The Christians Two Chief Lessons, Treatise 1

The Christians Two Chief Lessons · Treatise 1

p. 1THE CHRISTIANS Firſt Chiefe LESSON, Viz. Selfe-deniall.

MAT. 16.24.

Then ſaid Ieſus unto his Diſciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himſelfe, and take up his Croſſe, and follow me.

OVR Saviour Chriſt, having told his Diſciples in the 21. Verſe of thoſe troubles that ſhould ſhortly befall himſelfe and them, viz. That he muſt ſuffer many things at Ieruſalem of the Elders, and chiefe Prieſts, and Scribes, and bee p. 2killed, &c. The matter now comes to this, how Peter carried himſelfe upon this occaſion; Hee grieves that Chriſt ſhould be deprived of honour, and of an earthly Kingdome, and that he ſhould die, and therefore hee controls Chriſt, verſe 22. Where he argueth either Chriſt fearfulneſſe, or raſhneſſe; either that Chriſt ſhould not goe, or if hee went, that this ſhould not be: Thus Peter would doe that, which would undoe the whole world. Hence Chriſt ſpeakes to Peter, and checks him ſharpely; for he ſaw Satan in Peter tempting him; therefore as he reproves him, hee ſpeakes again to the Apoſtles to fortifie themſelves againſt the ſtumbling block Peter had laid, and he tels them what ſhall befall them, and himſelfe too; for if the head be wounded, the members muſt needs feele it alſo; if you will be Chriſts Diſciples, you muſt take up your Croſſe, as Chriſt did.

In the Text are three things conſiderable.

1. The Preface.

2. The Dutie.

3. The Reaſon, in 25. and 26. Verſes, both verified by Chriſt, verſe 28.

In the Preface there is

1 The Parties to whom,

2 The time when.

In the Dutie there is,

1 The Act, follow.

2 The Ground, there muſt be a Reſolution.

3 The Meanes uſed, and they are,

Two-fold,

1 To deny a Mans-ſelfe.

2 To take up the Croſſe.

p. 3Now to the Preface where I obſerve two points.

1. The Parties he ſpeakes to, His Diſciples.

Doct. That even the beſt of Gods Servants need ſeaſonable Counſell and Advice.

Hee ſaid to his Diſciples, q. d. Let not Peter deceive you, you muſt have Croſſes, you muſt not dreame of Crownes; therefore expect a Croſſe, for it will befall you. Hence come all thoſe Exhortations, Heb. 3.13.Heb. 3.13.Heb 3:13 Exhort one another daily, there is none excepted▪ this muſt not be ſeldome, but daily, and not hereafter, but now, while it is called today. But what need is there of it? leſt any of you be hardned through the deceitfulneſſe of ſin. As who ſhould ſay, there is great reaſon; for there are many diſtempers, wee are bad of our ſelves, and ready to be led away to ſinne; therefore exhort. This is the reaſon of all thoſe Caveats, 2 Pet. 3.17.2 Pet. 3.17.2 Pet 3:17 Beware leſt yee be led away with the errour of the wicked: Hee exhorts alſo the like in other places. Beware, that implies there is a need, for the heart is open to many dangers. So Luke 12.4.Luke 12.4.Luke 12:4 I ſay unto you, my friends be not afraid, &c. It is friendly counſell, not to the wicked, but to Gods owne; the ſtrongeſt bones need ſinewes, an Arme cannot lack the leaſt bone; the greateſt Pillars have need of the leſſe things: So in the Church, the ſtrongeſt members in the ſame need advice, and ſupport; the richeſt man muſt uſe the Market; ſo none can live without the Market of the ſociety of Saints; and there is need of helpe to the beſt. Thus we ſee, even a Diſciple, the beſt Saints need the helpe of others.

p. 4Reaſon In regard of their weakeneſſe.

1 The wiſeſt man underſtands not every thing.

2 What wee know, we oftentimes forget.

3 Though we know, and forget not, yet we are unconſtant to follow that we know.

4 Though wee know, and remember, and are not unconſtant, yet our hearts are not ſo affected with the truth, as they ſhould. Therefore, for all theſe cauſes we have need the beſt of us, of Counſell and advice; for what wee know not it may reveale; what we remember not, it may recall; what wee conſider not, it may helpe; what we affect not, it may ſtirre up to, Act. 15.32. Iudas and Silas exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them, (ⁱ) ſetled and grounded them better in the faith: Even, Moſes had his hands held up. So we ſtand in need of ſavoury Counſell.

Vſe 1 It reproves the diſpoſition of carnall men, that caſt off Counſell, that turne the deafe eare to it, that mock at it, that thinke they have not need of it; it matters not whether they have it or not. O this is a ſturdy Reſolution; what ſturdy hearts have men now a dayes, that beat back the meanes of grace, and ſtand upon their Pantables: that ſay, let him keepe his breath to informe them that need it: I for my part will have none, wee are too old to be taught: haſt thou no need? the wiſeſt need it, and thou needſt it; becauſe thou ſayeſt thou needs it not.

Ob. But what hath he to do with mee? to play the Biſhop in another mans Dioceſſe, and to row in another mans Boat, &c.

Anſw. Every Saint hath to doe with one another, wee p. 5are our Brothers Keepers except we be Cains, and will have Cains wages: therefore hee hath to doe with thee, if hee love thee as he ſhould.

Ob. But he is unfit; if a grave, wiſe, learned man ſhould doe it, then it were ſomewhat: but what? for ſuch a young upſtart to doe it? he is unfit.

Anſw. Wilt thou refuſe phyſick, becauſe it comes in an earthen Pot, and not in a ſilver Cup? or refuſe a ſalve, becauſe it ſticks on leather, and not on velvet? ſo becauſe a weake inſtrument, though not ſo grave as others, offers helpe, wilt thou therefore neglect it? Doe not caſt away Counſell, becauſe of the weakneſſe of the Inſtrument, 1 Sam. 2. Old Elies ſonnes deſpiſed Counſell, and why? the Text ſaith, God had a purpoſe to deſtroy them. It is an Argument God hath a purpoſe to deſtroy a man, when hee refuſeth Counſell, Exod. 10.28.Exod. 10.28.Exod 10:28 When Moſes had often ſpoken to Pharaoh, at laſt he caſt him out, and bad him ſee his face no more, get thee gone, I will have no more of thee. Marke how Moſes anſwers: I will ſee thy face no more; hee came no more to counſell him, but God came to plague him: therefore take heed thou that ſayeſt, away with counſelling and preaching: Brethren, if that comes not, take heed leſt God came with vengeance.

Vse 2 Is Counſell needful for the beſt? This then may exhort us willingly to ſeeke it, and ſubmit to it, when it is offered by God. Nature teacheth lame and blind men to be willing to be led; wee are all weake, therefore let us leane one upon another; wee are all blind, let us therefore be guided. A child can happily tell the next way to a Towne, p. 6better then a man that is a ſtranger, now it were a mad thing to ſay, it was a child that directed me, therefore I will not goe that way, Iohn 4. If the people had not gone to Chriſt, becauſe a woman told them of Chriſt, but had ſaid tuſh, it was a woman that told us of it, therefore we will not goe, they had never ſeene Chriſt. Therefore frame your hearts to yeeld to advice, and bleſſe God that ever hee beſtowed it, ſeeing it is ſo needfull.

Ob. But if it were not ſharpe, I could be content to beare it, but it is ſo keene and croſſe to my nature to have ſuch ſharpe reproofe as he gives, that I cannot brooke it.

Anſw. Oh it is the better, that Reprehenſion is beſt, that ſtirs moſt, and ſharpe reprehenſion will moſt ſtirre and affect the ſoule; that Potion is beſt, that ſtirs the ſtomack, and makes a man moſt ſick: if it ſtirs not, we ſay that Phyſick is naught, & the Phyſician fooliſh; but if it hit the right humour, then it is excellent: ſo it is beſt when the word ſtrikes home, and hits the humour, to give ſuch counſel to the Drunkard, that he drinke no more, becauſe he drinkes in Gods vengeance; oh this is wholſome counſell, therefore conſider it, it is the beſt to have working Phyſick; oh bleſſe God for that reproof that comes home cloſeſt to the ſoule, though happily it be not ſo toothſome, yet it is wholſome: therefore ſubmit to any reproofe. It is a ſigne of a good heart that is willing to heare, and ſtoope to any advice▪ Even warlike David was counſelled by Abigail a woman, and he bleſſed God for it, and laid downe his weapons: ſo when thou goeſt on in a wicked courſe, though it be a ſervant o… a p. 7child that reproves thee, yet ſubmit: David was above Abigail, and yet he ſubmitted to her counſell, and bleſſed God.

The Time When: Then] when Peter ſpake to withdraw him.

Doctrine. 2 When any perſons ſhall out of carnall reſpects, labour to with draw a man from God, then ſpirituall Counſell is moſt ſeaſonable.

When Peter counſelled carnally, then Chriſt counſelled ſpiritually, Malach. 3.16.Mal. 3.16.Mal 3:16 When proud men ſpake ſtoutly, then ſpake they that …ared God, that was a fit opportunity, Gal. 2.5.Gal. 2 5.Gal 2:5 When Peter had diſſembled, then Paul withſtood him, it is with the ſoule, as it is with the body; we are moſt carefull where moſt danger is: In the plague time, when the aire is infected, we get Antidotes to keep us from the infection of the ayre: therefore let us get Antidotes of wholſome advice and counſell.

Thus much of the Preface.

Now we come to the Duty, which was the ſecond Generall, wherein are theſe things 1. the Act. In which two things.

1. The Ground, If any man will.

2. The Nature of it, Come after Chriſt.

So that faithfull walking is a following of Chriſt. If any man will] hee leaves it not to any mans liberty, but directs what he ſhould doe: if you follow Chriſt, you muſt Reſolve on the matter.

Doct. There muſt be a ſound Reſolution to follow Chriſt, before it can be done, and ſound… …ctiſed.

As who ſhould ſay … …olve on the matter? if there bee a ſo… …eſolution, it may bee p. 8then it will thrive; but if not, all is to no purpoſe, Act. 11.23.Act. 11.23.Acts 11:23 There is a fine paſſage; the Text ſaith, Barnabas was a good man, and exhorted them to cleave unto the Lord, but how? with a decree of heart, as who ſhould ſay, make a Decree according to the lawes of the Medes and Perſians, never to be revoked, and called back, never to be removed from God, my God I muſt have, let honour and all ſtay: pray I muſt, though the world lye at ſixe and ſeven, I will keepe a good conſcience to the worlds end: the Goſpel ſhall prevaile with mee, come what will come: after this Reſolution you will buckle to the truth, 1 Pet. 4.1.1 Pet. 4.1.1 Pet 4:1 be armed with the ſame mind, every man muſt have the ſame mind that Chriſt had, what is that? Pſalm. 40.8.Pſal. 40.8.Ps 40:8 It is my heart to doe thy will, Chriſt, though he foreknew the croſſes that ſhould come, yet it was his mind to doe his Fathers will, therefore put on this Reſolution, as Armour of Proofe, I will doe any thing God bids me; and I will not doe it by fits and turnes.

For the opening of this point obſerve two particulars.

1. What this Reſolution is.

2. Why we muſt reſolue before we practiſe; not to be fly-backs; oh it is to bee feared, that that man will be as dry leaves in Autumne, and as ſtubble before the fire, which wants his Reſolution.

Queſt. Q. 1. What makes up this Reſolution, and this Will?

Anſw. Anſw. It is made up in two things.

1 The Iudgement muſt be convinced of the goodneſſe p. 9of the cauſe we have in hand; elſe if it bee but a humour, it will never hold in trouble▪ but when ſound Arguments, ſound Scriptures are alleaged, then the heart ſhould be f…lly ſwayed; this is one part of Reſolution, when the mind is thus ſetled, and the underſtanding thus poized, there is a great part of Reſolution 1 Cor. 2.2.1 Cor. 2.2.1 Cor 2:2 I determined to know nothing among you, but Ieſus Chriſt, and him crucified; hee determined, that is, he judged thus, he had an Argument for it, Hebr. 11.25.26.Heb. 11.25, 26.Heb 11:25Heb 11:26 Moſes judged affliction better then all the treaſures of Egypt, his underſtanding was fully ſet downe, and convinced of it: therefore get good Arguments, which may beare up the heart.

2 When the underſtanding is informed, then alſo the Will muſt worke to make up a ſound Reſolution: The Will muſt ſay Amen, I will have it; it ratifies that which reaſon ſaid, and now Reſolution comes according to the nature of Good, and ſo choſen by the Will, the beſt thing is moſt reſolved upon▪ Now Chriſt is the beſt, therefore to be moſt reſolved on. It is beſt to ſuffer for God, ſaith the Vnderſtanding, is it not▪ yes ſaith the Heart, it is better to have Chriſt in a Priſon, or at the ſtake, then to be without him, ſay Heart, is it ſo Heart? then ſaith the Will, I will have it, come what will come to the contrary. The Vnderſtanding ſaith, the wayes of God are peace and pleaſantneſſe, I will therefore have them; and when the Vnderſtanding ſaith this, the Will alſo ſaith the ſame; this makes up a Reſolution, Ruth. 1.Ruth 1.1….Ruth 1:1 Naomi reaſons with Ruth to perſwade her to returne, now ſhee went for God, and for Religion; and therefore p. 10all things to the contrary, being propounded verſe 18. Shee was ſtedfaſtly minded to goe; God and miſery was the beſt, and therefore ſhee reſolved here, this is Reſolution. Now it is right, and the failing in any of theſe two breakes it; if a man ſay, I know and doe not Will it, that is folly: If a man ſay, I will, and have no reaſon for it, it is obſtinacie, and not a ſound Reſolution. And ſo when the Vnderſtanding is informed, and the Will is not ſetled on it, it is only Conſultation; but the Will ſaith, I will not have it thus: A man may be good in Conſultation, but not in Reſolution: when the Drunkard is convinced, it is an evill to be drunke; and ſo the Vſurer, but yet will be ſo ſtill, and with the Addar turne the deafe eare, and will continue in it ſtill, and the Adulterer is convinced of his ſin, when he goes in to the Adultereſſe, hee ſhall never returne, here the Vnderſtanding is cleare, but the Will comes not off, and ſo he will have his ſinne ſtill: ſo when the Perſecutor is convinced, that perſecuting Gods Saints is a ſinne, and hates it, this is cleare to the Vnderſtanding, yet the Will will be malicious ſtill: the heavieſt part is the Will. As in a Parliament. Conſultation, they muſt propound all to the King, and he muſt ratifie, and confirme it; now when the Will ſaith, I will not ratifie that, I will not leave that ſinne, nor take up that duty, now all this while it is not ratified, till the Will come off. Away with theſe pieced and patched Reſolutions and purpoſes, as to ſay, it were good, it were ſo, and I would all would doe ſo, and I could afford to bee ſo, but all the world would perſecute mee: this is a Halfe-Reſolution; p. 11away with theſe patched Reſolutions, to have Reſervations at every turne, it is nothing elſe but hypocriſie, and diſſimulation: ſay therefore; Is not the ſanctification of the Sabbath day, better then the prophanation of it? ſay Heart, is not preciſeneſſe in a Chriſtian courſe better then with the Harlot to wipe the mouth, and ſay all is well? and all truth, though the leaſt) that God reveales, is it not better then all the world? if it be, Will, doe thou cloſe with it, and ſay within your ſelves, here are reaſons cleare, let heaven and earth meet together, though al the duſt on the earth, and ſands on the ſhore, and ſpires of graſſe in the fields were Devils, I will have that which the word reveales, though I die for it. This is a happy heart; when the ſoule ſees, the greateſt good is holineſſe, and reſolves to have it, this is a ſound Reſolution.

Reaſon 1 Becauſe the root and ſpring of all our actions comes from a Reſolution, as a mans purpoſe is, ſo a mans practice is. Reſolution is the maine poize of a mans actions; the hand of the Dyall goes, as the wheels of the Clock turne it within, whether right or wrong: ſo the hand workes, the tongue ſpeakes, becauſe the Will and Heart worke by Reſolution. I will have this, ſaith the ſoule, that is, the Will, this chiefe faculty of the ſoule in reſolving; and then the heart goes; now then if action be carried by reſolution, then reſolution muſt bee firſt, Rom. 6.17.Rom. 6.17.Rom 6:17 the Text ſaith, They obeyed from the heart: when the heart reſolved, it was done; hence God ſo often requires the heart; for if that goes forward, then all goes forward too: as in a fortified Citie, the Caſtle commands al the town; p. 12ſo Reſolution commands the whole man, tongue, hand, and all; if a man will ſaile on the ſea, hee muſt have a ſtorme to guide the ſhip: ſo of the ſailing of the ſoule in the world, if thou wilt ſaile aright, and come to the right haven, Reſolution muſt be the ſterne, and that muſt guide all; ſo that the Argument ſtands thus, If Reſolution be the root of every act, then it muſt goe before every act; but it is ſo, therefore Reſolution muſt go before practice.

Ʋſe 1 Is it ſo, that Reſolution muſt goe before practice in Chriſtianity? then here is the reaſon that many come not on kindly, and follow not a Chriſtian courſe ſtoutly. It ſhould not be appearance, that ſhould carry a man, but ſound Reſolution: while peace remaines, men profeſſe, but in time of trouble, for want of Reſolution, they faile, they that lay not the foundation ſure, and ſet not the Pillars faſt, eaſily totter: ſo many reare up a brave profeſſion, but ram it not faſt, therefore they totter: oh, hee that totters, hath not that inward reſolution to love God, and Grace above all, Rom. 1.18.Rom. 1.18.Rom 1:18 generally the fault is not ignorance, that men fall off, but the Will breakes the bargaine, and ſaith, I will not be in priſon, or be brought to the ſtake for the truth, and yet we will make great profeſſion too. I will, ſay ſome, never be a Papiſt, &c. what a Reſolution is this? the tongue ſpeaks well, but what ſaith the Will? if that reſolves not of it, it is nothing. If the King ſet not downe his hand to lawes, I have nothing to doe with them, they are of none effect: Therefore they are ſaid to with-hold, and detaine the truth in unrighteouſneſſe, p. 13Rom. 1.18.Rom. 1.18.Rom 1:18 you know you ſhould doe righteouſly, but you will not; thus you hold downe the truth; many thinke to goe to heaven, and yet buy and ſell on the Sabbath day, and thinke to goe to heaven with a ſleepy profeſſion, and yet never make this Reſolution, but they are deceived.

Ʋſe 2 It is a word of Direction, or Exhortation to us. Is Reſolution ſo neceſſary? is that the way? then let us be wiſe to begin at the right end. Hee that will live a holy life, muſt labour for ſoundneſſe of heart, the wicked had laid a net for Davids fee…, and hee had many troubles, but what then? his heart was fixed, Pſal. 57.6.Pſal. 56.6, 7.Ps 56:6Ps 56:7 that was his bottome, he held faſt ſetledly reſolved in God; let them doe what they could, yet hee knew what to do; ſo your heart will never be ſound, till your heart bee fixed on God; thus a man muſt doe, if hee will walke holily: that of Daniel, Dan. 1.8.Dan. 1.8.Dan 1:8 Many feare-intanglements would have hindred him, but he purpoſed with his heart to walke with God, Ruth. 1 18.Ruth 1.18.Ruth 1:18 When ſhe ſaw that ſhe was ſtedfaſtly minded to goe with her, ſhee left off ſpeaking to her; as who ſhould ſay, ſpare your breath, I am reſolved of it, the houſe ſtood faſt, becauſe it was built upon a Rocke, by Rocke is meant a ſound ſetling in Religion; and he that hath this, he perſevereth, Act. 11.23.Acts 11.23.Acts 11:23 Cleave to God with a decree of heart, it is not a matter of ſpeculation, let the heart be there: oh, but what ſhall become of life, liberty, children and profit? If I may have theſe and God, then welcome, no, a ſoule that is gracious, will not doe thus, but it faith, If I have not theſe, yet my Decree is, God is mine, though I die for it, p. 14this is the right way indeed, Deut. 5.29.Deut. 5.29.Deut 5:29 When God gave the Law, hee paſſed by fearfully like a flaſh of fire, here was the Law given with judgement, then they feared and trembled, then every one would bee a Profeſſor, and doe what ever he commaads them, then they would heare it, and doe it: this they ſ…y: b…t oh, ſaith the Lord, that there were ſuch a heart in them, to doe as they ſay, you ſay well, theſe are good words, but it is no…hing without an heart, where is that ſound Reſolution? oh that you had a heart to theſe things; that whatſoever comes, though earth ſhake, and Devils rage, yet having a heart reſolved you may perſevere, and hold out for ever. Queſt.

Anſw. Q. But how ſhall I get this Reſolution?

A. Labour for two things, that ſo thou maieſt attaine unto it.

1. Iudge according to the Word, not according to the world, for otherwiſe you will miſudge, and not reſolve, Pſalm. 73. David judging by the out-ſide of the world, almoſt ſtumbled and ſlipt: Therefore judge upon theſe two grounds.

1. Iudge not by friends and neighbours, and the like, but judge according to the ballance of the Sanctuary, judge by the Word. It is a fine and pleaſant thing to be in honour; yet it is but a lying vanity, ſaith the Word, there is but one thing neceſſary, Pſal. 62.9.10.Pſal. 62.9.10.Ps 62:9Ps 62:10 If riches increaſe, ſet not thy heart upon them; at the day of death your riches cannot comfort you, therefore ſet not your hearts upon them, judge them by the Word, that ſaith, there is but one thing neceſſary.

p. 152. Iudge not by the preſent view, but by the conſequent, and conſider what will be at that day; you thinke, liberty is ſweet, but looke not at the preſent; but the glory of a good courſe is afterwards; marke the end, and ſo looke at Dives and Lazarus, none would be in. Lazarus his condition now, in this life, who would not be a Dives now? to goe in brave ſattin, and fare deliciouſly every day; but looke to the end, they both dye, and Lazarus goes into Abrahams boſome, that is, into heaven, and Dives to hell: whether hadſt thou rather be Dives, or Lazarus now? I make no queſtion, but all will ſay, it were better to be a Lazarus now; ſo judge of theſe things by the end, and conſequence, whether is it better to ſtudy the word, and to lay downe pride, or to vaunt it, and play the Ruffian? one is praying, another is playing, which is eaſieſt? the one is not troubled, but merry, and that were beſt, if it would hold; but judge by the end, and imagine the day of judgement came, whether would you be then, a broken heart, or a Ruffian? 2 Theſſ. 1.7, 8.2 Theſſ. 1.7.8.2 Thess 1:72 Thess 1:8 and to you who are troubled, reſt with us, when the Lord Ieſus ſhall bee revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, nor obey his Goſpel. God comes, and ſaith to the troubled, Reſt: thou haſt been troubled before ever eaſed; but as for him that ruffins it out now, the Lord Ieſus will come with flaming fire in vengeance againſt him, on whom will God take vengeance? the text ſaith, on them that know him not: Now judge by the end, whether of theſe is beſt: ſay Conſcience, whether wouldſt thou have p. 16God find thee ſporting, or prayi…g at that day? is it not better now to bee troubled, then hereafter everlaſtingly to bee confounded? Iudge with righteous judgement, it is tedious to bee with Paul in priſon, but it is not tedious to bee with him in heaven; Iudge therefore as the word judgeth, and yee ſhall not be deluded.

Queſt. Q. But how ſhall I get my heart to it?

Anſw. A. Looke up to God, and labour to ſet the higheſt price on God, and heavenly things; and that by two helpes.

1. Daily ſuggeſt, and diſcover to thine heart a greater worth in ſpiritual, then in temporal things, there is ſome good in theſe things, but bee ready to convince thy heart, that there is more good in ſpirituall things: The Devill would fore-ſtall the Market, and ſet a higher price upon theſe things, then on ſpirituall; but labour thou to ſee more worth in Grace, then in other things; when thy covetous heart ſaith, I will be rich, oh then preſently ſay, what inheritance is there like heaven? when thy voluptuous heart ſaith, I muſt have my pleaſure; preſently ſay thou, what pleaſure is there like the pleaſure the ſoule hath in Chriſt? look at thoſe joyes in Chriſt for ever, that is better then all this, this joy is madneſſe, thus when the ſoule would bee ſtealing away, offer the beſt things: would the ſoule have caſe? why it is better to bee bound in priſon, then to be bound in unbeliefe; as a man when he goes to buy a commodity, hee deſires to ſee the beſt things, Pſal. 73.25.Pſalm. 73.25.Ps 73:25 Whom have I in Heaven or Earth, but thee O Lord? we have him here now in mercy, and we ſh…l have him in mercy p. 17hereafter and in glory; and what would we have more then this? when Satan layes diſgraces and diſcouragements upon good courſes, and alſo miſeries and vexations that come thereby, then be thou ready to ſhew more miſery in bad courſes; have reaſons to cry downe thoſe crackt commodities; and when he ſaith, to burne for the Goſpell that is a miſerable thing, then ſay thou, it is better to burne here then in hell hereafter. The Devill ſaith wicked men are brave men, yea, and they ſhall be damned too; the Devill ſaith as Balack, thy God keepes thee from honour▪ but anſwer him, if I had it, it might be my deſtruction; I am here troubled, but I ſhall be for ever comforted; therefore regard not what Satan ſhall buzze at the eare of thy heart concerning trouble and the like, but ſay thou, though I am here troubled, yet I ſhall be ſaved; thus let not Satan fore ſtall thy heart with theſe temptations.

The next Point is taken from the nature of the duty;

Come after me.

Doct. The Lord Ieſus goes before, and is the Captaine of his Church, Ioh. 10.4.Ioh. 10.4. Pſal. 79.13.John 10:4Ps 79:13 He goes before his ſheep, and they follow him. Pſal. 7….13. We thy people and the ſheep of thy paſture will praiſe thee, Exod. 13.21.Exod. 13.21.Exod 13:21 The Lord was a pillar of Cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night to leade them, …hat was a type of the Lord Ieſus, who ever goes before his ſervants, Ioſ. 5.13, 14.Ioſ. 5.13, 14.Josh 5:13Josh 5:14 as a Captaine of the Lords Hoſt am I come; it was the Lord Ieſus Chriſt.

Chriſt is a Captaine two wayes.

p. 181 By his ſpirit, Ioh. 16.13. when the ſpirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all truth.

2 By his Word, the ſilver trumpet which ſpeakes openly and ſecretly, and the Spirit and the Word goe together.

Reaſon. 1 Becauſe he hath moſt right to it, Eph. 1.22. he hath put all things under his feete, Heb. 2.10. for it became him to make the Captaine of their ſalvation perfect.

2 He is fit for it, hee knowes where all the enemies are, he knowes the Devill, and the heart: he is moſt wiſe, and moſt powerfull; he is an ancient Captaine, and knowes how to deliver his; he can goe beyond any, he hath an Iron Scepter to cruſh his enem…es, Pſal. 2.

Ʋſe 1 Is Chriſt the leader of his Church? Then ſeeke …o him upon all occaſions; never goe into the field without a leader; let him goe with us Pſal. 85.8.Pſa. 85.8.Ps 85:8 I will heare what the Lord will ſay. The Campe goes to the Generall for direction. Goe to Chriſt you doubting hearts; you ſay, trouble is comming, but ſee what Chriſt ſaith, and follow him; learne the watch-word, Heb. 12.2.Heb. 12.2.Heb 12:2 Looking to Ieſus the Author and finiſher of our faith, when troubles come, look up to Chriſt, and ſay, our eyes are towards thee. Oh looke up to Chriſt to bee guided, Pſal. 119.125.Pſal. 119.125.Ps 119:125 I am thy ſervant, O give me underſtanding; ſo in all weakeneſſe goe to Chriſt and ſay, I am thy ſervant, teach me to keepe thy Commandements, Ioſ. 10.6.Ioſ. 10.6.Josh 10:6 Stack not thy hand, &c. when the Gibeonites had made a league with Ioſhuah, all the Nations of the kind conſpired againſt them, and mark whither they ſend, to Ioſuah p. 19to Gilgal, ſaying, ſlacke not thine hand, but come and help us; ſo it is with a poore ſinner, that hath made a league with Chriſt, all the rabble of Ruffians follow him, ſathan by temptations laboureth to intangle him, the world by ſcoffes and reproaches labours to withdraw him from God and a good courſe; now ſend to Ioſhuah to the Campe in Gilgal, ſend to the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and ſay, ſlack not thy hand from thy ſervant, but ſave and helpe me, Pſal. 80.1, 2.Pſal. 80.1, 2.Ps 80:1Ps 80:2 Give eate O Shepheard of Iſrael, but marke what followes, before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manaſſes, come and helpe us: the meaning lyes thus, it is a phraſe taken from the Children of Iſrael in Warre, 3. lay Eaſtward, 3. Weſtward, 3. Southward, and the Arke in the midſt. Now theſe three Tribes Ephraim, Benjamin and Manaſſes, lay behinde the Arke, and before them Chriſt riſeth, before weake ſinfull cr… tures Chriſt ſtirres himſelfe▪

Ʋſe 2 It is a word of Terrour to the wicked. What will become of them that come in battle a…ay againſt Gods children with a rage that reacheth to heaven, or rather to hell? Thoſe that ſay as Aſhur, Hoſ. 8. are not my Princes altogether Kings? Thus he counteth the day to be his; ſo it is with many wicked and proud men, they thinke all the world is theirs; it is true, your politicke wiſdom is greater then the godlies is, but poore Good man ſuch a one, and poore Good wife, ſuch a one, they are ſimple, yea but Chriſt the Commander of the Lords Hoſts incamps about them; therefore let me ſpeak plainly, if there be any ſoule in this place guilty of this, to that ſoule be it ſpoken, he is an p. 20oppoſite to the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, Iſa. 37.23.Iſa. 37.23.Isa 37:23 ma…k how the Lord takes it to himſelfe when Hezekiah was ſpoken ill of, whom haſt thou reproached, and blaſphemed▪ againſt whom haſt thou lift up thy voyce, and exalted thine eyes on high? even againſt the holy one of Iſrael, the…efore at ſuch a time let them know that they deale with a wiſer then the wiſeſt of them, and hee wi…l cruſh them hereafter if he doe not convert them here; you love Chriſt you ſay, but you hate his members becauſe they are hypocrites; tuſh, that is a fancy; can a man ſay, I love your head well, and yet would chop off your armes? therefore heare, and feare for ever, and let your hearts ſhake and tremble, becauſe you have oppoſed the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, the Captaine and Admirall of his Church, and wonder with your ſelves that you live; good Lord, that I that have been ſuch an oppoſite ſhould live! 1 Sam. 4.7.1 Sam. 4.7.1 Sam 4:7 wo, wo to us, for the great God is come into the Campe. Brethren, ſhall I tell you the meaning of it? The Ark was a type of Chriſt: now when the Arke was brought into the Camp, mark how the cry was, woe to us, for God is come into the Campe; theſe are the Gods that ſent plague after plague upon Pharaoh; this was but a type of Chriſt, Ye therefore that ſell your ſelves againſt the Iſrael of God, yee malicious contemners of Gods truth and goodneſſe, it is a wonder that the great God of heaven and earth hath not conſumed you▪ it was that Chriſt that had a rod of Iron to cruſh his enemies whom ye have oppoſed, therefore thinke not Gods Children are ſimple, for the more feeble they are, the more God p. 21will helpe them, Deut. 25.17. Remember what Amaleck did unto thee by the way; Amalek took advantage of them when they were weake, therefore remember Amaleck, and hee remembred him indeed, for in 1 Sam. 15. God bid Saul ſ…ay Amaleck and utterly deſtroy him▪ I doubt not but God is the ſame God now as ever he was, God ruinates oppoſers eſpecially. God ſaith, I remember ſuch a man oppoſed me, let plagues purſue, and vengeance overtake him ſpeedily God is juſt and true, therefore let him that oppoſed heretofore, perſecute no more now; take heed now of medling with Gods weake ones, for Chriſt is their Captaine.

Ʋſe 3 The laſt Vſe is this, namely a word of comfort, Let the earth bee glad, and the Nations rejoyce for ever, be their enemies never ſo unquiet, be they what they can be, there is more mercy on Chriſts part to deliver you, then there is or can be malice on their ſide to oppoſe you.

Brethren, this is that which will ſtand by you one day, remember Chriſt is yours, Iohn 6.17, 18, 19.Ioh. 6.17, 18, 19John 6:17John 6:18John 6:19 the ſea raged, night approached, and their hearts trembled to ſee Ieſus walking on the Sea, marke what Chriſt ſaith, it is I; as who ſhould ſay, It is a tempeſt makes you ſhake, but it is I that deliver you; the night is darke to trouble you, but I am here to comfort you: the world is the Sea, the ſoule the Shippe, miſeries the tempeſt; and when you ſee all theſe things threatning poverty and anguiſh, yet remember, it is I; art thou in priſon? Remember I am there to deliver you, and as long as CHRIST is there to helpe you, p. 22ſteele your faces; who would not be a Souldier to have Chriſt his leader and Captaine? therfore ſee and conſider, there is the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, he is in miſery to helpe and ſuccour his.

It is a great comfort in two Caſes.

1. In temporall afflictions.

2. In ſpirituall temptations.

1. For the time of temporall trouble and afflictions, that place is p…egnant for this purpoſe, Micah 4.5.Micah 4.5.Mic 4:5 Every one will walke in the name of his God. The Philiſtines …ad their god D…gon, the rich man walkes in the name of his god riches, but marke what the Text ſaith, we will walke in the name of our God for ever and ever. Your good god riches will be gone in miſery and ſickneſſe, and when you have moſt need of comfort, where is your god riches now? but let us walke in the name of our God for ever; in the name of Chriſt who lives for ever. That alſo of David who ſlew Kings for their ſakes, Og the King of Baſhan, for his mercy endureth for ever; how ever miſery end…reth, yet his mercy endureth for ever. Therefore walke thou in the name of thy God; wicked men endure yet a while haling, yet mercy endureth for ever comforting of GOD's Children. Let thy heart therefore be comforted with this.

2 In temptations, you are weake and have little helpe; but have an eye to thy Leader, what ever thy blindneſſe bee, yet thy Leader can informe thee; that place is marvellous ſweet, Iſa. 58.8.Iſa. 58.8.Isa 58:8 Righteouſneſſe ſhall go before thee, and the glory of the Lord ſhall be thy rereward. Here the Lord Ieſus appeares like an armed man of Warre, and p. 23there are two parts in the Army, beſides the body, the Van-guard and the Rere-ward, both theſe defend the body; ſo the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt is the Van-guard: ſatan ſaith, thou haſt ſinned, Chriſts righteouſneſſe ſaith, I have ſuffered, now the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt goeth before, the guilt and puniſhment that is taken away; conſcience ſaith, thou haſt ſinned, righteouſneſſe ſaith, Chriſt hath ſuffered. Then ſecondly, the glory of God that is in the Rere-ward, that is the glorious grace of God, taken out of that of the Romans, they were deprived of the glory of God, that is, the glorious Grace of God that ſhall be the Rere-ward. Saith the ſoule, ſinne yet peſters me, it is not ſubdued as it ought to be, yea, but the glorious grace of God will ſanctifie that heart of thine. The righteouſneſſe of Chriſt is the Van-guard, the glory of Chriſt thy Rere-ward; there is righteouſneſſe going before thee, and grace after thee; therefore thine enemies ſhall bee ſubdued. You ſee then marvellous comfort.

Now we come to the next point, following: Follow me] that is performe obedience to me.

Doct. Faithfull ſervice and obedience is a following of Chriſt, or comming after him. His practice is a preſident to us, his action a copy for us to imitate. The proofe of this point is evident, 1 Cor. 11.1.1 Cor. 11.1.1 Cor 11:1 be ye followers of me, as I am of Chriſt, and therefore, Gen. 5.24.Gen. 5.24.Gen 5:24 Enoch was ſaid to walk with God, that is, to doe as God doth. The Point is of great uſe, therefore give me leave to make knowne three things.

p. 24Firſt, In what we ſhould follow Chriſt.

Secondly, How farre wee ſhould follow Chriſt.

Thirdly, The reaſon why ſervice is following of Chriſt.

For the firſt, Namely, In what wee muſt follow Chriſt.

And that is,

1 Partly as he is God.

2 Partly as he is Mediatour.

3 As he is Man.

I will caſt it into two concluſions which diſcover, 1. In what we muſt follow Chriſt, as he is God. 2. In what we muſt not imitate our Saviour.

1. We muſt know there are ſome inward properties in God that the creature cannot imitate the like. No creature can create, or be Infinite, or the like, and it is blaſphemy to thinke it.

2. There be other qualities that God doth vouchſafe to leave an impreſſion of in the creature, and the creature is ſaid to imitate God therein, be holy as God is holy; and bee mercifull as God is mercifull; but the Scripture doth not ſay, imitate God in Infiniteneſſe, Matth. 5.48.Mat. 5.48. 2 Pet. 1.4.Matt 5:482 Pet 1:4 2 Pet. 1.4. a man muſt be partaker of the divine nature of God; the Lord is holy, and patient, bee thou ſo too. Expreſſe the vertues of God, as that 1 Pet. 2.9.1 Pet. 2.9.1 Pet 2:9 and therefore we muſt and ought to imitate Chriſt. A chriſtian ſhould ſo live, as men might ſay, God is holy, for his Saints are holy.

2 Looke at our Saviour as hee is Head of the Church, there we muſt be like him in three things, p. 25as a Prophet, as a Prieſt, as a King. He was a Prophet to teach others, ſo ſhould we be, daily endeavouring to inſtruct and teach our families. Hee was a Prieſt to offer ſacrifice, and ſo ſhould wee, to powre out our ſoules for others in prayer to God. He was a King to ſubdue ſinne and ſathan, Revel. 1.5.Revel 1.5.Rev 1:5 He hath made us Kings and Prieſts to God the Father. Chriſt is the King of his Church; ſo we have a part of his office. He was a Prieſt, ſo are we made ſpirituall Prieſts; He was a Prophet, ſo are we made ſpirituall Prophets. Chriſt hath made us Kings to domineere over our baſe diſtempers and corruptions; we ſhould be Prieſts to offer our ſelves ſoules and bodies as a living ſacrifice and acceptable, Rom. 12.1.Rom. 12 1.Rom 12:1 in all th…ſe we muſt imitate Chriſt.

3. Looke at the Lord Ieſus as he was Man, and whatever he did, as he was Man, we muſt (when the like occaſion is offered) doe the ſame, he being a child obeyed his Parents; if thou beeſt a child, thou muſt doe ſo too; He humbled himſelfe, ſo doe thou; he uſed no guile, doe thou ſo likewiſe. Looke in what relation thou art in that he was in, doe thou as he did.

Queſt. How farre may wee goe in imitating Chriſt? that alſo is to be ſcanned.

Anſw. Three particular Rules will make it evident. You muſt imitate Christ in all thoſe things formerly mentioned; you are Kings then; if you are Chriſtians, you are Kings over all your ſins.

Object. But is it poſſible to cruſh every diſtemper?

Anſw. Look as it was with Chriſt, he lay three p. 26dayes under the power of the grave, but he roſe againe; ſo it may bee with thee; the violence of ſathan may keepe thee under, but thou ſhalt get the better, having greater care to maſter theſe: though the ſtone of hard-heartedneſſe he rolled over, yet thou ſhalt riſe againe. Thus we muſt do, Acts 13.22.Acts 13.22.Acts 13:22 David had a heart as Gods heart; how? In that he did all his will. Thou muſt not patch, but labour to ſubdue all.

2. Wee muſt not doe it Vniverſally only, but Sincerely. It is not poſſible for a ſinner to come to perfection of exactneſſe; but what he cannot do in exactneſſe, he will doe in ſincerity. A Scholler cannot write ſo well as his copy, but hee will imitate his copy, Iohn 5.30.Ioh. 5.30.8, 50.John 5:30John 5:8John 5:50 Iohn 8.50. I ſeeke not my will, but the will of my Father; ſo the will of God ſhould carry a faithfull ſoule, he will not ſeek his owne will, but Gods will 2 Chron. 25.2. Amaziah did that which was good in the ſight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.

3. Wee muſt follow him Conſtantly, Not by fits and ſtarts; No, theſe aguiſh fits are nothing; if you belong to Chriſt you muſt doe it conſtantly. Thus it was ſaid of Caleb, Numb. 14.24.Numb. 14.24.Num 14:24 the Text ſaith, he followed God fully; ſo it muſt bee with thy ſoule, thou muſt follow GOD ſo, that thou mayſt attaine the end of thy hope. Thus Vniverſally, thus Sincerely, thus Conſtantly, thou muſt follow Chriſt in the former Concluſions.

Reaſon 1 Becauſe they have the ſame ſpirit that Chriſt hath, Rom. 8.13.Rom. 8.13.Rom 8:13 If the ſame ſpirit that raiſed up Chriſt from the dead bee in you, &c.] Looke what ſpirit is in Chriſt, the ſame is in the Saints.

p. 27Reaſon. 2 2. They have the ſame law and will to j…dge them, Ier. 31.33.Ier. 31.33.Jer 31:33 I will put my law into their hearts, as it is ſaid of our Saviour, It is in mine heart to doe thy will, Pſal. 40 8.Pſal. 40.8.Ps 40:8 So the Saints having the ſame Rule to guide them, the ſame ſpirit to inable them, they muſt needs have the ſame courſe. Looke as it is with two Clockes that have the ſelfe ſame poizes, and the ſelfe ſame wheeles, they will ſtrike both together, ſo it is with the heart of a Chriſtian, the ſpirit of Chriſt is the poize of the heart, and his grace the wheele, therefore he performes duties like Chriſt.

Ʋſe 1 Let us learne a point of wiſdome how to carry our ſelves. Remember who is your Leader. See the Lord Ieſus going before you, and then goe on comfortably. You know what Gideon ſaid, Iudg. 7.13.Iudg. 7.13.Judg 7:13 Looke upon mee and doe likewiſe: So Chriſt ſaith, how ever he be in the heavens, yet he ſpeaks out of his word, Look on me and doe likewiſe. I was meeke, let the ſame minde be in you. You know what the Pſalmiſt ſaith,Pſal. 16.8.Ps 16:8 I have ſet the Lord alwayes before me, the word is in the originall, I have equalled him with my eye. So ſee Chriſt, equall him, and ſtep no farther then he goes before thee.

Object. Ob. But this is marvellous hard; what, to be fetterd to nothing but the thoughts of Chriſt; how irkeſome is this?

Sol. Sol. It is no matter of bondage; it is liberty, Iohn 5.19.Iohn 5.19.John 5:19 The Sonne can doe nothing but what hee ſeeth the Father doe; was this the mind of our Saviour? let the ſame minde be in you. Let every one ſay, I can doe nothing but that which Chriſt doth before mee; and in all our actions, p. 28let this be the queſtion, would Chriſt doe ſo? then will I.

Queſt. But how ſhall I learne the will of God?

Anſw. In approving that which ſhall be acceptable to God, Eph. 5.10. See the pillar of fire, that is, the word of God, goe before you. Would you know whether you may buy, or ſell, or bowle on the Sabbath day? Aske, would the Lord Ieſus bowle, or buy, or ſell, on the Sabb…th day? Would hee drop into Ale houſes? And if thou knoweſt theſe things and wilt not reforme them, thou walkeſt not in the wayes of Chriſt.

Object. But we are weake and feeble.

Sol. Then plucke up thoſe feeble hands, bee not ſluggiſh; but preſſe on as farre as thou canſt; and looke up to Chriſt. The child that knowes not the way to the market, when he is weary, he cries, father, father, leade mee, and then his father takes him and carryes him in his armes. Oh you little ones! you younglings in Chriſt; goe as faſt as you can; follow your father; what Chriſt did performe, doe you; do not goe away, and ſay I cannot pray; haſt thou the Spirit of Chriſt, and canſt thou doe nothing with it? endeavour what you you can; and when you cannot, ſeeke to heaven, and cry, my father helpe me; call on your Father, and he wil carry you on Eagles wings, and though you have not then ability, you will have it afterwards. He that is free in duty, will be the better able to do it. Enquire which way Chriſt went, and goe that way to thy everlaſting comfort.

Ʋſe 2 It is a word of Examination ▪ Here we may ſee whether we follow Chriſt or no. Therefore examine p. 29your ſelves whether it be ſo with you or no; whether we follow the ſteps of Chriſt: here wee may ſee whether we be Chriſtians or no; if a man ſhould call you an Infidel, you would be very angry; but now try yourſelfe. See, if you follow Chriſt; if not, you are no Chriſtians, Iudg. 13.6.Iudg. 13.6.Judg 13:6 try as they did when they came for ſpies; they were thus tryed by the word Shibboleth, they pronounced it Sibboleth, and ſo were found out; and there fell forty two thouſand of them. So every mans tongue diſcovers him. Trie thy ſelfe by ſincere obedience; canſt thou ſpeake the language of Vniverſall Obedience? if not, you are not true Chriſtians. This word Shibboleth will diſcover you; can you walke as Chriſt did; then you are a Chriſtian: but if you ſay Sibboleth, and have a liſping profeſſion, then you are no Chriſtians. Set your hearts at eaſe, you were never true followers o… Chriſt. And here are three ſorts to bee excluded.

1. See what will become of thoſe that ſet th…mſelves in deſperate oppoſition againſt GOD; ſuch as are enemies to the Lord Ieſus, Revel. 12.7.Rev. 12.7.Rev 12:7 And there was warre in heaven, Michael and his Angels fought againſt the Dragon, and the Dragon and his Angels fought, &c. Michael is Chriſt ▪ and his ſervants, they ſuffer: The Dragon is the Devill, and his inſtruments they perſecute. Now on his ſide you be, whoſe Souldiers you be. Paul did many things contrary to the Lord Ieſus, Act. 26.9.Acts 26.9.Acts 26:9 hee oppoſed his ſervants; and if thou doe ſo, thou art one of the Dragons ſervants; thou art not a follower, but a perſecutor of the Lord Ieſus, a p. 30fighter againſt Chriſt, he went not that way. Doſt thou oppoſe the power of the word when as it is preached? then thou hateſt and perſecuteſt Chriſt, and art no follower of him. The word ſaith, It was of Chriſts heart to doe his fathers will, that is the good and ancient way; canſt thou walke in this? but if thou ſaiſt thou wilt not walke in it, it is cleare, thou art no follower of Chriſt.

Pſal. 78.9.Ps 78:92. Apoſtates, and Back-ſliders, Pſal. 78.9. The Children of Ephraim being harneſſed and carrying bowes, turned them back in the day of battle▪ ſo men forſake Chriſt being armed with bowes, that is, with GODS Ordinances; They follow Chriſt ſo farre as they may keepe company with eaſe, liberty, and their old luſts; they will follow Chriſt to the Croſſe; and if he will come downe from the Croſſe, they will follow him; like Dema… they will follow Chriſt ſo long as their pleaſure laſts, Matth. 8.19.Matth. 8.19.Matt 8:19 one came to Chriſt and ſaid▪ I will follow thee whitherſoever thou goeſt; wilt thou ſaith Chriſt; then thou muſt fare as thou findeſt; the birds have neſts, and the Foxes holes, but the Sonne of man hath not where to lay his head; and when he heard this, he went his way, we heare no more of him. So many now a dayes ſeeme to be great Profeſſours, but when times are dangerous, then farewell all profeſſion. Men indent with the Goſpell, and if the word pitch them higher, then they ſay as they Iohn 6.60.Ioh. 6.60.John 6:60 this is a hard ſaying, who can abide it? What ſo ſtrict? To be pinioned to ſo nice courſes? What never take up a gay faſhion, but alwayes creepe into a corner, to deny a mans ſelfe, with a company of p. 31leather coate Chriſtians, and to walke by ſuch a ſtrict rule? oh this is a hard ſaying. But they can follow their faſhions, and courſes of the world, and yet would be Chriſtians, and followers of Chriſt. Chriſtians? away with them; ſhew me but one footſtep of Chriſt in their courſes; ſure he never went that way. Shew me that ever Chriſt ſwore faith and troth, ſhew mee where Chriſt ſaid, you muſt not be pure and ſingular: but muſt ſhunne the Puritan Cut. It was meate and drink to him to doe his fathers will; and thou art weary of it. Now thou art an Apoſtate, and not a follower of Chriſt.

3. Such as doe openly profeſſe, but ſecretly work againſt the Goſpell, that howſoever they are not backſliders, yet they are workers of Conſpiracies in ſecret: With Iudas kiſſe Chriſt, and kill Chriſt; ſit at Table with him, and betray him, theſe are cunning hypocrites, that profeſſe and betray Chriſt; for they have their luſts and ſecret haunts, Iob 22.17, 18.Iob 22.17, 18.Job 22:17Job 22:18 they ſay to the Almighty, depart from us, the counſell of the wicked is farre from me. The counſell of the wicked is a ſecret purpoſe to depart from the command that croſſeth their corruptions. The covetous man will have his wealth, there is a conſultation in the affections, he will rather reſolve to be unjuſt and ſinfull then to part from his wealth, if one ſhould ſhew obedience to the King▪ and another ſhould prove to his face that he hath plotted treaſon, it would be a trouble to him; ſo will you be called followers of Chriſt? what if it be proved you are a conſpiratour againſt Chriſt? Call conſcience, It will p. 32tell you, your hearts have often ſaid, ſhall I forſake the comforts of the world, love and honour? No, I will not. Say you otherwiſe? but wee will determine it ſo; arraigne that man, let him be hanged, drawne and quartered for a Traytour, and not a true follower of Chriſt.

Ʋſe 3 Here wee ſee Chriſtian profeſſion muſt bee accompanied with paine and labour; it is hard to follow Chriſt. Follow me, it is not ſtand, and looke on me. Men are Neuters now a dayes, which ſtand and ſee which ſide is beſt, and there they will be. No, no, you muſt march couragiouſly; Profeſſion is marching, not ſeeing, and ſaying what newes; but you muſt goe out with God againſt the mighty, Matth. 2.5.Matt. 2.5.Matt 2:5 they ſaid Chriſt ſhould be borne in Bethleem, but followed not the S…ar; ſo many ſleepy profeſſours ſay, the times are dangerous, but follow not the Starre.

Ʋſe 4 It is a word of Exhortation. Who would not be a Chriſtian? who would not be a Retainer to Chriſt? A houſehold ſervant to Chriſt? goe on couragiouſly. The world hath three motives to draw things. Honour, Profit, Pleaſure; Now all theſe are here.

1. It is Honourable, a man ſhall doe as his maſter doth. A ſervant would not be a Scullian, but if his Maſter ſhould ſay, you ſhall doe, as I doe, he cannot have more honour. So you ſhall doe but as Chriſt doth, to beare his colours; the world thinkes theſe ſilly ſimplicians, poore peaſants, it is not a Gentlemans ſpirit. I tell you, they are the greateſt puiſſants in the world, Pſal. 45.16.Pſal. 45.16.Ps 45:16 whom thou mayeſt make Princes overall the earth. Every p. 33one in Chriſts Campe is a Prince; therefore who would not be Chriſts follower for ſuch honour?

2. It is pleaſant and comfortable. You ſhall fare as Chriſt fares, all roſt-meate, Iohn 14. God will come and ſup with them that follow him. There are no wants, but Rivers of pleaſures and delights; the ſame dainties that Christ hath, the peace of God that paſſeth all underſtanding; the joy of the Holy Ghoſt, the love of God, all theſe are in us; but it is not ſo with the wicked; the Devill holds his drudges to hard meate; the Adulterer hath his pleaſure, and his conſcience flies in his face. The wicked are the devils hackneyes; he hackneyes a drunkard to the Ale-houſe, and a proud heart to hell, and then at his death-bed deales as men with their hackney horſes; ride them all day, and then at night turne them out with galled backs. So he hackneyes the wicked all their life, and at their death he turnes them to hell with galled conſciences. But as for the godly, it is not ſo with them, but peace upon all that walke after this rule, Gal. 6.16. you that are led by GOD ſhall have peace with him; you that warre for Chriſt, ſhall have the ſpirit and comfort of Chriſt.

3. The profit that comes by this is better and greater then all other. The wages will make amends for all; Matth. 19.27. what ſhall we have who have forſaken all? I promiſe you a great All, a company of rotten boates, and torne nets. Yet mark what Chriſt anſwers, he will not dye in their debt. You ſhall ſit with me in my kingdome, and judge the twelve tribes of Iſrael. Rejoyce all yee that p. 34walke with God, ye ſhall have an everlaſting kingdome, and ſhall condemne the wicked, condemne thoſe prophane drunkards, and curſed ſwearers, whom you have before reproved, and who have deſpiſed you. Oh what a happy condition is this? you ſhall bee perſecuted, that is ſharpe ſawce to your meate; but what of that? a rich crowne of glory and immortality is layd up for you in the richeſt place, in the higheſt heavens, 2 Tim. 4.7.2 Tim. 4.7.2 Tim 4:7 Paul had fought a good fight, but a crowne of glory was layd up for Paul; and not only for him, but for all the ſouldiers of Chriſt, that looke for his appearance. The Lord ſends me to preſſe a Deborah, Iudg. 5. her heart was with thoſe that were willing; bee encouraged therefore brethren to come, you ſee your Captaine, you ſee your condition: oh ſay then, we will be ſouldiers, then reſolve with Ioſhua, I and my houſhold will ſerve the Lord. Away with that almoſt being a Chriſtian. As Agrippa ſaid, when Paul preached to him; thou haſt, ſaith he, perſwaded me, almoſt to bee a Chriſtian. Oh ſaith Paul, I would, thou wert not almoſt, but altogether as I am except theſe bonds. So many would bee almoſt Chriſtians; but Brethren, doe you reſolve upon the matter ſeriouſly, and be Chriſtians altogether. If one be in a good family, happily he will wiſh his friend there alſo; ſo you that ſee what it is to follow Chriſt, oh wiſh others to it. Have you any friends that are deare? Oh you tender Mothers, would you have thoſe little ones ſaved? oh bring them up hither, traine them up to be ſouldiers of Chriſt, it is admirable being here. Oh husbands and wives, you have a p. 35care to leave Legacies to your children. Would you have them rich and honourable? Then bring them up in following Chriſt, that is beſt of all; bid adieu to all ſinnes and luſts, and come to Chriſt. Now who are thoſe that offer themſelves? who are true ſubjects? Who ſubſcribes to this invitation? you ſee the honour, the profit, the wages, therefore bee followers of your Saviour, that you may bee everlaſtingly bleſſed by our Saviour.

Quest. But how may we doe it?

Anſw. The Meanes are two.

1. Deny ſelfe.

2. Take up Croſſe.

Open,

1. What is meant by ſelfe.

2. What to deny ſelfe.

Queſt. 1. What is ſelfe?

Anſw. When a man placeth a kinde of ſupremacy or excellency in himſelfe, or any thing hee doth or hath beſides Chriſt; wherein ſoever we place ſufficiency or excellency beſides in Chriſt, that is ſelfe. This is that which troubles all people, world and ſelfe doe every thing, and nothing well.

There are foure ſelves.

1. A mans life, for that is the beſt thing in nature. This is Naturall Selfe; A man naturally makes life the chiefeſt good▪ skin, for skin, and all will a man give for his life, Acts 19.31.Acts 19.31▪Acts 19:31 They deſired Paul, that hee would not adventure himſelfe to goe into the Theatre, this is naturall ſelfe.

2. There is a corrupt ſelfe. Corruptions creepe in upon the heart and ſway and ſhew ſoveraigne p. 36power there, for they command nothing but it is obeyed. Thus covetouſneſſe, looſeneſſe, and prophaneneſſe it ſelfe. It is covetous, and malicious ſo farre as I am over-powred vvith it. For the Adulterer that ſeekes to obey his luſts muſt needs ſeeke to obey himſelfe, becauſe hee is under the command of his luſt. So pride is eſpecially ſelfe, ſelfe prayes, preacheth, profeſſeth; all ſelfe, that is ſinne, and corruption, Iude 18.Iude 18.Jude 1:18 who walked after their luſts, their owne ſelfe-lying, and ſelfe-ſvvearing, Rom. 16.18.Rom. 16.18.Rom 16:18 they ſerve their owne belly, their baſe gluttony was their ſelfe, they ſerved it. So every ruling ſinne is a corrupt ſelfe.

3. Abilities of gifts or learning which GOD gives, I call it Morall, or Civill ſelfe. Common graces are ſelfe to a civill man, becauſe he counts them the beſt things hee hath, 2 Cor. 4.5.2 Cor. 4.5.2 Cor 4:5 wee preach not Our ſelves, ſaith Paul; ſo a man may preach ſelfe, when he preacheth learning it is preaching ſelfe. Mee learned, and me judicious, &c. So in conference, he vvould have it knovvne that he is learned, and full of knowledge, that is ſelfe. So an hypocrite will pray with others, and not alone, this is ſelfe-praying.

4. A man may make even his graces and ſpirituall abilities ſelfe, when a man prankes up himſelfe, and expects ſomething from grace, this is a gracious ſelfe. He makes grace a God, he reſts on that, not on Chriſt; the heart claps it ſelfe on the backe by this, and ſaith I can doe ſo and ſo, and expect to be ſaved, the having of theſe properly is not ſelfe, but when the ſoule ſets a ſupremacy p. 37and excellency in theſe; when a man will doe any thing for life, luſts, parts, gifts, graces, and makes as it were Idols of them, and worſhip them. Now all theſe muſt be denyed; and caſt ſuch a man into the Sea, he will ſhift for himſelfe well enough I warrant you.

Queſt. What is it to deny our ſelves?

Anſw. The phraſe implyes three things.

1. When the ſoule renounceth the ſupremacy and authority of all theſe foure ſelves, caſts off the yoke as not its rule, when it ſhakes off all theſe, as having nothing to doe with it.

2. When it doth not acknowledge any fulneſſe in them to believe what they promiſe: as when ſin ſeemes pleaſant, and ability ſeemes good, then the heart ſaith, it is not in them, there is no ſuch matter, there is nothing in them that can give any content to the ſoule; the ſoule ſaith, it is not to bee had in theſe.

3. The ſoule refuſeth to be ſubject to, or work for any of theſe as its Maſter, 1 Cor. 6.19.1 Cor. 6.19.1 Cor 6:19 yee are not your owne, not your ſelves. Its not in our aurhority to doe what we will: not what Selfe will, but what the Lord will. The phraſe is taken from a ſimilitude, when a man renounceth to be under the government of another. I will not meddle with it, ſaith hee, this is to deny a thing: thus the ſoule deales with Selfe, and ſaith, the Lord onelyonly hath authority over me, and ſhall command me, Matth. 26.72.Matth. 26.72▪Matt 26:72 Peter denyed Chriſt with an oath, that hee knew not the man, that is, Chriſt is not my Maſter. I know him not; So the ſoule ſaith to Selfe, when in time of perſecution life pleades, and ſaith, what duplicate page p. 36duplicate page p. 37p. 38ſhall become of me, the ſoule ſaith, I know thee not, thou art not my Maſter. If luſt tempts the ſoul, anſwer I know not my ſinne, I know not the man. Covetouſneſſe bids ſell on the Lords day; but the ſoule anſwers I know not covetouſneſſe; ſo Pride ſaith, why ſhould I endure this or that injury? Why ſhould hee ſpeake againſt me, &c? then ſaith the ſoule, what care I for gain-ſaying, I know not pride, Hoſea 14.3. Aſhur ſhall not ſave us, but with the Lord vve ſhall finde mercy; this is to deny Selfe.

The points then are two.

A mans ſelfe naturally is a God to his ſoule. For why elſe ſhould CHRIST lay this weight on them; as who ſhould ſay; looke to it, for it will crowde into dive…ſe duties, this Pope-like ſin will rovv in every mans boate, it would be univerſall in every eſtate; oh this ſelfe is in every man, and ſwayes there. Therefore our Saviour gives caution concerning this, to which we are ſubject. But the laſt, namely, the gracious ſelfe is not ſo much intended here, though this be too. But eſpecially the three former are here intended, Pſal. 12.4. Our tongues are our owne, who ſhall be over VsUs? the wicked ſtout it out againſt God, and vvill have no other God then their owne ſelves. Reproofe ſhall not controle them, our tongues are our ovvne. Wee will hold our old courſe ſtill; tell us not of ſwearing, we vvill ſweare ſtill, Matth. 15.6.Matth. 15.6.Matt 15:6 The Scribes made Traditions the Rule, and themſelves gods; and thereby made the command of God of none effect, that is, Vnlorded them, and lorded it over them. Conceits muſt rule, Ier. 2.31.Ier. 2.31.Jer 2:31 We are Lords, p. 39wee will come no more at thee. As who ſhould ſay, thou thinkeſt to command us, but thy command ſhall not prevaile; thus they lord it, and vvill be above God and his commands, this is to be a god to himſelfe, 1 Pet. 4.1, 2, 3.1 Pet. 4.1, 2, 3.1 Pet 4:11 Pet 4:21 Pet 4:3 they walke after the will of the Gentiles, not what God will, but vvhat a Gentiles corrupt heart vvill command, that is done: thus you idle perſons, and ſuch as follow pleaſures, and Cards, and Dice, on the Sabbath; God forbids you, but you will have them. Wherfore they be your Gods; and unleſſe your vvill be ſatisfied, you fall out with heaven and earth, and all; this ſelfe muſt bee denyed.

Reaſon. 1 Becauſe every naturall man ſeekes in himſelfe and from himſelfe help in what ever he doth; he expects helpe from ſomething of his ovvne, and this is one part of that Deity the ſoule puts upon ſelfe, and makes Selfe a God, Iſa. 10.13. by my wiſdome I have done it; he thinkes vvith his wiſdome and power to doe all. His ovvn power is his God; he is ſufficient to doe it, and vvho can croſſe it. He thinkes, no God can command him, but thinks he can doe vvhat he pleaſeth, Dan. 4.30.Dan. 4.30.Dan 4:30 Nebuchadnezars va…nt of Babell, vvhichwhich he had built, when he had gone up into his Tower, he doth not ſay, is not this Babel vvhichwhich God hath built, but hee ſa…th, is not this great Babel vvhichwhich I have built? he thought he had all the povver in himſelfe, therfore after, when hee vvas humbled by God, and had beene ſent out a grazing amongſt the beaſts a while God made him ſee, Hee was the worke… Ver. 3….Ver. 34▪ he ſavv then, God did vvhat he vvould, … he thought before, it vvas in his owne hand; duplicate page p. 38duplicate page p. 39p. 40this is to be a God; and this is in the heart of every naturall man. Life, Luſts, Parts, are the three Gods in the world, and in mens hearts. Drunkenneſſe ſvvayes the Drunkard; ſvvearing is the chiefe commander over the black-mouth'd ſwea…er, the mony of the rich man is his commander. The vvord of God ſaith, Thou ſhalt not have this and that; but the heart ſaith, I muſt have it ſo, and vvill have it ſo; and it muſt be ſo; thus rich men will doe vvhat they liſt; becauſe they are richer then others; thus Riches is their God, and they make it the firſt cauſe, and their commander.

Reaſon. 2 As men doe expect all from themſelves, ſo they ayme at themſelves in what ever they doe; they make their owne perſons the end of their actions; they doe homage to ſelfe and ſinne, and looke not to the obeying of God; ſo every thing is wrought for a mans ſelfe, Gen. 11.4.Gen. 11.4.Gen 11:4 they would build them a Tovver to get them a name; They vvould build it as Authors of it themſelves; and then the end, to get themſelves a name. So ſelfe was in all that they did, and aymed at. So Dan. 4.30.Dan. 4.30.Dan 4:30 Nebuchadnezzar did build Babell for the honour of his name. Thus he made himſelfe a God in building of it; and a God in the end, and aime of it; hee workes all of himſelfe, and for himſelfe. Thus men make themſelves gods; as all Rivers come from the Sea, and flow th…ther againe, ſo we thinke, all is done for us and by our ſelves. It is my parts, my gifts, and my credit, all is mine, and all ſelfe. Many Selfe-lovers, that in the time of Queene Mary made a denyall of God, and ſinned againſt Conſcience, and againſt Nature, and all for ſelfes ſake … p. 41becauſe their God, Life and Safety commands it. So againe afterwards in Queene Elizabeths time, then they would turne againe, and ſay all is well: thus a naturall man is nothing but ſelfe; ſo it is in every particular.

Reaſon. 3 Becauſe men naturally being blinde, doe conceive their owne credit and exellencie to be the chiefeſt good; and this is the maine cauſe why we make our ſelves our Gods. Adam fell for this, he would faine be a God; man being next to God, and is the chiefeſt good of all other creatures, and ſees all other creatures are inferiour to him, and therefore the ſoule of man being the chiefeſt good next God, and ſo miſſing of the right God, he makes that which he conceived to be the beſt, his God, that is, ſelfe: this is the reaſon: God-ſelfe is beſt next to the God of heaven: ſo a man ſets up Selfe above all, and it will be a God. When there was no King in Iſrael, every man did what was good in his owne eyes; when there was no King to rule them, then every man was his owne King; ſo every man is his owne God. Epheſ. 2.12.Eph. 2 12.Eph 2:12 the text ſaith, They walked without God in the world. as the Prophet ſaid, As thy cities are, ſo are thy gods, O Iudah, Ier. 2.28.Ier. 2.28.Jer 2:28 So, as thy ſinnes are, ſo are thy Gods, O thou wretch. God-Covetouſneſſe, God-Selfe, God-Pride is in every thing; the creature miſſing of Gods ſufficiencie, will make his owne ſelfe ſufficient; and miſſing the commanding God, he will command himſelfe.

Vſe 1 It is a word of Inſtruction; Here we ſee why wicked mens hearts are ſo oppoſite to the word of God, and are ſo troubled at it. It is becauſe the p. 42God of heaven by the word would pluck away theſe Dunghill-Gods: hence comes an uproare in the towne and family, here is the reaſon, he would take away their Gods, Iudg. 18.24.Iudg. 18.24. Ier. 2.11.Judg 18:24Jer 2:11 Ier. 2.11. Hath any nation changed their Gods, &c. They will not change their Gods, but maintaine them ſtill; and can you blame them that they maintaine their Gods? So now when the God of heaven comes by his word, and plucks at God-Covetouſneſſe, and God-Pride, and God-Luſts, Oh Labans Gods are going, he muſt needs purſue them. So Demetrius his God-Covetouſneſſe was going, as well as Diana, therefore he ſtood ſtoutly for it. Great was his covetouſneſſe, the Text ſaith, Great was the profit that came to him by Diana, the profit was that that ſtuck in his ſtomack, and therefore he ſtood for Diana. Act. 19.Acts 19And this is the reaſon why drunkards raile at the Miniſters, Oh the cup is plucking from their noſe, they would have th…ir God Bacchus ſtill, and therefore they are up in armes to maintaine it. If an Engliſh man ſhould goe to the French King, and pluck off the Crowne from his head, doe you thinke there would not be an uproare? So when the King and God-Selfe is uncrowned, Oh what an uproare is there to maintaine the Godhead of Corruption! Hence the power of the word is very troubleſome to them; Oh they cry out they are undone. Iudg. 18.24.Iudg. 18.24.Judg 18:24 Micah thought, God could not but bleſſe him when he had a Levite in his houſe; but when the Danites carry away his Prieſt and his Gods too, he followes them, and cryes out very much, and they aske him why he did ſo? ſaith he, You have p. 43taken away my Gods, and aske you me what I aile? They were his Gods, and he was the God-maker: ſo it is in the world, when the God-Sin, and the God-Selfe is packing away from them, then they play Micah, cry after their Gods, and they muſt by force be carried away, or elſe they will not be ſuffered. It grieves the drunkard to part with his God; this is the reaſon, why they cry out ſo; Oh theſe baſe courſes are their Gods, and you take them away; that is the reaſon of all their ſtirre.

Vſe 2 It teacheth Selfe-Seekers, what to expect from the hand of the Lord: viz. The fierceneſſe of his diſpleaſure, the heavie hand of his wrath; and indignation, for he is a jealous God of his honour; and what greater wrong can you doe, then admire Selfe, and contemne God; to preferre the gift before the giver, to preferre life before God, and to let ſinne juſtle God out of his throne, if we could; and ſo ſet up a company of idolls: nay, what greater diſhonour can you doe to God, then to advance luſt, and Deifie ſinne, and let God be neglected? How dares a poore creature doe this? Is it not enough to have theſe, but to thruſt God out by them? How ſhall God beare and endure this at your hands▪ Dan. 4 31.Dan. 4 31.Dan 4:31 While Nebuchadnezzar was vaunting himſelfe, God ſent him p…eking to graze among the beaſts. What, ſtrike at the Almighty? What, none elſe? Oh the wrath of God will be upon thee, while thou art ſo doing, and he will make thee ſee God is God, and he onelyonly is to be worſhipped. Act. 12.23.Act. 12.23.Acts 12:23 While Herod was admiring himſelfe, the Lord p. 44ſent vermine to devoure his carcaſſe; and he immediatly died like a beaſt as he was. As if the Angel ſhould have ſaid, Is it good now to be a God? vengeance came preſently from heaven. Oh you that be ſinfull, and will ſtill ſell, and talke vainly on the Sabbath day, and ſit prating at your doores ſtill: On God will come and puſh downe all theſe idolls of yours; yea, when you ſhall howle to him for helpe, he will ſend you to them for helpe; all you profane drunkards, and curſed ſwearers, the great God of heaven will come downe, and pluck away all your Gods here, and the Lord will bid you goe to your idolls for help, and then they will leave you in the lurch; and unleſſe you leave them, God will ſend you and them to hell. Exod. 12.12. Pharaoh was a ſtout-hearted man, and cared not for Iehovah, but God ſaith, I will ſmite him, and execute my fierce wrath upon all the firſt-borne in Egypt. Moſes told him, Iehovah commanded it, but ſaith he he, What care I for Iehovah? I know him not: but marke what followed, God plagued him afterward for it. If there be any Pharaoh in this Congregation, let him know, the Lord will make him ſtoope; and he will pluck away all your idolls from you. Doe you thinke, he will be juſtled out of his throne? No, no; and that you ſhall know one day.

If a man will be my Diſciple, let him deny himſelfe.

Doct. Selfe-deniall is a ſpeciall meanes to make us Diſciples of Chriſt.

p. 45This is the way we muſt walk in, we muſt have no other Lord then Chriſt; and then, come after Chriſt, or elſe no following of him: but Denying all, makes a ſound Diſciple.

This truth is made knowne in three particulars. Our ſafety, ſufficiency and the like muſt all be laid downe, before we can be Chriſts Diſciples. Our ſelfe, life, and all, muſt be laid downe at Chriſts feet.

11. We muſt lay downe ſelfe. Act. 15.26.Act. 15.26.Acts 15:26 It is a commendation to them, that they hazarded their life for Chriſt to doe what he would with them. Act. 21.14.Act. 21.14.Acts 21:14 He had in a readineſſe, not onelyonly to be bound, but to die for the Goſpell of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt; as who ſhould ſay, What thou wilt Lord, life, or wealth, or what thou wilt, it is here, Lord take it. I will lay it downe at Chriſts feet. Philip. 2.30. Epaphroditus was commended for that he was nigh unto death, not regarding life, but gave up himſelfe: ſo muſt we, give up our ſelves, not regarding life, or any conceited excellencie of wit, learning, underſtanding, &c. all muſt lie in the duſt: a man muſt be a foole, that he may be wiſe. 2 Cor. 10.5.2 Cor. 10.5.2 Cor 10:5 Caſting downe imaginations, and every thing that exalteth it ſelfe, and bringing into captivity every thought unto the obedience of Chriſt. You ſay, I wil never beare this, Oh you muſt down with theſe, they are treaſonable thoughts, & muſt be captivated ſo alſo our wills, they muſt down. God will not have you women, to take up theſe vaine faſhions, you muſt deny them all, Act. 9.6. ſaith Paul, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do: I wil do any thing, I will p. 46lay downe any thing: you muſt not have your wills, but lay downe all at Chriſts feet; and thou that wilt not lay downe every luſt for Chriſt, ſhalt never have him. Chriſt prayed, that if it were poſſible, that cup might paſſe from him, but he would have his Fathers will be done. So we muſt doe what God will have us to doe; yea, all the violent affections of the world muſt downe. Matth. 18.9.Matth 18.9.Matt 18:9 If thy eye cauſe thee to offend, pluck it out; out with all theſe right eyes: Oh you love them dearly, but out with them; and reſigne up reaſon, will and affections, as a man that ſailes by a caſtle, or the like, he muſt pull downe the top ſaile in token of ſubmiſſion; ſo we muſt pull downe our ma…s, or elſe the cannons of the vengeance of the Almighty will let flie againſt us.

22. As all muſt be laid downe at Chriſts feet, ſo we muſt not do at on any thing here below; admire not the world neither expect any ſufficiency from any thing, ſelfe life, parts, &c. Ier. 1…. The way of man is not in himſelfe. Therefore ſee the vileneſſe of theſe things, and m…ſt not to them, for they will ſurely faile▪ Ionah 1.Ionah 1.Jonah 1 Ionah would make a ſhorter out to goe to Nine…th, and goe to Tarſhiſh; but God ſent a whirlewind, and caſt him into the ſea, and then he had enough of following himſelfe. Ionah 2.8.Ionah 2.Jonah 2 And therefore he concludes, They that follow lying vanities, forſake their owne mercy: this you ſhall finde, in following lying vanities, you ſhall forſake your owne mercy: before Ionah thought it was beſt to goe to Tarſhiſh; but after, he ſaw it otherwiſe. Therefore let us … out owne ſufficiencie in our ſelves as nothing, p. 47nor expect any thing from it. Therefore becauſe it is not in us to helpe our ſelves, let us lay all at the feet of Chriſt, and expect nothing from Selfe ſufficiencie, but all from Chriſt.

33. When we have renounced the authority of all theſe, and their ſufficiencie; Then thirdly, Never love them more, let not thy affections be hankering after them; a ſervant if he be once out of a bad ſervice, he never returnes thither againe. Matth. 4 20. They left their Nets and followed Chriſt. Matth. 8. When the Diſciple would goe bury his father, Chriſt would not let him returne againe, Let the dead bury the dead, ſaith our Saviour: ſo let not us have our hearts hankering after them, when we have rid our fingers of them, as Lots wife did after Sodome; therefore looke not backe, beſtow not thy heart upon them; and if thou canſt thus follow him, thou art a Diſciple of our Saviour: but if you know any thing that hath authority, or ſufficiencie, or is to be loved beſides Chriſt, in a fit opportunity you will forſake Chriſt, and ſtick to it: therefore, I beſeech you, looke to it.

Reaſon 1 Becauſe that Chriſts and Selfes ſervice cannot ſtand together; to have Self in any thing, is to put out Chriſt; no man can ſerve two Maſters, the one will command one thing, and the other will command another; a man cannot ſerve the King of England, and the King of Spaine; for the King of Spaine commands to goe to Maſſe; the King of England commands to ſerve the true God according to the Goſpell; a man cannot fight for the King of Denmark, and the Emperour too: ſo Chriſt commands to kill your luſts, and you will keepe p. 48them; theſe two commands cannot ſtand together, there cannot be two Sunnes in one firmament, nor two Gods in one heart; therefore ſin muſt be firſt downe, before Chriſt can be up in the heart. If a man be a hired ſervant, he muſt not be at his own diſpoſe, but at the diſpoſall of his maſter; ſo if you be Chriſts ſervants, you muſt ſerve him; but if you will live as ye liſt, and be free from his power, you cannot be his Diſciples; but if you will have Chriſt to be your King, you muſt not doe what you liſt, but ſubmit to him. Rom. 8.7. For the wiſdome of the fleſh is not ſubject to the law of God, neither indeed can be; therefore avoid it, ſubmit not to the authority of it.

Reaſon 2 As we cannot exerciſe our ſelves in the ſervice of theſe, and Chriſt too; ſo ſecondly, another Argument is this, Becauſe the duty we owe to Chriſt, is the maine, and chiefe duty. We muſt beſtow the chiefeſt ſervice on him; therefore unleſſe we renounce all for Chriſt, we cannot be his ſervants, for he muſt have the chiefeſt ſervice. Iohn 21.15. Peter ſtood it out, and yet after denyes Chriſt. Marke how our Saviour tryes him, loveſt thou me more then theſe? Feed my lambes; as who ſhould ſay, if thou loveſt not me more then theſe, then thou canſt not ſerve me.

Then the point is cleare, if without Selfe-deniall the authority of Chriſt cannot be acknowledged; if our hearts cannot be beſtowed on Chriſt unleſſe we trample on our ſelves; then it is cleare, we muſt deny our ſelves before we be Chriſts Diſciples. The deluge of miſeries hath overſpread other countreys, and it is neere us; therefore p. 49it is fit to deny our ſelves, to prepare for a Croſſe.

Vſe 1 It ſhewes us that it is not an eaſie thing to enter into Chriſts ſervice, or to perſevere in the ſame, it is not an holy-day taske, or an eaſie matter, but very hard and difficult: this ſtrait gate makes a man ſtrive, and pincheth him ſore; hee muſt ſtrip himſelfe naked to creepe in at this ſtrait gare. You count it a matter of nothing to be a chriſtian, I grant it is an eaſie matter to be ſuch as you be, to patter over a few prayers, which a childe of five or ſixe yeeres old may doe; many a drunkard and civilian would goe to heaven, if this would ſerve turne; but alas, it is a harder thing then you are aware of; you muſt deny life and all, and not only ſome profits or pleaſures in life; yea and have it not onelyonly in a readineſſe to be bound, but to die for the Lord Ieſus, or to ſuffer any thing for him. Oh it is not an eaſie thing to deny a mans ſelfe; do they deny themſelves that wil… not deny a looke, a feather, or a vaine faſhion? but can you deny life, liberty, lands, livings? is it eaſie to goe to priſon? you that have your ſecret luſts, is it eaſie to leave them? oh know, it is not eaſie to be a chriſtian: you drunkards and adulterers, bid adieu to your luſts, your gods muſt downe, and it is not an eaſie thing to lay them downe.

Vſe 2 It is a word of inſtruction alſo, to ſhew us the reaſon why many that ſeem to follow Chriſt, perſevere not in a good courſe, but turne all into a ſmoake, ſuch as have tooke preſſe-money of Chriſt, and turne to the enemy: the cauſe is, they went not the ready way, they did not Deny-ſelfe▪ p. 50therefore in concluſion, they deny our Saviour; they that take up the profeſſion of religion, and forſake it when opportunity is offered, the reaſon of it is, they did not forſake themſelves, therefore they forſake our Saviour, the way of Selfe-deniall Chriſt walked in, Iohn 8.50.Iohn 8.50.John 8:50 he ſought not himſelfe and his owne glory, nay, he emptied himſelfe when he led captivity captive, he laid downe all; had not he denied himſelfe, woe had beene to our ſoules; but he laid downe his life, and if you purpoſe to be his Diſciples, you muſt lay downe life and ſelfe too; this is the reaſon why thoſe who in former times thought their money as good ſilver as anothers, yet they have turned away in the day of battell, and are become the deadlieſt enemies to Chriſt that are, here is the ground, Selfe ſtucke behinde, Matth. 7. Strive to enter in as the ſtrait gate, for ſtrait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth to happineſse: there is a ſtrait gate before a narrow way, and becauſe men goe not through the ſtrait gate, they goe not through the narrow way: the ſtrait gate is Selfe-denyall, you muſt ſtrip your ſelves ſtarke naked; hence one ſtumbles, and another ſtaggers in the narrow way: the way is narrow, you miſt the ſtrait gate, and ſo fall ſhort of the narrow way. Idle travellers when they come in dirty waies, will breake a gap, and wandring a great way, and not finding the way, they are forced to come backe, and goe the ſame way they went at the firſt▪ ſo men will be Chriſtians ſo long as they may keepe eaſe, the drunkard would goe to heaven, if he might carry an Ale-houſe on his backe, &c. but when they come to p. 51any difficulty, they breake a gap in a Chriſtian courſe: it befals many a profeſſor as it doth an idle buyer, he will be cheapning, but will not buy, becauſe he will not come to the price: therefore take notice of it, you come to cheapen, you would have grace, and you would be ſaved, but you will not have it on Chriſts tearmes, you will not deny your ſelves, which muſt be, if ever you be ſaved by Chriſt.

Queſt. But how may a man know whether hee hath Selfe-denyall or no? how farre may a man have Selfe-deniall, and deny ſelfe and all?

Anſw. For the anſwer, two things are to be obſerved.

Firſt, I will ſhew how farre this is in Gods ſervants.

Secondly, I will come to the maine tryall, to ſhew who they be that deny ſelfe.

Firſt, how farre Selfe is in the Saints, by way of caution.

And the cautions are three:

Firſt, the beſt of Gods ſervants, thoſe of the higheſt forme, and greateſt ſtrength, they have ſome ſelfe in them, but they are not ſelfe, Phil. 2.21.Phil. 2.21.Phil 2:21 all ſeeke their owne; it is a diſeaſe that will peſter the beſt Saints more or leſſe, 1 Sam. 5.1 Sam. 5.1 Sam 5 when the Arke was ſet before that curſed Dagon, the head of it was broken downe, but the ſtumpe remained ſtill; ſo that although the Arke, the bleſſed ſpirit of God hath beene in the heart of the Saints, and the neckes of their Dagon corruptions be broken, yet the ſtumps of Dagon remain in …he beſt Saints. Paul that was a Lievtenant, or Colonel in Chriſts campe, yet he had not learned this leſſon without p. 52booke, 2 Cor. 1.9. we had the ſentence of death in our ſelves, that we ſhould not truſt in our ſelves, it came off marvellous hard: Chriſt was faine to fling him off from his horſe on the ground, that he might not truſt in himſelfe. Experienced Paul muſt learne this ſelfe-deniall, there is ſome ſtumpes of this in every man.

2 It is marvellous ſtirring, and it will ſlip into the beſt of our ſervices, to hinder our ſouls in duty: this ſelfe taketh greateſt hold, and is hardly removed. In nature, though the ſences be gone, yet there will be a pulſe ſtirring ſo long as there is any life in a man: ſo in this body of ſinne, this originall ſinne ſpreads it ſelfe, how ever ſome baſe luſts fall off, yet the pulſe Selfe is on every occaſion hindering, Iohn 21.18.Iohn 21.18.John 21:18 they ſhall carry thee whither thou wouldeſt not, &c. although Peter was an aged Chriſtian, after all troubles that had betided him, one would have thought hee would have laine downe eaſily, being one foot in the grave already, but our Saviour tels him, they ſhould carry him whither he would not.

3 It not onelyonly ſtirres, but is alſo too ſtrong for us many times. It is one thing to have the motions of it, and another thing to be overcome by it; therfore in the third place Selfe may carry a man to that which croſſeth his deſire: hence Abraham told a lye, David fained himſelfe mad, Abraham feared his life, therefore ſpeakes falſely: David feared his life, therefore expreſſeth fooliſhneſſe in his practiſe. Selfe-ſufficiency, and ſelfe-practiſe made Peter deny his Maſter, and yet not withſtanding all this, the Saints doe deny themſelves. And the tryals thereof are foure.

p. 531 See what a price thou putteſt upon life and ſafety, whether thou art not content to part with them, or whether thou parteſt with all that may croſſe them: if thou putteſt ſuch ſufficiency in life and parts, know thou art no ſelfe-denyer. It is eaſie for a man to be frequent in ſervice, that may further credit, but when it comes to the pinch, that either Baal muſt be God, or that Chriſt muſt be God, art thou then content to take the wall of Chriſt? then as yet thou art a god to thy ſelfe, Acts 20.24.Acts 20.24.Acts 20:24 I count not my life deare unto me, that I may finiſh my courſe with joy: the finiſhing of Pauls courſe is a carefull perſeverance for the glory of God, as who ſhould ſay, had I put a price on ſafety, I had never beene able to diſcharge the duty of an Apoſtle, but it is not precious, as who ſhould ſay, I weigh it not: hee that ſerves himſelfe by ſerving Chriſt, makes Chriſt ſerve him, hee ſerves not Chriſt. Sathan accuſed Iob thus, Doth Iob ſerve God for nought? as who ſhould ſay, hee doth not ſerve God, but himſelfe in ſerving of God, hee ſerves his owne honour, that ſerves Chriſt for honour: he that doth ſervice for riches, doth not ſerve Chriſt, but his profit and riches. When Pilate would ſee whether they would have Chriſt, he ſaith, Matth. 27.21.Matth. 27.….Matt 27 Will you that I let looſe to you, Chriſt or Barabbas? as who ſhould ſay, I ſhall ſee now whether your hearts are toward him, they reply, not Chriſt, but Barabbas, as who ſhould ſay, we will have none of Chriſt. Let me make Proclamation, will ye have the glory of God, or ſafety? ſhall I give to you the commodity of prayers or profit? whether ſhall I let looſe to you meditation p. 54on the word of God, or prophaneneſſe on the Lords day? ſaith one, let me have profit, ſaith another, let me have prophane ſports, take you your prayer, preaching, &c. ſaith another, if Popery come, I will be a Papiſt: yea ſaith the drunkard, give me my cups, and take you the repetition of ſermons; what is this in Engliſh, but to ſay, wee will have Barabbas? the caſe is cleere, you are drunkards ſtill, and ſelfe-ſeekers ſtill, what ſhall become of me and mine, ſaith one, ſhall we beg? ſhall not we follow our riches and our uſury, but begge for our living? yea better beg and burne too, then deny Chriſt, and live in any knowne ſinne, as ſwearing, drunkenneſſe, uſury, &c.

2 As we ſhould ſee what we put moſt price upon, ſo in cold bloud, and ſad conſideration, try thy ſelfe whether thou art not willing to take notice of ſuch truths as doe threaten the hazzarding of thy life; if thou canſt not hearken to ſuch becauſe thou wouldeſt not ſuffer, the truth is, as yet thou art a God to thy ſelfe, Ier. 2.11. Hath a nation changed their Gods for th…ſe that are no Gods? this is made as a maine affection they have to Idols, it is obſerveable, none would change his God. Obſerve this in thine owne ſoule, pride, luſt, &c. and art thou lorh to change them? and art thou loth to heare it is unlawfull to ſell on the Lords day? or to put thy money to uſury? Oh then there is a God at home: oh you are loth to change god-credit and god-profit. Many men ſay, it is good to pray, but I ſhall beflouted, and men will ſay, what are you turned Profeſſour? but men for credits ſake will not doe it; here are your Gods: oh your God-credit ſticks p. 55upon you, therefore you are loth to heare thoſe truths: oh undeifie your credit, Iohn 12.42.Iohn 12.42.John 12:42 Many aſſented to the faith, but durſt not diſcover it, leſt the Phariſees ſhould caſt them out: as who ſhould ſay, the truth is good, but if we profeſſe it, the truth is, there is but one way, we muſt be caſt out: oh take heed this be not in thee. It befals the ſoule as it did Rachel, ſhe ſtole Labans Gods, and laid them under her: ſhe was content all ſhould be ranſackt for them, but ſhe ſate upon the Gods, they muſt not be ſeene▪ ſo haſt thou an Idoll of profit in thy profeſſion, doſt thou make profeſſion a ſtalking-horſe for credit? the caſe is certaine, thou art an Idolater.

3 Conſider what it is that gives thy ſoule contentment in duty; no man ſpends his time, but hee will expect ſome good: ſo ſee what it is that ſweetens thy ſervice, doſt thou eat thy bread with joy, becauſe God accepts thee, Eccleſ. 9.7.Eccleſ. 9.7.Eccl 9:7 is thy heart ſuſtained, becauſe God accepts thee in prayer, in hearing is this the ſweet of thy labour? is this thy rejoycing, the teſtimony of a good conſcience, 2 Cor. 1.12.2 Cor. 1.12.2 Cor 1:12 in the midſt of reproches, diſgraces of thy name, malicious dealing to thy perſon, doth this quiet thee? in the midſt of all wants is this thy rejoycing, even the teſtimony of thy conſcience? is thy heart here contented to let all eaſe and liberty to goe for Chriſt? if it be ſo, then God is thy God, 1 Sam. 30.6.1 Sam. 30.6.1 Sam 30:6 when Ziglag was taken, and Davids wives carried away, &c. yet David, comforted himſelfe in his God, as who ſhould ſay, It is enough, God is mine, what ever becomes of this life, I am ſure of a better but is it ſo, that thou profeſſeſt Chriſt onelyonly becauſe of the p. 56applauſe of chriſtians, and when reſpect failes, doth thy endeavour faile? the caſe is cleare, thou art Selfe ſtill. The ſoule that hath God, cannot be content without God; but if thou ſlingeſt away all, becauſe thou haſt not what thou wouldeſt have, thou art a God to thy ſelfe. The Winde-Mill ſtirs no further then the winde ſtirres it, ſo the winde of applauſe ſtirs thy ſoule to pray, this is Selfe, 2 Sam. 18.33.2 Sam. 18.33·2 Sam 18:33 Oh my ſon Abſalom, my ſon Abſalom, &c. It is a lively patterne of a ſelfe-loving ſoule. But marke how Ioab takes him up in the 6 v. of the 19,2 Sam. 19.6.2 Sam 19:6 chapter. Now I ſee who carried Davids heart; if you might have had your fine Abſalom, it would have pleaſed you well though all we had dyed: ſo in the time of oppoſition doſt thou ſit like Rachel, and wilt not be comforted, becauſe Profit is not? and though Chriſt, and grace, and dutie, be neglected, thou weigheſt it not; I ſay as Ioab this day, I ſee it and know it. If grace had never beene communicated, if thou hadſt thy Abſalom of honour, it would have pleaſed thee: know for certaine, that that which this contents thee, is a God to thee. God was never God to thee yet.

4 The fourth note is moſt pregnant. See if thou be content to give up all to Chriſt, give money, parts, profits, and praiſe, and let Chriſt doe what he will with them; art thou content to reſigne up all into his hands, if Chriſt may be honoured with any thing of them? art thou cōtent to looſe it? then haſt thou denyed Selfe: if the heart reſolves to let Chriſt alone with them, I have nothing to doe with any, then let Chriſt take life and parts, and whatſoever it be to procure his honour and praiſe: p. 57nay, a ſelfe-denying heart is content Chriſt ſhould take away his corruptions, and counts it a great bleſſing too. The ſoule hath nothing to doe with Proſperity and Liberty, therefore ſubmits and obeyes Chriſt, Acts 2.45.Acts 2.45.Acts 2:45 All thoſe (ſaith the Text) that were to profeſſe Chriſt, ſold all, and none had any thing of his owne: ſo let that be the frame of thy heart, ſell all, and ſay, I have no honour, liberty, or eaſe, but I give all to Chriſt, and let him do what hee will with them. In time of perſecution, ſay liberty is not mine, let Chriſt diſpoſe of all, this is a heart worth gold. But when thou haſt ſome reſervations, I will profeſſe Chriſt, but hee ſhall yeeld to me in this, to give me life; this I will not part with in any caſe; this heart never denied Self. Therefore let us doe as Mephi…ſheth, Let him take all, ſith my Lord the King is returned in peace; 2 Sam. 19.30.2 Sam. 19.30.2 Sam 19:30 ſo is it here, if carnall reaſoning be parting ſtakes with Chriſt, no, ſaith the ſoule, let him take all, ſith God is mine in Chriſt. Lay now your hearts to this touchſtone: doſt thou finde theſe? then thou art grounded on a good foundation; thou mayeſt be ſhaken, but ſhalt not be overthrowne, but if in examination and tryall, thou canſt not finde all theſe in thee; thou art a coloured hypocrite, varniſhed over for a while, but it will not hold, and in the end, thou and thy profeſſion will vaniſh like ſmoake. Chriſt will purge thee of this Selfe, or elſe he will never doe good to thee.

Ʋſe 3 It is thirdly a word of exhortation. Is this the courſe of a chriſtian, to follow Chriſt? oh then be entreated in the name of Chriſt, to Deny-Selfe, begin at the right way, enter in at the ſtrait gate, p. 58and you ſhall perſevere in the narrow way, Iohn 15.19.Iohn 15.19.John 15:19 I have choſen you out of the world. Hee that will be a ſervant, muſt doe two things: firſt, he muſt renounce all other Maſters, ſecondly, he muſt renounce his owne liberty, ſo we muſt renounce the maſterdome of ſinne and the world, and be content to be commanded by Chriſt, and then follow him: you cannot ſerve God and Mammon. Renounce all, and ſerve Chriſt.

Queſt. But how ſhall we ſhake off Selfe? here wee are at a plunge, we ſhould doe it, but how may wee? not onelyonly to plucke off our coats, but our ſhirts too.

Anſw. The meanes are three. Meanes. 1 Firſt, obſerve the baſeneſſe of this condition, which may make us to renounce it▪ which baſeneſſe and vileneſſe appeares partly in the nature of it, partly in the evill it brings.

Firſt, the nature of it. It is the baſeſt ſlavery, when a man will attend his owne corruptions. Iſraels bondage … Egypt and Babylon were but ſhadowes of this: a poore Negro that tugs under the Turks is a freeman to this. And the miſery appears in three degrees.

Firſt, ſinne is the ſupreame ruler in every carnall heart: hence it is ſaid to give lawes, Rom. 6.12.19.20.Rom. 6.12.19.20.Rom 6:12Rom 6:19Rom 6:20 Servants to ſinne, and free from righteouſneſſe: as who ſhould ſay, righteouſneſſe hath nothing to do with thee. Temperance hath nothing to doe with the drunkard; the adulterer hath given himſelfe to uncleanneſſe.

Secondly, Sathan by ſinne domineeres over the ſoule, it is under his command, Epheſ. 2.2.Epheſ. 2.2.Eph 2:2 they p. 59walke after the Prince of the power of the ayre, as luſts and Sathan would have them, ſo they lived, 1 Cor. 12.2. carried away unto dumb …dols as they were led. Sathan is a ſlave to ſinne, and thou art a ſlave to him. It is a baſe thing to be a ſcullion, but to be a ſlave to a ſcullion no man can beare.

Thirdly, he is a ſervant to a corrupt minde: wee are ſlaves to our owne ſoules, which are ſervants to Sathan who is a ſlave to ſinne. This eueryevery ſelfe-ſeeker doth, he ſerves his corrupt minde, ſervant to Sathan who is ſlave to ſinne, a ſlave to the ſervant of a ſervant. Heare this, oh ye contemners, drunkards, uſurers, &c. come and ſee your ſlavery; you boaſt of your brave ſpirits, that you can break the bonds of the word, but holy men, you thinke, are drudges; what alwaies heare and pray? to be thus fettered all ones life time, this is a ſlavery. No, no, you are the ſlaves, the drunkard muſt aske the divell leave to be ſober, a drunken divell leads him by the noſe to a ſmoaky Alehouſe: thou that art proud, be meek if thou canſt, no, no, thou muſt aske a proud heart leave to be humble; there is no difference betweene Sathan and thee, onelyonly that he is cooped up in hell, and thou art cooped up under ſinne. You freemen, I tell you, you are the baſeſt vaſſals under heaven, let therefore the drudgery drive you out of the houſe, and thinke with your ſelves, ſhall I be led by my baſe corruptions, like a foole to the ſtocks? will you be ſlaves to ſinne and Sathan? flye the country rather; now the ſervice of the Lord is perfect liberty, Iam. 1.25. Iohn 8.32.Iam. 1.25. Iohn 8.32.Jas 1:25John 8:32 the truth ſhall make you free. Now is it not better that the ſpirit of God which is freedome, ſhould rule p. 60you, then ſinne and ſlavery ſhould guide you? for ſhame labour to come out of this ſlavery.

Secondly, the evill that comes by this ſelfe-ſeeking, all the ordinances of God, as the Word, Prayer, Sacraments, you and they are accurſed ſo farre as you ſeeke your ſelfe by them: they that preach for themſelves, God curſeth them and their preaching too▪ he that heares for Selfe, his hearing is accurſed, for Selfe is the Maſter and commands thee, as a ſhip that is never ſo well furniſhed with tacklings, if it runne upon a rock, it ſplits; ſo though thou be never ſo frequent in all ſorts of holy duties, if thy aime be naught, and you ſplit upon the rocke of Selfe, all is accurſed. Math. 6.23,Mat. 6.23.Matt 6:23 if thy light be darkeneſse, how great is that darkeneſſe? that is, if thy conſcience be deluded, thy caſe is ſinfull.

This evill that comes by ſelfe-ſeeking, appeares in three things.

Firſt, God entertaines no ſuch ſacrifice: why? it is that which is diſhonourable unto God, and can he accept it, Iſa. 58.5.Iſa. 58.5.Isa 58:5 a company of hypocrites ſought their pleaſure, now ſaith God, canſt thou call this a faſt? Is this ſuch a day as I have choſen? no, I accept no ſuch ſervice.

Secondly, God aſſiſts not, hee rewards not any ſuch ſervice: why ſhould God doe the worke, and we take the praiſe? Matth. 6.3.Mat. 6 3.Matt 6:3 they gave almes to be ſeene of men, but what followes? you have your reward, ſaith our Saviour, as who ſhould ſay, you did it to be ſeene of men, and you were ſeene: I will not reward you, you ſerve not God but Selfe, let Selfe therefore reward you.

Thirdly, it takes away the comfort of a mans p. 61converſation: this will ſhake the ſoules of many hypocrites at the day of death, after all the pains of outward performance of duty, becauſe hee ſought himſelfe: he ſinkes in ſorrowes, and all the Min…ſters in the world, and all the carnall friends under heaven cannot comfort him: when carnall friends come and tell him he hath done ſo and ſo, and hath beene an ancient Profeſſor, and a good neighbour, &c. yea, ſaith hee, I have ſerved my ſelfe, and not God in it, therefore to hell I muſt and ſhall goe, becauſe of this: this will breake the necke of many hypocrites, when an humble ſelfe-denying heart, though his abilities be but ſmall, yet being humble hearted, his prayers ſhall be heard and accepted, when the prayers of many a glorious Profeſſour that was an hypocrite, ſhall fall to the duſt: as therefore you would have your prayers heard, flye away from this ſelfe-ſeeking.

Meanes. 2 Secondly, let us conſider the good that comes by ſelfe-denying, that it may wooe our hearts to it. Now the good is double.

Firſt, it is the way to have our ſelves, and whatſoever is in us (not ſinfull) our ſafety, comfort, ſufficiency, credit, it doth not remove theſe, but onelyonly rectifie them; it is a groundleſſe ſuſpition of carnall hearts, they thinke if they lay all at ſtake, they muſt take their leave of all, profit and comfort and all. No, denying of a mans ſelfe, doth not take all theſe away, but maintaines them. The onelyonly way for a ſubject to be preſerved, is to yeeld homage to his Prince, but if a man prove traitor to the Crowne, he ſhall be hanged for a traitor; ſo life, ſufficiency, ſafety, are good ſubjects ſo farre as p. 62they ſerve God, but if they take the wall of Gods will, and will be rulers, you may be hanged as traitors, whereas otherwiſe you might have beene honoured as ſubjects, Math. 16.25. Hee that loſeth his life, ſhall ſave it: the loſing of a mans life is the next way to ſave it: it doth not take away pleaſure: rejoyce evermore, though not in drunkenneſſe: it proves a greater good then if we had ſerved Selfe: the denying of Selfe is the improving of Selfe, and the renouncing of ſinne is the next way to get pardon of it: if we lay downe our wit, behold a greater wiſedome to direct us: empty your ſelves of frothy vanities, and you ſhall be wholly poſſeſſed of the glory of Chriſt, who would not then change for a better? Come out of Selfe, and you ſhall have a Saviour, 2 Cor. 6.17.18.2 Cor. 6.17.2 Cor 6:17 Come out of her my people, and I will dwell in you: come out of your owne power, and the Lord will beſtow ſtrength; lay downe God-ſelfe, and the great God will cheere you, Matth. 19.29.Mat. 19.29.Matt 19:29 they forſook their fathers, and their nets, and marke what Chriſt addes, whoſoever forſakes father or mother, wives or children, or lands for my ſake, and the Goſpels, ſhall receive an hundred fold; that is, you have taken delight in a carnall courſe, lay downe thoſe, and you ſhall have a hundred fold more, deny that ſelfe-looſeneſſe, and you ſhall have joy unſpeakeable and glorious; if you have left riches, you ſhall have unſearchable riches in Chriſt, and what can you have more?

Secondly, againe, if wee can deny our ſelves, God will not deny us, the time will come, we ſhall be aſhamed of ſelfe-ſafety, when the time of perſecution p. 63approacheth, or when the day of death comes, and you are going the way of all fleſh: where then is the glory and beauty of all that you expected? what now is become of your wit and policie that you doted upon? then all thoſe parts and gifts, all that pride add ſtoutneſſe, all will faile you, miſerable comforters that they are: now the carnall wretch will ſay I prized life before Chriſt, now I muſt part from it; here now is all the comfort I can finde in theſe, I may goe to hell. It is juſt, God ſhould deny us, if we deny him. God may ſay, goe to thoſe Gods whom you have honoured: goe now to your Cups and Queanes, and let them pacifie your conſciences: thus it is juſt God ſhould deny us, becauſe we have denyed him, but if we deny our ſelves, God will not deny us.

Meanes. 3 Thirdly, maintaine in thy ſoule the authority of the truth: thou ſeeſt the evill of Selfe, and ſelfe-ſeeking, and the good of ſelfe-denyall, then let the commandement of God be above thee, let that be the ſupreame over thy ſoule, and be moved in the power of this. There will be a God for ever in thy ſoule, and therefore ſet up the truth, and let that be the ſpring of thy actions, and this will cruſh all privy pride and ſecret corruptions: he that will free himſelf from being an hired ſervant, muſt hire himſelfe: and it was the policy of David, hee went to Achiſ…, and then he thought himſelfe free from Saul, ſo give up thy ſelfe to …he command of God, ſo Saul and Selfe will not ſeeke after thee, becauſe there is a greater God there, Rom. 8▪ 2.Rom. 8.2Rom 8:2 The law of the ſpirit of life hath made mee free from ſinne and death: looke to the word daily, ſet up the … of p. 64the ſpirit of life in thy heart, and it will free thee from the law of ſinne and death; as now in conference, in reproving of ſinne, a man would have his parts ſeene, but ſet up a command; reprove, and doe all in vertue of that, that Selfe may ſhake his eares and be gone, Gal. 5.16.Gal. 5.16.Gal 5:16 Walke in the ſpirit, and ye ſhall not fulfill the luſts of the fleſh. Many times the Saints are much perplexed, becauſe that ſelfe preſſeth into duties, that they are weary of the worke; they cannot pray, but pride preſſeth in upon them, though Selfe ſtirre, yet fetch a command againſt it; attend not to the ſtirre of diſtemper, but take a command. If there be a flaw in the Evidence of a mans land, hee will keepe his land ſtill, but he will mend his title; ſo if Selfe carry thee to dutie, keep dutie ſtill, but mend thy tenure. Iohn 4.44.Iohn 4.44.John 4:44 The woman of Samaria comes into the City, and tels of Chriſt; now that was an occaſion to them to heare Chriſt, but their faith was ſet upon the word of our Saviour: ſo goe to the truth, and take up duty, not becauſe Selfe egges, but becauſe God commands. Looke how high an action begins, ſo high it will end: let Gods command rule us, and it will be to his glory.

Thus you have ſeene the firſt meanes, viz. Self-denyall. Now we come to the ſecond. Take up the Croſſe. You muſt not thinke to goe to heaven on a feather-bed: if you will be Chriſts diſciples, you muſt take up his Croſſe, and it will make you ſweat. By Croſſe we underſtand troubles, becauſe the death of the Croſſe was the bittereſt and moſt accurſed, therefore it is put for all miſery, trouble, affliction, and perſecution. He muſt take up his p. 65Croſſe, that is, becauſe it is his owne. Every man hath his particular affliction: by taking up is meant a cheerefull undergoing of miſery and affliction. God loves a cheerefull ſufferer, as well as a cheerfull giver.

The points are three.

Doctrine. 1 Every follower of Chriſt hath affliction allotted to him as a childes part.

1 Hence it is ſaid to be the Saints diet, Pſal. 80.5.Pſal 80.5.Ps 80:5 Thou feedest them with the bread of ſorrow, and giveſt them teares to drinke in abundant meaſure.

2 As it is their food, ſo it is their badge, Gal. 6.17,Gal. 6.17.Gal 6:17 I beare in my body the marks of the Lord Ieſus. It is not a wodden Croſſe as the Papiſts imagine, that is a fooliſh dotage; no, but a whipped Apoſtle, and a ſcourged Apoſtle. I (ſayes Paul) carry about with me the markes of the Lord Ieſus.

3 It is the Way of a Chriſtian, Acts 14.22.Acts 14.22. Rom. 8.17.Acts 14:22Rom 8:17 Rom. 8.17. We are the heyres of Chriſt, but wee muſt be ſpit upon with Chriſt, and then we ſhall be ſaved with him.

4 It is their Portion, In the world ye ſhall have tribulation, Iohn 16.33. Rev. 2.10.Iohn 16.33. Rev. 2.10.John 16:33Rev 2:10 Sathan ſhall caſt ſome of you into priſon; the priſon is their portion, ten daies is the time, Sathan by his inſtruments is the Iaylour, each man hath his croſſe.

Vſe 1 It affords firſt an uſe of inſtruction. Is this ſo, that a follower of Chriſt is ſure to be croſſed? then afflictions are no argument of Gods diſpleaſure, ſore perſecution is no argument of a mans bad condition, but an enſigne of grace and goodneſſe. It was the folly of Iobs friends, the folly of David, that he condemned the generation of the righteous, p. 66Cant. 1.5.Cant. 1.5.Song 1:5 I am blacke, ſaith the Church, yet comely: that is, blacke in perſecution, but comely in grace; though perſecuted, yet gratious; condemne not then the generation of the righteous. There is no Chriſtian but hath his particular croſſe: doth any reaſon on this manner, it is ill ground becauſe men plow it? ill met…le becauſe it is melted? no, it is a ſigne it is good, and that the Gold-ſmith will make it a veſſell of honour becauſe he melts it. Affliction is the plough, and perſecution is the fire, the wicked make long furrowes on the backes of Gods ſervants, therefore it is a ſigne they are good ground, the rather becauſe they are plowed. No man ſaith a man is not a ſouldier becauſe hee is wounded; no, but hee will ſay the rather hee is a ſouldier, becauſe he is wounded; a childe the rather becauſe corrected, ſanctified the rather becauſe perſecuted and afflicted.

Vſe 2 You that make the people of God the ayme of your wrath, it is a word of terrour to you: know what your portion is; are the Saints corrected, then you will be condemned; they are troubled with wilde-fire here and there, and you with hell fire hereafter, 1 Pet. 4.17.1 Pet. 4.17.1 Pet 4:17 The time is come that judgment ſhall beginne at the houſe of God, what ſhall then be the end of thoſe that obey not the Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt? their eyes ſtand out with fatneſſe: I grant that, but what ſhall be their end? they are oppoſite to Gods houſe: you have the name of Chriſtians, but you are none of Gods houſe; you can ſtout it after a ſatanicall manner; but what will your end he… if the S. of God be perſecuted, what will the end of wicked oppoſers and drunkards be? their end will pay for all; if the righteous ſcarcely p. 67be ſaved, where ſhall the ſinner and ungodly appeare? Lazarus lived meanely here, you would thinke it hard to live ſo. Di…es fared deliciouſly every day, end went in purple and fine linnen, who but Dives then? but marke the end, Lazarus died, and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams boſome; he was attended on by Angels, that is obſervable; how ever you ſcorne poore chriſtians, yet I tell you, the bleſſed Angels attend upon poore chriſtians, though they dwell in a ſmoaky cottage, and goe in a leather coat, therefore deſpiſe them not. The rich man dyed alſo (for all his riches) and what became of him? the divels dragged him to hell, and there he is ſcorched, and cryes to Abraham, but marke how he anſwers him; Remember that thou in thy life time receivedſt thy pleaſure, as alſo Lazarus paine, but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Poore Lazarus that was afflicted, is now relieved; but thou hadſt thy pleaſure, therfore thou ſhalt be for ever tormented, that was the end of Dives. If the father deale roughly with his childe, what will he doe with a traitor? if the righteous ſcarcely be ſaved; he is faine to pray for his life, and yet after all endeavour, hee comes as Paul to the haven ſcarcely ſaved▪ if Abraham ſcarcely come to happineſſe, …h where ſhall the ungodly appeare? where ſhall the ha…ghty perſon that will not come in appear▪ how ſhalt thou loo… mercy in the face? Conſider this, ye that forget God, leſt he teare you in pieces, and there be … to deliver you. You Alehouſe-keepers, and Alehouſe-haunters, God is there and ſees … if God correct thoſe that live ſoberl…, …ha… will become p. 68of thee that liveſt like a ſwine? God ſpeakes thus into thee, oh thou drunkard, and thou adulterer, thou haſt done this▪ I will ſe… them in order before thee, and then the Lord will teare thee in pieces. You muſt not thinke to deſpiſe God and his ſervants, and goe away ſo; no, no, conſider this leſt he teare you in pie…s, and there be none to deliver you; God hath rods for his owne, but Scorpions for the wicked; if God correct his ſervants that thrive under the meanes, what will become of thoſe that deſpiſe the meanes? if a follower bee ſcourged, an enemy ſhall be condemned.

Come wee then to the ſecond point, that is the duty: a man muſt not ſtart aſide, but take up his Croſſe. By Croſſe, I told you, was meant troubles and afflictions. This a man muſt take up cheerfully. Takeup.

Doctrine. 2 The followers of Ieſus Chriſt muſt cheerefully undergoe what ever afflictions are allotted unto them: they muſt not have them whether they will or no. Afflictions are a burthen, and we muſt not onelyonly lift at them, but take them up cheerefully, as if Chriſt had ſaid, if you will walke uprightly, you ſhall have many blockes that you cannot leap over, but you muſt goe away with them cheerefully. It is not onelyonly here required, but it is elſewhere commanded, Iam. 1.2.Iam. 1.2.Jas 1:2 Co…nt it all …oy when ye fall into divers temp…ation… ; not ſome joy when ye fall into ſome temptations, but all joy when ye fall into all temptations▪ It is the excellency of a Chriſtian to under goe affliction cheerefully. God loves not onelyonly a cheerefull give…, but a cheerefull ſufferer, Matth ▪ ….Math. 1.Matt 1 Wh… … ſpeake all manner of evill p. 69againſt you (it is obſerveable, wicked mens tongues are tipped from hell, they ſpeake all manner of evill, and as the Apoſtle Saint Iames ſaith, are ſet on fire from hell) and what then? muſt you goe into a corner and howle? no, rejoyce and be exceeding glad, or, as the word carries, a man ſhould leap for joy; nay, it hath beene the behaviour of ſome worthies in former times that have beene in the forefront of the battell, Acts 20.22.Acts 20.22.Acts 20:22 when it was foretold Paul that he ſhould be bound at Ieruſalem, marke what he replies, behold, I goe bound in the ſpirit to Ieruſalem: that is, hee was willing to undergoe it before he had it; though troubles befell him, yet he went on cheerefully, Acts 5.41.Acts 5.41.Acts 5:41 they went away rejoycing that they were counted worthy to ſuffer for Chriſt, Phil. 2.30.Phil. 2.30.Phil 2:30 not regarding life: the Saints ſhould have it in a readineſſe, Acts 21.13.Acts 21.13. Matth. 27.32.Acts 21:13Matt 27:32 we muſt not deale with our Croſſe as Simon did, Matth. 27.32. they compelled him to carry it; but a Saint muſt carry his Croſſe cheerefully: the Mariners take foule tempeſts as well as fai…e galus, ſo wee that are ſaylers and ſouldiers muſt fare as we finde.

Queſt. But what is it to take up a man… Croſſe?

Anſw. The duty conſiſts in three things.

1 It muſt be our owne. Let him take up his Croſſe; that is, that affliction which God hath allotted for our particular port…on; wee muſt not bring miſery on our ſelves, there is no credit no… comfort in this. The text doth not ſay, let him make his Croſſe, no, it is ma…e already: ſo long as we have the world and our own corrupt hearts▪ and as long at the…e are Di…els in hell, there are p. 70troubles enough. It is folly for a traveller to goe through a ſlough when hee may eſcape it, ſo wee muſt not needleſly runne into troubles, but if it be allotted, we muſt travell in winter, and drinke of the cup of ſorrow and affliction. The Patient that takes phyſicke, if there be five or ſixe more ſicke in his chamber, and there be divers potions ſent, one man muſt not take every mans potion, but hee muſt take the phyſicke preſcribed for him: ſo afflictions are potions, one hath diſgrace, another poverty, every man muſt take his owne potion, Ier. 10.19.Ier. 10.19.Jer 10:19 It is my ſorrow, therefore I will beare it.

2 When we ſee the Receipt under Gods hand, wee muſt ſtoope, wee muſt put our neckes to the yoke, and our ſhoulders to the burthen, Heb. 11.25.Heb. 11.25.Heb 11:25 Moſes choſe rather the reproach of Chriſt, the crowne of thornes in Chriſts ſervice, then all the gold in Egypt, any for ought I know, hee might have worne the crowne of Egypt, he was not forced to it, the Text ſaith, he choſe it rather.

3 We muſt quietly carry it, with a meeke diſpoſition, not ſnarling at the hand of the Almighty, nor yet diſquieted with affliction, though it pinch him ſore; but we muſt doe a… David, Pſal. 39.9.Phil. 39.9. I held my tongue and ſp…ke no word, becauſe thou didſt it. You know oftentimes the Parent makes the childe not onelyonly beare the rod, …ut alſo kiſſe the rod, ſo ſhould we, not onelyonly beare afflictions, but kiſſe the rod, and willingly undergoe them: the Text ſaith of Chriſt, hee went as a ſheepe to the ſlaughter, and gave his necke to the ſmiter. Patience by force is nothing, but when it is done voluntarily, it is ſomething, 1 Sam. 3.18.… Sam. 3.18. Eli doth not fall out p. 71with God, as Ionah, (I doe well to be angry to the death.) But marke what he ſaith, It is the Lord that hath done it. He takes thoſe blowes with meekneſſe. We heare of no quarrelling at I…be hand, but, Naked (ſaith he) came I into the world, and na…ed ſhall I goe out; and bleſſed be the Name of the Lord; not a word more. Then you ſee, It muſt be ſuffered willingly, and undergone patiently.

Reaſon. 1 The Reaſon is taken from the Wiſdome of God, and love of a father that ſends all theſe. When a childe will take no phyſick, they uſe to ſay, Looke, it is your father that brings it, and will you not take that your father gives you? This is a great argument to prevaile with the childe to make him take the phyſicke. So becauſe afflictions come from their Father, it is a great argument to perſwade the Saints; his wiſdome orders them, therefore beare them. Iohn 18.11.Iohn 18.11.John 18:11 Shall I not drink of the c…p which my Father gives me? There is the force of the argument. God prepares it, therefore drink it. So the Apoſtle reaſons. Heb. 12.9.Heb. 12.9.Heb 12:9 Our fathers in the fleſh corrected us, and we ſubmitted: As who ſhould ſay, We bo…e the afflictions of our fathers in the fleſh, when they ſ…ew upon us in a paſſion, and they that we…e neereſt, they ſped worſt; and ſhall we not rather beare, and be in ſubjection to the Father of ſpirits, and live? God would have us live. If the Patient be perſwaded, the Phyſician hath skill, he will …e willing to receive the potions preſcribed by him: ſo our Father is our Phyſician, and a father will … the childe nothing that ſhall …; let us therefore ſubmit to what ever God layes upon us, duplicate page p. 70duplicate page p. 71p. 72whether ſweet or ſowre, we muſt not onelyonly have cordialls which are ſweet, but bitter potions and pills; Doth God provide it, and ſhall not we take it? Iſa. 38.15.Iſa. 38.15.Isa 38:15 What ſhall I ſay, he hath ſpoken unto me, and himſelfe hath done it, I ſhall goe ſoftly all my yeeres in the bitterneſſe of my ſoule. God bids him ſet his houſe in order, he ſhould die. God hath ſaid it, ſaith the Text, and I will doe it.

Reaſon. 2 2. There is a great deale of good in afflictions, therefore take them willingly and cheerefully. Lam. 3.27.Lam. 3.27.Lam 3:27 It is good for a man to beare the yoke in his youth. Who would not be cut that he might be cured? Afflictions are painfull, but there is good in them; a man is content to beare the knife of a Chirurgeon, to be healed. Matthew 19. When Chriſt meaſured out their condition, he ſaith, Ye ſhall have houſes, &c. but they ſhall be with perſecution. We eat ſalt to make our meat ſavoury. So afflictions are ſalt to make us relliſh the mercies which we receive, the better.

Reaſon. 3 3. Conſider our great unworthineſſe of mercy, and our worthineſſe of judgement. Hath God taken away my liberty? He might have taken away my ſoule; I am perſecuted, I might have been damned; hath God taken away my goods? he might have taken away his mercies. If then, there is the wiſdome of a father to provide it; if good comes by it, and we have deſerved it, then take it patiently, and undergoe it cheerefully.

Queſt. But you will ſay, May not a man paſſe by the Croſſe, and never take it? Should not a man rather flie it, then take it up?

p. 73Anſw. There is a twofold condition in affliction.

1. If a man be not called to it, it is a duty to avoid it; rather to ſhun the ſ…are then to be caught by it: and this ſtands upon three commands at the leaſt.

2. When a man is called to affliction, and God hath put him into the battell, that trouble and miſery come, then to fling away the Croſſe is a fearfull thing; the unbeleeving and fearfull are coupled together, and ſhall be coupled together in hell. It is that which God ſuffers not; you know that place, That he that denies me before men, that turnes his back in the day of battell, and ſtarts off when afflictions come, he that denies the Lord now, and will beare nothing for him, the God of heaven will deny him; he that playes faſt and looſe with Chriſt, and now he will be a Diſciple, and now he will not; when he cryes for mercy, God will ſay, No, no; you would not know me, therefore depart, I know you not: he that denies God in trouble, God will deny him introuble.

Queſt. But when is a man called?

Anſw. 1. When God ſtops all means, when there is no way to avoid it, then God calls to fight, and that even to the laſt man. Dan. 3.16.Dan. 3.16.Dan 3:16 The three Children when they could not avoid it, ſtood it out ſtoutly; we are not carefull to anſwer thee in this, O King. But Elias, the ſtouteſt man that earth bare, when he was threatned by Iezebel, and had a way to eſcape, he flew from Iezebel, 1 Kings 19.1 Kings 19.1 Kgs 19 If the three Children had had the like liberty to flie that Elias had, they would and might have fled; but becauſe there was no way to prevent it, they ſtoutly bore it.

p. 742. But if the Lord doe give liberty, and ſet out a way that it is poſſible to avoid perſecution, yet if by withdrawing, either diſhonour will come to the truth, or if by it a man ſhall omit a duty on which the ſalvation of many ſoules depends, rather then a man ſhould flie off from the truth formerly taught by him, and ſo diſcourage others, let him die, and feale the truth with his blood, and rather die then diſhonour the truth, and omit duty, and hurt others.

1. Firſt then, if the truth ſhall ſuffer hazard by our ſhrinking aſide, it is a ſinne. 2 Tim. 4.16.2 Tim. 4.16.2 Tim 4:16 At his firſt anſwer all forſooke him, they put him in the forefront, and left him there, they went one to this, and another to that; I love Paul, ſaith one, but my ſhop muſt be ſerved; I love Paul, ſaith another, but the truth is, I muſt looke to my lands; Did theſe doe well in it. No, ſaith Paul, I pray God it be not laid to their charge. Thus we ſee, if the truth ſhall ſuffer any hazard by our flying, though we can eſcape, yet in this caſe we ought not to flie troubles.

2. If duty be omitted; If a man be in place or office of authority, and forſakes duty becauſe of perſecution, he ſinnes fearfully.

3. Concerning the ſalvation of others; If a Miniſter hazard the good of his Congregation by flying, woe to him. Obſerve this rule, and it will goe a great way; all afflictions that lie betwixt me and duty, undergoe them, though hell gates were open: It is not neceſſary, a man ſhould want a Croſſe, it is neceſſary a man ſhould want ſinne; rather die therefore then be wanting in ſervice. p. 75Acts 20 24.Acts. 20.24.Acts 20:24 I count not my life deare that I may finiſh my courſe with joy, as who ſhould ſay, whether life or bloud, it is not neceſſary I ſhould live; it is neceſſary I ſhould performe duty. A traveller that muſt needs go home, be the way never ſo bad or dangerous, home he will: ſo ſay you, to my duty I muſt, therfore what ever befals, it skils not. Yeeld then when God cals to ſuffer, and woe to that ſoul that will not bear it: a Croſſe you muſt have, and you muſt take it up too, if you be a diſciple to Chriſt.

Vſe 1 If this be ſo, that theſe that will be followers of Chriſt, muſt take up his Croſſe, then this fals marvellous hard, eſpecially upon two ſorts.

1 Such as will dwell in the houſe of our Saviour, but the bread of affliction, and the water of teares will not downe with them, they muſt have dainties, or elſe nothing will downe with them; theſe are unfit for our Saviour. Doth any one take a ſervant on this proviſo, that hee muſt never be corrected, and that he muſt fare daintily, whatſoever his Maſter hath? Nay, no man will take a ſervant on theſe tearmes, yet this is the madneſſe of many, you are content to be Profeſſors, but you muſt have dainties; you would be ſonnes, but you would not be corrected; no, God takes none but whom hee corrects. There is a generation that would bee chriſtians, but they would have no Croſſe: they chriſtians? we have a name that wee are alive, but we are dead; if a man ſhould tell you, you are none of Chriſts, you would think it very ill: whereas your conſcience tells you, you are not able to beare the breath of the wicked in ſcornes and ſcoffes, how then will you beare the weight of p. 76all the Croſſe? it is with ſuch men as with Huſhai, they would be on the beſt ſide: if proſperity and peace forſake the Goſpell, men forſake it, 2 Sam. 16.18.2 Sam. 16.18.2 Sam 16:18 Huſhai comes to Abſalom, and Abſalom ſaith, Is this thy kindeneſſe to thy friend? nay ſaith Huſhai, but whom the Lord and this people ſhall chuſe, him will I ſerve: ſo if Popery ſhould come, if the Prieſts ſhould aske men why they forſake their religion: nay, would many men ſay, but what religion the Pope and his ſhavelings ſhall chuſe, will I be of: oh if perſecution ſhould come, this Croſſe would ſcare many thouſands, Matth. 27.42.Math. 27 42.Matt 27:42 If hee will come downe from the Croſſe, we will beleeve him. Oh there is a company of diſſembling hypocrites that will ſay to our Saviour, if it be an impriſoned Saviour, they will none of him, but if not perſecuted, never ſaved, if not beare the Croſſe, never looke to weare the Crowne, either bo…h or none.

2 Thoſe diſſembling hypocrites, that now and then profeſſe through a little waſh-way; they ſtoope and life at the C…oſſe, but yet when it comes to the up-ſhot, they cannot beare the burthen; theſe come to the fire of affliction to be warmed, but not to be ſcorched, as he ſaid, they cannot burne for religion. When Paul was in bonds, hee would not have them aſhamed of his chaines; this is a thing marvellous frequent. The Papiſts have a fooliſh dreame, that their Croſſe, their airy Croſſe will ſcare divels; that is but a dorage, but this Croſſe will (I had almoſt ſaid, ſcare the Divell) I am ſure will diſcover divels, that is, hypocrites; bring them to the Croſſe, and you ſhall ſee them fall before it like lightning.

p. 77Firſt for Officers, if there be an Alehouſe comes to be indited, when it comes to a dead lift, he will lift, and ſay, it is pitty you keepe ſuch ill orders in your houſe, I would it were not ſo; mee thinkes it ſhould be otherwiſe, that you ſhould not doe ſo, living under ſuch meanes, therefore I wiſh you would amend, &c. he gives them warning, and let them looke better to it hereafter; he wiſheth them well, &c. but he ſees, if he ſhould croſſe the drunkard and blaſphemer, oh then the Croſſe would come; the drunkard would forſake his ſhop, and he ſhould loſe cuſtome: upon this conſideration, he flings off all duty, rather then have a Croſſe.

Secondly, come downe againe to carnall Goſpellers, you ſhall ſee them lift at the Croſſe: tell him of praying in his family▪ and family duties of religion, and then he will pray now and then, and he will ſet his houſe in ſome order, but he feeles the Croſſe comming, his carnall friends will ſay, how now? what you turn'd puritan? and the very breath of carnall friends ſtops him, and then hee ſeekes to ſhift for himſelfe, and one ſtands out and cavils, and ſaith, why ſhould we pray? oh that is not the matter, there is another thing in the way, there is a Croſſe you thinke will follow after: doſt thou thinke thou art the diſciple of Chriſt all this while? all the followers of Chriſt take up their Croſſe, but you take not up your croſſe, therefore you are none of the diſciples of Chriſt: what argument of uprightneſſe have you?

All grounds of ſoundneſſe are referred to two heads.

1 Hatred of ſinne.

p. 782 Love of Chriſt.

Now lay but theſe levell: firſt, for hatred of ſinne, whoſoever hates ſinne, as ſinne, hates every ſinne; therefore in himſelfe eſpecially, as alſo in any other, and he that hates will deſtroy it; now examine when thy place requires it, thou doſt nothing againſt ſinne, doſt thou hate it? where hatred of ſinne is, there will be a killing of ſinne, but thou letteſt it live, therefore thou hateſt not ſinne.

Secondly, for the love of Chriſt: can you ſay, you love Chriſt, when your hearts are not with him, Iudg. 16.15.Iudg. 16.15.Judg 16:15 when Chriſt and a cuſtomer comes in competition, and you deſpiſe Chriſt, what doe you love then? why, it is plaine, thy profit: therefore thou muſt ſeeke grace, for as yet thou haſt none. Whoſoever hates poverty more then ſinne, or loveth honour more then Chriſt, is no follower of Chriſt, but theſe men are ſo, therefore no followers, not no diſciples of our Saviour.

Vſe 2 For conſolation, is it ſo that the followers of Chriſt muſt cheerefully undergoe the Croſſe, then here is comfort to thoſe that doubt of ſincerity: wouldeſt thou know the truth of grace? then try thy ſelfe by the croſſe; as thy ſuffering is, ſo is thy ſincerity, ſee if thou canſt take up the croſſe: there are many metals will beare the touch-ſtone, but the fire will try them beſt: ſo thou mayeſt deceive the worlds eye, but the fire when that comes, will beare witneſſe of thy ſincerity, if thou doſt ſhrink in the wetting, if thou canſt not ſtand in the mouth of the cannon, then art thou no follower of Chriſt: if the beame bends not under the building, then it p. 79is heart of Oake; but if it bend, it is ſappy: ſo if thou giveſt way to the weight, holdeſt with the Hare, and runneſt with the Hound alſo, woe to thy ſoule, thou art not right, 2 Cor. 6.4.2 Cor. 6.4.2 Cor 6:4 in all things approving our ſelves as the Miniſters of God: what is that approvement? it is when a chriſtian is able to beare winde and weather; as a free horſe makes waſh-way of all. It is reported by ſhepheards, that thoſe ſheepe which are ſound, are made good by the cold, but they that are not, dye: ſo it is with the ſheepe of Chriſt, there be many of the raſcall c…ew, when winter comes, when the ſharpe chill cold ayre of perſecution comes, they fall off: to keepe ground here is an argument of a good ſheep, but if thou beeſt looſe becauſe of perſecution, thou art a coward, becauſe thou beareſt not the Croſſe, Luke 21.13.Luke 21.13.Luke 21:13 this ſhall be to you for a teſtimony, as who ſhould ſay, the world knew not whether you loved mee indeed, but this will caſt the ballance, when there is no credit to honour a man, but a bare Chriſt, then to be content to ſuffer, this will give the teſtimony.

Queſt. But is it not poſſible for a Peter to deny Chriſt? and for an hypocrite to dye in the profeſſion of Chriſt?

Anſw. Yes, and yet the truth is true, and that ſee in three rules, that you may diſcover an hypocrites ſufferings from a Saints.

1 An hypocrite is content to beare much, but when you fret him to the heart-veyne, he is dead; he that beares through pride, will beare any thing but contempt, Luke 8.13.Luke 8.13.Luke 8:13 Matth. 13.21. yet hath he not root in himſelfe, but dureth for a while, for p. 80when perſecution or tribulation ariſeth becauſe of the word, he is offended; there is an opportunity of temptation, and ſeaſon of ſorrow: a proud mans hold is credit, take away credit and honour, and he is gone, but all comes alike to a Saint.

2 It may be poſſible, that a good man may bee over-borne with troubles, and an hypocrite may be thus: but a ſound chriſtian when hee recovers himſelfe, that he hath gotten his fence, hee takes ſhame, and is couragious afterward; but a carnall hypocrite, what he hath done, he will defend, but he conſiders not arguments that may make him to take up his Croſſe, he takes a brow of braſſe, and out-faceth all; and will beare any thing that is againſt him, but they that joyn with him are loved, and his arguments are commended: Peter did not ſtand on tearmes, but he remembred the words of Chriſt, and wept.

3 Both may dye in the maintenance of the truth, and yet both may differ, for a ſound chriſtian labours to credit the Goſpell in dying, he takes up the Croſſe of Chriſt, for Chriſts glory; but a carnall hypocrite hath his baſe aymes and ends. A man may dye through pride, as a Ruffian, rather then he will beare the lye, he will fight it out, hee doth not maintaine his life, but his baſe luſt. Papiſts will come over and play the traytors, that they may be canonized for Saints: a man may dye without love, but a gracious heart ſuffers for the love of the Goſpell.

Vſe 3 If you will be followers of Chriſt, take up your Croſſe, lay your neckes to the blocke; hee that is p. 81able cheerefully to take up the Croſſe, hee is the onelyonly chriſtian.

Queſt. But may not a man rejoyce in Chriſt?

Anſw. Yes, and we muſt mourne that Chriſt is diſhonoured by ungodly men. A man ſhould rejoyce in Chriſt, and marke what that is, doe as Paul did, Gal. 6.14. God forbid that I ſhould glory in any thing, ſave in the Croſſe of Chriſt. Welcome Chriſts Croſſe, as they did, Acts 5.41.Gal. 6.14. Acts 5.41.Gal 6:14Acts 5:41 they went away rejoycing, that they were counted worthy to ſuffer for Chriſt. But can ſuch men rejoyce in Chriſt that cannot abide his preſence? art thou content that Chriſt ſhould looke over thy ſhoulder, when thou art railing and curſing, becauſe the Dice fall croſſe to thee? art thou content God ſhould ſtrike thee downe dead, and call thee to judgement in the midſt of thy game and ſwearing? I doubt not but all thy fellow-gameſters would run away if they could: ſhould a man tell you, you ſhould redeeme the time becauſe the dayes are evill, would he not ſpoyle your ſport? doe you not then hate Chriſt? If a man ſhould pray but halfe an houre, you would thinke it death: but oh the cards and dice can bee ſate at many houres; as who ſhould ſay, Chriſt came to pardon ſinne, that we might commit ſin. God will ſend ſuch men and their practiſes to hell, is this the rejoycing in Chriſt? will you rejoyce in Chriſt? then rejoyce in diſgrace for Chriſt?

Queſt. How may we doe this?

Anſw. The meanes are five, that a man may be fitted to take up his Croſſe.

Meanes. 1 When we ſet out in a chriſtian courſe, ſuppoſe the worſt that can befall, that whatſoever doth p. 82befall you, ye may be able to undergoe it: his hath quaſhed the courage of many a chriſtian, when they heare and reade, they promiſe to themſelves they ſhall have honour, and when their expectations fa…le and are croſſed, their hearts faint. He that ſoweth, obſerveth not the winde, and the traveller doth not obſerve the dirty wayes, Matth. 10.34.Mat. 10.34.Matt 10:34 thinke not that I come to ſend peace, as who ſhould ſay, be not taken with that dreame that you ſhall have peace, that you ſhall have dainties; know this, troubles and perſecutions muſt come, and then if this befall you, you will ſay, there is nothing come but that I looked for, Luke 14.28.Luke 14.28.Luke 14:28 Hee that will build a tower must firſt count the coſt: ſo count the coſt, you muſt part with your right eye, and right hands, it will coſt you deere to be a chriſtian indeed.

2 Conclude what ever ſhall befall you, will be but firſt, ſmall, and ſecondly, the iſſue will bee good: firſt, ſmall; and that firſt in the time and continuance, ſecondly, in the thing and ſubſtance, but ſmall in time and continuance; all tribulations are but ſhort▪ it is but a day of trouble, Pſal. 50.15. Iſa. 26.20.Pſal. 50.25. Iſa. 26.20.Ps 50:25Isa 26:20 Come my people, enter into thy chamber, and ſhut thy doore about thee, hide thy ſelfe as it were for a little moment, untill the indignation be over-paſt: it is but for a moment, life is but a bubble if wee loſe it: and ſecondly, the ſubſtance that wee loſe; if we loſe honour, it is but the breath of man; if we loſe wealth, it is …s nothing; why doſt thou ſet thine eyes upon that which is not? Pro. 23.5.Pro. 23 5.Prov 23:5

Secondly, as the affliction will be but ſmall in reſpect of time and ſubſtance, ſo conſider the iſſue; p. 83looke beyond affliction, and marke the good of it, and ever judge the Croſſe according to Gods judgment of it, Heb. 10.34.Heb. 10.34.Heb 10:34 you have in heaven a better, and more enduring ſubſtance: would not a man lay out an hundred pounds to have it doubled? you doe not loſe riches, you ſhall be rich in grace. Moſes had an eye to the recompence of reward: had but Ioſeph thought his impriſonment would have brought him to honour, hee had borne it gladly: had David thought the loſſe of Ziglag would have brought him to his kingdome, he would have endured it; ſo Rom. 8. afflictions are not worth the crowne of glory. the cruſhing of the grapes makes wine, ſo when a proud heart is cruſhed, he is humble, 2 Cor. 4.17.2 Cor. 4.17.2 Cor 4:17 there is a crowne of glory laid up; when the Lord is purſuing with miſery, thinke the Lord is preparing a crowne be not poring on miſery, here is miſery, but here is helpe too, Luke 21.19.Luke 21.19.Luke 21:19 In patience poſſeſſe your ſoules; as who ſhould ſay, reſolve on this, doe not put your hand on your ſore; no, the Lord will recompence all.

3 Looke every day to croſſe your corruptions, and then your croſſe will ſeeme eaſie indeed, 1 Cor. 15.31.1 Cor. 15.31.1 Cor 15:31 I dye daily. if a man had a great many petty deaths, the great death would not trouble him: many a Saint is more quiet in perſecution, then he that perſecutes: the Porter lifts a little and a little, at laſt he gets up his burden.

4 The next meanes is out of Heb. 12.2.Heb. 12.2.Heb 12:2 Looking to Ieſus, &c. when thou ſeeſt a Croſſe, ſee Chriſt too: looke up to that power, and begge of him, and receive of him that which may be helpefull. This looking to Chriſt affords ſuccour three wayes: p. 84firſt, Chriſt deſpiſed the Croſſe, and what became of it? he now ſits at Gods right hand. Was Chriſt ſmitten, and ſhalt not thou be diſgraced? arme your ſelves with the ſame minde, 1 Pet. 4.1.1 Pet. 4.1.1 Pet 4:1 if it were ſo with Chriſt who had no ſinne, what will it be with thee who haſt ſinne? ſecondly, Chriſt is with thee in trouble, Iſa. 63.9.Iſa. 63.9.Isa 63:9 In all their afflictions he was afflicted. Ioſeph was impriſoned, and God was with him. The childe chooſeth to bee with his father, though it be in a ſmoaky cottage, ſo if God be with thee, be quieted, Iohn 16 33.Iohn 16.33.John 16:33 In the world ye ſhall have trouble, but in me ye ſhall have peace: thou art in priſon, but in Chriſt inlarged, here weake, but in Chriſt made ſtrong. Thirdly, remember that Chriſt hath promiſed to take all trouble from thee, 1 Pet. 5.7.1 Pet. 5.7.1 Pet 5:7 humble your ſelves therefore under the potent hand of God, that hee may exalt you in due time: thou art poore, let Chriſt beare the care, and as long as Chriſt beares the care, why ſhould not wee beare the croſſe? Chriſt will be with thee in ſixe, and deliver thee in ſeven troubles, Iob 5.19.Iob 5.19.Job 5:19 Porters lay ſomething betweene the burthen and their ſhoulders, ſo lay the promiſes of Chriſt upon thy ſhoulders, lay mercy under the Croſſe: if a man beare a burthen quietly, he carries it eaſily, ſo looke to Chriſt, and beare thy burthen willingly.

5 Laſtly, conſider, if thou wilt not take up a Croſſe, God will give thee a curſe. You will not have your credit croſſed, drunkards muſt not ſpeak ill of you; take thy ſinne then: all the ſins of thoſe drunkards and ſwearers are thine, if thou reprove them not, and the curſe of God with them, the p. 85vengeance of God will breake thy backe. Dives would not have the Croſſe; take thy pleaſure, ſaith God, and the worme that never dyeth, Iam. 5.3.Iam. 5.3.Jas 5:3 the rich men would have their wealth: take your wealth, ſaith the Apoſtle, but it is cankred, and it will witneſſe againſt you. Every ſixe pence will come as ſo many witneſſes: witneſſe (ſaith this ſhilling) I was plucked out of the mouth of the poore, you will have a wealthy talent, and you ſhall have wrath with it. You that are now careleſſe, you feare to ſanctifie a Lords day, you will not be croſſed, God will bid you go to your neighbours to be ſaved, for them you loved, and them you obeyed; whether then will you have the Croſſe of Chriſt, or the rage of the Almighty? rather beare the Croſſe of Chriſt, then the indignation of the Lord of hoſts?

Vſe 4 It is a ground of inſtruction, if the ſervants of Chriſt muſt beare the Croſſe, then who bee they that make it? It is an undoubted argument of a ſoul that is an adverſary, that ſets himſelfe in battell aray againſt the Almighty. They are the Saints of Chriſt that beare the Croſſe, therefore they are the ſlaves of Sathan that make it: it is a great character of the divell, he is an accuſer of the brethren: Rev. 12.Rev 12and an undoubted argument that they are of the divell, that lay heavy burthens on the backes of Gods ſervants, Phil. 1.28.Phil. 1.28.Phil 1:28 It is to them a token of perdition, but to you of ſalvation: to be perſecuted is a ſigne of your ſalvation; but to perſecute the faithfull ſervants of God, is a token of perdition, as a man that hath the plague tokens, we ſay, The Lord have mercy upon him, and we give him over for dead, and p. 86the bell tolles for him; ſo ſeeſt thou a man that after a ſatanicall manner cuts and carves our croſſes? it is a token of perdition, and there is ſcarce any hope of ſuch a ſoule, Gal. 4.29.30.Gal. 4.29.30.Gal 4:29Gal 4:30 hee aymes at the ſtory concerning Iſmael and Iſaac, he perſecuted Iſaac by railing. Contempt, diſgraces, reproches be perſecutions, & as Iſmael perſecuted Iſaac, ſo it will be to the worlds end. But what ſaith the Scripture? Caſt out the bond-woman and her ſonne: you are ſevered from the Church here, and you ſhall be ſeparated from God hereafter. As it is an argument of a Saint to beare a Croſſe, ſo it is an argument of a divell to make a Croſſe.

Doct. Let him deny himſelfe, and take up his Croſſe. Firſt, deny, then take, both deny and take.

Selfe-denyall is a ſpeciall meanes to fit the ſoule for ſuffering. Therefore theſe two goe hand in hand, he that is a ſelfe-denyer, will be a cheerefull ſufferer, it is not onelyonly here expreſſed, but in other places mentioned, Revel. 12.11.Rev. 12.11.Rev 12:11 there is a deſcription of a man that ſhall conquer; they overcame the Dragon, becauſe they loved not their lives unto death: that is to ſay, they were contented to lay downe their lives, Luke 14.33.Luke 14.33.Luke 14:33 when a man hath laid downe himſelfe, then he may follow our Saviour, 1 Cor. 7.29. he makes this the armour, wherwith a Chriſtian ſhould be furniſhed againſt the day of tryall: the time is ſhort, what remaines? the text ſaith, Let him that is maried, be as if he were not maried: that is, let him have all, but let him deny all. When Peter denied his life, he never denyed Chriſt any more; ſo when Ionah denyed his ſtout ſtomacke, he never forſooke the meſſage of God any more.

p. 87Queſt. How doth this ſelfe-denyall bring in this ſpirituall ability of undergoing the Croſſe of Chriſt?

Anſw. Here we will give you the arguments. Obſerve you the cauſes of forſaking the Croſſe of Chriſt, which are two:

1 When the Croſſe is too keene or ſharp.

2 The weakeneſſe that is in us, that we are not able to beare it. Now ſelfe-denyall removes both theſe.

1 That ſelfe-denyall takes away the keenneſſe and ſharpeneſſe, and the argument is this. If ſelfe-denyall keepe the Croſſe from pinching, then it is a ſpeciall meanes to take away the ſharpeneſſe, and ſo to make us beare it; the firſt is cleere, therefore the ſecond muſt follow. Then that it may appeare that ſelfe-denyall takes away the ſharpeneſſe, obſerve, that the Croſſe doth not take away any ſpirituall thing: trouble and perſecution doth not take away faith; fa man were in a dungeon, he might be faithfull; the fire doth not conſume the metall, but take away the droſſe; ſo outward things are onelyonly conſumed, the other are not touched; now then ſince the ſharpeneſſe lyes in outward things, ſelfe-denyall beats backe the blow, ſo that it cannot trouble him: the onelyonly way to take away the fire, is to take away the fuell; ſo when the fire of perſecution is flaming, ſelfe-denyall takes away the fuell, on which affliction ſhould burne. Now it doth this thr… wayes.

1 A ſelfe-denying heart doth baſely eſteeme of theſe baſe things: ſo much as you prize a thing, ſo much you are grieved for the loſſe of it; a woman that marvellouſly eſteemes her childe, when ſhee p. 88loſeth her childe, ſhe loſeth her life: if men would eſteeme jewels as pebbles, the Ieweller would be no more grieved for the loſſe of them then for pebbles; ſo he that eſteemeth his honour, (as the ambitious) his life, as the naturall man, his honour and his life are his Gods; take away his God, and he ſinkes; but a ſelfe-denying heart placeth no worth in theſe; if riches be gone, there is but a ſhadow gone; if life be gone, there is but a bubble broken, Acts 20.24.Acts 20.24.Acts 20:24 Paul counted not his life dear, as who ſhould ſay, if he had counted his life dear, he had not finiſhed his courſe with joy. A rich man cares not to loſe ſixe pence, ſo ſaith Paul, I count not my life deare: all men forſook Paul, ſave onelyonly the houſe of Oneſiphorus, yet this troubled not Paul, becauſe he had this ſelfe-denyall.

2 It looſens a mans affections from delighting in any thing here below, Luke 14.26.Luke 14▪26.Luke 14:26 a ſelfe-denying heart hates wife and children ſo farre as they hinder him from Chriſt: he that looſens this knot, may eaſily untye it: love a thing immoderately, and be grieved for the loſſe of it exceſſively; a fooliſh ſpeech caſt upon a proud perſon, how diſcouraged is he at it? but a ſelfe-denying heart cares no more for it, then for the barking of a dog: what can priſon take from him? he hath given his liberty to Chriſt before; he that caſts the duſt on the dunghill, cares not though the winde … it away; but a ſelfe-denying heart counts all th…ngs dung, and therefore he is not troubled, if he loſe all to gaine Chriſt. It is with a ſelfe-denying heart as with a dead man, he feeles nothing, Gal. 6.14.Gal. 6.14.Gal 6:14 He is crucifyed to the world, and the world to him: if you will take p. 89away glory, and lay ſhame upon him, he feeles it not; he is dead to the world; if you diſgrace him, he cares not; you touch not him; it is eaſie for a man to looſe that he hath not; now a ſelfe-denying heart, that hath honour, is as if he had no honour; if you take away his joy, he is not troubled; he is as if he had it not, he hath loſt nothing, becauſe he left all before in affections.

3. It takes away that boiſterous diſpoſition whereby he oppoſeth the Providence of God, that brings the Croſſe. We by pride oppoſe the providence of God, bringing the Croſſe; therefore we are troubled with it: now ſelfe-deniall takes away this; therefore all the trouble is removed. Firſt, the bird beats her ſelfe, therefore ſhe is troubled with the Cage; the colt is untamed, therefore troubled with fetters; when he is tamed, he may live well with the fetters: ſo as that which makes affliction tedious is our wayward heart, till God have weaned us; then a dungeon is as good as a houſe.

Secondly, ſelf-deniall takes away that weakneſſe that is in us to beare the Croſſe; & that two wayes.

1. It makes way for deriving of ſpirituall graces; this made the Martyrs ſo conſtant, that the Maſſacrers cryed out, they were weary with killing; it came not from fleſh and blood, but from ſelfe-deniall; he that is conſtant to deny his owne ſtrength, the ſtrength of the Lord ſhall ſupply him; the Lord is able to ſupport him: now a ſelfe-denying heart makes way for this ſtrength, he is nothing in himſelfe; therefore Chriſt is all in al in him. Phil. 4.13. I can do al things in Chriſt who p. 90ſtrengthens me. Phil. 4.13.Phil 4:13There is a vertue given from Chriſt to a ſelfe-denying heart to beare trouble.

2 It brings refreſhing from Chriſt. Two things there are in common reaſon to beare a burden.

1. Strength.

2. Cheerfulneſſe.

So ſelfe-deniall gives ſtrength and ſweetneſſe; we may eaſily ſwallow theſe pills, becauſe they are ſugered▪ Luke 1.53. He hath filled the hungry with good things. Iſa. 57.Luke 1.53. Iſa. 57.15.Luke 1:53Isa 57:15 He reviveth the ſpirit of the humble. The traveller muſt have a bait; ſo God gives a ſweet bit which is a daily bait, that a ſelfe-denying heart may goe on his journey with comfort, as he ſpeakes, 1 Sam. 1.8. Am I not better to thee thou ten children? So Chriſt ſaith to thee; Am I not better to thee then a thouſand credits? Thus the ſoule is refreſhed.

Vſe. Is it ſo, that ſelfe-deniall is a ſpeciall meanes to take up the Croſſe? Then the uſe is threefold.

11. Of Inſtruction. We ſee why men flie off from Chriſt, and give him the backe in the day of trouble; they are full of themſelves, and therefore flie off; their credit, honour, life, &c. Theſe muſt not be parted from. Iob 4.5, 6.Iob. 4.5.Job 4:5 It is come upon thee, and thou fainteſt; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. Many a man that hath made a great profeſſion, when the wet comes he ſhrinkes baſely; he denied not himſelfe, therefore he denies the Croſſe, and that cruſhes him. It is with us, as with a wilde colt, an untamed horſe; he is notable to bear the fours, but ſlings off the rider; but if he be rid hard, he will beare any burden, becauſe his ſtout ſtomacke as come downe; ſo is it with a p. 91proud heart, that is full of himſelfe; when the burden comes, then the covetous man wincheth, and would renounce God and his Goſpell rather then he will beare miſery; but a ſelfe denying heart is willing to take up his Croſſe, becauſe he hath laid down himſelf; hence come thoſe carnall ſhifts; men ſee ſome beare the burden, and they wiſh well to it; but ſaith one, I have a family to care for; thoſe are to be honoured that doe ſo, but it is otherwiſe with me; the great ones are fitteſt, they have no trades to looke to; and the poore ones have no riches to looke to: oh you have ſomewhat to loſe, there is the buſineſſe; then belike thou haſt no mercy to looſe; thou haſt not denied thy ſelfe, therefore thou art no follower of Chriſt. Take thy Gods and periſh with them; thou wilt not ſuffer, becauſe thou haſt thy ſelfe; therefore thou ſhalt burne with thy ſelfe in hell.

Vſe 2 2. It is a word of Examination. We know not for what times God hath reſerved us; then here we may ſee, who are able to ſtand for Chriſt. If there be any man that denies himſelfe, and takes up the croſſe, he ſhall have the crowne. But art thou able to deny thy ſelfe or not? Art thou now a Profeſſour, and wilt be a forſaker of Chriſt? We are not greater then our fellow brethren; we know not how ſo one miſery may be…ide us; Is he likely to ſuffer the loſſe of his blood, that will not ſuffer the loſſe of a baſe luſt? Will he beare the point of a ſpear, that wil not part with a little credit? Iudg. 7.5.Iudg. 7.Judg 7 When Gideon was to fight with the Midianites, thoſe that were afraid we bade them returne, and they went almoſt all away. Now, p. 92God gives them another triall, they that lapped, went; and they were three hundred. Therefore in the Pſal. 110.Pſal. 110.Ps 110 it is ſaid, Chriſt ſhall drinke of the brooke by the way; That is, he ſhall take a lap by the way, and goe cheerfully to his worke: if the Lord ſhould try us thus, all that are fearfull to ſuffer, would flie into the Low-countreys; there would be but a few, if God ſhould ſay, by thoſe that ſip at the world, by thoſe I will defend my Goſpell, how few would there be! for men will part with nothing: take a company that live in the Church, they are (many of them) not able to beare the power of the word; thou that wilt not part from a luſt, how wilt thou be able to part from thy blood? Now, what ſhall we thinke of thoſe that will not have commodities croſſed? Rather looſe conſcience then ſix pence; how ſhall we thinke theſe will looſe their eſtates, their blood and life?

Vſe 3 It is a word of direction. Namely, we are to adviſe, how to prepare our ſelves for the fiery tryall; begin the right way, and perſevere conſtantly, be marvellous empty, and then be fit to beare trouble; men thinke to out-brave miſery; one, ſaith he, reſolved of it, he will die, that he will, before he will be a Papiſt; No, this bold boaſting is an argument, thou wilt not beare the croſſe when it comes to the tryall; commonly theſe men flie off in time of perſecution. But the duty God commands is this, looke into thy heart, and take notice what is moſt delightfull to thy ſoule; Is it honour eaſe, credit, &c. Is thy life deare unto thee▪ Examine this wiſely in the beſt of thy p. 93meditations, and when you have found what is deareſt, then bring your ſoules to a holy contempt of it: what a man tramples upon, he is content another ſhould tread on: ſouldiers when they come into the field, doe accuſtome themſelves to hardneſſe: the truth is brethren, we know not how ſoon God may call us to ſuffer; were the enemies on our borders even now, how would you beare it? would you then be willing to renounce the honour you have eſteemed, the riches you have embraced? then renounce them now, and you will not be perplexed when you leave them. If Sathan goes againſt you, and purſues you, and ſaith, if you follow theſe courſes, you muſt part from theſe and theſe comforts, if you take this way, you muſt looke for miſery, you muſt looke to be deſpiſed of father and mother, and brother and kindred. You muſt never looke to come to preferment, &c. now, will you be fenced; renounce all aforehand, doe you tell me of honour, ſaith the ſelfe-denying heart, let honour looke to it ſelfe; but ſay to him, what will become of your liberty? your liberty will be gone, ſaith the ſoule, let liberty looke to it ſelf, I will looke to duty: this is once, and all that is required at my hands.

Queſt. But when a man hath taken up his croſſe, how ſhall he follow Chriſt, troubles are ſo tedious?

Anſw. Let him take up his croſſe and follow.

Doct. Afflictions ſhould not, nay cannot hinder the obedience of the faithfull.

The text doth not ſay, let him take up his croſſe and leave me, no, but take up his croſſe and follow me; as who ſhould ſay, perſecution will ſtand with p. 94perſeverance in obedience, Chriſt and a croſſe accord, Numb. 14.24.Numb. 14.24.Num 14:24 the Lord himſelfe ſpeakes of Galeb, that he followed him fully; the children of Iſrael, when they came out of Egypt, were driven into the wilderneſſe, and were in crowds of extremitie; famine on the one ſide, the enemy purſuing on the other, yet Caleb followed God fully, nothing hindred him from following God, Pſal. 44.17.18.19.Pſal. 44.17, 18, 19.Ps 44:17Ps 44:18Ps 44:19 Thou haſt caſt us into the place of Dragons, and covered us with the ſhadow of death, yet wee have not forgotten thee, &c. Dan. 6.10.Dan. 6.10.Dan 6:10 when the King had made a decree and ſealed it, was Daniel daunted? did hee ſtart aſide? no, he ſet open his window, that though all the canon ſhot was about his eares, though the decree was ſealed and gone out, yet Daniel was the ſame man, Acts 4.19.Acts 4.19.Acts 4:19 when the Scribes and Phariſes were violent, the Apoſtles were reſolute, when they had been forewarned, they anſwered, whether it were fitteſt to obey God or man, judge ye: and in the 29. verſe, the bolder they were in perſecuting, the bolder they were in ſuffering. Birds will ſing in ſtormes, ſo Gods birds will ſing cheerefully in the greateſt ſtorme of perſecution.

Queſt. But how can this be? is it not ſo, that by perſecution occaſions of good are taken away, and ſometimes life is taken away, and if men doe not live, how can they follow Chriſt?

Anſw. I anſwer two things.

1 Oppoſition may ſtop the outward actions a man would performe, but the inward gracious diſpoſition cannot be hindred; they cannot take away his heart, he hath as great a heart to love duty, p. 95and when a mans actions are by force hindred, God accepts the will for the deed, 2 Cor. 8.12.2 Cor. 8 12.2 Cor 8:12

2 Though a man cannot follow God in one kinde, yet he may in another, though ſome graces may be hindred, yet others will be furthered, and that is the duty God requires at that time, Iam. 1.4.Iam. 1.4.Jas 1:4 Let patience have her perfect worke, that is, God puts a man on ſeverall tryals, ſometimes in perſon, ſometimes in diſgrace; now patience playes at all weapons, and when ſhe hath borne all, ſhee conquers all. Looke, as it is with ſouldiers in ſummer, they goe into the field, and in winter they lye in Gariſon, yet they are ſouldiers ſtill; ſo ſome duties are ſummer-duties, as hearing and the like; theſe are in the time of proſperity, but when the winter of perſecution comes, and beſiegeth the heart, then God cals for patience. You heare the word, that is a ſummer-duty, but when you are ſcattered aſunder, God requires patience, and ſelfe-denyall, yet in both we follow Chriſt. If a Saint ſhould dye, yet he forſakes not obedience, for hee hath followed Chriſt as farre as he can▪ nay Chriſt could goe no further then death, after death a man is conſidered as a conquerour, then the battell is ended, Heb. 12.4.Heb. 12 4. Iohn 21.18.Heb 12:4John 21:18 Ye have not yet reſiſted unto bloud, Iohn 21.18. The Lord Chriſt the Generall of the field, knowes how to diſpoſe his ſervants: when Peter was young, God ſent him to preach, when he was old, he ſent him to dye, when hee could not preach.

Queſt. But how far can this be? doth not affliction hinder a man?

Anſw. It ſhould not, nay it cannot, and that for three grounds.

p. 961 Becauſe God allowes of ſtarting at no time; the Law bindes at all times, to all times, is an old rule in Divinity; there is no time wherein ſinne is to be granted; our condition may alter, but duty is that which God ever cals for: poverty may take away riches, but no condition ſhould take away duty, but ſome duty is to be performed, though not this nor that, yet a good conſcience is alwaies to be preſerved: there is a neceſſity for a man ſometimes to have afflictions: God gives them, but God never gives a neceſſity to ſinne: it is not neceſſary to be rich, but it is neceſſary to be holy in all manner of converſation, 1 Pet. 1.15.1 Pet. 1.15.1 Pet 1:15 nay, ſecondly, the more oppoſition a man hath, the more reſolute he ſhould be, for then there is moſt need of courage: the Captaine requires moſt courage in the battell, and in harveſt, if a ſtorme be comming, we worke hardeſt, ſo a man ſhould bee moſt conſtant in the time of trouble, Iude 3. Contend for the faith. Contention implyes oppoſition, the more trouble, the more courage God requires. Sound ſaving grace will never ſlip away, in the greateſt oppoſition, then is the time for love to doe moſt: a brother (ſaith Salomon) is borne for adverſity: love is like lightning, it is moſt fiery where it findes moſt oppoſition: ſo when love is in moſt oppoſition, it is moſt violent in reſolution, Acts 4.20.Acts 4.20.Acts 4:20 We cannot but ſpeake the things we have heard, as who ſhould ſay, we hauehave a warrant from God, therefore we cannot but doe it, and in the ſecond verſe, the lame man being cured, the Scribes and Phariſes were grieved at it, the Diſciples having taught concerning Chriſt, and the glory that came to the Goſpell: p. 97the Scribes and Phariſes thought to cruſh the buſineſſe, now ſaith Peter, verſe 9. if we be examined concerning the good deed; as who ſhould ſay, you Scribes and Phariſees uſe to convent people for good deeds. Therefore be it knowne unto all you men of Iſrael, as who ſhould ſay, you Phariſes would have Chriſt hidden, therefore all ye men of Iſrael, be it knowne, that by the name of that Ieſus whom ye have crucified, this man ſtandeth whole; thus zealous was he, though convented: the ſpirit of the Lord is a kingly ſpirit, therefore it will make a man leap over all blocks, Ruth 1.16.Ruth 1.16.Ruth 1:16 Naomi having alledged many arguments to diſſwade Ruth, marke how ſhe reſolves, intreat me not, for thy God ſhall be my God. the more love is oppoſed, the more violent & reſolute it is: there are no trees fall by a ſtorme, but thoſe that are rotten, thoſe that are good grow the faſter; ſo it is with a heart that loves Chriſt in ſincerity, he beares downe all.

3 Afflictions are ſo farre from hindring, that they further obedience, there is no thanke to the Croſſe for it: in it ſelfe it is a kinde of poiſon, but this Croſſe that would hinder a man, the power of Chriſt over-powring it▪ helps a man, and that in two particulars.

1 Becauſe the Croſſe weaneth a Chriſtians ſoule from the love of thoſe things here below; he that prided himſelfe in gay coats, preſent before him all the fine feathers at his death bed, and aske him, will you goe to heaven in theſe? then hee hates them, affliction takes away the love of all, Deut. 28. the dainty Damoſell ſhall licke the earth in time of famine, the ſoule in affliction cleaves to p. 98God: when the wheeles are ſcoured, they goe the better, ſo afflictions take away the ruſt of immoderate pleaſures and deſires, Iob 36.10.Iob 36.10.Job 36:10

Three things afflictions …oe.

1 They open the eye.

2 They boare the eare, a poore mans tale may now be heard.

3 God commands a looſe heart to ſtoope by them: when the three children were in the fire, it burned their bonds, but hindred not their walking, ſo afflictions burne our luſts, but hinder not our walking with God.

2 As afflictions are made uſefull and beneficiall to Chriſtians, in reſpect that they weane them from the love of the world, and ſcowre off corruption. So alſo ſecondly, becauſe the Croſſe ſtirs up our graces, afflictions ſet an edge on graces, Acts 17.16 his ſpirit was ſtirred with indignation: Acts 17.16.Acts 17:16it is with grace, as it was with Sampſon, when the Philiſtines were not there: he ſlept, but when they were upon him, he rent all in pieces; ſo our graces are aſleepe, if miſery come upon us, it provokes us to ſhake our ſelves: all the men in a ſhip are quiet in a calme, but in a great tempeſt all are buſie, every man is ſtirring, one runnes to the pumpe, another to the ſterne; ſo all the while we are in a calm, patience lyes ſtill, but when we are roſſed, if here be any grace, then it will be ſtirring. Faith laies hold, patience beares, it is admirable to ſee what men will doe in ſickneſſe: it is a common Proverb, there would be admirable good men, if men were as good alwaies as they are in ſickneſſe. Take a great perſecutor: and let but God let in a veyne of p. 99vengeance, O then what reſolutions are there? but when that is gone, all promiſes fall to the ground.

Vſe. It is a word of inſtruction, hence perſecution is a plea for exactneſſe: no poverty can excuſe a man from duty; if no affliction can hinder from following of Chriſt, then no affliction can give excuſe for not following of Chriſt; it is no plea to ſay, my neighbour hindred me: when Peter denyed Chriſt▪ he did not ſay, Lord, I was in great feare, I loved thee well, yet denyed thee baſely: we heare no ſuch matter, but he wept bitterly, he ſaw his ſinne, and was aſhamed of it: this ſhould be our courſe, Phil. Phil. 4.8.Phil 4:8If there be any thing that is honeſt, any thing that is pure, thinke upon theſe: a man might reply, the cauſe is good, there are honeſt things, but trouble accompanies them; what of that? yet if there be any thing that is pure, thinke on that; yea ſay ſome, the practiſe is pure, but it is reprochfull: now ſaith the Text, there is no pretended inconveniency that ſhould be a hinderance in a chriſtian courſe: doe not thinke of reproaches, but if there be any thing honeſt, any thing pure, thinke on that. All you Iſmaels that ſcoffe at purity, if Paul were good, ye are naught, Heb. 13 4.5.Heb. 13.4.5.Heb 13:4Heb 13:5 When we are married, we muſt looke to our families; no ſaith the Text, avoid covetouſneſſe, doe not ſay, the cauſe is good, but my family muſt be looked to: drunkenneſſe ſhould be hated ſaith one, but then I ſhould loſe my cuſtome. It is good to pray, for the Scripture ſaith, Poure downe thy wrath on ſuch as call not on thy name, but it takes up time; and I ſhould bee ſcoffed at, and counted a Puritan, and therefore I pray have me excuſed. I cannot excuſe you, for is p. 200there not a God to be pleaſed, as well as a cuſtomer? when the heavens ſhall b…rne, and the works thereof be conſumed, doe you thinke this will excuſe you, to ſay, I would have prayed, but my Maſter would have beat me, my neighbours would reproach me, &c. If you feare your neighbours more then God, then get you to hell with your neighbours, and then let them ſuccour you; theſe are not ſufficient excuſes, therefore delude not your conſciences; will you tell God, a croſſe troubled you? he will tell you, you ſhould have taken it up: had Chriſt ſaid to us, I wiſh you had been ſaved, but then I muſt be ſpit upon and crucified, but that I will not, woe had beene unto us, had not Chriſt beene forſaken, I had beene damned, doe not think to drive the bargaine to the laſt farthing: let God be honoured, though I troubled, this is right; but to ſay let God be honoured, but I will not be troubled: ah poore wretch, haſt thou any ſhare in Chriſt? he that ſuffereth not with Chriſt, ſhall not have glory with him: therefore as you deſire to have comfort, lay away theſe figge-leaves, that will not availe to ſhelter you. Becauſe thou wilt not take up a Croſſe, thou ſhalt not have a Chriſt to ſave thee.