The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 7

The Parable of the Ten Virgins · Part 1 · Chapter 7

p. 27CHAP. VII.

Sheweth that a man hath no power in himself to do any spiritual work, but that he must receive all from Christ.

4. HEnce we see a necessity,Use 4. if ever we look to have communion with Christ, to do all spiritual work, all we do (Theologice ) from the mighty power of Christ, from the life and Spirit of Christ. To bring forth no Spirituall Act but from Christ, and for Christ, (I shall put both in one, and the latter into the first; for none act truly from him but it is for him) for you know if a woman bring forth children to any other but her own husband, that woman hath lost her chastity: So when men shall bring forth the fruits of obedience to any other, from any other, but from Christ, they lose their virginity, their chastity, without which no communion with Christ. For I have ever made two parts or degrees of Christian chastity, (as 'tis in outward chastity.)

1. The soul sets its chief affections on Christ alone, that look as 'tis with a woman, though she cannot do much, nor deserve his love, yet her heart is with him, her self is his, Cant. 6. 3. I am my Beloveds.

2. The soul b…ings forth fruits of love only unto Christ, i. e. from Christ and for Christ, as in marriage the woman brings forth fruit of her womb to her Husband; and this is set down plainly, Rom. 7. 4. The first we have handled. Now a little of this. And that I may presse this which is of much use to you, give me leave to expresse my self in these Conclusions.

p. 28SECT. I.

THat all men living nakedly considered in themselves,Concl. 1.have l…st all power to do any thing that is good, Rom. 3. 12. None that doth good, 1. His light is quite extinct, and his eyes quite out: hence said to sit in darknesse, and the shadow of death, Mat. 4▪ 16. now a shadow is a privation of some light, this of all light, hence called darknesse it self; take the blindest Indian, he is a witnesse of this truth, and a right picture of a soul fallen from God: hence because he cannot see, he cannot do, 1 Cor. 2. 14. 2. All that life he had to act well is lost too, Eph. 2. 1. he is dead in trespasses and sins: he cannot breath, not speak, nor think, nor do one thing that is good: I say nakedly considered in himself. And hence look upon a man quite forsaken of God in Hell, there you may see as in a lively looking-glass what every man living is when the Lord leaves him: he can blaspheme him, he cannot love him, he can contemn God, he cannot esteem him: he can wish there were no God to punish him: he cannot submit unto God, though he leaves the most heavy load upon him, and you see not your selves untill you see your selves here, and see your selves thus.

SECT. II.

THat unto some men especially, nay unto all men almost, though vile, yet more or lesse the Lord gives a power to act,Concl. 2. and live, and move, and to do many spiritual duties, or good duties from themselves For as there is a bredth in the wayes of Grace, that every Christian hath not the like measure of Grace, so there is a bredth or latitude in the wayes of sin: every sinner breaks not forth into the like measure of sin, but some are far better than others; as the three grounds that were bad, yet one better than another. Now how comes this about? why, the Lord gives that power to act (as all the knowledg of a God) by the light of Nature (falsly so called) this is the work of God, Rom. 1. 19. Hence all terrors, and comforts, and duties of Conscience are all from God: so the Historical Faith of the Gospel which many have, and so to confesse and professe no salvation but by Christ, together with a readinesse to dye in defence of this truth and Religion, and joy from this, and reformation of life upon this, none of these are natural to this soyl of a mans soul, but all are planted there by God, 1 Cor. 12. 2, 3. and so that man can act according to the Law, be strict in Sabbaths, frequent in Fastings and Prayers, &c. 'tis from God, Rom. 10. 2. And why doth the Lord work this? 'tis else no living in the world among men, and because Christ is the politicum caput, and hath bought all men in the world to be his servants, hence gives them gifts which he turns for the good of his people: but yet this is the nature of all these abilities, that a man acts from the strength and power of them, not from Christ, Mi…. 4. 5. Other Nations will walk in the name, &c. and the reason is,

1. Because every man is under the guidance either of the first or second Covenant, and power of either: now as the power of the second Covenant is to draw a man out of himself to another, and so to make him act from another: so the power of the First is to drive a man into himself by terrors, and fears, and hopes, and rewards, and so to enable him to act from himself; hence 'tis impossible but they must act ever from themselves.

And 2. Because though many good Gifts, and moral vertues may be said to be supernatural, i. e. above the power of Nature to work, yet never above the improvement of nature: for let God work never so many good things in men, nature, i e an ill stomack when diseased, is strongest, there Nature turns all into the p. 29humor, and so a man dyes at last; so the power of sin in Nature being more powerful than any Grace which by common work is given it. ever turns that Grace into it self, and leads it into captivity, bondage, and service of it self; so that there is never a Grace but 'tis made to serve some lust, as in Iehu, in Iudas, &c. and God complains, Isai. 43. 24. So this I say is the case of thousands unregenerate, who can do many good things, but from themselves, which God … wrought to: and hence many a child of God hath been long …indred from conversion, and others not converted at all, because they have thought wicked mon whom God minds to damn, are such as have no good, nor do no good, … if they do, they have it not from God; but 'tis not so with me, for I have and do many good things, which I acknowledg come from God, and I thank God I am not as other men. Now mark, 'tis true, nakedly considered no good could come from unregenerate men, but yet the Lord gives power to many to do, so the Lord hath done to thee, and thou hast been thankful for it. And this is common, many account themselves great sinners, but yet they can believe: many say they can do little, but their desire and will at worst is to do: tell them these are not right, unlesse they come from the Lord, they will say the Lord doth all, and they acknowledg it, and so I believe, and 'tis true, but 'tis not such a work of the Lord as is peculiar to the Elect, because when the Lord hath wrought these, you act only from them, and hence never feel a want of these, for the Lord never yet wrought any Grace in his people, but after they have had it, and tasted of it, he hath more or lesse deserted them, and so hath made them feel a want of it, and made them fetch it again with sighs, and groans, and tears; now it hath never been so with thee.

SECT. III.

THat it's most pleasing to man, and agreeable to his nature to act only from himself: Concl. 3.As it was with the Prodigal, he desired his Stock in his own hands, and while any thing lasted, he would never come home; and hence those, Iohn 6. 28. What shall we do to work the works of God: and when Christ spake of Faith, they were stumbled there, insomuch that divers did forsake him.

1. Because mans acting from himself is best able to attain his own ends, to which you know a man is gently and necessarily carried: for no man out of Christ, but his own ends draw him; now Christ crosseth a mans own ends, and to live on him is to live on him that will confound them of their own ends, or else no life there: Hence they live from themselves. As 'tis with a Crafts-man, or Artificer, propounding the gain or credit they may get by being excellent in their Trade, may by their own study and frequency of acts, grow dexterous, and very skilful at last, and hence delight in it, so here, profession and practise of Religion may be a mans trade which he may drive for his own ends and gain, and hence may desire to be excellent, and by endeavour be excellent, and profit exceedingly in many excellent endowments: hence he acts and works for himself, Rom. 1. 14.

2. Because a man naturally knows not how to fetch it from Christ from Heaven, Rom. 10. 3. Hence 'tis with them as with a Child cast off by the Father, and put to some hard Master, because they have no Father to maintain them, they most live as they are, and do as well as they can. A man comes to pray, knows not how to fetch strength from Christ, and he must pray, and hence prayes as well as he can.

3. Because it's so hard a thing to live upon another, it's easie and sweet to a spiritual heart, but most difficult to any carnal heart, Iohn 6. Christ tells them they must eat his flesh, they say, who then can be saved, and many departed. Men had rather make holes, and keep water in their own house, than have it far to p. 30fetch, and when they come to fetch it, to bestow such strength in drawing of it.

4. Because every man thinks he loves and care▪ for himself be …, and sees no God nor Christ caring for or loving of him more than himself; Hence a man plots for himself, and lives for himself, and all from himself. As when Iosephs Brethren saw their Brother, then they came down and lived upon him, before they came to him indeed, but with their mony, to live of themselves. And thus it was with the young man, Sell all and have riches in Heaven: No, he loved himself, and cared for himself better than so; hence would not commit and give away all to Christ.

5. Because whatever a man doth from himself, ei…her 'tis good, or he thinks it so, or hopes if not, God will accept it. Some evil in it perhaps, but he hath his allowances which will make it go, some good desire… o… Faith in Christ, and hence hopes if not thinks God will accept of what comes from himself. As, Prov. 21. 2. All a mans waies are right in his own eyes. And truly Nature and Satan have ever been Imitators and Ape… of God, to forge and make Grace like true Grace, hence deceived. This being pleasing to men, is the practice of most men, yea, all men out of Christ. And this is one great part of the inward, secret, subtil, spiritual whoredom of the soul. Thus men may force sorrow, when yet there is little true sorrow, and so in other cases.

SECT. VII.

THat all these works though good in themselves,Concl. 4. yet are most vile before the Lord; as Christ speaks of the Pharisees, Its abomination in the sight of God, which is glorious before man, Luke 16. 15.

1. Because hereby the soul deprives Christ of the end of his coming; for all men having lost the stock and power to live, the Lord hence will trust no man with it again; hence puts it into a surer and better hand, that thither poor, blind, dead creatures might fly for life, & when they are there, live there like …ees on their hony, Iohn 6. 27. & 17. 23. He might never have looked after you, and will you despise him now? What folly and unkindnesse is this, that when your pits are dry, and bottles empty, and souls miserable here, you will not (I do not say sip) when water runs by your door, but not live.

2. Because whatever come… from self, its ever for self. A man can do nothing from himself, but his last end is self. As 'tis with water-works, they rise no higher than the spring, Gen. 11. 4. This Babel I have built, Dan. 4. 30. And a man that hath but common Grace, look as by vertue of that Grace, or gift of God, he may act for God, because it came from God; so nature and sin being mo…e powerful than that Grace, hence he never so acts for God, but in the last place acts for it self, as in Iehu: And so a man makes himself his own Go….

3. Because whatever a man doth from himself, he will grow proud of it, Rom. 4. Not of works, lest any man should boast. Hence I…ab sent to David to take the City that he might have the Crown. This robs Christ of the Glory.

4. Because whatever work is not done by vertue of the Lord Jesus, is a dead work, which a living God, and a living Christ, and a living Spirit lo…th, Heb. 9. 14. Sprinkle your Consciences from dead works. Deadly works are sins, dead works are good works done, but not from the principle of the life of Faith, but life of Nature. Now as Conscience is the principle of the life of Nature. So Christ is the principle of a Christian life, Col. 3. 1 Iohn 5. 10, 11, 12. For 'tis not sanctification that is the principle of life, but the life it self that flows from it, as from union of soul and body, the soul is not the life but the principle of it, hence as soon as its out, the body is dead: So, &c. And do you not find it thus, whenas you do many duties, how tedious, wearison are they? yet must be done, p. 31this is a dead work. What comfort, what peace is there, when you have done them? because not from life.

5. Because what come▪ from self, comes from all sin, 'tis dipt and dyed, and tainted and poysoned with all sin in a manner. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?

6. Because when a man will act from himself, and not suffer Christ to act for him, he will not have Christ to reign over him, he pu… down the Kingdom of God that should be within him. For when a man professeth Christ is King of his Church, he is now a King in name: When a man feels an impossibility to rule himself, and hence desireth and chuseth Christ to rule, now Christ is a King by choice: When the soul after this choice, depends on Christ for what he chose him for, and the Lord works, now Christ is a King indeed. Now if you will not have the Lord to reign over you, you will be found enemies to the Lords Kingdom.

SECT. V.

HEnce it will follow, The soul is to act wholly and only from the Lord Iesus Christ,Con…l. 5. and whatever fruits of love it shows to Christ, to bring them forth from Christ. Which doth not only concern them that never yet knew Christ, and yet pride up themselves in what they have and do, but those that be in Christ in a special manner. For Iohn 15. 2. Every Branch in me that brings not forth fruit. 'Tis not meant of one indeed in Christ, for he shall bring forth fruit, but every branch, i. e. by outward profession, so that it brings not forth fruit, but appears fair, and deceives man, God will cast away: And without me, even ye Disciples can do nothing.

1. How is the soul to act from Christ only,Quest. 1. when it hath life, especially the elect?

2. By what means may this be done,Quest. 2. to get and keep this chastity?

First, How is the soul to act from Christ alone when there is sanctification within?Quest. 1.

1. If the soul feel no power to act from Grace received,Answ. 1. as Saints somtimes do, either after Gods deserting them, or their forsaking God long, or after some hardning sin; then 'tis clear the soul in this case is (though not in a way of carelesseness) to depend upon the Lord Jesus, that he would quicken and help. As David after his grosse fall, Lord create in me a clean heart. And Isa. 63. 17. Why hast thou hardned our hearts from thy fear? Oh return ! In this case the soul is not to bring the soul to God, but God to the soul. As many a Christian cannot prize not love the Lord not his waies, he is not to say, I will bring my soul and o…fer it to him; but look to the Lord that he would raise up my dead affections again. As the Centurion of his Servant, Speak the word, &c. Christ marveiled at his Faith. Men think when they feel nothing, that they must and can work it out; and hence comes one of these three things.

1. Either the soul cannot love Christ when it sees such Lawes it cannot submit to. And hence a Christian once said to me, If the least thing was left for me to do of my self, I could not love Christ; but now that when brought low and can do nothing, he brings all the help we need. This makes the Spouse go to the bosom of her Husband, Psal. 116. 6, 7. Or else,

2. It cannot do it, for corruption in a Saint is too hard for his Grace, I am but a child, and thy people many, 1 Kings 3. 7. Hence he must be strong in the Lord.

Or 3. If it do, it never hath any peace in what it doth, the duties never so well done. Whereas otherwise the poorest duty done from Christ, witnesse Heb. 11. 4, 5. as a child bego… of the Father, he will own, but other children not. If any poor tired heart that hea…s me this day, thou hast been making thy Brick, and promises and vowes will not help, now away to the Lord, if ever help now 'tis when most helplesse.

p. 322. If you can do any thing savingly good, the soul is bound now (by the power of Faith) to stir up it self to act, though not to trust to it alone, for somtimes the soul hath the regenerate part uppermost, and the prevailing Spirit of God, Psal. 21. 3. which comes to him, and gives it power to act before the soul come to it. Now a man is bound to act, because 'tis from Christ now. Hence Timothy was to stir up the gift, 2 Tim. 1. 6. Hence complained of them Isa. 64. 8. None stir up himself to take hold on the Lord. A man must stir up himself to believe, as well as other Graces, hence the Kingdom of Heaven is taken with violence, and though corruption is stronger than Grace, yet Grace assisted with the Spirit, is stronger than it, which is never quite out of the soul, but 'tis in the soul, 1 Iohn 4. 4. Stronger is he that is in you. And 'tis said professedly, He purgeth himself, and keepeth himself, the evil one toucheth him not, 1 John 5. 18. But mark, trust not barely t… this, but when you do this, withall remember, Lord I cannot hold out in this unlesse thou dost help me: But know, Isa. 26. The Lord is the rock of my strength. And if you by the Spirit mortifie, &c. Rom. 8. 13. Therefore ever hold up sailes, but look for a wind. And if a man be not to do this, then when any sinful temptation comes, if a man do not find the Spirit and strength ready at hand to help, if he be not to stir up himself against it, he is to suffer himself to be carried down by it. Hence a man may neglect all duties a long time, if he do not find the Spirit assisting, if so be a man must not stir himself up, and so (will some say) a man may. May? What shall I say to such sluggish soul, but sleep on? But know it, the Lord will awaken thee, when you shall say, Oh that I had improved the Talent I had! And if you do find Christ in such a condition, know it they be but the last visits of Christ before he departs. You can do more than you do, and the Lord will have you do it.

But I cannot do it for good ends without Christ.Obj.

Yet do the thing as far as you can, else if you owe another a debt,Answ. and will not pay, because not for a good end, that excuse will not serve: So you owe the Lord your lives, your spirits, your abilities; lay them out for the Lord, though evil be in them, be humbled for that. Is this good requital to say you find your hearts dead in prayer, and God must do all, and there leave it?

3. You are to expect and look for power from the Lord Jesus in the use of means, all known means: For Faith fetcheth all from Christ, hence we must go thither where Christ is to be found, and he dwells in his House, in his Ordinances: Therefore there you must depend upon him. As 'tis with a Merchant, he wades not over the Sea for Pearls, but gets into his ship, and there he sits still, so here, Mat. 13. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Merchant man. Hence you that know you can do nothing, being under a spirit of conviction, and hence do nothing, under a spirit of sloth and neglect of means, by vertue of a spirit of presumption, and say Christ must do all, I say you take not the right course for the Lord to help you in. The Lord will never be a slave to thy sloth, but thou shalt be like a shrub, never to see good when it comes, and shalt die in horrour with this, Oh I might have done more! Hence you are worse than the other, that think if a man fasts, prayes, watches against his distempers, mourns for want of Christ and Grace, and followes God hard here, he is a Legal Christian: Why, these are but his own works, and this is not living on Christ. I confesse bare using them, or trusting to them is not, but he that lives not on Christ in use of means (these and all other means) to find Christ, or enjoy more of Christ, shall never have him. Neither do I know what turning Gods Grace into wantonnesse is, if this be not; and under a conceit of liberty to be a servant of corruption. I know not whether it be thus with any, but if I did, I would pity them.

4. If the soul cannot every moment live on Christ, i. e. for every particular act, have a distinct act of Faith, for this cannot be, yet every fit season that it can, it ought to look up to the Lord for life and fresh strength. Pray as 'tis foreign, every p. 33fit season. And as he brings forth fruit, so he goes for fruit in season, Psal. 1. 3. And when the soul doth this, the Spirit of the Lord helps, when the act is ceased.

Now the fit seasons are,

1. At beginning of any action, as prayer, hearing, reading: All the time a man is in his journey, or in his work, he is carried on by the act of Faith at first setting out: The reach of Faith is long, and continues all prayers, all the duty throughout, the act of faith is short: Now the Lord looks to his people according to the first.

2. When our act beigns to die; as Moses lifted up his hands, and when they were heavy, Aaron and Hur supported them again.

3. When a man feels himself strong, now apt to be self-confident; now Lord for an humble heart! And thus you are to live on Christ, which if done, would make a Christians life glorious, and give infinite content to the heart of Christ. But here is the misery, either hearts are full, and need not, or slothful, and care not for living so. That truly I do not wonder to hear and see so many withering trees, as though blasted by wrath, because you fetch not all out of this stock; and Christ is such a stranger, because you are so seldom with him to act and bring forth fruit to him.

SECT. VI.

2 COnsider of the means to act from Christ Jesus, and indeed herein lies the skill and life of a Christian, and this is the complaint of many a Soul, Christ is full, and he is not for himself, but for those that want, and I come to him when I want it, and yet I find no help; and hence many are brought to think either it's in vain to come to Christ, or else I have no Faith in Christ; I will therefore premise these three things.

1. That a false, double, treacherous, disloyal heart to Christ cannot expect to receive any thing it comes for unto Christ. As 'tis with a Woman, that though others do not, yet her Husband knows she is fallen in league with some other man, he will be strange to her, and will not do any thing for her. Iohn 2. ult. He knew what was in man; as 'tis in grafts, Iames 1. 7, 8. Let not a double-minded man think to receive any thing at the hands of the Lord, for that is the nature of man under the power of any lust, it makes all serve it, even Christ himself, which he will never do, I am weary of your new Moons, saith the Lord, and you fast, and pray, and have no answer, for you fast for Debate: and therefore I take a man considered as broken off from the power of his lusts, not one that feels himself under the power of it, for such an one may be delivered from it, such a soul as can say, much ado have I had to feel my sin, and to be willing to part with it, but now I am; here is the Soul I speak of.

2. That the Lord in the dispensation of Grace to his people, is wholly free to give it when he will: for a man that works for his wages, must in justice have his wages when his work is done: but he that begs for his living must be content to stay. We live by Faith, and free gift, not by works and deserts, and hence must wait and stay, Mic. 7. 7. Hence let not any man think sensibly to receive what he goes for to the Lord Jesus presently, as many feel a want of Grace, and think the Lord hath promised to help, and now how would it make for his honour to give, but find it not, and hence grow sad or discouraged, and think it is in vain to seek? no, no, Christs hour is not yet come, when you think it is, Iohn 2. My hour is not yet come; and hence many get nothing because they lie out of the way of the Covenant, viz. to think, oh the Lord owes me nothing, and I deserve the contrary.

3. That no man is to look to receive all that which he comes to the Lord for, p. 34but only so much as is fit for him: a man feels much straitnesse, and he would have many enlargements; he finds much deadness, and he would have deep and over-flowing affections, and he comes to the Lord for it, and the Lord gives some, Doth he …ot? do you not find it? can you say you seek the Lord, and attend on the Lord in vain with these Hypocrites, Mat. 3. 14. True, but yet methinks more would be better. How do you know that? I think so, that it would be more for his honour: you think so, then it seems you have one eye more than Christ, and that he is very carelesse and foolish in raising his own honour: Oh abhor those thoughts, he gives you such a coat as is fit for you, such a sail as fits your boat, such shoes as fit your feet, Psal. 21. 5. Honour and Majesty hast thou fitted for him: therefore do not look to receive any more than is fit for you, and know it, that is best for you. The Physitian prescribes that which is fit, not that which is most desired of the Patients; if they will not accept of this, he will not look after them, 1 Cor. 12. 7, 8.

4. Think not to get any thing from the Lord Jesus with ease, I mean to the fleshly part: it hath been an old complaint, I go to Christ, and fish all night, and can catch nothing: and why? here is the cause, they cannot get it easily, and therefore they cannot get it at all, yea there 'tis. Heb. 11. 6. This is one of the two main handles of Faith, he is a rewarder of all them that diligently seek him, not negligently: and hence at their first conversion how doth Christs Fruits overflow, and his Iordan rise above the banks: and what a deal doth a christian gain, yet not afterward: so in time of great trouble, oh 'tis because you seek him diligently: Therefore in prescribing means, do not say this is hard, and so depart as those did upon the very same ground, Iohn 6. 60.

SECT. VII.

The Meanes are these.

1. LAbour for a comprehending knowledge,Means 1. what is the love of Christ to thee: there is a double knowledg of Christs love.

1. That he loves me, and this very apprehension fetcheth in warmth and life into the heart, In thy favour is life.

2. What that love is, and that in all the dimensions of it: and beloved this is that which fills a man, Eph. 3. 18, 19. that as 'tis with Women when the fulnesse of the Husbands love is seen, it knits the heart invincibly to him, and makes her do any thing for him, so here. And as we say of Trees, if the Tree begins to wither and dye, the only way is not to cast water on the branches, or to pray for water and dews from Heaven on them, but water the root. Love is the next root of all Grace, love Christ, and you will never be weary of doing for Christ, love him, and he will love you, Prov. 8. 17. Now what kindles love so much as this comprehending knowledg of the Lord Jesus, and his love, this will make a man a burning Beacon of love, make a man melt into love, which is as strong as death, much water cannot quench it, 2 Cor. 5. 14. Love of Christ constrains, Gal. 5. 6. Faith works by love: Faith is our feet whereby we come to Christ, Love is our hand whereby we work for Christ: now let any Chirurgeons servant come to a Chirurgeon with a broken arm, and tell him he can do no work for him, therefore desire him to give him strength to do it, come saith he, let me heal your arm first: no by no means; let me first do your work, that so you may heal, and I may feel my arm to be whole: It can never be: So 'tis many a Christians course, Lord let me do thy work, and hence he cries, Lord give me strength, and then falls to do it, and cannot without pain, because his love is broken. Many say, I will go to Christ, and act for Christ, and then I will think the Lord loves me, but never find it: first see and comprehend the love of the Lord: And truly this is the reason why no heart, no p. 35strength to act for God, unlesse it be in a we…risom manner, and why? oh love is out, and why is that out? why 'tis not comprehended by the eye of Faith, it's despised by some, other things are sweet to them, or it's forgotten by others; men remember not what once they were, and what the Lord hath done, 'tis seen a little, and hence a little life and strength, but 'tis comprehended by few. O sinful times! O unkind world! never was my heart so dead saith one, never so straitned and shut up saith another, never so feeble in all duties saith another: why, you see, and taste, and sip of this love, but you feed not heartily, abundantly on it. Never didst thou think so little of this love; for though Christ will conveigh rich Grace to his people, yet it shall be by love. Christians will come to Christ, and when they receive and feel the good they come for, they will think of Christs love and that he love; them, no first come unto the Lord Jesus, being once come, know he will not cast thee away, Iohn 6. 37. then think of this love; stay here, first feed here and you may act, and then the Lord will conveigh strength and power, and inable you hereunto: For though when a man trusts to his love as Peter without Faith, a man will fall because he trusts to an arm of flesh: yet when Faith imploies love, the work is very great. As a Father hath a child who must keep at home with him, but he hath never a Steward to lay out that estate for him that he means to give him, but when an able Steward, now he gives his Son richly. So here:

Quest. How shall I comprehend it?

Answ. First, the Apostle prayes for it. Secondly, see what 'tis by his description, and meditate on it.

1. The bredth, i. e. the same love wherewith the Lord comprehends all Saints, as Abraham, &c. thou art as dear to the Lord as he or any in Heaven, nay it may be did cost more: not a crosse, not a mercy, but it's common (for substance) unto all Saints.

2. The length, from eternity to eternity, nothing can part, nothing shall part; all other things are but Summer Swallows that build with us for a time.

3. The depth, that the Lord should look upon thee when in thy Pest-house, when no eye pittied thee, when as low as the Grave, nay as low as Hell, nay lower, for they in Hell would come out, thou wouldst not. Never think to see what infinite love is, till thou seest infinite wrath.

4. The height, to be as happy as Angels, and more to, nay to be all one with Christ, and in Christ, and loved with the same love Christ is, Iohn 17. 23, 26.

5. When thou seest it thus, yet it's the love of Christ that passeth knowledg: As children cannot tell how Parents love them, Will you do thus? 'Tis with many Christians as 'tis with many Trees, the Tree is good, and the soil is good, and rain, dews, sun, Husband-man good, yet it begins to dye, then now nothing is wanting, but only to be set a little deeper, that it may take more root of the soyl. And so here, there is nothing wanting in many a Christian, but to be set a little deeper, and to take more rooting in the Lords love. Faith roots it self in Gods love, and now prospers by love. The eye is but little, yet can comprehend a mighty world quickly: mans mind is but little, yet can comprehend, though not the infinitenesse, yet an infinite love. If there be this light of glory, see by it all your poor sad hearts that conceive nothing but terror and holinesse in God; if you see it not, know it here is your work now; for the first work is to get Faith, then to get love, then to act from Faith by love. Now the Lord hath wrought the first, and thou art busie a doing the third work, not remembring the second.

2. Content not thy self with feeling a want of supply,Means 2. but labour to feel a need of supply from the Lord Jesus, for many a Christian feels a want of Grace from Christ, brokennesse, &c. sees he hath nothing, and is sometime by fits troubled for the want of it: but he can be well content though he have no supply, having somewhat p. 36else to ease and content him, he feels no need of supply, so as he cannot be without it, that his Spirit fails unlesse the Lord Jesus in mercy give it, and therefore must have it, there is a necessity of it. Hence he never finds supply, and wonders at it why 'tis so: and here 'tis, here is his wound, and so brings up an ill report of the Lord, saying he is loath to give, and of the Ordinances of the Lord, 'tis in vain to seek, and truly so it is to seek so: for let thy condition be never so miserable, if thou feelest a need of supply, the Lord will make bare his arm, and work wonders, bring Heaven out of Hell, joy out of sorrow, and light out of the thickest darknesse, and floods out of dry ground, Isai. 41. 17, 18. when the ground is dry and perched away, no moisture left; now the Lord pours out water on this soul, Isai. 44. 3. Heb. 4. ult. Many come to the Lord for Grace, and find it not, methinks I hear the Lord speaking thus to his people, I love you dearly, and I am content to give you any thing you need, but you do not need my Grace, my Spirit, my presence, i. e. you feel not a need of it, for if you had it now, you would not prize it much, nor keep it long: my precious Grace must not be spilt. Many know their wants and distempers, and know there is no help in themselves, and see all fulnesse in Christ, and hence come to him, but find none, because they can be content though the Lord deny: no nor never shall unlesse you feel the woe of your wants, that your Spirit fails if the Lord send not in supply, Isai. 57. 16. I will not contend, lest the Spirit fail. Hence there God promiseth to dwell, to send and create peace and comfort: for what is the reason that Christians at first beginnings …eek peace and mercy, and have abundantly then? why truly I was long time before I had any thing, but when my spirit began to fail, and I gave all for gone, and could hold out no more, now the Lord helped and pittied me; but where are those comforts, and that presence of the Lord now? Truly now you think the worst is past, and would be glad of the life of Christ, and Grace from Christ, but if not, you have a little, your state is safe, and so can lie without putting your self to a necessity of it. Is it not thus? is not this your very wound? if it be, for the Lords sake then get it healed, and do as people in Christs time, those that were well, and had not desperate Diseases, commonly came not to him, but when the Disease was desperate, you know the Fame of Christ being spread abroad, then they brought their sick and laid them before his merciful eyes, then they looked for the laying on of his hand, or a word of his mouth, and all were healed: so do you, you have heard of the Fame of Christ, and seen others humbled, others par…oned, lay thy …ick Soul (but look that it be sick) before his eyes, and so look for one word of his mouth, as the Woman of Canaan, he may deny for a time, yet she must have it, and the Lord will say, Be it unto thee according to thy Faith, not according to thy deserts, thou wilt have it, I must give it, thou dyest without it, behold I live to revive thee, and therefore to give it. You come to Prayer, and Word, and want many things, but find them not. Oh come therefore, Lord I must have, I cannot go without supply. Not but that a Christian must wait, and be content humbly, but not care…esly: Therefore think within thy self,

1. What is there that I need but this, the presence of God, the life of God, &c. Is it not enough in Heaven, where's no wealth nor comforts else? and is it not suff…cient now?

2. May I have it o… this condition, [I must have it, I am resolved not to go without it] Rev. 22. 17. if you will come, take it. Are the termes so sweet?

3. Do wicked men thirst more and more after their lusts, and is Christ, and his Grace, and his Presence no better, that I have enough of them quickly? God forbid there should be such a heart.

4. Doth the least sin so exceedingly go to the heart of my God, and shall I suffer it not only to act here, and tempt here, but remain alive here?

5. Is not the Lord after all love shewn me, worthy of infinite (not a little) honour from me? and doth he deserve all, and must I not, shall I not give it him before p. 37I dye? it must, it shall be so. Now when here you feel a need, know it that you are at the very door of relief: I conceive this is the great door at which Christ enters into the soul. The root of Faith (i. e. the author, object, and foundation of Faith) is out of a mans self, the door of Faith which opens to all treasures is in a mans self: This door is not any good in us, for then we should have somewhat to boast of, nor sin in us, for that shuts out God from us; nor knowledg of want, for that the Devils have, but sense of want, which when the Saints have, now the door is opened for the Lord Jesus in all his fulnesse to come in. Now if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

SECT. VIII.

TO all the Churches of the Lord Jesus here planted in these Western parts of the World,Use 5. to maintain your Church-chastity and Virginity, you have a name of it abroad, pure chaste Virgin-churches, not polluted with the mixtures of mens inventions, not defiled with the company of evill men: pure Ordinances, pure People, pure Churches, which is the cause of the scoffs and enmity of some, but of the desire and joy of others. O if there, how happy I? and how blessed they? Take heed you do not defile your selves again. Open whoredoom is too gross, too shameful, to yeild to mans inventious, to open the door for all comers into the Church: but take heed of secret whoredoms and departings from Christ, for think of this speech when you see me dead, that of all Churches in the World, the Lord Jesus carries a most jealous eye over these for whom he hath done such great things; and I know it, he takes exceeding ill your secret wantonnesse and whoredoms of heart; the Lord hath kept you hitherto, look you maintain it, for you may be soon defloured again, few Churches retain their purity long, aged, gray-haired purity is seldom seen. I will tell you of the several Temptations (some at least) that may prevail to the defilement of you.

First, Spiritual defilement is forsaking of the Husband, a total secret forsaking of Christ; for here is the temptation to it, viz. Gods withdrawing himself in his Ordinances from his Ordinances. For three sorts of Temptations make men fall back.

1. By Persecution, and there many fall (though some hold out) as in the stony land.

2. By Peace, and here many fall like the thorny ground; like Saylors that in a storm at Sea, every man is ready, and will be pulling his rope, but when a calm, then go to their Cabbins, and there fall asleep, and here many fall in this place, and others stand it out.

3. By the Lords withdrawing from them, as those, Mal. 3. 14. and here the great ones fall. Many come to enjoy Ordinances, and persecution vext them not, world it's base, it troubles them not, and they think to find much, but do not, but the Lord withdraws, and they can get no good, hereupon their false hearts discover themselves, they draw back from God, and lie still, whereas Saints cry the more after him, and look the more into themselves, and find out the cause of it, and then the Lord helps them, Isai. 63. 17. Oh take heed of this.

1. Shall I forsake the Lord that hath done these great things for my Soul?

2. Shall I now do it after I am so near Heaven?

3. Shall I forsake him when he departs from me but for a time it may be, when as he followed me when I departed long from him?

4. Is it not Hell to dye without him, and shall it not be Death to live without him?

5. Doth he depart without a cause, he hath no cause to follow me, I have all reason to follow him, the Lord grant you may do so.

p. 38Secondly, Secret defilement is by neglect of private communion with him: this is whorish in a Wife. Here is stronger Temptation to neglect private Prayer and Meditation, partly by want of room, partly by multitudes of businesses, and work, and cares hereabout, that being weary in the day, sleepy at night, busie in the morning, Prayer, Meditation, daily examination are sent away as Paul from Faelix, we will speak with these at some more convenient season; and hence straitnesse of heart toward Christ, and no means do good. Oh Beloved, have you such a Husband as Christ in Heaven that loves thy looks, thy company, thy sighs, thy speeches, and will you neglect him thus? what no love? 2. Is he not broken with this whorish heart? 3. Is that speech worth any thing with you, We shall ever be with the Lord, doth it comfort you to think of being ever with him, and now neglect him? where are your hearts?

Thirdly, Secret defilement is by bringing other lovers into the same bed, the same heart with him: and here the Temptation to this is strong, for most men have lost and sunk in their Estates, and it's hard to live lower than we did, and this is a grief, and here 'tis possible to recover estate again, and here grief for losse hath a vent by greedinesse and pursuit after more. In other places men had a very co… fortable estate, hence rejoyced in what they had, and did not greedily desire more; but now want makes men hungry and greedy: and now when a man hath thought and lookt about him, and seen what he may gain by his labours of many acres, by his Goats and Cartel in so many year; now he casts himself into the world, and also will not forsake Christ utterly, but bring both into the same heart, Christ shall have some love, some desire, but the world as much, and so the heart is divided: and hence some set high prizes on their corn, commodities, cattel, others look for large wages, &c. and yet Christ too. Hence men cry out of the world because it hinders them from Christ, and yet bring it into, and hugg it in their hearts, because they must have it in the bed with Christ. It was the speech of one, that he never heard of any Saint in Scripture given to covetousness, some to one sin, some to another, but none to that; I have read of Lot, but God fired him out of his estate at last: and that is all I would say to this.

Fourthly, Secret defilement is by decaying in love to those whom Christ loves, and those are his Saints, and Temptation is strong in this place to this: 1. Because we have multitudes of them; Even Gold it self being so common as to pave our streets, is despised. 2. Because there wants a common enemy to drive them together. Take several men that never knew one another, yet in time of War they will love abundantly, and then encourage one another, and can with joy lie together: so 'tis here, hence arise your petty Duels and jars in Churches, surmisings, cens…rings, &c. and the reason is this, there is little love to Saints, and for want of this, men shall not know whether you be Christs Disciples or no. Be thy Brethren Saints or not? bear they the Image of Christ or no? if they do not, why dost not convince them, admonish them? and if they will not be better, away with them: If they be, Oh bear, Oh love, Oh tender them, as thou lookest the Lord Jesus should tender thee. And therefore let the Image of Christ appear, and then see it, and then love, and then no more breaches will follow: if not, the Lord can and will soon send Wolves to make Sheep run more together.

Fifthly, Le…ting a new Generation of Harlots into Christs bosom, I mean, not greatly caring for Posterity, that they may know and serve this God, for after this Generation is past, our children are to follow, and 'tis very rare that they prove right, yet it may be so. Hearken therefore you Parents, if God brought them over for this end, and if they never know God, what a sad thing would it be? or if they be brought forth to pull down the Temple of God. Oh therefore, 1. Be careful of a pious education of them in Schools, in private, and take some course for that end before others come over, this will draw them. 2. Oh make many Prayers for them. 3. Set Faith awork in Gods promise; as he said, he would not abate the p. 39Lord, (though he gave it him in 99) of that one. Leave in record what the Lord hath done for you, that the Lord may be with them, and that all these Churches may be the glory of Christ, and then you shall enter into the Bride-chamber of the Lamb at last.