Divine Love, Treatise 3
A Miſcellany of Divine Contemplations, Obſervations and Directions to a Holy Life.
1.
A Chriſtian is to put forth his faith in prayer, and afterwards to follow his prayer with faith.
2.
Reading of the Scripture helps Meditation, Meditation Prayer, and Prayer every good work.
3.
Man may come too late to God when the door is ſhut, but God never comes too late to men, Luk. 13.26. Mat. 20.6.
4.
Pray that thy laſt days and laſt works may be beſt, and that when thou comeſt to die, thou maiſt have nothing elſe to do but to die.
5.
'Tis very hard to behold our own gifts without pride, and the gifts of others (if they excel ours) without envy.
6.
Do not commend thy friend, nor diſcommend thy ſoe too much, leaſt thou be judged to be partial.
7.
Oh my Soul! will neither great Love, great Mercy, great Forbearance, great Intreaty, great Patience, great Promiſes, nor great Wages, prevail with thee to ſerve Chriſt free, better, and more conſtant and ſelfdenying.
8.
A deep ſence of ſin, begets deep ſorrow for ſin; and true ſorrow for ſin leads to well-grounded faith; and from hence flows inward Peace, Joy, and Holineſs,
9.
A Paſſionate and troubled ſpirit is like a little Rill of water, which every ſhower of rain changeth the colour of it, and makes it muddy.
10.
The fear of death is ingrafted in the common Nature of all men, but faith works it out of Chriſtians.
11.
Nothing will be terrible where the love of God is apprehended, and nothing grievous where love to Chriſt is excerciſed.
12.
Careleſs hearing makes carnal hearts, and carnal hearts makes curſed lives.
13.
Oh my Soul! look for death hourly, long for it greatly, prepare for it carefully, meet and welcome it joyfully for it is Chriſts ſervant to direct his ſpouſe (the Soul) to him, and thy friend that comes to ſet thee at liberty from thy ſins; It will diſcharge thee from thy priſon, diſmiſt thee from thy ſorrows, and bring thee at once to enjoy all thy deſires.
14.
Chriſtians, though diſagrecing in opinion, ſhould agree in affection; and though differing in controverſie, yet ſhould agree in charity.
15.
He that cannot pitty the ſinner and hate ſin, doth not reprove out of love to Chriſt, nor from a gracious ſpirit.
16.
God makes Chriſtians feel him, (or his hand) that he may hear them; ſtrokes makes crys, and whippings mournful complaints to him.
17.
My Soul! bear up with Chriſt, bear off from Sathan and the world, bear down thy corruptions, and bear forth thy Teſtimony.
18.
Clear knowledge of Chriſt in the underſtanding, begets fervent love in the heart; and both godlineſs in the life.
19.
He that would live for himſelfe (only or cheifly) in the world, is not worthy to live a day in it.
20.
I would be glad to be out of the world when I have no ſervice to do for God in it.
21.
God hath ſet the tongue between the brains and heart, that it may adviſe with both, and guarded it with Teeth to keep it in, and yet how unruly it is.
22.
A Chriſtians ſecurity, and ſafety is, in doing his duty; and he ſhould always Study his duty more then his ſafety; for if he will take care to pleaſe God, God will take care to preſerve him.
23.
The love of the Maſter, the ſweetneſs of the ſervice, and the greatneſs of the reward, are ſufficient encouragements to ſerve Chriſt.
24.
The heavieſt afflictions on earth are but light in compariſon of Chriſts ſufferings, ſins deſert, or the punniſhment of the wicked in Hell.
25.
Lay in, lay up, lay out for Chriſt, and remember that you will ſhortly reach immortallity, but never Eternity.
26.
Oh Chriſtian, why ſhould not he pleaſe thee, who art but finite, that pleaſes God who is infinite, even Jeſus Chriſt.
27.
A Chriſtian ſhould deſire to dye that he may be fully freed from ſin, and have a full fruition of Chriſt that he may be above all fears and doubts, and may be able to ſerve the Lord inceſſantly and unweariedly.
28.
A true Chriſtian when he goes from hence, changes neither his work nor company; but his place and condition only.
29.
Be ſtill imployed in doing good, and you ſhall not be much tempted, or troubled with evil, for the Devil hath great advantage, both againſt thoſe that are idle or ill-imployed. David was found guilty of the firſt, 2 Sam. 11.2. and Jehoſophat in the laſt, 2 Chron. 10.31.
30.
Sence of Miſery muſt precede ſence of Mercy, and the more we feel and fear Miſery, the more we deſire, ſeek for, and prize Mercy.
31.
It is the leaſt of afflictions to be afflicted by men, for they can afflict but the outward man only; and of all E…emies man is the …ake…t E…my; But God, …, yea Satan, and … do afflict the … is more intollerable.
32.
That Chriſtian is moſt in prayer that hath moſt ſence of his own wants, and is moſt comfortable ordinarily, that is moſt penitent, and the ſame word in the Greek ſignifies to want and to pray; and the ſame word in Hebrew, to repent, and to comfort.
33.
Be more thoughtful and careful how to uſe what you have to Gods glory, then to gain more.
34.
Take heed of being humbled and yet unhumbled, that is, of being brought outwardly Low, and yet the heart continue ſtill high.
35.
Sometimes Ejaculations, or ſhort and ſuddain pantings, and breathings out of deſires to God, may be more acceptable to him, and more prevailing with him then long prayers.
36.
Never reckon what thou haſt of outward & worldly things, unleſs it be to praiſe God for them, or to ſerve, God better with them.
37.
It is the property of a true Chriſtian to juſtifie God, and to judg himſelf under the greateſt afflictions.
38.
Learn to know ſin, to diſallow of it, to diſpiſe it, to overcome it inwardly and to put it from thee: to fear its return, and to be more eſtranged toward it, more watchful to avoid Temptations, and wiſe to ſhun occaſions that lead to it.
39.
To dye ſhould be no more to a Chriſtian then to breath, or to paſs over a great River on a ſure Bridge, or in a ſafe Boat, or to return from a field where a man hath been working, to his own houſe to take his reſt.
40.
Make haſt to do thy work (Chriſtian) and God will make haſt to give thee thy wages.
41.
The hardeſt dutys in Chriſtianity are, to deny ſelf, and to deſtroy ſin.
42.
A heart unconverted, is contented with nothing but what is helping it on to Hell, and it hath never enough of that (to wit ſin); and a heart converted, is never ſatisfied but with what helps it toward heaven, and yet thinks he hath never enough thereof; to wit Chriſt and Grace.
43.
To take pains about unneceſſary and unprofitable things, is laboriouſly to miſpend time.
44.
Get Chriſt (O Chriſtian) to bind thy conſcience to the peace, and thy affections and fleſh to the good behaviour.
45.
Be not ambitious of love, and greatneſs, and thou ſhalt not be ſo ſoon an object of Envy.
46.
He that converts a ſinner, covers a world (or multitude) of ſins, and gains more then a world, to wit, a Soul, Jam. 5.20. Pro. 11.30.
47.
Take heed of covering any mans good with his evil, but let the one plead for him, as well as the other againſt him.
48.
One of the chiefeſt works of the ſoul, is ſelfe examination, and yet a Chriſtian will find himſelf moſt backward thereto, and ſooneſt weary therein.
49.
Seaſonable and unexpected mercys are very ſweet and acceptable.
50.
The more a ſoul is exerciſed in ſpiritual meditation, the leſs with carnal Temptation; and the more frequent and powerful in private prayer, the more free from, and the more potent againſt Corruptions.
51.
Sin was condemned by Chriſt to ſave the ſinner, Rom. 8.3. Oh! then let not the ſinner ſeek to ſave the ſin, to wound Chriſt again.
52.
Quick onſets and Endeavours to reform, are far better then many purpoſes and Reſolutions.
53.
Small ſins yielded to make way for greater, and one ſin for another.
54.
Be ſure to praiſe God when you receive power againſt ſin and Temptation; and you ſhall be ſure to find God ready to give you power another time when you want it.
55.
When and where wickedneſs is moſt, then and there the godly ſhould ſtrive to be moſt godly. It is a ſign of ſincerity to be good in bad times and in bad places and among bad perſons, as Noah, Lot, and Joſeph were.
56.
At the day of death (but eſpecially at the day of Judgment) a Chriſtian will wiſh he had ſinned leſs, ſerved God, and ſuffered for him more.
57.
If Chriſtians were not ſometimes afflicted, they would forget both themſelves and others; for affliction works humiliation in men themſelves, and compaſſion toward others.
58.
It is a hard thing for a profane man to attain the Shaddow of Religion; or for a careleſs (though true) Chriſtian to attain the ſubſtance. And it is hard for a true Chriſtian that hath the ſubſtance, to keep up the ſence and ſavour, either of the excellency of Jeſus, or the evil of ſin, always in his heart.
59.
Oh! what time do Chriſtians miſpend; what duties do they neglect, what mercies do they ſlight, what corruptions do they embrace, what Temptations do they lie under; what corrections do they undervalue. Oh! what heart qualms, and fleſhly weakneſſes cry out upon us to make ready? and yet how unready, how unripe, how unwilling, how unmindful, and unthoughtful are we of our latter end? and this is becauſe we are unaſſured of Chriſt, unweaned from the world, unweary of ſin, unbroken from ſelf, and unapprehenſive of the glory to be revealed and enjoyed hereafter.
60.
Fear thy friends more then thy foes, thy ſins more then thy ſufferings, and liberty more then bondage.
61.
Chriſtians ſhould not give offence careleſly, nor take offence cauſleſly.
62.
Bad times well Improved, are far better then good times not redeemed or miſpent.
63.
It is and ſhall be the care of a Chriſtian, not to ſuffer for ſin, nor to ſin in ſuffering.
64.
There is no real bondage, but what is either from ſin, or for ſin.
65.
Affections, parts, or applauſe from the world, or from Chriſtians are very dangerous, and not to be truſted in.
66.
I never truſted Chriſt but I found him faithful; nor my own heart, but I found it falſe.
67.
Shut thy eyes from beholding thy ears from hearing and thy heart from entertaining ſin.
68.
Take heed of reproving or upbraiding another in paſſion, or to provoke them thereto; for 'tis better be ſilent, then ſin in ſpeaking; 'tis better to keep thy light under a buſhel, then to put it into the hand of him that will blow it out, or tread it under his feet.
69.
Self-loathing, deſtroys ſelf-love, and the more we loath our ſelves, the better we love others.
70.
Chriſtians ſhould not envy the patience of God toward their enemies, for it is nothing in compariſon of what grace he ſhows to them.
71.
Of all men a Chriſtian may be freer to loſe or to part with any thing then another man, for he loſes nothing but what is hurtful to him (to wit his ſins) or what he ſhall regain and recover of a better ſort, and in a more abundant degree. As if he loſe a ſmall Temporal Eſtate, he hath in reverſion an Eternal inheritance. If he lays down a body that is full of Corruption, he ſhall have another free from corruption; and therefore he may ſay, better then the Heathen could, what I keep, I loſe, and what I give or lay out, I ſave.
72.
Sins beſt is before, but its worſt is behind; and the ſting and Tayl of it is longer then it ſelf; where ſin is not killed, it will kill.
73.
A Chriſtians converſation ſhould keep from the ſhew of ſin, and his conſcience from the guilt of it.
74.
The power and ſtrength of corruption is but ſeldome known, to wit, when Temptations, Opportunities, and Occaſions of Tryal come.
75.
The beſt way to keep from Sin, is to ſet God in his power, Purity, and Glory ſtill before our eyes; to fear our ſelves, to keep near Chriſt, to faſt and pray privately; to engage other Chriſtians for our help; to cheriſh the holy ſpirit, to keep up conſtant practice of holineſs; to provide contrary means againſt it, to reſolve ſtrongly to withſtand it, to eye Gods promiſes, commands and threatnings; to withſtand the firſt occaſions of ſin; to reaſon it off at a diſtance, to believe it away when it comes near; to avoid all occaſions thereof, and to keep on ſtill the Armour of God.
76.
Chriſtians are often apt to be moſt weary of that condition that doth them moſt good; like Peter, not underſtanding what Chriſt did in waſhing his feet, Joh. 13.1.9.
77.
Chriſtians in and under afflictions, ſhould be growing holy; and through their afflictions ſhould be going on toward happineſs; affliction is part of the way of ſanctification leading to ſalvation, and it is like an up-hil, leading to an houſe that is on the top of an hill, for ſo is heaven; and the greateſt hardſhip is neareſt the end of the journey.
78.
They have but a ſlight profeſſion whoſe profeſſion doth not lead them out of ſin and through ſufferings, & he that is worſe under affliction, as Ahar, may well fuſpect his own ſincerity.
79.
Chriſt will ſoon be ſenſible of thoſe Chriſtians afflictions, that are ſenſible of their own ſins.
80.
It ought to be a great part of a Chriſtians trouble, that he can be no time what he ſhould be, that is, ſinleſs and ſervicable; that he is not at all times, what he is ſometimes, that is, ſlighting ſin, Judging himſelf, Loving Chriſt, and diſpiſing the world greatly.
81.
It is ſtrange, and a very bad ſign, to ſee Chriſtians, look more upon the ſins of the wicked; to ripen them for miſery, then to mind ſelf-humiliation and holineſs, to ripen and fit themſelves for mercy.
82.
He loves not a reprover, not values his reproof, never profits thereby; but is more his ſins then his ſouls Friend.
83.
'Tis a ſign of a hard heart to deſire the Eternal deſtruction of the wicked, for obtaining of their own Temporal, and Corporal liberty, ſafety, or honour; as if one ſhould deſire to have another caſt into the fire and be burnt, that himſelf may be warmed thereby.
84.
In the midſt of earthly buſineſſes the ſoul ſhould redeem ſome ſpecial time for ſecret and private duties.
85.
It is the will of Chriſt that Chriſtians ſhould rejoyce more in what Chriſt hath done for them, then in what they have done or can do for him.
86.
Chriſt kept the Law legally, Chriſtians kept it evangellically; He kept it perfectly, they kept it with full purpoſe and endeavour.
87.
Ask thy ſoul (O Chriſtian) whether he be willing to receive Chriſt upon his own Terms, and for his own ſake, and to accept of pardon and life through him freely, without looking at all upon thy own righteouſneſs. Art thou contented that Chriſt ſhould be honoured in and by thee, and that thou ſhouldſt be deſpiſed, and diſhonoured for his ſake?
88.
God doth never out-ſpeak, or out-promiſe his Power, Truth and Faithfulneſs.
89.
He is a ſtrong Chriſtian that ſeeks Gods Glory more then his own ſalvation, but he is no Chriſtian that ſeeks neither.
90.
It is a great eaſe to, and an unburtherning of the to confeſs ſin, ſenſibly, humbly, brokenly, and with hatred to it.
91.
Chriſt and ſin are moſt magnified in the eyes of believers in their affliction; but in a very different manner, and to a different end: For Chriſt appears as the greateſt good, and ſin as the greateſt evil; and then Chriſt will be moſt deſired, and ſin moſt deſpiſed
92.
It is the duty of a Chriſtian to ſuſpect and ſearch himſelf, when he doth not know evil by himſelf.
93.
Account the leaſt ſpiritual thing better then the greateſt and beſt of outward and temporal things.
94.
Keeking from ſin is Soul-preſervative Phyſick; but repentance for ſin is Soul-Reſtorative Phyſick.
95.
Strive greatly to have and excerciſe a good conſcience toward God and men; to commit thy Soul, Life, and condition to the Lord; and then expect the worſt of men, and the ſteb of Chriſt.
96.
Thou muſt die once whether thou ſuffer or no, and thou canſt but die once if thou ſuffer.
97.
The ſins of Chriſtians are new ſufferings to Chriſt; and the ſufferings of Chriſtians are wounds of Chriſt, Eph. 1.30. Ezek. 6.9.
98.
Labour to act thoſe Graces chiefly that are moſt contrary to your Maſterſins.
99.
A Chriſtian may know the weight of ſin, by the ſufferings of Chriſt; for if that ſtrong Bar of Steel did bend under the weight of our ſins; what ſhall poor weak man do, who is but a reed or ruſh.
100.
Sathan accuſes God to men, and men to God; but Chriſt excuſes and anſwers all his accuſations againſt his people.
101.
He that will not take example from others, ſhall make an example himſelf.
102.
O Lord as a ſign that I ſhall be able to die for thee! let me find my corruptions dying in me, by power from thee.
103.
He that loves not Chriſt more then his life, is like to loſe Chriſt, and his life; but he that loves Chriſt more than his life, will be ſure to ſave and keep both, Mark. 10.49. Luke 14.26.
104.
Chriſtians ſhould account reſtraints from ſin, great mercys to them, but Recoveries out of ſin, with ſpiritual advantage, greater.
105.
Sin hath no Mother but a mans heart, nor Father but Satan.
106.
Satan draws the Soul into it, either by Power or Policy by Force or by Fraud.
107.
A Chriſtian ſhould deſire to have his heart tyed to the Lord, and to be ſtrong in faith upon Chriſt, in Love to Chriſt, and in Reſolution for him.
108.
The reaſon why men do not more magnifie Gods grace, is becauſe they do not behold their own vileneſs; and the reaſon why men do not ſee their own vileneſs more, is becauſe they do not apprehend Gods goodneſs more clearly and fully.
109.
When a Chriſtian comes to be as weary of his ſins as of his afflictions, God will certainly put an end to them.
110.
There will be a reviving of old ſins, if there be not effectual repentance for them, and a care by faith through all duties and ordinances, to get new ſtrength againſt them, and a conſtant watch kept over them.
111.
A Chriſtian comes not to know the weakneſs of his grace, till the ſpirit ceaſes to work in and by it; nor the power of his corruption till Satan works therein by his Temptations.
112.
It ſhould trouble a Chriſtian much to have ſuch Graces as he receives from God, beget ſo little good in him.
113.
The Lord would ſoon turn from his wrath, if men were turned from their wickedneſs.
114.
He commands moſt and beſt that commands in love, humility, and ſelf-denyal.
115.
The world is a great nothing, deluding the bad, and diſturbing and diſtracting the good.
116.
The Holy Law of God teaches a man to ſee his own deformity, and requires from a man Conformity to it ſelf.
117.
Sathan works more upon men by ſlight then by might; avoid therefore his cunning, and thou wilt avoid his cruelty.
118.
He hath not learned to rule well, that hath not learned to obey well.
119.
An even, through-paced, ſelf-fearing, heart-melting Chriſtian is always beſt.
120.
Ruſling, opinion-ſouring, and Church-renting perſons, and profeſſors, have commonly more ſelf then grace, if any at all.
121.
The leſs a man ſtrives for himſelf, the more will Chriſt ſtrive for him.
122.
Thoughts of our own death will much tend to deaden ſin.
123.
Prayer is a good preparative to ſuffering; when Chriſt had prayed, he went out to meet Judas, Joh. 18.4.
124.
Be never at peace with ſin, Satan, or Chriſts implacable Enemies.
125.
In two caſes 'tis hard to act Faith. 1. When there is nothing ſenſible or viſible to ſecond and ſupport it. 2. When there is very much of theſe outward things to fill and take the ſenſes withal.
126.
As Chriſt was ſaved from death though he died, Heb. 5.7. So are true Chriſtians when they overcome death by their reſurrection through Chriſt.
127.
Learn by lighter croſſes to look and prepare for heavier.
128.
As our good works and …rformances ſhould have an operation upon our ſouls and hearts to ſtrengthen faith, ſo ſhould our weakneſſes and ſins to work Repentance.
129.
No power can keep him in Bond whom truth and innocency acquits.
130.
If thou haſt faln into ſin through violent temptations ſeek ſpeedily for Repentance for it, recovery out of it, and Reformation under it. If God hath kept thee from falling, ſtill fear, watch, pray, and live by faith in Chriſt.
131.
Prepare your ſelf for death and pull out its ſting. 1. By bewailing ſins paſt. 2. Turning to God in time to come. 3. Purpoſing a new life, none can dy ill that hath had a care of living well; perſwade your ſelf, if you live well, you ſhall die well; and if you die well, doubt not but you ſhall have Eternal Happineſs.
132.
Wiſh not for a long life, ſo much as for a good life; he hath lived long who hath lived well; a ſhort life in grace, endeth in an everlaſting life of Glory.
133.
Diſtruſt not Gods providence in any matter, although you ſee the means wanting, neither when you have them, let them be re…ed on more then God himſelf, but pray to him for the proſperous uſe of them.
134.
Love all things for Gods ſake, and God only for his own, and look you make him your friend whoſoever be your enemy for … this you ſhall do, if as an obedient Child, you always live in the eye of your heavenly Father.
135.
Give no offence to any man juſtly, whether within or without; for wo to them by whom offences come.
136.
Carry your ſelf unto all, ſo as the weak may be won, the ſtrong may be comforted, and the wicked be aſhamed.
137.
Delight to do all the good you can to Gods Children, and to receive all the good you can from them.
138.
Think it the greateſt work in the world to die well, which to do, you muſt inure your ſelf to die before hand. 1. By dying to your ſins. 2. Learning the word of affection before it actually leave you. 3. In your laſt learning of if, do it willingly, yea joyfully, whenſoever, whereſoever, or howſoever God ſhall call you.
139.
Greive for nothing ſo much in the world, as for your own ſins, and in them for nothing ſo much as for offending ſo loving a God.
140.
Let your meat, apparel, and recreation be lawful, needful, and moderate.
141.
Labour alwaies to learn to die, defie the world, deny the Devil, deſpiſe the fleſh, and delight your ſelf in the Lord; be penitent for your ſins paſt and preſent, and yet deſpair not; be ſtrong in Faith, and yet preſume not. Deſire with the great Apoſtle to be diſſolved, and to be with Chriſt, with whom even in death, there is life.
142.
Uſe your life, and keep it with as much quietneſs as you can, ſo that you offend not God; that eaſe that cometh with his diſpleaſure turneth at length to an unſpeakable pain, and the gain of the world, with the loſs of his favour…, is extream beggary and wretchedneſs.
143.
The greateſt honour that man can give to God, is to confeſs his truth truly and faithfully in time of trouble and affliction.
144.
It is but a folly for any one that truly profeſſeth Chriſt crucified, to look for the love of the world.
145.
Infidelity is the cauſe of all our miſery, which cauſeth us to fear man more then God, and to eſteem things preſent, more than things to come.
146.
Love is that flower which ſhall never fade, but ſhall flouriſh more and more, till it be made perfect in that place, where Faith and Hope ſhall have no office, but ſhall then fully poſſeſs that which they have ſo long patiently waited for in this world.
147.
After the Lord hath made a Chriſtian to know what he is in himſelf, he will doubtleſs ſhew him comfort, and declare to him what he is in Jeſus Chriſt his Son.
148.
The mind of man cannot be contented patiently to bear the troubles either of Soul or body, until it be regenerated and poſſeſſed by Gods ſpirit.
149.
Why ſhould we Chriſtians fear death? can death deprive us of Chriſt, who is all our comfort, our joy, and our life.
150.
Let us tarry with Chriſt one hour in Tribulation and affliction, and doubtleſs he will keep us for ever with him in joys everlaſting.
151.
Patience and Perſeverance under great tryals are the proper notes whereby Gods children are known from counterfeits; they that perſevere not, were alwaies but Hypocrites.
152.
If Chriſt be our Captain we muſt follow him as good Souldiers; if we keep company with him in afflictions, we ſhall be …re of his ſociety in Glory, if we forſake not him, he will never forſake us; if we confeſs him, he will confeſs us; if we be aſhamed of him, he will be aſhamed of us. Therefore as he forſook Father, Heaven, and all things to come to us, ſo let us forſake all things to come to him, being moſt ſure and certain that we ſhall not loſe thereby.
153.
Afflictions are in ſeparable, but not infallible notes of Salvation; for none ſhall be ſaved but he muſt ſuffer afflictions; but all that are afflicted ſhall not be ſaved.
154.
Wealth is not the way to heaven, but the Contrary; let all our care be, how to live well, and then to be ſure we ſhall never dye poor.
155.
Afflictions and ſufferings are ſometimes the way to Glory in this world; Joſeph had never been a Courtier, had he not firſt been a priſoner.
156.
Gods children are ever the better for being miſerable; It is good for me that I was afflicted: let God uſe us how he will on Earth, ſo that we may have what he hath promiſed to thoſe that love him in Heaven; who would not be a Lazarus for a day, that he might ſit in Abrahams boſome for ever.