stand with a Christian profession.

22. Sharpely must that wilfull and miserable blindnesse of carnall men be rebuked, who neither discerne any beautie in holinesse, nor any filthinesse in sinne; How wretched is their estate who hauehave faire bodily eyes, able and quicke to perceiue, and with delight to view a corporall beautie, with loathing to avoid bodily deformities, but are blind in spirit, and take no pleasure to behold the louely image of God in holinesse, neither learne to abhorre the pollution of soule and body, whereby sinne deformes and defaces them. Surely as the person of our Saviour, so much more that image of his in holinesse findes no favour in a carnall eye, they see no forme in it, why it should bee desired. As Amnon, thou canst view the flower p. 186of grasse (fleshly beautie) and admire it, it ravisheth thy eye, enflameth thy heart, thou canst sue, wooe, pine for it; but that beautie of heaven in the face of Christ, more bright then the Sunne, darting the beames of it into a gracious heart, and thence reflected, and brightly shining in holy actions, we regard not. A wry mouth, a squint eye, a splay foot, a blacke and sootie skinne we abhorre; but the distortion of sinne, a filthy tongue, an envious eye, an evill affection, and the very image of Satan in hellish darkenesse never troubles us. Whence is this, God hath not given us an eye see unto to this day. Deut. 29.4.Deut 29:4Oh if a gracious heart is ravished with the beautie of those feete which bring the Gospell:Rom. 10. 15.Rom 10:15 what kinde of heart hast thou, which is not moved with the very face of Christ, shining in his owne holy example, and in the practise of his Saints? If the faithfull complaine of pollution, not onelyonly in themselues but in their righteousnesse,Esay 64. 6.Isa 64:6 Wee hauehave all beene as an uncleane thing, and all our righteousnesse as filthy clouts: where are thine eyes, w…o canst see no filthinesse in thy heart, and practice over-growne with all wickednesse, no nor in thy sinne and rebellion? But if this want of heavenly light be fearefull, what then is hellish darkenesse and eye of the Devill, whereby men see such louelinesse in sinne, and esteeme nothing so pleasant and amiable as an uncontrouled course in lusts? verily they are nightbirds, that can discerne no light but in darkenesse. The bodily eye abhorres the Devill in any shape, (should he appeare as an Angell of light) if he were knowne: but the soules of men delight… in all his uglines; for let him dresse himselfe in sinne which is his onelyonly deformitie, he is most welcome and …it for their companie. If Satan offers himselfe to a drunkard in his pots, he goes downe merrily; If he appeares to a covetous person in the shape of gaine, nothing more welcome; If he lookes on a wanton in a louely eye, how amiable is he? nay let him come in his owne shape to a malicious man, cluttered in blood, as a murtherer from the beginning (and shewes himselfe in his p. 187owne colours) which is the very shape of the Devill, he is entertained greedily. Certainely even witches themselues seeme better then these, who desire not the companie of Satan but in the shape of their familiars, but these men like him in his most natiue and uglie forme. Surely as in povertie, nakednesse, and such like evills, madnesse whereby men hauehave no sense of them, is rather an addition then a remedie; so when we are spiritually poore and naked, it is a great weight added to our miserie, that we are altogether blind, and discerne neither any filthinesse in our estate, nor goodnesse in the contrary. Oh therefore if thou esteemest it as a joyfull and happy condition, that without checke thou canst delight in drunken fellowship: if thou canst blesse thy selfe in thy unlawfull courses, and despising in thy heart (as thou countest it) the miserable condition of those, who calling him Father, that without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans worke, passe their time here in feare (1 Pet. 1. 17.) applaudest thy selfe as the onelyonly happy man, who followest thy lusts in all their commaunds, know thou art in a spirituall phrensie: Satan hath gotten possession of thy heart, and holds thine eyes that thou should not see, nor seeke salvation.

33. That strange senslesnes of heart is here fearefully noted, and to be taxed in men which feele no burthen nor load of sin, which is a plaine evidence that they are dead in it, and liue to it. A dead man feeles not the earth that lies upon him, nor the many wormes which gnaw his flesh; but a lesse waight presseth a living man, and one worme be it in the tooth, or any part, torments him. Hence is it that they count those blessed who are proud, and them that worke wickednesse, and such as tempt God:Mal. 3.15.Mal 3:15 for looking only on things present, and considering even them onelyonly by their sense, they are ready to condemne the generation of Gods children, as being often under the rod, and to magnifie their owne estate, and others like themselues who liue at ease. But had they ever beene in the Sanctuary of p. 188God, and there beheld the end of these men, they would soone change their thoughts. How suddenly are they destroyed, perished, and horribly consumed? Psal. 73. 19.Ps 73:19True it is, that the wicked can discerne the death of the righteous to bee happy,Numb. 23.10.Num 23:10 and can wish it, but he will not see his life to be so; the reason is, because he liues to sinne, and knowes not the life of righteousnesse; and hence though a legion of Devils possesse his heart, and bursting all bonds of pietie carries him headlong into destruction, yet hee feeles no miserie in all this. Doe we thinke that a swearers or cursers mouth is not inhabited with a devill of blasphemie? Doth not an uncleane spirit dwell in wanton and adulterous eyes? Is not the throat of a drunkard held by a Devill of excesse and surfeting? Doth not a Devill of profanenesse possesse thy heart, when thou neglectest God in his Ordinances? a Devill of pride keepes the soule of him which is filled with despising of God and man, jesting, mocking, and skoffing at religion, and even at God himselfe in it? Doe but obserue the difference of men. Some feele a great burthen of sinne, and cry out of it Psal. 38. 4. some feele a great burthen in the law of God, and cast it from them Psal. 2. 3. some feele the yoake of Christ sweet and pleasant, and are wonderfully delighted in the word of God: others find the service of sinne delightfull, full of pleasure and sweetnesse, and are carried headlong in it: some thirst for the Lord, his righteousnesse, and the meanes which bring them to it; Others long to fulfill their lusts, and drinke iniquitie like water. Now how easily may we here see what is the reason of all this: They are two differing, nay contrary creatures, the one light, the other darkenesse, the one dead, the other living: the one all earthly, the other heavenly, the one flesh, the other spirit.

3Exhortation.3. Hearken therefore to those frequent invitations: Let the wicked forsake his way. Cast away from you all transgressions, Ier. 18. 11.Jer 18:11Ezeck. 18. 31. Let not sinne raigne in your p. 189mortall body that you should obey it in the lusts thereof, Rom. 6. 12. And consider 1. that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven upon all ungodlinesse Rom. 1. 18. so that though hand joyne in hand the wicked shall not goe unpunished. Pro. 11.21.Prov 11:21Againe, thou canst not possibly obtaine what thou seekest, that is happines, so long as this companion is with thee: A man cannot bee established by wickednesse;Pro. 12. 3.Prov 12:3 for our wickednesse shall correct us, Ier. 2.19.Jer 2:19and our backe-slidings shall reproue us: but every man shall eate the fruit of his owne way, and be filled with his owne devices:Pro. 1.31. 32.Prov 1:31Prov 1:32 for even ease slayeth the foolish, and his prosperitie is his destruction.

Proposition 2.

The second Proposition in this verse is;

2PropositionThe Spirit affirmes the wicked not to bee as a tree planted by the rivers of water.

The words hauehave beene opened before: verily in nothing doth the Palme resemble a wicked person, but their contrarietie is evident. The one is ever, the other never fruitfull; the one flourishes, the other perishes in winter; the one thirsteth after living springs, the other abhorres the waters of life.

For proofe of this point,Proofe. although very cleere in it selfe, and frequently confirmed, read Ier. 17. 5. 6.

And in testimonies the grounds must be,Grounds. first the truth of the matter: and louelove of the truth in the speaker. Now the holy Ghost is the Spirit of truth, who infallibly knowes and constantly testifies all truth:Iohn 15.26. & 16. 13.John 15:26John 16:13 especially being sent by the Father and the Sonne to beare witnesse of the truth, and to lead us into all truth.

1Instruction.1. Seing wee are here taught, that wicked men continuing in their sinfull estate, are not transplanted, nor gra… ted, but still remaine in the old soile of the earthly Adam, p. 190and in their wild Olive: we may thence learne, that no wicked man hath any right or claime to Christ, nor any benefit from his resurrection, death, intercession, or any other his workes to salvation, so farre forth as he is such, and so continues. The faithfull and godly are transplanted into the house of God, grafted into Christ, and from him draw the nourishment of eternall life, that precious sap springing from his death, and killing sinne in them, so also from his resurrection quickning and strengthning them in the life of God. But the wicked not so. Therefore our Saviour excludes them from his prayers, and confineth the fruit of his death to his sheepe:Iohn .17.9. Iohn 10. 15. Iohn 17.19.John 10:15John 17:19 Hee sanctified himselfe for them, which are sanctified by the word. He came indeed to be a Saviour, but to his owne people: Mat. 1. 21. see also Iohn 8. 21. 23. 24…

Sense, reason, and experience will confirme this. For first it is apparant to sense, that as a tree drawes no juice from any soile but that onelyonly in which it is rooted, nor a twig can hauehave other sap, then that which it receiues from the roote, to which it is united: so worldly wicked men, being still rooted and defixed in the world, and being not united to Christ by faith, nor transplanted into the house of God, can hauehave no other affections or actions then are in the wicked world: they cannot hauehave that life which springs from Christ alone. Againe even reason will confirme it. For when through the intercession of some speciall Favourite, satisfaction is received, and pardon proclaimed to all, who renowncing their rebellion, and laying downe their armes, come in, acknowledge their fault, submit themselues, and giuegive their oath of allegiance; those hauehave no benefit of this pardon who performe not these conditions, but continue in their treason: thus our reason will assure us; that the faithfull, and they only, turning from sinne, and subjecting themselues to the word, hauehave benefit from the death, life, and intercession of Christ. And will not our experience also testifie it? For what fruit hath he of Christs death, whom wee see p. 191liue to sinne? Rom. 6. 2. 7. 8. what benefit of his resurrection, who hath no life of the Spirit? what good by his intercession, which are condemned with the world? see Psal. 9. 17.

12 Againe in that a wicked man is not as a tree planted by the rivers of water, nourished by that moisture of life in the word, learne here, that the word of God doth not profit the vnfaithfull, and wilfull sinners, such as go on in their sin. They may hear, know, and vnderstand what is spoken, be able to discourse of it, and dispute by it, but it brings home no life to them, no saving grace.Heb. 4.2.Heb 4:2 The word doth not profite them because it is not mixed with faith. Looke as in earthly treasure, we may see great summes, heare the ring of it, see it told out, know the worth, and quantitie of it, nay hold it in our hands, and carry it to others, yet be no whit the richer by it, unles we own it our selves, and purse it vp to our owne use: so in the riches of the Gospel, wicked persons may hear, read, discern the particulars, and excellencie of it, convey it to others, and be themselues poore, and naked. Men may fit at table, see much varietie of meate, smell it, know the sweetnes of it, tast the goodnesse of it, but if they doe not swallow, reteyne, and digest it, it profits nothing. Thus many sit as the people of God, have some savour, and smacke of some grace, tast the good word, but casting it out againe, and not incorporating it into their soules by an unfained faith, & through obedience, it doth them no good. So in that parable, where the Lord compareth the word to seede,Luke 8.Luke 8 the wicked are resembled to such grounds, as are either stony, and resist it; or haunted with ravenous fowles which devoure it, or over-runne with thornes and briars which choake it. And as moisture is sucked and drawne in by the rootes of tr…es pl…nted by the rivers, but a stone though whelmed in water, yet is wet onelyonly in the superficies or out-side, but within is as before it was; so the heart which is prepared for p. 192the word, drinkes in this water of life, prospers, flourishes, and growes fruitfull by it, but a wicked man though hee may seeme to hauehave his out-side washed by it, yet it never sinkes into his heart, nor soakes into him.

The reasons of this are manifest. 1. There is no passage for the word to enter into the hearts of wicked men; an hard fore-skinne stops up the doo…e, that the word should not get in: see Ier. 6. 10. Their eares are uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken; in which respect that phrase of boaring the eare is used by this Prophet Psal. 40. 6. There is a deadly feod and open warre betwixt the word and the wicked. It will not spare them, nor they it; it is a word to wound, a mighty weapon to subdue them, accuses, reproches, vexes them; they abuse, reject and slander it: hence the Minister is of all other most hated and opposed by them, reviled, and contemptuously abused and abased. Compare Ier. 15. 10. with 18. 18. Nay the word is so farre from bringing them life, that it hurts and kills not of it selfe, but through their default;2 Pet. 3.16.2 Pet 3:16 They pervert it to their owne destruction. For as good meate breedes good nourishment in a good, but noisome humours in an ill stomacke; so the word is the savour of life to the Elect, b…t to others the savour of death. When a pipe lies in a cleere fountaine, it carries along the pure waters to the cisterne, which thence are distributed to every office i… the house: so a sanctified eare conveyes the word to the heart, which thence is sent forth into every action. But, as when wholesome water is brought into a filthy pit, the stinking slime infects it with a noysome and poysoning qualitie: so when that pure and precious word, the water of life, enters into a wicked and rebellious eare, it proues deadly, (and as Physicke that never worketh) the destruction of him, who taking it into his understanding resists it, and suffers it not to worke upon the will and affections: see Ezek. 47. 11. The raine which falleth from heaven, and watereth the earth, bringeth out both good seed and weed with it, so p. 193the word doth not onelyonly nourish good things, that are planted in us, but accidentally through the perversnes of men (sometimes their mis-construing, sometimes their opposition, lusting against it) produceth their filthinesse, and consequently worketh their perdition.

2Reproofe.1. Now heere is fit occasion to rebuke that presumptuous conceit of wicked persons: who being still naturall men, and in nothing changed from their first estate, yet make full account to finde merciemercy in Christ, and never question, nor indeed try their hopes of salvation by him. God forbid (say they) that every ignorant person should be damned.

God is more mercifull then so, more gracious, then you would make us beleeue. True it is, God is more gracious & mercifull then either we can utter, or they conceiue. And that his infinite grace hath he especially declared in that wonderfull expression of it,Iohn 3. 16.John 3:16 giving his sonne to sinfull man, that whosoever beleeveth in him, should not perish but have life everlasting. But his mercies are not disposed according to mensfansies: but according to his owne will, and wisdome. And he hath su…ficiently op…ned this dispensation of his grace, that all men might take notice of it. True also that God hath given Christ; but onelyonly to beleevers, neither ha…h any man any interest in him, or right to that attonement made by him, but onelyonly by faith in him; Christ is receiued by faith Iohn. 1. 12. and continues in us by faith, Ephe. 3. 17. therefore by faith in him we have life, Gal. 2. 20. and whosoever giues not him that obedience of faith shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him, Iohn. 3. 36. But knowledge must goe before faith, and obedience will surely follow it: we cannot beleeue what wee know not, therefore hearing is necessary: and not every hearing, but hearing Gods word preached by his messengers, makes Christ knowne to us, and so works faith. Knowledge is the first step to eternall life,Iohn 17. 3.John 17:3 so that we are strangers p. 194to the life of God through ignorance Ephe. 4. 18 For how should Christ, who is light, hauehave fellowship with darknesse, and not expell it? And obedience doth infallibly attend this saving faith; called therefore the obedience of faith. Rom. 1. 5. and 16. 26. see also Rom. 6. 17. Hence salvation in Christ is onelyonly given unto those, who obey him. Heb. 5.9. and the ignorant, and disobedient utterly cut off from all hope 2. Thes. 1.9. Certaine also is it, that God offers grace to sinners; nay gives eternall life to sinners, and promiseth pardon of sinne, but onelyonly to those who take hold of these offers, and turne away from sinne by repentance, forsaking the world, and their owne wayes, and cleaving to the Lord, walking before him in all uprightnesse, and holinesse: but utterly denies his merciemercy to all such, as neglecting his offers of grace, refuse to turne, and to be purged from their, filthinesse. The 18 Chap. of Ezek: is wholy spent in this subiect: especially observe the 20. 21. 22. 23. 30. 31. verses of that Chap: so also Ezek. 24. 13. Deut. 29. 20 Exod. 34.7.

22. Here may we consider, and judge our great unprofitablenesse. Surely the very elect, and faithfull, and he that is among them the best proficient, will soonest, and with most griefe acknowledg, that when hee hath done all, hee is an unprofitable servant. Luk. 17. 10. For when he considers the lively, and quickning power of that immortall seede, the labour of Gods husbandmen, nay of that great Husbandman him selfe, the dewes, and seasonable waterings of his holy Spirit, the long time he hath beene under this tillage, and compares with these the little fruit, which he hath brought forth, he will soone discover, and with great sorrow lament his barren heart, and acknowledge the cursed soile of his unfruitfull soule: yet may wee comfort our selves in that promise of Christ, that where ther is any true fruit,Iohn 15. 2.John 15:2 that branch shall not be cut off, but purged that p. 195it may bring forth more fruit. But how wofull is their condition, who when they have long enioyed those holy ordinances of God, continue still unmoved from their first estate, and will be no other, then they were at first: How did the word finde them? ignorant of their dutie to God, and men, themselues, and others. And how are they now? more ignorant, and carelesse then ever, wilfully blinde, and walking, even desperately reiecting the light, which is offered unto them.

Oh! that we would consider our owne wayes in our hearts. Doe wee now give up our selves to the service of Christ, in setting out some time for private prayer, and meditating in the word of God, more conscionably obserue the Sabboth, and the times, and places of publik prayer, and hearing the word? Doe wee now learne to detest intemperancie, and weyn our selues from excesse? HaueHave the poore learned of the Apostle, let him that stole steale no more? Ephe. 4 28.Eph 4:28Are the rich instructed that they trust not in uncertaine riches, but in the living God? 1 Tim. 6. 17.1 Tim 6:17In a word, hauehave wee learned to speake every one the truth to his neighbour? to thinke and speake the best? to blesse, to doe good, and that for evill? Alas where doe these fruits appeare? Now br… thren, doe not wee know, and professe the necessitie of these duties? Hath not the word plainely discover'd them to us? and even broke open our shut eyes, that wee could not but discerne them? and yet what are wee the better in our practise then before? Remember the parable of the fig-tree. Luk. 13. 6. &c. Well may it bee, that the Lord will a little longer continue this meanes of salvation unto us; the word of his grace; but if wee continue in our barrennesse, hee will certainly cut off such unprofitable branches,Iohn 15. 2.John 15:2 and not suffer his Church to bee encumbred with us. But how deadly, and desperate is their estate, who grow p. 196worse and worse? who turne the grace of God to wantonnesse, and pervert the Gospell to their confusion, more sharpning themselues to every evill way? The more meanes is used, the more they fall off Esa. 1. 4. 5. and Ier. 9. 3. see the threatning which followes. Certainely this is the condition of very many: They grow every day more shamelesse, and open in the…r sinnes. Drunknesse, and that which followes it, whoredome, nay blaspheming God, despising men after Gods image, lies, slanders, fraud, oppression, and all manner of wickednesse increaseth, and what can insue but destruction of soule, and body? bee not deceived thy selfe wilt not indure a ground, which after much cost, & labour brings forth nothing but beggerie. Read therefore, and remember, and lay to heart what that great Husbandman hath determined concerning such grounds Heb. 6. 8.

33. Those foolish men are here condemned, who hauehave in some measure …eene, and tasted the sweetnesse of the word, and yet doe not constantly converse with it. They can sometimes take a walke by this rivers side, but though they perceiue it a situation of great pleasure, and more profit, they cannot bee perswaded to leaue their old habitation to plant, and seat themselves by it. Many are like great men, who hauehave summer, and winter houses, and retire to them in their seasons. While the storme lasteth, and the clowdy day filles their habitation with griefe, and feare, then they can retire to this rock, and hide themselves under the covert of the word. But if once they see the world smile againe upon them, and the darke cloud blowne over, they returne to the world, where they hauehave seated all their affections.

Verily as some men (who seeme ridiculous to the wise) though they hauehave found neither health, wealth, nor pleasure in their dwelling, yet are wedded, and even glued to it, as being the place of p. 197their birth, and the house of their Ancestours: so wee may see men besotted in the world, and still cleaving to it, not because they finde any reall delight, profit, or content in it; nay they see every day more vanitie in their labour, more trouble and vexation grow on them, but they are borne and bred in it, and the custome of their Fore-fathers carrieth them downe in the streame of worldlinesse.

Looke into the historie of the old Testament, and wee shall finde, that while Gods people claue unto this word, and departed not from it so long they prospered, and enjoyed all the blessings of a Nation; but when they despised this word, and rejected it, many afflictions and troubles consumed them; and when they finally persisted in the contempt of it, they utterly perished and were confounded. God had planted their soules by these rivers of …ife, and their bodies in a Land flowing with milke and hony, the glory of all lands. Ezek. 20. 6 but when they l…ft the first, he cast them out of the second; and sure is it, that we can liue no longer in Parad…se, then we cleaue unto the Lord in his word: the word of God may justly plead with foolish men, as God himselfe in his word;Mica. 6.3. O ye people what hauehave I done to you? Surely I brought thee out of AEgypt, &c. Mee hath God ordained as a store-house, and full fountaine, whence hee will supply all thy wants: would'st thou enjoy t…mporall necessaries?Mat. 6.33.Matt 6:33 Seeke first Gods kingdome, and all these things shall bee cast in to thee. 2 Tim. 3. 15.2 Tim 3:15Wantest thou spirituall wisedome? I make wise to salvation. Esay 50.4.Isa 50:4Art thou in sorrow? I am a word of refreshing to the w…ary Art thou heavie?Psal. 119.50. Psal. 119 93.Ps 119:50Ps 119:93 I com…ort thee. Art thou dull? I quicken thee. Deut. 32. 47.Deut 32:47Art thou dead in sinne? I am thy life; I am an immortall seed 1 Pet. 1. 23. Art thou in state of damnation, and knowest no way out of it?Rom. 1. 16.Rom 1:16 I am the power of God to salvation. Esay 55.3.Isa 55:3If thou wilt plant thine …are by me, I will bring in life to thy soule. Heare, and thou shalt liue. I will bring in all blessings;Pro. 8.33 35.Prov 8:33 blessed are they that heare mee: but p. 198if thou sinnest against mee, thou hatest thine owne soule, and all that forsake mee, louelove death.

3ExhortationLet us seat our soules by these waters of life; bee not foolish: consider that the wisedome of God calleth thee as fast to this dutie, as thine owne flesh from it: shew now thy selfe to be a Christian in following Christ and his advice.Iohn 5. 39.John 5:39 Search the Scriptures in them you thinke you hauehave eternall life: if thou deniest not all the world, and thine owne selfe to follow Christ, Luke 14.26.Luke 14:26thou art none of his. If thou art therefore the servant of God, (as his servants) cleaue to his word Psal. 119. 31. choose it as thine inheritance, Psal. 119. 111.

Remember for motiues to provoke thee to this duty; 1. The practise of all wise men, who if they may choose their dwelling, will looke first to health, and with it (if it may bee) profit and pleasure. This affords thee all: and hence is it, that never any forsooke it, who were once throughly seated by it. 2. The infinite commodities which wee shall reape from thence, and many inconveniences following upon the rejecting of it before mentioned. And remember how steadie a comfort it will bee to thy soule, as at all times, so especially in the evill day, when thou canst say with that holy Patient,Iob 23.12.Job 23:12 I hauehave not departed from the commandement of his lips, & hauehave esteemed the words of his mouth more then my appointed food. And as the Prophet,Ier. 15.15.16.Jer 15:15Jer 15:16 Remember and visite mee, for thy words were found by mee, and I did eate them, and thy word was to mee the joy and rejoycing of my heart.

Proposition 3.

3Proposition3. The Prophet affirmes, that an ungodly man is not like a tree fruitfull in her season, and ever flourishing.

The words hauehave beene sufficiently opened before: we must remember, that by fruit here is not onelyonly meant the p. 199increase of grace in this life, but of glory also in the life to come. And indeed even these of grace differ from those of glory rather in measure, then in kind: the first being yet in growth and un…ipe, the other perfect and mature: surely the highest pitch of mans happinesse even in glory consists in his perfect conformity to the image of God, by seeing him as he is: some other complements are added, but this is the substance: and this estate of grace is but a conti…uall reforming,2 Cor. 3.17.2 Cor 3:17 and transforming more and more to this image, by beholding him in that mirrour of his word.

So the se…se is; The Prophet affirmes, that the ungodly man never attaines either any true saving grace of Gods sanctifying Spirit in this life, or that perfection of glory in the life to come; but whatsoever hee see…es to hauehave falls and perishes.

The proofe is here sufficiently cleered,Proofe. and may bee further confirmed concerning grace;Psal. 36. 1. & 10. 4. 13.Ps 36:1Ps 10:4Ps 10:13 thus in duties to God, they hauehave no feare of God, but are full of Atheisme, and contempt of God: for righteousnesse see Psal. 10. 7. 8. 9. for glorie see Psal. 9. 17. how farre from flourishing and continuing in it, read Psal. 37. 35. 36.

Grounds are here, as before; partly that knowledge which he had gotten in the Sanctuarie, partly louelove, desiring to turne men from death and destruction, to life and salvation: the first gaue him power to discerne; the second will to speake this truth.

1Instruction.1. It is altogether impossible, that ungodly or wicked persons such as follow evill counsels, stand in the way of sinners, sit with scorners, neglect the word and meditation in it, should be …ruitfull in grace, those saving and sanctifying gifts of Gods Spirit. This truth as it is evidently affirmed by the Prophet, so hath it a cloud of witnesses to ratifie and confirme it:Es…y 26.10. Let favour bee shewed to the wicked he will not learne righteousnesse: in the land of uprightnesse hee will deale unjustly, and will not behold the p. 200majestie of the Lord. Ier. 13.23.Jer 13:23Can the AEthyopian change his skinne, or the Leopard his spots, Ephe. 2. 1.Eph 2:1then may you also doe good, which are accustomed to evill. 1 Cor… 2. 14.1 Cor 2:14They are dead in sinnes, cannot perceiue, cannot repent, cannot beleeue. Rom. 2.5.Rom 2:5Therefore the Lord compares them to such grounds,Iohn 12. 39.John 12:39 as either betray, resist, or choake the seed.Luke 8.Luke 8

Reasons further to assure this point, are many and evident. For 1. These graces doe not, n…y cannot spring from nature, but are planted by Gods Spirit, and called his fruits Gal. 5. 22. Now not the Spirit of God, but the Spirit of rebellion worketh in the disobedient, that Prince of the ayre Ephe. 2. 2. And certainely as the sower first with the plough cuts up the weedes by the roote, before he casteth in any good seed into the land; so this great Husband man mortifies in us these earthly members, before he creates the new man: he therefore that continues still in his wickednesse, cannot hauehave this fruit of the Spirit.

Secondly, True saving grace as it is planted, so is it nourished by the word of God; It is a right hearing of the word, and receiving it with obedience, which makes us fruitfull:Rom. 10.17.Rom 10:17 Colos. 1. 5. 6. Faith comes by hearing. The word sanctifies, Ioh. 17. 17. and indeed is the very seed of those fruits Luke 8. 11. Now then, as since the curse which the Lord layed on the earth we find by experience, that our grounds without tillage and seed bring forth no other fruit but weedes, and nettles, briars, thornes, and thistles: so even reason will teach us, that since the curse hath devoured our Fathers, we cannot without this spirituall tillage and seed of Gods word be fruitfull in this harvest: for God hath appointed seed for every fruit, and although he can, yet will not worke without it, where he giues it: now we know that wicked persons hauehave no louelove to this truth, hate it, reject it, and will not yeelde their strength unto it.

Thirdly, The heart of a wicked man so farre forth as it is wicked, is incapeable of these fruits of holin…sse; for p. 201whereas all these graces consist in subjection and conformitie to the law of God, our flesh cannot bee subject to this Law, Rom. 8.7. It is with our barren nature as with some hungry soiles, they must be mended, nay new moulded before they can be fruitfull; that salt of the Sanctuarie must be cast into us, (as into the waters of Iericho) before we can be healed. Looke as that water received into the suspected wife, if shee were defiled, entered into her bowels and rotted her, if innocent, hurt her not, but made her fruitfull. Numb. 5. 27. 28. so this water which we drinke in the house of God, when wee receiue it into a polluted soule, workes to our destruction: but when we (cleered by our high Priest and by him justified) receiue it with a pure affection, it fills us with the blessed fruit of all holinesse.

Fourthly, Wheresoever is this spirituall life of holines it washes and clenses, it will not suffer any sinfull wickednesse to dwell peaceably in the heart, much lesse beare rule or hauehave dominion there.Gal 5.17.Gal 5:17 The Spirit lusteth against the flesh. The strong man is cast out by the stronger, Luke 11. 22.Luke 11:22and his goods spoiled. They therefore who liue in rebellion, under the dominion of sinne, where wickednesse keepes quiet possession (as it is in all ungodly persons) cannot possibly hauehave any fruit of the Spirit. For as where health and life by receit of some good Physicke begin to grow more strong, there nature wrastling with the disease workes to cast out the sicke humour; so when the death and resurrection of Christ are effectually ministred unto us, this life of God being planted in us, struggles against this death of sinne, and will not cease till it hauehave expelled this hellish infection.

Lastly, wickednesse is that qualitie which is altogether contrary and irreconcileably adverse to these fruits of the Spirit, and therefore wheresoever predominant, keepeth out and driues away that by which it selfe is …tterly destroyed. Now in every wicked man sinne hath the upper hand, whence they hauehave their denomination; p. 202the kingdome of God cannot bee setled in the heart so long as sinne and Satan hauehave the scepter. But, as when Ierobam had usurped the Kingdome over the t…n Tribes, he would not suffer the sonnes of David, or any of their favourers to stay in his jurisdiction, and was jealous of every occasion which might giuegive them any hope or advantage to returne to the Scepter, and for this cause cast out the Levites and worship of God, least the people by such meanes might hauehave beene drawne from his obedience: so where wickedn…sse hath dominion it keeps out the Kingdome of Christ, resists the word of the Kingdome, and is jealous of every occasion which might bring in the government and dominion of the Lord Iesus.

22. It is altogether impossible, that wicked persons, such as despise God in his word, and embrace the wayes and counsels of the ungodly, should enter into the glory of God. This the King of glory often avo…cheth.Mat. 7. 21.Matt 7:21 Not they that say Lord, Iohn 3. 5.John 3:5but they that doe the will of the Father, shall enter into the kingdome of heaven. Rev. 21. 27.Rev 21:27Vnlesse a man bee borne againe of water and of the Spirit hee cannot enter into Gods kingdome. There shall enter into it no uncleane thing, &c. see also 1 Cor. 6. 9. 10… Ephe. 5.5. 6. And our reason will manifestly confirme it, especially helped by Gods Spirit. For;

Hab. 1. 13.Hab 1:13First, God is of pure eyes and cannot behold wickednesse, but is a consuming fire to such.Deut 4. 24.Deut 4:24 Looke as in God is unspeakable mercy and grace, which hath opened a way by faith and repentance to this his kingdome through Iesus Christ, so likewise is in him a most pure nature, infinitely averse, nay adverse to all sinfull uncleannesse, a righteousnesse which cannot justifie the wicked, and revenging justice persec…ting the disobedient sinner, and eternally punishing unrepentant wickednesse. Thus hee makes himselfe knowne to us Exod. 34.6.7. Nahum. 1.3.2 Thes. 1.7. 8. 9.

Secondly; The wicked follow such guides, and goe on in such wayes as are altogether opposite to this kingdome p. 203of God: they follow the world, the flesh, and the Devill, carnall, worldly, and devillish men in the wayes of rebellion, which lead to destruction: thus they are here, and every where described, and when they are called to the narrow gate, and the old and good way, they desperately refuse to walke in it.Pro. 1. 31.Prov 1:31 Now every one shall eate the fruit of his owne wayes. see Rom. 3. 16.Pro 5. 22.Prov 5:22 His owne iniquitie shall take the wicked, and he shall be holden in the cords of his owne sinne.

3. The glory of Gods kingdome, which wee shall enjoy with him consists principally of righteousnesse, holinesse, and joy of the holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. And these in their perfection make up the especiall part of our blessed estate. But these are infinitely and unreconcileably contrary to wickednesse, and cannot possibly stand together.

Fourthly, Whosoever enters into the Kingdome of God must passe through Christ, who is the doore, and the way: neither is it possible to come to salvation by any other name, or meanes. But the wicked hauehave nothing in Christ, no part or portion; he prayes nor for the world, but for the faithfull,Iohn 17.9.17 22.24.John 17:9John 17:17 that they may bee where hee is, and the glory which God hath given him, hee giveth them: nay they hauehave no faith, by which onelyonly they are entred into Christ, seing faith purifieth the heart.

Lastly, Holinesse is necessarily required to that glorious vision of God, whereby consists our perfect happines not onelyonly as a condition, but as that nature which enableth us to see him. The superiour and transcendent nature cannot bee perceived by the inferiour; a beast may see the shape, but not the reasonable nature of a man, whereby hee farre surmounteth such creatures: a bodily eye neither doth nor can perceiue spirituall substances, not so much as the soule which dwels with it, and in it, and by which it seeth whatsoever it seeth. Now holinesse is that nature of God in man 2 Pet. 1.4. which giues him power to behold God in his divine nature: and it is confessed that wicked persons are altogether void p. 204of holinesse,Heb. 12. 14.Heb 12:14 and that without holinesse no man shall see God.

33. Learne here not onelyonly that wicked persons abiding in the visible Church, and making an hypocriticall profession, shall by some notable fall discover themselues, and be uncased that all the world may know what they are, but the cause also, why thus they fall off and goe away; they are not planted by the rivers, those running and living waters which continue with them:Ier… 2. 13.Jer 2:13 They forsake the fountaine of flowing waters, to digge themselues pits which will hold no water. Luke 8. 18.Luke 8:18Whosoever hath (saith our Saviour) to him shall bee giuen; nay, hee shall hauehave abundance, and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to hauehave: and therefore addes that caveat, Take heed how you heare. Thus D…mas at length was discovered 2 Tim. 4. 10. As pits get in a little water in the time of raine, which when hot weather comes, is instantly exhausted and dried up: so these men take in some of the word, but not the fountaine it selfe, the whole word.Mat. 18. 7.Matt 18:7 Necessarily must offences come … yea to this end, that those whom God approues might bee knowne,1 Cor. 11. 19.1 Cor 11:19 and others also might be layd open: certaine it is that no hypocrite doth constantly delight in the whol word, or meditate in it, nor intirely giuegive up himselfe to it. For either because it is new and fresh, they rejoyce in it for a season: Mat. 13, 20. 21. Iohn 3. 35. or because their hearts are parched and tormented with the t…rrours of the Law, they will then desire this water of life (as when men are in a fit of an Ague) but after the fit is off, nothing regard it. Thus was it with Pharaoh, so with Zedikiah Ier. 37. 17. And that little which they receiue of it, they doe not receiue with sincere affection as the word of God, but keepe themselues free from it, where they list, yeelding some obedience in some particulars, nay indeed not at all obeying, but rather following some naturall inclinations of restraint put into them by God. Thus doe we see some of them at this day plainely uncasing themselues, and p. 205professing Christ liue like beasts. Others when they hauehave for some sinister ends (as Demas) followed the truth for a time, fall cleane off revolting either to Antichrist, or to the world in covetousnesse and notable profanenes. But many as the Iewes in Iohn Baptist, can for a time rejoyce in the Minister and the word, while they are fresh; or as Herod, till they come crosse of them; but being not planted by the rivers of water, (onelyonly for some respects using a while, but not constantly conversing with the Gospell) in a short space they wither and fall from their profession.

2Reproofe.1. Here first may those wilfully and even desperately blind persons be censured, who being sunke in a deepe securitie against the light of Gods word, and their owne reason, will perswade themselues and presume, that although they grow old in their wickednesse, and liue in open, grosse, & filthy sins, yet hauehave they faith as good as the best, as true a louelove to God as any of them all, a strong hope of their salvation; they hauehave as much feare of God and more then these sermon-men, &c. Now as a man, who being to travaile by night in a dangerous way, where on the right and left hand are many steepe rockes, and fearefull downefalls, should yet refuse a skilfull guide with a lanterne or torch; and further because he would not see his danger, would shut his eyes and winke, were but a foole, worthy to bee begged, and no better then a mad man; and though hee should boast much of his skill and knowledge in the passage, that he could blinde-fold, and in the darke goe as safely, and come as secur…ly to the end of the way, as he that journyed at mid-day with open eyes, this bragging would make him but more ridiculous in the eye of any reasonable man: such are these. God hath given them the lanterne of his word, and direction of his most wise Spirit to guide them, the way is darke, if they stray but a little on the right or left hand, they are dashed in peeces against the stumbling stone, and p. 206fall into perdition: but they refuse the word, hearken not to their owne reason, but following their sense, like bruit beasts, wilfully proceed till they fall headlong into everlasting destruction both of body and soule: would they take the word along with them, they would soone perceiue their wilfull errour: That would tell them; Faith purifieth the heart. Acts 15 9.Acts 15:9Every man that hath this hope purgeth himselfe, as hee is pure. 1 Iohn 3.3.1 John 3:3Purge out therefore the old leaven, that yee may bee a new lumpe. 1 Cor. 5.7.1 Cor 5:7It will teach us; This is the louelove of God to keepe his commandements. 1 Iohn 5.3…1 John 5:3If any man louelove mee, hee will keepe my word. Iohn 14. 23.John 14:23The feare of the Lord is to hate evill.Prov 8. 13.Prov 8:13

Our reason (if we would open the eyes of it) would shew us, that when wee trust upon any for matters of great importance, and hauehave hung our hopes upon him, wee will set our selues to please him, and will do nothing which may kindle his anger, and breed disl…ke of us: that if we louelove and feare our Prince, wee will liue in his subjection, and obedience to his lawes: that if our children louelove and feare us, they will obserue what we commaund, and deny their owne wills to content us: Now what pleaseth our Lord? Mica. 6.7. 8.Will he be pleased with thousands of rammes? will hee be pleased with saying Lord, Lord, and calling our selues his servants? He hath shewed thee oh man, what is good in his sight, and what the Lord requireth of thee; surely to doe justly, to louelove mercy, and to humble thy selfe to walke with thy God, to doe the will of thy Father in heaven: Mat. 7. 21. That humble and subject denying thy selfe, (that is) thine owne wisedome to b…e governed by his word, thy lusts to bee ruled by his will, this is that which God delights in. Now then, when men will fol…ow their owne conceits, and deceits in matter of religion, without the word; when they will walke after their owne hearts, when they cannot bee brought to forsake so much as open, grosse, and palpable sinnes, knowne, and confessed, but still walke in them; is this to walke with God? or can any man who hath any light p. 207from God in his word, nay from his owne reason, not see here his wicked and deceitfull heart that perswades him all is well, when hee is yet in the very bond of iniquitie and gall of bitternesse.

2The carelesnes of men in the weightiest matter which can conc…rne them, must heere be rebuked. They make no doubt at all of obteining the kingdome of God: There is no question, they thinke, and say, of all this; well: what is the ground of this so strong confidence? Certainly it is a Castle in the ayre, without any foundation; but onelyonly a presumptuous conceit of an idle braine: Had the Spirit planted in them this perswasion, the flesh would lay batterie to it, and labour to weaken it, objecting an hundred feares, and shaking it with wavering: nay the Spirit also would make this advantage of the enemie, to use more diligence to make their calling and election sure, 2 Pet. 1.8.9. 10.2 Pet 1:82 Pet 1:92 Pet 1:10by fortifying that which is weake, and adding grace unto grace.Luke 11. 21.Luke 11:21 But this is the device and worke of Satan, that strong man, who having possession keepes all in his peace. The Devill having got them in this his cradle of presumptuous securitie, rockes them in sleepe of sinne by this pleasing dreame: and were their eyes never so little open, that one sparke of spirituall light might enter, they could not but see how they are besotted: For aske them; Is not eternall life the gift of God? They cannot deny it. And on whom doth hee bestow it, but on his faithfull servants? And how doe wee serue him,Luke 2. 74.75Luke 2:74Luke 2:75 but in holinesse and righteousnesse? Doe you thus serue him? Is swearing, profaning the Lords day by doing our owne will, neglecting, nay despising the word, Sacraments, prayer publike and private, are these any parts of holinesse? Is lying, railing, cursing, spightfull dealing, stealing, &c. any part of righteousnesse? Doe you not liue in these or some of these sinnes? doe you keepe your mouth as with a bridle? feare an oath? detest a slander as well as a slanderer? Doe you tremble and rejoyce in the word? do you cōtinue in prayer? &c. Here they hauehave no other refuge, but p. 208those miserable fig-leanes, which cannot hide their nakednesse. Are you (say they) without your faults? wee cannot be Saints on earth, &c.

To reply to these poore shifts. No man liues without sinne, but thousands even all the faithfull liu… not in sinne, they serue not sinne in the lusts of it,Rom. 6.14.Rom 6:14 sinne hath not dominion over them; they follow it not with greedinesse, the least sin of infirmitie, even deadnes & dulnesse of spirit in Gods service is a burden intollerable, and a body of death to them, much loathed and lamented: they neither make a practice of any known sinne, nor defend any committed: they excuse not themselues by others faults, but accuse, judge, and condemn themselues every houre in the sight of God and men also when there is just occasion. Vnderstand then thou vaine man, that the God of glory openeth his kingdome to those,Rom 27.8. that seeke glory by continuance in well-doing, howsoever they are weake and imperfect: but to those that disobey the truth, and obey unrighteousnesse, shall be indignation and wrath. And know there is as much difference betweene thee and many Christians, in whom there is y…t much remainder of sinne, as betweene a day in which are many clouds, and night where there is never a starre: betweene life in an Infant, yet weake, and death in a rotten carkasse.

Againe; canst thou not be a Saint? but know that God giveth this glory to none but Saints. It is the inheritance of the Saints, Colos. 1. 12. None shall see God without sanctitie. Heb. 12. 14. All the members of Christs Church are sanctified, and Saints, 1 Cor. 1. 2. Thou art not chosen to salvation but through the sanctification of the Spirit. 2. Thes. 2. 13. and elected to the portion of sanctitie, befor… the inheritance of glorie. Ephe. 1. 4. Oh, but the merciemercy of God is infinite; True: But alas! what claime hast thou to his mercy, who goest on still in wickednesse, and wilt not bee reclaimed? Those that feare the Lord, merciemercy embraceth them on every side: but those that provoke God with their vanities, forsake their merciemercy. Io…a. 2. 8.

p. 209Proposition 4.

4PropositionThe Psalmist affirmes, that the wicked shall not prosper in their actions.

The words hauehave before beene sufficiently unfolded. The proofe is also plaine, and very often repeated.Proofe. Obserue but that one Psal. 37. and especially in it the 9. 10. 14. 15. 17. 20. 35. 36. 38. verses.

The grounds likewise hauehave before beene delivered;Grounds. Read the 73. Psalme, wherein the Prophet layes downe the meanes whereby hee came to know the miserie of wicked men, whose estate before hee had so much admired.

1Instruction.1. Howsoever to a carnall eye and sense, the estate of some wicked men seemes glorious, yet as well reason, as much more the word of God, will openly discover their miserie and woefull condition. Thus the Wise-man speaking by a farre greater (even the infinite) wisedome of God testifies.Eccles. 8.12. 13.Eccl 8:12Eccl 8:13 Though God prolongs a sinners dayes, yet it shall not be well with the wicked, he shall be like a shadow because he feareth not before God. See Esay 65. 20.Isa 65:20The whole chapter almost of Levit. 26. from the 14. to the 40. verse, and Deut. 28. from the 16. to the end, stand up as witnesses at large to this truth. Compare with those threatnings the issue following: Lay downe that commination first, which wee find pronounced against this people when they had asked a King 1 Sam. 12. 25. Read the story of Gods people and obserue their prosperitie, when enjoying religious Princ…s they kept the Ordinances of God, and squared their practice to his lawes: and the great calamities which fell upon them, when they by the mis-leading of wicked Kings, fell off from the worship commanded by God, to follow their owne devises. What infinite mischiefes and vexations oppressed them in the times of Rehoboam, Iehoram, Ahaz, Manasseh, and such other? p. 210When the tenne Tribes fell away from the true worship of God, and polluted themselues with the Idols of Ieroboam; marke how the Lord followed them with continuall scourges, grievous troubles and afflictions, untill they were utterly consumed. Doe but compare 1 Chron. 21.5. with 1 King. 20. 15. And how easily shall wee there see, how the body of this people strucken by God with an hectike fever, or consumption, languished and decreased, and at length became a very small and poore people. And no marvaile if they soone decayed, for in one battell against Iudah they lost fiue hundred thousand chosen men. 2 Chron. 13. 17.2 Chr 13:17Compare with this, that spoken in particular of a wicked King, Ier. 22. 30. and 2 Chron. 24. 20. Reason also will evidently confirme this truth.

For 1. Prosperitie consisteth not (as wee hauehave seene) in any particular successe of some one, or m…re ends; but of that generall end of all our particular actions: and maine scope of all our endeavours: which if it bee frustrate, makes us the more unhappy. For the more wee hauehave prospered in some intentions, and so now accounted our selues certaine, and almost in possession of our wishes, the more griefe will ensue, when wee see our selues (contrary to our hopes and expectation) carried backe againe, and now farther off then at first. Now we know that blessednesse is the supreame end of all our labours; w^ch no wicked man can possibly obtain, as being neither to be obtained in this life, where the best estate of man is full of vanitie (Psal. 39. 5.) and much vexation: and lesse in the other life, where they hauehave no hope.

2. Prosperitie and successe cannot but in reason proceed from one of these originals, either God, Fortune, or our owne wit and counsell: Now for the counsels of men the Lord evidently and frequently witnesseth,Psal. 9. 15.16. & 7. 14.15. 16.Ps 9:15Ps 9:16Ps 7:14Ps 7:15Ps 7:16 that the foote of wicked Counsellours is taken in their owne net, and are snared in the workes of their owne hands: when they hauehave conceived mischiefe, and traveld with iniquitie, they p. 211bring forth a lie: for hee thinkes to intrap others, but he falleth into the ditch and pit which himselfe hath made, and his mischiefe returnes upon his owne head. As for that Idol and vaine name of Fortune, reason will hisse it out of the stage of the world, and all action. God then onelyonly giues successe and prosperitie, who hating the wicked, will not, nor indeed can suffer them to prosper; howsoever he may in his infinite wisedome giuegive them leaue to enjoy some successe in their affaires, to their destruction and his glorie.

3. Lastly, reason can see the unhappinesse of those, who having restlesse designes and projects all their day…s, at the end of their liues cannot but see all their labour vaine and frustrate.Prov 10. 2.Prov 10:2 The treasures of wickednesse profit nothing.

It will not bee unfit to insert here that discourse of Cineas an heathen Oratour. For when Pyrrhus King of Epirus was sollicited by some people of Italie, to bee the head of their league against the Romanes, while hee sate musing on these affaires, Cineas his gr…at Favourite came in upon him, and desiring to bee acquainted with his thoughts, to which he was never made a stranger: Pyrrhus giues him notice of this embassage, and yet his purpose was to joyne with this people against the Romanes, and doubted not but to preuaile. The Oratour demaunds if he should hauehave the better, what would hee doe then; He answered, that then Sicilie, and Sardinia would bee soone at his commaund. The other consented, but still ask…d, what then should be done; Hereplies, that th…n Africke could not hold out, but might easily be conquered. But Cineas still pursues him with the old question, what he would doe then; He againe answered, that when all these Countries were subdued, Graecia would soone bee brought under his yoke. But being againe demaunded what he purposed to doe then, he apprehending the Oratours intention and smiling replied; Then Cineas, we will rest and be merrie. The Oratour wisely answered, p. 212that may you do now, without all this danger, & trouble to your selfe and others.

Certainely this Heathen by the light of reason easily saw, and excellently taught the miserable folly of wicked men, who projecting beyond the Moone, and vexing themselues and thousands others by their wicked ent…rprises, at length with long fishing catch a frogge, and attaine no more, then what they might hauehave long before enjoyed, with lesse labour and trouble to themselues and others.Esay 57. 20.Isa 57:20 The wicked are like the raging sea, that cannot rest, and yet when his breath departeth, Psal. 146.4.Ps 146:4and he returneth to his earth, (if not before) all his thoughts perish.

22. All the policies, wisest counsels, and subtill devises of men, if they are not squared out according to the rule of Gods wisedome in the word, are very foolishnes, and nothing else but idle dreames of a sottish braine;Esay 29. 16.Isa 29:16 your turning of devises shall it not bee esteemed as the potters clay. 1 Cor. 3.19.1 Cor 3:19The wisedome of this world is foolishnesse with God. Prov… 12. 3.Prov 12:3A man cannot be established by wickednes. 1 King. 11.38. 1 King. 12. 26. 27.28.1 Kgs 11:381 Kgs 12:261 Kgs 12:271 Kgs 12:28That devise of Ieroboam, refusing the advise of God by Abyah, not suffering the people to carry their sacrifices to Ierusalem, & there to worship,2 Chron. 11. 14. 15.2 Chr 11:142 Chr 11:15 thrusting the Priests and Levites out of their possession, as favourers of the kingdom of David, & with them Gods worship; was in the sight of man sound policie, but being opposite to the word, was, and so proved the notablest folly in the world, & wrought the contrary end, not the establishing his house and kingdome as he intended, but the utter subversion of it.1 King. 21.1 Kgs 21 The subtile plot of Iezabel for compassing Naboths vineyard (who by painting her face, had learned to colour her foul murther with shewes of pietie) cloaking perjurie and bloud under the vaile of religion, fasting, and Gods honour, carried a good shew in the eye of man, and prospered in the immediate end, but not in that which she pu…posed: ir was the ruine of herselfe and the whole familie. Achitophels counsell was very craftie, but it snared his owne necke in an halter. Nay even some of Gods children when they hauehave forgot p. 212themselues, and leaving this rule of pietie, searched out wicked policies, hauehave beene brought to much trouble by it; as Abraham endangered his wiues chastitie by his equivocation. David heaped up many mischiefs on himselfe and his familie by covering his adulterie with murther; and Iehosaphats politicke marriage for combining those two sister Kingdomes, proved the greatest affliction that ever that Kingdome tasted. Neither is it possible it should be otherwise: for

First, in all motions the third followes the second, and the second the first: And in the heavenly revolutions, though the sphears of the starres in their proper motion bend from west to east, yet because the first mover is swiftly carried from east to west, these also being drawn along by it in their daily motion, proceed from east to west, though in their yeerely motion they are moved contrary: so howsoever the hearts of men, being prone to all wickednesse, in their own intentions are inclinable to all mischiefe, yet because the most just God sits at the sterne, and directs all the enterprises of all creatures, and carries all their actions to his owne ends, hence is it, that they cannot accomplish their owne purposes, nor bring their devises to effect.

Secondly; Certaine is it that the Iudge of all the world cannot doe any thing unjustly, nor suffer evill;Pro. 21.39.Prov 21:39 Now there is no understanding or counsell against the Lord, therfore though many devises are in the heart of man, Pro. 19… 21.Prov 19:21yet Gods counsell shall stand. And it is ce…taine that God resisteth the …roud, 1 Pet. 5. 5. musters all his forces, and stands in battle-array against them, as it is in the originall: see also Esay 8. 9. 10. and Psal. 9. 15. 16… especially Psal. 33. 10. 11. when all the world, Princes, and people banded themselues, and assembled against the Lord and against his Christ, the Lord derided all their counsell, broke all their opposition,Psal. 2.4 5.6.Ps 2:4 and in spite of their resistance set up his King upon Sion: not by an armie, or by strength, but by his Spirit, choosing the foolish, and weake things,Zech 4.6.Zech 4:6 even a p. 214few fishers, armed with no other weapons, but the net of his word (contemned as folly among men) to confound the wise and strong, and to bring every thought in subjection to Christ.

Thirdly: As is the s…ed, such must bee the fruit; if then the counsell bee evill, the effect and successe of it cannot bee good to any, and commonly is worst to him that conceiues it.Gal. 6. 7. 8.Gal 6:7Gal 6:8 Hos. 8.7.Hos 8:7Hee that sowes to the flesh, shall of the flesh reape corruption. They that sow the wind, shall reape the whirl wind: so that even the experience of all men hath brought it to a proverbe, Evill counsell heapes most evill on the Counsellour. Witnesse that infamous conspiracie of Papists, the most bloody, craftie, malicious, and every way devillish counsell that ever the world heard, which though so long carried with admirable secresie amongst so many, yet was the ruine of the Complotters, and the everlasting shame of that Satanicall Synagogue: who hauehave in an high measure justified it, in canonizing an hand so died in bloud, and so deepe in this savage enterprise, and hauehave fitted a strawie Saint to a religion of stubble; yet thus farre may hee well bee called a Martyr, that he is, and ever shall bee a witnesse to this truth, namely, that the whore of Rome is bloodie, impudent, and ashamed of nothing; and how well Antichrist agrees with Satan, who was a murtherer from the beginning.

33. Learn here what is prosperitie which men so eagerly pursue and hunt after: 1. Therefore it doth not consist in temporal things; were all the blessings of this life heaped upon one person, & grace denied him, though he shall go on in this estate till hee went out into another world, hee cannot be truely accounted a prosperous man;Iob 21. 7. 8. &c.Job 21:7Job 21:8 for wicked men prosper in these things,Psal. 73 12.Ps 73:12 yet no wicked man hath here prosperitie,Ier. 5. 28.Jer 5:28 as here is affirmed, and hath beene many wayes proved. For as man consisteth as well of soule as body, so his prosperitie is as well of the soule, as body. 3. Iob. 2. Nay because the soule is the most principall part; hence prosperitie of body, without that of the p. 215soule cannot make a man prosperous. A man of excellent stature, proportion, and beautie, but a foole is no excellent man. And as in the body if some limbes are well formed, others deformed, he is not said to bee of a comely body; so this lesser prosperitie without the other is nothing. Prosp…ritie therefore esp…cially consists in the welfare of the spirit, when it is in Christ who is the life and salvation of the soule, then it prospers when …t groweth in grace, when it encreaseth in spirituall riches, then that pe…son prospers: but indeed a man who hath Christ, wants nothing, for he is all in all; but hee that is not in Christ, is in want of al things; everything being but a snare to him, see Psal. 69. 22. Ioseph indeed was a prosperous or luckie man, because first his soule was knit to God, a…d so God blessed him in other things. Surely he that enjoyeth Christ, all other things make up his prosperitie, even povertie and any evill of this life.

2Reproofe.1. Here is rebuked that folly of men, who desiring to prosper, yet wilfully take the way which leads to destruction, and turne out of that path, in which God hath promised to giuegive them what they seeke: see Esay 30.15.16. The in…inite examples in the word, and experience by which we cannot but see how miserable the estate of wicked men is, nothing moues them, never opens their eyes to the light of the word, or their owne reason; onelyonly led like beasts by their blind sense, as they esteeme him happy who hath the world at will; so they account him miserable, who is at any time streitned in temporall blessings. This is with them the onelyonly blessednesse, that they may doe and hauehave what they list, this the onelyonly miserie, that they want their will, and cannot hauehave to satisfie their lusts. Thus they doe not onelyonly condemne the generation of the just, and the children of God, but the onelyonly begotten sonne as miserable, and …xalt the wicked and such as contemne God: yea most foolishly beguile and betray their owne soules into th… hand of the world, to which p. 215they hauehave wholy given up themselues. Certainely this is the disposition of carnall men, falsely called Christians, that never thinking of the providence of God, supplying every creature, they are carried downe in the violent streame of worldly lusts, and plunging their soules in the cares of it, make it all their study, spend all their time, and consume their life to provide and lay up for themselues and others that belong unto them. As for the other life, they dream it comes of it selfe without seeking, and that it will meete or overtake them at the end; And building upon an imagina…ie merciemercy of God, such as they conceit, not such as God hath expressed in his word, thinke they cannot misse of immortalitie and glory, specially if they doe not liue in open, grosse, and palpable sinnes.

22. That pride of men preferring their owne wits before Gods wisedome must be reproved; Looke to all kinds of people, wee shall soone perceiue this Atheisme in contempt of Gods counsell and wis…dome, to be spread over all sorts, as Statesmen who frame their policies according to the rule of that wretched Machiavell, and count it a silly thing to take their direction from God in his word, or from the practice, rules, or axioms of state, delivered there in the examples of David, Salomon, &c. to whose counsels if we should compare the policies of this age, they will easily appeare, especially in the successe, to bee but apish toyes, and even ridiculous shadowes of policie. Who could thinke it possible, that men professing Christianitie, should refuse to take advice from Christ in his wo…d, and should follow the practice and rules of Master Nic. Machiavell? If wee looke to Schollers, even those who hauehave given up their names to Christ in the Ministerie, how many shall we see drowned in humane learning? But howsoever no man will d…ny that helpes of the tongues, art, and such studies may be, and are in their measure very profitable and needfull; yet that these should take up not onelyonly the greatest time in the studie, p. 216but all the pulpit, is so absurd in reason, but especially such a paradoxe in divinitie; and aboue all, such a dishonour to the Spirit, that certainely it discovers much Atheisme, and contempt of Gods wisedome.

For even among us (to reserue their place for the Papists) the infinite and ambitious allegations of Fathers, Schoole-men, Rabbies, Poets, and all manner of humane testimonies, and especially with all this, the rare and thinne citation of the word, shewes at the best much foolish ostentation, and little desire of setting up the crosse of Christ in the hearts of the hearers: certainely hee is blind and hath little experience, who hath not observed that studies of Divines entred upon Schoole-men especially, and other humane (though Ecclesiasticall) Authors, but without any constant meditation in the word, and a ground taken from thence, hath beene the Mother and Nurse of so much errour, Poperie, Arminianisme, and such sects. Thus is it with the meaner sciences. Every Tradesman hath his mysteries, so contrary to the mysterie of godlinesse, that every one may see there is a generall departure from God and his wisedome; and everie idle braine preferres his owne wit as a better helpe to prosper, then the rule of God. This folly is the more sottish, because none of them dare deny, but that God is more wise then man, that his providence is over all to reward every man according to his workes.

3Exhortation3. Oh! that men would therefore be perswaded to decline those by-paths, in which seeking prosperitie, they are sure to misse it, and indeed so seeking, eschew and flie that which they seeke; and to search for it in those wayes where it will infallibly meete them. Art thou a Statist, and standest before Kings? advise with that great King, prefer not Machiavel before Salomon, nor the infamous practises of profane and miserable Borgi…, befor… the prosperous and succeeding counsels of blessed David. Ar… thou a Scholler, and aymest at the Ministerie? enter thy p. 218studies in the word, and learne to bee acquainted with the Scriptures from a child, so shalt thou prosper in divine knowledge; and follow rather Paul, the scholer of Christ, then the schoole of Antichrist. Bee not such a foole as to lay the grounds of divine knowledge in humane Authours. Art thou a Tradesman? whatsoever thou art, know that fleshly wisedome is enmitie to God, that frauds, lies, and worldly practises shall not prosper: assure thy selfe,Pro. 21.6.Prov 21:6 that gathering treasures by a deceitfull tongue, or any other evill meanes, is vanitie tossed to and fro by them that seeke death. Arme thy selfe against worldly and fleshly wisedome, by a serious and frequent meditation;Mat. 6.33.Matt 6:33 1. of Gods promise: Seeke first the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse, and all these things shall bee added unto you. 1 Tim. 4. 8.1 Tim 4:8Godlinesse is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and that is to come. 2. Remember the infinite wisedome and providence of God, who cannot but compasse his ends. 3. The actiue power of the Almightie, Psal. 135. 6.Ps 135:6who doth whatsoever hee will in heaven and earth. Mat. 24.35.Matt 24:354. His infallible truth that cannot lie or deceiue. Heaven and earth shall passe, but not one word that hee hath spoken.

Proposition 5.

In the second part of this verse, the Prophet sets downe the cursed estate of the wicked, by a plaine but excellent comparison of chaffe, driven with the winde, where the proposition is evident, namely;

5page missingropositionThe Spirit, and the Prophet by the Spirit affirmeth the wicked to bee as chaffe driven with the winde.

For opening the words, consider what is this chaffe, and what is the resemblance betweene the chaffe and the wicked, and also what answers in this comparison to the winde.

p. 2191. This word chaffe doth not signifie the huske covering the graine, of which though there is not much, yet is some use; but that dust, which by beating of the corne rises from the chaffe, those a…omes (as we may call them) or motes of the chaffe, which are altogether unprofitable, and which we fan out and cast away.

2. But what is the resemblance betweene them?

Not to be curious. 1. The chaffe groweth up in the same field, and is brought home into the same barne with the wheat: so wicked hypocrites are in the same visible Church, and are mingled in the Congregation of the Saints.

2. The chaffe and wheat are both beaten with the same flaile, and the wheat purged by it, but the chaffe turned into dust and filth: so the wicked and saithfull are partakers of the same gracious word, and rods; and the Saints are indeed refined, and clensed by it, the wicked grow worse and worse.

3. This chaffe-dust is profitable no way, noysome many wayes; it hurts our eyes, spreads our garments with filth: thus there is no good to be reaped from wicked persons, but much hurt: they will hinder us in our light, they will draw us to defile our garments.

4. Every Husbandman will separate in his time the chaffe from the wheat: so will Christ make a separation betweene the Goats and the sheepe.

5. Lastly, in that separation the chaffe is destroyed and consumed; so in that day of the Lord the wicked shall bee burned with unquenchable fire.

3. The winde in this similitude is compared to the judgements of God, either in this, or in the other life: in this, afflictions and troubles without and within; in the other, their finall condemnation.

So that the sense is; Howsoever wicked men are in the Church, partakers of the same ordinances of God, yet receiue they no profit by them, but become altogether unprofitable & noysome, therefore God will in his time separate them, & cast p. 219them into utter perdition of body and soule.

Proofe.Proofe: See Psal. 35. 5. Esay 17. 13. Ier. 15.7. Mat. 13. 12.

Grounds.Grounds are 1. In God; Hee seeth not as man seeth, but beholdes the heart;1 Sam. 16 7.1 Sam 16:7 and th…refore that which is highly esteemed by man is despised by God.Luke 16.15.Luke 16:15

2. In the Prophet; his knowledge gotten in the Sanctuarie, which we hauehave so often mentioned.

11. Heere wee learne that a wicked man, or woman is profitable for nothing, but many wayes noysome to all, and in all respects. To that end here compared by the Spirit to chaffe, or dust of chaffe, so in that whole chapter Ezekiel resembled to the wood of an unfruitfull vine, which cannot so much as make a pin to hang up any vessel: and by our Saviour to a tree that bringing no fruit, cumbers the ground.Luke 13.7.Luke 13:7 They are altogether unprofitable Rom. 3 12. In respect of God they bring to him nothing but dishonour. Ezek. 36. 20. Rom. 2. 24. In respect of any country, they are the very banes of common wealths; not onelyonly by infecting whole countries with corrupt manners, as scabby sheepe, but plucking the wrath of God upon it. Ier. 5.7.9. Thus wicked Princes, and namely, Ieroboam brought infinite plagues upon that people.Ioshua 7.Josh 7 One Achan can trouble all Israel, pernicious are they to the families in which they liue, as was that Achan, and infinite others, nay to their owne both soules, and bodies. Pro. 11. 5. 6. The very earth as it was at first, so since is often cursed for them. Esa. 24 5.6. Psal. 107.34. The very earth is defiled by th…m & i… sicke of them, till it hath spned them out Levit. 18. 25… 27. 28. It is also apparent in reason; For 1. Who ca… thinke it possible, that he should be good to any other, who is altogether evil in himself, & for himself? or shoul… bring any profit to any, who is wholy unprofitable? 2. The curse, and vengeance of God cannot but continually follow him, and wait upon him, that as a blessing p. 221comes in with a righteous Ioseph, so with wicked Ahab, and his societie a curse may come to a good Iehosaphat. 2 Chron. 19. 2.3.2 Chr 19:22 Chr 19:33. As their companie is very infectious, so our nature very catching.

2Sin and wickednesse is that which most aviles, and debases a man in the eye of God: neither indeed is there any thing, which iustly breedes, and bringes contempt upon a man but sin, neither any man, or creature so base, and contemptible as a sinfull, and wicked creature. Looke as brasse, or copper mingled with gold, tinne, or leade with silver makes it base, so that it is reiected, and will not goe currant: so doth the wickednesse of a man, or nation: see. Ier. 6.28. 29. 30. Ezek. 22. 18. Psal. 119. 119. They are reprobate silver, brasse, tinne drosse. Nay even holy men (how much more the most holy God) can account wicked men vile, and despise them in that respect. Psal. 15.4. Hence are they called Bastards. Heb. 12. 8. and continually compared to the most abject, and loathsome creatures. To dogs, and swine 2. Pet. 2.22. to Serpents Psal. 58.4. their heart to a raging sea, foaming out mire. Esa. 57. 20 their throat is an open sepulchre belching out stinke, and rottennesse: Psal. 5. 9. Nay indeede to very dung. Mal. 2. 3. and meere corruption Psal. 5. 9. Evident reason will further cōfesse, and confirme this truth For basenesse is nothing else but a degeneration, or fall from that excellencie, which is natiue to any creature. Thus coynes are said to be embased: or men when they are cast downe from any dignitie, or honour, which formerly they enioyed. Now wicked men are wholy degenerate from that exellencie of their creation, being borne Sonnes of God, and deiected themselves under not onelyonly other creatures, but the basest of creatures, Satan, and worse then any creature, Sinne it selfe: being once the rulers over all the creatures, and now become vassals to their owne filthy, and noysome lusts. In which regarde it is manifest, that every creature (the wicked Spirits onelyonly excepted) is far more noble then a p. 222wicked man. Certainely in the …oad, and Serpent, there remaines yet that sense and life in which they were created: But man is altogether dead and rotten, in respect of that life of grace, in which he was made, having lost not onelyonly the noble sense of spirituall seeing, but that necessary sense also of feeling: altogether senselesse in that life of holinesse, in which he was formed at first, and conformed to God. 2. No circumstantiall accident, or qualitie, but such as are inherent can debase, or vilifie any substance. Gold were it covered all over with durt, not the lesse precious: but any mixture of baser mettall makes it of lesse worth. Thus neither povertie, contempt of men, weaknes of body, are any iust causes of despising, in all which estates we reade of heathens honourable in the eyes of their coaevals, and many Christians glorious in the eyes of God, and men: But sinne being once rooted in man, is such an inherent qualitie, as eats out of him whatsoever is perfectly good, as holines: perverting the best natures to most evill; It strips the body of that glory, and maiesticall beautie in which it was framed, and covers it with shamfull nakednes. It robs the soule of all those glorious endowments, with which it was gorgeously apparelled by the Creatour, and brings upon it a most miserable povertie, and loathsome deformitie. Certainely as wilfull rebellion against an earthly Prince, taints the blood, and abases the whole stocke, making them of noble vile, of rich poore, so that they instantly lose all civill priviledge, and preferment, so the treason, and rebellion against the King of heaven by sinne, casteth man downe from that height of dignitie, which he enioyed in his service, and onelyonly by his favour, to the lowest, and basest degree of all the creatures.

3Howsoever wicked men may flourish in the eyes of carnall persons, and even reigne upon …arth in an outward false prosperitie: howsoever they are so mingled in the church, that they cannot (many times) be discerned p. 223by man; yet the judgments of God will surely finde, and single them out, and bring them in due time to utter confusion. This is here somewhat darkly in a comparison, but very strongly confirmed, when they are resmbled to chaffe before the wind: for as the dust of chaff… lies safely with the good graine, while it is not mov…d and stirred, but wh…n it is fanned, or the winde let in, it presently is scattered and pe…isheth: so the wicked in the day of peace, till the Lord arise…h to judgment, lie secure, and seeme to prosper, but when the Lord takes his fanne into his hand, and purgeth his floore, how suddenly are they consumed? Read Ier. 30. 23. 24. Amos 9. 9. 10. Esay 41. 15. 16. Hosea 13. 3. Psal. 92…6.7. and 140. 11. Looke as dogges pursuing an Hare, or Deere, follow incessantly, and though they flie from one starting hole to another, yet never giuegive over till they take and destroy them: so shall the judgements of God pursue the wicked, & though they seeme to escape some evils, yet shall they certainely bee followed till they are utterly consumed.

Thus when Ahab had sold himself… to doe wickedly; first a long drouth and famine findes him out, starts, and pursues him: when he had escaped that, the sword followes him: when there through the merciemercy and long suffering of God calling to repentance, hee had gotten the better, and now by wicked policie had setled his kingdome, and made way to his tyrannie in the bloud of Naboth, the fearefull threatnings of God overtake him, and fill his soule with fright and horrour: when hee now through a fained repentance had winded out of that miserie, yet the vengeance of God so closely hunted him, that in spight of all warnings, he falls by the sword of the Syrians, the dogges licke up his bloud, and eate up all his familie. Thus Iehoram sonne of Iehosaphat (2 Chron. 21.) being a wicked King, is first put up by the Edomites, then hunted by the Arabians, lost his goods, his sonnes, his wiues: lastly a sore and tedious disease overtakes him, p. 224and at length pulls out his very guts with grievous torments: and the reason (a most necessary and infallible cause of this effect) is that justice and office of God, being Iudge of all the world.

2Examinatiō.2. Take hence a sure tryall of thy estate. Thou art borne under the Covenant, and in the Church; but know the chaffe springs and ripens with the graine: thou art a member of the visible Church, the chaffe is brought in with the corne: thou enjoyest the meanes of eternall life, the word, Sacraments, rods in afflictions; but the chaffe and wheat are beaten and sifted together. But therefore passing by such common workes, which agree as well to the reprobate as to the godly, examine and try how these ordinary meanes worke upon thee, and what effect thou seest proceed from them. The flaile beats out the corne, and the fanne purifies it: if then thou art one of those, whom that great Husband-man will gather into his Granaries, the word of God shall separate thee from the heap of worldly men; and it, together with the fatherly chastisements of God, shall continually purge and clense thy heart from the sinfull drosse which is in it. If then thou findest the word, and these rods thus to worke on thee, thou art safe: Dost thou then every day see more cause of dislike in thy selfe, in thy wayes? learnest to abhorre thy selfe, denie thy self, judge thy selfe? Do those chastisements of God weane thy heart from the vanities of this life, and the flatteries of this world? so that thou accountest all things dung in comparison of the knowledge of Christ, his death and resurrection working in thee the death of sinne, and life of grace. These are good signes of life and health: when the wind blowes, dost thou not fli… out of the floore, and embracest the world? Looke to thy selfe, and bee not deceived with th…se ordinarie notes common to good and bad.

31. Those are here cen…ured, that choose rather to bee p. 225the dust of chaffe, then the corne: and will not bee perswaded to come out of that cursed condition. How many are there who flatter themselues in their wayes, untill their abominable wickednesse be found out by the judgements of God? They giuegive up their hearts to the world, follow the sinfull profits and pleasures of it, and will not be perswaded to delight in the word of God, or the good way pointed out by that word; as long as they feele not the curse, (and alas how should they feele, being past all feeling?) they despise the threatnings of God, and lie downe in their mire, which not onelyonly fills them with filth, and prepares them to endlesse miserie, but defiles the land, and brings a curse upon all that are neere them.

22. Those that cannot bee intreated to separate themselues from such companie, wher not only it is impossible to receiue any profit or good, but where they shall surely smart with them. When they heare the warning of Gods Spirit,Pro. 14. 7.Prov 14:7 Depart from the foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lippes of knowledge, they are deafe and stop their eares. Thus wee see many ignorant soules continue in Babylon, till they partake of her plagues, and bring an old house (as we say, and they felt) upon their heads. And many simple people frequent idolatrous houses, of Papists, till at length by Gods just judgement they are snared. Will men yeeld to the voice of God, Pro, 23.20. and 4.14.15.Keepe not companie with drunkards? Doe they presently obey the heavenly warning? doe they not despise these admonitions not of man but of God; aske them, what profit hauehave you by such companie? what credit? doe you not sometimes fall into many inconveniences temporall and spirituall by this societie? Can you bee in the fellowship of the Saints, and of God through Christ, when thus your heart cleaveth to wicked sinfull persons? HaueHave you any right to that holy Hill, when you make much of a man vile, unprofitable, and noysome, and the righteous is contemned in thine eyes? Psal. 15. 4. nothing awakes them.

3. That stiffe unbeliefe of heart resisting this evident p. 2263truth, and resolving to giuegive no credit to it: when wee heare the Wisedome of God witnesse to us,Pro. 12. 26.Prov 12:26 the righteous man is more excellent then his neighbour: doe we seale to this testimonie, that it is true? when we heare the Lord speake so contemptuously of wicked persons, that they are dogges, swine, drosse, filth, corruption; doe our hearts answer, truth Lord, and humbling our soules with that Cananite, confesse our selues no better in nature, so abhorre our owne filthinesse, and uncessantly blesse that glorious Saviour, who hath washed, clensed, and changed us to his glorious image? Oh! how few stand thus affected? witnesse our common behaviour: for are we downe the winde, streightned in a low, base, and despicable condition, and are there any meanes offered to rise, and prefer ourselues? who doth not instantly apprehend and pursue them, be they difficult, be they dangerous, be they almost desperate, venturing our liues by sea, by land to attain to a better estate, though in hope onelyonly? wee will often put our liues in venture, when our hopes are but in peradventure. Are we now got up unto some comfortable or honourable place? doe we know that by want of such or such observances we shall quickly fall againe; but stand and increase by performance of some no hard service: who neglects it? What Farmer obserues not a good Land-lord? what Courtier doubles not his diligence to a bountifull Prince; that he may still enjoy his favour? But now turne your eie upon the behaviour of Christians; the Lord tells us, thou art as base in thy nature as the earth thou treadest on, as the dung thou scornest to tread on: it is sinne makes thee thus base and abject. Desirest thou the true honour and dignitie of my kingdome? know they certainely attaine, that constantly seeke it:Rom. 2. 7. 10.Rom 2:7Rom 2:10 If by continuance in well-doing thou seekest glory, honour, and immortalitie, thou shalt reape eternall life. To every one that doth good, shall bee honour and glory: but to the contentious, and disobedient to the truth, Rom. 2. 8.9.Rom 2:8Rom 2:9and obeying unrighteousnesse, shall bee indignation and wrath: Tribulation and anguish p. 227upon every soule that doth evill. Now when so gracious meanes are offered, who takes hold of them? who giues up his soule to obedience of this truth? who withdrawes his heart from the subjection of sinne? by this wee manifest our grosse unbeliefe and contempt of God, and his word.

44. The cursed securitie of our sluggish nature never trembling at the judgements of God denounced in his word, till they over-take and attach vsus. Is God gracious?Iude 4.Jude 1:4 wee abuse his grace to wantones. Is he patient?Eccles. 8. 11.Eccl 8:11 wee abuse his patience to hardnesse, and encouragement to sinne. Is he silent expecting our returne?Psal. 50.21.Ps 50:21 wee abuse his silence to blasphemie, and thinke him like our selues: nothing moues us till we are arrested by the judgements of God. Oh how farre are we from that melting heart of good Iosiah? we can heare thunders of the law with lesse feare then boyes their owne squibs and crackers; we can see the roddes of God on every hand of us, and …ver feare the same punishment, although we are even in the same, or some worse sinne.

4ExhortationOh then let us be stirred up to abhorre this sinfull vanitie, which turnes us into chaffe, and exposes us to certaine perdition. Say, oh say to thy soule: Dost thou carefully provide against disgrace and contempt of this world, dost thou cast about and find out an hundred devises to under-prop my credit and dignitie on earth? and what? wilt thou suffer me to fall into eternall shame, and confusion? It is sinne, it is onelyonly sinne which can debase mee; povertie, reproaches, despising of men cannot vilifie me, but in the sight of fooles; but rather enobles me in the sight of God, Angels, good (nay even heathen) men. Bend then all thy forces against sinne, and never let that finde any grace or favour in thine eyes, which heapes upon thee all disgrace and scorne in the eyes of God. Destroy it which else certainely will bring thee to p. 228destruction. Vse therefore carefully the meanes; Let that sword of the Spirit bee ever drawne in thy hand to cut off this corruption, which else will certainely cut thee off from GOD himselfe, and all his blessings for evermore.