The First Things, Appendix
An appendix, containing a more particular Method, for the man not yet born again, to have his part in the ſecond birth.
CHAP. I. The occaſion and method of this Treatiſe.
SOme there are, who hearing the new birth (or firſt repentance) to be ſo neceſſary to ſalvation, but never feeling in themſelves any ſuch change or converſion, have therefore deſired further helps, though naturally thou art blinde, and wretched, and miſerable, and poor, and naked; yet the Lord hath not left thee without means and helps: to this purpoſe he hath ſet up his ordinances; not that man of himſelf can diſpoſe himſelf unto grace, but that the Spirit of Chriſt in the uſe of the ordinances (without any habitual or ſanctifying grace in mans heart) can diſpoſe of man to the reception of habitual or ſanctifying grace. True it is, I adviſed them in the former Treatiſe to be frequent in prayer, and in hearing of the word: But ſo we have done, ſay they, and yet we feel no converſion: it may be ſo, for not always the doing of them, but perſeverance in them through Chriſt obtains the bleſſing deſired. And yet if they will out of hand ſettle themſelves to the work, It is the Lord that ſaith, Break up the fallow ground, Jer. 4.3. (i.) ſeek to the Lord to break them for thee: Be in the uſe of the means, and the Lord may come in, and break thy heart. I ſhall, for their further ſatisfaction, give them a more particular Method, and without a Text taken, take my ſelf more liberty to put them in the way.
Two things I ſuppoſe neceſſary for them that would have part in the new birth,
1. To get into it.
2. To be delivered of it.
1. The means to get into it, is
1. Examination of themſelves.
2. Confeſſion of their ſins.
3. Hearty prayer for the ſoftning of their hearts.
By which three are procured the three firſt ſteps,
Sight of ſin.
Senſe of divine wrath.
Sorrow for ſin.
2. The means to be delivered of it, is by application of the promiſes, and theſe, according to their ſeveral objects, produce their ſeveral effects; ſome
A ſight of Chriſt.
A deſire after Chriſt.
A relying on Chriſt.
An obedience to Chriſt.
A comfort in Chriſt, not onelyonly ſought for, but obtained, if the promiſes be rightly applyed.
CHAP. II.
Sect. 1. The firſt means to get into the new birth.
THe means to get into the new birth, is firſt Examination; and the way to examine, is to ſet before men that Chryſtal glaſs of the Law for their light and rule: To this purpoſe I have here annexed a Catalogue, or Table, to ſhew them their offences; not that I can poſſibly ennumerate all ſins, but onelyonly the kindes; and if herein I come ſhort, yet conſciences awaked may be occaſioned hereby to bring into their thoughts thoſe others not mentioned.
Now then (whoſoever thou art that beginn'ſt this bleſſed work) examine thy ſelf by this Catalogue, but do it warily, and truly, and where thou find'ſt thy ſelf guilty, either note it in this book, or tranſcribe it into ſome paper, that ſo they may be ready for thine eye when thou comeſt to Confeſsion.
Sect. 2. Sins againſt the firſt Commandment.
IN every Commandment we muſt obſerve both the duties required, and ſins forbidden, for both theſe are implyed in every one of the Commandments; if in the firſt thou art guilty, thou muſt anſwer negatively; if in the ſecond, thou muſt anſwer affirmatively: now then to proceed.
It is the firſt Commandment, Thou ſhalt have no other gods but me.
For the duties here required,
Say firſt, Haſt thou ever in minde, will, and affections, took the true God in Chriſt to be thy God? Secondly, haſt thou abounded in thoſe graces by which thou ſhouldſt cleave unto God, as in the warmth of knowledge, and love, and fear, and joy, and truſting in God? Thirdly, haſt thou obſerved Gods mercies, and promiſes, and works, and judgements upon thee, and (by a particular application) took ſpecial notice thereof? Fourthly, haſt thou communicated with the godly, and joyned thy ſelf to Gods people, and delighted chiefly in them?
Or for the ſins here forbidden,
Say firſt, haſt thou not ſometimes been guilty of blaſphemy, or idolatry, or witchcraft, or atheiſm, or epicuriſm, or hereſie? Secondly, haſt thou not been guilty of pride, a ſin flatly oppoſing God, and firſt committed by devils? Thirdly, haſt thou not had inward reaſonings that there is no God, or that he ſeeth not, Pſal. 14.1. Eſay 29.15. Iob 21.14. Ier. 17.5.or knoweth not, or that there is no profit in his ſervice? Fourthly, haſt thou not failed to love God, and fear God, and to put thy whole truſt in God? Fifthly, haſt thou not truſted in man, or feared man, or loved the world, and thereby alienated thy heart from God? Sixthly, haſt thou not reſorted to witches, or in the firſt place to Phyſitians, and not to the living God? Seventhly, haſt thou not tempted God, and in the matters of God, been either cold or lukewarm, or prepoſterouſly zealous? Eighthly, haſt thou not a proneneſs to ſin, yea to rebel againſt God in thy whole man? Ninthly, haſt thou not been careleſs to perform the inward duties of Gods worſhip in ſincerity and truth? if in theſe thou haſt tranſgreſſed, then haſt thou broken this Commandment, Thou ſhalt have no gods but me.
Sect. 3. Sins againſt the ſecond Commandment.
IT is the ſecond Commandment, Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelf any graven image.]
For the duties here required.
Say firſt, haſt thou ever worſhipped the true God purely according to his will? Secondly, haſt thou obſerved all thoſe outward duties of his worſhip, as prayer, and vows, and faſting, and meditating, and the reſt? Thirdly, haſt thou repaired to Gods houſe, obſerved family duties, received the Preachers of the Goſpel?
Or for the ſins here forbidden.
Say firſt, Ier 9.14.haſt thou not ſometimes walked after the imaginations of thy own heart, ſerving God out of cuſtom, or (after the maner of thy fore-fathers) by will-worſhip and ſuperſtitions? Secondly, haſt thou not committed idol worſhip, conceiving of God in thy minde, or reſpecting him in thy ſenſe in the likeneſs of a creature? Exod 23.13.Thirdly, haſt thou not mentioned the names of other gods, either by way of ſwearing, or apology? Fourthly, haſt thou not made an image to liken God to it, Eſay 40.18.or uſed any geſture of love and reverence to any ſuch images? Fifthly, in a word, haſt thou not been careleſs to worſhip God, Zach. 14.17. Pſal. 14.4. Math. 10.14.to call upon the Lord, to receive Gods Miniſters, or to perform any other of the outward duties of Gods worſhip? If in any of theſe thou haſt tranſgreſſed, then haſt thou broken this Commandment, Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelf any graven image.
Sect. 4. Sins againſt the third Commandment.
IT is the third Commandment, Thou ſhalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.]
For the duties required:
Say firſt, haſt thou been ever a conſtant learner, hearer, and doer of Gods Word and Will? Secondly, haſt thou prayed with perſeverance, underſtanding, and power of the Spirit, without doubting or wavering? Thirdly, haſt thou come preparedly to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and being come, haſt thou diſcerned the Lords body? Fourthly, haſt thou uſed all the titles, and properties, and works, and ordinances of the Lord with knowledge, faith, reverence, joy, and ſincerity?
Or for the ſins here forbidden:
Say firſt, haſt thou not ſometimes in thy talk diſhonored the titles, attributes, religion, word, people of God, or any thing that hath in it the print of his holineſs? Secondly, haſt thou not ſworn or forſworn, or loved falſe oathes? Thirdly, Zach 8.17.haſt thou not cauſed the name of religion, or people of God to be evil thought of by thy ill courſe of life, or by committing ſome groſs ſin? Fourthly, haſt thou not raſhly, or unpreparedly, or heedleſly read the Word, heard Sermons, received the Sacraments, or performed any other part of the worſhip of God? Fifthly, haſt thou not thought or ſpoken blaſphemouſly, or contemptuouſly of God, or of any thing whatſoever pertaining to God? If in any of theſe thou haſt tranſgreſſed, then haſt thou broken this Commandment, Thou ſhalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Sect. 5. Sins againſt the fourth Commandment.
IT is the fourth Commandement, Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
For the duties here required.
Say firſt, haſt thou (according to the equity of this Commandment) ever obſerved the Lords day, and other days and times ſet apart for Gods ſervice? Secondly, haſt thou on thoſe days reſted from the ſervile works of ſin, and reſted and relyed upon Chriſt, for the remiſſion of ſins, and led an holy and religious life, that ſo thou mayeſt enter into that reſt of heaven? Heb. 4.11.Thirdly, haſt thou always prepared thy heart, before thou wenteſt into the houſe of the Lord, by meditation of Gods Word and Works, by examination and reformation of thy ways, by prayer, thankſgiving, and holy reſolution to carry thy ſelf as in Gods preſence, and to hear and obey whatſoever thou ſhouldſt learn out of the pure Word of God? Fourthly, haſt thou repaired to Gods houſe in due time, and ſtayed the whole time of Prayer, reading, preaching of the Word, ſinging of Pſalms, receiving of the Sacraments? Fifthly, haſt thou performed private religious offices upon the Lords day, to wit, In private prayer and thankſgiving, in acknowledging thy offences to God, in reconciling thy ſelf to thoſe thou haſt offended, or with whom thou art at variance; in viſiting the ſick, comforting the afflicted, contributing to the neceſsity of the poor, inſtructing thy Children and ſervants (and the reſt of thy family) in the fear and nurture of the Lord?
Or for the ſins here forbidden:
Say firſt, haſt thou not ſometime ſpent the Lords day in idleneſs, Ezek. 46.10.or in wordly buſineſs, in vanities, or in ſin? Secondly, haſt thou not omitted publique duties, or comeſt in too late, or wenteſt out too ſoon? Nehem. 10.31. and 13.15.Thirdly, haſt thou not on thoſe days ſold wares, carried burthens, brought in ſheaves, or wrought in the harveſt? Fourthly, haſt thou not employed thy cattel, or ſervants, or children, or any other, though thou workeſt not thy ſelf? Fifthly, haſt thou not profaned the Lords day, by needleſs works, words, or thoughts, about thy calling, or about thy recreation? Sixthly, have not the ſtrict obſervance of the duties of that day been tedious unto thee, ſaying in thine heart, When will the day be gone? Amos 8.5.If in any of theſe thou haſt tranſgreſſed, then haſt thou broken this Commandment, Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
Sect. 6. Sins againſt the fifth Commandment.
IT is the fifth Commandment, Honor thy father and thy mother.]
For the duties here required, they are either in
Family.
Common-weal.
Church.
Firſt, Epheſ. 5.25. 1 Pet. 3.7.for the Family: Say, if thou art an husband; 1. Haſt thou ever loved thy wife, and dealt with her according to knowledge, giving honor to her as to the weaker veſſel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers were not hindred? If thou art a wife: Eph 5.22, 24. 1 Pet. 3.4.2. Haſt thou ſubmitted to thine own huſband, as unto the Lord in every thing? 3. Haſt thou put on the ornament of a meek and quiet ſpirit, which is in the ſight of God of great price? If thou art a parent: 4. Epheſ. 6.4.Haſt thou brought up thy children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? 5. Haſt thou corrected them, yet not provoked them by immoderate correction? 6. Haſt thou provided for them in their callings, 2 Tim. 5.8. Rom. 1.30.or outward eſtates? If thou art a childe: 7. Haſt thou obeyed thy parents, and received correction with ſubmiſsion and reverence? 8. Heb. 12.9.Haſt thou relieved them in their wants? 9. Haſt thou obſerved their inſtructions, and covered their infirmities? If thou art a maſter: 10. Haſt thou entertained Gods ſervants, Prov. 15.15. Gen. 9.22. Col. 4.1. Tit. 2.9, 10.and given unto thy ſervant that which is juſt and equal? If thou art a ſervant: 11. Haſt thou been obedient to thy maſter according to the fleſh, with fear and trembling, in ſingleneſs of heart, as unto Chriſt? Not anſwering again, not purloyning, but ſhewing all good fidelity?
Secondly, for the Common-weal; if thou art a Magiſtrate, 12. Haſt thou executed juſt laws? 13. Haſt thou reformed others abuſes, according to the power that is in thee? If thou art a Subject: 14. Haſt thou obeyed the higher Powers in all juſt commands? 15. Haſt thou been ſubject unto them, Rom. 13.5.not onelyonly for wrath, but alſo for conſcience ſake?
Thirdly, for the Church; If thou art a Miniſter: 16. Haſt thou taught in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon? 17. Hath thy light ſhined before men, that they might ſee thy good works? Matth. 5.16. Gal. 6.6 Heb 13 7, 17, 18.If thou art a hearer: 18. Haſt thou communicated to them that teach thee in all good things? 19. Haſt thou obeyed them, and prayed for them, and loved them, and followed them, conſidering the end of their converſation?
Or for the ſins here forbidden,
And firſt for the Family: Say, if thou art an husband: 1. Prov. 21.19.Haſt thou not ſometimes abuſed thy wife, or ſmitten her, or injured her, in thought, word, or deed? If thou art a wife: 2. Haſt thou not been waſteful, or froward, or idle? If thou art a childe: 3. Haſt thou not deſpiſed thy fathers or mothers inſtructions? Prov. 15.5. Prov. 30.17. and 20.20.4. Haſt thou not mocked them, or deſpiſed them, or curſed them, or ſmitten them, or ſhamed them, or grieved them? If thou art a maſter: 5. Haſt thou not governed thy family negligently? 6. Haſt thou not with-held that which is juſt and equal in diet, wages, encouragement? If thou art a ſervant: 7. Haſt thou not been idle, and ſlothful? 8. Haſt thou not ſerved grudgingly, and not from the heart?
Secondly, for the Common-weal: If thou art a Magiſtrate: 9. Haſt thou not been as a Lyon, or a Bear, roaring and ranging over the poor people? Prov. 28.15. Eſa. 10.1.10. Haſt thou not decreed unrighteous decrees? reſpecting the perſons of the poor, or honoring the perſons of the mighty? If thou art a Subject: 11. Haſt thou not reviled the Gods, Levit. 19.15. Exod. 12.28. Rom. 13.1, 7.or curſed the Ruler of thy people? 12. Haſt thou not diſobeyed the higher Powers, or not denied tribute, or cuſtom, or honor, or fear to whom they are due?
Thirdly, for the Church; if thou art a Miniſter: 13. Haſt thou not been prophane and wicked in thy life and converſation? Ierem. 23.11.14. Haſt thou not run before thou waſt ſent? or being ſent, haſt thou not been negligent in the gift that is in thee? 1 Tim. 4.14. Ierem. 23.13.16. Haſt thou not propheſied in Baal, and cauſed Gods people to erre? 17. Haſt thou not committed ſimony, or ſought indirectly for the fleece, not regarding reſpectively the flock? 18. Haſt thou not ſtrengthened the hands of evil doers, Ierem. 23.14.in preaching peace to wicked men? 19. Haſt thou not given heed to fables (or to ſome unprofitable matter) rather than to godly edifying, 1 Tim. 1.4.which is in faith? If thou art an hearer: 20 Haſt thou not reſiſted the Miniſter, and the Word preached by him? Gal. 6.6. Heb. 13.7, 17, 18.whatſoever thou art, husband, or wife, or parent, or childe, or maſter, or ſervant, or Magiſtrate, or Subject, or Miniſter, or hearer, if in any of theſe thou haſt tranſgreſſed, then haſt thou broke this Commandment, Honor thy father and thy mother.
Sect. 7. Sins againſt the ſixth Commandment.
IT is the ſixth Commandment, Thou ſhalt do no murther.
For the duties here required.
Say, 1. Haſt thou ever deſired and ſtudied by all means lawful, to preſerve thine own perſon, and the perſon of thy neighbor?
Or for the ſins here forbidden.
Say: 1 Haſt thou not ſometimes envied others for their wealth, Gen 26.14. Numb. 11.29. Gen. 37.11. Iob 16 9or for their gifts, or for their reſpects with others? 2. Haſt thou not offended others in geſtures, gnaſhing on them with thy teeth, or ſharpening thine eyes on them? 3. Haſt thou not fended others in words, by cenſuring, or reviling, 1 Pet. 3.9. Pſal. 37.12.or rendring evil for evil, or railing for railing? 4. Haſt thou not offended others in deeds, plotting againſt the just, Matth. 5.22, Amos 2.11.or doing evil to any man? 5. Haſt thou not been angry with thy brother without cauſe, or continued long in anger, keeping thy wrath (as it were) for ever? 6. Haſt thou not rejoyced at others fall, Pro. 24.17. Iob 31.30.or wiſhed a curſe to their ſouls? 7. Haſt thou not done evil to thy ſelf, by inordinate fretting, or grieving, or drinking, or ſurfetting, Numb. 14.2. Pro. 6.14.or ſaying in thy paſſions, Would God I were dead? 8. Haſt thou not been a ſower of diſcord, or ſome way or other, a juſt occaſion of the diſcomfort, or of the death of thy neighbor? If in any of theſe thou haſt tranſgreſſed, thou haſt then broken this Commandment, Thou ſhalt do no murther.
Sect. 8. Sins againſt the ſeventh Commandment.
IT is the ſeventh Commandment, Thou ſhalt not commit adultery.
For the duties here required.
Say: Haſt thou ever kept thy ſelf pure in ſoul and body, both towards thy ſelf and others?
Or for the ſins here forbidden.
Say: Haſt thou not ſometimes been defiled with buggery, Sodomitry, inceſt, whoredom, adultery, Polygamy, Rom. 1.26.ſelf-pollution, or with changing the natural uſe into that which is againſt nature? 2. Haſt thou not offended in the occaſions of uncleanneſs, as in idleneſs, gluttony, drunkenneſs, wanton company, whoriſh attire, or perfumes? 3. Pro. 7.16, 17. Col. 3.8.Haſt thou not ſinned in thy ſenſes, or geſtures, or words, by filthy communication proceeding out of thy mouth? 4. Haſt thou not harbored in thy heart burning luſts, impure thoughts, inordinate affections? 5. Matth. 5.28.Haſt thou not behaved thy ſelf immodeſtly, unſoberly, Col. 3.5.or ſhameleſly abuſing thy body, or uſing ſome maner of dalliance and wantonneſs? If in any of theſe thou haſt tranſgreſſed, then haſt thou broken this Commandment, Thou ſhalt not commit adultery.
Sect. 9. Sins againſt the eighth Commandment.
IT is the eighth Commandment, Thou ſhalt not ſteal.
For the duties here required.
Say, Haſt thou ever, by all good means, furthered the outward eſtate of thy ſelf and of thy neighbor?
Or for the ſins here forbidden.
Say: Firſt, Haſt thou not ſometimes got thy living by an unlawful calling? Secondly, haſt thou not impoveriſht thy ſelf by idleneſs, luxurious, or unneceſſary expences? Thirdly, haſt thou not withheld from thy ſelf, or others, that which ſhould have been expended? Fourthly, haſt thou not gotten, or kept thy neighbors goods by falſhood, or force, and made no reſtitution? Fifthly, haſt thou not ſtollen by uſury, or oppreſſion, or fraud, in buying or ſelling, an abomination unto the Lord? Sixthly, haſt thou not robbed God of his tythes and offerings by ſacriledge or ſymony? Deut. 25.16. Malac. 3.8.Seventhly, haſt thou not ſome way or other impaired thy neighbors ſtate? If in any of theſe thou haſt tranſgreſſed, then haſt thou broken this Commandment, Thou ſhalt not ſteal.
Sect. 10. Sins againſt the ninth Commandment.
IT is the ninth Commandment, Thou ſhalt not bear falſe witneſs.
For the duties here required.
Say, Haſt thou ever by all means ſought to maintain thy own and thy neighbors good name, according to truth and a good conſcience?
Or for the ſins here forbidden.
Say, Rev. 22.15.Firſt, haſt thou not ſometimes loved (or made) a lye? Secondly, Ier. 20.10. Mat. 7.3. Prov. 24.24.haſt thou not raiſed a falſe report, to the defaming of many? Thirdly, haſt thou not cenſured or judged others, yet never conſidered the beam that is in thy own eye? Fourthly, haſt thou not flattered thy ſelf and others, ſaying unto the wicked, Thou art righteous? Fifthly, haſt thou not condemned ſome without witneſs, or forborn to witneſs for others when thou kneweſt the truth? Sixthly, haſt thou not been uncharitably ſuſpitious, or a deſpiſer of thy neighbor? Seventhly, haſt thou not told a lye, whether jeſtingly, or officiouſly, or perniciouſly? If in any of theſe thou haſt tranſgreſſed, then haſt thou broke this Commandment, Thou ſhalt not bear falſe witneſs.
Sect. 11. Sins againſt the laſt Commandment.
IT is the laſt Commandment, Thou ſhalt not covet.]
For the duties here required.
Say, Firſt, haſt thou ever been truly contented with thy own outward condition? Secondly, haſt thou rejoyced at others good, and loved thy neighbor as thy ſelf?Matth. 19.19.
Or for the ſins here forbidden.
Say, Firſt, Matth. 15.19.haſt thou not ſometimes conceived evil thoughts in thy heart? Secondly, haſt thou not delighted in the inward contemplations of evil? Thirdly, haſt thou not been full of diſcontent with thy own condition and ſtate? Fourthly, haſt thou not felt another law of thy members warring againſt the law of thy minde? Fifthly, Rom. 7.29.haſt thou not coveted after ſomething or other that was thy neighbors, either with will, or by actual concupiſcence? If in any of theſe thou haſt tranſgreſſed, then haſt thou broke this Commandment, Thou ſhalt not covet.
CHAP. III. The ſecond means to get into the new birth.
AFter examination (which may well ſerve thee for one days work or two) the next duty is Confeſſion. Now then take the Catalogue of thoſe ſins (or if thy awaked conſcience can tell thee of any other) which thou knoweſt thou haſt committed, and noted, either in this book, or on ſome other paper; and kneeling on thy knees, ſpread thy Catalogue before the Lord, I ſay, ſpread thy Catalogue before the Lord, 2 King 19.14as Hezekiah did his letter; there read thou ſeriouſly and particularly, ſaying, O Lord, I confeſs I have committed this ſin, and the other ſin [as they are before thee in order] of all theſe ſins I am guilty, eſpecially of thoſe ſins wherein I delighted, my darlings, my minions, my boſom-ſins, [take notice of them, and confeſs them again] of all theſe ſins I am guilty; And now, O Lord, ſtanding (as it were) at the bar of thy tribunal, I arraign my ſelf, and accuſe my ſelf, and judge my ſelf worthy of the utmoſt of thy wrath and indignation; for one ſin thou caſt Adam out of paradiſe, for one ſin thou cast the Angels out of heaven, for one ſin thou deſtroyedſt a world of men, and what then ſhall become of me, that have committed a world of ſins?—[here pauſe a while, and meditate on thy unworthineſs.] O that I ſhould be ſo fooliſh, ſo bruitiſh, ſo mad to commit theſe ſins, theſe manifold ſins! O that by theſe ſins I ſhould break ſo holy a law, provoke ſo good and great a Majeſty! What ſhall I do, but remembring my evil ways, Ezek. 36.31.even loath my ſelf in my own ſight (yea abhor my ſelf in duſt and aſhes) for my iniquities and my abominations? &c.—For concluſion, thou mayſt imitate the Publican, who not daring to lift up his eyes, ſmote his breſt, ſo do thou, and ſigh, Luke 18.13.and ſay with him, O God be merciful to me a ſinner.
CHAP. IV.
Sect. 1. The third means to get into the new birth.
AFter Confeſsion (which may well ſerve thee for another days work) the next duty thou muſt labor for, is to ſeek for true ſorrow and mourning for thy ſins: Seek thou muſt, and never leave ſeeking, till thou feel thy heart melt within thee. To this purpoſe reade ſome tracts of death, of judgement, of hell, of Chriſts paſſion, of the joys of heaven: Laſt of all (and I take it beſt of all) reſolve to ſet every day ſome time apart to beg it of the Lord: When Daniel ſet himſelf to pray, the Lord came in to him, Dan. 9.3. When Peter had gone apart to pray; and when Paul had prayed in the Temple, then the Lord came in to them, Act. 10.6. and 22.17. And why may not I bid thee pray, as well as Peter bid Simon Magus, yet being in the gall of bitterneſs and bond of iniquity? Act. 8.22, 23. and at the time appointed fall down on thy knees, ſpread thy Catalogue, confeſs, accuſe, judge, condemn thy ſelf again; which done, beg, beg of the Lord to give thee that ſoft heart he promiſed, Ezek. 36.26. Ezek. 36.26.A new heart will I give you, and a new ſpirit will I put within you, and I will take away the ſtony heart out of your fleſh, and I will give you an heart of fleſh. Say then to thy ſelf, Is this the Lords promiſe? O Lord perform it to my heart; take away my ſtony heart, give me an heart of fleſh, a new heart, a new ſpirit, &c.—[here make thine own prayer, be not careful of words, onelyonly let the words be the true voice of thy heart:] and the more to work ſoftning, thou mayeſt ſob, and ſigh, and beat thy breſt, above all thou muſt pray, and call, and cry with vehemency and fervency not to be uttered. When thou haſt done, if the Lord do not yet hear thee, pray again the next day, and the next day, yea put on this reſolution, that thou wilt never leave praying till the Lord hear thee in mercy, till he make thee to feel thy heart melt within thee, yea (if it may be) till thou ſeeſt thy *Ut hoc modo confring as capita draconum tuorum in aquis.tears trickling down thy cheeks, becauſe of thy offences. The Lord will (perhaps) hear thee at the firſt time, or at the ſecond time; or if he do not, perſiſt thou, thy ſuit is juſt, and importunity will prevail; yea I can ſay, thy deſire to ſorrow being reſolute, it is a degree of godly ſorrow it ſelf, and no doubt the Lord will increaſe it, if thou begſt hard a while.
Sect. 2. The firſt reaſon for this ſorrow.
THis muſt be done, firſt becauſe without pangs no birth: Quid ſunt dolores parturientis niſi dolores poenitentis? (ſaith Saint Auſtin) the pangs of a penitent man are as the pangs of a woman: Aug. in Pſal. 48.Now as there can be no birth without pains of travel going before, ſo neither true repentance without ſome terrors of the law, and ſtraits of conſcience. Rom. 8.15.Ye have not received the ſpirit of bondage again to fear, ſaith the Apoſtle to the Romans; and what is that? but to ſhew us, they once did receive it; when? but in the very firſt preparation to converſion: then it was that the Spirit of God in the law did ſo bear witneſs unto them of their bondage, that it made them to fear. And certainly thus it is with every man in his firſt converſion, his contrition muſt be compungent, and vehement, bruiſing, breaking, renting the heart, and feeling the throws (as a woman laboring of childe) before there can be a new birth, or the new creature be brought forth.
Sect. 3. The ſecond reaſon for this ſorrow.
AGain, without contrition no Chriſt; therefore it was that God firſt opened the eyes of our firſt parents, to make them ſee and be ſenſible of their ſin and miſery, Gen. 3.7, 15. Chryſoſt. in c. 3 Matth. hom. 11.Gen. 3.7. before he promiſed Chriſt, verſ. 15. therefore it was that John Baptiſt (ſaith Chryſoſtome) firſt throughly frighted the mindes of his hearers with the terror of judgement, and expectation of torment, and with the name of an axe, and their rejection, and entertainment of other children, and by doubling the puniſhment, to wit, of being hewn down, and caſt into the fire; and when he had thus every way tamed, and taken down their ſtubbornneſs, then at length he makes mention of Chriſt. Why, then is Chriſt ſeaſonably revealed (ſaith Muſculus) when the hearts of men being ſoundly pierced by preaching repentance, Muſc. in Mat. c. 3. Sect. Tunc. accedit Ieſus. Calvin in Eſay 61.are poſſeſſed with a deſire of his gracious righteouſneſs. Or if you will hear Calvin, To whom is Chriſt promiſed, but to them alone who are humbled and confounded with the ſenſe of their own ſins? Certainly the firſt thing that draws to Chriſt, is to conſider our miſerable eſtate without him; No man will come to Chriſt except he be hungry; no man will take Chriſts yoke upon him, till he come to know and feel the weight of Satans yoke; to this end therefore muſt every man be broken with threats, and ſcourges, and laſhes of conſcience, that ſo deſpairing of himſelf he may flye unto Chriſt.
Sect. 4. The third reaſon for this ſorrow.
AGain, Iam. 4.10.without hearty ſorrow no ſpiritual comfort. We muſt firſt be humbled before the Lord, and then he will lift us up. Chriſt indeed was anointed to preach good tidings, but to whom? to the poor, to the broken-hearted, to the captives, to them that are bound, Eſay 61.11.to the bruiſed, Eſay 61.11. God pours not the oyl of his mercy ſave into a broken veſſel, God never comforts throughly, ſave where he findes humiliation and repentance for ſin. Forbes on Revel. c. 14.The word of God (ſaith one) hath three degrees of operation in the hearts of his choſen: Firſt, it falleth to mens ears as the ſound of many waters, a mighty, great, and confuſed ſound, and which commonly bringeth neither terror nor joy, but yet a wondring, and acknowledgement of a ſtrange force, and more then humane power; this is that effect which many felt hearing Chriſt, when they were aſtoniſhed at his doctrine, as teaching with authority; Mar. 1.22, 27. Luke 4.32. Iohn 7.46.what maner doctrine is this? never man ſpake like this man: The next effect is the voice of thunder, which bringeth not onelyonly wonder, but fear alſo; not onelyonly filleth the ears with ſound, and the heart with aſtoniſhment, but moreover ſhaketh and terrifieth the conſcience: The third effect is the ſound of harping, while the word not onelyonly raviſheth with admiration, and ſtriketh the conſcience with terror, but alſo laſtly filleth it with ſweet peace and joy. Now albeit the two firſt degrees may be without the laſt, yet none feel the laſt, who have not in ſome degree felt both the firſt. He ſaith true, in ſome degree, though commonly the deeper is the ſenſe of miſery, the ſweeter is the ſenſe of mercy. In our dead ſecurity before converſion (ſaith another) God is fain to let the law, ſin, conſcience, Satan, Boltons inſtructions for afflicted conſciences.a deep ſenſe of our abominable and curſed ſtate looſe upon us, and to kindle the very fire of hell in our ſouls, that ſo we might be rouzed, and afterward more ſweetly and ſoundly raiſed and refreſhed; for after the moſt toylſome labor is the ſweeteſt ſleep, after the greateſt tempeſts the ſtilleſt calms; ſanctified troubles and terrors eſtabliſh the ſureſt peace, and the ſhaking of theſe winds makes the trees of Gods Eden take the better rooting.
CHAP. V.
Sect. 1. The means to be delivered out of the pangs of the new birth.
ANd now if (by Gods bleſſing) thou feeleſt this ſorrow and melting of heart, the next thing thou muſt do is to ſeek for the remedy, which remedy conſiſts of theſe ingredients: Firſt, A ſight of Chriſt; ſecondly, A deſire after Chriſt; thirdly, A relying on Chriſt; fourthly, An obedience to Chriſt; fifthly, A comfort in Chriſt ſought for and obtained. Thou wilt ſay, theſe ingredients are pearls indeed, but how ſhould I procure them? I anſwer, by application of the promiſes; and ſith every ingredient hath its particular promiſes, I ſhall let thee ſee them in order, onelyonly do thou apply them thy ſelf; it is enough for the Phyſitian to prepare the medicine, thy own body muſt receive it; ſo in this medicine it is, thou muſt apply it if thou wilt have ſoulshealth.
Sect. 2. The promiſes procuring a ſight of Chriſt.
THe firſt ſtep or ingredient that brings comfort to thy heavy ſoul, is the ſight of Chriſt: and to procure this ſight, thou haſt theſe promiſes:
Matth. 1.21. Thou ſhalt call his name Jeſus, for he ſhall ſave his people from their ſins.
Luke 2.10, 11. Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy that ſhall be to all people, that is, that unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Chriſt the Lord.
John 1.29. Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the ſins of the world.
John 3.16. God ſo loved the world, that he gave his onelyonly begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him ſhould not periſh, but have life everlaſting.
John 3.17. God ſent not his Son into the world that he ſhould condemn the world, but that the world through him might be ſaved.
Rom. 3.25. God hath ſet forth Chriſt Jeſus to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood.
1 Cor. 1.30. Chriſt Jeſus of God is made unto us wiſdom, and righteouſneſs, and ſanctification, and redemption.
1 Tim. 1.15. This is a true ſaying, and by all means worthy to be received, that Chriſt Jeſus came in…o the world to ſave ſinners.
Heb. 13.12. Jeſus, that he might ſanctifie the people with his own blood, ſuffered without the gate.
1 John. 2.1, 2. If any man ſin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our ſins, and not for us onelyonly, but alſo the ſins of the whole world.
Revel. 5.8. Thou waſt killed, and haſt redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
All theſe tell thee, that as thou art a ſinner, ſo thou haſt a Savior; onelyonly do thou apply them, and certainly they will procure thee the firſt ſtep, the firſt ingredient of this remedy to thy miſery, to wit, the ſight of Chriſt.
Sect. 3. The promiſes procuring a deſire after Chriſt.
THou mayſt ſay, I ſee Chriſt, and I ſee that his perſon, and death, and blood-ſhed, are precious and ſaving; but how may I make him mine? how may I know that he is my Savior? I anſwer, thou muſt hunger and thirſt after him; this deſire is the ſecond ſtep: and to provoke thee to this duty, conſider of theſe promiſes:
Eſay 55.1. Ho, every one that thirſteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat, yea come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price.
Mat. 5.6. Bleſſed are they which hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs, for they ſhall be filled.
John 7.37, 38. In the laſt day, that great day of the feaſt, Jeſus ſtood and cried, ſaying, If any man thirſt, let him come unto me and drink; he that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath ſaid, out of his belly ſhall flow rivers of living water.
Revel. 21.6. I will give to him that is athirſt, of the water of life freely.
Revel. 22.17. Let him that is athirſt come, and whoſoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Pſal. 63.1. O God, thou art my God, early will I ſeek thee, my ſoul thirſteth for thee, my fleſh longeth greatly after thee, in a barren and dry land without water.
Pſal. 145.19. He will fulfil the deſire of them that fear him.
All theſe may provoke thee to thirſt after Chriſt, that moſt ſoveraign, and ſoul ſaving fountain, opened to the houſe of David, and to the inhabitants of Jeruſalem for ſin, and for uncleanneſs, Zach. 13.1.
Sect. 4. The promiſes procuring a relying on Chriſt.
YEt thou mayeſt ſay, I thirſt indeed, but I dare not drink; I deſire, but I dare not come neer, to lay hold on Chriſt: How ſo? I am (ſayeſt thou) a moſt vile, unworthy, wicked wretch, and my ſins are of a ſcarlet, crimſon die: True it is; for thee to pretend part in Chriſt, wallowing yet in thy ſins, for thee to believe that Chriſt is thy righteouſneſs, purpoſing yet to go on in the practice, or allowance of any one known ſin, it were a moſt curſed horrible preſumption indeed; but where all ſin is a burthen, every promiſe as a world of gold, and the heart ſincere for a new way, there a man may be bold: A man may? yes, he muſt; if thou groaneſt under ſin, if thou longeſt after Chriſt, apply theſe promiſes, and they will force thee to lay hold upon the Rock, to take Chriſt for thine own, to throw thy ſinful ſoul upon the bleeding wounds of Jeſus, and to caſt thy ſelf with confidence into the boſom of his love.
Firſt then, Boltons Inſtructions for afflicted conſcience.Take notice (ſaith a Modern) that Jeſus Chriſt keeps open houſe for all hungry and thirſty ſouls.
Revel. 22.17. Let him that is athirſt come, and whoſoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Or if open houſe will not fit without invitation, hear him call;
Matth. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt. Or if invitation will not fit without proclamation, hear him proclaim:
Joh. 7.37. Jeſus ſtood and cryed, ſaying, If any man thirſt, let him come unto me and drink: he that believeth on me, out of his belly ſhall flow rivers of water. Or leaſt thou ſhouldeſt think thou muſt come to thy coſt, and bring ſomewhat in thy hand, hear how he doubles and trebbles his cry to the contrary:
Iſa. 55.1. Ho, every one that thirſteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat, yea come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price. And yet leſt thou ſay, I am ſo far from bringing any thing in my hand, that I bring a world of wickedneſs in my heart, and my ſins I fear will hinder my acceptation, no (ſaith he again)
Iſa. 55.7. Let the wicked forſake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts (and this is thy deſire, thy caſe) and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Or if all this will not do without a more ſolemn invitation, ſee then how the Lord of heaven ſends forth his Embaſſadors to move thee, and entreat thee to come in:
2 Cor. 5.20. Now then we are Embaſſadors for Chriſt, as though God did beſeech you by us, we pray you in Chriſts ſtead be ye reconciled unto God. Or if he cannot woo thee, lo he commands thee:
1 Ioh. 3.23. And this is the Commandment, that we ſhould believe on the name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt. Or yet to drive thee to Chriſt, he not onelyonly commands, but threatens:
Heb. 3.18. And to whom ſware he that they ſhould not enter into his reſt, but to them that believed not?
And what can he do more unto his Vineyard? Firſt (to bid thee welcom) he keeps open houſe; ſecondly, he invites; thirdly, he proclaims; fourthly, he calls thee ſans-fee, without money, or moneyworth; fifthly, he apologizeth; ſixthly, he ſendeth; ſeventhly, he commandeth; eighthly, he threatneth: Hear what mine Author concludes from theſe premiſes; How cruel then is that man to his own wounded conſcience, who in his extreme ſpiritual thirſt will not be drawn by this eight-fold merciful cord, to drink his fill of the fountain of the water of life, to caſt himſelf with confidence and comfort into the arms of the Lord Ieſus? — Yea, how is it poſſible, but that all, or ſome of theſe, ſhould bring in every broken heart to believe, and every one that is weary of his ſins, to relye upon the Lord of life for everlasting welfare?
Sect. 5. The promiſes procuring obedience to Chriſt.
ANd yet thou mayeſt ſay, I have caſt my ſelf on Chriſt, is this all I muſt do? no, there is yet another ſtep, he is not onelyonly to be thy Savior, but thy husband, thou muſt love him, and ſerve him, and honor him, and obey him: thou muſt endeavor not onelyonly for pardon of ſin, and ſalvation from hell, but for purity, new obedience, ability to do or ſuffer any thing for Chriſt. And to provoke thee to this duty, conſider of theſe texts:
Matth. 7.21. Not every one that ſaith, Lord, Lord, ſhall enter into the Kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matth. 11.29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye ſhall finde reſt unto your ſouls.
Matth. 16.24. If any man will follow me, let him take up his croſs and follow me.
2 Cor. 5.15. He dyed for all, that they which live, ſhould not henceforth live unto themſelvs, but unto him which dyed for them.
2 Cor. 5.17. If any man be in Chriſt, let him be a new creature, old things are paſſed, behold all things are become new.
1 Joh. 1.6, 7. If we ſay that we have fellowſhip with him, and walk in darkneſs, we lye, and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowſhip one with another, and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son cleanſeth us from all ſin.
1 Joh. 2.5, 6. He that keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected, hereby know we that we are in him. He that ſaith, he abideth in him, ought himſelf alſo ſo to walk, even as he walked.
1 Joh. 3.6, 9. Whoſoever abideth in him, ſinneth not. — Whoſoever is born of God, doth not commit ſin, for his ſeed remaineth in him, and he cannot ſin, becauſe he is born of God.
1 Joh. 3.24. He that keepeth his Commandments, dwelleth in him, and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1 Joh. 5.18. We know that whoſoever is born of God ſinneth not, but he that is begotten of God keepeth himſelf, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
All theſe may invite thee to enter into the holy path, and to fight under Chriſts banner againſt the world, the fleſh, and the Devil, unto thy lives end.
Sect. 6. The promiſes procuring comfort in Chriſt.
ONce more thou mayeſt ſay, I have been truly humbled with the ſenſe of ſin, and ſenſe of miſery, and ſorrow for ſin; yea, I have ſeen, and thirſted, and relyed, and purpoſed univerſal obedience to my Savior, and yet no comfort comes: it may be ſo, but haſt thou praiſed God for this work of wonder, the new birth wrought in thee? If ſo, then is there another duty expected from thee, right precious and pleaſing unto God, and that is waiting: yet I could wiſh thee addreſs thy ſelf to theſe precious promiſes, ſettle thy ſoul on them with fixed meditation and fervent prayer, and where thou perceiveſt the condition of the promiſes to be by Gods grace formed in thee, thou mayeſt ſafely aſſure thy ſoul of ſo much favor, as is expreſly contained in the promiſes.
Levit. 26.40, 41, 42, 44. If they ſhall confeſs their iniquity, — If their uncircumciſed hearts be humbled, — Then will I remember my Covenant, — that I might be their God, I am the Lord: the condition is to confeſs and be humbled; and this if thou doſt, the Covenant is ſure, the Lord is thy God.
Job 33.27, 28. If any ſay, I have ſinned, and perverted that which is right, and it profited me not; he will deliver his ſoul from going into the pit, and his life ſhall ſee the light. The condition is, If any ſay, I have ſinned, if thy heart ſay thus in ſincerity and truth, the promiſe is ſure, God will deliver thy ſoul from hell, and thou ſhalt ſee the light of heaven.
Pſal. 51.17. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not deſpiſe. The condition is, a broken and a contrite heart for ſin; and if thy heart be thus, be ſure God will not deſpiſe it.
Prov. 28.13. Whoſoever confeſſeth, and forſaketh his ſins, ſhall have mercy. The condition is, to confeſs and forſake ſin: and this if thou doſt, as ſure as God is God, thou ſhalt have mercy.
Iſa. 57.17. I dwell in the high and holy place, with him alſo that is of a contrite and humble ſpirit, to revive the ſpirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. The condition is, to be of a contrite and humble ſpirit; and if thou art thus, God is true who hath ſaid it, he dwels in thee, to revive thy ſpirit, and to revive thy heart.
Iſa. 61.1. The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, he hath ſent me to binde up the broken hearted. The condition is, to be meek and broken hearted; and if this be thy caſe, then good tidings belong to thee, and Chriſt is ſent to binde up thy broken heart in the bundle of peace.
Jerem. 31.19, 20. Surely, after that I was turned, I repented (ſaith Ephraim) and after that I was inſtructed, I ſmote upon my thigh, I was aſhamed; yea, even confounded, becauſe I did bear the reproach of my youth—Therefore (ſaith God) my bowels are troubled for him, I will ſurely have mercy upon him, ſaith the Lord. The condition is to repent, to be aſhamed, confounded for ſin, and if thy caſe be like Ephraims, God is the ſame to thee, his bowels yearn for thee, he will ſurely have mercy on thee.
Matth. 5.6. Bleſſed are they which hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs. The condition is, to hunger and thirſt after the righteouſneſs of Chriſt; and this if thou doſt, then art thou bleſſed from the mouth of our Savior.
Matth. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt. The condition is to labor, and be heavy laden with ſin; and if thou art thus, Gods Word is ſure, thou ſhalt have reſt ſpiritual and eternal.
Revel. 21.6. I will give unto him that is athirſt, of the water of life freely. The condition is to thirſt after the heavenly ſtreams of Gods favor, and Chriſts ſoveraign blood; and this if thou doſt, then haſt thou part in the fountain of the water of life, that proceeds out of the throne of God, Revel. 22.1.and of the Lamb, Revel. 22.1.
All theſe are ſo full of comfort, that if thou but cruſh them with the hand of faith, they cannot but yield ſome juyce of ſweetneſs to thy afflicted ſoul.
Sect. 7. The means to apply the ſaid promiſes.
I Said before, it was enough for me to prepare the medicine, it is thou muſt apply it; yet if thou feeleſt a backwardneſs to perform thy part, I ſhall tell thee of ſome means to incite thee, and help thee onward to the performance of this duty.
Take then the promiſes, and carry them (as thou didſt the Catalogue of thy ſins) into the preſence of the Lord; and, faln down on thy knees, beſeech God for thy Saviors ſake to encline thine heart to believe thoſe promiſes. If thou haſt the repulſe, pray again and again, yea reſolve never to make prayer, but to uſe this petition, that the Lord would pleaſe to let thee have ſome feeling of the life of thoſe promiſes; Some ſoul may object, I have no heart or ſpirit to pray, yet uſe thy indeavor, and in thy indeavors God may come in; and whenſoever thou feeleſt any of them to be ſpirit and life to thee, whenſoever thou feeleſt (by a certain taſte) the joys of the Holy Ghoſt to fall upon thee, O happy man that ever thou waſt born! then art thou (to thy own knowledge) new born indeed: then haſt thou (without doubt) done this moſt glorious exerciſe of paſſing thorow the new birth, and then haſt thou cauſe (as thou canſt not chooſe) to ſing and praiſe God day and night, world without end: Matth. 5.4.So true is that of Chriſt, Bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall be comforted. Amen.
Sect. 8. The Concluſion.
HEre is an end, and to you to whom I have dedicated this work, my concluſion is this: The year hath now run his round ſince I firſt came amongſt you, and how the Lord hath wrought by me you your ſelves know beſt: for my part, if I did but know one poor ſoul amongſt you truly converted by ſuch a weak unworthy inſtrument, I would ever think my ſelf moſt happy in that ſoul, and richly payed for my pains. I know it, neither Paul, nor Apollo can do this, except God give the increaſe: howſoever, I muſt tell you, with Paul, my deſires have been this way, I have ſince my coming travelled of you, and travelled again, that Chriſt might be formed in you. Gal. 4.19.And what's the iſſue? once could the Lord ſay, Shall I bring to the birth, Iſa. 66.9.and not cauſe to bring forth? and (to joyn iſſue with you) have I travelled of you in birth, and not one of you brought forth? the Lord forbid. I confeſs (beloved) I have received from you many kindeneſſes of love; now, for the Lords ſake do me this one kindeneſs more; give me at leaſt one ſoul among you, that I may give it unto God: O what a kindeneſs would you then do me! not all the wealth in your Town, nor all the increaſe of your ſtate, nor all you have, or ever ſhall have, would do me ſo much good in the day of my Lord Jeſus, as this one boon I ask: then could I ſay, Lord, I have not loſt the fruits of my labor in this Town, ſee here the ſoul now ſhining in glory which I converted by thy power; ſee here the ſoul of ſuch a one, and ſuch a one which through thy grace, and my miniſtery were converted unto thee. If this were thus, why then (beloved) you would bleſs me for ever, and I ſhould bleſs you for ever, and we ſhould all bleſs God for ever, for this ſo gracious and ſo bleſſed a work. Now the Lord of his goodneſs give you a ſight of your ſins, and a true ſorrow for ſin, and if not afore now, yet now, this day, the Lord this day ſet his print and ſeal upon you.
The time draws on, and I have but a minute, a little time to ſpeak to you; for a farewel then, let theſe laſt words take a deeper impreſſion in your hearts: if you would do all I would have you do, I could wiſh no more, but that to this humiliation or repentance, you would adde charity or love: the firſt you owe to God, and the ſecond to your neighbor: by the firſt you might become new creatures, by the ſecond true Chriſtians, like them in the Churches infancy, of one minde, one heart, and one ſoul; ſure it is not poſſible that we ſhould have forgiveneſs of ſins, but that we muſt be of the communion of Saints. A thouſand pities it is to hear of the many factions in our Church, and Kingdoms, and Towns, and Families, O pray for the peace of Jeruſalem, they ſhall proſper that love it; and let us pray (as need we have too) for our own peace one with another: You cannot come to a Communion, but you hear this leſſon in the invitation, You that do truly and earneſtly repent you of your ſins, and be in love and charity with your neighbors, &c. Here's both repentance to God, and Charity (nay more then charity, as we uſe the word commonly) even love of your neighbors. For my part I wiſh that my very heart-blood could cement the diviſions of Reuben (for which are great thoughts of heart) in this Town, Iudg. 5.15.in this Church, in theſe Kingdoms. 2 Cor. 13.11.I will ſay no more, but conclude with thoſe words of the Apoſtle, Finally brethren, fare ye well, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one minde, live in peace, and the God of love and peace be with you for ever and ever.
FINIS.
End of the text · Isaac Ambrose, The First Things (1650)