Londons Lamentation, Part 1 (6 of 7)

Londons Lamentation · Part 1 (6 of 7)

p. 192Ninthly, Are there no burnt Citizens, who to gain the 9world, do very eaſily and frequently fall down before the temptations of the world? And what dos this ſpeak out, but their inordinate love to the world. That man who is as Numb. 22. 15. to 23. Joſh. 7. 20, 21, 22. Jude 11.Num 22:15–23Josh 7:20Josh 7:21Josh 7:22Jude 1:11ſoon conquered as tempted, vanquiſhed as aſſaulted by the world, that man is doubtleſs in love with the world; yea, bewitcht by the world The Champions could not wring an Apple out of Milo's hand by ſtrong hand, but a fair Maid by fair means got it preſently. The eaſie conqueſts that the temptations of the world, make upon many men, is a fair and a full evidence, that their hearts are greatly endeared to it. Luther was a man weaned from the world; and therefore when honours, preferments and riches were offered to him, he deſpiſed them. So when Baſil was tempted with money and preferment, he anſwered, The faſhion of this world paſſeth away, as the waters of a River that runs by a City, or as Baſil in 40. Martyrs. In Queen Maries time, when ſome offered a certain Martyr money, he refuſed it, ſaying I am going to a Countrey, where money will bear no price.a fair picture drawn upon the Ice that melts away with it. (Pecuniam da quae permaneat, &c.) Give money (ſaid he) that may laſt for ever, and glory that may eternally flouriſh. I have read of a mortified Chriſtian, who being tempted with of fers of money, to deſert his Religion, gave this excellent anſwer, Let not any think that he will embrace other mens goods to forſake Chriſt, who hath forſaken his own proper goods to follow Chriſt. It was an excellent anſwer of one of the Martyrs, when he was offered riches and honours if he would recant, p. 193Do but offer me ſomewhat that is better than my Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and you ſhall ſee what I will ſay to you. Thus you ſee that men that are crucified to this world, don't only reſiſt, but alſo triumph over all the glittering temptations of a tempting and enticing world. And O that ſuch a ſpiri… might reſt upon all thoſe whoſe habitations are laid deſolate. But,

Tenthly and laſtly, Are there no burnt C…t…zens, who go 10to the utmoſt of their line and liberty for the gaining of the …hings of this world? Ah how near the Pits brink, how near the borders of ſin, how near the flames of vengeance, how near the infernal fire, do many venture to gain the things o… this world? And what dos this ſpeak out, but an inordina… love of this world. O Sirs, what do all theſe things evidence but this, that though God has fired many men out o… their houſes, yet the inordinate love of this world is not fired out of their hearts.

O Sirs, to moderate your affections to the things of this world, and to put a ſtop to your too eager purſuit after earthly things, ſeriouſly and frequently dwell upon th…ſe te… Maxims.

Firſt, That the ſhorteſt, ſureſt and ſafeſt way to be rich, is 1to be content with your preſent portion. The Philoſopher Eccleſ. 5. 12.Eccl 5:12could ſay, He that is content wants nothing; and he that wants content, enjoyes nothing.

One might have riches yet be very poor,

One might have little, yet have all and more.

S…condly, He who is contented with a little, will never 2be ſatisfied with much: he who is not content with pounds Much Treaſure ſtoppeth not a Miſers mouth, ſaith the Proverb.will never be ſatisfied with hundreds; and he who is not content with a few hundreds, will never be ſatisfied with many thouſands. Eccleſ. 5. 10. He that loveth ſilver, ſhall not be ſatisfied with ſilver; nor be that loveth abundance with increaſe. Money of it ſelf cannot ſatisfie any deſire of Nature. If a man be hungry, it cannot feed him; if naked, it cannot clothe him; if cold, it cannot warm him; if ſick, it cannot p. 194recover him. A circle cannot fill a triangle, no more can the whole world fill the heart of man. A man may as ſoon fill a Cheſt with Grace, as an heart with wealth. The ſoul of man may be buſied about earthly things, but it can never be filled, nor ſatisfied with earthly things. Air ſhall as ſoon fill the body, as money ſhall ſatisfie the mind. There is many a worldling, who hath enough of the world to ſink him, who will never have enough of the world to ſatisfie him. The more an hydropical man drinketh, the more he thirſteth. So the more money is encreaſed, the more the love of money is encreaſed; and the more the love of mony is encreaſed, the more the ſoul is unſatisfied. 'Tis only an infinite God, and an infinite good, that can fill and ſatisfie the Gen. 15. 1.Gen 15:1precious and immortal ſoul of man. Look as nothing fits the ear but ſounds, and as nothing fits the ſmell but odours, ſo nothing fits the ſoul but God. Nothing below the great God can fit and fill animmortal ſoul. Nothing can content the ſoul of man but the fruition of God. God never reſted till he Nature hath taught all men to ſeek after a ſummum bo…um.made man; and man can never reſt, till he enjoyes his God. Every man has a ſoul within him of a vaſt capacity, and nothing can fill it to the brim, but he thats fulneſs it ſelf. Should we knock at every creatures door for happineſs, they would all anſwer us round, that it is not in them. The man in Plutarch that heard the Philoſophers wrangle about ſummum bonum; one placing of it in this, and another in that, went to the Market and bought up all that was good, hopeing among all he ſhould not miſs of happineſs; and yet he miſt of it. The ſoul of man is of ſo glorious a make, that nothing below him that made it, can ſatisfie it. The ſumm of all that the creatures amount to according to Solomons reckoning, is vanity and vexation of Spirit. Vanity and vexation is the very quinteſcence of the creature, and all that can poſſibly be extracted out of it. Now if vanity can ſatisfie, or if vexation can give content; if you can gather Grapes of Thorns, or Figs of Thiſtles, than go on and dote upon the world ſtill; and be alwayes enamoured with a ſhadow of periſhing beauty. Oramuzes the Enchanter boaſted, that in his Egg all the happineſs in the world was included, p. 195but being broken, there was nothing in it but wind and emptineſs. But,

Thirdly, 'Tis infinitely better to have much of God, of 3Chriſt, of the Spirit, of Holineſs, and of Heaven in our hearts with a little of the world in our hands, than to have much 2 Cor. 6. 10.2 Cor 6:10of the world in our hands, and but a little of God and Chr…ſt in our hearts. 'Tis infinitely better to be rich towards G…d and poor towards the world, than to be poor towards God, and to be rich towards the world. There are ſome very Eccleſ. 5. 12. Prov. 11. 24.Eccl 5:12Prov 11:24rich, who yet are very poor; there are others who are very poor, and yet are very rich. 'Tis infinitely better to be poor men and rich Chriſtians, than to be rich men, and poor Chriſtians. But,

Fourthly, The beſt and ſureſt way under Heaven to gain 4much of the world, is to mind the world leſs, and God, and Chriſt, and Grace, and Heaven more. 1 Kings 3. 9. Give therefore thy ſervant an underſtanding heart, to judge thy people, that I may diſcern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy ſo great a people? Ver. 10. And the Speech pleaſed the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Ver. 11. And God ſaid unto him, becauſe thou haſt asked this thing, and haſt not asked for thy ſelf long life: neither haſt asked riches for thy ſelf, nor haſt asked the life of thine enemies, but haſt asked for thy ſelf underſtanding to diſcern judgement. ver. 12. Behold, I have done according to thy words: Lo, I have given thee a wiſe and an underſtanding heart, ſo that there was none like thee before thee; neither after thee, ſhall any ariſe like unto thee. v. 13. And I have alſo given thee that which thou haſt not asked, both riches and honours: ſo that there ſhall not be any among the Kings like unto thee, all thy dayes. This is more generally and fully expreſſed in 2 Chron. 1. 12. Wiſdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, ſuch as none of the Kings have had before thee, neither ſhall there any after thee have the like. Solomon deſired wiſdom of the Lord, and the Lord granted him his deſire, and caſt in riches, and wealth, and honour as an over▪plus, which he did not ſo much as once deſire. God won't be wanting to them in Temporals, who in their deſires and prayers, are p. 196moſt carried out after ſpirituals. Matth. 6. 33. Firſt ſeek the The ſhorter cut to riches, is by their contempt: it is great riches not to deſire riches, and he hath moſt, that covers leaſt; ſaith Socrates and Seneca.Kingdom of God, and his righteouſneſs, and all theſe things ſhall he added to you, or over-added. He who before all, and above all other things ſeeks Grace and Glory, ſhall have the things of this world caſt in as an over-plus, as a handful to the ſack of grain; or as inch of meaſure to an Ell of Cloath; or as paper and pack-thred is given into the bargain, 1 Tim. 4 8. Godlineſs is profitable unto all things, having the promiſe of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. There is Earth as well as Heaven: Bread as well as Grace; and Rayment as well as Righteouſneſs; and the lower ſprings as well as …e upper ſprings to be ſound in the precious promiſes. Abraham, 2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4and Iſaac, and Jacob, and Joſeph, and Job, and Nehemiah, and Mordicai, and David, and Hezekiah, and Joſiah, and Jehoſaphat, and Daniel, and the three Children, (or rather Champions) made it their buſineſs to be holy, to walk with God, to maintain communion with God, and to exalt and glorifie God: and you know how the Lord heaped up the good things, and the great things of this world upon them. I verily believe, if men were more holy, they would be more outwardly happy; if they did but more ſeriouſly and earneſtly preſs after the great things of that upper world, the Lord would more abundantly caſt in the things of this lower world upon them. But when men are immoderately carryed out in ſeeking after the great things of this world; 'tis juſt with God to blaſt their endeavours, and to curſe their mercies to them, Jer. 45. 5. Mal. 2. 2. But,

Fifthly, 'Tis better to get a little of the world, than to get much of the world; 'tis better to get a little of the 5world juſtly and honeſtly, than to get much of the world unjuſtly and diſhoneſtly. A little of the world bleſt, is better than much of the world curſt. Solomons Dinner of Gen. 22. Prov. 3. 33. Chap. 15. 17. Dan. 1.Gen 22Prov 3:33Dan 1green Hearbs, Daniels Pulſe, Barly Loaves, and a few Fiſhes, and Johns rough Garment bleſt, are better and greater mercies, than Dives his Riches, Purple Robes, and dainty fare curſt. But,

Sixthly, The greateſt outward gain cannot counter-vail 6the leaſt ſpiritual loſs. Be it but a dram of Grace, o… … p. 197Pſal. 30. 6, 7.Ps 30:6Ps 30:7caſt of Gods countenance, or an hours communion with him, &c. Suppoſe a man could heap up S…lver as the duſt, Job 22. 24. Chap. 27. 16. Matth. 4.Job 22:24Matt 4and Gold as the ſtreams of the Brook, that he could gain as much as the Devil promiſed Chriſt, viz. all the Kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, yet all theſe could not make up the leaſt ſpiritual loſs. He that ſhall exchange the leaſt ſpiritual favour for the greateſt outward good, ſhall but with Glaucus and Diomedes exchange Gold for Copper; he ſhall with the Cock in the Fable, part with a Pearl for a B…rley Corn. Chryſoſtom compareth ſuch to workers in Mines, who for a little wages, do alwayes hazard, and ſometimes loſe their lives. Menot a French Preacher compareth them to a Huntſ-man, that ſpoileth a Horſe worth many pounds, in purſuit of a Hare not worth ſo many pence. Pare… compares them to a man that with much ado winneth Venice, and as ſoon as it is won, is hanged up at the Gates of the City. When ſuch a one ſhall at laſt compute what he hath gained and what he hath loſt, he will certainly conclude that he hath but a miſerable bargain of it. But,

The ſeventh Maxim is this, viz. A little that a righteous 7man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked; the Pſalm 37. 16.Ps 37:16righteous mans mite, is better than the wicked mans millions. A little, that is a competent and mean portion, though yet but very little: one little piece of Gold is more worth, than a bagg of Counters: one little Box of Pearls, is more worth, than many loads of P…bbles. And ſo a little that a righteous man hath, is better than the abundance of the wicked: Is better than the riches of many wicked. Hamon which is the word here uſed, is from Hamah which ſignifies multitude of riches, or great plenty, or ſtore of riches: from this Hebrew word Hamon, Riches are called Mammon. The Luke 16. 9, 11, 13.Luke 16:9Luke 16:11Luke 16:13little that the righteous man hath, is better than the multitude or ſtore of riches that the wicked have. Out of theſe words, you may obſerve theſe following particulars.

1. Here is the righteous mans portion, and the wicked mans portion as to this world; the righteous man hath but little, the wicked has much.

p. 1982. The righteous man hath but little, but the wicked has riches.

3. The righteous mans little is a better portion than the riches of the wicked.

4. The righteous mans little is better than the multitude of riches that the wicked have.

5. The righteous mans little is better than the multitude of riches that many wicked men enjoy. Now for their ſakes who have been burnt up, and have but little of the world left them, I ſhall make good this bleſſed truth by an induction of theſe eleven particulars.

Firſt, The righteous man hath a better tenure …o this little, 1than wicked men have to their multitude of riches. The righteous man holds his Tenure, by vertue of his marriage union with Chriſt, who is the heir of all things. We had an Heb. 1. 2.Heb 1:2equal right in the firſt Adam to all the good things of this world; but in his fall, we loſt our original right to the good things of this world. But now the righteous man by the ſecond Adam has recovered his right to all he enjoyes. Rom 8. 32. How ſhall he not with him a ſo freely give us all things? 1 Cor. 3. 21. All things are yours. v. 22. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things preſent, or things to come, all are yours. But how come they to be intereſted in this large Char…er? the Apoſtle anſwers it in ver. 23. Ye are Chriſts, and Chriſt is Gods. All comes to us by Jeſus Chriſt. All the Corn in Egypt came through Joſephs Gen. 41.Gen 41hands. So all we have, be it little or much, we have i… through Chriſts hands upon the account of our marriage union with Chriſt. We may ſay as Hamar and Sechem ſaid to their people, Shall not all their Cattel, and ſubſtance, and Gen. 34. 23.Gen 34:23every beaſt of the field be ours? So being married to Chriſt, and become one with him, all comes to be ours, through him who is the heir of all. By vertue of our marriage union with Chriſt, our title to the creatures is not only reſtored, but ſtrengthened. That little we have, is entailed upon us by Chriſt, in a more firm and b…tter way than ever. In the firſt Adam our Tenure was lower, and meaner, and baſer, and uncertainer, than now it is: for our Title, our Tenure by p. 199Chriſt is more honourable, and ſtronger, and ſweeter, and laſtinger, than ever it was before. For now we hold all we have in Capite, Chriſt is our head, and husband, and by him we hold all we have. But now wicked men by the fall of Adam have loſt their Original Patent and Charter which once they had to ſhew for the things of this life. By Adams fall they have forfeited Gods primitive donation of all right in the creatures, every wicked man in the world has forfeited his right to the creatures in Adam, and lies under that forfeiture. But to the glory of divine patience be it ſpoken, God has not ſued out his forfeiture, God has not brought a Writ of ejection againſt him; and by this means he comes to be lawfully poſſeſſed of thoſe earthly bleſſings he dos enjoy. As a Fellon though he hath forfeited his life and eſtate to the Kings Juſtice, and is ſtill ſubject to ejection at the Kings pleaſure, yet while the King forbears him, his poſſeſſion is good and lawful, and no man may diſturb him. Wicked men are lawful owners and poſſeſſors of the good things God hath given them, Numb. 22. 30. Am not I thine Aſs? Whence you may obſerve.

1. That the ſillieſt and ſimpleſt being wronged, may juſtly ſpeak in their own defence.

2. That they who have done many good Offices and fail in one, are often not only unrewarded for former ſervices, but puniſhed for that one offence.

3. That when the creatures formerly officious to ſerve us, ſtart from their former obedience, man ought to reflect upon his own ſin, as the ſole cauſe thereof.

4. That the worſt men have good title to their own Conſult theſe Scriptures. Deut. 32. 8. Acts 17. 26. Luke 3. 14.Deut 32:8Acts 17:26Luke 3:14goods. For though Balaam was a Sorcerer, yet the Aſs confeſſeth twice, that he was his Aſs. Luke 12. 33. Sell and give, are words of propriety. And God hath ſet the eighth Commandment as a hedge, as a fence to every mans poſſeſſion. Dan. 4. 17. This matter is by the Decree of the Watchers; and the demand by the word of the Holy Ones, to the intent that the living may know, that the Moſt High ruleth in the Kingdoms of men, and giveth it to whomſoever he will, and ſetteth up over it the baſeſt of men. He that gave p. 200Canaan to Jacob, gave Mount-Seir to Eſau, and did not Jacob Gen. 23. 3. 4, 5, 9. Gen. 42. 3, 5.Gen 23:3Gen 23:4Gen 23:5Gen 23:9Gen 42:3Gen 42:5buy a burying place of the Sons of H…h, and did he not buy Corn of the Egyptians? by all which, they did acknowledge, that thoſe wicked men and Idolaters had a lawful Title to thoſe temporal bleſſings that they did enjoy. Now mark, God as he is the God of Nature, by common Providence allo…s to wicked men their lawful poſſeſſions: and this is the beſt Tenure they hold by. O b…t now that little that a child of God has, …he holds it by a more glor…ous tenure, and honourable Title; and ther…fore his m…te is b…ter than a wicked mans millions. But,

Secondly, That little a righteous man hath, he hath 2th…ough the Covenant, and through precious promiſes. Now 2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4a little mercy reacht out to a man through the Covenant, and as a fruit of the promiſe, is more worth, than a world of bleſſings, that flow in upon a man meerly by a gen…r…l Providence. There are no mercies ſo ſweet, ſo ſure, ſo firm, ſo laſting, as thoſe that flow in upon us through the Covenant of Grace. O this ſweetens every drop, and ſip, and cruſt, and crum of mercy that a godly man enjoyes. All the paths Pſalm 25. 10.Ps 25:10of the Lord are mercy and truth, to ſuch as keep his Covenant. This is a ſweet promiſe, a precious promiſe, a ſoul ſatisfying promiſe, a promiſe more worth than all the riches of the Indies. Mark, all the paths of the Lord to his people, are not only mercy, but they are mercy and truth; that Conſult theſe Scriptures, Joſh. 23. 14, 15. 1 Tim. 4. 8.Josh 23:14Josh 23:151 Tim 4:8is, they are ſure mercies that ſtr…am in upon them through the Covenant. Well Sirs▪ you muſt remember this, viz. That the leaſt mercy, the leaſt bleſſing flowing in upon us through the promiſe, is more worth than a thouſand bleſſings that flow in upon us from a general Providence: the leaſt bleſſing flowing in upon us through the Cov…n…nt, is better than ten thouſand Talents, that are the meer products of a general Providence. For,

Firſt, Such as enjoy all they have, only from a general Providence, 1they enjoy their mercies from that common ſource or Pſalm 145. 15, 16.Ps 145:15Ps 145:16pring that feeds the Birds of the Air, and the beaſts of the Field. The ſame common bounty of God that feeds and clothes the wicked, feeds the Birds and Beaſts that periſh. But,

p. 201Secondly, There is no certainty of the continuance of ſuch 2mercies that are only the product of a common Providence. Iſa. 33. 16.Isa 33:16But now the mercies that flow in upon the Saints through the Covenant of Grace, they ſhall be ſure to us, ſo long as the Chap. 55. 3.continuance of them may be for our good and Gods glory. Now the leaſt mercies held by Covenant, are infinitely better than the greateſt riches in the world that only drop up on us out of the hand of a common Providence.

Thirdly, The Righteous man hath his little from the ſpecial 3love and favour of God. All his little flowes in upon Pſal. 146. 8. Prov. 15. 17.Ps 146:8Prov 15:17him from that very ſame love which moved the Lord to beſtow Chriſt upon him. All the righteous mans little is from the good will of him that dwelt in the Buſh: his little comes Deut. 33. 16.Deut 33:16from a reconciled God, as well as a bountiful God: from a tender Father, as well as a merciful Creator. A Dinner of Dan. 1. 12.Dan 1:12green Hearbs, Daniels Pulſe, Barley Loaves, a few Fiſhes, yea, Lazarus his ſcraps, cruſts and raggs, and Johns Garment of Camels hair, from reconciled love, is infinitely better than all the riches and dainties of the wicked, which are all mixed and mingled with croſſes and curſes. All the mercies and Prov. 3. 33. Mal. 2. 2. Pſal. 78. 30, 31.Prov 3:33Mal 2:2Ps 78:30Ps 78:31abundance that wicked men have, is in wrath, and from wrath: there is wrath in every cup they drink in, and in every diſh they eat in, and in every bed they lye on, and in every ſtool they ſit on. But the little the righteous man hath, flowes from the ſweeteſt ſprings of divine love: ſo that they may well ſay as Gideon did. The gleanings of the Grapes Judges 8. 2.Judg 8:2of Ephraim, is it not better than the Vintage of Abiezer. The very gleanings of the righteous are better than the greateſt Vintages of the wicked. The abundance of the wicked ſtill flowes in upon them from the bitter ſtreams of Divine Wrath. A little water flowing from a ſweet ſpring, is much better, than a great deal that flowes from the ſalt Sea. The loving kindneſs of God dos raiſe the leaſt eſtate above the greateſt eſtate in the world: yea, it raiſeth it above life it ſelf (or lives Chajim) which is the beſt of all temporal Pſalm 63. 3.Ps 63:3bleſſings. Ten pound given by a King out of favour and reſpect, is a better gift, than a thouſand given in wrath and diſpleaſure. But,

p. 202Fourthly, The little that the righteous man hath is bleſt 4and ſanctified to him; as you may ſee by comparing the Deut. 28. 8, 9. Pſalm 3. 8. Gen. 22. 17. Chap. 26. 12. Prov. 10. 22. Deut. 28. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Prov. 3. 33. Mal. 2. 2.Deut 28:8Deut 28:9Ps 3:8Gen 22:17Prov 10:22Deut 28:16Deut 28:17Deut 28:18Deut 28:19Deut 28:20Prov 3:33Mal 2:2Scriptures in the Margent together. A little bleſt unto a man, is better than all the world curſt. Now all the bleſſings and mercies that the wicked do enjoy, though they are matetially bleſſings, yet they are formally curſes: as all the croſſes that befalls a righteous man, though they are materially croſſes, yet they are formally bleſſings. The habitations, relations, honors, riches, &c. of the wicked are all cruſt unto them. There is poyſon in every cup the wicked man drinks, and ſnares in every diſh he puts his fingers in, the Plague in all the clothes he wears, and a curſe upon the houſe in which he dwells. Zech. 5. 3, 4. Then he ſaid unto me, this is the curſe that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that ſtealeth, ſhall be cut off as on this ſide, according to it, and every one that ſweareth, ſhall be cut off, as on that ſide, according to it. I will bring it forth, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, and it ſhall enter into the houſe of the Thief, and into the houſe of him that ſweareth falſly by my Name; and it ſhall remain in the midſt of his houſe, and ſhall conſume it, with the timber thereof, and the ſtones thereof. So Job 24. 18. Their portion is curſed in the earth. A fat purſe and a fat heart, a whole eſtate and a whole heart, a fat body and a lean ſoul. Pſal. 106. 15. He ſent leanneſs into their ſouls. All the bleſſings of the wicked have their but. As the Cup in Benjamins Sack, which proved a ſnare to him, rather than a mercy. O the curſes and vexations that attend all the bleſſings of the wicked! It may be ſaid of the little that a righteous man hath, as it was once ſaid of Jacobs Garment, It is like a field which the Lord hath bleſſed. He bleſſeth the habitations of the juſt. Eſau had Prov. 3. 33.Prov 3:33a fair eſtate left him, and Jacob a leſs, yet Jacobs was a better eſtate than Eſau's, becauſe his little was bleſt to him, when Eſau's much was curſt to him. One little draught of clear wat…r, is better than a Sea of brackiſh ſalt water. The application is eaſie. But,

Fifthly, A little improved and well husbanded, is better 5,than a great deal that is either not improved, or but ill improved. Every eſtate is as 'tis improved: a little Farm well p. 203improved, is much better than a great Farm, that is either not improved, or ill improved. A little money, a little ſtock in a Shop well improved, is better than a great deal of money, a great ſtock, that is either not improved, or ill improved. Now here give me leave to ſhew you briefly how a godly man improves his little. Take me thus.

Firſt, A godly man improves his little to the ſtirring up of 1his beart to thankfulneſs, and to be much in admiring and Pſalm 103. 1, 2, 3. Pſalm 116. 12, 13.Ps 103:1Ps 103:2Ps 103:3Ps 116:12Ps 116:13bleſſing of God for a little. Every drop the Dove drinks, he lifts up his head to Heaven. Every Bird in his kind (ſaith Ambroſe) doth chirp forth thankfulneſs to his Maker. So the righteous man will bleſs God much for a little; yea, he will bleſs God very much for a very little. But,

Secondly, A righteous man improves his little to the humbling 2and abaſing of himſelf before the Lord, as one that is 2 Sam. 7. 18.2 Sam 7:18much below the leaſt of mercies, Gen. 32. 10. I am not worthy of the leaſt of all the mercies which thou haſt ſhewed unto thy ſervant. A righteous man labours to have his heart lye low under the ſenſe of the leaſt ſin, and under the ſmart of the leaſt rod, and under the ſight of the leaſt mercy. But,

Thirdly, A righteous man improves his little to the arming 3and fencing of himſelf againſt ſinful temptations. Little Gen. 39. 7, 8, 9, 10.Gen 39:7Gen 39:8Gen 39:9Gen 39:10mercies are many times great arguments to keep a gracious ſoul from ſin. But,

Fourthly, A righteous man improves his little to the relief 4and refreſhing of the bowels of others that are in want, 2 Cor. 8. 1, 2, 3, 4. Heb. 6. 10.2 Cor 8:12 Cor 8:22 Cor 8:32 Cor 8:4Heb 6:10and whoſe pinching neceſſities call for ſupplyes. A poor man begging at a Chriſtians door who was very poor, he ſpoke to his Wife to give him ſomething; ſhe anſwered, that ſhe had but three-pence in the houſe: ſaith he, give him that, for if we never ſow, we ſhall never reap. There was another Chriſtian, who having given a little of his little to a man, began to think whether he had injured himſelf; but preſently he corrected himſelf with theſe thoughts, that he had lent … one, that would pay all again with advantage with intereſt upon intereſt: within an hour after he had it reſtored above ſeven-fold, in a way which he never thought of The Italian form of begging is, Do good for your ſelves. But,

p. 204Fifthly, A righteous man improves his little to the ſtirring 5up and provoking of his own heart to look after better and greater mercies, viz. ſpiritual and eternal favours. O ſaith the righteous man, if there be ſo much ſweetneſs in a few drops, and ſips, and ſmall draughts, and cruſts, and ſcraps? Pſal. 16. ult. Joh. 4. 10, 11. 14. Chap. 6. 4. Rev. 19. 8.Ps 16John 4:10John 4:11John 4:14Rev 19:8What is in thoſe everlaſting ſprings of pleaſure and delight, that be at Gods right hand? If there be ſo much pleaſantneſs in a piece of bread, and ſo much warmth in a courſe Suit of clothes, what ſweetneſs is there in the waters of life? and what pleaſantneſs is there in that bread of life that came down from Heaven? and what warmth is there in that fine Linnen that is the righteouſneſs of the Saints? &c. A righteous man looks upon his leaſt temporals, to be a ſtrong engagement upon him, to ſeek after eternals. But now Matth: 25.wicked men are ſo far from improving their much, their riches, their great riches, that they either hide their Talents, as that evil ſervant did his; or elſe they prove Jaylors to their mercies; and make them ſervants to their luſts, as pride, drunkenneſs, uncleanneſs, &c. Compare theſe Scriptures together, Job 21. 1.-10. Amos 6. 1.-7. Pſalm 73. Hoſ. 4. 7. Jer. 2. 31. Chap. 5. 7, 8, 9. Deut. 32. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. James 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. But,

Sixthly, The few mercies, the leaſt mercies that the righteous 6man hath, are pledges, and pawns, and an earneſt of more mercies, of better mercies, and of greater mercies, than any yet they do enjoy. Now a farthing given as an earneſt of a thouſand a year, is better than many pounds given as a preſent reward. Wicked men have outward bleſſings as their portion, their Heaven, their all. Son remember Pſalm 17. 14. Luke 16. 25.Ps 17:14Luke 16:25that thou in thy life time receivedſt thy good things. But now that little that a godly man hath, he has it as a pledge of Heaven, and as an earneſt of eternal favours and mercies. The little mercies the Saints enjoy, are doors of hope, to let in greater and better mercies: thoſe mercies a righteous man has, are but in-lets to further mercies. When R…el had a Son, ſhe called his name Joſeph, ſaying, the Lord ſhall add to me another Son. Every mercy that a righteous man enjoyes Gen. 30. 24.Gen 30:24may well be called Joſeph, becauſe 'tis a certain pledge of ſome p. 205further and greater mercy that is to be added to thoſe the righteous man already enjoyes. But,

Seventhly, The righteous man enjoyes his little with a 7great deal of comfort, peace, quiet and contentment: the righteous man with his little, ſits Noah like quiet and ſtill Phil. 4. 12, 13.Phil 4:12Phil 4:13in the midſt of all the hurries, diſtractions, combuſtions and confuſions that be in the world. Though the righteous Prov. 10. 22. Chap. 15. 16, 17.Prov 10:22man has but from hand to mouth, yet ſeeing that God feeds him from Heaven as it were with Manna, he is quiet and cheerful: but now wicked men have abundance of vexation with their worldly abundance: as you ſee in Haman, Eſther 5. 9, 11, 12. 13. Then went Haman forth that day joyfully and with a glad heart. But when Haman ſaw Mordicai in the If I had an enemy, ſaith Lat…mer, to whom I might lawfully wiſh evil, I would chiefly wiſh him great ſtore of riches; for then he ſhould never enjoy quiet.Kings gate, that he ſtood not up nor moved for him, he was full of indignation againſt Mordicai. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the King had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the Princes and ſervants of the King. Haman ſaid moreover, yea, Eſther the Queen did let no man come in with the King unto the Banquet that ſhe had prepared, but my ſelf; and to morrow am I invited unto her alſo with the King. Yet all this availeth me nothing, ſo long as I ſee Mordicai the Jew ſitting at the Kings gate. It is ſeldom ſeen, that God allows unto the greateſt darlings of the world a perfect contentment. Something they muſt have to complain of, that ſhall give an unſavoury verdure to their ſweeteſt morſels, and make their felicity miſerable. It was not ſimply Mordicais ſitting at the Kings gate, but Mordicais refuſing to ſtand up, or to move either Hat, head, or hand, or to bow any part of his body, that dampt all Hamans joy, and that filled him with rage and vexation of ſpirit. The want of little things, viz. a knee, a hat, will exceedingly vex and diſcompoſe an ambitious ſpirit. So Ahab, though a King, yet when he was ſick for Naboths Vineyard, his heart did more afflict and vex it ſelf with greedy longing for that bit of 1 Kings 21. 4.1 Kgs 21:4…arth, than the vaſt and ſpacious compaſs of a Kingdom could counter-comfort. And ſo Alexander the Great in the midſt of all his glory, he was exceedingly vexed and diſcontented, p. 206becauſe he could not make Ivy to grow in his Garden in …h…raulus a …oor man, was wearied out with care in keeping thoſe gr…at …i…hes which Cyrus had beſtowed upon him.Babylon. Contentment is a flower that dos not grow in Natures Garden. All the Honors, riches, pleaſures, profits and preferments of this world, can't yield a man one dayes contentment, they are all ſurrounded with briars and thorns. you look upon my Crown and my Purple Robes ſaid that great King Cyrus, but did you but know how they were lined with Thorns you would never ſtoop to take them up. Charles the Fifth Emperour of Germany, whom of all men the world judged moſt happy, cryed out at laſt with grief and deteſtation to all his honours, pleaſures, trophies, riches, Abite hinc, abite longe: Get you hence; let me hear no m…re of you. Who can ſumm up the many grievances, fears, jealouſies, diſgraces, interruptions, temptations and Oh how ſweet is it, to want …heſe bitter-ſweets.vexations that men meet with in their very purſuit after t…e things of this world. Riches are compared to thorns: and indeed all the comforts the wicked enjoy, they have more or leſs of the thorn in them. And indeed riches may well be called thorns; becauſe they pierce both head and heart: the one with care of getting, and the other with grief in parting with them. The world and all the glory thereof, is like a beautiful Harlot: a Paradiſe to the eye, but a Purgatory to the ſoul. A wicked man under all his enjoyments,

1. Enjoyes not the peace of his conſcience upon any juſt or ſolid grounds.

2. He enjoyes not the peace of contentment upon any ſober or righteous grounds. But now a righteous man with his little, enjoyes both peace of conſcience, and peace of contentment; and this makes every better ſweet, and every little ſweet to be exceeding ſweet. A diſh of green Hearbs with peace of conſcience, and peace of contentment, is a noble feaſt, a continual feaſt to a gracious ſoul. But,

Eighthly, the righteous man ſees God, and acknowledges 8God, and enjoyes God in his little. Look, as he that can't Job. 1. 21. Gen. 27. 28. Chap. 33. 10, 11.Job 1:21Gen 27:28ſee God in the leaſt affliction, in the leaſt judgement, will never be truly humbled; ſo he that can't ſee God in the leaſt mercy, will never be truly thankful, nor cheerful in every p. 207cruſt, crum, drop and …ip of mercy that a righteous man enjoyes, he ſees much of the love of his God, and the care of his God, and the wiſdom of his God, and the power of his God, and the faithfulneſs of his God, and the goodneſs of his God, in making the leaſt proviſion for him. I have read of the Jews, how that when they read the little Book of Eſther, they let fall the Book on the ground, and they give this reaſon for that Ceremony, becauſe the name of God is not to b… found in all that Hiſtory. So a righteous man is ready to le… that mercy drop out of his hand, out of his mouth wherein he can't read his God, and ſee his God, and taſte his God, and enjoy his God. But now wicked m…n may ſay, as Eliſha did in another caſe:

Here is the mantle of Elijah, but where is the God of Elijah? 2 Kings 2. 4.2 Kgs 2:4Here is abundance of riches, and honours, and dignities, &c. but where is the God of all theſe comforts?

But alas, they mind not God, they ſee not God, they acknowledge not God in all they have, in all they enjoy: as you may ſee, by comparing the Scriptures in the Margent together. Hoſ. 2. 5, 8, 9. Iſa. 1. 3, 4. Jer. 2. 6. Eſther 5. 10, 11, 12. Luke 12. 19.Hos 2:5Hos 2:8Hos 2:9Isa 1:3Isa 1:4Jer 2:6Esth 5:10Esth 5:11Esth 5:12Luke 12:19Wicked men are like the Horſe and the Mule, that drinks of the brook, but never think of the ſpring. They are like to the Swine that eats up the Maſt, but never looks to the Tree from whence the Maſt falls. They are like ſuch barren ground, that ſwallows up the ſeed, but returns nothing to the ſower. A dunghill ſpirited fellow in our dayes being by a neighbour excited to bleſs God for a rich crop of Corn he had ſtanding on his ground; Atheiſtically replyed, Thank God! Nay rather thank my Dung-Cart! I have read of a great Cardinal, who writing down in his Diary, what ſuch a Lord did for him, and how far ſuch a Prince favoured him, and what encouragement he had from ſuch a King; and how ſuch a Pope preferred him, but not one word of God in all. One reading of it, took his Pen and wrote underneath, here God did nothing. But,

Ninthly, The little the righteous man hath, is enough: 9enough to ſatisfie him, enough to content him, enough to Pſal. 23. 1, 2. Phil. 4. 12, 13. 1 Tim. 6. 6.Ps 23:1Ps 23:2Phil 4:12Phil 4:131 Tim 6:6bear his charges till he gets to Heaven. Gen. 33. 11. I have enough, ſaith Jacob to Eſau. Gen. 45. 28. And Iſrael ſaid, it is p. 208enough; Joſeph my Son is yet alive. Though the righteous man hath but little, yet he hath enough for his place and calling in which God has placed him, and enough for his charge, whether it be great or ſmall, he has enough to ſatisfie Prov. 30. 8.Prov 30:8nature, enough to preſerve natural life. Hagar is but for food If thou live …ccording to nature, thou wilt never be …oor, if accord…ng to opinion, …hou wilt ne…er be rich.convenient, convenient for his life, not for his luſts; he prayes for enough to ſatisfie neceſſity, convenience, not concupiſcence: he begs for Bread, not for Quails: he begs that na…ure may be ſuſtained, not pampered. Though it be true, that nothing will ſatisfie a wicked mans luſts; yet 'tis as true, that a little will ſatisfie nature, and leſs will ſatisfie Grace. Jacob vows, that the Lord ſhould be his God, if he would but give him bread to eat, and rayment to put on. This was the firſt holy Vow that ever we read of; Hence Jacob is called the Father of Vows. He begs not Gen. 28. 20, 21.Gen 28:20Gen 28:21dainties to ſeed him, nor Silks, nor Sattins to clothe him; but bread to feed him, though never ſo courſe, and clothes to cover him, though never ſo mean. Job is only for neceſſary food. A little will ſatisfie a temperate Chriſtian. Luther made many a meal of Bread and a Red Herring; and Job 23. 12. He is rich enough, that lacketh not bread, and high enough in dignity, that is not forced to ſerve. Jerom. John 6. 9. to the 15. 1 Kings 17. 12. v. 3, 4, 5, 6.Job 23:12John 6:91 Kgs 17:12Junius made many a meal of Bread and an Egg. Nature laps only, like thoſe three hundred Souldiers, Judges 7. 6. When Chriſt fed the people graciouſly, miraculouſly, he fed them not with Manchets and Quails, or Pheſants, &c. but with Barley Loaves and Fiſhes, a frugal, temperate, ſober diet. If the handful of meal in the Barrel, and the Oyle in the Cruize fail not, and if the brook and the running water fail not, Elijah can be well enough contented. But now wicked men never have enough, they are never ſatisfied. They are like thoſe four things that Solomon ſpeaks of, that are never ſatisfied, viz. The Grave, the barren Womb, the Prov. 30. 15, 16. Pſal. 17. 14.Prov 30:15Prov 30:16Ps 17:14earth and the fire. That is an obſervable paſſage of the Pſalmiſt, Thou filleſt their bellies with thy hid treaſures. To a worldly wicked man all theſe outward things are but a b…lly-full: and how ſoon is the belly emptied, after 'tis once filled. Though many rich men have riches enough to ſink them, yet they have never enough to ſatisfie them. Like him that wiſht for a thouſand Sheep in his flock, and when p. 209he had them, he wiſht for other Cattel without number. When Alexander had all the Crowns and Scepters of the Princes of the world piled up at his Gates, he wiſhes for another world to conq…er. The eye is not ſatisfied with ſeeing, nor Eccleſ. 1. 8.Eccl 1:8the ear with hearing. He that loveth ſilver, ſhall not be ſatisfied with ſilver; nor he that loveth abundance with increaſe. Chap. 5. 10.There is enough and enough in ſilver, in abundance of ſilver to vex and fret the ſoul of man, but not to ſatisfie the ſoul of man. God himſelf is the only centre of centers, and as the ſoul can never reſt, till it return to him (as the Dove Gen. 8. 9. The poor Heathen could ſay, I deſire neither more nor leſs than enough. For I may as well dye of a ſurfeit, as of hunger.Gen 8:9to the Ark) ſo it can never be filled, ſtilled, or ſatisfied, but in the enjoyment of him. All the beauty of the world, is but deformity; all the brightneſs of the world, is but blackneſs; all the light of the world, is but bitterneſs: and therefore 'tis impoſſible for all the bravery and glory of this world, to give abſolute ſatisfaction to the ſoul of man. Solomon the wiſeſt Prince that ever ſate upon a Throne, after his moſt diligent, curious, critical and impartial ſearch into all the creatures, give this as the ſumma totalis, and product of his enquiries, Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. And how then can any of theſe things, yea, all theſe things heaped up together, ſatisfie the ſoul of man. H…b. 2. 5. He enlargeth his deſire as Hell, and is as death, and cannot be ſatisfied, but gathereth unto him all Nations, and heapeth unto him all people. This is ſpoken of the King of Babylon, who though he had gathered to him all Nations and people; yea, and all their vaſt Treaſures alſo, Iſa. 10. 13. I have robbed their treaſures. ver. 14. And my hand hath found as a neſt, the riches of his people: and as one gathereth Eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. And yet for all this, was his deſire enlarged as Hell, and could not be ſatisfied. The deſires of worldlings are boundleſs and endleſs, and there is no ſatisfying of them. 'Tis not all the Gold of Ophir, or Peru, nor all the Pearls or Mines of India: 'tis not Joſephs Chains, nor Davids Crowns, nor Hamans Honours, nor Daniels Dignities, nor Dives his riches, that can ſatisfie an immortal ſoul.

p. 210Tenthly, The little that the righteous man hath, is more 10ſtable, durable and laſting, than the riches of the wicked: and therefore his little, is better than their much, his mite Job. 5. 20, 21, 22.Job 5:20Job 5:21Job 5:22is better than their millions. Pſal. 34. 9, 10. O fear the Lord, ye his Saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young Lions do lack, and ſuffer hunger: but they that ſeek the Lord, ſhall not want any good thing. Such as are ſeparated from the worlds luſts, can live with a little. Such as ſet up God as the object of their fear, have no cauſe to fear the want of any thing. When David was a captive amongſt the Philiſtins, he wanted nothing. Paul had nothing, and yet 2 Cor. 6. 10.2 Cor 6:10poſſeſſed all things. A godly man may want many good things that he thinks to be good for him, but he ſhall never Heb. 13 5, 6. Prov. 10. 3Heb 13:5Heb 13:6Prov 10:3want any good thing that the Lord knows to be good for him. We do not eſteem of Tenure for life, as we do of freehold, becauſe life is a moſt uncertain th…ng. Ten pound a year for ever, is better than a hundred in hand. All the promiſes are Gods Bonds, and a Chriſtian may put them in ſuit when he will, and hold God to his word; and that not only for his ſpiritual and eternal life; but alſo for his natural life, his temporal life; but ſo can't the wicked. The temporal Prov. 10. 3. Pſalm 37. 34, 35, 36. Jer. 17. 11. Job 20. 20. ult.Prov 10:3Ps 37:34Ps 37:35Ps 37:36Jer 17:11Job 20:20eſtate of the wicked is ſeldom long-liv'd, as you may ſee, by comparing the Scriptures in the Margent together. Alexander the Great Conqueror of the world, cauſed to be painted on a Table a Sword in the compaſs of a Wheel, ſhewing thereby, that what he had gotten by the Sword was ſubject to be turned about the wheel of Providence. There is no more hold to be had of riches, honours, or preferments, than Saul had of Samuels lap. They do but like the Rainbow ſhew themſelves in all their dainty colours, and then van…ſh away. There are ſo many ſins, and ſo many croſſes, and ſo many curſes that uſually attend the riches of the wicked, that 'tis very rare to ſee their eſtates long-liv'd. Hence their great eſtates are compared to the Chaffe, which a puff of wind diſperſeth; to the Graſs which the ſcorching Sun quickly withers: to the tops of Corn, which are ſoon Job 24. 24.Job 24:24cut off; and to the unripe Grape, Job 15. 33. He ſhall ſhake off his unripe Grape as the Vine, and ſhall caſt off his flower as p. 211the Olive. Every dayes experience confirms us in this truth. But,

Eleventhly and laſtly, The little that the righteous man 11hath, is better than the riches of the wicked, in reſp…ct of his laſt reckoning, in reſp…ct of his laſt accounts. God will never call his childr…n in the great d…y, either to the book or to th… b…r for the mercies that he has given them, be they few or be they many, be they great or be they ſmall. Though the Mercer brings his Cuſtomer to the book for what he has, and for what he wears, yet he never brings his Child to the book for what he has; and for what he wears. Though the Vintner or Inn-keeper brings their gueſt, to the barr for the proviſions they have, yet they never bring their children to the barr, for the proviſions they make for them. In the great day the Lord will take an ex…ct account of all the good Matth. 25.Matt 25that his children have done for others, but he will never bring them to an account, for what he has done for them. Chriſt in this great day will,

1. Remember all the individual offices of love and friendſhip that hath been ſhewed to any of his members.

2. He will mention many good things which his children did, which they themſelv…s never minded.Verſe 37.

3 The leaſt and loweſt acts of love and pity that have been ſhewed to Chriſts ſuffering ſervants, ſhall be interpreted Verſe 40.as a ſpecial kindneſs ſhewed to himſelf.

4. The recompence that Chriſt will give to his people in Verſe 44, 46.that day ſhall be exceeding great. Here is no calling of them to the book or to the barr for the merci…s that they were entruſted with. But O the ſad, the great accounts, that the wicked have to give up for all their Lands and Lordſhips, for all their Honors, Offices, Dignities and Riches. To whom Luke 12. 48.Luke 12:48much is given, much ſhall be required. Chriſt in the great day will reckon with all the Grandees of the world for every thouſand, for every hundred, for every pound, yea, for every penny that he has entruſted them with. All Princes, Rev. 6. 15, 16, 17. Luke 16. 2. Eccleſ. 12. 14.Rev 6:15Rev 6:16Rev 6:17Luke 16:2Eccl 12:14Nobles and people that are not intereſted in the Lord Jeſus, ſhall be brought to the book, to the barr in the great day, to give an account of all they have received and done in the p. 212fleſh. But Chriſts darlings ſhall then be the only welcome gueſs. Matth. 25. 34. Then ſhall the King ſay to them on his right hand, come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world. Before the world was founded, the Saints were crowned in Gods eternal counſel. Here is no mention made of the book or the Some of the more refined Heathen have had ſome kind of dread and fear in their ſpirits upon the conſideration of a day of account, as the writings of Plato and Tully, &c. do ſufficiently evidence.barr, but of a Kingdom, a Crown, a Diadem. Now by theſe eleven Arguments 'tis moſt evident, that the little that the righteous man hath, is better than the riches of the wicked; the righteous mans mite, is better than the wicked mans millions. But,

The eighth Maxim that I ſhall lay down, to put a ſtop to 8your too eager purſuit after the things of this world, is this, viz. That the life of man conſiſts not in the enjoyment of theſe earthly things, which he is ſo apt inordinately to affect, Luke 12. 15. And he ſaid unto them, take heed, and beware of covetouſneſs. For a mans life conſiſteth not in the abundance of the things which he poſſ…ſſeth. Whether we conſider mans life, in the length and continuance of it, or in the comfort of it: It conſiſts not in riches; for no man lives a day longer or merrier for his riches. Though poſſeſſions are uſeful to ſuſtain life, yet no man is able to prolong his life, or to make it any thing more happy or comfortable to him, by poſſeſſing more than he needs or uſes. 'Tis not the Golden Crown that can cure the head-ache, nor the Velvet Slipper that can caſe a man of the Gout, nor the Purple Robe that can fray away a burning Feaver. Mark, the life of man is ſo far from conſiſting in the enjoyment of theſe earthly things, that Jer. 17. 11Jer 17:11many times they haſten a man to his long home. Many a mans Coffer has haſtened him to his Coffin; and as many a man has loſt his finger for his Rings ſake, ſo many a man has loſt his life for his Purſes ſake. In all the Ages of the world many a man has deeply ſuffered for his means. Naboth loſt his life 1 Kings 21. Pluta…ch in vita Syllae.1 Kgs 21for his Vineyards ſake. Quintus Aurelius in the dayes of Sylla p. 213loſt his life by reaſon of his Lands. Many a mans means Joſ…hus When Zeli…u… Emperor of Conſtantinople, had taken Ae…ypt, he found a great deal of Treaſure there; and the Souldiers asking of him, what they ſhould do with the Citizens of Aegypt having found a great treaſure among them: O ſaith the Emperor, Hang them all up, for they are too rich to be made ſlaves.has hanged him. Many a man has deeply ſuffered for his means ſake. The Romans ript up the bellies and bowels of the Jews to ſearch for Gold. The Americans had been more ſafe, had they had leſs Gold. They thought Gold was the Spaniards God. But how the Spaniards played the Devil to get their Gold, I ſhall not at this time take pleaſure to relate. Now if our temporal life conſiſts not in any of theſe earthly things, then certainly our ſpiritual life conſiſts not in any of theſe earthly things. For what Religious duty is there that a b…liever can't do, though he has neither money in his Bagg, nor dainties on his Table. And as our ſpiritual life conſiſts not in any of theſe earthly things, ſo our eternal life conſiſts not in any of theſe earthly things: for as all the treaſures of this world can't bring a ſoul to Heaven, ſo they cannot keep a ſoul from dropping down to Hell.

This worlds wealth that men ſo much deſire,

May well be likened to a burning fire,

Whereof a little can do little harm:

But profit much our bodies well to warm:

But take too much, and ſurely thou ſhalt burn.

So too much wealth to too much wo dos turn.

But,

The ninth Maxim that I ſhall lay down to put a ſtop to 9your too eager purſuit after the things of this world, is this, viz. That there is no reſt to be found in any earthly enjoyments. Reſt is the centre at which all intellectual natures, as well as natural bodies aim at. A man that is inordinately in love with the world, can never be at reſt. The Drunkard ſometimes reſts from his cups, and the unclean perſon from his filthineſs, and the ſwearer from his Oathes, and the Idolater from his Idols, but the worldling is never at reſt: his head and heart are ſtill a plodding and a plotting how to get, and how to keep the things of this world. Eccleſ. 5. 12. The ſleep of the labouring man is ſweet, whether he eat little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not ſuffer p. 214him to ſl…ep. Theſe three Vultures, care of getting, fear of He that is …ich in conſcience (ſaith Auſtin) ſleeps more ſound…y, than he that is richly clothed in Purple Luke 12. 20.Luke 12:20keeping, and grief of loſing, feed day and night upon the heart of a rich and wretched worldling, ſo that his ſleep departs from him. Sometimes his abundance lyes like a lump of Lead heavy upon his heart, ſo that he cannot reſt. Sometimes his conſcience dos ſo laſh, and launce, and g…u…e him for what he has got by indirect wayes and means, that he cannot ſleep. Sometimes God himſelf will not ſuffer him to ſleep: Sometimes God ſhews him the hand-writing upon Dan. 5. 5, 6.Dan 5:5Dan 5:6the wall: ſometimes he terrifies him with dreams: and ſometimes he throws hand-fulls of Hell fire in his face, as once he did into Judas's, and this hinders his reſt. Sometimes Matth. 26. 24.Matt 26:24by their exceſſive eating and drinking, their gluttony, their delicious fare, they overcharge nature, which cauſeth ind…geſtion and malignant vapours, whereby ſleep is wholly removed, or elſe much diſturbed. Earthly riches Auguſt…ne.are an evil Maſter, a treacherous Servant, Fathers of flattery, Sons of grief, a cauſe of fear to thoſe that have them, and a cauſe of ſorrow to thoſe that want them: and therefore what reſt is there to be found in the enjoyment of them. The Prior in Melancthon, rolled his hands up and down in a Had a man as much hono… and dignity, profit and pleaſure as himſelf could wiſh, or the …orld afford, yet within twenty four hours he would be weary of all, and muſt go to ſleep.Baſin full of Angels, thinking to have charmed his Gout, but this could give him no caſe, no reſt. Latimer in a Sermon before King Edward the ſixth, tells a ſtory of a rich man, who when he lay upon his ſick bed, one came to him, and told him, that he was a dead man, that he was no man for this world: as ſoon as ever the ſick man heard theſe words (ſaith Latimer) he cryed out, muſt I die? Send for a Phyſitian, Wounds, ſide, heart, muſt I die? Wounds, ſide, heart, muſt I dye? and thus he continued crying out, Wounds, ſide, heart, muſt I dye? Muſt I dye and leave theſe riches behind me? All the riches that he had heaped together, could give him no reſt nor quiet, when the King of terrors knockt at his doors. All the good things of this world have more or leſs of the Thorn in them. And therefore what reſt can they give? Achans Golden wedge proved a wedge to cleave him, and his garment a garment to ſhrowd him. In Spain they lived happily, until fire made ſome Mountains vomit p. 215Gold: but what miſerable diſcords have followed ever ſince. It is only Heaven that is above all Winds, and Storms and Tempeſts: neither hath God caſt man out of one Paradiſe, for him to think to find out another Paradiſe in this world. But,

The tenth and laſt Maxim that I ſhall lay down, to put 10.a ſtop to your too eager purſuit after the things of this world, is this, viz. That it is a very high point of Chriſtian wiſdom and prudence, alwayes to look upon the good things, and the great things of this world, as a man will certainly look upon them, when he comes to die. O with what a diſdainful eye, with what a contemptible eye, with what a ſcornful eye, and with what a weaned heart and cold affections do men look upon all the pomp, ſtate, bravery and glory of the world, when their ſoul ſits upon their trembling lips, and there is but a ſhort ſtep between them and eternity. He that looks upon the world, whilſt he has it under his hand, as he will aſſuredly look upon it, when he is to take his leave of it: he will

1. Never ſin to get the world. Nor,

2. He will never grieve inordinately to part with the world. Nor,

3. He will never envy thoſe who enjoy much of the world. Nor,

4. He will never dote upon the world, he will never be enamoured with the world. I have read of a man, who lying in a burning Feaver, profeſt that if he had all the world at his diſpoſe, he would give it all for one draught of Beer, at ſo low a rate do men value the world at ſuch a time as that is. King Lyſimachus loſt his Kingdom for one draught of water to quench his thirſt. If men were but ſo wiſe to value the world at no higher a rate in health, than they do in ſickneſs; in the day of life, than they do at the hour of death; they would never be fond of it, they would never be ſo deeply in love with it. Now O that theſe ten Maxims may be ſo bleſt to the Reader, as to crucifie the world to him, and him unto the world. Gal. 6. 14. He gave good counſel who ſaid, O man if thou be wiſe, let the world paſs, leſt thou p. 216Auſt…n.paſs away with the world. Fix thy heart on God; let him be thy portion; fix thy aff…ctions upon Chriſt, he is thy redemption; on Heaven, let that be thy Manſion. O take …hat counſel, Love not the world, nor the things of the world. 1 John 2. 15.1 John 2:15Mark, he doth not ſay, have not the world, nor the things of the world: but love not the world, nor the things of the world: nor he doth not ſay, uſe not the world, nor the things of the world; but love not the world, nor the things of the world: nor he doth not ſay, take no moderate care for the world, nor the things of the world: but love not the world, nor the things of the world. But to prevent all miſtakes, give me leave to prem…ſe theſe three things.

Firſt, 'Tis lawful to deſire earthly things, ſo far as they 1may be furtherances of us in our journey to Heaven. As a As Mr. Tindal the Martyr, ſaid, I deſire theſe earthly things, ſo far as they may be helps to the keeping of thy commandments.paſſenger when he comes to a deep River, deſires a Boat, but not for the Boats ſake, but that he may paſs over the River, for could he paſs over the River without a Boat, he would never cry out, a Boat, a Boat: or as the Traveller deſires his Inn, not for the Inns ſake, but as it is a help, a furtherance to him in his journey homewards; or as the Patient deſires Phyſick, not for Phyſick ſake, but in order to his health. So a Chriſtian may lawfully deſire earthly things in order to his glorifying of God; and as they may be a help to him in his Chriſtian courſe, and a furtherance to him in his heavenly race, Heb. 12. 1. But,

Secondly, We may deſire earthly things in ſubordination 2to the will of God. Lord if it be thy pleaſure, give me this and that earthly comfort, yet not my will, but thy will be done. Lord thou art the wiſe Phyſitian of bodies, ſouls and Nations, if it may ſtand with thy glory, give thy ſick Patient life, health and ſtrength; yet not my will, but thy will be done. But,

Thirdly, We may deſire ſuch a meaſure of earthly things, 3and ſuch a number of earthly things, as may be ſuitable to the Prov. 30. 8, 9. 1 Tim. 6. 8.Prov 30:8Prov 30:91 Tim 6:8place, calling relation and condition wherein the Providence of God has ſet us. As a Maſter, Magiſtrate, Prince, Lord, Gentleman, &c. A little of theſe earthly things, and a few of theſe earthly things, may be ſufficient to the order, place, calling p. 217and condition of life wherein ſome men are placed, but not ſufficient for a King, a Lord, a Magiſtrate, a General, &c. Theſe muſt have their Counſellors, their Guards, variety of attendance, and variety of the creatures, &c. A little portion of theſe earthly things is ſufficient for ſome: and a great and large portion of theſe earthly things, is but ſufficient for others. Leſs may ſerve the Servant, than the M…ſter, the Child than the Father, the Peſant than the Prince, &c. The too eager purſuit of moſt men after the things of this world to make up the loſſes that they ſuſtained by the fire, hath been the true cauſe, why I have inſiſted ſo largely upon this ninth Duty that we are to learn by that fiery diſpenſation that hath paſt upon us.

The tenth Duty that lyes upon thoſe who have been 10.burnt up, is to be very importunate with God, to take away thoſe ſins that have laid our City deſolate, and to keep off from ſin for the time to come, and to look narrowly to your ſpirits, that you do not charge the Lord fooliſhly, becauſe he Mal. 2. 15.Mal 2:15has brought you under his fiery rod. Job 1. 16. While he was yet ſpeaking, there came alſo another and ſaid, the fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burnt up the ſheep, and the ſervants, and conſumed them, and I only am eſcaped alone to tell thee. v. 22. In all this Job ſinned not, nor charged God fooliſhly. The fire of God (that is, a great, fierce and terrible fire) that fell from Heaven, and conſumed Jobs ſheep and ſervants, was a more terrible Judgement, than all the former Judgements that befell them, becauſe God ſeemed to fight againſt Job with his own bare hand, by fire from Heaven, as once he did againſt Sodom: In all this Job ſinned not: that is, in all this that Job ſuffered, acted and uttered, there was not any thing that was materially ſinful. Satan he ſaid, that if God would but touch all that he had, Job would curſe him to his face; but when it came to the proof, there was no ſuch thing. For Job had a fair and full victory over him, and Satan was proved a loud lyar. For Job ſinned not in thought, word or deed: Job did neither ſpeak, nor do any thing that was diſhonourable to God, or a reproach to his Religion, or a p. 218wound to his conſcience: under this fiery tryal Job did not ſo much as entertain one hard thought concerning God: nor let fall one hard word concerning God, under all the evils that befell Job. Job ſtill thinks well of God, and ſpeaks well of God, and carries it well towards God: Certainly Job had a great deal of God within him, which kept him from ſinning under ſuch great and grievous ſufferings. O Sirs, it is a far greater mercy to be kept from ſinnings under our ſufferings, than it is to be delivered from the greateſt ſufferings. Jobs heart was ſo well ſeaſoned with Grace, that he would admit of no inſolent or unfavoury thoughts of God, or of his ſevereſt Providences. In all this Job ſinned not, nor charged God fooliſhly, or with folly. Some refer the former part of this Verſe to the mind, and the latter to the mouth: ſhewing that Job (though he had loſt all) neither thought in his heart, nor uttered with his mouth any thing unmeet and unworthy of God. The meek, humble, patient and gracious b…haviour of Job under all his ſore loſſes and croſſes, is here owned, renowned, crowned and chronicled by God himſelf. O Sirs, ſinning is worſe than ſuffering; it is better to ſee a people bleeding, than blaſpheming; burning, than curſing; for by mens ſins God is diſhonoured, but by their ſufferings God is glorified. O that the Chriſtian Reader would ſeriouſly conſider of theſe twelve things,

1. That there is nothing that the great God hates Prov. 6. 16, 17. Jer. 49. 4. Rom. 1. 18. Heb. 6. 6. Epheſ. 4 30. Matth. 26. ult. Pſal. 30. 6, 7. Iſa. 49. 1, 2. Mal. 2. 2. Jer. 4. 18.Prov 6:16Prov 6:17Jer 49:4Rom 1:18Heb 6:6Eph 4:30Matt 26Ps 30:6Ps 30:7Isa 49:1Isa 49:2Mal 2:2Jer 4:18but ſin.

2. That there is nothing that he has revealed his wrath from Heaven againſt, but ſin.

3. That there is nothing that crucifies the Lord of Glory a freſh, but ſin.

4. That there is nothing that grieves the Spirit of Grace, but ſin.

5. That there is nothing that wounds the conſcience, but ſin.

6. That there is nothing that clouds the face of God, but ſin.

7. That there is nothing that hinders the return of prayer, but ſin.

p. 2198. That there is nothing that interrupts our communion with God, but ſin,

9. That there is nothing that imbitters our mercies, but ſin.

10. That there is nothing that puts a ſting into all our troubles and tryals, but ſin.

11. That there is nothing that renders us unſerviceable in our places, ſtations and conditions, but ſin.

12. That there is nothing that makes Death the King of terrors, and the terror of Kings to be ſo formidable and terrible to the Sons of men, as ſin. And therefore under all your ſorrows and ſufferings, croſſes and loſſes, make it your great buſineſs, to arm your ſelves againſt ſin, and to pray againſt ſin, and to watch againſt ſin, and to turn from ſin, 2 Chron. 7. 14. Iſa. 16, 17. Chap. 55. 7. Hoſ 14. 8. Iſa. 30. 22.2 Chr 7:14Isa 16:17Hos 14:8Isa 30:22and to ceaſe from ſin, and to get rid of ſin, and to ſtand for ever in defiance of ſin. Aſſuredly every gracious heart had rather be rid of his ſins, than of his ſufferings, Job 7. 21. And why doſt thou not take away mine iniquity, or lift up, as the Hebrew runs, to note, that though Job had many loads, many burthens upon him, yet none lay ſo heavy upon him, as his ſin, Hoſ. 14. 2. Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciouſly. 'Tis not take away our captivity, and receive us graciouſly; but take away our iniquity, and receive us graciouſly: nor it is not take away this or that particular iniquity, and receive us graciouſly, but take away all iniquity, and receive us graciouſly; take away ſtain and ſting, crime and curſe, power and puniſhment, that we may never hear more of it, nor never feel more of it: nor never be troubled any more with it. Though their bondage was great, very Dan. 9. 11, 12, 13.Dan 9:11Dan 9:12Dan 9:13great, yea, greater than any people under Heaven were exerciſed with, yet their ſins were a more unſupportable burden to their ſpirits, than their bondage was. And therefore they cry out, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciouſly. And this was the uſual method of David, when he was under ſore troubles and tryals, he was more importunate with See Pſal. 79. 1, 5, 8. Pſal. 25. 7. Pſal. 32. 4, 5. Pſal. 38. 3, 4.Ps 79:1Ps 79:5Ps 79:8Ps 25:7Ps 32:4Ps 32:5Ps 38:3Ps 38:4God to be purged and pardoned, than he was to be caſed under his troubles, or delivered from his troubles, Pſal. 51. 2. Waſh me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanſe me from my p. 220ſin. verſe 7. Purge me with Hyſop, and I ſhall be clean: waſh me and I ſhall be whiter than Snow. ver. 9. Hide thy face from my ſin…, and blot out all mine iniquities. ver. 14. Deliver me from blood guiltineſs, O God. When Pharaoh was under the Exod. 10.Exod 10hand of the Lord, he was all for removing of the Plagues, the Frogs, the Locuſts, &c. But when David was under the hand of the Lord, he was all for the removing of his ſins, and for the cleanſing, purging, and waſhing away of his ſins. O that all the burnt Citizens of London would be more earneſt and importunate with God to pardon, and purge, and take away all thoſe iniquities that have brought the fiery rod upon them, than they are ſtudious and induſtrious to have their credits repaired, their houſes rebuilded, their Trades reſtored, and all their loſſes made up to them. O that they might all be driven by what they have ſelt, ſeriouſly to conſider what they have done. No man ſaith what have I done. O that they would all blame themſelves more, and their ſins more, and to turn to him who has ſo ſorely Jer. 8. 6. Hoſ. 6. 1, 2, 3. Iſa. 56. 6. Ezek. 36. 33, 37.Jer 8:6Hos 6:1Hos 6:2Hos 6:3Isa 56:6Ezek 36:33Ezek 36:37ſmitten them, and lay hold on his ſtrength, and make peace with him, that ſo he may yet build up their waſte places, and make up their breaches, and repair their loſſes, and never turn away from doing of them good, Jer. 32. 41, 42, 43, 44. But,

The eleventh Duty that they are to learn that have been 11burnt up, is to prepare and fit for greater troubles and tryals. The anger of the Lord is not yet turned away, but his hand is ſtretched out ſtill. The Nations are angry, the Iſa. 9. 12. Rev. 11. 18.Isa 9:12Rev 11:18face of the times ſeem ſorely to threaten us with greater troubles, than any yet we have encountered with. Ah London, London! Ah England, England, the Clouds that hang over thee, ſeem every day to be blacker and blacker, and thicker and thicker: thou haſt ſuffered much, and thou haſt cauſe to fear, that thou mayeſt ſuffer more: thou haſt been brought low: yea, thou art this day brought very low in the eyes of the Nations round about thee, and yet thou mayeſt be Deut. 28. 43. 2 Chron. 28. 18, 19. Deut. 32. 36.Deut 28:432 Chr 28:182 Chr 28:19Deut 32:36brought lower before the day of thy exaltation comes. When God intends to raiſe a perſon, a City, a Nation high, very p. 221high, he then uſually brings them low, very low, and whe… Pſal. 79. 8. Pſal. 135. 23. Pſal. 142. 6. Iſa. 26. 10, 11. Jer. 8. 6.Ps 79:8Ps 135:23Ps 142:6Isa 26:10Isa 26:11Jer 8:6they are at loweſt, then the day of their exaltation is neareſt. 'Tis commonly darkeſt a little before break of day. Th… hand of the Lord has been lifted up high, yea, very high over us, and againſt us, but who repents, who reforms, wh… returns to the Moſt High, who ſmites upon his thigh, wh… ſayes what have I done? who finds out the Plague of hi… Iſa. 1. 16, 17, 18. Pſalm 106. Hoſ. 12. 4.Isa 1:16Isa 1:17Isa 1:18Ps 106Hos 12:4own heart? who ceaſeth from doing evil? who learns to do well? who ſtirs up himſelf to take hold of God? who ſtands in the gap? who wreſtles and weeps, and weeps and wreſtles to turn away thoſe judgements that this day threatens us? So long as ſin remains rampant, and men continu… impenitent, there is reaſon to fear a worſe ſcourge than any yet we have been under. Pharaohs ſtubbornneſs did but Exod. 9. 17.Exod 9:17increaſe his plagues: the more ſtout and unyielding we are under judgements, the more chains God will ſtill put on. Eccleſ. 5. 8.Eccl 5:8When his hand is lifted up, we muſt either bow or break. Such as have been under the ſmart rebukes of God, and John 5. 14.John 5:14will not take Chriſts warning, to go their way and ſin n… more, have reaſon to fear his inference, that a worſe thing will come upon them. The face of preſent Providences looks diſmal: dreadful ſufferings ſeem to be near, very near, even at our very doors. Yet to prevent fainting, we muſt Iſa. 26. 20.Isa 26:20remember, that God never wants chambers to hide his people in, till his indignation be over paſt. God hath wayes enough to preſerve his wheat, even when the whirl-wind carries away the chaff. God can find an Ark for his Noahs, when a flood of wra…h ſweeps away ſinners on every hand: and God can provide a Zoar for his Lots, when he rains fire and brimſtone upon all round about them. Look, as God many times by leſſer mercies fits his people for greater mercies; ſo God many times by leſſer judgements fits his people for greater judgements: and who can tell, but that the deſign of God by the late Judgements of Fire, Sword and Peſtilence, is to prepare and ſit his people for greater judgements. That God might have inflicted greater judgements than any yet he has inflicted upon us: I have already proved by an induction of particulars, that greater judgements p. 222may be prevented, and our preſent mercies continued and …ncreaſed, it highly concerns us to repent, and to turn to the Moſt High. There are ſeven ſorts of men who have high cauſe to fear worſer Judgements than any yet have been inflicted upon them.

1. Such who ſcorn and deride at the Judgements of God, Iſa. 5 19. Jer. 17. 15. and Chap. 20. 8. 2 Pet. 3. 3, 4, 5.

2. Such who put off the Judgements of God to others, who cry out, O theſe Judgements concern ſuch and ſuch, but not us.

3. Such who are no wayes bettered nor reclaimed by Judgements.

4. Such as grow worſer and worſer under all the warnings and judgements, as Pharaoh and Ahaz did, Iſa. 1. 5. Jer. 5. 3. 2 Chren. 28. 22, 23.

5. Such as make no preparations to meet God, when he is in the way of his Judgements, Amos 4. 12.

6. Such who are careleſs Gallioes that do not ſo much as mind or regard the warnings of God, the judgements of God, Iſa. 5. 12, 13.

7. Such as put the evil day far from them, as they did in Iſa. 22. 12, 13. and as they did in Amos 6. 3. and as the inhabitants of Jeruſalem did a little before their City was laid deſolate. Some Writers tell us, that though the Jews had a great many warnings by prodigious ſigns, and fearful apparitions Hegeſippus. Joſephus, &c.before Jeruſalem was beſieged, and the City deſtroyed: yet moſt of them expounded the meaning of them in a more favourable ſenſe to themſelves, than ever God intended, till the dreadful vengeance of God overtook them to the utmoſt. It is the greateſt wiſdom and prudence in the world, to prepare and fit for the worſt. The beſt way on earth to prevent Judgements from falling upon us, or if they do fall, to ſweeten them to us, is to prepare for them. But,

The twelfth Duty that lyes upon thoſe who have been 12burnt up, is to ſecure the everlaſting welfare of their precious and immortal ſouls. O Sirs, Londons Aſhes tell you to your faces, that you cannot ſecure your Houſes, your Shops, your p. 223Eſtates, your Trades, but the eternal well being of your ſouls may be ſecured. Every burnt Citizen carries a Jewel, a Pearl of price, a rich Treaſure about him; viz. a Divine Matth. 16. 26.Matt 16:26ſoul, which is more worth than all the world. As Chriſt who only went to the price of ſouls, as told us, There is Pſalm 19. 1, 2.Ps 19:1Ps 19:2much of the Power, Wiſdom, Majeſty and Glory of God ſtampt upon the ſtately fabrick of this world, but there is more of the Power, Wiſdom, Majeſty and Glory of God ſtampt upon an immortal ſoul. The ſoul is the glory of the Creation. What Job ſpeaks of Wiſdom, is very applicable to the precious Job 28. 13, 16, 17.Job 28:13Job 28:16Job 28:17ſoul of man. Man knows not the price thereof: It cannot be valued with the Gold of Ophir, with the precious Onyx, or the Sapphire. The Gold and the Chryſtal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it, ſhall not be for Jewels of fine Gold. The ſoul is a beam of God, a heavenly ſpark, a coeleſtial plant; it is the beauty of man, the wonder of Angels, Pſalm 45. 13. Epictetus and many others of the more refined Heathens have long ſince ſaid that the body was but the Organ, the ſoul was the man, the Merchandize.Ps 45:13the envy of Devils, and the glory of God. O how richly and gloriouſly hath God embroydered the ſoul. The Kings daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought Gold. The ſoul is divinely inlaid and enamel'd by Gods own hand. The ſoul is of an Angelical nature, it is of a divine Offſpring, it is a ſpiritual ſubſtance capable of the knowledge of God, and of union with God, and of communion with God, and of an eternal fruition of God. The ſoul is an immortal ſubſtance, and that not only per gratiam, by the grace and favour of God, as the body of Adam was in the ſtate of innocency, and as the bodies of Saints ſhall be at the reſurrection, but per naturam, by its own nature, having no internal principle of corruption, ſo as it cannot by any thing from within it ſelf ceaſe to be; neither can it be annihilated by any thing from without. Fear not them which kill the body, Matth. 10. 28.Matt 10:28but are not able to kill the ſoul. Some have obſerved to my hand, that there are three ſorts of created ſpirits: the firſt of Gregory, &c.thoſe whoſe dwellings is not with with fleſh, or in fleſhly bodies, they are the Angels: the ſecond, of thoſe which are wholly immerſed in fleſh, the ſouls of beaſts, which riſe out of the power of the fleſh, and periſh together with it: the third is of thoſe which inhabit bodies of fleſh, but riſe out of p. 224the power of the fleſh, nor dye when the body dyeth; and theſe are the ſouls of men. When the body returneth to the Eccleſ. 12. 7.Eccl 12:7earth as it was, the Spirit ſhall return to God who gave it. O Sirs, the ſoul being immortal, it muſt be immortally happy, or immortally miſerable. Certainly there is no wiſdom, nor policy to that of ſecuring the everlaſting welfare of your ſouls. All the honours, riches, greatneſs and glory of this world, are but chips, feathers tr…fles, p…bbles to your precious and immortal ſouls: and therefore before all, and above all other things, make ſure work for your ſouls; if they are ſafe, all is ſafe; but if they are loſt, all is loſt, and you caſt and undone in both worlds. Chryſ…ſtom obſerveth, that whereas God hath given many other things double, two eyes to ſee with, two ears to hear with, two hands to work with, and two feet to walk with, to the intent that the ſailing of the one might be ſupplyed by the other, he hath given us but one ſoul, if that be loſt, haſt thou another ſoul to give in recompence for it. If you ſave your ſouls, though you ſhould loſe all you have in this world, your loſs would be a gainful loſs; but if you loſe your precious ſouls, though you ſhould gain all the world, yet your very gains will undo you for ever. You have found by the late dreadful fire, that there is no ſecuring of the things of this world; and therefore make it your buſineſs, your work, to get a Chriſt for your ſouls, grace for your ſouls, and a Heaven for your ſouls, that ſo though all go to wrack h…re, yet your ſouls may be ſaved in the day of Chriſt. What deſperate madneſs and folly would it have been in any, when London was in flames, to mind more, and endeavour more to ſave their Lumber, than their Jewels; their goods in their Shops, than their Children in their Cradles, or their Wives in their Beds; but it is a thouſand times greater madneſs and folly, for men to mind more, and endeavour more to ſecure their temporal eſtates, than they do to ſecure their eternal eſtates. But,

The thirteenth duty that is incumbent upon thoſe who 13have been burnt up, is to get a God for their portion. You Pſalm 16. 5. Pſalm 63. 26.Ps 16:5Ps 63:26have loſt your earthly portion, your earthly poſſ…ſſions, O p. 225that you would now labour with all your might, to get God Pſal. 119. 57. Jer. 10 16. Lam. 3. 24.Ps 119:57Jer 10:16Lam 3:24for your portion. If the loſs of your earthly portions ſhall be ſo ſanctified to you, as to work you to make God your portion, then your unſpeakable loſſes will prove inconceivable gain unto you. O Sirs, God is the moſt abſolute need ful and neceſſary portion: the want or the loſs of earthly portions may afflict and trouble you, but the want of God for your portion will certainly damn you: it is not abſolutely neceſſary, that you ſhould have a portion in Gold, or Silver, or Jewels, or Goods, or Houſes, or Lands, or Lordſhips; but it is abſolutely neceſſary, that you ſhould have God for your portion. Suppoſe that with the Apoſtles, you have no certain dwelling place, nor no Gold, nor Silver 1 Cor. 4. 11. Acts 3. 6. Luke 16. 20, 21.1 Cor 4:11Acts 3:6Luke 16:20Luke 16:21in your purſes: Suppoſe with Lazarus you have never a rag to hang on your backs, nor never a dry cruſt to put in your bellies: Suppoſe with Job you ſhould ſtript of all your worldly comforts in a day; yet if God be your portion, you are happy, you are really happy, you are ſignally happy, you are greatly happy, you are unſpeakably happy, you are eternally happy. However it may go with you in this world, yet you ſhall be ſure to be glorious in that other world. To have God for thy portion O man, is the one thing neceſſary; for without it thou art for ever and ever undone: If God be not thy portion, thou canſt never enjoy communion with God in this world: if God be not thy portion, thou canſt never be ſaved by him in the other world. Will you conſider a little what an excellent tranſcendent portion God is?

1. He is a preſent portion: he is a portion in hand, he is See my Matchleſs Por…on, from p. 8. to p. 107. where all theſe particulars are fully proved.a portion in poſſ…ſſion.

2. God is an immenſe portion, he is a vaſt large portion, he is the greateſt portion of all portions.

3. God is an all-ſufficient portion.

4. God is a pure and unmixed portion: God is an unmixed good, he hath nothing in him but goodneſs.

5. God is a glorious, a happy and a bleſſed portion: he is ſo in himſelf, and he makes them ſo too, who enjoy him for their portion.

p. 2266 God is a peculiar portion, a portion peculiar to his people.

7. God is a univerſal portion, he is a portion that includes all other portions.

8. God is a ſafe portion, a ſecure portion, a portion that none can rob a believer of.

9. God is a ſuitable portion. No object is ſo ſuitable and adequate to the heart, as he is.

10. God is an incomprehenſible portion.

11. God is an inexhauſtible portion; a portion that can never be ſpent, a ſpring that can never be drawn dry.

12. God is a ſoul ſatisfying portion; he is a portion that gives the ſoul full ſatisfaction and content.

13. God is a perminent portion, an indeficient portion, a never failing portion, a laſting, yea, an everlaſting portion.

14. And laſtly, God is an incomparable portion; God is a portion more precious, than all thoſe things which are eſteemed moſt precious. Nothing can make that man miſerable, that has God for his portion: nor nothing can make that man happy, that hath not God for his portion. O Sirs, why do you think, that God by his late fiery diſpenſations, has ſtript you of your earthly portions, but effectually to ſtir you up to make him your only portion, &c. But,

The fourteenth Duty that is incumbent upon them that 14have been burnt up, is to make God their habitation, to make Ponder ſeriouſly on theſe Scriptures. Pſal. 91. 2, 9, 10. Pſal. 71. 3. Pſal. 57. 1. 2 Cor. 6. 8, 9, 10. Ezek. 11. 16.Ps 91:2Ps 91:9Ps 91:10Ps 71:3Ps 57:12 Cor 6:82 Cor 6:92 Cor 6:10Ezek 11:16God their dwelling-place, Pſal. 90. 1. Lord thou haſt been our dwelling place (or place of retreat) in all generations: or in generation, and generation as the Hebrew runs, it is an Hebraiſme, ſetting forth God to be the dwelling place of his people in all generations before the flood and after the flood. The Iſrael of God in all their troubles and travels in their wilderneſs condition, were not houſeleſs nor harbou…leſs: God was both their hiding place and their dwelling place. He that dwelleth in God, cannot be unhouſed, becauſe God is ſtronger than all. 'Tis brave for a Chriſtian to take up in God as in his Manſion-houſe. It was a witty ſaying of that learned man Picus Mirandula, viz. That God created p. 227the earth for Beaſts ro inhabit, the Sea for Fiſhes, the Air for Fowls, the Heavens for Angels and Stars; and therefore man hath no place to dwell and abide in, but God alone. Now the great God has burnt up your dwelling places, make him your dwelling place, your habitation, your ſhelter, your place of retreat, your City of refuge. Certainly they dwell moſt ſafely, moſt ſecurely, moſt nobly, moſt contentedly, moſt delightfully and moſt happily, who dwell in God, who live under the wing of God, and whoſe conſtant abode, is under the ſhadow of the Almighty. Let the loſs of your habitations lead you by the hand, to make choice of God for your habitation. There is no ſecurity againſt temporal, ſpiritual and eternal judgements, but by making God your dwelling place. How deplorable is the condition of that man that hath neither a houſe to dwell in, nor a God to dwell in? that can naither ſay, this houſe is mine, nor this God is mine? that hath neither a houſe made with hands, nor yet 2 Cor. 5. 1, 2. 1 John 4. 13. Chap. 3. 24.2 Cor 5:12 Cor 5:21 John 4:13one eternal in the Heavens. 'Tis a very great mercy for God to dwell with us, but it is a far greater mercy, for God to dwell in us, and for we to dwell in God. For God to dwell with us, argues much happineſs, but for we to dwell in God, this argues more happineſs, yea, the top of happineſs. There is no ſtudy, no care, no wiſdom, no prudence, no underſtanding, to that which works men to make God their habitation. No ſtorms, no tempeſts, no afflictions, no ſufferings, no Judgements can reach that man, or hurt that man, who has made God his dwelling place. He that hath God for his habitation, can never be miſerable; and he that hath not God for his habitation, can never be happy. That God that has once burnt you out of your habitations, can again burn you out of your habitations; and if he ſhould, how ſad would it be, that God has once and again burnt you out of your habita…ions, and yet you have not made him your habitation? &c. But,

The fifteenth Duty that is incumbent upon thoſe who 15have been burnt up, is to make ſure an abiding City, a City See my Treatiſe on Aſſurance.that hath foundations, whoſe builder and maker is God. p. 228H…b. 13. 14. For here have we no continuing City, but we ſeek one to come. Theſe words are a reaſon of his former exhortation to the bel…ev…ng H…brews, to renounce the world, and Ver. 13.…o take up Chriſts Croſs and follow him; as is clear by this cauſal particle for. It is a probable conjecture made by ſome, ….as Eſtius obſerveth, that St. Paul ſpeaks prophetically of the Eſti…s Expoſit i… loc.deſtruction of the City of Jeruſalem, which was then at hand, and that in a ſhort time, neither that City, nor the Countrey about it, would be an abiding place for them; but driven from thence they ſhould be, and be forced to wander up and down; and therefore they were to look for no other abiding place, but Heaven. Here we have no continuing City. The Adverb tranſlated here, is ſometimes uſed for place, and this foreign.more ſtrictly for the particular place, where one is (as for that place where Peter was, when he ſaid, It is good for us to be here) or more largely for the whole earth, and ſo it is taken Matth. 17. 4.Matt 17:4here, for it is oppoſed to Heaven. For the preſent we have no abiding City, but there is an abiding City to come, and thats the City which we ſeek after. This earthly Jeruſalem is no abiding City for us: this old world, the glory of which is wearing off, is no abiding City for us; but Jeruſalem that is above, the heavenly City, the City of the great King, the City of the King of Kings. This world is a wilderneſs, Rev. 21. 2. Chap. 1. 5, 6.Rev 21:2and believers as Pilgrims and ſtrangerss muſt paſs through it to their heavenly Canaan. This world is no place for b…lievers to continue in; they muſt paſs through it to an abiding City, to a continuing City, to a City that hath foundations, Heb. 11. 10. For he looked for a City which hath foundations, whoſe builder and maker is God. The Plural Number foreign.is here uſed, foundations, for emphaſis ſake: this City is ſaid to have foundations, to ſhew that it it a firm, ſtable, immoveable and enduring City, which the Apoſtle oppoſeth to the Tabernacles or Tents wherein Abraham and the other Patriarchs dwelt while they were on earth, which had no foundations, but were moveable and carried from place to place, and eaſily pulled down, or overthrown, or burnt up; b…t Heaven is an immoveable, firm, ſtable and everlaſting City. Heaven is a City that is built,

p. 2291. Upon the foundation of Gods eternal good will and Epheſ. 1. 3, 4, 5, 6. 2 T…m. 2. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 2, 3, 4, 5. Rom. 9. 11. Chap. 11. 5 7. 2 Pe…. 1. 4. Heb. 6. 17, 18, 19, 20.Eph 1:3Eph 1:4Eph 1:5Eph 1:6Eph 1:21 Pet 1:21 Pet 1:31 Pet 1:41 Pet 1:5Rom 9:11Heb 6:17Heb 6:18Heb 6:19Heb 6:20pleaſure.

2. That is built upon Gods election to eternal glory.

3. That is built upon the foundation of Chriſts eternal merits and purchaſe.

4. That is built upon the foundation of Gods everlaſting Covenant of free, rich, infinite, ſoveraign and glorious grace.

5. That is built upon the immutable ſtability of Gods promiſe and oath: Heaven is built upon the foundation of great and precious promiſes, and upon his oath, who is faithfulneſs it ſelf, and cannot lye. Now O what a ſtrong City, what a glorious City, what a continuing City, what a laſting, yea, what an everlaſting City muſt Heaven needs be▪ that is founded upon ſuch ſtrong and immoveable foundations as they are? Heaven hath foundations, but the Earth hath none: the earth hangs upon nothing, as Job ſpeaks Job. 26. 7.Job 26:7Nineveh, Babylon, Jeruſalem, Athens, Corinth, Troy, and thoſe famous Cities of Aſia, were ſtrong and ſtately Ci…ies in their times, but where are they now? Both Scripture and Hiſtory doth ſufficiently evidence, that in all the Ages of the world, there hath been no firm, ſtable, or continuing City to be found: and the Divine Wiſdom and Providence hath ordered, and that partly to work the ſons of men to put a difference betwixt the things of this world, and the things of Heb. 2. 5. Col. 3. 1. Heb. 12. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 1, 2.Heb 2:5Col 3:1Heb 12:281 Pet 1:42 Cor 5:12 Cor 5:2the world to come: and partly to wean them from the world and all the bravery and glory thereof: and partly to awaken them, and ſtir them up to make ſure a Kingdom that ſhakes not, riches that corrupt not, an in inheritance that fadeth not away, a houſe not made with hands, but one eternal in the Heavens; and a City that hath foundations, whoſe builder and maker is God. Heaven is ſtyled a City, to ſet out the excellency, glory and benefits thereof. The reſemblance betwixt Heaven and a City, holds in theſe reſpects among others.

Firſt, A City is a place of ſafety and ſecurity, ſo is Heaven 1a place of the greateſt ſafety and ſecurity. A ſoul in Heaven, Neh. 3. 1. Jer. 35. 11.Neh 3:1Jer 35:11is a ſoul out of Gun-ſhot, no Devil ſhall there tempt, no wicked men ſhall there aſſault, no fire-balls ſhall be p. 230there caſt about, to diſturb the peace of the heavenly inhabitants.

Secondly, A City is compact, it is made up of many habitations; 2ſo in Heaven there are many habitations, many Iohn 14. 2.John 14:2Manſions. In our common Cities many times the inhabitants are much ſhut up, and ſtreightned for want of room; out in Heaven there is Elbow-room enough, not only for God, and Chriſt, and the Angels, thoſe gliſtering and ſhineing Courteours, but alſo for all b…lievers, for all the elect …f God.

Thirdly, A City hath ſundry degrees of p…rſons appertaining 3unto it, as chief Magiſtrates and other Officers of Heb. 12. 22, 23.Heb 12:22Heb 12:23ſundry ſorts, with a multitude of Commoners. So in Heaven there is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghoſt, and an innumerable company of Angels and …aints.

Fourthly, In a City you have all manner of proviſions and 4uſeful commodities; ſo in Heaven there is nothing wanting that is needful or uſeful.

Fifthly, A City hath Laws, Statutes and Orders for the 5better Government thereof; 'tis ſo in Heaven: and indeed there is no Government, to the Government that is in Heaven. Certainly there is no Government that is managed with that Love, Wiſdom, Prudence, Holineſs and Righteouſneſs, &c. as the Government of Heaven is managed with.

Sixthly, Every City hath its peculiar priviledges and immunities; 6ſo it is in Heaven; Heaven is a place of the greateſt Rev. 3. 12.Rev 3:12priviledges and immunities.

Seventhly, Cities are commonly very populous; and ſo is 7Heaven a very populous City, Dan. 7. 10. Rev. 5. 11. Rev. 7. 9.

Eighthly, None but Free-men may Trade, and keep open 8Shop in a City; ſo none ſhall have any thing to do in Heaven, Rev. 21. 27.Rev 21:27but ſuch whoſe name are written in the Lambs Book of Life. Believers are the only perſons that are inrolled as Freemen in the Records of the heavenly City.

p. 231Ninthly, Cities are full of earthly riches; and ſo is Heaven 9of glorious Riches: there are no riches, to the riches of Iſa. 23. 8. Rev. 21.Isa 23:8Rev 21the heavenly Jeruſalem. All the riches of the moſt famo…s Cities in the world, are but Droſs, Braſs, Copper, Tinn, &c. to the riches of Heaven.

O Sirs, how ſhould the conſideration of theſe things, work us all, to look, and long, and to prepare, and fit for this heavenly City, this continuing City, this City which hath foundations, whoſe builder and maker is God. The Holy Ghoſt frequently calling believers, Pilgrims, ſojourners, ſtrangers, Heb. 11. 13. 1 Pet. 2 11. Pſal. 119. 54Heb 11:131 Pet 2:11Ps 119:54doth ſufficien…ly evidence, that there is no abiding for them in this world: this world is not their Countrey, their City, their home, their habitation; and therefore they are not to place their hopes, or hearts, or affections upon things below. Heaven is their chief City, their beſt Countrey, their Col. 3. 1, 2.Col 3:1Col 3:2moſt deſirable home, and their everlaſting habitation; and Luke 16. 9. Rev. 22. 17.Luke 16:9Rev 22:17therefore the hopes, deſires, breathings, longings and workings of their ſouls, ſhould ſtill be heaven-ward, glory-ward. Oh when ſhall grace be ſwallowed up in glory? when ſhall John 14. 2, 3, 4John 14:2John 14:3John 14:4we take poſſeſſion of our eternal Manſions? when ſhall we be with Chriſt, which for us is beſt of all? The late fire Phil. 1. 23.Phil 1:23hath turned all ranks and ſorts of men out of the houſes where they once dwelt, and it will not be long before death will turn the ſame perſons out of their preſent habitations, and carry them to their long homes. Death will turn Princes Eccleſ. 12. 5.Eccl 12:5out of their moſt ſtately Palaces, and great men out of their moſt ſumptuous Edifices, and rich men out of their moſt pleaſant houſes, and warlike men out of their ſtrongeſt Caſtles, and poor men out of their meaneſt Cottages. The Princes Palace, the great mans Edifice, the rich mans houſe, the warlike mans Caſtle, and the poor mans Cottage are of no long continuance. O how ſhould this awaken and alarm all ſorts and ranks of men, to ſeek after a City which hath foundations, to make ſure their intereſt in the New Jeruſalem which is above, in thoſe heavenly Manſions, that no time can wear, nor flames conſume. But,