Characters in Blood, Pages 3-57

Characters in Blood · Pages 3-57

p. 1THere is not a neceſſity of opening the deſign of the Apoſtle in this Chapter: therefore I ſhall not take up time nor room in it, but in the Words you may pleaſe to take notice of five things:

Firſt, Of a Paſs-over.

Secondly, Who the Paſs-over is: and that is,

Thirdly, The Service to which he is appointed, and that is to be ſlain or ſacrificed, this may be proved elſe where, as 2 Acts 23.

Fourthly, The end for which he is ſlain: that is,

1. To declare the glory of Gods grace.

p. 22. To work our Salvation.

Fifthly, Here are the perſons for which all this is done: and that is for Believers, and that is gathered from thoſe little words, (us) and (our,) for even Chriſt (our) Paſs-over is Sacrificed for (us:) what (us,) Paul and the believing Corinthians: time is precious with me, or elſe I might a little ſhew you the import of a Sacrifice, and what it doth denote, and alſo ſhew the neceſſity of poor Believers, Offering a Sacrifice. But I intreat to be excuſed here, and that I may diſcourſe a little Methodically; let me gather up my deſign in a plain concluſion from the Words, though many may be drawn clearly out of them, and 'tis this: that the ſins of Believers are paſſed over or acquitted, by vertue of the Sacrifice of the Lord Jeſus; I ſhall

Firſt, Prove this to be truth from the Word of Truth.

Secondly, Show a little why it is ſo.

Thirdly, Improve this point for Soul advantage.

Firſt, Prove that Chriſt is a Sacrifice for believers ſins, 3 Rom. 25. Whom God hath ſet forth to be a propitiation: By vertue of what, or through what, why his blood: through Faith in his blood, Pray you mark, he doth ſay through Faith in him; no, then he might have done away ſins, and not have dyed and bled; I! but 'tis through Faith in his Blood, not through the Vertue of p. 3his Life, but through his Death: and if you read on, you ſhall ſee that this was for the remiſſion of ſins, or the paſſing over of ſins: for it will bear that ſence; ſo in Rom. 5. 6. In due time Christ dyed, what for: not to be an example only, not for the teſtimony of his Doctrine, but (for) the Ungodly: he (dyed) and he (dyed) for the Ungodly: yea, ſaith Paul and the believing Romans, Verſ. 8. When we were Sinners Chriſt dyed for us; Mark this for ſinners, not for the righteous, and them that be perfit, but for ſinners; and while they were ſinners, (us) that are now Believers were Sinners, when Chriſt dyed for (us,) us believers that are now juſtified by Faith, Verſ. 1. ſo Heb. 9. 12. Not by the Blood of Bulls and Goats, not by the tears of our repentance and ſorrow, no nor by our blood, but by his own Blood, not our own, but by his own Blood; whoſe blood, Chriſt the High-Prieſt, who hath obtained eternal Redemption for (us,) and Verſ. 15. For this cauſe he is the Mediator, what cauſe, that by means of death he might redeem the Tranſgreſſors that were under the firſt Teſtament, and Ver. 26. But now once in the end of the World, hath he appeared to put away ſin, by the Sacrifice of himſelf, not to bring the news of ſinners putting away ſins by the ſacrifice of themſelves, but by the ſacrifice of himſelf, and he was offered to bear the ſins of many, Verſ. 28. where are they p. 4then that take upon them to aſſert, he did not bear believersſins, are not theſe plain words, need they any interpretation, and here is not one ſingle Text only, but 'tis the whole ſcope of the Apoſtle; many more might be produced, but I'le only mentionone more, and then I hope their Sandy Foundation will be ſhaken, that build on their own faith and repentance, as if that bear the burden of ſin from us; 1 Pet. 2. 24. Who his (own ſelf) bear (our) ſins (in) his (own) body on the Tree; here 'tis plain as words can make it; certainly thou muſt renounce thy reaſon to deny ſo many plain ſillables, this the Prophet David prayed for, and doſt thou think the Spirit of God doth things in vain, in the Sam. 24. 10. O Lord take away the inlquity of thy Servant, ſo Job 7. 21. And why doſt not thou take away my iniquity: Doſt thou think ſin and the burden of it can be taken away, and not be born on no back, ſhoulders, or arms, how then ſhould it be taken away: and if it muſt be taken and born away, doſt thou think the Holy God the infinite; firſt, being abſolutely conſidered in his own eſſence and nature, in an abſtractive ſence, diſunited to the Humane nature, doſt thou think the God head purely conſidered, will come under ſin to bear it away; no, purity it ſelf is to pure to look on ſin, much leſs to touch ſin as it were; no, no, poor deluded Creature, God in his ſimple eſſence and being cannot bear p. 5ſin, but clothing himſelf with our nature, he can hear ſin away: for which cauſe he is called the Lamb of God, that taketh away Sin, John 1. 29. A Lamb is queit and dumb before the Shearer: which place will well ſerve to expound that place, Iſa. 53. 7. Which thou wilt not have underſtood of Chriſt, leaſt it ſhould like the Flood in the Goſpel ſweep down thy whole Building together: here is comfort for believers, but they that do not believe this, are condemned already, John 3. 18. By this time ſoul thou ſeeſt it plain, that Chriſt is a ſacrifice for ſin if it be not, would God I might ſpeak with thee, but I proceed to what's next.

Secondly, Why doth God Paſs-over and aquit believers ſins: why negatively, not for our ſakes, nor any faith and nepentance in us, for there is nothing naturally in us, that may be an argument to move him to pitty us, unleſs this be one (that there is none) but he doth aquit ſins firſt of all, to declare his mercy and good pleaſure; It pleaſed the Father that in him ſhould all fulneſs dwell, and 'tis his pleaſure that of that fulneſs we all ſhall receive the grace of Pardon, we are not his people, becauſe we pleaſe him, but becauſe it pleaſeth him to make us his people, 1 Sam. 12. 22. God had decreed to call a people to himſelf, God ſaw his poor people fallen, and loſt, and undone, and his bowels yearned over poor man, he ſee poor man in his p. 6Blood, as 'tis Ezek. 16. 6. Then God pittyed him, and made a Covenant with his Son, that he ſhould break the Serpents head, Gen. 3. 15. When man had broke his Covenant, then it was that God in his love and his pity redeemed him; then he was pleaſed to make a New Covenant, and by his Mercy, Wiſdom and Power, to conſecrate a New and Living Way for the Salvation of poor Souls; even by a Covenant that he made with his Son, Heb. 10. 20. What infinite Free-grace was here, that would ſave them that would not ſave themſelves, and what doth this declare but his atribute of Mercy, the good pleaſure of his own Heart; but I muſt uſe brevity, and proceed,

Secondly, Believers ſhall be aquitted for the glory of free-grace, you'l ſay it may be this is all one, nay ſtay there too, I ſay 'tis to declare his great Name, or to get himſelf a great Name, this is that Joſhua urgeth God with, to ſhew himſelf, Joſh. 7. 9. And what wilt thou do unto thy great Name, ſo Jer. 14. 7. Though our iniquities teſtifie againſt us, yet do it for thy Name ſake, 'tis a good plea for poor ſinners, and ſo God ſaith, Ezek 36. 22. Be it known to you I do it not for your ſakes; No, for whoſe ſake then, why, Verſ. 21. For my Holy Names ſake, God ſtands wonderfully upon the honour of his great Name, he will get him a name of prayſe; a name of Grace, and a name of Power, and a name p. 7of Wiſdom, to declare his grace in the miſterious way, though theſe poor ſhallow empty pated men, would bear us in hand, that God doth forgive ſins in an ordinary way, even as men forgive one another; but then wherein would God get himſelf a name of Wiſdom, in the Salvation of Souls, that were only to get a name of Mercy and Power, &c. I dare ſay ſuch ſilly empty Creatures as they, would think they had wiſdom enough to pardon faults in ſuch a way; but herein will God get himſelf a name of wiſdom, in ſaving ſouls in a very miſterious way, therefore Chriſt is called the Wiſdom of God, Luke 11. 49. and 1 Cor. 2. 7. Alas in an ordinary way, poor ſhallow man could have found out a way to forgive men, I but herein doth Gods name of wiſdom appear in his Son, who is the wiſdom of the Father, he will declare his name of wiſdom by going beyond all mens wiſdom, to acquit ſins, that's another reaſon.

Thirdly, He will acquit ſinners, becauſe 'tis the nature of his Covenant ſo to do, 'tis according to the tenour of Gods Covenant, though ſome times he may aflict them with a Rod, for their Pride or Wantonneſs, &c. yet (ſaith he) my Covenant will I not break with them, nor alter the thing that's gone out of my Mouth, Pſalm 89. 34. Therefore Jeremiah pleads with God in prayer, Jer. 14. 21. Break not thy Covenant p. 8with us; What's the Covenant? Gen. 17. 7. To be a God to thee: and thy Seed after thee, who are his Seed but believers, for he is the Father of the Faithful; Rom. 4. 16. ſo in Jerius. 32. 40. I'le make an everlaſting Covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good, but I'le put my fear in their hearts, that they ſhall never depart from me, poor ſouls, 'tis poſſible they may ſometimes ſlip out of the way, and go aſtray, I! but they ſhall never depart from me ſo, but they ſhall again own me for their God; it may be I may frown on them ſometimes for their iniquities, I! but my loving kindneſs will I not utterly take away from them, ſo in Ezek. 36. about the 18. Verſ. God was furious with them, but yet in Ver. 28. he would be their God, and they ſhould be his people, they are his people ſtill, he will perform the Covenant made of old with them, Exod. 3. 6. I am the God of Abram, Iſaac, and Jacob; who were theſe? why, all of them believers, and thou art their brother that art a believer, and oh the goodneſs of God, that though we fail in performing our part of the Covenant, yet he never fails on his part; he is the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever, Heb. 13. 8. And the Covenants that he makes abide for ever, I'le make an everlaſting Covenant with them, to thy Seed too; I, but how long doth this Covenant ſtand firm, for term of years? no, no, man, 'tis for ever, 'tis an everlaſting p. 9Covenant, and eſtabliſhed Covenant too, Jerem. 32. 40. Gen. 17. 7. To believers is it eſtabliſhed; they are the Seed of Abra'm, though they were born of Abra'm after the fleſh, yet they are not accounted Abra'ms Seed, or Children, if they be unbelievers and haters of Chriſt, To Chriſt tells them, Iohn 8. 39, 40. If you were Abrahams Children, you would do the works of Abraham; but now you ſeek to kill me, ſo did not Abraham: it is clear then that they are Abrahams children that are ſo by Faith or Imitation, ſo that you ſee 'tis the nature of the Covenant that ſins ſhould be acquitted, that they may be a people in Covenant with him, and he a God in Covenant with them, theſe things may be profitable to you, but I intend not narration, but perpenſation, or a due ſearch of our ſtate, whether we are of that number for whom Chriſt dyed, and for whoſe ſins he was ſacrificed and ſlain.

It may be ſome will ſay, I, Chriſt dyed we know, but what are the ſingular advantages to us of his death, and if we be of that number of his beloved ones; why, that might be brought in here, to incourage thee to try thy ſelf, but I ſhall give it thee (God willing) in a word, of conſolation in the cloſe of my thoughts on the Text; but before I go any further, I cannot but break out into a uſe of admiration! and firſt then beloved, here's the Free-grace of God, p. 10in giving his Son a Sacrifice for thoſe that believe, John 3. 16. God (ſo) loved the World, how (ſo) why ſo as (one ſaid) there is not ſuch another ſo, with (ſo) great love that he gave his only begotten Son, and 'twas (ſo) freely too: without the leaſt motive to take with his love, (ſo) loved the World as was unexpected by them, (ſo) and in ſuch away too; that could never have been thought of, or contrived by all the wiſdom of all the Heavenly Hoſt, it was looked on as a demonſtration of the love of Abraham, to give up his Son a ſacrifice to God, and truly 'twas love indeed, I am afraid few in our days have ſuch a love, to give up a Son that he loved, Gen. 22. 2. 12. I, but this was but to give up the worſe to the better, the Creature to the Creator, but this was more: God gave his Son, the better for the worſe, the Creator to dye for the Creature, oh infinite immenſe love, that God ſhould give his only Son, the Son of his delight, Behold my Servant in whom my Soul delighteth; and more then that, he delighted to give him to dye, here is admirable Free-love too: and it pleaſed the Father, or the Father took delight or complacency in bruiſing his Son: Oh the free-love of God.

Secondly, Let us here admire the love of the Son, that he ſhould offer himſelf a Sacrifice for ſinners, that he that was offended ſhould dye for offenders; yea, that we ſhould have th' offended p. 11ſet offenders free, yet this he did for enemies, Rom. 5. 10. It may be for a friend, or a good man ſome, one or other would dare to dye, as in Ver. 7. But was it ever known that any dyed for an enemy; yea, that he ſhould lay down his life himſelf, not by conſtraint but willingly, all the world could not take away his life from him, ſo he ſaith himſelf, in Matth. 26. 53. Thinkeſt thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he ſhall give me more then twelve Legions of Angels; they would ſoon have delivered him, or himſelf could have delivered himſelf; no, but he doth it freely without compulſion or force, Iohn 10. 18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my ſelf: I have power to lay it down of my ſelf, and power to take it up again. Where art thou now that ſaiſt Chriſt is not God? was there ever any Creature that had power to lay down his life of himſelf? Paul in the ſtrength of Chriſt, in Gods ſtrength, could do all things, and in that ſtrength could be not onelyonly willing to be bound, but to dye, but he had not power to lay down his life of himſelf; and if it ſhould be thought that any had power to lay down his life, yet no man hath power to take up his life again when he had laid it down; nay more, is it warantable for man to give his life of himſelf, and no man take it away: I, but ſaith Chriſt, no man taketh it, away; ſurely none that's a Creature hath this love of the Son; me thinks this p. 12ſhould endear our hearts to Chriſt; and make us cry out in the vehemency of our affections, as David did of the Law of God, Pſ. 119. 97. Oh how love I thy Law, it is my meditation all the day. Oh how love I the Lord Jeſus, when we want words, then oh how! oh how! love I the Lord: He is my Meditation all the day, yea, when I remember him on my Bed, in the night watches, Pſalm 63. 6. Then my Meditation of him ſhall be ſweet, Pſalm 104. 34. And it would be ſweet indeed, if we could thus apply him to our ſelves, and ſay with David and Iſaiah: Oh Lord, thou art my God, Pſalm 140. 6. Iſa. 25. 1. This word (my God) is a ſweet word, as when Jeſus ſaid to Thomas, be not faithleſs but believing, John 20. 27. Thomas anſwered, and ſaid, (my) Lord and (my) God. So in the 13. Verſe, when the two Angels in white asked Mary, plain-hearted Mary; What is the matter Mary, why weepeſt thou? Why, ſaith ſhe, beauſe they have taken away my Lord; How ſhould this comfort poor ſouls, and how ſhould this endear ſouls to Chriſt, and make them willing to go through any difficulty, when they can ſay he is (my) Lord; the very thoughts of Chriſt did make the Spouſes heart ſo riſe within her, that her tongue could not be ſilent, but ſhe would be ſetting out his excellency as ſhe was able, and when ſhe had not words, when her Rhetorick failed her to expreſs her ſelf, ſhe crys out as one in an p. 13extacy, at ſuch a raiſed rate, …he is (altogether) lovely; and believer let me ask thee, (for others know it not,) is not Chriſt (altogether) lovely, in his love, and in his Free-grace, as I have ſaid; and oh! that by the freeneſs of his love and grace, that any poor ſoul may be perſwaded, that there is nothing on his part to be done in a way of merit; no, no believer, Chriſt hath purchaſed eternal Redemption for thee, Heb. 9. 12. And therefore there is nothing for thee to do, but anſwer his love with thy love; and that cannot be better known then by living to his praiſe, and rejoycing in him, and ſinging his praiſes, as David ſaith, Pſalm 81. 1. Sing aloud, not only rejoyce, but ſing, and ſing (aloud,) Make a joyful noiſe to the God of Jacob, that is to the God of believers; yea, Verſ. 2. Take a Pſalm and Sing: but may a poor ſoul ſay I know this work, (or rather joy) for Saints, but how ſhall I know whether I am of this number of believers, true I here of glorious things for the Saints, And glorious things are ſpoken of thee, oh! thou City of God; but this is that which marr's all my joy, I do not know whether I am a believer? but what ſhall I do to know this, that ſhall be my work as faſt as I can come to it; but before I give any Carracters of the Saints of God, I would a little ſhew ſome of the various ways that God takes in the bringing home of his choſed to himſelf, and it may be p. 14this may a little ſatisfie thee, and it may be thou mayſt find out thy ſtate by this, and truly we ſhould try our ſtate by any means: we muſt examine our ſelves, Solomon ſaith, Prov. 27. 23. Be thou diligent to know the ſtate of thy Flocks. And ſhould not we be diligent to know the ſtate of our ſouls, and 'tis knowable, elſe why doth the Apoſtle ſay, Examine your ſelves, whether you be in the Faith, 2 Cor. 13. 5. And give all diligence to make your Calling and Election ſure, 2 Pet. 1. 10. Let us ſearch and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord, Lam. 3. 40. Let every man prove his own work, and then ſhall he have rejoycing in himſelf, and not in another; If he find his work found, if his work be the work of God, if he hath believed in this Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that is ſacrificed for us: then ſhall he have great rejoycing in himſelf (alone,) and not in another; if a man examine himſelf (alone) and find his ſtate good, he ſhall have rejoycing (alone) what ever others think or ſpeak it matters not much; if he find upon due meaſure and ſearch that his work be right, he ſhall have rejoycing in himſelf alone, and not in another; in Gal. 6. 4. Now it were in vain to bid us try our ſtate, if it were not to be known, and I hope none dare be ſo bold as to charge the Spirit of God with Vanity. But now a little to hint at the various ways that God uſes as means, to bring back loſt man to himſelf.

p. 15Firſt, He doth it by a ſtrong hand from Heaven: thus he did to Paul with thundrings from Heaven, as you may read at large, Acts 9. Poor Paul was amazed, he was in a ſtorm, there aroſe Euraclidon upon him; how is it with thee poor ſoul, didſt thou ever find thy ſelf toſſed in the Tempeſtuous Waves of Divine frowns immediately darted out from the Almighty; waſt thou ever ſmitten down as it were on thy face, waſt thou ever ſenſible of Divine anger againſt thy ſin, try as thou readeſt, but briefly.

Secondly, Sometimes poverty and want is the means that God uſes, ſo it was with the Prodigall, Luke 15. 15. When he was ſo hungry, that he would have eat with the Swine, then 'tis ſaid, He came to himſelf: though this is but a Parable, yet it teacheth us that it's Gods way, by poverty to bring home his children to his houſe; try how 'tis with you, (I confeſs) I am afraid when ſome people are brought to great ſtraits, then they will get into the fellowſhip of the Saints, that ſo they may be provided for, and indeed coming in, in ſuch condition, their ſtate is to be ſuſpected, therefore look to it, for this is but too follow Chriſt for the Loaves, and is no leſs then hipocriſie: but if thou art ſincere, and thou find'ſt upon due ſearch thou haſt no ſuch deſign 'tis well for thee, God brought thee low.

Thirdly, God uſes to ſhew his people Viſions, p. 16to bring them to their conſiderations, as with Cornellius, Acts 10. beginning, God did ſend him to a ſecondary means, he muſt hear Peter what he ſhall tell him, but the Viſion that he ſaw, was the firſt ſtep to his converſion: this was the Viſion of an Angel, that he ſaw at the ninenth hour of the day. Have none of you met with the Angel of the Covenant at any time, that hath told you, you muſt go to Peter, to ſome faithful Miniſter, to inquire what you ſhall do, but this is not very frequent in our days.

Fourthly, Sometimes God compaſſeth men round with outward troubles, diſtreſſes, and afflictions: he doth afflict them with enemies, to bring them home to himſelf; this way God took with Manaſſeth, who was as wicked a man as any you Read of; yet ſuch is the power of God, that he hath his way to bring him home to himſelf; he hath the hearts of Kings in his own hands, which are for the moſt part the untamedſt hearts in the World, yet he turns them as the Rivers of Water, which way he pleaſeth, Prov. 21. 1. As he did this King, 2 Chron. 33. 12. When he was in affliction, he beſought the Lord his God, and humbled himſelf greatly, note, here God brought him down, before he would humble himſelf, and he prayed to the Lord, and 'tis ſaid he was intreated of him, how is it with you Sirs, try I pray you.

p. 17Fifthly, Sometimes God brings them to read the Scriptures, and there he ſets in and takes hold of their hearts; thus it was with that Eunuck of Ethiopia, a man of great authority under Candace, Queen of Ethiopia, who 'tis ſaid had the charge of all her Treaſure; note here by the way, that God calleth ſome great men, rich men, though Chriſt tells us, 'tis hard for rich men to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Matth. 19. 23. Yet he doth not ſay 'tis impoſſible; for the next words almoſt ſaith, With God all things are poſſible, and though the Apoſtle ſaith, Not many Mighty, nor many Noble are called, 1 Cor. 1. 26. Yet he doth not ſay, not (any) for this Centurion, and this Eunuck that I ſpeak of even now, were called, And among the Chief Rulers many believed on him, John 12. 42. But to return, pray you excuſe a little my extravagancy, I ſay by reading the Word, this great Man was in Gods way, and God ſendeth Phillip to ſecond his endeavours, to open the Scripture to him, and ſo he Believed and was Baptized, as you may ſee in Acts 8. from the Verſ. 27. …to the end, this may be witneſſed by Hiſtory: that of Auſtin, and others; but I forbear, have any of you, to whom theſe lines may come, found a word by reading, take hold on your hearts with power, let experience ſpeak, I muſt not enlarge. neceſſity lyeth upon me.

Sixthly, Sometimes ſouls are called by the p. 18Preaching of the Goſpel; and indeed this is Gods moſt ordinary way, For Faith cometh by hearing, Rom. 10. 17. And God hath ordinarily two voices in Preaching or ſpeaking to ſinners, to bring them in.

Firſt, By the voice that ſhew them their ſins and ſtrikes thee down, or if you pleaſe by a terrible voice, the voice of his terrour doth ſometimes ſound, as that word: The ſame Jeſus whom you have Crucified, he is made both Lord and Chriſt, Acts 2. 36. 'Tis as dreadful a word as could have been ſpoken, for it ſmote them to the very heart, and made them cry out: What ſhall we do, this voice made them a terror to themſelves, this very voice did then ſhake their Earthly hearts, it ſhaked them ſo, that they were never ſetled again, until 3000. of them were ſet down ſafe in Chriſt, but then

Secondly, God ſpeak ſometimes by a ſweet ſtill voice, after the fire of Chriſt love is ſtirred up to them, there comes a ſmall ſtill voice, then the voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land, a ſweet mild voice; by this voice Lydia's heart was opened. Ah! when ſouls have the love of Chriſt ſpoken to their hearts, then the very love of Chriſt conſtraineth them, ſome one way and ſome other ways are brought over to Chriſt, by Preaching; yea, by hearing the word Preached, there were 3000. ſouls, Acts 2. and Acts 4. 5000. ſouls brought to Chriſt, theſe were p. 19glorious Sermons, that were the means to convert ſo many ſouls: and Acts 15. 7. ſaith Peter, God made choice among us, that the Gentils by my Mouth ſhould hear the Goſpel, and believe. So Eph. 3. 8. Unto me who am leſs then the leaſt of all Saints, is this grace given, that I ſhould Preach among the Gentils the unſearchable riches of Chriſt, to make men ſee what is the fellowſhip of the Miſtery: Making men ſee, is the very firſt work upon a ſoul from God, now by the Word Preached, mens eyes are opened, therefore Pſa. 19. 8. The Commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightning the eyes, and Chriſt firſt opens the eyes of the Blind; and men are turned from darkneſs to light, I cannot ſtand to quote you the Text's for all this, but you that are wiſe are aquainted with it; and indeed on the contrary, they that are loſt, The God of this World hath blinded their eyes, And if the Goſpel be hid, 'tis hid to them that be loſt: They that are not called, have their underſtanding darkened through the ignorance that is in them, Eph. 4. 18. What ſay you, have your eyes been opened? have you by the Word been made to ſee theſe things? and is there a conſtraint laid upon you, to walk in the Laws of Jeſus? 'tis the general conſent of all I think;, that Faith comes by hearing and preaching plainly, not with the enticing words of mans wiſdom, but in demonſtration of the Spirit and of Power, 1 Cor. 2. 4. But if all p. 20theſe voices and ways do not bring over ſouls, for God doth dall and knock once, yea, twice, yet man perceiveth it not, he knocks by word, by mercy, by affliction, yet he hath another way, and that is

Seventhly, By a dream in a Viſion of the Night when deep ſleep falleth upon men, in ſlumbrings on the bed, what then, then he openeth the ear, and ſealeth their inſtruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpoſe, and hide Pride from man, thus he keepeth back the ſoul from the Pit, Job 33. 15. I am not altogether ignorant, what ſome might ſay of this Text, but certain I am, God hath his ways hidden to men oft' times; and I have been told by ſome ſerious ſouls, that I hope are precious in the Lords ſight, in ſome dark Countrey, what the Lord hath wrought, even in this way, therefore fear not; oh ſoul! thou art ſafe from the Pit, that art called even this way, thus now I have hinted a little at the ways that God doth take to call home his Election. I'le now a little ſhew you how God doth in his ordinary way begin and go on ſtep, by ſtep, in his moſt ordinary way; and if it be a little diſorderly, as to place, pray you put that to my charge, or bear if you can with me in ſo doing, I'le put things together:

Firſt, God doth awaken men and open their eyes, and therefore they are put together by the Apoſtle: Awake thou that ſleepeſt, and immediately p. 21it follows, and Chriſt ſhall give the Light, Eph. 5. 14. And as I ſaid before, Preaching is to make men ſee, Eph. 3. 9. So when Chriſt came, the firſt thing we read he did, was that the Blind received their ſight, Matth. 11. And ſo when Chriſt begun to Preach, Luke 4. 18. What is the firſt work, to recover ſight to the blind, therefore it was Propheſied of him, that he ſhould be a light to the Gentils, Iſa. 42. 6. to light them that they may ſee what a condition they are in.

Secondly, When God brings them to ſee their condition, then he brings them next to a willingneſs, to be out of that dangerous ſtate in which they are: when he ſees himſelf a loſt fallen ſon of Adam, in a ſtate of wrath; nay more, when he ſees what he hath done againſt Chriſt, that 'tis he that hath taken Chriſt, and by wicked hands hath Crucified and ſlain him, then he wrings the hands, and is ready to tear the hair, then is there no way of eſcape: And this will in the

Third Place put him a doing, then with the pricked Jews and the Jaylor, Acts 2. 37. Acts 16. 30. What ſhall I do to be ſaved? Is there any hope for me? then the ſould would fain be doing ſomewhat to pacific Gods wrath; Oh! then, will the Lord be pleaſed with thouſands of Lambs, or with ten thouſands of Rivers of Oyl: then ſhall I give the fruit of my body, for the ſin of p. 22my Soul, as in Mic. 6. 7. Then duty, prayer and faſting, and any thing, if that will ſtop Gods mouth (be it with reverence ſpoken) then do any thing, run any way; prethee ſoul take heed now, for now thou art in danger of miſcarrying: I am very much afraid, here many a ſoul hath run a ground and ſplit, when they have been ſmitten, and could not for want of skill, know where to reſt; they have fallen in with that poor deluded people to reſt on their own repentance and their faſtings, &c. Lord pitty ſuch poor ſouls: I have had credible information of ſome that have thus been wrought upon and carried away; Oh Sirs, here is your greateſt danger: Oh! now for a skilful Pilot to direct you, or elſe you ſink and are undone, they lean to their own weak underſtanding, and not to Chriſt; and others there are when convinced, do divert the conviction, by ſeeking after ſatisfaction ſome other way: as Cain looked not after a Saviour, but went to Building a City, and ſo wore off the impreſſion that was made on him, his heart was taken up with ſome inferior good, like him David ſpeaks of, Pſalm 52. 7. That made not God his ſtrength, but truſted in the abundance of his riches, Inſteed of making the name of the Lord his ſtrong Tower (which is Chriſt) Prov. 18. 10. He made his riches his refuge or City, therefore take heed now ſoul, and look about thee for a right remedy. That p. 23brings me to the next ſtep.

Fourthly, God brings a poor ſoul to ſee a remedy, he then gives them a ſight of his Son, by preſenting him to their eye, they ſee before 'tis true at firſt, but that was their dreadful ſtate, but that was but a glimmering ſight or light to this, that ſight ſo exceedingly terrified them, that they feared and quaked, and made them ſhriek out: Oh, what ſhall we do; That ſight did not ſhew them as remedy; 'tis the ſight of the remedy, and an apprehenſion of the poſſibility of attaining that remedy; that doth give a little hopes to a poor ſoul, when the ſoul ſeeth there is Balme in Gilliad, and that there is a Phyſitian there, this makes the poor ſoul look and long a little: and looking and viewing Chriſt, the ſoul will then loath it ſelf the more, when it ſeeth it ſelf ſo much unlike Chriſt? before it may be the ſoul heard of Chriſt by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye ſeeth thee, wherefore I abhor my ſelf, and repent in duſt and aſhes; when the ſoul ſees Chriſt in his doing and ſuffering, and that ſo freely, from no other ſpring then his own love! veryly, then the poor ſoul thinks the worſe of it's ſelf, and ſays, I am not worthy; 'tis true I am a little Stung by this fiery Serpent, ſin; but how ſhall ſuch a defiled eye as my eye is, look upon ſuch a glorious, bright and ſplended object as yonder brazen Serpent is, Numb. 21. 9. That ſtands upon the p. 24pole, where Purity it ſelf doth hold it up. But then a ſtep more:

Fifthly, When Chriſt is preſented and held out to a poor ſoul, then when the ſoul begins to ſee it's own unworthineſs, then it will be much fearing that it ſhall not be accepted, will he (think you) entertain me; then Chriſt ſhews not only his beauty, but his willingneſs too, to embrace thee, and ſaith, do you think I am unwilling? Alas, that is the great complaint I have to make of you — You will not come to me, that you may have life, John 5. 40. Alas man, there is no want of will in me, but in thy ſelf, I have done all that I can to make thee willing, which is a clear proof of my willingneſs; I have ſhewed thee that there is a neceſſity of coming to me, lie that's ſtung cannot be healed, unleſs he look unto me, I have ſhewed thee that there is no cure any where elſe, no acceptance, no duty pleaſing to God, unleſs you come to me; no, no, man thou canſt do nothing without me, John 15. 5. And that there is neither name nor thing under Heaven by which you can be ſaved but by me, Acts 4. 12. If I had told you there had been any cure by your own Faith, or your own Repentance, or any thing elſe, then indeed you might have ſaid I was not willing, becauſe I told you, you might ſeek remedy elſe where; but I tell you I am very willing, yea, and I do wait for your acceptance of the love that I have declared p. 25to you. Oh, that you would not be unkind to me, nor ſo cruel to your ſelves, as to keep me out of your hearts any longer; I profeſs I am not willing of your ruine, but rather that you would be healed, I have life for dead ſouls, I have light for dark ſouls, I have ſtrength for weak ſouls, I have holineſs for pulluted ſouls, I have eaſe for pained ſouls, I have health, ſaving health for ſick ſouls, I have bread for the hungry, and drink for the thirſty, clothing for the naked, I have Salvation for loſt ſouls: nay, what have I not that good is, and this I have revealed and declared: I have brought life, yea, and (eternal life) immortallity to light through the Goſpel, and yet notwithſtanding all that I have ſhewed to manifeſt their neceſſity; and my own willingneſs; yet I am forced after all to complain that there is none, (or hardly any) that ſtirreth up himſelf to take hold on me, me and my light, me and my life, me and my righteouſneſs, though they ſee all their own righteouſneſs to be as filthy Dung-hill rags, yet they will not ſtir up themſelves to take hold on me with my all, Iſa. 64, 7. Come poor trembling ſinner, come take hold of my ſtrength, come thou that ſin is ready to burn up thy ſpirit, I have water that ſhall allay that heat, come buy of me Wine to pour into thy wounds, come man without money of thy own righteouſneſs, or thy own merit; come without thine own p. 26worthineſs, and when a poor ſoul is brought to ſee this indeed, why then in the next place:

Sixthly, The Soul even leans on it's Beloved, then Lord I am thine, and will be thine, then it runs, haſtens to this ſtrong Tower wherein it ſhall be ſafe, Prov. 18. 10. Now the ſoul is lodged ſafely in the boſom of it's beloved; Oh ſoul, who ever thou be that ſtand'ſt trembling and art afraid, thou art not worthy, I tell thee, he want's not thy worth, but thy willingneſs to accept his worth, therefore prethee give thy conſent this day, this preſent hour before thou ſtir one foot out of the place, never talk of asking counſel of friends, nor biding them farewel that; are at home, as he in the Goſpel; (now) ſaith God, I never told thee another time, nor too morrow, But now is the time, the accepted time, 2 Cor. 6. 2. And too day if thou wilt hear my voice, Heb. 3. 7. Oh now, ſay as his children that had back-ſliden from him, when he bid them return, Jer. 3. 22. Behold we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God; If it hath not been done before, let this be the Marriage-day: let the knot be knit this day, do not put him off tell to morrow; he may leave thee to morrow to the hardneſs of thy heart, and thou mayſt dye in thy ſins and be damned.

It may be, ſome poor ſoul may now ſay: but I have not obſerved this all along in my ſoul, p. 27therefore I doubt 'tis not well with me? it may be ſo ſoul, yet there may be ſome that have, and ſome can remember, the manner how, the place where, the time when, God did call them to himſelf, and yet notwithſtanding thou haſt not taken ſuch ſpecial notice of Gods way, yet Chriſt may be as truly thine as his. I! this would rejoyce my heart, indeed (would'ſt thou ſay if I knew it,) but how ſhall I know it: truly this leads me to the thing, I promiſed you to try my ſelf, and you according to the meaſure and rule of the Law of liberty; and here I would perſwade thee, to fall to the work of examination, and bring thy ſelf to the Touch-ſtone of the Word; and if I ſpeak not according to the rule, ſay that's mine, but if it be according to the Word, take heed thou reject it not, for by that Word thou muſt, and I muſt ſtand or fall; I, and preſently too, do not put it off. If thou wouldſt have preſent comfort to thy ſoul, or if thou would know thy danger; to it preſently: Oh, I am afraid they that are ſo loath to come to the Sanctuary weights and meaſure, will at laſt when they are brought to it, be found with that (motto) on their foreheads, as is left on Record, touching the tryal of Beliſhazar that wicked man, Dan. 5. 27. (Tekel) thou art weighed in the Ballances, and art found wanting. Prethee Soul, come to the Sanctuary-ſcale betimes, that if thou ſhould be found to light, p. 28thou might have time to get weight, before the Market time be over and done; and here in this tryal I ſhall not confine my ſelf to that one (only) diſtinguiſhing Carracter, that I find ſome Learned faithful men in the Church of Chriſt, do give out as the only diſtinguiſhing Carracter for ſouls to Judge their ſtate by, and that is whether God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit, or elſe ſome inferior thing, (be it what it will or can be) be a mans or ſouls chief good, and the onelyonly object of his delight and happineſs. In plain Engliſh, whether or no upon due ſearch (as we ſay in cold blood,) that is when a man (on the one hand) is not lifted up in any way from the Earth, from the conſideration of trouble that ſometimes are met withall among terrene things: nor on the other hand, when a man lyes preſſed hard with ſome violent temptation, that he ſeems to take little delight in God: as Job, Jeremiah, and David, when Gods hand preſſed them ſore, theſe are not times for a man to paſs a right Judgement of his ſtate, and he that thus and then judges himſelf, judges only according to appearance, and not a righteous Judgement, John 7. 24. And the Scripture doth plainly lay down a rule thus to judge a mans ſtate by: namely, whether or no a man love God ſo as to leave all (not by conſtraint, but) willingly out of the love to God, and ſo is a clear and diſtinct Carracter of a mans ſtate, p. 29what it is as may be eaſily cleared from, Matt. 10. 37. Luke 14. 26. And though it be of abſolute neceſſity that we know this, elſe we can never have any ſollid and true joy in our hearts, or elſe as the Apoſtle ſaith to the Gallations: we ſhall never rejoyce in our ſelves alone, yet I am perſwaded that not one of many is able thus to judge of his ſtate, though as I ſaid even now, it is that that is our chief concernment as we value a well grounded peace. But with ſubordination to this great and grand Carracters, I hope to hold out from the Word of Truth, many ſimptomes of a Heaven born ſoul, or of a ſoul for whom Chriſt is Sacrificed, as the Phraſe in the Text is:

Firſt, 'Tis a good ſign Chriſt is thine, if thou haſt heard the voice of Chriſt, My Sheep, ſaith Chriſt, hear my voice, he doth not ſay the Goats, or the Flocks of the World, or the Devil hear his voice, but my Sheep hear my voice; thou wilt ſay this was hinted at before, when it was ſaid that one of the firſt things that Chriſt doth is to open blind eyes, and to unſtop deaf ears, but I am not ſpeaking of that now, but of hearing Chriſt voice, ſo as to know it from a ſtranger, for ſo ſaith Chriſt, a ſtranger they will not follow, John 10. 5. Now if thou haſt that skill to know thy Lords voice 'tis a good ſign, thou haſt had ſome intimacy with him, I mean p. 30ſo know it as not to be deceived by a conterfeit voice, but I'le be brief.

Secondly, Haſt thou been made willing to follow Chriſt; They that follow me in the regeneration, ye ſhall ſit upon Thrones, Judging the Tribes of Iſrael. Try whether you are willing to follow Chriſt in duty, in ordinances, in afflictions: If any man take not up his Croſs and follow me, he cannot be my Diſciple; Why ſo, becauſe none is a Diſciple, but ſuch as follow Chriſt, Luke 14. 27. Matth. 10. 38. He that taketh not his Croſs, that is, take it willingly, readily, for he doth not ſay take it when 'tis not laid on him, for Luke ſaith bear the Croſs in that prequoted Text, which doth intimate that he muſt have it put upon him; try now man as thou goeſt, art thou willing to ſuffer ſhame for his Name, art thou willing to follow Chriſt, not only to his exaltation, but to his perſecution, not to the Crown, but to the Croſs, 'tis a ſign thou art a Virgin, then if thou art willing to follow Chriſt whereſoever he goes, Rev. 4. 14. Into a Priſon as well as a Palace. I put in this here, becauſe it follows the hearing of Chriſt's voice, My Sheep hear my voice, and they follow me. If I do ſet down things diſorderly, not ariſing higher ſtep by ſtep, (for indeed when a Chriſtian can follow Chriſt, he is come to a good degree,) excuſe me in this for two reaſons:

p. 31Firſt, In that my time is but borrowed, or redeemed, if thou kneweſt how hardly, thou wouldſt not ſay I offered thee that which coſt me nought.

Secondly, Becauſe I would now rather find out conſolation, then windy oſtentation, which is but to ſavour after the fleſh, I can but hint at things, pray you enlarge them in your own Meditations.

Thirdly Haſt thou a Holy fear of God upon thee, David crys out Pſal. 34. 10. Oh, fear the Lord all ye his Saints, intimating, that none but Saints know how to fear him, he doth not ſay be afraid, but fear him; there are two ſorts of fear:

1. There is a ſlaviſh fear, ariſing from the apprehenſion of wrath, of puniſhment, ſuch a fear as ariſes from guilt, thus it was with Adam, when he had ſinned, Gen. 3. 10. I heard thy voice in the Garden, and I was afraid, he did not fear the Lord before he offended him, but he was afraid of his wrath, when he had offended, by the way take notice ſinner: (if thou ſhouldſt caſt thy eyes on this,) thou that dareſt ſin boldly without fear, thou wilt afterward be afraid, yea, and tremble at the ſight of wrath.

2. There is a fillial and childlike fear, or if you pleaſe a conjugal fear, and this ariſes from the goodneſs of God: They ſhall fear the Lord and his goodneſs, in the latter days, Hoſ. 3. 5. p. 32From the conſideration of forgiveneſs, God ſhould be feared, There is forgiveneſs with thee that thou mayſt be feared, Pſalm 130. 4. 'Tis a fear of the right ſtamp: to fear him as one would fear to diſpleaſes ones onelyonly friend that one loved; as it is with thoſe that are in Love, they will rather run the hazard of any thing then diſpleaſe them; if their love be true, oh, this is the fear that God calls for, and gives a bleſſing to: Bleſſed is the Man that thus feareth the Lord, Pſal. 112. 1. Therefore paſs the time of your ſojourning here in fear, 1 Pet. 1. 17. Why muſt it be in fear, why it follows, Foraſmuch (or becauſe) ye (know) you were not redeemed with corruptible things, but with the precious Blood of Chriſt. Oh Sirs, ye are they that know you were redeemed, Paſs you the time of your ſojourning here in fear; 'Tis true, a fear of the loſs of Heaven ſhould quicken us to diligence, as Heb. 4. 1. Let us fear leaſt a promiſe being left us, any of us ſhould fall ſhort of it, I! but the fear off ending God is the trueſt Goſpel fear, and is ſurely the product of the Spirit of God, and ſo is a good ſign in them that have it, that they are them for whom Chriſt is Sacrificed.

Fourthly, Haſt thou received Chriſt, is he come in, it may be thou doſt not remember the opening of thy heart to him ſo punctually as ſome may do, but doth thy ſoul find that all his enemies are made to ſtoop and give way before p. 33him; when Lydia's heart was opened, how ſweetly did ſhe embrace Chriſt (in his Apoſtles) and conſtrain him to come in, all other her lodgers were made to give place I'le warrant you; canſt thou ſay Chriſt (in) me the hope of glory, if thou canſt 'tis well; time was he was without and ſtood and called, as Cant. 5. 2. Open to me my Siſter, my Love, my Dove, my head is filled with Dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. By the way let us look back on the patience of Chriſt, it may be it may raiſe our hearts a little, he is not like furious man, that will be gone if they will not hear at the firſt or ſecond knock, he will in a ſpleen be gone, but Chriſt waits tell his head is wet with the Dew, &c. methinks this ſhould make us willing to wait on him, it may be he doth not preſently anſwer all our requeſts; It may be with Paul, thou and I have ſome thorn in the Fleſh, that we have ſought God for the taking of it away, and we begin to be impatient, and to ſay we have waited, and prayed, and looked long and yet 'tis not taken away, we looked for peace, and behold no good, we looked for healing, and behold trouble, and we begin to fret and ſay as Jehoram King of Iſrael, did when trouble began to ariſe, and the Famine increaſe, 2 Kings 6. 33. Behold this evil is of the Lord, what ſhould we wait for the Lord any longer. Ah poor ſoul whoever thou art I pitty thee, that haſt been at any time in this ſad temper, but p. 34ſtay thy ſelf ſoul with this, that Chriſt waited tell his head was wet with the Dew, &c. And to what end did he, and doth he wait, but to be gracious, ſo he ſaith, Is. 30 18 And therefore doth the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you. Note, the force of that word (therefore) for that very end that he may be gracious, Oh! how long hath he waited for you, it may for ſome ten, twenty, thirty, fourty years, and yet he ſaith he will wait, Therefore will the Lord wait, not onelyonly hath, but will wait; Oh, why then ſhould not we wait then for him.

I! but doſt thou find after all this waiting that Jeſus Chriſt is come in, thou wilt ſay it may be I would have Chriſt for my Saviour.

Firſt, Haſt thou received him for thy Prieſt, the Prieſt's under the Law, were changed by reaſon of mortallity, but this man becauſe he continueth for ever, hath an unchangeable Prieſt-hood; but art thou able to ſay, thou art willing to caſt thy ſelf on him to bear away thy iniquities, I tell thee he is able to bear them, there is help laid on one that is mighty, and he is able to ſave to the utmoſt all that come to God by him, Heb. 7. 25. And he is not one that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was tempted as we are, that he might the better ſuccour them that are tempted, and becauſe of this Prieſt-hood, We may come boldly to the Throne of Grace, Heb. 4. 15. Heb. 2. 8. Alas we durſt p. 35not have looked God in the Face, had not Chriſt been our Prieſt, and undertaken this, but now we may come boldly and plead Chriſt with him; Oh, who ſhall condemn, 'tis Chriſt that dyed, Rom. 8. 34. Yea, when he let Angels go, thoſe noble Creatures, yet he condeſcended to take on him the Seed of Abra'm, he would be a Prieſt for poor loſt man, Heb. 2. 16. Yea, he by this bare our iniquities into the Wilderneſs of forgetfulneſs, Lev. 16. 21. And truly we had need of one to bear away not only the iniquity of our tranſgreſſion, but to bear the iniquities of our ſervices, he is the Antitipe of Aaron the Prieſt, to bear away the iniquity of our Holy things, Exod. 28. 38. When poor Believers are troubled with vain thoughts, and their Spirits are wandring in Prayer, or Hearing, or Meditation, or Reading; Theſe Worm eaten ſervices, the worms of evil thoughts will be creeping in, and eating out the heart of our prayers, yet Chriſt will bear away the iniquity of theſe Holy things, yea, when not only vain, but wicked thoughts come in: as in Prov. 5. 14. I was almoſt in all evil in the midſt of the Congregation; Yea, thy very ſecret ſins, which made David cry out: Cleanſe me from my ſecret ſins, Pſal. 19. 12. Yet he is a Prieſt to bear away all ſorts of ſins, The blood of Chriſt cleanſeth from all ſins. Now Soul try thy ſelf, art thou willing to have Chriſt for thy Prieſt? do not p. 36deceive thy ſelf, 'tis not ſo eaſie to take Chriſt for thy Prieſt, 'tis no ſmall matter to come of from thy ſelf.

Secondly, Haſt thou received Chriſt for thy Prophet to teach thee; All Gods Children ſhall be taught of the Lord, Iſa. 54. 13. And a Prophet ſhall the Lord thy God raiſe up unto thee, of thy brethren, him ſhall ye hear in all things, Acts 3. 22. And this was of old Propheſied by Jacob, Gen. 49. 13. The Scepter ſhall not depart from Judah, nor a Law-giver from between his feet, until Shiloh come: and to him ſhall the gathering of the people be: (this Shiloh was Chriſt,) and this gathering of the people to hear him, begun to be fulfilled, Luke 19. 48. For all the people were very attentive to hear him: or as ſome margins have it, they hanged on him; Now art thou willing to hear him, and to hang on his lip, to be taught by him, and none other, and to hear no other Doctrine then what he Teaches; doſt thou indeed take him for thy Prophet, and with the Apoſtle, Gal. 1. 9. Doſt account him accurſed that brings any other news of Salvation; This is a ſecond way we ſhould receive Chriſt. But I proceed to the next:

Thirdly, Doſt thou receive Chriſt for thy King, to Rule and give thee Laws as well as teach thee, Iſa. 33. 22. The Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King, not only King to ſave us, but our Law-giver to rule us: He is our p. 37King and he will ſave us, we muſt not think to be Kings our ſelves: Alas, what can we do, but he will ſave us, ſave us from ſins, Matth. 1. 21. And he will ſave us from our enemies too; the people of Iſrael did not ſave themſelves by their own arm, but by the Lords arm, and by the Lords right hand, Pſal. 44. 3. ſo in Hoſ. 1. 7. I will have mercy on the Houſe of Iſrael, and will ſave them, (How) by themſelves, by their own arm, not ſo, the Text tells you by the Lord their God, and 'tis Chriſt that is that horn of Salvation, in Luke 1. 69, 71. That will ſave us from our enemies, and from the hand of them that hate us, and it is he, in Iſa. 63. 1. That is Mighty to ſave, and as he will rule in the Salvation of his people, ſo he will rule ſecondly in the deſtruction of his enemies, Jam. 4. 12. As he is able to ſave, ſo likewiſe to deſtroy: He ſhall Rule his enemies with a Rod of Iron, Pſal. 2. 9. Pſal. 110. 2. God will ſend the Rod of his strength out of Zion, and he ſhall rule in the midſt of his enemies, and Verſ. 6. He ſhall wound the heads of many Countries; Though the proud ones of the World ſay, this man ſhall not Reign over us, yet he will bring them into ſubjection, whether they will or no; have but a little patience believer, and it will come to paſs; but beſides this Chriſt will be King in thy Soul, to tread down Sin and Satan, and art thou willing to have Chriſt King in thee to this end, art thou willing p. 38he ſhall tread on the neck of every luſt and corruption; then doſt thou receive him as King aright; art thou willing he ſhall bring into captivity, every thought to the obedience of himſelf, 2 Cor. 10. 5. Doſt thou receive him to give Laws too: and art thou willing to follow the Laws of none other Lord; alas, when he hath given thee Laws, there is no other Law for any other to make after him; an excellent place to this purpoſe, is that in Eccl. 2. 12. For what can the man do that comes after the King; he ſaith before: I turned my ſelf to behold Wiſdom, Madneſs, and Folly, what was that, why in the latter end of the Verſe, even that which is already done; I turned my ſelf to behold Wiſdom; Wiſdom in the King to act Laws for his people, and when I ſaw the wiſdom of that King; I thought it was both madneſs and folly to think to act with more wiſdom, for what can the man do that comes after the King, it is an interogation implying anogation, what can the man do that comes after the King? truly nothing who hath either wiſdom or power to act after the King: if it ſhould be of the Laws of the Church; why that's already done: now ſoul, haſt thou received Chriſt to be thy Prieſt, Prophet, and King: thy Prieſt to offer for thee, thy Prophet to Teach thee, and thy King to give Laws too, and Rule over thee, and to deliver thee from thine enemies Spiritual and Temporal, p. 39yea, from Wrath to come; why if ſo, …hou haſt ſome ground to hope Jeſus was Sacri…ced for thee.

Fifthly, Haſt thou Faith, precious Faith as …eter calls it, 2 Pet. 1. 1. 'Tis a good ſign thou …elongeſt to the Lord, for that's it I drive at in …he main, to give thee a little hope that thou art …recious in the ſight of God, and art within the …ompaſs of electing love, or one for whom Chriſt …yed, faith now is a precious grace: and it may …e precious upon a double account:

1. In reſpect of the giver.

2. In reſpect of the Vertue of the Grace it …elf.

Oh, what a precious God is the Giver of this …ift; he gives perfect gifts, and what a precious grace is this when given by God; 'tis of an in…ſtimable value, 'tis that, that doth make the Saints rich, (rich in Faith) Abrahams faith was …ounted to him for righteouſneſs, Rom. 4. 5. And he that believeth on the Son, hath everlaſting Life, John 3. laſt: Not he may have it, but he hath it already, 'tis made ſure to him, this faith …s of a large extent, and will do mighty things: it will remove Mountains of ſin and corruptions into the Sea of forgetfulneſs, Yea, what ever we ask in Faith, it ſhall be given us, Mark 11. 24. And as Faith is the greateſt and powerfulleſt grace, ſo unbelief is the greateſt ſin. Chriſt ſaith he will ſend the Spirit to reprove the World of p. 40ſin, and what is that ſin you may be in? John… 16. 9. Of ſin becauſe they believe not on me, ſo they could not enter in, becauſe of unbelief, Heb. 3. 19. And without Faith 'tis unpoſſible to pleaſe God Heb. 11. 6. So that you ſee unbelief is our greateſt evil, but in a few words Faith will help us do theſe things:

1. It will help us to give up our ſelves to God, for to follow him, this was that which made Abraham go up out of his own Countrey, Gen. 12. 4. Though he knew not whether he went, as 'tis repeated, Heb. 11. 8. Faith will do more then we can expreſs; it will carry a ſoul forth, above fear and above reproach, above good and bad report, through Fire and Water, how did it elevate the Spirits of thoſe Champions for Chriſt in that little Book of Martyrs, Heb. 11.

2. Faith will enable us to receive Chriſt and good things from him that Chriſt may dwell in your hearts by Faith, (how) by Faith, Eph. 3. 17. And good things from him too: it was by faith that Sara'h had ſtrength to conceive Seed, and to bring forth a Child, and by Faith Elizabeth and Mary bare the two greateſt that ever were on Earth, Heb. 11. 11. and the firſt of Luke: many more of this kind might be urged, but I haſten; Ah ſoul, to thee that believeſt all things are poſſible, therefore if thou findeſt this Spirit of Faith in thee, 'tis a good p. 41ſign Chriſt is Sacrificed for thee.

Sixthly, It is a good ſign thy ſins are aquitted, if Chriſt be of an ineſtimable value to thee, he that had found this Pearl of Price, ſold all that he had to buy it. Matth. 14. 46. There are many precious in the World, many precious Friends and Relations, yea, more then theſe there is, that good name (ſo much gazed after among men,) That is more precious then fine Gold, and all other precious things, Prov. 22. 1. Eccl. 7. 1. Yet all theſe and all he hath, doth he not value at the rate that he value's the Pearl of Price: Oh unto you that believe, to you that Chriſt hath been Sacrificed for, Chriſt is very precious; Ah ſoul, is Chriſt more precious to thee then all things, hath he the higheſt room in thy heart, higher then thy Teacher! I ſpeak to thee that doſt as 'twere deiſie thy Miniſter.

And thou Miniſter, if it ſhould fall into thy hand to peruſe this: hath Chriſt a room in thy heart higher then they that ſit in the higheſt ſeat in the Meeting: I ſpeak to you that are partial and have ſuch reſpect to perſons, you that the great ones do ſo ſeat themſelves about in their attendanciſes on the Word, I tell you a man may love Chriſt more then ſinners, and yet not love him more then Saints, eſpecially them that bring you in your greateſt revenues, you'l ſay, is there any ſuch as theſe? If you ſhould, I would anſwer you by another queſtion: what p. 42meaneth your bearing with great ones, great faults when you'l rebuke the poor of the Flock ſharply for a ſmaller faults, but you will (it may be) ſay I am out of my way, well to return, how doſt thou prize Jeſus Chriſt above all things, then 'tis a good ſign Chriſt is thine, and thou art his; try as thou goeſt along, for this is indeed the only diſtinguiſhing Carracter of a Believer; Enlarge it in thy Meditation.

Seventhly, They that have Chriſt ſlain for them, will not do as the multitude do, neither as the multitude of oppreſſors, nor as the very multitude of profeſſors do, Exod. 23. 2. Thou ſhalt not follow a multitude to do evil, alas there be many, very many too; too many profeſſors go on in an evil way, in the neglect of many duties, and in many evil ways and unwarrantable paths, and have no Scripture light to guide them; they take up things on truſts, it may be becauſe ſuch and ſuch do ſo, but the true Believer will not do ſo, He knows many be called but few choſen, Matth. 20. 16. And narrow is the Way, and ſtraight is the Gate, Luke 7. 13. Poor ſoul, thou ſeeſt the great numbers of the World running after their luſts, and taking their ſwing in ungodly ways, in exceſſive eating and drinking, and rioting, I! and the profeſſing world too, they are poſting on as faſt, (though in a more pleauſible way,) in their pride, and ambition, and haughtineſs, in their conformity p. 43to the fooliſh faſhions of this World, which vaniſh away; Oh, how many in England that (are glorious profeſſors) are Non-conformiſts to the Worlds worſhip, that yet at the ſame time are real Conformiſt's to an Harlots attire, and other profeſſors are poſting as faſt after the world as if indeed it were their only happineſs, and all this becauſe there are ſo many do ſo, and yet counted Saints, but now if thou art one that doſt not delight in the way of the multitude, 'tis a good ſign God hath ſet thee a part for himſelf.

Eighthly, He that Chriſt hath dyed for, will be good in bad times and bad places: ſo it was with Noah in the old World, ſo with Lot in Sodom, and Joſeph in Aegypt; I need not quote theſe places they are ſo well known: thus it was with Nehemial, with thoſe Sabbathbreakers, and with Job in the Land of …z: and ſo with David, Pſal. 120. 5. Wo is me that Iſojourn in Meſech, and dwell in the Tents of Kedar; ſo in Revel. 2. 13. 'Tis ſpoken of the Church of Pergamus, I know thy works, and where thou dwelleſt, even where Satans Seat is, this was a bad place, and yet there thou holdest faſt my. Name, and haſt not denyed my Faith Note here, Satans Seat was the place where the Devils Servants did Tiranize over the Saints, and yet in that wicked place they held faſt the Faith, theſe were ſome of thoſe Virgins that are ſpoken of p. 44in the Rev. 14. 4. That were not defiled with Women, Virgins, what were they? them that were never Married, were they them that vowed Chaſtity? no that's not the meaning of it, but they were clean from being defiled with falſe Worſhip, they did not meddle with Idols and falſe Worſhip, and this is called in the Rev. 14. 2. Fornication; he ſpeaks there of Fornication by Idolatry, and they were not defiled with this Womaniſh worſhip, which is elſe where called no leſs then Whoredom, Hoſ. 2. 2. Let her put away her Whoredom out of her ſight, what did ſhe commit Whoredom with Men? no, Ezek. 6. 9. will clear it, With their eyes they went a Whoring after their Idols, now theſe were they that were not defiled with Idols, and therefore are called Virgins; Oh, who would defile ones ſelf with ſuch filth, but if thou keep thy garments pure in ſuch a day, 'tis a good ſign Chriſt hath clanſed thee.

Ninethly, 'Tis a ſign thou art a ſervant of Chriſt, when he calls thee to his work, and thou doſt not ſtand parlying with him, whether it may be for thy advantage or no: when Chriſt calls men to his work, they oft times conſult whether it be for their advantage, or for their profit, or their honour, or their ſafety; and they ſtand parlying with Chriſt, under pretence of prudence, and for their ſecurity; but now his ſervants will go readily about his work, they p. 45will not ſtand parlying whether they ſhall or ſhall not go about his work; this is no vain notion of my own brain, I'le give thee Scripture for it: Look in the Gal. 1. 15. Verſ. 16. When it pleaſed God to call Paul by his Grace, and to reveal his Son in him, to preach among the Heathen, what then, did he plead and ſay will i… be for my ſafety, will it not be prudence to forbear a while to ſee the event of things, no ſaith Paul: But immediately I conferred not with Fleſh and Blood, I did not ſtand but went into Arabia, &c. Now ſoul, canſt thou ſay thou goeſt to Chriſt's work without parlying, 'tis a good ſign Chriſt hath called there.

Tenthly, 'Tis a ſign thou art one that Chriſt is Sacrificed for, if thou delighteſts in the will of God, ſaith David, Thy Law is written in my heart, how doth that appear, why I delight to do thy will, one that delights to do the will of God, 'tis a good ſign Gods Law is written in his heart, now the will of God is made know in his Law, and therefore he that delight in the Law of God, doth delight in his Will, And bleſſed are they that delight in his Law, Pſal. 1. 2. And that delighteth in his Commandments; No leſs I am ſure then fourteen times in the Pſalm 119. doth David expreſs his delight in the Law, Statutes, and Teſtimonies of God, as you may ſee with a caſt with your eye in 14. 16, 24, 32, 35, 47, 54, 70, 77, 92, 111, 143, 162, 174. p. 46Verſes, beſides the many places more in the Pſalms, ah ſoul doſt thou delight, and delight greatly in the Law of God. But I would not be too tedious.

Eleventhly, 'Tis a ſign thou art Gods, if thou doſt what thou doſt for God willingly, Pſalm 110. 3. Thy people ſhall be a willing people in the day of thy power, when the power of the Lord takes hold on thy heart, thou wilt be willing to ſerve him, and in 1 Chron. 29 9. A willing mind and a perfect heart are put together: and if there be firſt a willing mind, then thou art able to do but little for God, yet 'tis accepted, 2 Cor. 8 12. Theſe things might be much ſpread or expatiated, but time is very, precious with me.

Twelfthly, 'Tis a good ſign thou art a child of God, if thou doſt deſire to enjoy the ordinances of God, as thou waſt wont to do, ſuch an expreſſion David hath ſome where, ſo in Pſal. 27. 4. One thing have I deſired of the Lord, what's that, That I may dwell in the Houſe of the Lord: That is in the aſſembly of the Saints, and ſo in Pſal. 26. 8. Lord I have loved the habitation of thy Houſe, and the place where thine honour dwelleth; He had experience what God was uſed to communicate there; why David, could you not rather love the place where all your Courtiers and Nobles, and where are all the Royal retinue? Oh no, I have loved the place where thyne p. 47honour dwelleth: This was that which made the Apoſtle Paul exhort them in Heb. 10. 25. Not to forſake the aſſembling of themſelves together, there be ſome do forſake the aſſembling of themſelves together; I, but ſaith Paul, do not you do ſo, why, he knew that there Chriſt was uſed to diſplay his Banner of Love over them, in thy preſence is fulneſs of joy, Pſal. 16. uls. I, a little kind of Heaven there, to them that know it, theſe know ſomewhat of the worth, of Spiritual Bread and Food for ſouls, that makes them rather deſire the Bread of affliction, and the Water of adverſity, then that their Teachers ſhould be removed into corners, Iſa. 30. 20. They know 'tis ſad when there is no Viſion in the Land, 1 Sam. 3. 1. And indeed it muſt needs be ſad, for there the people periſh, Prov. 29. 18, ſo in Amos 8. 11. When the Famine of the word of the Lord ſhall come, they ſhall wander from Sea to Sea too and fro, from Countrey to the City, as they do in a ſmall meaſure at this day, to ſeek the word of the Lord, and ſhall not find it, and in Verſ. 13. In that day ſhall the fair Virgins and young Men faint for thirſt; Ah, how many are there that are but new born Babes and Virgins, and young Men in Chriſt, how do their ſouls hunger and thirſt, and ſeek after ſome to break the Bread of Life to them, and can find none, their ſouls are ready to periſh; and they long to go into the Lords Houſe, into the aſſembly p. 48of his people; Oh, how do they ſigh, and ſob, and groan; and Lord in thy bowels hear their cry, and groanings, and come down and deliver them, and ſend them Bread, without cockle of Mens inventions, and mildew of Sophiſticated and corrupt Doctrine: but if thou art one that deſireſt the ordinances of God and to he in the aſſembly of his people, 'tis a ſign thou art a child of God, prethee ſoul bring thy ſelf to a tryal, 'tis very ſad if thou canſt find no looks, nor longings after any thing of God.

XIII. 'Tis a ſign thou art a child of God, if thou loveſt the Word of God, mark doſt thou love the Word of God, 'tis a ſign thou art one of the children of God; Oh ſaith Job, I have eſteemed, or I have hid or laid up the Word of his Mouth, for ſo it may be read, more then my neceſſary food, or my appointed portion; he eſteemed it ſo that he hid it or laid it up in his heart; oh what a ſoul was here, that had rather be without Bread, than without Gods. Word; ſo David in the Pſal. 119. 97. wants words to expreſs it, and therefore (ſighingly) he lifts up his voice and (ſaith,) Oh how love I thy Law, ſo Ver. 113. I have vain thoughts, but thy Law do I love; Yea, though wicked men hate it, and make it void, yet then will I love it the more, which is intimated in that word, (therefore,) thy Servant loveth it, Verſ. 127. And in the Verſ. 140. thy Word is very pure; I, tryed or refined, therefore p. 49thy ſervant loveth it, becauſe his Word was pure without Sophiſtication, therefore David loved it; Ah ſoul, doſt thou love the Word of God, as 'tis a naked pure word, 'tis a ſure ſign thou art Gods, and therefore mayſt take peace to thy ſoul: Oh ſoul, peace to thee, ſo in Verſe 165. Great peace have they that love thy Law, note great peace (have) they, not (ſhall) they, but (have) they that have thy Law thou that loveſt Gods Word; 'tis a good ſign that word hath ſpoken peace to thee, thou art Godly, and God hath ſet thee apart for himſelf, Pſal. 4. 3. Examine as thou goeſt along ſoul, and take comfort as thou find'ſt it in thy poor ſoul; Oh, if God by his Word will but ſpeak peace to thee, it will be that that paſſeth underſtanding.

XIV. 'Tis a ſign thou art one for whom Chriſt is Sacrificed, if thou canſt venture to follow Chriſt, which way ſoever he goes, Rev. 14. 4. Theſe are they that follow the Lamb whetherſoever he goes, and 'tis ſaid theſe are Virgins, chaſt Virgins, Spouſes of Chriſt are not only willing to follow Chriſt into Paradiſe, but whitherſoever he goeth into the Deſert, or into the Wilderneſs, whitherſoever he goeth.

XV. 'Tis a good ſign thou art a friend of Chriſt, if thou canſt cordially pray for thy enemies, this too many is a ſearching one, (this I am afraid is a hard ſaying who can bear it,) p. 50thou doſt not come up to thy Lords order, if thou doſt it not, If thy enemy hunger give him Meat, and if he thirſt give him Drink: for in ſo doing thou ſhalt heap coals of fire on his Head, Rom. 12. laſt. The meaning is thoſe good things done to him, will be like fire, that is heaped upon mettal to melt it down, that is, ſhall be even diſolved into another nature, it will melt the heart, Mat. 5. 44. Pray for them, for whom, for them, them that are our friends, them that pray for us, no for thy enemies, them that deſpightfully uſed you, this ever and anon Chriſt hint's at; Forgive them that treſpaſs againſt you, I ſay ſome, we will forgive them, but we'll ſwear we will never forget them; take heed that's of the fleſh, but to forgive thy enemy, is not only to be Chriſt's, but to be like Chriſt, Phil. 2. 5. Let this mind be in you which was alſo in Chriſt Jeſus; Ah, how happy a ſoul art thou that can do this, but do not miſtake ſoul: I do not ſay make him thy friend, no, I ſhould be loath to make my mortal enemy my boſom friend, or my familiar friend, as David ſpeaks Pſal. 41. 9. Yet notwithſtanding this, we ſhould pray for them, and that will be pleaſing to God, and if we pleaſe God (as certainly we ſhall) in thus doing, who can tell but God may (at leaſt) make our enemies to be at peace with us, Porv. 16. 7. Oh ſoul try thy ſelf, canſt thou pray for thy enemies, p. 51'tis a good evidence thou art one for whom Chriſt is ſacrificed.

XVI. Canſt thou truſt and wait on Chriſt, I put theſe together, for the one is as it were the evidence of the other, for he that wait's on God, ſurely doth truſt him, elſe why doth he wait on him, Pſal. 84. 12. Bleſſed is the man that truſteth in thee, Bleſſed (is) he, he (is) in a ſtate of grace, that truſteth God for ſoul and too, 'tis no better then hypocriſie, to ſay we truſt God with our ſouls, and cannot truſt him with our bodies; Paul, could truſt God with his life, In whom we truſt, he will yet deliver us, 2 Cor. 1. 10. Oh then truſt in the Lord, and wait on him too; And bleſſed are all they that wait for him. Art thou in any diſtreſs, and God doth not yet deliver thee, wait on him, he will come, this was the temper of good Jehoſaphat when he was in diſtreſs, 2 Chron. 20. 12. When he knew not what to do, but (ſaith he) our eyes are upon thee, Ah, I'le wait on thee however, this was a good ſign it is well with a ſoul, multitudes of Scripture witneſſeth this.

XVII. Canſt thou rejoice in the grace of God in others; this is ſad to tell; ſome ſeem to have grace themſelves, and yet do not love to ſee grace in others, at leaſt they cannot abide others ſhould exceed or outſhine their grace, they hate to ſee others come up to any degree of grace more then they; I am apt to ſuſpect the p. 52truth of their grace, that thus envie others grace; but ſure I am, 'tis a ſign of a good ſoul that loves to ſee, and rejoyce in the ſight of the grace of God in others, take one clear Text for this, Acts 11. 23. Barnabas when he came to Antioch, (where the Diſciples were firſt called Chriſtians,) when he had ſeen the grace of God, was glad; Oh ſoul, doſt thou ſee any thing of the grace of God in others, of the Image of Chriſt in others, and art thou glad and rejoyceſt to ſee it, 'tis a ſign thy grace is true.

XVIII. Canſt thou in any meaſure commit thy concernments to God, Pſal. 37. 5. Commit thy way to the Lord, doſt thou throw thy concerns on him, or roll thy ſelf on him, ſo the word ſignifies; Ah poor ſoul, haſt thou a burden of care and trouble on thy back: caſt it on him, for he hath bid thee do ſo, and ſuch a place you ſhall find: 1 Pet. 5. 7. Caſting all your care on him, for he careth for you; Put thy trouble off to him, for he will bear it; ſoul, doſt thou find thy heart taken off from a carking diſtruſtful care, 'tis well for thee; but I haſten to the next.

XIX. Doſt thou long for the accompliſhing the glorious promiſes of God to the World: the world is now much out of order, ſo much, that the whole Creation groaneth, but doſt thou long to have it ſet to rites; there are promiſes of Chriſt's Kingdom ſet up: not in word only, but in power; my friends whoever you are, I p. 53muſt tell you there is a King to Reign in Righteouſneſs, Iſa. 32. 1. Yea, his dominion ſhall be …om Sea to Sea, all Kings ſhall fall down before …im, and all Nations ſhall ſerve him, Pſal. 72. 8. …1. Let them be never ſo Potent Princes, and …ever ſo ſtout and populous Nations, yet they …all all fall down before him, and in that day there …all be a root of Jeſſe, which ſhall be for an Enſign … the people, Iſa. 11. 10. In that day, what day, …hy this doth refer to Goſpel-times the latter …ays, And my Servant David, ſhall be their …rince for ever, As you may read at large, Ezek. …om Verſe 22. to the end of that Chapter; …ho that David is, I ſhall not now ſtand to diſ…urſe, onelyonly I would deſire you to compare Jeremiah, from Verſe 15. to 22. together with …ſt of Luke 32. 33. Verſ. and beſides this pro…iſe, he hath promiſed great things to his …hurch and People, Pſal. 72. 7. In his days ſhall …e righteous flouriſh, They ſhall not be under …e hatches then, Then ſhe ſhall have Judges as … the firſt, and Counſellors as at the beginning, …a. 1. 26. Then the Mountain of the Houſe of the …ord ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the Mountain, …d many things more, Iſa. 2. 4. firſt Verſes, …en there ſhall be that, that good Hezekiah …nged for in his days, Truth and Peace, 2 Kings …. 19. Yea, and then ſhall the great light break …rth, that they ſhall not need to teach every an his Neighbour, this will be a day that they p. 54ſhall know from the greateſt to the leaſt, tha… their ſins are forgiven them, Jer. 31. 34. Wha… will thoſe do then, that ſay that Teaching is a Trade, when all ſhall know, they ſhall not need too Teach every man his Neighbour, there be many in our day would hide all the knowledge in their own Studies, and would not have the ordinary people to know ſo much, certainly theſe do not long for this promiſe to be made good, let them take heed, leaſt they be found none of the number that Chriſt was ſlain for, for Light is promiſed, the light of Chriſt ſhall ſhine, The Earth ſhall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea; That is an univerſal light ſhall break forth, Hab. 2. 14. And there is Holineſs to the Lord promiſed to be written on every Pot and Cup in the Lords Houſe, and on the Bells or Bridles of the Horſes; Holineſs not only in Worſhip, but in Mens civil imployments, the very Carmen and Drawmen (as a Holy Man ſaith) ſhall ſpeak of his Kingdom, and talk of his Power, there ſhall be a Spirit of Holineſs poured out univerſally, Zach. 14. 20. Then ſhall iniquity be put too an end, and then tranſgreſſion ſhall be finiſhed, that's the day the iniquity of Iſrael ſhall be ſought for, and ſhall not be found, Jer. 50. 20. And there is promiſed an Union among the Saints, they ſhall ſerve the Lord with one conſent, Eph. 32. 9. There ſhall be no more heart p. 55burnings and diviſions among them, but the …ildren of Iſrael and Judah ſhall go together, weeping and ſeeking the Lord, Jer. 50. 4, 5. Are not …eſe glorious promiſes ſoul, theſe and many …ore are made, which I ſhall not ſtand to multiply; here are glorious and precious promiſes, …at the Saints ſhall enjoy in this world, and if …ot we a ſucceeding Generation may, we will …ot limit the Holy one of Iſrael, but live in the …aith of it, that he will make good every word … (his) time: Ah, that it may be ſaid of us in … after age if we ſee it not, as of them, Heb. …1. 13. Theſe all dyed in the Faith, Now if thou …ngeſt for this glorious day and promiſes, 'tis a …reat ſign thou art one of his; 'tis a good ſign …e was ſlain for thee in his humiliation, if thou …oſt long for his exaltation, it is not likely …is enemies ſhould deſire his coming and his …lory; therefore comfort thy ſelf, if thou art …ne of them that pray, and believe, and hope, …nd long, for this glorious day: but I proceed … the next, which will require great grace, ſtrong …aith.

XX. Art thou willing to ſuffer for Chriſt, …ay, joy in tribulations, I put them together, though they might have been devided, for 'tis a higher degree required to joy in ſuffering, then …arely to ſuffer; Paul, (when the Holy Ghoſt …eſtified) in every City ſaying; bonds and affliction wait for me, yet ſaith Paul none of theſe p. 56things move me, they do not trouble me, I d… not lay them to heart, So that I may finiſh … courſe with Joy, Acts 20. 24. And ſaith he i… Acts 21. 13. I am ready not to be bound only, b… alſo to dye at Jeruſalem, for the name of our Lor… Jeſus, When his friends came and hang'd abou… him, and cryed pray you Paul, pray you Paul▪ go not in danger; Oh ſaith Paul, what mean yo… to weep, and to break my heart; I am ready, n… only to be bound, but to dye at Jeruſalem, And ſ… Phil. 1. 29. It is given to believers not only to believe, but alſo to ſuffer, Matth. 5. 12. Bleſſed ar… they that are perſecuted for Righteouſneſs ſake, an… 1 Pet. 3. 14. If ye ſuffer for righteouſneſs ſake▪ happy are ye, nay, if ye be but reproached fo… the name of Chriſt happy are ye, Pet. 4. 14▪ And if you hold ſaſt till the Death, I'le give you … Crown of Life, Revel. 2. 10. And in Revel. 12 11. They loved not their lives to the Death, n… they did not value their lives for Chriſt: ſo i… Acts 5. 41, 42. They went from the preſence o… the Counſel, (how) rejoycing that they were count… ed worthy to ſuffer ſhame for his Name; Oh ſoul art thou willing to ſuffer ſhame for the name o… Chriſt, not that it is ſhame indeed, to ſuffer for Chriſt, but it is an honour, and ſo it may b… underſtood: art thou willing to ſuffer fo… Chriſt, then happy art thou, For the Spirit o… God and of Glory reſteth upon you, 1 Pet. 4. 14▪ And then for the other thing, to joy in tribulation, p. 57that is a degree that is above bare ſuffering, take that Text in Rom. 5. 3. We rejoyce in …ope of the Glory of God, Is that all, no not only …o, but we glory in tribulation alſo; 'Tis a clear ſign, that if thou canſt ſuffer for Chriſt, thou art happy, and 'tis a clear or rather more clear, when thou canſt glory in ſuffering for Chriſt; ſee how it is with you.