The Life and Death of Edmund Staunton, Treatise (2 of 3)

The Life and Death of Edmund Staunton · Treatise (2 of 3)

p. 7233Rebellious converted.3. That Chriſtian Conference may be uſeful, and availeable even for the Converſion of obſtinate and rebellious ſinners, I make no queſtion; the place forecited aboundantly proves it: for whereas the Apoſtle ſaith, Jam. 15.19, 20. He that converteth a ſinner from the errour of his way; by ſinner we muſt needs take in ſuch as are vicious and flagitious in life and converſation, as well as one erring from the truth, perſons erronious and Heretical. Again, Pauls injuction Eph. 4.29. Let no rotten p. 73communication proceed out of your mouth, but ſuch as may Miniſter grace to the hearers: and why not Converting grace miniſtred, and regeneration work wrought even by Chriſtian Conference? This I may ſafely ſay, that the Miniſters of Chriſt, have been not only by the publick Preaching of the word, but by private Conference, very inſtrumental under God in the converting many ſouls to righteouſneſs; and the ground hereof to me is plain and abvious, becauſe Chriſt ſetteth them apart on purpoſe for that work, and gave gifts to men, Eph. 4.11, 12, 13. He received gifts, even for the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell among them, Pſ. 68, 18. And though private Chriſtians and Miniſters ſpeak the ſame words, yet there's this difference, that what private Chriſtians ſay in Conference, comes from fraternal Charity; what the meſſengers of Chriſt ſay, comes from ſpeciall miniſterial authority; and their diſcourſing about matters of Religion is properly enough preaching, and hath been eminently inſtrumental for the Converſion of many p. 74from darkneſs to light, and from the Kingdome of Satan unto God. Experiments herein I believe are frequent and uſual, through the bleſſing of God, and his Chriſt; who by promiſe hath freely and graciouſly engaged himſelf to be with his Goſpel-miniſtery to the worlds end, Mat. 28.19, 20. Let me leave you but one inſtance, which may by the Lords bleſſing be an incouragement to this too much neglected duty of Chriſtian Conference. There is an honeſt able Miniſter, who within theſe two years told me it for a piece of News, (and indeed it was welcome newes to me) and it was this, That in the Knights Family with whom he liveth (the Knight is of good quality and repute) there was a maidſervant, he verily believed fearing God in that family, which (to uſe his own words) dated her Converſion from my diſcourſe with her, walking up Highgate Hill together, whereupon I remember'd that about four years ſince I came from London in an Hackny-Coach for St. Albans, and there was a Gentlewoman (I'le ſpare her name) with this her maid, p. 75and others; the Gentlewoman was able, and willingly maintained good diſcourſe on the way; and it being a cold morning, I at the bottom of the Hill went out of the Coach, to walk up the Hill, and warm my ſelf thereby; when I was out, the Maid asked leave of her Miſtriſs (who ſtayed in the Coach) that ſhe being cold might go up the Hill alſo, which ſhe did; and we talked together as we went; and I think the ſumme of my diſcourſe was our miſery by nature, our diſability to help our ſelves by any thing we could do or ſuffer, that there was an abſolute indiſpenſable neceſſitie of getting an intereſt in Chriſt, who was infinitely able and willing to ſave every poor loſt ſoul that came unto him by believing; and to this purpoſe, both in Coach and in walking: which the onelyonly wiſe and infinitely gracious Lord God it bleſſed for the Spiritual and Eternal good of this poor handmaid; for which let his Holy Name be for ever glorified, and let all good Chriſtians take from hence incouragement to be yet more and more abounding p. 76in holy talk and Conference, ſowing this ſeed in the morning, and in the evening not withholding their hands; who knoweth but the gracious Lord our God, may bleſs and proſper, both the one, and the other.

The weak ſtrengthened.And fourthly, if the Holy Word of God rightly managed in Chriſtian Conference be efficacious for the inlightning of the ignorant, the reducing the erronious, and the converting of ſtout-hearted ſinners, then by neceſſary and undeniable conſequence, it muſt be alſo ſoveraignly efficacious for the ſtrengthening of the feeble minded, and comforting of ſuch as are caſt down, 1 Theſ. 5.14. Brethren, comfort the feeble minded, concernes all; and how can this be better done then in Chriſtian Conference? and again in the ſame place, ſupport the weak, is the common duty of all believers: but how ſupport? even as a Crutch doth a lame body, or as a beame doth a ruinated and tottering houſe; the word ſignificantly imports, the holding up one thats ready to fall, by a hand reached out to help him, or the aſſiſting any who are lifting p. 77and heaving at what's weighty, but have not ſufficient ſtrength to move or remove it, as they deſire. Thus by Chriſtian Conference, many gracious ſoules full of doubts and fears, ready to fall into dreadfull deſpairs of mercy, have been held up, and cheared, ſometimes by laying before them the precious promiſes, or the great ability and willingneſs of Chriſt to ſave, ſometimes by imparting to them our own experience, how we were caſt down and raiſed up again, telling them what God hath done for our Soules, or for the ſoules of others in the like ſad and dejected condition as they are in. I'le leave one inſtance in this caſe alſo; It's near twenty years ſince, that ſeveral Travellers of us paſſing between Oxford and London, ſupped together at an Inne in Great-Wickham, one of the company carried himſelf ſo untowardly and offenſively, that others at the Table wondered at me for my not rebuking him; whether thinking it prudence to forbear at ſupper time, or rather through my want of zeale for God, I know not, but ſupper being fully ended, p. 78I addreſſed my ſelf, as well as I could, to ſpeak to this vaine perſon, which accordingly I did, laying firſt the Law before him, and the ſadneſs of his condition at preſent, and that, if he died impenitently, he was like to periſh eternally; after which I opened the Goſpel to him, with as much tenderneſs and compaſſion as I poſſibly was able, acquainted him with the readineſs that is in God and Jeſus Chriſt to receive penitent ſinners; and how thoſe that came to Chriſt, he would in no wiſe caſt out; and many ſuch expreſſions to this purpoſe, that grace diſcovered might win and allure him to Chriſt, and to repentance. Yet what impreſſion all that was ſpoken had upon that vain perſon, I know not. It ſeems that there was a Scholler in the Company, whom I think then I was altogether unacquainted with, he is now an honeſt able Miniſter, who lay under a ſpirit of bondage, had great feares and troubles upon him, he hearken'd attentively, and I have cauſe to be perſwaded, that by the wiſe and gracious providence of God, much of the Goſpel p. 79Conſolations fell upon his ſpirit, to his great refreſhing, not unlike that ſpirit of Adoption which teacheth believers to Cry Abba, Father: you ſhall have his own words in a late letter to me: This I can unfeignedly ſay, that amongſt my ſpiritual benefactours, I do heartily bleſs God for you, and do look upon it as a very good providence, I was caſt into your Company at that time.

5. The ſtrong quickend.In the fifth and laſt place, That Chriſtian Conference hath been and ſtill is very beneficiall, not only for ſtrengthning thoſe who are weak in the faith, but for edifying and quickning, even the ſtrongeſt, and moſt grown in Chriſtianity; the Holy Scriptures, right reaſon, and ſweet experience, give in abundant teſtimony thereunto. It's a Soveraign antidote againſt Apoſtacy, and defection in Religion, and that both as to underſtanding and affections: The Apoſtle preſcribes it Heb. 312.13. Take heed brethren, leaſt there be in any of you, an evill heart of unbeliefe, in departing from the living God: But how ſhall it be prevented? he anſwers, Exhort one another dayly, while it is called to day, p. 80leaſt any of you be hardned through the deceitfulneſs of ſin. Exhort one another. The duty is mutual, concerneth Chriſtians of all ſexes and ſizes: dayly, that is frequently, not by fits, and ſtarts: while it is called to day, to wit, preſently, and ſpeedily, delayes in this caſe are dangerous, do not put off for a month, a fortnight, a week, no not for a day, and the reaſon is weighty, from the danger of the hearts obduration, by the deceitfulneſs of ſin: It deceiveth the underſtanding with errour for truth, darkneſs for light, the will with evil for good, the heart and affections, with what's loth ſome and to be abhorred, inſteed of what's lovely and to be deſired. And again the ſame Apoſtle to the ſame purpoſe, Heb. 10.23, 25. Let us hold faſt the profeſſion of our faith; Not forſaking the aſſembling of our ſelves together, as the manner of ſome is: how ſhall this be helped? he anſwereth, but exhorting one another &c. Chriſtian Conference well ordered, is an excellent preſervative of truth, and peace, in the Church or Churches of Chriſt; and good talke, be it Table-talke, or p. 81High-way talk, hath been, is, and (by the bleſſing of a gracious God) will be as a golden Pipe of Conveyance, of much ſpiritual good from one to another, until time run up into Eternity, and grace into glory.

Having ſomewhat largly diſcovered the profitableneſs of Chriſtian Conference, in that thereby believers abundantly Communicate ſpiritual good things one to another; let me add

33Arg. It's peaceableneſs.3. It's peaceableneſs. It's a teeming Mother, bringing forth peace at home and abroad, within doores and without.

11Peace at home.1. Peace at home. Chriſtian Conference is attended uſually with ſweet inward peace, and an heavenly tranquillity of ſpirit; I appeal to your Conſciences herein. When you lie down in an evening, and reflect upon your ſelves, look inward, and make inquiry, what have the thoughts of my heart, the words of my mouth, and the actions of my hands been this day? (as I preſume they who keep their watch do) and ſome Heathens by Natures light have done) when you find your language and diſcourſe hath been p. 82to this perſon, or that, holy and ſpirituall, and that upon this deſign, to edifie and miniſter grace to the hearers; ſurely the fruit thereof hath been a Calme in thy ſoule, and ſerenity in thy ſpirits. Peace alſo not alone at the end of each day, but at the end of life. It was a chearing, a reviving Cordial to that good King Hezekiah, when he lay (as he thought) a dying, to be able to ſay, Remember now O Lord, I beſeech thee, how I walked before thee in truth, Iſa. 38.1, 2, 3. And ſo to be able to ſay, and that from the heart ſincerely, Remember O Lord, how I have talked before thee, and for thee, in thy deſpiſed truths, ordinances, and Miniſters, how I have in diſcourſe at leaſt (and by example alſo) contended for thy holy Sabboths, ſo profaned by a ſinfull generation; and in brief, I have, (as all ſanctified ones, and called of God are exhorted) earneſtly contended for the faith, (or doctrine of faith) once delivered to the ſaints, Jude v. 3. The word is emphaticall, and imports ſuch eagerneſs in contention, as is among wreſtlers and racers ſtriving for victory. Remember p. 83O Lord how I have contended with thee by Faith in Prayer, for that faith, the true Chriſtian faith by thee delivered; and how I have contended with erronious perſons and Hereticks by arguments an by practice, bearing up thoſe truths and ordinances which they pull down: ſurely the remembrance hereof when we go to bed, night after night, or when we are going to make our beds in the durſt to be no more ſeen, will ſpeak much peace and comfort to us. And the reaſon hereof is ſtrong and weighty, becauſe good conference, if right in the ſpring, flowing from an heart fired with zeal for God, and love to my neighbour; and right in the ends, it deſignes Gods glory, and the good of the hearers; is a cleare evidence of a good and gracious heart; and grace makes way for peace, as the needle for the thred, ſo that thoſe who much lay out themſelves in Chriſtian Conference, have, or may expect to have, yea be ſure, firſt or laſt, ſhall have much inward peace and tranquility of ſpirit. Who would not ſow good ſeed, when he knows it will p. 84grow? who would not be ſcattering words of grace, when he knoweth, that every ſuch word hath a ſeed of peace, yea of eternal peace in it?

2.22Peace abroad. Chriſtian Conefrence not onelyonly brings forth inward peace and quiet in our breaſts and boſomes, but alſo outward peace with men, and ſafety in all places and companies whatever. Set you on foot good diſcourſe, or run it on, and whoever is preſent, there's no great danger, unleſs it be of a taunt, or flout from a prophane Eſau, or a ſcoffing Iſhmael; and that a good honeſt ſoul may weare as a Crown of honour, as Job ſpeaks of himſelf, Job 31.35, 36. My deſire is, that my adverſary had written a book: ſurely I would take it upon my ſhoulder, and bind it as a Crown to me. (Ʋpon my ſhoulder,) not as a burden, but as an honour; as ſtandard-bearers carry their enſignes and colours, that all may ſee them: Tongue-perſecution (ſuch as Iſmael's was of Iſaac) breaks no bones, but brings under the bleſſing of God, and the promiſe of a great reward, Gal. 4.29. Gen. 21.9. Mat. 5.11, 12. No, no, the danger in p. 85diſcourſe, is not whileſt we are talking of God, or of Chriſt, or of the Spirit, or of regeneration, and the like; but the danger comes when you begin to talk of perſons, this body or that; either highly and hyperbolically praiſing one, and that ſmells of flattery, and is poſſibly, by ſome who are preſent, ſo accounted; or diſpraiſing another, and that's preſently ſuſpected of uncharitableneſs, if not of malice. The danger is farther heightned, when in your diſcourſe, courſe, you'l needs be medling with Authority, and State-affairs; how ſoon then may the Tongue be found tripping, and you thereby but trip up your own heels, and catch a fall, poſſibly ſuch a fall, as may break your bones, if not your neck. So the wiſeſt of Kings tels us, Pro. 13.3. & 21, 23. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips, ſhall have deſtruction. Wherein he ſeemeth to compare man to a City beſieged with enemies round about, the ſafety whereof conſiſteth much in the well ordering the gates, duly and wiſely opening and ſhutting them. Man is this p. 86City; his mouth the gate prudently open'd by ſpeech, or ſhut by ſilence, is his protection and ſafety; negligence and imprudence therein, oft proves his ruin and deſtruction. That natural principle of ſelf-love, ſhould make this argument from ſelf-preſervation and ſafety, to be of force and prevalency with us. The better and more ſpiritual our diſcourſes and conferences are, the more's our ſafety: It concernes us at all times to weigh our words well, but eſpecially when the company we are in is bad, or ſomewhat dubious, and to be ſuſpected:Pſ. 39.1.Ps 39:1 Thus holy David, I ſaid, I will take heed to my ways that I ſinne not with my Tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, (or a Muzzle) while the wicked is before me. To conclude this Argument,Ainſw. I have heard of a Sect called Trapanners (unknown I preſume to our honeſt Forefathers, both name and thing) men skilful and active to intangle and enſnare others in their talke; I would hope that they are now dead and gone: but if hundreds of them ſhould be yet alive and with you and me in a room, and hear us diſcourſing p. 87of nothing but faith, repentance, love, and good works, and the like, methinks we need not much to fear them; innocence would be our protection, or rather God and his Chriſt our ſhield and buckler.

In the fourth and laſt place,4. Arg. Honour and Credit. Chriſtian Conference is not onelyonly beneficiall in point of peace and ſafety, but in point of honour alſo: many a carnall man having heard or overheard ſpiritual diſcourſe among the Saints and Servants of God; though this language of Canaan, he neither underſtandeth, nor reliſheth much; yet it leaves an honourable conviction upon his ſpirit, and he is half perſwaded, that theſe men have ſomething of God in them, more then he hath. But ſurely all who are really good themſelves, cannot but put an high value and eſtimation upon the perſons and practices of thoſe, who are much in holy and heavenly Communication. Yet if all men ſhould diſregard, to be ſure the holy and gracious Lord our God will have regard; and to have honour of him, and with him, is the higheſt honour deſireable, or imaginable. p. 88was of a communicative ſpirit, very ready, and reſolute, in the imparting good to others, in any way of counſel and Conference; and maketh this expreſly the ground why he honoureth Abraham in the revealing of Secrets unto him, Gen. 10.17, 19. And the Lord ſaid, ſhall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? for I know him, that he will command his Children, and his houſhold after him, and they ſhall keep the way of the Lord. It is an high honour to be a Privy Councellor to Kings and Princes; O then, what an honour is it to be admitted and advanced (as it were) to be of Councel to the King of Kings, whoſe Supremacy and Soveraignty is over Heaven and Earth? Before I go off, let me hint this by way of Caution, that when we ſpeak, or rather Scripture it ſelf ſpeaketh of Councel in reference to God, or of Gods acting upon Counſel, it is not to be underſtood properly: for to act upon Counſel, that implies Conſultation, and Conſultation a defect in knowledg (which to fancy concerning God would be high and horrid p. 89Blaſphemy) but to be underſtood of God after the manner of men; the wiſeſt of men act upon Counſel: now becauſe all that God doth, is infinitely well and wiſely done, therefore he is ſaid to act by Counſel, as men do; But I have done with this great Argument, to preſs Chriſtian Conference, drawn from its profitableneſs and uſefulneſs; it's beneficial to the heads of our ſelves and others, in the augmentation of gifts and parts; to the hearts of our ſelves and others, in the communication of, and receiving of ſpiritual good ſeveral ways, beneficial in regard of inward peace at home in our own Conſciences, and outward peace abroad, with men, amongſt whom we live; & which crowns all, it hath a marke of honour ſet upon it by the hand of God himſelf: & he whom God honours, is honourable indeed.

Hitherto the Arguments exciting to Chriſtian Conference have been deduced from the duty we owe to God, and man, our ſelves, and others, and ſo from the ten Commandements; ſome other arguments may fairly be drawn from the Creed, or the Articles of our Chriſtian Faith.

p. 90As firſt,1. Arg. The Communion of Saints. We profeſs we believe the Communion of Saints; Now Chriſtian Conference rightly managed is a conſiderable part of that Communion; ſo that to deny or neglect Holy Conference, is to deny, or neglect one of the Articles of our Faith, and ſo farr to Unchriſtian our ſelves. Chriſtian Conference is a Goſpel duty, as it hath been proved by expreſs teſtimonies out of the word of God: and it's a Goſpel priviledge: none indeed but ſuch as receive the Goſpel, are ſavingly wrought upon by the Goſpel,Mat. 11.6.Matt 11:6 can carryon diſcourſe, or Conference, which for matter and manner, is truly Chriſtian; and in truth, ſociety is ſcarce deſireable, without mutual Colloquy, and ſpeaking one to another; to have a company of people meet together, and be as mutes and dumb, all in deep ſilence, methinks is a very uncomfortable meeting, and irrational. Solitarineſs and being alone fits beſt for meditation and muſing. Society and being in Company calls for ſpeech and language. What humane Society can be among men, as men, without Conference? or what Chriſtian ſociety p. 91among Saints, as Saints, without Chriſtian Conference? to what end hath God and nature given us Tongues, ſpeech and language, but to glorifie him therewith, and to edifie one another? and that's mainly done in the way of Chriſtian Conference. Yet farther, it's one of the branches of the Communion of Saints, to keep others in the right ways of truth, and holineſs; and a likely means conducing thereunto, is to be much in good diſcourſe with others. It's hard to keep the way when one's alone, for man by nature is apt to wander. Many Travellers together may help to guide one the other, to keep from falling, or to raiſe up if fallen. Two are betten then one (ſaith the Preacher, Eccl. 4.9, 10.) for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but wo to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Great is the benefit of Society, from that natural helpfulneſs, which thereby one man affordeth to another. When the Lord imployed his ſervants in high works, he uſually ſent them Two by Two, Moſes and Aaron, Joſhua and Zerubbabel, in p. 92reference to whom, we read of Two witneſſes: and our Lord Jeſus Chriſt when he ſent forth his Diſciples, they went Two and Two; and why this? Not onelyonly that they might be joynt witneſſes of the truth of the Doctrine, and meſſages delivered, but withall, that they might with more eaſe and ſucceſs carry on the Miniſtery and work wherein they were imployed, and help mutually to ſtrengthen, to encourage, and comfort one the other. The inſtance given, is pertinent to our purpoſe, for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. What fall? why ſociety is helpful in all kinds of falls, as corporal, in a journey, on foot, or horſe-back; or falls into diſeaſes, dangers, temptations, ſins, errours; the ſociety of friends is uſeful, to pitty, to ſupport, to reſtore, to convince, to comfort, and every way to Miniſter ſubtable ſupplies and relief. To cloſe up and ſtrengthen this argument, in that Chriſtian Conference, as it is a part of the Communion of Saints by ſpecial promiſe, Pſal. 133.1. Behold, how good, and how pleaſant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity. p. 93Cohabitation, or dwelling together, is inſignificant without Communication, and Converſation becoming the Goſpel; and why ſo good, ſo pleaſant? verſ. 3. For there the Lord commanded the bleſſing, even life for evermore. The illuſtration whereof the Pſalmiſts gives, in two lively and emphaticall ſimilitudes: verſ. 2. It is like precious ointment upon the head of Aaron. It was not the ointment in the box or vial ſtopped, but poured out, that gave the fragrant ſavour, and was ſo odoriferous: it is not grace in the heart (though that is ſaving) but grace in the lips and life, which makes a Chriſtian indeed ſo ſweet and ſavoury. Aaron in his ointments going about, was as a Pillar or Cloud of perfumes walking, leaving a ſweet ſcent and ſmell behind him: ſuch are Chriſtians indeed in their Communications and Converſations, in all places and companies, into which the hand of Providence leadeth them. The other ſimilitude is alſo very elegant and expreſſive, As the dew of Hermon, &c. verſ. 3. The dew on the earth is a refreſhing, makes it moiſt, ſoft, and fruitfull: p. 94full: ſuch in an higher, nobler, and more ſpiritual way, is Chriſtian Conference, well and wiſely managed, to hearers who are humble, conſcientious, attentive, docil, and tractable.

A ſecond argument moving to Chriſtian Conference,22Arg. The day of Judgment. in relation to the Creed, and things to be believed, is fairly and ſtrongly deducible, from that great and dreadful day of judgment wherein an account muſt be given as well of words, as of actions, before that righteous Judge, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; who hath foretold us,Mat. 12.26, 27.Matt 12:26Matt 12:27 that every idle word that men ſhall ſpeak, they ſhall give an account thereof in the day of Judgment; for by thy words thou ſhalt be condemned. An idle word is that which in it ſelf hath no tendency to the edification of ſpeaker or hearer, to profit men,Par. in loc. or honour God. Chriſt, our great Lord and Maſter, entruſteth men as ſtewards with much treaſure, to be laid out for their Maſters uſe: part whereof is that of the Tongue and language, which certainly he will call men to an account for; and if for idle words, then ſurely for reviling bitter and ſlandering p. 95words againſt the righteous ones, his ſervants and Children, Miniſters, or people. Now ſome ungodly men think, that the worſt words of their mouths are too good for them, calling them hypocrites, diſſemblers, factious, ſeditious, traytors, rebels, and what not? ſepaking all manner of evil againſt them falſly, or lying, and reproachfully, Mat. 5.11. But they will be of another mind another day, when Chriſt cometh, 1 Pet. 4.14. And behold, the Lord cometh with ten thouſands of his Saints, to execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodily committed, and of all their hard ſpeeches, which ungodly ſinners have ſpoken againſt him, Jude 14.15. By the way obſerve, that what evil is done to, or ſpoken againſt Chriſts little ones, he looketh upon as done to, or ſpoken againſt himſelf; but that which is principally to our purpoſe, is that Chriſt will then convince ſinners, force them to know and acknowledge that their ſpeeches of and againſt the righteous, were hard ſpeeches; and that conviction will be a p. 96dreadful and terrible Conviction, he will convince them with a witneſs, before all the world; convince them with a vengeance; convince them by the flames of Hell, a dreadful diſmal and everlaſting conviction indeed, but very juſt and righteous. They would not be convinced by the cleare, ſweet and pleaſant light of the word, Law or Goſpel, to their humiliation; therefore they ſhall be convinced by the fire of Hell, though to their terrour, and confuſion. As ſome letters writ with joyce of Lemons or Onions are not legible by common day light; but held to the fire, and a little ſcorched, are legible enough: ſo ſin and guilt in the Conſciences of ſome wretched ſinners, are never read by the common-light of the word; but when their Conſciences are held cloſe to the flames of Hell, and well ſcorched, then will they, nill they, their ſins and guilt are made clearly legible and viſible unto them, filling them with everlaſting horror, with ſhame and confuſion of face for ever: O the ſad and doleful reckoning that ſinners will make before that dreadfull p. 97Tribunal and Judgment ſeat of Jeſus Chriſt for words onelyonly (to paſs by thoughts and actions) then Conſcience, throughly awaken'd, and terrified, will be forced to ſpeak, and ſpeak out, accuſing poor loſt ſinners; Imprimis, for idle words, multitudes, multitudes, even innumerable; Item, for lying, ſcoffing, ſlandering, defaming words againſt the Saints of the moſt high God; Item, for Curſing, Swearing, yea blaſphemous words againſt the moſt High God himſelf, taking his Name in vaine, all the day long; and each of theſe by hundreds, thouſands, yea poſſibly millions; O, What will the total ſum amount unto! tremble ſinner, tremble to imagine. To Cloſe up this, we read in the parable of Dives and Lazarus, Luk. 16.24. That the rich man in Hell complains particularly and eſpecially of his Tongue, how that was tormented in the flame. An ancient Writer gives this reaſon, his Tongue was that member which moſt ſinned, and therefore that had the ſharpeſt torment. Thus we ſee how the bad words of wicked men will be remenbred p. 98and repeated to their ſhame and anguiſh at the laſt day; and no queſtion the good words of the righteous ſhall not be forgotten, They ſhall be had in everlaſting remembrance, Pſal. 112.6. and their words alſo, as the Prophet teſtifieth, Mal. 3.16. They that feared the Lord ſpake often one to another, and a book of remembrance was written with him: God booked down every word they ſaid; O what great encouragement ſhould this give to all that fear God, to be much in ſpeaking of God, and for God, to and with one another. What, ſhall the great and glorious, good and gracious Lord God Almighty, vouchſafe to write down every good word which droppeth from us, and ſhall not our lips drop apace, and that as the Hony-comb, the ſweeteſt words imaginable, tending to the glory of God, and good of men? did we indeed believe this one truth, O how would it ſet all our Tongues a going? how would every one ſtrive, who ſhould talke moſt, and ſpeak faſteſt? vying as it were, and contending which of us ſhould have the moſt words in p. 99Chriſts book at the day of his appearance. Its unbelief friends, it's unbelief, which makes us ſo Tongue-tied, tieth up the ſtrings both of hearts and Tongues. Let's get, yea the Lord give us more faith, and then we ſhall be more talkative, in a good ſenſe, and to good purpoſe; and ſo God will be more honoured, and our neighburs edified; we and they ſhall have more heights of grace here, and weights of glory hereafter. I will Cloſe up this argument with Johns Viſion, Rev. 20.12. I ſaw the dead, ſaith he, ſmall and great, ſtand before God: and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of thoſe things, which were written in the books, according to their works. Alluding, I ſuppoſe, to the manner of judiciarie proceedings by Judges, who have depoſitions upon record. Judge according to the Laws of the Land, and matters of fact, cleared to them by allegations and proofs: this ſtill remembring, God needeth none of theſe records or books, but condeſcending to our capacities, he is pleaſed to ſpeak p. 100of himſelf after the manner of men. What the books are that ſhall be opened, is not fully agreed upon; ſome think, the Books of the Old and New Teſtament, wherein God hath preſcribed what was to be done by men, and what not to be done; and that becauſe the Apoſtle ſaith, Rom. 2.16. In that day, when God ſhall judge the ſecrets of men by Jeſus Chriſt, according to my Goſpel. Others, by the books, underſtand the Conſciences of men, which ſhall then be fully opened, and the ſecrets of all hearts be revealed: ſo that none ſhall be able to complain of injury done him, or injuſtice in God. Becauſe every mans Conſcience ſhall excuſe or accuſe, abſolve or condemn him, and give him clear and full information, whether he did indeed, or did not believe in Jeſus Chriſt, Faith in Jeſus Chriſt being the only condition of the New-Covenant, Mar. 16.16. He that believeth ſhall be ſaved, he that believeth not ſhall he damned. To preach this, is to preach the Goſpel. Which of theſe two Books ſhall be opened, I dare not determine; why not both, Scriptures, p. 101and Conſciences? but theres' mention of another book to be opened, which is expreſly called, The Booke of Life: to wit, in which God from Eternity hath written the names of thoſe who ſhall be ſaved by Jeſus Chriſt, which is frequently ſpoken of in the Revelations: Rev. 3.5.13.8. chap. 17.8.Rev 3:5Rev 3:13Rev 3:8Not that God needs or hath a Book; it would be ſimplicity and blaſphemy, to fancy it; but it is ſo expreſſed after the manner of men, to ſhew the certainty of Predeſtination, immutability of Election, and the Infallibility of the Salvation of Gods Elect. But I forget what I have in hand. Can we rationally immagine, that when the book of Conſcience is opened, words will not he as legible as works? yea not only works, and words, but thoughts alſo, and every ſecret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil: wherein Scripture is ſo expreſs, Eccl. 12.14. 2 Cor. 5.10. O let us remember and lay to heart, that at the laſt day, it will be known to all the world what good Communication the Saints have had, and what bad the ſinners; it's matter of Conſolation to the one, but of Terror to the p. 102others: Let us all fear and tremble before this great and glorious Lord our God, who taketh moſt exact notice of every word we ſpeak, and will, no queſtion, call us to an account for what good or hurt we have done by our words and communications, as well as by our works and actions; let this be as a bitt orbridle in out mouths to curb and reſtraine us from vaine and ſinful language, and yet be as a ſpur in our ſides to put on, quicken, and mend out pace in holy, heavenly, and Chriſtian Conference.

I have been much larger than I intended, yet I would well hope not too large, in arguing for the advance and increaſe of Chriſtian Conference amongſt ſuch as profeſs Chriſtianitie. Let my cloſing Argument be drawn from the vulgar example,Luſt Arg. vulgar practice. and popular practice of the men of this World, in their ſeveral ways and imployments, how they manage and promote their affairs by diſcourſing and conferring together. The Merchants on the Exchange, how do their Tongues run by Sea and Land, to the Indies, Eaſt and Weſt; to both p. 103the Poles, North and South; yea, all the world over, where any thing is to be got by trade and merchandize: and ſhall not Chriſtians, who, if Chriſtians indeed, are wiſe Merchants, ſpeak freely and rejoycingly of the goodly Pearls which they have bought; Mat. 13.45, 46.Matt 13:45Matt 13:46and of that Pearl of great price (Jeſus Chriſt) which they have have found (through grace and merciemercy) and of their ſpiritual merchandize, better than that of Gold and Silver? ſhall your Heirs to Nobles and Princes, talke, and love to talke, of what is theirs in reverſion, of Earledomes, Dukedomes, Crowns, and Kingdomes? and ſhall not Chriſtians diſcourſe, and love to diſcourſe, of what is theirs in reverſion, of Crowns of Glory, of that heavenly Kingdome? how they bring Children, are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 8.17. and of their inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reſerved in heaven for them, 1 Pet. 1.4. This is to have our Converſation in heaven, Phil. 3.20. For heavenly Communication is uſually a fruit of heavenly Meditations and affections; and the p. 104language of Canaan (if not forced and hypocritical) is a Comfortable evidence of our intereſt in that Celeſtial Canaan, and heavenly Jeruſalem, which is above. Again, ſhall Countrymen, in a ſtrange place, delight to be ſpeaking of their native ſoile, their Fathers houſe, the good Company and Society there? 1 Pet. 2.21. and ſhall not believers, who are ſtrangers and Pilgrims here, delight to be ſpeaking of Heaven, willingly and readily, with a kind of ſupernatural naturalneſs, as being their native Country, becauſe born from above, Joh. 3.3. Heaven born, delight to be ſpeaking of their Fathers houſe, where are many manſions, Joh. 14.2. and of that ſweet, invaluable ſweet ſociety of Saints and Angels, yea of Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, which they ſhall then and there enjoy, and that for ever? we know fellow-travellers love to be talking of their way, making that ſure, that they are right, Jer. 50.4, 5. and ſhall not Chriſtians (who are journying together with their faces Zion-ward, Joh. 14.6.John 14:6going, though poſſibly, weeping as they go) talke of Chriſt, the way, Heb. 12.14. and holineſs, p. 105without which no man ſhall ſee the Lord, 2 Cor. 13.5. Make Chriſt ſure, that they are in Chriſt, and Chriſt in them; making their Callings and Elections ſure, giving all diligence thereunto? 2 Pet. 1.10. Surely it is all the reaſon in the World, that they ſhould be much in thinking, and much in ſpeaking of ſuch high, ſuch holy and happy things as theſe are: None is ignorant, how good Yeomen, Farmers, and Husbandmen, when they meet at Markets, or Faires, at home, or in the Fields, delight to diſcourſe it about grounds good or bad, the beſt ſeed, ſeedmen, and ſeedtime, about weeding their Corne in due time, caſting out the Cockel and darnel, burning the twich; and when harveſt comes, O how they work it with both hands, and their Tongues are going as faſt as their hands, in talking, laughing, whiſtling, and ſinging, and when it is harveſt home with them, O what ſhoutings and acclamations, what hooping and hollowings, ſo loud and ſhrill, as that the Hills and Dales ring again, and Eccho it unto them! and to make up the Solemnities of their joy, the Horns p. 106are winded, trumpets ſounded, yea the fidlers alſo are ſometimes playing, with boyes and girles dancing: And when harveſt is come home, the grain houſed, then the ſame husbandmen will be talking as faſt as ever, touching their threſhing, fanning, ſifting, and ſo forth: and their skill and wiſedome in managing theſe their affairs, is the gift of God: as the Prophet plainly and fully acknowledgeth, ſpeaking of the Plowmans plowing all day; Iſa. 28.24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29.Isa 28:24Isa 28:25Isa 28:26Isa 28:27Isa 28:28Isa 28:29his Caſting abroad the fitches, and ſcattering the Cummin; his ordering the wheat, the barley, and rie in their places, ſaith, his God doth inſtruct him to diſcretion. Againe, how the fitches are beaten out with a ſtaff, and the Cummin with a rod. How bread Corne is bruiſed. He Concludes, This alſo cometh forth from the Lord of Hoſts, which is wonderfull in Counſel, and excellent in working. And to make way for this ioyfull harveſt, husbandmen ſpeak often of plowing, and that ſoon enough, and deep enough, though in the cold winter ſeaſon: much, very much, if not too much of the Countrye mans diſcourſe is harping upon theſe ſtrings: p. 107and ſhall not the generation of believers, who themſelves are Gods husbandry, 1 Cor. 3.9. Mat. 13.4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.1 Cor 3:9Matt 13:4Matt 13:5Matt 13:7Matt 13:8Matt 13:19Matt 13:20Matt 13:21Matt 13:22Matt 13:23be much in talking (they cannot be well too much) about thoſe ſeveral grounds, the highway, the ſtony and thorny ground, the good ground alſo, mentioned by Chriſt in the parable, with the interpretation thereof.

And how the Word of God, in the plainneſs and power of it, is the good, the beſt ſeed, faithful Miniſters, ſuch and ſuch, are good ſeeds men, this life, and therein youth eſpecially when Conſciences are ſtirred by the good motions of the holy Spirit, is the time, the onelyonly ſeed time with us? and withall ſhall not believers ſpeak often one to another about cutting down, and plucking up by the roots, the Cockel, and the darnel, the weeds, and the twich, errors in judgement, unbeliefe, ſpiritual pride, earthly minededneſs, and all diſorderly paſſions and affections, conſuming and deſtroying them by that ſpirit of judgment and of burning? And though the Chriſtians harveſt, their full harveſt, come not till that laſt and great day, when all the elect, their ſouls and bodies p. 108being reunited, (as ſhocks of Corne fully ripe) ſhall be gathered into thoſe everlaſting barnes, and be houſed in glory; yet ſhall the husbandman all the year long rejoyce and ſolace himſelf in the hopes of a rich Crop when the harveſt comes: and ſhall not believers all their life time, rejoyce in the hopes of the glory of God? Rom. 5.2. Iſa. 9.3.Rom 5:2Isa 9:3and their joy be as the joy of harveſt? yea, their joy be unſpeakable, and full of glory? and in order to all this, ſhall not believers in their Chriſtian Conference together, much and ſeriouſly mind each other to look to it, that the plough of legal Convictions, Compunctions, and Humiliations, hath gone deep enough in their hearts, breaking up their fallow ground, that they ſowe not among thornes? Jer. 4.3.Jer 4:3Certainly all the reaſon imaginable, excites the people of God to ſuch kind of diſcourſes as theſe are. Again, we ſee how all men who are dealers in the world, will be talking how the market goeth, what good commodities in one kind, or in another, they can buy, and upon what eaſie rates; and ſhall not believers ſpeak freely, and frequently, among themſelves, p. 109(rejoycing therein, and giving glory to God onelyonly) what good penny worths, they make, (if I may ſo expreſs it) how they have the choiceſt and the rareſt commodities to be had, and that upon the loweſt terms? Iſa. 55.12. Rev. 3.18. Waters, to cool and cleanſe them; Wine, to glad and chear up their ſpirits; milk, to nouriſh them; bread, to ſtrengthen their hearts, yea and Eye-ſalve, that they may ſee; Gold, that they may be rich; and white raiment, that they may be clothed, to wit, Chriſt and his Spirit, grace and glory, and all this, (more than which is not to be had) without price, and without monies. It is but ask, and have; but take by believing, and its all yours; ſurely ſuch bargains as theſe, are worth the having, the thinking of, and ſpeaking of, with the higheſt exultations, and with all poſſible triumphing of ſpirits whatſoever. Yet farther, ſhall Scholars, when they meet, diſcourſe it, concerning the famous Schools they were bred in? ſhall their Tongues run nimbly whiles ſpeaking of Arts and Sciences, of Logick, or Philoſophy, or of Divinity, dogmatical, or polemical, yea p. 110in all manner of humane learning, whether Grammatical or Academical! And ſhall not Chriſtians, when they meet, tell one another how they were all trained up in one School (it's the beſt,Ma. 4.38. a noneſuch) the School of Chriſt, how they were, and ſtill are his diſciples, his Scholars, how Chriſt is their Maſter, hath taught them to fear God, Eccl. 12. Ro. 10.3. Eph. 1.2.Eccl 12Rom 10:3Eph 1:2and keep his Commandments; to denie their own righteouſneſs, and to eſtabliſh the righteouſneſs of God in Chriſt, hath taught them thoſe hard leſſons of Faith, and repentance, of loving their enemies; ſo that they know how to want, and how to abound; how to be emptie, and how to be full, Mat. 5 44. Act. 5.31. yea, how to live, and how to die: In a word, That they can do all things through Chriſt ſtrengthening the, Phil. 4.11, 12, 13.

Once more, ſhall Lawyers talk much of their Caſes, and trials, and why not Chriſtians be putting of Caſes of Conſciences, and of the trials of their faith, in times of temptations, perſecutions, and defertions; when the very trial of their faith is more precious than of Gold that periſheth? 1 Pet. 1.1 Pet 1Shall Phyſitians and Chyrurgions p. 111with their Patients, be continually talking of what wonderful Cures have been wrought by them, or upon them; I ſaith one, was even waſted and worne even to nothing but skin and bone, by pining ſickneſs, and a long lingering Conſumption, but ſuch a Doctor cured cured me, and I am now full and fleſhy, ſtrong and hearty: And I, ſaith another, was troubled with ſore Eyes, had almoſt quite loſt my ſight, but ſuch an Oculiſt healeſt me: and I, ſaith a third, was grievouſly vexed and tormented with the ſtone for ſo many years together, Oh the grinding pains of the ſtone, how have they held me as upon the rack for weeks or months together; but ſuch a Chirurgion cut me, fetched it away, ſo bigge, ſo ragged; and now I am at eaſe, and as well as ever; and what? ſhall not the generation of believers ſpeak much and often of Chriſt their great Pheſicion, what ſtrang, yea, miraculous Cures he hath wrought in them, for and upon them, how they were in their unregenerations pining away for and in their iniquities; Eze. 24.23.Ezek 24:23a ſpiritual Conſumption upon their ſoules, being p. 112hereditarie, from their fore-Fathers even as far as Adam, yet Chriſt recovered them,Hoſ. 14.4.Hos 14:4 healed their backſlidings. How they were as to ſpiritual Eye-ſ…ht, not onelyonly dim-ſighted, but quite blind, yea born blind,Eph. 1.1, 5.Eph 1:1Eph 1:5 but now they ſee; he annointed their Eyes, ſo that they ſee; yea are quick-ſighted through grace in the things of God; how they were born with a ſtone in their hearts, Rev. 3.18. worſe than thoſe in the back or bladder; but Chriſt hath graciouſly taken away that ſtony heart, Ezek. 36.Ezek 36and given a heart of fleſh to them. Yea more than all this, Chriſtians can and do tell one another, how they were born Lepers, over-run with a noiſome leproſie of ſin from head to foot; how that no ſooner were they born, but legions of Devils got poſſeſſion of them (ſo many beloved luſts, as bad, or worſe than ſo many Devils) and how they were ſtill born dead, quite dead in Treſpaſſes and Sins; but now through the riches of Grace in Chriſt, the Lepers are cleanſed, the Devils are caſt out, and the dead are quickned and raiſed to the life of grace and glory.Eph. 2.1.Eph 2:1 To haſten, ſhall Souldiers, p. 113old Souldiers love to be talking of what battels they have been in, what ſharp Conflicts and hot diſputes they have had with ſuch and ſuch enemies, what victories obtained, what ſpoils they have divided, what joyful triumphs they have ſolemnized? and ſhall not Old Diſciples, yea, all experienced believers, who are the good ſouldiers of Jeſus Chriſt, diſcourſe, and love to diſcourſe, what ſpiritual combats they have had, with the Devil, the world, and the fleſh, the corruption of their own hearts, their unbelief, pride, paſſions, covetouſneſs; how they have conflicted with ungodly men, their Cruel mockings, and perſecutions, yea how they have gotten the victory, have overcome the world by their faith; (Heb. 11.36. Gal. 4.29. Joh. 5.4.) what ſpoils they are inriched with, what anſwers to prayers, what mortifying of ſuch and ſuch Corruptions, what eminent growth in grace, how faith hath been marvellouſly ſtrengthen'd, love inflamed, zeal fired, longing after communion with God heightened, and the like; p. 114and all this, becauſe they fought under ſuch a Captain, who puts ſpirit and life into all marching under his banners, even Jeſus Chriſt the Captain of their Salvation, yea, the Lord of Hoſts himſelf, mighty in battel? Heb. 2.10. Jer. 50.34. Again, ſhall wreſtlers and racers ſpeak much of their ſtrength and ſwiftneſs? And why not believers of their wreſtling, not againſt fleſh and blood, only, but againſt principalities, and powers, Eph. (6.12.) and of their running with patience the race ſet before them? He. 12.1. and how, they can do all things, through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth them? ſhall wiſe men be ſpeaking,Phil. 4.13. Je. 9.23, 24.Phil 4:13 yea glorying in their wiſdome, mighty men glorying in their might, and rich men in their riches, which is their ſin and their ſhame? and ſhall not the Saints of the moſt high God, each glory in this, that he underſtandeth, and knoweth me, ſaith the Lord, which glorying is their duty, and honour alſo? yea,Gal. 6.14.Gal 6:14 glory in the Croſs of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom, or whereby, the world is Crucified unto them, and they unto the world? ſhall men addicted to recreations, who devote themſelves to hunting p. 115and hawking, fiſhing and fowling, ſpeak much of what delight and contentment they find therein; one praiſing his pack of Hounds, for being well mouthed, hunting cloſe and round, as in a ring; another commending his hawk for mounting high, as an Eagle, even to the Skies, and when the fowle ariſeth, for falling and ſhooting down upon the prey, like a thunder bolt out of the Cloudes, and ſo forth? Then ſurely the generation of believers have more cauſe to ſpeak one to another, and that (not with a carnal and ſenſual delight, as men in their ſports and recreations but) with a ſpiritual and heavenly chearineſs, of what contentment and ſatiſfaction they have found in God, delighting themſelves in the Lord their God? David ſpeaks to all his fellow Saints,Pſ. 66.16.Ps 66:16 Come and hear all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my ſoul, to wit, how he hath heard my prayers, quickned me when dull and dead, raiſed me up when I was brought very low, delivered me from the hands of all mine enemies, and from the Hands of Saul, Pſal. 18. the Title: p. 116He giveth us his judgment plainly, A day in thy Courts, O God, is better then a thouſand: and backs it with the choice he made; I had rather be a door-keeper in the houſe of my God, then to dwell in the tents of wickedneſs, Pſ. 84.10. Talk with men, called of God according to his purpoſe, who in their youth poured out their ſoules to vanities, to all manner of ſports and paſtimes, and they will ingeniouſly confeſs, that they find more ſweetneſs and hearts ſolace in one hours communion with God in ſecret prayer, in one day of humiliation, or thankſgiving, in hearing a good Sermon, or in being partakers of the Lords Supper, and ſo ſitting with the King at his Table, (Can. 1.12.) then they did in all their youthfull games and recreations all their dayes. To conclude, ſhall the worſt of men, the cheating gameſter, the ſwiniſh drunkard, the beaſtly adulterer, be ſo bold as to talke, and that in a jolly boaſting way, of their falſe Dice, and coggings, of their drinking down ſuch and ſuch, laying them under the Table, of their defiling Women or Maidens, ſatisfying p. 117their luſt to the full with them, all glorying in their ſhame? Phil. 3.19. and ſhall not Chriſtians in their Conference ſpeak freely with joy and thankſgivings (aſcribing all the glory to the Lord their God) of their diligence and faithfulneſs in their lawful callings, of their Temperance and Chaſtity; yea farther, how their hearts have bin raiſed up and raviſhed with holy Meditations, and heavenly ejaculations; how their ſpirits are got above the world, whilſt in the world; how their fellowſhip is with the Father and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt, through the Spirit, 1 Joh. 1.3. How the Father and the Son love them, make their abode with them, and manifeſt themſelves unto their ſoules, Joh. 21.23. How Jeſus Chriſt is pleaſed Can. 1.2. to kiſs them with the kiſſes of his mouth, day by day? O Friends, what I ſay, are not bare words, and notions, but things and realities, and glorying herein is good, for it is glorying in the Lord. But I fear my fancy and pen run too faſt and too far in this argument, poſſibly to the tiring of ſome faint and feeble readers: Therefore in a word, know, p. 118the Devil drives a great and mighty, though an ungodly and accurſed. Trade in the Tongues of Sinners; they ſpeak often one to another, corrupting, poiſoning, and debauching each other, and how unwearied are they in this drudgery, advancing and promoting to their uttermoſt the Kingdome of darkneſs, and of the Devil, as they are going toward Hell together: and ſhall not our God, and Father, and our dear Redeemer Jeſus Chriſt, carry on an holy and bleſſed Trade, (if I may ſo phraſe it) in the mouths and lips of his Saints and Servants, his ſons and daughters, to the convincing and converting of ſinners, if poſſible; or at the leaſt, to the rendring them more inexcuſable in that great and terrible day of the Lord; and to the edifying, ſtrengthening, and comforting one another, ſpeaking much of God, and for God, even with all their might ſtriving and labouring to inlarge the Kingdome of Chriſt in grace here, and ſo in glory hereafter. Whilſt we are Travellers here below in our preſent pilgrimage, to be very buſie, active, and toyling, as it were, in the work of p. 119the Lord, will doubtleſs be upon our account to our ſafety, comfort, and honour, in that happy day of our Lords appearance, Awake, awake, O my glory, Pſal. 57.8. Let each real Saint ſay, Let us therefore ariſe and be doing, and the Lord will be with us and proſper us, 1 Chr. 22.16.

Having propoſed ſeveral arguments enforcing the neceſſity and uſefulneſs of Chriſtian Conference, I proceed to lay down ſom… directions, for the better performance of that great and weighty duty; which may fall under two heads, either habitual preparation for, or actual execution in the diſcharge of that duty.

Habitual preparation.Touching our habitual preparation for this ſpiritual ſervice, let me commend to all,

1.11Heart puritie. Heart puritie, full of God, and good, which will fill the mouth with diſcourſe of God and good, For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth ſpeaketh, Mat. 12.34, 35. As the fountain is to the ſtream, ſuch is the heart to language; both good, or both bad: And p. 120our preſent ſtate being mixed and imperfect, the purer the fountain is, the more Chriſtal are the ſtreams flowing from it. But for the making up this heart purity there is requiſite.

1.11By Blood. Our being waſhed white in the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, Rev. 1.5. Nothing waſheth white indeed, but bloud; and no bloud, but the bloud of the Lamb, Rev. 7.14. not Tears, though penitential Tears, and rivers of theſe Tears; for all our Tears, when all is done, even themſelves need waſhing. The juſtification of our perſons by the gracious imputation of the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and by faith received, is the prime and grand requiſit; pride and vain glory may ſqueeze good words out of the mouths of perſons, unjuſtified, unſanctified, ſtrangers, meer ſtrangers to regeneration, (they liſping and ſtammering, ſhuffling and bungling at it), but holy language never floweth freely and ſweetly indeed, till Chriſt dwelleth in the heart by faith. That Tree of life, whoſe fruit is for meat, and leaves for the healing of the Nations, makes, and alone makes fountains and p. 121ſtreams, hearts and language, ſweet and wholſome, which elſe would be bitter and brackiſh, yea noiſome and poiſonous. Heb. 9.13, 14. The Apoſtle argues from the leſs to the greater, from the Law to the Goſpel; if the bloud of bulls &c. How much more &c.

2.22By the Spirit. Waſhed alſo in the waters of the Sanctuary, by the holy ſpirit of Sanctification, infuſing and implanting gracious qualities and habits into the Soul, fitting it to utter ſpeech gracious, and ſuch as may miniſter grace to the hearers; and that from ſuch principles as theſe.

1.11Faith. An habit and principle of faith, eying God & eying duty; I believed (ſaith holy David, Pſal. 116.10.) therefore have I ſpoken. Prayer is faith ſpeaking to God; and holy Language, is ſaith ſpeaking to men; faith herein eyeing the command of God, is obedient and doth dutie, and eyeing promiſes of bleſſings thereunto annexed, is heartened and takes incouragement.

2.22Love. Love to God, to our neighbours, and to our ſelves, that Gods glory may be advanced, our neighbours ſpiritual p. 122good promoted, and our own inward peace preſerved, by a Conſcientious diſcharge of this dutie. The truth is, (to ſpeak plain Engliſh) that even forward profeſſors themſelves being too miſerably Tongue-tied as to Chriſtian Conference, argueth, that there is but little true love to God, to our neighbours, or our ſelves, to be found in us. Paul had another frame of ſpirit, more lively, more communicative, Rom. 1.11, 12. He longeth to ſee the Romans, that he might impart to them ſome ſpiritual gift, to the end that they might be eſtabliſhed, that he might be comforted together with them, by a mutual faith. And this is certain, his way of imparting to them, was not in preaching to them onelyonly, but in conferring and diſcourſing with them alſo, for their eſtabliſhment, his comfort and theirs, and the glory of God in all. Knowledg puffeth up, but charity edifieth, 1 Cor. 8.1. Puffeth up, as a bladder with wind: Charitie edifieth, or buildeth up others, as an houſe or Temple for God.

p. 1233.33Fear. There is required an holy fear, and awe of God upon our ſpirits, They that feared the Lord (ſaith the Prophet Mal. 3.16.) ſpake often one to another, &c. and therefore they ſpake often one to another, becauſe they feared the Lord. And the reaſon is cleare, and plain: all who fear God, know that he is offended by ſinful ſilence, as well as by ſinful language. Omiſſions are deſtructive as well as Commiſſions, and negatives as poſitives. The ſervant that hid his Talent, is puniſhed with a vengeance, Mat. 25.30. Caſt ye the unprofitable ſervant into outer darkneſs: there ſhall be weeping and gnaſhing of teeth. Not only that evil ſervant which ſmote his fellow ſervants, did eat and drink with the drunken; when the Lord came, was cut in ſunder, and had his portion appointed with hypocrites where is weeping & gnaſhof teeth? Mat. 24.48, 49, 50, 51. The ſame dreadful doom and diſmal vengeance falls on both; the idle ſervant, and the wicked. Silence or ſpeech, if ſinful, are both accurſed.

4.44Muſing. A muſing, meditabundous ſpirit, much fits and diſpoſeth us for holy Conference, p. 124They who are much in the thoughts of God are like to be much alſo in ſpeaking of God, and for God; Mal. 3.16. They that thought on his name ſpake often one to another. David tells us Pſal. 39.3. My heart was hot within me, while I was muſing the fire burned; then ſpake I with my Tongue. Be it he ſpake in Prayer to God, as his next words import, verſe 3. Lord make me to know my end, &c. It holds alſo in holy Conference, words for God; though to men. A full veſſel muſt have vent: and an heart full of holy meditations, will vent it ſelf in holy communications with men, and in holy ejaculations, prayers, and praiſes to God.

5.55Delighting in God. A delighting our ſelves in God, his word, works, and wayes, would diſpoſe us to a more warme and frequent ſpeaking of God, his word, works, and wayes. Naturally men love, and take occaſion to be ſpeaking of ſuch things as they are much delighted in. Holy David who ſaid Pſ. 119.24. Thy Teſtimonies are my delight, ſaid alſo, verſ. 72. My Tongue ſhall ſpeak of thy words. And again when he had ſaid, I will ſpeak of p. 125thy Teſtimonies before Kings, and will not be aſhamed, ver. 46. he adds his incitement thereto, I will delight in thy Commandments which I have loved.

6.66Wiſdom. Wiſdome is a great requiſite, for the well ordering of the Tongue; to know the time to ſpeak, and the time to keep ſilence, Eccl. 3.71. The vertuous woman openeth her mouth with wiſdome. And the man that refraineth his lips is wiſe alſo, Prov. 31.26. Prov. 10.19. Wiſdome keepeth the door of the lips, openeth and ſhuts them in due ſeaſon; It's the Wiſdome of the Magiſtrate which guides a tumultuous people: the wiſdome of the Pilot, which ſteers the ſhip toſt with winds and billows; and it is wiſdome in believers, which ruleth Tongues, as tumultuous and turbulent as winds and waves, or as an heady multitude: It is an unruly evill, ſaith the Apoſtle, James 3.8.

7.77Courage. And laſtly, he that will order his Tongue well, and his diſcourſe aright, had need be one of great courage and reſolution; for many and great diſcouragements will ariſe from within and from without, to ſtop the courſe of p. 126Chriſtian Conference: David is a reſolved man, Pſalm. 39.1. I will take heed to my wayes that I offend not with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle, (Orig. A bridle or muzzel for my mouth.) And Job is ſo reſolved a man,Job. 27.24.Job 27:24 as that he binds himſelf by an oath, as God liveth, my lips ſhall not ſpeak wickedneſs, nor my tongue utter deceit. The Tongue is as the bow, words as the arrows, (it's Scripture language) courage and reſolution are as the armes which bend and draw the bow; wiſdome as the eye, which levels and layes the arrow right: both together ſhoot near, or hit the mark and white, in Chriſtian Conference.

A ſecond preparative direction for the well managing of Chriſtian Conference,22Direct. A forme of ſound words. is, to get and hold faſt a form of ſound words in faith and love, which is in Chriſt Jeſus, 2 Tim. 1.13. Faith and love, that is, what is to be believed, and done, and ſo takes in the whole ſyſteme and body of Divinity. If this would be, and was a good help to Timothy, for the carrying on of p. 127the work of his Miniſtery, then ſurely, it is greatly uſefull for private believers in the maintaining of Chriſtian Conference, in the places and companies into which providence caſts them. For knowledge guides the motions of our lips, as eyeſight doth the motions of our feet. A blind man muſt be lying, ſitting, or ſtanding ſtill; if he will be going, he ſoon ſtumbles, and falls. An ignorant perſon muſt keep ſilence: if he will be talking, he ſoon trips and falters, and falls under diſgrace and Contempt, in an underſtanding company. And theſe heads of divinity in order to Chriſtian Conference, may be either,

11General matter.1. General, which concernes all perſons, in all places, and at all times. As, 1. Concerning God, his Titles, Names, Attributes, works of Creation and Providence. Or 2. Concerning ſin, its heinous nature, how it and nothing elſe is abominable to God, and deſtructive to man. Or 3. touching death, how all muſt die, none knoweth how ſoon. Or 4. concerning Chriſt, the great and glorious work of redemption, wrought by him; his ability, and p. 128willingneſſe to ſave every poor loſt ſinner, who cometh to him for life; how little we are ſenſible of our want of Chriſt, or of the worth of Chriſt, how little Chriſt is prized by us, or beloved of us, or believed in, or longed after by us, or of that abſolute indiſpenſable neceſſitie there is of our getting union with him, or elſe of our unavoidable miſery, and that for ever. 5. As alſo concerning hell, the pains and torments of the damned, endleſs, eaſeleſs, and remedyleſs; and touching alſo the joyes of Heaven, and happineſs there, ſuch as eye hath not ſeen, eare hath not heard, nor hath it enter'd into the heart of man to conceive, 1 Cor. 14.9. and theſe too for ever and ever: And withall concerning doomſday, that dreadful day, when that trumpet ſhall ſound, that lowd ſhrill voice be heard all the world over, Ariſe ye dead, and come to judgment; when the earth and the Seas ſhall give up their dead, and all ſhall ſtand naked before that righteous Judg, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, out of whoſe mouth ſhall proceed thoſe two laſt words, Mat. 25.34, 41. Come ye bleſſed, p. 129and go ye curſed, &c. and ſo Saints and ſinners ſhall part for ever: The righteous, who are the bleſſed of the Father, inherit the kingdome prepared for them and go into life eternal: but ſinners ſhall go into everlaſting fire, prepared for the devil and his Angels. Theſe particulars, an ancient Miniſter (now with God) laid down thus:

Thy God, thy ſin, thy death, thy Chriſt,

The eternal pains of Hell,

The Joyes of Heaven, the day of doome,

Theſe ſeven remember well.

Add hereunto the vanitie of all Creature excellencies, riches, pleaſures, honors, beauties, wit, ſtrength, nimbleneſs of body, &c. as alſo buildings, feaſtings, wine, women, muſick, or what ever any miſtaken ſoul calls delectable. Solomon, the wiſeſt of Kings, got up (if I may ſo expreſs my ſelf) to the top of the mountain of all Created excellencies; and ſeeing multitudes clambering & climbing up the hill after him, ſome for riches, ſome for pleaſures, ſome for honours, &c. he beckons to p. 130them all, and cries aloud, down again, back again, back again, I have ſeen, and find all to be Vanitie of Vanities, Vanitie of Vanities, Eccl. 1.3.

Eſpecially let me commend to you two common Theams for the Subjects of your diſcourſe; the ſinfulneſs and miſerie of man by nature; with the beauty and lovelineſs of Jeſus Chriſt: for the bringing others under the due and deep convictions of ſin in themſelves, and of righteouſneſs in Jeſus Chriſt to be found, and in him onelyonly; that ſo ſin may be imbittered, ſelf may be emptied of all it's own conceited righteouſneſs, and Chriſt may be indeared, as the onelyonly rock to build upon; and holineſs embraced, as the way to happineſs, and glory, Heb. 12.14. Deale with the ſons and daughters of men, as the Spouſe of Chriſt dealt with the daughters of Jeruſalem, My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thouſand: his head is the moſt fine Gold, Can. 5.10 to 16.&c. and ſo goeth on in a larg and lively deſcription of Jeſus Chriſt; and concludes, yea he is altogether lovely: this is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters p. 131of Jeruſalem. Who knows but others thereby may be enamoured with Chriſt, and ſtir'd up to make enquiry after him, as the daughters of Jeruſalem did; whoſe queſtion preſently it was, Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou faireſt among women, whither is he turned aſide, that we may ſeek him with thee? Can. 6.1. An heart fill'd with ſweet Meditations concerning Chriſt, and warm affections to Chriſt, will be breaking out in high commendations, and recommendations of Chriſt to others alſo; witneſs David, who ſaith, Pſal. 45.1. My heart is inditing of a good matter, and preſently adds, I ſpeak of the things I have made touching the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. [Is inditing] in the Original, toileth, or bubleth up, fryeth, as in a frying pan, to wit, my heart ſtudieth and prepareth, by warm and fervent meditation; alluding to the Mincah, or meat-offering under the Law, made of fine Flour, and dreſſed in the Frying-pan… boyled in Oyl, and then preſented to the Lord by the Prieſt, (Lev. 2.5, 8, 9.) So the matter of Divine Meditation, is as the Mincah, the oblation p. 132boiled in the grace of the holy Spirit, as in Oile, ſo prepared, and preſented to the Lord by Chriſt our great High-Prieſt. Such ſhould all our Holy Meditations and Communications be, the Spirit of God being as firelight in our heads, and heat in our hearts, would make our Tongues run as the Pens of ready writers, talking and diſcourſing of God, and of the great concernments of our ſoules and of eternity. Heads fill'd with the knowledg of God, his Chriſt, our Jeſus, and hearts filled with Faith and affiance in Chriſt, and ſo with warm affections to Chriſt, would provoke us to ſpeak freely and frequently to others, imparting our ſpiritual experiences to them, carrying Chriſt to the Children of men, inviting and drawing others to Chriſt, exerting and putting out to our uttermoſt that ſtrength of grace which we have by grace received, thus laying out our talents for our Maſters uſe.

22Special matter.2. And particularly, it is a good preparative for Chriſtian Conference, to be well ſtockt and furniſhed with ſpecial matter of diſcourſe, for ſpecial p. 133occaſions, as to times and perſons, and the condition of thoſe with whom we do or may converſe; If with young people,11Young. wiſhing them to remember their Creator in the dayes of their youth, 2 Tim. 2.22. If with aged perſons,22Old. adviſing them to look to it, that their hoary heads be found in a way of righteouſneſs, (Prov. 16.31.) and telling them, that a ſinner, though of an hundred years is accurſed, (Iſa. 65.20.) asking them, whithey have found that promiſe made good to them and in them, how that they ſhall bear fruit in their old age, and ſhall be fat and flouriſhing, (Pſ. 92.14, 15.) to wit, in knowledge, grace and holineſs: If with afflicted ones, in any kind,33Afflicted. minding them how the time of being afflicted, is a time to be much in prayer, Jam. 5.13. Call upon me (ſaith the Lord) in a day of trouble, Pſal. 50.15. Though we muſt pray continually, (1 Th. 5.17.) yet then in an eſpecial manner; and repent alſo, as good King Hezekiah did, in his ſickneſs he prayed and wept ſore, Iſa. 38.2, 3. If with perſons full of wiſdome, and policy,44Proſperous. mighty men for ſtrength and ſouldiery, wealthy p. 134thy men, full of Monies and Treaſures, mind them of the Prophets adviſe and Counſel, Jer. 9.23, 24. Let not the wiſe man glory in his wiſdome, neither the mighty man glory in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that gloryeth, glory in this, that he underſtandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exerciſeth loving kindneſs, judgment, and righteouſneſſe in the earth: for in theſe things I delight, ſaith, the Lord. Tell the ſtrongeſt, ſturdieſt, and ſtouteſt men you talk with, that as luſtie as they are, a few fits of an ague may ſoon weaken them and bring them low enough; or that a Conſumption, or any pining ſickneſs, may bring them to be bare skin and bones, very Skeletons, or Anatomies; and to be ſure in old age (if they live to it) The keepers of the houſe ſhall tremble, and the ſtrong men ſhall bow themſelves; and the hoary head will hang down: the grave muſt be their houſe, and their long home, and their faces bound in ſecret: wiſh them to remember the dayes of darkneſs, for they ſhall be many, Ec. 12.3, 5. Job. 17.13. Job 40.13. Eccl. 11.8. If you meet with rich men, p. 135Charge them to be rich in good works, 55Rich.and to honour God with their ſubſtance, and to make them friends of the Mammon of unrighteouſneſs, 1 Tim. 6.17, 18. Pro. 3.9. Luk. 16.9. If with poor people, firſt relieve them,66Poor. and then charge them not to ſteal, not to take the name of God in vain; to get poverty of ſpirit, and then they are bleſſed; to be rich in faith, and ſo heirs of the Kingdome, Prov. 30.9. Mat. 5.31. Jam. 2.5.