Dwelling with God, Sermon 4

Dwelling with God · Sermon 4

p. 205THE FOURTH SERMON.

HAving dealt with thoſe ofThird Sort. this Divine Houſhold, that have as yet no comfortable aſſurance, that the Lord is their Habitation, we proceed to deal with them that have higher degrees of aſſurance, which carry ſenſible comfort with them, one is the Application of Experience; when a Chriſtian diſcerns in himſelf Divine impreſſions, effects of regenerating Grace, two or three whereof we will mention. The prime and moſt general, is, a real change of the whole Man from evil p. 206to good. This is a ſure evidence of our being in Chriſt. If any Man be in Chriſt, he is a new 2 Cor. 5. 17.2 Cor 5:17Creature, old things are paſt away, all things are become new. Whoever is changed in all his ſenſes motions and affections, ſpeeches and actions, is certainly ingrafted into the Body of Chriſt by his ſpirit. The ſubſtance of the Soul and Body is the ſame, the qualities and operations altered. Another is walking in the light, as God is the light. Living and converſing, following that light of God which is conferred upon us by Grace, evidenceth us to be partakers of the Divine Nature; Purifying our ſelves, as 33.he is pure. Hereby we know we have fellowſhip one with another: God with us, and we with him; that he dwells in us, and we in him. Love to the Brethren, Chriſt's whole ſpiritual kindred, who are knit to him, to the bond of Faith, and among themſelves by that of love, another infallible note. We p. 207know that we have paſſed from 14.Death to Life, becauſe we love the Brethren. When a Chriſtian's faith in lively exerciſe reflects upon its own acts receptive of Chriſt, and operative by him, having withall a ſanctified Conſcience, witneſſing ſincerity in the actings, he gathers by diſcourſe and reaſoning his own ſpiritual eſtate, as Paul did. Our rejoycing is this, the teſtimony of 2 Cor 1. 12.2 Cor 1:12our Conſcience, that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, not with fleſhly wiſdome, but by the grace of God we have had our converſation in the World, and now abundantly to you-ward. Such an application of experience had Thomas upon his Faith, not quite exquiſit before,Joh. 20. 27, 28.John 20:27John 20:28 but very weak, was raiſed and renewed, by beholding, touching and feeling. The other application is that of evidence, when the teſtimony of God's ſpirit comes, and concurs with ours, when weEph. 1. 13.Eph 1:13 finde the Holy Ghoſt in us, not only as a ſeal imprinting the graces p. 208of Chriſt upon our Souls: nor only as an earneſt giving us the firſt4. 30. Fruits, and as it were handle of Heaven.

Thoſe holy and Heavenly Gift▪ conferred in this life, being a pledg of the perfection which ſhall be in2 Cor. 5. 5.2 Cor 5:5 the next, but alſo as a joyful witneſs, both clearing our evidences, and opening our minds to diſcern1 Cor. 2. 9, 15.1 Cor 2:91 Cor 2:15 them. The Spirit it ſelf beareth John 2. 27.John 2:27witneſs with our Spirit, that we are the Sons of God. Hereby we come to have boldneſs, confidence, andRom. 8. 16.Rom 8:16 a perſpicuous manifeſtation of Divine love ſhed abroad in our heart▪ Eph. 3. 12.Eph 3:12and certain knowledge, and full aſſurance of knowledge, and hope, of Faith, Let us draw near Joh. 14. 21.John 14:21with all full aſſurance of Faith▪ 1 Joh. 3. 2.1 John 3:2The word imports a carrying onEccl. 2. 2.Eccl 2:2 with full Saile, like a Ship thatHeb. 6. 11. 10. 22.Heb 6:11Heb 6:10Heb 6:22 hath Wind and Tyde, and all the Sailes ſpread to the Wind. Thoſe three parts of God's Kingdome▪ Righteouſneſs, Peace, and Joy in Rom. 14. 7.Rom 14:7the Holy Ghoſt, are conſequents p. 209and effects of theſe three Applications. The firſt, namely that of adherence hath Wind and Tide againſt it. The ſecond hath Wind carrying it on, but without Tide. The third hath both Wind and Tide, and all the affections like ſpread Sailes filled with the Gales1 Pet. 1. 8.1 Pet 1:8 of the Spirit cauſing joy unſpeakable, and full of Glory.

In the Church of Rome this Doctrine of full aſſurance is cryed down, and an impoſſibility of attaining it by any ordinary Chriſtians, aſſerted, and the main reaſon they render for the Confirmation of this Doctrine, eſpecially as to the ſubjective certainty of perſeverance, whereof Paul ſpeaks, when he ſaith, I am ſure that nothing Rom. 8 38, 39.Rom 8:38Rom 8:39ſhall be able to ſeparate us from the Love of God in Jeſus Chriſt. Is the mutability of Man's will? but the aſſurance of Chriſtians depends not upon Man's mutable, but upon the immutable will of God, and upon his infallible truth, who p. 210hath promiſed to keep them, whom he receives in him by his ſtrongeſt power (if there can be conceived any degree in Omnipotency) we are kept▪ by the Guard of God's 1 Pet. 1. 5.1 Pet 1:5Power, through Faith unto Salvation. They askt what ground hath any ordinary Chriſtian for ſpecial faith, when there is no ſpecial promiſe, nor any Divine teſtimony by audible Voice, ſuch as ſome choice Perſons have had, as Gen. 15. 1. Mat. 9. 2. Luk. 5. 20. 47. 48. 23. 42. 43. They are anſwered, we will not contend about bare words, whether it be better called ſpecial faith or aſſurance, gathered from two promiſes, the one in Scripture, the other in our hearts, ſo participating of Faith; for that is our ſence of ſpecial Faith, but as to the matter. 1. There are general promiſes with a command to apply them. 2. Special Faith is gathered by argumentation, thus whoever hath God's Spirit confeſſeth that Jeſus is the Son of God, that Man dwelleth p. 211in God. But ſo have I: ſo do I therefore, I dwell in God. 3. Sacraments give ground for ſpecial Faith, wherein is made ſpecial application to the receivers. 4. The Spirit is given for this end to believers, as a ſeal, and earneſt, and witneſs to aſſure them that God is their Habitation and Salvation. And that it's poſſible for a Chriſtian in ordinary courſe to attain thisEſay 60. 1….Isa 60:1 grace, if he do what in him lyeth. We have God's expreſs promiſe to this purpoſe. Thou ſhalt know2 Pet. 1. 10.2 Pet 1:10 that I the Lord am thy Saviour and Redeemer: and a charge is laid upon every Chriſtian to make his calling ſure, and not to come without full aſſurance, when they draw nigh to him in Prayer, and other duties of his Worſhip. Let Heb. 10. 22.Heb 10:22us draw neer him in full aſsurance of Faith. And we have the experience of God's People in all ages for it. And though they that profeſs they had it, as Job, David, Paul were rare Perſons: Yet the Faith p. 212of the meaneſt Chriſtian is of the ſame Nature with theirs, though not in the ſame degree. This is the Doctrine of the reformed Churches, who yet deny not the difficulty of attaining the higheſt degree, and that very few there are that attain it, and fewer that have it at all times alike, nor any in that perfection, but that there is ſome mixture of doubting. And this is one ſign of the truth and goodneſs of it, when it is attained with difficulty, and aſſaulted with infidelity. For there are many, whom Satan and their own heart have deluded in this point, who are ſtrongly perſwaded that God is theirs, never doubted of their intereſt in him, make no queſtion, but the Lord is their Habitation, who entered not in by the Door, never received the ſpirit of bondage to fear, have no fear of offending God, no care to pleaſe him, but live in known ſin againſt the light of knowledge, and checks p. 213of Conſcience, which evinceth themJoh. 2. 12, 18.John 2:12John 2:18 to be in the gall of bitterneſs. Now theſe who in their own conceits have taken up their dwelling in God, like thoſe buyers and ſellers that took up their ſeats in the Temple, without the Warrant, againſt the conſent of the Owner of that Houſe, muſt be dealt with by the Miniſters of Chriſt, as thoſe Intruders by Chriſt were driven out with a ſcourge; And as Nehemiah dealtNeh. 13. 7, 8.Neh 13:7Neh 13:8 with Tobiah, who had got a Chamber in the Court of the Houſe of God, who caſt both him and his ſtuff out of it. Avoid prophaneneſs, come not here; nothing but holy, pure and clear, or that which groaneth to be ſo, may enter, or abide one Moment at his peril.

To you who can prove your aſſurance that you are in God, to be of God by the qualification of your Perſons, as having formerly been humbled for your living without God in the World, and at preſent humble your ſelves to walk with p. 214your God, and reſolve ſo to do to the end of your life: Unto you I am ſent with a manifold Word of Exhortation. 1. To prize this as the greateſt bleſſing, and rejoyce in it more than in all other bleſſings, and accordingly to praiſe God for it, that he hath given you to know, that he is your Habitation▪ Lifting up the Light of his Countenance upon you, and giving you Eyes to ſee that Light. There be …. 4. 6, 7.many that ſay, who will ſhew us any good. Lord, lift thou up the light of thy Countenance upon us. Thou haſt put gladneſs in my heart more than in the time when their Corn and Wine increaſed: becauſe thy loving kindneſs is better than life, my Lips ſhall praiſe thee. Thus…3. 3. will I bleſs thee while I live; Becauſe thou haſt cauſed me to feel the effects of thy Grace at full, even as the Sun ſhooteth out his Beames at Mid-Day: And becauſe I finde this to be the life of my life; without which, every Day p. 215would be more bitter to me than Death. Therefore for this above all Mercies will I bleſs thee every Day, and I will praiſe thy Name for ever.

2. To hold faſt what you have, and be alway adding to it, as worldly Men do by their Earthly ſubſtance. How oft are Chriſtians exhorted to hold faſt every good ſpiritual thing that they have gotten? Hold faſt (as with Tooth and Nail)Tit. 1. 9.Titus 1:9 the faithful Word. The pure and2 Tim. 1. 13.2 Tim 1:13 ſincere Doctrine of the Goſpel, againſt thoſe Gain-ſayers that would ſnatch it from you; and not only the matter, but the forme of ſound words. Let us hold faſt our profeſſionHeb. 4. 14.Heb 4:14 of Chriſtian Faith and Religion in words and deeds. That Rev. 2. 25.Rev 2:25which ye have already, hold faſt till I come. Eſpecially this grace and gift of aſſurance, which is a Jewel of the greateſt worth in the World. For as the happineſs of having it, ſo the miſery of wanting it is unſpeakable. We cannot love God p. 216heartily, when we doubt whether he loves us. We can have little heart to pray, our ſpiritual fight will be uncomfortable, our peace unſetled, our patience heartleſs; all heat to holy duties will be utterly dampt in us. This is made an effect of lively Faith, and an aſſured mark of thoſe who are living Members of Chriſt, namely to hold faſt, that degree of aſſurance: Chriſt was faithful as a Son over Heb. 3. 5, 6.Heb 3:5Heb 3:6his own Houſe, whoſe Houſe are we. If we hold faſt the confidence, and the rejoycing of the hope firm unto the end. See an example of this faſt holding and keeping this Pearl of Price in the Spouſe of Chriſt, how ſervent her deſires were, how forcible her endeavours to make his ſingular preſence with her familiar with her alwayes. It was but a little that I paſſed from Cant. 3. 4.Song 3:4the Watchmen, (great worldly wiſe Men) but I found him whom my Soul loveth, I held him, and would not let him go.

p. 217We are as oft exhorted to add unto thoſe good things which we have and hold, to increaſe our ſpiritual ſtore, to grow in all Graces. Beſides this, giving all diligence, add to your Faith Virtue, to Virtue 2 Pet. 1. 5, 6, 7.2 Pet 1:52 Pet 1:62 Pet 1:7Knowledge, to Knowledge Temperance, and to Temperance Patience, to Patience Godlineſs, and to Godlineſs brotherly Kindneſs, and to brotherly Kindneſs Charity. Grow & 3. 18.in Grace. We beſeech you brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jeſus, that as ye have received of us, how 1 Theſ. 4. 1, 10.1 Thess 4:11 Thess 4:10ye ought to walk, and to pleaſe God: So ye would abound more and more. That ye would increaſe more and more, with the increaſe of God. Col. 2. 19.Col 2:19Grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Chriſt. ThisEph. 4. 15.Eph 4:15 will be both for our comfort and credit, profit; Lord, thy PoundLuk. 19. 18, 19.Luke 19:18Luke 19:19 hath gained other Five Pounds, be thou over Five Cities. Eſpecially& 17. 15. we ſhould deſire and add degrees to our Faith, as of adherence, ſo of experience and evidence, make p. 218it our Prayer, Lord increaſe our Faith; and this will bind others praiſes of God on our behalf. We are bound to thank God alwayes for you Brethren, as it is meet, becauſe that your Faith groweth exceedingly.2 Theſ. 1. 3.2 Thess 1:3

The great benefit and neceſſity of this knowledge of aſſurance, may be motive ſufficient, to perſwade you to give all diligence, in the uſe of all means, to preſerve, and increaſe it. You will be ſure to meet with temptations, to doubt of your intereſt in God, of your being in him, to queſtion whether you are Children of this Family. Chriſt himſelf was thus aſſaulted, though dwelling in the boſome of his Father. If thou be the Son of Mat. 4. 4.Matt 4:4God. You muſt all dye ſhortly, you may preſently. For what is your James 4 14.Jas 4:14life, it is even a Vapour, which appeareth for a little Moment, and vaniſheth away. Now, if you be without aſſurance, that you dwell in this heavenly Houſe, when Death p. 219drives you out of your Earthly; How full of Horror and Torment muſt your Hearts needs be! not knowing whether Heaven or Hell muſt be your dwelling place to all Eternity: Whereas, if you knew you were in the ſame Houſe with Chriſt, this would quiet your heart from all fear. As ſoon as Chriſt was come into the Ship, wherein the Diſciples were toſſed, the Wind preſently ceaſed. God throughPſal. 27. 1.Ps 27:1 Chriſt being your Habitation, your Light and Salvation, whom or what ſhould you fear, while you live, and when you die? God is our refuge, 46. 1, 2.therefore we will not fear. And this, and this only is able to make and keep your hearts lightſome in every condition. Yea, knowledge of your abiding in God, will give a ſweet reliſh, as to every comfort: So toNeh. 9. 25.Neh 9:25 every croſs. I have loſt a dear Huſband, Wife, Child, Friend, a comfortable dwelling, but not my dear God. And the more aſſurance, the leſs fearful, and more chearful. p. 220Now the means to preſerve and increaſe aſſurance, are the ſame wherby you gained it. The outward are thoſe Ordinances of God, and exerciſes of his holy Religion, which he hath ſanctified to this end, to bring us unto, and into himſelf, and to work in us a comfortable aſſurance thereof, eſpecially the Word, Sacrament, and Prayer. The more inward and ſpiritual, are care to keep a good Conſcience: Diligent obſervation of your own ways: Conſideration of the experiments you have had of God's favour towards you, renouncing your ſelves: Reſting only upon the free Grace of God, in performance of the conditions required on our part; looking oft over your evidences, and holding the Concluſion. To learn by heart, and put in practice all thoſe duties that are incumbent upon all thoſe, to whom the Lord, even the moſt High, vouchſafeth this high Prerogative of admiſſion to, and poſſeſſion of his bleſſed p. 221Self to be your proper Habitation.

The general duty is to walk worthy of the Lord, who hath effectually called you out of the World, and out of your ſelves, into himſelf, and hath juſtified you, and partly glorified you with glorious priviledges, graces, and comforts. For whom he called, them he alſo Rom. 8. 30.Rom 8:30juſtified; and whom he juſtified, them he alſo glorified. This the Apoſtle Paul frequently preſſeth. I beſeech you that you walk worthy Eph. 4. 1.Eph 4:1of the Vocation wherewith ye are called. You know how we exhorted, and charged every one of 1 Theſ. 2. 12.1 Thess 2:12you, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you into his Kingdom of Glory: Of God, whoſe Livery you wear, whoſe Image you bear, of whoſe Houſhold you are. To walk worthy of your Vocation is to walk holily: for the general Vocation of all Chriſtians is to be holy, as God is holy: unto whom they are called in Jeſus Chriſt. As p. 222he which hath called you is holy, 1 Pet. 1. 15.1 Pet 1:15ſo be ye holy in all manner of converſation. And as he preſſeth them to this worthy walking: So he preſſeth God by Prayer for them, that they might by his grace be enabled to walk; declaring withall ſundry Ingredients, and Concurrents, that make theſe paces and ſteps, they take, regular, and graceful, and the end of the courſe joyful. We ceaſe Col. 1. 9, 10, 11.Col 1:9Col 1:10Col 1:11not to pray for you, and to deſire that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wiſdome, and ſpiritual underſtanding, that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all well-pleaſing, being fruitful in every good work: and increaſing in the knowledge of God, strengthned with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-ſuffering, with joyfulneſs.

Let knowledge ſhew you the wayes you ſhould walk, and ſanctification carry you on an end therein, and patience uphold you, till p. 223you come to the end of your Journey, when you ſhall receive the end of your Faith, even the ſalvation of your Souls.

The particular duties are many; in ſundry references both to things and Perſons. The firſt of the former ſort we will dwell awhile upon, are Earthly Houſes and Habitations. Some whoſe dwelling Place the Lord is, have no Houſe on Earth, which they can call their own. Of thoſe that have, ſome are not ſuffered to live in them; and of them that have this liberty, ſome have very poor Houſes, with as poor Furniture, or other Conveniences. Others have convenient Dwellings, with an indifferent outward eſtate, and ſome few have gentile and ſtately Edifices, with riches and honour in abundance.

1. To thoſe that have no earthly Houſes of their own, but are in a ſtate of beggary, or next to it, of whom ſome there are, who never had any, others had comfortable p. 224ones, but have loſt them by Fire, or other caſualty, and ſo are for the preſent Houſleſs; to theſe I have this word of Exhortation. Let not your hearts be troubled.

1. Becauſe you are not without Fellowes and Companions, better than your ſelves, that are in the ſame Houſleſs condition: you have heard of ſome, Of whom the World was not worthy. Who wandred in Heb. 11. 38.Heb 11:38Deſerts, and in Mountains, and in Dens and Caves of the Earth. And of the bleſſed Apoſtle St. Paul, Who 1 Cor. 4. 11.1 Cor 4:11both hungred, thirſted, and was naked, and had no certain dwelling place. And of our bleſſed Saviour,Mat. 8. 20.Matt 8:20 Who had not where to lay his head. And you know how little it troubled theſe holy Ones, that they were thus deſtitute, how well pleaſed with their want, it being their Heavenly Fathers good pleaſure, that it ſhould be with them as it was. And how joyfully thoſe believing Hebrews took the ſpoyling of their Goods, knowing that they p. 225had in Heaven a better Manſion, Heb. 10. 34. 2 Cor. 5. 1.Heb 10:342 Cor 5:1and a better and an enduring ſubſtance.

2. You are not without a Houſe, which likes you beſt, and which you would not change for the beſt Houſe in the World: You hear God asking you, as Elkenah did Hannah, Am not I better to thee than Ten Sons? Had you not rather enjoy me, and do you not finde more comfort in me, than in Ten Houſes? And your Heart anſwereth, truth Lord. And can it then be troubled? It may be ſaid of all Houſes, compared with this of yours, as it's ſaid of all Nations, they are as nothing, leſs than Eſa. 40. 17.Isa 40:17nothing, and vanity. And in truth, all Houſes and Riches, which others inherit, are not, though they ſeemPro. 23. 5.Prov 23:5 to be: You only, and your fellow Inhabitants inherit that which is. 8. 21.Eſther had good reaſon to be content, when ſhe was preferred to the beſt place of the Houſe. And ſo have you, who are preferred to live p. 226in the beſt Houſe, and in the beſtEſt. 2. 9.Esth 2:9 place, the very heart of it. You are not only graven upon the PalmesEſay 49. 16.Isa 49:16 of God's hands, but you are in his heart, ſet as a ſeal there; Yea, I will rejoyce over them, to do them Cant. 8. 6.Song 8:6good with my whole heart, and with my whole Soul. How then can ye chooſe, but rejoyce exceedingly in the want of all Creature comforts; yea, though you have to boot the preſent feeling of the greateſt outward evils? And ſay with the holy Prophet. Although the Figg-Tree Hab. 3. 17, 18.Hab 3:17Hab 3:18ſhall not bloſſom, neither ſhall fruit be in the Vines, the labour of the Olive ſhall fail: and the Field ſhall yield no Meat, the Flocks ſhall be cut off, from the Fold. And there ſhall be no Herd in the Stalls. Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord. I will Pſal. 16. 5, 6.Ps 16:5Ps 16:6joy in the God of my Salvation: The Lord is the portion of mine Inheritance. The Lines are fallen to me in pleaſant places; Yea, I have 2 Cor. 6. 10.2 Cor 6:10a goodly Heritage. Having nothing, I. poſſeſs all things; having the Haver of all things.

p. 2273. You may and ought to takePſal. 33. 18, 19.Ps 33:18Ps 33:19 comfort in the promiſes which God& 34. 10. hath made to his People in this caſe of Poverty, which for the preſent37. 19. pincheth you: He is pleaſed& 132. 15. to bring you to this want of houſe and maintenance, that he might Heb. 13. 5, 6.Heb 13:5Heb 13:6humble and prove you, to do you good in the latter end. And he is able, and no leſs willing to helpDeut. 8. 2, 16.Deut 8:2Deut 8:16 you, either by inclining the hearts of the rich, to ſhew compaſſion upon you, to receive you into their Houſes, and feed you at their Tables; or if you have but Pulſe to eat, he can make that nouriſh you, better than Kingly fare: yea, he can make you go in the ſtrength1 King. 19 6, 8.1 Kgs 19:61 Kgs 19:8 of one Meal made of a Cake baken on the Coals Forty Dayes.

Qu. But may we expect God will work Miracles now adayes? Yes, that we may rather than his promiſe ſhould faile, Is my hand ſhortned at all? This reſolve upon, that the Eyes of the Lord run too2 Chron. 16. 9.2 Chr 16:9 and fro, throughout the whole p. 228Earth, to ſhew himſelf ſtrong in the behalf of them whoſe heart isMark 9. 23.Mark 9:23 perfect towards him: And of this alſo, that all things are poſſible to him that believeth. And therefore with Job, reſolve to truſt in him,Job 13. 15.Job 13:15 though he ſlay you: and to dye, rather than to help your ſelves by any unlawful means, and caſt off all ſolicitous carking thoughtfulneſs for your Bodies, where toDan. 1. 8. 3. 17, 18.Dan 1:8Dan 1:3Dan 1:17Dan 1:18 dwell, and what to eat, and wherewith ye ſhall be cloathed. PonderMat 6. 25. to the end.Matt 6:25 thoſe Seven Diſſwaſives from diſtruſtful cutting, dividing, diſtracting cares. And having Food and1 Tim. 6. 8.1 Tim 6:8 Rayment, how little, how courſe ſoever, be content therewith. ConſideringPſal. 37. 16.Ps 37:16 that a little that the righteous Man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked. Nor do you doubt all, but if God ſee that a Houſe with wealth and riches may ſerve to further your ſpiritual and eternal good, you ſhall not fail to have them before you dye. HePſal. 113. 7, 8.Ps 113:7Ps 113:8 hath raiſed the Poor out of the p. 229Duſt, and lifted the needy out of the Dunghill, and ſet him with Princes. And ſo he will you. Hear his expreſs primiſe, Wealth and Riches ſhall be in his Houſe, or ifPſal. 112. 3.Ps 112:3 you live and dye poor and mean, your Children ſhall be bleſſed with abundance. His Seed ſhall be mighty 2.upon Earth. And you that were ſome Years ſince wealthy, but by the rage of the Fire, or malice and fraud of Men, or other miſhaps are become as poor as Job; do not deſpair of recovering your loſſe: but remember what the Man of God ſaid to Amaziah, who demanded of him, What he ſhould do for 2 Chro. 25 9.2 Chr 25:9the Hundred Talents. The Lord is able to give thee much more than Job 42. 10.Job 42:10this: and how he gave Job twice as much as before. Wait upon God, and keep his way, and he ſhall exalt Pſal. 37. 34.Ps 37:34thee to inherit the Land. Yee have heard of the patience of Job; and have ſeen the end of the Lord, James 5. 11.Jas 5:11that the Lord is pittiful, and of tender Mercy.

p. 2302. To you that have Houſes of your own, but may not live in them, at leaſt cannot with any ſafety. 1. See, and acknowledge the hand of God in your expulſion, as in every other Croſs, ſo in this you ſhould a Divine Providence. It is God that, and not Man only that hath thruſt you out.

2. Examine the cauſe of your Ejection; if it be ſo, Why am I thus? That you may be ſure your cauſe is good, and your heart ſincere, in that which you ſuffer for.

3. If you had a doubting Conſcience indeed, againſt which it is unlawful and damnable to act, and not a meer ſcruple againſt which Men may act; yet you may finde cauſe enough, why God ſhould caſt you out of his Houſe, and out of your own. For you honour'd God in neither as you might have done. And therefore ought to acknowledge with David, Righteous art thou O God, and juſt in thy Judgments. Pſal. 119. 137. 75.Ps 119:137Ps 119:75I know, O Lord, that thy p. 231Judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulneſs haſt afflicted me.

4. When you have humbled your Souls, and made your peace with God, by repenting of your neglect to husband time and talent, while a price was in your hand. ReſolveProv. 17. 16.Prov 17:16 to bear with humility and patience the Indignation of the Lord, becauſe you have ſinned againſt him, Mich. 7. 9.Mic 7:9until he plead your cauſe, and execute Judgment for you, and believe that he will bring you forth again to the Light, and you ſhall behold This is for London eſpecially.his righteouſneſs. i. e. his deliverance, the effect of his faithfulneſs and love towards you: and of his juſt ſeverity againſt your and his enemies; who intended not to execute his judgments for your ſins, whatever their pretence was: and bleſs God that you are ſtill permitted to live in the Land of your Nativity: And that there are anyEſay 10. 7.Isa 10:7 who are willing to receive you into66. 5. their Houſes, as Laban did Jacob, when he was compelled to leave p. 232his Fathers Houſe, and Jethro, Moſes, and the Shulamite Eliſha, and Lydia, Paul: And that none can drive you out of your divine habitation, nor ſhall be ever able to ſeparate you from his love inRom 8. 37. 38. 39.Rom 8:37Rom 8:38Rom 8:39 Jeſus Chriſt, wherein you lodge.

3. To you that have convenient Houſes, and a competency of means to live upon. Be perſwaded to think your condition better, than if you had fairer buildings, and more abundant income and revenues. Agar thought a mean eſtate beſt, as appeares by his Prayer againſt riches, as well as poverty. Give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me Pro. 30. 8.Prov 30:8with food convenient for me; As much as I ſhall need from Day to Day. So we are taught to pray by our Saviour: Give us this Day our Daily Bread. The word ſignifies ſuch a kind or quality, as is fitting for our ſuſtenance or beeing. So much as is needful to be added thereto, and no more. Such a meaſure of goods, of body and fortune p. 233(ſo Men uſe to ſpeak) as is neceſſary, comprehended by the Apoſtle1 Tim. 6. 8.1 Tim 6:8 under Food and Rayment. This was all that Jacob deſired of God. If God will give me Bread to eat, Gen. 28. 20.Gen 28:20and Rayment to put on. If the Query be, What may be counted needful? Anſw. 1. That which Nature requireth enough only to hold Life and Soul together, from Hand to Mouth. (as they ſay) 2. That which is meet for the ſtate wherein God hath ſet us. 3. That which is requiſite for the charge committed to us. 4. That which is apparently needful for the time to come. If any provide not for his own, eſpecially thoſe of his own Houſe, he hath denyed the faith, and is worſe than an Infidel. No Mans deſire muſt go beyond this. Labour not to be rich. Superfluity coveted is very dangerous. They 1 Tim. 6. 9.1 Tim 6:9that will be Rich fall into Temptation, and a Snare, and into many fooliſh and hurtful Luſts, which drown Men in deſtruction and perdition. p. 234A moderate eſtate hath little danger and trouble, much eaſe and comfort, a plentiful one little or nothing of theſe, much of thoſe, and therefore thank God that it is with you as it is; nor do you, or can you want plenty, abiding in God, for in him there is all fulneſs, and enjoying him, you poſſeſs all things; yea, you would do ſo, if you had nothing (as was ſaid).

4. To you who dwell in earthly Houſes, and have all earthly good things in abundance, I have this word of exhortation. Let your hearts be lift up with thankful acknowledgment of God's goodneſs in giving beſides himſelf, theſe outward bleſſings richly to enjoy. When others,2 Sam. 7. 18.2 Sam 7:18 nothing inferiour to you in grace and goodneſs, are glad to dwell in poor Cottages, and to feed on ſcraps; yea, to beg their Bread. Who am I, O Lord God, Pſal. 23. 5.Ps 23:5and what is my Houſe, that thou haſt brought me hitherto? Thou p. 235prepareſt a Table before me, thou anointeſt my Head with Oyle, my Cup runneth over. I am not worthy Gen. 32. 10.Gen 32:10of all the Mercies, and of all the truth which thou haſt ſhewed unto thy Servant, for with my Staff I paſsed over this Jordan, and now I am become two Bands.

But let not your hearts be lifted up with pride, becauſe of your abundance. Charge them that are 1 Tim. 6. 17.1 Tim 6:17rich in this World, that they be not high-minded. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God. Leſt Deut. 8. 11, 12,Deut 8:11Deut 8:12when thou haſt eaten, and art full, and haſt built goodly Houſes, and dwelt therein, and when thy Herds 13, 14.and thy Flocks multiply, and thy Silver and thy Gold is multiplyed, and all that thou haſt is multiplyed then thy Heart be lifted up. See God in your fair edifices, and ſumptuous Furniture, and large Revenues, eſteeming them as a beam of the bright Sun-ſhine of his favour, you being enabled by his Grace to make them inſtrumental for his p. 236glory in the refreſhing the bowels of his Saints; and ſo to enjoy the good of them, as to avoid the ſnare. To uſe them not as hindrances, but helps to a better life. Conſider withall, how eaſie and quickly all you have may be brought to nothing, (Job this Morning, the greateſt Man for wealth of all the Men of the Eaſt, and by Night was brought to poverty to a Proverb) and therefore look upon all as tranſitory, keeping your affections looſe, and all off from them. And if they make themſelves Wings, and flie away, as an Eagle towards Heaven: let it trouble you as little, as the ſight of a Flock of Foul out of your Ground, flying thitherward would do; and rejoyce, that with Mary, You have choſen that good Luk. 10. 42.Luke 10:42part, that ſhall not be taken from you.

5. To you, who, having dwelt in fair and goodly Houſes, which the Fire conſumed, are in your thought and purpoſe, if not actually p. 237building, as, or more fair and goodly to dwell in, in the ſame places where the former ſtood, or elſe-where be exhorted. 1. To bleſs the Lord, your everlaſting Habitation, which preſerved yours and all the Perſons of your Families, and ſo much of the movable Goods in your Houſes and Shops, from that raging Element; That you have ſtill wherewith to ſubſiſt comfortably, and are in a condition of Rebuilding: Acknowledge it to be of the Lord's Mercies thatLam. 3. 22.Lam 3:22 your ſelves, and all yours, Perſons and things were not conſumed; That ſo many lives, and ſo much ſubſtance is given to you for a Prey.

2. To take heed to your ſelves, that none of theſe evils, no degree of them, which are noted, and taxed, and threatned in many new builders of old, and which it is to be feared, will be found in too many of your fellow builders, whoſe Houſes will be contiguous with your p. 238ſelves, what thoſe crimes are, may be gathered from ſuch Scriptures as theſe. Woe unto him that buildeth Jer. 22. 13, 14.Jer 22:13Jer 22:14his Houſe by unrighteouſneſs, and his Chambers by wrong: that ſaith, I will build me a wide Houſe and large Chambers, and cutteth him out Windowes; and it is ceited with Cedar, and painted with Vermilion. Woe to him that coveteth Hab. 2. 9, 10, 11Hab 2:9Hab 2:10Hab 2:11an evil covetouſneſs to his Houſe that he may ſet his Neſt on High. Thou haſt conſulted ſhame to thy Houſe, for the Stone ſhall cry out of the Wall, and the Beam out of the Timber ſhall anſwer it. That ſhall ſay, I was laid here by biting Uſury, and this ſhall anſwer, I lye here by cheating and violence, extortion and oppreſſion. All the people Eſa. 4. 9, 10.Isa 4:9Isa 4:10ſhall know, that ſay in the pride and stoutneſs of Heart, the Bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewen Stone. The Sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into Cedars. We will raiſe up our Houſes in greater ſplendour p. 239and Glory than ever they were. Their Goods ſhall become a booty, Zeph 1. 13.Zeph 1:13and their Houſes a deſolation, they ſhall build Houſes, but not inhabit them. Whereas Edom ſaith, we are impoveriſhed, but we will return and build the deſolated places. Thus ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, they ſhall Mal. 1. 4.Mal 1:4build, but I will throw down. For Amos 5. 10, 11.Amos 5:10Amos 5:11as much as their treading is upon the Poor, and ye take from him burdens of Wheat, ye ſhall build Houſes of Hewen Stone, but ye ſhall not dwell in them. Ye planted pleaſant Vineyards, but ye ſhall not drink Wine of them. For I know your manifold tranſgreſſions, and your mighty ſins. They afflict the juſt, they take a bribe, and turn aſide the Poor in the Gate from their ſight. They build up Zion with blood, Micah 3. 10, 11Mic 3:10Mic 3:11and Hieruſalem with iniquity; the Heads thereof judge for a reward, and the Prieſts teach for hire; and the Prophets thereof Divine for money. Yet will they lean upon the Lord, and ſay, is not the Lord among p. 240us? no evil ſhall befall us. Therefore ſhall Zion for their ſakes be plowed as a Field, and Hieruſalem ſhall become heaps. I will ſmite the Winter Houſes with the Summer Houſe, and the Houſe of Ivory ſhall periſh, and the great Houſes ſhall have an end, ſaith the Lord. For behold, the Lord commandeth, Amos 5. 15.Amos 5:15and he will ſmite the great Houſes with breaches, and the little 6. 11.Houſe with clefts. Woe unto them that joyn Houſe to Houſe. He will Eſay 5. 8.Isa 5:8deſtroy the Houſe of evil doers. Whoſo rewardeth evil for good, evil 31. 2.ſhall not depart from his Houſe. Though you, with whom I am dealing,Pro. 15. 25.Prov 15:25 are not of the number of theſe wicked Men, that are building with you; yet it is your part and duty, to take good notice of the Lord's juſt puniſhments, which he hath threatned to inflict upon them, and take warning thereby, not to follow their foot-ſteps, nor to tread in one of them. The righteous Man wiſely conſidereth the Houſe of the p. 241wicked, which being wholly built, and filled with Goods, gotten by evil means, ſhall bring them to fallPro. … into ruine; ſo far ſhall it be from being any ſtay unto them. Take heed of partaking of their ſins, that ye receive not of their Plagues. See that terrible and flaming place. I will bring the curſe forth, and it Eph. …ſhall enter into the Houſe of the Thief, legal, as well as illegal, and Rev. 18. 4Rev 18:4into the Houſe of him that ſweareth falſly by my Name: and of him that ſweareth vainly, as wellZech. 5. 4.Zech 5:4 as falſly; that ſweareth by the inchExod. 2. 7.Exod 2:7 as well as by the Ell, by his faith and troth, as well as by his Maker. Petty as well as bloody Oaths:) and it ſhall remain in the midſt of his Houſe, and ſhall conſume it, with the timber thereof, and the Stones thereof.

3. If you have not yet begun to build, take the wiſe Man's advice ('tis the loving advice of your living Houſe) Prepare thy work without, Prov. 24. 27.Prov 24:27and make it fit for thy ſelf p. 242in the Field, and afterwards build thine Houſe. Regulate your ſelf, and your Building according to thy Purſe. Caſt the coſt beforehand.2 Tim. 3. 16.2 Tim 3:16 Which of you intending to build a Tower, ſitteth not down firſt, and counteth the coſt, whether he have ſufficient to finiſh it, leſt happily after he hath laid the Luk. 14 28, 29.Luke 14:28Luke 14:29Foundation, and is not able to finiſh it, all that behold it begin to mock him? They will do as much and worſe, if you finiſh with other Mens Money, which you owing, are unable to repay. By no means run Herb. Ch. Porch. Rom. 13. 8Rom 13:8in debt, take thine own meaſure. Owe no Man any thing, but love.

4. In carrying on this work, as in all others of your particular calling, approve your ſelves to God and Men, to be good Men, by doing all things according to the rule and guidance of well inſtructedPſal. 112. 5.Ps 112:5 natural reaſon: A good Man will guide his affaires with judgment. Through wiſdom is an Houſe builded, and by knowledge ſhall thePro. 24. 3, 4.Prov 24:3Prov 24:4 p. 243Chambers be filled with all precious pleaſant riches. I need not tell you what is the prime means in order to this end, namely prayer, For the Lord giveth wiſdome, out Pro. 2. 6.Prov 2:6of his Mouth cometh knowledge and underſtanding. He is the Author of reaſon in Men, and in the guiding of their actions, even in all manual matters. If any of you James 1. 5.Jas 1:5lack wiſdome, let him ask it of God. Your God will direct you to order your Buildings, that there may be a prevention of deadly miſhaps, as he directed his People of old in theirs. When thou buildeſt Deut. 22. 8.Deut 22:8a new Houſe, thou ſhalt make a Battlement for thy Roof, that thou bring not Blood upon thine Houſe, if any Man fall from thence. In all other points of prudence and fore-ſight, you ſhall finde him your Inſtructer.

5. When then the work is done, and your Houſes fit for Habitation, remember and imitate God's people in ancient times, in dedication p. 244of their new-built Houſes, ſolemnly bleſſing the firſt enjoying of them, by Prayers and holy Hymns, conſecrating them to God, to be Houſes of Prayer and little Churches, wherein Duties of ReligionDeut. 20 5.Deut 20:5 ſhould be performed every Day, and all things done therein, even natural actions, to the glory of God, by Governours, and governed: according to that of the Apoſtle. Whether ye eat or drink, or whatſoever 1 Cor. 10. 31.1 Cor 10:31ye do, do all to the glory of God. This was Joſuas religious reſolution. I and my Houſe, we will Joſua 24. 15.Josh 24:15ſerve the Lord.

Now becauſe all theſe Five Divine Domeſticks are apt to have their mindes too much upon the things of the World; they that are Houſleſs and Landleſs, to be ſolicitous how to get a Houſe and livelihood; they that have Houſes of their own, but are prohibited to live in them, to have a hankring deſire after Liberty; they that have their Houſes free to live in, p. 245and ſufficiency, how they may add houſe to houſe, & increaſe their ſubſtance; they that have goodly Houſes with ſuperfluity, how they may yet have more wealth and honour: The mind of Man being like thePro. 30. 15.Prov 30:15 Horſ-leech, which hath two Daughters, crying, give, give; the two Forks in the Tongue of that bloodſucker, ſetting forth the two paſſions in the mind of Man; the one a burning deſire of getting beyond meaſure, the other an unquietneſs through ſenſe of want, when more than enough is gotten: and like thoſe four things that are never ſatisfyed, the Grave, a barren Womb, the Earth that is not filled with Water, and the Fire: and they that are building, are apt to be in earneſt expectation, that they ſhall be well and warm in thoſe new Neſts. I think this one conſideration needful to be ſuggeſted to them all, namely what power God's grace uſeth to have in all them that dwell in him, to take off their p. 246hearts from minding earthly things, in that manner they uſed to do before they were in God; namely, though not to forſake the World quite, and give over worldly buſineſs, and ſpend their whole time in private Devotions, nor having found this Houſe and Treaſure, to caſt away their wordly Goods. For Religion bindeth Men and Women to be good Husbands, to ſeek to preſerve and encreaſe their eſtates that God hath given them; yet to make them willing to part with Houſes and Lands, and whatſoever is deareſt to them in the World, if they cannot hold them with Gods favour. To loſe all things, andPhil. 3. 8.Phil 3:8 count them but dung in compariſon of it. This made God's people in the Ten Tribes to leave their2 Chro. 11. 16.2 Chr 11:16 dwellings and poſſeſſions, and to come to Hieruſalem, where GodHeb. 11. 24, 25.Heb 11:24Heb 11:25 was purely worſhipped. This made Moſes to leave Pharaoh's Court, and to joyn himſelf to God's afflicted, deſpiſed Church, and to p. 247moderate their affections, to uſe them with more ſobriety and indifferency; It being all one to them whether they had little or much. I have learned in whatſoever state Phil 4. 11, 12.Phil 4:11Phil 4:12I am, therewith to be content, I know both how to be abaſed, and how to abound: every where, and in all things, I am inſtructed both to be full, and to be hungry, both to abound, and ſuffer need: Yea, ſo to take up their hearts, as to be more careleſs and forgetful of theſe things, than they were formerly. For they having found a better Houſe, and a better Treaſure, There theirMat. 6. 21.Matt 6:21 hearts muſt needs be moſt, if not altogether. Nor can the heart be divided between the love of God,24. and the World: But one of them will and muſt have all. No Man can ſerve two Maſters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or elſe he will hold to the one, and deſpiſe the other. Ye cannot 1 John 2. 15.1 John 2:15ſerve God and Mammon. Love p. 248not the World, neither the things that are in the World: If any Man love the World, the love of the Father is not in him.