Apples of Gold, Book · Part 6

Apples of Gold · Book · Part 6

p. 299The Young mans objections Anſwered

I ſhall now give ſome brief Anſwers to the Young mans Objections, and the Old mans ſcruples, and ſo cloſe up this diſcourſe.

Ob. But ſome young men may object and ſay; you would have us to bee good betimes, and to ſeek and ſerve the Lord in the Prime-roſe of our dayes, but it may be time enough hereafter to p. 300follow this Counſel; wee are young, and it may bee time enough for us to minde theſe things hereafter, when wee have ſatisfied the fleſh ſo and ſo, or when wee have got enough of the world, and laid up ſomething that will ſtand us inſtead, and that may oil our joynts when wee are old. Now

To this Objection I anſwer.

Firſt, That it is the greateſt folly and madneſſe in the world to put off God, and the great things of eternity with maybees, what Trades-man, what Merchant, what Marriner ſo mad, ſo fooliſh, ſo blockiſh, as to put off a preſent ſeaſon, a preſent opportunity of profit and advantage upon the account of a may-bee? It may bee I may have as good a ſeaſon, it may bee I ſhall have as golden an opportunity to get, and to inrich my ſelf as this is; and therefore farewell to this. No men that are in their right minds will p. 301argue thus; and why then ſhould you eſpecially in the things that are of an everlaſting concernment to you?

I have read of one Monarcho a frantick Italian, who thought that all the Kings of the Earth were his Vaſſals, and as frantick are they, who wilfully neglect preſent ſeaſons of grace, upon the account of a future may-bee, &c.

Secondly, I anſwer, it may bee if thou neglecteſt this preſent ſeaſon, and opportunity of grace, thou mayeſt never have another; Young men, if you will but go into burial places, you ſhall finde graves exactly of your length.it may bee mercy may never knock more, if thou doſt not now open; it may bee Chriſt ſhall never bee offered to thee more, if now thou doſt not cloſe with him, and accept of him; it may bee the Spirit will never ſtrive more with thee, if now thou doſt reſiſt him, and withſtand him; it may bee a pardon ſhall never bee offered to thee more, if now thou wilt not take p. 302it; it may bee the Goſpel ſhall never ſound more in thy ears, if now thou wilt not hear it; now ſet one may-bee againſt another may-bee, ſet Gods may-bee againſt thine own may-bee, but

Thirdly, Doubtleſſe there are many thouſand thouſands now in Hell, who have pleaſed themſelves, and put off God, and the ſeaſons of grace with a may-bee, hereafter may bee time enough. It may bee when I have gratified ſuch a luſt, It was an unſpeakable vexation to King Lyſamachus, that his ſtaying to drink one draught of water loſt him his Kingdome.and when I have treaſured up ſo much of the world, I will return and ſeek, and ſerve the Lord, but before ever this ſeaſon or opportunity came, juſtice hath cut the threed of their lives, and they are now miſerable for ever; and now they are ſtill a curſing themſelves, becauſe they have ſlipt their golden opportunities upon the account of a may-bee, &c. But

Fourthly and laſtly, This putting off of God, and the preſent p. 303ſeaſons of grace with a may-bee, is very provoking to God, as you may ſee if you will but read from the 20. verſe to the 33. of the firſt of Proverbs. Nothing ſtirs and provokes a Maſter more, than his ſervants putting off his ſervice, or his commands with a may-bee; it may bee I will, it may bee I may do this and that, nothing puts a Maſter ſooner into a heat, a flame, than this; nor nothing puts God more into a flame than this, as you may ſee by comparing Pſal. 95. ver. 6. to the end; with that 3. of the Hebrews and the 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. read the words, and tremble at the thought of a may-bee, at the thoughts of putting off of God, and the ſeaſons of grace.

I have read of two, who cut off their right hand one for another, and then made it an excuſe, a put off, they were lame, and ſo could not ſerve in the Gallies of Francis the firſt, King of France, p. 304but this practiſe of theirs did ſo inſenſe and provoke the King, that hee ſent them both to the Gallows. I ſuppoſe the reader is not ſo young, but knows how to apply it.

Object. If I ſhould begin to bee good betimes, and to ſeek and ſerve the Lord in the ſpring and morning of my daies, I ſhould loſe my friends, I ſhould loſe their favour, for they are carnal and worldly, and had rather I ſhould ſeek after gold, than God, the Creature, than Chriſt, Earth, than Heaven, &c.

Now to this I anſwer, Surely you are out, for

Firſt, This is the high way, the ready way to gain the beſt, the ſureſt, and the ſoundeſt friends. Prov. 16.7.Prov 16:7When a mans wa…es pleaſe the Lord, hee maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Job … 23,…,28.Job 23When a man falls in with God, God will work the Creatures to fall in with him. Joſeph found it ſo, and Jacob found it ſo, and Job found it ſo, the three Children p. 305found it ſo, and Daniel found it ſo, as you all know that have but read the Scripture. And many in this age (as bad as it is) have found that the beſt way to make friends, is firſt, to make God our friend. Ah young men, young men! you ſhall not loſe your friends (by ſeeking and ſerving of the Lord in the ſpring and morning of your daies) but only exchange bad ones for good ones, the worſt for the beſt; hee that gives up himſelf betimes to the Lord, ſhall have God for his friend, and Chriſt for his friend, and the Angels for his friends, and the Saints for his friends; Chriſt will bee to ſuch, Firſt, An omnipotent friend. Secondly, An omniſcient friend. Thirdly, An omnipreſent friend. Fourthly, An indeficient friend. Fifthly, Luk. 15.7.10. Iſa. 6.7, 8, 9. Heb. 4 13. Iſa. 59.16, 17 Iſa. 44.24, Mal. 3.6, Pſa. 121.4, ….Luke 15:7Luke 15:10Isa 6:7Isa 6:8Isa 6:9Heb 4:13Isa 59:16Isa 59:17Isa 44:24Mal 3:6Ps 121:4An independant friend. Sixthly, An immutable friend. Seventhly, A watchful friend. Eighthly, A loving friend.

Ninethly, A faithful friend. p. 306Tenthly, 1 John 4.16 Tit 1.2. Iſa. 63.91 John 4:16Titus 1:2Isa 63:9A compaſſionate friend. Eleventhly, A cloſe friend. There is a friend that ſticketh cloſer than a brother, Prov. 18.24. ſuch a friend is Chriſt, and ſuch a friend is as ones own ſoul, a rare happineſs, hardly to bee matcht. Twelfthly, An univerſal friend, a friend in all caſes, and a friend in all places. Chriſt is ſo a friend to every one of his, as if he were a friend to none beſides; hence it is that they ſay, not onelyonly our Lord our God, but my Lord, and my God. Luk. 1.43 John 20.28 Phil. 4.19Luke 1:43John 20:28Phil 4:19Chriſt is ſuch an univerſal friend, as that he ſupplies the place, and acts the part of every friend.

Thirteenthly, He is our firſt friend, Pſal. 90.1. before we had a friend in all the World, he was our friend, John 13.1 Alexander the Great cannot cut that knot of friendſhip that is tyed betwixt Chriſt and his.John 13:1Prov. 8.21.

Laſtly, He is a conſtant friend, whom he loves hee loves to the end.

Auguſtus Caeſar would not ſuddenly entertain a league of friendſhip with any, but was a p. 307conſtant friend to thoſe hee loved (Amare nec cito deſiſto, nec temere incipio) late ere I love, as long ere I leave; Where Chriſt beginnes to love, he always loves. Jer. 31.3. I have loved thee with an everlaſting love; Now who would not venture the loſs of all friends in the world, to gain ſuch a friend as this is?

Ah! Young men, and women, let mee ſay to you what Seneca ſaid to his friend Polibius (Fas tibi non eſt de fortuna conqueri, ſalvo Caeſare) never complain of thy hard fortune, as long as Caeſar is thy friend; ſo ſay I, never complain of your loſs of Friends, ſo long as by looſing of them, you gain Chriſt to be your friend.

Secondly, Thou were't better be without their friendſhip and favour, than to enjoy it upon any ſinful and unworthy accounts, thou were't better run the hazard of looſing thy friends, and their favour, by ſeeking and p. 308ſerving the Lord in the Primeroſe of thy dayes, then to run the hazard of loſing God, Chriſt, heaven, Mat. 16.26 Mark. 8.36Matt 16:26Mark 8:36eternity, and thy ſoul for ever, by neglecting the things of thy peace.

It was a gallant return which the noble Rutilius made his friend, requeſting of him an unlawfull favour, in ſuch language as this, I had as good bee without ſuch a friend, as with him who will not let mee ſpeed in what I ask; to whom hee replyed, I can want ſuch a friend as you, if for your ſake, I muſt do that which is not honeſt. The application is eaſy.

Well Young man, remember this, the torments of a thouſand hells were there ſo many, comes far ſhort of this one vice to bee turned out of Gods preſence with a (Non novi vos) I know you not.Mat. 7.23Matt 7:23

Ah! Young man, Young man, thou wer't better ten thouſand, thouſand times to bee p. 309caſt out of the thoughts and hearts of thy carnal friends, and relations, than to bee caſt out of Gods preſence with curſed Cain for ever, Gen. 4Gen 4than to be excommunicated out of the general Aſſembly of the Saints, Heb. 12.23.Heb 12:23and Congregation of the firſt-born which are writen in heaven, and therefore away with this objection; but

Thirdly, The favour and friendſhip of ſuch carnal perſons, is very fickle and inconſtant, it is very fading and withering; Now they ſtroak, and anon they ſtrike, now they lift up, and anon they caſt down, now they ſmile, and anon they frown; now they kiſs, and anon they kill; now they cry Hoſanna, Hoſana, & anon they cry Crucify him, crucify him; Haman is one day feaſted with the King, and the next day made a feaſt for Crows; Eſth. 7.Esth 7The Princes of Babylon were highly in King Darius his favour one day, Dan. 6Dan 6and caſt into the Lyons den the next; The Scribes and Phariſees that p. 310cryed up Judas one day, did in effect bid him go and hang himſelf the next day.Mat. 27.3, 4.5Matt 27:3Matt 27:4Matt 27:5

Such mens favour and friendſhip, Valerian, Valens. Beliſareus. Baj…zet. Pythias. Dionyſius. Pompey William the Conqueror, and many other, have found it ſo.are as Venice Glaſſes quickly broken, and therefore not much to bee prized or minded. Hiſtories abounds with inſtances of this nature, but I muſt haſten, onelyonly remember this, that every dayes experience tells us, that wicked men can ſoon turn Tables, and croſs their books, their favour and friendſhip is uſually like to a morning cloud, or like to Jonahs Gourd, one hour flouriſhing, and the next hour withering; and why then ſhouldeſt thou ſet thy heart upon that which is more changeable than the moon, Glaucus who changed his Armour of Gold with Diomedes, for his Armour of Braſs, ſtands upon record for a fool.&c. But

Fourthly, and Laſtly, who but a mad man would adventure the loſs of the Kings favour to gain the favour of his Page? who but a ſtark Bedlam would run the hazard of looſing the Judges favour upon the Bench, to purchaſe p. 311the good will of the Priſoner at the Barre?

Socrates preferred the Kings countenance before his Coyn; and ſo muſt you prefer the favour of God, Pſal. 4.6, 7Ps 4:6Ps 4:7the countenance of Chriſt, and the things of eternity, above all the favour and friendſhip of all the men in the World; when your neareſt friends and deareſt relations ſtands in competition, Pſal. 45.10 Mat. 10.37 Luk. 14.26, 27Ps 45:10Matt 10:37Luke 14:26Luke 14:27with Chriſt or the things above, you muſt ſhake them off, you muſt turn your backs upon them, and welcome Chriſt and the things of your Peace; hee that forſakes all relations for Chriſt, ſhall certainly finde all relations in Chriſt, hee will bee father, friend, husband, Child, hee will bee every thing to thee, who takeſt him for thy great all.

Object. 3. I but I ſhall meet with many reproaches from one and other, if I ſhould labour to bee good betimes; if I ſhould ſeek and ſerve the Lord in the ſpring and morning of my youth; p. 312now to this I anſwer.

Firſt, What are reproaches to the great things that others have ſuffered, for Chriſt, his Goſpel, Heb…ews ch. 10.…. read the ten perſecutions.and the maintaining of a good conſcience; what is a prick of a pin to a ſtab at the heart, what is a chiding to a hanging, a whipping to a burning; no more are all the reproaches thou canſt meet with, to the great things that others have ſuffered for Chriſts ſake.

Ah! Young men, you ſhould be like the Scythian that went naked in the Snow, and when Alexander wondred how hee could endure it; Anſwered, I am not aſhamed, for I am all forehead. So ſhould you in the cauſe and way of Chriſt, you ſhould not bee aſhamed, you ſhould be all forehead, you ſhould bee ſtout and bold. Colonus the dutch Martyr under all his reproaches, called to the judge that had ſentenced him to death, and deſired him to lay his hand p. 313upon his heart, and then asked him, whoſe heart did moſt beat, his or the Judges; All the reproaches in the world, ſhould not ſo much as make a Chriſtians heart beat, they ſhould not, in the leaſt, trouble him, nor diſturb him; but

Secondly I Anſwer; That all the reproaches thou meeteſt with in the way of Chriſt, and for the ſake of Chriſt, they do but adde Pearls to thy Crown, they are all additions to thy happineſs and bleſſedneſs. 1 Pet. 4.141 Pet 4:14If yee be reproached for the name of Chriſt, happy are yee; for the ſpirit of glory, and of God reſteth upon you; on their part, hee is evil ſpoken of, but on your part hee is glorified; the more you are reproached for Chriſts ſake on earth, Mat. 5.11, 12Matt 5:11Matt 5:12the greater ſhall bee your reward in heaven; they that are moſt loaded with reproaches here, ſhall bee moſt laden with glory hereafter. Chriſt hath written their names in golden letters in his p. 314book of life, that are written in black letters of reproach for his ſake on earth. Twas a good ſaying of one, Chryſoſtom.a Reproacher (ſaith hee) is beneath a man, but the reproached that bear it well, are equal to Angells; of all Crowns the reproached mans Crown, will weigh heavieſt in heaven. But

Thirdly, So was Joſeph, Mephiboſheth, Naboth, and in latter times. Luther whom they ſaid dyed deſpairing, when hee was alive to confute it. And that Beza run away with another mans wif…. And that Calvin was branded on the ſhoulder for a Rogue, but there would be no end of this ſtuff, ſhould I ſay all that might be ſaid.I Anſwer, the beſt men have been moſtly reproached, David was, Pſal. 69.7. Pſal. 89.50. Pſal. 119.22. Pſal. 31.11. Pſal. 109.25. and Job was. Job 19, 35. ch. 20.3. Job. 16.10. and Jeremiah was, Jer. 20.7.10. Yea, this hath been the common portion of the people of God in all ages of the World; in Nehemiahs time it was ſo, Neh. 1.3. And they ſaid unto mee, the remnant that are left of the captivity, are in great affliction and reproach. In Davids time it was ſo, Pſal. 79.4. and Pſal. 44.13, 14. And in Jeremiahs time it was ſo, Lam. 5.1. Remember, O p. 315Lord, what is come upon us: Conſider and behold our reproach. And in Daniels time it was ſo, Dan. 9.16. Thy people are become a reproach, to all that are about us; and it was ſo in the Apoſtles time; Rom. 3.8. And not rather as we be ſlanderouſly reported, as ſome affirm, that wee ſay, let us do evil, that good may come: whoſe damnation is juſt, 2 Cor. 6.8. By honour, and diſhonour, by evill report, and good report, as Deceivers, and yet true: ſo in that 1 Tim. 4.10. for therefore wee both labour and ſuffer reproach, becauſe wee truſt in the living God, &c. And it was ſo in the Primitive times, for when the Chriſtians met together before Sun to pray, the Heathens reported of them, that they worſhiped the Sun, Tertullian.and aſpired after Monarchy, and committed Adulteries, and unnatural uncleanneſſes; Now who is troubled, who complains of that which is a common lot, as Cold, p. 316Winter, Sickneſs, Death, &c. No more ſhould any complain of reproaches, it being the common lot of the people of God in all ages; yea, Chriſt himſelf was ſadly reproached, falſly accuſed, and ſtrangely traduced, diſgraced, and ſcandalized; hee was called a Glutton, a Drunkard, a friend of Publicans and Sinners, and judged to uſe the Black Art, caſting out Devils by Belzebub, the Prince of Devils; Mat. 9.34. ch. 12.24Matt 9:34Chriſt hath ſuffered the greateſt, and the worſt reproaches, why then ſhould you be afraid to wear that Crown of Thorns that Chriſt hath wore before you? (there is a great truth in what hee ſaid (Non poteſt qui pati timet, ejus eſſ… qui paſſus eſt) hee that is afraid to ſuffer, Tertul. de fuga in perſecut.cannot bee his Diſciple, who ſuffered ſo much; if the Maſter hath been marked with a black coal, let not the ſervant think to go free. I am heartily angry (ſaith Luther) with thoſe that ſpeak of my ſufferings, p. 317which if compared with that which Chriſt ſuffered for me, are not once to be mentioned in the ſame day; But

Fourthly, I Anſwer, that all reproachers ſhall at laſt be arraigned at the higheſt bar of juſtice, for all the reproaches that they have caſt upon the people of God. They think it ſtrange (or they think it a new world) that you run not with them to the ſame excrſs of riot, 1 Pet. 4.4 Xenizontai Blaſphemountes. Wonder and Blaſpheme.1 Pet 4:4ſpeaking evil of you: who ſhall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. I am in an extaſy (ſaith Picus Myrandula) to think how prophane men rail upon thoſe now, whom one day they will wiſh they had imitated. It was excellent Counſell that the Heathen Oratour gave his hearers. (ita vivamus, Cic. 4. in Verr.ut rationem nobis reddendam arbitremur) let us live as thoſe that muſt give an account of all at laſt.

Chryſoſtome brings in Chriſt p. 318comforting his Diſciples againſt reproaches, ſpeaking thus unto them; what, is the wrong grievous to you? that now they call you Seducers, and Conjurers, it will not be long before they ſhall openly call you the Saviours and bleſſings of the whole world, that time that ſhall declare all things that are now hid, ſhall rebuke them for their lying words againſt you, and ſhall kindle the ſplendor of your vertue; Mal. 3.17 Mic. 7.9, 10, 11 1 Cor. 6.3, 4Mal 3:17Mic 7:9Mic 7:10Mic 7:111 Cor 6:31 Cor 6:4So they ſhall bee found Lyers, evil ſpeakers, falſe accuſers of others, but you ſhall bee more clear and illuſtrious than the Sun, and you ſhall have all men witneſſes of your glory. Such as wiſely and humbly bear reproaches now, ſhall judge reproachers at laſt. But

Fifthly, I anſwer, that God doth many times even in this life, bear ſad witneſs and teſtimony againſt the reproachers of his people, Gen 12.3 2 Sam. 16.11, 12, 13Gen 12:32 Sam 16:112 Sam 16:122 Sam 16:13I will bleſs them that bleſs thee, and I will curſe them p. 319that curſe thee; Divine Juſtice is like Vulcans iron net, that took the Gods; It apprehends and condemns all that are reproachers and enemies to his peopleGod will even in this life curſe them with a witneſs: who curſe them that he bleſſeth; Pharoah found it ſo, and Saul found it ſo, and Jezabel found it ſo, and Haman found it ſo and the Princes of Babylon found it ſo, and the Jews find it ſo to this very day.

And Oh the dreadful judgements and curſes that God hath poured out upon the reproachers of his name, of his Son, of his ſpirit, of his word, of his Ordinanees, and of his people in theſe dayes wherein we live. I might give you many ſad inſtances of ſuch in our days, whoſe feet juſtice hath taken in the ſnare, men of abſtracted conceits, and ſublime ſpeculations; and indeed ſuch uſually prove the great wiſe fools, who like the larke ſoareth higher and higher, peering and peering, till at length they fall into the net of the fowler, and no wonder, for ſuch perſons uſually are as cenſorious, p. 320as they are curious.

Sixthly, I Anſwer, Paul rejoyced more in his ſuffering reproaches for Chriſts ſake, than he did in his being wrapt up in the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12.10. Therefore I take pleaſure in infirmities, (Crudelitas veſtra gloria noſtra) your cruelty is our glory ſaid they in Tertullian. Fire, ſword, priſon, famine, are all delightful to me ſaith Baſil.in reproaches, in neceſſities, in perſecutions, in diſtreſſes, for Chriſts ſake, for when I am weak, then am I ſtrong. And therefore you have him often a ſinging this Song, I Paul a Priſoner of Jeſus Chriſt, not I Paul wrapt up in the third Heaven; Hee look't upon all his ſufferings, as Gods love tokens, he look't upon all reproaches, as pledges and badges of his Son-ſhip, and therefore joyes and glories under all. Chriſt ſhewed his love to him in wraping him up in the third heaven, and he ſhewed his love to Chriſt in his joyful bearing of reproaches for his ſake. Paul rattles his chain (which he bears for the Goſpel) and was proud of it, as a woman of her ornaments, p. 321ſaith Chryſoſtome. Now why ſhould that bee matter of trouble and diſcouragement to you, that was matter of joy and rejoycing to him? ſhall hee look upon reproaches as a Crown of honor, and will you look upon reproaches as a Crown of thorns? Oh Look upon reproach as a royal-Diadem, Sufferings are the enſigns of heavenly Nobility, ſaith Calvin.look upon it as Chriſts livery, and count it your higheſt ambition in this World, to wear this Livery for his ſake, who once wore a Crown of Thorns for your ſakes; When Babylas was to dye, hee required this favour, to have his chains buried with him as the enſigns of his honour. But

Seventhly, I Anſwer, It was an Obſervation of Mr. John Lindſay, that the very ſmoak of Mr. Hamilton, converted as many as it blew upon.That by a wiſe and gracious behaviour under the reproaches thou meeteſt with for Chriſts ſake, thou maieſt be inſtrumentall to win others to Chriſt. It was a notable ſaying of Luther, (Eccleſia totum mundum convertit ſanguine et oratione) the Church p. 322converted the whole world by bloud and prayer.

Divers have been won to Chriſt by beholding the gracious carriages of Chriſtians under their ſufferings, and reproaches for Chriſt.

Wee read of Cicilia a poor Virgin, who by her gracious behaviour under all her ſufferings and reproaches for Chriſt, was the means of converting four hundred to Chriſt.

Adrianus beholding the gracious cheerful carriages of the Martyrs under all their ſufferings and reproaches, was converted to Chriſt, and afterwards ſuffered Martyrdom for Chriſt.

Juſtin Martyr, was alſo converted by obſerving the holy and cheerful behaviour of the Saints, under all their ſufferings and reproaches for Chriſt. See alſo the Hiſt. of the Councill of Trent. p. 418.2. Edit.During the cruel perſecutions of the Heathen Emperours, the Chriſtian faith was ſpread thorow all places of the Empire, becauſe the p. 323oftner they were mown down (ſaith Tertullian) the more they grew.

And Auſtin obſerved, that though there were many thouſands put to death for profeſſing Chriſt; yet they were never the fewer for being ſlain.

Ah! Young men, you may by a wiſe and gracious bearing of reproaches for Chriſt, be inſtrumental to win others to Chriſt; and therefore never plead there is a Lyon in the way, but I muſt haſten; and therefore in the eighth and

Laſt place, Conſider, How bravely ſeveral of the very Heathen have bore Reproaches and let that provoke you in the face of all Reproaches, to ſeek and ſerve the Lord in the morning of your youth, &c.

When Demoſthenes was Reproached by one, I will not ſaith hee ſtrive with thee in this kind of fight, in which he that is overcome is the better man.

p. 324When one came and Reproached Xenophon, ſayes hee, you have learned how to reproach, and I have learned how to bear Reproach.

And Ariſtippus (the Philoſopher) ſaid, you are fit to caſt Reproaches, and I am fit to bear Reproaches.

Demochares an Athenian Oratour, was ſent to King Philip as Embaſſadour, Philip asked him how hee might pleaſure the Athenians, for-ſooth ſaid he, if you will hang your ſelf; the Prince patiently ſent him home again, and bid him ask whether were more Noble, the patient hearer, or venter of ſuch unſeemly language.

When one wondered at the patience of Socrates towards one who reviled and reproached him; if we ſhould meet one ſaith hee, whoſe body were more unſound then ours, ſhould we be angry with him, and not rather pitty him? why then ſhould we p. 325not do the like to him whoſe ſoul is more diſeaſed than ours?

Auguſtus Caeſar, (in whoſe time Chriſt was born) bid Catullus the railing Poet to Supper, to ſhew that he had forgiven him.

It is a notable example that wee finde of one Pericles, Plutarch in vita peric.who as he was ſitting with others in a great meeting, a foul mouthed fellow, bitterly Reproached him, and railed all the day long upon him, and at night when it was dark, and the meeting up, the fellow followed him, and railed at him, even to his door, and he took no notice of him, but when he came at home, Themiſtocles profeſſed that if two wayes were ſhewed him, one to hell, and the other to the bar, he would chuſe that which went to hell, and forſake the other.this is all he ſaid, friend it is dark, I pray let my man light you home.

Joſephus reports of that Herod that is made mention of in that Act. 12.23. that when one Simon a Lawyer, had grievouſly Reproached and ſcandalized him before the people; he ſent for p. 326him, and cauſed him to ſit down next to him, and in a kin…e manner hee ſpake thus to him. Tell mee I pray thee, what thing thou ſeeſt fault worthy, or contrary to the Law in mee. Simon not having any thing to anſwer, beſought him to pardon him, which the King did, and was friends with him, and diſmiſſed him, beſtowing gifts on him. Ah young men, young men ſhall the very Heathen make nothing of reproaches, ſhall they bear up ſo prudently and bravely under the greateſt loads of reproaches, and will not you? will not you? who in your light, in your mercies, and in all Goſpel engagements, are ſo highly advanced above them? Oh that none of them may bee called to the Bar in the great day, to witneſſe againſt any of you, into whoſe hands this Treatiſe ſhall fall; and ſo much by way of anſwer to the third Objection; But

Fourthly, The young man objects p. 327and ſaies you preſſe us to bee good betimes, and to ſeek and ſerve the Lord in the ſpring and morning of our daies; but wee obſerve that moſt men minde not theſe things, but rather give liberty to themſelves, to walk in waies that are moſt pleaſing to the fleſh; and why then ſhould wee bee ſingular and nice, wee were better do as the moſt do, &c. Now to this I anſwer.

1 That though bad examples are dangerous to all, yet uſually they prove moſt dangerous and pernicious to young perſons, who are more eaſily drawn to follow examples, than precepts, eſpecially thoſe examples that tends moſt to undo them, Praecepta docent, exempla movent, Precepts may inſtruct, but examples do perſwade.2 King. 15.9. It is ſaid of Zacharia, the King of Iſrael, that hee did evil in the ſight of the Lord, as his Fathers had done; hee departed not from the ſins of Jeroboam, hee would bee as his Father was, and do as his Father did, whatever p. 328came on it. So the Samaritans of whom it is ſaid, 2 King. 17.41. Theſe Nations feared the Lord, (that is, they made ſome kinde of profeſſion of the true Religion, as the ten tribes had done) and ſerved their graven Images (too) both their Children, and their Childrens Children (did thus) as did their Fathers, ſo do they unto this day: By evil examples they were both drawn to Idolatry, and rooted and confirmed in it; ſo the main reaſon why the Kingdome and Church of Judah were ſo ſetled in their Idolatry, that there was no hope of reclaiming them, was this, that their Children remembred their Altars, and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills, Jer. 17.1, 2. Tinder is not apter to take fire, nor Wax the impreſſion of the ſeal, nor Paper the ink, than youth is to follow ill examples. You may ſee in Radbod, King of Phriſia, who coming to the Font to bee baptiſed, asked what was p. 329become of his Anceſtors; anſwer was made, that they dyed in a feareful ſtate unbaptized, hee replyed, that hee would rather periſh with the multitude, than go to Heaven with a few.

I remember the Heathen brings in a young man, who hearing of the adulteries, and wickedneſſes of the gods, ſaid, what, Aethiopians lame themſelves, if their King bee lame, ſaith Diodorus. Elian reports that there was a Whore that did boaſt that ſhee could eafily get ſcholers away from Socrates, but Socrates could get away no ſcholers from her.do they ſo? and ſhall I ſtick at it? no, I will not. Sinful examples are very drawing, and very incouraging, many have found it ſo to their eternal undoing; thoſe that have no ears to hear what you ſay, have many eyes to ſee what you do. Bad Princes make bad Subjects, bad Maſters make bad Servants, bad Parents make bad Children, and bad Husbands make bad Wives; it is eaſier for the bad to corrupt the good, than for the good to convert the bad; it is eaſier to rundown the hill with company, than to run up the hill alone.

I would deſire all young men p. 330often to remember that ſaying of Lactantius (Qui malum imitatur, bonus eſſe non poteſt) hee who imitates the bad, cannot bee good. Young men, in theſe profeſſing times, ſtand between good and bad examples, as Hercules in his dream ſtood between vertue and vice. Solicited by both, chuſe you muſt who to follow. Oh that you were all ſo wiſe as to follow the beſt; as a woman that hath many ſutors is very carefull to take the beſt; ſo ſhould you, life, Heaven, happineſſe, eternity hangs upon it.

But before I come to the ſecond anſwer, Sin is bad in the eye, worſer in the tongue, worſer in the heart, but worſt of all in the life; and that becauſe it then indangers other mens ſouls, as well as a mans own.let mee leave this note or notion with thoſe who make no conſcience of undoing others by their examples, viz. That a more grievous puniſhment is reſerved for them who cauſe others to offend, than for them which ſin by their occaſion, or example. Thus the Serpent was puniſhed more than Eve, and Eve more than Adam, p. 331So Jezabel felt a greater and ſorer Judgement than Ahab. To ſin (ſaith one) hath not ſo much perdition in it, as to cauſe others to ſin. Friends, you have ſins enough of your own to make you for ever miſerable, why ſhould you by giving bad examples to others, make your ſelves far more miſerable? the loweſt, the darkeſt, the hotteſt place in hell, will bee for them that have drawn others thither by their example. Mar. 23.15Dives knew, that if his Brethren were damn'd, hee ſhould bee double damned, Luk. 16, 28.Luke 16:28becauſe hee had largely contributed to the bringing of them to hell by his wicked example; and therefore hee deſires that they might bee kept out of hell (not out of any love, or good will to them) but becauſe their coming thither would have made his hell more hot, his torments more inſufferable; But

Secondly, I anſwer, if you ſin with others; you ſhall ſuffer with others; if you will partake of other p. 332mens ſins, Rev. 18.4. Non minus ardebit, qui cum multis ardebit. Auguſt. Hee burns no leſſe, that burns with company. Gen. 6. Gen. 19.Rev 18:4Gen 6Gen 19you ſhall alſo partake of other mens plagues They that have been (like Simeon and Levi) brethren in iniquity, they ſhall bee brethren in miſery; they that have ſinned together impenitently, ſhall bee ſent to hell jointly, they ſhall periſh together eternally. If you will needs bee companions with others in their ſins, you ſhall bee ſure to bee companions with them in their ſorrows. The old world ſin together, and are drowned together; the Sodomites burning in luſts together, were burnt with fire and brimſtone together, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, they ſin together, they murmure and provoke the Lord together, Numb. 16.26, — 34.Num 16:26and the earth opens her mouth, and ſwallows them up together. Exod. 14.Exod 14Pharaoh and his hoſts purſue Iſrael together, Numb. 25.Num 25and they are drowned in the Sea together. Zimri and Cozbi commit folly, uncleanneſs together, and Phineas ſtabs them both together. The Hebrew p. 333Doctors have a very pretty parable to this purpoſe; A man planted an Orchard, and going from home, was careful to leave ſuch watch-men as might both keep it from ſtrangers, and not deceive him themſelves; therefore hee appointed one blinde, but ſtrong of his limbs, and the other ſeeing, but a cripple. Theſe two in their Maſters abſence conſpired together, and the blind took the lame on his ſhoulders, and ſo gathered the fruit, their Maſter returning and finding out their ſubtilty puniſhed them both together; ſo will Juſtice deal with you at laſt, who ſin with others; therefore take heed young men of doing as others do. But

Thirdly, I anſwer, you muſt not live by examples, but by precepts; you are not to look ſo much at what others do, Obedientia non diſcutit Dei mandata, ſed facit. Proſper.as at what God requires you to do, Exod. 23.2. Thou ſhalt not follow a multitude to do evil, neither ſhalt p. 334thou ſpeak in a cauſe to decline after many to wreſt judgement, Rom. 12.2. faſhion not your ſelves like unto this world, that is, do not faſhion and conform your ſelves to the corrupt cuſtomes and courſes of wretched worldlings, who have made gold their God, and gain their glory; the running croſſe to a divine command, coſt the young Prophet his life; (though hee did it under pretence of Revelation from God) as you may ſee in that ſad ſtory, 1 King. 13. ch. &c. (Non parentum, aut majorum authoritas, ſed Dei docentis imperium) the command of God muſt out-weigh all authority and example of men. Jerome.And wee muſt bee as careful in the keeping of a light commandement, as an heavy commandement: ſaith a Rabby, Divine commands muſt bee obeyed againſt all contrary reaſonings, wranglings, and examples. Auſtin brings in ſome excuſing their complyance with the ſinful p. 335cuſtomes and examples of thoſe times in drinking healths, The complaint is antient in Seneca, that commonly men live not ad rationem, but ad ſimilitudinem. Seneca de vita beata. c. 1.thus. Great perſonages urged it, and it was at the Kings banquet where they judged of loyalty by luxury, and put us upon this election, drink, or die, the not drinking of a health had been our death; hee gives this anſwer, that God who ſees that for love to him, and his commands, thou wouldeſt not conform to their drunken cuſtomes, will give thee favour in their eyes, who thus threatneth thee to drink.

Ah young men! you that dote ſo much upon examples now, will finde that a ſtinging, terrifying queſtion, when put home by God, or conſcience, who hath required theſe things at your hands? Iſa. 1, 12. But

Fourthly, I anſwer, company and allurements to ſin, will bee found no ſufficient excuſe for ſin. If Eve lay her fault on the Serpent, Gen. 3.Gen 3and Adam lay his on Eve, God will take it off, and lay the curſe p. 336on both. Sauls provocation by the people (and by Samuels long ſtay) to offer Sacrifice would not bear him out, 1 Sam. 15.14, 15, 26, 27.1 Sam 15:141 Sam 15:151 Sam 15:261 Sam 15:27but for his diſobedience hee muſt loſe both his Crown, and life. The young man in the Proverbs, Pro. 7.14, 15, 21.Prov 7:14Prov 7:15Prov 7:21though tempted and ſolicited by the Harlot, yet hath a dart ſtruck thorough his heart; though Jonah did plead Gods gracious inclinations to ſhew mercy, and his fear of being diſproved, yea and though hee might have pleaded his fear of cruel and ſavage uſage from the Ninevites, (whoſe hearts were deſperately ſet upon wickedneſſe) And his deſpair of ever doing good upon a people ſo blinded, and hardened; and that they were Gentiles, and hee a Jew, and why ſhould hee then be ſent with ſo ſtrange, ſo terrible a meſſage, to ſuch a people, nothing being more hateful and diſtaſteful to a Jewiſh Palate? but all theſe pleas and excuſes will not bear off the blow; Jonah muſt p. 337into the Sea for all this, Oculos quos peccatum claudit, paena apperit. Gre. The eyes that ſin ſhuts, affliction opens, and Jonab found it ſo.yea hee muſt to the bottom of hell, as himſelf phraſes it; it is in vain for the bird to complaine, that it ſaw the corn, but not the pitfall, or for a fiſh to plead, it ſaw the bait, but not the hook. So it will bee in vain for ſinners at laſt, when they are taken in an infernal pit-fall, to plead company and allurements by which they have been intiſed to undo their ſouls for ever.

Dionyſius the Sicilian King, to excuſe himſelf from the preſent delivery of the golden garment hee took from his God Apollo, anſwered, that ſuch a robe as that was, could not bee at any ſeaſon of the year uſeful to his god, for it would not keep him warm in the winter, and it was too heavy for the ſummer, and ſo put off his Idol god; but the God of ſpirits, the God of all fleſh, will not bee put off with any excuſes or pretences, when hee ſhall try and judge the children of men: But

p. 338Fifthly and laſtly, Mat. 18.7.Matt 18:7I anſwer, that it is a very great judgement to bee given up to follow evil examples: a man given up to evil examples, is a man ſadly left of God, wofully blinded by Satan, and deſperately hardened in ſin; it ſpeaks a man ripe for wrath, for ruine, for hell, Jer. 6.21. **This particle Behold is ſometimes a note of deriſion, Gen. 3.22. 2 A Note of Attention often, Iſa. 28.6. Mal. 1.1. Luk. 1.20. 3 A Note of Admiration often. 4 A Note of Aſſeveration. 5 A Note of Caſtigation, in all theſe ſenſes we may take it here.Gen 3:22Gen 3:2Isa 28:6Mal 1:1Luke 1:20Luke 1:3Behold, I will lay ſtumbling blocks before this people, and the Fathers and the Sons together ſhall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend ſhall periſh. Oh! it is a dreadful thing when God ſhall make the ſinful examples of others to bee ſtumbling blocks to a people, at which they ſhall ſtumble, and fall, and periſh for ever; good had it been for ſuch perſons, that they had never been born, as Chriſt once ſpake concerning Judas. The Rhodians and Lydians enacted ſeveral Laws, that thoſe ſons which followed not their Fathers in their vertues, Varro.but followed vicious examples, ſhould bee diſ-inherited, p. 339and their lands given to the moſt vertuous of that race, not admitting any impious heir whatſoever to inherit; and do you think that God will not diſinherit all thoſe of Heaven, and happineſſe, who follow vicious examples! doubtleſſe hee will, 1 Cor. 10.5,—12.

The fifth and laſt Objection (I ſhall mention) is this, God is a God of mercy, in him are bowels of mercy; yea a Sea, an Ocean of mercy; hee loves mercy, hee delights in mercy, and hee is ready to ſhew mercy to poor ſinners, when they are even at the laſt caſt, when there is but a ſhort ſtride between them and the grave, between them and eternity; as wee ſee in his extending mercy to the Theef, and in his giving a pardon into his hand, and the aſſurance of Paradiſe into his boſome, when hee was ready to be turned off the Ladder of life; and therefore I may ſpend the Prim-roſe of my daies in following ſin, and the delights, p. 340profits, vanities, and contents of this world, and at laſt caſt, I may have mercy as well as the Theef. God is a God made up of mercy, and ſurely hee will not deny ſome crums of mercy to a poor ſinner in miſery, &c.

Now to this Objection I ſhall give theſe following anſwers.

Firſt, God is as juſt as hee is merciful, witneſſe his caſting the Angels out of Heaven, and Adam out of Paradiſe, God is as well all hand to puniſh, as hee is all grace to pardon.witneſſe all the threatnings, the curſes, the woes, that the Bible is filled with, from one end, to the other; witneſſe the hell, the horrour, the terrour and amazement that hee raiſes in the conſciences of ſinners; witneſſe the devaſtations that hee hath made of the moſt ſtately flouriſhing Towns, Cities, Countries and Kingdomes, that have been in all the world; witneſſe the variety of diſeaſes, calamities, miſeries, dangers, deaths, and hells, that alwaies attends the inhabitants of the world; but above p. 341all witneſs Chriſts treading the Wine-preſs of his fathers wrath; witneſs his hiding his face from him, and the pouring out of all his diſpleaſure, and vengeance upon him.

Zaleucus the Locrenſian Lawgiver, Valerius lib. 6. cap. 5thruſt out one of his own ſons eyes, for his tranſgreſſing of a wholeſome Law, which hee had enacted, but God the father thruſt out both Chriſts eys for our tranſgreſſing of his royal Law; Oh! the juſtice & ſeverity of God. But

Secondly, I Anſwer, that there is not a greater evidence of blindneſs, prophaneneſſe, hard-heartedneſs, ſpiritual madneſs, and helliſh deſperateneſs in all the World, than to make that an Argument, an incouragement, to ſin (viz. the mercy of God) which ſhould be the greateſt Argument under heaven, to keep a man from Sin, as all know that have but read the ſcripture; neither are there any Sinners in the World, that God delights to p. 342rain Hell out of Heaven upon, Read Iſa. 22 12, 13, 14, 15 and Ezek. 24.11, 12, 13, 14Isa 22:12Isa 22:13Isa 22:14Isa 22:15Ezek 24:11Ezek 24:12Ezek 24:13Ezek 24:14as upon ſuch, who by their abuſe of mercy, turns the God of mercy, into a God of cl…ts, and goes on out-daring juſtice it ſelf, Deut. 29.19, 20. And it come to paſs, when he heareth the words of this curſe, that he bleſs himſelf in his heart, ſaying, I ſhall have Peace (God is a God of mercy) though I walk in the imagination of my heart, to adde drunkenneſs to thirſt: The Lord will not ſpare him, but then the Anger of the Lord, and his jealouſy, ſhall ſmoak againſt that man, and all the Curſes that are written in this book ſhall lye upon him, and the Lord ſhall blot out his name from under heaven. In theſe words you may obſerve, that God is abſolute in threatning, to ſhew that he will bee reſolute in puniſhing, Pſal. 11.5, A lover of Iniquity is a liver in Iniquity upon choice.6. The wicked, and him that loveth iniquity; doth his ſoul hate. Upon the wicked he ſhall rain ſnares, fire and brimſtone, and an horrible tempeſt, this ſhall be the portion of their cup.

p. 343Ah! That all poor ſinners would make theſe two Scriptures their companions, their conſtant bed-fellows, till they are got above that ſad temptation of turning the mercy of God into an incouragement to ſin.

Whilſt Milo Crotoniates was tearing a ſunder the ſtock of an Oake, his ſtrength failing him, the clift ſuddenly cloſing, was held ſo faſt by the hands, that he became a prey to the beaſts of the field; All the abuſers of mercy will certainly, and ſuddenly, become a prey to the juſtice of God, that will rent and tear them in peices as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks, Pſal. 50.22. Wo, wo, to that ſoul that fights againſt God with his own mercies, that will bee bad, becauſe hee is good; that will be ſinful, becauſe he is merciful; that will turn all the kindneſſes of God (that ſhould bee as ſo many ſilver cords, to tye him to love and obedience) into arrows, and ſo ſhoot them back into the p. 344heart of God. Abuſed mercy will at laſt turn into a Lyon, a fierce Lyon; and then wo to the abuſers and deſpiſers of it. But

Thirdly, In Anſwer, to that part of the Objection, concerning the Thief on the Croſs, I offer theſe things briefly to your thoughts.

Firſt, Exemplum latronis ſervati eſt admirandum, non imitandumThat as one was ſaved to teach Sinners, not to deſpair, ſo another was damned to teach them not to preſume. A pardon is ſometimes given to one upon the Gallows, but who ſo truſts to that, the rope may be his hire, it is not good (ſaith one) to put it upon the Pſalm of miſerere, and the neck verſe; for ſometimes hee proves no Clerk, and ſo hangs for it.

Secondly, It is an example without a promiſe, here is an example of late repentance, but where is there a promiſe of late repentance.

Oh! Let not his late and ſudden converſion, be to thee a p. 345temptation, till thou haſt found a promiſe for late and ſudden converſion; it is not examples, but promiſes that are foundations for faith to reſt on; he that walks by an example of mercy, without a precept to guide him, and a promiſe to ſupport him, walks but by a dark Lanthorn, that will deceive him: well young man remember this, examples of mercy increaſe wrath, when the heart is not bettered by them; But

Thirdly, This was a rare miracle of mercy, with the glory wherof Chriſt did honour the ignominy of his Croſs, and therfore wee may as well look for another crucifying of Chriſt, as look for a ſinners converſion, when he hath ſcarce time enough to reckon up, all thoſe particular duties, which make up the integrity of its conſtitution. But

Fourthly, I Anſwer, This Theif knew not Chriſt before, he had not refuſed, neglected, nor p. 346ſlighted Chriſt before; the Sermon on the Croſs was the firſt Sermon that ever he heard Chriſt preach, and Chriſts prayer on the Croſs, was the firſt prayer that ever he heard Chriſt make; he knew not Chriſt till hee met him on the Croſs (which proved to him a happy meeting) his caſe was as if a Turk, or Heathen, ſhould now be converted to the faith, and therefore thou haſt little reaſon; O young man, to plead this example to keep Chriſt, and thy ſoul aſunder, who art every day under the call, the intreaties and wooings of Chriſt. But

Fifthly, and Laſtly, I Anſwer, The circumſtances of time, and place, are rightly to be conſidered; Now when Chriſt was triumphing on the Croſs over ſin, ſatan, and the world, when he had made the devils a publik ſpectacle of ſcorn and deriſion, when hee was taking his leave of the world, and entering into his glory; Now hee puts a pardon into the Theifs p. 347hand, and crouds other favours and kindneſſes upon him.

As in the Roman Triumphs, the Victor being aſcended up to the Capitol in a Chariot of ſtate, uſed to caſt certain peeces of coyn among the people for them to pick up, which hee uſed not to do at other times; So our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in the day of his Triumph, and ſolemn inauguration into his heavenly kingdome, ſcatters ſome heavenly jewels that this Theif might pick up; which he doth not, nor will not do every day; Or as in theſe days it is uſual with Princes to ſave ſome notorious malefactors at their coronation, when they enter upon their kingdomes in Triumph, which they do not uſe to do afterwards; So did Jeſus Chriſt carry it toward this Thief; but this is not his ordinary way of ſaving and bringing ſouls to glory, and therefore do not O young man, let not the Thiefs late converſion, prove p. 348a temptation, or an occaſion of thy delaying thy repentance, and trifling away the primeroſe of thy dayes in vanity and folly; And thus much may ſuffice to have ſpoken, by way of Anſwer, to the Young mans Objections.