A Counterbane Against Earthly Carefulness, Sermon

A Counterbane Against Earthly Carefulness · Sermon

p. 1A COVNTERBANE againſt EARTHLY CAREFVLNES.

Mat. 6.33.

But ſeeke yee firſt the kingdome of God, and his righteouſnes; and all theſe things ſhall be added vntounto you.

WE will premiſe a few things concerning the ſcope, coherence, parts and explication of this text, that we may come to the inſtructions which offer themſelues to be deduced from it. Our Sauiours ſcope is, The ſcope of this ſcripture. Contraria contrarijs optime curantur. The care of heauenly things a remedy againſt earthly carefulnesby a revulſion to heale an inordinateneſſe which was in his diſciples, in caring and ſeeking after the things of the world. Now this he doth by preſcribing a contrary practice, and making them a promiſe vponupon the vſe of it: and therefore, wheras they were ſet vponupon earthly things, he commendeth to them the care p. 2of heauenly; whereas their hearts were full of diſtruſt, earthly-mindednes, & vnweanedneſſe from the things of this life, he wiſhes them to endeauour after true righteouſnes, which entring would free them more & more from theſe defects.

The coherence.Touching the dependance of this vſe on the former, it may bee conceiued as a further reaſon, and ſo a newe ſtroake driuing the ſame naile, diſſwading their prepoſterous ſeeking earthly things, It is a new …eaſon.which was the point the former reaſons did enforce: And then the argument cō cludeth thus: Theſe things, w^ch while you bend your ſelues after heauenly maters, will flowe in vponupon you of their owne accord, thoſe you need not ſeeke ſo eagerly; but if you ſeek Gods kingdom, theſe things ſhall be caſt you in ouer & aboue. Or rather a new precept.Ergo &c. Neuertheleſſe, becauſe of this particle (but) which maketh oppoſition, I doe not take it to be a farther reaſon, but a new precept preſcribing a contrary exerciſe, by which the diſeaſe now ſufficiently diſcouered might be healed in them.

The parts.The parts are two: 1. The duety required; 2. the reaſon. In the duety there are three things. Firſt, The acte to bee donne, Seeke: 2. The manner, Seeke firſt. 3. the matter or obiect, Seeke firſt Gods kingdome and his righteouſnes. In the reaſō which is ab vtili, 3 things likewiſe are obſerueable: 1. the things ſhould be giuen thē, and theſe things, viz. aboue-named, 2. the quantity of them, and all theſe things, 3. the manner of beſtowing them, in that laſt word, ſhall be added vntounto you. Now for the more full explication of this Scripture, The explication. What ſeeking is.wee muſt knowe, that ſeeking is an action of diligence and care, endeuouring to finde ſome good, which, after poſſeſſion p. 3once had, is loſt of vsus, or to obteine ſom good thing w^ch we yet neuer enioyed. See how Mary and Ioſeph ſought Ieſus when they miſſed him in their returne from Ieruſalem, Beholde, (ſaith his mother to him) thy father and I hauehave ſought thee with heauy harts, Luke 2.48. Seeke firſt, that is, in time, before other things, and with your principall ſtrength & care. Gods kingdome is put ſō time for that ſtate of grace through w^ch God ruleth in the harts of his people, as, Rom. 14.17. Gods kingdome is of grace,The kingdome of God is in righteouſnes, and peace, and ioie in the holy Ghoſt. orBut from this ſtanding in righteouſnes, peace, &c. it is heere diſtinguiſhed, and ſeemeth therefore to be taken for that heauenly kingdome of glory; of glory.in which wee muſt conſider firſt, the place and glorious manſions, in which as euerlaſting tabernacles we look to dwell hereafter. For heauen is a place, yea, a bodily place, whoſe place is bodily.which ſhal properly receiue and meaſure our bodies glorified. If it be called a ſp…rituall place, it is to be vnderſtood reſpectiuely, as the body is cald ſpiritual, ſo far forth as ſpirituall is oppoſed to natural, not to corporal & ſubſtantiall. This heauen is not like theſe naturall and aſpectable heauens, which we now ſee, yet is a ſpace proportioned to ſuch bodies as are to be receiued and conteined in it. Secondly, Glory is 1. in the endowment of ſoule and body.wee are to conſider the glorious eſtate which ſhall there be reuealed, which ſtandeth 1. in the glorious endowments of ſoule and body. For the glorious light of the ſoule ſhal make the body lightſom and glorious, as the candle doth the lanthorne in which it is carried. 2. 2. in our communion with God.In our communion which we ſhall hauehave with our God himſelf, whom we ſhall ſee as he is, thogh we cannot throughly comprehend the infiniteneſſe of p. 4him. which is the chiefe.And this is the height of our happineſſe. For looke as a bride is nothing ſo happy in her bridall apparell and ornaments, as in her husband to whom ſhee is hand-faſt: ſo ſhall it bee with vsus, our glory ſhall bee nothing to vsus in compariſon of our God.

Gods righteouſneſſe is that in Chriſt by faith apprehended.Seek his righteouſnes: Gods righteouſnes is ſomtime put for that righteouſnes that is in Chriſt our great God and Sauiour, and is by faith laid holde of by vsus. Thus it is vſually taken, Rom. 1.17. For therein is the righteouſnes of God reuealed from faith to faith. And Rom. 10.3. For they being ignorant of Gods righteouſnes, and going about to eſtabliſh their owne righteouſnes, hauehave not ſubmitted themſelues to the righteouſnes of God: Sometime for that righteouſnes which God commandeth in his law being ſpirituall, Or that wrought in vsus by the ſpirit.and which God workes in vsus by his ſpirit, when now through faith wee hauehave vnion and communion with Chriſt. Now the lawe of oppoſition doth lead vsus to vnderſtand the righteouſnes which is wrought in vsus. For as thoſe heauenly things next before vnfolded are moſt directly oppoſed to earthly: ſo to their diſtruſt in Gods promiſes, vnweanednes, earthly mindednes, the contrary graces inhaering in vsus ſtand in moſt direct oppoſition againſt them. Now the things which l…e are vniuerſally promiſed, are thoſe things which … naturally ſeeke, Earthly cō forts promiſed.or all thoſe things which God kno… … we need, whether abſolutely, or in reſpect of dece… and conueniency, all things needful to our being or … being. Shall be added vntounto you: that is, ſhall bee giuen you as a vantage, as a vantage.ouer and aboue thoſe heauenly things after which you endeauoured. For the word is taken frō thoſe additaments w^ch by ſurpluſage are caſt in to ſome p. 5full number. The ſumme is, as if he had ſaid, The ſummeI hauehave diſſwaded you from inordinate purſuing theſe outward things; now I preſcribe you a contrary practice: Seek before all things, & with your principall ſtrength, thoſe things aboue kept in the heauens for you; endeauour your ſelues to get you harts ſtabliſhed with true righteouſnes, ſuch as God commandeth in his ſpirituall law, and worketh by his ſpirit: do thus and you ſhall bee no looſers; For all things which are needfull for your being & wel being ſhal as a vantage be caſt on you through the faithfulnes of your heauenly father who careth for you.

Now wee come to the inſtructions. InſtructionsFirſt, wee will conſider of the duty required, Seek Gods kingdome, ſeek his righteouſnes: Secondly, the manner of perfourming, Seeke firſt: From the firſt obſerue here, 1. doctrine. Chriſtians ought to ſeeke heauē.that true Chriſtians muſt here on earth ſet themſelues to ſeek heauen and heauenly glory: Seeke Gods kingdome. So Col. 3.1. If ye be riſen with Chriſt, ſeek the things that are aboue; and againe, Philip. 3.20. Our conuerſation is in heauen, from whence we looke alſo for the Sauiour, the Lord Ieſus, vvho ſhall change our vile body, &c. Abraham, Heb. 11.9.10 is ſet before vsus as an example of this thing, who did coūt euen the land of promiſe a ſtrange country, looking for & ſeeking after a city which hath a foundation, It is their place and country.whoſe builder and maker is God. For that kingdome aboue is their proper place and natiue country, 2. Cor. 5.2. and they are but ſtrangers on earth, Pſal. 119.19. Th…y hauehave …n inclination toward it i… born a…ewAn inclination & affection therfore toward heauen is giuen to eueryevery Chriſtian, when now he is once begotten and borne anew to God: Like as when any heauenly body is engendred heere belowe p. 6out of the proper place of it it hath begottē w^th it an inclination to riſe vp to that place to which it belongeth: as the fire, A… fire to it's ſpi…e.which here we kindle, and is engendred belowe here on earth, it being no earthly but a heauenly body, hath from the firſt being an aptnes and inclination carrying it toward the ſphere of fire w^ch is the proper place of it: ſo from what time we by Gods calling are begotten heauenly creatures here on eatth, we hauehave produced in vsus an inclinatiō which doth make vsus moue toward heauen and heauenly glory, the proper place & condition w^ch belongeth to vsus. Would not an Engliſh man, Or an exile to his country.(by any caſe exil'd) much long to ſmell the ſmoke of his natiue coūtry? Thus, if we be heauenly creatures, we cannot but in deſire aſpire thither while we are here on earth as exiles and pilgrimes from our heauenly father.

But before we come to the vſe of this poynt, we will more at large branch forth this duety of ſeeking Gods kingdome, Gods kingdome is ſought.by poynting forth the meanes and reſpects in regard whereof wee may performe this duety of ſeeking, here enioyned.

1. by ſeeking diuine knowledge of it▪ chiefly from the miniſtery of the word.The firſt reſpect is, when wee ſeeke to get our ſelues informed in thoſe things which it becommeth vsus to know and to doe about this kingdome. Now wee doe this, when we come forth to be inſtructed by the word of God which is the word of the kingdome. Looke as a man ſeeketh earthly things, when he goes out to the Crier to learne of them: and, look as clients ſeeke their earthly inheritances, when they go forth to aduiſe w^th their learned counſell; thus, when we go with diligence to the miniſters, proc…nes.who are foreign or foreign, Ro. 10.14 p. 7that is, Criers by office, who proclaime the bringing to light of this kingdome by Chriſt: and when wee waite at the poſts of Wiſdome her gate, Pro. 8.33. like as clients doe, attending on Gods miniſters, who are to know the lawes of this kingdome, that men may ſeeke them from their lips.

2. 2. By getting euidence to ſhew for it, whi…h are the promiſes thereof beleeued onWe may ſeek this inheritance of Gods kingdome in getting ſomething which we may ſhew for our right and title to it: Now, this we do by exerciſing our faith in ſome promiſes, by which God doth freely paſſe it vntounto vsus: as Feare not little flock it is your fathers will to giuegive you a kingdome, Luke 12.32. If we be ſonnes wee are alſo heires; euen heires of God, & ioynt-heires with Chriſt, Rom. 8.17. God gaue his ſon, that whoſoeuer beleeueth in him, ſhould hauehave euerlaſting life; Iohn 3.16. We are begotten by the reſurrection of Ieſus Chriſt vntounto a liuely hope, euen vntounto an inheritance immortall, vndefiled, and which fades not away, reſerued in the heauens for vsus, which are kept by the power of God through faith vntounto ſaluation that is ready to be reuealed in the laſt time, 1. Peter 1, 3, 4, 5. Thus men ſeeke their earthly matters whilſt they gette good copies for that they holde. Now, the promiſes of GOD laid holde on are the onelyonly deed and inſtrument which can be ſhewed for title vntounto eternall life.

3. 3. By entring poſſeſſion of it in a ſanctified life.We may ſeeke this kingdome in regard of getting our ſelues poſſeſſed of it: which wee do by this meanes, while we labour by a ſanctified courſe to drawe nearer it and enter it heere on earth. Men will not onelyonly gette right vntounto the things they ſeeke, but they will endeauour to be poſſeſſed, to dig their turfe in that land they purchaſe. The more the Iſraelits did ſubdue the Canaanites, p. 8the more they were poſſeſſed of Canaan. Sanctification is an entrance into glory.Thus the more we ouercome our ſinnes, growe in graces, the more we growe ſeized of our heauenly Canaan. Ioyne (ſaith Peter 2. ep. 1. cap. 5.6.7.) vertue with your faith, and with vertue knowledge, & with knowledge temperance, and with temperance patience, and with patience godlineſſe, and with godlineſſe brotherly kindneſſe, and with brotherly kindneſſe louelove: For as it after followeth, ver. 10.11. If theſe things be among you, ye ſhall neuer fall; For by theſe meanes an entring ſhall be miniſtred vntounto you abundantly into the euerlaſting kingdome of our Lord and Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt. The further that one did goe vp into the porch of the temple, the nearer he did come vntounto the holy of holies; the further one goeth vp in the ſuburbs of a city, the neerer hee approcheth the citie it ſelfe: Thus it is herein the viſible church, our ſtate in ſanctificatiō hath it ſelfe to glory in the ſame proportion that our beeing in a porch, or body of a church, to our beeing in the quire; or our beeing in the ſuburbs to our entring the city it ſelfe.

4. By procuring it aſſured to vsus.4. We may ſeeke it in regard of getting our title and poſſeſsion made ſure to our conſciences. Thus we ſeek earthly inheritances, not only to be ſeized of them, but by ſtrengthening our ſelues in them. Hence it is, that we will ſue out fines and writs, which may in a manner after a certaine time put an end to all claimes w^ch may bee made by any, ſome few perſons on iuſt ground excepted. So we muſt giuegive all diligence to get theſe things aſcertained vntounto vsus; From the promiſe of Gods protection.which wee doe chiefly, while wee faithfully lay hold on Gods promiſes, w^ch promiſe our protection: as, that hee is our God, who will keepe vsus p. 9from eueryevery euil work to his heauenly kingdome; 2. Tim. 4.18 The witnes of the ſpirit2 Tim 4:18while wee get the Spirit to witneſſe to our ſpirits this gift of perſeuerance which is beſtowed on vsus; while we learne to dye by faith; Chriſt, Faith in Ch…iſt pre…ruing and …aiſ…ng vsus, & God keeping to by his power.as the authour & finiſher of our faith, and raiſer of vsus vp at the laſt day: and the Father, who is ſtronger than all, keeping vsus in his hand euen by his almighty power, as in a ſtrong tower vntounto ſaluation. Wee can neuer be ſure enough of earthly things; we deſire to ſee the bird in the cage, and hauehave all things ſo ſettled as there may be no queſtion. How much rather ſhould we not content our ſelues with vncertaine hopes of our heauenly inheritance, but trauaile to hauehave it ſettled on vsus and throughly aſſured to our ſoules.

Finally, 5. By praier for all help… vntounto it.wee ſeeke the kingdome of God in all theſe reſpects ioyntly by making petition to him. Euen as ſubiects by making requeſts get many things frō their Soueraignes: ſo do we, who hauehave no way of getting any good thing, but by flying vntounto his grace in Chriſt. Thus Chriſt taught vsus to ſeeke. Lord let thy kingdome come. Mat. 6.10. Thus, The Spirit helps the faithfull with fighes and groanes that cannot be vttered. Rom. 8.26.

The vſe of this is to rebuke moſt Chriſtians, Vſe. The reproofe of the worldly minded who dot… on earth.who indeed liue as Heathens. For, what doe they ſeek after, but ſuch things as Turkes and Pagans ſeeke after? Many ſay, Who will ſhew vsus any good? Pſal. 4.6. Many there are, ſaith Paul, Phil. 3.18.19. of whom I hauehave told you often, and now tell you weeping, who do minde earthly things: but the matter of Gods kingdō lies by a… a refuſe thing quite forgotten. It is the wiſe merchant only, Neglect …ods kingdome. For want of true wiſdomwho ſeeketh precious pearles, Mat. 13.45. Worldly men wanting that wiſdome from aboue are no more affected toward p. 10this heauenly inheritance, than thoſe who are born deſtitute of ciuill wiſdome are toward earthly. Theſe we ſee, not hauing ciuil vnderſtanding wherby to diſcerne the worth of their hopes, they neuer ſet their mindes vponupon the faire poſſeſsions they might hauehave, but vaniſh away in trifles correſpondent to their weakenes: ſo do al natural men, who vnderſtand not the things of God; they are careleſſe of this kingdome of God, and glorious inheritance, being wholly taken vp with a commō wealth fitting their kinde, the halfe-penny tranſitory things of this preſent life. And as the poore Iſraelites were ſcattered ouer al the land of Egypt to gather ſtubble and picke ſtrawes, Exod. 5.12. ſo doe theſe range all the country, and are diſperſed all abroad to picke & gather vp worldly things no more in compariſon than ſtubble and ſtrawes. Wherefore let vsus not bee in the number of theſe fooles, worſe than any who are vſually begged; let vsus ſet our harts on this heauenly inheritance; We are to ſe…ke out …e…u…nly inheri…nce. By …ll good cou…ſ…s.let vsus ſeeke to be informed about theſe things; let vsus get ſure conueiances; let vsus by the conqueſt of all ſpiritual enemies enter this heauenly Canaan; let vsus labour to get our conſciences aſcertained, that we ſhal be kept ſafe in this grace in which wee ſtand in the hope of glory. If wee hauehave right vntounto and hope of earthly matters, V…l…ſſe we wil… be more earn…ſt for earthly things th…n it.we will not faile to ſeeke after them; yea, (though we be poore, and they that detaine them mighty,) wee will ſue in forma pauper is, but wee will recouer them; nay, if we hauehave loſt but trifles, if any ſilly beaſt be ſtraied from vsus, we will aske and enquire after them: And is ther any thing more worth thy care & pains in looking after, thā gods kingdom & thy eternal ſaluatiō? can p. 11a man bee perſwaded that he hath great & goodly poſſeſsions befallen him though in remote parts, S…w …ur v…b… conce…g …t.but his mind wil run much on the matter? his deſire will be to heare and ſpeake of it, to make a iourney to ſee it: Can wee then bee truely perſwaded, that an heauenly kingdome is giuen vsus, but our thoughts will be vponupon it? & we ſhall deſire in Gods good time to ſee it. Where your treaſure is, there will your heart bee alſo, Mat. 6.21. Women hauehave in their wombes not onelyonly liuing births, but ſometime alſo dead: An… …ifeſ…e… …e…es to be …d Ch…iſ…s.now the former cannot liue alwaies pent in the womb, but it wil ſtriue for greater freedom; whereas the other hauehave no motion in them to come forth: thus it is with the church. She doth beare in her womb and trauaile of ſom liuing ſome dead births: the liuing, they will in their time ſtriue to come forth, crying: Oh, vvho ſhall deliuer mee from this body of ſinne? Rom. 7.24. And, I deſire to be diſſolued, and to be vvith Christ, Phil 1.23. whereas dead Chriſtians they could be content to liue here alwaies, and ſing their Requiem heere on earth: if they may ſtill ſit in the warme ſunne, and hauehave wherewithall, they can eaſily forbeare all further happineſſe.

Now, the ſecond matter we are to ſeek after, 2. Doctrine. Gods kingdome cannot be ſought …i… o… Gods righteouſnes.is Gods righteouſnes: Seeke his righteouſneſſe. Where obſerue, That all true Chriſtians, yea, all who truely ſeeke the kingdome of GOD in the world to come, muſt ſeeke ſound righteouſneſſe in this preſent world. Theſe two God hath ioyned, and they may not bee ſeuered. For ſound righteouſnes is though not the cauſe of reigning, It … th… … to the k…gd…yet the way to the kingdome. Neither can any bee ſaid truly to ſeek that he may come hither or thither, when p. 12they doe not ſet a foote in the way which leadeth to the place they would come to. He that hath this hope, ſaith S. Iohn 1. Ioh. 3.3. in him, purgeth himſelf euen as God is pure. And ſo holy Dauid, Pſa. 17.15. As for mee I vvill behold thy face in righteouſnes. Hee knew no other way to come to the view of Gods bleſſed face, but by righteouſnes.

Now, fully to open this, two things are to be conſidered: 1. what this righteouſnes is, or what it ſtandeth in: 2. the quality of it. This righteouſnes is ſimply inherent righteouſnes, and ſtandeth partly in putting off the corruption of nature; partly in getting the grace of Gods Spirit ſtrengthened and increaſed; It ſtandeth 1. in puttingand laſt of all in the integrity & perfection of ſpirituall actions. Theſe three dueties are required of the godly: 1. In putting off all ſin.1. The firſt we are exhorted vntounto, 2. Cor. 7.1. Hauing therefore ſuch promiſes, beloued, let vsus clenſe our ſelues from all filthineſſe of the fleſh and ſpirit, grovving vp vntounto holineſſe in the feare of God. For like as light cannot enter further than darkeneſſe is chaſed, nor health returne in further degree than ſickeneſſe is remooued; ſo wee cannot for meaſure further growe in grace, Without which is no place for grace. Chi…fly natures corruption. And our actuall reigning ſins. 2. In grace ſtrengthned & increaſed.than we finde corruption decreaſing in vsus. And here we muſt labour chiefly againſt that ſinne that dwelleth in vsus, as the roote and fountaine of all ſinnes, to which by cuſtome, complexion, company, age or any other way we feele our ſelues moſt enclined.

The ſecond thing we are exhorted vntounto, 2. Pet. cap. 3. verſe 18. Grovve in grace and in the knovvledge of our Lord and Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt: wee muſt neuer ſtint our ſelues to a meaſure of grace, but bee euer comming on p. 13and growing forward.

The laſt thing Dauid ſought, 3. In the ſoundnes of our action…whilſt he praied God to enlarge his heart, that hee might runne the way of his commandements, Pſal. 119.32. And this flowes from the former. For, looke as in the eye the more eueryevery hurtfull humour is remoued, and the more the viſiue power is reſtored, the more perfitly and eaſily it ſeeth: ſo it is heere: the more ſinne is purged out, and grace increaſed, with the more facility and perfection wee are occupied in eueryevery good and ſpirituall word and worke.

The quality is to be gatherd from that which here is added; his righteouſnes: that is, Gods, It is ſupernaturall and ſpirituall.ſuch as God ſupernaturally worketh in vsus, ſuch as Gods ſpirituall law enioyneth; not ſuch as nature produceth, ſtanding in equity & other morall parts, Not morallnor yet ſuch as hath a tincture of religion, Not formal. Which is but counterfeit.I meane a profeſsion of an outward forme of godlineſſe voide of power: for this is but a Phariſaicall righteouſnes, which ſhall not inherit the kingdome of God, Mat. 5.20. and is but like a beautifull picture, which hath nothing in it but an externall appearance. This thus opened lendeth light to conceiue the reaſon of this truth propounded. EueryEvery thing that receiueth being, nature doth giuegive it ſuch an inſtinct, that it ſeeketh to preſerue and bring on to perfection that beeing it hath receiued. It is the being and life of a ChriſtiāTrue Chriſtians hauing in their regeneration receiued a ſupernaturall being, euen the diuine nature or image which ſtandeth as in knowledge and holineſſe, ſo in the righteouſnes here expreſſed, Which he cannot but ſeeke.they cannot but endeauour both to continue and take increaſe in this righteouſneſſe begunne in them. I ſay more, a Chriſtian cannot but ſeeke this righteouſneſſe p. 14more than heauen it ſelfe. Y… m… ….For eueryevery thing doth more ſeeke that which ſuſtaineth the beeing of it, and more declineth that which threatneth deſtruction to it, than it ſeeketh any thing which only conduceth to the more happy eſtate of it. Man more ſeeketh neceſſarie ſuſtenance for his life, more laboureth to expell ſome deadly diſeaſe, than in following wealth, honour and the reſt, which reſpect onelyonly the well-being of it: thus heere it is; this righteouſnes is as it were the very being of a Chriſtian, heauenly glory is but his bliſſefull being, whence it is, that hee doth more ſeeke to get himſelfe healed of ſinne, the ſoules deadly ſickeneſſe; more ſeek to hauehave grace ſuſtained and increaſed; more ſeeke to hauehave integrity and ſoundneſſe in thoſe actions in which hee is exerciſed, than he ſeeketh heauen it ſelfe and that heauenly glory which is reſerued for him. It is the ſpeach of Anſelme well agreeing to this purpoſe. If I had ſinne ſet on this ſide of me, and on that ſide hell, ſo that neceſſarily I muſt bee plunged into one of them, I would rather caſt my ſelf into hell than commit any ſin: And if I had on one hand righteouſnes offered vntounto mee, and on the other Heauen, to take one without the other: I would much ſooner make choiſe of righteouſnes than heauen.

The vſus…s …. to ſhew their vanity who … this …. N…, …ho… …ers o… …t.The vſe of of this is three-folde: Firſt, it letteth vsus ſee the vanity of ſuch who thinke that they may ſeeke heauen well enough though they bee careleſſe of holineſſe, and neuer ſought to God to heale their euill harts, iudging themſelues and humbling themſelues vnderunder his hand; though they neuer knocked and cried for the increaſe of faith, knowledge & repentance; nay, thogh they mocke at thoſe who follow righteouſnes, as men p. 15ouer-preciſe, holy, mad, forward, … by Satan.fondlings that know not what they would hauehave. The Diuell in outward things maketh men idolatrouſly leane to meanes; in ſpiritual things makes them preſume all without meanes: Si… … w…hout h… …. Eſ…. 5.….But without holineſs none ſhall ſee God, Heb. 12.14. And, the pure in hart onelyonly ſhall beholde him, Mat. 5.8. Look as thoſe that were to ſtand before the Perſian Monarchs in Court, were to be clothed in royall apparell; and eſpecially thoſe virgins w^ch were to bee brought as ſpouſes to them, they were firſt purified, perfumed, E…. 2.12.1…trained vp and prepared in ſundry kindes: ſo, all that ſhall bee married to God in Chriſt, or, that ſhall ſtand in the preſence of his glory, muſt by this courſe bee made fit for ſuch a purpoſe.

This alſo comforteth thoſe that ſeeke righteouſnes. 2. To comfort the ſeekers of it, who are true diſciples.For it is an euidence, that they are the true diſciples of Chriſt, the beſt Chriſtians; that feeling their want and weakenes of grace, the preſence and ſtrength of ſinne in them, their bondage and lameneſſe in ſpirituall actions, doe ſeeke for grace for the crucifying of ſinne, and for their ſpirituall liberty. And bleſſedBleſſed are they that hunger and thirſt after righteouſnes, Mat. 5.6. Neuertheleſſe, as it is cōmendable not to remēber any thing paſt, ſo, S… th…y growe on And take notice of Gods grac… toward thē for thank…ulnes …d comf…rt.as to growe ſecure and idle, not ſtriuing to any further perfection: ſo it is behoofefull to thinke how far God hath brought vsus, ſo as to confirme our faith, and prouoke ourſelues to thankeſgiuing. There is a double hunger in nature: the one healthfull; the other no better than a very ſickeneſſe: for there is a diſeaſe called the hungry euill: when though a man bee full, yet hauing no ſenſe of his repletion, the ſtomacke doth as painefully p. 16and rauenouſly hunger, Which good ſoules omit to their diſcomfort.as if the man were affamiſhed. Thus it commeth to paſſe in Gods children; who, not conſidering nor getting ſenſe of that God hath done for them, are often as painefully hungry, as if they yet had receiued nothing at all which might ſtay their ſtomack. It is great pity that Gods children doe no more conſider this: It is ſurely a fault in them very preiudicial vntounto their comfort, which they might reap by obſeruing Gods worke in themſelues, and grace toward them.

3. To exhort, to increaſe in it begun in vsus. Th…t wee may differ from hypocrites. Who wiſh for heauen, but neglect righteouſnes.Laſtly, let vsus heere bee exhorted, that if euer wee did partake in the diuine nature, we do ſhew it by ſtriuing to growe in this righteouſnes which is begun in vsus but imperfectly. This will argue vsus to bee true diſciples. Such-like things as any ſeeketh, ſuch is the man. Balaam may ſay, Oh, that my ſoule might die the death of the righteous, Numbers 23.10. But what doth the heart of a Dauid-like Chriſtian ſay? Oh, that my waies were ſo directed that I might keepe thy ſtatutes, Pſal. 119.5. For ſo Dauid beeing rauiſhed with a viewe of the good mans bleſſednes, doth preſently conceiue not this deſire, Oh, that I had this happineſſe; but rather this, Oh, that I could vſe the meanes to bring mee to it; Oh, that my waies were ſo directed, &c. All after a ſort wiſh and ſeek heauen, but ſeeke not righteouſnes: But thou canſt not ſeeke the one without ſeeking the other; and finding this righteouſnes thou ſhalt alſo finde heauen, though thou doſt not expreſſely thinke vponupon it. Which will bring vsus to heauen euen at vnawares. If we renew i….Let a man go in this or that path, though he thinke not whither hee goeth, yet he ſhall finde himſelfe brought to that place to which the way leadeth. We muſt renew this ſpirituall beeing, as wee doe our naturall: Euen as in nature p. 17there is ſtill comming vponupon vsus a ſenſe of weakenes, Wh… …o the ſenſe of inf… …it… do… t… …and feeling of burdenſome ſuperfluities, that we might bee ſtirred ſtill to repaire and increaſe naturall ſtrength, & expell that, which reteined would proue harmefull: ſo in the ſoule we hauehave weaknes euer and anon returning, that wee might neuer want a ſpurre to incite vsus to ſeeke ſtill a freſh after the continuing and augmenting of righteouſnes in vsus. Againe, if we hauehave ſome great bargaines we louelove to finger ſome great earneſt: Now, thus it is, And our better …ſſur…nce draw vsus.that the very earneſt of heauen and heauenly glory promiſed, is this ſpirituall righteouſneſſe wrought in vsus. Thus much for the dewty, now for the manner.

Seeke firſt. Obſerue heere, 3. Doctrine, Spir…uall things …re chiefly to be ſought. Iohn 6. Luke 13.24John 6Luke 13:24that ſpirituall things muſt be ſought with our principall endeauours, we muſt neither foreſlowe them, nor be negligent in following thē. The Scripture biddes vsus labour for the food that periſheth not: And, Striue (as for maiſtery) to enter; for many ſhal ſeeke to enter in, and not bee able. It forbideth ſlouth; Be not ſlouthfull but through faith and patience ſeeke to be partakers of the promiſes, Heb. ….12. It commandeth vsus all diligēce: 2. Pet. 1.5, 10. GiueGive all diligence. According a… in price they pa…a….We ſeek things according to our eſtimate of them. And indeed eueryevery thing is to be ſought more or leſs, as it is good more or leſſe; hence it is that things of no worth wee ſeek not at al, we let them lie vntaken vp: things of ſmall worth we ſe…k remiſſely; ſiluer & gold, moſt carefully. Now, what is more precious than grace, or mo…e excellent than heauenly glory? If therefore we count them before all things, let vsus ſhew it by ſeeking them anſwereably. And we meane to ſp… Mat. 11.1…Matt 11:1Feruent ſeekers ſhall finde. The kingdome of heauen ſuffereth violence, and the violent doe take it. And ſlou…h in Gods p. 18workes is accurſed. Ier. 48.10. Mat. 25 26Jer 48:10Matt 25:26Curſed is hee that doeth the worke of God negligently; The ſlothfull and euill ſeruant entreth not into his Maiſters ioy.

Vſes. 1. To blame ſuch a… put off this care to the laſt.Many may bee hence rebuked, who beginne at the wrong end, ſeeking the world for the preſent, and reſeruing ſome purpoſes about theſe things in times to come.

Againe, ſuch who though they doe not excuſe, and put off the matter for the preſent, 2. Such as poſt ouer religious dueties ſlightly.yet they poſt ouer moſt ſleightly all ſuch dueties, as concerne their ſoules health, thinking it enough if the work be done, though with neuer ſuch ouerture. Theſe commonly are wiſe in their own eyes, Pro. 26.16.Prov 26:16(like Salomons Sluggard, who thinketh himſelfe wiſer than ſeauen who returne an anſwere,) much condemning the forwardnes of others: Condemning others forwardnes.What needeth all this adoe think they? God forbid no more ſhould be ſaued but thoſe few who are of this humour; There is a meaſure in eueryevery thing; It is not our ſtriuing, but the good mercy of God that muſt ſaue vsus. Thus, men are witty to pleade for ſinne, euen for that formall ſlouth that will ſlay them eternally. But let vsus remember this, Double diligence is to be vſed in heauenly things.Seek firſt, and awaken our ſelues, doubling our diligence this way. Nothing is more abſurd than to bring beetle and wedges to cleaue ſtrawes, doing trifles with ſuperfluous labour, and to bee careleſſe in matters of greateſt moment. Againe, wee ſee no earthly things of worth wil be atchieued without labor; they muſt be wooed, before they bee wedded; and ſhall wee thinke without ſeeking to atteine thoſe things which are the very vpſhot and harueſt of all our hopes? Thinke with thy ſelfe how men turne eueryevery ſtone, and how many irons p. 19they wil hauehave in the fire at once, that they may gather earthly treaſure. They will hauehave ſomething going in trade or ſtocke on their grounds, Which we m…y … of good … for the world.ſomthing by them for purchaſe, ſomething out at vſe, ſomething for bargaine and aduenture. If wee bee thus induſtrious in gathering treaſure vponupon earth, which ruſt doth canker and the theefe robbe, how much more diligence ſhould wee vſe in getting heauenly treaſure, enduring ſubſtance? ſuch as grace, which ſhall neuer periſh, which ſhall not be left as earthly things are, but ſhall follow vsus and dwell with vsus for euer. Now followeth the reaſon.

All things ſhould be giuen them. 4. Doctrine The beſt way to thriue in the world is 1. to be rich in God. Who doth promiſe the godly 1. protection from hurt in his ſeruice.Where obſerue that the next way for a man to thriue in his outward ſtate, is firſt to grow rich in his ſpirituall. Oh, that there were in you ſuch harts to keep my cōmandemēts alwaies that it might bee well with you and yours after you for euer (ſaieth the Lord) Deut. 5.29. For, firſt God doth vndertake to keep dammage from his, while they are occupied in his ſeruice. Looke Exodus 34.24. When all the males ſhould be gone to Ieruſalem, and none but weake women and children left at home, yet God doth vndertake that no enemy ſhould hauehave the hart to breake in on the. 2. 2. All goodGod promiſeth to beſtowe on vsus eueryevery thing that is good: Pſ. 84.11. No good thing will he withhold frō them that walk vprightly. 3. 3. A cōfortable vſe of his bleſſings Iſa. 1.17.19.Isa 1:17Isa 1:19God promiſeth to his a cheerfull vſe of all the good benefits vouchſafed them. Ceaſe to do euill, learne to do w…ll, &c: If yee conſent and obey, yee ſhall eat the good things of the land. Did not Ioſiah eate and drinke and proſper while while he executed iudgement & iuſtice, Ier. 22.15. Godlineſs hath not onelyonly the promiſes of p. 20this life, but of the life to come, 2. Tim. 4.8. He that giues the head, Will not ſtand for ſmall matters with them to whom hee hath giuen heauen. 1. Kin. 3.10 &c. 10 13.1 Kgs 3:10giues haire alſo: God giueth vsus his kingdom and righteouſnes, which are principall, (which he euer doth when we ſeeke them diligently,) how ſhould hee not adde theſe inferiour things alſo which are but acceſſary to the other? If hee did ſo like and recompenſe Salomons ſeeking of politicke wiſdome, which might ſerue him to goe in and out before his people, that hee gaue him it, and alſo peace and wealth which hee had not ſought; how much more ſhall he do this here promiſed to ſuch as ſeeke his kingdome and righteouſnes? Wee ſee earthly men, that if they hauehave a ſeruant, who is very diligent and faithfull in their buſineſſe, Nor neglect a faithfull ſeruant.though he hath not the skill to licke his fingers, and bee for himſelfe as many would; in ſuch a caſe will not a wiſe and equall Maſter the more beſtirre him to reward his ſeruice, by how much he diſcerneth him the leſſe to ſeeke himſelf? how much more then ſhall GOD doe for his ſeruants, whom he doth ſee to bee wholly bent to his buſineſſe? When the people followed Chriſt into the deſert, Mat. 14.19. &…. & 15.32. &c.Matt 14:19Matt 15:32God did rather by miracle feed them, than they ſhould want while they ſought his kingdome.

Ob, concerning the good mans croſſe… and the wickeds proſperity. Anſ. The croſſes of the godly are either chaſtiments of their …lings: Or t…ia… … the… …ng to doub… pro…, O… … w… …od and … w… … 2 C…. …. Cor. 2.9. Phil. 4.1….Phil 4:1But it may be heere obiected, that the godlieſt hauehave the moſt croſſes and ſmalleſt meaſure of theſe earthly things; whereas the wicked are free from the croſſe, & ſwimme with wealth.

To the fi ſt I anſwere, that the godly man is often followed with croſſes, becauſe hee hath not followed righteouſneſſe, and liued godlily according as God requireth in his couenant. If he hauehave done this heere enioyned and yet hauehave croſſes, they are either ſuch as end p. 21afterward in a doubled proſperity like Iobs, & then this here promiſed is ſtil true or they are ſuch as dwel with him. In which caſe God doth recompenſe the want of outward things with himſelfe and contentation of minde. Thus Paul was in pouerty, in ieopardy, in hunger and thirſt, in cold and nakednes but hee reioyced in theſe infirmities, and was enabled to doe eueryevery thing through Christ ſtrengthening him. Now, this change is no robbery. And whereas it is ſaid that they hauehave not the greateſt meaſure of earthly things, it is cōmonly true: but their little is better than the abundance of the wicked.

For firſt, The ſubſt…nce of the godly …s 1. a token of Gods …a…e, & from his owne hand. Gen. 3….5.1… 2 An earneſt of their heau…y inheritance.Gen 3:5Gen 3:1it is giuen them from Gods hand as a token of his fauour. God (ſaith Iaakob to Eſau) of his grace hath giuen theſe children to thy ſeruant, and God hath had mercy on me, and therefore hauehave I all theſe things: Now an angell from the kings own hand is more eſteemed than much more other money which hath no ſuch reſpect.

2. It is an earneſt of Gods eternall fauour in beſtowing on them the heauenly inheritance. Now, a little money that bindeth ſome great bargaine is better than much more that hath no ſuch relation.

3. It is freely beſtowed; 3. I… f…e… giu….they ſhall hauehave no reckoning to come in for it.

Now, The proſ … rity of …he wicked is but ſeeming b…ing indeed a curſe. As that which is …. mix…d of… with mu…h diſco…ce….the proſperity of the wicked is but in appearance proſperity, being a pleaſant poiſon which killeth by caſting into a ſweet ſleep; or by mouing the perſon to laugh till hee fall downe dead by force of it. Euen as poyſon killeth ſome with intolerable gripings, others with very great delight: ſo doth Gods curſe ſinners.

For the things they poſſeſſe, ſometime God doth mixe them with ſuch diſcontentmens that they are all p. 22as nothing; as is ſeene in Haman whom God did make the ſtiffe knee of Mordecai ſo to vexe and gall, that all he had did him no good Eſt. 5. And Ahab thogh a king, yet when he had the vineyard denied him grew ſo ſick of the ſullens, that hee could not ſo much as taſte ought of his kingly prouiſion, 3. King. …1.4.

2. A ſn…re to them.2. If they hauehave the iocant vſe of things, yet it is nothing while God giueth them theſe things as ſnares to them, like as Saul gaue Michol to Dauid to bee a ſnare vntounto him, 1. Sam. 17. Though it be not warrantable for a man in his policy demoliri honoribus, to ouerthrow men by aduancements, yet God (ſinne ſo requiring it) may do it moſt iuſtly.

3. Not of Gods louelove, but patience.Againe, they hauehave theſe things but as traitours their allowance more or leſſe, from the clemency & patience of the prince, rather than his fauour to them. Now, it is better with a poore ſubiect that workes for 12. pence a day with the kings louelove & protection, than with theſe hauehave they neuer ſo much.

4 Muſt be reckon'd for4. For theſe things are not giuen them freely, as by a father to his children, but rather giuen in as by an hoſt to his gueſts, for whom he keepeth a reckoning. The laſt diſh will marre their feaſt.

The vſes, 1. to encou…ge vsus vntounto godlineſſe.The vſe is 1. to encourage vsus in this work in making conſcience of it, knowing that it is not in vaine; but hath the promiſe euen of this preſent life. Haſt thou laboured to ouercome ſinne, to growe in grace, to ſerue thy God more fruitfully and chearefully, and art thou neuertheleſſe for the preſent in pouerty? Be not diſmaied, God oweth thee a good turne; he will recompence his tarriance, with vſe abundant. The ſunne ere while is p. 23long in getting forth, when yet the day prooues moſt faire and pleaſant.

2. Wee ſee the woefull ſtate of many, 2. To conuince their errour who think… it the way to beggery.who thinke this preciſe care of religion to bee the high way to the hoſpitall. If one ſtraine curteſie at one oath, if one will not borrow with the Sabbath for furthering his owne buſineſſe, if one will not keep lewd ſeruants when they are othwiſe gainefull, r, if one will not double with his tongue, vſe his wit to circumvent, if one will not humor thoſe from whom he may reape profit, if one will not dance to what the time pipeth, if one will not take any way to the wood, and lay about with ſixe fingers counting al gain that may be gotten; Chriſtians now-adaies thinke ſuch a man may ſet downe his reſt for riſing. Who are worſe than Sadduces.O moſt vnchriſtian Chriſtians! worſe than the Sadduces; for that they did beleeue God ſo to proſper outwardly the keepers of his lawe, that hauing no beliefe of another life, (for they did think ſoules as bodies were mortall) yet they walked keeping the letter of the law moſt ſtrictly as their name doth intimate.

3. 3. To ſhew the cau…e why euen ſundry good husbands thriue not, That is t…eir neglect of religion. In the godly ſ…me ſ… n… …p…med of. Some infi… mi…y … cei….Let vsus hence take notice what doth keepe downe many in theſe earthly things, and clean ruinate others: What but lack of ſeeking heauenly things? There are ſome men of no lewd qualities, frugall enough, men able to make their market, yet nothing will go forward with them. And this is the iuſt iudgement of God, becauſe they neuer hauehave ſet their hearts to matter of religion. Againe, many of Gods children goe backward in theſe things, becauſe they lie durtily without repentāce of ſome ſins w^ch God would hauehave them iudge in themſelues; or elſe they diſcerne not their infirmities, by reaſon p. 24whereof wealth would be hurtfull to them, and labour not to get them mortified. For God holdes down many, Which w… …e … pr…pe…y.becauſe he doth ſee that if they ride on the fore horſe, and were aloft this way, it were for none to com neere them: Such is their pride that they would not knowe any; others to bee to contentiouſly giuen, that none ſhould liue quietly by them, but would bee euer puſhing and goring their brethren as buls do the weaker …artell with their hornes; others ſo voluptuous, that if they had wherewithall, they would runne riot into all intemperancy. Now a father will lay a knife out of the way from a child who is like to hurt himſelf w^th it.

Hence is alſo the ruin… of many mens eſtates and how.Farther, for the want of this God doth ruinate the eſtates of many by not keeping them from ſuch courſes of truſting, where what they truſt ſhall come home w^th loſſe; into courſes of ſuretiſhips, into ſuits of lawe and building, into dealing in things wherein they hauehave no iudgement, into the hands of vntruſty ſeruants (who are a backe-doore which will pull downe the greateſt houſes) that he may puniſh their not ſeruing him fruitfully in the things they enioyed.

4. To ſh… th…we…lth with…t go…lineſſe is no bl…ſſing.Laſtly, if thou haſt not beene a ſeeker of righteouſneſſe and GODS kingdome, do not think the things thou haſt to be additaments beſtowed in Gods fauour, nor yet poſſeſsions making thee happy. They are but like that Manna which gathered beſides the Lords cō mandement did putrefie and come to nothing. So ſhall all theſe things, But a curſe to greater …dgement.they ſhall increaſe thy condemnation and make thee one day hauehave the heauier reckoning, if thou goeſt on in impenitency. Wherefore let me counſell thee what to doe in this caſe. Didſt thou hold land on ſuch termes as would not maintaine thy title, but rather expoſe thee to danger of accoūting for all the time that thou hadſt helde them? The onelyonly way to ſecure thy ſelf is to turne Tenant to God.Suppoſe thou mighteſt ſtrengthen thy ſelf in theſe by turning Tenant to the true Lord; wouldſt not thou readily put it in executiō? Thus it is heere: All thou enioyeſt with careleſneſſe of Gods ſeruice & ſeeking his righteouſnes, thou art ſubiect to bee brought to a heauy reckoning for it, and to hauehave it taken from thee in Gods iuſt iudgement. Tenant.Turne therefore to him who is the ſupreme Lord, paie this rent which heere hee requires, ſeeke his kingdome and his righteouſnes, then thou ſhalt be happy in al thou poſſeſſeſt. To God the father, God the ſonne, and God the holy Ghoſt, be aſcribed (as it is due) all glory, honour, bleſſednes, might, maieſty & dominion, from this time forth and for euermore. Amen, Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria.