The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 8

The Parable of the Ten Virgins · Part 1 · Chapter 8

p. 45CHAP. VIII.

A Four-fold Exhortation to Believers.

SECT. I.

TO quicken up all those doubting,Exhort. 1. drooping, yet sincere hearts, that much question the love of Christ to them, Now to use all diligence to make their Calling, and Election, and the love of Christ sure to them, not but that it's sure on Christs part, but make it sure on your part too; else how can you be in a readinesse to meet the Lord Jesus; while the strong man keeps the Palace, the Goods be in peace; but when Christ hath once driven Satan out of his Throne, …en nothing sometimes but war, but doubts and fears; Satan told God to his face, Iob served him for nought, much more will he accuse the Soul it se…f: and some Divines think the very first ingredient of Satans poyson, and the first assault on Christ himse…f, Mat. 4. was by seeking to make him doubt of his Sonship, If thou be the Son of God, &c. And his wiles are here very great, that hence very few living christians have any setled comfortable evidence of Gods eternal love to them in his Son: and hence many sad events follow. How can any blesse the Lord for that love which he knows not of? many times 'tis with a mans doubts drooping from his mind, as 'tis with his continual dropping on his Lungs, there is a daily consuming of what once was; that many a christian doubts away his life, his heart, his strength, and when all is wasted, glad now to return to that where p. 46he should at first have begun. And hence in one word, he is made every day unready for Christ. Oh therefore quiet not your selves in that estate as I fear too many do (at least for a time) it's one of the most dangerous estates that can be, to be troubled with weak fears, and yet rest in uncertain hopes; but bring it to a conclusion, Is the Lord Jesus mine or no? and if he be yours, and his love yours, see it, that you may trample on the neck of death, and triumph over hell, and the grave, and long to be with the Lord, and love the appearing of the Lord, and go away with joy unspeakable and full of glory out of this world, as to your Wedding, and if there be any hope of getting it, who would be without it? Some of you it may be have a long time been carelesse in seeking for it, hence want it, some of you have been traders with the Lord long, and yet doubt; some of you have not clear evidence, but content your selves without being thankful to the Lord for what he hath done for you, hence still doubt. Others have gray hairs on your head, or at least are near your Graves, the battel is near, your armour is not on, you are not yet ready, and so still doubt. I remember what Christ said of Maries Box, she prepared that for his burial, it may be that these Truths may be prepared for your approaching departure; and therefore light your Lamps at this fire, and light of the Lords love to you, and see that indeed he loves thee.

But why do you perswade to this,Object. till the Spirit comes and speaks it? How can I see it?

1. 'Tis true the Spirit only can do it,Answ. but yet the same Spirit that seals the Elect, the same Spirit commands the Elect not to sit Idle, and dream of the Spirit, but to use all diligence to make it sure; and you shall never have it (unlesse you lay hold on a Fancy for it) on those terms.

2. Though there is an immediate witnesse of the Spirit, of the love of Christ, yet it doth most usually and firstly witnesse by means. And hence I shall give you means looking only to the Spirit of Christ to set them on. Evangelical Precepts have a power: For Gospel-ministration of the Spirit consists not only of stories and promises, but commands, and the Elect feel them: Hence carnal men under the Law, yet pretending Gospel, will professe the Law is preached when they are pressed to any Evangelical duty, because they feel not the power of the Gospel, being not yet under it. And the means I shall mention, are only general to establish the hearts of some.

Make a sad enquiry first of this, Whether the Lord hath loved thee for his own everlasting Names-sake or no,Means 1▪ for if the Lord hath loved Thee for this cause, then thy great Objection will be answered, and that deep valley will be filled. How can the Lord love me that am thus vile before God, and fallen from God? why if the Lord for his own sake hath loved thee, then as no good in thee moved him to love thee, so no sin which he did know was and would be in thee can quench that love; and if he hath manifested his love to be grounded on this, though but once, that same Name when thou changest is not changed, but is still as dear to him, and ever before him to move him to love thee still, Rom. 11. 2. The Apostle answers a Cavil, Will God cast away his people? no saith he, none that he foreknew; and who are these? vers. 5. A remnant according to Grace as with us, i. e. God hath for his Grace-sake chosen and called without respect of any thing else: Hence that is to be understood, 1 Sam. 12. 21, 22. For there are two sorts of people in the Church; 1. Servants. 2. Sons, Iohn 8. 35. Hence there is a double love the Lord manifests to men.

1. Some he loves as servants, that as we hire some men to do our work, and give them meat and wages, and then turn them out of doors, or let them go: so God hath work to be done, for his Son and Saints, and for many reasons hires wicked men to it, either by giving them reward in this life, or hopes of reward hereafter, and when the work is done, and use made of their Gifts, Graces, Spirits, then turns them out of doors.

p. 47But 2. Some he loves as Sons, even the most foolish and weak in the world sometimes: hence not for any service they can do, but for his own sake he will give them an Inheritance, and love them as sons, because he will; these abide ever in the Lords love: Hagar and Is…mael cast out, Sarah and Isaac stay in the Family.

How shall I know that?

1. If the Lord loves thee for his Name-sake, it will draw thee to that fellowship with it self,Quest. that what-ever thou wantest, thou wilt seek for it hence, by presenting that Name of God, that for his own sake he would supply:Answ. I know the Lord loves for Christs sake, but why should Christ help? for his Name-sake: For thus many hypocrites think when they see Gods anger against them for their sin, they seek to remove that …, and when that is done, think God is at peace, and now all is well. They see the Lord is delighted with the obedience of his people, hence fall to that work, and now thin… the Lord is pleased with them. But if ever the Lord loves any man, he will first stop his mouth, whether Jew or Gentile, Rom. 3. 19. and make him on his Knees know there is no reason for it, nay all reason against it. Now hath no… the Lord brought thee to this? and hence having nothing to quench Gods anger, but Christ, hast held up him before God, and having nothing to move Christ, hast held up his Name before him, and here hast rested thy wearied heart looking to him, if any Grace be begun in thee, that he would perfect it, i… none, that he would begin it; if unfit and unworthy, to prepare thee for it, only for his own good pleasure: this is one evidence of it. As 'tis in some Seals, you can hardly perceive in the Seal what is engraven there, but set it on W…x, you may see it evidently: so here, hardly can you see the Lords love, look on thy heart if it loves him; his choice, see if thou chusest him, his love for his own sake; if thou cleavest with dearest affection to this love for its own sake, there thou art safe, Prov. 18. 10. The name of the Lord is a strong Tower, &c. and this not only at first conversion, but ever after all duties, all enlargements, Ezak. 16. ult. And this doth evidence love.

1. Because if thou had'st the righteousnesse of Angels thou would'st think it a good evidence, but this of Christ is a thousand times dearer.

2. This is a setting of God against himself, i. e. to answer himself, and hence Saints in all their straights and sorrows, hither had recourse; I speak not now of Temporal Blessings, but of Everlasting love, and all the Fruits of it, that here it hangs. Now I say you are built in a Rock higher than all powers of Darkness; now a Key is put into thy hand to unlock all Gods Treasure; now thou art in the very lap of love wrapt u… in it, when here thy heart rests: and if not Beloved, the Lord would never let thee lean thus in his bosom: and therefore if this be thus, see it, and wonder his Name hath moved him to love me.

2. You shall find this, if the Lord for his Name-sake loves thee, there is no… any carriage or passage of Providence of him to thee, but he gets himself a Name first or las… by it: for if this be Gods end, every passage of Providence is but a means to this end: hence he will attain this end by every act of his Providence towards thee: hence you shall find that those very sins that dishonour his Name, he will even by them (and if by them, by all things else) get himself a Name: he will be so far from cas…ing thee out of his love, that he will do thee good by them. Those very sins that God damns others for, he will make to humble thee, empty thee. Pharisees persecuted Christ, and lost all for it, Paul was so, and it humbled him all his life, Not worthy to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God, and it made him lay up all his wealth in mercy, I was received to mercy, 1 Tim. 1. Mary sins much, and God forgives much, and she loves much; others sinned much, and God hardened much; Iudas betraies Christ, and repents, and hangs himself, and flies from him; Peter denies him, and weeps, and hence he is the first that Pre…cheth him. And this is certain, in the best Hypocrite, sins left in him, either never make him better, but p. 48blind and harden him, and he hath his distinctions of infirmity, &c. that he sleights them day by day, till all his dayes are run out, or if any good, 'tis no more than Iudas, or Cain, some legal terrors, or other light flashes of comfort, but to be more humble indeed, &c. this he findeth not. Now is it not so with thee? Doth not thy weaknesse strengthen thee with Paul? Doth not thy blindnesse make thee cry for light? and those cries have been he…rd, out of darknesse, God hath brought light. Thou hast felt venome and risings of heart against Christ, and do they not make thee loath thy self more? that thou thinkest never any so beholding to Grace? do not thy falls into sin make thee more weary of it, watchful against it, long to be rid of it? and so sin abounds, but Grace abounds: Why should this be so? for his Names-sake, because he will love thee; hence 'tis so great and unmatchable, that he will make thy poyson thy Food, thy Death thy Life, thy Damnation Salvation, thy very greatest Enemies thy greater Friends. And hence Mr. Fox said, he thanked God for his sins more than for his good works. I have marvailed at Gods dealings with his people, they depart, and stay long, and care not for returning again; in that time a mighty power teacheth, humbleth, brings back, when they never thought of it. Oh the reason is, God will have his Name: now if thus, your assurance will be strong and constant, but if you build thus, I have done this, &c. I have that, your assurance will not stand;Means 2. therefore look and see if it be not thus with you.

Take heed you do not build your assurance from a mingled Covenant of Works and Grace, for this is the frame of divers when they lye under the first Covenant only of doing, they will not take this as any evidence, as they have no reason so to do, Rom. 9. 31. Nor when a man lies under the Second Covenant of Believing barely, and if it be a dead Faith, they have no evidence or reason so to do. Hence they mingle the Covenants, and think thus. If I can believe in Christ, and perform universal obedience to all the commands of God, I shall be safe; hence set upon the observance of both, and finding they can never do them, especially the latter, hence are ever troubled, and never have any setled peace. Hence those Galatians Paul writes to, perverting and mingling the Covenants, were troubled, Gal. 1. 7. & 5. 12. Not (beloved) but that whoever beleeves and performs universal obedience Evangelically to the whole Law, he cannot but do well; and he that doth it not, but lives in any one sin, let him evidence his Faith if he can. But I speak when a man submits to it, sub forma faederis, if I can do it, and because I cannot do it, hence doubt. Hence gather your evidence of Gods love primarily and chiefly from your subjection to the Second Covenant, Gal. 6. 16. Peace on them that walk according to this rule; for Adams righteousnesse that did tye him to God, it brake; hence no life, nor evidence from that, but Faith is an everlasting invincible Grace, upheld by the mighty power of God, and hence here will be everlasting evidence and peace, 1 Pet. 1. 8. Whom though we see not, yet believing we rejoyce. Object. Is a Christian then free from the Law?

Yes,Answ. he is free from it as from a Covenant: hence though it be broken by him, he is not cast out of Covenant, or favour, but he is not free from it as a Rule, from which if he swerves he is to call himself, not Gods love into question: Why? because it hath pleased the Father in another Covenant to offer life, give life, and hence only to evidence life. What-ever the Law requires I have, at that instant I did believe, I performed it in a Saviour by Faith: and that I my self may do every tittle of it, I come unto a Saviour for it by Faith; so that when Satan objects you have no Christ, nor love of a Christ, because no Faith, and no Faith because you cannot do this or that. Answer, I cannot do it indeed, I never undertook it to have life or love thus, but I have done it in another, and I can do all things by Christ, if he will help me, under whose Grace I lie, and hence will be so far from doubting, that I will rejoyce in mine infirmities, that I am a fit subject for the power and Grace of Christ to shew it self upon. Thus retire to the Second Covenant ever p. 49if ever you would get any setled peace. And from neglect of this flows a worl… of unpeaceablenesse in many a spirit, ever complaining, and why? I cannot do this or that, never peace now; but cannot you lye under the Lord that he would help? keep here, and keep your peace here.

But many a Christian that retires hither hath no peace, and so have I done, yet find none?Object.

It's then upon a double ground which you are to avoid:Answ. either, 1. Because you have Faith, but you imprison your Faith, you put out the eyes, and shackle the feet of Faith, for Faith will conquer and triumph over all sins, and fears of the world, if at liberty, 1 Iohn 5. 4. like a Master in a Ship, if he cannot save the Ship one way, let him have liberty, he will by another. As if it be Objected, You have departed from Christ, what have you to do with him? I'le return saith Faith to my first Husband. Ob. But he is angry with you. Ans. If he b… angry for my departure from him, I will not provoke him more by staying here, who knows but he may repent? Ob. But you cannot go to him with all your heart. … Answ. True, yet I'le look to him to draw me. Ob. But you feel nothing. Ans. Yet I will wait. Ob. But you will wait in vain. Ans. Still I'le look he would keep me from that. Now stop at any of these, trouble comes, suffer it to shift it will find rest. As 'tis with the Anchor, let it down but little▪ …he ship drives, but let it down at full length, it will ride in storms; then, 'tis … of Faith that gets the Blessing, where opposition makes the Soul take faster hold; as it was with Iacob. The Woman of Canaan got it thus.

Or 2. 'Tis because they look for another kind of Faith, and hence own not this, as the Iews the Messiah, they made account to have received him in state, and he came low; so men look for a superlative Faith, but want it. But thus the Soul espoused to Christ, so long as Marriage-Covenant lasts, she may conclude of love.

Do not fear the love of Christ is not toward you, because he hides his face, and departs some times from you; Husbands remain so when they depart,Means 3. and leave the house for many a day, and 'tis simple to say he is not my Husband now. So here the Lord loves his people, yet departs, Isai. 54. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. and truly 'tis very hard when inward blows, and sad desertions, and outward miseries, and no Christ found, though sought for. But how shall I then know and discern his love? Answ. Many things might be said this way, only one thing observe, whether thy love remains still to him for himself; for it's rule that most commonly a christians purest and dearest love appears in Christs absence from him. As 'tis with Friends, while with us we love them, but when gone, we feel that love mo…e quick than before. Ierusalem lies in the dust, and now the very dust is beloved, Psal. 102. 13, 14. and if it be so, it's certain we love him because he loved us, and we continue to love him, because he continues to love us; now look then if thy love do not appear, 1. In mourning for his absence. 2. In longing for his presence. 3. In blessing him for a little that is left of himself, as seeing such want of him; and is not this for himself to have his company again, that though God gives thee all other things, yet when thou comest to consider the Lord is gone, this strikes near, as when Christ departed away, Iohn 16. 5, 6. But because love may be benummed, and lye dead, therefore try it a time of parting, and put thy heart thus to it; if he be none of thine, then take thy fill in thy sin, and forsake him: no Beloved, here you shall see the heart will yeild and melt, Iohn 13. 3, 4, 5, 6, &c. and it will say, Lord let me never sin more against thee, though never saved by thee. And take it for a rule, do not think the Lord hath left off his love to you when you depart from him, and he from you: but lying in your Departures, Oh that is sad; but return again, it comforts the Lords heart, especially when 'tis for himself, not for peace and salvation, but though he never saves me, Oh yet I will look after him.

p. 50Look to the tender-heartednesse of the Lord Jesus,Means 4. for (Beloved) all the doubts of Christians arise chiefly from this head, from a hard opinion of Christ, which Satan suggests, as at first, Gen. 3. 5. that so they might take in his wares. Gods people do not know the tender-heartednesse of the Lord Jesus; Satan presents him only in wrath, when any threats are spoken, all these are mine saith the soul, &c. And now if any Woman lives with a man that is of a hoggish churlish disposition, she will be ever doubting of his love. Men do not know it I say, and hence when any misery or trouble comes, they grow jealous of him, which the Lord takes exceeding ill, Deut. 1. 27.

Quest. How shall I know that tender-heartedness of Christ?

Answ. By his carriage towards men when he was here on earth, for now he is in Heaven in Glory, and we know not what his disposition is: therefore his life on earth was the living looking-glasse of his heart for ever. In Four Things.

1. Never any came to him that he cast away, whatever their sorrows or sins were, but healed them every one if they came to him with their miseries: for in healing their miseries, he did but shew his readinesse to heal them of their sin; hence Matthew applies that, Mat. 8. 17. He bare our infirmities.

2. When men came to him for by-ends, not for himself chiefly, he rebukes them for it, and shews he was more ready to give himself, than bread to them, Iohn 6. 27.

3. Those that were lost, and sick, and miserable, and came not to him, he went up and down to seek and save them, the lost Sheep, Luke 19. 10.

4. Those that would none of his love, he pittied and had compassion on their misery and sin; as on them that were sheep without a shepheard; he mourned for the hardnesse of their hearts: he wept over Ierusalem. Now look upon Christ the same still: thou comest to him in secret to take away all iniquity, to give thee himself; tell me, dost think the Lord if here would reject thee ever. 2. But I dare not receive him. Ans. Thou wilt take Bread from him daily, and he is more willing to give himself. 3. Thou canst not come to him, nor find him, but only sometimes, nor see him; well, but then he will seek thee out. 4. Oh but I oft reject: yet he pitties thee still. O think of this compassion of Christ, and make him as if present; 'tis a special means to establish the heart in Believing.

Learn to know when you are bound not to give way to your fear of Gods love;Means 5. for sometime it is the case of many a precious soul, that he hath clear evidence of Gods love to him: and what is there against it? nothing but a fear, what if I should be deceived when all is done? and hence the heart sinks exceedingly. As some Women that have special love, if once they take a jealousie of their Husbands love, it's never removed; So here.

How shall I know this?

First,Quest. If those fears thou hast drive thee farther from Christ, it's clear you are then to cast them off:Answ. those fears that cause sin are sinful, but to be driven from Christ is sinful, Luke 5. 9, 10. Lord depart from me, I am sinful: fear not saith Christ, 1 Sam. 12. 20. they were ready to cast off all, Fear not, saith he; think of this, what 'tis you get by nursing up those fears, they hinder your joy in, and your love to Christ, your blessing of Christ, cause a dead discouraged heart: nay though they drive you to Christ one way, if they drive you from Christ another way by questioning his care; concluding against his Truth, never doubt they are vile, Mat. 8. 26. Why did ye fear O ye of little Faith. So far therefore as fear drives us to Christ, 'tis good, otherwise to be cut off.

2. If the Lord hath drawn thy heart to come to Christ, and when undone, every way secretly perswaded thy heart that thou shalt have help if thou come, and by coming hast received healing Vertues of thy lusts and vile affections from the Lord Jesus, fear not now, 'tis a sin to fear I shall not have help, as Mark 5. 33. the Woman with the Bloody-issue, she was afraid she had presumed, hence came p. 51trembling, but the Lord told her, Now fear not, be it unto thee according to thy Faith: only thy Issue is but begun to heal. What say you, have you never come to him, never received any healing from him? that is hard. Surely 'tis so, that I would not be in my lust again for a world.

If none of these prevail,Means 6. but the Lord follows thee with fears on fears, as wave on wave, then see if there be not some guile of spirit in thee, i. e. some sin you have or would give way to if you had assurance of Gods love. It was the speech of one to me, next to the Donation of Christ, no mercy like this, to deny assurance long; and why? for if the Lord had not, I should have given way to a loose heart and life, but, &c. so if the Lord should deal so with thee, it may be thou would'st lye in thy sins, if thou had'st pe…ce there, and it may be you have had it, but sinned, and not confessed, not lamented, not opposed: Thus it was with David, Psalm 32. 1, 2, 3, 4. Hence when he confessed, the Lord forgave in his Conscience his sin. Men will withdraw their love from their Wives if it make them wanton, and deal sharply with them: so one that never restored, could never get peace; some ever complaining, never setled, because they have their Truces with sin, and would have peace with Christ, and it cannot be. And this is a rule I have long held, in them that have clear light of the Gospel, long denial of assurance is like fire to burn out some sin, and then the Lord will speak peace, Iudg. 10. 16. And therefore take this counsel, and God will tell thee thy sin, if thou art desirous that he should find it out, but get this mercy from him, Zach. 13. 9.

Bring thy heart to a straight, either to reject or receive him to be thine,Means 7. he is offered to be King, and Saviour, and Lord, and Husband; now thou shalt have his heart, his hand, his Spirit, his Father, his Kingdom, his Ordinances, his Angels, himself if you receive him, or else if not, you shall lose him, and then woe to thee when any mercy, any misery, any Ordinance befalls thee, for all shall suck thy Blood, consume thee, and fit thee for eternal ruine: and then wish, Oh that I had taken him, but then too late; therefore receive him or reject him: Oh I cannot; that's another matter: However we propound these Evangelical commands that may come with power, and therefore know, that if they do not now, they shall arise again in time.

SECT. II.

THis is not all that which makes you ready for Christ, unlesse your love is set and fixed on him:Exhort. 2. and therefore look that it be ready. I doubt not but that there is glowing in your hearts, some love to the Lord, it cannot be that all should be quenched, that all his kindnesse should be forgotten, but remembred many times with some affliction: but know it, if it be so, your lamp is not yet in your hand, nor your Souls ready to meet the Lord: For look as 'tis with a mighty Prince that shall set his heart on some poor servant, and he requires no portion but to love him the more, and she cannot bring her heart to love him more than other mean Fellows, is she fit or ready to be Matcht unto him? So here: hence. Mat. 10. 37. He that loves Father or Mother, &c. then you are ready when your love is fit for such an Husband; and therefore though you feel some love under the ashes (when you stir up your hearts) to the Lord Jesus, yet if it be not a fit love beseeming his Excellency, and the Glory of his Person, when you can draw out buckets of love, and pour it upon other things, but scarce fetch out a drop for Christ, and yet you hope that will serve the turn; I tell you no, you are yet unfit and unready for him. Look as it was with their offering the Testimonies of love and thankfulnesse, Mal. 1. 14. so it's here. And therefore my Exhortation shall be as 'tis said in that Psalm,Psal. 86. 7, 8.Ps 86:7Ps 86:8 Give unto the Lord the kingdoms of p. 52the earth. Give unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name: So give to the Lord the love that is due unto him, that love that is fit for him.

What is that love the Lord would have,Quest. which is fit for him?

1. Beloved, I hope if you think not your Blood too dear for Christ, you will not think any love too much for Christ:Answ. Yet because I would not have you aim at an uncertain mark, and shoot at a venture, I shall single out that love which I hope your own Consciences cannot but say is fit. And,

1. I had thought to have sought for this from you, viz. Give the Lord Jesus but that love, no more love than thou hast given to thy lusts, the Lord will be contented with it, Rom. 6. 19. As ye have yeilded, &c. so now; but that it may be you may think this love too base for him, yet give him but this, and the Lord would be contented with it, and accept of it; and those that shall not, it shall be their Torment in Hell to think of this word: Oh that I had given the Lord Jesus that love I gave to my base lusts, I had had him, and been in Heaven with him. But I wholly presse a Second.

2. Do but love him as he loveth thee, i. e. you cannot answer the greatnesse of his love, but do it for your measure: If you cannot pay him in pounds, yet pay him in pence, and this is fit for him: For 1. He is worthy of love, there is beauty in him why thou shouldest desire him; there is none in thee. 2. Thy love shall have a recompence, 2 Tim. 4. 8. he never can have recompence from thee.

3. He loves thee first with his own love, now that is unreasonable not to reflect his beams, and return him his own again in similitude, if not in parity.

Wherein appears the love of the Lord to me,Quest. that so I may see how to manifest the like love to him?

He hath loved thee more than himself, more than his own honour, for he made himself of no reputation,Answ. Phil. 2. 7. more than his own comforts, he left the bosom of a Father, and bore the wrath of a Father for thee; more than his own life, he saw thy neck upon the block, and Gods Axe up to give the Bloody Fatal stroke; and he came in thy room, and loved thy life more than his own, lost his own before one hair of thy head should perish, though he knew thee a Traytor to God, and an enemy to himself, Rom. 5. 10. Rev. 1. 5, 6. if this be not thus, woe to thee living, woe to thee dying. What art thou but a sad spectacle hung up in thy chains in this world for Angels in Heaven to see and tremble at, and for Devils, Sins, and eternal Sorrows, like Fouls of Heaven to Prey upon. Now is it not fit that thou shouldst love him more than thy self? his honour more than thine, his consolations more than thine own, his Person more than thine own, nay more than thy life? Rev. 12. 11. I have known them whom the Lord hath revealed this love to, that have thought it too little to do, and hence have wish'd they had been born in those Times that they might have laid down their lives for him: VVhere is now this love? Doth not self-love swallow up all? Lord, what self-seeking, self-serving, self-minding, self-honouring, self-pleasing, and the Lord himself and his love forgot, as if there were no Christ, or in him no love.

2. He hath loved thee when he might have passed by thee, and loved others that might have wone the Lord towards them (I speak after the manner of men) rather than thee; men of greater place, greater gifts and parts, greater pomp in the world, but Rom. 9. Iacob shall be loved, Esau hated: he hath passed by Kings with their Crowns, and now set his heart on thee a Babe, when wise ones know him not; foolish, when prudent ones see him not; weak, when strong and mighty receive him not. Yea, as the Apostle speaketh, 1 Cor. 1. 28. Base things, and things which are not. God hath made thee nothing in thine own eies. Behold his love, and now do the like for him. It may be somtime thy carnal eye sees more Glory in the creature, than in Christ; more in the honour of man, than in the honour of a Christ, &c. And hence might'st set thy heart on them p. 53rather than on Christ, because strongly tempted so to do, and it may after some scourges be saved at last, yet passe by them, and set thy heart only on him. We judge of a Friend by the times of triall, and of a Christian, by a time of temptation. Now a Balaam, a Witch may not dare in time of temptation, to fall into it. Oh get one strain highe…, and go one step farther than a Witch, though I might let my heart loose after the world, I will not love it, the love of the Lord deserves it, the love of the Lord constrains me to give my love to him and not to the world, though I might hide it, and have pardon for it.

3. He loves thee although thou wrongest him, Isa. 43. 22. to 26. when he is so wronged that he is ready to give thee up, yet Hos. 11. 8, 9. He is God and not man, nay, which is more wonderful, where sin there Grace abounds. Hence David makes this an Argument, Psal. 25. 11. Forgive because 'tis great. And hence Moses, Deut. 33. 9. Because 'tis astiffnecked people. Oh therefore love him, though he smites thee, though he forsakes thee, wherein he may seem, but indeed doth no wrong to thee, but love thee; for chastisement is part of the portion of sons, not of Bastards, Heb. 12. 6, 8. But do as that woman when she came to the stake, gave away her cloaths, some to one, some to another, Now farewell friends, and world, welcome Love, welcome Christ. So if the Lord comes to take away all from thee, the child of thy body, the husband of thy youth, the wife of thy bosom, the comforts of thy life, provisions from thy family, bread from thy mouth, bid farewel to them, give them into the Lords hands, and now say, welcome Christ. Its usual for Christians at first conversion and espousing, the Lord loves them dearly, and tenders them, shews nothing but love to them, and then their love is fresh; afterward come hard Frosts, and Winter-storms, and cold blasts of displeasure: Christ departs from the Soul, withdraws himself, hides his face, and sends sad afflictions; now the Soul apprehending anger, and nothing else, it grows discouraged, and so dies: when if it could stay and wait, it should see all from love, and doing it the greatest good. Oh remember this: he doth afflict me, he doth depart from me, he doth fear me with Hell, yet I'le love him never a whit the lesse: Though the Lord buries all the Blessings he gives me, yet my love shall live, and if it do fall it shall arise.

4. He loved thee when in thy low estate, Psal. 136. 23. even when as no eye pittied thee, Ezek. 16. nay when thou wert vilest, at the height of thy sin, under deepest depths of misery, and straightest captivity, after Friends had almost ceased to counsel, Word and Spirit could do no good, after Conscience had warned thee. Oh love him when he is in his lowest estate, when his enemies persecute him, and his seeming Friends forsake him. Before you came to this Land, you thought Christ and persecution, Christ and the meanest condition, nay Christ and death would be sweet: the Lord it may be doth or will try your love; and here you find Christ and losses in Estate, Christ and crosses in your Family, Christ and many fears, and toils, and cares. Do you love him now as well as ever you did for all this? Oh never was my heart worse! I doubt not but a discerning Christian may see how all the world is against Christ, nay many Traytors in his own Family, who love the bagg more than Christ. Many foolish Virgins who love their sleep and sloth more than Christ; nay the hearts and Spirits of his own Friends declining, that there is not that life of Christ, that presence, and savour, and power of Christ in Hearts, in Prayers, in Lives, and no complaints of this: Now is the fittest time of love, when no eye sees, when no heart loves him, or cares for him, Psalm 119. 126, 127. Therefore I love thy commands, when he is shut out of every heart, when none to receive him, if any love it will appear now.

5. He doth love thee constantly every moment, Iohn 13. 1. 2. He hath thee every moment in his own bosom, every moment thou art sinning, and he is pardoning. Sin, and Satan, and Hell, and wrath are every moment waiting to hurt p. 54thee, and he is every moment watching over thee, redeeming of thee. Every moment sin and justice cry against thee, and yet he is continually making intercession for thee, Isai. 27. 2, 3. Every moment he is blessing when thou art sinning. Oh the unknown love of the Lord Jesus! Oh these fits of love are not fit for him. Love him every moment, delight in him every moment. When a man hath a fire every moment warming him, but still is cold, it's a sad sign that Death is near: You can love him sometimes in a Sermon, but soon after cold again, or in a Sacrament, and presently heart-dead again: or after answer to Prayers, and some special deliverances, and then the heart is un-affected again, and so a little pang of love must content Christ: if he ceaseth one moment to love thee, and to manifest it to thee, then cease to love him; if he ceaseth not to love thee dearly, never to leave thee, Oh then ever love him.

But we have such distractions and cares?

Men in love will follow their work,Object. and Women will do the Huswifry of the house,Answ. and yet love is at notime to seek to their Husbands, and shall the Lord have lesse?

6. He loves thee with an unmeasurable love, Rom. 5. 20. Where sin, there Grace hath abounded: hence Eph. 2. 3, 4. Love, and great love, vers. 7. Exceeding riches of his Grace: For there is in Christ.

1. A created love. One man loves another exceedingly, as Ionathan did David. Now he hath the perfection of all humane or Angelical love towards his people put in him.

2. Increated love, infinite love of a God, and hence 'tis immeasurable. He thinks nothing he doth too much, nothing he gives too dear: hence when world is slain, Satan cast out, when he is out sin must out; when some sins removed, the rest must; when they are out, then death must; when Death, then Hell. And when there is no life, no Grace, he works it; it decaies, he restores it; it cannot act, he quickens it; it cannot, doth not grow, he waters it. He hath given thee the earth, and the dayes of peace and patience; those are too little: he calls thee, and when thou canst not come, draws thee, and gives thee pardon: that is too little: he gives earth to thee, that is too little: (world is theirs) he gives Heaven to thee, that's too little (for they are made Co-heirs:) he gives promise to thee, that is too little: he gives himself, and Spirit, and can he do more? Yes, we cannot drink in all that goodnesse and love; hence he gives eternity to thee, and he shall more and more enlighten thee: not only let thy Soul live to blesse him, but thy poor body, and every dust of it to be raised up to Glory with him. What the Lord promised to Abraham, In blessing I will blesse, that portion is thine. Oh now love him without measure. Oh how I love thy law! how did David love it? I cannot tell; but if he loved the word of Christ, then much more the person of Christ, the presence of Christ, everlasting fellowship with Christ. Oh take heed of giving Christ, and measuring out unto Christ his portion, his allowance, that when the Lord comes to you for more love (as he doth daily) you give him that answer which many do in their practice, you have let him have as much as you can: so that you cannot spare any more from your selves, from a base world, from Wife, and Child, and Creature, from a slothful course: you hope the Lord will accept of that little he hath. I confesse a little water in a Spring is better than much that comes by Land-floods, but be sure it be a Spring, else not accepted. Beloved, time was you lived without Christ, did nothing for him: now you do; and what thou dost this year, did'st last year, and no more: what love Christ had yesterday, the same he hath to day and no more: Will you thus stint the Lord? Either do more, give more, or mourn you cannot: Oh one life, one heart is too little for him. It hath put me to sad fears of many mens estates to see this frame, a world of sin without measure every day: where is the Christian that loves the Lord the more every day? how can any then say much is forgiven, when they do not love much.

p. 557. He loves thee now in Glory, there hath prepared a place for thee, Iohn 14. 1, 2, 3. where he long… for thee, Iohn 17. 24. You know Pharaoh's Butler when exalted to his place, forgot poor Ioseph. One would think now the Lord Jesus is in Glory, and hath God, and Angels, and his Kingdom to content him, he should never look after such a worm, such a poor helplesse creature as thee. But as the High Priest carried the Names on his breast, and precious stones, so the Lord Jesus hath thy Name writ upon his very heart. Oh now love him when he exalts thee to Glory, to give thee the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, with peace and quietnesse. When Germany lies in blood, and Eastern Churches slain by the Dragon, devoured by the Turk, when Englands lights and lamps are going out, no people have such peace, such glory in so small a time. Beloved, now where is love? The Churches of Christ never lost their love so much as when they had their peace, and have been 1600 years a learning by A…flictions and Persecutions, h…w to enjoy their peace, and to have their love smell as sweet then, as when be…en most, and yet have not, but like the Globe without the Crosse in the Emblem rolling and running farther and fa…ther from God, In Cruce quies. Oh unreasonable to love him least whom he tenders most. Doth not Prayer grow cold for the Name of Christ, for the Churches of Christ? then love grows cold. Doth not plenty of means make thy soul sleight means: when you went many miles to hear, and had scarce bread at home, Oh you thought if once you had such liberties! but when they are made yours, now what fruit. Dost not fall in affections to Saints? Oh love dies, Christ deals not so with thee, and who knows but in Rocks and Mountains of the Wildernesse thou maist lament these evils which peace breed now?

8. He loves thee so as when any evil toucheth thee, he hath a feeling of it, and is grieved at it, Iud. 10. 16. Isai. 63. 9. nay he then comforts thee most, both in them, and by them, Iohn 14. 27. Not as the world gives peace, so give I it to you: Oh then grieve thou for those evils that betide him, the wrongs that others offer him, but especially the unkindnesse thy own Soul shews him, Mark 5. 3. He mourned for the hardnesse of their heart, Eph. 4. 29, 30. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, and grieve not the Holy Ghost, Heb. 3. 10. Forty years long was I grieved because they erred; I confesse you will wrong him, but will you, must you be impenitent too? Did his enemies grieve him on earth, and shall his Friends grieve him in Heaven, and no sorrows, no secret tears? he hath shed his Blood for thy sin, it shall never condemn, and wilt not thou shed tears? Is there no good Nature? But what is there no spirit of mourning? It may be many a day and week hast thou grieved him, and not a sigh to any purpose to ease thee of thy sin, but what hath eased thee in thy sin. Oh now comfort his heart again after thou hast most grieved him; comfort his Spirit that is dying sighing in thee; as he comforts thee by thy troubles, comfort him by making a right use of all thy sins to be more humble, more vile, to love him the more, and love thy self the lesse, as the Prodigal Son, Luke 15. 18, 20, 24.

9. He loves thee so, that though he departs, he will not, doth not stay long from thee, though you may think it long, Isai. 54. 7. Hence it's wonder to see when heart gone, love lost, life lost, yet suddenly thou art brought down on thy knees: Oh 'tis the Lord that doth it: Thou wast in sorrow of heart, he did not stay long, but came and comforted thee; thou wast in thy sins, it was not long but he delivered thee; thou wast in want of knowledg of him, it hath not been long but that he hath revealed the Lord to thee; thou hast been in afflictions and troubles, it hath not been long but he hath heard thee: So give him the like love. I know you will fall from him in love, in delight, in care; but do not stay long from him. Sometime the baits of the world will draw thee from him when thou hast thy ease and peace, Oh think it was better with me once than now; when fears drive thee from him, yet return, 1 Sam. 12. 21, 22. Oh here is that which hardens p. 56hearts, breaks your peace, and grieves the Lord so as he is forced to send many sad afflictions, because you lie in your falls: Oh be not long, no… far from him. He returns to thee when thou art most unkind to him: return when he is ever kind. He returns to thee though he hath no need of thee, thou hast of him; He will not leave thee: Oh leave not him!

10. He hath from before all worlds loved thee, when no reason for it, Ier. 31. 1, 2, 3. Thou hast neglected to love him long, all thy youth, nay it may be all thy life; Oh you beloved of the Lord begin to do it now, when there is all reason for it, when Heaven calls for it, Earth calls for it, Ordinances plead for it, Spirit saith come, and calls for it too. It may be thy life is not long. What not yet?

But how shall I come to do this,Quest. thus to love the Lord?

The Lord only can plant,Answ. can water this Grace, yet because the Lord doth it by meanes, I will give you some now.

1. Labour to find out the true sweetnesse, and to taste the bitternesse of the deceitful sweetnesse of all Creatures, for this is a rule in reason, a mans affections like streams must run some way: and 'tis a rule in Theology, stop the affections from running to the Creature, and in a sincere heart it will run unto Christ, Hos. 2. 6, 7. if it be from all creatures: Now then the affection is turned from the Creature, when it finds the bitternesse of the deceiving sweetnesse of it: and Secondly finds out the real sweetnesse of it; for make it as a rule, when a mans heart cannot love Christ (unlesse it be when it is benummed) 'tis because he hath somewhat else to joy his heart; now let the Creature yeild you no more joy, and Christ hath your love: indeed you may and must joy in the real sweetnesse of it, and this will encrease, and not diminish your love.

Quest. What is the real sweetnesse of the Creature?

Answ. Christs love: Oh see this, if Christ should not love thee, would not thy life be death, thy Salvation from many dangers be Damnation, thy Friends miserable comforters, thy joyes sorrows? what good would any thing do thee if thou hadst these thoughts, all these I have, but wrath with them? What comfort can a man take in his Feast, if news were then brought that after 'tis done, you must go to the stake to be burnt? You that joy in your pastimes, one frown of Christ would blast all. Oh see this, Psalm 63. Thy loving-kindnesse is better than life, in thy favour is life. Now joy for this, and this will knit your heart nearer to him. For Jesus sake ponder this Point.

Now 2. Taste the bitternesse of the sweetnesse remaining now 'tis distilled; and Satan shews a Three-fold sweetness, before, in, and after the enjoying of it.

Now 1. Before, remember how they have drawn away and held thy heart from God, done thee more hurt than all afflictions, many a sweet smile hadst thou had from God, but for them.

2. In the enjoying of it 'tis sweet, but when 'tis sweet to thee, 'tis then most bitter to the heart of God; when thy joy is kindled, the Lords sorrow is stirred up and provoked.

3. After. 1. It will draw thy heart from God: and 2. It will be bitter in thy belly at last. Whatever sweetnesse draws thee from the love of Christ, Oh it will be bitter. Rom. 6. 21. Chew upon this, and see if any thing here be worthy of your joy, and if not, then return to your first Husband.

II. Taste the allsufficiency of the love of Christ: a Woman that is not content with her Husbands love, she will not love him as 'tis fit. So when other things make love to us, and the Lords love is not enough, Cant. 1. 4. More than wine: hence the upright love thee. Do but sit down and think what this is: If once he loves thee, what-ever he can he will do for thee, he will order all thy life, not one thing shall hurt thee, every thing in providence shall work for thy glory, sins, sorrows, &c. so as thou shalt say his denyals are better than his gifts, his blows better p. 57than smiles, his withdrawings better than his presence, these evils better than joyes, and when once he loves me, he will never leave me, that come life; come death, I am safe. Oh taste this!

III. See the Lord Jesus now as he is, and …n truth this were enough to make any prophane heart love him, much more a Saint espoused to him, but the Lord hath hid himself from their eyes, shall he be so, is he so from yours? 1 Pet. 1. 8. When seeing not with bodily eyes, but with Faith, ye love him, 1 Iohn 3. 1, 2, 3. We shall see him as he is. VVhy suppose the day of doom was come, Christ in the clouds, and all creatures before him, all Angels ministring to him, in all the Glory of his Father; Oh then the love of Christ, Oh one smile, one word of Christ would be precious. Lord that men should be in a Dream! See Christ a little higher set in his Throne, a place more glorious, though lesse seen, in all the Glory of his Father, all mighty Angels ministring to him, all the world put into his hand, doing what he will, and all he will; why will you not love him now? Is the Gospel a Fable? say so if it be, then love him not if you can. VVhen Simeon and the VVise men saw him, though but in his abasement, they honoured him, much more now if see him in glory. It's a question whether the beams of the Sun are fire: Some demonstrate it thus, Take a Glasse and gather together the beams, it burns. Therefore so if you would see so as to be affected, gather together the beams of his glory and love; Thus you see the means to get fit love, and if it be lost, Oh now get it again, lest the Lord strain for it, else you are not fit, and if it be not any love that sufficeth, much lesse no love, as in many of you: but consider 1 Cor. 16. 22. He that loves not Christ, let him be accursed: Oh that this might be won from you, O little love goes out to Christ, who sees it not? Ordinances of Christ, men are weary of them, the truths of Christ, despise them, the Servants of Christ, they quarrel with them. Now recover your Love, the Lord help you so to do.

SECT. III.

TO do the work of Christ,Exhort. 3. to be daily at it, and finishing of it; for look as it was with the Head, 'tis so with all the Members that are to remain a while in this life, they have some work to do for the Lord; some common, some special work, and when that is done, now they are ready to return home again. Hence Iohn 17. 4, 5. I have finished the work, and now he stands at the door and knocks, and is ready for entrance, Now glorifie me with thy self, and you shall find a faithful heart will neither be willing nor ready to go till this is done.

What is this work I am to do?Quest.

I have answered this else-where at large,Answ. yet these two things I would say.

1. That a mans chief work lies not in facile duties, for though Grace and Christs …pirit makes duties easie, his yoke easie; yet there is a contrary Spirit that will make them hard and difficult at first.

2. Least I should leave you unsatisfied altogether, we shall find a christian life is carried with a double motion: 1. In seeking of God in his Ordinances. 2. Or in walking with God out of his Ordinances, these are joyned together, Gen. 6. 8, 9. Noah found Grace, hence sought it, though not in the eyes of the world: and hence Noah walked with God. Hence we see Christ was sometime in the Mount alone, Sometime abroad going up and down doing good. Moses in the Mount and in the Camp too. Now look as before a man is justified, his chief work then is to seek God in his Ordinances for a principle: so a soul now espoused to Christ is to walk with Christ: now walking implies constant following of another, or a continual work; so Christ hath work for you every moment. Hence in every company, time, place, temptation, enquire thus, Am I not like to lose my time, p. 58my heart, Christs honour? What work hath Christ for me to do? hold here, for here lies your work. Look as an ambitious man asks, how serves this for my honour, and Satan how he may dishonour Christ; so do you ask, how you may honour him, Rom. 6. 19. As you have given your selves instruments of iniquity, &c. And now because we live in times and places wherein men have so much work of their own to do, that Christ is neglected, wherein very few walk with God. Hence men taking mens examples for patterns and copies of their course, content themselves to do as others do: And this being a close act, mainly consisting in what is unseen; and because men are apt to put off Christ with desires, and serve Satan indeed, and because apt to resolve all Religion into some two or three duties or Graces, and because mens hearts are catching at comforts and promises, but commands tedious and burdensome; I shall presse this upon these Motives; only here let me premise when I presse you to this, 'tis not to a Covenant of Works, as though you could act your selves, but we look to Christs Blood and Spirit to set on things; I speak to them under Grace, who have the Spirit without, and Faith within to act and carry them here. But

1. Whose work will you do?M…t. 1. you cannot cease to do Christs work, but you must do your own work, (I speak not for idlenesse) i. e. you must serve your lust; now consider what good did thy self ever do thee, nay Satan never such an enemy as thy own self: and will you fall down to such an Image? Shall thy lusts have content more and rather than Christ?

2. Consider the Lord will take care and charge of thee, to do thy work, to bring about thy ends for thee, do but thou do his. Martha was cumbred about many things, hence forsook the better part: so men neglect, forget Christs work, because of so many distractions of their own. What will become of my hundred Talents? what will become of my Wife; Child? Now do you take care of the Lords work, take that for your charge, and the Lord will take charge of you. The best, readiest, and only way to have your own ends, is to seek the Lords, and forget your own. As in Solomon, his great work and care was to rule a State well, and the Lord gave all the rest. Set thy face to the Sun, and these shadows will follow you. The Servant takes charge of his Masters work, and he need not trouble himself for meat and drink, and è contra.

First, there shall not any evill hurt thee, whereas else thy good things shall, Isai. 27. 3.

Secondly, All Creatures in Heaven and Earth shall serve that man that serves his God, Hos. 2. 21, 23. whereas else they groan under thee.

Thirdly, Angels shall come out of Heaven to guard thee.

Fourthly, Nay the Lord Jesus himself shall stand at the top of the ladder, that when every thing else shall leave thee, he shall then bring the best wine at the last, he will be a portion to thee, Psalm 16. Phil. 3. 8.

3. Consider that the more difficult any duty is, the more sweetnesse shall you receive if you break through it: Men plead difficulty, I plead gain. Hence he that overcomes shall eat of the hidden Manna: Hence never any so comforted, honoured as Christ, because never any went through so hot a work for the Father as Christ, Phil. 2. You plead the difficulty of a christian life, and taste not the sweetnesse of that life: if you can do no more than what is easie, and pleaseth self, the Lord will never let you taste the sweetnesse of pleasing him. Have you not sometimes found your hearts dead to Prayer, yet you fell to it, and then would not but have took the season for a world.

4. Consider, let the duty be to Nature impossible, yet the Lord is at hand to help, even when no strength, Isai. 40. 29. Nay Heb. 11. 34. Out of weaknesse were made strong. If you had no Christ, no Spirit, no Promises to assure you of help, you might then cease acting, and say 'tis impossible I should ever overcome such evils, attain to that measure: but when Promises to assure, and Christ and p. 59Spirit at hand, now to plead impossibility, is to reproach the Lord; to think he will set his people to make Brick, and give them no straw: nay to war against God and to make the Lord war against you, Numb. 14. You know how they cried out of impossibilities, and now the Lords anger rose when they were ready to enter Canaan: So when men are ready to enter upon possession of Christ, and Promises, then impossibilities appear. Consider therefore what the Lord hath done for David, Gideon, Samson, who went out in the name and Spirit of the Lord, and were helped: If you were under the Law, you might plead this, but under Grace 'tis horrible to make this excuse.

5. Consider if the Lord do not help (as he will be free) yet he will accept thy will, I know he will not accept the wishes of servants, yet he will accept the will of Sons; neither will he accept the will of Sons in a work they might have strength from him to do, and go not to him for it; but in that case he will; as 2 Cor. 12. 9. i. e. 'tis enough, I accept thee: and this is very sweet, that for his own sake he should be pleased as well with the will as with the work, for this is that which troubles, I would have help, the Lord gives none; why the Lord accepts of it as if thou didst it, as in Davids building a Temple: For a Christians work is done two wayes.

First, Sometimes by feeling, when we feel help.

Secondly, Some times by Faith, by going to another for it: and this the Lord accepts most mercifully, for this is his Victory over all sin, even his Faith. When we see a duty hard, and do not go to the Lord for help, then we are overcome properly: For out of the abundance of the heart the person acts for Christ.

6. Consider the Lord will honour thee (though the work doth not) Iohn 12. 26. Him will my Father honour, both in this life, Rom. 2. 29. and in that to come. Now as 'tis in acting parts, 'tis no matter what Fellow-acters think, God is the great Spectator, God will esteem of thee, and Conscience shall witnesse as much when no eye sees, or when men see and judge amisse, yet the Lord approves, and at the great Day before Men and Angels, and all the world, 1 Cor. 4. 5. Then shall every man have praise of God: and hence Mat. 25. Christs judgement is made according to the works of his people: because then they shall not be compared with themselves and their sins, but with the wicked: and hence to set out their glory, he reckons up all they have done. All men in all their acts seek to avoid shame, and attain honour: now if you did know a way for all men in the world to honour you, would you not attend it? what is their Dreams to Gods honour? Hence not one act but is now chronicled, Mal. 3. 16. and afterward rewarded, 1 Cor. 15. 58. Oh then give content to the Lord.

7. Consider the peace you shall have by this means, both while you live, and when you dye: what's the cause of so many doleful clamours of Conscience, but a loose carelesse heart, the Lord is neglected; that when one pleads Faith, it will be replyed, the true Faith is the Faith of the Son of God. Now is the Faith of God a carelesse Faith, a secure, worldly, impenitent, dead Faith? you may sit down, and rise again, and say true, yet I'le believe, so you may, but it will be with such a trembling spirit as you will find no peace: Neither do I know how any can keep his peace otherwise, for there are children but Still-born; if born a living Son, thou wilt live to God, necessarily I must do it: But by this means, Oh there is unspeakable peace, Mat. 11. 29, 30. Hence Paul, I have finished my work, &c. Iohn 14. 21. to 24. you live without God, and walk without God, and Pray without God, but there is a day approaching that you shall appear before the Lord Jesus, you shall wish then, Oh that I had lived so and so: Oh do that now.

8. Consider the Lord will have it done, it must be done, hence Paul said, Necessity lies upon me, and woe to me, &c. the Lord should be forsworn if he should not bring you to it, Luke 1. 73, 74, 75. According to the Oath, &c. p. 60Beloved you think lasie desires will serve: no, it must be done: you say I cannot, it must be better with you. And hence look for a rod, and that the Lord will bring you into great affliction till all is removed, and so purge you; and if one affliction will not do it, then worse shall come, he loves you better than so. And remember you have had warning this day: you came hither for the Lords work, and now your own justles it out: look that God will take away the Kingdom from you, or set oppressors over you, or send some stings among you: and then say, Oh I may thank my walking unworthy of God and Gospel for this.

9. Consider else you shall make the Blood of Christ shed of no effect, 2 Cor. 5. 14, 15. Now wicked men need not fear this, no Blood shed for them. Will you do so? God forbid: The Jews have killed him, will you drag him up and down the streets, trample on his Blood, and put him to open shame.

10. Consider your time is but short, and you have done but little work, and 'tis not long but that your Crown shall be put upon your head. It's noted of En…ch Gen. 5. that he walked with God three hundred years, (and that having Sons and Daughters, h…ving Family-contentments, and incumbrances,) and he lived the shortest time. I am sure Angels are content to come out of Heaven to do the work of God: what not do it here? Paul thought himself born too soon because for a time he lived without Christ. Oh but now make tryal, and you will find it the sweetest life, that you will say, why have I neglected this so long? and if thou dost not find seven times more peace therein than in all the world, never set foot here.

How shall I thus do the work of Christ?Quest.

I. Without Christ you can do nothing, Answ.Iohn 15. 5. The Sun runs still because it's light of it self; so when the Lord is in you, you will do so. Hence go not out to any duty in your own strength, for then you will either not do it, or not hold out in it: No man can hold out at his work that feeds not abundantly on his meat, so here; and here note but these two things.

1. Do not only in Ordinances do thus, but out of Ordinances then, as in particular times of tryal (for the Lord will not give you in an Ordinance as much Grace as shall serve you out of it) lift up your hearts to Christ, and say as Christ, Father the hour is come, now glorifie thy Name, Iohn 12. 28. So Lord, here is work to do, but a dead heart is upon me, Lord glorifie thy Name. I have seldom seen but the Lord either helped then, or at some other time when thou didst come, and then the Lord puts thee in remembrance that 'tis out of respect to that.

2. Thus coming and feeding on the Lord Jesus, believe that he will help, and that shall be so; some have never got strength against sin till then, but this hath conquered difficulties, Rom. 8. 37, 38. In all these things we overcome, for I am perswaded, &c. So you coming helplesse to a Christ, all his strength is yours by covenant. Be perswaded he cannot go from his word: but yet we must use other means sanctified by Christ, for Christ worketh by meanes. And therefore,

II. Find out where the cause of all your negligence and sloth lies in not doing the Lords work, nay of your doing Satans work. It may be you will say you cannot, I know there is that in Saints in part, but this is not the main, therefore I will tell you thus.

1. Before conversion the main wound of men is their Will, Video meliora probo que dexteriora sequor: Hence Iohn 8. 44. His lusts ye will do. Hence Mat. 23. 37. You would not: they say hence we have a Will, I say no. And hence we answer that great Objection for Possibilities to keep all Laws by universal Grace, which tis unjust to punish for not doing that a man cannot do. We answer, There is a double impotency, Ex infirmitate, or Ex malignitate, when men will not, Prov. 11, 12, 13.

p. 612. Hence it follows after conversion, though the Will is changed, so that a man would but cannot do many things, Ex infirmitate, yet the great cause why he cannot do more is from the remnant of malignity not yet removed. A man will sleep, he loves it, and secretly loaths the wayes of the Lord: Hence the Church, Isai. 63. 17. complains of this. A man shall find his heart wills the end exceedingly, but when he comes to will the means, there his heart is weary of them, and loath… them; a man will be carelesse, and this being not seen, is not fought against. Sin is vi…ified, and hence the enemy to all good remains still. It's an old Rule, Tantum possumus, quantum volumus. Get Christ to help here.

3. Make this your last end, to live unto Christ, and to do his work: Hence Paul did not account his life dear; this is your last end, for the end of being born by Faith, nay of being redeemed by Blood, 'tis to live unto Christ, Tit. 2. 11. When you cry for Faith, and Peace, and Assurance, that is not your end, for he that doth so is a very Hypocrite, and hath a false heart, but 'tis to live to Christ: Hence Paul, Phil. 3. 9, 10, 12, 13. sought to be found in him, but further to know him, &c. The Father is glorified in our bringing forth much Fruit. Hence make it your …ast end, and then your happinesse will lie in acting thus, and that that is a mans happinesse he is carried to with most infinite delight. For presse people to do Christs work, their hearts are dead, tell them the Lord Jesus shall have a Name by what they do for him, yet dead, because though they see it good, yet they place not their happinesse there, because that is not their last end. But come to this, now it will do; a man cannot bear a crosse, yet let him consider, the Lord shall gain though I do not; so for Faith, so for any other duty. Men think it good, but not their greatest good. Hence see Christ better than thy self, and his honour better than thy glory for ever. Hence the Lord denies us help, because we ask it for our Lusts, not for himself, Iames 4. 3.

4. Keep those glorious apprehensions of the Lord and his wayes, which you have sometimes in an Ordinance: You are sometimes near the Lord, and you then see a beauty in Christ, in his wayes, and then thinkest shall I ever wrong him more? then you come out and lose your light, and so you ever lose your strength and life. Hence Eph. 5. 11. 'tis as with a man that eats, but he looseth and spends his spi…its, he can do no more work, but faints away: see 2 Pet. 2. 9. Steven can be content to have stones about his ears, when he can say, I see Iesus. And hence when those glorious apprehensions come into your minds, stamp them there, for set up other Images of other things in your minds, and your hearts will bow down every moment to them. Doth not Christs Spirit do all? yes, but by this medium, 2 Cor. 3. 18. As by the Spirit of the Lord.

SECT. IV.

AFter you have done your work be ever humble, and be ready to give the Lord the honour of his Grace,Use 4, Of Exhort. that ever he gave any thing to you, that ever he did any thing by you; for the last end of all the Elect, 'tis to admire and honour the riches of Gods Grace, Eph. 1. 5, 6. Hence the Fall was permitted, never should Grace have been seen, if sin and misery had not come in. Now if this be our last end in Glory, then the heart is ready to have immediate fellowship with Christ there, when 'tis ready to act for its last end. Hence it's frequent in the Psalms, when David was in any strait, wanted any mercy, nay the presence of the Lord here, this is the last end he pursues, the last word he speaks before the Lord, My soul shall blesse thee, as Psalm 63. 3, 4. and hence when all his enemies were subdued, and he ready to lay all in the dust, he gives the Lord all, 2 Sam. 22. per totum. and 23. 5. Beloved, this is Heavens work, Oh learn this Song before you go there, which none can learn but the Redeemed and Sealed of the Lord, p. 62Rev. 14. 3. Iohn 1. 14. It's writ of Christ, he was full of Grace and Truth; Do you ever think to meet with him, that get not your hearts full of the sense of it?

Before I come therefore to presse this, I shall premise these two things.

First; That the Lord in all his dealings with his people, seeks lastly to bring about the glory of his Grace: he regards nothing men do, if at last they deny him this; He respects not what sins and evils men have, if at last he gets this, for this is his last end: hence all he doth to his people, for his people, by his people, 'tis for this. And hence

1. He leaves them a long time in their Graves and Sins, that they live like other men, which is strange that he that hath loved them so long, should leave them so long to be as bad as any, yet this he doth, because it makes for the praise of his Grace, Ephes. 2. 4, 7, 8. Dead in sin, that in ages to come, &c. And this doth so confound Gods people, that they wish not only Heaven, but Earth, and Ages to come may record this love.

2. Hence out of men fallen, he picks out usually the poorest and vilest, the younger Brother lesse loved out of a Family, leaves elder, Rom. 9. 11. and the foolish, and weak things, and things that are not, that no flesh might glory, but in the Lord, 1 Cor. 1. 26, 31. and this is strange that the Lord should chuse thus, but this he doth to blur the glory of all the world.

3. Hence the Lord saves by Faith, and justifies by Faith, and seals by Faith, Eph. 1. 13. and sanctifies by Faith, and glorifies by Faith, 1 Pet. 1. 3. So that all a Christians life is a Beggars life, and 'tis strange the Lord should chuse the basest, poorest Grace to save by; and the end is the glory of his Grace, Rom. 4. 16. 'Tis of Faith that it might be of Grace.

4. The Lord leaves many wants in his people, under which they sit sighing, and that sometime very long, refuseth to hear their Prayers, that they may repair to the Throne of Grace, and so in conclusion blesse Grace, Heb. 4. 16.

5. Hence the Lord takes away sometimes those feelings, those enlargements they had, and baits them with most vexing sins, and pricking distempers, 2 Cor. 12. 7, 9. and it is to advance Grace.

6. Hence the Lord is sometimes angry with his people, and hides his face from them, that if ever he returns in love, his Grace may be the sweeter, and last the longer, Isai. 54. 7. Nay hence sometimes strips them so of all that they have had, or can do, that if you ask what have you now to say for your selves? nothing but Grace, their mouths are stopt. Hence Psalm 6. Lord save me for thy mercies sake, Psalm 51. 11. According to the multitude of thy mercies, &c.

7. Hence the Lord speaks peace to his people, that they may say, I was so vile, and yet loved; Oh Grace! Oh love! Ezek. 16. 63. When they see nothing but shame, and shame covers them, and afraid to appear before God, it is for this end. I'le name no more. Do you not observe it? Sometime you shall find the Lord so strangely carrying matters, as if he did not love nor care for his people, against the hair and grain of their desires, and when all comes to winding up, 'tis to advance Grace. All a mans good dayes, and bad dayes, all Gods frowns and smiles, all the Lords Food and Physick, all God cares for, works, plots for, 'tis to do his people no more hurt than this, to advance his Grace in them, and by them. All his hewings and hammerings of you, nay his knocking you a pieces, and new melting, and new casting of you, 'tis that you may be Vessels of his glorious Grace, that you may be able to live in the air of Gods Grace, to suck in, and breath out Grace, and let all the power of Hell seek to blur it, yet Grace shall conquer. VVho would not be under Grace? Oh poor creature, Satan is tempting, sin vexing, yet Grace must reign.

Secondly, This I say, that Gods own people do by strange wayes and courses deny the Lord, and deprive the Lord of the Glory of his rich Grace, for that being p. 63the Diamond in Gods Crown, and the beloved Attribute which God intends to advance; all the policy of Hell is against this; this is the reason why Satans enmity is so bitter against Faith, as in Peter; and observe, however there be many Temptations, his end is to crush Faith: the reason is, as 'tis with an enemy, if the Besieged hath water brought to the City by Pipes, he cuts off them and stops them, so Faith fetching all from Grace, and returning all to Grace, hence Faith is opposed most; and hence the unregenerate part will take Satans part, and doth strangely rob the Lord of the glory of this, though I confesse the Lord will have it for all that they seek to scatter it, Isai. 43. 21, 22. It's strange to see how few plot for the praise of Grace; hence how many are straitned, nay do cross Christ in this. As

1. If the Lord give them not what Grace they would, then they sleight what little he bestows; and if he gives them much, then they solace themselves in it, and grow puft up and proud. It's the temper of Gods own people to set up such a measure of Gods Grace and Spirit which they would have, and therein they do well: Paul, Phil. 3. 11. lookt to the Resurrection of the dead; but if the Lord denies them that, (as he will make his people live from hand to mouth) they sleight what they have, either as if all were but hypocrisie, or because it is but little, not so much as they would have, and herein they do ill, for here the Lord loseth the glory of some Grace, for it's Grace that you have the least desires after it; nay that you do but know what it is, and see the want of it, and yet ever complaining, and never rejoycing, for every degree of Grace in Saints, is vertually saving, though formally common. But suppose the Lord fills the bottle full, and gives as much peace, affections, enlargements of heart, as it hath almost required, (for there are Spring-tides, and over-flowing times of Gods Spirit, now they are ready to swell, and be puft up above measure, as Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 7. Lest I should be exalted above measure, for there is self-love in Saints. Hence they desire an excellency in themselves: hence when they find none of their own, they are apt to deck and set out themselves with what the Lord hath done, and so to joy in this, and now to think themselves better than others of Gods Saints, whereas they should be more vile, and advance Grace the more, Eph. 3. 8. To me the least of Saints. And hence the Lord after greatest deliverances and mercies sends great sorrows, as to them in the Wildernesse. Hence the Lord takes away affections, and they dye, that Grace might be the more advanced.

2. If the sins of their hearts are common, and cannot be removed, and so seem little, then they passe them by, and never take notice of them, God will pardon them, and hence the Lord hath sad times of reckoning (with a rod in his hand) with his own people, Ezek. 6. 9. That those loose times are heavy times, this is for my neglect, &c. but hereby Grace loseth Glory; for how can they see how deeply they are indebted to the Lord, if they see not their Debt? on the other side, if their sins be very violent, and their distempers so strong, that they think none like me, now their hearts sink, and dye away, and grow discouraged, and all the use they make is this, I think it will never be better with me, and can there be life for me so dead, deliverance, redemption for me in such bondage, love for one that cannot but loath my self, and if others did know me, they would do so too. Can the Lord love me now? Yes Beloved, that he can and will, Isai. 63. 16. Though Abraham know us not, yet, &c. But here is your sin, when you should make this use of all, to feel the more need of Grace to pitty, and say, the more precious shall Grace be to me for ever: your hearts now sink. The Lord brings his people into very low condition to humble them, and to shew them more of his Grace, Psalm 78. 19. Can God prepare a Table? they spake therein against God: so 'tis here; for herein the Lords Grace is seen, to love them when Lepers.

3. Grace that hath been shewen, for times past they forget it, 2 Pet. 1. 9. And p. 64what is this but destroying Gods Grace? for why is Grace so precious at first conversion, that Heaven and Earth are too little to hold praises enough for it? And afterward, the Lord hath little love; Oh you forget what once you were, and what the Lord hath done, hence 1 Tim. 1. 13, 14. I was so and so, &c. but now have received abundant Grace. You have had many meetings with God, many answers from God, many consolations and times of refreshing and reviving, and these forgotten and buried, the life of them after a year or two expired. And what is this but eclipsing Gods Grace? On the other side, as for Grace for time to come, they fear it, especially when worms and no men in their own eyes. Hence saith God, Fear not worm Iacob, Isai. 41. 14. There is a certain Divining Spirit (as one once told me) that untill that was pulled out, no honour can the Lord get. Before you come to Word or Prayer, thou wilt fear thou shalt never get any good; and when the Lord gives any, thou wilt fear thou shalt never hold out; and what Promise soever is made, thou wilt fear thou shalt never find it. And what doth this but eclipse Grace? we should go with boldness to the Throne of Grace; nay hence let the Lord send never so much Mercy for the Present, a Fear will cut off all, that all this will rise up in Judgement against me.

4. When they are most fit to honour Gods Grace by Faith, now they will not believe, not then above any other time: for then a man is most fit to honour Grace, when he feels most need of it: and when hath he most need, but when he feels most emptinesse? why now above any other time a man will not come in, but will have somewhat in himself first, and then he will, when his heart is so and so sweetly setled, &c. Hence Luke 14. Poor, and blind, and lame, and halt compelled to come in: one would think there needed not that; but now when fittest, now they will not: for let any man observe what would endear his heart so much to Grace as this: to think if it be the Lords mind to save a poor dead damned creature, then happy I? This is wonderful, this hath quickened dead love, and dead Faith, and a dead heart. And on the other side, if the Lord delay, if it comes not at their own time, then they distrust it; Grace! alas I feel my self never a whit better: For there be two things in Faith,

First, A coming to Christ, which is our work, i. e. Gods work in us.

Secondly, Receiving what I come for from Christ, which is the Lords work; Now the first gives evidence he shall have it, Iohn 6. 35, 37. Hence the Lord will have them rejoyce in what Christ hath, as my Grace is sufficient; but if it comes not presently, then they cast off Faith, and so cast away Grace, I feel no good: hence Iohn 4. 48. &c. I know there is a seeming coming to Christ, to have the Grace of Christ and sin too, and this you may well cast off: and a coming for his Grace and Spirit only, and you despise Grace, and distrust the Lord if you cast off this, or you seek to put the Lord out of his working by a covenant of Grace, (where he takes his times as he pleases) and give a flat lie to all promises of Grace, and refuse to be contented with Christs Grace, that thou mightest have the more attributed to thy self, and the Lord the lesse.

5. Either they think not of the exceeding greatnesse of the Lords love and free Grace to them, and hence Paul bowes to Heaven for this, Eph. 3. 16, 17. And hence it comes to passe, that look as 'tis with sweet things, swallow them down in the lump, you never taste the sweetnesse to purpose, nor never commend them; so 'tis when men swallow down Gods love, and chew not upon it, whereas if they did but think of it, Oh how sweet would it be! Psalm 63. 5, 6. Lord, how many dayes and weeks are spent thus? It's apparent you have the profession of a Christian life; but do you taste the sweetness of a Christian course? No: why if you did think, you would; But you are weary at Night, sleepy in the morning, busie in the day, dead on the Sabbath: hence think not, hence give not God the glory of Grace: or if they do think of it, and the greatness of it, then they cannot think so great things should be given unto them, or done for them: that God should love p. 65me as his Son, make me an Heir of all he hath with him, redeem me that have despised his Blood: 'tis too good News to be true. Hence the Disciples believed not for joy, Luke 24. 41. Hence when delivered out of Babel, we were in a Dream; this robs the Lord of Grace, for the greater the love is, and the more you take, the more love shall the Lord have, it cannot be otherwise, if you come to say this is mine.

6. Either they will pore only on their sins, and distempers, and miseries, and never look unto Christ the brazen Serpent, and search for a righteousness of their own, and cannot find it, and hence pore still. As when men have wounds, they only think on them, that when awakened out of sleep, they complain in their beds like the Israelites, Exod. 6. 9. that would not hear Moses because of anguish. As the impotent man answered Christ, Iohn 5. 5, 6, 7. Wilt' be made whole? he turns his eyes upon his misery, I have none else to help me at the time; here is but this means, and when I come my self, others step in before me, &c. Now so do men, and never look beyond means, the Lord can, the Lord will, and so eye not him: or on the other side, if they get healing of their wounds, then they eye Christ only, Eph. 2. 6. They were exalted in Heavenly places, yet remember, as vers. 11, 12. For let any Christian see that he is poor and miserable, but he is not much affected with it, nor afflicted with it, and so eye Christ, and trust to Christ, and ease himself here, & say we must look only to Christ, either you will hear of his fall (yea and himself shall find a decay) or he will grow very proud, unfit to give all to Christ. Is there Grace here?

7. Either if the Lord gives him any thing, himself and mercy, he will now add something of his own to Christ, and pull the vail of the Law over the face of the glory of Christ, Gal. 1. 6. or else do nothing at all for him, unless it be when the good fit takes him, under a pretence Christ must do all; as here the five wise Virgins that fell asleep: and thus you see how Grace is opposed by the children of Grace. Now therefore my Exhortation is, to take heed of this, and be ever ready to attribute all to the Lord, as they cryed when the Second Temple was building from beginning to the end, Zec. 4. 6, 7. so that thou wast spared so long, that called by means that the Lord should by Faith accept, that he should speak peace, this is Grace, that though vile, yet he will save me: 'tis Grace, that though I can do nothing, yet he will help me, and afterwards Crown me: Oh this is wonderful Grace! And

First, Do not only give the Lord the glory of Grace to redeem you from misery, for this you may do, and be full ready to give it, yet perish at last, as the Israelites that sang Gods praises did, but that he will save thee from greater, i. e. from sin. And

Secondly, Not only when you feel nothing, but when you feel most, Oh to honour Grace! And

Thirdly, Not to do it coldly, but with a heart enflamed with sense of it, that I live, I have, I do, I am what I am: Oh 'tis Grace. So that now if the Lord shall come and ask you, what will you say if I'le deliver you from all misery, subdue all sins, passe by all wrong, hear all Prayers, do all good to thee, do much good by thee, love thee every moment, give a Kingdom when thy work is done to thee, and my self better than all? say, Lord I can never recompence this, I shall be I hope the more vile in my own eyes for ever, and give all to Grace. Oh sing that Song, or get that Song by heart now, for Rev. 7. 10. there is a Song, Salvation to the Lamb, which none else could sing. This is our work, and a great work indeed.

How shall I do this?Quest.

1. Get a new light from the Lord to shew you clearly the infinite, endless,Answ. unknown evil of the least sin; Paul was a proud Pharisee until he saw sin, and Ier. 3. 24, 25. for if sin be seen, one smile, one day, nay a moments breathing-time in p. 66this world will be matter of amazement to thee after all thou hast, and hast done: much more when thou seest so many sins, and that in every thing: Intreat the Lord to do this. We walk up and down the world, and say we sin and grieve the Lord; but Oh 'tis not known, happy art thou if the Lord hath discovered it; then thou wilt say, why doth the Lord do any thing for me? could not he pick out stones, nay Toads that never sinned against him, rather than me to enjoy him, especially is sin vile in thee, so near God, and so near Heaven too. Angels were hurled down for one sin.

2. Set a high price upon a little Grace; a man will be exceeding humbly thankful for the giving a little of that which he highly esteems, much more for giving much of what we value. The poor Woman of Canaan, Mat. 15. was glad of crumbs. How thankful do you think she was for loaves? that made her ready to receive all; Be it as thou wilt; so it shall be with you, for if you prize a little, Oh when all shall be given, this will swallow you up into Grace. And it's certain, there is never a mercy but 'tis great, if you consider him that gives it, who receives it, him that bought it. But the most of Gods Grace in us appears to be but small; hence we prize it not, and hence never ready to give all to the Lord again.

3. Learn to put a difference between your double being: for every Christian hath a double being: 1. In himself. 2. He hath a subsistence in Christ. Now look upon your selves as in your selves, you will ever complain there, ever dead, and never have your hearts ready to bless the Lord. If you only look on your selves in Christ, you will be proud, and never give the Lord honour. I say therefore, put a difference between these two, for men appropriating to themselves what is Christs, they rob Christ of his glory. Hence Paul so humble, 1 Cor. 15. 10, 11. For if you look upon your self, I am dead, guilty, damned, weak, here will be shame: if any life, or Grace, this is Christs. As a man on a Mount is the same man, no taller, only the Mountain makes him so: so think of thy self. Or as a mud wall, the sun shines on it, but in it self it is a mud-wall still; all the warmth and lustre is from the Sun.

4. Learn to love Grace; what we love we will seek the good of more than our own, and commend it.

First, It's the only first mover of all our good: thou shouldst never have had a dram of peace or mercy. Why hast it? the Lord will have it so, Grace pleads it may be so; this is the only Petitioner at Court against the cry of sin, against the cry of Justice.

Secondly, 'Tis the only support under the heaviest evills; sometime God frowns, and Hell smokes, and Satan tempts, and sin rageth, and it may be no feeling of Grace, no reason to shew there shall ever be any; now what have you done, what will you do? Fly for refuge to the Promise of Grace, Heb. 6. 18. It is such a Friend as holds up the head when sinking, when dying holds that, when all fails, and against which the gates of Hell cannot prevail. To him that laies hold on Grace, this is wonderful; Paul was a man taken with Grace: hence he every where commends it, I was received to mercy, &c. 1 Tim. 1. 13, 14.

5. See how the Lord loves that thou shouldest honour it, for the greatest honour Grace hath is by Faith; hence they are put for one, Rom. 4. 16. and the great cause why Faith stirs not, is because he sees not how the Lord shall have by it the praise of his rich Grace, nor how the Lord loves it should do so. For if a man did see how by Faith he shall honour Grace, and how the Lord is pleased with it, it would draw the heart to be assured, and to bless Grace; for when the Soul feels it self at worst, why doth it not believe? I shall presume: True, if you have this only in your eye to save your self; but if the Spirit presents the glory of Grace, and this draws your will that you will glorifie Grace, then you will say 'tis no presumption so to do, and so to believe, for the Lord loves his Grace, and all means for the glory of Grace. Hence he will use Faith for that end, to honour p. 67Grace. Oh therefore see how the Lord loves to have thee honour it. This gives Gods heart full rest; this is that which he desires most, because 'tis his end: This is that which all the business of the world is for: Oh see how he loves it! and then you will love to act thus. Now set upon this last work: look over all your life, and like Bees gather honey from every flower, and then come loaden home; so do you, and look over all the Lords love, turn over all the leaves of it: The Lord hath now called me; why? it's because Christ hath redeemed; and why that? because the Father hath chosen; and why me? to glorifie his Grace: And why me rather than another? No reason, but he would. This I doubt not will be the work of Heaven, I am glorified because called, because redeemed, because elected, for none other reason why, and here astonished. You have not christian hearts in you, that will now have no care to do this work there before you are turned off the stage: you poor doubting Spirits, that see so much vileness, and cannot be perswaded; be not discouraged. Wait for the Lord, and say, if he shall save, I shall for ever love him the more. Now hold here, an… be ready to do so, and it's certain thou art a vessel of Glory, ready to sing the Song of the Lamb, and shalt follow him where-ever he goes.