Helps to Stir Up to Christian Duties, Chapter 6

Helps to Stir Up to Christian Duties · Chapter 6

p. 73CHAP. VI. What the maine things are about which we are to ſtirre up our ſelves.

SEcondly, we are to ſhew whereabout we are to ſtir up our ſelves, and what the duties are; to ſpeake, as the truth is, theſe are of large extent, and beare an equall latitude with all duties of Religion and godlineſſe; there being no duty, unto which this is not required, it being as the fire to kindle the Sacrifice, andſſMark. 9.…9Mark 9:9 as Salt to p. 74ſeaſon it. I ſhall give inſtance in ſome particulars, ſuch as are of great concernment, which doe call for our utmoſt care and intention of ſpirit.

Section 1. Of ſtirring up our ſelves in the weighty buſineſse of our owne and others ſalvation.

FIrſt, concerning the moſt weighty buſineſſe of our Salvation, and our everlaſting eſtate, it is our duty that wee mightily ſtirre up our ſelves, and tend to the good of our precious ſoules above al things in the world beſide: about this, three things are ſpecially to bee p. 75heeded by us:

1. To take hold of all ſeaſons and opportunities for the furthering and advancing this worke: For this end wee are to take a ſerious view of the times and places where wee live, to conſider what they afford and bring with them, what confluence and concurrence of meanes, more than at other times, or in other places. The Apoſtle cals upon, and ſtirres up the Corinthians with this Argument,tt2 Cor. 6.2 Can. 2.10.13 Eſter 5 22 Cor 6:2 Behold (ſaith hee) now is the accepted time, now is the day of Salvation: that is, whilſt the light of the Goſpell ſhines, whilſt the Miniſters call, whilſt the Lord (like Ahaſueros) holds forth his golden Scepter, his p. 76promiſes of mercy and pardon to all ſuch as come to him, eſpecially when he begins to ſtirre the heart with touches and remorſes for ſinne, and deſires of mercy and pardon. The people that were ſtirred by the Miniſtry of Iohn the Baptist, how wonderfully eager were they in the purſuit of their Salvation?uuMat. 11.12Matt 11:12 From the dayes of Iohn Baptist untill now (ſaith our Saviour) the kingdome of heaven ſuffers violence, and the violent take it by force; that is,**Quidam ad omnia viae & vita hu…us exer…it…a non Solum …mbulant ſed et c…rrunt, i…o po…ius v…l…nt. Bern Serm. 3. de …. ſ. Dom they would have no nay, they were ſet upon it; as if they ſhould have ſaid, What a time is this? What dayes be theſe of light and grace? Who ever periſh, wee will not: p. 77Who ever goe to Hell, wee will not: As long as there was grace and mercy to bee had, as long as ſuch gracious offers were tendred unto them, they reſolved to refuſe no labour nor paines: reſt they cannot, have it they muſt, whatever it coſt them: Oh the ſtrong and reſtleſſe deſires! Oh the unwearied endevours of ſuch, whoſe hearts God hath truly touched with a care of their owne Salvation!

22. For our going forward in this bleſſed worke, and bringing of it to its height and full perfection, it is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves: To this thexxPhil. 2.12Phil 2:12 Apoſtle exhorts, that we ſhould worke out our ſalvation with feare and p. 78trembling. As Salvation is a great worke, which ſhould take up our whole man, ſo it is ſtill to be wrought out, that if at any time wee were queſtioned what we were a doing, we might anſwer, we were working out our Salvation with all our ſtrength; as the fountaine workes out the mudde, and as Phyſicke workes out the diſeaſe, ſo to be throwing out all that hinders, to bee ſtillyySapiens quā diu vivit, tama…u addit. adding to this worke, one grace to another, one duty to another; according to that of thezz2 Pet 1.5 foreign. Linking them hand in hand2 Pet 1:5 Apoſtle, Giving all diligence, adde to your faith, vertue; to vertue, knowledge, &c. Be ſtil going onward to perfection, as theaaHeb. 6.1Heb 6:1 Apoſtle Saint Paul teacheth us; Therefore p. 79leauing the principles of Chriſt, let us goe on to perfection. and againe,bb2 Cor. 7.12 Cor 7:1 Having theſe promiſes, let us perfect holineſſe in the feare of God: ſo never ſlaking our pace, or giving over our care, till wee had brought it to its full maturity: and this is to bee done with feare and trembling, noting that great ſeriouſneſſe of going about this worke, what accActs 7.32Acts 7:32 feare ſhould fall upon our hearts, conſidering the great Majeſty of God, with whom wee have to deale; and our owne unworthineſſe and great inſufficiency, as of our ſelves, to goe forth in ſo great and weighty a worke: Neither is this feare, a blinde, or a ſervile feare, but ſuch as is accompanied, p. 801. with Humility and lowlineſſe of minde, oppoſed to high mindedneſſe, and ſelf-confidence; as Rom. 11.12. Be not high minded, but ddTimor virtutum omnium …uſios eſt. Hierony.feare. 2. With an awful and child-like reverence of God, oppoſed to wantonneſſe and carnall ſecurity; as Hebr. 12.28. Wherefore we receiving a kingdome which cannot bee moved, let us have grace, wherby we may ſerve God with reverence and godly feare. When we doe things in faith and obedience, and in great love to God and his holy Commandements, for his truth and goodneſſe ſake, Hoſ. 3.5. Inſtance might be given in preaching the Word, by which Gods people are gathered to him; I was p. 81with you (ſaith theee1 Cor. 2.31 Cor 2:3 Apoſtle to the Corinthians) in weakeneſſe, in feare, and in much trembling. So in hearing, thus theff2 Cor. 7.152 Cor 7:15 Corinthians received Titus with feare & trembling. And the LordggIſay 66.5 Ezra 5.4Isa 66:5Ezra 5:4 ſaith, he looks to ſuch; that is, with the eye of pitty and favor, that tremble at his Word. So for prayer and other duties, which help forward this worke; and this wee muſt take for an everlaſting truth, that they alwaies ſpeed beſt, and have moſt aſſiſtance, and enlargement of heart in duties, that ſet to them in moſt Humilitie and tremblingneſſe of Spirit.

3. To grow up to more and more full Aſſurance of our ſalvation, unto which p. 82we are exhorted, Give all diligence to make your calling and election ſure. Diligence here implieth, 1. Care of the heart, ſo rendred, 2 Cor. 7.11 2. Earneſt indevour, which hath in it ſpeed, inſtantneſſe, painefulneſſe, putting forth our beſt ſtrength thereunto, taking paines for God and our ſoules [to make our calling and election ſure] that is, that we be not diſappointed, or doubt or diſtruſt of it; the former is the aſſurance of the things in themſelves,iiCertitudo obiecti. the other is in regardkkCertitudo ſubiecti. of us. This duty is to bee done, 1. by building our hope of both, not upon the Sand; that is, either uponllEpheſ. 2.3Eph 2:3 good nature, ormmMatth. 3.9Matt 3:9 Gods outward Covenant, ornnMa…. 7.21, 22, 23. common graces, and duties, p. 83for theſe will deceive us, but upon the Rocke, which is Chriſt, Mat. 7.24. and in him, upon his promiſe of Word & Oath, Heb. 6.18 2. By gathering certaine ſignes of our ſafe eſtate in him, as from our chuſing him for our God, Pſal. 73.25. a ſure ſigne heooIoh. 1… 19John 1:19 firſt choſe us, 1 Iohn 4.19. ſo of our effectuall calling, and the like. 3. Eſchewing ſuch evils as might darken, or dampe our Aſſurance, and breake the bones and ſtrength of it. 4. By adding grace to grace, and linking one to another, as you heard before. Thus you ſee what things are required of us about this great worke and buſineſſe of our Salvation; and unto this wee p. 84ſhould the rather haſten with all our might, as in many other reſpects, ſo, in that priority in enjoying the benefits of God in Chriſt, is a great prerogative; and every one ſhould ſtir up themſelves about it. To be firſt in Chriſt, hath ſpeciall privileges; Rom. 16.7. Salute Andronicus and Iunia (ſaith Saint Paul) who were in Chriſt before me: So is Epinetus recorded to be the firſt fruits of Achaia: The ſooner we get out of the world, which lyes in wickedneſſe, unto Chriſt, the ſafer we are, what ever befals us; and the more ſins and pollutions of the world ſhall we be freed from, and ſo the ſooner ſhall wee provide for the peace of our p. 85conſciences, and the comfort of our lives.

Thus alſo are we to ſtirre up our ſelves, according to our places and callings,ppPecora fratris tuo errantia iubel ut reducas fratri tuo nedum ipſum ſibi. Tertul. about the ſalvation of others, and to further the ſame with all earneſtneſſe of intention, by all the wayes and meanes we can, as they ſtand in relation unto us. Thus Cornelius, taking the opportunity when Peter was to come to his houſe to Preach the Word unto him,qqActs 10.24Acts 10:24 he gathered together his kinſmen and meere friends. So Andrew cals his brother Simon, andrrIoh. 1.40, 41John 1:40John 1:41 tels him We have found the Meſsiah, and ſo brought him to Ieſus. This being an infallible note of a good man, that hee cannot tell how to goe to heaven p. 86alone. This care, and deare affection ſhould ſpecially be found in Miniſters of Gods Word; how ſhould they ſtirre up themſelves when they come to perform this worke? Before them ſit the blinde, and ignorant; the proud, profane, and rebellious ſinner,ſſ2 Tim. 2.20.2 Tim 2:20 held under the power of the Devill, and led captive by him, according to his will, who are making haſt, and fetch large ſtrides to the fiery Lake, which is but a little before them. What tender compaſſions ſhould they put on to bring home wandring ſinners, andttHeb. 5.2Heb 5:2 ſuch as are out of the way; that, if it were poſſible,uuActs 20.28Acts 20:28 not one ſoule ſhould periſh, committed to their charge.

p. 87When the Lord is pleaſed to call home a loſt ſinner, and beginnes to lay a foundation of his bleſſed change in his ſoule, wee ſhould ſtirre up our ſelves by all ſignes of joy and rejoycing. As it was when God put to his hand to lay the foundations of this glorious frame of the world, the Lord himſelfe tels us,**Job 38.7Job 38:7 that the morning ſtarres ſang together, and the Sonnes of God, that is,**Vid. Ion. ad loc. the Angels, ſhouted for ioy; much more when he beginsxxAmos 9.6Amos 9:6 to build his ſtories of grace and mercy in the ſoule of any, it being a greater, and a harder worke to ſave one ſinner, than to make the world; becauſe in that work there was no reſiſtance, for p. 88he did butyyPſal. 33.9 Gen. 1.3Ps 33:9Gen 1:3 ſpeake and it was done; he ſaid, Let there be light, and it was ſo; but in the ſoule of man there is great reſiſtance, who ſtands out as long as ever hee can, and God hath much adoe with us before hee can bring us home: therefore are wee to make it matter of great joy, even as it is to the holy Angels themſelves, Who reioyce over one ſinner that repenteth, Luk. 15.10. Thus doth the Father of the prodigal child in the ſame Chapter,aaLuk. 15. ultLuke 15 It is meet (ſaith he) that we ſhould make merry, and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive againe; Luke 10.21 Jeſus reioyced in SpiritLuke 10:21he was loſt, and is found: and good cauſe have wee to rejoyce, one ſoule more being pulled out of the p. 89Divels clawes, and kingdome; one more is added to the Church; one more, of a child of wrath, death, and hell, is made an heire of grace and ſalvation.

Section 2. Of ſtirring up our ſelves against our owne ſinnes.

THe ſecond thing, about which this duty of ſtirring up our ſelves is to bee exerciſed, is in regard of ſinne, and Gods offence, whether in regard of our ſelves, or others. 1. In regard of our ſelves, and our owne ſinnes.

11. Firſt, in regard of our inbred and inherent corruption, p. 90wee are to ſtirre up our ſelves,bbIncentiva vitiorum ſtatim in mente iugulabis, et parvulos Babilonis allides ad Petram. Hieron. in oppoſing and reſiſting the inward motions, ſtirrings, and provocations of it, it is our duty to ſet our ſelves againſt them with all our might, to ſharpen our eyes againſt them, we ſhould labour to ſee Death, Hell, Wrath, and Gods curſe in the leaſt riſings and motions unto them; we ſhould looke upon Luſt, Pride, Malice, Revenge, thoughts of blaſphemy, &c. as upon the Divell himſelfe; we ſhould be no otherwiſe affected with the ſtirrings of theſe, then as if thou didſt feele a Toad or Serpent ſtirring & crawling in thy boſome: O in what a caſe wouldſt thou then think thou wert? How wouldſt p. 91thou ſhake thy ſelfe, and never be at quiet till thou hadſt got forth that loathſome and venemous creature: So, and much more ſhouldſt thouccDum in cogitatione voluptas non reprimitur, etiam in actione dominaetur, ſtrive and ſtruggle againſt all motions and provocations to ſinne. Say to thy ſelfe in ſuch a caſe, Oh theſe filthy luſts, whither wil they carry mee? How ſhall I bee able to looke God in the face, if I ſhould give way to it? And I muſt goe to him before I ſleepe,ddCavendum vulnus quod cum dolore Sanatur. Hieron. Ep. ad Sal. in what a caſe will my conſcience bee within this halfe houre? Begge hard of the Lord to keepe thee, and to give thee ſtrength againſt theſe ſinfull ſtirrings of thy corrupt nature. Thus have Gods Children with p. 92ſucceſſe helped themſelves, when they have ſet themſelves againſt the brood of the Devill, crying, as the repenting Iſraelites againſt their Idols,eeIſay 30.22Isa 30:22 Get thee hence, and ſo have preſerved their peace.

22. When former ſinnes unrepented of come into thy remembrance, it is our duty toffIonah 3.8Jonah 3:8 cry mightily againſt them, and to be in great bitterneſſe for them,ggZac. 12.10. as one that is in bitterneſſe for his first-borne; even to cry out as a travelling woman, amidſt the pangs and throwes of guiltineſſe. Hencehh2 Chr. 33.122 Chr 33:12 Manaſſeth is ſaid to humble himſelfe greatly. O when the fountaines of the iiGen. 7.11.Gen 7:11great deepe are broken up, and the heart of the penitent ſinner beginnes to breake p. 93and melt, there bee ſtrong grones and ſighes uttered, which pierce the very heavens, and the voyce and cry of them is heard on high.

33. When fallen into any ſinne, it is our duty to beſtir our ſelveskkLicet lapſi ſint, non commorentur in lapſu, nec in ipſis ſe ſepuliant ruinis ſuis ſed ilicò, ubi concidere reſurgant, Salv. lib. 1. cont. Avarit. to get out of the mire, never to give thy ſelfe reſt in it, think thou lyeſt all the while amongſt ginnes, and ſnares, and Scorpions, amidſt quick-ſands, in which thou ſinkeſt deeper and deeper every moment thou ſo abideſt. Wee ſhould call to mind what Peter did in ſuch a caſe,llLuke 22.62Luke 22:62 He went out preſently, and wept bitterly.

p. 94Section 3. Of ſtirring up our ſelves against others ſinnes.

IN regard of others ſinnes it is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves, and that in regard of the evill of doctrine, or judgement, or of life and converſation:

1. For the evill of doctrine, falſe and erroneous tenents, and poſitions, wee ſhould ſtirre up our ſelvesmmIude 3.Jude 1:3 to contend earnestly for the faith, once delivered to the Saints; not to loſe the leaſt dram of that precious doctrine: we are not to looke for any more Goſpels, or any more truths to be penned p. 95for us, therefore to looke well to theſe wee have. As they are penned and written for all Gods people, ſo all have intereſt in them; it being the Common Salvation, Iude 3.Jude 1:3al ſhould ſtand for it to their uttermoſt;nnMos iſte ſemper in Eccleſiae viguit ut quó quiſ que foret religion fior eò promptiùs novellis ad inventionibus contra ir…t. Vincent. Lerinenſ. ſo to ſtand againſt that which is contrary to ſound Doctrine. Ah (deare Chriſtian) wee ſhould prize moſt dearely every truth of God, the leaſt of which is more preciousooMat. 5.18Matt 5:18 than heaven and earth, and a moſt ſweet and beautifull thing; whereas every errour is loathſome and deformed,ppNova dogmata vetus Teſtamentum deos alienos appellare conſuevit. Id. Vinc. caſts a blemiſh on the moſt holy and pure nature of God, and tends to the ruine and confuſion of all things. He that goes about to corrupt and p. 96deboſh another in life and manners, by wicked counſell, or example, is to bee ſhunned as a dangerous enemy; but he that goes about to corrupt and deboſh another in his judgement and underſtanding, which is the moſt precious and excellent part of man, and to ſpoyle him in his intellectuals, is to be accounted as a curſed enemy, and to be driven out from the ſociety of mankinde.qqRevel. 2.2Rev 2:2 The Church of Epheſus was commended,Vid. Pareum ad loc. that ſhee could not beare with them that were evill: that is, ſuch as were falſe Apoſtles, who carried about falſe doctrins, and corrupted others. How did Saint Paul ſtand out againſt Elymas, rrActs 13.9Acts 13:9who ſought to p. 97turne away the Deputy from the faith: How did he ſharpen his Spirit againſt him, ſaying, O full of all ſubtilty, and all miſchiefe, thou childe of the Divell, thou enemy of all righteouſneſſe, wilt thou not ceaſe to pervert the right waies of the Lord.

2. In regard of the evill of life, and corruption of manners in others,ſſNe ſitis negligentes in co…r gendis v…ſt… ad curam veſtiam quoqu… mo…o perimentibus monendo, do cendo, hortan do terrendo, Aug. ver Dom. ….…8. we are to ſtirre up our ſelves againſt it, as farre as our calling and condition of life will permit. They that forſake the Law (ttPro. 28.4Prov 28:4 ſaith Salomon) praiſe the wicked; but ſuch as keepe the Law, contend with them. The innocent ſhall ſtirre up himſelfe against the hypocrite▪ ſaith Iob, Iob 17.8. They will not let them carry it away p. 98ſo, but will reprove them for their wickedneſſe. The example of that worthy Governour Nehemiah, is remarkeable in this kinde; who contended with the Nobles who profaned the Sabbath day, and by their example drew on others to that grievous ſinne: Heare what he ſaith,uuNeh. 13.17Neh 13:17 Then contended I with the Nobles of Iudah, and ſaid unto them; What evill thing is this that yee doe, and prophane the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus? and did not our God bring all this evill upon us, and upon the City? yet yee bring more wrath upon Iſrael, by prophaning the Sabbath. Verſ. 28See alſo how hee cleaſed from him one of the ſons of the high Priest, becauſe hee p. 99was ſonne in law to Sanballat, who was a profeſſed enemy to Gods people, and a great ſcoffer at all their proceedings. But incomparable is the example of our Saviour in reforming the abuſes of the Temple;**Iohn 2.15John 2:15 Zealous of his fathers houſe, he whipt out the buyers and ſellers, powred out the mony-changers, and overthrew the Tables: At which fact, the Diſciples remembred that it was written, The Zeale of thy houſe hath eaten me up.

Section 4. Of ſtirring up our ſelves when we come to God in prayer.

VVE are alſo to exerciſe this ſtirringneſſe of p. 100heart in all duties of Obedience, whether they be duties of immediate worſhip, or otherwiſe.

To give ſome inſtances:

When wee draw neere to the Lord to pray to him, it is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves, and to declare by all ſignesxxVitus Theodorus writing to Melancthon, ſpeakes thus of Luther, No day paſſe… him, faith …e, but he ſpent three houres at leaſt in prayer. Once I happened to overheare him being at …rayer: O what ſpirit, and life, and faith, was there in his prayers! what hee aske, hee doth it with ſ…ch …evere ce, as having to deale with God; with ſuch faith and … pe, as ſpeaking with hi… Father, or his friend, In vit. Luth. pag… 142 our great deſire to be heard of him: God is of ſuch Majeſty, as he looks for all earneſtneſſe in our petitions; and the excellency, together with the great need of the things deſired, ſhould move intention of all our powers in ſeeking them from God. S. Iames yyJam. 5.16.Jas 5:16ſaith, that effectual prayer, (foreign, p. 101deprecation incitated, driven with motion, and force, vehement, fervent, with great affection of devotion)zzDiligent prayer and the committing of ſinne wil not ſtand together for if prayer cannot make a man cea…e from ſinne, yet his ſinn…ng will make him leave off praying, Mert. lib. t. page 61. hath great force with God to obtaine that which wee deſire.aaActs 26.7Acts 26:7 Paul ſpeaketh of the twelue Tribes, that they inſtantly ſerved God day and night: the word is, foreign, with intention of Spirit. This is ſometime calledbb2 Kin. 19.42 Kgs 19:4 lifting up of a prayer: It is recorded to the great praiſe of Iacob, thatccGen. 32.26 28 Hoſ. 12.3, 4Gen 32:26Hos 12:3Hos 12:4 by his ſtrength hee had great power with God; yea, he had power over the Angell, and prevailed; he wept, and made ſupplication unto him, hee found him in Bethel, and there hee ſpake with us. In which is ſet downe, both the favour of God to Iacob, vouchſafing p. 102the manifeſtation of himſelfe, and ſpeech with him; and the faith and piety of Iacob propounded to be imitated by us, as belonging to our confirmation, who holding faſt the promiſe made him at Bethel, wreſtled ſtrongly by the faith of it, and found that hee had not beleeved in vaine; at Bethel againe was the Promiſe renewed unto him.

Section 5. Of ſtirring up our ſelves in prayer for others.

SO when we ſeeke to him by prayer for his goodneſſe to others, it is our duty to quicken and enkindle in p. 103our ſelves, ſtrong affections.ddGen. 18.13Gen 18:13 Abraham was earneſt and importunate with God for wicked Sodom: eſpecially for ſuch as are neare and deare unto us; as theccMat. 15.22, 23.Matt 15:22Matt 15:23 woman of Syropheniſſa obtained her requeſt in the behalfe of her child. But moſt eſpecially wee ſhould put forth all the ſtrength of our ſpirits in the behalfe of the Church and people of God: Yee chat bee Lords Remembrancers (ffIſa. 62.6, 7Isa 62:6Isa 62:7 ſaith the Prophet Iſaiah) keepe not ſilence, and give him no rest, nor hold thy peace day nor night, til he eſtabliſh and make Ieruſalem a praiſe in the earth. When Gods people were driven into great ſtreights, by reaſon of Pharaoh his purſuing them behinde, and p. 104having the Red Sea before them, the Lord asked Moſes, ggExo. 14.15 Num. 14. 12 20Exod 14:15Num 14:12Why cryeſt thou unto me? Ah! Moſes could not hold his peace, but muſt burſt out into ſtrong prayers and cryes. Aaron alſo beſtirred himſelfe, when the plague brake forth amongſt the people;hhNum 16. 46 47Num 16:46 He ranne quickly, ſtood betweene the dead and the living and made attonement for the people: So interpoſing, and, as it were, expoſing himſelfe to the wrath of God for the people: It was not ſo much the Incenſe, as the ſtrong prayers of Aaron that prevailed with God to ſtay the plague. So when Peter was in priſon, it isiiActs 12.5Acts 12:5 ſayd, that Prayer was made of the Church without ceaſing for him; (the word p. 105is foreign, earneſt and ſtretched-out prayer;) the Church was ſo earneſt with the Lord, that hee was faine to take him out of priſon, unlooſe his chaines, and bring him to them, and ſet him before them; as if the Lord had ſayd, there hee is, your importunity hathkkDeus ipſe quinullu cont… ſe virilus ſuperaripoteſt pr…cibus v…ncitur. Hiero overcome me. O the power of fervent-conjoyned prayers! Theſe bee the**Prece… ſunt Bombard… & inſtrument… …ell… a Chritian rum. uther. Arius the heretike was b…ou…ht to …onf… o… by th p… ers of Alexander the good Biſhop of Conſtantinople, and … …eath w…, precationis opus non morbi. Socra, lib. 1 cap 15. ſcaling-ladders that are ſet up to heaven; and theſe doe lay ſiege to the Throne of God, and encompaſſe him round, and will not depart till they have that they came for.

p. 106Section 6. Of ſtirring up our ſelves in prayſing God.

VVHen we draw neare to prayſe him for bleſſings, received, having therein a comfortable taſte of Gods love to us, that he is our God, and we his people, it is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves in all the heights and elevations of our hearts, that poſſibly we may: Hence have proceeded thoſe high ſtraines of ſpeech, andllEbullit Cor. Pſal. 45.1Ps 45:1 ebullitions of the hearts of Gods ſervants.mmIudg. 5.12Judg 5:12 Deborah, to her due prayſing of God, calls upon her ſelfe to awake, to ſing a ſong; and the redoubling p. 107of the word, Awake, awake, Deborah, awake, awake to utter a Song, implyeth her care to doe it with all, her might. So David, nnPſa. 57, 7, 8Ps 57:7Ps 57:8My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: which noteth the addicting of himſelfe, with conſtant purpoſe of minde, to the duty of prayſing God, and alſo his alacrity wherewith he comes to it, not only oppoſed to hypocriſie, but to torpor and ſpirit-leſneſſe; kindled with zeale, he ſhoo… off all impediments, to bee attentive to this voluntary Sacrifice; which the verſe following declares; Aw…ke up my glory, awake up Lute and Harpe; expreſſing the vehemency of his heart, and burning deſire, hee ſtirres up p. 108his tongue, and joynes the helpe of Inſtruments to fire himſelfe the more. In another Pſalme he ſtirres upooPſal. 101, 1 Habet e…ſonum Cor, Aug. ad loc.Ps 101:1 all that is within him; he cals, as it were, a Council, aſſembles all his powers, andppZeph. 3.14 Zach. 9.9Zeph 3:14Zech 9:9 faculties of ſoule, underſtanding, will, affections, in their full ſtrength, to this duty of prayſing God It falls out ſometimes, that when the ſoule is in ſerious contemplation of Gods mercies paſt, preſent, and to come, that the fire ſecretly kindleth, and a man burſts out into high prayſes of God, finding his tongue to come far ſhort of his heart, and his heart infinitely too narrow to comprehend, either the multitude of ſo many mercies, p. 109or the great love of him that is the beſtower of them and ſo he is ſwallowed up in that Sea which hath neither banke nor bottome, but is faine to cry out, O the depth, the depth, the depth! and can goe no farther: and this is the higheſt manner of prayſing God, though one can ſpeake never a word more.

Section 7. Of ſtirring up our ſelves in ſtanding for God and his honour.

IN our ſtanding for God, promoting his honour, and exalting his name, it is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves, and that not onelyonly by p. 110ſpreading the knowledge of him in our owne hearts, and ſetting, him up as glorious there, making al things within us to ſtoope and doe lowly obeyſance to him, byaaJam. 4.12Jas 4:12 acknowledging his authority in what hee commands, andbbPſ, 119.128 by keeping the heart in a continuall readineſſe to ſet about what ſhal be commanded us from him, andccIer. 42.5, 6 1 Sam. 3.9Jer 42:5Jer 42:61 Sam 3:9 by reſting in his will when it is revealed,ddGal. 1.15, 16. Heb. 11.8Gal 1:15Gal 1:16Heb 11:8 without reſiſting or gaine-ſaying, and not only by a faithfull dependance upon him, and hanging upon him from day to day, as a childe upon the mothers breſt, by all which wee advance, and lift up the Lord in our hearts; but alſo when wee are ready to make an open p. 111profeſſion of him, not fearing the face of man, when Gods cauſe comes in queſtion. Then a man is right in his way, when hee gives up himſelfe to bee wholly for God, when al his ends, projects, and purpoſes are ſubſervient and ſubordinate unto him and his glory. We read of Caleb, that when the falſe SpyeseeNum. 13, 28.30Num 13:28Num 13:30 diſcouraged the Iſraelites from entring into Canaan, by telling them of Cities walled up to heaven, and of the Gyants the children of Anak, his ſpirit was mightily ſtirred, and he ſayd,ffNum. 14, 8Num 14:8 Let us goe up at once, if the Lord delight in us, he will bring us into this Land. For which ſtanding in Gods cauſe, the Lord gives this p. 110duplicate page p. 111duplicate page p. 112teſtimony of him, ThatggNum. 14.24 Ad verbum implevit poſt me.Num 14:24 he had another ſpirit with him; and, that he hath followed mee fully. The Hebrew word is a metaphor taken from a Shippe under ſayle, which is carried ſtrongly with the wind, as if it feared neither rockes nor ſands. Iehoſhaphat alſohh1 Chr. 17.61 Chr 17:6 had his heart lifted up in the wayes of God: he was more couragious and bold in promoting the true worſhip of God, than Aſa his father was: With a high Spirit he tooke away Idolatry; contemning perill, hee tooke away the high places and groves, which either his father left, or the people in the latter end of his reigne brought in againe. David, but a youth, was mightily p. 113ſtirred up in Gods cauſe whē Goliah railed on the hoaſt of the living God, thy ii1 Sam. 17.32.481 Sam 17:321 Sam 17:48ſervant (ſaith he) wil go & fight with this Philistim: drawing neere him to fight, hee hasted and ranne, moved with fervent zeale, to be avenged on the blaſphemy of Gods name. It is ſaid of Baruch, in the repayring of the wall of Ieruſalem, he kkNeh. 3.20 Se occenditNeh 3:20repayred earneſtly, or as ſome read it, he fired himſelfe, burſt out into heat, angry with himſelfe, and others, that were ſo ſlothfull in working, ſo finiſhed his portion in a ſhorter time. This ſtirringneſſe of Spirit did appeare in Levi, who preferred Gods glory to all naturall affection,llDeut. 33.9Deut 33:9 Who ſayd to his Father and his Mother, I p. 114have not ſeene him, neither knew hee his owne brethren, or his owne children; for they obſerved thy word, and kept thy Commandement. Thus alſo have the holy Confeſſours and bleſſed Martyrs done, whoſe Spirits wee ſhould deſire to be doubled upon us, in theſe evill and backe-ſliding dayes; who living incurſt and cruell times, in Gods cauſe and for his ſakemmRev. 12.11Rev 12:11 loved not their lives unto the death, but thought the priſonaaWho will ever beleeve that I ſhall ſay? or what man will ever thinke? in the deepe darke dungeon to find a paradiſe of pleaſure in the place of ſorrow; and to dwell in tranquillity, and hope of life in a cave infernall to be found ioy of ſoule: where other men doe ſhake and trēble, there ſtrength and boldneſſe to be plenty? Algerid his letter, Fox, Act. & Mon. …ol, 2. p. 181. a paradiſe, and great iron chaines greatbbMarſac going to the ſtake to be burned, with two others with ropes about their neckes, ſeeing himſelfe to be ſpared by reaſon of his order and degree, deſired to have one of thoſe precious chaines about his necke, in honour of his Lord, Fox, ib. p. 141. Luther reſolved to appeare at Wormes, though all the tyles on the houſes ſhould be Divels. ornaments, and embraced the flames as cheerefully as Eliah did the fiery p. 115Chariot, that came to fetch him to heaven. O when the love of their deereſt Redeemer had once warmed their hearts, they were mightily inflamed, and like Davids three Worthies, who for Davids ſake, brake through the hoaſt of the Philistims; ſo theſe were ready, for his ſake to undergoe all hard adventures, to looke all dangers in the face, and to breake thorow an hoaſt of Deaths and Devils.

p. 116Section 8. About ſtirring up ourſelves in the reading and hearing Gods holy Word.

IN regard of Gods holy word, when wee are to be exerciſed in the reading of it, or hearing it preached, or read, it is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves: as,

1. In reading the holy Scriptures: when thou takeſt up the Bible into thy hand to read, looke upon it, as upon the moſt bleſſed booke that ever eye ſaw, and that no booke in the world hath that in it,ccQuid eſt Scriptura ſacra nifi quaedam Epiſtola omnipotentis Dei ad creaturam ſuam, Greg. which concernes thee ſo much, containing in it the whole counſell p. 117of God for thy good. And as children are ſtirring and wakefull when they heare their fathers Will reade, to know and underſtand what is left them there; ſo ought wee to ſtirre up our ſelves, conſidering thoſe many rich and precious Legacies which our Savior hath bequeathed unto us, in that laſt Will and Teſtament of his, ſealed with his owne blood.

So in hearing the Word read, wee have a notable example in Ezra his time, thatnnNch. 8.3 when hee read in the booke of the Law, from morning to mid-day, the eares of all the people were attentive to the booke of the Law.

22. In hearing the Word Preached, it is our duty to p. 118ſtirre up ourſelves with all the life of attention we may; as hearing the Lord ſpeaking in his Servants: Hither tend thoſe preſſing exhortations in Scripture, To ooIſay 55.3Isa 55:3incline the eare; To be ppJam. 1.19Jas 1:19ſwiſt to heare; Flying, to the places of aſſemblies, as qqIſa. 60.8Isa 60:8Doves to their windowes.

The Bereans are commended for this, that they heard the Word,rrActs 16.11Acts 16:11 foreign with all readineſſe and alacrity. In hearing the Word, we are to ſſPſal. 24.7Ps 24:7lift up theſe everlasting doores, to ſet wide open the doores of our hearts, that the King of glory may come in. We are to chooſe the Word as our ttPſal. 119.111.173Ps 119:111Ps 119:173portion, for the goodneſſe, beauty, and truth of it. To bring hearts and affections p. 119anſwerable to the matter in hand; when the Lord threatens, to bring feare; when he promiſeth, to bringuuNeh. 8.12Neh 8:12 joy; to**2 Chro. 34 27. Luke 3.102 Chr 34:27Luke 3:10 yeeld willingly to the ſtampe of every truth, as the Wax to the Seale. To ſet the heart ſtrongly to every word of God,xxforeign. 1 Tim. 4.151 Tim 4:15 cleaving inſeparably to every truth, binding them cloſe to the ſoule.yyDeu. 32.46Deut 32:46 Set your hearts, (ſaith Moſes) to all the words which I teſtifie amongſt you this day, which you ſhall command your children to obſerve to doe all the words of this Law, for it is not a vaine thing for you, becauſe it is your life, and through this you ſhall prolong your dayes.

3. For Miniſters, and ſuch as are to preach the Word, it p. 120is their duty tozzIn Bucholſero vivida omnia fuerunt, vt vida vox, vivida oculi, vividae manus geſtus omnes vividi. Mel. ad in vit. ipſe p. 556. ſtirre up themſelves in the carefull diſcharge of this their weighty calling.

1. The Names given in Scripture, doe all imply laboriouſneſſe, and great intention: They are calledaaEzec. 3.17Ezek 3:17 Watchmen,bbIer, 23.4 Shepheards,cc1 Cor. 3.101 Cor 3:10 Builders,ddMal. 3.1Mal 3:1 Meſſengers,eeTit. 1.7Titus 1:7 Stewards, &c.

2. Their worke ſet them, as dealing with the precious ſoules of men, and to call home wandring loſt ſinners, cals for ſo much. They are to Preach with all ffActs 18.2-28.Acts 18:2–28diligence, gg2 Tim. 4.22 Tim 4:2earnestneſſe, and inſtancy; in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon; with courage and freedome of ſpirit,hhIſa. 58.1 Ier. 28.17Isa 58:1Jer 28:17 feareleſſe of the face of man: With greatiiPhil. ….8 earneſt deſire of the ſalvation of Men, and p. 121the people committed to them. This made the Apoſtle Saint Paul to enter into great kkCol. 2.1Col 2:1conflicts and combatings for the Coloſsians, and to bee pained and afflicted as a woman inllGal. 4.19Gal 4:19 travell.

O me thinkes what ſhould not one doe to keepe one ſoule from periſhing everlaſtingly! if anymmHic eſt ille Farellus qui nullis difficultatibus fractus nullis minus convitiis, verberibus deni que inflictus teritus, Mempel-garoenſes Aquil…enſes. Lauſanenſes, Gene… e…ſes, Noacomenſes, Chriſto Lucrifecit. M l. Adam Decad. in vita Farel. p. 115. paynes and ſtudy would doe it; if denying a mans credit, profit, pleaſure, and eaſe would doe it; if ſtooping, and yeelding, and laying our hands under their feet would do it. if prayers and teares would doe it; or if, like Clouds, we ſhould ſweat our ſelves to death, ſo ſoules might bee brought home to God, it were a bleſſed way of dying.

p. 122Section 9. Of ſtirring up our ſelves in Meditation.

THe minde being quieted, and compoſed, and deepe ſilence and attention being cauſed in the whole man, thy ſpirit being awed with the preſence of God, draw forth the ſubject matter thou wouldſt meditate of, and to ſtirre thee up in the duty, take theſe two helpes:

1Firſt, in things that are good, and of a divine and heavenly nature, labour to ſee them at their beſt, preſent them to thy ſelfe in their prime and beauty. To give p. 123ſome Inſtances:

1. If thou wouldſt meditate of God, labour to ſee him in the glory of his Attributes, as Moſes ſaw him, Exod. 34.5, 6.

2. If thou wouldſt meditate of Chriſt, ay me at the higheſt and moſt raiſed apprehenſions of his excellency; ſee him in his Nature, and Offices, or hanging on the Croſſe, or ſitting at the right hand of God, as Steven ſaw him, Acts 7.55. and Iſa. chap. 9. view him in thoſe places wherein Paul repreſents him, Heb. 1. and Col. 1.13. to 21.

3. If thou wouldſt meditate of heaven, and the glory of it, labour by the eye of faith to penetrate into it, and p. 124to ſee it at the beſt, as Paul ſaw it, being caught up into the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12.12. and as Peter repreſents it, 1 Pet. 1.4.

4. If thou wouldſt meditate of Gods Love to thee in Chriſt; See it at the beſt, in the dimenſions of it, in the bredth, length, heighth, and depth of it, Epheſ. 3.18, 19. Thinke from whence thou art brought, to what things advanced; thy ſelfe digged out of the rubbiſh, and ruines of forlorne mankinde, and placed as a living ſtone in Gods building; 1 Pet. 2.51 Pet 2:5as a brand pluckt out of the fire, Zach. 3.2Zech 3:2and like Ionah, from the belly of hell, caſt up upon the dry land, and made a childe of God, and heire of life.

p. 1255. If thou wouldſt meditate on the Promiſes, looke on them at their beſt, as moſt freſh, and greene, as they grow out of the heart of God, and breſt of Chriſt, their native and proper ſeat; out of whom they are but as fading and dying things. They being in their full ſtrength and vigor as ever, the ſame yeſterday, and to day, and for ever; what Gods people have heretofore found them to bee, they are ſtill the ſame unto us; like ſilver tryed and purified ſeven times, Pſnl. 12.6and have as much life and comfort in them as formerly in Abrahams, Heb. 11.13Heb 11:13or in Davids time; what ever they could ſpeake of them, Gods people in this age of p. 126the world are able to report the ſame.

2Secondly, if thou wouldſt meditate on things which are in their nature ſimply evill, labour to ſee them at their worst. Take for inſtances:

1. If thou wouldſt meditate of ſinne, and the nature of it, ſee it at its worſt, even worſe than the Divell himſelfe; for what made him a Divell but ſinne? it was ſinne ſpoyled him; he was a glorious Angell till hee was acquainted with ſinne. Thinke it is that which is moſt contrary to the moſt holy Nature of God, and is the ſole Object of all his hatred; whereas his love is diſperſed to ſeverall things, p. 127his Selfe, his Sonne, his Children, &c. Thinke it is that which makes the greateſt ſeparation betweene God and us, and to be without God in this world, which onelyonly makes a man accurſed, which all miſeries of themſelves can never doe. This blots out the Image of God, ſtamped on us at our firſt Creation, which being loſt, all Paradiſe could not make Adam happy. This conformes us to the Image of the Divell, and cauſeth us to have communion with him, who is Gods greateſt enemy: This is it that grieves Gods moſt Holy Spirit, and ſends him ſad to heaven, when wee reſiſt his motions, and ruſh into evill.

p. 1282. If thou wouldſt meditate of Gods wrath, looke upon it as at the worſt; as it keepes burning and glowing thoſe everlaſting flames, and can blow the coales of a thouſand hels more; the leaſt ſparke of which let fall into the Conſcience ſets all on a flame, which without the ſprinkling of Chriſts blood, and the teares of true Repentance, can never bee quenched.

3. If thou wouldſt meditate of the ſtate of a ſoule that is loſt, thinke of it as at worſt; even as of a forlorne, helpeleſſe, hopeleſſe creature, covered with ſhame and horror, and lying amidſt the pangs, throbs, & throws of guiltineſſe, which is the p. 129Worme that never dyes; Mark. 9.44Mark 9:44of whom all mercy, pitty, and comfort have taken their leaves for ever, being there to remaine in that dungeon of fire ſo long as Hel is Hel, and God is God.

Section 10. How we ſhould ſtirre up our ſelves in ſanctifying the Lords day.

IN ſanctifying the Lords day it is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves, both in longing for it before it comes, and highly prizing it when it is come;nnIſa. 58.23Isa 58:23 making it the ioy and reioycing of our hearts. It is recorded of the godly Jewes, before our Saviours p. 130time, that they called the Sabbath,ooWemeſ. Chriſt. Syn. p. 76. Deſiderium dierum the deſire of dayes, the moſt deſired day. Every moment of this day ſhould bee precious, as having Gods bleſſing more immediately annexed unto it, and unto all thoſe duties performed in it; having, as it were, his Image and Superſcription more lively portrayed, and engraven upon it; and therefore to be improued by us to our uttermoſt, in all the parts and duties of that day.

p. 131Section 11. How wee are to ſtirre up our ſelves in our partaking of the Sacraments.

IN the uſe of the Sacraments, it is our duty to ſtir up our ſelves:

11. In regard of the Sacrament of Baptiſme,How to ſtir up our ſerve to make uſe of our baptiſme to our ſelves and our children both to our ſelves, and our children, and that in theſe reſpects: 11. By calling to minde what wee, and our children are by nature, children of wrath; both wee and they, all of us (like ſtill-borne children) borneppEpheſ. 2.3Eph 2:3 dead in treſpaſſes and ſinnes, qqEzec. 16.6Ezek 16:6weltring in the blood of the ſins of our firſt parents, empty of p. 132all grace, prone to all wickedneſſe, though as then not able to put it forth in outward Act, no more then young Vipers, or then the Cubs of wild beaſts; which yet, when wee grow up to ripeneſſe and ſtrength, are ready to breake forth to doe any miſchiefe, if wee be not reſtrayned. 22. By intereſting our ſelves, and our children in the Covenant of Promiſe, whereof Baptiſme is the Seale. 1This is done by dedicating and reſigning up our ſelves, and them, to be Gods people; as Hee, in the Covenant,rrGen. 17.7,Gen 17:7 offereth himſelfe to bee a God to us, and ours; and withall praying for our ſelves, and them, that we, and they might ſſGen. 17.18Gen 17:18live p. 133in his ſight. How ſhould it provoke us to wreſtle with God, to convey a Covenant and Sacrament of life unto our children, ſince wee have conveyed to them nothing but ſinne, and wrath, and the fruit of both, which is death. 22. By growing up our ſelves, and training up our children to keepe the Covenant on our parts, that the Lord may delight tottGen. 8.19Gen 8:19 bring the bleſſing of the Covenant upon us and ours. 33. By walking in the purity of Gods Ordinances, with a pure and an honeſt heart: for want of the former, Gods wrath burſt forth againſt Gedeons children, Iudg. 8 27. and againſt Eli and his, 1 Sam. 3.13. For want of the latter, againſt Amaziah, p. 1342 Chron 2 5.2. which David ſought to prevent, by giving his ſonne Salomon better counſell, 1 Chr. 28.9

22. In receiving the Lords Supper,How to ſtir up ourſelves in the right uſe of the Lords Supper. it is our duty to ſtir up our ſelves, 11. By conſidering the great need we ſtand in of ſuch an Ordinance: what need Chriſt to be diſpenced to us, as Bread to ſtrengthen us, and Wine to quicken us, if we were not of our ſelves weake, and dull, and even ſtarved creatures without him? 22.uu1 Cor. 11.281 Cor 11:28 By examining and ſearching out the feebleneſſe of our beſt graces, and the ſtrength of our manifold corruptions; that ſo as by ſearching into the ſores and wounds of the body, the body is payned and p. 135grieved; ſo by ſearching into the ſores and wounds of our ſoules, our hearts may be inwardly pricked and afflicted. 33. By reforming our ſelves and our families before wee come to partake in this Supper: For if wee bee uncircumciſed our ſelves, we diſcovenant our ſelves and them; as on the contrary, if the Maſter of the Family bee a true beleever, the Covenant is made with him, and his houſhold: Therefore when Zacheus was converted, Chriſt ſayd, This day is Salvation come to this houſe, Luke 19.9Luke 19:9for as much as hee alſo is the Sonne of Abraham. And hence wee read in the Acts, when the maſter of a Family was turned to the faith, p. 136that he was baptized and his whole houſhold; and therefore alſo it lyes upon us not to leave them at home; ſo, nor to bring them with us uncircumciſed, ſo farre as it lyes in us to uſe the means for their good, Exod. 12.48. Chriſt was carefull toaa1 Ioh. 13, 8 10. waſh his Diſciples feet, to purifie their hearts againſt the Sacrament. Such new wine, as Chriſt is, would bee put into new bottles. 44. By beholding Chriſt in the Sacrament, as it were crucified before our eyes, that we might mourne the more ſeriouſly in remembrance of the ſins, by which we have piercedbbZac. 12.10. him 55. By admiring at the wonderfull goodneſſe of God to our ſoules; who when we were p. 137ascc2 Sam. 9.8 with 19.282 Sam 9:8 dead dogge (as Mephiboſheth ſaid to David) yet the Lord is pleaſed to ſet us at his owne Table, to feed us with the Body and Blood of his owne Sonne, and thereby to make us one body and ſpirit with his Sonne, giving him to us, and us to him, that wee might partake in all the precious bleſſings hee hath purchaſed for us, both for this life, and for a better, and therefore we are to feed upon him with faith, and exceeding joy for all his abundant goodneſſe to us herein. 66. By ſetting up Chriſt (whole Chriſt) in our hearts as our King, Prieſt, and Prophet; that he, being received into us, may rule us, and teach us, and pacifie us, and p. 138purifie us, andffGal. 2.20Gal 2:20 live our whole life in us. 7Laſtly, by cleaving the more to our brethren in al love and deare affection, whom wee ſee to communicate with us in the ſame Chriſt;1 Cor. 10.17 2 Cor. 12.131 Cor 10:172 Cor 12:13 and called of God to partake in the ſame Table with us.

Section 12. How to ſtirre up our ſelves in laying hold on the Promiſes.

IT is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves, to conceive confidence in our hearts in taking hold of God, as hee hath offered himſelfe in his Covenant, & Promiſes (the ſpeciall thing mentioned here in the Text) and a point p. 139of great uſe through the whole courſe of our lives: on which I ſhal a little more inſiſt; opening the phraſe what it is to take hold on God, and ſhewing how the Scripture calleth for this duty. The phraſe is put for the Act of beleeving, which becauſe it is to bee performed by the whole man, and all the powers of it, and is the great Act of all others, and includes all others, therefore it is ſet forth to us in Scripture by all the ſeverall Acts of each member or faculty in a man: So, elſewhere it is called Seeing, 1 Pet. 2.31 Pet 2:3performing the Office of the eye to the ſoule; Eating, Iſay 30.7Isa 30:7tasting, comming to Christ, ſitting ſtill; and here (to p. 140name no more) Taking hold of God, performing the Office of the hand, it being all in all to the ſoule. Thus, Iſa. 56.2. God promiſing to bring neare his righteouſneſſe and ſalvation, and to place it in Sion for Iſrael his glory; he addeth, Bleſſed is the Sonne of Man that takes hold of it; that is, any mortall man, be hee Jew or ſtranger; which was firſt in fulfilling his Promiſe to reſtore the Captivity of Babylon, but principally the righteouſneſſe declared in Chriſt and his Salvation: And verſ. 4. it is called taking hold of the Covenant; that is, beleeving. Faith then is the hand wherby God is to bee layed hold upon; God in himſelfe, as p. 141he cannot be ſeene, ſo nor be layed hold of by the hand of any mortall man, but hath ſubjected himſelfe to the capacity and apprehenſion of faith, by ſetting forth his Sonne and Promiſes betweene us and him; whereby, as by two Handles, wee lay hold on that God, whom the world in the darke feeles after, and cannot finde, Acts 17.27.

Firſt, his Sonne; and therefore faith is expreſſed to us by apprehending Chriſt, Philip. 3.12. and thus the Church, being in Temptation of Unbeleefe, after ſhee had found Chriſt for attonement, ſhee layed hold on him, Cant. 3.4. and would not let him goe. And p. 142ſo laying hold on Chriſt, wee have foreign, manuduction, are led by the hand to God, Epheſ. 3.12.

And ſecondly, the Promiſes; therefore, Heb. 11.13. the Patriarchs are ſayd by faith to have received the Promiſes, and to have embraced them: So as firſt wee take hold of the Promiſes, and of Chriſt in them, and then by this meanes we come to God, having both hope and faith in him, 1 Pet. 1.21. The life of faith then lyes in apprehenſion, and application of the Covenant, and of God therein. The Covenant ſayes, I will bee a God to them, and they ſhall bee a people to mee. Firſt, indeed God ſpeakes to the p. 143ſoules of men, Thou art my people; and then they lay hold on him, ſaying, And the Lord is my God. As in our firſt ſeperation from the world, by Divine Calling, wee ſtand up, and take hold of him for the obtaining of reconciliation, and all other bleſſings flowing from hence in Jeſus Chriſt, ſo wee goe on after in our life, ſeeking by increaſe of faith to enjoy him more and more, and apprehend him for the bleſſing of the Covenant, whereunto our effectuall Calling gave us Title: That as all bleſſings that wee enjoy with his favour proceed from him, as declaring himſelfe to bee our God; as bleſſingsaaExod. 6.7Exod 6:7 earthly, p. 144bbHeb. 8.10.Heb 8:10ſpirituall andccHeb. 11.16Heb 11:16 heavenly; ſo in our neceſſities, we renew our faith of that Covenant, I will be thy God; and plead our intereſt in him for obtaining all bleſſings, holding him faſt; as, Pſal. 119.4. I am thine, ſave mee: and the Peophet here, verſ. 8, 9. Thus David, Pſalm. 43.2. Thou art the God of my ſtrength, why dost thou cast mee off? and, verſ. 5. My ſoule hope in God, for I ſhall yet prayſe him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God: And thus are wee eſpecially to take hold of God in evill times (to which this Text eſpecially referres this duty) when Gods hand is ſtretched out againſt our ſelves, and the Church. So, p. 145Iſa. 27.4, 5. when God goes through his Church, burning up the briars & thorns, to prevent which, hee bids a man take hold of his ſtrength; that is, by faith hold his hands. As when a man is lifting up his hand to ſtrike, another ſteps in, and layes hold on it, and ſtayes him, as Moſes did when Gods wrath was gone out againſt the Iſraelites: Let mee alone, Deut. 9.14Deut 9:14ſaith God; which if a man doth, God promiſeth in the following words, that hee ſhall make peace with him, for fury is not in mee. When the Lord ſeemes to bee furious, yet faith laying hold, hath power with him to ſtay his hand; though it bee his ſtrength, and the hand of p. 146faith weake in it ſelfe, yet it ſhall have power with him, Hoſ. 12.3. And then when hee beginnes to with-draw himſelfy, as it were, we are to excite our faith, draw neere, and take hold of him. Oh be not farre from mee, for trouble is neare, ſaith David, Pſal. 22.11. As a childe if hee bee to goe in the darke, or in a crowd, hee will bee ſure to take faſt hold of his father, and not leave him. And becauſe wee are naturally dull unto this, therefore wee muſt ſtirre up our ſelves to it. Other things, as Riches, &c. are, ad manum, nigh us here below; and therefore like dying men, that catch hold on any thing that is next them, ſo doe we p. 147on theſe to helpe us, and do truſt in them. But God, and Chriſt, they are high, and farre above our ſight and naturall reach, and therefore wee are loth to ſtretch to them, to lay hold on them, and muſt ſtirre up our ſelves to it.

Thus having explicated the phraſe, and ſhewed the duty, I ſhall briefly ſhew how wee are to ſtirre up our faith to make uſe of the Promiſes to our ſelves, and lay hold on them, and God by them, which is done divers wayes.

Firſt, by knowing that wee are the children of the Promiſe, Rom. 9.8. ſo called becauſe the Promiſes pertaine to us, verſ. 4. So as p. 148knowing our ſelves children, we may call the Promiſes ours; They are the childrens bread; and we may lay hold on them as our owne mercies, Ion: 2.8. All the Children of God being in this caſe, as Iſaac was, the Seed of the Promiſe; all of us borne of a word of faith: and as wee are borne of a Promiſe,Rom. 10.17Rom 10:17 ſo to all the Promiſes are wee borne; yea, being in this right accounted one with Chriſt. Therefore Gal 3 16. to Abraham and his Seed were the Promiſes made; to Seed as of one, which is Christ; that is, Chriſt myſtical, the whole Church.

2Secondly, by conſidering that God hath given us his owne Sonne,yy… Cor. 1.20 in whom all p. 149the Promiſes are wrapped up and fulfilled; andzzRom. 8.32Rom 8:32 for whoſe ſake God will deny us nothing: We having married the heire, have a joynt Title to his Inheritance, and the Deeds of it.

3Thirdly, by obſerving the uprightneſſe of our harts to take the Commandements, and threatnings as due to us; and hee that maketh conſcience to take the Commandements as his Way, and the threatnings as his Bridle, hee may ſafely take all the Promiſes for his Inheritance and comfort.Pſa. 119.111 112.Ps 119:111

4Fourthly, by conſidering the free grace of God, in giving and fulfilling his promiſes, not for any worth in us,zzIſa. 43.25Isa 43:25 but for his Name ſake: p. 150aaGen. 32.10Gen 32:10acknowledging our owne unworthineſſe of the leaſt of all the promiſes and mercies of God, which make our empty veſſels more fit to receive them.

5Fifthly and laſtly, by meditating on the Promiſes themſelves, pondering and muſing upon them: Whence the Spirit of Chriſt, beheld in the Promiſe, is conveyed unto us,bb2 Cor. 3.182 Cor 3:18 to transforme us into the likeneſſe of Chriſt by it.

p. 151Section 13. Of ſtirring up our ſelves in duties of Love and Mercy.

THus of ſome Duties which have a more immediate Relation unto God, about which wee ought to ſtirre up our ſelves, now to goe forward, and to inſtance in ſome duties which have reference to our ſelves or others.

In all workes of Love and Mercy towards others, it is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves, that wee cc2 Theſ. 1.32 Thess 1:3abound in them; and wee ſhould havedd2 Cor. 8.162 Cor 8:16 an earneſt care about them; whether it bee in regard of the bodies, or ſoules of others, p. 152or any other way. Our love ſhould be ee1 Theſſ. 1.31 Thess 1:3laborious ful of the ffRom. 12.10Rom 12:10bowels of tenderneſſe, and compaſſion; to be kindly affectioned, to be gg1 Tim 6.181 Tim 6:18ready to diſtribute, willing to communicate. Where we ſee grace in any eminency to have our hearts knit to ſuch,hh1 Sā. 18.1, 2 as Ionathans was to David. iiHeb. 10.24Heb 10:24To conſider one another, and to provoke to love, and good workes. Some we may finde in ſoule troubles, withkkNehe. 2.2 Gen. 40.6, 7Gen 40:6Gen 40:7 countenances ſad and dejected, faces pale and wan, heavy-eyed, and ſighing as they goe, now to ſtirre up our ſelves to come to theiriiIob 4.4Job 4:4 help and ſuccour, by all the wayes wee can: if it bee thy friend, or any thou canſt any way reach, never give thy ſelfe reſt, but let it p. 153pitty thy very heart, cry to God for their eaſe and deliverance, and if God have given thee the skill of a Spirituall Phyſician, with a tender hand bind up the bruiſed Spirit. Some alſo aremmRom. 14.1Rom 14:1 weake in faith, theſe wee ſhould ſupport: Some are feeble-minded, apt to bee diſcouraged, theſ.nn1 The. 5.14 to ſtrēgthen. Some are overtaken with frilings and temptations, theſe to ooGal 6.1 foreignGal 6:1ſet aright, as a bone that was out of his place, as the word there ſignifies: ſome grow diſorderly, and ſcandalous, theſe to pp1 The. 5 14reprove: ſome grow cold, luke-warme, and are like toqqHeb. 12.15Heb 12:15 fall away, theſe to quicken and rowſe up from their drowſineſſe.

p. 154Section 14. Of ſtirring up our ſelves in regard of our Christian race.

IN regard of our Chriſtian race we are ſet to run, it is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves,rr1 Pet. 1.131 Pet 1:13 to gird up the loynes of our minde, to runne like the two Diſciples to our Saviours Sepulcher, who ranne with all their might, who ſhould come thither firſt: Wee ſhould not ſtay for company in this weighty buſineſſe,ſſQuoties cogitas de perfestione virtutum noli conſiderare quid alii minu… habeant quam tu habe…, ſed quid …s minus habis, quam habere iam de… bes. Filg. neither are wee to content our ſelves with the pace of carnall profeſſors, temporary beleevers, or lazy Chriſtians; nor with that pace which wee our ſelves p. 155do, or have gone; nor ſhould wee looke backe to ſee who comes after, but thinke thou art upon life and death; thereforettHeb. 12.1Heb 12:1 to caſt away every weight, and the ſinne that doth ſo eaſily beſet us; nothing in the world ſhould cauſe us to ſtep aſide, but to runne uuPro 4.25Prov 4:25forth right: Wee ſhould now **Phil. 3.13Phil 3:13forget all things that are behinde reaching out to the things which are before. To this end we ſhould ſet before us, thatxxHeb. 12.1Heb 12:1 cloud of witneſſes, thoſe bleſſed ſervants of God, who have gone before us, who have finiſhed their courſe, and kept the faith to their lateſt breath; eſpeciallyyyHeb. 12 2Heb 12:2 looking to Ieſus, the Author and finiſher of our faith; who, for the ioy that was ſet before him, endured p. 156the croſſe, deſpiſing the ſhame, and is ſet downe at the right hand of the Throne of God. Our Savior Chriſt is not as a dead marke,Note. who helpes not the runners at al, but looking to him by faith, he guideth us in our way with his eye,Pſal. 32.8Ps 32:8 enlargeth our ſteps, and gives us ſtrength that wee faint not, but ſtill helpeth us tottPhil. 3.14Phil 3:14 preſſe toward the marke, till we obtaine the price of our high calling of God through him. And this wee ought to doe with the more care and earneſtneſſe, there being ſo many that look upon us, whom wee may encourage by our example, either in doing or ſuffering. Wee little thinke how many doe eye us in our Chriſtian walke, and what p. 157good wee may doe byaaPhil. 2.15Phil 2:15 holding forth the light of a good example, how it maybb2 Cor. 9.2 1 The. 1.6, 72 Cor 9:2 provoke others to mend their pace, and to runne with the more cheerefulneſſe, having ſome to lead the way before them.

Section 15. How we are to ſtirre up our ſelves when our last end approcheth.

VVHen our laſt end approacheth, and wee lye upon our laſt bed, (if God bee ſo mercifull to us as to afford any ſtrength, eaſe, or reſpit from paine, freedome from Temptation, or to continue the uſe of our p. 158reaſon and memory) it is our duty to ſtirre up our ſelves, that we quit our ſelves well in the laſt act of our life: and this is done,

11 By a carefull preparation of our ſelves for our bleſſed change, and departing hence, by making our reckonings even, and expreſſing by all ſignes and tokens, our ccPhil. 1.12Phil 1:12deſire of being diſſolved, and to be with Chriſt. Now to ſtirre up our hope, and earneſt expectation of the accompliſhment of all thoſe bleſſed promiſes of the life to come,foreign, The ſame word uſed, Rom. 8.19Rom 8:19 according as the Apoſtle ſpeaks of himſelf, Phi. 1.20. the word uſed by him there, ſignifies to reach out ones necke in looking after ſomewhat we greatly deſire, p. 159and earneſtly expect to come unto us. Ask is ſaid ofddIudg. 5.28Judg 5:28 Siſera his Mother, ſhe looked out at a window, and expecting the returne of her ſonne, ſhee cryed, Why are his Chariots ſo long a comming? So now the ſoule ſhould be looking out, and reaching forth it ſelfe, expecting that good howre when God will ſend for it. O when the immortall ſoule which hath long ſo-journed in this ſinfull fleſh, ſhall beginne toeeIntrepidè purgamus ad Redemptorem noſtrum Ieſum, intrepidè ad Patriar— charum concilium, trepide ad patrem noſtrum A— braham enm dies adveneris pr…fie; ſ…amur Ambr, lib, de bono mortis, draw neere to the confines of eternity, there being, it may bee, but a few houres, and, as it were, but a ſtep betweene it and everlaſting bleſſedneſſe, and thoſe beatificall viſions, which infinitely tranſcend all that ever mortall eye ſaw, as farre p. 160as the glory of the greateſt Princes Court doth the meaneſt Cottage, how ſhould wee beginne to lift up our heads with ioy, the ffLuk. 21.28Luke 21:28day of our finall redemption from ſinne and miſery, being ſo neare? Here indeed ſometimes, and it is but ſometimes, we have a glimpſe of heaven ſhewed us, and a ray and beame of celeſtiall joy hath beene let downe into our harts, which hath infinitely paſſed all the pleaſures of nature, but it ſtayes not long; but now thou art going to take full poſſeſſion of that glorious inheritance which hath more comforts in it than the heaven hath Starres; or there be Sands on the Seaſhore, how ſhould thy heart p. 161ggWhen Doctor Tailor that worthy Martyr was going to ſuffer, he ſaw afar off many people ſtanding together, he aſked what it meant; it being told him it was the place where he muſt ſuffer, he ſaid, thanked be God, I am even at home Fox, Act. & Mon. vol. 2. p. 178.leape within thee, and ſpring forth to meet thoſe approaching bleſſings?

2. ByhhS… comparatum eſt cunctis ferè mortalibus ut morituri ſub ultimum vita exitum hortationem apud ſuos relinquere ſerveant. in vit. Cranmeri, p. 15 applying our ſelves in all the wayes of advice, counſell, and comfort, in regard of ſuch as are about us; it may be a ſorrowfull wife, who ſtands beſides thee with a heart ready to burſt, to thinke of her leaving of thee; it may bee children, or ſervants ſtand before thee weeping, or neere friends or kindred are with thee, who are loth to leave thee; now to ſtirre up thy ſelfe to leave ſomewhat with them, which they may remember when thou art in the duſt: That the child may ſay, I have loſt a carefull father, theſe were my fathers p. 162words, and laſt charge unto me, thoſe that ſtand by may ſay, Thus did hee exhort us, thus did hee comfort us, Mr. Calvin did the like being neere his end, vid, Bez, in vit. Calv.theſe were his laſt words, thus went he to his rest. We ſhall finde it recorded of the Patriarke Iacob, that drawing neere his end, when his children came to ſee him, he ſtirred up himſelfe,iiGen. 48.2.9.20Gen 48:2Gen 48:9Gen 48:20 and ſtrengthened himſelfe on his bed, and he bleſſed them. A worthy patterne for all parents to follow, he lay not like a logge in his bed, as many doe, but now, though of great age, and weake, yet hee raiſed up that little ſtrength which was left, and ſpent it inkkGen. 49.23Gen 49:23 leaving a bleſſing on his children; his laſt words were bleſſings.llIoh. chap. 13, 14, 15, 16 17, per tot.John 13:14John 13:15John 13:16 Our Saviour, when hee was to p. 163leave this world, ſhewed his great care and love to his Diſciples, in preparing them for his departure, and leaving with them many precious counſels, comforts, and exhortations, by which they might be helped and ſtrengthened for the time to come. Thus did the Apoſtle Peter imitate his Maſter,mm2 Pet. 1.12 to 152 Pet 1:12–15 Who knowing ſhortly hee was to put off his Tabernacle, he did ſtirre them up; that after his departure they might have thoſe things alwayes in remembrance which he had taught them. The Apoſtle Paul being how aged, andnnActs 30.18 to 35 knowing the time of his departure was at hand, hee called for the Elders of the Church of Epheſus, and leaves with p. 164them many excellent and weighty exhortations, they being now to ſee his face no more.