A Help to Holy Walking, Treatise · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV. Directions in Private Duties.
HAving already Diſcourſed of the Publick parts of Gods worſhip, which for the moſt part are performed in the Congregation; and given you Directions for the right performing of them, as God hath enabled me; I ſhall now in the Cloſe of this Treatiſe, ſpeak ſomething of thoſe private Duties that every Chriſtian is bound to perform in their own Families, or Cloſets, when they are out of the great Congregation, for this is no leſs God's Worſhip than the former; and doth as much, nay, more demonſtrate a Man to be a Chriſtian, and Evidence the Truth of Grace, than the former; that is, a Chriſtian that is ſo when no Eye, but the Eye of God is upon him. I ſhall Treat of theſe more briefly, becauſe thoſe Directions for Publick Worſhip already given, will many of them fall in to be obſerved here: 'Tis not enough to be a Chriſtian in Publick, when the Eyes of the World are upon thee, but in private alſo. A Hypocrite may be zealous abroad, that is looſe at home; Holy in the Congregation, and Prophane in the Cloſet; mindful of Publick Duties, forgetful of Private: But a true Chriſtian is ſemper idem, always the ſame, in all places, in all Companies, at all times, and in all Conditions; he is like clear water in a Glaſs, ſhake it as long as you will, it remains clear: But a Hypocrite by ſhaking diſcovers mud in the bottom; or like the Needle in the Compaſs, though it may be diſturbed by a jog, or ſhake, will never fix upon a wrong point. The Phariſees they loved to pray in the Temple, and in the Corners of the Streets, where they might be ſeen of Men, but there is no mention made of their Cloſet Duties; but Chriſt bids enter into the Cloſet, and ſhut the Door. Chriſtianity is a Race, in which we muſt run, whether we have Company or no; or whether Men behold us or no. A true Chriſtian is no ſooner in the ſtate of Grace, but he cries out, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And thinks he can never do enough for Chriſt, that hath done ſo much for him; he knows he is not his own, but bought with a price, and therefore will Glorifie God, with his Body, and with his Soul, which are God's. When an Hypocrite Dedicates his Hands and Tongue to Chriſt, a true Chriſtian Dedicates his Heart: A Hypocrites work is moſt in ſight, a true Chriſtians is moſt in Secret; the Hypocrites is moſt abroad, the others is moſt at home; the Love of God conſtrains the one, and popular Applauſe drives on the other: A true Chriſtian Devotes himſelf wholly to God's Service, and Serve him he will, not for a Reward only, but for Love, to him, and his Work; and will do his Duty, whatever danger, or difficulty lyes in his way; for as he draws out from Chriſt ſtrength to perform every Duty, and bear every Affliction, ſo he draws out from Chriſt all the ſtrength he hath in his Service; Heart, and Hand, and Tongue, and all ſhall be ſet on work for him; and he reſolves he will ſerve him in Righteouſneſs, and Holineſs, all the days of his Life. 'Tis the Hypocrite that picks and chuſeth his Duties; this he will do, and that he will not do; a true Chriſtian takes Duties as they lye before him, and refuſeth none for danger, or difficulty; private Duties go down with him as well as publick, he makes as much Conſcience of Secret Duties, when no Eye, but the All-ſeeing Eye of God is upon him, as in publick, when the Congregation obſerves him. The Thoughts what Chriſt hath done, and Suffered for him, makes him think he can never do enough for Chriſt. 'Tis a true Token of a hard heart, when the Conſideration of God's Mercy, and Chriſt's Sufferings, do not bend him to Duty; and of all the Judgments in the World, a hard heart is one of the greateſt: Ah! what Cauſe have Men therefore to look about them, who feel this Diſeaſe creeping upon them. The Scripture tells us, thoſe that are in Chriſt are new Creatures; that they have put on Chriſt, and live not after the Fleſh, but after the Spirit: that they are dead to Sin, and alive to God; and have Crucified the World, with the Affections, and Luſts thereof: how then is their Aſſurance grounded, that conceit themſelves to be in Chriſt, and ſhall be ſaved, when none of all theſe things appear in them? nay though the contrary appear; though they live in Sin, and do the Devil's work: look to it betimes, God will not be mocked; his Servants ye are to whom ye obey, if ye ſuffer not with him, you will not Reign with him; as you Sow you ſhall Reap, God will have the heart, or nothing: if thou wilt to Heaven, thou muſt be a Chriſtian; and a Chriſtian thou canſt not be, but thou muſt be one in Private, as well as in Publick; which that thou may'ſt be, take theſe Directions for Private Duties.
1. Direct. The firſt Duty I ſhall mention, but not of leaſt concernment, is ſelf-examination. This indeed is private, for it is between thee and thine own heart. Be often enquiring at home, what ſtate thy Soul ſtands in to God; and what intereſt thou haſt in the Blood of Chriſt, and what Title to Heaven: this is a neceſſary, though much neglected Duty. Many that caſt up their Shops, to ſee whether they grow, or decreaſe in the World: and try their Evidences for their Lands, to ſee that they are good; take not ſo much pains for the Soul, to ſee whether all be well there. Union, and Communion with God, is a Chriſtians chiefeſt happineſs; and without this, there can be no felicity, though we have the influence of all Earthly enjoyments: yea, though we had the Honours, Riches, and Pleaſures, of a thouſand Worlds: for all theſe end in a Snuff, and will prove vaniſhing, fading, tranſitory things. The Soul of Man is a precious Piece, and therefore ſhould be moſt regarded. 'Tis next to the Angels, the chiefeſt Piece that ever droped out of the hands of God, and was made in his own Image; and the nearer any thing comes to the Image of God, the nearer it comes to perfection: for God is Perfection it ſelf. 'Tis the greateſt Purchaſe of the Blood of Chriſt, that which was of Infinite Value, more worth than the World, was given to redeem it; and Chriſt knew well enough the worth of Souls: and would not give ſuch a Rate for a thing of little worth. In a word, 'tis Eternal, and ſhall laſt for ever; and run parallel with the longeſt Line of Eternity, and therefore pretious: the vanity of Earthly enjoyments is ſeen in this, as well as other things, it's uncertain, and momentary duration. Now this pretious and Immortal Piece, is in great danger; and without our care, diligence, and pains, is like to be loſt: a thouſand Enemies beſiege it, and ſet it round, Enemies without, and within, and on every ſide: without the Devil, and the World, who ſpread a thouſand Snares to intrap it: within, Corruptions, yea an inbred Traytor; a falſe, perfideous, treacherous, and deceitful heart: theſe are Politick, Subtile, Crafty, and malicious Enemies. The Devil will make no peace with us, but upon worſe conditions, than Nahaſh the Amonite offered to the Men of Jabiſh Gillead, 1. Sam. 11.2. Ʋpon this condition will I make a Covenant with you; that I may thruſt out all your right Eyes, and lay it for a Reproach upon all Iſrael: but his conditions are the everlaſting deſtruction of Soul and Body; and if the Soul be once loſt, thou art undone for ever; a thouſand Worlds cannot redeem it, though they were turned into a heap of Diamonds, or a Globe of Gold: Now, art thou a rational Creature? and canſt thou ſee thy ſelf, thy better part, in ſo much danger, and art not ſenſible of it? wilt thou ſo regard a Limb, or Sence, an Eye, or a Tooth, and ſhall the Soul be unregarded? wilt thou Conſult the Lawyer about thy Eſtate, the Phyſitian about thy Health, yea the Farrier about thy Horſes; and ſhall thy Soul be neglected? God forbid: Wilt take care for Trifles, and neglect things of greateſt concernment; what greater note of a Fool can be expreſſed? God is yet calling thee, and the Door of Mercy is not yet ſhut againſt thee, opportunities are yet offered thee, and there is yet hopes; but how long it may continue thou knoweſt not: up and be doing, make ſure of Heaven while it may be had; one of theſe days it will be too late: examine thy ſelf by the Word of God, cleanſe the Fountain, that the Streams may be clear; ſtub up the Root of Sin, when others are Lopping at the Branches; begin Reformation at the right end. I ſhould here have given you ſome Motives, Rules, Directions, Marks, and Characters; to this purpoſe, to guide you in this difficult work, but this I have done already in another Treatiſe of that Subject, called the Souls Looking-Glaſs, to which I referr you, if you have no better at hand. Yea when by Examination thou knoweſt the truth of thy Grace, yet is not Examination uſeleſs; but conſider the Growth of it alſo: true Grace is of a growing Nature, like a Grain of Muſtard Seed; that in time becomes a great Tree: thy Growth ſhould be in ſome meaſure anſwerable to the Food thou eateſt, the means of Grace thou enjoyeſt: that which ſtands at a ſtay, or declines, may be ſuſpected 'tis not true; 'tis a Monſter in Nature, that is no bigger at twenty Years old, than at two; 'tis ſad when Men that ſhould grow, decline, and loſe their firſt love: if this be thy caſe, conſider from whence thou art fallen, and do thy firſt work; conſider who thou leaveſt, and whither thou goeſt, and what will be the Iſſue of it; at leaſt conſider what thou doſt, which no Hypocrite in the World can do: and never give thy ſelf any reſt, till thou knoweſt that thou outſtrip'ſt them all; yea, till thou canſt Read thy Name Written in the Book of Life, and canſt call God Father; and ſay with the Spouſe, my Beloved is mine, and I am his, Cant. 6.3.
2. Direct. The next Private Duty is, when thou knoweſt that thou haſt an Intereſt in God, and a Title to Glory; and canſt without check of Conſcience, call God thy Father, and Chriſt thy Head and Husband: be ſure then to keep cloſe to him, hold him faſt, and do not let him go, like the Spouſe, Cant. 3.4. 'Tis ſaid of Enoch and Noah, that they Walked with God; and thus in ſome meaſure doth every faithful Soul, and this is the ſureſt, ſafeſt, courſe thou canſt take: for there is none can hurt thee when thou art under his Wing, no Enemy can moleſt thee, while thou art under his Tuition; trouble never grinds a Man, till it finds him from God; take heed of growing ſtrange with God: if thou ſuffer him to be gone, thou may'ſt ſeek him ſorrowing, and not find him. Many that are conſtant in Publick Duties, are defective in Private; but 'tis Secret Duties, that chiefly maintains Communion with God: in thoſe it is we moſt ingage our hearts to God, and God to us: now if thou wouldeſt keep this Communion with God, ſome things are to be avoided, ſome things done: The things to be avoided are eſpecially Sins, but above all, our Boſome Sins, thoſe that thou art moſt inclined to, and moſt eaſiieſt yeilds to; and canſt moſt hardly ſay nay: theſe God is moſt Jealous of, and theſe will make the greateſt breach between God and the Soul; and moſt havock among thy Graces; theſe are they that moſt deeply wound the Conſcience, break thy Peace with thy God; and if not forſaken, will procure a Bill of Divorce: 'tis thy Sins which is the cauſe of all Judgement, Temporal, Spiritual, and Eternal; and withhold Mercies from thee: The love of Sin, and cloſe walking with God, cannot ſtand together. Sin is to Holy Spiritual Communion with God, as Water is to Fire, of an extinguiſhing Nature: take heed therefore of the beginning of it; bruſh and daſh Babylon's Children when they are young, and the Cockatrice Eggs, before they break forth into Serpents: entertain not a delightful thought of any Sin, reſiſt the firſt motions of Sin, avoid all the occaſions, repell the Temptations, and beware of the appearances of Evil; and get as far from it as poſſibly thou canſt: for God, and Sin cannot be entertained, and Lodge together in one Soul; thou muſt either break thy Peace with the one, or with the other of theſe irrevocable Enemies: thou canſt not ſerve God and Mammon: all Sin is of this nature, yet ſome Sins are more abominable than others, as Worldly-mindedneſs, this will choak all that is good in thee; it were the Cares of the World, and the deceitfulneſs of Riches, that choaked the Word, and it became unfruitful, Mat. 13.22. Pride alſo, is a damning Sin; and makes a Man ſet himſelf in the place of God, and ſet up his own will for his Rule: this turned Angels out of Heaven, Adam out of Paradice, and many into Hell. Idolatry alſo is abominable, when Men ſet up other Gods, and ſerve them, God will not take it at their hands: many more there are, of which we muſt be careful: Some things likewiſe are to be done, yea every Duty adds ſome ſtrength, and helps forward this Communion: Private Meditations, and Private Prayers, are excellent helps to this end: Meditation is an excellent help hereunto. Ah what ſweet, and delightful taſts of of God may a Man have, that Exerciſeth himſelf in this Soul-fatting Duty: Such a Man can find God in every Creature; and like the Bee, ſuck ſweetneſs from every Weed, and Flower; he can get advantage by Proſperity, and Adverſity, Health, and Sickneſs; yea every thing he knows, ſees, or hears of: yea every Creature will lead ſuch a Man to God, and Teach him ſome Leſſon worth his Learning: for as by the Vein the Mineral may be found, or as the Stream leads to the Fountain, ſo every thing leads to God; and points out his Power, Wiſdome, and Goodneſs; yea the conſideration and thoughts of Gods Attributes, Word, and Works, may fill the Soul with admiration, and make a Man fall in love with God; every Chapter, Verſe, and Line, of Holy Writ, is as a Ladder to lift thee nearer Heaven, and draw thee nearer unto God: ſuch a Man knows how to Spiritualiſe every Evil and Morall Action; and what ever he doth, he can Ingage God for to reward him: he can ſuck ſweetneſs out of all croſs Providences, and when God ſeems to frown, can turn the Curtain aſide, and ſee his pleaſed Face; and view his Love in the dark Paſſages of his Providence. Another means to maintain Communion is Secret Prayer, when the Soul can power out it ſelf into the Boſome of Chriſt, with Faith and Fervency; who hath promiſed to grant whatever they ask in his Name: Ah what ſweet Crumbs of Comfort, doth many feel coming from Chriſt in ſuch a Suit, when a Man ſpreads his Caſe, and Complaint before Chriſt, as ſomtimes Hezekiah did the Blaſphemous Letter: how doth this Ingage God in his Cauſe, if thou maintaineſt Life in theſe two Duties, thou wilt maintain Communion with God, and Life in thy Soul?
3. Direct. Another Duty Incumbent upon thy Soul, is to ſtore thy heart with knowledge, and underſtanding; without the which the mind cannot be good, Prov. 19.2. and this is done in Private, as well as Publick; partly by Reading and Conference: Reading the Scriptures and other good Books, this will notably encreaſe knowledge and underſtanding; but this I have already given Directions in, and deſire thee to make uſe of them. Meditation alſo is a fruitful Duty; even that which is occaſional: whereby thou mayſt gather Obſervations, and learn many Leſſons for thy Souls good, from every Creature thou haſt to deal with; but this I have already treated of: but this is not all, but if thou art Converted, ſtrengthen thy Brethren: we were not Born for our ſelves. If thou haſt a Family, ſtuddy and endeavour their Converſion alſo; teacheh them in the way they ſhould walk: for to that purpoſe God hath given thee Authority over them; thou art a King, a Prieſt, and a Prophet, in thine own Houſe: Rule then in thy Family, as a King, Inſtruct as a Prophet, and Pray amongſt them as a Prieſt; God will be ſerved in thy Family, as well as in thy Cloſet, or in the Publick: therefore, ſomtimes, Particular Houſes are called Churches; becauſe in them God is Worſhiped: To this End prepare then what thou canſt, for the Publick Ordinance, by Inſtruction, Admonition, and Encouragement; remove what rubs thou canſt out of their way, to believing, and obeying; ſhew them the neceſſity of Faith in Chriſt, and obedience to Chriſt; and if thou canſt help it, let none ſerve thee, that will not ſerve God; this was Davids reſolution, Pſal. 101.2. &c. Require an Account at their hands, what they learn, and what benefit they receive: preſs theſe things more upon their Spirits, and faſten it upon their Mind, that it may not be let ſlip, by repeating the Sermons, or ſo much of it as ſhall be neceſſary, for their good; and preſs home, and drive at what the Miniſter drives at in his Sermon: Reading the Scripture, alſo is an uſeful means to encreaſe knowledge, in thy ſelf and Family; and ſhould be done in Private in thy Family, and in Secret by thy ſelf; redeem time to this End, and if poſſible, make them underſtand what they Read, drive the Nail to the Head; this is the way to expell Ignorance, and to get Knowledge: this cannot but work ſome Knowledge in the hearts of them that hear it. In this Word is contained the Wfll of God, concerning Mans Obedience: and here is a Legacy left us by our Fathers Will, the Promiſes which are our Evidences for Heaven; and all we have to ſhew for Glory: and ſhall this be neglected by us, or meanly eſteemed. Some may Object they have long tryed this means, and ſee little profit by it; but do thy Duty, and leave the ſucceſs to God. Paul may Plant, and Apollos Water; but God gives the encreaſe: yet there muſt be Planting, and Watering, or good Fruit cannot be expected; God ſerves his Providence, by the uſe of means: The Bereans were commended for ſearching the Scriptures: and Chriſt himſelf commends this Leſſon to the Phariſees: this Book of the Law ſhould not depart out of thy Mouth, but thou ſhouldeſt Meditate therein for ever, Joſh. 18. Pſal. 12. This Word of God ſhould dwell plentiouſly in you, Col 3.16. It was Abraham's Practice to teach his Children, and Servants the fear of the Lord, Gen. 18.19. This alſo is Pauls Counſell, Eph. 6.4. Yea, and God's own Command, Deut. 6.6,7. The Words that I Command thee this day, ſhall be in thy Heart, and thou ſhalt Teach them diligently unto thy Children; thou ſhalt talk of them when thou fitteſt in thy Houſe, and when thou walkeſt by the way; when thou lyeſt down, and when thou riſeſt up, &c. Firſt, get them in thy Heart, and all the reſt will be eaſie; and there is great Reaſon for it: Thy Children have Received a Poyſonful Nature from thee, and thou haſt Dedicated them to God's Service in their Baptiſm; and all the Reaſon in the World thou ſhouldſt do thine Endeavour to bring them out of this miſerable Condition, and do what thou canſt to make them the Faithful Servants of God: Their Souls are precious pieces, too good to be the Devils Drudges; and thou that canſt not endure to ſee a ſilly Lamb, in the Mouth of a devouring Lyon, rending, and tearing it in pieces at his pleaſure, how canſt thou endure to ſee thy own Children in the Devils Hand, likely to Torment them for ever, and not be troubled? Set thy Hands therefore to the Work, and by Catechiſing, Inſtructions, Exhortation, and Admonition, to work knowledge in them, and bring them to Conſider their ways, for Conſideration is the firſt ſtep to Reformation: Aſſure thy ſelf God requires this Private Duty at thy Hands.
4. Direct. Another Private Duty, in reference to thy Family, is to Pray with them, and for them, and to joyn together in the mutual Praiſes of God. I have already Treated of the Duty of Prayer in general, and have given Directions in the managing well the Duty; look back upon them, and take the Directions, I ſhall now preſs upon thee as thou art an Houſholder: and 'tis no doubt but Secret Prayer is thy Duty, becauſe thou haſt Secret Sins to Confeſs that none knows of but God, and thine own Soul; and Secret wants to beg ſupplyes for, and Perſonal Mercies to be thankful for. But though this be neceſſary, 'tis not ſufficient; but if thou have a Family, theſe alſo muſt ſhare in thy Prayers: There is a Divine Imprecation againſt all thoſe Families that call not upon the Name of God. Now, this Duty ſhould be daily done; yea, Evening, and Morning, I think may Evidently be proved; that 'tis a daily Duty cannot be denyed: The Scripture requires us to pray without ceaſing, to pray continually, and in every thing to give thanks, and ſuch like expreſſions; intimating to us, that our Souls ſhould be in a continual Praying Temper, and upon all Occaſions Offered, ready to perform this Duty; and we ought to Serve God all the days of our Lives in Righteouſneſs, and Holineſs, Luke 1.75. Now, Prayer and Praiſe is part of that daily Service we owe to him, which is alſo Typified out by the daily Sacrifices, and Oblations, which were Offered to him in the Time of the Law; Chriſtians Prayer and Praiſe being in alluſion to this, called, the Offering up the Calves of our Lips, Hoſ. 4.2. And when Chriſt Teacheth his Diſciples to Pray, he bids them ſay, Give us this day our daily Bread, which ſhews us thus much, that it was to be their daily Petition, Acts 3.1. We Read, that the Apoſtles went into the Temple at the hour of Prayer, which ſhews they had their Stata precibus tempora, their appointed hours. And the Godly in all Ages have made Prayer their daily Practice: David he Prays ſeven times a day, Pſal. 119.164. Morning and Evening, Pſal. 92.2. Morning, Evening, and at Noon, Pſal. 55.17. Yea, elſewhere at Midnight. Daniel Prayed three times a day conſtantly; yea, when Death was threatned for ſo doing, Dan. 6.10. And there is great reaſon for it, for we Receive daily Mercies, for which we have cauſe to be thankful; and Commit daily ſins, for which we have cauſe to be humbled; and we have need of daily Supplyes, for which we have cauſe to be earneſt: And God hath given us leave to come as oft as we will▪ and promiſeth to hear us, and ſupply us: What a needleſs ſcruple then is it to ask whether it be our Duty, when 'tis our Priviledge, as well as our Duty; we do not ask, how prove you it to be our Duty to eat Meat every day, this would Argue but a bad Stomack: The oftner we come to God, the better welcom we ſhall be, and have more Communion, and Converſe with him; and the more we Converſe with him the better Entertainment we are like to have. Others Scruple, whether a Man ought to pray in his Family; theſe Men would fain find a knot in a Ruſh, and would Quarrel the Duty they like not; but doth not God tell us, Where two or three are gathered together, he will be in the midſt of them, Mat. 18.20. And are not ſome Families called Churches of God, where Religious Exerciſes are performed, Rom. 16.5. Col. 4.15. Philem. 2. Here the Houſes of Priſcilla, and Aquila, and Nymphas, and Philemon, are called Churches. And Joſhua reſolves that he, and his Houſe would ſerve the Lord, Joſh. 24.15. And we read of Chriſt praying with his Diſciples, and others: What ground of doubt can then remain, but this is a Duty? Thoſe that ſhake off this, would willingly ſhake off all the Ordinances, and the reſt of the Commands. In a Family are many particular Family-ſins Committed, which ought to be Confeſſed; many Family Mercies beſtowed, which call for a thankful acknowledgment; many wants, and Infirmities to be ſupplyed, which ſhould be begged; and all theſe cannot be known, nor, perhaps, are fit to be expreſſed by him, that is the Mouth of the People in publick; and for Morning, and Evening, theſe times ſeem fitteſt for this Duty, though ſome Quarrel this alſo: God himſelf in the time of the Law appointed theſe for Sacrifices, and Oblations; and Reaſon ſpeaks it fit that in the Morning we ſhould praiſe God for the Mercies of the Night, and pray for a bleſſing upon the buſineſs of the day; and at Even confeſs the ſins of the day, and be thankful for the Mercies; and Commend our ſelves into the Protection of God the Night following: For as all we have is from him, ſo we ſhould bleſs God for all, but Spiritual Mercy ſhould not be forgotten, eſpecially for Chriſt, and the work of our Redemption; the means of Grace, and the motions of the Spirit: We ſhould praiſe the Lord alſo with Pſalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs; this is a private Family Duty: Alſo the want of theſe Duties expoſe us to the threatning, Jer. 10.25.
5. Direct. Another private Duty which lyes upon thee in reference to thy Family, and thoſe under thy Charge, is reproving them when they ſin, and Correcting them when they will not amend, and reſtraining them what in thee lyes, from breaking God's Laws, and Divine Commands: Thou art God's Vice-gerent in thy Family, and beareſt his Image, and the ſtamp of Authority is put upon thee, and muſt Imitate God in thy Government ſo far as thy Commiſſion reaches; though thou haſt not the power of Life and Death, as the Supreme Magiſtrate, yet haſt thou a reſtraining power; yea, and if need be, the power to Correct, ſo that it reach not to Life, nor Limb; and doubtleſs Joſhua intended to put this power in Exerciſe, when he reſolvedly promiſed, that he and his Houſe ſhould Serve the Lord, Joſh. 20.15. Yet alas! how many Governours of Families neglect this Duty. Some are debarr'd from it by their own guilt, being guilty of the ſame ſins they ſhould reprove in others; this ſtops their Mouths, and makes them neglect their Duty. Theſe Men do more hurt by their Example, than ever they are like to do by their reproofs; their way is therefore firſt to caſt out the beam out of their own Eye, and then to ſeek to pluck out the Mote out of anothers. But I ſpeak chiefly to thoſe that ſeem to make ſome Conſcience of their Duty, for with thoſe I am likelieſt to prevail; and theſe alſo many of them are extremely negligent, and have need of a ſharp Reproof themſelves. Friends, do you verily believe, that ungodly Livers ſhall go to Hell, and being once there, are in an irrecoverable loſt Condition? And can you ſuffer ſuch among you, that are like to ſuffer the Torments of Eternal Fire, and hold your Tongues, and never give them warning of their Danger? What an uncharitable thing is this, that you will ſuffer thoſe that are in near Relation to you, perhaps, the Wife of your Boſom, or the Children of your own Bowels, to lye in ſuch a deſperate danger, and never warn them of it. If thou ſaweſt a Blind Man upon the brow of an Hill, ready to break his Neck; or a Mad Man ready to kill himſelf, thou wouldeſt call to the one, and warn him of the danger, and reſtrain the other if thou wert able; and wilt thou have Compaſſion on the Body, and no pity on the Soul? Shouldeſt thou ſee thy near Relations coming to the Gallows, and mighteſt ſave their Lives for a few words ſpeaking, wouldeſt be ſo uncharitable as to hold thy peace? were one of thy Intimate Friends in Hell, and were there a poſſibility of their Delivery; wouldeſt thou not go, and ride, and ſpeak, and pray, (ſuppoſing this were the way) in their behalf, and for their ſake? And wilt thou let them quietly go on in that way, that certainly tends thither, and never ſhew them the danger they are in? A vicious Life, without Repentance, will as certainly lead to Hell, as God is God, and the Scriptures are the word of God; for no unclean thing ſhall ever enter Heaven, no dirty Dog ſhall tread upon that Pavement: Didſt thou certainly know that thy Wife, or Friend, or near Relation were in Hell, and yet there were hopes of their Recovery, if thou wouldſt be at ſome pains, or at ſome Coſt; what an uncharitable part would it be in thee, to let them lye for ever, and for ever in thoſe Infernal Flames, and not ſeek their eaſe; and wilt neglect it now when it may poſſibly be prevented. Were but thy Wife, or Child in Turkiſh Slavery, thou wouldeſt pray, and intreat, and more than this for their Liberty. What tender heart could indure to ſee another in raging Torments, yet this will be the Condition of thy boſome Friends, if un-regenerate. Doſt thou ſee the Devil leading them Captive at his pleaſure, & haſt thou nothing at all to ſay againſt it? It may be thou Prayeſt for their Converſion, and wilt not ſpeak a word to this purpoſe? What diſſembling is this, and what mocking of God? If there be a deſire, it will be joyned with endeavours: Shouldeſt thou ſee thy Friend in a Pit, ready to be drowned, wouldſt thou fall upon thy knees, and Pray for help, and not put forth thy hand to help him? This would ſeem little Love: God will have means uſed to ſerve his Providence. It may be thou feareſt troubling them; but 'tis a Fooliſh Phyſitian that ſuffers his Patient to dye under his hand, rather than trouble him; in a Swoon we ſhaKe, and rub, and, pinch, and uſe other means, which, perhaps may hurt them. The Papiſts are more Charitable in their blind Devotion, how dear do they pay for Maſſes, Dirges, &c. for the Delivery of their Deceaſed Friends Souls out of their feigned Purgatory. But if your Charity to others be ſo cold, yet at leaſt be Charitable to thy ſelf, and bring not the blood of others Souls upon thy Account; the Sins which thou maiſt hinder, and doſt not, will be laid at thy Door, and the Blood of thoſe Souls that periſh through thy neglect, will be Charged upon thee; carefully therefore ſet upon this Duty.
6. Direct. Thou muſt not only reprove them when they do amiſs, and chaſtiſe them when they will not reform, but thou muſt alſo Inſtruct, Teach, and Admoniſh them to do good, and encourage them in well doing, and Teach them the Duties they ſhould do; 'tis not enough to leave the Evil, but they muſt do the good; good Duties are required to be done, as well as Sins to be avoided. Now, the beſt way to Teach them, is by Example; be a Pattern to them of an Holy Life, and well-doing; moſt Men Learn better by Example, than Precept. A Man may lead an Hundred, that cannot drive two: Let not thy Practice croſs thy Exhortation or Reproof, let them ſee by thy Example, that thou ſpeakeſt from thy Heart. If thou preſs them to an Holy Life, and Liveſt looſely, and prophanely thy ſelf in the mean time, they will think thou art in Jeſt with them, and thinkeſt not what thou ſpeakeſt. Oh, how many good words may you hear from ſome Men in an humour, when there is not one good Action to be ſeen; theſe come not from the Heart, but from the Brain: That Exhortation is a Duty, is ſeen by Abrahams Practice, and God's Command, Deut. 6.6,7,8. Prov. 22.6. Eph. 6.4. And there is good Reaſon for it: Thy Children have their defilement from thee, and derived a Poyſonful Nature from thy Loyns, and were the Children of Wrath, as ſoon as they were thy Children; and thou that haſt thus defiled them, is it not reaſon thou ſhouldſt help to make them clean? They are near, and dear to thee, part of thy ſelf, of thy Fleſh, and of thy Bones; did they not come out of thine own Bowels? And they have none in the World ſo near to look after them as thy ſelf, and wilt thou neglect them alſo? Shall they periſh for want of Inſtruction, and Direction in Heavens way? Thou wouldſt Inſtruct them how to Live in the World; and, if thou couldeſt, how to grow Rich and Honourable, and wilt neglect them in the main thing, how to be happy? Thou canſt moil, and toyl, and cark, and care, and riſe early, and lye down late, and eat the Bread of carefulneſs, for their ſakes, to get an Eſtate for them; and thinkeſt thou haſt never enough: and is thy care only extended to the Body; is the Soul of no Value? doſt not matter ſo they be Famous in the World, though they are Infamous in God's Account? and their Souls be eternally loſt? were their Bodies Diſeaſed, thou wouldeſt conſult the Phyſitian; if their Eſtates were in hazard, the Lawyer: and ſhall the Soul bleed to Eternal death, without remedy, or regard? they may curſe the time that they were Born of ſuch unnatural Parents: They are Naturally Ignorant, and they muſt be taught; they are Corrupt, and muſt be amended, or they will be undone: Oh, conſider what will become of thy Children an Hundred Thouſand Years hence; they will be, either in Heaven, or Hell, in endleſs Torments, or Eternal Joys: and 'tis much to be feared they will miſcarry. Were they but in Slavery, thou wouldeſt ſeek their Liberty; and wilt thou do nothing to help them out of Spiritual Thraldome? what comfort maiſt thou have of them if thou prevail, and be Inſtrumental of their Converſion? how wilt thou Ingage them for ever to love thee, and obey thee? but what diſcomfort are they like to be, if they ſerve the Devil and Sin? what ground of hope is there they ſhould be true to thee, that prove falſe to God; and if they periſh through thy neglect, the Blood of their Souls will be charged upon thee: and without Repentance, periſh they will. Oh! how neceſſary then is knowledge in parents; for where the Blind leads the Blind, both falls into the Ditch: and what thoughts will you have at your meeting in Hell? Set therefore upon this Duty betimes before it be too late; Train them up when they are young, in the way they ſhould walk; that when they are old they may not decline it: Delays are dangerous, Life is ſhort, the time of Death is uncertain; the Heart grows harder, and Sin grows ſtronger, the Devil gets better hold, and ſurer poſſeſſion; every Day makes them more unfit than other for Repentance. A Twig when young, is eaſily bent; but when old, it will break before it bend: follow them again, and again, with Exhortations to an Holy Life, deal ſeriouſly with them, take the fitteſt Seaſons for the Work; let them ſee the danger of Sin, and the Beauty of Holineſs: and Treat them with ſo much Compaſſion, that they may ſee thy love to their Souls; uſe alſo ſo much Zeal and Fervency, that they may ſee it is not Trifles thou preſſeſt them to take: the fitteſt Time and Place, never in Paſſion, ſeldome in Publick, ſhew them God's Word for it, turn them to the Chapter, and Verſe: this, if any thing, will ſilence them. If thou find an Inclination in them, follow it home; encourage the good, and diſcourage the bad; let them find thou makeſt a difference between the one, and the other: this Courſe will bring Glory to God, Peace to thy ſelf; and Benefit to thy Relations.
7. Direct. For a Concluſion of the whole, be ſure in the performance of all thoſe forementioned Duties, both Publick, and Private; to keep a clear Conſcience void of Offence, towards God, and towards Man; and let the Ground of all thy performances be the Command of God, and thy ſtrongeſt Motive be thy love to God, and thy dear Redeemer; and let no ſiniſter End, or by Reſpect whatſoever prevail with thee: let God's Glory be thy End, and Aim, and the main Deſign thou driveſt on; let thy endeavour be, to ſet the Crown upon God's Head, and not upon thine own: Conſult not thy ſelf till thou canſt truly ſay in all thy Duties, Propter te, Propter te Dimine, this I have done for God, and not for my ſelf: But if vain Glory, or a deſire of Popular Applauſe, or Merit; or any ſuch-like ſiniſter Reſpects Fly-blow thy Duties, they will ſtink in God's Noſtrils, and all thy Duties will be loſt, and thy labour will be in vain: he that propounds a wrong End to himſelf, will loſe all the pains he takes; as he that Shoots at a wrong Mark, will hardly hit the right: But if thy Duty proceed from a right Principle, a heart Purified by Faith; and if … Fountain, a Purified and Sincere Heart, and from a Principle of Love to God, and are directed to a right End, his Glory continues with thy own happineſs; then are they like to be a pleaſing Sacrifice unto God: for where the Fountain is clear, the Streams will be good; but till the Heart be right, their proceedings will be defiled. Though Man Judge the Heart by the Actions, God Judgeth the Actions by the Heart; he is Hoker lebh, Scrutator cordes, the ſearcher of the Heart, and the tryer of the Reins, and gives every Man according to his ways, Jer. 17.9,10. The Heart is the Fountan of all the Thoughts, Words, and Actions; now if the Fountain be filthy, ſo are the Streams: Sweet Water, and bitter, cannot proceed out of the ſame hole; if an Apple be rotten at the Coare, it will not be long before the outſide rot alſo: If the Heart be rotten, it ſooner, or later breaks forth, and rots the Life, and Converſation alſo; as it did in Saul, Simon Magus, and many others. An inbred Diſtemper, will appear outwardly; and a Soar not ſound at the bottom, will Feſter, and break out at length: Sincerity is like a skilful Alchymiſt it turns all into Gold; weak performances, defective Duties, ſhall be accepted: a Sigh, a Groan, a Deſire ſhall be underſtood, and anſwered But Hypocriſie on the contrary, turns Gold into Droſs, and Duties into Sin, and the moſt Glorious performance into abomination; take heed therefore of this, and labour for the other: Faith alſo is requiſite in all thy Duties, leave not that behind thee in any Duty, if thou meaneſt to ſpeed; if Faith be abſent, God will not be preſent: without Faith 'is impoſſible to pleaſe him. No Prayer can pierce Heaven thar is not pointed by Faith, Heb. 6.11. he that comes to God, muſt believe that God is; and that he is a rewarder of thoſe that dilligently ſeek him. The Word Preached will not prove it, if it be not mixed with Faith in thoſe that hear it; nay, without Faith there can be no Salvation, Mark 16.16. he that believeth, and is Baptized, ſhall be ſaved; but he that believeth not ſhall be damned, Joh. 3. laſt. Self-denyal alſo is requiſite; when thou haſt done all, ſay thou art an unprofitable Servant. God gives Grace to the Humble, but looks upon the Proud afar off; yea the Apoſtle ſaith, he reſiſteth the Proud, or ſets himſelf in Battel aray againſt him; bring not a proud heart along with thee, if thou wouldeſt ſpeak with God in a Duty: ſubmit to his Will, though thou ſee not a reaſon for his Command, there is yet reaſon enough why thou ſhouldeſt obey, as Abraham did: content thy ſelf to be at Gods diſpoſe, do thy Duty, and he will do his Work; but Limit him not to Time, Place, Manner, Meaſure, or other Circumſtances: depend upon him as Hannah did, when ſhe had prayed, ſhe looked no more ſad. Take heed when thou haſt done thy Work, of Heart-riſing Thoughts, or proud vain Glory; leſt it make thee loſe thy Reward: this will ſpoil thy Duty, and make thee loſe thy Reward: deny thy Self, and he will not deny thy Reward: the lower thou thinkeſt of thy Duties, the better God thinks of them; and will Crown them with Succeſs. And having begun well, be ſure to hold out, be thou conſtant to the Death, and he will give thee a Crown of Life: what thou wanteſt, and beggeſt of God, endeavour with Heart and Hand to obtain it: true Deſires are always accompanied with endeavours, 'tis not enough to wiſh for Heaven, but work for it: Corruption will not be abated, nor Grace increaſed, without painstaking: love Holineſs, and hate Sin, or thou wilt never hold out, or do good: if thou regard Iniquity in thy Heart, God will not hear thy Prayer, Pſal. 66.18. Joh. 9.31. God requires Holineſs, in all that draw near to him; and without it, no Man ſhall ſee him with Comfort, Heb. 12.14. If thou take this courſe in thy Publick and Private Duties, Peace ſhall be to thee, and to the Iſrael of God. Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to preſent you faultleſs before the preſence of his Glory, with exceeding Joy, to the only wiſe God our Saviour, be Glory, and Majeſty, Dominion, and Power, both now and ever Amen.
FINIS.