A Cabinet of Jewels, Dedication
WILLIAM DYER Preacher of the Goſpell Aetat: 27: 1663
A CABINET OF JEWELS. OR, A GLIMPS OF SIONS GLORY. Written by WILLIAM DYER, late Preacher of the Goſpel at Cheſham and Chouldsbury, in the County of Bucks.
Bleſſed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep thoſe things that are written therein, for the time is at hand. Rev. 1.3.
Printed in the Year 1663.
TO Thoſe of Chouldsbury Pariſh, Together with all others who did attend conſtantly upon the Word of God there Preached.
Grace, Mercy, and Peace be multiplyed from God the Father, through our Lord Jeſus Christ.
DEarly Beloved, They that love God dearly are dearly beloved of God, dearly beloved of Chriſt, dearly beloved of Angels, dearly beloved of Saints; they are beloved of all, and have the love of all, whoſe love is worth the having.
O my dear Friends, I cannot think of you and your condition, but it fills my eyes with water, and my heart with griefe; and with Jeremy I wiſh, O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountaine of Tears, that I might weep day and night for the ſlain of the Daughter of my people, Jeremiah 9.1. Oh that I am conſtrained to be from you, whom I could live and dye with, ſpend and be ſpent for ſo deare a people as you are; I would chuſe to be doing the work to which I was called, amongſt you, rather then any where elſe, if I might. I ſhould not count my Life dear to me, ſo that I might have the liberty to preach Chriſt to you for your edification and ſalvation. I hope your Conſciences will bear me witneſſe, that whileſt I was with you, I Laboured as much as in me lay, to be a helper of your joy, not to Lord it over your faith; and I bleſs God I can with a good conſcience ſafely ſay, I have coveted no mans Gold, nor Silver, as you your ſelves know: I could do very much for you, but I dare not ſin againſt God and my own Conſcience.
But my dear Brethren, Though they have ſeparated us one from the other, they cannot ſeparate our hearts; I hope there will never be a ſeparation of our loves, but that will ſtill continue; if we do not ſee one another, yet we may love one another, and pray for one another: And now my deſire is, that my pen may reach you, though my voice cannot reach you.
That I may ſtill approve the ſincerity of my love to you, I ſhall give you twenty Directions for the right ordering of your Lives and converſations in theſe dangerous and ſinful times; that you may live in Heaven whileſt you are on the Earth, and come to Heaven when you ſhall leave the Earth.
I. Firſt, Loath ſin, and leave ſin.
He that covereth his ſins ſhall not proſper, but whoſoever Confeſſeth and forſaketh them ſhall have mercy, Prov. 28.13. If we confeſs our ſins he is faithfull and juſt to forgive us our ſins, and to cleanſe us from all unrighteouſneſs, 1 John 1.9. There muſt be falling out with our ſins, before there be falling off from our ſins; there muſt be a loathing of ſin in our affections, before there be a leaving of ſin in our converſations. Oh is it not a thouſand times better to part with ſinne, though never ſo ſweet? than to part with God, and Chriſt, and Heaven? one of them you muſt do. One ſin will damn a Soul out of Chriſt, but no ſin can damn a Soul in Chriſt: Sin is the evill of evils, it is worſe then the Devill for its that that made the Devil to be a Devil. O the love of ſin, and the lack of grace will ruin and deſtroy your ſouls for ever: It is better not to be, than to be a ſinner; better to be no people, than not to be the Lords people: Oh therefore kill ſin, that ſin may not kill you: mourn for ſin, and flye from ſin: do not commit new ſins, but repent of old ſins, Ezek. 36.31. You ſhall loath your ſelves in your own ſight for your iniquities. O poor ſoul, haſt thou not ſerved the fleſh, and the Devil long enough? Yea, haſt thou not had enough of ſin? is it ſo good to thee, or ſo profitable for thee? Oh what a place will you be ſhortly in of joy or torment! Oh what a ſight will you ſhortly ſee in Heaven or Hell! Oh what thoughts will ſhortly fill your hearts with unſpeakable delights or horror! what work will you be imployed in, to praiſe the Lord with Saints and Angels, or to cry out in fire unquenchable with Divels? Oh therefore dye unto ſin, confeſs it, mourn for it, and be aſhamed of it, hate it, and loath it, and flye from it, as from a Serpent; and though your ſins are more then you can number, yet they are not more then God can pardon.
II. Secondly, Put off the old man, and put on the new.
Eye not one to another, ſeeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him, Col. 3.9, 10. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in Righteouſneſs and Holineſſe, Epheſ. 1.14. For in Chriſt Jeſus neither circumciſion availeth any thing, nor uncircumciſion, but a new creature, Gal. 6.15. As new born Babes deſire the ſincere milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby, 1 Pet 2.2. Therefore if any man be in Chriſt, he is a new creature; old things are paſt away; behold all things are become new, 2 Cor. 5.17. A new underſtanding, a new will, new deſires, new love, new delights, new thoughts, new words, new company, and a new converſation; he is not what he was before. O dear friends, be new Creatures, that you may be glorious Creatures: We can call nothing in Heaven ours, till Chriſt be ours. Without regeneration there is no ſalvation; Verily I ſay unto you, except yea be converted, and become as little children, ye cannot enter into the Kingdone of Heaven, John 3.3. Verily, verily I ſay unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot ſee the Kingdome of God. You have heard much of God, Chriſt, and Heaven with your ears, but this will not bring you to Heaven, unleſſe you have much of God, Chriſt, & Heaven in your hearts; you muſt be able to ſay, I was once a ſlave, but now a ſon; once I was dead, but now I am alive; once I was in darkneſſe, but now I am light in the Lord; once I was a child of wrath, an Heir of Hell, but now I am an Heir of Heaven; once I was under the ſpirit of bondage, but now I am under the ſpirit of adoption. A true Believer lives in the Lord, 1 Theſ. 1.1. On the Lord, Rom. 1.17. Luke. 20.38. From the Lord, Joh. 6.57. To the Lord, Romans 1….8. With the Lord, 2 Corinth. 13.4.
III. Thirdly, Make your peace, with the Prince of peace.
Iſa. 9.6. Pſal. 2.12. Kiſs the Son, leaſt he be angry, and ye periſh from the way: when his wrath is kindled but a little, bleſſed are all they that put their truſt in him. O do not lift up your hand againſt the Son, but kiſſe the Son.
Let his Will be your Rule;
His Spirit your Guide;
His precepts your practices;
His decrees your delights;
His choſen ones, your choiceſt companions.
Submit to his Goſpel and Government. Oh Sirs, make your peace with God.
There is a fourfold Peace.
Firſt, There is a peace external: this peace is with men.
Secondly, There is peace ſupernal: that is peace with God.
Thirdly, There is peace internall: that is peace with Conſcience.
Fourthly, There is peace eternall: and this is peace in Heaven, Pſal. 37.37. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
If you have peace with God, the world, and the Devil cannot hurt you: And upon the glory ſhall be a defence, Iſa. 4.5. Believers have God for their Guide and Guard; he that meddles with the Saints of God, aſſaults God himſelf, Zech. 2.8. He that toucheth you, toucheth the Apple of mine eye. He that lifts up his hand againſt them, lifts up his hand againſt God; though they have many enemies, yet they have one friend that hath more ſtrength then all their enemies. A ragged Saint is dearer to God, then a glittering Emperour that wants grace. O make your peace with the Prince of peace; that in this life you may have aſſurance of eternal life, that eternal death may not be your portion in the other life.
IV. Fourthly, Make Religion your main buſineſs, and not a by buſineſs.
Wherefore the rather, Brethren, give diligence to make your Calling and Election ſure; for if ye doe theſe things, ye ſhall never fall, 2 Peter 1.10. Work out your ſalvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2.12. But ſeek ye firſt the Kingdome of God, and his righteouſneſs, and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you, Math. 6.23. Oh, why is the glory of this world ſo much regarded, but becauſe the Glory of Heaven is ſo little minded. Oh, what is an Earthly Kingdome in compariſon of the Heavenly Kingdome? the Angels themſelves, though they are glorious Spirits, yet they are Miniſtring Spirits.
Do not moſt men in the world make light of God, and Chriſt, and the Spirit, and Heaven, and their precious ſouls? And he ſent forth his ſervants to call them that were bidden to the wedding, and they would not come: Again he ſent forth other ſervants, ſaying, tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my Dinner; my Oxen and my Fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: Come unto the Marriage. But they made light of it, and went their way, one to his Farm, another to his Merchandize, Math. 22.3, 4, 5.
Wretched Wordlings make Religion a by-buſineſs; they will hear, read, and pray when they have nothing elſe to doe: Oh that ſuch men did but know what everlaſting Glory, and everlaſting torments are: would they then do as they do? Oh that they did but know the worth of their Souls, and the want of a Saviour; the ſhortneſſe of their time, and the greatneſs of their work: would they then neglect God and their own ſouls as they do?
Oh Friends, Let me beſeech you to whom I write, to make Religion your main buſineſſe, hearing, reading, praying, believing and doing, your maine buſineſſe. Labour not for the meat which periſheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlaſting life, which the Son of man ſhall give unto you; for him hath God the father ſealed, Joh. 6.27.
V. Fifthly, Doe nothing in this World, but what you can anſwer in another World.
For we muſt all appear before the judgement ſeat of Chriſt, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad, 2 Cor. 5.10. In the day when God ſhall judge the ſecrets of men by Jeſus Chriſt, according to my Goſpel, Rom. 2.16. He hath appointed a day in which he will judg the world in righteouſneſſe, by that man whom he hath ordained, Acts 17.31. For God ſhall bring every work to judgement, with every ſecret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil, Eccleſ. 12.14. Oh for the Lords ſake, my Dear Brethren, Let nothing be done by you in this world, but what may be anſwered in another world.
Many men doe that in this world which they cannot in another world; Now they contemne God, blaſpheme God, rebel againſt God, go a whoring from God, and perſecute the Beloved of God: Inſtead of protecting the Saints, impriſon the Saints; and are more for cruſhing them, than comforting them: inſtead of viſiting them, vilifie them; and inſtead of affecting them, afflict them, and eat them up as they eat bread, Pſal. 14.4. And will not ſuffer them to worſhip the true God in Spirit and in truth; but
Mock them, Heb. 11:36.
Threaten them, Acts 4.29.
Accuſe them, Acts 24.5.
Slander them, Math. 1.11.
Curſe them, Math. 5.44.
Beat them, Acts 5.40.
Impriſon them, Acts 4.3.
Plunder them, Heb. 10.34.
Baniſh them, Heb. 11.
And Murder them, Rom. 8.36.
All this the poor innocent ſuffer, whilſt ſwearing, curſing, whoring robbing, blaſpheming, drunkenneſs; and gluttoning, and all manner of debauchery, yea, murder it ſelf walks unpuniſhed in the ſtreets; and only he that departs from evill makes himſelf a prey. What wonder then if ſuch as theſe ſhall one day hide themſelves in Dens and Holes, and cry to the Rocks and Mountains to fall on them, and hide them from the face of him that ſits on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, Rev. 6.15.36. Oh what will Perſecutors do, when Jeſus Chriſt ſhall appear in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that knew him not, and obeyed not his Goſpel, 2 Theſ. 1:8. Will they not then be dumb and ſpeechleſſe, and have never a word to ſay for themſelves, as that man that had not on his Wedding garment, Math. 22.12.
But Oh Beloved, Let that grace that hath appeared to all men, teach us to deny ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, that we may live ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent World, Tit. 2.11.12. following the Lamb, reſiſting Satan, ſhuning ſin, and ſeparating from the world.
VI. Sixthly, Make the Word of God your Rule, and the Spirit of God your Guide.
To the Law, and to the Teſtimony: if they ſpeak not according to this Word, it is becauſe there is no light in them, Iſa. 8.20. We have alſo a more ſure word of Propheſie, whereunto ye doe well that ye take heed, as unto a light that ſhineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the dayſtarre ariſe in your hearts, 2 Pet. 1.19. All Scripture is given by inſpiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Inſtruction in righteouſneſſe, 2 Tim: 3.16. Howbeit, when the ſpirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he ſhall not ſpeak of himſelf; but whatſoever he ſhall hear, that ſhall he ſpeak, and he will ſhew you things to come, John 16.13. The Scripture is a Rule before us, to ſhew us where we muſt go; the Spirit is a word behind us, to enable us to go according to the Directions of that word: The Word of God is a Compaſs, by which we are to Ship our Courſe; the Spirit is the great Pilot that ſteers us in this courſe. We have no eyes to ſee the Word, till the Spirit enlighten them; we have no ears to hear the Word, till the Spirit open them, we have no hearts to obey the Word, till the Spirit bow and encline them. By the Word of God we know the mind of the Spirit; and and by the efficacy of the ſpirit we feel the efficacy of the Word: The Word of God ſhews us the way; and the Spirit of God leads us in that way which the WOrd points out. The Spirit of God is able to expound the Word of God, and to make it plain to our underſtanding. The Holy Ghoſt is the Churches Interpreter; he gives the Scripture, and he can reveal unto us the ſenſe and meaning of the Scripture. The word is Gods Counſellour, to diſcover the path in which we are to walk; the Spirit is the Counſel of God, that teacheth us how to walk in that path. The word is a Chryſtall-Glaſs, which ſhewes us our duty; the Spirit gives us ſight to ſee our duty; If God had not put his Spirit into our hearts, as well as his word into our mouths, we ſhould never have arrived at the fair Haven of peace. Auſtin calls the Scriptures, The Epiſtle of God to the Creatures; by which we underſtand the very heart of God. God Almighty hath in the ſecret Scriptures, as it were unbowelled himſelf, and unfolded all his Counſel to the Creatures, as far as it is neceſſary to be known, for their direction and guidance to everlaſting life.
There be many that walke by falſe Rules.
Firſt, Some by Opinions,
Secondly, Some by Cuſtomes.
Thirdly, Some by Providence.
Fourthly, Some by Conſcience.
Fifthly, Some by their own Reaſon.
Sixthly, Some by mens examples.
Seventhly, Some by their Luſts.
But, O my dear friends, let me beſeech you to walke by none of theſe falſe Rules; but keep cloſe to the word and ſpirit of God.
VII. Seventhly, Be faithfull and fruitful.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, Be ye ſtedfaſt and unmoveble, alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord, foraſmuch as you know, your labour is not in vain, 1 Cor. 15.58. Every Tree that beareth not good fruit, is hewn down, and caſt into the fire. Chriſtians muſt be fruitfull, and not ſlothful: See that you bring forth good fruit, and much fruit.
Firſt, Sincerity; which is not a ſingle Grace, but the ſoul of all Graces: Behold thou deſireſt truth in the inward parts Pſal: 51:6.
Secondly, Humility; A Grace moſt prevailing with God for the obtaining of all Graces. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye ſhall find reſt unto your ſouls.
Thirdly, Prudence. The patient Chriſtian is the beſt for waiting, but the prudent Chriſtian is the beſt for working: Be ye wiſe as Serpents, and harmleſs as Doves, Mat. 10.16. We muſt have innocency with our wiſdome, elſe our wiſedome is but craftineſſe; and we muſt have wiſdome with our innocency, elſe our innocency is but weakneſs; we muſt have the harmleſneſſe of the Dove, that we may not wrong others; and we muſt have the prudence of the Serpent, that others may not abuſe and circumvent us: Not to wrong the truth by ſilence, here is the innocency of the Dove: not to betray our ſelves by raſhneſſe; here is the wiſdome of the Serpent.
Fourthly, Patience. Here is the Patience of the Saints, Rev. 13.10. Rev. 14.12. The way to bring the world under us, is for us to be patient under them.
Fifthly, Self-denyal. If any man will come after me, let him deny himſelf, and take up his croſſe and follow me, Math. 16.24.
Be faithful in your promiſes, & in your purpoſes; by faithful to the wayes of God, and cauſe of God; O do not begin with the Lamb, and end with the Beaſt; but be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of life, Rev. 2.20. Keep your Lights burning, your Lamps ſhining, your Loyns girded, your Conſciences wakned, your Garments unſtained, and your Spirituall Armour conſtantly on, and cloſely girt:
VIII. Eightly, Have a care of reporting and believing the worlds reports of the people of God.
Thoſe that have a good conſcience, have not alwayes a good name. The people of God in this life are called the troublers of Iſrael, ſeditious, rebellious, and what not? An old device of that old ſerpent, to perſwade the troublers of Iſrael upon Elijah, the Charret of Iſrael, 1 Kings 18.17. 2 Kings 2 12. Jeremiah for ſpeaking againſt their ſins and wickedneſſes, and denouncing Gods judgements againſt them, is judged worthy of death, Jerem. 26.8.9. So Jerem. 38.4. The wicked Nobles petition the King to murder him, under the pretence, that he ſought not the good of the people, but the hurt. So Amos for ſpeaking againſt the Abominations of the Kings Court, is charged with treaſon againſt the Kings perſon, Amos 7.10.13. So Paul and Silas for preaching up the Kingly power of Jeſus Chriſt, are accuſed by the envious Jewes and rude multitude, for turning the world upſide down, and breaking the decrees of Caeſar. Yea, Chriſt himſelf had this laid to his Charge: mark what the Jewes ſay of him: And they began to accuſe him, ſaying, We found this Fellow perverting the Nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caeſar, ſaying, that he himſelfe is Chriſt a King, Luke 23.2. Math. 72.18. And for this have the ſervants of God in all Ages been accuſed and perſecuted, killed and ſtoned, Math. 27:37. Acts 7.52. Now if they did ſo to the green Tree, no wonder if they do it to the dry. If the Lord and Maſter was called an enemy to Caeſar, no wonder if thoſe of his houſhold be called ſo. Our integrity will not ſecure us from infamy. The choiceſt of Profeſſors have had black marks in the worlds Kalender. It is uſuall for thoſe who live in treaſon and rebellion againſt the King of Heaven, to ſlander his ſervants with treaſon and rebellion againſt the Kings of the Earth.
But, my dear Brethren, take heed of this; for as the death of the Saints is precious, ſo the names of the Saints are precious in Gods account. The world will father a hundred Lyes upon the Lords people. Men ſhall revile you, and perſecute you, and ſhall ſay all manner of evil againſt you falſely for my ſake, Math. 5.11. 2 Tim. 2.9. Wicked men hate them moſt, that God loves moſt; But God will roul away the reproaches of his people; he will cauſe their innocency and righteouſneſs to break forth as the Sun at noon day; and their names ſhall be in everlaſting remembrance: Yea, at that great day God will clear their innocency before men and Angels, and all the world.
IX. Ninthly, Keep in with God, now men are out with you.
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my truſt in the Lord God that I may declare all thy works, Pſal. 73.28. He that dwelleth under the ſhaddow of the moſt High, no plague ſhall come nigh him: He will give his Angels charge over thee, Pſal. 91.10. Though the Fig-tree ſhould not bloſſome, and there be no fruit in the Vine, though the labour of the Olive ſhould faile, and the fields ſhould yield no meat, the flock ſhould be cut off from the fold, and the herd from the ſtalls: Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will triumph in the God of my ſalvation, Hab. 3.17.18. The Name of the Lord is a ſtrong Tower, and the righteous runneth into it, and are ſafe, James 4.8. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. This is a great comfort to the people of God; though they be as Lillies amongſt Thorns, and as ſheep amongſt Wolves; that they have a God to go to. Come my people, enter into thy Chambers, & ſhut thy doors about thee; hide thy ſelf as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpaſt, Iſa. 26.20. Let the world frown, and friends forſake you, God can ſweeten all your enjoyments, keep in Gods way, and you will be ſure of Gods protection: doe you keep Gods precepts, and God will keep your perſons: do what God commands, and avoid what God forbids, and then you need not fear what men can doe unto you. If you would have God to take care of you, you muſt caſt your care upon God: wait on him, and walk with him; obey his precepts, and believe his promiſes.
Oh beloved, Let wicked men fall out with us, and hate us, and reproach us, and puniſh us as much as they will, if we keep in with God: therefore, my beloved, above all things get communion with God, and keep communion with God: Communion with God will yield you two Heavens; a Heaven upon Earth, and a Heaven after death; all Saints ſhall enjoy a Heaven when they leave the Earth; ſome Saints enjoy a Heaven whileſt they are on the Earth. He enjoyes nothing that wants communion with God; he wants nonothing that enjoyes communion with God.
X. Tenthly, Live above the love of Life, and the fear of death.
For whoſoever will ſave his Life, ſhall loſe it; and whoſoever will loſe his life for my ſake ſhall find it, Matth. 16.25. If any man come unto me, and hate not his father and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and ſiſters, yea, and his own life alſo, he cannot be my Diſciple, Luke, 14.16. He that loves not Chriſt more than his life, will be ſure to ſave and to keep both. He that goes out of Gods way to avoid danger, ſhall certainly meet with danger, Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your ſpirit, which are Gods, 1 Cor. 6.19, 20.
My dear friends, Let us live above ſuffering and fears, though we cannot live without ſuffering: In the world you ſhall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. I have overcome the world for you, and I have overcome the world in you, John 16.33. He that loves Chriſt above his life, will let life go rather then Chriſt.
Conſider my beloved, Chriſt and the cloud of Witneſſes and Martyrs that are gone before, and are paſſed over and through all thoſe floods, and ſafely arived to ſhoar, and are now in Heaven with God, and Chriſt, and holy Angels, where there is fulneſs of joy, and pleaſures for evermore. Thou wilt ſhew me the path of Life; in thy preſence is fulneſſe of joy, and at thy right hand there are pleaſures for evermore, Pſal. 16.11. Oh the joy, that they enjoy! Oh the rivers of conſolations, that flowes from God! Therefore are they before the throne of God, and ſerve him day and night in his temple: and he that ſitteth on the throne ſhall dwell amongſt them. They ſhall hunger no more, neither thirſt any more, neither ſhall the Sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb which is in the midſt of the throne, ſhall feed them, & ſhal lead them into living fountains of waters: and God ſhall wipe away all tears from their eyes, Rev. 7.15, 16, 17. Who are they that have all this honour, and glory, and joy, and bleſſedneſs in Heaven. For this ſee verſe 14. Theſe are they which came out of great tribulation, and have waſhed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The ſweetneſſe of the Crown which Believers ſhall receive, will make them amends for the bitterneſſe of the Croſſe they carried.
XI. Eleventhly, Deſire better hearts, more then better times.
O Jeruſalem, waſh thine heart from wickedneſſe, that thou mayeſt be ſaved: how long ſhall thy vaine thoughts lodge within thee? Jer. 4.14. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, falſewitneſs, blaſphemies, Mat. 15.19: The heart is deceitful above all things, and deſperately wicked, who can know it? Jer. 17.9.
Oh Beloved, inſtead of reforming, we are complaining of wicked men, more then of wickedneſs; of their cruelty, more than our Apoſtacy; of their injuries againſt us, than our injuries againſt God. We pore too much upon ſecond cauſes, or complaine of inſtruments, not of our ſelves. We have been a long time in ſinning, and we had need be a long time in repenting: the times had not been ſo bad, had not we been ſo bad; and the times would ſoon be better, if we were but better.
Alas, Beloved, we have ſinned ſuch ſins as unrighteous men could not ſin; againſt the cleareſt Light, and deareſt Love: the better God hath been to us, the worſe we have been to him: he hath loaded us with his mercies, and we have wearied him with our ſinnes: Oh let us blame our ſelves more, and the times leſſe: Let us turne unto the Lord, that he may turne to us in love and mercy: Let our hearts go out to him, that his heart may come unto us. Oh beg and cry for better hearts, that you may ſerve God better: for broken hearts, for ſincere hearts; for that is that God looks at, and calls for, Prov. 23.26. My Son, give me thy heart; Our hearts are alwayes out of tune to ſerve God; but never out of tune to ſerve ſin: for if we had never ſo good times, and not good hearts, it would rather hurts us than bleſſe us.
XII. Twelfthly, Grow downward in humility, and inward in ſincerity.
Ʋnto me, who am leſſe then the leaſt of all Saints, is this grace given that I ſhould preach among the Gentiles the unſearchable riches of Chriſt, Epheſ. 3.8. And whoſoever ſhall exalt himſelf, ſhall be abaſed; and he that ſhall humble himſelf, ſhall be exalted, Mat, 23.12. Put on therefore (as the Elect of God holy and beloved) bowels of mercy, kindneſſe, humbleneſſe of mind, meekneſſe, long-fuſtering, Col. 3.12. Be cloathed with humility; for God reſiſteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble; Humble your ſelves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, 1 Pet. 5.5, 6. Bring up your will to God, that God may bring down his will to you. Be low in your own eyes; keep a low eſteem of your ſelves; abhor pride, and flye from it; be inwardly ſincere, as well as outwardly humble. Do not look Heavenward by your profeſſion, and Hellward by your converſation: He that lives in ſin, is dead in ſin, Epheſ. 2.1. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jeſus Chriſt in ſincerity, Epheſ. 6.24. Let your hearts be upright with God, and walk as thoſe that have God for their portion; Knowing there are many eies upon you; the eye of God, the eye of Chriſt, the eye of Angels, the eye of Saints, the eye of the world, and the Divell eyes you too; therefore walk wiſely and ſincerely; be like the Kings Daughter all glorious within, Pſal. 45.3. She is all glorious within, though within is not all her glory, Her cloathing is of wrought gold; Doe not think your ſelves good becauſe others think ſo: Alas, the beſt mens confidences of us are poor Evidences for Heaven: the beſt Teſtimony is that within us, and above us. See therefore that ye grow in grace, and delight in holineſs; bring forth much fruit; live ſtill as before the living God; take heed of Hypocriſie and Apoſtacy; make it your daily buſineſs to walk with God; be much in the exerciſe of humility: Humility will exceedingly adorn your profeſſion: Doe not place Religion in a few good words, when the ſubſtance is neglected; but live as you would die; live to day as if you were to dye to morrow.
XIII. Thirteenthly, Doe good to thoſe that be good.
He hath ſhewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do juſtly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6.8. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to diſtribute, willing to communicate, 1 Tim. 6.18. But do good, and to communicate forget not; for with ſuch ſacrifices God is well pleaſed, Heb. 13.16. Pure religion, and undefiled before God and the Father, is this, to viſit the fatherleſſe, and widdows in their affliction, James 1.27. Forget not to contribute to the neceſſities of the poor Saints, think that God hath given you your Eſtates, for ſuch a time as this.
Oh Beloved, what an opportunity have you now to do good if Satan do not hinder you? are there not many of Chriſts Miniſters now in want, and Members in want? ſome in priſon, and others out of priſon: Remember thoſe that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them that ſuffer adverſity, as being your ſelves alſo in the body, Heb. 13.3. There be many men that have a great deal of this worlds wealth, and riches, and goods in their hands, and in their houſes; but they have no grace in their hearts; and therefore they do no good with the goods of this world: they live ſo unfruitfull, that their lives are ſcarce worth a prayer, not their deaths ſcarce worth a tear. Men may as well go to Hell for not doing good, as for doing evil: he that bears not good fruit is as well fuel for Hell, as he that bears bad. You may not be outwardly bad, and yet not inwardly good; you may be as far from grace, as from vice: Men are not ſo much ſent to Hell for doing evil, as for not doing good: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirſty, and ye gave me no drink, Math. 25.42. The rich glutton was in Hell torments, not for perſecuting Lazarus, but not relieving Lazarus. Merozzarus was curſed by the Angel, not becauſe they fought againſt the Lord, but becauſe they came not to help the Lord againſt the mighty, Judges 5.23. It is one of the greateſt mercies in the world, for God to give a man a heart to doe good with that he hath given him.
Oh Beloved, be always a doing good and hating evil: Look not only where you may get good, but where you may do good: Labour to be helpful to the ſouls of others, and to ſupply the wants of others.
XIV. Fourteenthly, Chuſe chaſtiſement before defilement.
Moſes, when he was come to years, refuſed to be called the Sonne of Pharaohs daughter, chuſing rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon, Heb. 11.24.25. For ye had compaſſion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the ſpoiling of your goods knowing in your ſelves that ye have in Heaven a better, and an enduring ſubſtance, Heb. 10.34. So the three Children choſe burning in the fiery furnace, before bowing to the Golden Image, Daniel 3.17.18. We are not careful to anſwer thee in this matter. If it be ſo, our God whom we ſerve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thy hand O King. But if not, be it known unto thee O King, that we will not ſerve thy Gods, nor worſhip the Golden Image that thou haſt ſet up. So Daniel choſe ſuffering before ſinning: And it is ſaid of thoſe in Heb. 11.35. they accepted not of deliverance; and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtaine a better reſurrection.
Oh Beloved, there is more evill in the leaſt ſin againſt Chriſt, than in the greateſt ſuffering for Chriſt.
Firſt, Our ſufferings for Chriſt are but light, 2 Cor. 4.17.
Secondly, But ſhort, but for a moment.
Thirdly, Chriſt ſtands by us in out ſufferings.
Fourthly, Our ſufferings are ordered by the Father.
Fifthly, Our ſufferings ſhall not hurt our ſouls:
Sixthly, God gives us the beſt of comforts in the worſt of times: we have moſt of conſolations from God, when we have moſt of tribulations from men: as our ſufferings do abound, ſo our conſolations do abound: When the burden is heavieſt upon the back, when the peace of conſcience is ſweeteſt and greateſt within. Therefore my dear brethren, keep your ſelves out of the puddle of this world, and from the evil of this world; and if you muſt ſin or ſuffer, chuſe ſuffering before ſinning.
XV. Fifteenthly, Think not the worſe of godlineſs becauſe it is frowned upon; nor the better of ungodlineſs becauſe it is ſmiled upon.
For bodily exerciſe profiteth little, but Godlineſſe is profitable unto all things, having the promiſe of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.8. Yea, doubtleſſe, and I count all things but loſſe, for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus my Lord; for whom I have ſuffered the loſſe of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Chriſt, Phil. 3.8. And have no fellowſhip with the unfruitful works of darkneſſe, but rather reprove them, Epheſ. 5.11. For the wages of ſin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, Rom. 6.23.
Oh Friends, think not the worſe of holineſſe, becauſe it is reproached and ſcorned, and perſecuted by wicked men and Divels; nor the better of wickedneſſe, becauſe wicked men love it, and follow it, and ſay, It is in vain to ſerve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinances, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hoſts Mal. 3.14. But there is a time coming, when ungodly men would be glad of ſome of that holineſſe that now they deſpiſe; but they ſhall be as far then from obtaining it, as they are now from deſiring it. Let us therfore love holineſs and hate wickedneſſe; For without holineſs no man ſhal ſee the Lord, Heb. 12.14. Holineſſe is the only way to happineſs. We muſt not dreſſe our ſelves for another world, by the Looking-glaſſe of this world: Thou ſhalt not follow a multititude to do evil, Exod. 23.2. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the Groſſe of Chriſt; whoſe end is deſtruction, whoſe god is their belly, and whoſe glory is in their ſhame, who mind earthly things, Phil. 3.18.19. The Children of God muſt be harmleſſe in their actings, and blameleſſe in their walkings.
XVI. Sixteenthly, Prize the Word of God by the worth of it, that you may never come to prize the Word of God by the want of it.
How ſweet are thy words unto my taſt! Yea, ſweeter than honey to my mouth, Pſal. 119:10. It is ſweeter than the honey and the honey-comb, Pſal. 19.10. Oh how do I Love thy Law! Pſal. 119.97. I love thy Commandements above Gold; yea, above fine Gold. The Law of thy mouth is better to me than thouſands of Gold and Silver, Verſe 72. As new born babes deſire the ſincere milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby, 1 Pet. 1.2. Let the Word of God dwell richly in you; not only with you, but in you, Col. 3.16. Oh let us with Job eſteeme the Word of God above our neceſſary food, Job 23.12. and with David above our Gold and Silver. The delight of a Saint in Gods Word, over-tops all his creature delights. Wicked men can delight in the Creatures of God, but not in the Word of God; they can delight in the gifts of God, but not in the God of gifts. Oh let us love the word, and prize the word: it is the Sun of the Chriſtian world. As the Sun is the light of the naturall world, and without it the world is but a Chaos, and a dungeon full of darkneſs; ſo is the Word of God the light of the Spiritual world, without which a Chriſtian is an eternal night. Take away the Scriptures, and there will be no certain rule to direct men what is to be done, or what is to be believed: All falſe wayes are here diſcovered, all ſins are here forbidden, all holineſs is here commanded: Here you may ſee every action and motion of your Lives, as a ſtep to Life, or a ſtep to Death; as a ſtep Heaven-ward, or a ſtep Hell-ward; Oh therefore prize the word, and obey the Word.
Firſt, It is a plain Word.
Secondly, It is a perfect Word,
Thirdly, It is a ſure Word.
Fourthly, It is an uniform Word.
Fifthly, It is a powerful Word; it is the ſavour of life unto life, unto them that believe:
Oh Beloved, let us read the Word, and abide in the Word: If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my Diſciples, Joh. 8.31: The leſſe now you hear, the more doe you read, that little Book of the Revelations and Daniel eſpecially.
XVII. Seventeenthly, have a care of the Whore of Babylons golden Cup and ſweet Wine.
And the Woman was arrayed in purple, and ſcarlet colour, and decked with Gold and precious ſtones, and pearls; having a golden Cup in her hand ſull of abominations, and filthineſſe of her fornication, Rev. 17.4. And the Serpent caſt out of his mouth water, as a flood after the Woman, that he might cauſe her to be carried away of the flood, Rev. 12.15. Let me beſeech you to have a care of this, and keep your ſelves from this: Be like the Virgin Spouſe of Chriſt, which followeth him whereſoever he goeth.
My Dear Friends, keep your ſelves from four things.
Firſt, From falſe Teachers. The Devil hath his Miniſters as well as Chriſt. Beware of falſe Prophets, which come to you in Sheeps cloathing, but inwardly they are ravening Wolves, Math. 7.15. Yea, they are greedy Doggs, which can never have enough, and they are Shepherds that cannot underſtand: they all look to their own way, every own for his gain from his quarter, Iſa. 56.11. Oh falſe Teachers do not feed the Flock, but fleece the Flock; they do not convert; but pervert; they do not ſeaſon, but poiſon; they do not edifie to ſalvation, but edifie to damnation; inſtead of curing ſouls, they kill ſouls; ſo they have but the peoples goods, they care not though the Devil have their ſoules; they are neither rightly called, nor rightly qualified, nor rightly ordained; Their courſe is evil, and therefore is not right, Jer. 13.10. They are like Doggs and Wolves combining together to macerate the Flock of Chriſt. Oh therefore keep your ſelves from Babylons Merchants, that make Merchandize of the ſouls of men, Rev. 18.13. Oh, the ſins of the Teachers, are the Teachers of ſins.
Secondly, From falſe Doctrine. But there were falſe Prophets alſo among the people, even as there ſhall be falſe Teachers among you, who privily ſhall bring in damrable hereſies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themſelves ſwift deſtruction, 2 Pet. 2.1. Be not carried away with divers and ſtrange Doctrines; for it is a good thing that the heart be eſtabliſhed with grace, not with meats; which have not profited them that have been occupied therein, Hebrews 13.9.
I beſeech you alſo in the Lord, my Dear Brethren, that you doe not carnally comply with, nor ſuperſtitiouſly conform to the Inventions of men: But ſtand faſt in the Liberty, wherewith Chriſt hath made you free, Gal. 5.1.
Thirdly, From falſe Worſhip. If any man Worſhip the Beaſt and his Image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the ſame ſhall drink of the Wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his indignation, and he ſhall be tormented with fire and brimſtone in the preſence of the holy Angels, and in the preſence of the Lamb, Rev. 14.9, 10. Ye Worſhip ye know not what. God is a Spirit, and they that worſhip him, muſt worſhip him in Spirit, and in Iruth, Joh. 4.23, 24. As there be ſome in the World that worſhip falſe Gods, ſo there be others that Worſhip the true God with falſe Worſhip. They that worſhip the Beaſt, worſhip the Devil, Rev. 13. Oh meddle not with falſe worſhip, with vain worſhip, and will-worſhip: worſhip God as he teacheth us to worſhip him. Our work is to depend on Chriſts work: our outward working depends on Gods inward working.
Fourthly, From falſe Opinions, from Errour and Sedition: Let your hearts be upright, your judgements ſound, and your lives holy: Love the Truth, obey the Truth, and hold faſt the Truth.
Now Beloved, Let me beſeech you for Gods ſake, and for Chriſts ſake, and for your Soules ſake, keep your ſelves from falſe Teachers, from falſe Doctrine, from falſe worſhip, from falſe Opinions. If you will be taſting and ſiping at Babylons cup, you muſt reſolve to receive more or leſſe of Babylons plagues.
XVIII. Eighteenthly, Be one with every one that is one with Chriſt.
Endeavouring to keep the Ʋnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your Calling: One Lord, one Faith, one Baptiſme, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all, Epheſ. 4.3, 4, 5, 6. Every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him alſo that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the Children of God, when we love God and keep his Commandments, 1 Joh. 5.1, 2. He that loveth not his Brother whom he hath ſeen, how can he love God whom he hath not ſeen? 1 John 4.26.
Oh Conſider what a diſhonour it is to the Goſpel, that thoſe that profeſſe themſelves Sonnes of the ſame God, Members of the ſame Chriſt, Temples of the ſame Spirit, Heirs of the ſame Glory, ſhould be at a jarring one with another. It is ſtrange and unnaturall, that Lillies ſhould prove thorns to one another! that thoſe who are Saints in profeſſion, ſhould be Devils in practiſe to one another! that Gods Diamonds ſhould cut one another! For Wolves to devour the Lambs is no wonder, but for one Lamb to devour another is a wonder, and monſtrous! Oh, that Chriſtians inſtead of loving one another, ſhould hate one another! Oh how unlike are we to that God whom we profeſſe to be our God! He is full of love, full of goodneſs, and full of mercy and patience: Oh but Chriſtians cannot beare, and forbear one with another. Oh do not wicked men warm themſelves at the ſparks of our diviſions, and ſay it is as we would have it?
Oh Beloved, hath not God made his wrath to ſmoke againſt us for the diviſions and heart-burnings that have been amongſt us? Oh that you would lay this to heart, and throw away all diſcord and diviſions, and heart burnings, and labour for a oneneſſe in love and affection, with every one that is one with Chriſt. Oh labour for a healing ſpirit. You cannot love God if you do not love the people of God. If any man ſaith he loveth God, and hateth his brother, he is a lyer. Let brotherly love continue, Heb. 13.1. They that feared the Lord, ſpake often one to another, Mal. 3.16. Chriſts Doves ſhould flock together. There be many that cannot love a man, unleſſe he be of their Opinion, or a Member of their Church, though he be a Member of Chriſt. Every man hath a good opinion of his own opinion: But alas Beloved, it is not this opinion, or that opinion; this way, or that way, will bring a man to Heaven without faith in Chriſt; and he that hath faith in Chriſt, hath a right to all the Ordinances of Chriſt, and Promiſes of Chriſt, and Priviledges of Chriſt; therefore let me beſeech you to love every man that is a godly man, let him be of what way and form he will. And the multitude of them that believed, were of one heart, and of one ſoul, Acts 4.38.
XIX. Nineteenthly, Love Chriſt with a Love ſtronger then life, who loved us with a love ſtronger than death.
Therefore doth my father love me, becauſe I lay down my life, that I might take it again: no man taketh it from me, but I lay it down my ſelf. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again, John 10.17, 18. This is a faithful ſaying, and worthy of all acceptation, That Chriſt Jeſus came into the world to ſave ſinners, 1 Tim. 1.15. Chriſts love to us was ſtronger then death; he dyed for love; he laid down his life to ſave our lives; he loves us as the Father loves him, John 15.9. As the Father hath loved me, ſo have I loved you: continue ye in my love. Oh the Scripture hath exceeding high expreſſions of his affection to us. Now Beloved, if he died for us, and ſuffered for us, and ſet his heart upon us to love us, and delight in us; how ought we then to love him again! Thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy ſoul, and with all thy mind, Math. 22.37, 38. Whom have I in Heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth that I deſire beſides thee, Pſal. 73.25. Ʋnto you therefore which believe he is precious, 1 Pet. 2.7. Oh let our hearts be full of love and affections to Chriſt. Love will breed courage, and caſt out fear, ſlaviſh fear before God, and carnal fear before men: God can keep us from the torments of men, but men cannot keep us from the torments of God. Whileſt we ſtand by God, God hath promiſed to ſtand by us: Therefore be not afraid of any Authority that ſtands in oppoſition to the Authority of Chriſt. None can promiſe us better than Chriſt can; none can threaten us worſe than Chriſt can? Can any man promiſe us with better then Heaven? Can any man threaten us with worſe than Hell? Heaven is promiſed to thoſe that love him; and Hell is to be the portion of thoſe that hate him.
Oh my dear Brethren, Let us Love Chriſt with a love ſtronger then death: ſo did Paul and the reſt of the Apoſtles, Who ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt? ſhall tribulation, or diſtreſſe, or perſecution or famine, or nakedneſſe, or perill, or ſword? Rom. 8.35. Love is ſtronger than Death; many waters cannot quench it, neither can the floods drown it, Cant. ….6, 7.
XX. Twentiethly, Be every day as ſerious in your preparation for death, as if it were your laſt day.
All the dayes of my appointed time will I wait till my change come, Job 14.14. This night thy ſoule ſhall be required of thee, Luke 12.20. For what is your life? it is even a vapour that appeareth a little time, and then vaniſheth away, Jam. 4.14. Behold, thou haſt made my days as an hand-breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: Verily, every man at his beſt ſtate is altogether vanity, Pſal. 39.5. As no Saint knows when that time and hour ſhall be; ſo no wicked man knows when it ſhall not be. To live without fear of death, is to dye living: To labour not to dye is labour in vain. Men are afraid to dye in ſuch and ſuch ſins, but not afraid to live in ſuch and ſuch ſins. Oh the Hell of horrors and terrors that attend thoſe ſoules that have their greateſt work to do when they come to dye! therefore as you would be happy in death, and everlaſtingly bleſſed after death, prepare and fit your ſelves for death. Did Chriſt dye for us that we might live with him, and ſhall not we deſire to dye and be with him? A Believers dying day is his Crowning day. And I heard a voice from Heaven, ſaying, unto me, write, bleſſed are the dead which dye in the Lord, from henceforth, yea, ſaith the Spirit, that they may reſt from their labours, and their works do follow them, Rev. 14.13.
Oh I beſeech you my dear Brethren, every day ſpend ſome time in preparation for, and meditation of Death, Judgement, Hell, Heaven, and Eternity. Eternity is a ſum that can never be numbred, a line that can never be meaſured: Eternity is a condition of everlaſting ſorrow, or everlaſting joy. Oh think of this, and prepare for this every day before the night of death comes.
And thus my beloved, I have given you theſe Twenty precious directions for your ſouls.
I ſhall leave this Book with you as a Legacy of my deareſt Love: my deſire in all this, is your happineſs here, and your bleſſedneſs hereafter. My earneſt and humble deſire of you is, That you would mind this Book and my former Treatiſe; not only read them, but reform your lives by them. O do your Duty, love your Duty, and live your Duty, that you may be made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light; Which is, and ſhall be the earneſt and conſtant Prayer of one that eſteems it a moſt glorious priviledge to be of the number of thoſe who follow the Lamb whitherſoever he goeth.
William Dyer.