Eternal Glorification Begun in Regeneration, Chapter 4

Eternal Glorification Begun in Regeneration · Chapter 4

p. 104CHAP. IV. Certain ſigns or undoubted Characters of Regenerate and Ʋnregenerate Perſons.

Q. WHether Ʋnregenerate perſons may not know, and be ſometimes ſtrongly convinced, that they are in an unregenerate and evil ſtate and condition?

A. Yea, they may, and it is certain that many are ſo convinced, but very loath they are to know it, and exceeding unwilling to think themſelves to be ſo, and greatly provoked with ſuch friends as tell them that they are in an evil caſe, and unconverted ſtate; for we are all by nature exceeding proud and ſelf-conceited. We think too well of our own conditions, ſtates, and ways, and imagin that all others ſhould have the ſame opinion of them that we our ſelves have. And therefore conclude, that ſuch as think and ſpeak otherwiſe of them, are too uncharitable and cenſorious. This is one of the greateſt ſtumbling blocks in the way of Regeneration, and cauſes many to tune a deaf ear to all convincing and regenerating Truths that are handed out unto them. Beſides the vain groundleſs hopes they have formed to themſelves, and are greatly in love withal, that they are in a good and ſafe condition, (although they are not ſo good as they ſhould be) whatever men and the word of God ſhall ſay p. 105to the contrary, of or againſt them. The Jews gives us many proofs and evidences of it, for when the Lord Jeſus Preached to, and diſcourſed with them about their ſtates, to convince and regenerate them. Oh! how did they labour to fence off all the words of Truth ſpoken to them, how did they ſtrive, diſpute, and ſet themſelves againſt the Goſpel of their Salvation, and that upon the grounds before mentioned; yea, thoſe very perſons which ſometimes were convinced in their Conſciences that they were ſinners, Joh. 8.9. I ſay, even theſe men did ordinarily harden themſelves againſt the Word of Chriſt, upon their vain hopes, high priviledges, proud and high conceits they had of themſelves, Joh. 8.33.39, 48.—ult Joh. 9. Joh. 10. Math. 9. Read theſe Chapters throughout, and you will find what I have ſaid abundantly confirmed, and as it was with them, ſo I am afraid it is with many of you; do not you conceit, and ſtoutly perſwade your ſelves, that you are in a ſafe and happy ſtate and condition before God, that you ſhall undoubtedly be ſaved, notwithſtanding the Truth of God, Miniſters of Chriſt, yea, and ſometimes your own Conſciences teſtify the contrary alſo, and tell you plainly, That you are yet in the gall of bitterneſs, and bond of Iniquity? do not you encourage and ſupport your ſelves, fortify and arm your ſelves under and againſt all convictions, with many vain and groundleſs hopes and deluſive conceits of your bleſſed ſtates, or that you are in a happy caſe and condition, although you never experienced any real change in your p. 106hearts, nor any ſpecial grace of Chriſt in your poor deluded periſhing Souls?

But yet I ſay, unregenerate perſons may know, and have a ſhrewd gueſs, that they themſelves are not unregenerated, but in a ſtate of ſin, and under the wrath of God. Simon Magat was ſo, Acts 8.24. Pharoah, Exod. 9.27. unregenerate men have three means, (if I may ſo call them) to help them to the knowledge and conviction of their bad conditions. Firſt, the word of God written, but eſpecially Preached; and ſo it is the word of conviction in the hand of an Ordinance, appointed and deſigned thereunto by the great God, Act. 26.18. (2) Their own natural Conſciences, and principles of Nature that are in all men, not feared, which are ſubjects capable of impreſſions from the Word of God, namely of its light and convincing power: and alſo natural Reaſon helped by the Word; ſo that when they hear the certain Characters of unregenerate perſons laid down from Gods Word; they may reflect on themſelves, and apply them to themſelves if they will. They may reaſon thus, why, if theſe are certain Characters or Signs of an evil or unregenerate man or ſtate, as I cannot but conclude they are: then am I in ſuch a ſtate, for I find them in and upon me, I cannot deny it. As thus, Is groſs ignorance of Jeſus Chriſt, the grace of God, Sin and Duty, a certain ſign of an unregenerate perſon, ſurely then I am an unregenerate perſon, for I am groſly ignorant of theſe things. So when they hear Characters p. 107or Signs laid down of a regenerate man, then to examin themſelves, and reaſon thus, Why, I find not any of theſe in my ſelf, which I ſhould if I was regenerate, and therefore I am in an unregenerate ſtate and condition: much might be done this way, by unregenerate men towards their conviction and knowledge (I mean not ſaving knowledge) of their States; would ſuch men practiſe it, but that they will not, no, becauſe they love their carnal eaſe and peace, and therefore they are willingly ignorant of their unregenerate ſtate. And as they have theſe means or helps to know their evil States, ſo (3) the holy Spirit of God, to ſtir up Conſcience in and by the Word. The Spirit ſpeaks ſometimes to them, (not as the Spirit of Adoption, but of Bondage) whoſe voice is louder, quicker, and pierceth further unto, and into their Conſciences, than the word of its ſelf can do, and tells them plainly, that they are in a damnable ſtate and condition, and ſhall aſſuredly periſh for ever, except they be regenerate here, Gen. 6.3. This awakens and affrights them, this humbles and abaſes them, and makes them cry out, undone, undone, we are loſt; Oh! what ſhall we do to be ſaved? Acts 2.37. And here I might add, that not only theſe ſaid means may help them to the knowledge of their ſtates, but alſo the diſcourſes, carriages, and converſations of ſome Regenerate perſons that they are concerned withal, and may make obſervations of, and compare themſelves with them, and them with themſelves, and conclude (clearly) that there is a vaſt difference between p. 108ſuch and themſelves, the ſtates of the one, and of the other. And if theſe be Regenerate perſons, and Regenerate perſons be indeed ſuch, and ſo and ſo qualified, graced and ſpirited, as they ſeem to be, then that they themſelves are undoubtedly in an Unregenerate condition; for that they are not ſuch perſons, neither have any of their qualifications, or any like them, Matth. 5.16. Now, if Unregenerate men would improve, and rationally uſe theſe means or helps towards the knowledge and conviction of their ſtates, they might undoubtedly know them better than they do. But there needs no further proof of this truth, namely, that unregenerate perſons may know they are in a bad condition, then the Gripes, and trouble of Conſcience, their fears, trembling, and conſternations, in and under the apprehenſions of Death and Judgment, together with their wiſhes, proteſtations, reſolutions, and promiſes, on their Death-beds; Theſe do all proclaim this Truth.

Q. May not Gods people, ſuch as are Regenerate, know that they are ſo, and be ſufficiently aſſured of their Regeneration?

A. They may, for firſt, God hath promiſed the knowledge of it unto them, in their obedient and holy walkings with God in that ſtate, Hoſea 6.3. Then ſhall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. Iſa. 32.17. Prov. 2.1.…7. So the Spirit witneſſeth with our Spirit, that we are the Children of God, Rom. 8.16.

2. The people of God have had certain and clear aſſurance, or a ſufficient knowledge of p. 109their Regenerate ſtates, and the Spirit of God hath recorded it, for our learning and encouragement Enoch had it, Heb. 11.5. and the Apoſtle John ſpeaking in the name of Believers, or regenerate perſons, ſaith, We know that we are of God, That we are tranſlated from Death to Life, and hereby know we that we are in him, 1 John 2.5.3.14.5.19. And Paul tells us, that they, namely, he and other Regenerate Perſons, had received the Spirit, that they might know the things which were freely given to them of God, 1 Cor. 2.12. Now, if it was certainly known by the Saints of old, ſuch as run their Race before us; then we may obtain it now; for we live under the ſame God, Chriſt, Grace, Promiſes, Love, Spirit, and means of aſſurance that they did, and we have as much need of it as they had upon all accounts. And as we have theſe, and many other Scripture Evidences or Examples, (I mean the Saints mentioned in Scripture) ſo we have had many undoubted Teſtimonies of it in and from many good men in our days, and the latter Ages before us. How that ſome on their Death-Beds, others in the days of their proſperity, others in their tryals and temptations: Some in one Ordinance of God, and ſome in another; ſome in Priſon, and ſome at the Stake; ſome under the loſs of their Goods and Reproaches for Chriſts ſake, have gotten clear, and heart raviſhing Aſſurance of their Regeneration and bleſſed States. I ſay, we have this Truth confirmed to us by their worthy Teſtimonies, and glorious Experiences. And aſſuredly, p. 110what they had, we alſo may obtain in the ſame way, in and by the uſe of the ſame means, and in the ſame, or like caſe and condition.

2. God hath commanded Regenerate Perſons, and ſo hath made it their Duty, to get and keep aſſurance of their new States; and God would never have preſcribed ſuch a means, and commanded our diligent uſe of it as our duty, in order to the obtainment of the end, but that the ſaid end is attainable by, and ſhall moſt certainly be obtained in the faithful conſtant uſe of it. For as his commands makes the work or means our duty, ſo the End propounded, namely, of the duty to be done by us, is the obtainment of aſſurance, ſo I ſay, it is an object of our Faith and Hope: And upon Gods propounding it to us as the end of the duty commended, we are to believe and hope in the performance of the duty to obtain the end, (that is) aſſurance of our being tranſlated from Death to Life; namely, that God will bleſs his own means, to effect and accompliſh his own ends to and in us, and he will by no means diſappoint us, or make us aſhamed of our truſting him, hoping in, and waiting for him to grant us the end he preſented to us, commanded us to ſeek it, that we might find it, and which we have endeavoured with all our hearts to obtain in his own way, Iſa. 49.20. Iſa. 54.4. Now God hath charged us to examin and prove our ſelves, 2 Cor. 13.5. And to give diligence to make our Calling and Election ſure, 2 Pet. 1.10. And to worſhip him, in full aſſurance of Faith, p. 111Heb. 10.22. that is, in the certain perſwaſion of Gods Truth, All-ſufficiency, and Faithfulneſs in his Promiſes, and of Chriſt his being a High-Prieſt over the Houſe of God, verſ. 21. So likewiſe of our Intereſt and Right to and in all.

4. God hath given us many Rules and Marks in his Word, to help us in our Tryals of our ſtates, and to make a comfortable and ſatiſfactory judgment of them, whether we are indeed Regenerate or no. Very much of the New Teſtament was written for that end, that we might know we have Eternal Life, ſaith John, 1 Joh. 5.13. All which Scripture had been to little or no purpoſe, if aſſurance, after all, were not attainable. But it is evident that it is attainable, and that all Regenerate perſons may attain unto and obtain it, becauſe God hath given them ſuch proper and ſuitable means and helps for the obtainment of it. There are many of them ſcattered up and down the Scriptures, I'le name one or two; that in 1 Joh. 3.14. We know that we are paſſed from death to life, becauſe we love the Brethren; that is, here is a certain and infallible ſign or mark of a New Creature, his loving of good men; that is, if you can really ſay, and ſoundly experience, that you do love a holy man, or gracious men as ſuch, rightly, truly, heartily, with a ſpiritual and ſpecial love, becauſe they are ſuch, and belong to Chriſt; why then you may conclude, that you are in a ſtate of Grace, and paſſed from death to life. So that if I can make p. 112good the leſſer Propoſition, the Goſpel will prove and make good the firſt or greater Propoſition thus; He that loves the Brethren (that is rightly, and in a true Goſpel ſenſe) is paſſed from death to life, but I do ſo love the Brethren; therefore I am paſſed from death to life. Now that which we have to do in the caſe is this; namely, to get the clear proof of the ſecond part, thus, I do know that I do ſo love the Brethren, according to the true purport and meaning of that, and other Texts of Scripture; and then conclude from this Scripture, and others of the like import, that I am paſſed from death to life; that is, I am Regenerated. (2.) An other ſign or mark of Regenerate men laid down in Scripture is this; that they deſire the ſincere Milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2.2. Now if I am a Babe in Chriſt, I do deſire the ſincere Milk of the Word of God, that I may (not only eat it) but eat it to grow thereby; to grow up in Chriſt, Grace, and in the practiſe and fruits of holineſs; and if I do ſo deſire the ſincere Milk of the Word, then I am (at leaſt) a Babe, or young Child of God. But this is not my work, or preſent deſign; and therefore do but little more than mention theſe things; namely, to ſhew that Unregenerate and Regenerate perſons may know the ſtates and conditions wherein they are; the one in and by ſin, the other in and by Grace. But I thought good to ſay a little of it, and but a little, as a preparative to that which I have further to ſay, and p. 113which was mainly intended as the ſubject matter of this Chapter.

Q. What are ſome of the most certain Signs, Characters, or Marks of Regenerate and Ʋnregenerate perſons or ſtates?

A. Much hath been ſaid already in opening the work of Regeneration, what it was, and what was contained in it, as you may ſee in that Chapter; and therefore I ſhall ſay the leſs here: But yet I ſhall endeavour to preſent ſo much unto you, in this Chapter or Head, as ſhall fully anſwer and reſolve the Queſtion.

Firſt, A Regenerate perſon hath new life. It is a New Creature, Gal. 6.15. and it is a living lively Creature; it is not born dead, but alive; it is alive to God, to live unto him in newneſs of life, Rom. 6.4.10.11. To bring forth fruit unto God, Rom. 7.4. And men are created in Christ Jeſus unto good works, Eph. 2.10. It is a heavenly and ſpiritual Creature, Joh. 3.3.5. exactly fitted to heavenly, and ſuited to ſpiritual objects, matters, works, and enjoyments, which the Natural Man is not, now in it's lapſed and depraved ſtate. Chriſt requires a new life of them; and in order thereunto, creates and forms it in them, Joh. 10.10. 1 Joh. 3.14. This New Creature hath, and it is formed with all it's ſenſes. It hath five Spiritual Senſes, in alluſion to the five Natural Senſes of men; though all of them cannot be ſo properly and plainly expreſt, as the Natural Senſes may; it is a perfect New Creature, and therefore muſt have all it's p. 114parts and ſenſes. I ſhall open them to you as briefly as I may.

1. The Senſe of Seeing. When God made the World, his firſt days work was Light, Gen. 1.3. Let there be light, and there was light, (ſays the Text.) So in this new Creation, the firſt Senſe in order that is Created, and doth firſt appear, is the Senſe of Seeing. Before Regeneration (as you have heard) we are blind, and in darkneſs, Matth. 15.14. Eph. 5.8. We know not (to purpoſe) what we are, not where we are, whoſe we are, nor where to find true happineſs. By ſin we put out our own Eyes, quenched our Candle, and drew a thick Cloud before our Eyes, and utterly ſpoiled them; our ſpiritual knowledge of heavenly things, and Soul-concernments, is deſtroyed, and there is none of that Light remaining, to conduct us in acceptable obedience in the way to Heaven. Therefore as it is abſolutely neceſſary that we ſhould have new Eyes, as well as new Light to ſee withal: So God doth in Regeneration give men new Eyes, and Light, called the Eyes of their Ʋnderſtanding, Eph. 1.18. Upon this Errand was Paul ſent with the Goſpel to the Gentiles, Acts 26.18. and having received this new Spiritual Light, they are ever after called Children of Light, as they were called before Children of Darkneſs, Eph. 5.8. 1 Joh. 2.9, 10, 11. In Regeneration they are called out of this Darkneſs into marvellous Light, 1 Pet. 2.9. This their new ſight, light, and power of diſcerning, is excellent, ſpiritual, ſpecial, and pecullar, p. 115and that in many reſpects. Theſe are ſome of them. 1. They can now ſee the things, and diſcern the matters and objects they could not ſee before. 2. Other things, objects and matters, more plainly and clearly, more lovely, precious, excellent, and acceptable. Firſt, they ſee the things that they never ſaw before: As 1. The evil of their Natures. The Light of Nature may ſhew men many of their actual ſins and wickedneſſes, but not the Source and Fountain of them; namely, our Original, Natural, and Habitual vileneſs and ſinfulneſs; only Regenerate perſons ſee a far greater odiouſneſs and abomination in the heart, than in the life; they find by ſad experience, that the Fountain of corrupt Nature is more full of Poyſon, than any Acts of ſin; and the ſight of that cauſes ſuch out-crys in them, O wretched men that we are, who ſhall deliver us from the Body of this Death? Rom. 7.24. And purge me, (that is, the filthy Spring of the heart) that I may be clean; waſh me, and I ſhall be whiter than Snow, Pſal. 51. For out of the heart proceeds all abominations, Matth. 15.18, 19. and the Fountain and Root muſt needs be more full of evil, than the ſtreams and branches are. This the ſpiritual eye of the New Creature ſees; he hath it not by hear-ſay, but ſees it in himſelf, and ſo does not the Carnal and Natural eye of man.

2. They ſee and know by their new ſpiritual light, ſpiritual ſins; yea, they ſee and know a greater ſinfulneſs in them, in ſome p. 116ſenſe, than in fleſhly ſins, and ſo do not unregenerate men. They do indeed ſee an evil in ſome external ſins, ſuch as are ſeen and condemned by the Light of Nature, and that by all men; as Drunkenneſs, Theft, Whoredom, Curſing, Railing, Back-biting, Slaudering, Swearing, Cheating, Blaſphemy, Pride in Words, Carriages, Cloaths, Cruelty, Oppreſſion, and the like; but they ſee not, nor apprehend the horrible evils of Atheiſm, Spiritual Pride, Self, Vain-glory, Envy, Hypocriſie towards God, Unbelief, Covetouſneſs, corrupting the Worſhip of God, and his Goſpel-Ordinances, Earthly-mindedneſs, robbing God of his due, departing from God, malice againſt, and hatred of the Power of Godlineſs, and the People of God, and ſuch like heart and ſpiritual wickedneſſes. Theſe are little things in an unregenerate mans eye, becauſe he wants a ſpiritual underſtanding and light to diſcern what they are; but they are hainous abominations to a ſpiritual eye, for it knows and ſees what they are (in meaſure) and paſſes a ſpiritual judgment on them, as ſins more fully and immediatel… againſt the Holineſs, Grace, and Truth o… God, and ſuch as God hath declared hi… greateſt indignation and ſeverity againſt Matth. 23.13. to verſ. 24. Joh. 15.22. Joh; 19, 20, 21.

3. They ſee and know that Life that is above Senſe and Reaſon, namely, the Life … Faith; but meer Natural men diſcern … this Life: They are only acquainted wi… p. 117the Life of Senſe and Reaſon, and cannot ſee one ſtep beyond it, for they are faithleſs men, 2 Theſ. 3.2. But Regenerate men have found a new way to Heaven, (I mean 'tis new to them) and that is the Life of Faith, and Goſpel-Holineſs, and this is now their proper Life; they are called to it, and inſtructed in it by the Holy Ghoſt; they live now in a higher Sphere, and walk in another Region; they now ſee a ſingular Excellency and tranſcendent My ſtery in this New Life, in the objects, matters, and ends of it. They ſee their former folly and madneſs, in living ſuch low, baſe, and ſenſual lives, and look on their new Life as far more precious, high, and honourable, and own it as their proper and peculiar Life, and endeavour to conform themſelves to the Will of God in it, who hath appointed this life for them, and commanded them to live it, Rom. 1.17. Heb. 10.38. And Paul tells us, that he, and other New Creatures, did live this life, 2 Cor. 5.7. Gal. 1.20. But unregenerate men are ſtrangers, yea, enemies to this life. At the beſt, they ſay, how can theſe things be? and judge Regenerate men to be under ſtrong deluſions, for ta…king of, and pretending to live the Life of Faith.

4. They ſee and know the new and living way to God the Father, which they were unacquainted with before, Heb. 10.19, 20. but ſo do not unregenerate men. They may hear of it, and have ſome general and confuſed Notions of the Doctrine of it, but they do p. 118neither ſee nor underſtand what indeed it is, or what it means, becauſe of the blindneſs of their minds, Eph. 4. They know only the old Natural way to God and Heaven, according to their Natural Principles, but wanting ſpiritual eyes, and Sunning light in their hearts, they are real ſtrangers to it continually, Rom. 3. But the Light of Chriſt in the hearts of Regenerate men, finds it out, leads the… to, and directs them to walk in it, 2 Cor. 4.6. Iſa. 30.20, 21. but unregenerate men do ſtumble at it; they know not whether they go, becauſe darkneſs hath blinded their eyes, 1 Joh. 2.11. But the path of the Juſt is as the ſhining light, that ſhining more and more unto the perfect day, Pro. 4.18.

5. They ſee and know (in meaſure) what Communion with God is, or what it is to have Communion with God; they might hear of ſuch a thing before, but now they know wha… it means; They are called into the Fellowſhip of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1.9. 1 Joh. 1.3. It is their promiſed priviledge and bleſſing, and they have the real experimental knowledge of it, Jo…. 14.21.23. But unregenerate men have i… not, know it not; it is none of their priviledge, they deſire, they chuſe it not: They are in Fellowſhip with the World, and their Luſts, and are well ſatisfied and contented therewith. But I may not inlarge.

6. They ſee and know the Power of Godlineſs, 2 Tim. 3.5. The Word and Spirit of Chriſt hath fallen and wrought on and i… them with Power and ſaving Efficacy, p. 119brought them into, and ſet up Godlineſs in power in them, 1 Theſ. 1.5. Rom. 1.16. Their dearts and Souls are ſubdued to it, and ſwallowed up in it; the Form of Godlineſs is a poor empty thing to them, without the power of it in their heart. But it is not ſo with unregenerate men; they ſee not any Religion or Godlineſs beyond the form or outſide; it is not formed or ſet up in their hearts; and therefore ſee little or nothing in Religion, Godlineſs, or Religious matters. But unregenerate men do ſee and find a glorious Excellency in it; it is exceeding precious, lovely, and profitable to them: They ſee that worth and Excellency in it, as to cauſe them to love and honour it, to prize, value, and eſteem it, as worthy of all acceptation; to cheriſh, keep, and augment it, to improve and practiſe it, and to walk worthy of it, to the glory of the Giver of it.

7. They ſee and know the vanity and nothingneſs of the Creature, and that they are not indeed ſuch things as they verily thought them to be before their Regeneration. Their Opinion of them is changed, it is now quite another thing. Before they looked on them, and their having and enjoying them, as their portion and happineſs: Oh, thought they, what a brave thing is it to be rich? what happy men are they who have abundance of riches, honours, pleaſures? they doted on them as on their Gods and Lovers, and their very imaginations of them raviſhed their hearts; but now they ſee their folly, and p. 120how they were miſtaken and deluded in their judgments and imaginations. They now ſee them to be but vanity and vexation of ſpirit, in compariſon of Chriſt, Grace, and Heavenly things, Eccl. 1.2. Phil. 3.19, 20. 'Tis true, they do not now ſimply contemn them, but own them, and uſe them as Gods Mercies, thank and praiſe him for them; but comparatively only, with Chriſt, Grace, and Heavenly things. Now they ſee that they are but left-hand and foot-ſtool Mercies; that they are not worth the having, nor coveting after, but with and in Chriſt, Grace, Pardon, and Holineſs, and in order to their living to God with them, and enjoying of him in them. But unregenerate men ſee them with other eyes, and they have other thoughts of them. They account them their good things, as the only or chiefeſt good, their great portion and happineſs, and accordingly they act, walk, and ſteer their courſe; follow after them, and greedily purſue them, Luk. 16.25. Rom. 8.5. For indeed whatever they do profeſs, or pretend to the contrary, they do not ſee, nor mind any higher good.

8. They ſee and know the vanity and emptineſs of that which they did bear upon, and glory in, namely, their own Righteouſneſs. They once thought that they had that in them, and ſuch works were performed by them, as would commend them unto God, and incline his heart to love and pity them, to accept and ſave them. But now they ſee they were deceived, that all their Righteouſneſſes are p. 121but filthy rags, dirt, and dung; and that they are ſo far from being accepted, or accounted of in Heaven, as that they are matters of contempt and loathing, Phil. 3.7, 8. Iſa. 64.6. Matth. 23. So that that which was their glory, is now their ſhame. Their Gay Cloathing are now meer Rags in their account; Why? Becauſe they ſee with other eyes, and by a better light than they did before. They ſee they were building themſelves on a Sandy Bottom, which would have ſunk under them, and they and it muſt have periſhed together, had they not been taken off it by the power of Regenerating Grace. But now this is all they have to glory in, who are Profeſſors of Godlineſs, in an unregenerate ſtate, namely, God, I thank thee, I am not as other men; I faſt twice in the week; I give Tythes of all that I poſſeſs, &c. Luke 18.9, 10, 11, 12. Phil. 3.7.

9. They ſee and know the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and his Goſpel-will, revealed in Scripture; they are ſpiritualized, and made ſpiritual men by Regeneration, and thereby are enabled to judge all, or of all ſpiritual things (in meaſure) 1 Cor. 2.15. They heard of Chriſt and his Will before, but now they ſee and know him, and it. But more of this anone.

10. They ſee and know in meaſure, the great work of real Goſpel-Obedience, what it is, & how to be performed; and alſo, the holy Ghoſt his teachings, helpings, quickenings, and comfortings, in and to their Goſpel-Obedience. They ſee wide difference between meer doing of that which is good, and that with and by meer natural p. 122helps and principles, and that which is real Goſpel Obedience of the heart in it, Ro. 6.17. as likewiſe the Spirits helping their Infirmities, Ro. 8.26. But Unregenerate men know nothing of theſe matters. But I have done with this. Theſe are ſome, and but ſome of the things, matters, and objects, which by regenerating light, they are enabled to ſee and diſcern; as you that are regenerated can witneſs. Now then, try your ſelves by what hath been already ſaid, of ſeeing, or of the ſeeing and knowing ſenſe.

Secondly, as Regenerate Perſons can ſee, and do know the matters and things they ſaw not before; ſo ſecondly, they are enabled to ſee and underſtand ſuch ſpiritual things and matters which they had ſome knowledge of before their Regeneration, more clearly, plainly, diſtinctly, experimentally, and powerfully, then they did or could before. For they had only a dim, weak, and general natural, and ſpiritual light, and ſight before. They did ſee, but underſtood not what they ſaw, Iſa. 6.9. They are like Men or Children that ſee ſome rare and pretious Jewels, or Cordials, but know not what they are, neither underſtand the worth, excellency, and uſefulneſs of them, as Artificers do, or like ſuch as hear Muſick in a ſtrange Tone and Language, they know not what it means; ſo at the beſt their ſight and knowledge is an uncertain, weak, and unedifying knowledge. Their ſight and knowledge of theſe matters, profit them not. It lies idle and uſeleſs in the p. 123head, but is of no advantage to the heart. It brings them not to the things they ſee, to cloſe up with them, and make them their choice, to apply and rightly to appropriate them unto themſelves. No, but they ſtill lay at a diſtance from their hearts, and their hearts from them. They ſee no tranſcendent worth and excellency in them, to cauſe them indeed to deſire them, and with ſelf-denial to make them their own. But they are enabled by Regeneration to ſee and underſtand Spiritual things ſpiritually, 1 Cor. 2.13.14. They have now Eyes to ſee withal, Epheſ. 1.18. and a new light to ſee by, namely, The Sun of Righteouſneſs, Mal. 4.2. The Glory of the Lord is riſen upon them, Iſa 60.1. But before they ſaw with their old eyes, though it may be they were a little anointed with ſome common ſpiritual Light ſtill, yet they were but their old natural Eyes, or ſenſe of ſeeing, and they had only Candle light to ſee ſpiritual things by; But Regenerate perſons are called out of darkneſs, into marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2.9. The light of the knowledge of the Glory of God ſhines into their hearts, 2 Cor. 4.6. enabling them with a meaſure of clear diſcerning, what they are by Nature, and what they are made by the Grace of Chriſt; how they ought to live in this world, and what their duties are, the workings of their own luſts, and the Temptations of the Devil and World; the proneneſs and inclination of the heart to ſin, and cloſe up with Temptations, and the continual need they have of Divine aſſiſtance and protection; p. 124what need they have of the Mercy of God, and of the Blood and Righteouſneſs of Chriſt.

Moreover, their new light directs and leads them to Jeſus Chriſt, to own, receive, and accept him for their Lord and Saviour, for their King, Prieſt, and Prophet; for their Head and Ruler, their Teacher and Lawgiver: and it is powerful to lead and perſwade them out of themſelves, to take up in Chriſt only, Col. 2.6. Joh. 1.12. Pſal. 73.25, 26. Phil. 3.7.8. and it is powerful to take off their hearts and hands from ſin, ſelf-righteouſneſs, and ſelf-ability, from ſelf-boaſting, or glorying in ſelf, and from the enticing objects of this world. This new Divine Spiritual Light, ſees ſuch a tranſcendent and ſingular beauty, excellency, and lovelineſs in the perſon, love and Grace of Chriſt, as to draw the Mind, Affections, and whole Soul to him, to lodge them in him, take up with him, greatly to love him, and cleave unto him; to deſire him and his Grace, and to chuſe and apply it to themſelves. To adore and admire him, to honour and exalt him, to live and dye with him and for him; to live to him, and make it their work and buſineſs to pleaſe him; to ſpeak well of him, and to commend him, his Love and Grace to the acceptance and admiration of others, Cant. 5.9 ult. ſo likewiſe they ſee a deſirable excellency and lovelineſs in the wills and commands of Chriſt, in their duty and Goſpel obedience to him, ſo as to fall in love with them and it; ſo as to obſerve and do what he commands, and that becauſe it is his holy p. 225Will, Gracious and Soveraign Pleaſure and Appointment that they ſhould ſo do: yea, and they can in meaſure diſcern when they pleaſe him, and when they do not, Heb. 11.5. Beſides, Regenerate perſons have an experimental knowledge; they taſte, feel, and enjoy a part of the Heavenly matters which they ſee; they have the earneſt, and firſt Fruits of them in their hands; they have a part in poſſeſſion, namely, of Chriſt, his Grace, Spirit, Truth, and Heaven; and they begin to ſee thoſe things more diſtinctly and particularly; they can diſcern one thing from another, and more and more look into the nature, property, uſe, and end of them, and how to uſe and improve them to the glory and praiſe of God, and to the comfort and edification of their own Souls.

Secondly, another of theſe new ſpiritual ſenſes, is Taſting. The natural Man hath the ſenſes of ſeeing, and taſting things that are ſuitable to him, ſo hath the ſpiritual man or new creature. O taſte and ſee that the Lord is gracious, Pſal. 34.8. And if you have taſted that the Lord is gracious, 1 Pet. 2.3. It is a ſpiritual ſenſe or taſte, and they are ſpiritual things that it can taſte and reliſh. I ſhall briefly name ſome of them, to help you in your tryal, or in the proving and examining your ſtate and conditions by them.

1. The word of God, Goſpel Precepts and Promiſes. The one declaring what God and Chriſt the Mediator, and holy Ghoſt, hath and will do for us: the other, what is our Duty, and what we ſhould do for God. Theſe words p. 126of God are exceeding ſweet and pleaſant to the ſpiritual taſte of new Creatures, Pſal. 19.10. They are (ſays David) ſweeter than the honey, or honey Comb. So in the 119. Pſal. And Jeremy tells us the ſame Chap. 15.16. Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart. So is the word of God to thee if thou art a new Creature, eſpecially at ſometimes, but it is not ſo to others. Chriſt calls his Fathers will, his food. My Meat (ſays he) is to do the will of him that ſent me; and man liveth not by bread onelyonly, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, Matth. 4. Well, what canſt thou ſay of and to this for thy ſelf?

2. The good Counſels, Exhortations, Admonitions, and Reproofs of Chriſtian friends, and Reſolutions, are ſweet to thy taſte alſo, 1 Sam. 25.32, 33. verſes, compared with the foregoing verſes; And David ſaid, bleſſed be thou of the Lord, and bleſſed be thy advice. Oh! how ſweet was a Womans Counſel and Admonition unto David, although he was much her Superiour. It is the ſame (in meaſure) with thee, if thou art a Regenerate perſon. Oh! thou wilt receive, reliſh, and eat ſuch friendly words of Counſel and Advice, and bleſs God for them, and not quarrel and cenſure thy friends for what they do, but receive and eat it as ſweet and wholeſome food for thy Soul, and give God and them thanks.

3. Ordinances. The Goſpel Ordinances, and holy Appointments of Chriſt, will be, and are indeed ſweeter to thy Taſte than any worldly p. 127thing. The Ordinances of Preaching, and hearing the Goſpel, are as the Goſpel to thee, ſweeter than hony to thy mouth, Pſal. 119.103. So are the other Ordinances to, the Lords Supper, Baptiſm, Prayer, ſinging of Pſalms, and Church-Fellow-ſhip. The Order and Diſcipline of Chriſt in the Church, and all other his Goſpel appointments.

4. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is moſt Sweet unto their Taſts. As he is the faireſt of ten Thouſands, and altogether Lovely, Cant. 5.10. ult. ſo he is the ſweeteſt and moſt pleaſant of all things to the Taſt; yea, altogether ſweet; if his fruit be ſo, much more is he himſelf; But his fruit, the dropping of his Grace, is ſo, Cant. 2.3. How much more ſweet muſt himſelf be unto Believers, who is the Root and fountain of all thoſe drops or friuts, Zach. 13.1. Revel. 22.16. Chriſt is the deſire of all theſe new ſenſes, as he is ſaid to be of all Nations; Habak. 2.7. And he is moſt deſirable to the Taſt; He is the bread of Life, that came down from Heaven; Which is meat indeed: for he that eateth of this bread, ſhall live for ever, Joh. 6.48.50.51.55. Chriſt is the moſt pretious, deſirable, ſweet bread, that ever any did eat; It hath ſuch a pleaſant reliſh, ſavour, and comforting quality, it doth ſo refreſh and cheriſh the Soul of a Child of God, as that he greatly diſires it, longs after it, Covets to get and keep it, and (as it were) impatiently ſeeks and waits for it: It is ſo good as that it will never ſurfeit him; all other things how good and pleaſant ſoever they be, are nothing to him p. 128without this. This is the great diſh that makes the Word, Ordinances, and all other diſhes, a feaſt indeed; 'Tis that which reliſhes and makes all other food ſweet, nouriſhing, excellent, and delightful. Hence they cry out in the fullneſſe of all other things (if they find not Chriſt there) Oh! where is Chriſt, let him come into my Garden, my Soul, the beſt and only diſh that ſhould feaſt us and ſatisfy us, is not here, till he come, I cannot eat, nor be Satisfyed, Cant. 4. ult. Saith a gracious heart. Let Chriſt be my bread, and I ſhall be fully ſatisfyed, he is my all, in all things, Coll. 3.11. and without him I cannot, may not, will not be ſatisfyed. Oh! give me Chriſt in all, or I dye, for my Soul will Wither and famiſh, whatever elſe I have, whatever elſe I feed upon. But Chriſt alone (if it ſo pleaſe him) will ſatiſfy me, though he give me nothing elſe.

5. Experiences are ſweet and pleaſant to the Taſte; They are invaluable mercies: when new Creatures can bring forth out of their Treaſures new and old experiences, and ſay this and that I have found; This Aſſiſtance I have found in ſuch a duty, and that comfort I have found in that duty; In ſuch a ſtrait I found ſuch and ſuch ſeaſonable helps, ſupports and deliverances; When I was ſad, I found God comforting me; In doubt of my ſtate, I found God ſaying to me, be of good chear, thy Sins are forgiven thee. When my heart was hardened by Sin, he melted it, and when much ſtraitened and ſhut up, he enlarged it; when the guilt p. 129of my Sins lay heavy on my Conſcience, he applyed the blood of the everlaſting Covenant, Heb. 13.20 and ſo relieved and eaſed me, and when I thought he was angry with me, and had ſhut out my Prayers, he anſwered them. Oh how ſweet are theſe and ſuch like experiences to the Taſt of new creatures. I could give you an account of many more had I time.

This ſpiritual ſenſe hath a thirſting appetite. It is always with accompanied a hungering and thirſting Appetite after all Spiritual and Heavenly things that he knows, or thinks may be good for him; he hungers and thirſts after Chriſt, his Blood, Grace, Righteouſneſs, Ordinances, Word, Experiences, Heaven, and the preſence of Chriſt; and when he findes them, Oh how ſweet, comfortable and pleaſing are they? Then he ſaith, now is my Soul ſatisfyed as with marrow and fatneſs, my Soul ſhall praiſe thee with joyful Lips, Pſal. 63.5.

2. As he Taſts, and hath a hungring and thirſting appetite after Spiritual things; ſo it loaths and nauſiates the Sins, vanities and follies that he once delighted in, and fed himſelf withal: he can neither taſt nor digeſt them; they are no waies toothſome to him, but odious, hateful, and abominable; They are now as filthy poyſon to him; As meat wherwith a man hath ſurfeited himſelf, is to him, ſo are theſe Sins and vanities unto a new Creature; They are all like naſty ſtinking Carrion to him; he abhorrs the ſight, ſmell and taſte of them, and cannot endure p. 130they ſhould be nigh him. The very thoughts of them are grievous to him, Pſal. 119. Ro…. 7. They ſhall be no more his food, but loathing: They were never ſo ſweet, as now they are bitter to him, 1 Jer. 2.19. They were once his pleaſant Bread, but now his bitter Poyſon; They were his Suger and Honey, wherewith he was delighted, but now they are Gall and Wormwood to him; His ſtomack raiſes up againſt them and he can no more endure them, nor be reconciled to them.

Thirdly, Feeling. Feeling is another Senſe of the new Creature; For as the natural man hath the Senſe of feeling what doth touch, or burden it, ſo hath the new Creature the like Senſe too. The new creatures feeling ſenſe is ſenſible of, and burdened with many evils, weights and oppreſſions, that he is afflicted withal. But firſt, not with the Yoke and Service of Chriſt. The Old man indeed is greatly burdened with it, and complaines ſadly of the tediouſneſs and weariſomneſs of it, Mal. 1.13. and when will the Sabboth be gone, Amos 8.5. But the new Creature is not afflicted with, nor weary of it; but findes it and accounts it as the Scripture reports it to be, namely, an Eaſy and light Yoke, Math. 11. ult. And her way are ways of pleaſantneſs, Pro. 3.17. And his commandments are not grievous, 1 Joh. 5.3. Yea, they find that in keeping of them, or the right obſerving of them, is great reward, Pſal. 19.

2. Neither is the Chaſtiſing and afflicting will of God, as ſuch, their burden, or the real burden p. 131of the new Creature. For that is ſwallowed up in the will of God, and that overballances all, becauſe it is the will of God who loves him, and he loves God. It is matter of joy to him that the will of God is done, although he ſuffer under it. And the new creature knows that it is but a Fatherly chaſtiſement; The fruit of great love, Care, wiſdom and Faithfulneſs; not to hurt him, but profit him; not to wound, but to heal the man; not to deſtroy, but to ſave him, Rom. 8.28. Heb. 12. Iſa. 27.

2. But in the ſecond place, the new Creature is ſenſible of, afflicted, burdened and oppreſſed with other matters. As 1. his Luſts and Sins. Theſe are the heavy burdens that preſſe him down, and makes him cry out (with Paul and David) O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the Body of this Death, Rom. 7.24. And with David, There is no reſt in my Bones, by reaſon of my Sin, Pſal. 38. and who can underſtand his errors, Cleans thou me from my Sins, Pſal. 19. and Pſal. 51. There are many of them of his unbelief, earthly-mindedneſs, covetouſneſs, deſires after worldly things, hypocriſy, formality, and too often indifferency and lukewarmneſs of Spirit in the worſhip of God. His deadneſs and careleſneſs. Robbing God and his ſoul of their due. Aptneſs and Proneſs of heart to cloſe up and fall in with temptation to Sin. His Paſſion, Anger, Wrath, Peeviſhneſs, Vanity, Frothyneſs, Carnal Security, departing of the heart from God and Duty, and an averſneſs to it; to envy and grudge at others p. 132proſperity, and to revenge wrongs or injuries received from men, and whatever other evils … finds the heart enclined to; ſo likewiſe its want of ſpiritualneſs of heart, freedom and cheerfulneſs in the worſhip and ſervice of God. Alſo its hardneſs of heart, & unprofitableneſs under the means of Grace, and unuſefulneſs in the world. Theſe and many other luſts and ſins are its burdens, they oppreſs & preſs him down. Theſe are the Mountains that lay on the back of the new Creature, and it earneſtly longs for, and deſires deliverance from them all. Moreover, they are greatly burdened with the Treachery, and deceitfulneſs of their hearts; their fears, doubts, and diſtractions in duty, their want of heavenly mindedneſs, love to God, delighting in him, and his ſervice. They are burdened, and ſmart under the ſenſe of the impurity of their hearts, and great inſenſibility of Mercies, and becauſe God is not honoured and glorified by them as he ſhould be. They are burdened, becauſe their Luſts are ſo ſtrong and powerful, as that when they would do good, they cannot; And as they are burdened with theſe and many other Evils of their own, ſo they feel a great weight in others ſins likewiſe. Rivers of waters run down their Eyes, becauſe other men are Tranſgreſſors of Gods I am, Pſal. 119.136. And (ſays Paul) who is weak, and I am nor weak, 2 Cor. 11.29. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather Mourned, 1 Cor. 5.2. You ſhould have been afflicted in Spirit for your Brothers ſin, becauſe God was diſhonoured, and his Goſpel Blaſphemed, his People p. 133ſhamed, and the world ſtumbled by reaſon of it. Now they are burdened, wounded, and bleed under the ſenſe of wicked mens prophaneneſs, debauchery, and contempt of the Goſpel of Chriſt. But they are moſtly wounded with the evils and miſcarriages of Profeſſours, and ſuch as they hope are the People of God. Their Pride, Worldlineſs, Frothyneſs, Back-bitings, negligence and careleſneſs in the matters of God, their cenſorious and raſh Judgings of one another, their want of Love, Kindneſs, and Charity to each other, and their brawlings and contentions one with another, and their coldneſs and lukewarmneſs in Religion, with other their ſins, do deeply wound and pierce them to the heart, and that becauſe they are a ſhame and diſhonour to their Father, Husband, and Head, his Name and People, and becauſe him whom they love and honour, is not glorifyed in and by them. And further, as they are burdened and wounded with other ſins and miſcarriages, ſo likewiſe, with the Reproaches and other ſufferings of good Men. Who is afflicted and I burn not, (ſays Paul) 2 Cor. 11.29. Their Brethrens Bonds are their Bonds, Heb. 13.3. their Reproaches, Pains, Loſſes, Poverty, Weakneſſes, and Perſecutions, are their own. They are in Pain, Bonds, Poverty, &c. with them; They have Spirits to rejoyce with them that rejoyce, and weep with them that weep, Rom. 12.15, 16. And it muſt needs be ſo, becauſe they are Fellow-Members of the ſame Spiritual Body, joyned to Chriſt their Head; and if they are not ſympathizers with, and Fellow-feelers of each p. 134others Afflictions, it is certain they are not living, but dead Members, whatever they profeſs themſelves to be, or pretend to, 1 Cor. 12.25, 26, 27. (read and ponder that Scripture.)

New Creatures have a feeling of many other Burdens alſo. The Temptations of the Devil, ſnares and allurements of the world, are their heavy and grievous Burdens. They grown under them, and earneſtly deſire to be delivered from them. They find by woful experience, that the Devil ſhoots his Fiery Darts at them, and labours Night and Day by his Wiles, to draw them from God, and to entangle them in Sin, Eph. 6. They know that he hath his Devices, or Methods, 2 Cor. 2.11. and that he doth like a Lyon, walk up and down, ſeeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5.8. and therefore are fain to be always on their guard to keep Watch and Ward againſt him Nigh… and Day, that he ſurprize them not, and dra… or tempt them to Sin. They know that he … a ſubtle and ſtrong Enemy, and how he ha… prevailed over good men, and cauſed them … ſin. As David, Peter, and others, and therefore they are afraid of him, knowing their dange… and the evils he may ſtir and move them unto if he ſhould prevail. The World likewiſe namely, the good things of it, are in ſo… ſenſe burthenſome to him; not as they … good things, but as they are powerful to S… duce and inſnare the mind and affections, draw them from God and Heavenly thing To carnalize the Mind, deaden or cool … p. 135Affections, and take off the Spiritual taſte, favour, and reliſh of Heavenly things; the heart from duty, and ſerious ſtriving to enter is at the ſtraight Gate, Luk. 13.24. The world is like Pitch to our evil natures, we can hardly touch it without being defiled with it; like coals of fire in the boſome, that will burn us, and like a hedge of Thorns that will prick and tear us, as experience ſhews. The Lord Jeſus knows how dangerous and pernicious the good things of this world would be to his diſciples Souls, and therefore charges them to take heed, and beware of them, leſt at any time, (Mark it) leſt at any time you be inſnared with them, Luk. 21.34.

2. As the feeling ſenſe is ſenſible of ſmarts, and cries out under the burdens and weights of theſe evils, ſo, it is deeply ſenſible of the great love and Grace of Chriſt to him; he is heartily affected with his Rich mercy, Eph: 2.…. and the unſearchable Riches of Gods Grace to him. Evil and good, Grace and Sin, affect him; he is not onelyonly deeply ſenſible of what he is, and hath done to God, but what God is to, and hath done for him; he is affected with the beſt things as well as the worſt; with matters of joy, as well as ſorrow; he hath his Eye as well on the bright ſide of the Cloud, as on the dark ſide of it; and he is impreſſed with Gods goodneſs and holyneſs, as well as with his own badneſs and vileneſs; he takes in one as well as another, and both make powerful impreſſion on his feeling Senſe. The ſame Senſe is capable of joy and p. 136Sorrow, and there are in his view, ſuitable objects and matters for both; and he is really ſenſible of both. But I haſten.

Fourthly, Hearing. New Creatures have a new Senſe of Hearing. The hearing Senſe is appointed and given to men, to receive and take in words ſpoken, without which they know not what is ſpoken to them. Now as men have the natural ſenſe of hearing, ſo Regenerate Perſons have a new ſpiritual ſenſe of hearing given them in Regeneration; until then they are ſaid to be Deaf, Pſal. 58.4. Iſa. 42.18, 19. although they had not loſt their natural Senſe of hearing; yet the Scripture ſaith, they were Deaf; why, becauſe they had not Spiritual Ears to hear; hence the Lord Jeſus (ſpeaking to the Aſian Churches) bids ſuch as had Eares to hear, what the Spirit ſpake unto them; Revel. 2. and 3. Chapters. Clearly implying that there were ſome among them, that had not this Spiritual Senſe of hearing the Voice of the holy Spirit, but that there were others that had it. And the Prophet tells the Jews that there were ſome that had Eares, but were Deaf, Iſa. 43.8. that is, they had the natural, but not the Spiritual ſenſe of hearing the voice of God by his Prophets. This Spiritual hearing ſenſe imports, not onelyonly a hearing and taking in the words or matters they hear, but alſo underſtanding them, and receiving them into the underſtanding, will, and affection, Ezek. 40.3.4. 2 Theſ. 2.10. Pro. 7.1. Pro. 10 14. They are ready and ſwift to hear, Jam. 1.19.21. Let Chriſt ſpeak to p. 237them what he will, they can and will hear him; Speak Lord, for thy ſervant heares, 1 Sam. 3.2. is the language of his heart; and Lord what wilt thou have me to do, Acts. 9. doth God or good men, inſtruct, admoniſh, exhort, reprove, charge, rebuke them, their Eares and hearts are open and ready to hear and receive it, to love and underſtand it; to keep and practice it, or to improve all to the will of God. Regenerate Perſons are the good ground hearers; Luk. 8.15. Math. 13. They have Eares to hear, hearts to receive and underſtand what is revealed to them; yea, to keep and hold it faſt; convert the word into profit, and turn all into the practice of Godlyneſs. They, and they only have learnt the myſtery and Spiritual Art of hearing: They are the only Wiſe, Serious, Humble, Diligent, Circumſpect, Careful, Reverend, Watchful, Sincere, Profitable and good Hearers. They are taught to pleaſe and honour God better, and advantage their own Souls in and by hearing. They are the Perſons (and none but they) who hear in hearing; who do truely and faithfully endeavour to hear Chriſt, in hearing of men; and to hear that voice behind them, ſaying, this is the way, walk ye in it; which is promiſed in Iſa: 30.20.21. They are the men who do indeed make bleſſed earnings of hearing, and who do unfainedly intend, deſign and carry on right, high and holy ends in hearing, namely, to know Chriſt, his Will, Grace, Spirit, Benefits, Covenant, and Promiſes; to know themſelves, their Sins, Deceits, and Errors; their increaſe p. 138or decreaſe in Grace and practical Godlineſs, and to know how they ought to believe and carry themſelves towards God and men in all conditions, States and Relations, better, more clearly and Spiritually, that ſo they may walk worthy of the Lord, unto all well-pleaſing, and be fruitful in every good work; adorn the Goſpel of Chriſt, and beautify their holy profeſſion. Theſe are the men who hear, that they may be cleanſed and waſhed, that they may be quickened to, and ſtrengthened in their duty, and that their luſts may be deſtroyed by the word of Grace, Joh. 15.3. Joh. 17.17. Eph. 5.25.26. 2 Cor. 10.4.5. And that they may, as in the Lords own way and appointment, meet with Chriſt, and Chriſt with them, to expreſs their dependance on, and ſubjection to him, and that they may be filled with all the fulneſs of God, Eph. 3.19. This is the hearing Ear, and underſtanding heart, that is rarely to be found in the world.

Fifthly, Smelling. In the natural body there is the Senſe of Smelling, ſo there is in the new Creature alſo; Chriſt is full of ſweet ſmells and Savours, fitted and ſuited to a believers new ſenſe; and Chriſt hath provided for, and given them a ſenſe capable of receiveing and reſenting it, which adds much to their ſtrength and Comfort, and renders the Lord Jeſus more ſweet, lovely, and acceptable to them. For the more ſenſes they have to draw and take in of Chriſts Perſon, Grace, and lovelyneſs to themſelves, the more they get from Chriſt, and the more pleaſing and p. 139deſirable he muſt needs be to them; had the patural man only two or three ſenſes, to apprehend and take in objects, and the good of them, his life would not be ſo comfortable; becauſe as then, many of the Creatures would be vain and uſeleſs to him, ſo he would live without the uſe and comfort of them that are ſuited to the ſenſes he wants, and which he cannot receive nor take comfort and delight in, without them. And men are naturally beſt pleaſed, and moſt ſatisfyed with variety of objects and matters. It is much more ſo in Spiritual and heavenly matters and things, Spiritual men, love and delight much in heavenly varieties, and therefore to delight and ſatisfy them, to endear their Souls to Chriſt, and incourage them in their Duty to him, he hath given them many ſenſes or ſubjects capable of apprehending and taking in variety of heavenly matters and things; and that is not all, but he hath alſo graciouſly provided all ſuitable varieties for them, and preſents them freely to their acceptance. Thus Chriſt is to them, a ſweet ſmelling Savour, Eph. 5.2. his death was ſo to God, and his Perſon, Graces, and Benefits, are ſo to them, Cant. 5.13.2.13. Their Perſons love and obedience are a ſweet ſmelling ſavour to Chriſt, Cant. 4.10.11. And ſo is Chriſt unto them, Cant. 1.3. and it is powerful to excite and draw forth their ſtrongeſt and deareſt love to Chriſt, Becauſe of the ſavour of this good Oyntments; therefore do the Virgins love thee. And as it excites and draws forth their love to Chriſt, ſo it gladdens and p. 140refreſhes the hearts of new Creatures. Pſal. 45.8. All thy Garments ſmell of Myrth, &c. whereby they have made thee glad. Thus I have briefly run over, and preſented you a few conſiderations of the New Creature, his ſpiritual ſenſes, what they are, and of their nature, work, uſe, and end; to help you to make a true Judgment of your ſelves, whether you are new Creatures indeed, or only in name and pretence.

And be aſſured of this, that if thou art indeed a Regenerate perſon, thou mayeſt in ſome degree, (eſpecially at ſometimes) find theſe ſpiritual ſenſes in thee. And if thou canſt find them in any degree in thee, thou mayeſt conclude, that thou art a Child of God, and really Regenerate. For it is certain that unregenerate perſons have them not in them, but are real ſtrangers, if not Enemies to them; and ſuch as regard them not, neither do they find them in any degree or meaſure in themſelves, they are in an unregenerate ſtate and condition. And that they have not theſe ſenſes, is evident; for they are dead, blind, hard, and wholly carnal, as hath been ſhewed already. And ſo much of the firſt Mark or Character of a new Creature, I ſhall briefly diſpatch the reſt, and then proceed to other heads propounded.

Secondly, If thou art a new Creature indeed, thou haſt been brought forth, and born again in pain, and with grief and trouble of Soul. Every natural Child is brought forth with ſorrow and pain, Joh. 16. and every n…w-born Babe is brought p. 141forth with ſorrow and pain. The Lord Jeſus hath been in Travail, Sorrow, and Pain for them that are and ſhall be regenerated, to purchaſe their new Birth, Iſa. 53.3.11. he had the hardeſt labour and ſtrugling for thee; he was in the greateſt and moſt dreadful Agony and anguiſh of Soul that could be, to procure thy Regeneration and new State; he had many a woful and grievous throw; many a ſigh and groan, and he ſweat many drops of Blood for thee, when he was Sacrificing his life to Divine Juſtice for thy Redemption and Sanctification, to Redeem thee from thy old ſtate of Sin and Miſery, Luk. 22.44. Math. 26. and to make thee one of his peculiar people, Tit. 2.14. Eph. 5. And as he hath been in Pain and Travail for thee, ſo (if thou art Regenerated) he hath given thee a ſmall Taſte of his Pains and Sorrows in thy birth. Thou haſt not been brought forth without ſighs, groans, throws, Pains and Sorrows, no, but thou haſt found much Strugling, and many pangs of heart. It is true, that all Children are not born with the ſame degree and meaſure of pains and ſorrows. Some Women feel more, ſome leſs, in their Travail, but all have ſome. In Sorrow thou ſhalt bring forth Children, ſays God, Gen. 3.16. ſo he ſays of all ſinners that he will Regenerate, (if grown perſons) in ſorrow ſhalt thou be Regenerated, and made a New Creature. Thou ſhalt taſte and feel what an evil and bitter thing it is to be a ſinner, and under my Wrath, the dominion of Luſts and the Devil; That thou hast forſaken p. 142me the Fountain of living Waters, Jer. 2. Rebelled againſt me, thrown off my Yoke, and obeyed the Devil rather than me. Thou ſhalt know that I have obſerved all thy contemptuous ſlightings of my Son, my Grace and Mercy, and cauſing me to ſtand, wait, and knock for thee, and thoud'ſt not hearken to me. When God Regenerates men, he lets looſe Sin, Guilt, Devil, his Law and Vengeance on the Souls and Conſciences of ſuch for a time, and the Spirit of God, who is the great Agent in Regenerating them, Joh. 3.5. makes himſelf as a Spirit of Bondage to them, and ſeemingly to their own ſenſe, puts them into, and leaves them in a far worſe caſe and condition than they were in before, Rom. 8.15. ſo that now their ſinful peace, carnal ſecurity, vain and fooliſh hopes and confidences are all broken and ſhattered, and they are left to the wide world to ſhift for themſelves, and that when they are encompaſſed about with fears and miſeries, and have none to comfort them, but are like men ſhut up in doubts, fears, and diſtractions, not knowing what to do, nor what to think of their conditions. They are condemned by the Law, and their own Conſciences, and they ſee themſelves bound over to anſwer for all their Tranſgreſſions at the Judgment Seat of God. They ſee themſelves in ſtraits and miſeries, and know not how to help themſelves, neither can they find any that will or can; for they look upon God as their Enemy, and are afraid of him. This makes them cry out, O, What p. 143ſhall we do to be ſaved? How, or by whom ſhall we be delivered? Acts 2.37. Acts 16.29, 30. Now their Hearts, Heads, and Souls are in travelling pains and pangs, greatly longing to be delivered, like men that are ſinking into the bottom of the Sea, and never like to be ſaved. Thus they are brought forth in pain and Sorrow. And God hath many wiſe and gratious ends in dealing thus with them, which in due time they ſhall ſee, and bleſs him for. For by bringing forth the new Creature, thus he greatly imbitters Sin to them, ſhews them their own vileneſs, weakneſs, and wretchedneſs, and cauſes them to loath themſelves, and hate their Sin, endears and commends Jeſus Chriſt, his Grace and love to them, and ſtirs them up to ſeek after him, and cleave to him the more ſeriouſly and heartily.

Thirdly, The new Creature is of a humble, meek and lowly nature; it is like the Father and Authour of it, the Lord Jeſus; he was meek and lowly in heart and life, Math. 11.29. Chriſt was of a Lamb-like, Dove-like nature, Spirit and Carriage in his life and Death. In his life, Joh. 1.29. Behold the Lamb of God. In his death, under exceeding great contemps, & innumerable Injuries; he was as a Lamb, Acts. 8.32. ſo his Saints are often called his Sheep and Lambs; My ſheep hear my voice, Joh. 10.27. and his Lambs, Joh. 21.15. ſo he calls them his Doves, C…nt. 2.14. Cant. 5.2. and ſo they call Chriſt, Cant. 5.12. now, who knows not theſe Creatures to be meek, lowly, and humble; and becauſe they are generally known ſo to be and p. 144are ſo in their own nature, the Lord Jeſus ſets out and ſhews us what his new Creatures are in their natures and carriages by them; and they are ſuch indeed, or they are not the real Sheep, Lambs, and Doves of the Lord Jeſus; for all his People participate of his nature; they are of Poor, Meek, Humble, and lowly Spirits, Words, and Carriages, in meaſure like their head Chriſt, how Proud and Lofty ſo ever they were before. Chriſts Regenerating Grace is certainly Soul-humbling, Spirit-meekening, and Heart-debaſing Grace whereever it is. It Turns Lyons into Lambs, Wolves into Sheep, and Ravenous Birds into ſweet Doves; For they are Regenerated with the divine nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. and by the Spirit of Chriſt, Rom. 8.9. and they are ſaid to be, as he is, in the world, 1 Joh. 4.17.

And as they are ſo by nature, or there new birth, ſo likewiſe by their Light and conſideration. Their habits are improved and ſtrengthened by their own endeavours, as by Gods own Proper means. 1. They ſee ſo much of their own Vileneſs, Wretchedneſs, Nakedneſs, and Impotency, as to make them loath themſelves; and they ſee ſo much of their former and paſt Tranſgreſſions and Sins, as to cauſe them to abhor and condemn themſelves, Job. 42. They do now ſee themſelves and ways, with another kind of light and judgment than they did before, ſo that now their Self-juſtifying is turn'd into Self-condemning; and their high thoughts, into low and Self-debaſing thoughts of themſelves. They were never p. 145ſo high in their own Eyes, as now they are low; and never ſo worthy and ſufficient, as now they are unworthy, and nothing, Phill. 3.7.2. They ſee (in meaſure) the holyneſs and Righteouſneſs of God and his Laws, and the great unſuitableneſs of their hearts and wayes unto them; and the ſight and Senſe thereof, greatly humbles and debaſes them, Iſa. 6.5. Job. 42.5.6. And as they are humbled and debaſed at the ſight and knowledg of theſe things, ſo alſo their ſerious pondering and conſidering them doth further ſhame, humble, and abuſe them. They do conſider, and lay theſe things to heart; and do not content themſelves with the bare knowing and apprehending them as true; no, but they ſearch into them, and apply them to themſelves; Thus and thus am I; This and this have I done, and this and that is my Sin and wickedneſs, my evil and miſery; and this and much more have I merrited, of the wrath and dreadful vengeance of God, by my wickedneſs and rebellion, by my often refuſing his Yoke, and rejecting his grace and favour proferred to me in and by the Goſpel; ſo likewiſe the conſideration of the holyneſs and Righteouſneſs of God, and his Laws and ways, which I have deſpiſed, ſlighted and ſet at nought, Pro. 1.24.25. and which I find I cannot cloſe up with, nor conform unto. Oh I have robbed him of his due, and am likely to do ſo ſtill, becauſe of the naughtineſs of my heart, and wickedneſs of my nature, which is moſt loathſome and abominable throughout, Ezek. 16. p. 146Rom. 3. 1 Cor. 6. Tit. 3. I have been vile and abominable in the pure Eyes of God, and di… love to have it ſo. I would not believe that God and his Lawes were ſo holy and righteous, nor that I was ſo vile and hateful, as now I ſee I am. By theſe and other ſuch conſiderations, their meek and humble natures are ſtrengthned and improved againſt the ſurging Waves of Pride, and ſelf-exalting that is in them, and that ſtrives to overcome and conquer them.

And as Regenerate perſons are meek, humble and lowly, by their Spiritual birth or new nature, and by their divine light and conſideration, do improve and augment it, as hath been ſhewed; ſo this truth may further appear, (namely, that Regenerate men are ſuch as hath been ſaid) by the Names and Titles the Holy Ghoſt gives them in Scripture. They are called the Meek of the Earth, Zeph. 2.3. that is, the onelyonly meek men that live in this world, and that from their new nature and heavenly birth, their thoughts of themſelves, and their ſingular carriages and walkings before and towards God and men. This Appellation is often given them in Scripture, to diſtinguiſh them from other men, how good natur'd ſoever they are; and to declare and ſhew forth their new natures and ſingular frames, carriages and diſpoſitions; to manifeſt how God looks on and accounts them, and to provoke them to carry themſelves accordingly before all men, Pſal. 22.26. The meek ſhall eat and be ſatiſfyed: and the meek will he guide in judgment; p. 147the meek will he teach his way, Pſal. 25.9. ſo in Pſal. 37.11. Pſal. 76.9. Pſal. 149.4. Iſa. 11.4. A…os 2.7. Math. 5.5. ſo they are named humble perſons, Job. 22.29. Pſal. 9.12. Pſal. 10.12.17. Pſal. 69.32. Pro. 29.23. Iſa. 57.15. Jam. 4.6. They are low and vile in their own Eyes; they are nothing, yea, worſer than nothing in their own apprehenſions, and ſo are all their works and beſt performances alſo. Wherefore you, who think your ſelves new Creatures, or to be Regenerated and born again, ſhould examine your ſelves whether or no you are indeed under this Character, if you have this certain and undeniable Mark of Chriſts ſheep on you? For if you have it not, you are not as yet Regenerated, you are not the real ſheep of Chriſt, but you are ſtill in your old ſinful ſtates and conditions, and you ſhall certainly periſh except you be born again. There are very many Perſons, who have gotten light in their Heads, many convictions and much trouble of Spirit; have reformed their lives, and walk with the People of God: who are ſo far from being more ſweet, humble and meek, in and by their light, Reformation, and ſuppoſed change of ſtate, as that they are more high and lofty then they were. In this Senſe they are Changed from leſs to more Pride, from Sin to Sin in a higher degree. They are greater in their own Eyes, and more haughty in their words and deportments than they were before their Reformation; which clearly and infallably ſhews that they are not as yet partakers of the Divine nature, p. 148or Spirit of Chriſt: but though they have put on ſheeps cloathing, yet they are ravening wolves within. I have known many who took up a ſeeming true profeſſion and practice of Godlineſs, with much Pride and high thoughts of themſelves, and a low and baſe eſteem of others, (poſſibly better then themſelves) but none of them proved ſound, and Regenerate perſons, but at long run, they withered away and came to nothing, or worſe than nothing. And when I find perſons (eſpecially young ones) under convictions of, and trouble for ſin (as they ſay) enquiring after the way to Heaven, and reforming their lives, without evident humble hearts, words, carriages and deportments: I cannot but fear what their ends will be. But know, that if you are Regenerate indeed, your Regeneration hath greatly, (though not perfectly) meekned, humbled and made you lowly minded.

Fourthly, The frame and diſpoſition of the new Creature is ſet upon, and Reſolved to exalt and magnify God, and the Lord Jeſus Christ. Men are prone to adore, exalt, and greaten ſomething or perſon, and becauſe they do not (by Nature) know or find any one Perſon or thing of better account and eſteem with them, then their carnal Self, they do make it their buſineſs to exalt, ſerve, and advance that, and take much delight in their ſo doing; but to exalt, ſerve and magnify God, they have no mind or delight. And therefore all their care and endeavours are exerciſed and lade out about p. 149that, namely, to keep a Good Opinion of themſelves, ſecure, and ſence themſelves againſt all Convictions of a contrary import, and to commend themſelves by ſome good behaviour unto men, that they may think well of them, honour and exalt them: to obtain their good thoughts and words, and get their applauſe and renown; and in this they glory and pleaſe themſelves, and that when they know themſelves not to be the perſons within doors that they ſeem to be without; For they value and e…teem the praiſe of men, more than the praiſe of God, Joh. 12.43. But as Regeneration humbles men, and makes them vile in their one eies, ſo it greatly magnifies and exalts God the Father, and Jeſus Chriſt Mediator. It is not fained in or by them, but it is their very make, their frame, bent, and diſpoſition; It is natural to the new Creature to honour and magnify God, as it was before to the natural man to honour and magnify Self; Now they can be nothing, that Chriſt may be all, and in all things, Coll. 3.11. they can upon choice, be baſe and vile, that Chriſt many be honoured and exalted thereby. They can freely become the Footſtool of Chriſt, that he may be lifted up on high; they can be any thing (but ſinners) for the greatning of Chriſt, and ſetting him (as it were) on his Throne, Phil. 1.20.

The new Creature being of a heavenly make and Conſtitution, is wholly taken up with, and Swallowed up in Chriſt and his Intereſts. Carnal ſelf is become a vile thing to that man who is indeed regenerated, in compariſon of Jeſus p. 150Chriſt, his Goſpel, Names, and Glory. Selfdenial, and Chriſt exalting, is one of the firſt Leſſons he Learns, and the firſt work and concern he is buſied about. Aſſoon as Paul was regenerated, his heart was raiſed up to this duty, bent, and reſolvedly ſet upon it, and without delay proſecuted it. Lord (ſays he) what wilt thou have me to do, Acts. 9.6. and he tels us, that aſſoon as he knew his Lords will, he conſulted not with fleſh and blood, (that is, with ſelf eaſe and ſafety) no, but preſently fell to work, namely, to exalt Chriſt, ſave Souls, and enlarge his Maſters kingdome, Gal. 1.15, 16. Paul did immediately joyn Iſſues with Chriſt, and freely and fully cloſed up with his Terms, propounded by himſelf to all that will be his diſciples, Mark. 8.34. Luk. 14.26, 27. Luk. 18. and believe it, ſo it is with you, if you are his Diſciples indeed, Joh. 8.31. if you are born again of the Spirit, Joh. 3.5. Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, is pretious in your Eies, and high in your eſteem; your Lives, Eſtates, Honours, Liberties, Dignities and Relations are ſmall matters to you, in compariſon of Chriſt, his name, Goſpel, and Intereſts. And therefore your deſire, choice, deſign, aime, ſcope, and endeavours are all to greaten, magnify, and exalt him. As he is the fairest of ten thouſands unto you, ſo you deſire, chuſe, and labour that he may be ſo by you. It is a fixed principle in your hearts, a ſtated Caſe in your Judgments and Conſciences, and a ſetled frame and bent of your Souls. There is nothing in the World more pleaſing and acceptable to you, and there p. 151is not any thing that more refreſhes your mindes, and delights your hearts then this, that you have a Chriſt to Glorify, and that you may Glorify and Honour him. The new Creature is formed for Chriſt, to be, and live … the praiſe of his Glorious Grace, Eph. 1.6.12. They ſee and acknowledge (when Regenerated) that they are no more their own, but born again, that they might Glorify God with their …odies and Spirits, which are the Lords, 1 Cor. 6.19.20. and that they that live, ſhould live wholly to him who hath Created them in Christ Jeſus unto good workes, 2 Cor. 5.15. Eph. 2.10. One of the firſt queſtions or enquiries of the new Creature is, how and wherein he may live to God, pleaſe and honour him, and bring forth fruit whereby he may be glorifyed, Joh. 15.8. it is the great caſe and intereſt their hearts and ſouls are concerned in, and they are grieved when they cannot reach it, but receive or count it matter of joy when he is really loved, honoured and exalted by any, eſpecially when they can do it themſelves. It is ſo natural to new Creatures, or Regenerate men, and they are ſo intereſſed in and with Jeſus Chriſt his concerns, as that they take and account what is done to or againſt him, is done to or againſt themſelves. They are like the Lord Jeſus their head in this too, Namely, that what i… Chriſts Indignity, is theirs, and what is Chriſts glory and honour, is theirs alſo. His reproach and honour lays nearer their hearts then any or all their own Earthly and Bodily concernments. The Lord Jeſus accounts his Peoples p. 152Reproaches, Indignities, Proſperity and Happineſs, his own, ſuch is his great love and reſpects to, and care of them, Iſa. 63.9. Acts 9.5. Math. 10.42. Math. 25.40. Zach. 2.8. If they be honoured, he is ſo; if they be abuſed, he is abuſed; and if they ſuffer, he doth ſo to; In all their Afflictions he is afflicted. And as it is with Chriſt in their concerns, ſo it is (in meaſure) with them in Chriſts concerns. Is his Name, Goſpel and Worſhip, under a cloud of contempt and reproach, it is matter of grief and mourning to them, and when they are loved, exalted, and dignifyed, it is their glory and joy, Phil. 5.17. Pſal. 119. And that it is ſo indeed, may farther be evidenced.

1. From their near Relations. New Creatures or Regenerate men are the Children of God. He hath begotten them by his Grace and Goſpel; Jam. 1.18. 1. Pet. 1.3.14. and all ingenious Children will concern themſelves in and with their Fathers honour and indignity, and naturally ſeek to advance and exalt them all they can, or ought to do. How much more doth the Divine nature and Spirit of God in Believers prompt and inſtigate them to do ſo to their heavenly Father, and that by all the wayes and means they may.

2. They are the Spouſes of the Lord Jeſus, and he is their Husband, Cant. 2.16. 2 Cor. 11.2. Jer. 3.14. Chriſt hath choſen and taken them to himſelf, Hoſea 3.2, 3. to be his loving and affectionate Brides, Joh. 15.16. and they have choſen and taken him to be their Husband, and become one with himſelf. The Lord p. 253Jeſus Regenerates men, to make them capable of choſing him for theirs, and to make them meet for this Conjugal Relation. And they have in their hearts the love and reſpects (in part) that are due to ſuch a Relation as Chriſt is.

3. They are related to Chriſt as members to the head. He is their head, and they are his members, Eph. 5.23.30. And therefore they muſt needs have his nature and ſpirit, to deſire and naturally deſign, intend and indeavour to exalt and honour him. The members of the natural body do naturally honour their head, and the head doth the ſame to the members, 1 Cor. 12.26. So it is in the myſtical head and body. And it cannot but be ſo, becauſe of the oneneſs and mutual ſimpathy that is between them. So then, if you are new Creatures, you are members of Chriſt, and if members of Chriſt, then you ſimpathize with Chriſt. His reproach is yours, and his honour is yours, and you have a natural frame, bent, and diſpoſition of heart, to honour, exalt, and magnify him all you can, and it is your delight & joy to do it.

2. Love, eſteem and reſpects, that are in theſe Relations, and flow from them to Chriſt, do prompt and ſtir you up to Deſire, Chuſe, Deſign and endeavour to honour and exalt him. Their ſtrong and endeared love to, and high eſteem of him, provokes and moves them to ſtudy, project, watch and labour all they can to pleaſe, honour, and exalt him. The love of ſo many near and great Relations, as they ſtand in to him, muſt needs be very ſtrong and fervent, being in one ſubject. They love p. 154and eſteem him as their loving, ſweet, and kind Head, Father, Husband, as their Redeemer, Teacher, Comforter, Crowner, and Eternal Saviour, and therefore they cannot but ſeek, and endeavour his honour and exaltation. They have eyes enlightned, to ſee a tranſcendent Worth, and glorious Excellency, Beauty, and Majeſty in Chriſt, and they ſee him, As worthy of all Acceptation, 1 Tim. 1.15. ſo of all glory and exaltation. Neither Chriſt or his Excellencies are hid from them; but the Glory of them do ſo ſhine into their hearts, as greatly to draw forth their Hearts, Tongues, and Souls, to magnify and honour him, Pſal. 103.1.2. Cant. 5.10.—ult. They lay a Charge on themſelves, and command (as it were) their all to bleſs and glorify him. Now, what can you ſay to this mark, Can you ſay it is ſo with you? do you find it in you? and do you experience it indeed, or do you not? can you ſay in deed and in Truth, that whatever the performance be, yet the frame, bent, choice, inclination, and diſpoſition of your hearts, and endevours of your hands, are fully and frequently ſet, and reſolved to exalt, ſerve, pleaſe and magnify the great God, and Jeſus Chriſt, your Lord and King, your Glory and Crown?

Fifthly. The new Creature hath a hungring and thurſting deſire, and earneſt longing after Jeſus Chriſt; after Intereſt in and Communion with him; after a clearer and more diſtinct knowledge of him and acquaintance with him, and whatſoever is his: as his Lawes, Promiſes, p. 155Blood Graces, or what ever elſe they hear is in him or hath relation to, or proceeds from him. The new Creature is like Noahs Dove, that can reſt the ſole of its foot only on, and in this Ark of the Everlaſting Covenant; All other Foundations are but broken Reeds, and Ropes of Sand to him. Chriſt and the Covenant of Grace, the faithfulneſs and All-ſufficiency of God, are his only Anchor Holds, and Rocky Grounds, upon which he can reſt himſelf, and on which he caſts and roles himſelf. The New Man is the only wiſe Builder, for he chuſes the Rock of Ages to Build upon, and none elſe, Math. 7.25. Math. 16.18. Phil. 3.7, 8. The Foundation which God hath laid in the Covenant of Grace for men to Build themſelves, their Faith and Hope upon, that they deſire, chuſe, hunger, and ſeek after, and cannot be ſatisfied without, 1 Cor. 3.11. Pſal. 73.25, 26. The Regenerate perſons take up in reſt, build, and ſtay themſelves; The Lord is my Rock (ſays David) Pſal. 18.2. ſo ſays every New Creature, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſhall be my only Rock and Foundation; my hopes, notions, ſelf-righteouſneſs, good works and performances, my ſelf-ſuppoſed abilities, Profeſſions, Priviledges, and Reformations, ſhall no more be my Foundations as they have been; No, but Chriſt and the Covenant of Grace, the Faithfulneſs and All-ſufficiency of God, ſhall be my Foundation and reſting Place: I will build my ſelf, and all my hopes, confidences, and expectations, wholly and altogether on them; for they, and they only, p. 156can bare the weight of my Soul, and eternal Salvation, which I muſt build upon them. But unregenerate men have other bottoms and foundations to reſt and build themſelves upon; they little or nothing at all concern themſelves in good earneſt, with the Foundation God hath laid, but form a great many to themſelves, and build all their confidences, hopes, and expectations on them, and ſay, they are ſafe and ſecure, no evil ſhall come to them, Math. 7.26. Thus did the fooliſh Virgins, Math. 25.1.— and thus did Paul before his Regeneration, Phil. 3.6, 7. But it was otherwiſe after his Regeneration, then his whole Soul and mind was carried forth to Chriſt, with all poſſible earneſtneſs and importunity, Phil. 3.8. Their thouſand of Rams, and ten thouſand Rivers of Oyl, now, are nothing to them, as once they were, Micah. 6.7. no, but now ten thouſand of worlds for a ſure and certain bottom or foundation to reſt and build my poor ſhaken and toſſed Soul upon, is the voice and cry of all Regenerate men, before they clearly find Chriſt, ſo as to build upon him, and commit all their preſent and everlaſting concerns on him.

And as they have a hungering and thirſting deſire, &c. after Chriſt for their foundation to build upon; ſo alſo to have him in their armes and hearts, to have more and clearer knowledg of, and intimate acquaintance and communion with him. His abſence is grievous to them, but his preſence and favour, his ſmiles and acquaintance is better to p. 157them then Life, Pſal. 30.5. Pſal 4.6. They greatly deſire to ſee and know their glorious King arrayed with all his Royal Robes, approaching and comeing neare unto, and opening himſelfe unto them; to impart the ſecrets of his Love and Grace unto them, and thereby allure and draw them unto himſelf. Pſal. 63.1.2. Cant. 4. ult. Pſal. 25.14.

Sixthly, A new Creature hath all holy Spiritual paſſions and affections. The natural man (you know) hath many natural paſſions and affections, ſo the new man hath many Spiritual and heavenly paſſions and affections. The naturall man hath many evil and ſinful affections and paſſions, and the Spiritual man hath many divine and holy affections and paſſions. I ſhall name ſome, and but a few of them.

1. Love. As Regeneration makes men lovely, acceptable and deſirable to God, Men and Angels, Ezek. 16. ſo it makes them exceeding loveing and affectionate men, to God and men. Before regeneration they are Self-lovers, Sin-lovers, and World-lovers, but by the new Nature and Spirit they have received from Heaven, they are no more ſuch, but God-lovers, Chriſt-lovers, Grace-lovers, Duty-lovers, and Saint-lovers. Now they have new affections for new objects and matters. They have operating Affections to and for God. They ſingle out God, Chriſt, and Holyneſs: they chuſe and ſingle out from other objects and things, the Grace and Spirit, the Laws, Promiſes, People, and Ordinances p. 158of Chriſt, for their Love, and to ſet their ſtrongeſt, warmeſt, and heavenly Affections upon. The affections or paſſion of love in them, is ſtirred, Moved, Warmed, and Enflamed by the Love of God, the Grace and Lovelineſs of Chriſt, that is declared and repreſented to them in and by the Goſpel. Oh how doth this paſſion ſomtimes work and act in them towards theſe objects and things. It is ſo full as that they are not able to vent or expreſs it, eſpecially when Chriſt appears to them, and puts in his hand (as it were) by the hole of the door (the heart) as that they can but ſigh and ſob, cry and weep out a little of this ſtrong and working affection. This did Mary Magdalen, Luk. 7.38. ſhe ſtood at his Feet weeping, and waſhed the feet of Chriſt with her Tears: but what was the ground of her ſo doing? ſee Verſe 47. why it was her ardent love and affection to Chriſt: ſhe did ſo, for ſhe loved much, namely Chriſt. Oh! what a ſtrong paſſion of love was ſhe in. How did her Affection work towards Chriſt? ſo likewiſe did Peters too, Joh. 12. Lord (ſaith he) thou knoweſt that I love thee; but how much or how ſtrong his love and affection to Chriſt was, he could not expreſs: David alſo gives us another Teſtimony of it, Pſal. 119.97. Oh! how I Love thy Law: and elſewhere (ſayes he) I love them exceedingly. I do love them with a greater and more affectionate love than I can expreſs; and ſo was his love moved and drawn out to good men, Pſal. 16.3.

p. 1592. Hatred. Theſe are oppoſite and contrary paſſions in men, namely, Love and Hatred. In our unregenerate States we do Love what we ſhould hate, and hate what we ſhould Love. We Love Gods enemies, and hate his friends; we hate his Laws, Rods, Yoke, Waies, & People, and love our Luſts, the World, Self, and the Service of ſin. But Regeneration ſets holy and God Pleaſing Love and hatred in us. So that now, by the power of his Regenerating Grace; we love that which we ſhould love, and hate that we ſhould hate; that which was our duty to have done before, now we can do. Now we can and do love holineſs, and hate, loath, and abhor our luſts and ſins. Now we hate the workes of the fleſh, and love the workes of the Spirit. And as the paſſion of love is ſtrong and intenſe on its Objects, ſo is this of hatred likewiſe. The man in whom this new holy hatred is, did never more really, heartily, and fervently love his luſts, and the fulfilling of them, than he doth now hate, abominate, and endeavour to deſtroy them, 1. Cor. 9. ult. Gal. 5.24. They that are Chriſts (namely, by Regeneration) have Crucified the fleſh with the Affections and Luſts. David tells us, that this Affection or Paſſion was ſtrong in him, as well as that of love, Pſal. 119.104.113. I hate every falſe way; and I hate vain thoughts, but thy Law do I love. Bleſſed Paul Speaks likewiſe to the ſame purpoſe of himſelf, Rom. 7.15. But what I hate, that do I. I do ſin, its true; But I can ſay, that my ſin is the great and only Object of my hatred, that's as true alſo. God hates all p. 160Iniquity in all men, Pſal. 45.8. Ja. 44.4. and he puts the ſame Affection or paſſion into his people in Regeneration, that they may hate it alſo. All ſin is exceeding ſinful, loathſome, and abominable to the new creature for its own ſake, in its own nature, and as it is hateful to God. The evil and pernitious effects and Conſequences of it makes or renders it the object of their conſtant hatred alſo. They that are Spiritual minded, and are in the purſuit after Grace, Chriſt, and Holyneſs, to perfect it is the fear of God, as Commanded, 2. Cor. 7.1. do hate their ſin, becauſe it hath deprived them of, and ſpotted the Image of God, in which they were created, Gen. 1.26. (2) Becauſe it hath robbed God of his due Worſhip and Service for which he Created them. (3) Becauſe it hath occaſioned the great debaſement and Suffering of the Lord Jeſus. For had not men Sinned, Chriſt had not Suffered. (4) Becauſe it grieves and vexes the holy Spirit of God, Iſa. 63. Eph: 4.30. (5) Becauſe ſin devides and ſeparates between God and them, Iſa. 59.1.2. (6) Becauſe it doth defile and pollute all their holy things, and would quite marr and ſpoyl them, did not their great High Prieſt appear for them to purifie their Offerings, Exod. 28.38. (7) Becauſe Sin doth clog and burden them, ſo as that they cannot Run their Race, nor do that good they deſire, and are reſolved to do in this world, Heb. 12.1. Rom. 7. (8) Becauſe their ſinful hearts draw them off from God, and indiſpoſes them to, and for their walking with God. p. 161(9) Becauſe it betrays them into the hand of their great Adverſary the Devil, and ſtrengthens him againſt them. (10) Becauſe by ſin God is diſhonoured, and his holy Name blaſphemed, his Truths deſpiſed, and his bleſſed ways rejected. Theſe and ſuch like conſiderations of ſin, greatly provokes and ſtirs up the holy hatred of ſin in all Regenerate men, as they can experience. There is in them a univerſal, perpetual, and irreconcilable hatred of all ſin, eſpecially ſuch of their own ſins as do more eaſily beſet them, Heb. 12.1. They hate the very name and appearance of ſin; all the Germents ſpotted with the fleſh, Jude 23. They dare not knowingly parly, or hold correſpondency with ſin, becauſe the thought or conſideration of it is moſt hateful and abominable.

3. Fear. New Creatures are the only real fearers of God. The all-ſeeing Eye, the Holineſs, Righteouſneſs, Goodneſs, and Authority of God, do awe them, and cauſe them to fear and tremble before him, Hoſea 3.5. Iſa. 66.1.2. Jer. 32.39, 40. They do now approach nigh to God, and worſhip him with a holy and Godly fear, and are enabled to walk in the fear of the Lord all the day long, Pſal. 2.11. Heb. 12.28. Prov. 23.17. They are afraid of ſin, and temptations to it, and dare not knowingly and deliberately come nean them, but avoid and eſchew the appearances and occaſions of evil. They are more afraid of the cauſe, then the effects; the ſin, then the puniſhment. The thoughts of their danger they are always in, p. 162and their aptneſs and proneneſs to tranſgreſs, by reaſon of the deceitfulneſs and treachery of their hearts, the ſtrength and power of Luſts, ſnares of the World, and Satans fi… … Darts, do make them jealous, fearful, circumſpect, and watchful. They ſee ſuch a Majeſty, Excellency, and glorious Preſence in the holy God, and Jeſus Chriſt, in his Names, Offices, Obedience, Blood, Love, and Grace: in his Laws, Promiſes, Ways, and Ordinances, which cauſes them to fear and reverence them erceedingly, Pſal. 89.7.

4. Hope. Hope is another holy Paſſion or Affection in the New Creature. Their hope is ſet on God the Father, and Chriſt his Son, Pſal. 78.7. Tit. 2.13. and on all the good things held out to them in the Promiſes, called the bleſſed Hope, Tit. 2.13. They have Christ in them, the hope of Glory, Col. 1.27. and they have Chriſt without them, with all his fulneſs, in the Covenant and Promiſes, and in Heaven for them, as their hope. Every man hath the natural paſſion of hope, but gracious men have the ſpiritual hope. They hope for all the good of the covenant of grace, fullneſs of Chriſts Grace, and whatever may make them holy hear and happy hereafter. The natural hope of unregenerate men is a groundleſs hope, and the great things it is exerciſed about, are but vain, periſhing, worldly things, and groundleſs hopes for a happineſs heareafter. Job. 8.13.14 hence they are ſaid to be with… hope in the world, becauſe they want the real, ſpiritual, and well grounded hope, Eph. 2.12 p. 1631 Theſ. 4.13. But Regenerate men have a holy, ſpiritual, and well grounded hope; and they by out and caſt the Anchor of their hope on …ings that are ſure, and unmovable; on ſpiritual, heavenly, Soul-ſaving and eternal mat…s, and their hope is impreſſed, provoked, …eng thened and quickned by them, to hope more ſtrongly, ſteadily and conſtantly for the enjoyment of them. They hope to obtain eternal Life in the Lords own way; Tit. 1.2. not in the wayes of their own evil hearts, as other men do. They hope for the coming of Chriſt, the exaltation and ſetting up of his Kingdome, themſelves to be like him, and to ſee … as be is, 1 Joh. 3.2.3. Tit. 2.13. They hope for more light, life, and holineſs from Chriſt, and for greater meaſures of his Spirit to be poured out upon them in this world; and they hope for more and more joy and peace in Believing, Rom. 15.13. That they may greatly rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God, 1 Rom. 5.2. and for that glorious reſurrection that is promiſed. To this hope they are called in their Regeneration, Eph. 1.18.44. and this is one of the fruits of the ſpirit in their hearts, ever after.

5. Joy. Joy is another holy paſſion in good men. There is the natural paſſion of joy in all men, and there is the Spiritual paſſion of joy in Regenerate men. There is the object or matter of joy, and there is the joy it ſelf, and alſo the faculty or ſubject of joy. The object or matters of joy and rejoycing to good men are Chriſt, Grace, and heavenly things, p. 164Phill. 3.1.3. Phil. 44. Pſal. 4.4. Pſal. 32. ult. (2) the joy its ſelf which flows forth from theſe objects or matters of joy into their hearts. For experience ſhews, that ſometimes the objects of joy are ſhut up and yield no joy at all to us when we do eye and mind them, and would fain draw it out of them, but they are like Clouds that give down no rain at all ſometimes, or as a Fountaine ſhut up … ſealed, Cant. 4.12. But at other times they are opened to us, and then the joy of the Lord refreſhes and chears, ſtrengthens and warmes our Souls. This is given us of God the Father, Chriſt and the holy Spirit, as a ſpecial expreſſion of his Love and Grace to us. The objects of joy will not afford it until he give it, or command them to hand it out to us, Pſal. 133.3. Rom. 14.17. Rom. 15.13. Gall. 5.22. Joh. 14. Job. 15.11. Joh. 6.20. (3) There is the faculty or ſubject of joy, that is, that which is onelyonly capable of receiving the impreſſions of the joy of the Lord in the Soul, and improving it aright. This is that we call the affection or paſſion of joy, and this is given to men namely, as it is a Spiritual or new paſſion in Regeneration. For thereby God makes them ſubjects capable of receiving and rightly embracing, valuing, and uſeing the heavenly joy he intends for, and hath promiſed to give unto them, in their walking with him in their Regenerate ſtates. Now they can and do rejoice in Chriſt Jeſus, Phill. 3.3. in his love and Grace, and in his will and their duty, Rom. 7.22. Pſal. 40. now they praiſe God with p. 165joyful lips, Pſal. 63.5. and ſhout for joy of heart, Pſal. 32. ult. Now they rejoyce and work righteouſneſs, and walk on in their way rejoycing, Acts 8.39. Iſa. 64.5. Their hearts are full of great and unſpeakable joy, at ſome ſeaſons, ſo as that their Veſſels can now hold no more, 1 Pet. 1.8. With this Holy Joy in their hearts, they can run, and not be weary, walk, and not faint, Iſa. 40. ult. Neh. 8.10.

6. Sorrow. This is in a ſenſe a contrary paſſion or affection to that of Joy. There is a natural and carnal ſorrow, and a holy and ſpiritual ſorrow, or grief of heart; the firſt is common to all men, the ſecond is only found in Regenerate men. Sorrow in a natural ſenſe is an evil, but in a ſpiritual ſenſe it is a good paſſion. Joy and ſorrow are ſtrong and vehement working paſſions in men, when ſtrongly impreſt, and deeply affected with real or ſuppoſed evil or good. There is a worldly, and there is a godly ſorrow, 2 Cor. 7.10. Regeneration brings into, and ſets up the godly ſorrow in men, and thereby they are enabled to ſorrow after a godly manner, 2 Cor. 7.9. This paſſion is moved and impreſt, and the acts of godly ſorrow are produced by ſeveral, and theſe different objects and matters. Firſt their own luſts, ſins, and God-provoking abominations, their vileneſs and filthineſs, and their former contempts of Chriſt, and deſpiſing, ſlighting, and rejecting his Love, Grace, Yoke, Promiſes and Kindneſſes. Theſe, and many other evils, and the ſerious thoughts and conſiderations of them, do break and p. 166wound their hearts, and cauſe much inward grief, anguiſh, and ſorrow of heart, and make them cry out, unclean, unclean, what ſhall we do, or how ſhall we appear before the holy and righteous God, Acts 2.35, 36, 37, Acts 16. This cauſes them to ſigh and mourn, and ererciſe revengeful thoughts againſt themſelves, and to take indignation of themſelves, condemn, abhor, and loath themſelves, Ezek. 36.31. 2 Cor. 7.11. And ſecondly, the ſerious thoughts and conſiderations of the God, Chriſt, Grace, Love and Kindneſs they have ſinned againſt: They ſee, know, and lay to heart who they have grieved, wounded, and diſhonoured, namely, their God who had thoughts of love and peace for them, when they were in their blood, Ezek. 16. Jer. 29. They hope they had an intereſt in his heart, and that he loved them before they loved God; yea, when they hated him, and would have none of his counſel, 1 Joh. 4.19. Pro. 1. They likewiſe ſee and conſider the great Love and Grace of Chriſt, and what great things he hath done and ſuffered for them, to ſa… them from the wrath that is to come, 1 Theſ. 1. ult. The thoughts of the exceeding great patience and long-ſuffering of God towards them, his pittying them, and waiting on and for them, that he might be gracious to them, Iſa. 30.18. Rom. 2.4, 5. Rom. 10. ult. his ſtanding at the door and knocking for them, to have admiſſion into their hearts, Rev. 3.20. and how willing and importunate he was to be at peace and in friendſhip with them; how baſely p. 167and unworthily they carried themſelves towards him, and how they turned a deaf ear to his Calls and Invitations, and made him wait ſo long for their acceptance of him, even until his Locks were wet with the dew of the right, Cant. 5. This works grief, and raiſes great ſorrow in their hearts. So when they conſider how their ſins have ſtabb'd and murdred the Lord Jeſus, and put him to open ſhame, Heb. 6 6. how they pulled down the wrath and Curſe of God on him, Gal. 3.12. and how he poured out ſighs, tears, yea, his precious Blood and Soul for them, Iſa. 53. and likewiſe how their ſins were imputed to, and laid on him, and how he was Crucified and killed for them, and all to ſave them, and inſtate them in his own Glory and Eternal Bleſſedneſs, 2 Cor. 5. ult. Joh. 10. Joh. 17. and how ungratefully they have demeaned themſelves to him. Oh! how doth this work on them? how do theſe things irritate, and cauſe ſorrow and bitterneſs of Soul in them? Now they can indeed look on him whom they have pierced, and mourn, and be in real bitterneſs of Soul, as for their Firſt-born, Zach. 12.10. Theſe, and many other things, (which I cannot now mention) do greatly melt them, and provoke holy Sorrow, and Repentance unto Life; for as Chriſt his Love, Grace, and Sufferings, do work on their paſſion of Joy, irritates and provokes it, ſo they do work on, and cauſe much ſorrow and grief of heart (through the helps of the Spirit) likewiſe. The ſame objects and matters do work ſavingly p. 168and effectually on both, namely, to cauſe joy and ſorrow in the ſame New Creature. Theſe are ſome of the holy, ſpiritual affections and paſſions, which are formed in the Soul in Regeneration; and if you are indeed Regenerate perſons, you can (in ſome degree) experience them in your hearts; therefore try and examine your ſelves by them, if you are in a Regenerate ſtate and condition.

Seventhly, The New Creature is full of ſpiritual and heavenly deſires after Divine Matters and Concernments, Iſa. 26.8. Pſal. 10.17. 2 Chron. 15.15. Pro. 11.23. Unregenerate men are full of carnal worldly deſires, Eph. 2.3. of which they make their boast, Pſal. 10.3. But the New Creatures heart is full of ſpiritual deſires; their deſires are aſcending, not deſcending; they came from Heaven, and like Fire, they do naturally bend and aſcend thither from whence they came; they greatly deſire to be holy and conformable in heart and life to the Will of God; they greatly deſire to know and ſee Jeſus Chriſt, and to have intimate and conſtant Communion with him, Pſal. 63.1, 2. Exod. 33. They that are Regenerated, deſire the death and deſtruction of all their Luſts, and the thorough cleanſing of their hearts of all ſin, Pſal. 51. Rom. 7. They deſire to love God as he is to be loved, to fear him as he is to be feared, to truſt him as he is to be truſted, to ſerve and pleaſe him as he ought to be ſerved and pleaſed, and to honour and glorifie him as he ought to be honoured and glorified. They deſire that p. 169Chriſt may rule in their hearts, and that he will pull down all his Enemies there, that ſo he may Reign alone, ſo as that they may not ſerve ſin, or carnal Self any more; they defire to have their hearts always in Heaven, and to be ſpiritually-minded continually; they deſire the coming of Chriſt, and that his Kingdom may be eſtabliſhed above the tops of the Mountains, and be exalted above the Hills, Iſa. 2.2, 3. Rev. 22. ult. They deſire that his Name may be great among the Gentiles, and find acceptance among the Jews. They deſire that the Goſpel may run and be glorified, and find acceptance among all ſorts of men; and they deſire to ſee a great Spirit of Humility, Zeal, and Goſpel-Holineſs, upon Profeſſors of the good ways of Jeſus Chriſt. In a word, they deſire whatever God tells them he deſires of, or for them. Doth God deſire them to be holy in all manner of Converſation, and to be fruitful in every good work; why, they deſire the ſame too? Doth God will and deſire that they ſhould love the Brethren, 1 Pet. 1.22. be good and charitable to the poor, ſimpathize with, and help them in their afflictions, Mat. 25. why, they deſire the ſame alſo? Would God have them ſingle and ſincere hearted to himſelf, and all men, and do to all men as they would have them do to themſelves, why, they do will and deſire the ſame likewiſe? Would God have them ſeek his glory in all their ways, watch and guard their hearts; render good for evil, be in his fear all the day long, Pro. 23.17. not depart from God, but give him their hearts, walk with him, and perfect holineſs in his fear, 2 Cor. 7.1. p. 170why, the ſame they greatly will and deſire alſo. So that as Daniel was ſaid to be a man of deſires, Dan. 9.23. (margin) ſo all Regenerate perſons, are men of deſires. They are fuller of heavenly deſires after divine things, than of all other good things. They deſire to have what they cannot get, as yet, and to do that which they cannot do. But they are (as it were) made up of deſires after the doing and obtainment of them. Regenerate mens deſires are good and great deſires; they ſhew what a man is, and by them they may know their States, whether they be Regenerate or unregenerate perſons. If the deſires of a man be wholly or moſtly after the things of the fleſh, there is a carnal man: if after holyneſs, Chriſt and heavenly things, there is a Spiritual man indeed; For as the flood of thy deſires are, ſo art thou, Performanes are ſhort, but deſires are long, obtainments are few, but deſires are many in all reall Regenerate perſons. To will and deſire they find, when they find not how to perform and act their deſires.

Eightly, New Creatures, or Regenerate Perſons, are born to, and imployed in great, ſpecial, and peculiar works and ſervices; namely, ſuch as other men, and they themſelves were ſtrangers to before. They loathed the very names of them, and would by no means be perſwaded to mind or conſider them before. But now they are their works, their choſen, deſired, loved, and highly eſteemed works and ſervices. They are their acceptable and moſt delightful works now, becauſe they are the works of God, and p. 171for God their Father; and alſo becauſe their hearts and Souls are by the Grace of Regeneration ſuited to them. The Laws of them are written in their hearts, and in all the faculties of their Souls, Jer. 3.33. Heb. 8.10. Heb. 10.16. ſo that they are natural, to and in them. Now all natural works or actions, are pleaſant and delightful to men; and ſo are New Creatures acts, works, and ſervices, to them. I delight to do thy will, O God, (ſays David) how ſo? why, the Law of God was written in his heart, Pſal. 40.8. Heb. 10. ſo Paul, Rom. 7.22. They are born to and for them, and they are created with and in them, Epheſ. 2.10. For we are his work-manſhip, Created in Chriſt Jeſus unto good works, which God hath ordained, that we ſhould walk in them; ſo Rom. 7.4.6. Firſt, they were Elected, Choſen, and Ordained to and for them, Eph. 2.10. Eph. 1.4. 1 Pet. 2.9.2. we are Redeemed to and for them, Tit. 2.14. 1 Pet. 2.9. 2 Cor. 14.15. (3) we are called and Regenerated to and for them. 1 Pet. 1.15. 1 Pet. 2.9. Eph: 2.10. They are by Election, Redemption, and Regeneration, made a Special and peculiar People unto God, and for holy and ſpecial works: in which works and Services they are ever exerciſed after their Regeneration. God ever imploys them, and they walk and excerciſe themſelves in them, as their great Trade and buſineſſe, Phil: 3.20. Theſe Special and peculiar works and Services of Regenerate men, are many. I ſhall name but a few of them to you at this time.

They are Born again, as with the Love of God p. 172in their hearts, ſo to Love God withall their heart, all their daies, Deut. 30.6. Rom. 5.5. This is their care, worke and excerciſe; and that not only to love God ſimply, but to love him Sincerly, Heartily, Strongly, Purely. Fervently, and Conſtantly and Obediently. To love God as God, and as their God, as their great and everlaſting, and as their Gracious, Kind, and Loving God; to love him in the Superlative degree, as their chiefeſt and only good. This work they love and delight in; they contrive and project it, ſtudy and endeavour to do it as they ought, and this they reſolve on, and uſe all means to obtain it. They charg their hearts with it, and lay bonds on themſelves to do it, Pſal: 18.1. Pſal. 116.1. Cant. 1.4. They uſe Gods means to help and enable them to do it. They read, hear, and Contemplate; they meditate on, conſider and apply to themſelves the great love of God to them, and his exceeding great Lovelineſſe, to ſtir up and inflame their love to him againe. They pray importunately and frequently to him, to ſhed abroad more of his love into their hearts, and to reveal himſelf in his Love and Grace unto their Souls, that they may thereby be quickened, moved, and enabled to love him more Cordially and ardently. They are ſo ſet upon it, and ſo greedy after it, and they do ſo deſire and covet it, as that they are never ſatisfied with the degree and excerciſe of their love to God: But are unregenerate men imployed ſo in this work; no not in the leaſt, For they have not the love of God in their hearts, Joh. 5.42. Their p. 173hearts are not circumciſed to love God, becauſe they are not Regenerated, neither do they love or deſire to have it ſo; for when God proffers them his Spirit to do it, they refuſe and reject him, and will not have him to concern himſelf with them in that matter, Pro. 1.23.24. Iſa. 63. Gen. 6. Well then, try your ſelves by this; what can you ſay to it? Is this ſpecial work of Regenerate men your work, or is it not? Be you ſure of it, that if you be Regenerated, or born again, it is your work and buſineſs? But if it be not, you are yet in your old and unregenerate ſtates.

2. They are exerciſed and imployed about the good work, of ſearching out their own iniquities, and to find out the Plagues, Errours, and deceits of their own hearts and ways, that they may repent of their ſins, and mend what they find amiſs. To reform what ought to be reformed, and to remove whatever is hurtful to their Souls, or diſpleaſing to God; that they may ſee more cauſe of Self-abaſement, and be excited and provoked to walk more circumſpectly and humbly with their God, Micah 6.8. Eph. 5.15. This is not the work that Regenerate men are exerciſed about; no, but on the contrary, they labour to hide their ſins, Pro. 28.13. Joh. 3.20. and to live in continual ignorance of their hearts, ſtates, and ways, that ſo they may live in peace and quietneſs at home, and not be troubled at the ſight of them. They love and delight in their iniquities, and they work and practiſe what they love, Pſal. 62.4. Iſa. 66.3. They let their own ſins alone, they neither p. 174deſire nor endeavour to know them, but they are (eſpecially ſome of them) great enquirers after, and ſearchers into others tranſgreſſions; which clearly demonſtrates, that whatever they do profeſs to be, yet they are hypocrites, Pſal. 64.6. Mark 32. Luke 6.7. Luke 20.20. Greater and more certain ſign of a Hypocrite cannot be found than this, namely, for a man that profeſſes godlineſs, to be willingly ignorant of his own ſtate and ſins, and to be a Pryer and Searcher into other mens, without a clear Call from God ſo to do. This the Hypocrites deal with Chriſt and Paul, that they might find occaſion to Charge, Cenſure, and Judge them, as the aforeſaid Scriptures ſhew, and in 2 Cor. 11.12. But it is otherwiſe with Regenerate men; they hate and abhor that filthy odious wickedneſs of others, and make it one part of their buſineſs to know themſelves, and the evils of their own hearts and ways, Job 13.23. Pſal. 77.6. 1 Sam. 21.1. They cry and pray, they call and wait on God to ſhew them all their luſts and ſins, ſuch is the deſire and fervency of their hearts in this matter, Job 34.32. This is their work, and this they do conſcientiouſly, ſeriouſly, fervently, heartily, and frequently; and that as their duty, work, and buſineſs, in all ſtates, tryals, and conditions whatſoever: For they are jealous and ſuſpitious, not of others, but of their own deceitful hearts. Thus they do; and when they have made any new diſcovery of their ſins, they bleſs God for their ſucceſs; and then they fall to another work.

p. 1753. To ſubdue and mortifie ſuch unmortified Luſts as they find in their hearts, to purifie themſelves, and rectifie ſuch errours and mistakes, as upon ſearch do appear and come to light. This they are injoyned to do as their duty, and this they do exerciſe and imploy themſelves in, in obedience to the Will of God, becauſe it is his Holy Will, Col. 3.5. Mortifie therefore your members, 2 Cor. 7.1. Let us cleanſe our ſelves of all filthineſs of fleſh and ſpirit. And the Goſpel aſſures us, that this is the work and buſineſs of the Children of God. In 1 Joh. 3.1-3. Behold (ſaith the Apoſtle) what manner of love is this, that we ſhould be called the Children of God. This is a great and high priviledge indeed. Well, but what are they imployed about, and exerciſed in? Is it in making proviſion for the fleſh, to fulfil the luſts thereof, as unregenerate men do? Rom. 13. ult. no, but the clean contrary; namely, to purifie themſelves, 1 John 3.3. Every man that hath this hope in him, purifies himſelf, even as he is pure. The like we have mentioned, Gal. 5.24. And they that are Chriſts, have crucified the fleſh, with the affections and luſts. That is, they have not fully done and effected it, but they are ſeriouſly, diligently, and ſincerely imploying and exerciſing themſelves in and about that work and great concern of theirs.

This is another of their peculiar and ſpecial works, and this they do and proſecute with ſervent prayer to God, Pſal. 51.7. O purge and waſh me, that I may be clean: And O wretched man that I am (ſays Paul) who ſhall deliver me from p. 176the body of this death? Rom. 7.24. And as they pray for it frequently and fervently, ſo they do meditate on, and apply the Blood and Death of Chriſt to themſelves, for the effecting of it, and that as Gods Ordinance and appointment for that end, Tit. 2.14. Who gave himſelf to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purifie unto himſelf a peculiar people. They apply themſelves unto, and uſe all Gods means for the accompliſhment of it; as Faſting, the Lords Supper, and hearing the Goſpel preached, which God hath appointed to mortifie their luſts, and to purifie and clean their hearts, Eph. 5.25, 26. John 15.3. John 17.17. Every word of God is pure; and the ſincere preaching and hearing of it, is a powerful means to kill our luſts, and purifie our hearts, when heard and received in Faith for that end, as Gods Ordinance, Acts 15.9. Heb. 4.2. This they know, and therefore they uſe them, or for that end and purpoſe, as well as for light and comfort.

But what is the work and buſineſs of unregenerate men, or what do they in this matter? Truly nothing at all; They do neither underſtand, or like it; but are perfect ſtrangers and enemies to it; there is no principle in them to do it withal, neither do they deſire there ſhould be; their minds and thoughts are wholly taken up about making proviſion for their Pride, Covetouſneſs, Carnal Security, Vain Glory, Good Opinion of themſelves, and other filthy Luſts: and they make themſelves their Drudges, and humble ſervants, Rom. 13. ult. And hence they are ſaid to ſerve p. 177ſin, Rom. 6.6.17.20. But new Creatures know and account their Luſts their greateſt Enemies, and proſecute them with implacuble enmity and hatred. They know either they muſt deſtroy their Luſts, or they will deſtroy them. They know that they have trucifyed the Son of God, and put him to open ſhame; and they know that they have greatly wronged their own Souls, Pro. 8. ult. And therefore they will give them no Quarter, but ſtab them to the heart, whatever it coſt them to do it.

4. Watching. They are called to, and imployed in the work of watching and guarding themſelves, againſt all their enemies. This is another of their Special and peculiar works and buſineſſes. It is ſpetial and peculiar to new or regenerate men, (though it is the duty of all men) yet none but they are conſcientiouſly, and dutifully imploying and exerciſing themſelves in it. But good men are, 1 Joh. 5.18. But he that is begotten of God, keepeth himſelf. That is, they do watch, a…me, and guard themſelves, ſo David did, Pſal. 102.7. Pſal. 130.6. and the Scripture makes it one of the Special properties of good ſervants, as well as their workes; Habak. 2.1. which Chriſt pronounces Bleſſed, Revel. 16.15. 2 Cor. 11.27. Luk. 12.37. Regenerate men are beſet with enemies, which watch their opportunities to aſſault and betray them, and that they know. They know that Satan watches them, and Luſts watch, and the world watches to hurt and miſchief their p. 178Souls, and therefore they watch them, and prepare againſt them. It is true, that good men are apt to be too negligent in this duty, and need ſtirings up to it, and it is as true, that they do ordinarily practice this duty and worke. They are moved to it (1) by the will and command of God. God requires them to watch & guard themſelves, Mark 13.33, 34, 37. (1) Their own hearts, Pro. 4.23. Keep thy heart with all diligence. (2) the Devil, 1 Pet. 5.8. Be Sober, be Vigilant, for your adverſary the Devil as a Roaring Lion, walketh about, ſeeking whom he may devour. (3) The World, Luk. 21.34.36. (4) To watch unto prayer and all other duties, Col. 4. and Acts 20.31. (1) The Calls to, and opportunities for them, that through heedleſneſs and inadvertency we let them not ſlip away from us, without imbracing and improving them to the Glory of God and our Souls profit, or advantage of others. (2) That we may cloſe in, and joyn Iſſues with God and his deſignes in giving them to us, and that in the time and ſeaſon of them, and that freely and readily. (2) They are moved to a fervent attendance on this work and duty, by and from their dangers. They are in continual danger of aſſaults and ſurprizalls from them, and therefore they muſt be always upon their watch; to prevent their deſigns, diſcover their plots, and foyl them in their Attempts. (3) From their own ſecurity and comfort, they are moved to this worke. It is eaſier keeping an Enemy out of the Gariſon of the p. 179heart, then dealing with, and driving him out …hen admitted in. Their own (as well as Chriſts) honour, ſafety and happineſs, is much concerned in their ſo doing. God hath (1) committed themſelves to their own keeping, and given them the care and charge of themſelves, 1 Joh. 5.21. Pro. 4.23. Jam. 1. ult. 'Tis true …at God doth watch over and keep them in eſpecially manner alſo, Iſa. 27.3. 1 Pet. …5. and that when they are moſt careful to …eep themſelves (2) God hath intruſted them with power, light, will, and abilities to keep themſelves; and in their doing of it, in obedience to his will, he hath promiſed to keep and ſecure them from Sin and danger likewiſe, 1 Pet. 5.7.2. Tim. 4.18. They watch and keep themſelves dutifully, in order to their ſafety; and God keeps and watches them powerfully and effectually, ſo as that the ſ…es of Hell, ſhall not prevaile againſt them, Math. 16.18. But they cannot ſo keep and ſecure themſelves, with their utmoſt diligence. This I ſay is the work and imployment of regenerate perſons; they, and they only, live in the practice of it. Unregenerate perſons do no way concern themſelves in this great and ſpecial work. They know it not, they love it not, neither have they hearts to do it withal. They think it a work of ſupererogation, and that ſuch as are buſied about it, are more ſtrict and preciſe than they ſhould be. They fear neither God, Sin, World, nor Devil, neither are they ſenſible of the danger they are in of deſtruction; but go on ſecurely in the wayes p. 180of their own hearts, and ſpeak peace unto themſelves, preſuming that no evil ſhall come to them.

5 They are employing and exerciſing themſelves in worſhiping God according to his own will and Appointment: namely, to worſhip God in Spirit and Truth, and that with his own worſhip. We are they (ſayes Paul of himſelf and other Saints) who worſhip God in Spirit, Pſal. 3.3. They are convinced that they muſt, and that God will ſo be worſhiped of them, Joh. 4.24. God is a Spirit, and they that worſhip him, muſt worſhip him in Spirit and Truth. For this ſelf-ſame thing (though not onelyonly) doth God Regenerate men, and thereby lays in, and ſets up a principle of divine worſhip in them, that ſo they may readily do it according to the will of God. For (ſayes Chriſt) the Father ſeeketh ſuch to worſhip him, Joh. 4.23. that is, that the Father doth by Chriſts Goſpel and the holy Ghoſt, call and regenerate, teach and Spirit ſome to worſhip him. It is their deſire, choice, care, and ſtudy to draw nigh to God in all parts of his worſhip with true hearts; Heb. 10.22. and to worſhip God ſincerely and Spiritually. To pleaſe and honour him; to ſanctify his name and holy worſhip, and to give unto the Lord the hon… due unto his name, to comply with his holy will and ends, to make his praiſe glorious, Pſal. 29.1. 2. Pſal. 66.2. This is alſo one of their high and noble works, holy and Spiritual imployments, and that wherein their Souls delight, to this they are called; for this they are (in part) fitted and qualified in their Regeneration, p. 181and this is their work and buſineſs ever …er. Thus it is with you, and ſo is your …ractice, if you are Regenerated. Unregene…te men are ſtrangers and adverſaries to this peculiar work and duty of new Creatures; they know it not, they do it not, neither con…rn themſelves with it. They take up in, and are ſatisfied with the Letter without the Spirit, with the form without the Truth, and …er of Godlineſs, and they imagine that they have done God good ſervice, when they have ſpent ſome time in external duties and ordi…ances, without the great and onelyonly neceſſary things, that God requires in them. But good men cry, watch and pray, and do all they can to worſhip God in Spirit and Truth, from their new Natures Root and ſpring within, and the holy Ghoſt his aſſiſtance; and without this they cannot be ſatisfied. This is the mark they have in their Eye, in all their addreſſes to God.

6 Truſting in, and liveing on Chriſt. This is a ſpecial and peculiar work and duty, which none can do but new Creatures. But it is their work and buſineſs, 2 Cor. 5.7. Heb. 10 38. R…. 1.17. It is a duty that lies with power in their hearts, and 'tis of great account in their Souls. They are commanded to live by faith, and make God their onelyonly Truſt, and in obedience thereunto they do it, Iſa. 26.4. Pſal. 37.3.5. 1 Pet. 5.7. Pſal. 62.8. They are called to live the life of faith and pure dependance on God for all things, and they are furniſhed with abilities ſo to do. The faith p. 182of Chriſt is written in their hearts, and they have a kind of a natural Genious and diſpoſition to it. Thus we find Abraham, David, Paul, and other Saints of God had and did. It is a Li… far above and beyond the reach of nature and natural Reaſon, and God works ſome to and for it by his Grace in Regeneration, and preſents unto them ſuitable grounds and objects, for their faith to reſt and live upon; as his bonds or promiſes; his covenant and oath, his truth and faithfulneſs, and his all ſufficiency and immutability. God preſents to them his S…s blood, Death and Reſurrection, his natures and offices, his interceſſion and potency with God, to prevaile for them in Heaven, and procure mercies for them, and the fulneſs of Chriſt, as furniſhed and filled with all Grace for them. And upon theſe grounds and objects they re… and bear themſelves. There they fly for Refuge, Pro. 18.10. and there, and on them they live, and wait for all ſupplies of Grace, Phill. 4.19. And that when the Figtree doth … bloſſome, nor any herds are in the ſtall, Habuck. 3.17, 18, 19. For what ever God hath promiſed to his people, they claim a ſhare in, and can truſt him to give it to them in his own time and way. To inſtance in ſome particulars. (1) God hath promiſed to pardon them, Iſa. 55.…. they can and do believe him, and reſt upon his for it. (2) Hath God promiſed to give Repe… tance, they can believe and truſt him. (3) To heal their Back-ſlidings, and love them freely, Hoſe… 14.4. They can believe and truſt him. (4) To pour out more of the ſpirit, and abundance p. 183… grace, Acts. 2. Joh. 10. they can truſt him. … Hath God promiſed to give grace and …y, and to ſupply all their wants, Pſal. 84.11. …on. 4.8. and never to leave them nor forſake …, Heb. 13.5. they can and do believe and …ſt him. (6) Hath God promiſed to ſubdue … Luſts and ſanctify their hearts, Ezek. 36.25. …. Micah. 7.18.19. they can and do believe a…d truſt him. (7) Hath God promiſed to hear …eir prayers, Pſal. 50.15. Help their infirmitites, …. 8.26. Accept their offerings, Iſa. 56.7. …eward their Services, 2 Cron. 15.7. and to …ep them by his power through faith unto ſalvati…; 1 Pet 1.5. they can and do believe and truſt him upon his word. They do commit …eir all to, and leave their all with him, and are …isfied in their ſo doing. They believe all is …afe and ſure that is entruſted in his hand, and glad they are that they have themſelves and their all in his cuſtody. It is true they have …heir fits of unbelief, and do too often diſtruſt God, and in meaſure let go their Anchor hold; but they recover themſelves, and what they …ave loſt again, when the Tempeſt is over, and they are in a Calm. It is one of their great works and employments, notwithſtanding to truſt God, and live the life of faith, and that upon choice, and with their whole deſire; and in the general courſe of their Lives, they are enabled by Grace to reach and live it, whate…er oppoſitions are in their way. Therefore it is, that they are called Believers and Truſters of God, by the holy Ghoſt in Scripture, namely, becauſe it is their proper Life to which p. 184they are called in Regeneration, and that which they do chooſe and endeavour to Live: But unregenerate perſons do not live this Life at all. They have no acquaintance with it, neither know they what it means, experimentally, but onelyonly upon hear-ſay, they are not regenerated, and therefore are ſtill in a ſtate of unbelief and impenitency. They have no living faith at all, neither do they heartily deſire it. They are called unbelievers, 2 Cor. 6.14, 15. Revel. 21.8. becauſe they have no ſpecial faith to truſt God withal, and do not live the Life of faith.

7 They are called to, regenerated for, and exerciſed about all ſorts of holy duties and heavenly things. They live in Heaven and Trade in Heaven, Revel. 13, 6. Phil. 3, 20. In a word, their buſineſs is to acquaint themſelves with their Fathers and Husbands Laws, and their d… ties, and to love and obey them, with their promiſes, and the good of them, that they may believe them, and hope upon them, and to ſuck out the hony and ſweetneſs of them, for their conſolation and peace; and to encourage them in their duty and walking with God; and they acquaint themſelves with their God and Saviour, and the great things, of another world. Theſe are their good things, and they allure and draw their minds and affections to them. In them, and the contemplation of them, do they delight. They feel, taſte, and ſee the Goodneſs of them, and are greatly enamored with them. They have their hearts, and that cauſes them ſo much to converſe p. 185with them, and Trade in them and with them. They know it is their duty to live and converſe with them, becauſe God hath ſo commanded, Coll. 3.1.2.3. and they do it in obedience thereunto. But that is not all the Reaſon of their ſo doing, no, but they do it becauſe theſe things and matters are their Spiritual and everlaſting Treaſures. In them lies all their durable riches, honour, comfort, and happineſs. They are ſweet to their taſt, and pleaſant to the eye, and they are the onelyonly Good and Portion of their ſouls, Math. 6.21. Coll. 2.3. They have nothing elſe to truſt to, nor any thing beſides that can ſatisfy the wants and craving deſires of their Souls. For theſe ends and purpoſes are they born again, and ſet here in this world, and for theſe ends and purpoſes are they kept and maintained, their hearts have choſen all; they love all, and their deſires and endeavours to go out after, to reach them all. About them, their minds, judgments, underſtandings, conſciences, wills, affections, and their all are buſied and imployed, and that, as in and about their own proper and conſtant work and buſineſs. But other men do wholly mind, work, and imploy themſelves in other matters, not at all in theſe. They onelyonly mind and follow the things of the Fleſh, whilſt others do moſtly mind the things of the Spirit, Rom. 8.5.6. Phil. 3.19, 20. Regerate men do moſtly mind how to pleaſe God: Carnal men how to pleaſe them elves. Regenerate men do mind and endeavour to honour the will of God and obey it: Carnal men do p. 186mind and endeavour to know their carnal Intereſts, and obey the will of the fleſh. Regenerate men do live in Heaven, converſe with, delight in, and ſet their minds and affections on things above: Carnal men do onelyonly converſe with, live in, delight in, and ſet their mindes and affections on things here below. Regenerate men do mind and endeavour to be rich in grace and good works, Carnal men how to get, and keep the good things of this world. Regenerate men do make Religion their buſineſs: Carnal men do make ſin their profits, and pleaſures their buſineſs: Regenerate men do live in the Spirit, and walk in and after the Spirit: Carnal men do live in, and walk in the fleſh, and the things thereof. Theſe are ſome of the many differences and contrarieties of regenerate and unregenerate men, which have now been preſented to you, to help you to try your ſelves, and to make a right judgment of your ſtates and conditions. Therefore, do you prove and examin your ſelves by them, whether you are in a regenerate or unregenerate ſtate, yea or no. For as ſuredly, if you be regenerated and born againe, you may find many, if not all theſe marks and characters of regenerate perſons in and on you. You are indeed ſuch perſons (in meaſure) within and without, in heart and life, as you have heard regenerate perſons are. And know, that if it be otherwiſe with you, and you care not to know or find ſuch real ſignes of regeneration in you, nor any other of like import; that then you p. 187ought to fear and tremble, judge your ſelves, and conclude that you are (as yet) in an unregenerate ſtate and condition, and under the curſe and wrath of God. And if ſo, let me in the name of Chriſt, exhort and perſwade you to go to God the Father, in Chriſt his name; and tell him how it is with you. Fall down before him; pray and beſeech him to pitty you, and give regenerating Grace; and with all Importunity and Conſtancy cry to him, and wait for him, to come and give you new hearts, ſtamp his Image and divine nature on you; and now with all poſſible ſpeed to convert and make you new Creatures indeed.