The Way to Blessedness, Treatise · Part 1
Verse I. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsell of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seate of the scornfull.
The body of this Psalme hath these two especiall members. 1. The double estate of man. 2. The cause of it; both which the Holy Ghost propounds as the strongest incentiues to godlinesse. The first is as a cord of louelove to draw; the second as a whip to driue us. The estate of man is either blessed and happy, or cursed and miserable. The blessed described first more confusedly and generally, in that word Blessed (or as in the Hebrew blessednesses) where thus God reasons with us; Thou desirest to be blessed, all thy actions, all thy wishes tend to this issue: but loe yonder is true blessednes, and I am here ready to be thy Guide, and hauehave to this end lent thee my word, to be a lampe to thy feete, and a light to thy pathes, Psal. 119.105up then, follow me, and I will certainely bring thee to all thy wishes.
Secondly, he points out the way to attaine it: and first that which must be left and forsaken, which is three fold; 1. the counsell of the ungodly: 2. standing with sinners. 3. sitting with the scornefull. Then he sets out the path, which we must take, and walke in: namely, the Word, this we doe as well by delighting, as meditating in it: these are the two feete which carry us in the way to happinesse, and this meditation amplified by the time, day and night; so thus God pleads with us, would'st thou goe in the strait way to happinesse? the shortest cut, nay the onelyonly tract is by holinesse, take heed therefore of those three left-hand paths: thou shalt see ungodly men walke in evill counsell, obstinate sinners stand in perverse wayes, mockers sit downe in the chaire of scorning: all these may seeme to flesh and bloud faire and likely; but take thou heed, turne aside, and enter not into them, and know that they lead thee through vanity to destruction: but loe, there lies directly before thee, a narrow path of meditating, and delighting in the word of God, set in thy foot here, take this strait way, and it shall certainly bring thee to thy desired ends: and know howsoever it seemes at first hard, and much about, thou shalt finde it pleasant, and the neerest way to thy home.
Thirdly, this happy condition of man is more particularly set out to the view, and clearely revealed unto us. 1. by a most elegant similitude of a tree, 1. planted: 2- watered: 3. fruitfull: 4. ever flourishing: 2. by some part of it, namely Prosperitie, where thus againe our Guide confers with us; Lift up thine eyes now, and behold right before thee the joy of life, the crown of thy labours, the haven of all thy desires; see how directly this path leads thee to the true vine Christ Iesus, and grafts thee in him, in whom onelyonly thou art blessed with all spirituall blessings: behold how these waters of the Sanctuary flowing from the well of life, fill thee with fruit, and sustaine thee in a most flourishing estate: consider from the time thou hast constantly set thy foote in this way, I will blesse thee, and make a…l thy wayes to prosper.
In the next place the cursed state of man is laid downe 1. negatiuely, not so the wicked; that is, not blessed, but cursed; not planted, but wilde; not watered, but parched; not fruitfull, but barren; not …lourishing, but withering, and blasted; not prospering, but confounded: 2. positiuely, 1. by a comparison of chaffe, driven by the winde: 2. by a double consequent, they cannot stand in the day of judgement, nor in the congregation of the just.
Lastly he shewes the cause of both… namely, the Providence of God over-looking and over-ruling all creatures where yet further we may heare our gracious God instructing us: Looke yonder, and view well the issue and end of these men, which take the other way, …e further they goe, the further they wander from that which they seeke, they are in a very wildernes, wilde, dry, and barren, see there how they are stubbed up, and cast into the fire:Psal. 73.19. how sodainly are they destroyed, perished, & horribly consumed? Know then the pathes of men are directed by the Lord, waite thou therefore on the Lord, Psal. 37.23. 24.and keepe his way, and hee shall exalt thee, and thou shalt inherit the Land: when the wicked men shall perish, thou shalt see it.
Now in this first verse obserue 1. the way: 2. those that goe in it: 3. their proceedings or journies: every one of these expressed in three severall degrees; In the way marke 1. the entrance, counsell: 2. the continuance or progresse, the habituall practise of sin more specially here called the way: 3. the uttermost extent of it rest or seate.
The persons of wicked men going in this way, are either the ungodly (dissolute careles men,Phil. 3.19. whose belly is their God, who mind earthly things) hypocrites and Atheists in heart, who hauehave given up and sold themselues unto the world: or 2. the sinner, the notorious customary sinner, who proclaimes his sinne as Sodome: 3. the mocker, who derides, and makes a jest of Religion: Lastly, their proceedings are metaphorically expressed by those three positions of the body, walking, standing, and sitting.
This then is the first proposition offering it selfe to our consideration.
Proposition.The Prophet pronounceth them blessed who walke not in the counsell of the ungodly.
Wh…re some words had need to be unfolded. 1. That word Blessed, is of the plurall number in the originall, and literally should be rendred Blessednesses: for blessednesse is the summe of many particular blessings, and may be considered, either in the beginnings or perfection of it. The perfect blessednesse consisteth in a full removall of all evill, and ceaseles enjoying all that good of which we are …pable. The imperfect blessednesse may stand with many evils, but requireth such proportion of good which out-weighs the evill for the present, and will at length certainely end in perfection.Mat. 5. 11. For our Saviour doubts not to pronounce those blessed, who are grievously persecuted; and the reason is,Rom. 5. 3. & 8. 18. because we rejoyce in tribulation, and the present afflictions are not worthy of the glory which shall be shewed us: nay, he affirmeth those that mourne blessed;Mat. 5.4. and such as hunger and thirst for righteousnesse; and obserue the reason there given by our Lord, because (though they are not yet) they shall bee satisfied. Thus the eternall Truth, who is blessed for ever, and the fountaine of all blessings, and blessednes, doubts not to stile those blessed, who prest with much evill, yet hauehave more comfort, and though yet imperfect, shall in time attaine perfection.
2 Walking, is a common metaphor in Scripture, signifying our conversation and frame of life. The body is said to walke, when the feete carry it from one place to another; so when our affections and desires moue us from the practise of good to evill, or from evill to good, we are said to walk in it: thus to walke after the Law, is to frame our conversation to the direction of the law, Act… 21.24.to walke after the spirit, is to square our actions according to his rule in the Gospell.
3. Counsel may be here takē either for the devise which men follow themselues, or advise which they giuegive us.
4. The ungodly are such who hauehave no true knowledg of God, to feare, trust, and louelove him, but either openly in word (as some) or as more in their deeds proclaime their Atheisme of heart, or else closely deceiving others, and many times th…mselues (as those Scribes and Pharises hypocrites) under profession of religion bury a dead & rotten heart. This then is the …ense of the words. Whosoever forsakes the advise which Atheists and hypocrites take themselues, and giuegive others; and avoid them, not conversing, or framing his life with them in their course, he is already in a blessed estate, not indeed of perfection, but yet such as here out-weighing any evill, will surely bring him to perfection.
This is proved by frequent testimonies:Proofe. forsake your way you foolish, and you shall li…e and walke in the way of vnderstanding. He that desires to see good must eschew evill:Prov. 9.6. so our Saviour, blessed are you when they separate you: Psal. 34.12. 13. 14.see also 2 Cor. 6. 17. 18.Luke 6. 22.
The reasons of this speech in the Prophet may be divers 1. His knowledge gotten in the Sanctuary,Grounds. where he clearely saw his former errour. He (as most men) was not a little shaken, with seeing some outward prosperity, and glorious paintings of happinesse in wicked men, but when he came into the sanctuary of God, Psal. 73.17. 18. 19.the veile was taken from his eyes, & he discov…red their misery. 2. His experience of this worke of Gods providence,Psal. 37.35. 36. I hauehave seen the wicked strong, and spreading himselfe like a greene bay tree, yet he passed away, and lo… he was gone, and I sought him, but he could not be found. 3. His compassion and pittie to wandring soules, carried away with the vaine pompe, and seeming prosperity of the wicked. 4. The spreading nature of grace, wherewith his heart was seasoned, which contrary to earthly happinesse, delights lights to impart it selfe to others, as knowing that maine difference betwixt earthly and heavenly riches, that the earthly are diminished, the heavenly multiplied by distribution.
Instruction.These may be the grounds of this action in the Prophet, whence we learne first this Instruction;
As long as thou livest in this wicked world, thou shalt not faile to heare wicked counsell; ungodly men will be at both eares, and not cease to giuegive thee such advice, as may provoke to lewd and ungodly courses. Thou shalt heare the profane Atheist (perhaps more covertly, yet to the same purpose) perswade thee:Iob 21.15. Who is the Almighty that we should serue him, and what profit should we hauehave if we should pray unto him? Mal. 3.14,15.It is in vaine to serue God, and to walke humbly before him: the proud are blessed, and they that worke wickednes are set up, and they that tempt God, are delivered. Thou shalt heare the unrighteous man intising:Pro. 1.11,12, 13, 14. Come with us, we will lay wait for bloud, and lie privily for the innocent without a cause; we will swallow them up aliue, like a graue, evē whole, as they that go down into the pit: we shall find all precious riches, and fill our houses with spoile. Cast in thy lot among us, we will all hauehave one purse. Thou shalt heare the intemperate man perswading:Isay 56. 12. come I will bring wine, and wee will fill ourselues with strong drinke, and to morrow shall be as this day and much more abundant: 1 Cor. 15. 32.Come let us eat and drinke, for to morrow we shall dye. That malicious enemy of man is a cunning fowler; he hath ever his stalking horse by him, and when he hath taken any captiue soule, he makes it a stall to invite others: most forcibly he allures, when he is least seene; therefore will he ever shroud himselfe there, where he is least suspected: he will hide himselfe behind some good friend, who wishes us well;Gen. 3. 6. he will borrow Eves hand to reach the apple to Adam, and his wiues tongue to shake Iobs patience,Iob. 2.9. hee will abuse his well-meaning friends by planting in repentance, to roote out his faith.
Thus he covered his serpents sting in Peters tongue, Master spare thy selfe: Mat. 16.21, 23.thus did he ever, thus doth he now, but then especially will he try all his wits, when he sees thou beginnest to suspect thy way, and now fearest that this broad path leades thee to perdition. If once it come into thy heart, by the motion of the Spirit in his word, to put off this forme and carkasse of godlinesse, and to labour for the life and power of it, instantly he will set before thee the straitnesse of this narrow gate, by which thou must passe; where thou must lay downe thy profits, pleasures, and bid them farewell for ever: he will tell thee of a tedious and irkesome way overgrowne with thornes, and briars, skornes and scoffes of men,Psal. 35.15. tearing, and ceasing not, hate there, where thou expectest, and hast hitherto enjoyed much louelove, and perhaps deserved it: and when once hee hath softned thy heart by these, and many other such suggestions, he will send in some of his Agents to speake for him, and strike while it is hot: many times such, nay most frequently such that know not what they doe, a parent, a childe, a friend, a wife, that shall skrue into thy heart with pleasing insinuations and speake words welcome to …sh and bloud: as, why will you enter into such an austere and sowre kind of life? there is no joy, no solace in it; many by these courses hauehave come to much sorrow of mind, and never knew merrie houre after: What? Thinke you that none but such strait-laced creatures can enter into Gods Kingdome? Doe you not see your Father, a wise man, this, or that scholler, such, or such a Minister use no such spiced conscience, and yet make no doubt but to do as well as you, and come to heaven before you? It is not amisse, will some say, that you are turned into the right path, but why goe you so fast? It is good to use temper and moderation, Be not righteous overmuch; such hot spirits soonest tire, and seldome hold out. Thus will he labour to quench the Spirit, and first …ndeavouring to rake up those sparkes of that fiery Baptisme, under the cover of more stayednesse, and better temper, will soone bring thee to luke-warmnesse, and a little after drowne and freeze thy heart in a deepe securitie, and so one devill being cast out a while, brings in seaven other worse then himselfe.
When the heart is salted with grace, it seasons not onelyonly the whole man, but desires also to spread it selfe further to all other, with whom he converseth. Hence the Kingdome of God is compared to leaven, Mat. 13.33.which is hid in three peckes of meale, till all is leavened.Marke 9.50. Fitly is grace resembled to salt, which hath not onelyonly seasoning in it selfe, but imparts it to any thing that toucheth it:Psal. 34. 8… 11 Thus here the Psalmist having purged out that old leaven, and entred into the new lumpe, both here and every where invites and puls on others to the same condition. Thus is it with all the Saints, when Andrew had found Christ, Iohn 1. Iohn 4.he drawes along with him his brother Peter … when Christ had called Philip, Philip cals Nathanaell … the woman of Samaria invites all her Towns-men. Doe but find one gracious man, who hath received this treasure, and hides it up in a napkin? No certainely; Grace is a Baptisme of fire, which catcheth any thing that is neere, and kindles it with the same flame, spreading, and stretching it selfe round about. And as the naturall life in all creatures desires to impart it selfe, and to bring forth the like; so especially in this new creature, (as being farre more good, and therefore more communicatiue.) Hence also is it, that the Prophet describes the calling of the Gentiles by their mutuall exhortations, and inciting one the other: Come let us goe up into the mountaine of the Lord, and he will teach us his wayes, and we will walke in his pathes, and presently after the Prophet from an holy zeale and emulation cals out to his Country-men:Esay 2… 3.5. O house of Iacob, come, and let us walke in the light of the Lord: as if he had said; O yee Israelites, shall the Gentiles, forreiners, and strangers, flocke and flow to the house of God, to giuegive up their names to Christ by thousands into his army: and shall we Natives, his owne people, his flesh, stand still? Shall the wild Olive be grafted in, and we the naturall branches be cut off? Shall those starved creatures, from their hunger, crowd him, thrust and throng him, and snatch the Kingdome of heaven with violence: and shall we who hauehave tasted and knowne his infinite sweetnesse, goe away emptie? O no; for shame, if not for glory, plucke up your feete, mend your pace, follow me, and let us never suffer, that we who hauehave set out so long before them, should now be cast behind, and come short of the goale. Compare that parallell place with this:Zecha. …. 20. 21. Thus saith the Lord of Hoasts, that there shall yet come people, and the inhabitanes of great Cities: and they that are in one Citie, shall goe to another, saying: Vp, let us goe and pray before the Lord, and seeke the Lord of hosts: I will goe also. In which words he that hath an eare cannot but heare the new-quickned soule, enlivened in the first resurrection, call unto such as are yet dead in trespasses, and buried in the graue of their lusts:Prov. 6 9. How long wilt… thou sleepe O sluggard? … when wilt thou arise out of sleepe? The day spring from on high hath visited us; Luke 1.7.….Awake thou that sleepest, Eph. 5. 14.rise from the dead, and Christ shall giuegive thee light. 1 Thes. 4. 10.The Lord himselfe is descended from heaven with the voice of that Arch-angell of the Covenant, and with the trumpet of God. Iohn 3. 19.Open thine eyes, and see that great light is come into the world, and shall we louelove darkenes more then light, Because the graue could not rise up to life, therfore life is come downe into the graue: up then let us lay downe the body of death, and joyfully together runne into his embraces.
Certainely as that woman in the Gospell,Luke 15. when she had lighted up a candle, swept, and searched her house, and at length found her money, could not hold in her affection, which brake an open passage from the heart to the mouth, calling others to rejoyce with her: so when the eyes of our minde, by the light of GODS word hauehave found out that heavenly treasure, it fils (as new wine) the heart with gladnesse, and it must hauehave vent. As this Prophet, (I beleeved, therefore did I speake) so will it be with the faithfull. We also beleeve, and therefore we speake.Psal 116. 10.2 Cor. 4…13.
Whosoever desires to be happy, must avoid the company of wicked, and worldly men, and take a course of life altogether contrary. That there must be a separation… is most evident; Come out from among them, and be ye separate;2 Cor. 6. 17. but how farre it must be stretched, is necessary to be a little opened. 1. Therefore in respect of place, a separation is not exacted: we must goe out of the world, if we thus separate. 2. nor much lesse in exercise of Christian duties:1 Cor. 5.…0. that were manifestly impious; David did not run out of the tabernacle, when he saw Doeg ther: the …ares shall grow with the wheat, neither will the good corne plucke out it selfe, because the weedes are mingled with it:Mat. 25.32. that separation is reserved for the last day… as a part of our perfect happinesse. But this separation must be first inward in the heart: as a bodily eye cannot see a spirituall substance, so a carnall man cannot with a fleshly eye perceiue spirituall things, hence he judges them foolish.1 Cor. 2. 14. The spirituall man by a spirituall light seeth and acknowledgeth it to be the wisedome of God: And we speake wisedome among them that are perfect, not the wisedome of this world, 1 Cor. 2. 6, 7.&c. but we speake the wisedome of God: here is a manifest separation in understanding and judgement. 2. The carnall person savours the things of the flesh; he feeles no sweetnesse, no relish in those spiritual dainties,Rom. 8. 5. but embraces the present world, and takes his portion in it. Contrary,Rom. 8.5. the spirituall man savours the things of the spirit: how sweete are thy words unto my taste, yea sweeter then honey unto my mouth! Thy testimonies hauehave I taken for an heritage for euer: for they are the rejoycing of my heart: Psal. 119.103 111.here we see a palpable difference and opposition in their will and affections: Againe there is an outward and more open separation in their externall actions: the worldly man as he hath his treasure and heart, so likewise his conversation on earth, he mindes earthly things, even in heavenly affaires; but the others conversation is in heaven. Looke first to their speech… Phil. 3.19…20.Psal. 5 9.you shall find the mouth of a carnall man an open sepulchre belching out stinking breath in oathes, curses, lies, slanders, making nothing of idle, jesting, wanton, and rotten talke: but even vaine, and idle, how much more unsavoury and rotten speech must not once bee named among Saints:Ephe. 5.3,4. he must turne the current of his words to edification, to minister grace to the hearers, his speec… must be alwayes in grace,Ephe. 4. 29… seasoned with that salt of the Sanctuary, that it may bee a pleasing and acceptable sacri…ice:Colos. 4.6. and because he knowes it an untamed monster, Iames 3. 7,8.not to be subjected by man, he cals to him for helpe, who is able to subdue all things to himselfe:Psal. 141. 3. Set a watch O Lord before my mouth, keepe the doore of my lips: the like contrariety shall we find in all their actions. In their society also and company there must be a separation. For 1. in generall, we may not delight in such (as they are such) with some we may & ought to converse, while we hauehave hope to do them good: thus our Saviour with Publicans: so likewise with Princes, Parents, Masters, under whose authority God hath subjected us. 2. Howsoever we may relieue bodily necessities of the most wicked men, and obstinate in their wickednesse, of whose conversion we hauehave no hope, yet must we (as much as duty to God and man, and civility will giuegive leaue) avoid them.Tit. 3.10. Reject an heretike after once or twice admonition: but now hauehave I written unto you, not to keepe companie, 1 Cor. 5.11.if any man that is called a brother bee a fornicatour, or covetous, or an idolater, or railer, or a drunkard, or extortioner, with such an one no not to eate. 2 Thes. 3.14.If any man obey not our word, note that man, and keepe not company with him. Consider the disposition of this man,Psal. 139.3. & 26. 4, 5. a man after Gods owne heart: O that thou wouldest slay the wicked: depart from m…e you bloudy men. I hauehave not sate with vaine persons, neither will I goe in with dissemblers. I hate the congregation of evill doers, and will not fit with the wicked. …useb. l. 3. …. 25It is recorded of S. Iohn the Apostle, that he would not stay in the bath, where he saw C…rinthus a father of heretickes:Id. l. 4. c. 14. and of Polycarpus his scholler, that when he was saluted by Marcion, a notorious hereticke, and demanded in a familiar manner if he knew him, he instantly answered, I know thee the first-borne of Satan: so Paphnutius an holy Confessour, would not himselfe, nor suffer Maximus Bishop of Ierusalem to tarry in the Councell assembled against Athanasius. Neither should any man thinke this strange; For we wonder not to see sheepe runne from wolues, or dogges, to their flockes, or not converse with swine: wel might we wonder to see doves sort themselues with kites or crowes. Christians are the sheepe of Christ (Iohn 10. 11.) his doves, (Cant. 6. 8. Isay 60. 8.) all men chuse their company either for likenesse of affection or for some pleasure, or profit which they either doe, or hope to receiue from such societie. But as Christians are new creatures, most contrary to other men, (these darkenesse, those light, Ephe. 5. 8.) so can they expect no pleasure or profit by seeing, or hearing God dishonoured, and their holy profession slandered. Remember the Apostles admonition,Ephe. 5.11.12 HaueHave no fellowship with the unfruitfull workes of darkenesse, but reproue them rather: for it is a shame to speake of those things, which are done of them in secret.
The Elect of God not onelyonly shall be hereafter, but are already blessed.
For as here the Prophet, so else-where our Saviour determines, that for the present they are blessed; even when they are under persecution,Mat. 5. 11. Blessed are you when men persecute you, &c. Nay, without all question, if in this respect we compare them with other men, though it may seeme a paradoxe, it cannot be denied, that there is lesse distance betweene a Saint on earth, and the blessed estate of Saints in heaven, then betweene the condition of wicked, and holy men even in this world.Eccle. 9.4. Better is a living dog, then a dead lyon; happier is the poorest Lazarus raised from the death of sinne, then the most stately Epicure who dead in sinnes, rots in the graue of his lusts. Who can deny, but that there is more difference betweene the dead and the living, then between the weake & strong? Now the blessednesse of man consists in this especially, that he is partaker of the divine nature, and the life of God.
As therefore the new-borne infant hath life as well as the best growne, so hath the faithfull, who is begotten of God, and borne anew, the true blessednesse, though he is short of perfection. True it is that to a carnall eye there is no such appearance; the fleshly and worldly man discernes no such thing: nay, he takes the godly man to be the most miserable on earth; and no marvell, for how should the lower nature reach up to the higher, and transcendent? How should a tree conceiue of sense, or a beast of reason? The naturall man therefore who perceiues not this spirituall estate, nor cannot conceiue aright of it, may easily applaud himselfe, and despise that which he knowes not: but the higher nature comprehending the inferiour, can rightly judge of both: man easily discernes betweene sense and reason, and knowes well which is to be preferd. Search all the world, and thou shalt never find a Saint,Heb. 11. 26. who prizes not the rebuke of Christ, before all the treasures of Egypt. And that we may better see this blessed estate of a true Christian, and with more thankfulnesse remember it, doe but consider a little his present condition; weigh together the evill yet pressing him, and the good comforting; Thou wilt say, he is full of sorrow and mourning, but, blessed are they that mourne: he feeles this godly sorrow to be such, as he repents not of it;Mat 5. 4. he knowes that it is better to goe to the house of mourning, then to the house of feasting. Eccle. 7.4.Thou perhaps dislikest his condition, as being bound, and wained from earthly and worldly delights and pleasures: but first he knows his liberty, in any lawfull use of the creature, and for abuse, in which the worldling hath set all his joy, he accounts, and indeed knowes it to be a deadly poison, a toad, a serpent, as venomous, as loathsome, and as much detesteth, as any can approue it. Thou wilt say; None are so obnoxious to injurie, to contempt, and despight of all men:Mat. 5. 11. 12. he knowes all these troubles to be as so many gemmes set in his crowne of glory.2 Cor. 4 17. Thou wilt adde, besides these outward fightings, how many terrors are there within: but he will tell thee, he is one of the Israell of God, and in all these wrastlings with men and Angels shall prevaile:Rom. 8. 38. so that nothing neither life, nor death, principalities, height, depth, things present, or to come shall separate him from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Put now in the other ballance those particular blessings which make up his happinesse here on earth: doe but goe along with him, while he leads thee through the pallace, or rather temple which God hath built within him. First, thou shalt see a little heaven in his understanding, wherein all those bright starres of the Apostles and Prophets shed their beames, nay, where Christ himselfe, that great Light and Sunne of the world is risen; looke into his heart, and thou shalt see a little paradise, planted with all choice, immortall, and heavenly fruit, and in the midst God himselfe walking; even a third heaven, where in the throng of Saintly thoughts God himselfe hath set his throne. Thou mayest (perhaps) see some battles against sinne, wrastlings with corruption, combates with principalities and powers, but with God a most sweet peace,Phil. 4.7. a peace which passeth all understanding.Psal. 45. 13.
In a word, thou shalt find him all glorious within, rich, and stored with much abundance and infinite wealth:1 Cor. 3.22. Whether it be Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are his: nay, he that is all in all, God is his. The Father hath already begotten him to himselfe: Christ is his head:Iames 1.18. the holy Ghost his comforter,Eph. 1. 13. 14. 22. and earnest of that glorious inheritance purchased for him: the Father so loved him, that he hath given him his onelyonly beloved Sonne; the Sonne so honoured him, that he hath bestowed his life upon him, and parted with him his Kingdome: the holy Ghost so delighted in him, that he dwels in him, enlivens him, leads, sustaines, strengthens, and will never forsake him, till he is enthroned in heaven. No marveile therefore if blessed Augustine feared not to affirme;A…g in Psal. 148. It is more that he hath already done for thee, then what he hath promised to doe: what hath he done? he hath died for thee; what hath he promised? that thou shalt liue with him; It is more incredible that the Eternall should once die, then that thou a mortall should'st liue for ever. He hath promised heaven, but given the Lord of heaven and earth; Certainely, he that ponders these good things which the faithfull already possesse, shall soone find them more weighty, then any evill which now they suffer.
Every teacher may here learne his method of instructing, and every learner is here taught the way of profiting. Dost thou teach the way of holinesse? Begin with the end of the way, & make thy scholler to see the goale, before he sets out to the race: point out to him, and leaue him not, till he discovers and views the crowne of blessing at the end of his course. Art thou a scholler in the schoole of Christ? Get this first lesson by-heart, that he is blessed who is indeed a Christian: know, and ever remember that man may teach thee to preserue a whole, or repaire a decayed body; how to secure thy earthly estate, or wring it out of the hand of a griping oppressour: but thy soules health and happinesse is onelyonly taught by God: and no humane science will presume to lead thee …o true, aud everlasting blessednesse, but one, even this of the heavenly Doctor: thus he here teacheth thee in the Psalmist, Blessed is the man, &c. Thus also that Eternall Wisedome in that wise Salomon instructs thee, blessed is the man, that keepes my wayes, blessed are they that heare mee, Pro. 8.32,33, 34.watching daily at my gates, and giving attendance at the posts of my doores, for he that findeth me, findeth life. Thus when himselfe in person, and in our flesh became our Teacher, hee enters us with this first lesson;Mat. 5.3,4, &c. Blessed are the poore in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdome of heaven: Blessed are they that mourne &c. And indeed it is the especiall point of art to inflame the learner, and fire his heart with desire of that knowledge, which we professe to teach: which cannot be otherwise, or at least better effected, then by propounding some necessary or excellent fruit, or consequent of it. And in every reasonable Agent, the end must be first in the mind, nay continually in the memory, if they will proceed orderly: common experience makes us see, that while we hunt for any thing upon a cold sent, (as they say) we are but coldly affected, but when we are in view, we follow eagerly.
When Moses had him in his eye who is invisible, and saw in his hand that recompence of reward, Heb. 11, 26, 27.with what courage could he breake through all impediments, the riches and pleasures of AEgypt, the fiercenes of the King &c. Thus Christ himselfe fastning in his heart the joy and honour prepared for him at the right hand of God, indured the crosse, and despised the shame:Heb. 12.2. such therefore as are Vshers in the schoole of Christ, let them obserue this rule of the great Master; remembring that the Scripture was given to instruct, that the man of God, might be perfect in every good worke:2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. and whosoever art a Christian, if ever thou desirest to be a proficient in this study, stampe in thy heart, and print in thine eyes this lesson, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsell of the ungodly, &c.
Examinatiō.Try here what progresse thou hast made in the way of happinesse: hath God separated the light in thy soule from the darkenesse? this is the first worke of the spirit in the new creation:Gen. 1.4. hast thou at least so much light, as to discerne with griefe, much darkenesse in thy heart? Hast thou attain…d to that steppe of wisedome, to know thou knowest nothing as thou oughtest to know? 1 C… 8. 2.and therefore callest for knowledge, and cryest for unders…anding: Pro. 2. 3.dost thou from sence of blindnesse lift up thy voice to that light of the world,Mat. 20. 30, 31. thou Sonne of David hauehave merciemercy upon me. If men discourage and rebuke thee, dost thou so much more cry out, thou Sonne of David hauehave merciemercy upon me? throw away all impediments to come unto Christ that he may giuegive thee light? Pro 2. 4.Dost thou seeke for wisedome as for silver, Rom. 8.5.and search for it as for treasures? what savour hast thou in spirituall things? Is the louelove of God to thee better then life? Psal. 63. 3. Psal. 119-103 72.Is his promise and word sweeter then honey, or the honey-combe? more precious then all riches? Hast thou esteemed the word of his mouth more then thy appointed food? Iob. 23. 12.Canst thou long for the house of thy God? having chosen him the portion of thine inheritance, Psal. 84.2. Psal. 16. 5…6.dost thou rej…yce that the lines are fallen unto thee in pleasant places? Mat. 16. 17.Know th…n flesh and bloud hath not wrought this in thee, but thy Father which is in heaven. 1 Iohn 3. 14.Consider thy companie,Psal. 16. 3. hast thou loved the Brethren? Is thy delight in the Saints, and them that excell? Though thou art great, canst thou abase thy selfe to bee a companion of all those that feare the Lord, and keepe his precepts? Psal 119.63. Psal. 31. 6.Canst thou hate those that hold of superstitious vanities, and say,Psal. 119.115. Psal. 15. 4. away from me you wicked, for I will keepe the Commandements of my God? Is a vile person contemned in thine eyes, but thou makest much of them that feare the Lord? when thou chusest a companion of thy life, canst thou thinke favour deceitfull, and beautie vanity, Pro. 31. 30.and take to thee a woman that feareth the Lord? when thou art a Master, dost thou set this as a law, there shall no deceitfull person dwell in my house, he that telleth lies shall not remaine in my sight? Hee hath put the sword of Magistracie into thine hand, wilt thou use it as this King?Psal. 101.7. Psal. 101. 5,6. Him that privily slandereth his neighbour will I destroy, him that hath a proud looke, and an high heart I cannot suffer: mine eyes shall be upon the faithfull of the Land. Then know who hath separated thee, even that great Shepheard, who hath given himselfe for our sinnes, that he might deliver us from this present evill world. But if it bee otherwise with thee, know surely, thou hast not yet set footing in this way of happinesse, but art miserable, poore, blind, and naked.
Reproofe.Now here come under reproofe all such who giuegive any ungodly counsell, especially such as labour to withdraw any Christian, either from following those good motions, which are first cast into them by the Spirit, in hearing the word, or from the service, and first louelove wherewith they hauehave entertained the Gospell, yet not all alike. For some from weakenesse, and unwarinesse, being holy men, are themselues ensnared by Satan, & made his instruments to bring on others.
Thus the brethren of Ioseph counselled, and encouraged one the other to murther.Gen. 37.19, 20. Iobs friends bent all their force to plucke away Iob from the fast hold he had laid on the Rocke by faith, never discovering the Devill at the end of the rope.Mat. 16.22. Thus did Peter when he heard that bitter reproofe, Goe behind me Satan: and againe when he was rebuked by Paul for that dissimulation, whereby many Iewes and Barnabas himselfe stept not with a right foot in the Gospell. These may justly be blamed for keeping no better watch over Satans enterprises, & not more narrowly marking his fingers. Thus now many Saints are circumvented by him. To instance in some experienced example. I hauehave knowne a soule beaten downe by the word of God, and caused to see his sinne, full of feare and trouble, repaire to a faithfull Minister or Brother: opens his heart to them, and discovers his smarting wound: they being cunningly handled by Satan, begin to pittie his estate, and out of compassion think it a great sin to persecute him, whom God hath smitten, & ad sorrow to such as he hath wounded. Hence setting aside the wine, which would indeed cause some smart, but purge the evill, they strait powre in the oyle of all spirituall comfort, and so dresse the wound, that it is soon skinned, but after breakes forth with far more griefe, & will aske much more time, and labour to heale. Whereas if they had first throughly searched, & ransacked the sore with the knife of circumcision, and clensed it well with further reproofe, they might perhaps hauehave made the orifice wider, and the wound somewhat deeper, but much more soone, and soundly hauehave cured it. But if these deserue some reproofe, what rebuke can be whetted sharpe enough to rake those ulcerous soules, which being themselues full of dead flesh, infect, and corrupt others by their rotten stench, and putrefaction? How hellish is the condition of that man, whose heart is the māsion, whose mouth is the very shop of the Devill? where he forgeth those fiery darts, whereby he assaulteth the faithfull, and striketh through many a simple and unwarie soule. Lamentable is it to see, that many, who from faith, or feare to man detest to be traitors, and dare not perswade a subject from loyaltie to his Prince, yet without feare, or shame will employ all their wit, & engines to withdraw a Christian from his allegeance and faithfull service to Christ. Many who will not a little scorn to be a Baud unto a man, will ambitiously pandare for the Devill. O let Baal plead for himself … wilt thou entise a soule wedded, & ready to be bedded with Christ, from his armes to the embraces of Mammon: & dost thou not feare that jealous God, If jealousie be the rage of a man, what is this jealousie of God? but the divine indignation, wch will not spare in the day of vengeance?Pro. 6.34,35. he cānot beare the sight of any ransom, neither wil he rest contens, though thou givest many gifts.
Secondly, the fearefull Christian is to be rebuked, who by vaine terrors & bug-beares is driven from his station: It hath beene an old Stratagem in war to set upon their beasts of carriage the Boyes & Skuls, wch followed the Camp, and to place them in fit distance, so to distract the enemy, & terrifie him with vain numbers. This was ever the slight of Satan, & though it be his continuall practise, yet men seldome obserue it. Hee sets before their eyes many scar-crowes, losse of some things esteemed good, and contrary evils; Thus he deales with the Israelites, and with the vaine shew of walled Cities, and Giants, makes them forget their Rocke,Num. 13.33. 34. and strong God of their salvation, and fall into open despaire and rebellion. Thus he deceived David himselfe, a most expert & wise Captaine in those spirituall battels; after he had committed adulterie, he sets before his eyes shame, and losse of reputation, and with this idle shew driues him into two foule sinnes, first to make Vriah drunke, then to murther him. Thus he assaulted Moses with losse of treasures & pleasures of AEgypt, the Kings anger, &c. And thus frights he many in our times. To the covetous he suggests, what will you leaue the sweetnes of present gaine for future promises? a certainetie for an vncertaintie: o… a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush! With the drunkard he will plead; wilt thou change thy merrie companie for such a sowre, and joylesse life? with the beginning Christian; seest thou not all men generally goe another way? seest thou not how many reproches, what spight, what contempt will meete thee in the face? If thou takest that way never looke for good houre after all thy former credit and reputation is lost. How many silly soules hath he strooke with these affrightings, and drawen them head-long from their profession? But if we laugh at those that are scared with a vizard, how ridiculous to be amazed with such emptie shewes of evill? Awake, and open thine eyes, and see the vanitie of these scar-crowes. Thou loosest the pleasures of sinne, true; and is it not a pittifull thing for a swine to loose his tumbling in the mire? Thou loosest thy sinfull profits; and is this so woefull a matter, to loose a milstone off thy necke, when thou art now in a deep water? Thou loosest thy credit & friends: no doubt a shrewd losse, to misse his good word, who is himself stark naught; to lose a cōpanion who will bring us to the gallowes: summe up thy losse, & thou shalt finde this is the totall; thou loosest death and hell, but what? dost thou get nothing by this losse? thou changest fading, and stinking pleasures, for the pleasu…es at Gods right hand: thou changest earthly riches, for heavenly; reputation among men, for the praise of God. In a word thou changest vanitie and vexation of spi…it, for sound and everlasting happinesse, and even dung for Christ: hee that winnes the whole world, and looseth his owne soule, makes but a fooles ba…gaine, and (as Deborah sings Iudg. 5. 19.) get no gaine of money.
If you tell a true Christian that he hath a great losse in forsaking Father, Mother, &c. he will but pitty thy ignorance,Marke 10. 29 30. when he hath already in possession an hundred fold gaine, beside the certaintie of an inheritance infinitely (beyond his owne thought) excellent.
Here may divers Christians take good occasion to chide and shame themselues in their own hearts: when they looke upon their sloathfulnesse in the harvest of Christ: HaueHave we felt the sweetnesse of Christ his yoke? HaueHave we shaken off those not more heavy, then loathsome chaines of Satan? doe wee feele the ease of this heavenly libertie? why then doe we not call on others, and invite them,Psal. 34.8. Tast, and see how gracious the Lord is? When Christ hath taken us by the hand why doe wee not catch hold on others, such especially as are neere us? when hee draweth us, why d…aw not wee those that are linked with us in kind…ed, friendship, acquaintance, and pull them after? Though the labourers reape, and binde the sheaues, yet even children gleane and gather some handfuls to carry home. The Minister is the workman hi…d by God to gather in his harvest, but the very weakest may by his helpe (who delights to glorifie his power in infirmitie) and ought in private to helpe forward, and picke up some …oo…e and straggling soules, as God giues them opportun…ti… is he a faithfull servant to the Lord of the harvest, who seeing a poore soule separated from the sheaues (the Church of God) lying as a prey to that Fowle of the ayre, will not stretch forth his hand to take it up, and bring it home? Hath he any charitie, who suffers a weake soule bound many yeares in the prison of Satan, and pressed under the burden of sin, to lie still, kept downe with that hellish waight, and puts not to his hand to raise it? should'st thou see thine enemies oxe straying, wouldst thou not driue him home Sawest thou thine enemies Asse fallen under his load, would'st thou not he…pe him up? if thou hast louelove to man, thou wilt; if obedience to God thou must lend him thy helpe?Exod. 23. 4,5. And what? shall the beast of thine enemie be more precious in thine eye then the soule of thy brother? Oh canst thou thinke thy best endevours too much for that, for which thy Master (the Wisedome of God) thought not his best bloud too good? Where is thy louelove? What (I pray thee) what can be the reason, why thou, a parent, shou…d'st beat thy braines, toile thy weary and w…ake body to inrich thy children, traine them up in some serviceable qualities, prefer them to great & bountifull persons, and yet bee altogether carelesse, o… very cold to stocke them in grace, to bring them up in instruction of the Lord, fit and commend them to his service, who is not onelyonly ready to accept them, but to giuegive them not a corruptible living, but eternall life, not a poore farme, but a rich inheritance, to instate them with himselfe in a Kingdome of glory? What is the cause that being a Husband, who from deare louelove to thy wife, canst purhase her a joynter, whereby shee may liue comfortably when thou art dead, canst not draw on thy yoke-fellow to this partnership with Christ? Why is it that out of louelove to thy brethren, allies, friends, and acquaintance in the flesh, thou canst cheerefully shew them all civill curtesies, ride, runne, sue, and worke out some good for them, mourne with them in their sorrow, rejoyce with them in their prosperitie, and yet thou on earth worse then Dives in hell,Luke 16. 27, 28. wilt never labour to prevent, that they come not to that place of eternall torment? The truth is the cause of this spirituall carelesnesse is want of spiritual louelove, and grace; Christian louelove expresses it selfe in Christian duties, as naturall louelove in civill offices: had'st thou so much as one graine of heavenly louelove rooted in thy heart, it would spring, bud, and yeelde this true fruit of doing some good.
It is a propertie of goodnesse to bee communicatiue of it selfe, which effect is as naturall to it as to fire to warme; therefore God being infinite Goodnes, and working infinitely, communicates himselfe even personally to his creature, namely, to the humanitie of Christ; and hath by him united all the Elect to himselfe,Iohn 17.21. to bee one with him through Christ. Thus is it with those children whom he hath begotten through the word of truth, in his owne likenesse;Iames 1. 18. they being partakers of his divine na…ure cannot but communicate it with others,2 Pet. 1.4. so farre as they are able to work, and diffuse it abroad to those with whom they converse, as we heard before. There is no signe then of grace in that heart which doth not pitty & succour as it is able, the soules of their brethren, which are intangled in the snare of Satan.
Those are here deepely censured, who stop their cares against the warning of God, Come out from among them and separate your selues, saith the Lord:2 Cor. 6.17. as first, those wilfully blind soules, who (having devoted themselues to that whore of Rome) will not open their eyes to see her filthy nakednesse, so plainely discovered by God in his word.
That Angell of God, to whom he hath given great power, hath cried out migh…ily, it is fallen, it is fallen, Babilon that great Citie: Revel. 18. 1,2.a…d the often-doubled voyce of God, from heaven hath called, Goe out of her my people that yee bee n…t partakers of her sinnes: Revel. 18.4. And yet how many still cleaue unto her, and dote upon her wrinkles? Surely if Christ had not so painted out to us his Rivall, the Antichrist, almost in every limbe by that un-erring finger of his Spirit, or had not wee lived in those times, when the accomplishment of those predictions hath given broad light to these misteries; did not that Man of sinne with a whorish and shameles forehead stand out to accept, and avouch those blasphemous titles, the Monarke, Spouse, and onelyonly head of the universall Church, from whom it receiues even spirituall influence: did hee not make good the flatteries of his slaues, in receiving, and justifying the Papall Omnipotencie, challenging to be Vice-God, there might bee some shew of excuse in these blind wretches. But alas! what hope is there to pull them from the embraces of this spiritual strumpet, when they are so strangely bewitched with her painted face: that they make, and imagine the beames of the Sunne to borrow light from her eyes, even the Scriptures to receiue authoritie from the Church, and that the Pope only must giuegive the sense,Reu. 3. 18. which is the light of them? There is no other meanes but onelyonly prayer to that incomprehensible light,Gen. 19. 16. that he would annoint their eyes with eye-salue, that they may see, and being mercifull unto them, would catch them by the hand, and lead them out of Sodome. So likewise halfe-Christians, halfe-Antichristians; some that would be Mediatours betwixt Christ and Antichrist, and bring them together to make them friends, which still are sicke of the dregges which they hauehave drunke in her cup of fornications. They put religion in superstitious abstinence from meates and drinkes… They cannot approue the marriage of Ministers: 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2. &c.many such dreames trouble them, all which God himselfe hath branded as Antichristian merchandise, and doctrines of Divels.
And how many besides these, who hauehave not yet made any separation in judgement, will, affection, or practise from ungodly men, minding earthly things, despising the riches of Gods mercy, luke-warme, and key-cold, heartlesse to any good dutie, and even frozen in their dregs, whose mouthes are ever vomiting unsauorie and rotten speech, hands full of oppression, bribery and gifts, feete swift to evill, having not so much as a shew of godlines, whose sinnes goe before into judgement? Nay, I would there were not too many, who having beside these outward warnings, inward checkes of conscience (shewing the scarres of former wounds received by wicked companie) and their experienced weakenesse, not able to stand out in tentation, calling to them to avoid these occasions, yet still linger and make no haste to get away. Hence it comes that they are first bruised with some open, & shamefull fall, before they free themselues: but oh remember,Luke 14.26. if thou canst not hate father, mother, wife and children, brethren and sisters, credit, nay, living, and life for Christ, thou canst not bee his Disciple.
Those reputed Christians are heere condemned, and may iudge how farre they are from that estate they professe, and boast of, who finde no relish of happines in this separation, but rather delight themselues in worldly, and sinfull pleasures. As for that libertie of Christ, his easie and sweete yoake, they esteeme it a burden, and …ccount that strictnes of holy life, and waynednes from this world a discomfortable, & ioyles condition. Hence is it that abusing Christian libertie unto fleshy license, they condemne, revile, and scoffe such, as will not runne with them to the same excesse of riot. This their behaviour openly proclaimes them Infidels, and those fooles which say in their hearts, there is no God. For a Christian beleeuer knowes that the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is libertie. 2 Cor. 3.1…That bond therefore which drawes them neerest, and ties them fastest to the Lord Iesus, they account a most happy, and pleasant knot. And contrary the rebellious dispositions of their nature, yet cleaving to them, which as uneaven nooks, and corners suffer them not to lie so close to the foundation, they deadly hate, lament, and giuegive them vp to the hammer of Gods word to be hewen off; I cannot therefore but marveile which way these men goe about to make their hearts beleeve, that they are Christians; Can they be ignorant that in the death, buriall, and resurrection of Christ, not some, but every member of Christ descended into his graue, and rose againe? Why do they, or how can they thinke that man a member of Christ, who was never conformable to his death, by dying to sinne? nor felt the power of his resurrection, through that quickning Spirit, renewing him in all holinesse, and righteousnes?Gal. 5.24. & 6. 14. Every member of Christ is crucified to the world, and the world to him: Col. 3. 1,2.They that are risen againe with Christ hauehave taken off their affections from earthly things, and removed them to their due place, even where Christ sits at the right hand of God, Phil. 3.20.and as Citizens of the heavenly Ierusalem hauehave there their conversation. Traveling through this world, and wildernes to their Canaan, they use the world as not abusing it. 1 Cor. 7.31.Let these men therefore cast their counters againe; and consider well, how farre they are short of their account. Oh whosoever thou art, that goest vnderunder the name of a Christian, and yet shakest off that bond of strictnes, and power of Godlines, (which turneth the fountaine in the heart, and the streame of mens actions from this world toward heaven) despising such a course in thy selfe, deriding it in others, doe but a little, yet seriously, consider how base account thou makest of heaven, and much more of the Lord of heaven. Surely if a willing restraint from sinfull delights (as fooles esteeme, and call them) is a miserable estate, the heavenly Saints are more wretched then earthly men; and the God of heaven, blessed for ever, is of all most miserable, whose very essence, and nature doth necessarily free him from all sinfull inclinations: and know, that cannot be in the least degree miserable, which is in him in the highest degree, who is infinitely blessed.
Consolation. Whosoever art hated in this world, separated, reviled, despised, and reiected of earthly men; whosoever art esteemd a strange creature, in that thou runnest not into the same excesse of riot with the wicked: comfort thy selfe: Open thine eare, and let in that heavenly voyce, lay it up in thy heart, as a cordiall;Luke 6. 22,23 Blessed are you when men hate, separate, and reproach you, and cast out your name for evill for Christ, and for the Gospell: rejoyce in that day, and leape for joy, for behold your reward is great in heaven. Isay 51. 7, 8. 12, 13.Harken unto me you that know righteousnesse, the people in whose heart is my Law, feare you not the reproch of men, neither bee afraid of their rebukes; for the moth shall eate them up as a garment, and the worme shall eate them like wool: but my righteousnesse shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation. I am hee that comfort thee, who art thou that should'st feare a mortall man, and the sonne of man that shall be made as grasse, and forgettest the Lord thy Maker?
Exhortation. Exhort, and awaken thine eare to hearken unto the Wisedome of God, and follow his direction:Pro. 4. 14,15. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and goe not in the way of evill men: avoid it, passe not by it, turne from it and passe away: let them turne to thee, but turne not thou to them. And for quickning to this dutie,Ier. 15. 19. doe but consider, first the mischiefe which will inevitably follow, if thou walkest in the counsell of ungodly men.
1. If thou goest with them in their wayes, thou shalt with them meete many annoiances:Pro. 13. 20. He that walketh with the wise shall be wise, but a companion of fooles shall bee afflicted: for (as it was with Balaam, when his way was not straight) the Angell of the Lord with a drawne swo…d comes forth to withstand thee: and will often meete thee, and if God giuegive leaue, cut thee off in the midst of thy journey.Psal. 34.16. Psal. 37.9. 38. The face of the Lord is against them that doe evill, to cut off their remembrance from the earth. Evill doers shall be cut off, transgressors shall bee destroyed together, and the end of the wicked shall be cut off. They liue not out halfe their dayes. Infinite examples wee see of this kinde in the Scriptures: and may daily by experience, if we obserue the workes of God, his fearefull and sudden …udgements upon impenitent and godlesse persons: certaine is it, thy conscience will resist, strike, and wound thee, and make thy course very troublesome and grievous.
2. If thou walkest on with the wicked, thou shalt surely lodge in the same Inne, and sinke with them into everlasting destruction: so that if thou separatest not thy selfe from them, Christ will separate thee from himselfe, and from his flocke for ever. If thou departest not from them, thou shalt perish in their sinnes:Num. 16.26. if thou commest not out of Babylon, thou shalt partake of her *Reu. 18.4.plagues.
Secondly, call to mind the great profit which will ensue upon this separation:Pro. 21. 16. God accepteth thee for his childe, and becomes presently a Father unto thee.2 Cor, 6. 17. 18. And this is the very summe of all happinesse, for how can hee want any good thing which enioyeth such a Father? Evill men can giuegive good things to their children: Mat. 7. 11.what shall he deny to his, who is infinite Godnesse? Remember this, and stop thy eares: and consider thou hast enterteined a better Counseller, Esay 9. 6. Esay 11.2.even the Spirit of counsell. Doe nothing without his advise. Say with thy selfe: The counsell of the world savours well to flesh and blood: But let me trie it, and see how it agrees with his advise, who is my best friend. Is there any Father like to my heavenly Father, any friend comparable to Christ Iesus? Is there any wisedome like …hat of the Spirit of God? But they giuegive me other counsell; O therefore farre be it from me,Deut. 33. 9. to preferre Father, Mother, profit, pleasure, or any thing before the Lord Iesus. Nay in this respect, I will say to Father, and Mother, I hauehave not seene you, and to my brethren, I know you not: but I will obserue his word, and keepe his covenant. Now if thou desirest to know what course must be taken for effecting this separation: know first, it is the worke of God, for who hath separated thee? 1 Cor. 4. 7.and then remember, that God hath appointed his word to be his meanes for working it. It is Gods Minister, who by Gods word in his mouth, causes this separation.Ier. 15. 19. They take away the precious from the vile: therefore so often compared to fire, which separateth the drosse from the purer mettall. Hearken therfore conscionably to the word of God, wait upon the posts of his doores, and he will giuegive the will and the deed.