Dwelling with God, Sermon 2

Dwelling with God · Sermon 2

p. 95THE SECOND SERMON.

THe Queſtion will be, what it is to make God our Habitation? And how may we know that we dwell in him? To the firſt part of the Queſtion, I anſwer, it is to make choice of him, to cloſe with him, and to cleave unto him.

1. To make choice of God, as the ſole Seat of our Souls reſt, and the only object of the Worſhip and Service of our whole Man. The chief end and uſe of a Houſe is well known to be reſt. Where is the Houſe that ye build unto me, p. 96Eſa. 66. 1.Isa 66:1and where is the place of my reſt. Every Man's Houſe is the place of his reſt? My People ſhall dwell in a 32. 18.peaceable Habitation, and in ſure dwellings, and in quiet reſting places. I Nebucadnezar was at reſt in Dan. 1. 3.Dan 1:3my Houſe.

Reſt is both the Privation, and a perfection of motion. That in reſpect of the acquiſition of the end of motion. For therefore things move that they may reſt. Reſt is deſervedly eſteemed a choice and chief good. We may ſay of it, what the Preacher doth of Light. (Truly Light is ſweet) Truly reſtEccl. 11. 7.Eccl 11:7 is ſweet. It was no deception of ſight in Iſſachar, when he ſaw that reſt Gen. 49. 15.Gen 49:15was good: The truth is, it is the good of goods. It may be ſaid of it, as David did of Goliah's ſword.1 Sam. 21. 9.1 Sam 21:9 There is none like that, give it me. No good like this of reſt, all other good things without it availe nothing. All Creatures deſire reſt, the wild Beaſts of the Deſart, and of the Iſland, the Satyr, and the p. 97Eſt. 5. 13.Esth 5:13ſcreetch-Owle ſeek and finde for themſelves a place of Reſt. It's notedEſa. 34. 14.Isa 34:14 as a comfortable priviledge, which Foxes, and the Birds of the Air had above our Saviour, that they had Holes and Neſts to reſt Mat. 8. 20.Matt 8:20in. The Dove ſent out of the Ark ſought, but found no reſt for the Gen. 8. 9.Gen 8:9ſoal of her foot, therefore returned again to that place of her reſt. Special Order is taken for the OxeExod. 23. 12.Exod 23:12 and the Aſs, that they ſhould have One Day of Reſt in Seven; It kils the heart of the Earth to be alwayes tilled, and therefore the Country-man lets it lye ſometimes fallow, that by taking reſt it may get heart. The very Devils affect a Houſe upon this account. The Mat. 12. 43, 44.Matt 12:43Matt 12:44unclean Spirit gone out of a Man, walked through dry places, ſeeking reſt and finding none, I will, he ſays, return unto my Houſe where I came out, where I had reſt. Yea, God himſelf ſeems to be joyed, when a Houſe of reſt was builded for him to dwell in. Ariſe O Lord p. 98unto thy reſt, the Lord hath choſen Pſal. 132. 8.Ps 132:8Zion, he hath deſired it for his Habitation. This is my reſt, for 13, 14.ever here will I dwell, for I have deſired it for a Habitation, and he bleſſed the ſeventh Day, becauſe that he reſted thereon from all his Work. The beſt thing one friend can wiſh to another, or procure for another, is reſt. The Lord grant Gen. 2. 2, 3.Gen 2:2Gen 2:3that you may finde reſt, my Daughter; Shall I not ſeek reſt for thee? that it may be well with thee. And the worſt miſchief one can do his Neighbour, is to ſpoyle his reſt.Pro. 24. 25.Prov 24:25 Lay not wait, O wicked Man, againſt the dwelling place of the righteous, ſpoyle not his reſting place. The goodneſs and badneſs of every Mans condition is meaſured by reſt. This hath more reſt Eccl. 6. 5.Eccl 6:5than the other. Yea for reſt Death it ſelf is deſirable. Why dyed I not from the Womb? Why did I not give up the Ghoſt, when I came out of the Belly? Then had I been at reſt. There the weary be at reſt. p. 99Job 3 11, 13. 17. 18.Job 3:11Job 3:13Job 3:17Job 3:18There the Priſoners reſt together.

Though bodily reſt be a great good, and promiſed as a bleſſing. Thou ſhalt take thy reſt in ſafety, Job 11. 18.Job 11:18Iſrael ſhall be in reſt and quiet, yet it is not to be compared to theJer. 30. 10.Jer 30:10 reſt of the Soul, which indeed is the Soul of reſt. And without which, the beſt reſting places with the greateſt conveniencies that theEſt. 5. 10. 14.Esth 5:10Esth 5:14 whole World can yield, can give no content, witneſs Haman. And the tranſcendent excellency of this reſt is evidenced by its contrary, a reſtleſs unquiet mind is a burden importable.Pro. 18. 14.Prov 18:14

Let the Queſtion be put concerning this reſt, which Job propounds. But where ſhall wiſdome Job 28. 12.Job 28:12be found, and where is the place of Underſtanding? Where may we finde the Souls Reſt, and what is the place of its repoſe? The Anſwer is given negatively, that it is not to be found in any Creatures. They will each of them give the ſame anſwer, which the depth of p. 100the Sea doth; It is not in me, the Depth ſaith, and the Sea ſaith, it Id. 14.is not in me.

Herb. Ch. Peace.

Sweet peace, where doſt thou dwell, I humbly crave,

Let me once know.

I ſought thee in a ſecret Cave,

And ask'd if peace were there?

A hollow Wind did ſeem to anſwer no.

Go ſeek elſe where.

I did, and going, did a Rain-bow note,

Surely thought I,

This is the Lace of Peaces Coat;

I will ſearch out the matter.

But while I lookt, the Clouds immediatly

Did break and ſcatter.

Then I went to a Garden, and did ſpie

A gallant Flower.

The Crown Imperial ſure, ſaid I

Peace at the root muſt dwell.

But when I digg'd, I ſaw a Worm devour

What ſhew'd ſo well.

p. 101Pleaſures, Riches, Honours, under which all the good things of the World are comprehended, are utterly impotent, altogether inſufficient to give the Soul of Man any Reſt.

Herb. Dot.

Falſe glozing pleaſures Casks of Happineſs,

Fooliſh Night fires Womens and Childrens wiſhes,

Chaſes in Arras, guilded emptineſs,

Shaddows well mounted, dreams in a Career,

Embroider'd lies nothing between two diſhes;

Theſe are the Pleaſures here.

Riches ſeem to be ſomething able to do ſomething in order to this end, but in truth they are nothing,Pro. 23. 4, 5.Prov 23:4Prov 23:5 can do nothing. Labour not to be rich—▪ Wilt thou ſet Eſa. 55. 2.Isa 55:2thine Eyes upon that which is not? wherefore do you lay out your labour for that which ſatisfyeth not?

Take Earthly Honours in, and take his teſtimony, who had all theſe in abundance, made tryal of p. 102them, to finde what good was in them, and was more able to improve them, than was ever any meer Man, ſince the fall, and hear him after his utmoſt experimental diſquiſition, that not only, he found not what he taught, namely reſt for his Soul. Vanity of Vanities Eccl. 1. 2.Eccl 1:2(ſaith the Preacher) Vanity of Vanities, all is Vanity. But that he found the clean contrary trouble, ſorrow, anguiſh, bitterneſs, Vexation of Spirit.

The rich Man is brought in ſinging a Requiem to his Soul. Soul Luk. 12. 16. 20.Luke 12:16Luke 12:20thou haſt much goods laid up for many Years, take thine eaſe, eat, drink and be merry. But wiſdomId. 20. 21. upbraids his folly for placing his joy and peace in his poſſeſſions and promiſing to give his Soul eaſe and reſt in his abundance.

2. Nor is it to be found in knowledge, Humane or Divine, not in the former, For in much wiſdome is much grief, and he that increaſeth knowledge, increaſeth p. 103ſorrow. Learning cannot be attained without great pains of mind and body, and he that hath attained the higheſt degree and greateſt meaſure, hath his minde more unſatisfied, than when he began to ſtudy. And herein Children and fools have the advantage who as they want wit, ſo they want wo. Not to know much, but to know nothing in the ſweeteſt life of all. Nor in this neither, for experience ſhews, that ſuch that give themſelves moſt to the ſtudy of Scripture, and get greateſt ability to diſcourſe of Divine matters: are as far from reſt, as others which appears by the falling off, of many of them from one Sect to another, till they have made tryal of every diſpenſation (as they call it) and then they are as far from ſatisfaction as ever, and farther.

3. Nor in a form of Godlineſs, 'tis not the outward profeſſion of the true Religion, nor frequent p. 102duplicate page p. 103duplicate page p. 104uſe of holy Ordinances, or religious exerciſes, publick, private, ſecret,2 Kings 4. 29. 31.2 Kgs 4:292 Kgs 4:31 that hath any more power, to bring reſt and quiet to the ſoul, than Eliſhah's ſtaff laid upon the dead Childes face, had to bring heat or life into it. The frequent complaints of many Chriſtians that are much in both confirm this.

4. Much leſs in Doctrines and Inventions of Men. Theſe are Husks that Swines do eat, they that fill their Bellies with them, are like unto Pharaoh's lean kine.Zech. 10. 2.Zech 10:2 And as they nouriſh not, ſo they quiet not; miſerable Comforters are they all. All that would take up their reſt in any of theſe, may hear the Prophet ſpeaking thus unto them, Ariſe ye and depart, for Mal. 2. 10.Mal 2:10this is not your Reſt.

Poſitively, the Souls true reſt is to be had only in God, who is a fit Harbour and Heaven for the heart to caſt Anchor in; becauſe he is a Spirit. 2. Being infinite, he is able to fill the boundleſs and p. 105endleſs deſires of it. Moreover he made the Soul for himſelf. And gave it at the firſt a Being in himſelf, a local Being in the Body, and a Spiritual Being in himſelf. This being in God is Mans firſt being, when Man fell by ſin, God in Juſtice caſt him out of himſelf, Forſook him; and ſo the Union and the Communion that he had with God was broken off. Hence it is that the Soul being out of God, its proper Habitation, can have no true reſt, till it return thither: Return unto thy Reſt, O my Pſal. 116. 7.Ps 116:7Soul.

The firſt ſtep the Soul takes in this return to its reſt, is a free and well-adviſed choice of God to dwell in him, and ſerve there, obſerving and conforming to the Laws and Orders of the Houſe.

Joſhua put the Children of Iſrael to their choice. Chooſe you Joſ. 24. 25▪ 26.Josh 24:25Josh 24:26this Day whom you will ſerve, whether the God your Fathers ſerved on the other ſide of the p. 106Flood, or the Gods of the Amorites in whoſe Land ye dwell, if it ſeem evil unto you to ſerve the Lord. Profeſſeth her reſolution; that whatſoever they did, what choice ſoever they made, He and his Houſe would ſerve the Lord. They make the ſame profeſſion, expreſs the ſame reſolution. God forbid that we ſhould do otherwiſe, we are witneſſes againſt our ſelves, that we have choſen us the Lord to ſerve, even the Lord our God, him will we ſerve, and his Voice will we obey. Such a choice David made. I have voluntarily Decreed to give up my ſelf to be guided by thy Word. I have choſen thy Precepts, above otherPſal▪ 119. 173Ps 119:173 things for my ſoverain good and treaſure: with which I am reſolued to be ſatisfied and contented, and preciſely to order my words, and thoughts, and actions according to them. Having inclined my Heart to perform thy Statutes always, even unto the end. And being p. 107fully purpoſed that my Mouth Pſal. 119. 112.Ps 119:112ſhall not tranſgreſs, and that my 17. 3.Feet ſhall run the wayes of thy Pſal. 119. 32.Ps 119:32Commandments. Yea, were I put to my choice, I would chooſe rather to ſit at the Threſhold of the Houſe of my God, to be a Doorkeeper in it, than to dwell in the Tents of Wickedneſs. The like choice did the three Children make, and ſo did Daniel, and Moſes, and Mary, and thoſe ancient Martyrs, who would not accept deliverance, which was offered them conditionally, that they would deny the true God, and not ſerve him: this is the firſt way whereby Men make God their habitation, namely by chooſing him, giving him their judgments, wills, and affections, the probation before all other Perſons, or things, or ſervice. Whom have I in Heaven Pſal. 73 25.Ps 73:25but thee, and there is none upon Earth that I deſire in compariſon 63. 3.of thee. A Day in thy Courts is 118▪ 8, 9.better than a thouſand. Thy loving p. 108kindneſs is better than Life. How much better is thy Love than Wine, Zech. 2. 11.Zech 2:11and the ſmell of thine Oyntments than all Spices? The Law of thy Mouth is better to me than thouſands of Gold and Silver. It is better to truſt in the Lord, than to put confidence in Princes.

The ſecond follows, which is by cloſing with him. Many Nations Eſay 56. 3.Isa 56:3ſhall be joyned unto the Lord, and ſhall be my People, and I will dwell 6. 7.in the midſt of them. This joyning makes this natural dwelling. Neither let the Son of the Stranger 1 Cor. 6. 17.1 Cor 6:17that hath tyed himſelf to the Lord, ſpeak, ſaying, the Lord hath utterly ſeparated me from his People. Alſo the Sons of the Stranger that joyn themſelves to the Lord to ſerve him, and love the Name of the Lord, to be his ſervants, even them will I bring to my holy Mountain, and their Sacrifices ſhall be accepted. He that is joyned to the Lord, is one Spirit. United with Chriſt, and ſo to God the Father, p. 109in Body and Soul, as by a Bond of ſpiritual Matrimony in the Communion of the Spirit of Holineſs.

This actual cloſing with God is, eſpecially by faith, which is a truſting in his mercy, through the mediation of his Son, with an obediential affiance. I have truſted in Pſal. 13. 5.Ps 13:5thy mercy, and by this means made thee my Habitation, and Salvation, wherein I take no ſmall Conſolation. Let him truſt in the Eſay▪ 50. 10.Isa 50:10Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon his God. Rely with hearty confidence upon his faithful promiſes, and moſt powerful, wiſe, and good providence, for preventing and removing of evils; and obtaining all good, ſpiritual, temporal, and eternal. The want of this is noted in that wicked mighty Man. Loe this Pſal. 52. 7.Ps 52:7is the Man that made not God his ſtrength, but truſted in the abundance of his Riches, and ſtrengthned himſelf in his▪ wickedneſs. By repenting whereof, and cloſing with God, by a religious truſt, he might p. 110have made him his dwelling place; for not doing ſo, he is threatned to be pluckt out of his own dwelling5. place.

3. God is made our Habitation by cleaving to him, thus cloſed with perſevering in faith and holineſs, adhearing conſtantly, and abiding faithfully to God. Seeking and expecting all our ſafety from his ſole protection, and accordingly qualifying our ſelves for a capacity thereof, keeping in the way, to which he hath promiſed his ſafeguard. This is the meaning of the ſubject of this propoſition in the firſt Verſe of this Pſalm. He that dwelleth in the ſecret Place of the moſt High. The ſame with making the Lord, even the moſt High, our Habitation. Sticking faſt alſo to him with the affections of the heart, eſpecially that of Love, which hath the Nature of Glew. The Soul of Jonathan was knit 1 Sam. 18. 1.1 Sam 18:1with the Soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own Soul. p. 111Ruth clave to Naoimi; intreat me not ſays ſhe to hear thee, or to return from following after thee: Ruth. 1. 14. 16.Ruth 1:14Ruth 1:16For whither thou goeſt, I will go; and where thou lodgeſt, I will lodge; where thou dyeſt, will I dye; and there will I be buried. Hezekiah 2 Kings 18. 6.2 Kgs 18:6cleave unto the Lord, and departed not from him, but kept his Commandments; him ſhalt thou ſerve, and to him ſhalt thou cleave; thus thou ſhalt make him thy habitation.

To the later Branch of the Queſtion, I anſwer in the words of the Apoſtle John, in his firſt Epiſtle, where he gives among others theſeChar. 1ſt. four Characters of Perſons dwelling in God. 1. He that keepeth 1 John 3. 24.1 John 3:24his Commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him. The Commandments of the moral Law are meant, which whoſoever keepeth, approves himſelf to God and Men, and to his own Conſcience, that he hath his dwelling in God. He that lives in the breach of them, evidenceth▪ p. 112that he hath not his abiding in God. Nor will obedience to ſome of theſe Commandments be any comfort to a Mans conſcience that God is his habitation. That young Man in the Goſpel could ſay to Chriſt, who bad him, if he would enter into life, keep the Commandments, and mentions ſundry of them; All theſe things have I Mat. 19. 16. 23.Matt 19:16Matt 19:23kept from my Youth up. The proud Phariſee thanked God he was notLuk. 8. 11, 12.Luke 8:11Luke 8:12 as other Men were, Extortioners, Unjuſt, Adulterers, that he faſted twice a Week, and gave TithesMat▪ 6. 20.Matt 6:20 of all that he poſſeſſed. Herod did many things.Jam. 2. 10.Jas 2:10

Obedience muſt be Univerſal; Whoſoever ſhall keep the whole Law, 1 Kings 9. 4.1 Kgs 9:4and yet is guilty in one point, offendeth in all. David did according to all that God commanded Luke. 1. 6.Luke 1:6him. Zacharias and Elizabeth walked in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord; then ſhall I not be aſhamed, when I have reſpect unto all thy Commandments. p. 113Conſcience muſt be made of every ſin, great and ſmall. They onlyPſal. 119 3.Ps 119:3 are bleſſed that do no iniquity. I have refrained my Feet from every evil way. I hate every falſe way. 101 104.Darling ſins muſt be abandoned18. 23. and abominated, ſins of conſtitution, calling, company. I kept my Mat. 5. 19.Matt 5:19ſelf from mine iniquity. So muſt every ſecret ſin, even of thought. Why ſhould I think upon a Maid? Whoſoever 1 Theſ. 5 22.1 Thess 5:22ſhall break one of theſe leaſt Commandments, ſhall be excluded out of Heaven; yea, all appearance of evil muſt be abſtain'd from. And conſcience muſt be made of every duty, how coſtly, dangerous, or difficult ſoever. 2 Cor. 8. 7. Phil. 4. 8, 9. Dan. 6. 10. Rom. 12. 19, 20. True it is, we muſt be moſt careful of ſuch duties, that God hath laid a charge upon us, eſpecially to perform, namely ſubſtantial duties of Piety and Charity, and the duties of our particular Callings and Relations. Mat. 22. 38, 39▪ 23. 23, 24. 1 Sam. 15. 22. Hoſ. 6. 6. p. 114Luk. 3. 13, 14. 1 Tim. 6. 1, 2. Tit. 2. 15. Eph. 5. 22.

Not that it is expected that we ſhould legally keep all theſe Commandments, for this is impoſſible, while we are in theſe earthly Tabernacles. Evangelical obedience will be accepted which ſtands in five things. 1. That we approve of all the Commandments of God. I eſteem all thy Commandments to Pſal. 119. 128Ps 119:128be right, the Law is holy, the Commandment Rom. 7. 12.Rom 7:12is holy, juſt and good. 2. That we unfeignedly will, and earneſtly endeavour to keep the whole Law. We truſt we have a Heb. 13. 8.Heb 13:8good conſcience in all things willing to live honeſtly. O that my ways were Pſal. 119. 5.Ps 119:5directed to keep thy Statutes. Let now thine Ear be attentive to the Prayer of thy Servants, who deſire Neh. 1. 11.Neh 1:11to fear thy Name. 3. That there be in us as earneſt an endeavour. Herein do I exerciſe my ſelf to Act. 24. 16.Acts 24:16have always a Conſcience void of offence both towards God and Man. 4. That we unfeignedly p. 115repent, as oft as we fall or fail: Grieving that we have done amiſs and reſolve to do ſo no more.Luk. 17. 4.Luke 17:4 If thy Brother Sin againſt Thee ſeven times in a Day, and ſeven times in a Day turn again to thee, ſaying▪ I repent: thou ſhalt forgive him. Repent and be converted, that Acts 3. 19.Acts 3:19your ſins may be blotted out. I gave her ſpace to repent of her Fornication, and ſhe repented not. Rev. 2. 21. 16. 9. & 21.Rev 2:21Rev 2:16Rev 2:9They repented not to give him glory, neither repented they of their murders, or of their Sorceries, nor of their thefts, no Man repented him of his wickedneſs, ſaying, what have I done? There was under the Law a Sacrifice, even for Perjury, whereby a Man ſeals himſelf to the Devil.

5. That we believe in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, apprehending and applying the promiſes of pardon made in his blood. Believe in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt Acts 16. 31.Acts 16:31be ſaved.

2. Hereby know we that we dwell p. 116Char. 2.in him, and he in us, becauſe he 1 Joh. 4. 131 John 4:13hath given us of his Spirit. By ſpirit are meant the gifts or workings of the Holy Ghoſt, which are twofold: one inferiour, once ſlightly enlightning Mens mindes, this is common to the Elect, with many reprobates, who are ſaid to be made partakers of the Holy Ghoſt. AllHeb. 6 4.Heb 6:4 that before God are rightfully baptized, receive the Holy Ghoſt accordingMat. 3. 11.Matt 3:11 to the promiſe. No Man Acts 2. 38.Acts 2:38being able to ſay that Jeſus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghoſt. The1 Cor. 12. 3.1 Cor 12:3 other is a ſupream gift, peculiar to the Elect only, a new quality of Holineſs infuſed into the Soul, transforming the whole Man, effecting a real change and alteration of the whole Man from evil to good, enabling him to make a good confeſſion, and to walk in Love, which are the two next Characters.

3. Whoſoever ſhall confeſs that Char. 3. Joh. 4. 15.Jeſus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. This p. 117confeſſion includes and comprehends in it four things. 1. A diſtinct and cordial knowledge of this, and all other fundamental Articles of the Chriſtian Faith, which are inſeparable in their own Nature, (For if Jeſus Chriſt be the Son of God, all his Doctrine muſt be a Divine and everlaſting truth) Eſpecially of that which the Goſpel reveals, concerning Chriſt, namely that he is an alſufficient Saviour; and offered indefinitely to every reaſonable Creature, that will receive him in a Matrimonial Covenant, as a Wife receives her Husband to be governed by him, and to cleave unto him in every condition. 2. A lively aſſent of the mind to all this is an undoubted truth, with a free and full conſent of the will, to this bleſſed offer for the incomparable goodneſs of it, rolling and relying upon his Perſon and merits for the obtaining of remiſſion of ſins, and everlaſting life after p. 118Death. According to that of the Apoſtle. This is a faithful ſaying, 1 Tim. 1. 15.1 Tim 1:15and worthy of all acceptation that Jeſus Chriſt came into the World to ſave ſinners. 3. A Verbal acknowledgment of theſe, and all other known and believed Goſpel Verities, with an open profeſſion of them, before the face of the World. That this is neceſſary to be found in every one that would approve himſelf to have Intereſt in God, and poſſeſſion of him, as his Habitation, appeares belike (in God's grace by Chriſt, is) by faith in the heart, as in a lively Spring, and in confeſſion, as a continual reſpiration, both which are promiſed in the Goſpel. For what ſaith Moſes, The Word is nigh thee, even Rom. 10. 8, 9, 10.Rom 10:8Rom 10:9Rom 10:10in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is, the Word of Faith, which we Preach, that if thou ſhalt confeſs with thy mouth the Lord Jeſus, and ſhalt believe in thy heart, that God raiſed him from the dead, thou ſhalt be ſaved, for with the p. 119heart Man believeth unto Righteouſneſs, and with the Mouth confeſſion is made unto Salvation. Nor can the one be without the other. For when God hath once ſaid unto any Mans heart, I have called thee Pſal. 116. 6.Ps 116:6by thy Name, thou art mine. That Mans heart cannot but anſwer and ſay, Lord I am thine. O Lord, truly I am thy Servant, I am thy Servant. And what he hath heard in the Ear, he cannot but declare in the hearing of others. One ſhall Eſay 44. 5.Isa 44:5ſay, I am the Lords, and another ſhall call himſelf by the Name of Jacob, and another ſhall ſubſcribe with his hand, and ſurname himſelf by the Name of Iſrael. All manner of Perſons that ſhall joyn themſelves to me with my Church: ſhall make open profeſſion of my faith and ſervice, and therefore heMark 8. 38.Mark 8:38 that is aſhamed of Chriſt, and his Words, in an adulterous and ſinful Generation, that would hate, and reproach, and perſecute him for a ſtrict profeſſion thereof; or is affrighted p. 120hereby from making ſuch a profeſſion; God will never own, nor Chriſt acknowledge ſuch a one. Their hidden faith ſhall not hide them from the wrath of God, whoRev. 21. 8.Rev 21:8 will take Eternal Vengeance on them for their Cowardize. They who through carnal fear ſhall not dare to make profeſſion of my truth, (ſaith Chriſt) ſhall have their part fixed in the Lake, that burneth with Fire and Brimſtone. Theſe lead the Van in the rout of Reprobates marching thitherward. Among the Chief Rulers, many believed on Chriſt, but did not make publick profeſſion of believing inJoh. 12 42, 43John 12:42John 12:43 him, for fear of excommunication: this faith of theirs was properly no faith. For a true and lively faith confeſſeth that with the Mouth, which is believed in the Heart. This duty of confeſſing God was figured under the Law, by the ſhaking of things offered, waving them to and fro before the Lord,Heb. 13 15.Heb 13:15 which ſignified the ſhaking of our p. 121Lips, as in uttering and ſpeaking forth his praiſe. By him let us offer the Sacrifice to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his Name. So the telling forth frankly and boldly what we hold in matter of Religion. 4. A Vital confeſſion joyned to a Verbal. There are ſome whoſe lives give their Mouths the lye. They profeſs that they know Tit. 1. 15.Titus 1:15God, but in works they deny him, being abominable diſobedient, and unto every good work Reprobate. Unto the wicked God ſaith, what haſt thou to do to declare my ſtatutes, ſeeing thou hateſt instruction, Pſal. 50. 16, 17.Ps 50:16Ps 50:17and castest my words behind thee?

God is love, and he that dwelleth Char. 4. 1 Joh. 4. 16.1 John 4:16in Love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. This is a ſure note and character of our dwelling in God, when we finde that we love God for himſelf, and our Neighbour for his ſake, In obedience to his Command. Thou ſhalt love p. 122thy Neighbour as thy ſelf. And becauſe of his Image, which is more or leſs viſible in every Man; by this we may try the truth of the firſt note, for the love of God is the root of all true obedience to his Commandments. Nothing we do is good in his ſight, unleſs we do it out of love to him. When our Saviour gives the ſum of the precepts of the firſt Table, he does it in theſe words. Thou ſhalt love Mat. 22. 37.Matt 22:37the Lord thy God with all thy heart. Giving us thereby to underſtand what makes all the ſervice there required to be acceptable unto God. The ſame makes the duties of the ſecond Table ſo. Let all your things be done in love. Rom. 16. 14.Rom 16:14Follow the truth in love. Above Eph. 3. 15.Eph 3:15all theſe things put on Love. This Col. 3. 14.Col 3:14makes them all lovely. Love is the Rom. 13. 10.Rom 13:10fulfilling of the Law.

Qu. How may we know we have this love to God and Men?

Anſw. Where there is true love to God, the heart is ſoftned: The p. 123ſight and ſence of ſin will fill it with ſorrow, for offending God thereby. Zech. 12. 10. Pſal. 51. 3. Luk. 7. 38, 47. and there will be aPſal. 16. 3.Ps 16:3 Daily increaſe of hatred of ſin, a greater deſire after, and delight inCant. 8. 6, 7.Song 8:6Song 8:7 the Word of God, and all other meanes of grace, and in the Saints of God, and a more fervent zeal againſt ſin in our ſelves and others, and for advancement of God'sRom. 10. 2.Rom 10:2 glory. For zeal is nothing elſe but a flame, iſſuing from the Fire of Love: And becauſe there is a zeal which is not according to knowledge, the five requiſites in the exerting of our zeal, ought to be examined, namely whether we have a good cauſe and calling, and aRom. 10. 1.Rom 10:1 good Conſcience, and uſe only good meanes, and aim at a good end. Where there is true love to Men, it will be extenſive to all, and manifeſt it ſelf by unfeigned deſire of their ſalvation, and an earneſt deſire to procure them all the goods their neceſſities require p. 124according to our ability: and evenJob 31. 29.Job 31:29 to our greateſt Enemies, compaſſionate1 Sam. 24. 26.1 Sam 24:26 affection towards them, pitying2 King. 6. 14▪ 24.2 Kgs 6:142 Kgs 6:24 and grieving for any evil that befalls them, with a gentleExod. 23. 4, 5.Exod 23:4Exod 23:5 uſage of them in ſpeech and action.Mat. 5. 44.Matt 5:44 Thus are we commanded toProv. 25. 21.Prov 25:21 deal with our Enemies Oxe or Aſs. Moreover we are bound to pray for the pardon of their ſins, and converſion of their minds and manners, and readily to relieve them. But eſpecially we prove our dwelling in God by Love to the Brethren. Chriſts whole ſpiritual Kindred that are knit to him by the bond of faith, and among themſelves by that of love; Thoſe on whom we diſcern the new Man put on, which after God is created in righteouſneſs and true holineſs, though different from us in judgment, in points of faith that are not fundamental; Our love to theſe muſt not only be unfeigned▪ So it muſt be to all others, and with a pure heart free from Luſt,Rom. 12. 9. 1 Joh. 3. 18.Rom 12:91 John 3:18 p. 125and evil ſurmiſing, but with extraordinary1 Pet. 2. 22.1 Pet 2:22 heat of affection.

Having thus proved the Doctrine, and reſolved the Queſtion, we proceed to Application: And there are three ſorts of Perſons to be dealt with.

1. Such as are, or may be ſure they have not yet made God their Habitation.

2. Such whoſe Habitation the Lord is ſure enough, but they have no comfortable aſſurance that he is ſo.

3. Such as have this aſſurance.

The firſt of theſe are the greateſt part of the Viſible Church, (as for the reſt of the World, which are 28. or 31. by computation they are without doubt without God in the World) wherein there are no leſs than one and thirty ſorts of Hypocrites, of whom eleven come not up ſo high as the profeſſion of the true Religion. The other 20. Perſons the true Religion, without being truly Religious, p. 126Affecting the Name Religion, but diſ-affecting the thing, The deſcription of each of theſe are legible in Crook's Characters. Now an Hypocrite ſhall not come Job 13. 16.Job 13:16before God, cannot ſubſiſt in his preſence, much leſs have his abode in him. Many of them have confidence in Gods mercies. But the 18. 13, 14.Hypocrites hopes ſhall periſh, whoſe hope ſhall be cut off, and whoſe 11. 20.truſt ſhall be a Spiders Web: their hopes ſhall be as the giving up of the Ghoſt. For what is the hope 27. 8, 9.of the Hypocrite, though he hath gained when God taketh away his Soul. Will God hear his cryes when trouble cometh upon him? There is no hope of mercy for them: no, though the fitteſt objects of mercy. The Lord ſhall have no joy in their young Men. Neither ſhall have mercy on their Fatherleſs and Widdows, for every one is an Hypocrite. Nothing but woe is their Portion, as appeares by thoſe 8. woes pronounced againſt them byMat. 23.Matt 23 p. 127our Saviour in one Chapter. And he makes them (as it were) the Free-holders of Hell. All others but as Inmates, holding under them.24. 51. And he hath given 14. Notes together, whereby they may be known, any one of which raigning in any Man, proves him to have nothing to do in God, that God is not his Habitation, but that he is a Simon Magus, was in the gall Acts 8. 23.Acts 8:23of bitterneſs. It is too manifeſt, alas, that moſt among us are out of God, by what hath been ſpoken in anſwer to the Queſtion. 1. There are none in compariſon that will be perſwaded to make choice of God: Not only the whole World out of the Church lyeth in 1 Joh. 5. ….1 John 5wickedneſs, as in a deep puddle have choſen to live under the power and command of the wicked one, and with the Swine to wallow 2 Pet. 2. 22.2 Pet 2:22in the mire and filth of Sin, but alſo the whole Multitude that is within the Body and Kingdome of Chriſt: Yea, they have choſen p. 128their own ways, and their Soul delighteth Eſa. 66. 3, 4.Isa 66:3Isa 66:4in their Abominations. Pſal. 29. 30.Ps 29:30When I called none did anſwer, when I ſpake none did hear, but they did evil before mine Eyes, and & 81. 13.choſe that wherein I delighted not. Jer. 2. 25.Jer 2:25They hated knowledge, and did not chooſe the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counſel. Jude 5. 8.My People would not hearken unto my Voice, and Iſrael would have none of me. No, for I have loved ſtrangers, and after them will I Deut. 32. 17.Deut 32:17go. Strange Nations and Gods, their Idolatries, Superſtitions and Cuſtomes. They chooſe new Gods Jer. 6. 13.Jer 6:13that came newly up, whom their Fathers feared not. From the leaſt of them even to the greateſt, every one is given to Covetouſneſs; from the Prophet, even to the Prieſt, every one dealeth deceitfully. They Job 15. 5.Job 15:5have choſen the Tongue of the Crafty.

Such a choice moſt of the ſacred ſtock, and Members of the Church of old made. The Sons of p. 129God ſaw that the Daughters of Gen. 6. 2.Gen 6:2Men were fair, and they took them Wives, of all which they choſe. Without making any diſtinction for ſpiritual matters, or Religion, did intimate was to be done: and ſuch a perverſe choice the Jews long after made, who were the only Viſible Church, For John 4. 22.John 4:22Salvation is of the Jews. They cryed all, not this Man but Barabbas. 18. 40.They denyed the holy One, and the juſt, and deſired a Murderer to be granted unto them. And no other choice do the generality of the World among us at this day make. The World hath three Daughters. The luſt of the Fleſh, the luſt of John 3. 16.John 3:16the Eye, and the Pride of Life. One of which every one chooſeth before God; the Voluptuous the firſt, the Covetous the ſecond, the Ambitious the third. And who, or where is he or ſhe, that is not one of theſe? Many walk, of whom I Phil 3. 18, 19.Phil 3:18Phil 3:19have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are p. 130Enemies of the Croſs of Chriſt. Whoſe God is their Belly, whoſe Glory is their ſhame, who mind Earthly things.

2. There are as few that lay hold on God, joyn themſelves to him, cloſe with him. There is none that calleth upon thy Name, that ſtirreth up himſelf to take hold of Eſay 64. 7.Isa 64:7thee; Where are there any that do as thoſe Children returning to Judea did? the Children of Iſrael, and the Children of Judah together, of whom it is ſaid, They ſhall go and ſeek the Lord their Jer. 50. 4, 5.Jer 50:4Jer 50:5God, they ſhall ask the way to Zion, with their Faces thither-ward. Saying, come let us joyn our ſelves unto the Lord in a perpetual Covenant, that ſhall not be forgotten. Going and weeping, for repentance for their former ſins, for grief to behold their miſerable Eſtate. Where have we any that have any ſuch mind to joyn themſelves unto the Lord? To become one ſpirit with him. We have too manyActs 11. 24.Acts 11:24 p. 131that joyn themſelves to Harlots, making one Body with them: Like the Iſraelites that committed Whoredom with the Daughters of Moab; and then joyned themſelves with Baal Peor, and2 Cor. 6. 16.2 Cor 6:16 that joyne together with Thieves, and Drunkards, and Enemies to God and goodneſs. Saying, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, Pro. 1▪ 11.Prov 1:11let us lurk privily, for the Innocent without cauſe: though they have done us no wrong. Come let us Jer. 18. 18▪Jer 18:18deviſe devices againſt Jeremiah, let us ſmite him with the Tongue, lay accuſations and calumnies againſt him.

3. There are fewer that cleave unto the Lord. How many viſible Members of the Church joyned a Covenant with God by Baptiſme, and in fellowſhip with his People, have fearfully apoſtatized? yea, ſome that have been eminent for knowledge, profeſſion, and practice of piety, are fallen from their holy principles and practices. Some p. 132to ſcandalous and foul ſins; ſome2 Tim. 4. 10.2 Tim 4:10 to Popery, and other Hereſies; ſome to Prophaneneſs, and ſome to Worldlineſs, like Demas, who forſook Paul, Having loved this preſent World: The eaſes, commodities, and carnal ſecurities thereof. How many are there in whom we may ſee, as in him that fulfilled which our Saviour ſpeaketh? Many that were the firſt, the forwardeſt in their love to the Word, in the work of God, in publick, domeſtical,Mat. 19. 30.Matt 19:30 and ſecret duties, are now become the laſt, the backwardeſt of all others: After they had eſcaped 2 Pet 2. 20.2 Pet 2:20the pollutions of the World, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, They are again intangled therein, and overcome by the Devil. Again, in ſomeMat. 12. 43.Matt 12:43 manner, and for ſome time they fought, whereby he hath for ever poſſeſſed himſelf of them. To whom it is happened, according to the true Proverb. The Dog is 2 Pet. 2. 22.2 Pet 2:22turned to his own Vomit again, p. 133and the Sow that was waſhed, to her wallowing in the Mire.

4. How few have any care to keep the Commandments of God? How many give that anſwer to his Prophets, preſſing obedience, which thoſe Jews did to Jeremy? As for Jer. 44. 15, 16.Jer 44:15Jer 44:16the word that thou haſt ſpoken unto us in the Name of the Lord, We will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatſoever thing goeth out of our own Mouth, willingly walking after the Hoſ. 5. 11.Hos 5:11Commandments of Men.

5. Where almoſt ſhall we finde ſuch a one as Joſhua? a Man in whom is the Spirit, to whom God Numb. 27. 18.Num 27:18hath given his good Spirit, upon whom the Spirit of the Lord reſteth (as it did upon Chriſt) the ſpirit Nehe. 9. 20.of wiſdom and underſtanding, the ſpirit of counſel, and might, the ſpirit of knowledge, and of Eſay 11. 2.Isa 11:2fear of the Lord, the ſpirit of grace and of ſupplication, the ſpirit of Zech. 12. 10.Zech 12:10ſanctification, of meekneſs, of faith, of love, and of a ſound mind. SuchRom. 1. 4.Rom 1:4 p. 134a Spirit as Caleb had, fulfilling to 1 Cor. 4. 21.1 Cor 4:21follow God. No ſuch ſpirit appears2 Cor 4 13.2 Cor 4:13 in many in our Days. In2 Tim. 1. 7.2 Tim 1:7 moſt there is the evil ſpirit, the ſpirit that worketh in the Children Numb. 14. 24.Num 14:24of diſobedience. A perverſeEph. 2. 2.Eph 2:2 ſpirit, The Lord hath mingled a ſpirit of perverſneſs in the Land. He hath taken away the underſtanding, and troubled them, as if they had drunk ſome ſtupifying Drink. A Spirit of deep ſleep. TheEſay 19 14.Isa 19:14 Lord hath puniſhed their voluntary blindneſs with a greater aſtoniſhment, depriving them quite of the light of his ſpirit, againſt whom20. 10. they rebelled, giving themſelves over to the ſpirit of darkneſs. The ſpirit of the World, ſuch a ſpiritRom. 11. 8.Rom 11:8 as hath no proportion nor correſpondency, but only with worldly things, which it only values and2 Cor. 2. 12.2 Cor 2:12 affects. If Men had th… holy ſpirit of God given them, they would be led by him: follow his directionsRom. 8. 14.Rom 8:14 and good motions for the guide and Governor of their life; they p. 135would live in the ſpirit, and walk Gal. 5. 25.Gal 5:25in the ſpirit, and ſtrive in the newneſs Rom. 7. 6.Rom 7:6of the ſpirit: and give and offer unto God a ſpiritual worſhipJohn 4. 24.John 4:24 according to his nature. Bring Gal. 5 22. 23.Gal 5:22Gal 5:23forth the fruit of the ſpirit, which is love, joy, peace, long-ſuffering, gentleneſs, faith, meekneſs, temperance: but the clean contrary. But none of all this they do, and therefore God hath not given them his ſpirit, and conſequently they do not dwell in God.

6. Very few confeſs truly that Jeſus Chriſt is the Son of God,1 Cor. 8. 2.1 Cor 8:2 They know nothing of him, and his Goſpel, as they ought to know, diſtinctly, humbly, …avourly, practically. They give not their unfeigned aſſent and conſent unto his Holy Liturgy, that all in it is truth and goodneſs, nor do they own and acknowledge him with their Lips and Lives.

7. Moſt Men are ſo far from dwelling in Love, that the hatred both of God and Men dwells in p. 136them. They are haters of God could wiſh there were no God. Though with their Tongue, ſomeRom 1. 30.Rom 1:30 ſhew much love, yet with their hearts they hate him, and his Laws, and wayes. And ſo they do hisEzek. 33. 31.Ezek 33:31 People, as Cain did Abel, and Ahab Micaiah, wiſhing evil to them,1 John 3. 12.1 John 3:12 out of a rooted and ſetled malice, and that for their Holineſs, though they pretend it is for their hypocriſie;1 Kings 22. 8.1 Kgs 22:8 and if any wrong them, they bear implacable ſpirits towards them: by this it appears they dwell not in God.

Now my buſineſs with all theſe, is to adviſe them to give all diligence, to give themſelves no reſt, till they have gained the Lord, even the moſt High, to be their habitation, and to inſtruct them in the means conducing to this end.

Motives, many might be given, but ſufficient hath been ſpoken in the beginning of this Diſcourſe, concerning the deſirableneſs and excellency of Reſt in general, and p. 137of the Souls reſt, which is to be found only in this Houſe. To which I ſhall add, that in no other a Man that takes his reſt can be ſecure and ſafe, but in this he may. I will both lay me down and Pſal. 4. 8. 91. 1.Ps 4:8Ps 4:91Ps 4:1ſleep, for thou Lord makeſt me dwell in ſafety. If thou prepareſt Job 11. 13. 18, 19.Job 11:13Job 11:18Job 11:19thy heart, makeſt thy ſelf fit to lodge under the ſhaddow of the Almighty, Thou ſhalt take thy reſt in ſafety. Alſo thou ſhalt lye down, Pro. 1. 33.Prov 1:33and none ſhall make thee afraid. Whoſo harkneth to me, uſeth means to have his abiding in me, ſhall dwell ſafely, and be quiet from the fear of evil. God ſayes to every one, whom he ſends his Miniſters1 Sa. 22. 23.1 Sam 22:23 unto, to come and take their Reſt in him; As David to Abiathan, Abide thou with me, fear not, for Exod. 9. 18▪ 22Exod 9:18Exod 9:22thou ſhalt be in ſafe-guard. Thoſe Egyptians that feared the Word of the Lord, threatning a direful hayle which ſhould come on the morrow, and ſhould deſtroy all Men and Beaſts, which were out of p. 138Houſes. Made their Servants, and their Cattel flee into Houſes. He that regarded not the word of the Lord, left his Servants and his Cattel in the Field, to their deſtruction. It will be the deſtruction of you and yours to Eternity, if you get not your ſelves and them timely into this Houſe, where and no where elſe there is ſafety.

The general means is implyed in the word making, which ſpeaks ſtirring and action. As God the Father hath made his Son Jeſus 1 Cor. 1. 30.1 Cor 1:30Chriſt unto believers, wiſdom, righteouſneſs, and ſanctification, and redemption. So he that by faith in Chriſt, which works by Love, makes God unto himſelf all that to him, which in all eſtates may give him comfort, and ſatisfaction, his King, Lord, Husband, Father,Pro. 13. 4.Prov 13:4 Sheapherd, Son, Shield, Comfortreſs, Hiding-place, Habitation and21. 25. Portion: You that have as yet no ſuch portion in God, ariſe and be doing. The Soul of the Sluggard p. 139deſireth and hath nothing, becauſe his hands refuſe to labour; but the Pſal. 36. 8.Ps 36:8ſoul of the diligent ſhall be made fat. Such ſhall be abundantly ſatisfied with the fatneſs of God's Houſe: and he ſhall make them drink of the Rivers of his pleaſures. Wherefore do they ſpend Money for that which is not Bread, and their labour for that which ſatisfieth not? Heathens were wont to ſay, the Gods ſell good things to Men for Labours.

True it is, all Men are alwayesPſal. 106 19. Hoſ. 8. 11. 10. 1. 13. 2.Ps 106:19Hos 8:11Hos 8:10Hos 8:1Hos 8:13Hos 8:2 making. We read of many that have made, and do make wofull work. They made a Calf in Horeb. Eſay 59. 7.Isa 59:7Ephraim hath made many Altars to Sin. They have made goodly Imamages, zech. 7. 12.Molton Images of their Silver and Idols, according to your own underſtanding. Their Feet Heb. 2. 15.Heb 2:15run to evil, and they make haſte to ſhed innocent blood. They have Mat. 15. 6.Matt 15:6made their hearts as an Adamant Stone. Woe to thee that putteſt thy Bottle to thy Neighbour, and p. 140makeſt him drunken. We have 1 Tim. 1. 19.1 Tim 1:19made Lies our refuge. Ye have made the Commandment of God of none effect. By the Tradition ye Pro. 14. 9.Prov 14:9have made my Houſe a Den of Thieves. Some having put away Acts 23. 13.Acts 23:13Faith and a good Conſcience, concerning faith have made ſhipwrack. Fools make a mock of ſin. SuchRev. 22. 15.Rev 22:15 kind of making makes Men meet to be made partakers of the Inheritance of the Devil, and his Angels in blackneſs of darkneſs for ever.

Another manner of making is required of them that would have God to become their Habitation.Ezek. 18. 31. Jer. 18. 11.Ezek 18:31Jer 18:11 Caſt away from you all your tranſgreſſions, whereby ye have tranſgreſſed; and make ye a new heart, and a new ſpirit: return ye now Luk. 3. 4.Luke 3:4every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good; Prepare ye the way of the Heb. 12. 13.Heb 12:13Lord, make his Path ſtreight. Make ſtraight Paths for your Feet. Make the way of the Goſpel eaſie for p. 1412 Pet. 1. 10.2 Pet 1:10you. By the diligent Obedience, give diligence to make your Calling and your Election ſure.

More particularly conſider, what they that want a Houſe, and hear of a good one to be had, do, and do likewiſe.

1. They are ſenſible of, and lay ſadly to heart their miſery thereby. What comfort can that Man have, that hath Meat, Drink, and Cloaths, and Silver, and Gold, and Jewels; if with theſe he hath not a Houſe to live in? And ſuch a Houſe as can keep him, and what he hath, dry? A Houſleſs Man is expoſed to unſufferable evils, to all the injuries of Heaven and Earth; in the Day the draught conſumes him, and the froſt by Night, and all his Sleep departeth from his Eyes.

2. They conſider how happy they are that have a Houſe, and ſuch an one as hath been deſcribed for properties, furniture, conveniences; and how happy themſelves p. 140duplicate page p. 141duplicate page p. 142ſhould be, if they had the ſame.

3. The deſire of your Soul is carryed earneſtly after this Happineſs, and they expreſs their deſires both by enquiring of them that have, how the Houſe they have heard of may be had, and requeſting them that have intereſt in the owner and diſpoſer of it to befriend them in ſpeaking a good word for them, and alſo making and putting up their ſupplication themſelves to him, to vouchſafe this favour to them.

4. They are contented to purchaſe, or take it at any rate within their power, are willing to come up to the full price or rent demanded.

5. They put themſelves into the way, that leads to this Houſe, with the Price in their hands, (as thoſeJudges 16. 18.Judg 16:18 Lords are ſaid to go to Delilah.)

6. They are careful to qualifie themſelves, ſo as to be made meet to enter into the Houſe, and dwell p. 143there. We read of a prohibition to ſuffer any that are blind and 2 Sam. 5. 8.2 Sam 5:8lame to come into the Houſe of Eſ. 4. 2.Isa 4:2David. Nor might any enter into Ahaſuerus Gate cloathed in Sack-Cloath.

7. They are ready to enter into Covenants and Bonds, and an Oath too if need be, to perform Conditions that are required by him that owns the Houſe, and muſt give them poſſeſſion of it.

1. All this muſt be done by you that are out of God, that he may become your Habitation. See and Jer. 2. 19.Jer 2:19know that it is an evil and a bitter Eph. 2. 12.Eph 2:12thing to be without God in the World. You have no Union nor Communion with Chriſt, the Spring of all ſpiritual and everlaſting bleſſings. You are ſeparate from his body, in which only he communicates his grace. You have no Intereſt nor Portion in the goods promiſed by the Covenant of grace; are without all hope of ſalvation while in that condition. You areMal 2. 2.Mal 2:2 p. 144ſubject to the wrath and curſe ofPſal. 69. 22.Ps 69:22 God, your very bleſſings are curſes, your Table is a ſnare, and that which ſhould be for your welfare, is a trap: Not only the corporal but ſpiritual food, even the conſecrated Elements which you receive. Every Creature is your enemy, and ſeeks your ruine; yea, all things work together to effect it. You are every moment in danger of dropping into Hell; out ofEſa. 10. 3, 4.Isa 10:3Isa 10:4 which there is no Redemption. And what will ye do in the Day of Mat. 13. 30, 42.Matt 13:30Matt 13:42Viſitation, to whom will ye flee for help? There is no help for you out of me. They ſhall be bound up and tyed together as bundles, and caſt into the Furnace of Fire; there ſhall be wailing and gnaſhing of teeth. You may ſeem to your ſelves, and others to be in a good condition, becauſe you have the World at will, and are perhaps civil and honeſt; yea, and formally religious like the Laodicean Angel. Thou Rev. 3. 17.Rev 3:17ſayeſt I am rich, and increaſed p. 145with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art poor, and blind, and naked.

Apprehend theſe, as the Officers of the Children of Iſrael did, when Pharaoh denyed themExod. 5. 19.Exod 5:19 Straw, To be in evil caſe, be afflicted, Jam. 4. 9.Jas 4:9make theſe miſerable, ſo the word ſignifies. Go too now 51.ye rich Men, weep and howl for the miſeries that ſhall come upon you. Though a ſinner do evil anEccl. 8. 12, 13.Eccl 8:12Eccl 8:13 Hundred times, and prolong his Days, yet ſurely I know that it ſhall go well with them that fear the Lord, which dwell in him. But it ſhall not be well with the wicked, whoſe Habitation the Devil is, whom they ſerve, and with whom they ſhall ſhortly dwell in his infernal Houſe to all Eternity. Mean time their judgment lingereth not, 2 Pet. 2 3.2 Pet 2:3and their damnation ſlumbereth not, but is coming Poſt-haſte toPſal. 140. 11.Ps 140:11 meet them. Evil ſhall hunt the Violent Man to overthrow him. The puniſhment which he hath deſerved p. 146for his perſecution, ſhall perſecute him, until ſuch time, as like unto a Beaſt forced to ſome City, he fall and periſh. Be ſure your ſin will Numb. 32 23Num 32:23finde you out. The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven againſt all Rom. 1. 18.Rom 1:18Ungodlineſs, and Unrighteouſneſs & 2. 8, 9.of Men, who hold the truth in unrighteouſneſs; indignation▪ and wrath, tribulation and anguiſh upon every Soul that doth evil. The Pſal. 9. 17.Ps 9:17wicked ſhall be turned into Hell, and all the People that forget God. Upon the wicked he ſhall rain 11. 6.ſnares, Fire and Brimſtone, and an horrible Tempest; this ſhall be the Portion of their Cup. Say to thyRom. 7. 24.Rom 7:24 ſelf, Is this my portion? O wretched Man that I am, who ſhall deliver me out of this dark and damned eſtate? If Paul cryed out ſo lamentably, becauſe of the remnant of natural corruption, which was as grievous to him, as if a dead-body had been tyed to him, and he compelled continually to carry it about with him, What p. 147cauſe have I to lament, that am in the ſtate of corrupt nature, and gall of bitterneſs? Till Men have this knowledge, and ſenſe of their miſery, in being out of God, they are not ſo much as called to comeMat. 11. 28.Matt 11:28 into him.

2. See and apprehend how happy you ſhould be, tranſcendently happy, had you a God to dwell in, Jehovah, David's Refuge, the moſt high. The Pſalmiſt having ſignified the happineſs of thoſe People that were to enjoy health of Body, abundance of Fruit, Heards and Flocks of ſtrong Cattel, and publick Peace, Corrects himſelf, concluding his enumeration with this gratulatory Epiphonema, or pleaſant ending; Yea, Pſal. 144. 2. to the end.Ps 144:2happy is that People, whoſe God is the Lord. And ſo Moſes, after celebration of Gods great goodneſs to Iſrael, in being a moſt glorious and powerful protection unto them. In diſpoſſeſſing their Enemies, andDeut. 33 26. to the end.Deut 33:26 bringing them into their Land, He p. 148elevates their happineſs, and celebrates their exaltation above all other People, in having the Lord for their God and Habitation. If God be for us, (he is ſo far forPro. 8. 31. to the end.Prov 8:31 all them that are in him his houſhold of faith, the Lord taketh my part with them that help me) Who Pſal. 118. 7.Ps 118:7can be againſt us? None to hurtRom. 8. 28.Rom 8:28 us, all things co-operate for our good, Afflictions, Sin, Satan, All. If it ſounds harſh to ſay ſin turnes to our good, certainly it turnes to our good, if the Chriſtian riſeth with greater ſhame and hatred of it, after his fall. Put not your truſt in Princes, nor in the Son of Pſal. 146. 3, 5.Ps 146:3Ps 146:5Man, in whom there is no Salvation; happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whoſe hope is in the Lord his God, who hath him for his Habitation. Bleſſed is the Man whom thou chooſeſt, and cauſeſt to approach unto Thee, that 65. 4.he may dwell in thy Courts; We ſhall be ſatisfied with the goodneſs of thy Houſe. Let your judgments p. 149be throughly convinced, that the happineſs of Man lies in the enjoyment of God, and that it can never be well with you▪ till you have poſſeſſion of this reſting place, and that then your happineſs will be ſuperlative.

3. Let your deſires be carryed after God, vehemently and conſtantly, like the deſires of a hungry thirſty Man after Meat and moyſture, whom nothing of any other kind will ſatisfie; And likeLuk. 1. 53.Luke 1:53 the deſire of an Infant, after the Milk of its Nurſes Breaſts, whoMat. 5. 6.Matt 5:6 will cry it ſelf to Death, if it beEſay 44. 3.Isa 44:3 kept from it. Many promiſes are55. 1. made to ſuch deſires. Such an affectionRev. 22. 17.Rev 22:17 we finde to have been in the People. The deſire of our Soul Eſay 26. 9.Isa 26:9is to thy Name, or to the remembrance of Thee; with my Soul have I deſired Thee in the Night. As the Hart panteth after the Water Pſal 42. 1, 2▪Ps 42:1Ps 42:2brooks, ſo panteth my Soul for thee O God! My Soul thirſteth for the living God. When ſhall I come and p. 15073 2…appear before God? Whom have I in Heaven but thee? And there is none upon Earth that I deſire beſides thee. Let the ſame inward, earneſt, conſtant affection be in you, and expreſs your deſires, asking the way to this Houſe, as thoſe returning Captives did, with their… 45. Faces thitherward: And as thoſe punctually pierced ſinners did, Men and Brethren, &c. And as the terrified Jaylor: Sirs, what muſt I do to be ſaved? Yea, do as Simon Magus did, pray them that have intereſt in the Lord to pray for you. Yea your ſelves take with you words, and turn unto the Lord, ſaying, take away all iniquity, and receive us graciouſly.Hoſ. 14. 2.Hos 14:2

4. Becauſe this Houſe cannot be had but by buying, nor any of the goods of it. Take our Saviour's advice. I counſel thee to buy of Rev. 3. 18.Rev 3:18me Gold, tryed in the Fire, that thou mayeſt be rich, and white Rayment that thou mayeſt be cloathed: Come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, p. 151…ſay 85. 1.buy Wine and Milk: to buy, is properlyGen. 23. 9.Gen 23:9 to get a Commodity, by giving the due price of it: thus this Houſe cannot be bought, nor any ſpiritual gift. Thy Money periſh with thee, becauſe that thou haſt thought, that the gift of God may be purchaſed with Silver. But to obtain a thing by other means, as to part with ſomething for it, or by pains and labour, is in Scripture phraſe, buying. Thus Paul Phil. 3. 7, 10.Phil 3:7Phil 3:10was contented to part with any thing, how dear ſoever, and to be at any pains to gain Jeſus Chriſt: and ſo muſt you, if you would gain the moſt High for your Habitation. Many there are that think this Houſe not worth the cheaping, bid nothing for it: God is not in Pſal. 10. 4.Ps 10:4all their thoughts. They will part with nothing, no not with the beaſtlieſt luſts, be at no pains at all for God. If he and Heaven will be had for nothing, without any labour, perhaps they would accept thereof; but upon any harder term…, p. 150duplicate page p. 151duplicate page p. 152you may hear them bidding God depart from them.Job. 21. 14.Job 21:14

Others there are that bid ſeeming fair, but will not come up to the price. This did that young Ruler, he yielded obedience to the Commandments of the ſecond Table,Mat. 19.Matt 19 and his Obedience was Univerſal and conſtant; and more than this, he proffereth his deſire to know, and do more. The five fooliſh Virgins did more than he, they kept themſelves undefiled from the World, made open profeſſion of Chriſt, had faith and convictions to keep their profeſſion alive; nor was their profeſſion idle, they performed Chriſtian duties, frequented Goſpel-Ordinances; their Companions were Chriſt's, whom as they owned, ſo ſought after: and finally expreſſed their earneſt deſire of ſaving grace. Thoſe HypocritesEſay 58.Isa 58 of old ſeem to bid more than theſe. They ſought God diligently, and conſtantly delighted to know his ways; practiced good, p. 153were ſtedfaſt to their Principles, faithful to their profeſſion, deſired to be guided and counſelled by God; took delight in approaching to him; afflicted their Souls with faſting. Judas left all to follow Chriſt, continued long with him in his temptation, preached the Goſpel zealouſly, and ſo demeaned himſelf, that none of his followers had any ſuſpicion of his Hypocriſie.

Qu. What was wanting in theſe Chapmen, that bid thus fairly for this Houſe, and went without it?

Anſw. Three things, which you muſt bring to make up the Price of this Purchaſe, or fare as they did; Namely, 1. Poverty of Spirit, they came with Money: You muſt come without, or go without. Come, buy without Money, and without Eſay 55. 1.Isa 55:1Price. He that hath no Money, Come; apprehend your ſelves in the prodigals condition, in extream want of grace, and in debt to divine Juſtice ten thouſand Talents, p. 154and utterly unable to pay one Unite. To ſuch a Chapman will theLuk. 15. 14, 16.Luke 15:14Luke 15:16 Lord look and hearken. For thus Eſay 66. 2.Isa 66:2ſaith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity, whoſe Name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him, alſo that is & 57. 15.of an humble ſpirit. And to be ſure he dwelleth in God, in whom God dwelleth. Bleſſed are the Poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven. 2. Self-denyal. If Luk. 9. 23.Luke 9:23any Man will come after me, let him deny himſelf. Chriſt was going unto his Fathers Boſome, (heJohn 1. 18.John 1:18 was there always;) they that go after him, muſt needs go in thither: this only ſelf-denyers do, who forſake the motions of their own corrupt reaſon and will, loath whatſoeverGal. 5. 24.Gal 5:24 is lovely to Nature, that will hinder them in the courſe of godlineſs, mortifie the old Man, crucifie the fleſh, with the affectionsLuk. 14. 26.Luke 14:26 and luſts; yea, diſpoſe themſelves to hate, even their neereſt kindred; in caſe the love of them be incompatible p. 155with the love that is dueActs 20. 24.Acts 20:24 …o Jeſus Chriſt. Nor is their life …ear to them, nor dare they do that which they do, but ſuſpect is …iſpleaſing to God. Many have written divinely upon this ſubject. Mr. Baxter incomparably.

4. An intire reſignation of the whole heart to Jeſus Chriſt. Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of Mat. 11. 29.Matt 11:29me, and you ſhall finde reſt for your Souls. Yield and ſubmit our ſelves we muſt, both actively and paſſively.

5. Get into the way that leads unto this Houſe. I am the way Joh. 14. 6.John 14:6(ſaith Chriſt) No Man cometh unto the Father, but by me. The way to get into Chriſt, is, by a lively faith, denying our own righteouſneſs, and rolling our Perſons, Souls and Bodies upon the Perſon of Chriſt, God and Man, and upon his merits and righteouſneſs, and upon the promiſes made in him, for remiſſion of ſins and ſalvation; receiving him not only, as a Savior, p. 156but alſo as a Lord; as willing to be ruled by him, as well as to be ſaved. If you finde it difficult to do this, do as that poor Man did, Who cryed out, and ſaid with tears, Mark 9. 24.Mark 9:24I believe, Lord help my unbelief.

6. You that are yet in a ſtate of nature, blind and lame, and worſe cloathed than with Sack - cloath, and ſo unmeet to be admitted into this Houſe; Anoint your Eyes Rev. 3. 18.Rev 3:18with Eye-Salve, that you may ſee. Acts 14. 18.Acts 14:18You know of whom you may have it, and have faith to be heal'd of your lameneſs; as that Cripple from his Mothers Womb had, in whom the Spirit of God had infuſed ſome ſeeds of Faith: which Paul conceived by Revelation. And caſt away thoſe filthy GarmentsEſa. 30. 22.Isa 30:22 that are upon you, as menſtruous Clothes; ſaying, get youZech. 3. 3, 4.Zech 3:3Zech 3:4 hence, and put on other Apparel; The new Man, which after GodEph. 4. 24.Eph 4:24 is Created in Righteouſneſs, and Holineſs of Truth.

7. Nor do you ſtick at any engagements, p. 157or obligations, or oaths required of you; but freely enter into any that ſhall be put upon you, by him who cannot impoſe any thing, but what is holy, juſt, and good; And reſolve to keep them. I have ſworn, and I will Pſal. 119. 106.Ps 119:106perform it, that I will keep thy righteous Judgments.

Thus do, and you ſhall not fail to finde the Lord to be, what a Houſe, and all deſirable Furniture and Conveniencies, can be unto you.