A Divine Discovery of Sincerity, Part 4

A Divine Discovery of Sincerity · Part 4

p. 1772 COR. 1.12.

For our rejoycing is this, the teſtimony of our conſcience, that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, not with fleſhly wiſedome, but by the grace of God, we have had our converſation in the world, and more abundantly to you-wards: but ſpecially amongst you.

THe fourth and laſt propoſition, which now according to order and method, comes to be handled, is this, That there be ſpeciall times and occaſions, for the declaration of ſincerity, which ought to be obſerved, and anſwerably to declare and ſhew our ſelves. The Church of the Corinthians was very vitious in p. 178doctrine and manners, as we may plainely ſee by many expreſſions or Saint Paul, in his firſt and ſecond Epiſtle to them. They were aa1 Cor. 1.11.1 Cor 1:11contentious, and bb1 Cor. 4.6.1 Cor 4:6puffed up one againſt another. They had itching eares, and carnally gloried in …; one was for cc1 Cor … ….Paul, and another for Apollo, and another for Cephas. They were voluptuous; ſo voluptuous, that before they came to the Lords Supper, one was hungry, another dd1 Cor 11 211 Cor 11:21drunken, in the Houſe of God. They were followers of heatheniſh faſhions, as in their apparell and meates, ſo in their haire, wearing it ſo long that … ee1 Cor 11 14,161 Cor 11:141 Cor 11:16nature, and the cuſtome of the Church of Chriſt condemned it. They were ff1 Cor. 10 25.1 Cor 10:25ſuperſtitious, gg1 Cor. 10 141 Cor 10:14idolatrous, hh1 Cor. 6 9,10,111 Cor 6:91 Cor 6:101 Cor 6:11adulterous, fornicatours, abuſers of themſelves with man-kind, theives, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, murmurers ii1 Cor 10 9,10.1 Cor 10:91 Cor 10:10tempters of Chriſt, kk1 Cor. 11 ….1 Cor 11backbiters whiſperers, raiſers of tumults and what no…? This groſſe wicked… made Paul to ſtirre up the grace of … in him, and to uſe great bold… …, towards this Church, as p. 179himſelfe ſaith, 2 Cor. 7.4. with all plaineneſſe and powerfulneſſe, reproving their ſinnes, and making manifeſt the truth, to every mans ll2 Cor. 4.2.2 Cor 4:2conſcience, in the ſight of God. They were grown ſo looſe, that Paul was forc'd to uſe ſuch mm2 Cor. 13.102 Cor 13:10ſharpe and home expreſſions, and with ſuch majeſty, as you ſhall not finde him the like, to any Church▪ Twiſe in one Epiſtle uſeth he this upbraiding expreſſion, nn1 Cor 5.6. 1 Cor 15 341 Cor 5:61 Cor 15:34I ſpeake this to your ſhame, which not once throughout all his Epiſtles, to any other Church, doth he uſe the like upbraiding language. And then delivering his reproofes, with ſuch a tranſcend…nt majeſty. Moreover I call God for a record upon my ſoule that to ſpare you I came not as yet to Corinth. 2 Cor. 1.23. A… it he would dart their ſoule… through, with ſuch an holy feare of God, that their looſe hearts for ever after, might ſtand in awe and ſin not. Thus as this Church above all other, gave Saint Paul, ſpeciall occaſion for the declaration of his uprightneſſe and ſincerity, ſo anſwerably hee couragiouſly applied himſelfe unto them, which is the meaning p. 180of this expreſſion in my text, but more abundantly to you-ward, or, ſpecially among you.

Paul had dealt ſincerely with all other Churches, but other Churches were not ſo openly wicked, and therefore there needed not, that he ſhould uſe ſuch open majeſticall conteſtation with them. This Church of Corinth, was very openly and wilfully wicked, and therefore Paul anſwerably opened his mouth againſt them. O Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is inlarged: ye are not ſtraightned in us, but ye are ſtraightned in your owne bowels, 2 Cor. 6.11. We have ſaid enough and done enough (as if the Apoſtle had ſaid) to worke upon your profane hearts, and to turne you from your profane lives, but yet your affections are ſtraightned and clogg'd, that you come not off ſo readily, to follow our holy inſtructions as you ſhould. The point you ſee to be very naturally raiſed, That there be ſpeciall times and occaſions, for the declaration of ſincerity, which we ought to obſerve, and anſwerably to declare, and ſhew our ſelves in our places.

p. 181Speciall times and occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity, are either perſonall, domeſticall, ſociall, or nationall. Perſonall occaſions, which require ſincerity after a ſpeciall manner to be declared, are when a man is ſtrongly aſſaulted by the world, the fleſh or the divell, to ſinne againſt God; or elſe ſtrongly hindred in ſeeking the glory of God, and the good of his Church. When Simon the ſorcerer ſaw, that through laying on of the Apoſtles hands, the holy Ghoſt was given, he offered Peter money to impart his skill unto him, and ſo to have made him a Merchant of the holy Ghoſt, for gaine; then was a ſpeciall perſonall occaſion from the world, for Peter to declare his ſincerity, that he abhorred all unjuſt waies to get wealth, and that he was not mercenary in his Miniſtery, as the world might ſuppoſe; which he wiſely conſidered, and anſwerably carried himſelfe. Peter ſtood up, and couragiouſly ſaid to Simon the ſorcerer, Thy money periſh with thee; becauſe that thou thoughtſt the gift of God may be purchaſed with money, thou haſt neither p. 182part nor lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right in the ſight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedneſſe, and pray God if perhaps the thoughts of thy heart may be for given thee; for I perceive that thou art in the gall of b…tterneſſe & bonds of iniquity, Acts 8.18,19,20,21. When Samuel was thought hardly of, the people being ſtrongly ſet to have a King, as other Nations had, not liking their governement by Judges; then was a ſpeciall perſonall occaſion from the world, for Samuel to declare his integrity, that he had walked faithfully as Gods Vicegerent over them, and had given them no juſt occaſion, to waxe weary of this way of governement, and ſo conſequently that they did evill to deſire a King. And Samuel ſaid to all Iſrael, behold here I am, witneſſe againſt me before the Lord and before his Annoynted: whoſe Oxe have I taken? Whoſe Aſſe have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppreſſed? or of whoſe hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will reſtore it you, 1 Sam. 12.3. When Barieſus withſtood Paul in his Miniſtery, that p. 183he could not doe that good he would upon Sergius Paul is then was a ſpeciall perſonall occaſion from the world, for Paul to declare his ſincerity, that he ſtrongly abhorred ſlatterers and time-ſervers, and dearely loved the glory of God, & the winning of ſoules unto him; which he wiſely conſidered, and anſwerably with courage declared himſelfe Then Saul who alſo is called Paul, filled with the Holy Chriſt, ſet his eyes on him, and ſaid, O full of all ſubtilty and all miſchiefe, thou child of the divell, thou enemie of all righteouſneſſe, wilt thou not ceaſe to pervert the right waies of the Lord? Act. 13.9,10.

2When Paul was ſtrongly ſet upon by his owne fleſh; when the law in his members, rebelled againſt the law of his mind, and carried him captive to the law of ſinne; then was a ſpeciall perſonall occaſion from the fleſh, for Paul to declare his ſincerity, that he loved God more then his luſts, and to pleaſe him, rather then to enjoy the pleaſures of ſinne; which he wiſely conſidered, and anſwerably declared himſelfe. But I keepe under my body, and bring it p. 184into ſubjection, leaſt that by any meanes when I have preached to others, I my ſelfe ſhould be a caſt-away. 1 Cor. 9.27. This is after a ſpeciall manner to declare ſincerity indeed, when a man couragiouſly fights againſt himſelfe, ſo farreforth as ſinfull, and oppoſite to God. The luſts of the heart, are the enemies of a mans owne houſe, which are the worſt enemies of all, and therefore when theſe begin to warre and rebell, againſt that holy light which is in our minds, then is a ſpeciall time indeed for a man to ſtirre up the grace of God in him, and to declare his uprightneſſe for God, whoſe throne the heart of man ought to be, or elſe God will give up the heart to the power and dominion of ſinne, and then the ſoule is undone for ever. This Paul wiſely conſidered,2 Cor. 12.72 Cor 12:7 and therefore when he felt this pricke in the fleſh, after a ſpeciall manner moleſt him, he ſtill after a ſpeciall manner declared his uprightneſſe in wreſting againſt it, that ſo be might ſubdue his fleſh, which otherwiſe would have ſubdued his ſpirit, and outed Chriſt of his prime p. 185Hold, and Saint Paul of his prime happineſſe.

3When the divell tempted Chriſt, to caſt downe himſelfe from the top of a ſteepe place, and to fall downe and worſhip him, and ſo to decline his Father utterly; then was a ſpeciall perſonall occaſion from the divell, for Chriſt to declare his uprightneſſe; that he priſed every title of his fathers will, above all this world, and all the honours and pleaſures in it. Which Chriſt wiſely conſidered, and anſwerably with much courage and reſolution declared himſelfe. Then ſaid Ieſus unto him, get thee hence Satan, for it is written, that thou ſhalt worſhip the Lord thy God, and him onelyonly thou ſhalt ſerve, Math. 4.10. So when the Serpent ſubtilly got into one of the followers of Chriſt, and prayed him to pitty and ſpare himſelfe, from that painefull worke on which the glory of God, and the ſalvation of man ſo much depended; then was a ſpeciall perſonall occaſion from the divell, for Chriſt againe to declare his ſincerity, that he more regarded the glory of God, and p. 186the good of man, then his owne life, though his life were worth a thouſand of ours; which be thorowly conſidered and anſwerably declared himſelfe; Get thee behind me ſatan, Mark. 8.33. So when the ſerpent ſubtilly ſet upon our firſt parents, to draw them to eat… of the forbidden fruit, then was a ſpeciall perſonall occaſion from the divell… for them to have declared their uprightneſſe; that they would not diſobey their God in the leaſt point, though they might have beene made Gods themſelves, to doe it: which becauſe they did not ſeriouſly conſider, and anſwerably carry themſelves, they loſt the confirmation of their happy being, and plunged themſelves, and all us their poſterity, into unſpeakeable miſery.

…Domeſticall occaſions which require ſincerity after a ſpeciall manner to be declared, are, when in family relations, good or evill, after a ſpeciall manner is to be converſant about. When Ely's ſonnes abuſed their high calling, by a profane converſation; then was a ſpeciall domeſticall occaſion, for Ely to p. 187declare his ſincerity, to God and man, that he loved the glory of God, above the lives of his ſonnes, which becauſe he did not ſeriouſly obſerve and anſwerably carry himſelfe, but paſſed over a ſpeciall occaſion, with an ordinary reproofe, therefore God fell out with him, and puniſhed him as one that eſteemed and loved his ſonnes, more then God. When God commanded Abraham to ſacrifice his onelyonly ſonne Iſaac, then was a ſpeciall domeſticall occaſion for Abraham to declare his ſincerity, that to obey the Will of God, was dearer to him then the life of his onelyonly ſonne; which he ſeriouſly conſidered, and anſwerably carried himſelfe; and God then openly confeſſed Abraham to be upright. For now I know that thou feareſt God, ſeeing thou haſt not withheld thy ſinne, thine onelyonly ſonne from me Gen. 22.12. When Iob's wife bid Iob in his extremity to curſe God and die then was a ſpeciall domeſticall occaſion, for Job to declare his ſincerity, that he ſerved God for nought; which Iob ſeriouſly conſidered, and anſwerably carried p. 188himſelf towards his wife. Thou ſpeakeſt as one of the fooliſh women ſpeaketh, what? ſhall we receive good at the hands of God, and not evill? Iob 2.10. So when David Sauls ſonne had a ſpeciall advantage againſt Saul, and might have ſlaine him, but would not, becauſe he was the Lords Annoynted; then was a ſpeciall domeſticall occaſion for David, to declare his uprightneſſe to God and to Saul, that he was an obedient ſonne to Saul, and deſired not the life or Kingdome of his father, but to live in love and peace with him; which David wiſely conſidered, and tooke this ſpeciall occaſion to declare his integrity to Saul; and this done ſo ſeaſonably, his words were to Saul like Apples of gold in pictures of ſilver, which made him to confeſſe David, to be more righteous then himſelfe, 1 Sam. 24.17. so likewiſe when God met Moſes in an Inne, and commanded him to circumciſe his ſonne, to which bloody ordinance Zipporah was ſo averſe, or otherwiſe he ſhould looſe his life, then was a ſpeciall domeſticall occaſion for Moſes to declare his uprightneſſe p. 189to God and to his wife, that he regarded more to pleaſe God then to pleaſe his wife; which Moſes ſeriouſly conſidered, and anſwerably with courage carried himſelfe, or elſe he had aſſuredly ſmarted ſeverely.

3Sociall or Symmachicall occaſions and times, for the declaration of ſincerity after a ſpeciall manner, are, when good or evill are more then ordinarily converſant about in relation to ſuch or ſuch a Society or Corporation. When Ioab that bloody man, would have deſtroyed Abel that ancient City, becauſe of Sheba a ſeditious man which fled thither, then was a ſpeciall ſymmachicall occaſion for that wiſe woman to declare her uprightneſſe, for her owne good, and for the good of that City whereof ſhe was a member; that ſhe was none of them that made ſtrife and contention againſt David, nor that City in which ſhe lived; which ſhe wiſely conſidered, and anſwerably with wiſedome and courage carryed herſelfe. I am one of them that are peaceable in Iſrael; thou ſeekeſt to deſtroy a City, and a mother in Iſrael; p. 190why wilt thou ſwall…w up the inheritance of the Lord. 2. Sam. 20.19. When Iudas one of that honourable ſociety, plotted miſchiefe againſt Chriſt, the Maſter of that company, then was a ſpeciall wine for Chriſt to declare his integrity that the world might know, that Chriſt had given Iudas no juſt cauſe, thus trecherouſly to behave himſelfe, but had every way ſo carried himſelfe towards …m, as might have beene enough, to have won any mans heart for ever to him. Chriſt made him as his equall; his familiar friend; he did eate of his bread; he had favours in commune with the reſt of the Apoſtles; and vet plaved the traytor to Chriſt: this, Chriſt upon this occaſion (you know) declared. When the holy Ghoſt after a tranſcendent manner, fell upon the Apoſtles, that they ſpake with divers tongues, ſome ſons of Bel…l mocked them and ſaid, Theſe … are fall of new Wine; then was a ſpeciall symmachicall occaſion for Peter to declare his uprightneſſe, for the glory of God, and for the credit of that honourable ſociety of which he p. 191was: to declare to all the world that they were not drunken, as the blinde worldlings conceived, but tranſcendently filled with the holy Ghoſt; which the Apoſtle ſeriouſly conſidered, and anſwerably with much courage he declared himſelfe. But Peter ſtanding up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and ſaid; Ye men of Iudas and all ye that dwell as Ieruſalem, be this knowne unto you, and hearken unto my words: for theſe are not drunken as ye ſuppoſe, ſeeing it is but the third hou…e of the day, but this is that which was ſpoken by the Prophet Ioel, &c. Act. 2.14,15,16.

4Nationall occaſions and tunes for the declaration of ſincerity after a ſpeciall manner, are, when good or evill after a ſpeciall manner is converſant about in relation not to this or that particular perſon, but to a whole Nation. When bloody Pharoah would have deſtroyed all Iſrael, then was a ſpeciall Nationall occaſion, for Moſes and the reſt of the worthies of the Lord, to declare their ſincerity, for the glory of God, and the good of his Church; which Moſes ſeriouſly conſidered and p. 192anſwerably, with much courage carried himſelfe towards Pharoah, upon all occaſions, though a King: he told him his owne, and held him ſtrictly to Gods termes; and though he ſhuffled and ſhifted, and went forth and backe as a halting rotten Prince, to worke Moſes about to decline a little from Gods will, yet ſo ſincerely did Moſes declare himſelfe to God and all his people,Exo. 10.26.Exod 10:26 that he would not yeeld to Pharaoh a hoofe, nor ſwerve from a tittle of what God bid him to ſtand for. So when Balaam would have curſed all Iſrael for wealth and honour, then was a ſpeciall Nationall occaſion, for all Iſraelites indeed, to declare their ſincerity, by wreſtling with the Lord by prayer, to countermine all his enchantments, which they ſeriouſly conſidered, and anſwerably with much unweariedneſſe doubtleſſe did, or elſe doubtleſſe God would never have withſtood Balaam in that admirable manner as he did, and have forc'd him ſtill to bleſſe, when he meant to curſe. When Iſrael committed whoredome with the daughters p. 193of Moab, and joyned themſelves unto Baal-Peor, and the anger of the Lord kindled, threatning to deſtroy all, then was a ſpeciall Nationall occaſion for Moſes, to declare his ſincerity, that he loved the glory of God above the lives of his brethren, which he ſeriouſly conſidered and anſwerably with much courage did. And Moſes ſaid, unto the Iudges of Iſrael, ſlay ye every one his men, that were joyned to Baal-Peor, Num. 25.5. So when Iſrael had made them a molten Calfe in the abſence of Moſes, and God would have deſtroyed them all at once, and have made Moſes a great Nation if he would have let him alone in his way, then was a ſpeciall Nationall occaſion indeed for Moſes to declare his uprightneſſe, that he loved the lives of his brethren, above all honours and preferments this world could afford him, and that he loved the glory of God (which would have beene much blemiſhed by the heathen, if he had deſtroyed Iſrael) more than his owne life; which be ſeriouſly conſidered, and anſwerably declared himſelfe. And Moſes returned p. 194unto the Lord, and ſaid, Oh this people have committed a great ſinne, &c. Yet now if thou wilt forgive their ſinne, and if not, blot me I pray thee out of thy booke, Exod. 32.31,32. When Iſrael halted betweene God and Baal, making a mixture of divine worſhip and idolatrous together, one to colour the other, that poiſon might be ſwallowed without ſcrupling, to the ſpeedy and unſenſible perdition of ſoules, then was a ſpeciall Nationall occaſion for the Prophets of the Lord to declare their uprightneſſe, in crying againſt halting, not fearing man who ſhall be made as graſſe; which Elijah ſeriouſly conſidered, and anſwerably with much courage carried himſelfe. And Eliah came unto all the people, and ſaid, how long halt ye betweene two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him: and the people anſwered him not a word. When Azariah the Prophet told Aſa and all Juda, that their halting in Gods worſhip, was the cauſe of all their troubles, and that if they did zealouſly returne to that purity of divine worſhip, which God required, p. 195and ſhake off mans inventions, it ſhould goe well with them, and that God would ſtill bee with them for good, and not for hurt, as he had been; then was a ſpeciall Nationall occaſion for that people to declare their ſincerity; their love to the purity of Gods ordinances, more then to their owne inventions; which they ſeriouſly conſidered, and anſwerably with much zeale and life did. And they entred into a covenant, to ſ…eke the Lord God of their fathers, with all their heart, and with all their ſoule: that whoſoever would not ſeeke the Lord God of Iſrael, ſhould be put to death, whether ſmall or great, whether man or woman, 2 Chro. 15.12,13. So when Haman had plotted the death of all the Jewes, then was a ſpeciall Nationall occaſion for Mordecai and Eſther, to declare their ſincerity, for the glory of God and the good of his Church; which they ſeriouſly obſerved, and anſwerably with much courage carried themſelves. Then Eſth…r bad them returne Mordecai this anſwer. Goe gather together all the Iewes that are preſent in Shuſhan, and faſt ye for me, and neither p. 196cate nor drinke three daies, night or day: I alſo and my maidens will faſt likewiſe, and ſo will I goe in unto the King, which is not according to the Law, and if I periſh, I periſh. Eſther 4.15,16.

The reaſons why God in the courſe of his providence, brings about, ſpeciall occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity, are theſe; Firſt, that the world and the divell may ſee, that his people are indeed ſincere. Speciall occaſions of triall, are like Nebuchadnezzars fiery Furnace, heat ſeven times hotter then ordinary, which will thoroughly diſcover Gold from droſſe. Theſe made knowne Iobs ſincerity ſo univerſally, that all mouthes were ſtopt, which ſtrangely thought and ſpoke of Iob before. 'Tis very common with the divell and his children, to account and call Gods people hypocrits; ſuch as doe not ſerve God for nought, but follow Chriſt for loaves, and profeſſe religion for their owne ends. Now God to convince theſe cenſorious wretches, that judge amiſſe of the generation of the juſt, brings his children as 'twere upon the ſtage, in the p. 197open view of all, and puts them upon ſpeciall trials of their uprightneſſe; he ſets them ſuch taskes of doing or ſuffering, that ſhall ſtretch every veine in their bodies, and convince all beholders, yea the divell and all his children, that they are ſincere; and make them confeſſe with Saul, that they are more righteous, then themſelves. As there be ſome ſtarres, which by divine inſtitution are inviſible to us, & others viſible, to declare the glory of God, and to be of uſe for man: So thoſe ſtars which God hath placed in the leſſer world, to wit, the ſoule of man, ſome of them God would have to be as it were inviſible to the world; God would have a Chriſtian modeſtly, & humbly to conceale as much as may be, many gifts, but others againe God would they ſhould declare them as much as may be, to his glory and the good of others, as love, and ſincerity, that they may ſparkle in the eyes of all the world, as glorious beames of the divine Image. Now man being too backward to this worke voluntarily, God makes and fits occaſions and times for p. 198the very purpoſe, that ſhall ſitt a man throughly, and ſound his heart to the bottome, and turn-his inſide outward, and ſo declare his ſincerity or hypocriſie to all the world. As God knowes who are his; ſo he will have the divell and his children to know alſo who are his; that they may walke as ſelfe-condemned wretches, as Saul did, for perſecuting of them. Now, to effect this, this is the thing God does, viz, he makes bitter pills for his children to ſwallow, heavie burthens for his children to beare, ſuch as no unſound heart would touch, with one of his fingers; he heates Furnaces ſeven times hotter then ordinary, and throwes his children into them; one thing or other God ſo orders, that ſhall put his people to it, to ſee what mettle they be made of; that ſhall anatomiſe every ſtring in their hearts, ſo that the Divell, and all his children, to their conviction and torment, ſhall read ſincerity written in their hearts, with capitall letters.

2The ſecond reaſon why God in the courſe of his providence, brings about p. 199ſpeciall occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity, is, that his owne glory may thereby be greatly advanced. Speciall cures they winne a name to a Phyſitian, more then the ordinary cures of ſeven yeeres practice: likewiſe ſpeciall victories, win their prime agents more honour, then all the ordinary warfare of their whole life: So God by carrying his people through ſpeciall occaſions of triall magnifies the glory of his power, wiſedome, and love, more then a thouſand ordinary paſſages of his providence towards them. What a name for power, God wonne to himſelfe, in the heart of Daniel, and the three children, for enabling them with ſuch courage, to ſtop the mouthes of Lyons, and to quench the violence of fire; to expoſe themſelves to the mercy of Lyons, and fire; rather then to wrong their conſciences. This doubtleſſe made them more to ſing of the power and goodneſſe of the Lord, then all the paſſages of his providence towards them, in the whole courſe of their lives before. Some skilfull Phyſitians will make p. 200their men ſwallow this or that ſtrong poiſon, that they may ſhew their skill before multitudes in curing of them, to winne them a name: So God he puts his people to great plunges oft times, that he may winne them a name for ever in their hearts, and in the hearts of all beholders, for wiſedome, power, and mercy in carrying them ſweetly thorough all, without making ſhipwracke of faith and a good conſcience. This know, that 'tis Gods great worke in this world to advance his owne Name, and to make it great to the ends of the earth: now, amongſt the many notable waies, he hath to magnifie his Name, this is one, and not the meaneſt, to wit, to put his people upon ſpeciall occaſions, of the triall of their ſincerity, and by theſe, ſuch an art hath God to advance his owne honour, that he winnes a world of hearts to himſelfe at once, that will be ſo many living Trumpets to ſound forth the praiſe of his greatneſſe and goodneſſe, from generation to generation.

Thirdly, God by his providence p. 201brings about ſpeciall occaſions for the tryall of ſincerity, to adde to the torture of the divell and his children. Great trials of the godly, put the divell and his children in hope of their utter ruine. When Haman had prevailed ſo farre, as to get a bloody decree againſt the Jewes, he then joyed exceedingly, as one that promiſed himſelfe their utter ruine: now God ſtepping in betweene, and on a ſudden turning this triall of Mordecai's to his advantage, and to Hamans diſadvantage, to his honour, and Hamans diſgrace, no man can tell, nor hardly conceive, how this added to Hamans torture. God hath admirable waies, to make wicked men gnaſh their teeth, before they come to Hell; and amongſt the many admirable waies, which God hath for this end, this is not one of the meaneſt, to put the wicked into a kind of hope, of having their will upon the godly, by giving the godly in part (for trials ſake) into their hands, and then on a ſudden, ſnatching them farther out of their power, then ever they were before, p. 202and making them engins of the downfall of the wicked. This hath made many a proud malicious wretch, hang himſelfe, ſtabbe himſelfe, poiſon himſelfe, to wiſh himſelfe any where, ſo he were but out of the ſight and talke of them that feare God.

Laſtly, God in the courſe of his providence, brings about ſpeciall occaſions, for the triall and diſcovery of ſincerity, that ſo the joy of the upright may be augmented, in this life, and in the life to come. Speciall trials of ſincerity, ſincerely gone through, they procure joy unſpeakable and full of glory in this life; and they worke about joy unconceivable and full of glory in the life to come. There is joy in this life for the godly, and joy unſpeakable and full of glory. So there is a reward in Heaven for the godly, and a great reward, as Chriſt uſeth the epithete. Math. 5.12. Now, unſpeakable joy, God gives to them that undergoe unſpeakable trials of their integrity; he gives full flaggons of conſolation, to ſuch as have beene ſoarely ſhot at, as the expreſſion is uſed concerning p. 203Ioſeph, Gen. 49.23. & yet have kept faithfull to their God. So the great reward in heaven, is kept for them, that undergoe great trials on earth, and yet hold faſt their integrity. As Princes have their waies to advance men to great honour, honourably; to wit, by putting them upon ſome notable hard and difficult ſervice, and if they acquit themſelves well and faithfully in it, then to conferre great honour upon them, not otherwiſe: So the King of Kings he hath his honourable waies, to advance meane Chriſtians to great ſpirituall dignities, here and hereafter: and amongſt many others this is one, namely, to put them upon ſpeciall trials, and difficult taskes and ſervices, that ſhall put every nerve and ſinew to it; and diſcharging themſelves well and faithfully in theſe, then he puts a long white robe upon them, and palmes in their hands, great ſpirituall dignities, that ſo they may be knowne to all, to be ſuch as came out of great tribulation, as John ſaith, Rev. 7.14.

This doctrine findeth fault with two ſorts of perſons, viz, Such as of wilfulneſſe p. 204and ſuch as of weakneſſe, neglect and paſſe by ſpeciall times and occaſions, for the declaration of ſincerity.

Men wilfully paſſe by ſpeciall times and occaſions, for the declaration of ſincerity, when they ſhut their eyes, and will not take notice of ſuch times; out of ſome ſelfe-reſpect. The Prophet Iſaiah ſpeakes of this fort of men, where he ſaith; Let favour be ſhewed to the wicked, yet [will he not] learne righteouſneſſe, in the Land of uprightneſſe [will be deale unjuſtly] [and will not] behold the Majeſty of the Lord. Lord when thy hand is lifted up, [they will not ſee:] but they ſhall ſee, and be aſhamed for their envie at the people, &c. Iſa. 26.10,11. God gave ſpeciall times to this generation of men, to mend their manners, and to declare uprightneſſe in their converſation to his glory, but though this ſpeciall favour were ſhewed them, yet would they not, ſo much as ſet about, to learne righteouſneſſe, to acquaint their deluded conſcience with what was right, and to be practiſed by them. God in a very majeſticall manner p. 205lifted up his hand againſt them, to croſſe and curſe them in their corrupt waies, and all to this end, that they ſhould behold it, and take ſhame to themſelves, and breake off from their unrighteous courſes, and they wilfully ſhut their eyes, that they might not behold the Majeſty of God againſt them. God gave them (of his rich favour) ſpeciall times and opportunities, to declare uprightneſſe, and they made them ſpeciall times and occaſions, to declare their pride and rottenneſſe. There is an iron ſinew in the will of men naturally, and therefore let God give never ſo faire opportunities and occaſions to them, to ſhew themſelves for him and for his righteous waies, yet they will not bow and ſtoope unto it. This iron ſinew was in the necke of Saul, and therefore God called his ſinne, in not ſlaying all the Amalekits, when he gave him a ſpeciall opportunity thereunto, ſtubbornneſſe and Rebellion. God ſaw more into Sauls ſinne then he, or many of us could imagine. He look'd upon Sauls will, in ſparing Agag, when p. 206he might have killed him; and God ſaw that Sauls will was reſolutely ſet to doe this, what ever hypocriticall plea he made for himſelfe, and what ever expreſſe charge he had to the contrary. God gave to Saul there, a ſpeciall opportunity wherein to declare his ſincerity, and he as a ſelfewilled wretch, made it a ſpeciall time wherein to declare his hypocriſie, to his utter diſgrace and ruine both of ſoule and body.

Pride and malice are the cauſe, why men wilfully paſſe by ſpeciall times, for the declaration of ſincerity. God gave to Herod a ſpeciall time wherein to declare ſincerity, by cauſing that promiſed branch, to ſpring out of the roote of Ieſſe in his time, which roote was thought to have been quite dead. Here was ſuch an opportunity given Herod, to declare his love to Chriſt, by protecting and countenancing of him, as was given to no Ruler before him; and he out of pride and malice, as one that could not endure, that there ſhould be any other King of the Jewes beſides himſelfe, ſought with all his p. 207policy and might to kill him, ſo farre was he from uſing all his regall power, to protect and fence this choice branch from ſpoilers. God gave likewiſe to the learned Scribes and Phariſes, ſpeciall occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity, by cauſing him that was the wiſdome of God to converſe amongſt them, and to ſpeake as never man ſpake, and to doe thoſe things which never man did; that ſo they (as Iohn the Baptiſt, according to what they had heard with their eares, and ſeene with their eyes, might magnifie him, and labour as Gods faithfull Miniſters in their place, to bring all men to believe on him, and follow him; and they out of pride and malice, uſed all their craft and might, to cruſh him in the ſhell, to nip him in the very bud, to cloud his glorious ſunne, as ſoone as riſen, that none might ſee his light and walke in it.

Such wretches as theſe, who wilfully ſhunne ſpeciall times and occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity, muſt be told this, That their ſinne is very great, and anſwerable ſhall be their puniſhment p. 208unleſſe they repent. That your ſinne is great, appeares by the example of Saul, ſinning in this very kind. God gave him a ſpeciall occaſion, to declare his ſincerity to him, when he gave all the Amalekites into his hands; he wilfully taking his owne courſe, and pleaſing his owne humour, you know how God calls this ſinne, viz, stubburnneſſe; Rebellion; rebellion parallel to Witch-craft, Rejecting the word of the Lord. God will no otherwiſe account your ſinne, who now wilfully paſſe by occaſions and opportunities of declaring your ſincerity to him. He will account your practice, ſtubbornneſſe: and did any man ever ſtout it out with God, and proſper? He will account your practiſe Rebellion: and did ever any man play the rebell againſt God, that was not hangd and quartered? He will account your practiſe a rejecting of his Word: and for this God will certainely reject you. You know well what heavy puniſhment God inflicted upon Saul for this ſinne: he ſtript him of his Kingdome, nay, he ſtript him of the holy Ghoſt, p. 209ten thouſand times more worth then his Kingdome, and gave him up to an evill ſpirit, to be vexed and whorried headlong into great ſinnes, and great miſeries; Pares peccato, ſupplicio pares.and according to this proceeding of divine juſtice, muſt you looke to be dealt withall. God offers you now golden opportunities, to declare your ſincerity to him, by killing all Amalekits, every ſinne in your ſoules, which are more abominable to him, then ever was the Amalekits, and to the killing of all, he promiſeth you his aſſiſting of all, he promiſeth you his aſſiſting grace, as he cauſed his victorious arme to goe along with Saul; and if now you wilfully ſpare ſome one Agag, ſome fat of the Kine, ſome ſinnes, that bring you in pleaſure and profit, looke for Sauls ſauce to ſuch ſweet meats. God will take his ſpirit utterly from you, and give you up to your owne hearts luſts, to commit wickedneſſe with greedineſſe, to the aggravation of your condemnation.

Secondly, the doctrine in hand, Eſt debilitas culpabilis, ſicut excuſabilis.finds fault with ſuch as paſſe by ſpeciall occaſions and times, for the declaration of ſincerity, out of weakeneſſe: under p. 210this head foure ſorts of perſons are to be reproved. Firſt, ſuch as through ignorance paſſe by ſpeciall times and occaſions, for the declaration of ſincerity. Many men in place have often by the providence of God, ſpeciall occaſions and times put upon them, for the declaration of their ſincere love to Chriſt and his members, Ignorantia normae, ignorantia culpabilis, eſt.but being ignorant of what is indeed ſincerity, to wit, what is indeed right, and the thing to be ſtood for, doe nothing, ſhew themſelves neuters, or elſe doe as the moſt doe. Some though they have a long time lived in the light, and ſhould be able to diſtinguiſh betweene light and darkeneſſe, yet through a careleſſe improvement of the light, and reſting in cuſtomes, know not what is indeed the exact will of God to be ſtood for; and therefore when they are by the providence of God, brought upon the ſtage, to ſet their ſeale to Gods truth, they as fooles, ſay and doe they know not what.

Others there are, who though not ignorant of what is indeed right and good, but yet ignorant of the danger p. 211which may enſue upon the neglect of any opportunity for the declaration of ſincerity, paſſe by one ſpeciall occaſion, and promiſe to themſelves another, and god greadventure preſently proceeds againſt them in a ſtrict way of judicature, to the deſerting of their ſoules, and never brings about ſuch a golden opportunity more unto them, wherein to ſhew themſelves ſo admirably for him. Salomon points at this where he ſaith, Becauſe to every purpoſe there is time and judgement: therefore the miſery of man is great upon him, Eccl. 8.6. The miſery of man is great upon him indeed, that is either ignorant of judgement (1) of what is right, and ſincere; or that is ignorant of time: that is of ſuch ſpeciall and ſit opportunities as God offers to man, for the performing of, and ſtanding for, what is right and good. You that are ignorant of judgement; of what is right to be done or ſuffered, you will by the example of others be drawne to ſtand againſt right, inſtead of ſtanding for it, as did the ignorant multitude againſt Chriſt, concerning whom the p. 212Apoſtle ſpeakes thus, That had they known it, they had not crucified the Lord of glory, 1 Cor. 2.8. The ignorant Jewes not knowing judgement, were by the example of the learned Scribes and Phariſes, drawne to ſtand againſt Chriſt, inſtead of ſtanding for him, and ſo pulled the guilt of innocent blood upon them, which is not yet waſhed off.

You that are ignorant of time; of the ſpeciall occaſions and times, which God in the courſe of his providence brings about, for the declaration of ſincerity, and of the dangers which enſue thereupon, muſt be told this, That you will open great gaps unto evill, ere you are aware. Old Ely not taking that ſpeciall occaſion given him, to declare his ſincerity, by a due puniſhment upon his ſonnes, they grew horribly wicked, and Gods wrath grew quickly unquenchably hot.

Secondly, let me tell you this, That you blindfoldly paſſe by the choyſeſt times of your life, to advance your owne happineſſe both here and hereafter. p. 213Phinehas for taking that ſpeciall time which God gave him, to declare his ſincere love to him, wonne a great deale of honour to himſelfe and poſterity. And ſo likewiſe Levi, who tooke hold of that ſpeciall time that God gave him to declare his ſincerity; Who ſaid to his father and to his mother, I have not ſeene him, neither did he acknowledge his brethren; nor knew his owne children, Deut. 33.9. wonne unſpeakeable honour. So likewiſe Abraham in taking that ſpeciall time which God gave him, to trie the ſincerity of his love in putting on to ſacrifice his onelyonly ſonne, won incomparable dignity.

2.Secondly, ſuch as through carnall feare paſſe by ſpeciall occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity, are here to be blamed. This I thinke was Pilats caſe. God gave a ſpeciall time unto him, for the declaration of ſincere love to Chriſt, when Chriſt was brought as a malefactour before him, and yet nothing worthy of death or of bonds could be found againſt him. But Pilat out of feare to diſpleaſe the Jewes, p. 214paſſed by this golden opportunity, and paſſed Sentence upon the innocent. This was Peters weakeneſſe. God gave him a ſpeciall occaſion for the declaration of ſincere love to Chriſt, when the Damoſell ſo hardly put him to it, and yet he out of feare, paſſed by this golden opportunity, & denyed Chriſt with all vehemency, which he ſhould with all boldneſſe and fervour then have confeſſed.

Such as theſe may doe well to keepe theſe two Scriptures ſtill in their minds: I, even I am he that comforteth you, Who art thou that ſhouldſt be afraid of a man that ſhall die, and of the ſonne of man that ſhall be made as graſſe, Iſa. 51.12. But whoſoever ſhall deny me before men, him will I alſo deny, before my father which is in Heaven, Math. 10.33.

Secondly, ſuch may doe well alſo to conſider this, That they will brand their name with everlaſting reproch; rob God of more honour, through their cowardlyneſſe, then their ſoules are worth, though rated above all this world; and rob themſelves of the ſpirit of glody, which reſts tranſcendently p. 215upon ſuffering Chriſtians, as Peter ſpeakes, 1 Pet. 4.14.

Thirdly, ſuch as paſſe by ſpeciall times for the declaration of ſincerity, through carnall perſwaſion, are here to be blamed. The man of God which cryed againſt the Altar at Bethel, was faulty in this kind. God gave to him a ſpeciall occaſion to declare his ſincere love to him, when that old Prophet perſwaded him to doe contrary to his commiſſion, but he being overborne with the ſmooth language of the Prophet, returned backe with him, and did eate bread and drinke water, contrary to the expreſſe command of God. How the man of God was handled for this, ſuch ſhall doe well to thinke of, that are apt to have an eare open to carnall counſell and perſwaſion, to be turned thereby from taking hold of ſpeciall times for the declaration of ſincerity. Three examples more there be, which are moſt worthy of theſe mens conſideration, which would have this weakeneſſe cured in them. The firſt is the example of Ioſeph in his carriage to his Miſtris; He p. 216would not admit of diſcourſe with her, nor ſtand to hearken to her unclean perſwaſions, but ſpeedily breaks away from her company and counſell both. The ſecond, is the example of Paul, that would not conſult with fleſh and blood, when he was to take hold of ſpeciall occaſions and times, for the declaration of his ſincere love to Chriſt. The third is the example of Chriſt himſelfe, in his carriage to Peter, who when he ſought to perſwade him to ſpare himſelfe, ſaid, Get thee behind me Satan.

4.Fourthly, ſuch as out of carnall pity, paſſe by ſpeciall occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity, are by this doctrine to be blamed. Good old Ely was faulty in this kind. Out of pitty to his ſonnes he forbore to doe that which he ſhould have done, to have declared his ſincere love to the glory of God. Let ſuch as are faulty in this kind, thinke on Elies miſery to humble them; and on theſe divine examples following, to reforme them. Thinke on Levi, who ſheathed his ſword in the bowels of his brethren, p. 217nay, he knew not his father nor mother, no, nor the children of his loynes, that he might declare his ſincere love to the glory of God, when opportunity was offered. Thinke on Gideon, who threw downe the Altar of his father, that he might declare his ſincere love to God, when he called him hereunto. Thinke on Aſa's dethroning his mother, and ſtamping her idols to pouder, 2 Chron. 15.16. And on Salomons denying the requeſt of his good mother Bathſheba, when ſhe requeſted a bad thing, to wit, Abiſhag the Shunamite, for Adonijah, which was given to lie in Davids boſome in his old age to keepe him warme, and to cheriſh him. All theſe worthies were not ſwayed by fooliſh pitty; but looked over all relations, to obey the will of God, and to declare their ſincere love to him, upon all occaſions offered.

Wherefore:

The ſecond and laſt uſe of this doctrine, ſhall be fore exhortation. Seeing there be ſpeciall times and occaſions for the delcaration of ſincerity, and that many have broken thorough all p. 218impediments, to take hold of them, let us alſo ſtrive thus to doe. Two things I would exhort you to; to obſerve ſuch times; and ſecondly, to take faſt hold of them. Seeing there be ſpeciall times for the declaration of ſincerity, let us give all diligence to obſerve, when they are by God offered to us. Shut not your eyes againſt ſuch times; nor through ignorance, and careleſſeneſſe over-looke ſuch times.

Queſt.But how ſhould I know ſpeciall times and occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity?

Anſw.I anſwer, by theſe three things. Firſt by the dependancy of Gods glory and thine owne eternall good, upon times, occaſions, and actions. If the glory of God, and thine owne eternall good depend much upon the doing or ſuffering of this or that thing; ſo depend, that if not performed, both Gods glory and thine owne peace fall to the ground; this is a ſpeciall time and occaſion for the declaration of ſincerity; and therefore obſerve it.

p. 219Secondly, by ſtrong internall motions and movings to this or that duty, together with the hand of God externally in a ſpeciall manner, by mercies and corrections ſeconding. 'Tis ſaid (you know) that the ſpirit of the Lord moved Sampſon at times in the campe of Dan. That is, God after a ſpeciall manner ſtirred him up now and then, to that great worke of fighting with the Philiſtins, to which he had aſſigned him. So likewiſe now, the Spirit of God doth at times, move mens hearts, after a powerfull and ſpeciall manner, to this duty or that, to the mortification of this luſt or that; and ſeconds this ſtrong internall motion, by ſuch mercies and corrections, as may moſt ſuitably tend to further this motion, and ſpurre on backward man, to the performance of this duty. This is a ſpeciall time for the declaration of ſincerity; obſerve it. Balaam (doubtleſſe) had ſpeciall motions and internall ſtirrings not to goe about to curſe Iſrael, and the Angell of the Lord without ſeconding to hinder him; and yet for all this ſword within, and ſword p. 220without, he would on. You that will doe as he did, muſt looke to fare as he did. So on the other hand, Mordecai (doubtleſſe) had ſtrong internall motions and ſtirrings to labour for the good of the Jewes, and the downefall of proud Haman; and the providence of God externally, after a ſpeciall manner ſeconding; which he obſerved, and anſwerably moved in this golden opportunity, and ſo wonne much honour to God, to himſelfe, and good to his Church.

Thirdly, by the word of God. The word of God is ſo full and perfect, that it plainely ſets before every man that ſtudies it, what is of weight to be done, and what is of moment not to be done. It ſets forth things to be done, or not to be done, with all the circumſtances about them, which makes them of more ſpeciall conſequence or leſſe. So that if a man looke upon an action or occaſion by the word of God, he ſhall preſently be able to ſee, of what conſequence the thing is, and how anſwerably he is to move in and about it, whether with p. 221more or leſſe care and diligence. Hence 'tis that Chriſt willed thoſe which he urged to imbrace him, to ſearch the Scriptures concerning him; intimating that there they ſhould ſee, of what conſequence this worke was, of imbracing Chriſt, and following him.

Secondly, as I would have you to take notice, ſo I would have you to take hold of ſpeciall times and occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity. When you have eſpied theſe golden opportunities, faſten upon them.

Queſt.But how ſhould I take hold of theſe golden opportunities aright?

I anſwer, the taking hold of theſe golden opportunities aright, conſiſts in theſe three things, viz, That a man when ſuch times are brought about to him, by the providence of God, ſet himſelf, firſt, ſpeedily; and ſecondly, thoroughly, to anſwer them; and thirdly, that he goe about all in the ſtrength of Chriſt. Firſt a man that would take hold aright of ſpeciall times and occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity, muſt be ſpeedy in this worke. p. 222Time, we ſay, tarries for no man. And opportunity is the extract, and quinteſſence of time, and farre more gliding. Opportunity let ſlip, poſſibly a man may have never ſuch another, though he ſhould live an hundred yeares. Hence 'tis that Chriſt ſpeakes ſo dolefully to Ieruſalem, which had ſlipt her opportunity, O Ieruſalem, Ieruſalem, if thou hadſt knowne in this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace! but now they are hidden from thine eyes.

Secondly, as you muſt ſet your ſelves ſpeedily, ſo you muſt ſet your ſelves throughly to this worke, if you would take hold of theſe golden opportunities aright. That is, you muſt ſet your ſelves to declare ſincerity, anſwerable to the occaſions and ſpeciall opportunitie which God offereth. For this is to take hold of theſe precious opportunities aright, to wit, whē ſpeciall occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity preſent themſelves, after a ſpeciall manner, to declare our ſincerity in them. When a ſpeciall occaſion of this kinde was offered to Paul, by Peters Judaizing, you know with what courage p. 223and ſpirit Paul declared himſelfe anſwerable to the occaſion. To whom I gave place, not for a moment. Whom I withſtood to the face, for he was to be blamed, Gal 2. And Moſes likewiſe though a very meeke, quiet, and patient ſpirited man, yet when a ſpeciall occaſion for the declaration of his ſincerity was offered, by Aaron and the peoples making a Calte, with what a Lyon-like courage did he ſhew himſelfe? And old Ely becauſe he did not ſet himſelfe thus to declare his ſincerity, when his ſons of provoked God, to wit, anſwerable to that ſpeciall occaſion offered, you know what conſtruction God made of his mild cold carriage, in that urgent waighty matter, betweene God and his ſonnes.

Thirdly, a man that would declare ſincerity aright in all occaſions offered thereunto, muſt ſet about this worke in the ſtrength of Chriſt, and not in any ſtrength of his owne. I will goe in the ſtrength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy rightouſneſſe even of thine onelyonly, Pſalm. 71.16. I will goe in the ſtrength of the Lord God, &c. That is p. 224in every deſigne, and in every buſineſſe I will depend wholly upon the aide and aſſiſtance of God, and upon no ſtrength of my owne. Thus we know David went againſt Goliah, when he would declare his ſincere love to God, whom Goliah blaſphemed. Thus muſt we doe when ever we ſet upon any opportunity, wherein to declare our ſincere love to God, or elſe we ſhall doe as Peter, deny Chriſt, inſtead of ſtanding for him anſwerably to the occaſion offered.

Now, that what hath beene ſaid touching this point, of taking hold of golden opportunities offered, for the declaration of ſincerity, you may all obſerve and follow, thinke on theſe two or three things. God calles for it: Conſcience calls for it: Church and State calls for it: Soule and body will elſe ſeverely ſmart for it. Firſt, thinke on this, God calls for this at our hands, that we ſhould declare ſincerity according to the ſpeciall occaſions calling thereunto. Gather your ſelves together, &c. ſaith the Lord to the diſobedient Jewes, and in them to us, before the p. 225decree come forth, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you. Seeke ye the Lord all ye meeke of the earth, ſeeke righteouſneſſe, ſeeke meekeneſſe: it may be ye ſhall be hid in the day of the Lords anger. Zeph. 2.1,2,3. A ſpeciall time was offered, wherein to ſhew themſelves for God and for good, and God called upon them carefully to take it, as they tendered their temporall and eternall good.

God calls us now to the declaration of ſincerity, as by his word, ſo by his workes, both of mercy and juſtice. God hath loaded us with mercies and corrections of all ſorts, and all for this end, that we ſhould declare our ſincere love to him, anſwerable to all opportunities offered hereunto. Many a time (as the Pſalmiſt ſaith) hath he turned away his anger, and hath not made a full end of us, when we have highly provoked him thereunto, and all for this end, that we ſhould declare our ſincere love to him, anſwerable to all opportunities offered thereunto. To the language of the Lord by the Prophet Amos I may fitly here allude. God p. 226hath withholden the raine from us, when there have beene but three months to the harveſt: God hath cauſed it to raine upon one ſhire and county, and not upon another: God hath ſmitten us with blaſting and Mildew; and all this to bring us to declare a ſincere love to him, according to all opportunities offered; and yet we are backward hereunto. God hath ſmitten us with the peſtilence againe and againe; and with the ſword hath he threatned us againe and againe, and all this to bring us on to declare a ſincere love to him, according to all occaſions offered; and yet we are backward hereunto. Therefore thus will I doe unto thee, ſaith the Lord to Iſrael, and becauſe I will doe thus, prepare to meet the Lord thy God, O Iſrael, Amos 4. So ſay I to you, foraſmuch as all the milde meanes which God hath hitherto uſed are not effectuall for this end, to bring us to declare our ſincere love to him, according to all opportunities offered, therefore we muſt expect that God will take ſome ſevere courſe with us for the time to come; and becauſe p. 227we are to expect this at the hands of God, let us prepare to meet the Lord our God. Let every one of us repent of our halting and time-ſerving paſt, and for the time to come let us ſet our ſelves to declare a ſincere love to God, according to all occaſions offered.

2.Conſcience calls us hereunto, as well as God. Speciall occaſions for the declaration of ſincerity, now ſo frequently and ſo openly ſhew themſelves, that every mans conſcience tells him, that he ſhould ſhew himſelfe a great deale more then he doth, for God, his King, and Countrey. As in the night the Owles and the Bats looke abroad: ſo in theſe darke ſad daies of ſinne and wickedneſſe, the eyes of Owles and Bats, the eyes of wicked and ſecure ſinners, begin to open, and their conſciences begin to tell them, that they ſhould doe ſomething more now then they have done, for God, and the good of this Church and Kingdome.

3.Church and State cals for it. They both now with one dolefull voice cry out to us, in the language of the Pſalmiſt: Who will riſe up for me againſt the p. 228evill doers? or who will ſtand up for me againſt the workers of iniquity? Pſal. 94.16. They know not, neither will they underſtand, they walke on in darkneſſe: all the foundations of the earth are out of courſe. Pſal. 82.5.

Finally, ſoule and body will elſe ſeverely ſmart for it, if we doe not now ſtep in, to take hold of all opportunities for the declaration of ſincerity. Curſe ye Meroz (ſaid the Angell of the Lord) curſe ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof: becauſe they came not to the helpe of the Lord againſt the mighty, Judg. 5.23. This curſe may all ſuch expect who now come not forth, to declare their ſincere love to Chriſt and his truth, upon all juſt occaſions calling thereunto. The ſoules of ſuch Chriſtians as now neglect and put by theſe golden opportunities, of declaring their ſincere love to Chriſt, will be given up to lukewarmneſſe, coldneſſe, deadneſſe, hardneſſe, and ſome to obſtinateneſſe, and maliciouſneſſe againſt God, and all goodneſſe: which are all ſoule curſ…s with a witneſſe. And ſuch bodies as have in p. 229them ſuch curſed ſoules as theſe, you may aſſure yourſelves, they ſhall meet with miſery enough firſt or … Paul intimates ſomething to this purpoſe, where he ſaith, At my firſt anſwer no man ſtood with me, but all men forſook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge, 2 Tim. 4.16. Such as take not hold of ſpeciall times and occaſions for the declaration of their ſincere love to Chriſt and his truth, may feare that ſad things will be firſt or laſt, laid to their charge; ſuch as ſhall make body and ſoule ſhake. Let us therefore all, as we love our bodies and ſoules, and as we profeſſe love to Chriſt, which ſhould be dearer to us then our bodies or ſoules, take hold of all opportunities for the declaration of ſincerity. As God brings about ſpeciall times and occaſions for this end, ſo let every one of us after a ſpeciall manner, take hold of them, that we may after a ſpeciall manner be honoured of God, both here and hereafter. Dixi.

Trinuni Deo gloria.

Imprimatur

Tho Wykes. Febr. 24. 1639

End of the text · Nicholas Lockyer, A Divine Discovery of Sincerity (1640)